Sister Pearl Ceasar has a remarkable journey from classroom teacher to nonpartisan community organizer. Guided by her deep faith and commitment to justice, Sister Pearl spent decades building coalitions for change in San Antonio and across Texas. She explains how personal relationships, listening, and persistence can transform neighborhoods—and entire cities. Co-hosts Marcus Goodyear and Camille Hall-Ortega join Sister Pearl to reflect on faith, leadership, and the power of binding communities together for the common good.

🔗 Subscribe to Echoes Magazine for free: EchoesMagazine.org 

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. 

Episode Notes: 

• "If you’re walking and no one is following, you’re not leading—you’re just out for a walk."
• "Real change happens when neighbors listen to each other—and move forward together."
• "Organizing isn’t about politics; it’s about love made visible in community."
• "Faith isn’t abstract. It’s building drainage systems, raising wages, and ensuring everyone has a fair shot."
• "Justice is slow work, but the only thing slower is doing nothing at all."
• COPS/Metro Alliance
• Project Quest
• Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF)
• Learn more about community organizing in Texas at the West/Southwest IAF.

Production Team:

Written and produced by Marcus Goodyear, Camille Hall-Ortega, and Rob Stennett 

Hosted by Marcus Goodyear and Camille Hall-Ortega

Edited by Rob Stennett and Kim Stone 

Executive Producers: Patton Dodd and David Rogers 

Graphic Design Manager: Hilary Commer 

Junior Designer: Lindsay Bruce 

Content Creator: Alyson Amestoy 

Staff Writer: Beth Avila 

Funded by the H. E. Butt Foundation 

Special thanks to our guest Sister Pearl Ceasar.