Urban Alliance Promotes Pompey to Executive Director
November 12, 2021
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — After serving as Interim Executive Director of Urban Alliance, Inc. for the past five months, Gadson “Chris” Pompey has been named as the organization’s Executive Director effective immediately.
Pompey formerly served as the nonprofit’s Director of Prevention prior to replacing Luke Kujacznski in an interim capacity in May.
“Urban Alliance is thrilled to announce Chris’ appointment as our new Executive Director,” said Urban Alliance Board President Terra Bautista. “Chris has a well-established history of addressing community needs and an uncanny ability to empower and build into others, making him the clear choice to take Urban Alliance into the future.
“He has demonstrated his capacity for leadership, his heart for our mission, and his strength in building relationships,” she said. “He has our full support, and we are excited to begin this next chapter at Urban Alliance.”
Pompey brings a wealth and diversity of experience to Urban Alliance. Formerly a small business owner in Kalamazoo, he possesses an entrepreneurial mindset.
“We have to get creative in looking for ways to help people build bridges out of their struggles,” Pompey said. “What’s worked in the past, isn’t working today.”
He is also a committed student of the people he serves, earning multiple degrees in Psychology and Substance Abuse Counseling. His commitment to addressing root causes will be critical as Urban Alliance continues its vital work around gun violence, addiction, and recovery, supporting unhoused populations, and workforce development.
“We will continue to work towards helping Kalamazoo be a flourishing city where no one, regardless of their circumstances, gets left behind,” Pompey said.
Originally from Baltimore, Md., Pompey joined the organization in 2018. Together, he and his spouse have four adult children and 4 grandchildren.
Urban Alliance, Inc. was founded in 1999 with the mission of helping to break the cycle of generational poverty within Kalamazoo. Operating out of its 1009 East Stockbridge Ave location, Urban Alliance’s motto and purpose it to “Communicate through our actions that we value every individual.”
