Our History

Sometimes a problem cannot be solved by one person, in that instance we need “Harambee” which in Kiswahili translates to “let’s get together and push”. It is a rallying cry to bring the community together to address a problem.

In 1982, Dr. John Perkins, a fiery preacher from Mississippi with a third grade education, gave the rallying cry to Christians from across the country. He had the audacity to believe that Christians could break the cycle of poverty if they were willing to relocate to the area of need, reconcile with God and each other, and bring resources to the underserved community.

He asked people to come to Northwest Pasadena, California — a historically redlined community that was marginalized and under-resourced. It was one of the few places in Pasadena where people of color could purchase a home. A place where proud hard working families lived. A place where those that lost hope for advancement turned to violence and illegal activity.

Dr. Perkins believed his neighbors held the answer. He surveyed a twelve block radius and asked his neighbors what they needed. They said they wanted a safe place for their children to go to after school. The ministry began there with the “felt needs of the community”. Dr. Perkins’ wife Vera Mae led the way with the Good News Club, and the Perkins children and a host of volunteers and interns from across the country began offering enrichment activities from tutoring, computer classes, t-shirt making, ESL classes, PUSH catering to eventually establishing Harambee Preparatory School (HPS) and Harambee Preschool.

What began 40 years ago as a rally cry still resounds today. Over the years the “felt needs” of the community have changed. Public schools lack the funds to offer performing arts to their students. Today, Harambee offers a performing arts program on three PUSD campuses. Children have the opportunity to hear the Good News of Christ’s love through the B.E.E. tutoring program and the Harambee Performing Arts (HPA) program.