Gerald Britt ’75 – Minister, Activist, Writer – Social/Civic
Rev. Gerald Britt, Jr. is Vice President of External Affairs for CitySquare, a social service and social justice organization working on issues of poverty, equity and justice in Dallas, Texas. In his role at CitySquare (formerly Central Dallas Ministries), Rev. Britt deals with public and develops and maintains relationships with neighborhood and citywide institutions, as well as other businesses and other influential individuals.
Since coming to CitySquare in 2004, Rev. Britt has successfully provided leadership in providing housing for hundreds of Dallas’ chronically homeless. The development of WorkPaths, a nationally recognized job training program focusing on commercial construction and technology. He has successfully fought for state legislation for the wrongfully incarcerated and state legislation and local zoning ordinances to regulate payday lending.
Rev. Britt has been hailed as one of our city’s lending advocates regarding poverty on issues ranging from housing, education, and healthcare. His work at CitySquare has led to creative public awareness initiatives such the organization’s monthly book club and quarterly documentary screenings on policy issues; a monthly column in the Dallas Morning News, the nation’s 8th largest newspaper, where he was a key contributor to the Morning News’ Pulitzer Price winning series “Dallas’ North-South Gap”, which focuses on disparities between North and South Dallas. He also authors a daily blog ‘Change the Wind’ (www.changethewind.org) and has recently authored his first book, “Civic Sermons: Ideas For A Different Civic Culture”.
Rev. Britt is also a much sought after speaker, panelist and consultant at colleges, universities, churches, civic agencies, politicians and business leaders throughout Dallas and the county. He was a recent candidate in the 2015 race for District 3 for Dallas’ City Council.
Rev. Britt has been a key leader in a number of highly effective coalitions and organizations such as Texas Alliance for Good Government (TAGG), a Political Action Committee, comprised of clergy to help educate citizens on the electoral process; EducateDallas, a Political Action Committee organized to positively impact the political process related to public education; Anti-Poverty Coalition Of Greater Dallas, whose goal is to lift 250,000 people in the Dallas area out of poverty by 2020.
Honors Rev. Britt has received are:
Bank of America Local Hero (2010)
Dallas Historical Society Humanities Award Recipient (2010)
Honorary Doctorate of Divinity, Rialto Bible College (2000)
Selection as guest faculty for Housing and Urban Development Fellowship for administrators, Yale University (1997)
Selected as a member of the inaugural class of the Summer Leadership Institute for Church based economic Development programs at Harvard University 1998.