Milo Lumpkin
My name is Milo Lumpkin and I am the founder and President of Restored Citizens. I was born in Nashville, TN on December 8, 1973, but was raised in both Nashville and Dyersburg, TN. I am a 1992 graduate of McGavick High School in Nashville as well as a 1998 graduate from Tennessee State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Criminal Justice. I am also a proud and active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. In 2001, I moved to Illinois where I got married, started graduate school and landed a job I loved with the National Urban League in East St. Louis, IL. After a while, as a husband and father, I needed and wanted more for myself and my family. I saw a black officer recruiting and hiring opportunity with the Belleville Police Department and the Saint Clair County Sherriff’s Department. I applied, had top honors on all of the tests, yet I didn’t get either of those jobs and it triggered anger within me. I felt angry, discriminated against and frustrated, all of which, made me an enemy of the criminal justice system. Desperately needing to take care of my family, I began to sell drugs as my way to fix all these issues. In 1998 I was arrested on a felony drug warrant for possession with the intent to deliver. In February of 2010 I was convicted and sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections and I lost everything. During my incarceration I accepted God’s call to preach His Word. God put it on my heart to start a Christ centered ex-offender ministry, Restored Citizens. Living in the system gave me insight that is not often seen by outsiders. My own re-entry into the community June of 2014 was not pleasant. I experienced discrimination, multiple rejections from employers and was even turned down for social services designated for ex-felons. These experiences fuel my desire to help ex-offenders even more. It is my mission through Restored Citizens to help save just as many lives for Christ and our community and help those men and women in the penal system become fully restored.
Christina Lumpkin
My name is Christina Lumpkin and I serve as the Vice President of Restored Citizens. As the wife of Milo Lumpkin, President of Restored Citizens, I wear many hats in this ministry and I truly believe this was all part of God’s plan from day one. I have known Milo since pre-school and we have been a part of each other’s lives in one way or another ever since. We both come from socially active families in our communities and they were known for wanting equal rights and fair treatment for all citizens. Born December 30, 1974, I am a native of Dyersburg, TN and a 1993 Graduate of Dyersburg High School. With Dyersburg being a predominantly white town, there were sometimes remnants of the old way of thinking that crept in to our lives and the railroad tracks seemingly separated the well-off from the laid off. Dyersburg, like any small town, was no stranger to gangs, drugs and crime. I grew up with several members of my own family being the “neighborhood drug dealer” and even dated a few drug-dealing classmates. I was always the straight A student, homecoming queen, most likely to succeed. No one would have convinced me I would become a depressed, college drop-out, single mother of two, divorcee from a very unkind marriage that was ruined by drugs and alcohol. But, by the grace and mercy of God and His forgiveness, I was able to turn my life around and finish college. I have an Associate of Science Degree in Biology from Dyersburg State Community College, a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing Degree from Baptist College of Health Sciences, a Master’s of Science in Nursing Education Degree from Union University as well a Post Master’s Certification as an Adult Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner from Union University. I am a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and I am married to a wonderful man of God that has a heart for helping those ex-offenders break the curse he himself once fell victim to. I am dedicated to helping and healing God’s people mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and all through the ministry of Restored Citizens.