History of Mount Zion Community Development, Inc. (MZCD)
MZCD, Inc. was organized in 1997 by members of the historic Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the visionary leadership of its pastor, Rev. Dr. John H. Grant. For several years prior to MZCD’s formation, the church took an active role in the development of the surrounding neighborhood, a primarily African American community known as “the Block.” The Block was once a cultural and commercial center of activity for African Americans in western North Carolina. But shortly after WWII, the area began to decline and was declared blighted by the City of Asheville in the early 1990s. As the founder of Mount Zion Community Development, Inc., the church was cognizant of the fact that when a blighted area is restored and improved, the community benefits through the creation of new or restored homes, prospering businesses, more attractive public areas and parks, and renewal of individual and civic pride. Blighted areas can become like prisons for those who are powerless to change their way of life. People living in deteriorated and oftentimes overcrowded conditions can become the victims of crime and disease, which have serious social consequences. Mount Zion Community Development, Inc., has its own separate Board of Directors who have governing oversight of the corporation.
From 1997 to 2003, he served as Founding President & CEO of the Mount Zion Community Development, Incorporated (“MZCD”), which currently facilitates two programs: (1) Project Nurturing Asheville and Area Families (“NAF”)—“working to help African American women have healthy babies and reduce the minority infant mortality rate;” and (2) Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative (“TPPI”)—“working to reduce the rate of teen pregnancies
Since 1998, MZCD has raised and invested millions of dollars for its community projects, as well as provided part and full-time jobs with benefits.
The central thrust of Dr. Grant’s vision and ministry is leading the church in preaching, teaching, and witnessing to the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Understood holistically, this commitment to Christ has been the main motivation for the organization in 1997 of the Mt. Zion Community Development, Inc. (“MZCD”), one of the signature accomplishments of his vision for up-building and transforming our community. MZCD has also raised and invested millions of dollars for its programs and community projects, as well as provided part and full-time jobs with full-time benefits, including medical insurance, retirement, etc. One of MZCD’s programs, Project NAF, has been cited in Asheville as a national model and showcased nationally.
Since its inception in 1997, MZCD has operated four acclaimed programs:
1. Project Nurturing Asheville and Area Families (“NAF”)—“working to help African American women have healthy babies and reduce the minority infant mortality rate;”
2. Project EMPOWER (Education Means Power), initially a Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative (“TPPI”)—“working to reduce the rate of teen pregnancies:” It’s current focus is impacting/reducing the opioid and substance abuse crisis among youth and teens.
3. The Elizabeth Grant Hill Campus of Learners: Center for Health, Technology, and Entrepreneurship—“working to bridge the digital divide in our communities;” and,
4. Real Estate Development for housing, office, retail—“working to provide economic opportunities and eliminate blight”.
Another signature accomplishment of Grant’s Christ-centered vision for up-building and transforming our community was the organization of the Eagle-Market Streets Development Corporation, another 501 (C) (3) non-profit, where he served as Founding President, Chairman, & CEO. This corporation has completed construction of Eagle Market Place, a $12 million project which provides 62 affordable-workforce apartments, over 6,000 SF of community and neighborhood space, and almost 7,000 SF of commercial, retail, and office space. Visit info@mtnhousing.org for more details on the project.
Howard University students
Howard University Alternative Spring Break Program
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Asheville, Inc. was the host for Howard University Alternative Spring Break Program, under the initiatives of Disaster Relief and Youth Holistic Wellness. Fifty students served at schools in the morning and a mixture of after-school programs and disaster relief efforts in the afternoon. Jael Johnson and Charnaeh Brown, served as NC Site Coordinators for Asheville.
On March 1, approximately 1,300 students from Howard University deployed to 22 cities across the country as part of the annual weeklong Alternative Spring Break (HUASB). In its 32nd iteration, Howard’s program is by far among the largest student-led collegiate spring break service initiatives in the country. Guided by the theme, “Nurturing our Community: Planting Seeds of Hope for the Future,” students will collaborate with local organizations addressing violence prevention, housing stability, disaster relief, restorative justice, food stability, holistic wellness, environmental justice, youth empowerment, community development, and education.
“Howard University's Alternative Spring Break program is a life changing experience for our student participants who come from different parts of the world and the communities they serve," said Joseph Dillard (B.A.’13, J.D.’16), Howard University’s Assistant Dean of the Chapel, who leads the HUASB program. “Our students go in thinking they are lending a helping hand but find out that serving others enriches them as well. HUASB furthers the University’s mission and motto: truth and service. During times of challenge there is no better way to bring people together than through service. Ultimately, HUASB is a bridge.”