Black Men Gather for Empowerment
Ministers Laity Summit Held At TSU
Sherrell Martin
Issue date: 4/29/08 Section: News
The 10th annual T.F. Freeman Ministers/Laity Summit and the Male Chorus Ecumenical recently held its Gospel Extravaganza, "A Gathering of Black Men," on April 23. This year's theme, "The Resurrection of the Black Man; The Strength of the Black Family is the Strength of the Black Man' brought several local and internationally acclaimed ministers, spiritual leaders, social advocates, and politicians to the gathering on the campus of Texas Southern University.
Democratic presidential candidate (1984 and 1988) Rev Jesse Jackson graced the summit with his presence during the Awards Luncheon.
"They asked me and I came," said Rev Jackson. He went on to say, "I'll come back to TSU if you ask me; I'll come back for a rally, a graduation, or to just talk to the students, I am a friend of TSU."
Jackson spoke briefly to those in attendance, evoking the audience to take a look at the educational system in America.
"We are free but less equal," said Rev Jackson.
He went on to explain that many minority students are forced to take out loans for education which predestines them for debt at graduation. Rev Jackson expressed a need to find ways to better prepare young people for the future that does not entail debt.
"We must invest in the source of the community," he said. "We must become more connected to solving the problems and not simply recognizing them."
When asked to comment on the current democratic presidential candidates Rev Jackson replied by saying, "Obama represent a historic breakthrough, it's a good day when you see brown and white people voting for a black man."
Rev Jackson continued by saying, "Both candidates are conduit for the growth of America; we must use our right to vote and vote."
This year's summit took time to highlight religious leaders and affirm the role of the Black man in the Black community and on the campus of TSU. With informative workshops and motivational speakers, the summit promoted spiritual values, moral growth, and self accountability while celebrating the accomplishments of past and present community leaders. Among those honored were Rev. Dr. F.N Williams, Roy Douglas Malonson, Lorenzo Robertson, The Honorable Sylvester Turner, Jeffrey L Boney, Rev. Robert Jefferson, Bishop James Dixon, Pastor Remus Wright, Dr. Timothy Williams, The Honorable Alvin Chambliss, Leon Sandles, Chris LeBlanc, and TSU students Aleisha Readye and Emerald Merrell.
Democratic presidential candidate (1984 and 1988) Rev Jesse Jackson graced the summit with his presence during the Awards Luncheon.
"They asked me and I came," said Rev Jackson. He went on to say, "I'll come back to TSU if you ask me; I'll come back for a rally, a graduation, or to just talk to the students, I am a friend of TSU."
Jackson spoke briefly to those in attendance, evoking the audience to take a look at the educational system in America.
"We are free but less equal," said Rev Jackson.
He went on to explain that many minority students are forced to take out loans for education which predestines them for debt at graduation. Rev Jackson expressed a need to find ways to better prepare young people for the future that does not entail debt.
"We must invest in the source of the community," he said. "We must become more connected to solving the problems and not simply recognizing them."
When asked to comment on the current democratic presidential candidates Rev Jackson replied by saying, "Obama represent a historic breakthrough, it's a good day when you see brown and white people voting for a black man."
Rev Jackson continued by saying, "Both candidates are conduit for the growth of America; we must use our right to vote and vote."
This year's summit took time to highlight religious leaders and affirm the role of the Black man in the Black community and on the campus of TSU. With informative workshops and motivational speakers, the summit promoted spiritual values, moral growth, and self accountability while celebrating the accomplishments of past and present community leaders. Among those honored were Rev. Dr. F.N Williams, Roy Douglas Malonson, Lorenzo Robertson, The Honorable Sylvester Turner, Jeffrey L Boney, Rev. Robert Jefferson, Bishop James Dixon, Pastor Remus Wright, Dr. Timothy Williams, The Honorable Alvin Chambliss, Leon Sandles, Chris LeBlanc, and TSU students Aleisha Readye and Emerald Merrell.
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