Bishop Porter
84, Maywood

Ask anyone in Maywood, and they’ll tell you about the profound effect Bishop Dr. Claude Porter has had on their community. Since entering the ministry in 1960, Bishop Dr. Porter has carried out his vision of making his community a healthier and safer place to live, work and worship.

He began his lengthy career at the forefront of advocacy for the Black community in 1968, when he founded the Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action (PLCCA) to address the community’s employment and training needs. Shortly after, in 1972, Bishop Dr. Porter founded Proviso Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as the pastor for nearly 44 years and continues to act as the congregation’s overseer.

To this day, PLCCA has gone on to expand its services to include the operation of a methadone treatment facility, behavioral health services, early childhood education, and management of low-income rental housing among other resources. PLCCA continues to carry out Bishop Dr. Porter’s philosophy, of taking “God outside the four walls of the Church and into the community.”

For Bishop Dr. Claude Porter, the reason to vaccinate is simple: “It’s important to step up and take the shot – to save your people and save yourself.”