Rev. Larita Rice-Barnes
Executive Director, Metro East Organizing Coalition (MEOC), Senior Pastor & Founder, Empowerment of Grace
Rev. Larita Rice-Barnes, MAPS is Executive Director of the Metro East Organizing Coalition (MEOC) and Senior Pastor and Founder of Empowerment of Grace. A licensed and ordained pastor with more than 25 years of experience, she is a faith-based organizer, community advocate and gun violence survivor whose work focuses on violence prevention, trauma-informed care, victim advocacy, crisis intervention and urban chaplaincy. She has extensive experience supporting violently injured and emotionally traumatized individuals and families and mobilizing communities of faith around racial and economic dignity. Rev. Rice-Barnes earned her Master of Arts in Professional Studies from Eden Theological Seminary and holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Security Management from Saint Louis University.