National Black United Front to Host African Liberation Day
Pittsburgh, PA –

National Black United Front (NBUF) will host an African Liberation Day (ALD) Parade and Celebration Saturday, May 25th, 2013. The parade will begin at 11 am at Crescent Elementary School, 8080 Bennett St. and end at the intersection of Frankston Ave and N. Homewood. Kofi Taharka, NBUF National Chairperson, will be one of the key speakers during the celebration. An integral part of the day’s activities will be the NBUF Feed the Hood Project. The Feed the Hood Project assists members of the Homewood Community who are striving to meet their basic needs for food, personal hygiene products, medical supplies and clothing. Throughout the day there will be live performances and cultural presentations. NBUF is inviting all community organizations and committed individuals to stand together in solidarity towards building a better Pittsburgh.
The day’s activities will conclude with a


New Jack Swing Old school Party Fundraiser. The fundraiser will take place 8 pm, at the Cabaret Hall, 7928 Frankstown Ave. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds will go to the Feed the Hood Project. Performers will include Vanessa German, Lhagic, Legacy Art’s Project and DJ 360 Degreez. Live painting will be provided by local artist, Chiaka Zulu. Vendors will be on site with all the latest cultural fashions, beauty products and food.
NBUF is broad-based organization that includes all social, poli

Join the Movement to End the War on Drugs! www.ibw21.org/slider/the-war-on-drugs-day-of-direct-action

Join the Movement to End the War on Drugs!
www.ibw21.org/slider/the-war-on-drugs-day-of-direct-action

State of the Black World Mini Conference April 24th-Wash DC

The New Orleans Declaration: The Road Ahead

The New Orleans Declaration
Reflections on the Significance of State of the Black World Conference II
Recommendations on the Road Ahead
By Dr. Ron Daniels, President, Institute of the Black World 21st Century

The Occasion

November 19 – 23, 2008, more than 1,000 people of African descent convened under the auspices of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century in New Orleans for the first major gathering of Black people after the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States of America. Filled with hope and expectations for the dawning of a new era in the history of this nation and the world, the participants came to celebrate a monumental achievement but also to somberly assess the state of Black people in America and the world. Centered on the theme Return to the Source: Restoring Family, Rebuilding Community, Renewing the Struggle, New Orleans was selected as the site for the conference because it is the metaphor for the myriad of maladies that afflict urban communities across this nation as a consequence of massive disinvestment, deindustrialization, globalization and decades of blatant neglect.

Accordingly, a major goal of SOBWC was to discuss a Priority Public Policy Agenda to serve as a framework and guide for articulating the immediate concerns and needs of the masses of the Black poor, workers and the struggling middle class to the new administration in the White House. Equally important, the participants were urged to examine and discuss internal strategies, projects, programs and initiatives to enhance our capacity to build stronger and more sustainable communities and nations.

Though the deteriorating economy resulted in a lower turn-out than anticipated, SOBWC has universally received rave reviews as one of the most significant conferences in recent history. The quality of the program/substance was superb, a testimony to the consciousness, commitment and brilliance of the scores of speakers and panelists (too numerous to list individually) who volunteered/gave of their time and talent to engage the participants in informative analysis and dialogue around issues and solutions. Moreover all participants were viewed as resource persons who brought their life’s experiences, skill and expertise to the table to contribute to the deliberations.

Synopsis of the Proceedings

♦ The Damu Smith Leadership Development and Organizer Training Institute provided an overview and political analysis of the state of the race in the U.S. and the world and engaged the participants in basic exercises designed to equip them to be effective servant leaders in the Black community.

♦ At the National Town Hall Meeting, which was recorded by C-SPAN, notable scholars and activists re-affirmed the right of Black people to formulate an agenda to present to the new administration. A range of issues and policy proposals were discussed as reflected in the Recommended Priority Policy Agenda developed by IBW.

♦ In the Special Session on Haiti the rationale for building a constituency to support the first Black Republic in this hemisphere was articulated and there was great enthusiasm, especially among students and young activists, to become directly involved in projects to strengthen the process of democracy and development in Haiti.

♦ The Katrina Policy Roundtable focused on the gaps in policy formulation and implementation which have resulted in the fact that an estimated 150,000 displaced persons have yet to return to New Orleans. It was recommended that IBW embrace the call for 100,000 jobs to aid the economic recovery of New Orleans and the gulf coast in the aftermath of Katrina.

♦ The Pan African Policy Forum explored the role of the Diaspora in contributing to development of sustainable African nations and communities within the context of the philosophy/ideology of Pan Africanism. There were lively exchanges about the need for reciprocity between nations on the continent and the Diaspora in terms of building mutually respectful and beneficial relations.

♦ One of the highlights of SOBWC was the Opening Ndaba which featured a stellar panel of young leaders who have assumed their roles in the forefront of the Black Freedom Struggle. While paying homage to the legacy of the elders who paved the way for their ascent to leadership, the young leaders offered a variety of thoughts and strategies for addressing the contemporary crises plaguing our communities.

♦ The fourteen (14) issue/area Working Sessions were considered the most important component of the conference by the organizers. Each session examined models and strategies to strengthen Black communities and offered specific recommendations for follow-up

♦ In a moving celebration, IBW presented Legacy Awards to a number of veteran civil rights/human rights/nationalist/pan-Africanist leaders and elders. The Final Call Newspaper ran a full story with photos of the Legacy Award recipients.

♦ Last but not least, the Call to Faith and Action, the concluding Ndaba of SOBWC featured exhortations to support President-Elect Barack Obama as a “blessing” to America and the world. However, there was a cautionary note that President Obama will not be able to resolve all the problems confronting Black America – Africans in America and the world must organize and mobilize not only to keep the new administration accountable but to do for self in those areas where we can utilize our own resources to meet our needs.

One of the Great Gatherings of the Last Half Century

In terms of the strategic timing and quality of the substance, some have haled SOBWC as being in the linage of the great gatherings of people of African descent in the past half century -- the Black Power Conferences of the 60s, Congress of African People and Gary Black Political Convention in the 70s, the founding conventions of the National Black Independent Party and National Black United Front in the 80’s as well as the first State of the Black World Conference in 2001. The latter gave rise to the call to form the Institute of the Black World 21st Century.

SOBWC II validated the vision and mission of IBW as a mechanism committed to the basic proposition that the power/capacity of the Black community can be dramatically enhanced by facilitating the connection of various movements, organizations, institutions, projects, programs and initiatives. All too often the value of cross-fertilization of ideas and learning through networking, cooperation, collaboration and operational unity has been underappreciated in our struggle. This is also true of the application/utilization of specialization and division of labor among organizations working for the advancement/uplift of the Black community. IBW is firmly committed to relentlessly promoting and modeling these basic institution, community and nation-building ideas as a progressive, African-centered, action-oriented think tank. Our goal is to become a vital resource center and engine for global Black empowerment!

The Road Ahead

As a result of SOBWC II, IBW has potentially moved closer to that goal. Accordingly, in the period ahead, IBW seeks to build on the momentum of the conference as follows:

▪ The Recommended Priority Policy Agenda will be posted on the IBW website in a downloadable form so that it can be distributed widely. We encourage people to vigorously act to mobilize organizations, institutions, agencies and individuals to contact their Congressional representatives to press for the passage of bills in the Agenda.

▪ The Recommendations from the Working Sessions at SOBWC will be posted on the IBW web site along with the names of the individuals and/or organizations who have agreed to take the lead in implementing various proposals.

▪ Though all of the programmatic components of SOBWC were important, the imperative for the elder generation to share the torch and past the torch to the next generation dictates that the extraordinary intergenerational dialogue initiated in the Working Session on the Reviving the Black Arts and Cultural Movement: Hip Hop and the Future of the Black Freedom Struggle must be prioritized and institutionalized.

▪ Enlarging the pool of individuals with leadership and organizing skills committed to revitalizing and empowering our communities is an important objective of IBW in this crucial period. Therefore, institutionalizing the Damu Smith Leadership Development and Organizer Training Institute is a major priority moving forward. Indeed, the faculty of the sessions at SOBWC II is recommending that a plan and strategy be devised to hold training sessions in various locales across the country.

▪ In the spirit of the Millions More Movement which gave rise to the Black Family Summit, we will continue to explore ways and means of making this formation a viable vehicle for convening Black professional organizations to holistically address issues confronting the Black family and formulating policy consistent with IBW’s Martin Luther King-Malcolm X Community Revitalization Initiative.

▪ Given the critical need for theoretical and applied research to effect change in our communities from a progressive, African-centered perspective, IBW will actively work to create a Research Consortium to devise public policy proposals and initiatives for internal development -- as well as the essential communications and advocacy strategies for implementation. In the spirit of IBW’s vision/mission, this will be a cooperative project which will be achieved working collaboratively with existing institutes and think tanks.

▪ While IBW seeks to play a role in the African Union process to engage the Diaspora as the Sixth Department and wishes to build relationships with institutions and organizations on the continent and the Caribbean, our primary focus will remain building a constituency for Haiti through the work of the Haiti Support Project (HSP). Having emerged as the principal organization undertaking this crucial task, IBW/HSP will intensify its efforts to achieve the mission of having African Americans become a major partner in strengthening the process of democracy and development in Haiti.

Building the Capacity to Achieve the Vision and Mission of IBW

Prior to SOBWC an urgent message was sent to key allies and supporters of IBW with the following declaration: “The State of the Black World Conference is the defining moment in the evolution and development of IBW. It is designed to be both a qualitative/political and quantitative/financial success.” This formula was calculated to elevate IBW to a status with the scope and scale to realize the goal of becoming “an engine for global Black empowerment.” By all reasonable measures, SOBWC emphatically achieved the qualitative aspect of the “success” formula. However, on the quantitative side, the number of registered participants was insufficient to accrue the financial resources necessary for IBW to move from a largely volunteer operation to an institution with the basic infrastructure and capacity to effectively implement the follow-up to SOBWC and execute our vision/mission into the future.

“Tell no lies, claim no easy victories,” a dangerous deficit imperils our future. But the energy, enthusiasm, inspiration and momentum generated by SOBWC cannot, must not be dampened or destroyed – especially at such an incredible moment in our history. Therefore, we issue an urgent call to allies, friends, supporters and concerned people of good will to join us in an intensive one hundred day capacity-building fundraising campaign to include the following elements:

• Tax deductible individual, organizational or institutional contributions to IBW online
http://www.ibw21.org/ Email: sobwc@ibw21.org 888.774.2921 or by mail – Checks payable to Institute of the Black World, 31-35 95th Street, East Elmhurst, NY 11369

• The widespread marketing of SOBWC DVD’s and Tee-Shirts via the IBW website http://www.ibw21.org/ Email: sobwc@ibw21.org 888.774.2921 http://stateoftheblackworld.blogspot.com/

• Speaking engagements at colleges and universities during Black History Month and beyond with leaders or key supporters of IBW

• Community based fundraising events featuring leaders or key supporters of IBW

• State of the Black World Mini-Conference and Benefit “Party with a Purpose,” Commemorating the 7th Anniversary of the Founding of IBW and the “39th” Birthday of the President, tentatively scheduled for April 24-25 in Washington, D.C.

“We Are the Leaders We’ve Been Looking for”

Through Ujima -- Collective Work and Responsibility and Ujamaa – Cooperative Economics, we pray that the Holy and the Ancestors will bless this campaign and that the fruits will be bountiful – so that our journey to New Orleans for the State of the Black World Conference in all its fullness will not have been in vain. “Dare to struggle, dare to win!”

State of the Black World Conference will gather in New Orleans

State of the Black World Conference will gather in New Orleans
by Katy Reckdahl, The Times-Picayune

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 8:00 AM

The State of the Black World Conference will bring a who's who of African-American scholars, orators, church leaders and organizers to New Orleans for the five-day event at the Astor Crowne Plaza and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

The conference -- featuring notables including Urban League president and former New Orleans mayor Marc Morial, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and actor Danny Glover -- is generally limited to paid registrants.

Three events, however, are open to the public: a free National Town Hall Meeting on Thursday night; a ticketed musical and spoken-word concert and awards ceremony Saturday evening; and a ticketed address by Minister Louis Farrakhan for the conference's concluding session Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

Tickets for the concert and Farrakhan speech will be sold at the Convention Center.
Convened by the Institute of the Black World 21st Century, a progressive "African-centered, action-oriented" think tank in New York led by scholar-activist Ron Daniels, the conference will assemble a federal agenda of issues critical to black and urban communities, in the wake of President-elect Barack Obama's historic victory.

"We deliberately came to New Orleans because it's a city in need of recovery and one that was neglected by the prior administration, " Daniels said, but it's a metaphor for what's been happening in other urban areas, like Bronx County, N.Y., the birthplace of hip hop, he said, where nearly half of black and Hispanic young men are out of work.

The conference will consider specific and practical solutions to problems facing education, the economy and criminal justice, he said, and will also zero in on what he called "internal" solutions: "what we can do in the African-American community that doesn't need legislation."

Other speakers and round-table participants include the Rev. Al Sharpton; U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and dean of the Congressional Black Caucus; Susan Taylor, former editorial director of Essence magazine; Maulana Karenga, the creator of Kwanzaa; economist Julianne Malveaux; hip hop pioneers Grandmaster Mele Mel and Kool Moe Dee; and poets Sonia Sanchez and Haki Madhubuti.

Speakers from New Orleans include the Orleans Parish School Board president, the Rev. Torin Sanders; the Rev. Tom Watson; hip hop artist Joe Blakk; political consultant Vincent Sylvain; Beverly Wright, director of the Deep South Center on Environmental Justice at Dillard University; Mtumishi St. Julien, director of the Finance Authority of New Orleans; and Dr. Dwayne Thomas, former head of Charity and University hospitals.

The Town Hall Meeting will discuss the policy agenda and will be held Thursday from 7-10 p.m. at the Convention Center, Hall B 2-2. Moderated by radio and television host Bev Smith, its 10 panelists include Morial, Sharpton, Jackson, Malveaux, E. Faye Williams, president of the National Congress of Black Women, and Ron Walters, director of the African American Leadership Institute and Scholar Practitioner Program at the University of Maryland.
Cyril Neville & Tribe 13 along with poets Sanchez and Madhubuti headline Saturday night's awards ceremony at 9:30 p.m. at the Convention Center.

Awards will be conferred upon some of the conference's most prominent participants as well as the Neville Brothers; Vincent Harding, one of the original founders of the Institute of the Black World in 1969; and Obama's former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, whom Daniels called "an extraordinarily accomplished person who got caught in the crossfire of American politics."
Daniels is well aware that Wright and Farrakhan have been controversial figures, as has his longtime friend, the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Certainly, Institute members don't agree with every word uttered by award recipients, Daniels said.

"But we see them as having made enormous contributions toward the advancement of black people in this country."

Obama is in the White House! So, What's Next?

Obama is in the White House!
So, What's Next?


Register Now!
State of the Black World Conference
New Orleans, LA Convention Center
Hotel: Astor Crowne Plaza
Nov. 19 – 23, 2008

The First, Great Gathering of the African Diaspora following this Historic Election!

Phone: 877-774-2921 (that's toll free!)
Email: sobwc@ibw21.org


The Institute on the Black World 21st Century congratulates President-Elect Barack Hussein Obama on this historic victory. The world celebrates, globally, as we celebrate nationally! We also extend our congratulations and praise to all of the community organizers, new voters and volunteers who turned out and made the critical difference and ushered in this new victory!

Barack Obama is in the White House! --- So, What’s Next?

We, the people, cannot rest on our laurels just yet!
You and I both know that the work has only just begun.
“We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest Until It Comes!”
--- Sweet Honey N’ The Rock

CLICK HERE for more information on this important gathering!

CLICK HERE for Cheap Flights from your location!

CLICK HERE to access the Astor Crowne Plaza Conference Hotel --- It’s Fantastic!


That is why I am asking you to join me in New Orleans to explore and set a purposeful, focused Agenda with:

Esteemed Elders, Scholars and Leaders – Dr. Ron Daniels, Bev Smith, Rev. Al Sharpton, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Marc Morial, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, George Fraser, Dr. Elsie Scott, Atty. Faya Rose Sanders, Susan Taylor, Dr. Iva Carruthers, Emira Woods, Dr. E. Faye Williams, , Dr. Maulana Karenga, Haki Madhubuti, Sonia Sanchez, Jim Clingman, Danny Glover, Greg Akili, Congressman John Conyers, Councilwoman JoAnn Watson, Councilman Charles Barron, Kimberly Richards, Rick Adams, Mtangulizi Sanyika, Jaribu Hill, Askia Muhammad Toure, Nkechi Taifa, Adjoa Aiyetoro, James Early, Minister Akbar Muhammad, Marc Batson, Bob Bullard, Dr. Beverly Wright, Dedrick Muhammad and the Hon. Minister Louis Farrakhan

The New School Leaders and Scholars - Dr. Kimberly C. Ellis, Africana Studies Scholar, Artist and Activist, Marc Lamont Hill, Temple Univ. Professor, Fox News Correspondent, Monifah Bandele, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Davey D, Hip Hop Journalist, “Breakdown FM”, Malika Sanders, 21st Century Movement, Selma, AL, Bakari Kitwana, Author / Cultural Critic, “The Hip Hop Generation”, Veronica Conway, CPCC, Black Coaches Association, Makani Themba-Nixon, The Praxis Project

Hip Hop Heads - DJ Cool Clyde from NYC, MC Mele Mel (Beat Street breakdown, RRRAAHH!!) from NYC, Clifford Benton from NYC, Kool Moe Dee from NYC,
Paradise Manifest (X-Clan) from NYC and Pittsburgh, NYOIL the Ideal from NYC, Sess 4-5 from Nawlins, Dr. Goddess from Pittsburgh, Joe Blakk from Nawlins, Sister “Theory” from Michigan, Jasiri X from Pittsburgh, “This Week With Jasiri X”, Maybe even . . . Master P!

Pan-African Policy Experts - Confirmed and Invited Speakers and Panelists Include:
Hon. Dudley Thompson, former Foreign Minister and Minister of Security, Jamaica, Hon. Zainab Bangura, Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone *, Hon. Prince Olagunsoye Oyinola, Governor of Osun State, Nigeria *, Hon. H.E. Amina Ali, African Union Ambassador to the U.S., Dr. Ousmane Sene, Director, West African Research Center, Senegal, Danny Glover, Chairman of the Board, Trans Africa Forum, Emira Woods, Co-Director, Foreign Focus, Institute of Policy Studies, Nicole C. Lee, President, Trans Africa Forum, Dr. Niara Sudarkasa, President Emeritus, Lincoln University, Dr. James Turner, Chairman Emeritus, Africana Studies/Research Center, Cornell University, Maurice Carney, Friends of the Congo, Ben Afrifa, African Federation, Briggs Bomba, Africa Action, James Early, Director, Cultural Heritage, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., Joseph Beasley, President African Ascensions, Dr. Jemadari Kamara, Black Studies Department, UMass/Boston, Minister Akbar Muhammad, Nation of Islam

After this Historic Election . . .
What Will be the State of YOUR Black World?

The State of the Black World Conference is a unique opportunity to connect with some of our most cutting edge local and national leaders in politics, culture, grassroots community organizing and academia---to talk and learn from one another as we build for this next phase of Black power and politics in America and beyond.

CLICK HERE for more information on this important gathering!

CLICK HERE for Cheap Flights from your location!

CLICK HERE to access the Astor Crowne Plaza Conference Hotel --- It’s Fantastic!

New Orleans would love to see you!

You’re not going to let Barack do all the work, are you?
Surely, you jest!

Come and Re-connect now that you’re Re-inspired and know that Change is possible as long as you believe . . . and get to work!

Join us for the Pre-Conference Damu Smith Training Institute on November 19-21 and learn how to put the “organizer” back into your “community” by receiving proper training and education in this new world. The Institute will provide up to 200 people with real quality time with some of our leading organizers and practitioners to develop real skills and concrete plans to keep the momentum going.

Register Today Without Delay!

Phone: 877-774-2921 (that's toll free!)
Email:sobwc@ibw21.org

President Obama to be Focus of Global Black Leaders

Count Down to State of the Black World Conference
November 19 – 23, 2008
New Orleans, LA
Morial Convention Center and Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel


THE FINAL BULLETIN

Still time to register – Discount Airfares Still Available
Rooms still available at The Headquarters Hotel,
Astor Crowne Plaza (739 Canal Street, adjacent to the French Quarter, 504-962-0500)

FARRAKHAN IS COMING TO SOBWC

As hundreds of participants prepare to journey to New Orleans for the potentially milestone conference, we are delighted to announce that the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam and the visionary architect of the historic Million Man March and Day of Atonement, has agreed to attend the conference to accept the Institute of the Black World’s Legacy Award and deliver the keynote address at the final session, The Call to Faith and Struggle, Sunday, November 23. Minister Farrakhan’s address will be a fitting climax to the SOBWC given his strong support for the process of building the Institute of the Black World over the years.


SPECIAL SESSION ON HAITI

Building a constituency for Haiti in the U.S., particularly among African Americans is the principal international work of IBW via the Haiti Support Project. Accordingly, Dr. Ron Daniels has asked Massachusetts State Representative Marie St. Fleur and Dr. Joseph Baptiste, President of the National Organization for the Advancement of Haitians (NOAH), to join him in Co-Convening a Special Session on Haiti, Friday November 21, 9:00 am – 12:00 Noon at the Astor Crowne Plaza, the headquarters hotel for SOBWC. An invitation has been extended to President Rene Preval or his designee to attend the conference to participate in this session and the Pan African Policy Forum. Congress Members John Conyers, Donald Payne, Yvette Clarke, Gregory Meeks and Kendrick Meek have also been invited to participate in this session – which will take up the following agenda:

▪ Key policy issues which should be addressed by the new administration in order to enhance the process of democracy and development in Haiti.

▪ Creating an effective humanitarian aid and developmental assistance network in the African American community with an emphasis on the education.

▪ Promoting cultural-historical tourism, especially among African Americans, as an important source of economic development.

PAN AFRICAN POLICY FORUM

IBW/SOBWC is eager to contribute to the process of forging mutually beneficial bonds among people of African descent throughout the Black World to achieve the following basic goals:

▪ Promote cultural and educational exchanges as the basis for building functional unity

▪ Encourage cultural historical tourism as a source for economic development for people of African descent nations and countries with significant African populations. Encourage economic/business investment

▪ Encourage the practice of Pan Africanism within the increasing diverse African community in the U.S. by building bridges and promoting operational unity among Continental Africans, Caribbean Americans, Afro-Latinos and African Americans.

▪ Positively impact U.S. policy towards Africa, the Caribbean, Central and South America


Schedule for Pan African Policy Forum

Friday, November 21, 1:00 – 5:00 PM -- A Heads of State, Ministerial, Ambassadorial and Government level Roundtable:

▪ The Role of the Diaspora in Developing Sustainable African Nations

Saturday, November 22, 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM -- Three sessions focused on the following themes/issues:

▪ The New “Scramble” for Africa: Challenges and Opportunities -- 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

▪ Envisioning the Future of Africa in 2050 -- 2:30 - 5:00 PM

▪ Mobilizing the Diaspora to Impact Policy Toward Africa and the Caribbean -- 5:00 - 6:30 PM

Confirmed and Invited Speakers and Panelists Include:
Hon. Dudley Thompson, former Foreign Minister and Minister of Security, Jamaica
Hon. Zainab Bangura, Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone *
Hon. Prince Olagunsoye Oyinola, Governor of Osun State, Nigeria *
Hon. H.E. Amina Ali, African Union Ambassador to the U.S.
Dr. Ousmane Sene, Director, West African Research Center, Senegal
Danny Glover, Chairman of the Board, Trans Africa Forum
Emira Woods, Co-Director, Foreign Focus, Institute of Policy Studies
Nicole C. Lee, President, Trans Africa Forum
Dr. Niara Sudarkasa, President Emeritus, Lincoln University
Dr. James Turner, Chairman Emeritus, Africana Studies/Research Center, Cornell University
Maurice Carney, Friends of the Congo
Ben Afrifa, African Federation
Briggs Bomba, Africa Action
James Early, Director, Cultural Heritage, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
Joseph Beasley, President African Ascensions
Dr. Jemadari Kamara, Black Studies Department, UMass/Boston
Minister Akbar Muhammad, Nation of Islam

*Invited/confirmation pending


OPENING PLENARY/INDABA TO SHOWCASE NEW GENERATION OF LEADERSHIP

One of the highlights of SOBWC will be the inclusion of a new generation of young Black leaders in all aspects of the conference. The Opening INDABA will showcase some of the most outstanding young leaders in Black America. Moderated by scholar, activist, cultural artist and University of Pittsburgh Instructor Dr. Kimberly C. Ellis, the opening panel on the Future of the Black Freedom will include:

Monifa Akinwole Bandele, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement
Bakari Kitwana, Author / Cultural Critic, The Hip Hop Generation
Malika Sanders, 21st Century Movement, Selma Alabama
Marc Lamont Hill, Correspondent, Fox News
Davey D, Hip Hop Journalist
Veronica Conway, CCPC, Black Professional Coaches Alliance

Dr. James Turner, Chairman Emeritus, Africana Studies and Research Center, Cornell University will offer opening remarks on the historic role of young leadership in liberations struggles as context for the panel discussion.

Dr. Ron Daniels, President of IBW will conclude the session with the Keynote Address.


CYRIL NEVILLE TO HEADLINE CULTURAL EXTRAVAGANZA
LEGACY AWARDS TO BE PRESENTED TO OUTSTANDING LEADERS

High profile edu-tainment and fundraising event, Saturday evening November 22,, 9:30 PM – 12:00 AM to honor long distance leaders in the Black Freedom Struggle and concluding with a “Party with a Purpose.” Music by Cyril Neville (of the Neville Brothers) and Tribe 13. Poetry and Spoken Word by Haki Madhubuti and Sonia Sanchez. Invited Guest Talib Kweli.

Legacy Awards

Hon. Dudley Thompson, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Susan Taylor, Danny Glover, Hon. Minister Louis Farrakhan, Dr. Vincent Harding, Sonia Sanchez, Haki Madhubuti, Congressman John Conyers, President Imari Obedele, Dr. Adelaide Sanford, Dr. Josef Ben-Jochannan, Dr. Walter Lomax, Grand Master Mele Mel, Kool Moe Dee, the Neville Brothers

Pan African Service Award

Willie Ricks















The Who’s Who of Black America Will Be In New Orleans for SOBWC
Partial List of Confirmed Participants

Bev Smith, Rev. Al Sharpton, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Marc Morial, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, George Fraser, Dr. Elsie Scott, Atty. Faya Rose Sanders, Susan Taylor, Dr. Iva Carruthers, Emira Woods, Dr. E. Faye Williams, Makani Themba-Nixon, Dr. Maulana Karenga, Haki Madhubuti, Sonia Sanchez, Jim Clingman, Danny Glover, NYOIL, Greg Akili, Congressman John Conyers, Councilwoman JoAnn Watson, Councilman Charles Barron, Grand Master Mele Mel, Kool Moe Dee, Davey D, Bakari Kitwana, Monifa Akinwole Bandele, Malika Sanders, Dr. Kimberly Ellis, Kimberly Richards, Rick Adams, Mtangulizi Sanyika, Jaribu Hill, Askia Muhammad Toure, Nkechi Taifa, Adjoa Aiyetoro, James Early, Minister Akbar Muhammad, Marc Batson, Bob Bullard, Dr. Beverly Wright, Dedrick Muhammad, Kenny Barnes, Mustafa Santiago Ali, Vincent Sylvain, Lorraine Jacques-White and Danny Glover.











FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact Carolyn McClair, SOBWC Administrator:
Toll Free Information Line 888.774.2921 or (917) 686-0854

▪ E-mail: sobwc@ibw21.org

▪ Web Site: www.stateoftheblackworld.org

▪ Blog: http:\\stateoftheblackworld.blogspot.com

▪ Check us out on Facebook, MySpace and YouTube