On October 9, 2019, Anthony D. Bobo, Jr. (Senior Associate, The Joseph Factor Group) partnered with Pastor Matthew Watts (Hope Church, Charleston, WV) and Pastor John P. Perkins (Common Ground Church, Jackson, MS) at the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) 2019 Annual Conference. The conference theme was “Forward.” Bobo, Pastor Watts, and Pastor Perkins hosted a workshop entitled, “A 21st Century Strategy for Youth Evangelism and Discipleship And a Strategy to Address Mass Incarceration.”

The workshop focused on the amazing work Pastor Watts is doing in the HOPE West Side Revive Movement and HOPE-TALKS Mentoring Movement. We encouraged the group that these Movements could be the next level for the Christian Community Development (CCD) Movement as a Strategy to Address Poverty and Mass Incarceration. Pastor Perkins shared the components of CCD and the work that Common Ground is doing creating businesses to employ those returning from being incarcerated and the underemployment in Jackson. Bobo talked about the project that him and Pastor Perkins are engaged in sharing how a new generation of leaders are being raised up to tackle these tough issues and we are challenging them to address them with the love of Christ in Commissioned To Love.

The afternoon was filled with discussion, questions, and sharing of experiences from presenters and participants alike. Bobo reflects, “Sometimes doing community work, we feel all alone and at our wits end. Attending CCDA always gives me a lift, a charge, a boost! Being with likeminded workers with so much experience and wisdom changes the feelings of hopelessness into “We can do this!””

The Joseph Factor Group was honored to work with to great community leaders and to hear the wonderful things that are happening, through the help of God, all over the world.  

​Anthony D. Bobo, Jr. (The Joseph Factor Group, Senior Associate) will be facilitating a workshop at the June 20-21, 2019, Center for ADR's 2019 Annual Conference. This year the theme is “Managing Conflict and Removing Barriers to Collaborative Decision Making.” 

Anthony will be facilitating a workshop entitled, “A Guide for Community Collaboration and Strategic Planning.” This workshop is about acknowledging building community collaboratives is often complex, complicated, and filled with controversy. Even when they are not “negative,” as practitioners, we live by the advice “prepare for the worst, hope for the best.” For years, we have searched for simple yet effective tools to bring groups together in a positive environment, focusing on possibilities, while creating a plan to move forward. The “Head, Heart, Hands” community assessment model coupled with the “G.P.S.” model for strategic planning has proven to help in managing conflict while removing barriers to collaborative decision making.

This session is for community advocates, facilitators, and those interested in this type of work. The entire session will be hands on and engaging, and it will allow attendees to learn from one another as well as from the facilitator.

The workshop will be Thursday, June 20, 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. at Martin’s Crosswinds. 

On January 26, 2019, Embracing Diversity (a non-profit committed to helping immigrants find self-sufficiency and significance through education and counsel) hosted a collaborative discussion with organizations and individuals from across Mississippi.  The discussion focused on immigration services within the state. The Joseph Factor Group was there leading the facilitation.

The event entitled, “Let’s Get Connected, Mississippi!” hosted over 20 organizations and interested individuals from the legal, education, and business fields to discuss serving the international community. What a powerful discussion as everyone talked about their experiences, shared their capabilities, and explored opportunities. Ravin Cline, Embracing Diversity’s Executive Director and the event’s host, shares “We are blessed to know so many people who work tirelessly, who want to connect Mississippi, who understand that this state has so much to offer, and who are willing to leverage our assets to serve our community.” During lunch, Kutenia Good (luncheon speaker with Working Together Jackson) worked with the group, helping them to get to know one another and encouraging them to continue to embrace diversity in its many forms.

“The Joseph Factor Group is willing to enter into these spaces to serve and lend our expertise to realize collaboration”, remarks Anthony D. Bobo, Jr., Senior Associate, The Joseph Factor Group. He continues, “Using G.P.S. to guide discussions on immigration services in communities all around Mississippi, putting aside individual agendas, and focusing on the whole to see great things accomplished was so rewarding. While this discussion was just a start, it reveals the strengths in the community and the desire to serve those from distant lands who are our neighbors.”

Anthony is right. There are several next steps that were outlined, including a summary report of ideas and opportunities, outreach to other interested organizations and individuals, and continued communication among participants.
One of the most moving moments occurred when one of the international students stood towards the end of the event. With tears in her eyes she expressed gratitude to everyone in the room. She said that many times she feels like she is unwanted in this country and that no one cares, but at this event, she saw this is not the case.
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The Joseph Factor Group’s “G.P.S.” is proving to be an effective assessment tool in guiding, building, and leading communities as they strive to better our world. What a way to realize the needs of others and to find ways to address those needs!

The Joseph Factor Group and Pure Solar Systems are ecstatic to announce their new partnership. Pure Solar Systems integrates the world of energy, technology, and finance. Their management team brings a wealth of expertise in solar leadership, while drawing on a unique set of strategic partnerships. The Joseph Factor Group will be working with Pure Solar Systems to develop their staff as they expand to national and international markets.

Andrew Smalley, Vice President of Pure Solar Systems, expresses the vision for the company, “We are creating jobs. We are hiring for network marketing, selling, and installing of solar. The Joseph Factor Group partnership will aid in the development of our stellar staff.”

“I am incredibly excited”, says Anthony D. Bobo, Jr., Senior Associate of The Joseph Factor Group. “What an amazing time to be involved with sustainable solutions for energy! Training and developing relationships with these ambassadors, who are offering the answer to solve a long-term crisis, is a blessing!”

We will share more as this partnership yields fruit this year.

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