ICYMI: REV. DR. AL SHARPTON'S 33rd ANNUAL NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK CONVENTION 2024 - A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS

By Gloria DULAN-Wilson

 

With Malaak Shabazz, youngest daughter of Malcolm X - Malaak and her sister Malika were the twins Betty Shabazz  carrying when Brother Malcolm X was assassinated - She has always been integrally involved in community activism and development.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams  greeted guests at the NAN Keeper of the Dream Awards Dinner was one of the first to sign off on the establishment of NAN when they first begin to establish themselves in the community.

Who knew that the late Eric Garner's sister was a Soror!! - We are literally Everywhere!! It was awsome meet her and their valiant Mom who is at every NAN Saturday Rally.

Great legal mind and co-founder of Nation Action Network Michael Hardy (he is in OUR PRAYERS for full recovery and opulent health. 

The meeting after the meeting in the lobby of the Sheraton Towers (l-R) Michael??, Jazz Aficianado Michael Howard, Rev.Gilford Montrose, Rev. Oliver Buie of Good Brothers/LA, Entrepreneur David Smile - and me, Gloria DULAN-Wilson

(L) Professor Leonard Jeffries and producer Leon Pinkney

 - Two of the greatest minds in their own right.  Len Jeffries is a walking encyclopedia.  Leon Pinkney brings concepts into fruition.

Rev. Al Sharpton headed to a Fireside Chat with Stacey Abrams - We are blessed to have a brother who will stand for us, and simultaneously work to bring us along and increase our knowledge so no one else can come into our midst and play divide and conquer mind tricks on us.  33 Years ago, NAN was a concept, now it's a force to be reckoned with.

Rev Al conducts fireside chat with MSNBC News Anchor and author Joy Ann Reid, discussing her latest book, MEDGAR AND MYRILIE: and the Love Story that Awakened America

Rev. Buie and David Smile Two brilliant men who are attending NAN for the first time.

Whoopi Goldberg received the President's Keeper of the Dream Award for her presence and championing the issues and concerns of Black people on a consistent basis. 

 

Gloria DULAN-Wilson 

GDW EVENT ALERT EXTRA: 60th Anniversary of March on Washington A Continuation of Dr. King’s Work

By Gloria DULAN-Wilson

By Gloria DULAN-Wilson

Hello All:

IN CASE YOU HAD NOT HEARD, August 26, 2023 marks the 60th Anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s epoch making March on Washington for Jobs and Justice, which originally took place on August 28, 1963 However, as Rev. Al stated, this is not a commemoration but a CONTINUATION of what Dr. King started on behalf of Black people who were systematically segregated, discriminated against, and relegated to the level of "second class citizens."

At the time of the March, I was preparing to become a Freshman at Hampton Institute (now University) and missed the privilege of participating.  However, as a member of the Oklahoma City NAACP Youth Council, we raised money to help get buses so other members could attend.  And now, here we are 60 years later, and it's patently clear that it's as important today as it was 60 years ago that we return to DC to take a stand for our rights - which are being flagrantly violated and under siege by a new brand of fascism and racism.

Americans will be converging from all over the country - as the pressure mounts to save the soul of America from fascism, neo-nazism, suppression, oppression and demonic aggressions against Black people by individuals whose responsibilities are to protect and serve us.

So Martin Luther King, III, Arndrea Waters King, and Rev. Al Sharpton, who are spearheading this 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, have determined that it will not be a commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s work, but a continuation.   The event will bring together the three global civil rights leaders and partner organizations from across the country to evaluate the progress made to achieve Dr. King’s “dream,” and also highlight the work still needed to bring about peace, justice, and equity in the world.

Martin Luther King, III, Chairman of the Drum Major Institute stated: “On Juneteenth, we reflect on the progress and struggles of Black and Brown Americans.  My dad’s speech at the March on Washington nearly 60 years ago was a profound moment in American history. Despite the significant progress we have made over these six decades, we need to rededicate ourselves to the mission my dad gave his life for.  It is difficult to not be disgruntled with everything going on in the world.  Black and Brown Americans are the target of violence, and our most vulnerable citizens are losing hope that brighter days are ahead. We have to do better. We have to hold our elected leaders accountable, and this anniversary gives us the opportunity to not just commemorate his historic calling, but to continue his efforts to make life better for everyone.”

We're halfway through August, which means that the 2023 March on Washington – a continuation of Dr. King’s original march 60 years ago – is just over one week away. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s march: It’s not a commemoration – it’s a continuation. We’re still fighting many of the same fights from six decades ago: Civil rights. Police violence. Voting rights. We’ve made progress – but we still have a long way to go. People are coming from every corner of the country to join us on Saturday, August 26. Students, churches, families, activists, elected officials, labor, national organizations – a diverse coalition representing various racial and religious backgrounds will be there to march for our collective rights. We need your assistance to make it happen. From buses to help secure transportation, to signs and supplies for the march, this is one of our biggest actions of the year. Whether it’s attending the demonstration, telling your family and friends, or donating as little as $5.00 to NAN, your support is crucial. Watch our video on this year’s March on Washington, share with your friends – and then chip in to help us reach our fundraising goal and make this pivotal march a success. Thank you, National Action Network Arndrea Waters King, wife of Martin Luther King III and President of the Drum Major Institute stated: “The struggles Black and Brown Americans, particularly women and girls, faced 60 years ago are, in many ways, still prevalent today.  Dr. King called on us all to work to eradicate the triple evils of racism, poverty and violence by standing for peace, justice and equity.  As a mother, I’m afraid for my teenage daughter, but I am empowered to use my voice to ensure her future, and the future of all young girls, is as bright as her grandfather dreamed. Juneteenth reminds us that there is no challenge too big for us to overcome when we use our collective voices to bring about the change we need.  This August, we are inviting people from all over the world, from all walks of life, to join us in Washington, DC to call for action. Too many politicians have made Black and Brown Americans’ and marginalized groups’ lives unnecessarily difficult. It won’t be easy, but if we use our voices for good, change will happen, and this is our time to demand it.  It’s our turn to help realize the Dream and make democracy for all a reality.” “The March on Washington will not just be a commemoration but a continuation of what Dr. King and our predecessors started,” said Rev. Al Sharpton, President and Founder of the National Action Network (NAN). “We must remember why we are still marching: the civil rights of Black, Brown, Asian, Jewish, LGBTQ Americans and women are under relentless attack. There is a concerted effort to undermine our democracy. There are many working week by week to peel away these rights, take away our history, or stop us from celebrating holidays like Juneteenth. I am honored to stand with the King family as we bring together these groups for a historic, cross-cultural and cross-generational demonstration to show that an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. Together, we will show the nation the strength in our unity and our resolve to realize Dr. King’s dream of a fair nation for all of us.” NAN, along with other partner organizations, has arranged for free buses leaving from various cities throughout the US: NAN HEADQUARTERS:   www.Nationalactionnetwork.net or call 212.690.3070 For information on buses in other cities also contact: 212.690.3070 Philadelphians can pre-register by contacting Philadelphia NAN:  215.696.0424 According to Rev. Jerome Fordham, of PHILADELPHIA NAN, "Our chapter will have buses leaving from Rev. Leon Sullivan's Progress Plaza, 1501 N. Broad St.,(near Jefferson St),  Philadelphia, promptly at 6:00AM.  Passengers are required to be there for check in no later than 5:45AM.  The bus will be leaving on time.  If you get there by 6:01, you will not be on the bus," he stated emphatically.  There will be limited accommodations for those who have mobility issues and use wheelchairs or scooters to get around.  The buses are scheduled to return to Philadelphia by 5:00PM." Fordham continued: "The reason why we're having this continuation is because Freedom isn't free!  There is a cost!  Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his life for the cause of all people - Black white, polka dot, grizzly grey if you please.  He gave his life for all people to have a right to sit at the table.  But, as you see from 1963 to now, there were some changes that , in the 60s and the early 70s, but things have started sliding back over the last few years.  We made a lot of progress, but it seems that the older people have been holding it down for the last thirty, forty, fifty years; but the younger ones don't seem to want to pick up the mantle.  You must realize that if you don't understand history, you are doomed to repeat it - and these folks are not playing.  Look at the handwriting on the wall.  Think about it! If that young girl hadn't had her cell phone camera on when George Floyd was murdered, there would never have been a trial when he was brutally murdered.  These people are serious.  They want to wipe us out.  We can't sit on the sidelines and sleep through these threats.  VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!  There's no time to be playing around.  These folks are serious.   And we can't sleep on it!" The 2023 MLK CONTINUATION March will be co-chaired by: AAJC Anti-Defamation League Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Legal Defense Fund NAACP National Coalition on Black Civic Participation National Council of Negro Women National Urban League UNIDOS The coalition will gather at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC on Saturday, August 26, 2023. The pre-program for the event will begin at 8:00 a.m. ET with the main program beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET. Following the program, a march will begin through the streets of the Nation’s Capitol. For additional information, tune in on Saturday morning, August 19, 2023, for the NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK Where the Action Is broadcast 9:00 - 11:00AM  on YouTube, FaceBook, and their website: www.nationalactionnetwork.net  to get the latest updates from Rev. Al Sharpton. FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT ATTEND, BUT WANT TO SUPPORT THE MARCH, YOUR DONATIONS ARE MUCH NEEDED AND APPRECIATED - click on the donate button below: DONATE Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences

It is imperative that we do not sit idly by while our freedoms are being ripped away from us, our children are in peril, our men and women become the target of malicious assaults, our history is being distorted or deleted; our teachers are under siege, our youth are being brainwashed, and we are being deprived of our rights to vote, freedom of speech, and tactics reminiscent of nazi Germany.  When no one else will save us, it is up to us to save ourselves!

NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Stay Blessed &

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria DULAN-Wilson

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Guest Post from BLACK VIRGINIA NEWS: Rev. Al Sharpton and AttorneyBen Crump Speak at Irvo Otieno's Homegoing Ceremony in Virginia

By Gloria DULAN-Wilson

Hello All:

 On March 6, 2023 tragic death of Irvo Otieno (oh-tee-in-oh) at the hands of those who were supposed to protect and serve him took place.  The images shocked the world.  His homegoing ceremony took place  on March 29, 2023 in Virginia.   Rev. Dr. Al Sharpton spoke at the services, and is actively working with Attorney Ben Crump to bring justice to yet another tragedy.  As of the posting of this article, it appears there are 10 people who are in custody for their participation that snatched this young brother from us.  

First, however, please note that Mr. Otieno was originally from Kenya, East Africa.  He came to America with his parents for a better life.  He may have experienced some psychological challenges during his quest for a better life, which required his being given professional assistance - but certainly not the kind of brute force mistreatment - abuse of power - mob mentality - that snuffed out his life.  

Upon first hearing of this brother's death, I knew from his name that he was Kenyan.  I attended college with so many brothers from the same region he came from, and I knew that it had to be overkill - because our Kenyan brothers and sisters generally are positive, peaceful, and generally work together to make things better in their community, and for those with whom they interact.  I immediately sent up a prayer to his family:

"Usikate tamaa - Mungu Itakubariti, sasa." Which means, in my rough Swahili means "Do not despair, God will bless you now."  And then  later learn that the Rev. Al Sharpton and Attorney Benjamin Crump will be working with his mother, Ms. Caroline Ouko (Oh-oo-koh), who is bravely trying to comprehend how so many things could have turned out so tragically in a country where they had come to realize their dreams.  

Black Women For Positive Change, an African American Women's proactive organization,  recently sent a letter of support of Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D/WI) De-escalation Bill H.R. 4324, which she originally introduced in 2018.  It is apparent now, more than ever before, the kinds of training and protocols must be put in place to prevent and  mitigate any future recurrences.  The difference between criminal law enforcement and de-escalation of disturbed individuals, who are seen through the lenses of race, ethnicity, economy and geographics, has literally become a matter of life and death.  So, as the Rev. Al and Attorney Crump begin the arduous road to just for another victim, we also have our role to play in making sure the De-escalation bill is passed, that when an individual in or family or community appears to be suffering from psychotic stress,  call social service agencies before you call the police - or call them simultaneously, with the understanding that the issue is a mental situation, not a criminal one. Also, if you do have a family member or friend who is suffering from mental illness, don't sit in denial - help them get the treatment and therapy they need.  NAMI - the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has thousands of non-stereotypical resources to help you and your loved one or family member through these challenges.  Rather than allowing it to progress to crises mode, first you pray for them, then you get them the right help and treatment so that these abuse of power scenarios no longer occur.  Anyone can have a stressed day - it should not lead to the loss of their life at the hands of miscreants.

Right now, we must hold this family in prayer.

STAY BLESSED

Gloria DULAN-Wilson

NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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From: BLACK VIRGINIA NEWS <blackvirginianews@substack.com>

	Open in app or online Photos: #IrvoOtieno Funeral Black Virginia News Mar 30 ∙ Paid   Save ▷  Listen   All photos by Paulette Shipman-Singleton Subscribed HENRICO, VA — The funeral of Irvo Otieno took place yesterday at First Baptist Church in Chesterfield yesterday. Otieno died in police custody on March 6 as he was being moved from The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Dinwiddie County, headed by Ann Baskervill, has charged ten people in Otieno’s death, including sheriff’s deputies and hospital employees at Central State Hospital, a state-run mental health hospital in Petersburg. The Otieno family has hired two attorneys: Mark Krudys and Ben Crump. A multi-million dollar wrongful death lawsuit is all but certain to follow. RELATED: Henrico NAACP questions Marcus Alert data after Irvo Otieno’s death (VPM) Irvo Otieno’s mother, Caroline Ouko, speaks at her son’s funeral on March 29. Otieno’s brother Leon Ochieng, is a t left. Subscribed Richmond City Council President Dr. Michael Jones, former Richmond Mayor Dr. Dwight Jones, attorney Ben Crump and attorney Mark Krudys at First Baptist Church in Chesterfield, Va. “We can develop mental health courts where they will be treated like they have illness and not like they are criminals and degenerates not worthy of dignity and respect,” attorney Ben Crump said at Otieno’s funeral during his remarks. Share Attorney Ben Crump speaks at Irvo Otieno’s funeral at First Baptist Church in Chesterfield on March 29, 2023. Attorney Ben Crump at the funeral of Irvo Otieno on March 29, 2023. The funeral program for Irvo Otieno. A video of of Governor Youngkin’s remarks last week on Irvo Otieno’s death: Subscribed SUBSCRIBE. “One had better die fighting against injustice than die like a dog or a rat in a trap.” —Ida Wells.  Send your press releases, submissions, tips, pitches, comments and corrections to BlackVirginiaNews@gmail.com.    Like Comment Share   Read BLACK VIRGINIA NEWS in the app Listen to posts, join subscriber chats, and never miss an update from Black Virginia News. © 2023 Black Virginia News PO Box 7247, Suffolk, VA 23437-7247 Unsubscribe

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