Our Team
Executive Director
Jordan Ford
Jordan Ford is a faith-based community organizer fighting for social justice and liberation. He is a proud husband and father. He and his family are members of Love Zion Baptist Church in North Philadelphia, where he serves as the Social Justice Minister. Jordan also serves on the board of the Center for Economic Empowerment at Love Zion, Inc. Most recently, he worked as the Economic Dignity organizer for POWER, organizing around affordable housing, raising the minimum wage, and preemption repeal.
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Jordan grew up in the Poconos and attended Howard University, where he studied political science. He has ten years of organizing experience, having begun his community organizing career at ACTION United. Before joining POWER, Jordan worked on the Krasner for District Attorney campaign as the finance director. His passions are racial and economic justice, missions, and evangelism
Board Members
Rev. Dr. Jamie Eaddy
Rev. Dr. Jamie Eaddy, affectionately known as Dr. J, is a thanatologist, public theologian, and activist with a heartfelt commitment to aiding individuals through life's most challenging transitions. As the founder and CEO of Thoughtful Transitions, LLC, she brings a unique blend
of empathy and expertise to her role as a death and grief doula, guiding people through experiences of grief, loss, and change from their first to last breaths.
Dr. Eaddy's professional journey is marked by a deep commitment to challenging oppressive, death-dealing systems while creating nurturing spaces for processing grief without stigma or shame. Her academic roles as an adjunct professor at the Lancaster Theological, Columbia Theological Seminaries, and the Black Religious Life and Thought Advisory Council at the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School — her alma mater — further demonstrates her dedication to educating the next generation of doulas and grief companions. Her contributions extend beyond academia into the heart of communities grappling with violence and loss. As the Grief Doula for The Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia, she offers vital support to survivors of crime and co-survivors of homicide. Dr. Eaddy's extensive qualifications include being a clinically trained chaplain, a certified trauma professional, a certified death doula, and a certified thanatologist through The Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC).
Dr. Eaddy's voice and vision reach a wider audience through her media appearances and creative endeavors. She has been a guest on The Samantha Bee Show, sharing insightful perspectives on death, dying, grief, and bereavement. Furthermore, her role as a contributor to the impactful documentary "A Hope that Lights the Way" highlights her commitment to amplifying stories of redemption, reconciliation, and restorative practices in the fight against gun violence. Her written work, including the book "Getting Naked to Get Free" and the innovative "The Ratchet Grief ProjectTM," reflects her belief in the power of vulnerability and authenticity in the healing process. Dr. Eaddy's philosophy advocates for a holistic healing approach that encompasses spiritual, mental, and emotional well-being.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Dr. J's personal interests – ranging from art, 90’s hip-hop, and 80’s Gospel to poetry, making body butter, and spending time near water – add depth to her character. Her love for pink lipstick, solitude, laughter, and time with good friends reveals a person who finds joy and strength in life's simple pleasures. She is a sought-after speaker and a beacon of hope in her community, embodying the belief that all Black Lives Matter and demonstrating the transformative power of combining faith, love, and activism.
Rev. Dr. Phaedra D. Blocker
Rev. Dr. Phaedra D. Blocker is a preacher, educator, consultant, retreat leader, and singer. Founder and Principal of Word&Wisdom, she is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations (particularly clergy and congregations) to move toward wholeness and actualize their potential as agents of change and shalom in the world. She is also the Founder and President of the Center for Clergy & Congregational Wellness, a nonprofit organization that empowers ministry leaders to facilitate health and wholeness in themselves, their ministry contexts, and their adjacent communities. In addition, she serves as Affiliate Professor in Leadership & Formation Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University, where she teaches in the Seminary’s Masters and Doctoral programs, as well as in the University's Marriage and Family Therapy Doctoral program. Her 20-plus years of pastoral ministry experience includes serving both large and small congregations, and she has more than 30 years’ experience in management, community relations, communications and marketing, program, leadership, and organizational development. She earned a Master of Divinity from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer), a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Transformation from Northern Theological Seminary and has done clinical training in marriage and family therapy at the Council for Relationships.
Dr. Blocker’s most recent professional affiliations have included serving on the boards of the Transforming Center, in Wheaton, IL, which equips leaders to guide their churches and organizations to become spiritually transforming communities; and Grace & Race Ministries, Inc., which provides racial reconciliation ministry, conflict resolution, leadership development and educational opportunities. She is a member of Spiritual Directors International, Spiritual Directors of Color Network, Ltd., the Spiritual Caregivers Network of American Baptist Home Mission Society, and the Steering Committee for the Inter-Seminary Initiative of Interfaith Philadelphia. A guiding verse for her life is Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Rev. Dr. Valerie Andrews
Dr. Valerie Andrews was born in Pompano Beach, Fl. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized at the age of twelve while attending the Mt. Bethel Baptist Church. In 1977, her family relocated to Philadelphia, PA. She attended William Penn High School graduating as the Class Salutatorian. Dr. Andrews, furthered her education at Millersville University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts English and a Master of Counseling Education degree.
During graduate school, she attended the Bright Side Baptist Church, where The Rev. Dr. Louis A. Butcher, Jr., served as her pastor. While there, she was called to the Gospel Ministry of Preaching and was licensed by this congregation on January 24, 1986. Returning to Philadelphia in 1988, she joined the Triumph Baptist Church, serving for 17 years under the pastorate of The Rev. Dr. James S. Hall, Jr. In 2005, she was ordained by the Philadelphia Eastern Keystone
Baptist Association, and began her studies at the Palmer Theological Seminary, graduating in 2008 with a Master of Divinity degree.
As a seminary intern at The Church of the Redeemer Baptist, in 2007 she joined this body of believers, serving on staff as Business Manager until 2016. In this role, she managed the day-to-day operations of the church under the leadership of The Rev. Dr. Wayne E. Croft, Sr. and later, The Rev. Omari Hughes. She also served as Executive Administrative Assistant to Dr. Damone B. Jones, Sr., Pastor of the Bible Way Baptist Church, and was the former Program
Director of the Program for Urban Leaders and Pastors in Transition (PULPIT) at the Missio Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. Presently, she is the Program Administrator for the Ministers Council of ABCUSA, where she provides direct and administrative assistance to 2000+ cleric.
Dr. Andrews is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson University (East Falls Campus) formerly, Philadelphia University, where she completed and received a doctoral degree in Management of
Strategic Leadership in December, 2021. She serves on the United Theological Institute’s Committee of Advisors, of the United Lutheran Seminary, and as a consultant for the Thriving in Ministry Project for Black Pastors of Duke University, in addition to the Association of Leaders of Lifelong Learning for Ministry (ALLLM).
Dr. Andrews is exceptionally gifted in managing church operations and highly skilled in training church leadership. She serves as an instructor for United Lutheran Seminary’s Urban Theological Institute’s Certificate Program, teaching Servant Leadership, Church Administration and Managing Church Conflict. In March, 2019, she was installed as the Pastor of the Eternal Life Missionary Baptist Church; a Liberian-Baptist congregation in Southwest Philadelphia.
Dr. Andrews is the proud mother of three children: Joy, Jasmine and Ronald Jr. Her life scripture is Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and
not faint.” Her passion in ministry is to enhance leadership for the Kingdom of God, by providing training and tools for clergy and congregations that will strengthen church effectiveness!
Rev. Jason Bell
Jason Gary Bell, a native of Philadelphia, was blessed to grow up in the church. Grandson of a deacon, he was exposed to Christ at an early age and currently attends St. James United Methodist Church. He serves as a minister in training and the Ascension Young Adult Ministry leader. Jason has nearly a decade of experience working with young adults and men while also serving in leadership in young adults and men's ministries in Philadelphia. He has a Bachelor's in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh and a Masters in Public Health with a concentration in Health Management and Health Policy from Drexel University. He currently works for the New Jersey State government as a county program planning manager, managing the alcohol and drug planning for each county in the state.
Rev. Kevin Hartman
Kevin Hartman has been in ministry for nearly a decade now. He currently serves on the Pastoral staff at Kingdom Empowerment Ministries in Philadelphia, PA. Kevin's journey started at Lovely Baptist Church in which served in various capacities throughout his duration there. Starting out as a Youth Leader, to an Associate Minister and most recently the Interim Pastor. He has a distinct love for people, preaching, teaching, outreach and an unapologetic advocate for mental health
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Kevin holds an Associate of Arts degree in communications from Montgomery County Community College and attended classes at Palmer Theological Seminary. He serves as a member of All One Body, an outreach ministry, and serves in countless other community service projects. Kevin is a passionate preacher of the Gospel and has had the distinct honor of speaking for churches, youth groups, mentor programs, businesses and non-profit organizations.
Kevin's sole desire is to impact and inspire every person he comes into contact with.
What I Believe
I believe in the rights of women everywhere particularly black women who are the most marginalized people on earth. We would be nothing without their strength. I believe in uplifting my black brothers who society frequently cast aside and discard. I believe in fighting for people who cannot fight for themselves. I will always stand beside you and fight for you because I'm too desperate to quit. I'm too desperate for the change this city needs. I'm too desperate to create a better world for my wife and daughters. I'm too desperate to provide justice for my brothers and sisters. That is why I am too desperate to quit and that is why I am organizing Black Christians in Philadelphia.
