County Magazine Partners with Union of Churches to Increase Awareness,
Influence of Social Networks in Prince George’s
In a uniquely formed agreement, The Collective Banking Group, Inc., a group of some 200 area churches representing over 200,000 residents in Prince George’s County has broadened its already existing partnership with Prince George’s Suite Magazine.
Raoul Dennis of Prince George's Suite magazine and Pastor Kerry Hill of the
Collective Banking Group moments before signing the Faith & Message Agreement. / Photo: M.K.E. Howard
The Collective Banking Group will gain greater branding and media outreach power while the magazine stands to better its circulation and advertising reach.
“This is not a typical agreement,” says Reverend Dr. Kerry Hill, president and CEO of the Collective Banking Group. “This partnership will have long term, far reaching effects toward improving awareness of the influence of the Collective Banking Group and the image of the county.”
The Collective Banking Group, Inc. (CBG) was formed in 1993 as a result of concerns raised by pastors and church members in Prince George's County and the Metropolitan D.C. area regarding inequitable access to services provided by local banks and businesses. Churches were faced with severe challenges due to redlining and other questionable practices.
Since its inception, the CBG has continuously grown to its present membership of more than 150 churches, representing over 200,000 persons. More than $300 million in loans have been generated by the CBG, including transactions by member churches, parishioners, community development corporations and businesses.
In 1992, the CBG began the process of interviewing 16 banks, for the purpose of establishing a covenant relationship, whereby churches and its members would receive favorable banking services. By 1995, the CBG had signed its first covenant with four (4) banks: Riggs Bank, Industrial Bank, Enterprise Federal Savings Bank, and the Harbor Bank of Maryland. Today, those relationships include Bank of America, Bank of Georgetown and others.
Prince George’s Suite Magazine, the county’s lifestyle publication, launched in 2005. It currently reaches some 100,000 readers in the area and is also distributed through nearly 200 stores in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
“At a time when our nation’s leadership is calling for leadership through cooperation and partnership, we are taking a great step toward that philosophy here in Prince George’s,” says magazine Editor Raoul Dennis. “We have an immense respect for the CBG, its member churches and their leadership. That respect is due any group or institution dedicated to improving the lives of its following. That’s why this partnership is such a natural fit.”
The partnering is also designed to aid the social network of the county.
“We believe there is a great opportunity here for creating stronger communication bonds between the networks within the faith community and our educational institutions,” Dennis says. “We have phenomenally talented young people who are poised to building the kinds of networks that will enhance social relationships, family bonds and community communications. We’re ready to go. It should be a wonderful journey.”
Leaders at member churches are optimistic. “We have to work together to keep this magazine alive and well and a part of this county,” said one minister shortly after the signing.
--PGS Staff
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