V. Elizabeth Perkins
Co-President; Program & Missions Coordinator
Elizabeth Perkins lives with a profound sense of calling shaped by her faith in Jesus Christ and a passion for justice, reconciliation, and discipleship. She often reflects on how God’s faithful hand has guided her steps, not simply for her journey, but to empower others to walk boldly in their purpose and become instruments of change in a broken world.
With over 25 years of ministry experience, Elizabeth has poured into the lives of both men and women, mentoring and guiding them in their spiritual, personal, and leadership development. She has a heart for equipping the next generation to rise with courage and conviction. As part of this work, she founded and led She-ciples, a discipleship group for teen girls focused on purity, purpose, and identity in Christ—demonstrating her commitment to nurturing young women with truth, grace, and love.
Elizabeth’s calling has also led her to serve globally. She ministered with The Navigators in Africa, where she engaged in cross-cultural mission work, deepening her commitment to God’s vision for global reconciliation and restoration. Her leadership extends into storytelling, where she has served as executive director for three powerful documentaries, using media to shed light on the transformative work of justice and faith.
She aims to help future generations encounter and follow Jesus, becoming agents of hope, healing, and justice. Through her work at the John & Vera Mae Perkins Foundation, Elizabeth remains steadfast in her pursuit of biblical justice and reconciliation, believing that through Christ, lives—and communities—can be made whole.
If you have questions about our Housing, Mission Team, Internship Opportunities, or the Perkins Justice Pilgrimage, please contact Elizabeth directly.
Contact Elizabeth:
email: Elizabeth.perkins@jvmpf.org
phone: 601-238-2073
twitter: @Mzelizperk
Priscilla Perkins (M.Ed., cPl)
Co-President; Development
Priscilla Perkins is the visionary founder and inaugural headmaster of Harambee Preparatory School. Through extensive research and travel to study private school models nationwide, she established an inner-city Christian school that has since become a benchmark for others. Priscilla’s expertise lies in the social foundations of education and children’s cognitive development. Additionally, she brings valuable experience in family law and legal research.
Priscilla is the Co-President of Development, excelling in strategic planning, fundraising, and community engagement. Her innovative approach and dedication have significantly advanced the organization’s mission, fostering growth and sustainability. Priscilla also heads the JVMPF Legacy Schools, continuing the impactful work of the John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation by nurturing and developing educational institutions that embody its values and vision.
As the seventh child of John M. Perkins, Priscilla has spent her entire life immersed in ministry, bringing a unique perspective and depth of experience to her work.
Please reach out for inquiries about Intellectual Property, Sisters Speaking, Legacy Schools, and the Perkins Institute.
Contact Priscilla:
email: Priscilla.perkins@jvmpf.org
phone: 601-238-4090
twitter: @PriscillaPerk17
Leadership Update:
Deborah Perkins
Retired
As of February 14, 2025, our beloved Co-President, Deborah Perkins, has retired after many years of dedicated service. We are deeply grateful for her leadership and the profound impact she has made on the mission and heart of our Foundation.
If you have any financial inquiries, please contact Priscilla Perkins.
If you have questions regarding housing or volunteer opportunities, contact V. Elizabeth Perkins.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Mykia Cannon
Youth Director
Mykia’s Journey: From Tupelo Roots to Transforming Young Lives
Hailing from Tupelo, Mississippi, Mykia is a proud graduate of THEE Jackson State University, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Fueled by a deep desire to serve and uplift others, she is now pursuing a Master’s Degree in Social Work at JSU—a rigorous two-year program that will further empower her to effect meaningful change in the lives of those she serves.
For the past 3.5 years, Mykia has been a dynamic force within the Youth Department at the John & Vera Mae Perkins Foundation. Beginning as a work-study student, her dedication, energy, and leadership quickly propelled her to the role of Youth Director. Her mission is clear and heartfelt: to holistically empower young people—emotionally, physically, mentally, financially, socially, and spiritually.
With a passion for youth development and a heart anchored in service, Mykia is eager to continue her transformative journey. She is committed to creating a lasting impact alongside the Foundation and the broader community, inspiring the next generation to rise, thrive, and lead purposefully.
Contact Mykia:
email: Mykia.Cannon@jvmpf.org
Angie Truex
Executive Assistant to Elizabeth Perkins
Angie serves as the Executive Assistant to Co-President V. Elizabeth Perkins at the John & Vera Mae Perkins Foundation. With a deep passion for the Foundation’s vision and mission, Angie provides essential administrative support while managing social media and communications. A former elementary and special education teacher, Angie first connected with the Perkins Foundation during a transformative short-term mission trip with her church. Her dedication to the Foundation’s goals is further demonstrated by her previous role as the Youth Director, where she empowered and inspired young minds. Angie and her husband, Ryan, welcomed a beautiful baby girl in January 2025.
Contact Angie:
email: Angie@jvmpf.org
Chris Cannon
Consulting Team – West Coast Office
Chris, a native of Southern California, has been a dedicated church planter and pastor for over 30 years. He was introduced to Dr. Perkins at Harambee in 1991 and has been mentored by him ever since. Chris has made countless trips to Jackson, passionately working to connect churches to the Justice Pilgrimage, spreading the mission and vision of the John & Vera Mae Perkins Foundation (JVMPF) to the West Coast.
Chris has a close relationship with the Perkins family, further enriching his commitment to the foundation’s mission. In addition to his role at the West Coast office, he is one of the Perkins Zoom Bible study leaders. He is eager to engage with churches that are interested in social justice and the gospel. If you want to discuss how your church can get involved, Chris would love to hear from you!
Contact Chris:
email: Pastorchris61@gmail.com or Chris@jvmpf.org
Rev. Ronald Potter
Resident Theologian
Rev. Ronald Clifton Potter is a distinguished lecturer, preacher, and writer based in Jackson, Mississippi, with a lifelong dedication to theological scholarship and Christian service. An ordained Presbyterian Elder, Rev. Potter began his academic journey at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and went on to earn his Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. He pursued advanced doctoral studies in Theological Ethics at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, deepening his focus on faith, justice, and contemporary moral thought.
Rev. Potter is a respected member of the American Academy of Religion, the Obsidian Society, and serves on the board of the National Black Evangelical Association. Throughout his career, he has taught and lectured at esteemed institutions across the country, including Harvard University (Boston, MA), Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN), the Center for Urban Theological Studies (Philadelphia, PA), Clark College (Atlanta, GA), and Jackson State University, among others.
Currently, Rev. Potter serves as the Board Chair of the Institute for Advanced African American Christian Thought in Pasadena, California, where he provides leadership in shaping theological discourse that centers African American perspectives and experiences. He is also honored to serve as the inaugural Resident Scholar of Christian Thought and Contemporary Culture for the Perkins Institute at the John & Vera Mae Perkins Foundation, where his scholarship and ministry contribute to the ongoing work of biblical justice, reconciliation, and community renewal.
Rev. Potter is married to Joanie Perkins Potter, an accomplished attorney and daughter of Dr. John M. Perkins. Together, they are the proud parents of two adult daughters. Rev. Potter’s life and work reflect a deep commitment to faith, scholarship, and the transformative power of the gospel in both individual lives and society.