The Story Of Odell Cleveland, a Kreative Mind Media Group production directed by Devin Johnon

“I had the sense of being thrust behind the scenes, into a world which traditional textbooks hint is there but never reveal in concrete detail. This book is full of astute observations about the community level dynamics that are decisive in determining how well—or poorly—individuals and families in need will be treated. The voice of the authors is refreshingly direct, frank, and candid. As a student of local social service systems, I found the perspective advanced in the book to be right on target in comparison to what I have witnessed in other locales.”

— Dave Campbell, University of California Davis

“Such an account of how an organization is born and matures over time, all the messiness and personalities involved, is unheard of. The being from but not of the church, and the case study of societal racism, are invaluable. It will be a marvelous text for organization classes.”

— Diana Garland, Baylor University

PRACADEMICS AND COMMUNITY CHANGE
A True Story of Nonprofit Development and Social Entrepreneurship During Welfare Reform

Rev. Odell Cleveland, Welfare Reform Liaison Project, CEO
Robert Wineburg, University of North Carolina, Greensboro

Pracademics and Community Change: A True Story of Nonprofit Development and Social Entrepreneurship During Welfare Reform presents the single unified case history of the Welfare Reform Liaison Project (Greensboro, North Carolina), the first faith-based community action agency in the country. The history is recounted by co-founder and CEO, the Reverend Odell Cleveland, and academic consultant Bob Wineburg. In an engaging conversational tone, this story captures the entire process of creating and growing a successful nonprofit organization—which 13 years later is still a success. Told by a black practitioner and white academic who find common ground despite significant differences in background, training, and outlook, this story also takes a frank look at the politics and race relations within social service networks.

Features

• True-to-life portrayal of the obstacles and strategies that come with starting and managing a nonprofit organization
• Unified case history illustrates a range of theoretical concepts relevant to community relations, nonprofit development, and social work
• Engaging conversational tone captures the attention and imagination of readers
• Accompanying primary documents illustrate the creation and development of the organization

Contents

Title Page
Dedication
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction

Chapter 1: The $25,000 Home Run
Chapter 2: Pracademics
Chapter 3: A Faith-based Nonprofit Buries Research in a Program Grant
Chapter 4: Bessie the Cow: Let’s Do Lunch
Chapter 5: Getting Fred Newman on the Bus
Chapter 6: What Does the Quality of Performance Have to Do With the Color of Water?
Chapter 7: The Golden Egg
Chapter 8: Church Gets Grant Lost by Jones
Chapter 9: Playing the Grant Game
Chapter 10: The Road Back From Jerusalem

Postscript

Epilogue: For the Students Who Read This Book

About the Authors

Odell Cleveland (BS in Business Administration, University of South Carolina, Spartanburg; MDiv, Hood Theological Seminary) is the President, CEO, and co-founder of the Welfare Reform Liaison Project. The Reverend Odell Cleveland has wide-ranging teaching experiences at various universities, and he is a nationally certified Peer-to Peer Trainer in the Results Oriented Management and Accountability training system (ROMA). He learned the basics of the distribution business as a manager and salesman for Roadway Trucking. He also has an extensive background in professional and volunteer services ranging from board leadership roles to city government work.

The Story Of Odell Cleveland, a Kreative Mind Media Group production directed by Devin Johnon

Bob Wineburg (MSW, Syracuse University; PhD, University of Pittsburgh) is professor of social work at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, and was named a Jefferson Pilot Excellence professor in 2001, having previously served as head of the department. He has been a consultant to the Welfare Reform Liaison Project from its inception. His interests include the relationship between federal domestic social welfare policy and service provision and the involvement of religious organizations in local service delivery and policy development. He has previously authored two books on these topics.