Memphis faith groups form MICAH to work together towards common goals

By Barbara Kuhn
On the same day that a small crowd of white supremacists staged a widely promoted, but underwhelming, rally in Middle Tennessee, there was a gathering of a different sort in Memphis.

Following in the footsteps of former President Barack Obama, about 100 people from 31 groups were training to be community organizers for MICAH, the Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope.

Mary Gonzales of the Gamaliel Foundation demonstrates how
to do a one-on-one interview at a training day held by MICAH. 

MICAH, named for the biblical prophet who decried corruption in the Hebrew Bible, is carefully organizing itself to become a force for good in Memphis. Working with the Gamaliel Foundation, MICAH began about 11 months ago when a small group of local clergy met with representatives of NOAH (Nashville Organized for Action and Hope). NOAH has also been working with Gamaliel, which is also helping groups in Chattanooga and Knoxville organize.