UMI Celebrates 40 Years of Innovation and Growth

CHICAGO, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2010, publishing and media firm Urban Ministries, Inc. (UMI) is celebrating 40 years of innovation and growth through a series of activities designed to showcase the diverse resources within the company's portfolio to church, business, and consumer audiences.

Founded in 1970, UMI was the dream of Founder and Chairman Dr. Melvin E. Banks Sr., a native of Birmingham, Alabama who relocated to Chicago in the 1950s to further his education at Moody Bible Institute and Wheaton College. "It was a turbulent time as 'Black Consciousness' was rising. The Black newspapers and Johnson Publishing Company (Ebony/Jet) were the only publishers meeting the community's needs for news and information," said Banks. "In the same year that Black Enterprise and Essence were launched, addressing the unmet business and beauty needs of the Black community, UMI focused on spirituality."

Launched in the basement of Banks' home, UMI has not always had easy times. "Several times I wondered if we would make it financially, but my faith in God and faith in the mission drove me on," says Dr. Banks. The company has developed innovative resources and experienced growth while earning awards for its cutting-edge delivery. Today, UMI continues to create new contextualized Christian education curriculum and media products.

"At a time when the publishing and magazine world struggles to stay afloat, UMI has not only increased its market share, but also expanded its product line from curriculum and video products to new digital content, entertainment, and online media distributed through a network of over 50,000 African American churches," says C. Jeffrey Wright, CEO.

Wright joined UMI in 1995 as president to share Banks' vision to provide relevant content, resources, and information to the African American church. "The Black church has traditionally been the most trusted institution that we could consistently go to for most everything, not just spiritual needs," Wright says. "It is with this understanding that we work to partner with organizations and corporations to ensure that we are addressing the full scope of our community's needs from a Christian perspective and a biblical worldview."

As UMI celebrates a tradition of growth through a series of consumer awareness programs, they also welcome the addition of a new president, Terence Chatmon. Chatmon will work with Dr. Banks and Wright to further the dream of UMI set in motion 40 years ago. "I have been given an amazing platform from which to serve the many needs of the African American community in media and Christian education," Chatmon said.

Anniversary commemoration will highlight UMI's products through online contests and promotions, including a teacher of the year contest, a celebration gala, and company-wide community service efforts. Details are available online at www.urbanministries.com.

About UMI

Urban Ministries, Inc. (UMI) was founded in 1970. Headquartered in Chicago area, the company has been a trusted source for teaching materials, magazines, DVDs and inspirational book titles in the African American Christian church and consumer market and is the exclusive or semi-exclusive publisher for several denominations. The company's innovative approach has enabled it to serve over 50,000 churches across the United States, the Caribbean, and Africa. For more information about UMI, visit www.urbanministries.com.

SOURCE Urban Ministries, Inc.