RAINBOW PUSH COALITION HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO IN REFERENCE TO POLICE SHOOTING OF LAQUAN McDONALD

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

I just watched a live streamed press conference from Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Push Coalition, which took place yesterday in Chicago - 

I'm sharing the link with you here  please watch it  - it's very constructive and instructive - especially for those of us in other communities who are also battling the egregious abuse of power wielded at the hands of the local police departments, and in many cases co-signed by the local mayors and other minions who are suppose to represent the people, but put their own interests first.

http://livestream.com/PushTVLive/events/4554255/videos/106001690

Chicago mayor, Rahm Emanuel, while commended for having fired the superintendent of the police department, has also been called into question in reference to other vital video information that has yet to be revealed to the public.

There are also calls for federal investigation of the entire process on the part of Attorney General Loretta Lynch.  On Tuesday, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan requested that the U.S. Department of Justice investigate whether the Chicago Police Department's practices violate federal and constitutional law.  Madigan in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch asked that the investigation weigh, among other things, the department's use of deadly force and whether a pattern or practice of discriminatory policing exists.

Additionally, there are calls for Chicago's a.g., Anita Alvarez, to step done for complicity in the cover up and a long line of injustices vis a vis the Police and the Citizens of Chicago's Black community.  They have threatened to vote her out and are vowing to launch a voter registration campaign so comprehensive she'll have no chance of re-election.

I posted this link for those who have the temerity and the gall to question whether or not Rev. Jesse Jackson is on the case in reference to these atrocities.  The same criticism has been leveled at Rev. Al Sharpton.  It's apparent that those who have made such accusations are not aware that they each head coalitions - which they put together - of individuals, activists, expertise, and supporters - who bring their collective expertise and dedication together in the interest of justice and change.

There are protest demonstrations taking place in the streets of Chicago, while others are wasting their money on Christmas gifts that go to continue to underwrite some of the very people are the cause of the problems.  The ones who underwrite corrupt politicians and keep them in office as long as they turn a blind eye to brutality and bias.

And the coalition is comprehenve - they include experts on judicial and legislative issues; criminal justice, media, community activism, etc.  It's not a one size fits all organization.  While some are leading protest movements, others are in city hall dealing with the mayor, while others are in DC dealing with the Attorney General's office.  

Nor are they afraid to call a spade a spade.  This is not a week-end protest - they are in it for the long haul, as evidenced by the days of demonstrations which finally resulted in  Mayor Emanuel's firing of the city's police superintendent.

Even with the squad-car video showing a white Chicago police officer shooting a Laquan McDonald 16 times  on October 20, 2014, the foot dragging had continued, until the protesters showed they were not going to take it any more.


The video footage of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald's fatal shooting the night of Oct. 20, 2014, shows that the police lied about what happened.  A police spokesman, described McDonald lunging at officers before shooting began; while another police statement  after the shooting said McDonald had refused to drop a knife and "continued to approach the officers." Initial police information said McDonald was killed by a single shot to the chest.
But the video shows McDonald walking down the middle of a four-lane street. He then appears to veer away from police as Officer Jason Van Dyke, who is now charged with murder, opens fire. The video seems to show McDonald with something in his hand. Prosecutors say a 3-inch blade recovered from the scene had been folded into the handle. - Pan African Newswire
Activists contend city and police department officials dragged their feet on the investigation and video release and perhaps even sought to cover up what happened.
Interestingly, the dash cam's audio did not function on any of the police vehicles - really??!!!
These are modern cameras that are set up in Chicago police cars  so audio records along with video.  So how could it be that none of the dash-cams had audio?  Hmmm...

 Now that you know, what are you - especially you in Chicago - going to do about it? 

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria 














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EVENT ALERT: Rainbow Push Coalition Celebrates their 15th Annual Wall Street Project, January 25-27

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

It's hard to believe that fifteen years have passed since the First Wall Street Project opened in New York City. It was 1997, at at that time we actually were on Wall Street, with many of the events happening either in board rooms, on the trading room floors, or at the World Trade Center.

I can remember sitting in the top of the World Trade Center at one of the luncheons, in a facility where the ceilings were arched, and so low that you had to bend to be in there, and you could not see the speakers because the columns blocked your view.

They've come a long way from those early days of trying to make Black people more financially literate, investment action oriented, and move away from the mentality of a consumer to that of a producer.

It's important that I say this, and that you grasp this and how significant it is that Rev. Jackson saw, and understood early on - before the economic downturn, before the mortgage crises, before the rampant foreclosures - he understood the devastation of not having economic parity for Black people -whether here in the US, or Africa, the Caribbean, or anywhere else we reside.

His mission has been to provide us with as much education, exposure, opportunity and understanding of what Wall Street was about, and what it meant to us, who had been psychologically, physically, emotionally and economically kept out of the loop. The realm of investment, the marketplace, and the high stakes of finance had been relegated to the realm of whites and high rolling Blacks, the few who were allowed behind the "green" door. The rest of us were either part of conspicuous consumption, or the welfare state (at least that is where we were pushed).

When Rev. Jackson first enunciated plans to study Wall Street as a means of breaking down the next barrier of racism, many of his peers in the "movement" thought he had lost it. Others thought he had joined the ranks of the "capitalist pigs." Interesting, since we all need and want money how many of us tried to pick the idea apart as though it was some kind of pariah.

However, we who have given up more free labor on this planet than any other group of people in the world, and have not been compensated for our efforts - for the blood, sweat, tears and lives that went into building this nation - including the hallowed hall of Wall Street, Dow Jones, Broad Street and the other denizens of the almighty dollar. We, more than anyone, need to learn to work smarter, not harder, how to invest in growth funds, how to plan for longevity and retirement, how to make wise deals and purchases. When you think about it, the investment they made in bringing us here from Africa has paid off for everyone but us - big time.

Now it's time to learn how not to make the mistakes that the "smartest guys in the house" made, which caused the economic mess we're in right now, while at the same time begin to develop our own autonomous investment and banking systems, as have other groups, so that we too can underwrite our children's education, purchase our own homes, build quality communities - in other words, call the shots.

The most interesting thing about this is the irony that we live in New York City, the financial capital of the world. Yet we know nothing about it. The major industries in New York are FIRE - Finance, Insurance, Real Estate - yet they are not taught in any of our schools in a meaningful way. Neither we nor our children have ever been exposed to the inner workings of Wall Street. We know it's there, but except for the few Black proteges, we are more likely to see African Americans as security guards and custodians, than having a pivotal role in the high end banking, finance and investment arenas. The schools in New York may teach you how to count money, but they don't teach you how to use, invest, expand it. Why is that?

Last year, the Rainbow Push Coalition quietly celebrated its 40th Anniversary on December 25, 2011. The great thing is that they are as relevant and active today as they were when they were first formed. In October 2011, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. celebrated his 70th Birthday anniversary. And like these stellar programs he's created, he keeps getting better with age. There are few out there who can match his stride, his energy and his dedication to Black people. In celebrating these milestones, we are all winners as well, because he has taken the time to provide us with a blue print that we can follow out of this mess we're in - if we would but follow it (see gloriadulanwilson.blogspot.com - January 15, 2011).

The theme of the 2012 Wall Street Project is "Bringing Everyone to the Table." The Economic Summit this year will be lead by Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. and Terry J. Lundgren, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Macy's Inc. It will feature such panels as: Wall Street Project Career Development; Retooling and Retraining Break Out Sessions; The Women's Luncheon; The Minister's Prayer Breakfast and Roundtable. Among the presenters will be John Grant, Author, Career Coach and Speaker; Staci Grant, President C&G Enterprises; Pat Thomas Motivational Speaker and career coach. There will be other speakers and surprise guests as the conference gets underway.

Rev. Jackson indicated, in a recent teleconference, that the possibility of putting together a mutual bank or credit union similar to the Black United Fund of New York, to make it possible for Black investors to underwrite their own programs, has been a consideration for quite some time. "I am quite familiar with the program and the principles established by the late Walter Bremond, and think it would be a powerful tool for Black Economic Development. It would be an natural resource builder for programs that are underserved or poorly underwritten by mainstream finance or charitable organizations." New York's Black United Fund, which was established by Kermit Eady, at its zenith raised more than $111 million a year, which was then put back into the Black community in the form of affordable housing, business incubator programs, scholarships, and business start up loans. (Many will remember it was destroyed by then persecutor Elliot Spitzer in his bid for the gubernatorial nomination - but that's another story for another day).

The most salient points of Rev. Jackson's teleconference was the fact that South Carolina continues to be the bastion of racism and abuse, despite the progress made under Dr. King to destroy many of the negative institutions. The new version of the prison industrial complex is proliferating there, where factories are actually being established within the prison walls, and those who are incarcerated are forced to work for pennies a day. Apparently there are also investors who are underwriting this heinous program in order to save money. If not curtailed, it will be a means of undermining President Obama's move to bring businesses home to make jobs available for Americans who have been out of work since the onset of the economic downturn. How to handle this will be one of the main focal points of this year's Wall Street Project.

Also of concern are our voting rights, which are being target by South Carolina and Arizona. Republicans are pushing these laws in states across the country claiming they are needed to deter voting fraud, but offer no evidence of its existence. In fact, the laws will disproportionately impact African Americans, Latinos and poor people — who are less likely to have a driver’s license. In South Carolina, the Dept. Of Justice concluded minority voters would be 20 percent more likely to be disenfranchised than white voters (excerpted from Rev. Jackson's weekly report)

He will also focus on foreclosures, building and developing decent affordable housing, home ownership, and quality of life issues. Stated Reverend Jackson: "Banks got bailed out; people got locked out." Millions of homes have been lost from the Black community - the largest land grab rip off in history. His 2011 panel dealt with more humane ways to help families in distress than the methods used by recalcitrant banks and lending institutions, who claim to not want their homes, but proceed to foreclose and take them anyway. This year's panel is set to take it to the next level. If you happen to have been a victim of these scams, you'll want to be there as well.

If you haven't attended any of the Wall Street Projects over the past 15 years, make this the time that you break that pattern. Make a paradigm shift. There are a great many contacts to be made, a lot to be learned - networking with peers, as well as establishing new contacts, and expanding those you already have. Come for the seminars - they're priceless! Your input is as valuable as the panel of experts sitting on the dias. With so many opportunities for innovation, you may well walk away with a solution to problems you considered impossible; or you just might make a connection that you thought not possible.

And lest you thought he has overlooked brothers and sisters in Africa, he's just returned from Johannesburg and Bloemfontein South Africa to join other leaders across the globe in paying tribute to the ANC and the people of South Africa. "This is not just an ANC celebration, but one for the entire continent and, indeed, for peace and freedom loving people around the globe. I look forward to giving a report to the American public upon my return," he stated.

Make no mistake about it, Reverend Jackson is “Bringing Everyone to the Table” in a way that has never been done before. We can be either at the table or on the sideline. As President Barack Obama said (sang) at the Apollo: "Let's Stay Together!" It's the only way we'll survive. It's the only way we will win. It's the only way we'll Succeed.

Here's a little history for those who are not familiar with how the organization began: In 1966, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. appointed Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. to serve as the first director of Operation Breadbasket in Chicago, IL. In 1971, three years after King's assassination in Memphis, TN, Rev. Jackson founded Operation P.U.S.H (People United to Save Humanity in Chicago to continue Dr. King's mission. In 1972, the idea of the "Black Expo" (Black Business Exposition) was developed to "expose" African-American businesses. In 1984, the National Rainbow Coalition was formed in Washington, DC following Reverend Jackson's first presidential campaign. Rainbow's focus was to unite progressive people, historically locked out of the mainstream of American politics, into a "coalition of conscience," dedicated to making America more inclusive. The Rainbow PUSH Coalition is a progressive organization protecting, defending and expanding civil rights to improve economic and educational opportunity.

The organization is headquarted in Chicago, IL at 930 E 50th St., can be reached by calling (773) 373-3366. For information on this years 15th Annual Rainbow PUSH Wall Street Project, visit www.rainbowpush.org. Rainbow PUSH Coalition ✆ publicservices@rainbowpush.org via bounce.bluestatedigital.com

The 15th Annual Rainbow PUSH Wall Street Project is being held on January 25 to the 27, and the Sheraton Towers Hotel, 53rd Street and 7th Avenue, New York, New York. See you there.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

NATIONAL ALLOTMENT INSURANCE AGENCY (NAIA) SPONSOR OF 2011 RAINBOW PUSH WALL STREET CONFERENCE

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

January 11-14 will be the 14th Annual Rainbow-Push Wall Street Conference. Initiated by Rev. Jesse Jackson, who first identified economic racism as the most pervasive form of discrimination, the Conference is being held in New York City at the Sheraton Hotel, 53rd and 7th Avenue.

This is the first year however, that the Rainbow Push Coalition has an African American corporation coming in as a major sponsor, in the form of the National Allotment Insurance Agency, located in Brooklyn, NY. Sam Dunston, founder and CEO of NAIA, and a long time admirer and supporter of Rev. Jesse Jackson and his principles of self empowerment, admits that this has long been a desire of his to play a major role in the success of the Wall Street Project.

A member of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, owner of Dekalb Funeral Home, and one of the few insurance companies that make it possible for its clients to pay their policies through ongoing payroll deduction, a plan which keeps insurance affordable and available.

Sam Dunston is well known and well liked in and around Brooklyn. Most will recognize him as a man who always has a smile on his face and always has something witty and positive to say. Insiders know him as the "go to" guy when you are working on a project, program or concept to benefit the community. In this instance, however, Dunston approached Rev. Jackson to offer his services and support for the upcoming conference.

Those interested in participating in the upcoming 2011 Wall Street Conference can Call 212-425-7874

RAINBOW PUSH WALL STREET PROJECT & CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION FUND
14th Annual Wall Street Project Economic Summit
A More Perfect Union: Time to Rebuild America
January 12 – 14, 2011
Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers
811 7th Avenue at 53rd Street, New York City

Registration Information
Tickets for the reception and meal events can be purchased separately:
* Adult: $125
* Youth: $75

Conference Packages include:
Premier VIP Package
General Summit Package
Individual Day Registration
VIP Reception and Summit Kick-off Gala
Access to Capital Breakfast: Wednesday, January 12
Economic Agenda & Awards Luncheon: Wednesday, January 12
Labor Breakfast: Thursday, January 13
Ministers’ Luncheon: Thursday, January 13
Women’s Luncheon: Friday, January 14
NOTE: Tickets or badge required for admission to all sessions and events.
No refunds after January 1, 2011.

Questions? Call 212-425-7874

THE AGENDA AS FOLLOWS IS STILL IN FORMATION:

TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2011
6:00PM-9:30PM SUMMIT REGISTRATION
1:00PM-3:00PM ECONOMIC ROUNDTABLE
TOWARD A THIRD WAY: As Crisis ravaged America's economy, business and government leaders jumped to rescue key firms and industries.
Emergency provisions were extended to financial firms, lenders, manufacturers and jobless Americans. Two years later, leading firms are on much more secure footing, but the poorest 60% of Americans remain stuck in deep quick sands. Unemployment is nearly 10%. . We must embark on a uniting and inclusive growth path. Today's record level inequalities of wealth, income and opportunity threaten our unity, sense of justice and economic performance. Leading economists, advisors, and community leaders invite leading media and community partners to a lively, stimulating debate and discussion.
Speaker(s): Dr. Max Wolf, U. S. Economist
6:30PM-9:30PM OPENING RECEPTION
Entertainment: Recording Artist, Lalah Hathaway

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2011
DAY THEME ACCESS TO CAPITAL, INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY, YOUTH
8:30AM-10:00PM ACCESS TO CAPITAL, JOBS AND OPPORTUNITY PLENARY
Highlighting the Urban Reconstruction Agenda and the Dodd-Frank Federal Financial Regulation Bill - Section 342 and State and Local Parity Initiatives
Speaker(s)Don Thompson, President and CEO, McDonald’s USA
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., Founder and President, Rainbow PUSH Coalition
10:00AM-12:00PM Digitizing Wall Street: Tech Growth and Financial Investment Bit by Bit Three Tracks
opening the doors for WMBEs as investors and professional services providers;
Keynote Speaker: Andrew Lipman, Partner, Bingham McCutchen; Panelists: Amos Winbush III, Founder, Cyber Synchs; Alfred Edmond, Jr., Senior Vice President/Editor-in-Chief, Black Enterprise.com; Benny Lorenzo, CEO, Kaufman Bros.
Track 1- Social Media
Track 2 –Investor Technology
Track 3- Investing/Access to Capital
10:00AM-3:00PM YOUTH SEMINAR 10:00AM-1:30PM
The Hip Hop Union will host 300 Students in a day of financial literacy and interactive career stations. Daniel “Diggie” Simmons, Justin Combs and Jam Master Jay Jr. with success stories and lesions and their role in rebuilding America.
1:30PM-3:00PM Break Out Session 1
panel discussion with Macy's executives in key strategic business areas to discuss the business of retail w/ Q and A session. Second a demonstration on how to dress for success by Macy's leading to a competition amongst 3 lucky participants to create a best "job interview ready" ensemble, winner will receive a $500 Macy's Gift Card!

Panelists: Shawn Outler, Macy's Inc., Shamika Lackey, Macy's Inc., Lisa Walker, Macy's Inc., Krystin Page, Macy's Inc., Claudia Acosta, Macys Inc.
8:00AM-5:00PM SMALL BUSINESS INSTITUTE (SBI)
A full day advanced technical assistance forum for small businesses seeking accelerated growth, optimization of business plans, and business process improvement.
8:30 a.m. SBI KEYNOTE OPENING SPEAKER
Speaker(s): George Fraser, Chairman and CEO FraserNet
9:00 a.m. PANEL DISCUSSION : The Small Business Heroes Moderator: Stephanie D. Burroughs – Stephanie Speaking, LLC; Panelist(s):Wy Livingston, Wy Stone Teas
9:45 a.m. BUSINESS IMPROV: You Have One Chance to Make a First Impression: a skit for small business owners: Speaker(s): Cheryl Chandler - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Stephanie D. Burroughs – StephanieSpeaking, LLC

10:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. BUSINESS ZONE
SESSION I - Introduction of Women Owned Businesses Federal Set Aside Program importance of partnerships between the government and women owned businesses.Speaker(s): Cheryl Chandler-U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
SESSION II – Negotiating the Government Contracting Arena Discover various federal contracting opportunities, SBA loan programs and SBA approved lenders. Speaker(s): Walter Maxwell, Dir. of External, Affairs NYC Dept of Small Bus Serv., Jan Walden, Sr. Dir. of Small Business Strategies, McKissack & McKissack
SESSION III – When the Contract is Green maximizing on opportunities in securing green contracts.
Speaker(s): Keith D. Fogg, Petroleum
SESSION IV – Improving Financial Performance
Improving Small Business Financial Performance by Eliminating “Simple Mistakes”
Speaker(s): Michael Horsey – Mitchell & Titus
SESSION V – Leveraging the digital space to grow your business grow your business with the use of cutting edge technology, social media and online marketing.
Speaker(s): Eric Hamilton- WebAcademy; “TC”Coleman, Esq., President, UpwardAction; Wendi Kaplan Carroll- Constant Contacts
SESSION VI - When to bid as a “Prime” or “Position for Subcontracting?” Business Development Strategies targeting Private Sector Corporations.
Topics will include but not be limited to: knowing how to determine what corporations best fit your development/sales plans; understanding and planning for corporate purchasing cycles; positioning a small business to be a preferred sub-contracting partner and optimizing Minority Business/Diversity Certifications with Private Sector Sourcing Initiatives
Confirmed Speaker(s): Emmett Vaughn, Exelon Corporation

12:30 p.m. ECONOMIC AGENDA LUNCHEON (SBI to Join Summit Attendees)
Description: Strategic partnerships with diverse firms should be viewed as more than just “the right thing do.” They can be key components of overall plans to drive shareholder value, diversify client reach and /or expand sources of capital and market intelligence. Many corporations and institutions are thinking creatively about how to drive shareholder value by establishing partnerships with diverse firms possessing unique market access capabilities.

3:00 p.m. CORPORATE SPEED NETWORKING ROUNDTABLE
Description: Business Leaders will lead participates in Roundtable discussions featuring personalized advice on best practices and strategies for vendor growth.
Participants: Citi, Petroleum Purchasing Incentives Inc.
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITY NETWORKING ROUNDTABLE
Description: Government Leaders will lead participates in Roundtable discussions featuring personalized advice on best practices and strategies for vendor growth.
Participants: City of NY Small Business Services and New York State agencies.
6:30 p.m. RECEPTION AND SPECIAL EVENING SESSION: REBUILDING AMERICA ROUNDABLE
Roundtable discussion with members of Congress and other U.S., city and state elected officials.
SESSION I ADVERTISING
SESSION II THE STATE OF THE U.S. HOUSING CRISIS: IS THE FUTURE BLEAK OR BENIGN?

State of the US Housing Crisis? Is the Future Bleak or Benign? The ongoing credit crisis has resulted in both capital and liquidity constraints for financial institutions and has created opportunities for public-private partnerships (residential/.commercial.) Evaluate solutions for investors and homeowners. Hear from investment professionals who have +20 years experience to answer questions in today’s residential and commercial real estate sectors.
MODERATOR: David Kelly, Carleton Real Estate
PANELISTS:Carl Webb, Managing Partner, Paladin Strategic Partners; Steve Thomas, American Mortgage; Don Cogsville, The Cogsville Group; Ben Blakey, Courtland; Yale Stark, Ranieri Partners
SESSION III: M & A Panel for Small and Intermediary Organizations
SESSION IV: SPORTS
SESSION V: The Billion Dollar Roundtable - Keith T. Fogg, the owner of Purchasing Incentives LLC will be invited to lead some of Hip Hop’s most prestigious organizations in discussions about how and where they are spending their money and how the Hip Hop Union can be the source of their strength.
6:30PM-9:00PM RECEPTION AND SPECIAL EVENING SESSION: REBUILDING AMERICA ROUNDTABLE
Roundtable discussion with members of Congress and other federal, city, and state elected officials.
9:00-9:30 pm; HIP HOP RECEPTION
The Hip Hop Union will celebrate its 2nd year of existence with the unveiling of the Hop Hip Union National Flag and the year long campaign to get at least 1 million Hip Hop Citizens to declare “I AM A CITIZEN” and commit to rebuilding America. The special guests and attendees will participate in the historic flag unveiling ceremony.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2011 THE CHURCH, COMMUNITY, LABOR
7:30AM-9:30AM LABOR BREAKFAST
Rebuilding America – Leading the Change
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.; George Gresham, President 1199 SEIU; Larry Hanley, 9th President, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU)
10:00AM-10:30AM PRESS CONFERENCE
10:00AM-12:00PM MORNING SESSION I
I AM A CITIZEN BUSINESS AND ARTIST MATCHMAKING EXPO
Hip Hop inspired businesses and artists present their projects, goods, and services to supporters, Wall Street investors, sponsors and celebrity judges.
10:00AM-12:00PM MORNING SESSION II
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE HEALTHCARE AND PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES: untapped opportunities for job creation within these industries, focus on the health and wellbeing of communities of color.
The panel will impart what churches and community leaders do to establish win-win working partnerships with healthcare and pharmaceutical companies including: clinical trials, community education seminars, charitable giving to churches and church CDCs, advertising opportunities to minority-owned media and business contracts with minority vendors.
MODERATOR: Dr. Clyde Anderson
PANELISTS: Sean Jerrick, CEO, Electronic Health Enterprise Inc.; Gregory Hankins, President and Founder, Retirement Aspirations (health reform expert); Mary Pender Green, Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services; Barbara Janey, VP – Beth Israel Hospital, Newark, NJ
10:00AM-12:00PM MORNING SESSION III
CIVIL RIGHTS "10-2-10"
12:30PM-2:30PM ONE THOUSAND CHURCHES CONNECTED (OTCC) MINISTERS’ LUNCHEON, WORKSHOP AND PLENARY PROGRAM
PART I : The OTCC Luncheon will recognize the successes and advancements made by the faith community amid this challenging economic period in U.S. history. The emphasis will be on best practices for economic empowerment though education and collective approaches to community stability, service and growth.
INVITED OTCC Luncheon Program Guests Include:
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. – President and Founder, Rainbow PUSH Coalition
Bishop Paul Morton - International Presiding Bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International
Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Jr. – Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, FL
Bishop Charles H. Ellis III, Greater Grace Temple, Detroit, MI
Dr. Calvin McKinney, General Secretary, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. and Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of North Jersey at Garfield
Rabbi Marc Schneier, Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, NY
Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook Ambassador-At-Large for International Religious Freedom-Department of State
Rev. Dr. Leah Daughtry, House of the Lord Church (Washington, DC) and CEO of 2008 DNC Committee
Dr. Serene Jones, President, Union Theological Seminary, NY
Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr., Presiding Bishop, C.O.G.I.C.
Dr. Stephen J. Thurston, Sr., President, National Baptist Convention of American, Inc.
Dr. Carroll A. Baltimore, President, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.
Bishop Donald Hillard, Jr., Cathedral International, NJ
Rev. Dr. Frank M. Reid, III, Bethel A.M.E. Church, MD
Dr. William D. Watley, Ph.D., St. James A.M.E. Church, NJ
Dr. Jonathan Weaver, Greater Mt. Nebo A.M.E. Church, MD
Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr., Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, CA
Rev. Dr. Dennis Dillon, Brooklyn Christian Center, and publisher, The Christian Times, NY
Dr. Grainger Browning, Ebenezer AME, MD
Dr. Kris Erskine, Bethany Baptist Church, Harlem, NY
Dr. Clyde Anderson, Executive Director, Clergy and Providers for Racial Healthcare Equality, New York
2:45PM-5:00PM OTCC MINISTERS’ FINANCIAL EDUCATION WORKRSHOP AND PLENARY SESSION
PART II(2:45 – 3:45PM)
FINANCIAL EDUCATION TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR PASTORS, FINANCIAL MINISTRY COORDINATORS AND LAY-LEADERS
Financial literacy primer and train-the-trainer workshop focusing on: basics of banking, money management, protecting yourself financially, using credit, planning for the future, buying a home, and starting and growing a business.
FACILITATOR: Wells Fargo - Hands On Banking
MODERATOR: Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
PART III (3:45-5:00PM)
Plenary: Concentrating on poverty, unemployment, church and community foreclosures; role of the pastor and the 21st century church in effectively responding to the new diasporas and marketplace. To remain relevant, connected and serviceable to new populations with new and existing needs that hinge on economics and politics, there is a need for the church to be retooled, retrained and re-engineered;.new generations of ministers for 21st century and urban ministry will share successful approaches to tackling the social and economic challenges that have hindered the progress and responsiveness of the church to its community.
3:00PM-5:00PM AFTERNOON SESSION II - INTERNATIONAL
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN AFRICA: A FOCUS ON THE DIASPORA AND FOREIGN INVESTORS.
role the Diaspora and foreign investors can play in Africa’s economic resurgence and growth; Africa’s tremendous business opportunities not only in oil, gas and natural resources, but also in areas such as energy, telecommunications, technology, entertainment, construction, financial services, and tourism. This forum will also provide an opportunity to outline US trade policy towards Africa.
SPEAKERS: Senator Rodney Ellis – State Senator, Texas; Eugene Jackson – Businessman; Mr. Mike Mabuyakhulu – Provincial Minister, KwaZulu-Natal
Mr. William Jimerson – CEO, Musa Capital
Hon. Ronald Kirk – U.S. Trade Representative
H.E. Ebrahim Rasool – South African Ambassador to the U.S.
3:00PM-5:00PM Gospel Program in honor of The Reverend Timothy Wright
6:00PM-8:00PM SESSION III: Non-Bank Lending Alternatives – How They Can Help or Hurt Our Communities; Despite some of the recent gains in the economy, the American consumer is still not well. The recession has hit the middleclass hard. The nation’s unemployment rate has nearly doubled and more than a quarter of the nation’s homes are in foreclosure. Millions of Americans are unemployed or working in jobs that barely allow them to make ends meet. Even people with good credit history seem to be finding it hard to obtain traditional or prime loan products. More alarming is the inability for working people of modest means to access any type of bank or credit card products. Banks are still not lending, so people in our communities have been forced to look elsewhere. Our goal is to give those consumers more access to credit and the ability to demand and receive more clarity, fairness and transparency from financial products. We will also address credit needs not being met by traditional lenders and how policy makers and lenders can work together to bridge that gap.

This panel will shape an honest discussion around how banks, credit unions, title lenders, payday lenders, mortgage lenders and other financial institutions treat our communities. We will hear from leaders who will address both existing consumer protection potential policies and others that could help if enacted. We will review actions in some of our state houses that were designed to help and their results and produce a record of this meeting to carry our message around the country.
Moderator: Marvin Walker, Milwaukee Community Activist
Panelists: Joyce McDonald, Landri Taylor, Denver National Urban League, State Rep. Fred Durhal, D-Detroit, MI and incoming chair of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus; State Sen. Bert Johnson, D-Highland Park, MI
Rev. JP Neal, South Carolina educator, public servant, religious leader and community developer
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011 WOMEN AND LEADERSHIP
MORNING SESSION I: NAFEO ROUNDTABLE @ The Wall Street Project – “From Wall Street to Main Street” opportunities for open and honest dialogue about ways of adjusting the entire higher education community of colleges and universities to make it more excellent, effective and efficient, while continuing to maintain the diverse institutional missions and offerings that make the American higher education system unique; feature HBCU presidents and mainstream media executives and will continue a proactive media and grass roots offensive being undertaken by NAFEO on behalf of all of its members designed to educate thought leaders about the stellar achievements and excellent outcomes that Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs).
INVITED PANELISTS: Dr. Allen Sessoms, President, University of the District of Columbia; Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, President, Spelman College; Dr. Allen Sessoms, President, University of the District of Columbia; Dr. David Wilson, President, Morgan State University;
MORNING SESSION II: WALL STREET PROJECT CAREER DEVELOPMENT, RETRAINING AND RETOOLING PANEL AND BREAK-OUT SESSIONS: strengthen transitional professionals with empowering tips and resources, skill sets, and insights on the new dynamics of how Americans are going to work today and in the future.
Panelists and Facilitators: John Crant, Author Career Coach, Speaker; Karen Bowser, Bowser Research and Consulting Inc. and The Five O’clock Club Career and Business Coaching; Kim Lemon, President, The Lemon Group; and Pat Thomas, Thomas Coaching Company; Stacie N. C. Grant, C&G Enterprises
MORNING SESSION III: WOMEN AND WEALTH SESSIONS:
PINKSLIP; FRANCHISE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES; WOMEN AND WEALTH WORKSHOP
8:30AM-9:45AM PINK SLIP: panel of market experts will share the best strategic moves to protect you from the threat of job loss. If you've already left corporate, you'll gain insight on transitioning.
Moderator: Dee Marshall, Certified Coach, International Speaker & TV Lifestyle Expert
Panelists: Zelda Owens Waters, Managing Director, Hire Counsel Inc.- Confirmed
Jasmin Richardson President, Echelon Life;
Nicole Valentine-Moody, President, Synergy Business Development, Inc.
Tanisha Sykes, Senior Career and Finance Editor, Essence Magazine
10:00AM - 11:00AM DEAL FLOW AND FRANCHISE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES “Deal Flow” as a changing paradigm, incorporates a stream of viable offers and/or opportunities that can bring in enough revenue- or equity-generating opportunities to keep the collaborative business entrepreneurial environment to function at peak capacity.; showcase franchisors that are targeting and searching for qualified female franchise owners for their systems. Women prospects offer a great and effective source for franchise growth and franchisors want to tap into this resource.
Moderator: Carolyn N. Sawyer, President and CEO, Tom Sawyer Co., Inc.
Panelists:
Sakina Spruell, Keeping It Rich on BET.com and President Minute Man Press
Avis Yates Rivers, President & CEO, TGCI
Kathi Wilkes, President & CEO, Wilkes Associates
Denise Pines, President, Denise + Pines Inc.
11:00AM-12:15PM WOMEN AND WEALTH WORKSHOP: turning your relationship with money from passive to assertive; move towards having a wealthy, healthy financial life; chart action steps
Moderator: Sabrina Lamb, Author and Founder/Executive Director, WorldofMoney.com
Panelists: Jacquette Timmons, President Sterling Choices, Author "Financial Intimacy"; Deborah Owens, Author, PBS broadcaster, Financial Wealth Coach
Cheryl Creuzot, Wealth Development Strategies
Stacey Tisdale, PBS's Need To Know and author
12:30PM-2:00PM WOMEN AND WEALTH LUNCHEON AND WORKING PLENARY
Keynote Speakers: Congresswoman Yvette Clark
Iyanla VanZant - Author, Inspirational Speaker
Honorees: Congresswoman Nydia Valazquez, and Congresswoman Maxine Waters

For even more detail, contact the Rainbow Push Coalition. Otherwise, I will see you there. Bring your AAA-GAME, your creativity, your ideas, and let's start 2011 off right, power, knowledge and prosperity.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson