Leaders from Alabama’s religious and business communities join forces in an historic Birmingham summit to devise creative solutions for reviving urban communities.
The event will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, at the Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, 1101 Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive S.W., driven by the theme, The Black Church: An Economic Harvest.
Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision, and on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Civil Rights events in Birmingham, invited entrepreneurs and church leaders vow to take the lead in formulating a strategy that grows the black business class and spurs an economic movement. It is a dream that Dr. King envisioned, but was cut short by his death. Prompted by the deterioration of many communities, the organizers are convinced that some solutions can evolve out of the summit as different groups from the Movement come together and develop strategies based on the successes, and failures, of the past.
Kathy Y. Times, vice president of WhereToGo411.com and immediate past president of the National Association of Black Journalists, said, “As a former investigative reporter, I witnessed widespread problems everyday. Now, it’s a joy to help plant tangible solutions in Birmingham and across the country.”
The summit’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Virgil A. Wood, a ten-year co-worker of Dr. King and Virginia organizer of the 1963 March on Washington.
“I’m excited to be a part of advancing this economic agenda and Dr. King’s unfinished business,” said Dr. Wood. “We can’t allow people to steal our dreams while we sleep. We must wake up. Birmingham will once again lead the nation in changing our communities.”
On Saturday following the morning summit, Dr. Wood will also speak at 1:30 p.m.at First United Presbyterian Church of Forestdale, 1375 Tomahawk Road, Birmingham. A panel of leaders in social justice, economics, community building, medicine, and law will join Dr. Wood for a session on advancing the economic movement.
Times is co-creator of WhereToGo411.com, a national web site and mobile app that connects African-American business owners to a market of local and national buyers, including consumers. Times and her business partner and site creator, James Covington, launched Wheretogo411 in Birmingham in May 2012. Covington is an entrepreneur and the author of the book, “From Civil Rights to Silver Rights: We Need An Economic Movement.”
“As an Economic Harvest, the black church has the power to ease problems associated with high unemployment, crime, and failing schools,” said Covington. “This is where souls are saved, and communities must be revitalized for those souls to thrive.”
Summit panelists and speakers include: Sephira Shuttlesworth, widow of Civil Rights Leader Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth; the Rev. Dr. Jonathan McPherson, chairman of the Birmingham Southern Christian Leadership Conference; the Rev. James Ephraim, pastor of First United Presbyterian Church of Forestdale; Bishop Theo Bailey, pastor of Christ Temple Deliverance Ministries; Bro. Tremon Muhammad, Alabama Student Minister, Nation Of Islam; Rev. Dr. Michael Wesley, Sr., senior pastor of Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church; and the Rev. Dr. Thomas Wilder, Jr., pastor of Bethel Baptist Church.
The Summit is open to the public, but ministers, business owners, and community leaders are urged to attend. Seating is limited. To register, go to www.WhereToGo411.com.
The national web site, WhereToGo411.com, is partnering with the Birmingham non-profit, NewStar First Community Development Corporation, Birmingham View Magazine, and Vision 2013 to facilitate the Summit. The offices of Birmingham City Council President Roderick Royal and City Councilor Jay Roberson are co-sponsors.
