Urban Center Development

Women in inner cities across America have limited access in finding positive solutions to their unplanned pregnancies. Thirty six percent of all abortions are performed on African American women while they represent only 13% of the American female population. Most abortion clinics are located in or near minority communities and outnumber pregnancy centers by at least 5 to 1 in major inner-city areas.

Dr. Lillie A. Epps is a licensed, ordained minister and the Director of Urban Center Development at Care Net. The Care Net Urban Initiative empowers urban communities to offer alternatives to abortion, to promote positive sexual health, and to share the love of Christ. She is the former executive director of the Peninsula Care & Pregnancy Centers (PCPC) of Hampton & Williamsburg, Virginia. Lillie served in that position for eight years.

Lillie is a multi-faceted, accomplished orator who speaks and counsels on such present-day issues as teen pregnancy, sexual integrity, crisis intervention, the effects of abortion on men and women, family dynamics, substance abuse, and mental health/retardation. Her most recent career highlights include speaking at the United States Supreme Court, where she made a compelling “Call-to-Arms” to stop abortion and further highlighted abortion’s impact on the African American Community. Lillie was also invited to the White House with a group of concerned African Americans to discuss two issues that greatly affect the culture, namely, the Impact of Abortion on the African American Community, and "Creating Better Relationships with the Bush Administration and the African American Community”. Lillie has also been involved with the National Fatherhood Initiative as a presenter for the North Carolina National Fatherhood Conference.

Lillie is a recipient of a Bachelor of Science in Human Services Counseling from Old Dominion University, a Master of Divinity Degree in Women’s Ministry, and Doctor of Ministry from Providence Bible College & Theological Seminary. She is the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three.

Care Net is a non-profit organization that supports a network of over 900 pregnancy resource centers in the United States and Canada. These centers offer free pregnancy tests, peer counseling, post-abortion support and other practical help to empower women and men facing pregnancy related concerns.