(Akiit.com) During the past week, Denise Tyler, Executive Director of the National Policy Alliance met in Washington, DC during the Congressional Black Caucus. Hon. Johnny Ford, longtime Mayor of Tuskegee, AL served as Moderator of the meeting and injected many words of wisdom.
Those in the packed house, and many came with valuable information to share. Ms. Tyler did a masterful job selecting speakers. Among its distinguished speakers were the Rev. Bernice King (daughter of Dr. Martin Luther and Mrs. Coretta Scott King. Rev. Jamal Bryant (Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia, members of the powerful Blacks in Government and numerous other brilliant presenters were in attendance on a variety of interests to mayors, local/county officials, heads of various organizations, as well as business owners.
Tony Wilson, Young James Brown, performed a new song he, George and Angelyn Gordon just created in honor of Vice-President Kamala Harris. Mr. Antoine Thomas led an outstanding discussion on Housing. Hon, Darryl Barnes, Chair Emeritus of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, spoke on government resources in various areas. Another speaker offered this advice: “There are 3 things that always matter in what we do: Collaboration, Collaboration, Collaboration! No one man or woman can do everything alone in our community, but together we can make a difference.”
Among the resolutions coming from the conference were: 1. Resolution urging the Congress to pass a bill honoring Rosa Parks with a Federal Holiday in view of the fact that she is highly worthy and there’ currently no Federal Holiday honoring a woman of any race; 2. Resolution in support of Black Farmers, Black Contractors and playgrounds for children in our communities; 3. Resolution in support of Clean Energy and doing things such as building charging stations in our community to ensure the potential of more electric cars coming to Black communities. 4. Resolution that encourages greater home ownership as we assist people in readiness for homeownership. 5. Resolution to develop a plan and strategy to get what our community needs whatever it is.
It was noted that we currently have a lot of plans, but little action. We must remember there has to be a leader and we must coalesce around somebody. We were encouraged to create a blue-print to present to the White House with our issues. It was decided that blue-print must include Affordable and Available Housing, passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the George Floyd Justice in Policing bill. We agreed to support the resolutions and bills because if we don’t drive the agenda for our communities, others sure will.
Mayor Johnny Ford said as he urged attendees to support the resolutions passed at the conference and that “All that we said means nothing if we don’t do the work.” Attendees left the conference pledging to do the work and were urged to remember that it is time for us to stop financing the dreams of others while leaving ourselves out. What we do must be around strength, not just passion, through collaboration and coordination.
One immediate part of the work is being registered to vote and then voting for the candidates who’ve made it clear they will do their part to work for our betterment—and Pastor Jamal Bryant added that would be those who are also pledging to vote for what is beneficial to the least of God’s people. He also reminded us of our obligation to be concerned about what is going on in the Sudan, the Congo, Haiti and other places on the African Continent. Remember these subjects as we vote. Vote early, and at the latest, vote on November 5th.
Columnist; Dr. E. Faye Williams
Official website; http://www.efayewilliams.com/