46th Ward

My name is Walter Pierce and I am the minister at the Uptown Church of Christ here in the beautiful Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. My family and I have resided in Chicago since 2019. We love having the opportunity to serve in this wonderfully diverse community. We also recognize the challenges of diversity and as a result we seek to love our diverse neighbors and encourage reconciliation among each other regardless of social class, race, gender, sexuality, mental capacity, or political belief.

I built a career in learning and development, DEI, and organizational transformation, designing programs in communication, sales, coaching, and professional skills, while also publishing six books, completing an MFA, and coaching writers on their craft.? Today, at Midwest Creative Group, I work at the intersection of those worlds. I coach emerging creatives and established artists to clarify their creative interests, strengthen their practice, and develop their unique voice. I also design creative experiences for teams and organizations that want to unlock innovation, agility, connection, and wellbeing through imagination and storytelling.

I became a licensed massage therapist in 2011 after graduating from Cortiva Institute (formerly the Chicago School of Massage Therapy), where I was recognized for academic excellence. In 2015, I had the opportunity to study in both Thailand and India, experiences that deeply shaped my understanding of the connection between body, mind, and nervous system. These global perspectives continue to inform my work, blending seamlessly with clinical, muscle-focused techniques. In 2024 I was certified as a Reiki master and blend energy work into my therapeutic massage.