Love & Reverence Team Meeting (December 17, 2025)
Event Overview
The third Love & Reverence event transitioned from education to implementation as Ward I residents formed the foundational team to carry the Model City Initiative forward.
Event Details
- Date: December 17, 2025
- Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Location: Hugh C. Conley Recreation Center & Keith James Auditorium, Princeton Avenue
- Format: Team meeting and dinner
- Purpose: Form implementation team, establish strategy, certify Ambassadors
What Happened
After two months of education and relationship building, Ward I was ready for the next phase: implementation. The Team Meeting brought together residents who had progressed from curious attendees to committed participants.
This meeting established shared strategy and purpose for Ward I’s Model City Initiative transformation.
Meeting Structure
Opening (5:30-5:45 PM)
- Welcome and purpose setting
- Vision of commitment from Dr. Chisulo Ajanaku
- Opening prayer by Rev. William Wallace
- Greetings from Mayor Pro Tem Jamelle McKenzie
- Introduction of honored attendees:
- Rev. Bronson Elliott Woods (Assistant Pastor for Global Missions & Outreach Ministries, Ebenezer Baptist Church)
- Rev. Olivia Maxwell (Associate Pastor of Congregational Care, Ebenezer Baptist Church)
Purpose & Foundation (5:45-6:00 PM) Dr. Chisulo outlined meeting goals:
- Understanding what a Model Ward means for College Park
- Exploring Love & Reverence for self and others as the foundation
- Embracing Model City Pledge principles
- Forming the foundational implementation team to bring Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” vision to life
Resource Review (5:55-6:00 PM) Henry Liebling introduced key resources including the Important Resources PDF and College Park Memorial Commons video.
Small Group Breakouts (6:02-6:20 PM) Two focused discussion groups:
Group One: Love & Reverence
- Can you live out Love and Reverence and share this with others?
- What do we already have in place that reflects these principles?
- Can you be an official representative?
Group Two: Community Pledge
- Will you live out the American Creed and judge others by human attributes?
- Can you share this with others in Ward I?
- What does a Model Ward look like to you?
- Can you be an official representative for Ward I Model City Initiative?
Group Reports & Synthesis (6:25-7:00 PM) Each group shared key takeaways. Common themes emerged about collective path forward.
Integration & Commitment (7:00-7:15 PM) Dr. Chisulo led participants in affirming commitments to:
- Love
- Reverence
- Action inspired by Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream”
- Living the Model City Community Pledge
Key Declaration: Each participant became an official Ward I Ambassador, taking responsibility for spreading the message and inviting neighbors to join the movement.
Expanding Engagement (7:15-7:25 PM) Henry Liebling facilitated discussion on educating others and ensuring the Model Ward Initiative aligns with community needs.
Team Naming Activity Participants submitted ideas for team name on index cards to be determined at future meeting. Suggested names included:
- Ward One Beloved Collective
- The Reverence Circle
- The Heart of One
- Team LoveWorks
- Model City Ambassadors
Fellowship & Celebration (7:25-8:00 PM) Shared meal together. Collected feedback cards. Closing prayer from Rev. William Wallace.
Key Outcomes
Official Ambassador Certification Each participant became a recognized Ward I Ambassador of the Model City Initiative, authorized to represent the movement and invite others.
Implementation Team Formation The foundational team responsible for sustained program momentum was established with clear understanding of roles and purpose.
Strategy Development Team discussed approaches for educating and engaging additional Ward I residents.
Team Identity Input collected for official team name, creating ownership and identity.
What This Meant
December 17 transformed attendees from participants to leaders. From recipients of programming to co-creators of movement. From residents learning about the Beloved Community to Ambassadors building it.
Ward I now had a team. A structure. A plan. A shared commitment. The Model City Initiative moved from aspiration to activation.
Impact
- Created official Ward I Ambassador corps
- Established implementation team for sustained momentum
- Developed strategies for ward-wide engagement
- Built foundation for ongoing Love Feast programming
- Demonstrated replicable model for other wards
Connection to Mission
The Team Meeting proved the Model City Initiative is not a top-down program. It is a grassroots movement powered by residents who choose to become Ambassadors. Ward I now has the team to carry Love and Reverence throughout the ward, invite others to take the Community Pledge, and demonstrate that the Beloved Community is built by ordinary people making extraordinary commitments.