Fresno’s African-American leadership affirms their commitment to liberty and justice for all
- Jun 18, 2020
- 3 min read
Juneteenth press conference tomorrow to highlight decades of collective work from the different African-American organizations throughout Fresno
By ONME Newswire
Across the nation, residents are celebrating Juneteenth, celebrating the emancipation of slaves in 1865; however, it was not until up to two years after did slave masters free them. Juneteenth marks that celebration of the official word-of-mouth freedom for the enslaved African Americans still working on their masters’ plantations.
The African-American community in Fresno, CA collectively decided to celebrate Juneteenth by informing the Fresno greater community of African American organizations, groups and individuals working diligently to eradicate the injustice and inequity created by racism and prejudice in the community, and to build a community of hope and prosperity for every American.
African-American leaders will meet at Fresno EOC Local Conversation Corps located at the Reverend Swillis Neighborhood Youth Center, on 1805 E. California Ave., in Fresno, CA at 10:00 AM, Friday, June 19.
Rising Star Baptist Church Pastor B.T. Lewis organized a group of 50+ Black organizations to come to the table and educate the Central Valley community using social media, online and offline TV platforms to stream live through the ONME Network and CMAC, starting at 9:00 AM on the ONME Network, Comcast Channel 93 and AT & T U-Verse Channel 99 on Friday, June 19.
“In the wake of a coronavirus that continues to violate the health and safety of our community more than any other, said Pastor BT Lewis, “and in light of the horrific murders of black men and women across this nation, most recently Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd in Minneapolis, the faith, business, and civic leaders in Fresno California declare and affirm to continue our daily fight in this city and county for unmitigated justice and our right to be treated humanely in every segment of society.”
“These are the leaders of organizations and movements in our city that labor daily against the racism and prejudice deeply rooted in the fabric and consciousness of people in our community and the systems, institutions, and policies that govern us,” explained Lewis. “It is no anomaly and nor is it by accident that for years the African American community has engaged in protests and civil disobedience without vandalism and looting. Our mayor, our mayor-elect, and others in leadership in our city and in our county can a-test to the fact that these leaders set the tone for effecting change and community response to a consistent trend of injustice and inequity in the legacy systems, institutions, and policies that govern day to day life as an African American in Fresno.
Each leader will speak for 45 seconds to present their name, the name of their organization, their statement against racism, and their vision and their organization’s vision for building a community of righteousness, justice, equality, and a better quality of life for African Americans in our community.
African American Leaders / Organizations will include:
Action of Change - Michae Lynn Lewis
African American Clergy Task Force – Pastor B. T. Lewis II
African American Caucus for the Democratic Party – Daren Miller
African American Museum - Board Member Barigye McCoy
BAPAC – Christopher Washington
Black Nurses Association – Dr. Carol Drake
Fresno Black Wall Street - Adrian Harris
BLOC (Black Leaders Organizing Change) - Viva Straughter
BWOPA – Cynthia Sterling
The California Advocate – Mark Kimber
Concerned Citizens of West Fresno- Mary Curry
The Dawn Proposal - Dr. Venise Curry
Fresno EOC Conservation Corps – Shawn Riggins
Fresno Metro Black Chamber – Tara Lynn Gray
Fresno Street Saints – Pastor Brian King
Golden Westside Planning Committee- Debbie Darden
Heat - Diane Smith
Fresno NAACP - Leroy Candler
National Action Network – Dr. Floyd Harris
The ONME Network – Julia Dudley, Lenice Najieb
St. Rest Community Development Corp. – Pastor DJ Criner
Take A Stand - Janice Sumler
United Black Men – Ron Hill
West Fresno Democratic Club - Mikki Addison
West Fresno Faith Based Organization – Pastor Bruce McAlister
West Fresno Family Resource Center - Yolanda Randles
Westside CDC – Pastor Paul Binion
Fresno Unified School Board President Keisha Thomas
FUSD African American Academic Acceleration Program Director, Wendy McCulley
Dottie Smith, Fresno County Democratic Party Central Committee Representative
Trustee Eric Payne, State Center Community College District
Trustee Kimberly Tapscott-Munson, Fresno County Board of Education
Retired Police Sargent – Robert Mitchell
The ONME Network will start a simulcast live stream broadcast to online and offline TV channels at 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM; hosts will review the latest local and national news surrounding Juneteenth and the Black Lives Matter movement throughout California. ONME will then stream live the 10:00 AM African-American leadership press conference, followed by the Ken McCoy Entertainment Report at 12:00 PM.
The ONME Network will also rebroadcast last weekends 2020 Virtual Juneteenth Jazz and Blues event on Saturday from 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM and a part 3 Juneteenth broadcast Sunday, June 21 from 12:00 PM -4:00 PM.
#FresnoNAACP #BTLewis #Juneteenth #FresnoBlackOrganizations #Blackpodcasts #Blackmedia #AfricanAmericannews #onmenews #ONMETV
Comments