The Current Project with Rev. Alisha Gordon

Rev. Alisha Gordon wants black single mothers not just to survive but to thrive socially, economically, and emotionally. This vision, borne out of Alisha’s own experience as a single mother, led to the start of the Current Project, an advocacy and mission-driven organization focused on supporting the well-being of black single mothers by connecting them to the resources needed to attain and maintain thriving. At the end of every episode this season, we have asked each guest, “What is a breath of fresh air in the church today that is nothing less than the gift of the Spirit?” This conversation with Alisha is a breath of fresh air that will leave you inspired, hopeful, and energized for working for “thy kingdom come” today. As Alisha says, “I think we actually have the capacity to save the world right now. We don’t have to wait until the return. We can just do it.” May it be so!

Quotations

“Programming is key because the program is often the bridge that meets the needs when policy fails us, and policy what gets people from the program in which they're doing well back into a society that can actually sustain their thriving.” (8:41)

“These were not mothers with a lack of innovation, a lack of ideas, or a lack of desire.

The only thing that was missing was that they needed someone to believe, someone to resource them and someone to get out of their way.” (15:10)

“I am of the strong belief that as we work and live and play in the margins that marginalized people know better than anyone what it is that they need. They don't need anybody to tell them that.” (16:42)

“It's really about how do we give people the opportunity to dream? And how can they dream safely? How can they live in a community where they can live out their dreams without worrying about them getting snatched from them by violence or bad policies?” (17:00)

“When we talk about the social, economic, and emotional thriving of not just Black single mothers, but of all people, we're talking about a notion of nothing missing, nothing broken, nothing or no one, or no policy or no social idea getting in the way of people experiencing the fullness of what God has caused us to experience.” (26:00)

“I think we actually have the capacity to save the world right now. We don't have to wait until the return. We can just do it.” (36:00)

“The breath of fresh air we need is a willingness to tell the real truth, to go against doctrine, denomination, and politics, and tell the real truth. And this is really inspired in particularly by GenZers. A lot of them don't go to church, but they're still the hands and feet of God. They really don't care about offending people as long as the offense gets us to the greater good.”

We discuss:

• Alisha’s journey to start The Current Project as the pandemic exposed so many of the gaps in marginalized communities. (5:23)
• How the pandemic ignited social entrepreneurship and Alisha’s own project which started with a virtual economic and mental health wellness group. (6:23)
• Programming and policy must complement each other for people to thrive. (8:41)
• The Current Project grew out of a survey of 230 moms in East Harlem and a promise she made to God. (9:51)
• The survey revealed Black single mothers who were very clear about their purpose and goals and only in need of resources and support. (13:57) 
• Along with resources we must create safe places for people to dream and imagine what’s possible. (17:00)
• The financial sacrifice and leap of faith Alisha made to start The Current Project. (17:32)
• Overcoming an oppressive theology of shame to get to a place of thriving. (21:47)
• The core of The Current Project's work is to move from surviving to thriving, to experience the fullness of what God wants us to experience. (25:13)
• The Current Project’s cohort model which creates a shared space for moms to be honest about their experiences and be seen, heard, and supported. (27:46)
• Alisha’s God-sized dreams which include living communities for single moms and galvanizing information to influence program and policies that sustain thriving. (29:50)
• The need to serve moms who are earning too much for the social safety net but not enough to economically thrive. (30:59)
• The breath of fresh air in the church today is the willingness to tell the real truth, about what is possible in the world. (39:00)

About 

Rev. Alicia Gordon is an awarded teacher, faith leader and social strategist whose work intersects social advocacy and culture. She's the founder and executive director of The Current Project, a nonprofit organization committed to closing social and economic gaps for Black single mothers, blending strategic programming and policy to lengthen the runway for thriving. Alisha focuses on helping Black single mothers get small businesses off the ground through financial support and training, so they live into their dreams and create space for economic stability and social liberation.

Prior to the current project, Alisha served with United Methodist women, now known as United Women in Faith, and was Executive Minister of programs at the historic Riverside Church in the city of New York, where she led innovative strategic programming. She's also brought a lens of moral and social advocacy to her work as the director for faith-based initiatives for national and city-wide political campaigns. 

Alisha earned her Bachelor of English degree from Spelman College and a Master of Divinity degree from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Her work has been featured in national publications and media outlets, including Gray Television Washington Bureau, Parents, and WomanEvolve Podcast. Alicia was awarded Emory University's distinguished Top 40 under 40 in 2019 and is a member of the alumni Board of Candler School of Theology.

Show Notes

Rev. Alicia Gordon is an awarded teacher, faith leader and social strategist whose work intersects social advocacy and culture. She's the founder and executive director of The Current Project, a nonprofit organization committed to closing social and economic gaps for Black single mothers, blending strategic programming and policy to lengthen the runway for thriving. Alisha focuses on helping Black single mothers get small businesses off the ground through financial support and training, so they live into their dreams and create space for economic stability and social liberation.

This podcast is brought to you by the Leadership Ministry team at Wesleyan Impact Partners. Leadership Ministry connects diverse, high-capacity leaders who are courageously doing God’s work in the world, partnering in a Spirit-led movement to bring about human flourishing grounded in love, generosity, and belonging.

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