ABOUT CPJI

CPJI’s mission is to celebrate the legacy of African Americans in Maury County, Tenn., by exploring history, promoting justice, expanding understanding and inspiring conversation for a better community.

The Mission of Columbia Peace & Justice Initiative

HISTORY

From the plantation economy of President James K. Polk’s day to the 1946 uprising of Black Columbians against an attempted lynching, Maury County plays a critical—yet still underrecognized—role in the history of race and civil rights in the United States. CPJI is committed to telling the truth about these moments in Maury County’s path—whatever that brings. Looking to the past, CPJI believes it’s possible to both learn from missteps and draw strength and hope for today’s struggles against injustice.

JUSTICE

Since day one, CPJI has sought to listen to those who are impacted by bias, lack of representation, poverty, violence and other forms of present-day injustice. CPJI exists to promote peace among and justice for all people in Maury County, through their own efforts and partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits and community leaders. 

CONVERSATION

CPJI’s roots trace back to 2015, when a group of pastors, civic leaders and Columbia residents gathered to discuss race-related issues in the wake of the racially motivated massacre at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C. Since then, CPJI’s Stand Together Fellowship has offered a comfortable place to discuss tough topics and their impacts both nationally and locally.

EDUCATION

There is a significant lack of knowledge and awareness of Columbia’s place in Civil Rights history, with many lifelong area residents—especially those in the white community—stating they were completely unaware of events such as the 1946 uprising. CPJI aims to close that gap for current and future residents of all ages.

WHERE WE BEGAN

Following the brutal murder of nine African Americans in a racially motivated shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., a group of pastors, civic leaders and Columbia residents gathered for a joint memorial service. One pastor, Trent Ogilvie, challenged the group to continue meeting in that same spirit, and they formed the Stand Together Fellowship. Stand Together meets regularly for empathetic, ongoing conversations around racism and injustice, hope and redemption.

These meetings eventually blossomed into CPJI.

“We’re not trying to separate people. We’re trying to build bridges and bring people together for more understanding.”
— Russ Adcox, Vice President, CPJI

In addition to Stand Together, much of CPJI’s momentum has been channeled into uncovering and publicizing the history of the 1946 uprising, historically known as the Columbia Race Riot. The brave resistance of Columbia’s Black community in the face of racial violence not only changed the history of Maury County, but that of America, as the country sat on the precipice of the Civil Rights Movement.

“CPJI is helping to merge our past history with our present people for a greater future. It is bringing enlightenment and awareness to our community and truly doing it from a place of honor. It’s doing it from a place of celebration, doing it from an outlook that can bring and bridge our communities together, our people together, and helping to advance in different arenas.”
— Eddie Youngblood, CPJI Board of Directors

GET INVOLVED

Attend a Stand Together meeting.

CPJI’s Stand Together Fellowship meets on the first Friday of every other month at the Columbia Police Department. It is open to every member of the community. If there is a topic you wish to bring up for discussion at one of these meetings, make a suggestion here. 

Join us on a Justice Journey.

Since 2019, diverse groups of CPJI members and community leaders have embarked on a life-changing educational trip into the heart of civil rights history—Birmingham, Montgomery, Tuskegee and Selma, Ala. If you are interested in attending on a future journey, join the list. 

Donate to our mission. 

Your donations will help CPJI in our mission to celebrate the legacy of African Americans in Maury County and our work throughout the community. You can donate online via Givelify or by mail: Columbia Peace and Justice Initiative, 1107 Whitney Drive, Columbia, TN 38401.

CPJI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Trent Ogilvie, President

    Executive Director/CEO, Columbia Housing and Redevelopment Corporation

  • Russ Adcox, Vice President

    Lead Pastor, Maury Hills Church

  • Juli Beck, Secretary/Treasurer

    Marketing and Community Outreach Manager, Family Dental Associates of Spring Hill

  • Rev. Kenny Anderson, Sr.

    Pastor, Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church

  • Patrick Carter

    Attorney, Middle Tennessee Law Group

  • Rupa DeLoach

    Founder, Level Up Solutions

  • Lauren Denton

    Owner, Writer & Editor, Lauren Denton Inc. Content Studio

  • Eric Jacobson

    CEO, Historian, Battle of Franklin Trust

  • Bryson Leach

    Owner, Good Sign Design Co. and Needle & Grain

  • Cheryl Martin

    Entrepreneur/Grant Advocate, Columbia State Community College

  • Dr. Christa Martin

    Executive Director of Access and Inclusion, Columbia State Community College

  • Alicia McGuire

    President/CEO, Shaq Mason Foundation

  • Demetrius Nelson

    Minister, Carmack Boulevard Church of Christ

  • Chris Poynter

    Athletics Director, Maury County Public Schools

  • Eddie Youngblood

    Founder, The Moses Project and Pastor, Mosaic Church