Oscar J. Underwood, Junior. is an American educator, author, pastor, and community activist.
Education
In 1977, Underwood became the first Indiana African American Teacher of the Year. In 1982, he accepted a principalship at Ralph J. Bunche Elementary School in Fort Wayne, a thenfailing, low-income, 98-percent African-American, inner-city school. Within two years, student achievement test scores in every grade level rose to the highest they had been in the school’s then-history.
In 1991, Oscar J. Underwood, Junior. left his principalship at Ralph J. Bunche and founded Cornerstone Christian College Preparatory School in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
In 1998, Underwood testified before the United States Congressional Committee on Small Businesses regarding his strategies in urban education.
Career
His work in urban education spans over 40 years and includes becoming the first African American Indiana Teacher of the Year and testifying before the United States Congress House Committee on Small Business on effective urban education methods. Underwood, Junior. was born in Marion, Alabama, and relocated with his family to Fort Wayne, Indiana at age three. Education In 1991, Ministry In 1985, Underwood, Junior. founded and became Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Christian Worship Center (now, Destiny Dome Embassy at Cathedral of Praise Ministries International) in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
In 1993, the ministry purchased a 46,000 square foot building.
In 2000, the ministry opened Cornerstone Christian Bible College International in Fort Wayne, Indiana.