Our Board provides governance, wisdom, and accountability as we steward the mission of Parish Collective. They bring diverse experiences, perspectives, and expertise while helping us remain faithful to our calling and positioned for the future.
Our Board
Jonathan Brooks
BOARD CHAIR
North Lawndale | Chicago, IL
A lifelong resident of Chicago, IL, Jonathan Brooks currently serves as Co-Pastor of Lawndale Christian Community Church in the North Lawndale neighborhood. He previously served as pastor of Canaan Community Church in the West Englewood neighborhood for fifteen years. As an educator on many different levels and a firm believer in investing in the local community, Jonathan has a deep desire to instill this value in the students and young people in his congregation, classroom, and neighborhood.
Pastah J, as he is affectionately known, is a sought-after speaker, writer, artist, and community activist. He has contributed to numerous blogs, articles, and books, and is the author of Church Forsaken: Practicing Presence in Neglected Neighborhoods. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Tuskegee University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from National Louis University, and a Master of Divinity from Northern Seminary with an emphasis in Christian Community Development. He is married to Micheál Newman-Brooks, and together they have two children. You can learn more at pastahj.com.
Rosa Lee Harden
BOARD MEMBER
Asheville | North Carolina
Rev. Canon Rosa Lee Harden is a self-described serial-entrepreneur. Her vocational life has included being publisher of weekly newspapers, trade journals, a business journal and CEO of a ‘Silicon Valley’ start-up. She was ordained as an Episcopal Priest in 2000 and served as Vicar of Holy Innocents Episcopal Church in San Francisco for ten years. She also served as the Canon for Money and Meaning at All Soul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Asheville, NC. In 2003, she developed ‘via media,’ a video curriculum about basic theology for the Episcopal church, developed at a time when the church was under great stress. Purchased by more than 1000 churches, it brought healing and connection across the denomination. In 2008, she and her husband, Kevin Jones, launched the global SOCAP (Social Capital Markets) conference, the conference at the intersection of money and meaning. In its 11th year, SOCAP18 brought more than 3,000 people from more than 60 countries to San Francisco to accelerate the good economy.
Now, Rosa Lee is leading Faith + Finance: Reimagining God’s Economy, a conference to enable the varied and disconnected parts of the Christian church to learn a language for making theological sense of money and its uses. She is also executive producer of Neighborhood Economics, a convening in Indianapolis that brought together leaders and practitioners in the field.
Dwight Friesen
BOARD MEMBER
Lake Hills | Bellevue, WA
Dwight J. Friesen (he/they) serves as Professor of Practical Theology at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology. With a rich history in pastoral ministry, church planting, and directing the Leadership in the New Parish think tank, Dwight is a founding board member of Parish Collective and co-founder of the Inhabit Conference. His work is rooted in helping churches and communities cultivate faithful presence, neighborhood flourishing, and innovative forms of Christian leadership.
Dwight is actively engaged with the Urban Shalom Society and Faith for Cities, contributing to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, UN-Habitat's New Urban Agenda, and The City We Need Now! campaign. As an author and co-author, he has written several books, including Thy Kingdom Connected, Routes & Radishes, The New Parish, and 2020s Foresight: Three Vital Practices for Thriving in a Decade of Accelerating Change. Dwight lives in the Lake Hills neighborhood of Bellevue, Washington, on Seattle's Eastside.
Majora Carter
BOARD MEMBER
South Bronx | NYC
Majora Carter is an urban revitalization strategist and broadcast producer/host from the South Bronx, New York. Her work spans environmental justice, economic development, social mobility, and real estate, earning recognition including a MacArthur "Genius" Grant, a Peabody Award, the Rudy Bruner Award Silver Medal, nine honorary doctorates, and numerous professional honors. Through her consulting work, she helps organizations challenge outdated assumptions and develop innovative solutions to complex community issues.
Majora is known for her belief that "Nobody should have to move out of their neighborhood to live in a better one," a quote featured in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Her work focuses on strengthening local communities by reducing "brain drain," creating wealth-building opportunities, and advancing inclusive economic development.
As the founder of Sustainable South Bronx and Green For All, Majora pioneered innovative community development initiatives, including deploying MIT's first Mobile Fab Lab to the South Bronx. She later launched a consulting firm recognized as Best for the World by B Corp in 2014 and has partnered with organizations such as Google, Cisco, Etsy, Gust, and FreshDirect to expand economic opportunity in underserved communities. She is a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science.
Michael Mata
BOARD MEMBER
Koreatown | Los Angeles, CA
Michael Mata began his ministry more than 40 years ago by moving into his Los Angeles neighborhood to serve alongside local youth. Throughout his ministry, he has remained committed to the flourishing of urban communities, equipping faith-rooted leaders to create lasting, positive change in marginalized and under-resourced neighborhoods through both formal and informal training.
Drawing on extensive experience in urban pastoral ministry, theological education, urban planning, and community development, Michael brings a unique perspective to the Parish Collective Board. His lifelong commitment to neighborhood transformation continues to shape and encourage leaders working locally, nationally, and globally.
We're Glad You're Here
Thank you for taking the time to get to know the leaders who help guide the vision and mission of Parish Collective. We hope you'll continue exploring our community and join us as we learn, connect, and seek the flourishing of our neighborhoods together.