Full Video Conversation and Interview Entirely and Exclusively by OurLIC.

"You have a Dream."

There has been a transformational shift...'Self-Empowerment'...Bishop Mitchell Taylor, Founder of East River Development Corporation (ERDA), has created a new model to break the cycle of poverty in public housing.

Conversation and Article by Arthur Rosenfield, OurLIC 5/14/10

Bishop Mitchell Taylor, Founder, East River Development Alliance (ERDA)   Bishop Mitchell Taylor, Founder, East River Development Alliance (ERDA) Video Interview with Bishop Mitchell Taylor, Founder, East River Development Alliance May 14, 2010. Part 1: Bishop Mitchell Taylor Part 2: Bishop Mitchell Taylor Part 2: Bishop Mitchell Taylor Part 4: Bishop Mitchell Taylor Part 5: Bishop Mitchell Taylor

Long Island City, New York May 14, 2010 - There has been a transformational shift. It could have gone unnoticed in the excitment of the Grand Opening of the ERDA Federal Credit Union on April 16th on a short block in Long Island City. It was a traditional American Bandstand Event, and every political figure came to take the microphone and offer congratulations. The applause went to Bishop Mitchell Taylor, his team, and the supporters from governments, agencies, people, and corporations that helped him accomplish this fantastic Grand Opening of a Credit Union where the community of depositors are the owners. But wait. Behind Bishop Taylor was 60 years of movements and struggle. From "Desegregation" to "Integration" to the struggle that defined "Freedom" in this country through the guiding principle of the land for over 45 years.... "Equal Opportunity". Behind him has been a history of slow, but extraordinary change. Five years ago, or perhaps 20 years ago, Bishop Mitchell Taylor had the vision of a different way to break the cycle of poverty that has left people unable to access that promise of opportunity. The transformation he brings with his vision is a subtle but definite shift from "I have a Dream" to "You have a Dream".. He acknowledges that this could not have happened without the pain, sacrifice, and even blood of others before him. As newcomers to Long Island City, we have been learning about the East River Development Alliance (ERDA). During the past year we had seen examples of the work of Bishop Taylor's organization. He was acknowledged for his leadership and support by Jimmy Van Bramer at his Inauguration as City Councilmember. Since then, we have carefully interviewed ERDA people, their clients, 'customers', and other people who have benefited from ERDA, or allied with it. I asked to have a conversation and interview with Bishop Taylor because I saw something in the model he had created that I thought was innovative. . On May 14, 2010, I had that conversation with him. I wanted to talk with him about his new model, and learn about his leadership and how he had shaped himself into the man he has become. I also had some hard questions I wanted to ask. I had a sense that it would be a defining moment. I asked Tony Vaccaro, a world famous photo journalist for the past 70 years, to join me. [ Go to Tony Vaccaro: A Retrospective] During that hour and a half conversation with Bishop Taylor, he did, in fact, define himself and his place in the future. The OurLIC Video Conversation with him reveals a leader of considerable insight. Viewers will see "the making of a champion", a champion of the people who has taken his vision, and made it a reality. Through his considerable leadership talents and abilities, and his innovative approaches, the work of Bishop Mitchell Taylor, his organization, and his supporters will ultimately result in improved lives for millions of people. ERDA ERDA (East River Development Alliance) is an alliance of organizations with the mission to help people living in public housing to gain access to the opportunities that can be available to them. Where there were previously barriers, one-by-one ERDA is knocking them down. One-by-one Bishop Taylor and his team are creating solutions to gain, for residents of public housing, the "access", the skills, the knowledge, and assistance they need to succeed. They are self-empowering people to achieve their dreams. It's mission statement: "Founded in 2004, the East River Development Alliance (ERDA) is an innovative nonprofit located in Long Island City, Queens working to provide public housing residents with the tools and resources for economic success." Expansion of the ERDA initiatives has already begun, as ERDA will soon announce new office locations in other parts of Queens.. Bishop Taylor has brought together a terrific team of executives and Board Members that have been working to make these things happen. Jeremy Reiss, Vice President for Strategy, Organizing, and External Affairs Barbara Zerzan, Vice President for Program Operations Carmen Simon, recently appointed CEO of ERDA Federal Credit Union after serving to get it opened as ERDA's Credit Union Organizer. Shanna Castillo, Workforce Development Program Director Florence Juillard, Financial Fitness Program Director Bethany Cureton, College Outreach Coordinator Sarah Proescher, College Outreach Coordinator Cate Elander, Manager of Outreach and Organizing Elizabeth Chominski, Business Accounts Manager, Workforce Development Project Other Executives Board of Directors Bishop Mitchell Taylor Bishop Mitchell Taylor's life today is a reflection of the painful choices made by two mothers and his fathers. From these choices, Bishop Taylor has pursued and discovered 'truths". In his early 20's he recognized the meaning of choices made by his mothers and fathers. He pledged to himself to be worthy of those choices. Taylor sees himself as having the responsibility to make his life a tribute to his two mothers, and an honorable man to his father, a Pentacostal Minister. He, himself, grew up in Queensbridge projects and knows it well. He refers to generations of people who are remaining in Queensbridge and other housing projects, locked in a cycle of poverty. He wanted to break it so that children and grandchildren can have a better life. . Both Bishop Taylor and his wife, Barbara, are Ministers at Church of Hope International on 40th Street in Long Island City. They have two children. The Vision Bishop Taylor's vision is to break the cycle of poverty through a system of tools that provide a platform for "self-empowerment". It is a different model. It can work today, in Queensbridge, because of the foundation that has been built over the past 60 years of "the struggle". The main elements of this transforming difference are: An alliance of cooperation among organizations to create a strength that none could achieve independently. The development of a series of tools that can create access to the existing "structure" of society, leading to the productive participation for those who have previously been locked in the cycle of poverty and living in housing projects. Opening a Federal Credit Union to provide access to capital; and, to provide a means of financial life management. The empowering tool kit that ERDA has devised can be applied as a whole life solutions in areas of jobs, training, college education, home, and financial well being. Full video interview with Bishop Mitchell Taylor, Founder of ERDA, is available in the left column in six segments of approximately three to seventeen minutes each. Highlights: ERDA gives people in public housing the tools for economic mobility and self-sufficiency They start with conversations with people about what is possible. When people walk through the doors of ERDA, at that moment they make a decision to take control of their complete lives, whether it be for employment, financial literacy, college access, early awareness, or community re-vitalization. ERDA organizes and brings together all of the natural social networks and platforms that exist in the communities of public housing. For example, this includes the tenant association presidents, teachers and principles, business people, and religious organizations. This model will work across the city of New York...and across the US. Public housing neighborhoods are different from other comunities. They need different solutions. ERDA is trying to destroy the barriers that maintain cycles of poverty so that people can move into self-sufficiency. ERDA did a survey to determine what people really need. ERDA's survey showed that people living in public housing wanted four things: Training, but not pie in the sky training with no job at the end. Financial literacy services. College access. Access to capital. Discussion about Democracy, segregation, Equal Opportunity, "livable society", and the continuing struggle. Bishop Taylor discussed the history and importance of the New York Housing Authority, advocates, and activists as a context for the success of the ERDA model. Taylor decided to take a different approach. He says "If one voice cries, it can easily be ignored. If a thousand voices cry or speak, we can never be ignored." Not to be confrontational, but to work together with the NYC Housing Authority. People make the mistake of looking back. In a very personal conversation, Bishop Taylor discusses his early life and how it effected his future, and influenced his decisions. This is Civil Self-Empowerment to break the cycle of poverty. Related OurLIC Articles: ERDA's Workforce Development Program Trains People, and Helps Place Them in Jobs East River Development Alliance (ERDA) Workforce Development Program, Interview with Elizabeth Chominski, Business Accounts Manager. GO to Special Report BulbAmerica: Innovation in Long Island City creates an eCommerce Success Story. Long Island City's BulbAmerica talks to OurLIC about its growth and success with employees that come from the East River Development Alliance (ERDA) Workforce Development Program. Go to Special Report Grand Opening of ERDA Federal Credit Union. An American Bandstand Event! East River Development Alliance (ERDA), cuts the ribbon and celebrates its community by creating another tool to enable residents through effective, innovative resources and solutions. Go to Special Report Contact ERDA at: East River Development Alliance 12-11 40th Avenue Long Island City, New York 11101 718-784-0877     Bishop Mitchell Taylor and world famous photographer Tony Vaccaro.