About Us
God called us to breathe life into Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of “the beloved community,” a community in which people of every color and background come together in peace and harmony, in which differences are not ignored or downplayed but rather recognized and celebrated, in which the intrinsic value and dignity of every person as an image-bearer of God is revered. Foundational to the community is the agape love of Christ, which King described as a love that “means understanding, redeeming good will for all men…Agape does not begin by discriminating between worthy and unworthy people, or any qualities people possess. It begins by loving others for their sakes. It is an entirely ‘neighbor-regarding concern for others,’ which discovers the neighbor in every man it meets.” It is an actionable love in which not only open hearts but also helping hands are extended to answer the prompting from Micah 6:8 “to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly” with the Lord. After all, faith without actions and deeds is no faith at all. The beloved community co-op is reflective of God’s kingdom as a rich, multi-colored tapestry. It is a place to love and be loved.
Executive Co-Directors
.jpg)
Beloved Community Co-op Executive Co-Directors, April and Robin
April Norwood-Barnes, Executive Co-Director
.jpg)
April Norwood-Barnes holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Indiana University, Bloomington and a master’s in music education from Butler University. She has been a music instructor teaching both in-class and private lessons in Indianapolis and Greenwood for over twenty-five years. She currently serves as the Director of the Music and Arts Ministries for New Zion Community Church and is a homeschool educator with Beloved Community Co-op and for her twin boys, Joshua and Jonas. She is also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc and a musical director for several theater ministries throughout central Indiana.
Robin Seiple, Co-Founder and Executive Co-Director
.jpg)
Robin Seiple, alongside her husband Tom, is a parent to three children: Katelyn, Tobin, and Oliver. A navy veteran with over eight years of military service, Robin holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Having homeschooled for 11 years, Robin brings a wealth of experience to her role. Engaging actively in teaching for the past five years, Robin focuses on subjects like math, Latin, and literature. She has a particular fondness for the classical method and fostering meaningful discussions with students. Beyond her teaching experiences, Robin's journey extends to various settings, from instructing English to children in China to leading preschool lessons at church. Devoted to her faith, Robin views herself as mission-oriented, always seeking to follow the Lord's will. Analytical and growth-oriented, Robin consistently strives for improvement and encourages students to step outside their comfort zones. Her experiences in organizing events, such as statewide science fairs and speech tournaments, demonstrate her commitment to facilitating growth opportunities for homeschoolers. Eager to learn from others and receptive to new ideas, Robin's infectious enthusiasm and passion for learning make her a valuable asset in the classroom, where she encourages students to pursue excellence in all their endeavors.
Co-op Founders
Beloved Community Co-op founders and longtime friends
Dr. Olivia Cronin
.jpg)
Dr. Olivia Cronin is a physician who completed her Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology from Rutgers University and her Medical Degree from Loyola University – Stritch School of Medicine, both with honors with an emphasis on cross-cultural competency and medical ethics. Since 2011, she has been passionate about helping homeschool students find joy in math, science, and technology.Dr. Cronin and her husband have adopted six children internationally and have homeschooled all eight of their children at one point or another. Because of the wide range of learning styles in her own home, she is passionate about teaching to and engaging multiple learning styles and to supporting students with various learning abilities or disabilities. In her teaching and mentoring of students, she is guided by Philippians 4:8: “Whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” From attempting to crochet a baby yoda to coding in new programming languages, she is a life-long learner and avid reader in her free time. She looks forward to walking alongside families and students as they grow into servant leaders and clever innovators in their communities.