Empowering Black Women, Veterans and Girls in the Gulf Coast
The National Conference of Black Mayors is proud to be a part of the Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR), an initiative of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (The National Coalition or NCBCP), as it launches its 2010 Healthy Wealthy Wise BWR National Empowerment Tour in New Orleans, La. on October 8 - 12, 2010 at historic Dillard University.
The Black Women’s Roundtable Empowerment Tour will hit seven (7) states and the District of Columbia over the next seven months. The BWR Tour will provide over 10,000 Black and underserved women and girls with tools that help them to live healthier, achieve economic security and sustainability, be empowered through educational and training opportunities, and access affordable technology to compete in a global economy.
“The National Coalition has a long history in the Gulf Coast Region and has been working to support our state-based affiliates in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi impacted by Katrina-Rita with recovery and rebuilding over the past 5 years.” states Melanie L. Campbell, President & CEO, NCBCP & National Convener, BWR, “Now, these same communities are in crisis again due to the recent oil spill. To assist communities impacted, it was imperative that we launch our initiative in the Gulf Coast cities of New Orleans, LA, Mobile, AL, and Gulfport/Biloxi, MS.”
The NCBCP BWR Empowerment Tour will kick-off with a national press conference on Friday, Oct. 8 at 1:30pm at the Loews New Orleans Hotel. Invited speakers include Melanie L. Campbell, NCBCP; Dr. Beverly Wright, Founder and Director, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice at Dillard University; U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu; Lauren R. Darensbourgh, MPH, Manager of Strategic Partnerships for Minority and Underserved Populations, President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition; and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
Highlights include: Saturday, Oct. 9: Unity Health Walk to End Diabetes, 8:00 am - 9 am, at Dillard University, led by Kellie Williams who played “Laura Winslow” from the hit sitcom Family Matters and New Orleans native and internationally renowned Jazz Vocalist, Stephanie Jordan.
BWR Healthy Wealthy Wise Mini-Expo, Health & Wellness Fair & Empowerment Workshops will be hosted at Dent Hall Gym at Dillard University, 9 am - 1 pm. Special guests include: Clayola Brown, President, A. Philip Randolph Institute; Dominique Dawes, Olympic Gold Medalist & Co-Chair, President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition; and actress Kellie Williams. [Free to Public]
Tuesday, October 12, at 9:00 a.m., Michele Jones, Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense and White House Liaison will lead a roundtable dialogue with Gulf Coast Veteran Women (veteran women only) and at 11:30 a.m. Susan L. Taylor will moderate the BWR Empowerment “Sisters Can We Talk” Intergenerational Luncheon Dialogue: Ending Violence Against Women & Girls. Panelists include: Mirtha Beadle, Deputy Director, Office of Minority Health, U. S. Department of Health & Human Services; Dr. Elsie Scott, President & CEO, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation; Dr. Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre, 24th National President, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; and Robin Faison, Program Coordinator, Family Justice Center (invited). (Cost: $40.00 Purchase BWR Luncheon Tickets at www.ncbcp.org/bwrneworleans.)
African American Women of Purpose and Power will conclude the BWR Tour stop in New Orleans by hosting a Candidates Forum, Oct. 12, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Dillard University - Professional Schools and Sciences Building. [This event is open to the public.]
For more information, visit www.ncbcp.org
