To: BW4PC Networkers and Summit Council
From: Delegate Daun S. Hester and Dr. Stephanie Myers, Co-Chairs
On behalf of Black Women for Positive Change, we would like to thank each of you for helping to organize the NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL WEEK OF NON-VIOLENCE AUGUST 16-23, 2014. Together, our national network of dedicated members and partners highlighted the importance of “Changing the Culture of Violence in America…and the World.” Evidence of our reach was the attendance of a Russian Television Network at the National Summit in DC; a vibrant blog network managed out of the UK and hundreds of tweets. A more complete list that recognizes all of the donors and volunteers will be issued in a National Week of Non-Violence report but for now, we want to highlight the contributions of key individuals who organized, donated funds, mobilized resources, provided talent and technology support. On this day, August 25, 2014 when the funeral is being held for Michael Brown, in Ferguson, Missouri, the importance of “STOPPING THE VIOLENCE” is underscored in the hearts of all of us.
Much appreciation to Mayor Vincent Gray/DC for producing a television PSA to promote the Summit; to Mayor William Euille/VA for appearing on NBC-TV and endorsing our effort to key Elected Officials requesting Proclamations; to Representative Rhonda Fields/CO for Co-Signing the endorsement letter with Mayor Euille; and to DC Councilman Kenyon McDuffie for Co-Chairing the Break-Out Session on “Role of Elected Officials in Changing the Culture of Violence.” The Week of Non-Violence was endorsed by 13 Governors and 20 Mayors.
BW4PC extends thanks to Rev. Bill Lamar, Sr. Pastor, Metropolitan AME Church, Miss Helen, Mr. Tony Hawkins and Antoine for the wonderful access to Metropolitan AME Church and its beautiful facilities to host the National Summit–we could see historic Metropolitan AME Church member Frederick Douglas smiling!
BW4PC is truly honored by the experts who gave excellent presentations at the National Summit in DC. Early audience feedback from both attendees and live streamers indicates they were extremely impressed with the knowledge shared. Early data shows 450 viewers logged on in 11 states, the UK and Canada. Special thanks to Dr. Joseph Marshall, Stay Alive and Free keynoter who traveled from California; to Mental Health expert William Kellibrew who came from Atlanta, Georgia; to Ast. Police Chief Maurita Bryant, who traveled from Pittsburgh and attends BW4PC events in Pittsburgh; to Dr. Lonice Bias for her heartfelt remarks; to “On 2nd Thought” actor David Somerville who traveled from New York; and to businessman and former DC Administrator Robert Bobb who fit the Summit into his busy schedule. Thanks also to the local experts who presented and Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Jordan who supported financially and came up from Hampton Roads, Virginia. All presentations will be posted on the website very soon.
Kudos and thanks to Karen Carrington-Washington and Good Brother Richard Washington, who mobilized resources and were key organizers of the Summit in DC; to Eunita Winkey who made generous donations and traveled to Pittsburgh and New York to receive Proclamations and represent BW4PC; to Sondra Henderson, who managed finances as BW4PC Treasurer and paid the bills on time; and to all of the BW4PC Good Brothers including Roy J. Myers and Quincy Hester,
Appreciation goes to Diane Powell, who facilitated an amazing Pittsburgh City Council press conference in July 2014, media interviews and film screenings; to Bernadette Tolson, who organized the kick-off press conference in DC, raised funds, interfaced with DC City Council and promoted the DC Summit; to Rev. Dr. Barbara Reynolds, who traveled to Pittsburgh for the press conference, participated in the DC press kick-off, gave interviews, donated and hosts weekly prayer calls to keep BW4PC on track; Rev. Kelvin Sauls and Min. Cyrus-Franklin, of Holman United Methodist Church, in Los Angeles who preached on Non-Violence live over radio KJLH; and Charlene Ligon, webmaster who kept the website current for pre-registrations and news.
Thanks to Ruth Marshall, who provided important early planning for the Summit; Rev. Henry Belin and Angela Polite in NY, who put together a film screening within 10 days and facilitated the New York Proclamation from Mayor De Blasio; Tim Stevens and Brandi Taylor of the Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP) who shared the Coalition on Non-Violence book and organized film screenings; and to Codis Hampton in California; Zhana in the UK, and www.blackbloggersconnect.com who provided web radio forums and organized blogs about the National/International Week of Non-Violence.
Special thanks to Imam Talib Shariff and Sister Fitrah, of the Nation’s Mosque, for printing two editions of the Non-Violence Talking Points guides; Rev. Frank Tucker, First Baptist Church in DC for his generous donation; to Rev. Donald Washington and Rev. Peggy Miller for support from the Wednesday Clergy, expertise and donations; and Wendy Pohlhaus, U.S. Attorney’s Office for her participation at the Summit, partnership, involvement of her staff and for reproducing key Summit materials.
BW4PC also appreciates Terry Johnson and his technical support for the videography, live streaming and videos for webcasting; and B-PEP for organizing film screenings of “On 2nd Thought” at East Liberty Presbyterian Church and Project Destiny in Pittsburgh, in collaboration with BW4PC. And, we appreciate the involvement of Marcus Hughes and Emani Cannady of the NAACP Youth Council in DC.
Many thanks to the performers in the Harmony Jam that was live streamed and performed to a standing room only crowd, who gave them standing ovations! Congratulations to the performers Jetlife Jay, DeAnna Stealth, Bryanna Thorne, Aysha Nunes, Sunni Gunn, David Johnson, Larc Boone, the Trinidad Tigers, No Offense and Back to Basics Singers. Special thanks to George V. Johnson, founder of the Washington, DC Jazz Network who served as volunteer producer and talent coach of the Harmony Jam. The Jam was dedicated to Michael Brown, in Ferguson, Missouri.
The funding support was essential and BW4PC appreciates donations from major donors Stan Jackson, the Anacostia Business Improvement District Corporation and Anacostia Holding Company; Terri Freeman, DC Community Foundation, Capital Region; Estella E. Lee in Los Angeles; Allstate Insurance Company; ATWINDS Foundation; EuroMotors, Chick-a-Fila; and Giant Food. Also, thanks for the support from Aisha Karimah, at NBC for twice booking BW4PC representatives including Mayor William Euille and Bryanna Thorne, Harmony Jam performer, on NBC’s Viewpoint TV Show.
Kudos to Joyce Daniels and Michelle Shands, who managed national mailings that resulted in 13 Governors and 20 Mayors issuing Proclamations; Carol Milligan in Pittsburgh, who hosted TV shows, gave interviews and helped organize film screenings; Charrise Carney Nunes, Jessica Mitchell, Black Bloggers Connect, and Marilyn Franklin who coordinated social media, created the hashtag #nvsummit and tweeted news from the Summit; and to Karen Portman, LaChelle Anderson, Rev. Emily Ward, Sandy Henderson and Erni Bridges who registered the guests at the Summit.
And, a shout out to our media partners Hazel Trice Edney News Service; actress Reatha Grey, producer of PSAs; the NBC Viewpoint Show; Street Talk Segment with Bobby Gailes on the Steve Harvey Show; WHUR Radio; Afro American Newspaper; Carl Nelson Show, WOL Radio; Roach Brown Show; Maggie Linton, Urban View, Sirius XM Radio; and Southern Soul Paradise with Dr. Nick, WPFW Radio; Pittsburgh Outlets including: WPXI Television; KDKA-TV; KQV Radio; WGBN-Radio courtesy of B-PEP; WESA; the Cliff Russell Show, WCHB Radio in Detroit, Urban Media, PC-TV Channel 21.