Willie F. Peterson, is the Pastor of the NewBirth Kimmelbrook Baptist Church in Youngstown, OH and the Executive Director of The Center for Community Empowerment (CCE), a faith based social service agency which he established in 1999. Rev. Peterson has served in the church for most of his life. In 1984 he was licensed in ministry and ordained in 1990 into the pastoral ministry.

Rev. Peterson has a history in community organizing and involvement. For the last 15 years, in his work at the Center, Rev. Peterson has helped over 200 ex-offenders receive and maintain employment through their NewBirth Project. He and his wife, Ella, have served over 1000 children through their Child Enrichment Program. Rev. Peterson facilitates grant-writing workshops, consults businesses, government, community and faith-based organizations as an expert on the ex-offender population and cultural diversity.

Rev. Peterson also serves as professor at the Youngstown State University’s Social Work Department. He holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Social Work, and a Masters of Arts in Management and Leadership.

He and his wife Ella are the parents of five children, 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Rev. Peterson’s book, <u>Taxes and Tithes, It’s&nbsp;</u><em><u>YOUR</u></em><u>&nbsp;Money</u>, was released 2006.