Howard brings new energy to Selma

By Cassandra Mickens

The Selma Times-Journal

The Rev. Dr. K. Jabrina Howard is a self-proclaimed rebel, a non-conformist.

The California native moved to Selma in February after long stints in Florida and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. She wasn’t exactly thrilled about her new address, but she says she’s just an “angel on assignment.”

“My friend said, ‘You’re moving to Ala – f—n’ – bama! You be careful down there!'” Howard said. “I’m just doing what God told me to do.”

Howard is the executive director of the Divine Life Community Development Center (DLCDC) located on Water Avenue in the old Southern Hub building.

DLCDC – whose motto is “Revitalizing Families and Revitalizing Communities” – is a non-profit community development organization founded by Howard’s healing ministry, the Universal Love Center. DLCDC’s mission is “to develop, build, rehab, own and manage affordable housing for people with low-moderate incomes and people with special needs.”

Howard has taken a holistic approach to community development, invigorating the mind, body and spirit of Selma’s people with truth and love. She has big ideas for this city, one being the construction of apartment complexes and homes spanning from affordable chic to extravagant luxury. She wants to educate Selma’s less fortunate on leading productive lives, advising them to practice self-responsibility. While juggling these aspirations, Howard wants all people to realize they are derived from a “loving, giving and abundant source” and they are loved.

Outside of community development, Howard still wants people to frequent the building she now owns, promoting an open, diverse dialogue.

“Southern Hub was one of the few places in Selma where blacks and whites had conversation and came together,” she said. “I want to keep that going.”

“Community conversation where anybody can come in and speak their mind.”

For more information about DLCDC, call (334) 877-0588, (334) 877-0589 or visit the website www.divinelife.com.