About Rev.Dr. Linda Parham

Remembering our roots, and cultural upbringing will; engage the communities, organization, and individuals in a discourse of rememorializing our historical past (Life Stories) simple, coherent, and ultimately REALITY.  In addition, as we are in the 21st century, the “faces that have knitted the quilt of American culture is becoming larger and larger with even more colorful, and diverse needles and threads of lives” (Parham, 1997).    We must be real with ourselves before REALITY settles in. 

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Rev. Dr. Linda Parham…

PEACE, PEACE 

My Little Sister, Big Sister, Sister-in-Law, and Soul Sister

Welcome Everyone from Linda F. Parham 

Synopsis

Maya Angelou said it best, “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” Truly I have been through many struggles and suffered many pains.  I’ve been homeless.  I’ve lost my only child and almost lost me.  At the time, I did not understand those seasons of turmoil.  I kept asking, “God, why me?”  And God always answered back, “Linda, if only you know the future, I’m preparing for you”.  You see, as a Teacher, Mentor, Organizer, Leader, Change-Agent, and Healer, because of my past life experiences I am now more effective in supporting and giving spiritual, mental, social, and economic guidance to parishioners and at-risk populations.  Had it not been for the challenges I went through back then; I would not be able to help others improve their quality of life by appreciating the good and bad that life has to offer.  But God!  My love of reading, writing, stories, and imagination really helped cultivate a mindful, still way of being,” which is and has been beneficiary for my journey of being healed and healing! I have found that music and storytelling are culturally relevant ways to connect Black and brown students with mindfulness. 

 
 
 

My Sites

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

My Credentials

AWARDS

  • Jonathan Daniels Fellowship for Social Concern, Episcopal School of Divinity
    Fellowship allowed me to disengage from academic organization programming around financial issues 

  • Tylenol Scholarship by McNeil/Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceutical
    Developed a program that allowed elderly population to stay in their home while living healthier and happier lives


PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

  • Member of National Black MBA, Memphis chapter

  • Member of Chi Lambda Zeta Chapter of Bartlett, TN

  • Notary Public

PREACHING & TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Associate Pastor, Gifts of Life Ministries, Memphis, TN. Teach and work with Fusion youth and young adult’s ministry

Adjunct Faculty, University of Memphis:  Memphis, TN
Faculty, Northwest Mississippi Community College:  Southaven, MS 

  • Teach students how to create and deliver effective oral and public speaking presentations using a broad range
    of techniques that address contemporary issues with clarity and persuasive impact in a compelling and ethical manner

  •    Teach students how to use visual support effectively as a means of clarification and emphasis.

  • Teach students how to articulate a primary purpose for a presentation as a single, compelling statement and develop major points in a logically organized, convincing manner in support of that idea.

  •    Clearly explain how to gather information from multiple, credible research sources and how to recognize the difference between opinion, fact, and inference and their use in argument. 

  •    Teach students how to demonstrate ethical speech development by avoiding plagiarism in all forms and how to recognize the critical role of listening in successful communication and apply critical and ethical listening skills as participatory audience members.

  • Analyze and evaluate oral presentations by listening critically for elements that reflect the speaker’s awareness of situation and audience, as well as diverse points of view.


Executive Director, UNITEY Community Development Corporation: Memphis, TN ~ 1998 – present

  • Coordinated the day-to-day administrative and programmatic operations of the corporation

  • Developed and implemented a comprehensive program that lead to self-sufficiency for over 150 youths

  • Developed collaborative relationships between UNITEY and local High School and Colleges, and other partners

  • Designed and implemented recruitment, engagement, retention and training of interns and volunteers

  • Created annual and long-term operational and program budgets, goals and strategies for review by Board of Directors and other stakeholders.

Born To Win Ministries:   Worcester, MA

  • Taught Beginner and Advanced Bible & Religion courses to approximately 25 men/women per class

  • Conducted Pastoral Counseling Sessions with a focus on health and wellness  

United Holy Church of American ~ New England District:  covered Hartford, CT and Providence, RI

  • Interim Pastor for Preaching at Morning Worship Service

Ghanaian Faith Evangelical Church:  Worcester, MA

  • Project Management for community outreach

  • Introduced the community development concept to Church leadership

  • Taught presentation, planning, and problem-solving techniques using the Bible as an effective tool for spiritual growth

  • Developed a program that taught individuals about how to implement historical tax-credit when purchasing old property

Mindful Mind Solutions:  Worcester, MA

  • Facilitated Good Grief Retreat Workshop victims of homicide and overdose

  • Facilitated Ministry to Angry Families workshop that taught ministers how to encourage family self-sufficiency

Bethsaida Christian Church Apostolic of Ghana:  Worcester, MA

  • Organized and taught workshops and Bible study groups for the English-speaking members of the Church

Youth Pastor Holy Temple Church:  Roxbury, MA

  • Taught youth Bible studies every Friday night.  Approximately 75 at-risk young people attended on a regular basis

  • Assisted the Pastor in developing an after-school program in an underserved neighborhood 

  • Developed a curriculum that provides teachers with practical Biblical lessons to help youth and young
    adult in the urban area

  • Planned and developed a spiritual formation class for youth and young adults, included week long retreats


MANAGEMENT & TRAINING CONSULTANT EXPERIENCE

  • Deliver executive-level technical assistance, training and consulting services to Houses of Faith and organizations

  • Design and develop business strategies and analysis for organizational challenges

  • Formulate strategic plans, feasibility reports, and organizational assessments

  • Consult with senior-level clients on business management, project planning, and organizational change

  • Manage multi-level projects with large budgets for community organizations and corporations

  • Public speaking on topics such as Diversity & Inclusion, Theology of Community and Civic Engagement, the Basic of Community Development and Faith-Based matters


EDUCATION

Clark University, (AACSB):  Worcester, MA

MBA/MA Community Development & Planning May 2013

Gordon-Cornwell Theological School:  South Hamilton, MA

Doctor of Ministry Degree, 2012

University of Massachusetts:  Boston, MA

Graduate Certificate in Women in Politics & Public Policy, 2010

Andover Newton Theological School:  Newton, MA

Master of Divinity, 2006

Clark University:  Worcester, MA

Master of Arts in Communication, 2006

Boston Theological Institute: Newton, MA

Certificate in Youth and young Adult Ministry Studies, 2006

Harvard Divinity School:  Cambridge, MA

Summer Leadership Program: Certificate in Faith-Based Community Economic Development, 2005

Berkshire Medical Center:  Pittsfield, MA

Certificate in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), 2004

Clark University:  Worcester, MA

Bachelor of Science in Communication, 2002


CONTINUING EDUCATION ~ ANNUALLY

  • Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference on Faith & Social Justice

  • Good Grief Conference on Healing Faith: The Dying Process & Beyond

  • Community Development & Planning Association Conference 

  • American Association of Pastoral Counselors Conference

What They Are Saying…

REALITY (Renewing Entire Attitude to Life Individually Transforming You) and is based on the premise that through provision of communication lines to the abuser, self-esteem and self-worth are found and the mind is ultimately renewed through a transformation that is emotional, spiritual and bio-physical (Parham, 1997).  

Maya Angelou said it best, “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.