Influential Black Leaders - Rev. Dr. Rodney C. Walker

As the director of youth and family services for TASC, the Rev. Dr. Rodney C. Walker is responsible for TASC programs that help stop intergenerational cycles of trauma and justice system involvement. 

Among the TASC programs under his leadership are juvenile justice services in several Illinois locations, Smart Start services for new and expectant parents in Peoria County, and the Family Recovery and Reunification Program, which helps families in Cook, Madison, and St. Clair counties who are involved in the child welfare system due to parental substance use disorders.

Rodney has a 20-history of senior management in the nonprofit sector, including in community primary health center administration, childcare services, workforce development, community counseling, adult education, community economic development, restorative justice, trauma-informed care, and violence prevention. His human services career began at TASC, where he served as a client advocate and case manager for court-involved adults in Cook County. Over the past two decades, Rodney has progressed to successive management and executive director roles with several Chicago-based nonprofit organizations, where he has developed new service lines and coached emerging nonprofit leaders. 

He serves on the Urban Strategies and Alternatives to Incarceration Task Force of the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church. He also serves as a local pastor at St. Matthew UM Church in Chicago and hosts a local radio program on WYCA 102.3 FM.

Rodney earned his BA in political science from Chicago State University, his Master of Divinity from the Chicago Theological Seminary, and his Doctor of Ministry from Northern Seminary (Lisle, IL).