Center for Religion and Civic Culture
Economic Empowerment
The USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture hosts annual Economic Empowerment series. Presentations address organizational and personal financial management. We encourage you to watch past programs, review and implement learnings with your teams or family, and share the knowledge with your community.
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Gain answers about the status of federal funding for SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known in Los Angeles County as CalFresh. You will also learn about resources for your community members, and find out how your congregation or organization can help others during this time. In addition, learn about changes in Medi-Cal eligibility that will take effect in 2026.
Learn how your ministry or nonprofit can raise, manage and steward money during challenging times. Rev. Steven Johnson, pastor of business and finance at Faithful Central for over a decade, also managed the finances of FAME Renaissance following the '92 unrest under the Rev. Dr. Cecil L. Murray. He shares how money fits into Murray’s 5M leadership model. Pastors, clergy, lay leaders of congregations and faith organizations will benefit from this deep dive into best practices.
How can faith organizations partner with banks to support the flourishing of their communities? Denise Ovalle, VP CRA Community Development Officer with First Citizens Bank, shares her insights. Find out how faith communities can seek funding from Community Reinvestment Act programs within banks.
Developer Prophet Walker shares his vision for "world building" in Leimert Park. The Leimert Park neighborhood in South Los Angeles has historically been a center of African American culture but has faced gentrification in recent years. Walker aims to help develop Leimert Park's central business district as a destination that supports the Black community and businesses that have long called it home.
Rev. Victor Cyrus Franklin shares how First Inglewood United Methodist Church is building low-income housing on its campus. Rev. Cyrus Franklin shares the multi-year journey of discernment, advocacy and partnerships that led them to break ground on a low-income housing development in 2025.
Rev. Dr. Sunny Kang of United University Church shares a model of church-led development of low-income housing. After selling its historic church property on the campus of the University of Southern California, the United University Church bought a commercial property just north of the campus. Rev. Kang shares an innovative model that allows the church to financially benefit from the development of housing and community space, and reinvest into the community.
George B. Thompson, a financial coach and pastor of stewardship at Faithful Central Bible Church, kicks off the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture's 2024 Economic Empowerment series. He covers 5 crucial areas for wealth management: Income, Debt, Investments, Taxes and protection, and Estate planning. We all have financial goals — you may want to save for education or retirement, get out of debt or buy a house. Whether you run a family, business, house of worship or nonprofit, gain actionable advice on how to manage your wealth and meet your goals.
The Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount, executive director of the Oikos Institute for Social Impact, presents the model of "F.I.S.H Capital" as part of the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture's Economic Empowerment programming. Learn how to F.I.S.H. differently — and harness your congregation's Financial, Intellectual, Social and Human Capital.
Take your organization to the next level. Learn how to access opportunities with financial institutions and how to make your assets work for you and your organization. Emery Younes is VP, Business Banking at First Citizens Bank.
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Center for Religion and Civic Culture
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0520