Contact: Frank Fredericks
917.514.2284
frank@worldfaith.org
April 15 (New York, NY) – Prepare New York, a coalition of New York’s six most prominent interfaith organizations, is proud to announce the hiring of two interfaith leaders to bolster and expand efforts on the year-long campaign promoting pluralism in preparation for the ten year anniversary of 9/11. With support from the One NYC One Nation Fund and The New York Community Trust, Annie Rawlings, formerly of the New York Presbytery and the Becket Center at Fordham, has joined the coalition as its Director of Education, and Frank Fredericks, interfaith social entrepreneur, as Director of Media and Events.
“Prepare New York is thrilled to welcome on staff two individuals with such experience in interfaith coalition building. Rawlings and Fredericks bring a set of complimentary qualifications that will deepen the person-to-person educational exchange we envision in the coffee hour conversations as well as strong media and events presence in New York City and the country leading up to the 10th Anniversary of 9/11.”
Rawlings is no stranger to interfaith work in New York City. From 2004 until this past summer, Rawlings was the Interim Associate Executive Presbyter for Social Witness for the Presbytery of New York City. Previously, she served as the Director of the Beck Institute on Religion and Poverty at Fordham University, and was Executive Director of A Partnership of Faith in New York City. Rawlings holds her Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary
Rawlings has a long history of engagement in community dialogue, interfaith relations, peacemaking, and social justice in New York City and San Francisco. She co-founded the New York State Interfaith Network for Immigration Reform, and has been a leader in developing ecumenical relationships between mainline Protestants and Evangelicals, who share common concerns, such as U.S. and global poverty. Her article “Poverty, Truth and Reconciliation” appeared in the May/June 2002 issue of the journal Church & Society. Rawlings is a Ruling Elder (Board Member) of Jan Hus Presbyterian Church in Manhattan.
“I am deeply grateful to have an opportunity to draw upon the great good will of so many in our City who are willing to speak, to discuss, to share, and to teach,” says Rawlings. “And I am especially proud to be working with such an important effort. Prepare New York represents a powerful example of collaboration and a shared vision of inclusion. Together, we will have an impact that none of us could accomplish alone.”
Fredericks is a growing leader in interfaith youth work locally and globally. After graduating from New York University, Fredericks worked in the music industry, managing artists such as Lady Gaga, and founding Çöñàr Records. In 2006, he founded World Faith, an interfaith community service organization, which is now active in nine countries. World Faith has since gained recognition from the United Nations, being honored with the Marketplace of Ideas Award. Fredericks has also worked extensive as an online marketing and media consultant, with clients spanning from NGOs, record labels, corporations, and production companies. As an active blogger, Frank contributes to various blogs including the Huffington Post, Washington Post, and Sojourners. Frank has been interviewed on Good Morning America, NPR, New York Magazine, and various international media outlets.
He shares, “I truly believe we are standing at a pivotal point in American history, and I believe now is the time, and New York is the place, to reaffirm our values. I am absolutely honored to be a part of this movement.”
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Prepare New York is a coalition of New York based interfaith organizations including Auburn Seminary and its Center for Multifaith Education, Interfaith Center of New York, Intersections International, Odyssey Networks, Quest, and the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding and its Religion and Diversity Education Program, who are committed to preparing New York City (and the nation) for the 10-year anniversary of 9/11 by promoting civil dialogue, education about religious pluralism, support for the Muslim community, and coordinating events on the day of the anniversary. September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and 9/11 Communities for Common Ground serve as advisers to the coalition.
