A native of North Carolina, Staccato Powell is an accomplished preacher and teacher. He began his trek in the ministry while a senior in high school. Powell served as a pastor while simultaneously completing his formal education – receiving Bachelors from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a Master of Divinity degree from Duke University and the Doctorate of Jurisprudence degree from North Carolina Central University. Staccato has also been inducted into the Morehouse Board of Preachers and the recipient of an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree from Livingstone College in his home state.

Dr. Powell has served as the pastor of the Grace AME Zion Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is also the Chief Executive Officer of Grace in the City Community Development Corporation, an entity dedicated to the redevelopment of the College Park neighborhood.

Powell’s career exhibits his abiding commitment and dedication to human service. He has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Opportunities Industrialization Centers (OIC) of America and as Deputy General Secretary of the National Council of Churches. He also founded and is current president of SP4 and Associates, a consulting firm which focuses on assisting organizations in establishing and achieving clear, cogent, and concrete objectives.