September Constituent of the Month: Reverend Dr. Cheryl Anthony

The Reverend Doctor Cheryl Gwynn Anthony is an anointed Woman of God who has been called into the kingdom to serve her generation through the power of the Holy Spirit. She possesses the unique ability of gracefully and skillfully blends professional ethics, business acumen, social and cultural activism in order to proclaim a living Gospel. As an artisan and visionary, Dr. Anthony is the Founder, CEO and Pastor of the renowned and awarded JUDAH International Christian Center, Inc. (JUDAH), in Brooklyn, New York.  She has served within both local and national government in for more than twenty-five years. Pastor Anthony is a veteran who is committed to community and human development. Dr. Anthony services and dedication have been nationally recognized by former Presidents Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush as a progressive and cutting-edge leader and outstanding organization in the faith based community, addressing wholistic faith-based development and empowerment.  She was an appointed member of the Coalition for Sustainable Success team established by former Vice President Albert Gore.An energetic leader of this diverse and multi-faceted urban community ministry, Dr. Anthony employs a wholistic approach to serving people.  This commitment for advancing people in need is translated by her ongoing active service and membership on several wide-ranging national and international boards.  Dr. Anthony’s passion for addressing the needs of women and girls has led her to establish and provide leadership to the “Women of Faith Advocating Change (WFAC)” partnership comprised of female faith leaders, elected officials and community leaders in New York City. WFAC’s mission is to provide clergy-led leadership in developing faith strategies to combat social and health disparities affecting African American women and girls. Her affiliations include: vice president of the Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State; member of the Board of Managers of the Brooklyn Council of Churches, member of the Board of Directors of the Fordham University Bertram M. Beck Institute on Religion and Poverty, Program chair of the African American Clergy and Elected Officials and past chair of the Bedford-Stuyvesant/Crown Heights HIV Care Network steering committee.  She is a visiting Professor at Yale University, Yeshiva University and New York Theological Seminary.A visionary leader, Dr. Anthony is the creative force behind the 1998 awarded “Wholistic Approach to Community Wellness Program” (WACW), a national faith-based best practice model, which assists religious leaders, government representatives and community stakeholders grappling with welfare reform challenges.  This model was the basis for the New York State Welfare-to-Work faith-based initiative administered by Governor George Pataki bringing more than eight (8) million dollars to underserved communities in New York City.  Dr. Anthony and Judah International Christian Center have garnered national recognition and coverage in both media and national forums including WABC’s “This Week with Sam Donaldson”, The New York Times, Congressional Quarterly, The cover story of City Limits magazine, The Brookings Institute, The White House Empowerment Conference and the New York State Governor's Dr. King Interfaith Summit.  Dr. Anthony has earned Master’s Degrees in Theology and Religious Education, as well as a Doctoral Degree in Sacred Theology. She is an alumnus of Harvard University Divinity School Leadership Institute. A graduate of Cornell University’s Family Development Institute and a certified trainer providing specialized services to underserved populations throughout New York City.  Since 2002, as a certified Financial Literacy instructor, Dr. Anthony and her team have trained and equipped community residents to provide financial literacy empowerment workshops to over 1200 families.  This “Village Mother” is the “Set Gift” of Judah International Christian Center. Pastor Anthony has dedicated her life’s work to leading people to GOD and serving the people of GOD. She is a warm and open leader that administers the work of the LORD with grace, patience and the love of GOD. The purpose of her ministry is to build people to build the kingdom of GOD. With that as the vision, she has cultivated a congregation of leaders who leads leaders. Dr. Anthony is a much sought after preacher, keynote speaker, consultant and ecumenical liaison. She is the proud mother of Keyonn Anthony Wright Sheppard (Takeesha Wright Sheppard) and Kayin Zaire Latson and a loving grandmother of six children: five darling girls and one wonderful baby boy.