The Urban Renewal Center

So exciting to work with so many wonderful people, organizations, businesses, and churches to feed, shelter, and love citizens in need of a warm place to sleep this winter. A special shoutout to and for their support. Will you join our efforts to help others this winter? More details to come….

Black Friday, Cyber Monday — then, Giving Tuesday! Be sure to plan on giving back to a worthy cause. Join the hope movement at the URC to awaken society to its promised wholeness. https://donorbox.org/the-urc-norfolk

We love and appreciate eachof you! Happy Thanksgiving!

Many thanks to for partnering with us to support formerly homeless citizens who are now moving into permanent housing. We love and appreciate our partners for community impact!

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Elizabeth is joined by to talk about another habit or value that we see the New Testament authors write about a lot - mission. This purpose filled call that all Christians have to proclaim the gospel, make disciples, and love and serve our neighbors (both locally and globally).⁠
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Dr. Antipas Harris is the founder and president and dean of the (URC) in Norfolk, Virginia. He is the former founding president and dean of Jakes Divinity School and teaches courses at Old Dominion University in the Philosophy and Religious Studies Department. Antipas earned a Bachelor’s degree from LaGrange College, a Master’s degree from Emory University, a Master’s degree from Yale University, a Doctor of Ministry from Boston University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from St. Thomas University. He is the author of several books including Is Christianity the White Man's Religion?: How the Bible Is Good News for People of Color.

Raven and Sidney from our team, out at Faith and Blue this morning with the . Drop by!

We are thrilled to welcome our newest team member Sidney Dobbins aboard the URC as the full-time Outreach Coordinator!

Sidney was Born and raised in Upstate NY. She brings a wealth of experience and huge heart to help people of Hampton Roads, VA. Also, Sidney has a huge personality!

In her spare time, Sidney enjoys fitness training, skiing, soccer, and any other activities that keep her active. We are blessed to have Sidney on the team!

Nothing like having fun and learning at the same time!

Great kids; great staff; great time at IMPACT Youth Arts programs!

IYAP- Virginia Beach is growing and the kids are building community and enjoying dance and musical theatre classes. There’s room for more kids. Meet us at William Farm Rec Center in VB this Thursday night at 5:45pm to get your 4-7 grader enrolled!

IYAP-Virginia Beach is in full swing. A new semester is underway!

An Evening of Hope for those who have lost loved ones to violence Their names have faded from the headlines. Sierra Jenkins, Dominque Brooks, Erica Atkins, and Zabre Miller, are the victims of murders in Norfolk and Portsmouth that remain unsolved.

The culinary arts class at IYAP-Norfolk is off to a huge success. Thanks to our outstanding team member !

The URC’s Black Sacred Arts series piano concert, “Keys for Change” was a tremendous success. Thanks to all who attended; and thanks to the piano virtuoso himself - Maestro Anthony Olds, Sr., one of the best who ever touched the keys! Thanks to Christ and St Luke’s Episcopal Church () for hosting this momentous event!

Antipas’ reflections from Cape Coast Slave Castles in Ghana 🌍. Spending time at Cape Coast Slave Castles is quite overwhelming; that’s an understatement, indeed. We walked thick floors paved with 400 year old hardened human defecation, blood, and urine. What a surreal experience up close at my third African slave visit of a point-of-no-return! EVERY American must learn what happened with greater depth and accuracy. Hearing the narrative of such unbelievable story of unimaginable, unfathomable black torture and inhumanity.

It is an eternal shame that much of this multinational, European sponsored terror remains an untold story in the Americas. It’s even more heartbreaking that governors and others are currently expunging the truth about slavery and Black history out of the education systems. No matter the so-called “mean well;” it’s profoundly wicked!

We must incorporate more truth about the 1) power, 2) product and 3) privilege that infused the infrastructure of chattel slavery that sponsored the American experiment. And, we must tell the resilient narrative of a people who survived incredible abuse. We must also forever pay homage to those who succumbed to disease and death.

lMay the souls of those who seek to sanitize a gigantic history of black horror find unrest as their evil intentions percolate in policy conversations!

Many thanks to our ancestors for sending me to the places where it all happened. We shall never forget! God bless my ancestors; God bless the Motherland! 🙏🏽🇬🇭

The RSVP is live for the 2nd Annual Evening of Hope! Click the link below and make plans to join us!

Evening of Hope The URC is partnering with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra to host the 2nd Annual Evening of Hope

Mark your calendar for piano concert with Superintendent Anthony Olds, Sr. To be held Sunday, September 24 at 6pm at Christ and St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Norfolk. It’s going to be 🔥!

We’re supporting teachers as they are working hard to have a great year! Snacks and drinks are high ranking when building rapport for student success! says snacks are a bit hit! We are looking forward to a successful year for all the children.

Saturday morning was another good morning of service at the Center. Seven volunteers from brought donated items to the guests. They also brought boxes and boxes (and bags!) of books and games. The shelves at the Center are overflowing! Thank you so much!

So sad. 😭Love is stronger than hate.

We love learning and growing!

We are so grateful for our partnership with and ! They donated $1,000 to support guests at the Center on Tidewater. And they came out strong and gave back to the community in a big way. Thank you so much Pastor Bates and Sharp Men Global!

Thank you to Tidewater Arts Outreach and Vanessa Golson for hosting Acrylic Paint Pour for guests at The Center! We had a fantastic time learning about the history of pour painting and creating our own unique masterpieces. We appreciate your partnership and cannot wait until next month!

Keeping You in the Loop: This Month's Newsletter -

Keeping You in the Loop: This Month's Newsletter We have so much to celebrate! In the words of rapper T.I., “Big things poppin’!” Check out the highlights below for a sneak peak:

Let’s wish the best Vice President ever a fantastic Birthday week! ’s bday was yesterday. We are celebrating all week and the rest of the month! She’s the best! We love you Rachel!!!! 🎉🎉🎉

Keys for Change Concert The Urban Renewal Center presents the next event in the Black Sacred Arts Series - "Key for Change: In Harmony for our Beloved Community"

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It was wonderful to participate in the ’s Senatorial Forum today with US Senator . I really appreciated that he referenced parts of my invocation in his presentation.

The Senator emphasized when I said, “We need your guidance…. We can not depend on our own understanding.” It is true. We need the Lord to guide us in everything we do and in every decision we make.