Ducree intellectually and empathically incorporated his lived experiences to design an effective organization address gang activity and train community members to organize and advocate. As a child Edward Ducree learned how to self-advocacy. His mother was often sick, and he took on some responsibilities to support her, namely get rid of the rats that entered their apartment. He worked with gang members in his community, got his education at Cheyney State Teachers College and Williams College, and grew in leadership development in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church. 215 216 The effort of the CRISIS House was a full collaborative with residents whom Ducree said, “wanted to advocate and organize but did have the skills”. Ophelia Harris, Ms. Echols, and Mr. Peeples were a few community members who worked with Rev. Ducree in the Vernon Place Housing Authority to establish community benefits for the Buttermilk Bottom community. 217 Their efforts included direct action at Atlanta Housing Authority meetings to negotiate housing, create a food coop, and establish a worship center. Many of the former churches in the neighborhood had relocated across town and residents wanted a local church where they felt accepted as they did not have money for “Sunday best” attire. 218 Furthermore, residents wanted access to healthy, fresh foods but many of the existing grocery stores were “hole in the wall” and sold only spoiled foods. 219 The CRISIS House took on the mission of organizing and buying food from the State Farmers Market in Forest Park to distribute in the neighborhood. 220 Reverend Edward Ducree played a key role in indigenous leadership and power by launching advocacy campaigns for adequate housing, city services, and access to healthy, fresh foods in the neighborhood. He established The CRISIS House in Buttermilk Bottom. When describing what the community was like, Rev. Ducree recalls it as a highly residential and densely populated. Ultimately, Ducree and the Buttermilk Bottom community were able to win what was to be temporary housing in Gilbert Gardens and obtained a pledge for the right to return to the neighborhood once new housing was constructed. 221 The efforts of Rev. Ducree and the Buttermilk Bottom community highlight the need for equitable development and their struggle serve as a reminder of the broader challenges faced by marginalized communities during periods of urban development. At the time, it was not known that the funding for housing development would be cut due to the war in Vietnam War. 222
215 Conversation with Rev. Edward Ducree. 216 “Theology Graduate Works in Ghettos”, The Emory Magazine, July- August 1968. 217 Conversation with Rev. Edward Ducree. 218 Conversation with Rev. Edward Ducree. 219 Conversation with Rev. Edward Ducree. 220 Conversation with Rev. Edward Ducree. 221 Conversation with Rev. Edward Ducree. 222 “Allen Differs with Russell on Urban Renewal Cut”, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution .
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