Reverend Michael A. Major, Sr. | Community Rebuild

A Progressive Vision of Revitalization in Nicetown-Tioga

Rev. Michael A. Major, Sr. has a heart for the community and a passion for rebuilding his childhood neighborhood. Rev. Major’s desire to see beyond the decay of the Nicetown-Tioga neighborhood fueled his desire to create an organization that would help rebuild the community. It is out of this passion that Called to Serve Community Development Corporation (CTS) was born. He is the Board President and Founder of Called to Serve CDC (CTS), a non-profit faith-based community development corporation whose mission is to serve as an anchor for community renewal, and to support endeavors that break intergenerational poverty, primarily in the Nicetown-Tioga neighborhood.   Rev. Major attended Zion Baptist Church in Philadelphia as a youth under the pastorate of the late Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan and currently serves as Associate Minister at the historic Zion Baptist Church. He was inspired by Rev. Sullivan’s belief that all children are capable of fulfilling God’s calling on their life if given an equal opportunity to flourish. Rev. Major witnessed first-hand the success of many of Rev. Sullivan’s ground breaking initiatives and models them as he promotes self-reliance and self-help initiatives in the community.

Rev. Major models the #BuildBrotherBuild principles of Rev. Sullivan as he sponsors various programs and activities in two elementary schools, Mary McCloud Bethune School and Kenderton Elementary School, in the Nicetown Tioga area. Rev. Major is a Senior Technology Business Analyst for a leading Wall Street firm and used his technology skills to sponsor and work with the Kenderton’s Pennsylvania Math Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) team who placed 2nd among middle schools in the STEM competition.  Rev. Major believes that CTS’ accomplishments and sustainability would not have been possible without the hard work and steadfastness of his Corridor Manager, Amelia Price who has been with him for over seven years. Amelia manages the Commercial Corridor Revitalization Division which has been responsible for many of the positive changes on the Broad & Germantown Corridor. CTS has been able to expand its Workforce Development Division with the addition of its executive Director, Jeffrey Harley. CTS’ partnerships with North10 Philadelphia, the Commerce Department, Zion Baptist Church, Phillips Catering, Temple Medical School Center for Bioethics and Urban Health and others have assisted the organization in accomplishing its mission. CTS, with the assistance of City Council, was instrumental in getting sections of Broad Street renamed the Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan Way.  At the heart of Rev. Major’s vision to revitalize the commercial corridor of Nicetown-Tioga is the reactivation of the Zion Annex owned by Zion Baptist Church. With the support of the Pew Charitable Trust and Studio6mm, an award-winning Philadelphia architecture, design and planning firm, their design team developed plans to help the annex become a beacon of hope for the community. “We envision a wholesome Philadelphia urban ecosystem with intact neighborhoods, thriving businesses with access to capital, and reformed schools that produce academically competent students.” Michael A. Major, Sr. continues to work tirelessly to see his vision become a reality. We recognize Mike as a Build Brother Builder for his continued quest for complete renewal, restoration and revitalization of the Tioga section of North Philadelphia