Director of Center4ME speaks on Moody Radio

Melany Pearl, director of Liberty University’s Center for Multicultural Enrichment, was interviewed Feb. 4 with Dr. Alveda King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., for Moody Bible Institute’s Prime Time America radio show. Pearl’s interview centered on Black History Month and topics ranged from the election of President Barack Obama to the state of the African American church.

Pearl described the early African American church as a catalyst for the African American community’s progress in history.

“[The African American church] was not a place to just go for spiritual maturation, but also social needs were met,” she said on the show.

In recognition of Black History Month, Pearl also spoke about racial unity among Americans. “The church has an awesome responsibility right now to really show this world that we can be at the forefront of racial unity,” Pearl said.

Described as a conservative black American, Pearl spoke against abortion.

“Life starts at conception, and I firmly believe that,” she said. “I have strong Christian values that life is sacred, and I don’t see the Christian community wavering on that.”

The program also featured guest interviews of Carl Moeller, president of Open Doors USA, Michelle Miller, founder of Children’s Preservation Library, and Dr. Billy Kim, chairman of the board for Far East Broadcasting Company in Korea. Click here to listen to the Prime Time America broadcast.

Pearl, Liberty Class of 1993, joined the staff of LU in 1996 as office coordinator for the Center for Multicultural Enrichment and in 1998 was promoted to department director. Originally from Kansas City, Mo., she holds both a B.S. in Business and M.A. in Human Relations (Liberty 2004). Pearl is also actively involved with civic organizations and is a board member and treasurer on the Martin Luther King/Lynchburg Community Council, board member with Big Brothers Big Sisters and steering committee member of the City of Lynchburg’s Dialogue on Race and Racism.