Rev. Joseph Clifford Profit

Reverend Dr. Joseph Clifford Profit, Jr., Ed.D was born to the union of Reverend Joseph Clifford Profit, Sr. and Mrs. Isabel Turner Profit in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 13, 1935. He was reared in New Orleans in a Christian home by his uncle and aunt, Mr. Joseph Head and Mrs. Lucinda Turner Head. Rev. Profit attended McDonough #6 Elementary School, Walter L. Cohen Senior High School and graduated from Gaudet Episcopal Senior High School. He was a proud graduate of Southern University A& M College where he received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and a Minor in Social Studies and Mathematics. He received a Masters of Music Education with a certification in Supervision and Administration from Loyola University. He also received a certification in Counseling and Guidance from Tulane University. Dr. Profit received a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Divinity from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as well as a certificate in Sacred Music. He received a Doctor of Education Degree with emphasis on Community Counseling from City University in Los Angeles, California as well as further graduate studies in Community Counseling at the University of Southern Mississippi. Further studies were completed at the Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia and Bishop College in Dallas, Texas in Seminar Studies in Theology. Rev. Profit utilized all of the education he received in a manner as such to help others in any way he could. His career first began in Houma, Louisiana, taking on the role as the first music instructor for the Negro schools in Terrebonne Parish. He is remembered for the 500 voice Parish-wide Community Choir and Sunday Bayou outdoor concerts. He then served as an educator in the Orleans Parish School System and retired after 37 years of service. During his tenure as an educator and through the Orleans Parish School Board, Rev. Profit chaired the movement of Church Mobilization for Educational Excellence, which served as a summer educational tutorial program. Under several of the great mayors of New Orleans, dating back to Mayors Moon Landrieu, Ernest Morial, Sydney Bartholomew, Marc Morial and others, Rev. Profit has served on several City Boards and Commissions under their administrations. On June 2, 1965, he was elected Pastor of the Stronger Hope Baptist Church, 2401 S. Galvez Street, in uptown New Orleans. July 12, 2015 was his 50th year anniversary celebration as pastor in which the congregation and entire community came together for a week of celebratory events. As Pastor of Stronger Hope he became a pillar for the community. Stronger Hope became a community center for civil rights activism in New Orleans. During his leadership of the Stronger Hope Baptist Church, the Wednesday Church was established for the homeless in the community to give spiritual enlightenment and a healthy food program. Also, numerous outreach activities were commenced to get the community involved where he allowed the sanctuary to be utilized for various civic meetings. At his passing, Rev. Profit was serving as the fifth president of the historic Ideal Missionary Baptist and Educational Association, Inc. and Regional Vice President of the Louisiana Baptist State Convention. He served on the Finance Committee of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A. Inc. under Dr. T. J. Jemison’s administration. He was also a lifelong member of the elite Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and honored for 56 years of continuous service. He was a member of Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education (Tulane University) and a Fellow in the American Academy of Clergymen. He founded after Hurricane Katrina Perfect Word Academy, an online bible studies program, where he presided as Chancellor. He was also currently serving as Chairman of the Board for the Isaiah Institute of New Orleans, an interfaith peace initiative to organize and empower the community against violence. Rev J C Profit, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents Rev Joseph C Profit, Sr. and Isabel Turner Profit, his uncle and aunt Joseph and Lucinda Head, his sister Victoria Profit Hohhman, and his adopted son Vaughn Profit-Breaux. He leaves to mourn his cherished memories, his sons Elder Lowell G. Profit, Sr., Rev. Joseph C. Dyson, Sr., Th.D (wife Robin), Wendell Profit, Rev. Joel C. Profit, Sr., Daniel Profit; his daughters Deidra Dyson, Rachael Profit-Woods (husband Michael), Terrell Profit, and Janel Profit; 37 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren (2 great grandchildren on the way); the Matriarch and former spouse of 22 years Diedri Johnson Profit; his brother Milton Profit, Sr., sisters Rosie Profit, Ruth Profit, and Lillian Profit; a host of godchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, close friends, and the devoted congregation of Stronger Hope Baptist Church. The wake service and dismissal for Rev. Profit, Jr., Ed.D will be held at the Stronger Hope Baptist Church 2401 South Galvez Street. The wake service will be on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 7:00 pm. Viewing will be from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be on Friday, September 18, 2015 at 10:00 am. Viewing will be from 8:00 am – 10:00 am. Professional Services are entrusted to Rhodes Funeral Home 3933 Washington Avenue. Interment will follow at the Providence Park Cemetery 8200 Airline Highway Metairie, La 70003. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the guest book.

Rev. Joseph Clifford Profit

September 4, 2015