Lift Up,
Strengthen
Every Community
Our History
Since 2015, LIFE CDC has been a trusted presence in the Southwest Atlanta Greenbriar community, serving thousands of residents by meeting essential needs with care and respect. Through food distribution, clothing assistance, shelter support, and stabilization services, we have stood alongside individuals and families during some of their most difficult seasons, always centering dignity, compassion, and hope. As our reach expanded, so did our awareness of the deeper systemic challenges facing the community. In 2025, our Board of Directors, led by founder Bishop Terence A. Merritt, M.D.; recognized the importance of moving beyond short-term relief to address the root causes of economic instability. In response, LIFE Community Development Corporation (CDC) was established by LIFE Church to intentionally strengthen the community through practical support, education, and empowerment. From the outset, the vision has been to balance immediate assistance with long-term solutions that foster financial stability, family well-being, and economic opportunity.
Over the years, LIFE CDC has grown its impact through initiatives such as Toys for Tots giveaways, Back-to-School Block Parties, and seasonal community events that bring families together and build connection. While our programs have expanded, our purpose has remained the same: to uplift lives and cultivate a stronger, more unified community. Guided by this renewed vision, LIFE CDC relaunched with an expanded mission and a more strategic approach to sustainable community development.
Mission
To develop and implement creative community-based programs that increase economic opportunity, build strong neighborhoods, and create a foundation for sustainable growth.
Vision
To create thriving communities by expanding economic opportunity, strengthening neighborhoods, and fostering high-quality, lasting development.
Meet Our Leadership
Behind LIFE CDC is a team of passionate leaders dedicated to empowering communities, creating opportunities, and driving meaningful change.
Bishop Terence A. Merritt, M.D.,
President and CEO
Bishop Terence A. Merritt, M.D. is the founder and visionary leader of LIFE Church and LIFE Community Development Corporation. Born in Waycross, Georgia, and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, he overcame early academic challenges to become the first African American valedictorian in his high school’s history. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude from Morehouse College.
He earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he also served in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps.
Alongside a distinguished career in medicine, corporate leadership, and real estate development, Bishop Merritt has faithfully served in ministry for decades. He founded LIFE Church in Atlanta in 2010, leading its growth into a thriving, debt free ministry known for transformation, outreach, and community impact. Under his leadership, multiple properties have been acquired to advance worship, education, and community development.
Consecrated as a Bishop in 2025, Bishop Merritt is widely respected as a teacher, preacher, author, and servant leader. His life reflects a steadfast commitment to faith, excellence, and empowering communities to thrive.
Dr. Patricia J. Lewis-Brown
LIFE CDC Board Chairwoman
Dr. Patricia J. Lewis-Brown is an accomplished educational leader, founder, author, missionary, and advocate for children with more than 40 years of experience spanning classroom teaching, school administration, and district-level leadership. She is nationally recognized for her pioneering work in expanding access to high-quality education for underserved communities and for advancing equity-driven school reform.
Dr. Lewis-Brown is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lewis Academy of Excellence, the first charter school in Clayton County, Georgia, and the first charter school in the state founded by an African American woman. Under her visionary leadership, the school grew from 254 to 635 students, consistently exceeded district academic performance benchmarks, met Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) standards each year, and developed a 28-acre, $3.5 million educational campus. Her work is widely respected for integrating academic excellence, character development, and innovative programming for at-risk youth.
Beyond education, Dr. Lewis-Brown is a licensed evangelist in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), serving in leadership roles at local, state, and national levels. Her missionary work includes humanitarian and educational service in Haiti. She is the author of Handle Your Business and Student Success Rate and Institutional Quality of Historically Black Colleges, and the recipient of more than 80 awards recognizing her impact in education, faith-based leadership, and community service.
Dr. Lewis-Brown’s life mission is centered on transforming lives through education, mentoring emerging leaders, and creating pathways of excellence and opportunity for future generations.
Kimberly Evans
Director, Capital Projects & Development
Kimberly Evans is a highly respected real estate broker, development strategist, and community leader serving with LIFE Church and the LIFE Church Community Development Corporation (CDC). As the owner and broker of KB Global Solutions LLC, she brings nearly three decades of real estate expertise, with a career rooted in advancing homeownership, economic empowerment, and community transformation.
Licensed since 1996, Kimberly has worked alongside local and state leaders to support initiatives that expand housing opportunities and strengthen underserved communities. Her experience spans residential and commercial real estate, property management, and large-scale development planning, positioning her as a trusted leader in both vision and execution.
In her role with LIFE Church and the CDC, Kimberly is instrumental in driving strategic development initiatives, including land acquisition, community-focused housing projects, and partnerships that create long-term impact. She is deeply committed to building sustainable solutions that not only address immediate needs but also establish pathways for generational wealth and community stability.
Known for her ability to merge faith with practical development, Kimberly leads with integrity, innovation, and purpose. Her work reflects a bold vision to transform communities from the inside out—creating opportunities where families can thrive, businesses can grow, and legacy can be built for generations to come.
Donald Tabb
Assistant Director, Capital Projects & Development
With over a decade of experience in real estate, Donald Tabb has built a reputation as a passionate, dedicated professional committed to helping clients achieve their homeownership goals across the Metro Atlanta area. Specializing in working with first-time homebuyers, Donald takes pride in guiding clients through one of the most important decisions of their lives with patience, knowledge, and unwavering support.
Known for his strong work ethic and result-driven mindset, Donald approaches every transaction with the belief that success comes from focus, determination, and the right state of mind. His “jack of all trades” mentality allows him to think creatively, solve problems efficiently, and adapt to any situation—ensuring his clients always have a strategic advantage in today’s market.
Beyond real estate, Donald is deeply active in his community and highly involved in his church, where he is passionate about uplifting and serving others. His life’s mission extends far beyond closing deals—his goal is to help people recognize and fulfill the very best within themselves.
Donald’s passion is evident in everything he commits to. Whether negotiating the best deal, educating buyers, or navigating complex transactions, he consistently goes above and beyond to deliver exceptional results and a seamless experience.
For Donald, real estate isn’t just a career, it’s a calling driven by purpose, perseverance, and a genuine desire to help others succeed.
Our Next Chapter
Today, LIFE CDC is building a stronger future for Southwest Atlanta through four core pillars:
Affordable Housing
Increasing access to safe, stable living environments
Workforce Development
Connecting individuals to job training and career opportunities
Education
Supporting lifelong learning and academic success
Health & Wellness
Promoting physical, mental, and community well-being
While we continue to provide essential support services, we are intentionally growing our continuum of care—helping individuals move from crisis to stability, and from stability to long-term success.
What We Believe
We believe every person deserves the opportunity to thrive—and every community holds the potential to grow stronger from within.
At LIFE CDC, our work is rooted in the belief that real, lasting change happens when people are equipped, empowered, and connected. That’s why we go beyond providing services to creating opportunities.
- Support families in achieving stability
- Empower entrepreneurs and small businesses
- Strengthen neighborhoods through connection and collaboration
- Create spaces where hope, growth, and opportunity can flourish
Our Commitment
Our mission is to build a thriving, inclusive Southwest Atlanta community where individuals and families have access to the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed.
We are committed not only to meeting today’s needs—but to shaping a stronger, more equitable future for generations to come.