Meet Shawn Pearson of Zion Institute in South Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Pearson.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
By 1980, I was a 10-year old wiz-kid living in poverty with my siblings and my mother who suffered with untreated mental illness. My parents divorced when I was very young. I was blessed with above average intelligence, which afforded me opportunities to travel outside of my neighborhood to explore performing arts, a math/science magnet education program and life outside of poverty.

In 2001, God brought me to Phoenix Arizona with an assignment to teach and share with others about my personal poverty transformation experience. In 2010, I was called to launch a nonprofit organization in South Phoenix, specifically to restore the desolate places in my community. South Phoenix had already begun to show signs of gentrification (building from the outside-in), rather than revitalization (inside out, with preservation of the rich history and heritage of the community).

My work began as a capacity-building organization that focused on churches and community-based organizations. The work quickly expanded to include every sector serving south Phoenix, including business, government, education, healthcare and resident stakeholders. Today, we employ Asset based Community Development Strategies to build resident-owned businesses in the for profit and non-profit sector that have a commitment to poverty transformation strategies. This means these businesses are committed to restoring south Phoenix through education, economic development and engagement in community-based solutions that are sustainable by us, the residents.

Currently, I am founder of Zion Institute, which is currently developing a model for quality childcare for families in poor communities, where families with subsidized childcare benefits do not have to settle for substandard care. This model will be replicated throughout South Phoenix and other communities that have a high number of low-income residents. I am also CEO of Black Family and Child Services, which meets resident needs in the areas of behavioral health, youth services and human services for basic needs.

These two nonprofit organizations are located in the business park on the northwest corner of 16th Street and Southern Avenue. Our vision is to own the business plaza where we currently occupy more than 30,000 sf of usable offices and classroom space.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
This has not been a smooth path. Most of the bumps can be attributed to my stubbornness and fear of walking boldly into the work that was my purpose. I have had the pleasure of sacrificing my home, financial resources, lost friendships, and even strained family relationships because of this work.

My children have sacrificed as well. Though they are all grown now, they have each worked many late nights to build a dream that only recently began to provide a salary. The initial investment of 7 years without pay yielded courage, wisdom and two self-published books that share some of my lessons learned along this journey.

We have, on many occasions, run the businesses with “manna budgets”, not knowing from day to day how the doors would stay open. We provided housing for homeless men who sometimes had more food than my husband and I could afford. We’ve filed bankruptcy to save the organization and denied ourselves the luxury of owning a home or traveling and many material benefits that most might afford by age 50. But this work has been worth every sacrifice.

Even today, we continue to fight the good fight of faith in the vision to restore our community. It is a work of purpose that is always rewarding me when I am ready to give up and go get a day-job.

Zion Institute – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Zion Institute was established to rebuild the desolate places of south Phoenix. Currently, our work is focused on Education, Economic Development and Engagement in community solutions that break cycles of generational poverty.

We offer a model for early childhood education that incorporates family support services to transition families out of dependence on public assistance. We spearhead strategic collaboration initiatives that build capacity for our residents and the agencies that serve our community. Zion is known for being “the well”, the place where residents are met at their point of need to begin a healing journey to break the cycles of poverty.

I am most proud of our ability to be a bridge that closes the gap for relationships between the least of these and those who desire to be part of another individuals solution to a need.

What sets Zion apart from other nonprofits is our ability to leverage resources for our own capacity, while building the capacity of others. We rely on the gifts, talents and experiences of our social network to create sustainability during the most difficult times. This builds and strengthens relationships and lives.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success by whether or not I use my gifts and talents to serve others, not just myself. Each morning, I have what I call a Board Meeting with God. I seek instruction, wisdom and courage to make every human encounter I have one that changes the life of the person on the other end.

I look for changed lives, a smile, a statement of hope, a demonstration of that person being inspired to use their gifts the same way I have been blessed to do.

Integrity matters, loving kindness matters, unconditional compassion matters.

Contact Info:

• Address: 5644 S. 16th Street
• Website: www.rebuildingzion.org
• Phone: 602-268-7502
• Email: zioninstitutephx@gmail.com
• Instagram: @smpvirtuous
• Facebook: @ZionInstitute
• Twitter: @ZionInstitute
• Other: www.bfcsfamily.org

Image Credit:
Thanks to The Open Table, Zion Early Learning Academy and Inspired Book Club Food Pantry

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