A New York–based faith and social justice organization is planting roots in Los Angeles, aiming to galvanize clergy and community leaders around issues ranging from housing affordability to civic engagement ahead of key elections.
The Ministers’ Political Action Committee (MPAC), founded in 2006, has spent nearly two decades building a reputation on the East Coast as a force in both advocacy and policy influence. Now, under the leadership of Western Regional Director Pastor K.W. Tulloss, the organization is expanding its footprint across California, with Los Angeles serving as its launching ground.
“We’re building this organization to organize and mobilize around the issues that matter most to our communities,” Tulloss said. “From housing to the economy to education, we’re focused on making sure our voices are not just heard—but represented at the table.”
Tulloss, a longtime organizer, said he was approached in 2025 to bring MPAC west following his leadership within clergy networks. Drawing on his experience building faith-based coalitions, he has already engaged 68 pastors in Los Angeles and an additional 15 in Northern California, with plans to scale the effort.
Founded by a group of Harlem pastors known as the “Founding Four,” MPAC emerged during a period of intense gentrification, with clergy uniting to protect churches and surrounding communities from displacement and exploitation. That legacy continues to shape the organization’s mission today: mobilizing faith leaders and community members to influence public policy and advance justice.
On the East Coast, MPAC played a role in high-profile efforts such as advocating for minority contractor inclusion during the redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport and supporting social justice campaigns, including calls for accountability in the death of Eric Garner. Tulloss said those models of economic empowerment and advocacy are central to what the organization hopes to replicate in California.
“We want to make sure our communities are not left out of the opportunities coming into this region,” he said, pointing to major upcoming events such as the Olympics, World Cup, and Super Bowl. “Somebody needs to be at the table advocating to ensure our communities benefit.”
Central to MPAC’s West Coast strategy is a dual approach that blends activism with policy work. While protests remain a critical tool, Tulloss emphasized that lasting change requires engagement with lawmakers and institutions.
“There’s a time to protest and a time to sit down and shape policy,” he said. “Too often we protest without addressing the laws that created the problem. We have to do both.”
The organization is already rolling out a series of initiatives in Los Angeles, including monthly convenings for clergy and community members, legal assistance nights offering access to attorneys, and a planned Freedom Gala around Juneteenth to honor leaders advancing community empowerment. MPAC is also preparing voter education and mobilization efforts ahead of upcoming state and local elections, including the gubernatorial race.
Tulloss noted that the effort comes at a critical moment, as economic instability, job loss, and healthcare access continue to disproportionately impact Black communities. He cited recent employment trends and the need for proactive strategies to address widening gaps in opportunity and resources.
“We’re not just talking about change—we’re building a policy agenda shaped by the people, for the people,” he said.
MPAC’s broader goal is to re-engage the faith community as a driving force in civic life, addressing what Tulloss described as a growing disconnect between the pulpit and public policy.
“I think the preacher’s voice has gone silent in too many spaces,” he said. “We need to reclaim that role—speaking truth to power and advocating for what our communities truly need.”
With growing interest and participation, MPAC leaders say the organization is positioned to become a significant player in California’s faith-based civic landscape. For more information visit: www.mpac-ny.org.