Words of Hope

Jennifer & Ashton Cumberbatch

Nominated by ABC Home & Commercial

Ashton and Jennifer Cumberbatch have wholeheartedly served the Austin community since making the city their home in 1979. They have been married for 41 years and have four children who also remain Austinites.

Jennifer Cumberbatch graduated from Brown University and began her career in ministry assisting her parents in their work serving communities in public housing in Cincinnati, Ohio. She also held positions as a systems engineer for IBM, and the Business Calendar Editor for the Austin-American Statesman. Jennifer’s past volunteer work has included tenures on the boards of directors for the Foundation for the Homeless, River City Youth Foundation, and Caritas of Austin; African American Arts Company, Pro Arts Collective; and the African American Girls and Women Conferences. Her experience in ministry as a preacher lead her to found Full Measure, a pastoral advising ministry. Jennifer is also the owner of Cumberbatch’s Sweet Tater Torts and JR Cumberbatch Productions, where she collaborates to create local exhibits in the arts.

Ashton Cumberbatch, Jr. graduated from Brown University prior to earning his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. Ashton has served the Central Texas community in a variety of roles. For eleven years Ashton held a position as an executive for Seton Healthcare Family focusing on advocacy and community engagement, while also serving as a Policy Advisor for Austin Mayor Steve Adler. In his tenure at the Mayor’s office, Ashton championed initiatives on behalf of equitable and holistic development, education, health, wellness and public safety in Austin’s historically underserved communities. Ashton also acted as the Chief of the Trial Division for the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, and the co-project manager for the Mayor’s Task Force on Institutional Racism and Systemic Inequalities. Ashton has been recognized for his service with a number of awards, including the Austin NAACP Life Achievement Award and the University of Texas Dr. James Hill Leadership Award.

Jennifer and Ashton are active members of Agape Christian Ministries, where Ashton serves as the executive pastor and Jennifer serves as a pastor; their children are their greatest blessing.

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