As I come to the end of my service to this organization I am led to reflect on one of the foundational questions we are called to ask ourselves when we come into the vocation of organizing: Who do you love? In other words, who are the people that have caused you to make this calling a life-long labor of love?
For the last 26 years as the pastor of the Imani Community Church and as a clergy leader in Oakland Community Organizations/Faith in Action East Bay, I followed the call of my ancestors to the freedom road: to the marginalized, dispossessed, and voiceless of our communities who have been victimized by unjust policies and historic disinvestment.
This labor of love led us as people of faith to develop leaders through relational organizing so that the people we love would change policies and transform the lives of the people they love. Because I loved the people upon whose shoulders I stand, I have been a laborer in this vineyard known as Faith in Action East Bay.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve this community and the PICO family for almost 24 years. During that time I have served in the following ways :
- 17 years as clergy leader and Board member of OCO/FIAEB, AND Board co-chair for 10 of those years
- 6 years as a Board member of PICO National
- 4 years as a co-chair of the National Steering Committee of PICO National
- 4 years as the chair of the PICO Action Fund (PICO Nationals 501c4)
- Almost 7 years as Regional Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay (formerly known as OCO)
- Chair of the Renewal Initiative that led the restructuring of PICO California to be more effective in being a statewide network.
I am grateful of the opportunity to serve and to learn and grow with the organization. It has not been without challenges. This has been especially true regarding the issue of racial and religious diversity. Nevertheless, we have come a long way.
I am proud of the team I have been in partnership with, especially the staff of Faith in Action East Bay. We have been on a transformational journey together in our dedication to the people we love and in organizing. It has truly been a labor of love for me and it is my earnest prayer that the Great Spirit will guide this organization into its future.
Much Love and respect!
Dr. Cummings