FOUNDER
Dr. Kathy H. Dudley is Founder and President of Imani Bridges (IB), a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2004. Imani Bridges envisions God’s people connecting globally to leverage our spiritual gifts and resources to be agents of transformation in the world. Its mission is to equip, connect, and empower leaders. Imani Bridges provides a venue for fellowship, exchange of ideas, and serves as a catalyst to implement community by aiding in economic development.
Her journey began over two decades ago, founding Voice of Hope Ministries in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Dudley committed to raising up indigenous leadership from the African American communities. Fullfilling that commitment, she turned over Voice of Hope to local leadership in 1995. Voice of Hope Ministries was honored by President George Bush as the 424th “Daily Point of Light” in his Thousand Points of Light program. In addition, she was one of the five Point of Light speakers at the 1992 Republican National Convention due to the unique inner-city work in Dallas. She testified at a U. S. Congressional Hearing in 1997 and participated in a simultaneous symposium on the empowerment of the poor, held at Taylor University. Her dedication to Imani Bridges' mission continued when Dr. Dudley served as Director of Cross-Cultural Empowerment, Professor of Leadership and Community Development at Bakke Graduate University, (BGU) from 2010-2012. Four years later she served as Africa Area Director and Professor of African Studies. While teaching, she was a partner at Dudley & Associates, an executive search firm and then the Managing Partner from 2005-2008. Her ministry endeavors were featured in “Fire in the Heart”, a book by Harvard Professor Mark Warren. “Fire in the Heart” uncovers the dynamic processes through which some white Americans became activists for racial justice. Powerful stories are recounted during the development of racial awareness. Professor Warren wrote on personal interviews with fifty white activists in the fields of community organizing, education, and criminal justice reform. Dr. Dudley was also the Founder of several urban ministries. In addition to Imani Bridges, she founded Dallas Leadership Foundation in 1995-2002. She also served as President Emeritus. HONORS and RECOGNITIONS 2016 – CANAN (Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans) “Friend of Nigeria” award presented by Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, on October 28, 2016. 2016 – Vernas H.E.L.P. Foundation Women Empowerment Prayer Breakfast “Living Legacy” Award. 2015 – Dallas Leadership Foundation Inaugural Excellence in Innovative Leadership Award and the award will hereafter bear her name. 2012 – Black Xcellence Award for Diversity and Inclusion 2007 – Christians for Biblical Equality Micah Award 2001- Inclusion in story on MSNBC, The News with Brian Williams, concerning President Bush’s new Faith Based Initiative. 2000 - Ferrum College Distinguished Alumni Award 1997- Selected as a national delegate to President Clinton’s Summit on Volunteerism in Philadelphia. 1995 - Interviewed on the CBS Evening News as part of their Eye on America segment, discussing welfare reform. 1994 - Interviewed on The 700 Club 1994 - Selected by the Preston Center Rotary Club as “Rotarian of the Year”. 1991 - Chosen by the North Texas District of Rotary International for their non-Rotarian "Service Above Self" award. 1991 - Selected by Dallas station KDAF -TV 33 as a "Hometown Hero". 1990 - Received the George Washington Medal of Honor from the Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Founding Board Member of the Christian Community Development Association, made up of over 3000 individuals and 500+ urban ministries and churches. 2011-2012 Board member for Vision Africa. Kathy currently serves on the Board of Directors. Founding Board Member for Call To Renewal, a national movement of the Church to address problems relating to the poor and needy in public policy. 1996-1999 Christians For Biblical Equality, a national organization espousing fundamental equality of men and women in the Body of Christ. 2013-2014 Board member for Reconciliation Academy, a charter school in the Dallas area. AUTHOR and CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR Contributing Author to Book 5 of the highly acclaimed teaching series, Renewing The Spirit, Healing The Soul, by Howard E. Butt, Jr. Author of The Urban Youth Development Manual, chronicling the development of the youth ministry at Voice of Hope. Kathy H. Dudley holds a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Transformational Leadership for the Global City from Bakke Graduate University in Seattle, WA. Her dissertation is entitled, “Empowering Love: Missional Paradigm for the 21st Century Church”. She is married and the mother of two sons, Jonathan and David. She has two grandsons, Myles and Aaron and one granddaughter, Crystal. Her husband, Sayres Dudley, helped organize Voice of Hope, and has been actively engaged in all of the ministries she founded. |