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RESUME
Jesse C. Turner Pine Bluff, AR 71601 EDUCATION 2010 Graduate Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, New Hampshire Master of Science Degree Community Economic Development 1965-1968 Attended AM&N College/University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Major in Mathematics; Minor in Business Administration Southeast High School, Pine Bluff - Indiana Street Elementary School, Pine Bluff Work Experience 2012–Present Project Director National Alliance of Faith and Justice PEN OR PENCIL Initiative 2000-2012 U. S. Department of Justice Weed and Seed Program Coordinator 1968-1990 Cotton Belt Railroad, Pine Bluff, AR-Journeyman Electrician 1976-1977 Served as Mechanical Department Supervisor Cotton Belt Railroad 1981-1983 Pastor Union Grove Baptist Church, Gould, AR 1995-Present Pastor The Historic Elm Grove Baptist Church, Pine Bluff, AR 1986-Present Executive Director Interested Citizens for Voter Registration, Inc., Pine Bluff, AR Community Involvement and Investment Thirty years of community building experience; over a decade of crime prevention experience and training 2018 organized two-thousand students from all Pine Bluff School Districts in Community Marches and Assemblies calling for an end to community Gun Violence and Bullying on school campuses Participated as member of research Study group with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and the Jefferson Comprehensive Care Systems, Inc., to address asthma disparities, among the economically disadvantaged and minority population in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County Organized the Original PBICVR KINGFEST Celebration for Pine Bluff and Jefferson County honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Organized PBICVR Coffee with the Chiefs in Pine Bluff for Faith and Law Enforcement 2012 Organized Adopt A Grandparent Project 2004 Organized Y.E.S. Youth Empowerment Strategies Spearheaded the Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Assembly in Pine Bluff in 1998. The fortieth year after Dr. King visited AM&N campus, now UAPB, to give the 1958 commencement address. The Youth Assembly generated approximately $400, 000 for the Pine Bluff economy Spearheaded efforts to name a 140-acre park in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Organized and named the first monument in Arkansas in honor of Coretta Scott King, wife of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Spearheaded efforts in 2003 to secure $3.2 million U. S. Transportation dollars to resurface University Drive/Highway 79 North, total project cost $6.7 million dollars Led Efforts to name the southern by-pass in honor of the late Pine Bluff native and Civil Rights Attorney Wiley Austin Branton, Sr., the cost of the memorial - $100 million dollars. The Branton Interstate Highway is a first in Arkansas to honor an African American Led the efforts to bring the US Department of Justice “Weed & Seed Crime Strategy” to Pine Bluff resulting in Pine Bluff receiving approximately $8 million dollars in funds and services Organized the PBICVR Distinguish Service Awards Community Program to recognize Pine Bluff Law Enforcement, Firemen, Residents and Citizens for good deeds done in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County. Recognized for Weed and Seed work as one of fifty best collaborations in America by the National Crime Prevention Council in Washington DC along with Faith and Service Technical Network (FASTEN) the collaboration featured Weed and Seed/PBICVR, Inc. in a document called, Faith Community and Criminal Justice Collaboration; a project funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, and featured in the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America (CADCA) “The CADCA Strategizer 47.” The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs selected him as one of only a few Weed and Seed Site Coordinators to attend leadership training at the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America [CADCA] Leadership Forum in Oxen Hills, Maryland in 2010. The Justice Research and Statistics Association (JRSA) and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) invited him to Washington, DC to evaluate the National Weed and Seed Strategy. Led efforts in 1997 to establish the PBICVR “Respect for Life Campaign” to reduce homicides in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County, specifically among African Americans which resulted in a homicide free summer featured in the New York Times newspaper and the USA today Magazine Organized the relocation of the only WWII Monument in Arkansas which recognize African Americans WWII Veterans Spearheaded effort to name the first Pine Bluff School District Administration building in honor of M. D. Jordan and R. N. Chanay, two local African American educators. Shepherd legislation through the Arkansas State House and Senate to reduce the use of Nitrous-Oxide for street racing. The Bill is called "The Nitrous-Oxide Prohibition Act" or “Eric's Law” named in in honor of my nephew Eric Lamont Turner. Led efforts to name a school in honor of W. T. Cheney, the first local African American principal in the Pine Bluff School District to receive this honor Spearheaded the establishment of Pine Bluff PEN OR PENCIL, an affiliate with the National Alliance of Faith and Justice. www.penorpencilmovement.org Established Pine Bluff CARES Mentoring Movement in Pine Bluff in association with the National CARES Mentoring. www.caresmentoring.org Spearheaded efforts in the Pine Bluff School District to allow teachers and personnel to be off for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Established the PBICVR King Team in Pine Bluff, (youth between the ages of 12-19), who pledge to be drug free, nonviolent, and commit to community service work Led a successful effort to change the way Pine Bluff, Dollarway, and Watson Chapel elect School Board Members, resulting in more African Americans being elected to serve on School Boards Spearheaded efforts to change City Council election from at-large to Wards election which resulted in more African representation on Pine Bluff City Council 1987 led successful boycott against Pine Bluff Commercial, the largest newspaper in Southeast Arkansas, aimed at hiring more African American Reporters and fairer news coverage for the black community and UAPB. The Boycott was the catalyst for the Journalism Program, the Radio Station (UAPB 89.7 FM) and TV24 Television Station NOTABLES 2020 Appointed to the Federal 400 Years of African American History Commission Faith and Justice Subcommittee, serves as Chairman of Faith Component Board Member Emergency Food and Shelter Federal Program Board of Visitors University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff President of Pine Bluff Faith Community Coalition Ministerial Alliance Board Member Go Forward Pine Bluff, Inc. Member Woodson Center – Community Affiliate Network (CAN) Member of Justice Sunday National Steering Committee 2003 Served on the National Task Force on Black Church and Ministry to High Risk Youth 2003 Honorary Co-chairman of the President’s Dinner Honoring President George W. Bush, invited by President George and Barbara Bush Led Tour of Pine Bluff for President George H.W. Bush [view at] https://www.c-span.org/video/?32583-1/republicanwalking- tour-pine-bluff Former Vice President Community Enterprises Development Corporation Former member of Pine Bluff Jefferson County Equal Opportunity Commission, Inc. Former member UAPB NCA/Higher Learning Commission Steering Committee Former Chairman Quality Education Committee PBHS Former Board of Trustees Southeast Arkansas College Former Board of Directors Volunteer in Public Schools Former Board of Director Pine Bluff Boys & Girls Club Former Member Racial Disparities in Arkansas Criminal Justice Steering Committee Former Member Pine Bluff Former Community Housing Resource Board - Former Member Parents as Teachers Advisory Committee AWARDS 2019 Received Distinguish 400 Award from the Federal 400 Years of African American History Commission *The first ever in Arkansas to receive this prestigious Award 2019 Work with African Americans Recognized in Congressional Record U.S. House of Representatives 2018 (October) Received the Spirit of Elijah Award from New Saint Hurricane Missionary Baptist Church 2018 (April) Received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major Innovation Service Award from the U.S. Department of Education Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, in collaboration with the White House’s Initiative for Educational Excellence for African-Americans for performing extraordinary everyday acts of service focusing on innovative approaches serving students 2013 Received the Drum Major for Service Award from Corporation for National and Community Service in Washington DC in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and a signed letter from former President Barrack Obama 2015 The Rev. Jesse C. Turner Good Citizen Award National Alliance of Faith and Justice, a national award which recognize community service 2013 Mary Church Terrell Award for Civil Rights 2013 Corporation for National and Community Service President’s Volunteer of the Year Award 2009 Corporation for National and Community Service President’s Volunteer of the Year Award 2006 Recipient of the first United States Attorney, Eastern District of Arkansas, Coin of Excellence Award 2006 Governor Mike Huckabee Certificate of Recognition in Public Service 2005-2006 Humanitarian of the Year Award, KAPPA Alpha Psi, Inc. Pine Bluff Alumni Chapter 2003 Served on the National Task Force on the Black Church and Ministry to High Risk Youth with the National Religious Affairs Association of Black in Criminal Justice 2003 Honorary Co-chair for Republican of the President’s Dinner Honoring President George W. Bush; invited by George H.W. and Barbara Bush 2002 Boys and Girls Club of America, Alumni Association of Jefferson County, Outstanding Contribution Award 1990 Recipient of the Arkansas Education Association Award for Civil Rights 1987 Recipient of the first NAACP Dove Award, highest honor given by Pine Bluff Branch 1985 Distinguish Achievement Award Recipient of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 1984 William Townsend Lodge Outstanding Citizen Award 1984 Certificate of Recognition of the United states Army Materiel Command Pine Bluff Arsenal OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AND WORK WITH Arkansas -Governor Mike Huckabee, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton former Secretary of State, Governor Asa Hutchinson, Arkansas Senators Dale Bumpers, Blanche L. Lincoln, John Boozman, Tom Cotton, Tim Hutchinson, Arkansas Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin, U.S. Representatives Beryl Anthony, Jay W. Dickey, Jr. Bruce Westerman, French Hill, Virginia’s first African American Governor Douglas L. Wilder, Governor Ralph Northan, Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax, Coretta Scott King, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Ambassador and Mayor Andrew Young, Henry Hearns, first African American Mayor of Lancaster California, Bernard LaFayette Jr. organizer of voter registration in Selma Alabama, as well as planner of the March from Selma to Montgomery (Bloody Sunday) Shirley Chisholm the first black woman elected to the United States Congress, the first woman to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination, and the first woman to appear in a United States presidential debate. Addie L. Richburg, President of National Alliance of Faith and Justice the first executive director for the Federal 400 Years of African American History Commission in Washington, DC,, Susan L. Taylor, Founder National CARES Mentoring in New York, Harry Belafonte, Wiley A. Branton, Sr., Rev. E. V. Hill, one of the nation’s most powerful evangelist. Tim Scott, first elected African American U.S. Senator in South Carolina, Michael Steele, first African American Chairman of the National Republican Committee, Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of U.S. House of Representatives; Chester Hynes, first African American to serve on City Council in Pine Bluff, Leslie Rutledge, Arkansas’ Attorney General among others. |