ABOUT US

In our society, today, we find that people and groups are hesitant to engage with “others” who are from a different race or culture. This hesitation is found in School Districts, Municipalities, Churches and Businesses.

E4Potential Living, Inc. provides training that equips individuals and organizations to engage with others who are of a different race or culture. This engagement has the potential of bringing about individual and community transformation.

MICHELLE COBB

Michelle Cobb has served as a pastor of congregations in the United Methodist Church, and most recently was a District Superintendent over a number of pastors and congregations. She’s a native of Gary, Indiana who has also served as an educator and a hospital chaplain.

Her 35 plus years of work history consists of both culturally and racially diverse experiences. Michelle is a trained Qualified Administer of the Intercultural Development Inventory. She is also a trained facilitator of Everyday Democracy’s Racial Dialogue Circles.

Through E4Potential Living, Inc. Michelle Cobb is committed to helping you and your organization create a transformative community of appreciation, acceptance and affirmation.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Michelle Cobb has served as a pastor of congregations in the United Methodist Church, and most recently was a District Superintendent over a number of pastors and congregations. She’s a native of Gary, Indiana who has also served as an educator and a hospital chaplain.

Through E4Potential Living, Inc. Michelle Cobb is committed to helping you and your organization create a transformative community of appreciation, acceptance and affirmation.

Ms. Debra J. Jarvis

Ms. Jarvis, has done leadership, and equity & inclusion consulting, as well as training for over ten years with numerous government and non-profit organizations throughout the U.S. She is a Harvard fellow from the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at Harvard University and has a Master’s degree in Leadership Studies from Lewis University.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ms. Debra J. Jarvis, has done leadership, and equity & inclusion consulting, as well as training for over ten years with numerous government and non-profit organizations throughout the U.S. She is a Harvard fellow from the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at Harvard University and has a Master’s degree in Leadership Studies from Lewis University.

Mr. Richard F. Bellaver

Mr. Bellaver worked in management at the ATT-Michigan Bell, Bell Laboratory's and ATT Headquarters. He was a full professor at Ball State University’s Center for Information and Communications Science. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University, West Lafayette, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Michigan State University. He was the Vice –President of the Usability Professionals Association. He serves as the co-chairperson of the Social Justice Committee at his local church.

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Mr. Richard F. Bellaver worked in management at the ATT-Michigan Bell, Bell Laboratory's and ATT Headquarters. He was a full professor at Ball State University’s Center for Information and Communications Science. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University, West Lafayette, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Michigan State University. He was the Vice –President of the Usability Professionals Association. He serves as the co-chairperson of the Social Justice Committee at his local church.

Rev. Charles Berdel

Rev. Berdel served as a pastor for 32 years. During this time, he founded a church built on radical principles of social justice. He is a trained Racial Dialogue Circle Facilitator, and a member of the Inclusion and Social Justice Committee at a local church. He received a B.A. from the University of Evansville in Sociology and a M.Div. from Duke University Divinity School. He has worked in the area of Religion and Race Work in his denomination.

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Dr. Betty Hart

Dr. Betty Hart taught ethnic literature and cultural studies at secondary and university levels for over forty-two years before retiring and dedicating her time to serving God through her local church and the Indiana Conference of the UMC. She served on several boards and committees in advancing intercultural awareness among the constituency of the Indiana Conference. She chaired the Indiana Conference’s Commission on Race and Ethnicity and currently serves on the Northern Illinois Anti-Racism Speakers Series committee.

Her recently published book, By the Light of the Moon: A Spiritual Memoir” (2021) is about growing up as a Black Appalachian in West Virginia during the volatile Civil Rights era. She also co-authored Prayers in the Black Tradition (1986) with Richard Bowyer and Charlotte Meade. A certified lay speaker, Hart has preached at local churches and presented workshops on antiracism throughout the Conference.

Currently, Hart resides in Acworth, Georgia, and serves her local church as a Bible studies leader and choir soloist.

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Rev. Charles Berdel served as a pastor for 32 years. During this time, he founded a church built on radical principles of social justice. He is a trained Racial Dialogue Circle Facilitator, and a member of the Inclusion and Social Justice Committee at a local church. He received a B.A. from the University of Evansville in Sociology and a M.Div. from Duke University Divinity School. He has worked in the area of Religion and Race Work in his denomination.

Currently, Hart resides in Acworth, Georgia, and serves her local church as a Bible studies leader and choir soloist.

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Rev. Chiyona Bourne is a Chaplain and a Certified Education Candidate at Indiana University Health Systems. Her work focuses on aiding patients and students alike in becoming aware of their inner strengths, hopes, and goals to live a more complete life.

She earned a Master's degree in Christian Education from The Methodist Theological School in Ohio and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology at The University of Evansville in Evansville, IN. Through diligence, she continues to utilize her Sociology Background and integrates it with her Theological Studies as she connects with patients, their families, and staff at Methodist Hospital in downtown Indianapolis. She has been the inaugural chaplain for the Pain Rehabilitation Program, begun in November 2021 at Methodist Hospital, building a 3-module curriculum for patients undergoing chronic pain rehabilitation. She is on the path towards becoming a Certified Educator within the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE).

Serving in the Hospital, Chaplain Bourne has been engaged with persons of many cultures, religions, and races. Having been raised in Gary, Indiana, studied at The University of Evansville, and been involved in extensive missions and educational opportunities around the world, her awareness and demonstration of intercultural competence is rated very high. She possesses the ability to effectively interact and communicate with persons who have been shaped by different values, beliefs, experiences, and systems. She is also diligent in checking in with her own biases as she reflects on her engagement with patients, students, and staff.