The Diocese of North Carolina announces with great excitement that Lesley Peace has accepted a call to serve as the founding director of the New Hope Collaborative, a new initiative at the site of the former St. Mark’s, Raleigh. Though the site will become known as the New Hope Collaborative, the St. Mark’s Memorial Garden will continue with the same name.
The New Hope Collaborative is a special mission of the Diocese of North Carolina. The campus will serve as a hub for collaboration, innovation and connection for minority-led nonprofits, diocesan congregations, and diverse civic and worshipping communities in southeast Raleigh. The vision is to cultivate a dynamic and inclusive environment where resources, tools and inspiration converge to amplify the God-given gifts in the community and embody the diocesan missional priorities. Peace’s work as founding director will focus on creating sustainable systems, and collaborating with existing and new partners to build a space for healing and innovation, while creating opportunities to address systemic inequities and inspiring collective transformation.
Some of the partners working with New Hope Collaborative are Loaves and Fishes, a long-standing beloved afterschool program for more than 100 children from kindergarten through 12th grade, and Ekklesia, a worshiping community grounded in community outreach, racial justice and community collaboration from the Methodist tradition. Other partners beginning their work on campus are Justice Served NC, Bridge International and Evolve Mentoring.
“The diocese has set New Hope Collaborative on a firm foundation of deep collaboration with the community, and we are seeing the first fruits,” said Bishop Jennifer Brooke-Davidson, assistant bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina. “Lesley is just the leader we need as a founding director. She will leverage our initial investment in this ministry for a powerful impact in bringing the Good News to life in us and in our neighbors. Stay tuned for stories of hope and resurrection.”
Peace is a native of New Rochelle, New York and will relocate with her family from Charlotte. She holds an accounting degree from South Carolina State University and a Master of Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary, and she is an ordained minister in the AME Zion Church. Prior to accepting this call, Peace served for five years on the staff for Outreach and Missions at Christ Church, Charlotte. She brings tremendous enthusiasm and the invaluable gifts and skills of volunteer coordination, community organizing, event planning and curriculum development for social justice and faith-based education, and has demonstrated expertise in collaborating with faith-based organizations and nonprofits through listening, facilitating conversations, and clear and thoughtful communication.
“I am eager to contribute my experience in community organizing, educational program development and advocacy to ensure this initiative becomes a model for collaborative impact within the diocese and beyond,” said Peace.
Peace’s tenure begins February 10.
