As part of a new series on citybiz, Repairing America’s Broken Democracy: Bridge Alliance Members Take Action, each month David H. Nevins, president & CEO of Nevins & Associates, will interview leaders from different Bridge Alliance member organizations doing work to support and protect our democracy around the country. The Bridge Alliance is a coalition of more than 100 organizations working together as active stewards of our democratic republic. Bridge Alliance member organizations span the ideological spectrum, but are unified to work efficiently, outside arbitrarily defined political lines. The Bridge Alliance supports the democracy ecosystem and advances the healthy self-governance movement. The Bridge Alliance nurtures consistent and open communications between its members, developing a foundation of trust to foster collaboration. For more information, visit www.bridgealliance.us.
Dr. Ivan Douglas Hicks serves as Founding General Secretary of The Ministerium. Dr. Hicks has served as the Senior Minister of the historic First Baptist Church North Indianapolis, Indiana since April of 1999. Dr. Hicks graduated from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio where he received a Master of Divinity Degree in 1994. In December of 2007 Dr. Hicks graduated his first 9 Doctoral students as he served as Adjunct Faculty Mentor in the Doctor of Ministry Program at United. As he completed this assignment he was asked to serve as the first Samuel Dewitt Proctor Visiting Professor teaching master’s students and has recently assumed a position as Associate Dean of Africa American Studies at United. In this capacity, among other responsibilities, he is tasked with developing a comprehensive African American Studies Department for the Seminary, infusing an African American Studies curriculum into the Master of Divinity program.
The Ministerium is a new diverse group of Indiana clergy who are concerned about fairness. They work together to bring about social justice for those marginalized and in need of help and hope. Educational Equity can best be achieved by public policy change driven by community demand. The forum gave an opportunity to gather like-minded faith leaders to learn more about areas for potential advocacy such as Early Childhood Education, Cultural Competency and the disparity in accessing 21st Century Scholars Scholarships. The Ministerium will discuss nuances of these and other educational equity issues and there will be a clear call to action.
Interview questions:
Q1: You have an amazing background in lifting up communities as a minister and an educator. Tell us a little about yourself and how you were inspired to help found The Ministerium.
Q2: The Ministerium is a diverse group of clergy that works to help underserved and marginalized communities. Tell us about your mission and why your work is more important now than ever for those communities struggling with the pandemic, lack of resources, educational inequalities and other challenges.
Q3: Advocacy and advocacy training is an important part of the support you provide to help communities. Talk a little bit about your important advocacy work and its impact for communities.
Q4: The Ministerium is making an important difference in Indiana. Talk about some of the issues your team is working on there from educational equity, early childhood education, inclusion and more.
Q5: You are creating a powerful model that can be implemented in other states around the country. Tell us about some of your future plans to grow The Ministerium on a national level.
Q6: Finally, how can individuals, organizations or businesses get involved with The Ministerium, donate, participate or learn more?
Connect with Dr. Ivan Douglas Hicks on LinkedIn
The Bridge Alliance is a coalition of over 90 organizations dedicated to rejuvenating America. With each organization focusing on a different sector of the movement, our members represent a combined three million supporters in the burgeoning field of civic reform and civil discourse. In addition, more than one billion dollars has been invested towards improving government effectiveness nationwide.
The Bridge Alliance acts as a hub of information and connectivity for over 90 civic action organizations.
We provide the infrastructure for our members to expand individually, collaborate on shared goals, and inform others that are invested in democracy revitalization. This generates a collective impact for greater than any one group could make alone.
David Nevins is president & CEO of Nevins & Associates, a highly regarded strategic communications company and proactive public relations partner. The firm’s regional and national client base is a unique mix of organizations across a variety of industries including: healthcare, professional service firms, finance, not-for-profits, distributors, state agencies, national media companies, technology, political and grassroots campaigns, real estate development, sporting events, and more.
With more than 30 years of experience in marketing, public relations, and community and government relations, David is a talented and seasoned executive. Prior to founding Nevins & Associates in 1983, David served as the Director of Marketing for both Towson University and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. In 2001, he was tapped by the CEO of Comcast to employ his marketing expertise as President of the company’s regional sports network, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. David is a Past President of the Board of Governors for the Center Club and is a former Chairman of the Board of Regents for the University System of Maryland, a position to which he was appointed by the Governor of Maryland. David has chaired the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission and the Maryland Higher Education Loan Corporation, served as President of both the Jewish National Fund and the Towson Business Association and was a member of the PNC Bank board.
David is highly involved in the business, civic, and political communities, and his many years of active leadership in numerous organizations have built a network of contacts that he regularly puts to use for the firm’s clients. For more information, visit www.nevinspr.com.
Edwin Warfield, CEO of citybiz.co, conducts CEO Interviews.
If you’re interested in a citybiz CEO Interview, please contact
Edwin Warfield – edwin.warfield@citybizlist.com
