Metro Lansing Poor People’s Campaign and 2020. What happened?

By LaShawn Erby

Courtesy Photo-Poor People's Campaign members talk with residents of the Porter Apartments

In the first year of its existence, the Metro Lansing Poor People’s Campaign focused on affordable housing, housing advocacy, urban farming, vocational training to name a few initiatives. Fighting to bridge the gaps that continue to not only exist, but widen in unemployment, mental health, healthcare, education, community, food access, housing, and policy justice. During the initial meeting in November of 2019, the twenty-two people in attendance voted to make all of these initiatives a priority and then did just that.

A year later, MLPPC (Metro Lansing Poor People’s Campaign) members have birthed two significant nonprofit organizations to address the needs. One is dedicated to creating a community of Tiny Homes.

Courtesy Photo-Poor People's Campaign members talk with residents of the Porter Apartments

The second one, Advancement Corporation, was created for community advocacy, low-income affordable subsidized housing, housing assistance/advocacy, healthy foods, healthy living, and overall community development for historically disenfranchised and marginalized demographics.

Advancement Corporation serves as the fiscal agent of the MLPPC and will purchase homes to refurbish for families in need. At present, there are negotiations to obtain homes and land for affordable housing and food justice in various parts of Ingham County. To give to this community development effort, go to: www.mippc.org.

During this year of service, the chapter has been intentional in cultivating relationships with residents of the historic Porter Apartments and continued growing partnerships with Edgewood United Church of Christ, Capital Area Housing Partnership, Church of Elohim, Indigenous Youth Empowerment Group, Lansing Tenants Union, Voices De La Comunidad, Capital Urban Land Trust, Sunrise, Lansing Catalyst, Ingham County Health Department just to name a few. To join in this work: www.mippc.org/demands

HISTORY

The Poor People’s Campaign was the last organizing effort of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. before he was assassinated in 1968. Our National Co-Chairs are The Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, Director of the Kairos Center and The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, President of Repairers of the Breach.

Courtesy Photo-The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, President of Repairers of the Breach

As a former State Co-Chair, I am pleased to note that 50% of the current Michigan leadership hail from the Metro Lansing Chapter. Specifically, Pastor DJ Knox and Tobias Webb are leading boldly as State Quad-Chairs for the Michigan Poor People’s Campaign.

In step to end poverty in this lifetime, there are 45 chapters across the country fighting for the rights of the rejected. Together, we are fighting the five interlocking injustices that lead to poverty. They are: Systemic Poverty * Systemic Racism * Militarism/War Economy * Ecological Devastation and a false Moral Narrative of Religious Nationalism. www.poorpeoplescampaign.org

MICHIGAN MORAL MONDAY *** MARK YOUR CALENDAR