Trenton, NJ Dr. Valerie Arthur, a trailblazing leader from Trenton, New Jersey, has worn many hats—corrections officer, administrator, pastor, international missionary, and social activist. As the first African American administrator at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility, her path through the justice system became not only a career but a powerful training ground for ministry. Today, she leads Calvary Pentecostal Church and serves as Chairwoman of the Smith Family Foundation, where her mission focuses on education, empowerment, and preventative outreach to underserved youth.
In an exclusive interview with the nation’s premier faith-based and professional newspaper for winners, Anointed News Journal, Dr. Arthur expounds upon all of the work she is doing, such as, the local and international work that uplifts communities, and laying a biblical foundation for young people to build a better future.
Collins:
Who is Dr. Valerie Arthur?
Dr. Arthur:
Oh, wow. Valerie Arthur is… I always like to start by saying I’m the first of eight children, born to Seamon and Pearlie Smith of Trenton, New Jersey. Both of my parents gave me a strong spiritual foundation centered on helping my neighbors and friends. I’m a mother of two, a grandmother of five, and a former Department of Corrections administrator. At the end of my career, I became the first African American in the 100-year history of the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility to hold the position of administrator. I’m also the senior pastor of Calvary Pentecostal Church, and I serve as an apostle. That’s me in a nutshell.
Collins:
Okay, Dr. Valerie, let me ask you a question. What was your motivation to pursue a career in corrections?
Dr. Arthur:
My motivation came when I was coming out of college and trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I always wanted to go to law school, but life happened, and I didn’t make it there. I still wanted to stay in the legal field, so I took tests to become either a probation officer or a correctional officer. The correctional officer position came first, so I took it. I had no real desire to go into corrections, but once I got into the field, I realized this was exactly where I was supposed to be. It turned out to be great training ground for ministry as well. That’s what led me into corrections.
Collins:
And as a result, you worked your way up through the ranks and became an administrator?
Dr. Arthur:
Yes, I did. I went from being a correctional officer all the way through the custody ranks to lieutenant. Then I transitioned to the civilian side, moving from assistant superintendent to associate administrator, and finally becoming an administrator. Each position prepared me for where I am today. It allowed me to use my leadership skills on various levels. Corrections became a passion for me, and I had the opportunity to impact young men and women I wouldn’t have otherwise encountered.
Collins:
Let me ask you about your mother, former pastor Pearlie Smith. How important was her influence on you as you pursued your career?
Dr. Arthur:
Very important. My mother was incredibly supportive. She was a schoolteacher in Trenton for almost 40 years, and she worked in the Trenton public school system. She encouraged me to move up the ladder in my career. I could have stayed at the entry level, but she pushed me to aim higher. She helped watch my children while I studied and worked late shifts. She was there for me and prayed for me throughout my entire career in corrections.
Collins:
You’ve served on both sides of the institution—as an officer and an administrator—but you’re also a member of the local clergy. You’re deeply involved in the community and fight for social justice. What motivates you to be the activist that you are?
Dr. Arthur:
Great question. In the criminal justice field, we often hear about at-risk youth, the underserved, and returning citizens post-incarceration. But what drives me is the need for pre-incarceration work. I want to help young people avoid the prison system entirely. I’ve spent my adult life in prisons and have seen generations cycle through—father, son, grandson; mother, daughter, grandmother. My goal is to implement preventative measures. Many brilliant individuals don’t realize their potential until they’re behind bars. I want to reach them before that point. I offer a different perspective because I’ve worked inside the system. I combine that with a foundation in the Word of God, aiming to raise men and women of integrity grounded in biblical principles. Education is vital. That’s why I’m so passionate about this work.
Collins:
You’re also the Chairwoman of the Board for the Smith Family Foundation in Trenton. Tell us a bit about the foundation and its mission.
Dr. Arthur:
The Smith Family Foundation is a philanthropic organization. We provide scholarships to first-generation college students and support them throughout their academic careers. We also offer community empowerment classes and help nonprofit organizations with sustainability and capacity-building. Through leadership development programs and partnerships with the City of Trenton, we help small nonprofits become eligible for further grants. We also house nonprofits in our incubation center, offering them office space, training, and access to funding opportunities. Our goal is to undergird them as they build a foundation in the community.
Collins:
You’ve also done international work in Haiti, Pakistan, and South Africa. Tell us about that.
Dr. Arthur:
Yes, that’s part of our urban ministry through my church and Dr. Valerie Arthur Ministries. We built a school in Haiti and established a small business to support it so children can attend for free. In Haiti, education isn’t free—it’s a business. We wanted to give children the chance to change the trajectory of their lives. In Pakistan, we helped a pastor purchase a building to educate children working in brick mines. They now have a place to be fed and learn basic skills like reading and writing. In South Africa, we support Christ Centered in the City International Ministries. We’re building up children spiritually and educationally there as well.
Collins:
Tell me more about the Truth Summit that you host every August.
Dr. Arthur:
We’ve held the Truth Summit in Trenton for the past three years—this year will be the fourth. It’s centered on tough topics. The title of the will probably be Sex, Money, and Miracles. We cover issues the church often avoids, like gender identity, abstinence, financial literacy, career paths, and building generational wealth. We encourage young people to dream again. Last year, we expanded the summit to include adults because many older generations struggle to communicate with youth. We offer age-appropriate content for ages 5 through 18 and provide sessions for adults on topics like mental health and entrepreneurship. This year, we’re adding workshops on AI, finance, and social services—again, all built on a biblical foundation.
Collins:
And how can people attend or contribute to the Truth Summit?
Dr. Arthur:
This year, all young people ages 5 to 18 can attend for free by registering at [email protected]. We’re asking adults to sponsor a child. The individual adult ticket is $100. We’re also seeking sponsors and donors, with our top donation tier being $10,000. I’ll send over the donation form. We’re hoping to bring our Christian music group from South Africa for the summit. This year, it will be a full two-day event, including breakfast and lunch for the children.
Collins:
What’s next for Dr. Valerie Arthur?
Dr. Arthur:
Next is the Truth Academy. It’s a year-round academic program inspired by the Truth Summit. We plan to offer after-school programs and summer camps focused on reading, math, and science. I’ve worked in corrections my entire adult life and witnessed firsthand how reading levels correlate with incarceration rates. We want to reach kids by third grade to ensure they can read. That’s the grade level used to determine future prison construction.
Collins:
Yes, and we know that prisons are built based on third-grade reading levels and dropout rates.
Dr. Arthur:
Exactly.
Collins:
Let me ask you a personal question. How much influence did your grandson have on the development of the Truth Academy?
Dr. Arthur:
He had a huge influence. My grandson has ADHD and dyslexia. I wasn’t familiar with either condition until he was diagnosed. We were blessed to have the resources to move him from public school, where he wasn’t getting the help he needed, into a private school that could support him. He thrived in a smaller class size with individualized attention. But he was just one of 20. What about the other 19? Public schools often lack the resources and time to address these challenges. That’s what the Truth Academy aims to change. We want to discover the genius in each child and bring it out.
Collins:
The Anointed News Journal has over 180,000 readers weekly. In conclusion, what would you like to say to our readers?
Dr. Arthur:
Earlier you asked what motivated me to stay in corrections and become a minister and activist. My biggest motivator is God. He spoke to me with what felt like a rebuke—not just to me, but to the Church as a whole. We’ve left our children uncovered. God laid it on my heart to be concerned for them. My way of covering them is through education and ministry, especially for those with learning challenges. God is concerned, and because of that, I am too. I want to introduce our children to Christ so they can build a foundation and become who God created them to be.
Cover your children—through prayer, ministry, education, whatever God lays on your heart. Just do it.
Collins:
Do you have a phone number or contact information you’d like to share?
Dr. Arthur:
Yes, please call me at (609) 989-1289. That’s the number to the church—just ask for Dr. Arthur. The church address is 471 Parkway Avenue, Trenton, New Jersey, 08618. The church is Calvary Pentecostal Church.
Collins:
And just for the record, the Truth Summit will be held on August 22nd and 23rd? And they people can contact you for that at [email protected].
Dr. Arthur:
Yes, August 22nd and 23rd. Bring your whole crew! We have programming for every age group. Younger kids enjoy sidewalk Sunday school and our God and science project. They love it!
Collins:
Dr. Valerie Arthur’s life is a testament to purpose, perseverance, and divine calling. From breaking barriers in the corrections system to launching international ministries and youth programs, she continues to make a generational impact. Through her leadership at Calvary Pentecostal Church, the Smith Family Foundation, and the Truth Summit, Dr. Arthur is equipping communities with the tools, faith, and vision to rise. Her story reminds us that real transformation begins when we choose to serve, uplift, and educate—starting with the children.
By Chris Collins
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