SCLC National Magazine - Spring 2013 Issue

www.nationalsclc.org

April / May / June SPRING 2013

Save the date attend the

50Th Anniversary March on Washington

August 28, 2013

Today, children study the Civil Rights Movement in school. But there is an opportunity here to learn what it was really like.

You see, I was there on Sept. 15, 1963, when a bomb rocked my church one clear Sunday morning. And I am here today. A visit to these sites can help you truly understand the sorrows and the triumphs of a people who stood up for equality and justice.

– Carolyn McKinstry Author of ”While the World Watc hed”

ROAD TRIP No. 31 1

Walking in e footsteps of ose who made hist y.

Alabama invites you to commemorate the 50th anniversaries of some of the most pivotal events in the Civil Rights Movement. Walk the paths that the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and his marchers took in their non-violent quest for equality. ty.

Visit the collection of museums from Scottsboro to Selma that comprise the Alabama Civil Rights Trail. Start at thee inspiring Birmingham Civil Rights Institute – recently named by Budget Travel as one of 10 places every kid should see. Next door, step inside the 16th Street Baptistt Church and reflect upon the tragic bombing that took four innocent young lives. Make your road trip a commemoration of those who fought to win racial equality, and rejoice in knowing that their victories made our world a better place.

Download our free Civil Rights Trail app or the Alabama Road Trips app or visit www.alabama.travel to experience how these events in Alabama changed the world.

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SPRING 2013 vol. 42 / no. 2

April / May / June

inside this issue

in every issue: 6.

7.

8.

National Executive Officers National Board Members From the CEO: You Thought You Had Arrived – But You Got Off At The Wrong Station

By Carrie L. Williams Editorial Contribution by Maynard Eaton

10. President’s Corner

By C.T. Vivian 12. From the Chairman

By Bernard LaFayette, Jr. 6. Employment Opportunities 35. Membership Application

women to watch: 18. Cathelean Steele: A Profile in Courage

By Carrie L. Williams 20. SCLC “Stop the Violence Initiative” Launches “Justice for Girls” Strategy

By Carrie L. Williams 22. For Justice Sake...

By Lisa Williams

features: 14. Charles Steele One-on-One: The CEO Speaks Out Interview by Maynard Eaton 24. Rosa Parks: Unforgettable at 100

By Maynard Eaton & Carrie L. Williams 26. Frederick Moore, The Quintessential SCLC “Ground Crew” Member is Fondly Remembered

By Arit Essian 28. Clyde Bradley

By Maynard Eaton Cover Photo: (L-R) Lisa Williams and Cathelean Steele; photo by Marie Thomas, www.mariethomas.com

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SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

Souther n Christian Southern Christian L Leadership eadership C Conference o n f e re n c e N A T I O N A L M A G A Z I N E

In Print Since 1970 MAGAZINE MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 92544 Atlanta, GA 30314 FOR ADVERTISING INFO info@sclcmagazine.com www.sclcmagazine.com T 800.421.0472 F 800.292.9199 FOUNDER & PUBLISHER Steven Blood, Sr., Ph.D. ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Monica Fett MANAGING EDITOR Maynard Eaton EXECUTIVE MANAGER Dawn McKillop SCLC NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 320 Auburn Avenue Atlanta, GA 30303 www.nationalsclc.org EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / COO Damien Conners CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeMark Liggins NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Maynard Eaton SPECIAL PROGRAMS DIRECTOR Cathelean Steele

We’re proof dreams can come true.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the pioneers of the Civil Rights Movement dreamed of a different America. Their vision and determination created the opportunity for all of us, working together, to make a difference.

Nationwide Insurance® honors their legacy by putting it into practice. True diversity has made us a tapestry of ideas, talents, perspectives and passions, and we’re a far better company for it.

Nationwide Insurance, the Nationwide framemark and Nationwide is On Your Side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. ©2013 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

/ NATIONAL EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Martin Luther King, Jr. FOUNDING PRESIDENT 1957-1968

Ralph D. Abernathy PRESIDENT EMERITUS 1968-1977

Joseph E. Lowery PRESIDENT EMERITUS 1977-1997

C.T. Vivian PRESIDENT

Bernard LaFayette, Jr. CHAIRMAN

Charles Steele, Jr. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Donald L. Cash VICE CHAIRMAN

Martin Luther King, III PAST PRESIDENT 1998-2003

Randal L. Gaines, Esq. TREASURER

Gertie Thompson Lowe SECRETARY

Bishop Calvin Woods CHAPLAIN

Diettra Lucas RECORDING SECRETARY

Bennie Roundtree SERGEANT AT ARMS

Sylvia K. Tucker CHAIRWOMAN EMERITUS

Fred L. Shuttlesworth PAST PRESIDENT 2004 R.I.P. 1922-2011

Charles Steele, Jr. PAST PRESIDENT 2005-2008

Howard Creecy, Jr. PAST PRESIDENT 2011 R.I.P. 1954-2011

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SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

NATIONAL BOARD MEMBERS Willie Bolden / College Park, Georgia Joseph Boston / Washington, North Carolina Donald Cash / Landover, Maryland E.T. Caviness / Cleveland, Ohio Richard Cox / Dayton, Ohio Randal L. Gaines, Esq. / LaPlace, Louisiana

Photo credit clyde_bradley@msn.com

Charles Becknell / Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Rita Jackson Samuels / Atlanta, Georgia

Award Recipients: Donald Cash and Ken Swindle

J.T. Johnson / Atlanta, Georgia

SCLC Honors Two Unsung Civil Rights Champions

Martin L. King, III / Atlanta, Georgia Bernard LaFayette, Jr. / Tuskegee, Alabama Diettra Lucas / Upper Marlboro, Maryland Gertie Thompson Lowe / Gadsden, Alabama Jamida Orange / Atlanta, Georgia Jeremy Ponds / Atlanta, Georgia Bennie Roundtree / Greenville, No. Carolina Charles Smith / Palmetto, Florida Charles Steele, Jr. / Tuscaloosa, Alabama Sylvia K. Tucker / Disputanta, Virginia C.T. Vivian / Atlanta, Georgia Cynthia Willard-Lewis / New Orleans, Louisiana Calvin Woods / Birmingham, Alabama

At a recent ceremony held in Birmingham, Alabama SCLC National and its chapters honored two civil rights champions for their renowned achievements and contributions to the Civil Rights Movement:

Donald Cash

is president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Minority Coalition and has played a significant role linking the interests of workers with the Civil Rights Movement for the past 30 years.

Cash is also founder of Faces of Our Children, a Sickle Cell Foundation based in D.C. and Vice Chairman for SCLC National.

Ken Swindle

is the former Tuscaloosa Police Chief and is a rare exception to the rule of Alabama lawmen.

Swindle was saluted for going beyond the call of duty during the Jim Crow era to provide protection, fairness and justice to the Black community. sclc

HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS Cameron Alexander / Atlanta, Georgia Phillip Cousin / Jacksonville, Florida Elwin Gillum / Little Rock, Arkansas Dick Gregory / Plymouth, Massachusetts Jim Lawson / Los Angeles, California John Lewis / Atlanta, Georgia Joseph Roberts / Atlanta, Georgia Wyatt Tee Walker / New York, New York Andrew Young / Atlanta, Georgia

Ken Swindle and Charles Steele

Photo credit clyde_bradley@msn.com

Walter Fauntroy / Washington, D.C.

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine

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/ from the ceo

You Thought You Had Arrived – But You Got Off At The Wrong Station...

CEO Charles Steele, Jr. pricks the conscience of blacks from Atlanta to Washington – and back to Alabama.

BY CARRIE L. WILLAMS Editorial Contribution by Maynard Eaton

Charles Steele, outside the United States Supreme Court addressing civil rights activists from across the nation urging the Court to reject challenges to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.

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I

n a whirlwind of speeches spanning the geography of the Southeast region in twenty-one days, SCLC’s CEO Charles Steele, Jr. has been dauntless and relentless on a mission to deliver a wake-up call to African American leaders and community members: “We thought we had arrived.”

Starting in Atlanta with Georgia’s Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC) February 21st and landing on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol in the Selma to Montgomery March on March 8th, CEO Steele’s fervent delivery has been hitting close to home, judging by audience responses at both ends of the spectrum: quiet recognition and deafening applause.

“You may have arrived,” Steele told Georgia’s black legislators, the largest state black caucus in the country, “but you got off at the wrong station. We’ve got to get back on the bus!”

Steele has used the allegory to put the painful truth in the faces of African Americans – and the American public as a whole – that African Americans got off at the station called “Politics”. He reminded the GLBC, “Politics got you here, but Civil Rights was the foundation that made it possible for you to have a political career.”

He followed the reminder up with “When are we going to stop acting like everything is alright?”

In one of the most key mediation roles of his professional life as a Civil Rights leader, Charles Steele is sounding the clarion call to “get back on the bus” of what may well emerge as the Civil Rights Movement of the 21st century. And the significance of this moment is not falling on deaf ears.

Heading over to Emory University the very next evening for a historic moment of recognition at the opening of SCLC’s exhibit, the past President Emeritus Steele shared with SCLC aficionados in the packed Woodruff Library, “I told the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, ‘Civil Rights was the vehicle that got you there, not intelligence, not status’.” Amidst shouts and clapping, Steele continued, “And what you gain, you must maintain. The only way to maintain is to continue to walk, to march – we must fill the streets. . . It’s not over – we’re not going back!”

In less than five days, Steele put his organization behind his words, as hundreds of SCLC supporters and “Freedom Riders” joined him by bus in Washington, D.C. at the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, protesting the Justices’ deliberations !

over removing Section 5 of the landmark Voting Rights Act. In front of national media and a myriad of civil and human rights activists, including young college students alongside veterans of the 60’s Civil Rights Movement, Steele started by pointing out to the throng, “The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is the organization that Dr. King died for, and stands as a true testament to the power of nonviolent direct action.”

Repeating his message, “We’ve got a long way to go – we thought we had arrived, but we got off at the wrong station,” Steele fired up the audience by saying, “If we let this stuff happen in America, the rest of the world will have nowhere to go – Hell no! We’ve just begun. And there can’t be no scared Negroes in this fight, because this is a Civil Rights Movement. We still got to go to jail, we still got to demonstrate, we still got to march!”

Getting even more direct, Steele shouted out to the cheering crowd, “It’s a war out here – a war between the haves and the have nots! I feel like a Movement! I’m ready to go to jail! I’m ready to go to jail! Fire It Up!” That kind of gritty determination followed SCLC’s CEO for the rest of his road speeches, ultimately landing him in Selma, Alabama over the March 1-3 weekend for the 48th Re-Enactment of “Bloody Sunday” over the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the following Selma to Montgomery March.

As Secret Service were locking in positions for U.S. Vice President Biden’s arrival in Selma early Sunday morning of March 3rd, Charles Steele’s voice was booming across the church pews of a standing room only First Baptist Church of Selma. Noting the ten busloads of SCLC supporters arriving from Atlanta and from Florida, Steele moved the congregation to their feet several times, making the connection between what happened in Selma, AL nearly 50 years ago with the U.S. Supreme Court now deliberating the Voting Rights Act over a case originating in Shelby County, AL. “We’ve come full circle,” Steele announced to an emotional audience, “We’ve come full circle, from Selma to Shelby County. They’re trying to turn back the clock on us, under a black President. He’d [Obama] love for you to raise hell – but he can’t tell you that. He needs you to raise hell – and go to jail.”

“The whole world is waiting on us,” urged Steele, “they’re wanting to learn how we got over. But we want to forget the hard times that we had.” The church got still as the former state Alabama senator went on, “I remember the days when Grandma and Grandaddy, all ten of us lived in the same house – if you ain’t careful, you’re on your way back! But God has not made a scared Negro of me – I’m from the bottom. I’ve got to tell it – because that’s what’s wrong with us, we won’t tell it.”

Steele recounted a story about his Grandmother directing him to go to a neighbor’s for some sugar. “Grandma said to me, ‘Go tell her I need some hope.’” As the audience broke out in applause and got to their feet again, the international businessman resounded, “We need some hope!

We’re struggling like everybody else! We’re all hurting!”

Charles Steele on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery addressing marchers that had just concluded the 48th re-enactment of the Selma to Montgomery March.

Reeling off the staggering statistic that African Americans lost 68% of their wealth last year, primarily due to losing their homes and property, Steele kept on going, his energy and passion pouring out, “People are suffering, people are hungry in America. I’ve got something for you.

Politicians – you’ve got to stand up and fight back. The people who elected you are counting on you to fulfill on your God-given appointment!” And the church rocked in cheers and applause for the next few minutes.

There is no doubt that the Civil Rights leadership of SCLC’s CEO Charles Steele is beginning to be felt throughout the Southeast region of the United States – and undoubtedly, will continue to grow stronger, as Steele guides SCLC and the nation towards the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, D.C. When asked to explain his allegory during a recent interview at headquarters, CEO Steele elaborated: “In our Civil Rights commitment, we got off at the wrong station – the station called ‘Politics’. In politics, we were certain that we had arrived in our commitment to Civil Rights.”

“But, that’s not true!” emphasized Dr. Steele. “We must get back on the bus.”

For Charles Steele, “getting back on the bus” simply means getting back to our commitment to Civil Rights – as a people and as a nation. CEO Steele has often reinforced Dr. King’s last words to Board Chairman Dr. Bernard LaFayette Jr., in that our “true” destination is finding ourselves arrive at an institutional/international place of global commitment – to Civil Rights and to nonviolence.

Charles Steele has more to communicate, that is clear and it’s very clear he’ll be delivering more communications on the critical SCLC strategy for the commemoration of the 1963 March on Washington, D.C. SCLC’s strategy presents an unprecedented opportunity, with this year marking the 50th Anniversary of that March.

What may be that unprecedented opportunity to fulfill on? If Charles Steele has his way, it might look like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s partnership with the greater Civil Rights community in establishing the Civil Rights Movement of the Twenty-First Century. sclc

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine

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/ the president’s corner

The State of Equality & Justice in America: The Urgency of “Now” Must be Taken Requested by & Published in The Washington Post

W

BY REV. C.T. VIVIAN SCLC NATIONAL PRESIDENT The State of Equality and Justice in America” is a 20-part series of columns written by an allstar list of contributors to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. The contributors include: U. S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) LCCRUL 50th Anniversary Grand Marshal; Ms. Barbara Arnwine, President and Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (LCCRUL); Mr. Charles Ogletree, Professor, Harvard University Law School/Director, Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice; the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., President/CEO, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition; the Rev. Joseph Lowery, Co-founder, Southern Christian Leadership Conference; U. S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.); and 14 additional thought leaders and national advocates for equal justice.

Following is the ninth op-ed of the series:

10 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

e must take the urgency of now very seriously.

Not just because of the pending 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, but because the future of America’s people; especially those who have been long oppressed, depends on right now.

Since the beginning of this country, the one thing that has never been fully decided is who will truly determine this nation’s future? Will it be America’s truly wealthy – the 1 percent who can decide every political and economic move in the richest and mightiest country in the world? And who, with the economic 1 percent of Europe and Asia, could take over every major decision in this global world? Would it be them or would it be “We the people”?

It is clear by studying recent events; coupled with patterns of history, that the democratic principle of “We the people” is constantly endangered by plutocratic mindsets, those who are often controlled by greed and quests for power. Plutocracy, according to Webster, is one, “Government by wealthy people;” two, “A society governed by wealthy people;” or three, “A ruling class whose power is based on their wealth.”

I caution that America could succumb to this social mindset if we do not continue to stand guard using our democratic powers of “We the people” to the fullest. Take the last presidential election, for instance. Mitt Romney, in his derogatory comment about the so-called “47 percent” of people who he claimed “are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims” and who “pay no income tax” – appeared to dismiss nearly half of American voters. He even said, “... and so my job is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.”

These derogatory comments appeared to signal a move to exclude people of a certain social status. Moreover, it appeared as a move to keep the concept of “We the people” alive while denying it in practice. What would have or could have happened had he prevailed?

It is important to note that throughout history, struggles for equality and justice in America have continued to move from victory to setback and from setback to victory. In fact, about every 30 to 35 years, there’s a new movement in this country. !

The civil rights movement was the last one. The one before that was the labor movement. Somewhere between 35 and 40 years, there’s always a new people’s movement. This time, it’s the continuation of the civil rights movement, which includes the movement on behalf of the poor.

At the blessed age of 88, I recall the degradation of segregation and Jim Crow. I struggled for justice through the freedom rides and alongside Dr. King. I marched on Washington on August 28, 1963 and I was there to ultimately rejoice at the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. And then we suddenly found ourselves mourning upon the assassination of my dear friend and brother, Dr. King, in 1968. He was only in Memphis for the cause of the sanitation workers, the poor, the struggling, and the oppressed who were suffering unequal wages and working conditions.

Fast forward, to see America elect and then re-elect its first Black president nearly 50 years later is reason to rejoice. And yet even President Obama’s inaugural speech called for honest labor wages that “liberate families from the brink of hardship.”

This is a clear reason that we must continue to march to the polls as well as to take up our banners and plead our causes. We must win our battles in the basic old-fashioned way that it has historically worked – with non-violent direct action protests, coupled with the vote.

In doing so, our movement will continue to grow.

A newsman once asked Dr. King, “How many members do you have?” When Martin answered, the newsman retorted, “Well that doesn’t represent much of Black America”. But then Dr. King said something that is so very relevant in the 21st century. He said, “We don’t operate through membership. We operate knowing that if we’re right, people will follow us.”

The state of equality and justice in America is a continued struggle for the poor despite all of the strides America has made. The urgency of now is to maintain the power and sanctity of the vote, which has become the greatest power held by the poor. As Dr. King said, if we do what is right, others will follow us. This is the power of “We the people”. sclc

www.morehouse.edu /kingcollection (404) 681-2800

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine 11

/ from the chairman

Revealing, Rewarding, & Instructive Insight by Journalist Emily Young Emily Young is a Redding, California-based journalist who recently participated in one of the Kingian Nonviolence Orientation Workshops that I routinely conduct around the world. Her story that follows is a substantive summary of what I teach – an example of the work I do to “institutionalize and internationalize” nonviolence as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. personally assigned me to do. This is what Emily Young gleaned from that workshop and duly reported to her readers. I thought you would appreciate her revealing, rewarding and instructive insight:

Photo credit clyde_bradley@msn.com

T

BY BERNARD LAFAYETTE, JR. SCLC NATIONAL CHAIRMAN

12 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

hree weeks ago, I had the opportunity to spend some time with a civil rights movement leader, Dr. Bernard LaFayette Jr. He is a gentle, humble man with a quick smile and optimistic nature. His views transcend ideology and political affiliation, and are worth considering in these politically contentious times.

Dr. LaFayette is 71 now. He began working with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the age of 20, led protests and marches throughout the 1960s, and was beaten and jailed repeatedly. He has dedicated his life to nonviolent social change. I listened as he talked to a group of adults and then high school students about the lessons learned from a life of activism.

Dr. Lafayette believes that change comes when you can get the support or sympathy of the majority. That requires a movement, not a single event. The civil rights movement took years and involved numerous sit-ins, protests and marches, as did the movement to end the Vietnam War. He considers leadership key to achieving any social change in our country. Leadership is doing what needs to be done in order to help others know the way. Leadership is applying nonviolence techniques to a particular situation and getting the results you want. Leadership is how you respond to errors – understanding why they occurred, making corrections, and then keeping those errors from happening again.!

It is about planning, having a goal and strategy, and constantly making adjustments.

For Dr. LaFayette, training leaders in nonviolence is the greatest hope for true social change. That is how he spends much of his time, in addition to applying the techniques to specific situations around the world.

He views nonviolence as a way of life. It is an attitude that turns negative energy into positive energy in everything one does, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Nonviolence is a system of thought for how you respond to conflict, which can be physical but more typically is verbal in the day-to-day world in which you and I live.

So how does a person respond to such violence?

According to Dr. LaFayette, you do not respond with violence. By doing so, you concede the rightness of the other’s cause, the legitimacy of their goals, and their control over you.

Nor does blame produce a path to resolving conflict. To find common ground and a solution, one needs to really understand how the other person sees the problem. That takes time and listening. Very often, what the other person considers the problem is not what you think is upsetting them.

It is when you can articulate your opponent’s position better than your opponent, that a solution may be achieved. And you must deal with your opponent directly.

Those two thoughts, in particular, have stayed with me.

Always be open and respectful, and give others the

benefit of the doubt. But remember that you have a choice in how you respond. Don’t get angry. Don’t let others’ negative comments – concerning you or the people and issues you care about – affect your life and how you act.

So what is Dr. LaFayette’s assessment of the current economic and financial problems facing the United States and how the federal government is handling them? He wants Americans to look to themselves and stop looking to government. To him, it is obvious that elected officials don’t know what to do, so Americans need to offer ideas and suggestions. But more generally, he is concerned about how to get and keep citizens voting and engaged in all kinds of government entities.

I have been thinking about what Dr. LaFayette said.

He has seen and been the recipient of brutal human behavior, yet he remains ever hopeful.

In a world of short attention spans, endless rhetoric and labeling, and heightened incivility in public discourse, his remarks are a reminder of what is necessary to achieve real social change. He is describing an approach for how we interact with one another, how we view and relate to our government, and what we should seek and demand in the temperament and behavior of our elected officials.

He may be right. I certainly don’t see any better ideas on the horizon. sclc “Record Searchlight” contributing columnist Emily Young can be reached at ecyoung1@yahoo.com.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD AND TO SERVE

Experience more at uscga.edu

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine 13

feature

Charles Steele One-on-One: The CEO Speaks Out It’s a false assumption that we have arrived because we have a Black President. We’ve lost more in the last four years than we lost in the last 50 years.

Interviewer Maynard Eaton: SCLC’s Managing Editor, is an 8-time Emmy Award-winning news reporter and is also Executive Editor of ‘S.E. Region News’ and President of Eaton Media Group.

M. EATON: SCLC labored in turmoil for several years, but since your return almost a year ago things have seemingly changed dramatically. What is the state of SCLC as you see it now?

C. STEELE: First of all we have an international vision. You must have a global vision but you must also focus on the current issues fueling this new civil rights era. That combination has brought us back together holistically in terms of a vibrant and visionary movement.

M. EATON: How have you done that? What has been different about your leadership?

C. STEELE: A true leader must bring everybody together. A true leader’s first responsibility is to bring harmony within the organization.

Charles Steele, Jr., SCLC National CEO

uring his first stint as the President and CEO

of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference from 2004 to 2009, Charles Steele, Jr., a personable, passionate and proficient fundraiser, solicited $3.5 million to build a national headquarters to commemorate the venerable civil rights group’s 50th anniversary. It was an unprecedented, and heretofore unmatched, achievement for a civil rights leader.

In July 2012 Steele, an accomplished businessman, consultant and former Alabama State Senator returned to SCLC as President Emeritus and Chief Executive Officer to revive, retool and rebuild the then troubled organization.

Under his tutelage SCLC is back; its reputation and prestige restored as Dr. Steele tells ‘SCLC Magazine’ Managing Editor Maynard Eaton in this one-on-one interview: 14 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

M. EATON: You mentioned a new civil rights era. Please share what you see and are sensing.

C. STEELE: What’s new about it is that many people thought we had arrived in terms of our success. People feel that because we have a black President, because we have more blacks in Congress, because we have more black elected officials we had arrived. But politics without economic development is just another symbol without substance.

M. EATON: The Civil Rights Movement, you say, has been the reason for all the progress African Americans have made thus far?

C. STEELE: Yes, politically but not economically. Dr. King recognized that prior to his assassination.

M. EATON: You have coined a phrase that has become popular across the country. You say, “Black people

thought they had arrived but we got off at the wrong station.”

to march because people will never let you rest on your laurels. They will always catch you sleeping at the switch and turn back the clock.

but a ‘Hellacaust’ as well. We experienced the worst enslavement of any group of people. Dr. King knew that because of what we came out of we needed to institutionalize it and take it around the world. You can’t establish boundaries when it comes to freedom and justice. You must share it with the world.

C. STEELE: What people basically don’t want is to use the energy to get back out to the streets or to get back out to M. EATON: Another popular phrase fight. It takes a lot of energy to do that. of yours is “a scared Negro will get So we naturally –regardless of an indiyou killed.” vidual’s background – perceive that we have arrived because it takes a lot of C. STEELE: It’s for shock effect when effort; it takes a lot of strength; it takes I address audiences. It’s about fear.

M. EATON: To that end, you met eara lot of sacrifice to fight non-violently People will actually try to turn the clock lier this year with former Soviet Union again to accomplish what we already back on us by instilling fear in us again.

President Mikhail Gorbachev. Can have accomplished. So people feel that It was fear of getting killed that kept you share what that was about? because they have a better job, because many of us from fighting for our freethey have a better education, because dom. A scared Negro will leave you C. STEELE: I had a meeting with him we have certain people of color in certain alone and you will be standing by yourin his office for about two hours and positions therefore we have arrived. But self. They lack courage. what was so amazing and so incredible that’s not the measuring about that meeting was that stick in terms of our sucthe first question he asked cess. It happens to be all me was, “Has the Dream those entities plus the been fulfilled?” I said, “No wealth. So how can you Mr. President it has not get there even though you been fulfilled. We are just have an education; even getting started on fulfilling though you have the posithe dream.” tion but you don’t have the wealth? So we really M. EATON: The comhaven’t arrived. We got memoration of the 50th off at the wrong station.

Anniversary of The We’re worse off today March On Washington then we were 50 years will be SCLC’s signature ago. It’s a false assump- Charles Steele, Jr. speaks at Selma, Alabama's First Baptist Church on event for 2013 correct? tion that we have arrived Sunday, March 3, 2013. because we have a black president.

C. STEELE: It will be a signature event.

We’ve lost more in the last four years M. EATON: Just before he was assasIt will be a major event; it will be a than we lost in the last 50 years. sinated, Dr. King gave SCLC Board global event. We are looking for many Chairman Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr. people from around the world to come M. EATON: Do you really believe that the assignment to institutionalize and to commemorate and to celebrate and black America will march again and go internationalize the Movement. Since participate. And, to recreate a to jail again or is that just a rallying cry? your return to SCLC you too have Movement – it’s not a picnic – it’s a crisscrossed the nation and the world Movement to continue the struggle.

C. STEELE: We don’t have a choice. preaching the gospel of non-violent Either you march and let people know direct action. What has been the outM. EATON: There are those that sugthat you are not satisfied or you remain come of your travels? gest the 50th Anniversary will highstatus quo and think that the clock cannot light and spotlight the return of the be turned back. The clock never stands C. STEELE: We must realize that the Southern Christian Leadership still. That’s why you must always be world is looking to emulate the Civil Conference to national prominence. ready to march and demonstrate.

Rights Movement because of the significant gains African Americans have C. STEELE: I think this will be an opporM. EATON: As you well know, critics achieved and the non-violent strategy tunity we all can cherish and we all look and some young professionals say we effectively employed. Dr. King forward to. SCLC is back. All organizamarching is a mechanism of the past. wanted to take that experience around tions go through internal struggles and You say not so? the world because he knew we had reorganization. We are going forward but something that no one else had. African the basic principles of SCLC always will C. STEELE: Marching will never be a remain the same, and that’s jobs, justice Americans are the only race of people thing of the past. You will always have and equality for all God’s children. sclc that experienced not only a Holocaust

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine 15

women to watch

If young men and women can figure out what their gift from God is, develop that gift, and learn to love their gift – and if it’s a gift, it may not be easy, because God doesn’t give ‘easy things’ – then they’ll be happy in their endeavors.

Cathelean Chambers Steele 16

SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

BY CARRIE L. WILLIAMS

A Profile in Courage

Soft spoken, stylish and smart, Mrs. Cathelean Steele – the First Lady of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference as well as the Director of SCLC’s “Stop the Violence Initiative” – is deceptively strong, and possesses a courage many would never guess – unless they worked around her.

Photo credit Marie Thomas, www.mariethomas.com

T

aking on child sex trafficking and predatory violence as her first assignments upon her return to SCLC with her husband and CEO Charles Steele, Jr. should suggest something unique about this substantive and standout former Alabama classroom educator. Inspired by reading an article late one night in Essence Magazine about “the sex trafficking of our babies”, and urged by Susan Taylor, former editor of the magazine, to take action, Cathelean Steele determined that SCLC could take on preventing our children, especially girls, from becoming victims. At the same time, several mothers who had lost their male children through altercations with police officers in metro Atlanta asked Cathelean for her help. And the “Stop the Violence Initiative” came into being.

In less than three months’ time, Director Steele had amassed a communications team, a social worker and therapist, an events manager, a public policy expert, and a strategic planner.

The entire team is tirelessly working pro bono because of their “commitment to the cause,” she proudly says. During those first weeks, she held work sessions to develop the two strategies of the “Stop the Violence Initiative” – a “Justice for Girls” strategy that impacts the issue of child sex trafficking, and a “Streetpeace” strategy that impacts the issue of predatory violence. Director Steele then launched the “Justice for Girls” strategy of the initiative on January 10th, on schedule, with nearly 80 participants, including Civil Rights leaders, victim organization stakeholders, and public policy advocates. The launch was widely

acclaimed as a success, and got the Initiative visibility and credibility in one fell swoop.

“GABEO, NAACP, SCLC, Rainbow Push and others ought to be collaborating and working together on this issue,” said GA State Rep. Tyrone Brooks as a speaker at the “Justice for Girls” launch. Known for his Civil Rights leadership across the spectrum of historic Atlanta Civil Rights organizations, Brooks emphasized the importance of Mrs. Steele’s efforts by stating, “We can’t dialogue it away. We have to get in there, and make it go away.”

And that spirit of collaboration combined with purpose-filled action around issues that touch the human spirit is what Cathelean Steele’s leadership brings to the SCLC table.

Her public remarks to address the mass killing of the children in Connecticut, prepared to be given at the first year commemoration of a metro Atlanta mother’s son killed by police, demonstrate Mrs. Steele’s character and her courage: “As a teacher for 25 years in the state of Alabama, as a participant in the Civil Rights Movement and as a mother and grandmother, there is no more tragic loss than the loss of innocent young lives to senseless violence.”

“We at SCLC extend our heart-felt condolences and prayers to all who are grieving and dealing with this trauma. We stand by you in this moment of pain and sorrow. It is instances like these that strengthen our collective resolve to transform the issues of violence, wherever they arise.”

It has taken strong resolve by Mrs. Steele and her team to deal with the challenges faced in SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine

17

women to watch doing the work of the “Stop the Violence Initiative”, particularly in the “Justice for Girls” sex trafficking arena.

With scant resources, and daunting undercurrents in addressing Atlanta as a sex trafficking hub in the United States, Director Steele has been heard to say, “This is challenging – but we’re going to do it any way.”

Mrs. Steele and her Initiative crew have met with dozens of violence prevention stakeholders, from faith leaders to sex trafficking victim restoration providers. Mrs. Steele has personally delivered communications to such governmental bodies as the City of Atlanta Public Safety Committee and the Georgia Human Trafficking Joint Study Commission. Yet, she has also sought and received the mentoring and advice of highly respected violence prevention proponents, such as Mayor Shirley Franklin, Ms. Xernona Clayton, and UN expert Kathleen Barry.

When asked about her perseverance and her drive to accomplish the prevention mission at hand, in the face of extreme odds and acknowledged adversity, Cathelean Steele explained: “I was trained by my parents who were in the ministry. I was the oldest of nine children, and had a large responsibility in helping to raise my younger siblings. My parents would take me aside when they saw me getting discouraged, and say to me, ‘It’s not going to be easy, but it’ll be worth it in the end.’

And that’s the way I look at the challenges that face me when I take on something I have a passion for.”

That is one of the qualities that shines through the SCLC First Lady’s interactions with key leaders and SCLC stakeholders. “When you’ve learned to handle a lot of responsibility,” she told us in a recent one-on-one interview, “you govern your life that way. You don’t start a project and not finish it, and you don’t take on something you don’t have a passion for.”

First Lady Steele has her own distinct passion for the issue of child sex trafficking: “Because the idea of children being sex trafficked is such a tragedy to me, I have decided to take on the perspective of helping those who have not been

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SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

affected yet. If we can save those that may have fallen in this trap, through our programs, we will have done our girls, our families, and our communities an immense service. In the process, we want to teach our young women and girls to truly love themselves, and not look for love from strangers, or others that would harm them. I know it’s tiring to do this ground-breaking work, especially when so many of us are in denial that this is a real problem for us to address. Yet, that’s what inspires me – is that our work at SCLC can awaken everyone to what’s happening. That’s one of the roles I believe civil rights organizations like SCLC should be committed to, and in fact, have a responsibility to do, and that is to awaken and bring awareness to the people.”

In the pioneering work that is taking place inside the “Stop the Violence Initiative”, serious efforts are underway to collect and provide reliable data to stakeholders of the initiative, including local, state, and federal government.

SCLC is on the vanguard of doing the research in the area of child sex trafficking prevention. In this regard, Director Steele equates the efforts of SCLC to those conducting research to find a cure for cancer: “This [sex trafficking] is like a disease we have not found a cure for. We don’t even have an antibiotic for it. Our immune system has not built up a resistance to it. When you realize it could hit your family, it could hit your child, that’s when we as a society come together to work for a cure. We pool our resources and funds. When it’s cancer, we give our money to scientists to solve the problem and find the cure.

When the problem is a legal one, we bring in lawyers. When it comes to the safety of our children, we as a society look to activists and organizations like SCLC. We’re asking the people of the United States and our government to supply resources and funding to us, as SCLC is doing the data collection work that will give us the foundation we need to build upon in our efforts to prevent sex trafficking of our babies.”

As seriously as Mrs. Steele takes her commitment to SCLC’s “Stop the Violence Initiative”, she dedicates her-

self to her family and her grandchildren even more. Her long-standing marriage to her husband Charles Steele and their unique, effective partnership in both their business and family life make the duo a significant contribution to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference at this time in history.

In our one-on-one interview with her, we asked her the following question: “You’ve had somewhat of a traditional marriage and relationship with your husband Charles – and yet you are a strong leader yourself, and have had a vibrant professional career of your own.

What advice would you give young women considering a professional career, especially in Civil Rights, and also considering marriage?”

Reflecting for a moment, her answer was thoughtful: “Young women, when you meet someone, you have to share a similar passion. If it’s something that’s as challenging as working in civil rights/human rights, you have to share the love – otherwise it won’t work.”

She elaborated, “Coretta had to love the work in order for her to withstand the hardship, because she had to endure what Martin endured. All civil rights families are that way. Whatever Charles endures, if you can’t stand strong, you can’t survive. The girls and I have shared our strength with each other, and have stayed strong with Charles, pushing forward. We have to push hard, to encourage him, so he won’t worry about his family, so he can do what he enjoys, which is helping others.

You have to share the passion.”

In fact, this retired educator – beautiful on the outside as well as the inside – who loves reading history books and listening to jazz, often shares her wisdom with young men and women, as they look to be successful in their lives. She sees the most important area in life for them to focus on is the gift that God has given them, and to learn to love that gift.

“If young men and women can figure out what their gift from God is, develop that gift, and learn to love their gift – and if it’s a gift, it may not be easy, because God doesn’t give ‘easy things’ – then they’ll be happy in their endeavors.” sclc

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women to watch SCLC “Stop the Violence Initiative” Launches “Justice for Girls” Strategy

BY CARRIE L. WILLIAMS

A

t the Southern Christian Leadership Conference national headquarters, the word is out. The new “Stop the Violence Initiative” met its first goal, successfully launching the strategy “Justice for Girls” at its stakeholder launching event on January 10, 2013.

Over fifty stakeholders from diverse disciplines and backgrounds attended.

With a continuous flow of attendees arriving throughout the evening, those present demonstrated quiet attentiveness during the multi–media presentation, and generous applause to the words of special guest speaker Ms. Lisa Williams, Founder/Exec. Director of Living Waters for Girls, a victim refuge and recovery organization for sex-trafficked girls and women in the United States.

The question and answer session, including questions from the media, was lively, engaging head table leaders and attending stakeholders. The dialogue centered around the new SCLC initiative, SCLC’s past activities in nonviolence, and intentional re-focus on nonviolence through the “Stop the Violence Initiative”.

“I read about sex trafficking in ‘Essence’, and it was so shocking that I couldn’t sleep at night,” Director Cathelean Steele explained in her opening remarks speech. “So I started researching it, and decided we need to do something.”

Leaders at the head table included Initiative Director Cathelean C. Steele, SCLC President Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian,

CEO Charles Steele, Jr., City of Atlanta Board member Ms. Brenda Muhammad (also of Atlanta Victim Assistance Program, Inc.), Sen. Donzella James, Rep. Tyrone Brooks, and SCLC Executive Director Damien Connors.

SCLC Board Chairman Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr. and “Justice for Girls” Ambassador Xernona Clayton, although absent, expressed their support through video and prepared statements during the opening remarks.

“Violence has been, and will be, for some time, the language of American culture,” SCLC President and revered Civil Rights leader Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian reflected in his filmed remarks. “How do we get rid of it? You can’t get rid of it by not talking about it. You can at least do something about it. This [the initiative] gives the introduction into who we are – we are Martin’s people...”

SCLC Board member Ms. Rita Samuels was in attendance, as well as Initiative core team members: Certified Mediator in the area of Public Policy Management Mr. Al Bartell, Videographer/Documentarian Clyde Bradley, Events Management Consultant Catrese Jenkins, Working Group Facilitator Pamela Bridgeman, and Field Operations Manager Will Marshall.

The evening was moderated by SCLC National Communications Director and 8-time Emmy-award winning news reporter Maynard Eaton as well as the Initiative’s Media and Communications Coordinator Carrie

To view opening remarks presented at the initiative launch scan the QR code:

SCLC “Stop the Violence Initiative” Contact information for participation and planning: Cathelean Steele Director (404) 522-1420 cathelean@nationalsclc.org

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SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

L. Williams. Special lighting and table arrangements, coupled with light tapas dinner, inspirational background music, and room for mingling at the new OrganiX Food Lounge in old Fourth Ward, gave the evening an additional, unconventional touch.

The SCLC “Stop the Violence Initiative” stakeholder launch took place one day before Human Trafficking Awareness Day, a day on which the Georgia Human Trafficking Joint Study Commission met for its second session at the Capitol, to record numbers of attendees. Exactly one week after SCLC’s launch event, the Federal Department of Health and Human Services Southeast Region IV held its Federal Human Trafficking Forum to over 500 stakeholders in the Southeast region. In attendance was SCLC “Stop the Violence Initiative” Director Cathelean Steele and two Initiative team members. The Federal Forum confirmed for Mrs. Steele that her efforts with SCLC’s latest initiative were in sync with forum expert speakers recommendations: focus on prevention, emphasize a public/community health approach, and collect reliable data.

The SCLC “Stop the Violence Initiative” aims to be a coordinator of collaborative efforts nationally, and a clearinghouse for collecting and distributing reliable data regarding violence prevention in the areas of child sex trafficking (“Justice for Girls”) and predatory violence(pertaining to the Initiative’s strategy called “Streetpeace”).

Efforts are to impact the city of Atlanta, the Southeast region, and the nation.

“GABEO, NAACP, SCLC, Rainbow PUSH and others ought to be collaborating and working together on this issue,” said GA State Rep. Tyrone Brooks, known for his Civil Rights leadership across the spectrum of historic Atlanta Civil Rights organizations. “We can’t dialogue it away. We have to get in there, and make it go away.” sclc

Carrie L. Williams Media and Communications Coordinator (404) 397-7667 sclcstoptheviolence@gmail.com

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women to watch

For Justice Sake...

Human trafficking has been called a form of modernday slavery where people profit from the control and exploitation of others. As defined under U.S. federal law, victims of human trafficking include children involved in the sex trade.

BY LISA WILLIAMS

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SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

t is no secret that there is still a lot of work to be done in America to stop human sex trafficking of children and bring to justice those responsible for this crime. It is equally important that we ensure our community provides victimized children with a full range of services that will assist in their healing and restoration. Without exception, one child exploited, is one child too many. I know from first-hand experience that children who have been trafficked did not choose to be exploited by the adults who profit from the rape, brutality and layers of psychological trauma inflicted upon them.

The fact that American children, girls and boys, are sold and traded like commodities in communities we call home should not only outrage us as a people, but also propel us to levy our entire might against the heinous crime of human sex trafficking and those who perpetrate these crimes against our most vulnerable citizens. Citizens who are often too young to drive, vote and certainly too young to consent to being taken, branded, beaten, photographed or posted on the Internet for sale, all for the sexual pleasure, perversion and financial gain of adults.

As a survivor, no, thriver, and residential service provider, I write to you, not just for me, but for American girls and boys and young women who are victims of exploitation needing to have their voices heard.

We did not wake up one day declaring to our families, communities, state or country that we wanted a life filled with violence, degradation, shame, brutality and multiple rapes for profit that sometimes includes foreign objects, being urinated on and other unimaginable acts; contracting diseases to including Herpes, HIV and AIDs, unwanted pregnancies, miscarriages, forced abortions, nightly quotas, arrests, legal charges, and incarceration for crimes committed against us. Nor did we ever imagine that some of our families, state entities and law enforcement agents who are charged with protecting and ensuring our health, safety and welfare would be unable and sometimes unwilling to protect us, to see us as victims, to find us when hidden in plain view, to understand what we are unable as children to explain, or to stop this nightmare from happening to other children.

Today, as I work for solutions to the issue of human sex trafficking, I am reminded of those who have come in and out of my life, by the circumstances of a young girl who called me some time ago from state custody and simply asked, Can you help me?

Just four years earlier, at 13 years old she had been rented, traded and bought by men old enough to be her father or grandfather for their sexual pleasure and abuse. Shortly after that call, she was released into my custody and came to reside with other girls who

were 12-17 years old at our residential home, where she discovered that she was loved and protected. She could sleep at night and not have to worry about someone invading her body or imprisoning her mind.

For the most part, she never had a chance, as a young child to know what love, protection or self-worth felt like because someone labeled her expendable.

And it was through her words that I heard my own story. I felt her pain because it was wrapped in my own, as a 12-yearold girl who had been thrown away, used, abused and, too, labeled expendable. Her voice, her pain, was real.

That same pain, was what I heard from one 13-year-old girl, who said to me upon entering our home, “Where were you when I was taken at 11 years old from in front on my school? Did you coming looking for me? Did you put my face on the news? No, you didn’t. Only my Pimp has been there for me, and he comes looking for me when I’m missing.”

I heard her with my ears, and with my heart, and could not answer, for there was no sufficient answer to give.

I understand each girl’s journey is unique and truly only begins when she steps into our home. That is why emphasis is placed on helping her to move beyond the trauma of her experiences and forward towards a greater understanding of herself, an increased sense of worth and the ability to make positive life affirming decisions.

Relapses are inevitable, but relapse is less and success is greater when the victims have a safe refuge or adequate community services that will help through the healing process.

It is true that we need to do more to stop the demand, to prosecute and to hold accountable those recruiting, selling and demanding to rape children for profit. One American child living this nightmare is one too many.

It is true that we need to do more to prevent further victimization, to identify those currently at risk, to provide intervention services to those in need and to provide the appropriate type and level of care for victims and their families to heal.

It is true that it is not just enough to rescue them, but we must educate them

and give them proper tools so they can ultimately provide for themselves and become self-sufficient. By giving them the tools they need to build bright futures, we can mitigate the fear that often lures them back to their dark and dangerous pasts. Education will not only change their lives, but will change the lives of their families for generations to come.

It is true that we need to provide more oversight, accountability and evaluation for those receiving state and federal funding who provide assistance and care for our most vulnerable citizens.

It is also true, that a lot of good work has been done, but that we, as a community and nation, still have a lot of work to do. I wish I had all of the answers for the problems we face with regard to how best to stop the demand and eradicate the human sex trafficking of children in our communities, but I don’t.

However, what I do know and what is indisputable is that it is a crime to recruit, buy, post on the Internet, sell, trade and rape children for profit. That I know for sure. I know the emotional, mental and physical damage that it causes. I also know, that whether the count of victimized children represents 10, 100 or 100,000, those children require...no, they demand our attention, our commitment and our action. To paraphrase President Obama, the fact that a problem is complex does not provide an excuse not to try to address it.

My own life experience has given me a front row seat to violence, survival sex and evil of human sex trafficking of children and young women. Although I cannot rescue all the girls, I can stand beside some of them and be a part of their restoration to wholeness. They know that I understand what it’s like to be held at gunpoint, to be demeaned and called unprintable names, to be afraid all the time in your own skin, to be repeatedly violated and tortured and then to be blamed for it all.

As we embrace 2013, I want to thank you in advance for the greater success that lies ahead as we continue together to fight the demand and provide hope, safety and healing for children.

What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God…

About Lisa Williams: In 1999, Lisa founded Circle of Friends: Celebrating Life, Inc, a not-for-profit organization of women helping women; trading in her financially rewarding private sector career, for one that would allow her to leverage her personal trials and successes to become a champion for others. In 2007, committed to righting the wrongs that she had been subjected to, Lisa conceived and launched what is today known as, Living Water for Girls, a nationally recognized residential and therapeutic safe refuge for young American girls who have been brutalized by prostitution, human sex trafficking and exploitation. In 2013 she established the Living Water Learning Resource Center, a gender-specific, non-residential education, vocational and life skills training and mentoring program for American girls and young women ages 16-26 who have experienced violence, street life and other horrific life experiences.

Taking no salary, Lisa leads a team of 120 volunteers and a staff of 8; she spends more than 60 hours a week working to ensure that girls and young women can find safety and heal from traumatic life events, pursue educational endeavors and acquire skills to become self-sufficient.

Lisa Williams is the author of Beautiful Layers: Stories from those who survived the life of prostitution & child sexual exploitation.

She is a former United States military officer, wife to her best friend of 25-years, and mother of biological and adopted children. She lives on a small farm in Georgia and thanks God continuously for “this good life” as she works to pursue a better quality of life for others.

Lisa Williams contact info: write2me@me.com or through the Circle of Friends: Celebrating Life Inc. website, www.cofcl.org. sclc SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine

23

feature

Unforgettable at 100 The Unveiling of a “Forever” Commemorative Stamp with Her Civil Rights Community on Parks’ 100 th Birthday at King Center Celebration

BY MAYNARD EATON & CARRIE L. WILLIAMS

t was almost like a family reunion, the excitement and the fellowship was so palpable among the attendees of Rosa Parks’ 100th Birthday commemoration on Feb. 4th at the King Center in Atlanta Especially among the Civil Rights Movement women.

Having worked diligently over several months for this moment, Brenda Davenport, Founder and Co-Chair of the Rosa Parks Centennial Tribute Committee explained why: “Once she[Parks] sat down, the rest of the world stood up.

That one act started the modern day Civil Rights Movement– bringing us Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and so many more.”

“All the great women of the Civil Rights Movement are coming to proudly honor one of their own,” followed CoChair Margaret Muhammad, “the first ‘she-roe’ of the struggle for racial justice.”

And proudly honor her they did.

Among those present were: Dr. Bernice King/King Center CEO; SCLC First Lady Cathelean Steele; SCLC WOMEN President Evelyn Lowery; Janice Mathis/Rainbow/PUSH Executive Director; Helen Butler/People’s Agenda Executive Director; former State Rep. Roberta Abdul-Salaam; Mrs. Christine King Farris; and other civil rights icons, foot soldiers and public policy leaders.

Dr. Bernice King made note in her welcoming remarks how Rosa Parks and countless other unrecognized women were the backbone of the Civil Rights Movement: “We must

L to R: Brenda Davenport, Pamela Wilson Smith (U.S. Postal Service), Evelyn Lowery, Naomi B. King, and Bernice King cut Rosa Parks’ birthday cake. Photo credit clyde_bradley@msn.com

24 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

never forget it was women who were the impetus of the Montgomery Bus Boycott,” she said. “How in the world was the movement going to happen without women?”

SCLC First Lady Cathelean Steele added: “Rosa Parks was sitting in the middle of the bus known as ‘No Man’s Land’ because it wasn’t the white section or the black section. And the bus driver who made her get off the bus was the same driver who she’d had a confrontation with in 1943.”

The U.S. Postal Service The First Lady went on to say 2013 Rosa Parks stamp that there was much about Rosa honors the life of this Parks that many outside the extraordinary American activist who became an Movement did not know about her, iconic figure in the civil including that she was no stranger rights movement. to confrontation or social change.

“Rosa Parks was raised by a grandfather who carried a shotgun to protect his family from the Ku Klux Klan, and who taught her about Marcus Garvey,” Mrs. Steele informed. “So she grew up with activism in her soul.”

Not only was Rosa Parks honored Feb. 4th by the hundreds at the King Center in Atlanta, but by hundreds near Detroit, Michigan as well, where she went to work for Rep. John Conyers and lived until the age of 92. The actual bus that Rosa Parks had been on, refusing to give up her seat, was a part of the 12-hour long commemoration ceremony at Dearborn’s Henry Ford Museum, along with a similar commemorative stamp unveiling.

A proclamation from U.S. Pres. Obama was a part of both commemorations as well, which read: “As we mark the 100th anniversary of Rosa Parks’ birth, we celebrate the life of a genuine American hero and remind ourselves that although the principle of equality has always been self-evident, it has never been self-executing. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate service, community and education programs to honor Rosa Parks’ enduring legacy.”

The U.S. postal stamp commemorating Ms. Rosa Parks is a “Forever” stamp, and is the second in a set of civil rights stamps being issued this year by the United Postal Service. sclc

www.nationalsclc.org

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Visit the collection of museums from Scottsboro to Selma that comprise the Alabama Civil Rights Trail. Start at thee inspiring Birmingham Civil Rights Institute – recently named by Budget Travel as one of 10 places every kid should see. Next door, step inside the 16th Street Baptistt Church and reflect upon the tragic bombing that took four innocent young lives. Make your road trip a commemoration of those who fought to win racial equality, and rejoice in knowing that their victories made our world a better place.

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SPRING 2013 vol. 42 / no. 2

April / May / June

inside this issue

in every issue: 6.

7.

8.

National Executive Officers National Board Members From the CEO: You Thought You Had Arrived – But You Got Off At The Wrong Station

By Carrie L. Williams

Editorial Contribution by Maynard Eaton

10. President’s Corner

By C.T. Vivian 12. From the Chairman

By Bernard LaFayette, Jr. 6. Employment Opportunities 35. Membership Application

women to watch: 18. Cathelean Steele: A Profile in Courage

By Carrie L. Williams 20. SCLC “Stop the Violence Initiative” Launches “Justice for Girls” Strategy

By Carrie L. Williams 22. For Justice Sake...

By Lisa Williams

features: 14. Charles Steele One-on-One: The CEO Speaks Out Interview by Maynard Eaton 24. Rosa Parks: Unforgettable at 100

By Maynard Eaton & Carrie L. Williams 26. Frederick Moore, The Quintessential SCLC “Ground Crew” Member is Fondly Remembered

By Arit Essian 28. Clyde Bradley

By Maynard Eaton Cover Photo: (L-R) Lisa Williams and Cathelean Steele; photo by Marie Thomas, www.mariethomas.com

4

SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

Souther n Christian Southern Christian L Leadership eadership C Conference o n f e re n c e N A T I O N A L M A G A Z I N E

In Print Since 1970 MAGAZINE MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 92544 Atlanta, GA 30314 FOR ADVERTISING INFO info@sclcmagazine.com www.sclcmagazine.com T 800.421.0472 F 800.292.9199 FOUNDER & PUBLISHER Steven Blood, Sr., Ph.D. ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Monica Fett MANAGING EDITOR Maynard Eaton EXECUTIVE MANAGER Dawn McKillop SCLC NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 320 Auburn Avenue Atlanta, GA 30303 www.nationalsclc.org EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / COO Damien Conners CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeMark Liggins NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Maynard Eaton SPECIAL PROGRAMS DIRECTOR Cathelean Steele

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/ NATIONAL EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Martin Luther King, Jr. FOUNDING PRESIDENT 1957-1968

Ralph D. Abernathy PRESIDENT EMERITUS 1968-1977

Joseph E. Lowery PRESIDENT EMERITUS 1977-1997

C.T. Vivian PRESIDENT

Bernard LaFayette, Jr. CHAIRMAN

Charles Steele, Jr. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Donald L. Cash VICE CHAIRMAN

Martin Luther King, III PAST PRESIDENT 1998-2003

Fred L. Shuttlesworth PAST PRESIDENT 2004 R.I.P. 1922-2011

Charles Steele, Jr. PAST PRESIDENT 2005-2008

Randal L. Gaines, Esq. TREASURER

Gertie Thompson Lowe SECRETARY

Bishop Calvin Woods CHAPLAIN

Diettra Lucas RECORDING SECRETARY

Bennie Roundtree SERGEANT AT ARMS

Sylvia K. Tucker CHAIRWOMAN EMERITUS

Howard Creecy, Jr. PAST PRESIDENT 2011 R.I.P. 1954-2011

6

SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

NATIONAL BOARD MEMBERS Willie Bolden / College Park, Georgia Joseph Boston / Washington, North Carolina Donald Cash / Landover, Maryland E.T. Caviness / Cleveland, Ohio Richard Cox / Dayton, Ohio Randal L. Gaines, Esq. / LaPlace, Louisiana

Photo credit clyde_bradley@msn.com

Charles Becknell / Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Rita Jackson Samuels / Atlanta, Georgia

Award Recipients: Donald Cash and Ken Swindle

J.T. Johnson / Atlanta, Georgia

SCLC Honors Two Unsung Civil Rights Champions

Martin L. King, III / Atlanta, Georgia Bernard LaFayette, Jr. / Tuskegee, Alabama Diettra Lucas / Upper Marlboro, Maryland Gertie Thompson Lowe / Gadsden, Alabama Jamida Orange / Atlanta, Georgia Jeremy Ponds / Atlanta, Georgia Bennie Roundtree / Greenville, No. Carolina Charles Smith / Palmetto, Florida Charles Steele, Jr. / Tuscaloosa, Alabama Sylvia K. Tucker / Disputanta, Virginia C.T. Vivian / Atlanta, Georgia Cynthia Willard-Lewis / New Orleans, Louisiana Calvin Woods / Birmingham, Alabama

At a recent ceremony held in Birmingham, Alabama SCLC National and its chapters honored two civil rights champions for their renowned achievements and contributions to the Civil Rights Movement:

Donald Cash

is president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Minority Coalition and has played a significant role linking the interests of workers with the Civil Rights Movement for the past 30 years.

Cash is also founder of Faces of Our Children, a Sickle Cell Foundation based in D.C. and Vice Chairman for SCLC National.

Ken Swindle

is the former Tuscaloosa Police Chief and is a rare exception to the rule of Alabama lawmen.

Swindle was saluted for going beyond the call of duty during the Jim Crow era to provide protection, fairness and justice to the Black community. sclc

HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS Cameron Alexander / Atlanta, Georgia Phillip Cousin / Jacksonville, Florida Elwin Gillum / Little Rock, Arkansas Dick Gregory / Plymouth, Massachusetts Jim Lawson / Los Angeles, California John Lewis / Atlanta, Georgia Joseph Roberts / Atlanta, Georgia Wyatt Tee Walker / New York, New York Andrew Young / Atlanta, Georgia

Ken Swindle and Charles Steele

Photo credit clyde_bradley@msn.com

Walter Fauntroy / Washington, D.C.

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine

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/ from the ceo

You Thought You Had Arrived – But You Got Off At The Wrong Station...

CEO Charles Steele, Jr. pricks the conscience of blacks from Atlanta to Washington – and back to Alabama.

BY CARRIE L. WILLAMS Editorial Contribution by Maynard Eaton

Charles Steele, outside the United States Supreme Court addressing civil rights activists from across the nation urging the Court to reject challenges to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.

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SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

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n a whirlwind of speeches spanning the geography of the Southeast region in twenty-one days, SCLC’s CEO Charles Steele, Jr. has been dauntless and relentless on a mission to deliver a wake-up call to African American leaders and community members: “We thought we had arrived.”

Starting in Atlanta with Georgia’s Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC) February 21st and landing on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol in the Selma to Montgomery March on March 8th, CEO Steele’s fervent delivery has been hitting close to home, judging by audience responses at both ends of the spectrum: quiet recognition and deafening applause.

“You may have arrived,” Steele told Georgia’s black legislators, the largest state black caucus in the country, “but you got off at the wrong station. We’ve got to get back on the bus!”

Steele has used the allegory to put the painful truth in the faces of African Americans – and the American public as a whole – that African Americans got off at the station called “Politics”. He reminded the GLBC, “Politics got you here, but Civil Rights was the foundation that made it possible for you to have a political career.”

He followed the reminder up with “When are we going to stop acting like everything is alright?”

In one of the most key mediation roles of his professional life as a Civil Rights leader, Charles Steele is sounding the clarion call to “get back on the bus” of what may well emerge as the Civil Rights Movement of the 21st century. And the significance of this moment is not falling on deaf ears.

Heading over to Emory University the very next evening for a historic moment of recognition at the opening of SCLC’s exhibit, the past President Emeritus Steele shared with SCLC aficionados in the packed Woodruff Library, “I told the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, ‘Civil Rights was the vehicle that got you there, not intelligence, not status’.” Amidst shouts and clapping, Steele continued, “And what you gain, you must maintain. The only way to maintain is to continue to walk, to march – we must fill the streets. . . It’s not over – we’re not going back!”

In less than five days, Steele put his organization behind his words, as hundreds of SCLC supporters and “Freedom Riders” joined him by bus in Washington, D.C. at the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, protesting the Justices’ deliberations !

over removing Section 5 of the landmark Voting Rights Act. In front of national media and a myriad of civil and human rights activists, including young college students alongside veterans of the 60’s Civil Rights Movement, Steele started by pointing out to the throng, “The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is the organization that Dr. King died for, and stands as a true testament to the power of nonviolent direct action.”

Repeating his message, “We’ve got a long way to go – we thought we had arrived, but we got off at the wrong station,” Steele fired up the audience by saying, “If we let this stuff happen in America, the rest of the world will have nowhere to go – Hell no! We’ve just begun. And there can’t be no scared Negroes in this fight, because this is a Civil Rights Movement. We still got to go to jail, we still got to demonstrate, we still got to march!”

Getting even more direct, Steele shouted out to the cheering crowd, “It’s a war out here – a war between the haves and the have nots! I feel like a Movement! I’m ready to go to jail! I’m ready to go to jail! Fire It Up!” That kind of gritty determination followed SCLC’s CEO for the rest of his road speeches, ultimately landing him in Selma, Alabama over the March 1-3 weekend for the 48th Re-Enactment of “Bloody Sunday” over the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the following Selma to Montgomery March.

As Secret Service were locking in positions for U.S. Vice President Biden’s arrival in Selma early Sunday morning of March 3rd, Charles Steele’s voice was booming across the church pews of a standing room only First Baptist Church of Selma. Noting the ten busloads of SCLC supporters arriving from Atlanta and from Florida, Steele moved the congregation to their feet several times, making the connection between what happened in Selma, AL nearly 50 years ago with the U.S. Supreme Court now deliberating the Voting Rights Act over a case originating in Shelby County, AL. “We’ve come full circle,” Steele announced to an emotional audience, “We’ve come full circle, from Selma to Shelby County. They’re trying to turn back the clock on us, under a black President. He’d [Obama] love for you to raise hell – but he can’t tell you that. He needs you to raise hell – and go to jail.”

“The whole world is waiting on us,” urged Steele, “they’re wanting to learn how we got over. But we want to forget the hard times that we had.” The church got still as the former state Alabama senator went on, “I remember the days when Grandma and Grandaddy, all ten of us lived in the same house – if you ain’t careful, you’re on your way back! But God has not made a scared Negro of me – I’m from the bottom. I’ve got to tell it – because that’s what’s wrong with us, we won’t tell it.”

Steele recounted a story about his Grandmother directing him to go to a neighbor’s for some sugar. “Grandma said to me, ‘Go tell her I need some hope.’” As the audience broke out in applause and got to their feet again, the international businessman resounded, “We need some hope!

We’re struggling like everybody else! We’re all hurting!”

Charles Steele on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery addressing marchers that had just concluded the 48th re-enactment of the Selma to Montgomery March.

Reeling off the staggering statistic that African Americans lost 68% of their wealth last year, primarily due to losing their homes and property, Steele kept on going, his energy and passion pouring out, “People are suffering, people are hungry in America. I’ve got something for you.

Politicians – you’ve got to stand up and fight back. The people who elected you are counting on you to fulfill on your God-given appointment!” And the church rocked in cheers and applause for the next few minutes.

There is no doubt that the Civil Rights leadership of SCLC’s CEO Charles Steele is beginning to be felt throughout the Southeast region of the United States – and undoubtedly, will continue to grow stronger, as Steele guides SCLC and the nation towards the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, D.C. When asked to explain his allegory during a recent interview at headquarters, CEO Steele elaborated: “In our Civil Rights commitment, we got off at the wrong station – the station called ‘Politics’. In politics, we were certain that we had arrived in our commitment to Civil Rights.”

“But, that’s not true!” emphasized Dr. Steele. “We must get back on the bus.”

For Charles Steele, “getting back on the bus” simply means getting back to our commitment to Civil Rights – as a people and as a nation. CEO Steele has often reinforced Dr. King’s last words to Board Chairman Dr. Bernard LaFayette Jr., in that our “true” destination is finding ourselves arrive at an institutional/international place of global commitment – to Civil Rights and to nonviolence.

Charles Steele has more to communicate, that is clear and it’s very clear he’ll be delivering more communications on the critical SCLC strategy for the commemoration of the 1963 March on Washington, D.C. SCLC’s strategy presents an unprecedented opportunity, with this year marking the 50th Anniversary of that March.

What may be that unprecedented opportunity to fulfill on? If Charles Steele has his way, it might look like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s partnership with the greater Civil Rights community in establishing the Civil Rights Movement of the Twenty-First Century. sclc

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine

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/ the president’s corner

The State of Equality & Justice in America: The Urgency of “Now” Must be Taken Requested by & Published in The Washington Post

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BY REV. C.T. VIVIAN SCLC NATIONAL PRESIDENT The State of Equality and Justice in America” is a 20-part series of columns written by an allstar list of contributors to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. The contributors include: U. S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) LCCRUL 50th Anniversary Grand Marshal; Ms. Barbara Arnwine, President and Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (LCCRUL); Mr. Charles Ogletree, Professor, Harvard University Law School/Director, Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice; the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., President/CEO, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition; the Rev. Joseph Lowery, Co-founder, Southern Christian Leadership Conference; U. S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.); and 14 additional thought leaders and national advocates for equal justice.

Following is the ninth op-ed of the series:

10 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

e must take the urgency of now very seriously.

Not just because of the pending 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, but because the future of America’s people; especially those who have been long oppressed, depends on right now.

Since the beginning of this country, the one thing that has never been fully decided is who will truly determine this nation’s future? Will it be America’s truly wealthy – the 1 percent who can decide every political and economic move in the richest and mightiest country in the world? And who, with the economic 1 percent of Europe and Asia, could take over every major decision in this global world? Would it be them or would it be “We the people”?

It is clear by studying recent events; coupled with patterns of history, that the democratic principle of “We the people” is constantly endangered by plutocratic mindsets, those who are often controlled by greed and quests for power. Plutocracy, according to Webster, is one, “Government by wealthy people;” two, “A society governed by wealthy people;” or three, “A ruling class whose power is based on their wealth.”

I caution that America could succumb to this social mindset if we do not continue to stand guard using our democratic powers of “We the people” to the fullest. Take the last presidential election, for instance. Mitt Romney, in his derogatory comment about the so-called “47 percent” of people who he claimed “are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims” and who “pay no income tax” – appeared to dismiss nearly half of American voters. He even said, “... and so my job is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.”

These derogatory comments appeared to signal a move to exclude people of a certain social status. Moreover, it appeared as a move to keep the concept of “We the people” alive while denying it in practice. What would have or could have happened had he prevailed?

It is important to note that throughout history, struggles for equality and justice in America have continued to move from victory to setback and from setback to victory. In fact, about every 30 to 35 years, there’s a new movement in this country. !

The civil rights movement was the last one. The one before that was the labor movement. Somewhere between 35 and 40 years, there’s always a new people’s movement. This time, it’s the continuation of the civil rights movement, which includes the movement on behalf of the poor.

At the blessed age of 88, I recall the degradation of segregation and Jim Crow. I struggled for justice through the freedom rides and alongside Dr. King. I marched on Washington on August 28, 1963 and I was there to ultimately rejoice at the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. And then we suddenly found ourselves mourning upon the assassination of my dear friend and brother, Dr. King, in 1968. He was only in Memphis for the cause of the sanitation workers, the poor, the struggling, and the oppressed who were suffering unequal wages and working conditions.

Fast forward, to see America elect and then re-elect its first Black president nearly 50 years later is reason to rejoice. And yet even President Obama’s inaugural speech called for honest labor wages that “liberate families from the brink of hardship.”

This is a clear reason that we must continue to march to the polls as well as to take up our banners and plead our causes. We must win our battles in the basic old-fashioned way that it has historically worked – with non-violent direct action protests, coupled with the vote.

In doing so, our movement will continue to grow.

A newsman once asked Dr. King, “How many members do you have?” When Martin answered, the newsman retorted, “Well that doesn’t represent much of Black America”. But then Dr. King said something that is so very relevant in the 21st century. He said, “We don’t operate through membership. We operate knowing that if we’re right, people will follow us.”

The state of equality and justice in America is a continued struggle for the poor despite all of the strides America has made. The urgency of now is to maintain the power and sanctity of the vote, which has become the greatest power held by the poor. As Dr. King said, if we do what is right, others will follow us. This is the power of “We the people”. sclc

www.morehouse.edu /kingcollection (404) 681-2800

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine 11

/ from the chairman

Revealing, Rewarding, & Instructive Insight by Journalist Emily Young Emily Young is a Redding, California-based journalist who recently participated in one of the Kingian Nonviolence Orientation Workshops that I routinely conduct around the world. Her story that follows is a substantive summary of what I teach – an example of the work I do to “institutionalize and internationalize” nonviolence as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. personally assigned me to do. This is what Emily Young gleaned from that workshop and duly reported to her readers. I thought you would appreciate her revealing, rewarding and instructive insight: Photo credit clyde_bradley@msn.com

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BY BERNARD LAFAYETTE, JR. SCLC NATIONAL CHAIRMAN

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hree weeks ago, I had the opportunity to spend some time with a civil rights movement leader, Dr. Bernard LaFayette Jr. He is a gentle, humble man with a quick smile and optimistic nature. His views transcend ideology and political affiliation, and are worth considering in these politically contentious times.

Dr. LaFayette is 71 now. He began working with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the age of 20, led protests and marches throughout the 1960s, and was beaten and jailed repeatedly. He has dedicated his life to nonviolent social change. I listened as he talked to a group of adults and then high school students about the lessons learned from a life of activism.

Dr. Lafayette believes that change comes when you can get the support or sympathy of the majority. That requires a movement, not a single event. The civil rights movement took years and involved numerous sit-ins, protests and marches, as did the movement to end the Vietnam War. He considers leadership key to achieving any social change in our country. Leadership is doing what needs to be done in order to help others know the way. Leadership is applying nonviolence techniques to a particular situation and getting the results you want. Leadership is how you respond to errors – understanding why they occurred, making corrections, and then keeping those errors from happening again.!

It is about planning, having a goal and strategy, and constantly making adjustments.

For Dr. LaFayette, training leaders in nonviolence is the greatest hope for true social change. That is how he spends much of his time, in addition to applying the techniques to specific situations around the world.

He views nonviolence as a way of life. It is an attitude that turns negative energy into positive energy in everything one does, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Nonviolence is a system of thought for how you respond to conflict, which can be physical but more typically is verbal in the day-to-day world in which you and I live.

So how does a person respond to such violence?

According to Dr. LaFayette, you do not respond with violence. By doing so, you concede the rightness of the other’s cause, the legitimacy of their goals, and their control over you.

Nor does blame produce a path to resolving conflict. To find common ground and a solution, one needs to really understand how the other person sees the problem. That takes time and listening. Very often, what the other person considers the problem is not what you think is upsetting them.

It is when you can articulate your opponent’s position better than your opponent, that a solution may be achieved. And you must deal with your opponent directly.

Those two thoughts, in particular, have stayed with me.

Always be open and respectful, and give others the

benefit of the doubt. But remember that you have a choice in how you respond. Don’t get angry. Don’t let others’ negative comments – concerning you or the people and issues you care about – affect your life and how you act.

So what is Dr. LaFayette’s assessment of the current economic and financial problems facing the United States and how the federal government is handling them? He wants Americans to look to themselves and stop looking to government. To him, it is obvious that elected officials don’t know what to do, so Americans need to offer ideas and suggestions. But more generally, he is concerned about how to get and keep citizens voting and engaged in all kinds of government entities.

I have been thinking about what Dr. LaFayette said.

He has seen and been the recipient of brutal human behavior, yet he remains ever hopeful.

In a world of short attention spans, endless rhetoric and labeling, and heightened incivility in public discourse, his remarks are a reminder of what is necessary to achieve real social change. He is describing an approach for how we interact with one another, how we view and relate to our government, and what we should seek and demand in the temperament and behavior of our elected officials.

He may be right. I certainly don’t see any better ideas on the horizon. sclc “Record Searchlight” contributing columnist Emily Young can be reached at ecyoung1@yahoo.com.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD AND TO SERVE

Experience more at uscga.edu

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine 13

feature

Charles Steele One-on-One: The CEO Speaks Out It’s a false assumption that we have arrived because we have a Black President. We’ve lost more in the last four years than we lost in the last 50 years.

Interviewer Maynard Eaton: SCLC’s Managing Editor, is an 8-time Emmy Award-winning news reporter and is also Executive Editor of ‘S.E. Region News’ and President of Eaton Media Group.

M. EATON: SCLC labored in turmoil for several years, but since your return almost a year ago things have seemingly changed dramatically. What is the state of SCLC as you see it now?

C. STEELE: First of all we have an international vision. You must have a global vision but you must also focus on the current issues fueling this new civil rights era. That combination has brought us back together holistically in terms of a vibrant and visionary movement.

M. EATON: How have you done that? What has been different about your leadership?

C. STEELE: A true leader must bring everybody together. A true leader’s first responsibility is to bring harmony within the organization.

Charles Steele, Jr., SCLC National CEO

uring his first stint as the President and CEO

of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference from 2004 to 2009, Charles Steele, Jr., a personable, passionate and proficient fundraiser, solicited $3.5 million to build a national headquarters to commemorate the venerable civil rights group’s 50th anniversary. It was an unprecedented, and heretofore unmatched, achievement for a civil rights leader.

In July 2012 Steele, an accomplished businessman, consultant and former Alabama State Senator returned to SCLC as President Emeritus and Chief Executive Officer to revive, retool and rebuild the then troubled organization.

Under his tutelage SCLC is back; its reputation and prestige restored as Dr. Steele tells ‘SCLC Magazine’ Managing Editor Maynard Eaton in this one-on-one interview: 14 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

M. EATON: You mentioned a new civil rights era. Please share what you see and are sensing.

C. STEELE: What’s new about it is that many people thought we had arrived in terms of our success. People feel that because we have a black President, because we have more blacks in Congress, because we have more black elected officials we had arrived. But politics without economic development is just another symbol without substance.

M. EATON: The Civil Rights Movement, you say, has been the reason for all the progress African Americans have made thus far?

C. STEELE: Yes, politically but not economically. Dr. King recognized that prior to his assassination.

M. EATON: You have coined a phrase that has become popular across the country. You say, “Black people

thought they had arrived but we got off at the wrong station.”

C. STEELE: What people basically don’t want is to use the energy to get back out to the streets or to get back out to fight. It takes a lot of energy to do that.

So we naturally –regardless of an individual’s background – perceive that we have arrived because it takes a lot of effort; it takes a lot of strength; it takes a lot of sacrifice to fight non-violently again to accomplish what we already have accomplished. So people feel that because they have a better job, because they have a better education, because we have certain people of color in certain positions therefore we have arrived. But that’s not the measuring stick in terms of our success. It happens to be all those entities plus the wealth. So how can you get there even though you have an education; even though you have the position but you don’t have the wealth? So we really haven’t arrived. We got off at the wrong station.

We’re worse off today then we were 50 years ago. It’s a false assumption that we have arrived because we have a black president.

We’ve lost more in the last four years than we lost in the last 50 years.

M. EATON: Do you really believe that black America will march again and go to jail again or is that just a rallying cry?

C. STEELE: We don’t have a choice.

Either you march and let people know that you are not satisfied or you remain status quo and think that the clock cannot be turned back. The clock never stands still. That’s why you must always be ready to march and demonstrate.

M. EATON: As you well know, critics and some young professionals say marching is a mechanism of the past.

You say not so?

C. STEELE: Marching will never be a thing of the past. You will always have

to march because people will never let you rest on your laurels. They will always catch you sleeping at the switch and turn back the clock.

M. EATON: Another popular phrase of yours is “a scared Negro will get you killed.”

C. STEELE: It’s for shock effect when I address audiences. It’s about fear.

People will actually try to turn the clock back on us by instilling fear in us again.

It was fear of getting killed that kept many of us from fighting for our freedom. A scared Negro will leave you alone and you will be standing by yourself. They lack courage.

but a ‘Hellacaust’ as well. We experienced the worst enslavement of any group of people. Dr. King knew that because of what we came out of we needed to institutionalize it and take it around the world. You can’t establish boundaries when it comes to freedom and justice. You must share it with the world.

M. EATON: To that end, you met earlier this year with former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev. Can you share what that was about?

C. STEELE: I had a meeting with him in his office for about two hours and what was so amazing and so incredible about that meeting was that the first question he asked me was, “Has the Dream been fulfilled?” I said, “No Mr. President it has not been fulfilled. We are just getting started on fulfilling the dream.”

M. EATON: The commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of The March On Washington will be SCLC’s signature event for 2013 correct?

M. EATON: Just before he was assassinated, Dr. King gave SCLC Board Chairman Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr. the assignment to institutionalize and internationalize the Movement. Since your return to SCLC you too have crisscrossed the nation and the world preaching the gospel of non-violent direct action. What has been the outcome of your travels?

C. STEELE: We must realize that the world is looking to emulate the Civil Rights Movement because of the significant gains African Americans have achieved and the non-violent strategy we effectively employed. Dr. King wanted to take that experience around the world because he knew we had something that no one else had. African Americans are the only race of people that experienced not only a Holocaust

C. STEELE: It will be a signature event.

It will be a major event; it will be a global event. We are looking for many people from around the world to come to commemorate and to celebrate and participate. And, to recreate a Movement – it’s not a picnic – it’s a Movement to continue the struggle.

M. EATON: There are those that suggest the 50th Anniversary will highlight and spotlight the return of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to national prominence.

C. STEELE: I think this will be an opportunity we all can cherish and we all look forward to. SCLC is back. All organizations go through internal struggles and reorganization. We are going forward but the basic principles of SCLC always will remain the same, and that’s jobs, justice and equality for all God’s children. sclc

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine 15

women to watch

If young men and women can figure out what their gift from God is, develop that gift, and learn to love their gift – and if it’s a gift, it may not be easy, because God doesn’t give ‘easy things’ – then they’ll be happy in their endeavors.

Cathelean Chambers Steele 16

SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

BY CARRIE L. WILLIAMS

A Profile in Courage

Soft spoken, stylish and smart, Mrs. Cathelean Steele – the First Lady of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference as well as the Director of SCLC’s “Stop the Violence Initiative” – is deceptively strong, and possesses a courage many would never guess – unless they worked around her.

Photo credit Marie Thomas, www.mariethomas.com

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aking on child sex trafficking and predatory violence as her first assignments upon her return to SCLC with her husband and CEO Charles Steele, Jr. should suggest something unique about this substantive and standout former Alabama classroom educator. Inspired by reading an article late one night in Essence Magazine about “the sex trafficking of our babies”, and urged by Susan Taylor, former editor of the magazine, to take action, Cathelean Steele determined that SCLC could take on preventing our children, especially girls, from becoming victims. At the same time, several mothers who had lost their male children through altercations with police officers in metro Atlanta asked Cathelean for her help. And the “Stop the Violence Initiative” came into being.

In less than three months’ time, Director Steele had amassed a communications team, a social worker and therapist, an events manager, a public policy expert, and a strategic planner.

The entire team is tirelessly working pro bono because of their “commitment to the cause,” she proudly says. During those first weeks, she held work sessions to develop the two strategies of the “Stop the Violence Initiative” – a “Justice for Girls” strategy that impacts the issue of child sex trafficking, and a “Streetpeace” strategy that impacts the issue of predatory violence. Director Steele then launched the “Justice for Girls” strategy of the initiative on January 10th, on schedule, with nearly 80 participants, including Civil Rights leaders, victim organization stakeholders, and public policy advocates. The launch was widely

acclaimed as a success, and got the Initiative visibility and credibility in one fell swoop.

“GABEO, NAACP, SCLC, Rainbow Push and others ought to be collaborating and working together on this issue,” said GA State Rep. Tyrone Brooks as a speaker at the “Justice for Girls” launch. Known for his Civil Rights leadership across the spectrum of historic Atlanta Civil Rights organizations, Brooks emphasized the importance of Mrs. Steele’s efforts by stating, “We can’t dialogue it away. We have to get in there, and make it go away.”

And that spirit of collaboration combined with purpose-filled action around issues that touch the human spirit is what Cathelean Steele’s leadership brings to the SCLC table.

Her public remarks to address the mass killing of the children in Connecticut, prepared to be given at the first year commemoration of a metro Atlanta mother’s son killed by police, demonstrate Mrs. Steele’s character and her courage: “As a teacher for 25 years in the state of Alabama, as a participant in the Civil Rights Movement and as a mother and grandmother, there is no more tragic loss than the loss of innocent young lives to senseless violence.”

“We at SCLC extend our heart-felt condolences and prayers to all who are grieving and dealing with this trauma. We stand by you in this moment of pain and sorrow. It is instances like these that strengthen our collective resolve to transform the issues of violence, wherever they arise.”

It has taken strong resolve by Mrs. Steele and her team to deal with the challenges faced in SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine

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women to watch doing the work of the “Stop the Violence Initiative”, particularly in the “Justice for Girls” sex trafficking arena.

With scant resources, and daunting undercurrents in addressing Atlanta as a sex trafficking hub in the United States, Director Steele has been heard to say, “This is challenging – but we’re going to do it any way.”

Mrs. Steele and her Initiative crew have met with dozens of violence prevention stakeholders, from faith leaders to sex trafficking victim restoration providers. Mrs. Steele has personally delivered communications to such governmental bodies as the City of Atlanta Public Safety Committee and the Georgia Human Trafficking Joint Study Commission. Yet, she has also sought and received the mentoring and advice of highly respected violence prevention proponents, such as Mayor Shirley Franklin, Ms. Xernona Clayton, and UN expert Kathleen Barry.

When asked about her perseverance and her drive to accomplish the prevention mission at hand, in the face of extreme odds and acknowledged adversity, Cathelean Steele explained: “I was trained by my parents who were in the ministry. I was the oldest of nine children, and had a large responsibility in helping to raise my younger siblings. My parents would take me aside when they saw me getting discouraged, and say to me, ‘It’s not going to be easy, but it’ll be worth it in the end.’

And that’s the way I look at the challenges that face me when I take on something I have a passion for.”

That is one of the qualities that shines through the SCLC First Lady’s interactions with key leaders and SCLC stakeholders. “When you’ve learned to handle a lot of responsibility,” she told us in a recent one-on-one interview, “you govern your life that way. You don’t start a project and not finish it, and you don’t take on something you don’t have a passion for.”

First Lady Steele has her own distinct passion for the issue of child sex trafficking: “Because the idea of children being sex trafficked is such a tragedy to me, I have decided to take on the perspective of helping those who have not been

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SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

affected yet. If we can save those that may have fallen in this trap, through our programs, we will have done our girls, our families, and our communities an immense service. In the process, we want to teach our young women and girls to truly love themselves, and not look for love from strangers, or others that would harm them. I know it’s tiring to do this ground-breaking work, especially when so many of us are in denial that this is a real problem for us to address. Yet, that’s what inspires me – is that our work at SCLC can awaken everyone to what’s happening. That’s one of the roles I believe civil rights organizations like SCLC should be committed to, and in fact, have a responsibility to do, and that is to awaken and bring awareness to the people.”

In the pioneering work that is taking place inside the “Stop the Violence Initiative”, serious efforts are underway to collect and provide reliable data to stakeholders of the initiative, including local, state, and federal government.

SCLC is on the vanguard of doing the research in the area of child sex trafficking prevention. In this regard, Director Steele equates the efforts of SCLC to those conducting research to find a cure for cancer: “This [sex trafficking] is like a disease we have not found a cure for. We don’t even have an antibiotic for it. Our immune system has not built up a resistance to it. When you realize it could hit your family, it could hit your child, that’s when we as a society come together to work for a cure. We pool our resources and funds. When it’s cancer, we give our money to scientists to solve the problem and find the cure.

When the problem is a legal one, we bring in lawyers. When it comes to the safety of our children, we as a society look to activists and organizations like SCLC. We’re asking the people of the United States and our government to supply resources and funding to us, as SCLC is doing the data collection work that will give us the foundation we need to build upon in our efforts to prevent sex trafficking of our babies.”

As seriously as Mrs. Steele takes her commitment to SCLC’s “Stop the Violence Initiative”, she dedicates her-

self to her family and her grandchildren even more. Her long-standing marriage to her husband Charles Steele and their unique, effective partnership in both their business and family life make the duo a significant contribution to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference at this time in history.

In our one-on-one interview with her, we asked her the following question: “You’ve had somewhat of a traditional marriage and relationship with your husband Charles – and yet you are a strong leader yourself, and have had a vibrant professional career of your own.

What advice would you give young women considering a professional career, especially in Civil Rights, and also considering marriage?”

Reflecting for a moment, her answer was thoughtful: “Young women, when you meet someone, you have to share a similar passion. If it’s something that’s as challenging as working in civil rights/human rights, you have to share the love – otherwise it won’t work.”

She elaborated, “Coretta had to love the work in order for her to withstand the hardship, because she had to endure what Martin endured. All civil rights families are that way. Whatever Charles endures, if you can’t stand strong, you can’t survive. The girls and I have shared our strength with each other, and have stayed strong with Charles, pushing forward. We have to push hard, to encourage him, so he won’t worry about his family, so he can do what he enjoys, which is helping others.

You have to share the passion.”

In fact, this retired educator – beautiful on the outside as well as the inside – who loves reading history books and listening to jazz, often shares her wisdom with young men and women, as they look to be successful in their lives. She sees the most important area in life for them to focus on is the gift that God has given them, and to learn to love that gift.

“If young men and women can figure out what their gift from God is, develop that gift, and learn to love their gift – and if it’s a gift, it may not be easy, because God doesn’t give ‘easy things’ – then they’ll be happy in their endeavors.” sclc

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women to watch SCLC “Stop the Violence Initiative” Launches “Justice for Girls” Strategy

BY CARRIE L. WILLIAMS

A

t the Southern Christian Leadership Conference national headquarters, the word is out. The new “Stop the Violence Initiative” met its first goal, successfully launching the strategy “Justice for Girls” at its stakeholder launching event on January 10, 2013.

Over fifty stakeholders from diverse disciplines and backgrounds attended.

With a continuous flow of attendees arriving throughout the evening, those present demonstrated quiet attentiveness during the multi–media presentation, and generous applause to the words of special guest speaker Ms. Lisa Williams, Founder/Exec. Director of Living Waters for Girls, a victim refuge and recovery organization for sex-trafficked girls and women in the United States.

The question and answer session, including questions from the media, was lively, engaging head table leaders and attending stakeholders. The dialogue centered around the new SCLC initiative, SCLC’s past activities in nonviolence, and intentional re-focus on nonviolence through the “Stop the Violence Initiative”.

“I read about sex trafficking in ‘Essence’, and it was so shocking that I couldn’t sleep at night,” Director Cathelean Steele explained in her opening remarks speech. “So I started researching it, and decided we need to do something.”

Leaders at the head table included Initiative Director Cathelean C. Steele, SCLC President Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian,

CEO Charles Steele, Jr., City of Atlanta Board member Ms. Brenda Muhammad (also of Atlanta Victim Assistance Program, Inc.), Sen. Donzella James, Rep. Tyrone Brooks, and SCLC Executive Director Damien Connors.

SCLC Board Chairman Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr. and “Justice for Girls” Ambassador Xernona Clayton, although absent, expressed their support through video and prepared statements during the opening remarks.

“Violence has been, and will be, for some time, the language of American culture,” SCLC President and revered Civil Rights leader Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian reflected in his filmed remarks. “How do we get rid of it? You can’t get rid of it by not talking about it. You can at least do something about it. This [the initiative] gives the introduction into who we are – we are Martin’s people...”

SCLC Board member Ms. Rita Samuels was in attendance, as well as Initiative core team members: Certified Mediator in the area of Public Policy Management Mr. Al Bartell, Videographer/Documentarian Clyde Bradley, Events Management Consultant Catrese Jenkins, Working Group Facilitator Pamela Bridgeman, and Field Operations Manager Will Marshall.

The evening was moderated by SCLC National Communications Director and 8-time Emmy-award winning news reporter Maynard Eaton as well as the Initiative’s Media and Communications Coordinator Carrie

To view opening remarks presented at the initiative launch scan the QR code:

SCLC “Stop the Violence Initiative” Contact information for participation and planning: Cathelean Steele Director (404) 522-1420 cathelean@nationalsclc.org

20

SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

L. Williams. Special lighting and table arrangements, coupled with light tapas dinner, inspirational background music, and room for mingling at the new OrganiX Food Lounge in old Fourth Ward, gave the evening an additional, unconventional touch.

The SCLC “Stop the Violence Initiative” stakeholder launch took place one day before Human Trafficking Awareness Day, a day on which the Georgia Human Trafficking Joint Study Commission met for its second session at the Capitol, to record numbers of attendees. Exactly one week after SCLC’s launch event, the Federal Department of Health and Human Services Southeast Region IV held its Federal Human Trafficking Forum to over 500 stakeholders in the Southeast region. In attendance was SCLC “Stop the Violence Initiative” Director Cathelean Steele and two Initiative team members. The Federal Forum confirmed for Mrs. Steele that her efforts with SCLC’s latest initiative were in sync with forum expert speakers recommendations: focus on prevention, emphasize a public/community health approach, and collect reliable data.

The SCLC “Stop the Violence Initiative” aims to be a coordinator of collaborative efforts nationally, and a clearinghouse for collecting and distributing reliable data regarding violence prevention in the areas of child sex trafficking (“Justice for Girls”) and predatory violence(pertaining to the Initiative’s strategy called “Streetpeace”).

Efforts are to impact the city of Atlanta, the Southeast region, and the nation.

“GABEO, NAACP, SCLC, Rainbow PUSH and others ought to be collaborating and working together on this issue,” said GA State Rep. Tyrone Brooks, known for his Civil Rights leadership across the spectrum of historic Atlanta Civil Rights organizations. “We can’t dialogue it away. We have to get in there, and make it go away.” sclc

Carrie L. Williams Media and Communications Coordinator (404) 397-7667 sclcstoptheviolence@gmail.com

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women to watch

For Justice Sake...

Human trafficking has been called a form of modernday slavery where people profit from the control and exploitation of others. As defined under U.S. federal law, victims of human trafficking include children involved in the sex trade.

BY LISA WILLIAMS

22

SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

t is no secret that there is still a lot of work to be done in America to stop human sex trafficking of children and bring to justice those responsible for this crime. It is equally important that we ensure our community provides victimized children with a full range of services that will assist in their healing and restoration. Without exception, one child exploited, is one child too many. I know from first-hand experience that children who have been trafficked did not choose to be exploited by the adults who profit from the rape, brutality and layers of psychological trauma inflicted upon them.

The fact that American children, girls and boys, are sold and traded like commodities in communities we call home should not only outrage us as a people, but also propel us to levy our entire might against the heinous crime of human sex trafficking and those who perpetrate these crimes against our most vulnerable citizens. Citizens who are often too young to drive, vote and certainly too young to consent to being taken, branded, beaten, photographed or posted on the Internet for sale, all for the sexual pleasure, perversion and financial gain of adults.

As a survivor, no, thriver, and residential service provider, I write to you, not just for me, but for American girls and boys and young women who are victims of exploitation needing to have their voices heard.

We did not wake up one day declaring to our families, communities, state or country that we wanted a life filled with violence, degradation, shame, brutality and multiple rapes for profit that sometimes includes foreign objects, being urinated on and other unimaginable acts; contracting diseases to including Herpes, HIV and AIDs, unwanted pregnancies, miscarriages, forced abortions, nightly quotas, arrests, legal charges, and incarceration for crimes committed against us. Nor did we ever imagine that some of our families, state entities and law enforcement agents who are charged with protecting and ensuring our health, safety and welfare would be unable and sometimes unwilling to protect us, to see us as victims, to find us when hidden in plain view, to understand what we are unable as children to explain, or to stop this nightmare from happening to other children.

Today, as I work for solutions to the issue of human sex trafficking, I am reminded of those who have come in and out of my life, by the circumstances of a young girl who called me some time ago from state custody and simply asked, Can you help me?

Just four years earlier, at 13 years old she had been rented, traded and bought by men old enough to be her father or grandfather for their sexual pleasure and abuse. Shortly after that call, she was released into my custody and came to reside with other girls who

were 12-17 years old at our residential home, where she discovered that she was loved and protected. She could sleep at night and not have to worry about someone invading her body or imprisoning her mind.

For the most part, she never had a chance, as a young child to know what love, protection or self-worth felt like because someone labeled her expendable.

And it was through her words that I heard my own story. I felt her pain because it was wrapped in my own, as a 12-yearold girl who had been thrown away, used, abused and, too, labeled expendable. Her voice, her pain, was real.

That same pain, was what I heard from one 13-year-old girl, who said to me upon entering our home, “Where were you when I was taken at 11 years old from in front on my school? Did you coming looking for me? Did you put my face on the news? No, you didn’t. Only my Pimp has been there for me, and he comes looking for me when I’m missing.”

I heard her with my ears, and with my heart, and could not answer, for there was no sufficient answer to give.

I understand each girl’s journey is unique and truly only begins when she steps into our home. That is why emphasis is placed on helping her to move beyond the trauma of her experiences and forward towards a greater understanding of herself, an increased sense of worth and the ability to make positive life affirming decisions.

Relapses are inevitable, but relapse is less and success is greater when the victims have a safe refuge or adequate community services that will help through the healing process.

It is true that we need to do more to stop the demand, to prosecute and to hold accountable those recruiting, selling and demanding to rape children for profit. One American child living this nightmare is one too many.

It is true that we need to do more to prevent further victimization, to identify those currently at risk, to provide intervention services to those in need and to provide the appropriate type and level of care for victims and their families to heal.

It is true that it is not just enough to rescue them, but we must educate them

and give them proper tools so they can ultimately provide for themselves and become self-sufficient. By giving them the tools they need to build bright futures, we can mitigate the fear that often lures them back to their dark and dangerous pasts. Education will not only change their lives, but will change the lives of their families for generations to come.

It is true that we need to provide more oversight, accountability and evaluation for those receiving state and federal funding who provide assistance and care for our most vulnerable citizens.

It is also true, that a lot of good work has been done, but that we, as a community and nation, still have a lot of work to do. I wish I had all of the answers for the problems we face with regard to how best to stop the demand and eradicate the human sex trafficking of children in our communities, but I don’t.

However, what I do know and what is indisputable is that it is a crime to recruit, buy, post on the Internet, sell, trade and rape children for profit. That I know for sure. I know the emotional, mental and physical damage that it causes. I also know, that whether the count of victimized children represents 10, 100 or 100,000, those children require...no, they demand our attention, our commitment and our action. To paraphrase President Obama, the fact that a problem is complex does not provide an excuse not to try to address it.

My own life experience has given me a front row seat to violence, survival sex and evil of human sex trafficking of children and young women. Although I cannot rescue all the girls, I can stand beside some of them and be a part of their restoration to wholeness. They know that I understand what it’s like to be held at gunpoint, to be demeaned and called unprintable names, to be afraid all the time in your own skin, to be repeatedly violated and tortured and then to be blamed for it all.

As we embrace 2013, I want to thank you in advance for the greater success that lies ahead as we continue together to fight the demand and provide hope, safety and healing for children.

What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God…

About Lisa Williams: In 1999, Lisa founded Circle of Friends: Celebrating Life, Inc, a not-for-profit organization of women helping women; trading in her financially rewarding private sector career, for one that would allow her to leverage her personal trials and successes to become a champion for others. In 2007, committed to righting the wrongs that she had been subjected to, Lisa conceived and launched what is today known as, Living Water for Girls, a nationally recognized residential and therapeutic safe refuge for young American girls who have been brutalized by prostitution, human sex trafficking and exploitation. In 2013 she established the Living Water Learning Resource Center, a gender-specific, non-residential education, vocational and life skills training and mentoring program for American girls and young women ages 16-26 who have experienced violence, street life and other horrific life experiences.

Taking no salary, Lisa leads a team of 120 volunteers and a staff of 8; she spends more than 60 hours a week working to ensure that girls and young women can find safety and heal from traumatic life events, pursue educational endeavors and acquire skills to become self-sufficient.

Lisa Williams is the author of Beautiful Layers: Stories from those who survived the life of prostitution & child sexual exploitation.

She is a former United States military officer, wife to her best friend of 25-years, and mother of biological and adopted children. She lives on a small farm in Georgia and thanks God continuously for “this good life” as she works to pursue a better quality of life for others.

Lisa Williams contact info: write2me@me.com or through the Circle of Friends: Celebrating Life Inc. website, www.cofcl.org. sclc SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine

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in memoriam

Pictures, L-R: Frederick Moore, 1951-2013; Fred Moore, doing what he did best, leading what proved to be his final march earlier this year in Macon, Ga.; and during the recent "Bloody Sunday" re-enactment, supporters salute the life and work of Fredrick Moore as they walk across the Edmund Pettis Bridge. Photos by clyde_bradley@msn.com

Frederick Moore The Quintessential SCLC “Ground Crew” Member is Fondly Remembered

BY ARIT ESSIAN

W

ords of a civil rights anthem became a tribute and a defiant reaffirmation Saturday Feb 16, for “Leader” Frederick Moore, who for half a century refused to be turned from his devotion to the Movement and from the pavement as a vigilant “ground crew” member.

“Aint gonna let nobody turn me ‘round! Keep on walkin’!” they sang.

In what was part rally, part funeral; friends, family, and fellow activists, along with presidents and past presidents of SCLC; triumphantly belted the iconic words at Ebenezer Baptist church, in a final salute to the life of longtime SCLC ground crew member Frederick Moore. He was age 62.

Wearing red and blue – war colors of the Poor People’s Campaign – the enduring crusade for economic organized by Martin Luther King Jr., and SCLC in 1968; they made it known that Fred was a man taken from their beloved Ground crew community. Not a foot soldier –the term affectionately defined for many who were intimately entwined in the movement, but a ‘ground-crew’ member; one of the few direct disciples of Martin Luther King, Jr. The Ground Crew were but a handful of men, including the likes of the Rev. James Orange, and the Rev. Fred Taylor.

They marched with King, mentored under him, and saw to it that the hardware of civil disobedience remained oiled.

Mourners and celebrants remembered Fred for undying devotion to King’s mission and for his evolving roles with the organization he birthed [SCLC] during a storied 40-year career with the civil rights organization.

Moore was also a prodigious and productive photographer who amassed an extensive array of poignant and precious photographs of noted civil rights figures, marches and movements. “Fred chronicled SCLC’s events much like a news photographer,” opines Clyde Bradley, SCLC Magazine’s photo editor. “He captured so many rare moments of people and places with his camera, his SCLC office was often called

26 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

the ‘Movement’s Museum’. His work could easily fill several books portraying the Movement. He had a good eye.”

Fred joined SCLC from an early age after encountering King as a 9th grader in Crawfordville, Ga. King was on visit to the small town to organize protests for school integration.

County officials retaliated against the young Fred for his participation by firing his grandfather, a school bus driver. Fred however ignored the early warning to forsake the Movement.

He continued with the cause, eventually creating an indelible mark on Georgia history, when he and 39 other Black students became the first Black’s to integrate the “Whites-only” high school in Warrenton, Ga. Fred continued desegregation efforts throughout the 1970’s, strategically targeting rural communities around the state in Milledgeville, Dublin, and Augusta.

According to colleagues, he was a protector; passionate on voters rights and in voter registration – in which he was prolific in helping to register thousands of African-Americans.

He was the organizer who saw that everything was in place.

“Fred was in charge of making sure we had the permits, staples...signs, rope, any basic supplies for direct action – he coordinated everything...getting food, took up offerings... We all became known as the SCLC Field Staff under Abernathy; sort of the nucleus at the home base on Auburn Ave. Fred called it something else though. We were ‘part of the supporting cast of the drama of the Movement,’” said the Rev. Taylor.

“When you have Fredrick, it’s like having another 25 people. You don’t got nothing to worry about. He was about the last to leave out of everywhere. He would put his life on the line for you,” added Ralph Worrell, a longtime SCLC comrade to Fred.

In his quiet disposition, Fred was charged with providing security to leaders like Abernathy, Lowery, Hosea Williams – and with protecting the SCLC women.

When the Rev. Taylor was beat in front of the sheriff of Johnson County, while challenging the county’s refusal to

issue permits to honor King Day; it was one of the rare an expedition taken on without Fred. Taylor’s small frame was crammed in vehicle and dropped on the side of the highway, where he was left bleeding. “You can’t do that,” is what Fred later told him.

“Don’t think little of him because he was quiet,” said Brenda Davenport, SCLC’s youngest board member in 1982, who joined after an impulsive knock on the SCLC door and demand to speak with Joseph Lowery lead her into working for the civil rights organization at the age of 20.

“A lot of us do a lot of talking, but it takes a team. What I love about Dr. King is that he built a team and Fred knew how to always make sure we had signs, and food, and a camera in the truck, and if we had to run, he would be right there with the van,” Davenport said.

Davenport says learned of Fred’s untimely passing on from a 7 a.m. phone call. She called Rev. Taylor, then Dexter, King’s second son.

Others remember Fred for being the cheerful voice that symbolized the initial encounter of many with SCLC, both on the phone and in the office at the front desk. He answered the phones, marched at the front and in the middle, and became the organizations trusted van driver, even when he dug in his own pockets for gas money, or giggled at jabs that he didn’t know how to drive.

And Fred was remembered as much for activism, as he was for his keychain of ‘100’ keys, collected over the years from places he’d visited and protested. He was remembered for his inability to ever finish a meal without messing up a tie or shirt; and for his photos which immortalized him. Fred took thousands of photos, and blanketed the walls of his SCLC office with images; an archive registering the 50 years he dedicated to the movement.

Friends fondly also recall his inseparable pairing with Ralph. The two were brothers-in-direct action, seemingly joined at the overalls.”

Ralph entered the Movement after informing King at a labor convention in 1963 that he wanted to be a part and would do whatever he had to – not knowing the seriousness at the time. He reflects later meeting Fred right on Auburn Ave in 1969. Joined at the overalls, they became close friends working on various campaigns and weathering the changes of SCLC together.

“We were just young men coming into the Movement.

After the 60’s, all the veterans thought it was over and went out and got good jobs, and it was the little folks that kept it going. When the doors were going to close, and handwriting was on the walls, everybody was leaving, and there was no money, some folks had buried us, but we stuck together. It

Fred deserved honor as high as he can get.

He was the last staff person that worked under all administrations. He put footprints all around this country.”

–Brenda Davenport

was just us and Rev. Taylor for a while. ‘Why are you putting up with this foolishness?’ they said. But I’ll be just like Fred, with SCLC until death,” Worrell said.

When SCLC received warning in 2012 from community activist Rose Saunders, of Ku Klux Klan (KKK) plans to erect a statue in Selma; Fred without hesitation called on Ralph , along with Joe Hammond and William Marshall. The four left for Selma in a haste, derailing the KKK plan before CEO Charles Steele could even make it to Selma later.

Davenport’s arrival at SCLC was a contributing factor to the Fred/Ralph liaison, as she proudly says that she stole Rev. Taylor from Fred.

Mighty in physical size and devotion, Fred once lay before a bus to prevent it from moving during one of his integration crusades. In later years he became member of the

L-R: April 4, 2012, Atlanta, Ralph Worrell, Bernard Lafayette, Jr., C.T. Vivian and Frederick Moore; join hands during the singing of “We Shall Overcome” after laying a wreath at the gravesite of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., marking the 44th anniversary of his assassination.

Continental Walk for Disarmament and Social justice, and the noted “Blue Crew,” helping win the election of Andrew Young and various African-American legislators.

“Fred deserved honor as high as he can get. He was the last staff person that worked under all administrations. He put footprints all around this country,” said Davenport.

But at his funeral, few words were required to elaborate his life.

“Love justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly,” said Ebenezer Senior pastor, the Rev. Ralph Warnock – everything said to have been done by Fred.

And with Warnock having officiated three homegoings at the church for various leaders, and yet so early into the year; the definite, yet inaudible cry during Fred’s funeral was for the future of the Movement.

With so many ‘foot’ and ‘ground’ soldiers departing in mass exodus, the passing of another great pioneer only symbolized the urgent call for leaders remaining to prioritization enabling the next generation of leaders. sclc SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine 27

feature My mission and mantra is to document and archive the plethora of news and cultural content that paints the extraordinary picture of Black life – both past and present.

BY MAYNARD EATON

CLYDE BRADLEY

M

uch like the iconic storytellers of West Africa, Clyde Bradley, channels their spirit and substance as a Georgia Griot. Bradley is a premier professional photo and video journalist based in Atlanta who has emerged as a quintessential storyteller and chronicler of the Black experience. His passion is documenting the achievements of pioneer Black history-makers and civil rights leaders, while capturing contemporary community and cultural events. Bradley successfully and skillfully operates as a oneman documentary unit.

Most recently Bradley’s body of work was honored and exhibited at the Georgia General Assembly along with several other notable African American photographers.

“My mission and mantra is to document and archive the plethora of news and cultural content that paints the extraordinary picture of Black life—both past and present,” Bradley says.

“Clyde is as good as it gets as it gets as a photo journalist,” says Charles Steele, the President Emeritus and CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. “It is important DeMark Liggins (foreground) and Maynard Eaton (background) to him that our story is told correctly and creatively. I applaud view the photo exhibit. Photo credit clyde_bradley@msn.com Clyde’s work.”

For the past six years, Bradley has been a ubiquitous figure – using his video and still cameras to report, expose and publicize a variety of pertinent and pressing issues that impact and give insight to the Black community. It is not a first class or important event if Bradley is not on the scene to photograph it!

Clyde is the founder and CEO of Voice of the Voiceless 1, a galvanizing grassroots media operation that focuses on highlighting prominent figures, community leaders and unsung heroes.

His pictures and persona have positively impacted the lives of countless Georgians.

Clyde Bradley is a unique and masterful multimedia maestro whose artistry and news reporting Georgia General Assembly, Atlanta: (L-R) Ga. Rep. Earnest "coach" Williams, is rich, robust and riveting. Clyde takes pleasure Ga. Rep. Able Mable Thomas, Ga. Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler, Ga. Rep. Calvin Smyre, Ga. Rep. Sandra Scott, Ga. Rep. Gloria Frazier, Bud Smith, Clyde Bradley, in his reputation for his ability to generate exclusive Horace Henry, Jim Alexander, Sue Ross, Ga. Rep. Roger Bruce, and House content that mainstream media outlets often dismiss Speaker David Ralston. Photo credit clyde_bradley@msn.com or are uninformed about. He is a rare breed. sclc 28 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

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Today, children study the Civil Rights Movement in school. But there is an opportunity here to learn what it was really like.

You see, I was there on Sept. 15, 1963, when a bomb rocked my church one clear Sunday morning. And I am here today. A visit to these sites can help you truly understand the sorrows and the triumphs of a people who stood up for equality and justice.

– Carolyn McKinstry Author of ”While the World Watc hed”

ROAD TRIP No. 31 1

Walking in e footsteps of ose who made hist y.

Alabama invites you to commemorate the 50th anniversaries of some of the most pivotal events in the Civil Rights Movement. Walk the paths that the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and his marchers took in their non-violent quest for equality. ty.

Visit the collection of museums from Scottsboro to Selma that comprise the Alabama Civil Rights Trail. Start at thee inspiring Birmingham Civil Rights Institute – recently named by Budget Travel as one of 10 places every kid should see. Next door, step inside the 16th Street Baptistt Church and reflect upon the tragic bombing that took four innocent young lives. Make your road trip a commemoration of those who fought to win racial equality, and rejoice in knowing that their victories made our world a better place.

Download our free Civil Rights Trail app or the Alabama Road Trips app or visit www.alabama.travel to experience how these events in Alabama changed the world.

SPRING 2013 vol. 42 / no. 2

April / May / June

inside this issue

in every issue: 6.

7.

8.

National Executive Officers National Board Members From the CEO: You Thought You Had Arrived – But You Got Off At The Wrong Station

By Carrie L. Williams

Editorial Contribution by Maynard Eaton

10. President’s Corner

By C.T. Vivian 12. From the Chairman

By Bernard LaFayette, Jr. 6. Employment Opportunities 35. Membership Application

women to watch: 18. Cathelean Steele: A Profile in Courage

By Carrie L. Williams 20. SCLC “Stop the Violence Initiative” Launches “Justice for Girls” Strategy

By Carrie L. Williams 22. For Justice Sake...

By Lisa Williams

features: 14. Charles Steele One-on-One: The CEO Speaks Out Interview by Maynard Eaton 24. Rosa Parks: Unforgettable at 100

By Maynard Eaton & Carrie L. Williams 26. Frederick Moore, The Quintessential SCLC “Ground Crew” Member is Fondly Remembered

By Arit Essian 28. Clyde Bradley

By Maynard Eaton Cover Photo: (L-R) Lisa Williams and Cathelean Steele; photo by Marie Thomas, www.mariethomas.com

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Souther n Christian Southern Christian L Leadership eadership C Conference o n f e re n c e N A T I O N A L M A G A Z I N E

In Print Since 1970 MAGAZINE MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 92544 Atlanta, GA 30314 FOR ADVERTISING INFO info@sclcmagazine.com www.sclcmagazine.com T 800.421.0472 F 800.292.9199 FOUNDER & PUBLISHER Steven Blood, Sr., Ph.D. ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Monica Fett MANAGING EDITOR Maynard Eaton EXECUTIVE MANAGER Dawn McKillop SCLC NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 320 Auburn Avenue Atlanta, GA 30303 www.nationalsclc.org EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / COO Damien Conners CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeMark Liggins NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Maynard Eaton SPECIAL PROGRAMS DIRECTOR Cathelean Steele

We’re proof dreams can come true.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the pioneers of the Civil Rights Movement dreamed of a different America. Their vision and determination created the opportunity for all of us, working together, to make a difference.

Nationwide Insurance® honors their legacy by putting it into practice. True diversity has made us a tapestry of ideas, talents, perspectives and passions, and we’re a far better company for it.

Nationwide Insurance, the Nationwide framemark and Nationwide is On Your Side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. ©2013 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

/ NATIONAL EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Martin Luther King, Jr. FOUNDING PRESIDENT 1957-1968

Ralph D. Abernathy PRESIDENT EMERITUS 1968-1977

Joseph E. Lowery PRESIDENT EMERITUS 1977-1997

C.T. Vivian PRESIDENT

Bernard LaFayette, Jr. CHAIRMAN

Charles Steele, Jr. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Donald L. Cash VICE CHAIRMAN

Martin Luther King, III PAST PRESIDENT 1998-2003

Fred L. Shuttlesworth PAST PRESIDENT 2004 R.I.P. 1922-2011

Charles Steele, Jr. PAST PRESIDENT 2005-2008

Randal L. Gaines, Esq. TREASURER

Gertie Thompson Lowe SECRETARY

Bishop Calvin Woods CHAPLAIN

Diettra Lucas RECORDING SECRETARY

Bennie Roundtree SERGEANT AT ARMS

Sylvia K. Tucker CHAIRWOMAN EMERITUS

Howard Creecy, Jr. PAST PRESIDENT 2011 R.I.P. 1954-2011

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SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

NATIONAL BOARD MEMBERS Willie Bolden / College Park, Georgia Joseph Boston / Washington, North Carolina Donald Cash / Landover, Maryland E.T. Caviness / Cleveland, Ohio Richard Cox / Dayton, Ohio Randal L. Gaines, Esq. / LaPlace, Louisiana

Photo credit clyde_bradley@msn.com

Charles Becknell / Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Rita Jackson Samuels / Atlanta, Georgia

Award Recipients: Donald Cash and Ken Swindle

J.T. Johnson / Atlanta, Georgia

SCLC Honors Two Unsung Civil Rights Champions

Martin L. King, III / Atlanta, Georgia Bernard LaFayette, Jr. / Tuskegee, Alabama Diettra Lucas / Upper Marlboro, Maryland Gertie Thompson Lowe / Gadsden, Alabama Jamida Orange / Atlanta, Georgia Jeremy Ponds / Atlanta, Georgia Bennie Roundtree / Greenville, No. Carolina Charles Smith / Palmetto, Florida Charles Steele, Jr. / Tuscaloosa, Alabama Sylvia K. Tucker / Disputanta, Virginia C.T. Vivian / Atlanta, Georgia Cynthia Willard-Lewis / New Orleans, Louisiana Calvin Woods / Birmingham, Alabama

At a recent ceremony held in Birmingham, Alabama SCLC National and its chapters honored two civil rights champions for their renowned achievements and contributions to the Civil Rights Movement:

Donald Cash

is president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Minority Coalition and has played a significant role linking the interests of workers with the Civil Rights Movement for the past 30 years.

Cash is also founder of Faces of Our Children, a Sickle Cell Foundation based in D.C. and Vice Chairman for SCLC National.

Ken Swindle

is the former Tuscaloosa Police Chief and is a rare exception to the rule of Alabama lawmen.

Swindle was saluted for going beyond the call of duty during the Jim Crow era to provide protection, fairness and justice to the Black community. sclc

HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS Cameron Alexander / Atlanta, Georgia Phillip Cousin / Jacksonville, Florida Elwin Gillum / Little Rock, Arkansas Dick Gregory / Plymouth, Massachusetts Jim Lawson / Los Angeles, California John Lewis / Atlanta, Georgia Joseph Roberts / Atlanta, Georgia Wyatt Tee Walker / New York, New York Andrew Young / Atlanta, Georgia

Ken Swindle and Charles Steele

Photo credit clyde_bradley@msn.com

Walter Fauntroy / Washington, D.C.

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine

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/ from the ceo

You Thought You Had Arrived – But You Got Off At The Wrong Station...

CEO Charles Steele, Jr. pricks the conscience of blacks from Atlanta to Washington – and back to Alabama.

BY CARRIE L. WILLAMS Editorial Contribution by Maynard Eaton

Charles Steele, outside the United States Supreme Court addressing civil rights activists from across the nation urging the Court to reject challenges to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.

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SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

I

n a whirlwind of speeches spanning the geography of the Southeast region in twenty-one days, SCLC’s CEO Charles Steele, Jr. has been dauntless and relentless on a mission to deliver a wake-up call to African American leaders and community members: “We thought we had arrived.”

Starting in Atlanta with Georgia’s Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC) February 21st and landing on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol in the Selma to Montgomery March on March 8th, CEO Steele’s fervent delivery has been hitting close to home, judging by audience responses at both ends of the spectrum: quiet recognition and deafening applause.

“You may have arrived,” Steele told Georgia’s black legislators, the largest state black caucus in the country, “but you got off at the wrong station. We’ve got to get back on the bus!”

Steele has used the allegory to put the painful truth in the faces of African Americans – and the American public as a whole – that African Americans got off at the station called “Politics”. He reminded the GLBC, “Politics got you here, but Civil Rights was the foundation that made it possible for you to have a political career.”

He followed the reminder up with “When are we going to stop acting like everything is alright?”

In one of the most key mediation roles of his professional life as a Civil Rights leader, Charles Steele is sounding the clarion call to “get back on the bus” of what may well emerge as the Civil Rights Movement of the 21st century. And the significance of this moment is not falling on deaf ears.

Heading over to Emory University the very next evening for a historic moment of recognition at the opening of SCLC’s exhibit, the past President Emeritus Steele shared with SCLC aficionados in the packed Woodruff Library, “I told the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, ‘Civil Rights was the vehicle that got you there, not intelligence, not status’.” Amidst shouts and clapping, Steele continued, “And what you gain, you must maintain. The only way to maintain is to continue to walk, to march – we must fill the streets. . . It’s not over – we’re not going back!”

In less than five days, Steele put his organization behind his words, as hundreds of SCLC supporters and “Freedom Riders” joined him by bus in Washington, D.C. at the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, protesting the Justices’ deliberations !

over removing Section 5 of the landmark Voting Rights Act. In front of national media and a myriad of civil and human rights activists, including young college students alongside veterans of the 60’s Civil Rights Movement, Steele started by pointing out to the throng, “The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is the organization that Dr. King died for, and stands as a true testament to the power of nonviolent direct action.”

Repeating his message, “We’ve got a long way to go – we thought we had arrived, but we got off at the wrong station,” Steele fired up the audience by saying, “If we let this stuff happen in America, the rest of the world will have nowhere to go – Hell no! We’ve just begun. And there can’t be no scared Negroes in this fight, because this is a Civil Rights Movement. We still got to go to jail, we still got to demonstrate, we still got to march!”

Getting even more direct, Steele shouted out to the cheering crowd, “It’s a war out here – a war between the haves and the have nots! I feel like a Movement! I’m ready to go to jail! I’m ready to go to jail! Fire It Up!” That kind of gritty determination followed SCLC’s CEO for the rest of his road speeches, ultimately landing him in Selma, Alabama over the March 1-3 weekend for the 48th Re-Enactment of “Bloody Sunday” over the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the following Selma to Montgomery March.

As Secret Service were locking in positions for U.S. Vice President Biden’s arrival in Selma early Sunday morning of March 3rd, Charles Steele’s voice was booming across the church pews of a standing room only First Baptist Church of Selma. Noting the ten busloads of SCLC supporters arriving from Atlanta and from Florida, Steele moved the congregation to their feet several times, making the connection between what happened in Selma, AL nearly 50 years ago with the U.S. Supreme Court now deliberating the Voting Rights Act over a case originating in Shelby County, AL. “We’ve come full circle,” Steele announced to an emotional audience, “We’ve come full circle, from Selma to Shelby County. They’re trying to turn back the clock on us, under a black President. He’d [Obama] love for you to raise hell – but he can’t tell you that. He needs you to raise hell – and go to jail.”

“The whole world is waiting on us,” urged Steele, “they’re wanting to learn how we got over. But we want to forget the hard times that we had.” The church got still as the former state Alabama senator went on, “I remember the days when Grandma and Grandaddy, all ten of us lived in the same house – if you ain’t careful, you’re on your way back! But God has not made a scared Negro of me – I’m from the bottom. I’ve got to tell it – because that’s what’s wrong with us, we won’t tell it.”

Steele recounted a story about his Grandmother directing him to go to a neighbor’s for some sugar. “Grandma said to me, ‘Go tell her I need some hope.’” As the audience broke out in applause and got to their feet again, the international businessman resounded, “We need some hope!

We’re struggling like everybody else! We’re all hurting!”

Charles Steele on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery addressing marchers that had just concluded the 48th re-enactment of the Selma to Montgomery March.

Reeling off the staggering statistic that African Americans lost 68% of their wealth last year, primarily due to losing their homes and property, Steele kept on going, his energy and passion pouring out, “People are suffering, people are hungry in America. I’ve got something for you.

Politicians – you’ve got to stand up and fight back. The people who elected you are counting on you to fulfill on your God-given appointment!” And the church rocked in cheers and applause for the next few minutes.

There is no doubt that the Civil Rights leadership of SCLC’s CEO Charles Steele is beginning to be felt throughout the Southeast region of the United States – and undoubtedly, will continue to grow stronger, as Steele guides SCLC and the nation towards the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, D.C. When asked to explain his allegory during a recent interview at headquarters, CEO Steele elaborated: “In our Civil Rights commitment, we got off at the wrong station – the station called ‘Politics’. In politics, we were certain that we had arrived in our commitment to Civil Rights.”

“But, that’s not true!” emphasized Dr. Steele. “We must get back on the bus.”

For Charles Steele, “getting back on the bus” simply means getting back to our commitment to Civil Rights – as a people and as a nation. CEO Steele has often reinforced Dr. King’s last words to Board Chairman Dr. Bernard LaFayette Jr., in that our “true” destination is finding ourselves arrive at an institutional/international place of global commitment – to Civil Rights and to nonviolence.

Charles Steele has more to communicate, that is clear and it’s very clear he’ll be delivering more communications on the critical SCLC strategy for the commemoration of the 1963 March on Washington, D.C. SCLC’s strategy presents an unprecedented opportunity, with this year marking the 50th Anniversary of that March.

What may be that unprecedented opportunity to fulfill on? If Charles Steele has his way, it might look like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s partnership with the greater Civil Rights community in establishing the Civil Rights Movement of the Twenty-First Century. sclc

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine

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/ the president’s corner

The State of Equality & Justice in America: The Urgency of “Now” Must be Taken Requested by & Published in The Washington Post

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BY REV. C.T. VIVIAN SCLC NATIONAL PRESIDENT The State of Equality and Justice in America” is a 20-part series of columns written by an allstar list of contributors to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. The contributors include: U. S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) LCCRUL 50th Anniversary Grand Marshal; Ms. Barbara Arnwine, President and Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (LCCRUL); Mr. Charles Ogletree, Professor, Harvard University Law School/Director, Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice; the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., President/CEO, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition; the Rev. Joseph Lowery, Co-founder, Southern Christian Leadership Conference; U. S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.); and 14 additional thought leaders and national advocates for equal justice.

Following is the ninth op-ed of the series:

10 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

e must take the urgency of now very seriously.

Not just because of the pending 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, but because the future of America’s people; especially those who have been long oppressed, depends on right now.

Since the beginning of this country, the one thing that has never been fully decided is who will truly determine this nation’s future? Will it be America’s truly wealthy – the 1 percent who can decide every political and economic move in the richest and mightiest country in the world? And who, with the economic 1 percent of Europe and Asia, could take over every major decision in this global world? Would it be them or would it be “We the people”?

It is clear by studying recent events; coupled with patterns of history, that the democratic principle of “We the people” is constantly endangered by plutocratic mindsets, those who are often controlled by greed and quests for power. Plutocracy, according to Webster, is one, “Government by wealthy people;” two, “A society governed by wealthy people;” or three, “A ruling class whose power is based on their wealth.”

I caution that America could succumb to this social mindset if we do not continue to stand guard using our democratic powers of “We the people” to the fullest. Take the last presidential election, for instance. Mitt Romney, in his derogatory comment about the so-called “47 percent” of people who he claimed “are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims” and who “pay no income tax” – appeared to dismiss nearly half of American voters. He even said, “... and so my job is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.”

These derogatory comments appeared to signal a move to exclude people of a certain social status. Moreover, it appeared as a move to keep the concept of “We the people” alive while denying it in practice. What would have or could have happened had he prevailed?

It is important to note that throughout history, struggles for equality and justice in America have continued to move from victory to setback and from setback to victory. In fact, about every 30 to 35 years, there’s a new movement in this country. !

The civil rights movement was the last one. The one before that was the labor movement. Somewhere between 35 and 40 years, there’s always a new people’s movement. This time, it’s the continuation of the civil rights movement, which includes the movement on behalf of the poor.

At the blessed age of 88, I recall the degradation of segregation and Jim Crow. I struggled for justice through the freedom rides and alongside Dr. King. I marched on Washington on August 28, 1963 and I was there to ultimately rejoice at the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. And then we suddenly found ourselves mourning upon the assassination of my dear friend and brother, Dr. King, in 1968. He was only in Memphis for the cause of the sanitation workers, the poor, the struggling, and the oppressed who were suffering unequal wages and working conditions.

Fast forward, to see America elect and then re-elect its first Black president nearly 50 years later is reason to rejoice. And yet even President Obama’s inaugural speech called for honest labor wages that “liberate families from the brink of hardship.”

This is a clear reason that we must continue to march to the polls as well as to take up our banners and plead our causes. We must win our battles in the basic old-fashioned way that it has historically worked – with non-violent direct action protests, coupled with the vote.

In doing so, our movement will continue to grow.

A newsman once asked Dr. King, “How many members do you have?” When Martin answered, the newsman retorted, “Well that doesn’t represent much of Black America”. But then Dr. King said something that is so very relevant in the 21st century. He said, “We don’t operate through membership. We operate knowing that if we’re right, people will follow us.”

The state of equality and justice in America is a continued struggle for the poor despite all of the strides America has made. The urgency of now is to maintain the power and sanctity of the vote, which has become the greatest power held by the poor. As Dr. King said, if we do what is right, others will follow us. This is the power of “We the people”. sclc

www.morehouse.edu /kingcollection (404) 681-2800

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine 11

/ from the chairman

Revealing, Rewarding, & Instructive Insight by Journalist Emily Young Emily Young is a Redding, California-based journalist who recently participated in one of the Kingian Nonviolence Orientation Workshops that I routinely conduct around the world. Her story that follows is a substantive summary of what I teach – an example of the work I do to “institutionalize and internationalize” nonviolence as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. personally assigned me to do. This is what Emily Young gleaned from that workshop and duly reported to her readers. I thought you would appreciate her revealing, rewarding and instructive insight: Photo credit clyde_bradley@msn.com

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BY BERNARD LAFAYETTE, JR. SCLC NATIONAL CHAIRMAN

12 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

hree weeks ago, I had the opportunity to spend some time with a civil rights movement leader, Dr. Bernard LaFayette Jr. He is a gentle, humble man with a quick smile and optimistic nature. His views transcend ideology and political affiliation, and are worth considering in these politically contentious times.

Dr. LaFayette is 71 now. He began working with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the age of 20, led protests and marches throughout the 1960s, and was beaten and jailed repeatedly. He has dedicated his life to nonviolent social change. I listened as he talked to a group of adults and then high school students about the lessons learned from a life of activism.

Dr. Lafayette believes that change comes when you can get the support or sympathy of the majority. That requires a movement, not a single event. The civil rights movement took years and involved numerous sit-ins, protests and marches, as did the movement to end the Vietnam War. He considers leadership key to achieving any social change in our country. Leadership is doing what needs to be done in order to help others know the way. Leadership is applying nonviolence techniques to a particular situation and getting the results you want. Leadership is how you respond to errors – understanding why they occurred, making corrections, and then keeping those errors from happening again.!

It is about planning, having a goal and strategy, and constantly making adjustments.

For Dr. LaFayette, training leaders in nonviolence is the greatest hope for true social change. That is how he spends much of his time, in addition to applying the techniques to specific situations around the world.

He views nonviolence as a way of life. It is an attitude that turns negative energy into positive energy in everything one does, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Nonviolence is a system of thought for how you respond to conflict, which can be physical but more typically is verbal in the day-to-day world in which you and I live.

So how does a person respond to such violence?

According to Dr. LaFayette, you do not respond with violence. By doing so, you concede the rightness of the other’s cause, the legitimacy of their goals, and their control over you.

Nor does blame produce a path to resolving conflict. To find common ground and a solution, one needs to really understand how the other person sees the problem. That takes time and listening. Very often, what the other person considers the problem is not what you think is upsetting them.

It is when you can articulate your opponent’s position better than your opponent, that a solution may be achieved. And you must deal with your opponent directly.

Those two thoughts, in particular, have stayed with me.

Always be open and respectful, and give others the

benefit of the doubt. But remember that you have a choice in how you respond. Don’t get angry. Don’t let others’ negative comments – concerning you or the people and issues you care about – affect your life and how you act.

So what is Dr. LaFayette’s assessment of the current economic and financial problems facing the United States and how the federal government is handling them? He wants Americans to look to themselves and stop looking to government. To him, it is obvious that elected officials don’t know what to do, so Americans need to offer ideas and suggestions. But more generally, he is concerned about how to get and keep citizens voting and engaged in all kinds of government entities.

I have been thinking about what Dr. LaFayette said.

He has seen and been the recipient of brutal human behavior, yet he remains ever hopeful.

In a world of short attention spans, endless rhetoric and labeling, and heightened incivility in public discourse, his remarks are a reminder of what is necessary to achieve real social change. He is describing an approach for how we interact with one another, how we view and relate to our government, and what we should seek and demand in the temperament and behavior of our elected officials.

He may be right. I certainly don’t see any better ideas on the horizon. sclc “Record Searchlight” contributing columnist Emily Young can be reached at ecyoung1@yahoo.com.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD AND TO SERVE

Experience more at uscga.edu

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine 13

feature

Charles Steele One-on-One: The CEO Speaks Out It’s a false assumption that we have arrived because we have a Black President. We’ve lost more in the last four years than we lost in the last 50 years.

Interviewer Maynard Eaton: SCLC’s Managing Editor, is an 8-time Emmy Award-winning news reporter and is also Executive Editor of ‘S.E. Region News’ and President of Eaton Media Group.

M. EATON: SCLC labored in turmoil for several years, but since your return almost a year ago things have seemingly changed dramatically. What is the state of SCLC as you see it now?

C. STEELE: First of all we have an international vision. You must have a global vision but you must also focus on the current issues fueling this new civil rights era. That combination has brought us back together holistically in terms of a vibrant and visionary movement.

M. EATON: How have you done that? What has been different about your leadership?

C. STEELE: A true leader must bring everybody together. A true leader’s first responsibility is to bring harmony within the organization.

Charles Steele, Jr., SCLC National CEO

uring his first stint as the President and CEO

of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference from 2004 to 2009, Charles Steele, Jr., a personable, passionate and proficient fundraiser, solicited $3.5 million to build a national headquarters to commemorate the venerable civil rights group’s 50th anniversary. It was an unprecedented, and heretofore unmatched, achievement for a civil rights leader.

In July 2012 Steele, an accomplished businessman, consultant and former Alabama State Senator returned to SCLC as President Emeritus and Chief Executive Officer to revive, retool and rebuild the then troubled organization.

Under his tutelage SCLC is back; its reputation and prestige restored as Dr. Steele tells ‘SCLC Magazine’ Managing Editor Maynard Eaton in this one-on-one interview: 14 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

M. EATON: You mentioned a new civil rights era. Please share what you see and are sensing.

C. STEELE: What’s new about it is that many people thought we had arrived in terms of our success. People feel that because we have a black President, because we have more blacks in Congress, because we have more black elected officials we had arrived. But politics without economic development is just another symbol without substance.

M. EATON: The Civil Rights Movement, you say, has been the reason for all the progress African Americans have made thus far?

C. STEELE: Yes, politically but not economically. Dr. King recognized that prior to his assassination.

M. EATON: You have coined a phrase that has become popular across the country. You say, “Black people

thought they had arrived but we got off at the wrong station.”

C. STEELE: What people basically don’t want is to use the energy to get back out to the streets or to get back out to fight. It takes a lot of energy to do that.

So we naturally –regardless of an individual’s background – perceive that we have arrived because it takes a lot of effort; it takes a lot of strength; it takes a lot of sacrifice to fight non-violently again to accomplish what we already have accomplished. So people feel that because they have a better job, because they have a better education, because we have certain people of color in certain positions therefore we have arrived. But that’s not the measuring stick in terms of our success. It happens to be all those entities plus the wealth. So how can you get there even though you have an education; even though you have the position but you don’t have the wealth? So we really haven’t arrived. We got off at the wrong station.

We’re worse off today then we were 50 years ago. It’s a false assumption that we have arrived because we have a black president.

We’ve lost more in the last four years than we lost in the last 50 years.

M. EATON: Do you really believe that black America will march again and go to jail again or is that just a rallying cry?

C. STEELE: We don’t have a choice.

Either you march and let people know that you are not satisfied or you remain status quo and think that the clock cannot be turned back. The clock never stands still. That’s why you must always be ready to march and demonstrate.

M. EATON: As you well know, critics and some young professionals say marching is a mechanism of the past.

You say not so?

C. STEELE: Marching will never be a thing of the past. You will always have

to march because people will never let you rest on your laurels. They will always catch you sleeping at the switch and turn back the clock.

M. EATON: Another popular phrase of yours is “a scared Negro will get you killed.”

C. STEELE: It’s for shock effect when I address audiences. It’s about fear.

People will actually try to turn the clock back on us by instilling fear in us again.

It was fear of getting killed that kept many of us from fighting for our freedom. A scared Negro will leave you alone and you will be standing by yourself. They lack courage.

but a ‘Hellacaust’ as well. We experienced the worst enslavement of any group of people. Dr. King knew that because of what we came out of we needed to institutionalize it and take it around the world. You can’t establish boundaries when it comes to freedom and justice. You must share it with the world.

M. EATON: To that end, you met earlier this year with former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev. Can you share what that was about?

C. STEELE: I had a meeting with him in his office for about two hours and what was so amazing and so incredible about that meeting was that the first question he asked me was, “Has the Dream been fulfilled?” I said, “No Mr. President it has not been fulfilled. We are just getting started on fulfilling the dream.”

M. EATON: The commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of The March On Washington will be SCLC’s signature event for 2013 correct?

M. EATON: Just before he was assassinated, Dr. King gave SCLC Board Chairman Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr. the assignment to institutionalize and internationalize the Movement. Since your return to SCLC you too have crisscrossed the nation and the world preaching the gospel of non-violent direct action. What has been the outcome of your travels?

C. STEELE: We must realize that the world is looking to emulate the Civil Rights Movement because of the significant gains African Americans have achieved and the non-violent strategy we effectively employed. Dr. King wanted to take that experience around the world because he knew we had something that no one else had. African Americans are the only race of people that experienced not only a Holocaust

C. STEELE: It will be a signature event.

It will be a major event; it will be a global event. We are looking for many people from around the world to come to commemorate and to celebrate and participate. And, to recreate a Movement – it’s not a picnic – it’s a Movement to continue the struggle.

M. EATON: There are those that suggest the 50th Anniversary will highlight and spotlight the return of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to national prominence.

C. STEELE: I think this will be an opportunity we all can cherish and we all look forward to. SCLC is back. All organizations go through internal struggles and reorganization. We are going forward but the basic principles of SCLC always will remain the same, and that’s jobs, justice and equality for all God’s children. sclc

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine 15

women to watch

If young men and women can figure out what their gift from God is, develop that gift, and learn to love their gift – and if it’s a gift, it may not be easy, because God doesn’t give ‘easy things’ – then they’ll be happy in their endeavors.

Cathelean Chambers Steele 16

SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

BY CARRIE L. WILLIAMS

A Profile in Courage

Soft spoken, stylish and smart, Mrs. Cathelean Steele – the First Lady of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference as well as the Director of SCLC’s “Stop the Violence Initiative” – is deceptively strong, and possesses a courage many would never guess – unless they worked around her.

Photo credit Marie Thomas, www.mariethomas.com

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aking on child sex trafficking and predatory violence as her first assignments upon her return to SCLC with her husband and CEO Charles Steele, Jr. should suggest something unique about this substantive and standout former Alabama classroom educator. Inspired by reading an article late one night in Essence Magazine about “the sex trafficking of our babies”, and urged by Susan Taylor, former editor of the magazine, to take action, Cathelean Steele determined that SCLC could take on preventing our children, especially girls, from becoming victims. At the same time, several mothers who had lost their male children through altercations with police officers in metro Atlanta asked Cathelean for her help. And the “Stop the Violence Initiative” came into being.

In less than three months’ time, Director Steele had amassed a communications team, a social worker and therapist, an events manager, a public policy expert, and a strategic planner.

The entire team is tirelessly working pro bono because of their “commitment to the cause,” she proudly says. During those first weeks, she held work sessions to develop the two strategies of the “Stop the Violence Initiative” – a “Justice for Girls” strategy that impacts the issue of child sex trafficking, and a “Streetpeace” strategy that impacts the issue of predatory violence. Director Steele then launched the “Justice for Girls” strategy of the initiative on January 10th, on schedule, with nearly 80 participants, including Civil Rights leaders, victim organization stakeholders, and public policy advocates. The launch was widely

acclaimed as a success, and got the Initiative visibility and credibility in one fell swoop.

“GABEO, NAACP, SCLC, Rainbow Push and others ought to be collaborating and working together on this issue,” said GA State Rep. Tyrone Brooks as a speaker at the “Justice for Girls” launch. Known for his Civil Rights leadership across the spectrum of historic Atlanta Civil Rights organizations, Brooks emphasized the importance of Mrs. Steele’s efforts by stating, “We can’t dialogue it away. We have to get in there, and make it go away.”

And that spirit of collaboration combined with purpose-filled action around issues that touch the human spirit is what Cathelean Steele’s leadership brings to the SCLC table.

Her public remarks to address the mass killing of the children in Connecticut, prepared to be given at the first year commemoration of a metro Atlanta mother’s son killed by police, demonstrate Mrs. Steele’s character and her courage: “As a teacher for 25 years in the state of Alabama, as a participant in the Civil Rights Movement and as a mother and grandmother, there is no more tragic loss than the loss of innocent young lives to senseless violence.”

“We at SCLC extend our heart-felt condolences and prayers to all who are grieving and dealing with this trauma. We stand by you in this moment of pain and sorrow. It is instances like these that strengthen our collective resolve to transform the issues of violence, wherever they arise.”

It has taken strong resolve by Mrs. Steele and her team to deal with the challenges faced in SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine

17

women to watch doing the work of the “Stop the Violence Initiative”, particularly in the “Justice for Girls” sex trafficking arena.

With scant resources, and daunting undercurrents in addressing Atlanta as a sex trafficking hub in the United States, Director Steele has been heard to say, “This is challenging – but we’re going to do it any way.”

Mrs. Steele and her Initiative crew have met with dozens of violence prevention stakeholders, from faith leaders to sex trafficking victim restoration providers. Mrs. Steele has personally delivered communications to such governmental bodies as the City of Atlanta Public Safety Committee and the Georgia Human Trafficking Joint Study Commission. Yet, she has also sought and received the mentoring and advice of highly respected violence prevention proponents, such as Mayor Shirley Franklin, Ms. Xernona Clayton, and UN expert Kathleen Barry.

When asked about her perseverance and her drive to accomplish the prevention mission at hand, in the face of extreme odds and acknowledged adversity, Cathelean Steele explained: “I was trained by my parents who were in the ministry. I was the oldest of nine children, and had a large responsibility in helping to raise my younger siblings. My parents would take me aside when they saw me getting discouraged, and say to me, ‘It’s not going to be easy, but it’ll be worth it in the end.’

And that’s the way I look at the challenges that face me when I take on something I have a passion for.”

That is one of the qualities that shines through the SCLC First Lady’s interactions with key leaders and SCLC stakeholders. “When you’ve learned to handle a lot of responsibility,” she told us in a recent one-on-one interview, “you govern your life that way. You don’t start a project and not finish it, and you don’t take on something you don’t have a passion for.”

First Lady Steele has her own distinct passion for the issue of child sex trafficking: “Because the idea of children being sex trafficked is such a tragedy to me, I have decided to take on the perspective of helping those who have not been

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SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

affected yet. If we can save those that may have fallen in this trap, through our programs, we will have done our girls, our families, and our communities an immense service. In the process, we want to teach our young women and girls to truly love themselves, and not look for love from strangers, or others that would harm them. I know it’s tiring to do this ground-breaking work, especially when so many of us are in denial that this is a real problem for us to address. Yet, that’s what inspires me – is that our work at SCLC can awaken everyone to what’s happening. That’s one of the roles I believe civil rights organizations like SCLC should be committed to, and in fact, have a responsibility to do, and that is to awaken and bring awareness to the people.”

In the pioneering work that is taking place inside the “Stop the Violence Initiative”, serious efforts are underway to collect and provide reliable data to stakeholders of the initiative, including local, state, and federal government.

SCLC is on the vanguard of doing the research in the area of child sex trafficking prevention. In this regard, Director Steele equates the efforts of SCLC to those conducting research to find a cure for cancer: “This [sex trafficking] is like a disease we have not found a cure for. We don’t even have an antibiotic for it. Our immune system has not built up a resistance to it. When you realize it could hit your family, it could hit your child, that’s when we as a society come together to work for a cure. We pool our resources and funds. When it’s cancer, we give our money to scientists to solve the problem and find the cure.

When the problem is a legal one, we bring in lawyers. When it comes to the safety of our children, we as a society look to activists and organizations like SCLC. We’re asking the people of the United States and our government to supply resources and funding to us, as SCLC is doing the data collection work that will give us the foundation we need to build upon in our efforts to prevent sex trafficking of our babies.”

As seriously as Mrs. Steele takes her commitment to SCLC’s “Stop the Violence Initiative”, she dedicates her-

self to her family and her grandchildren even more. Her long-standing marriage to her husband Charles Steele and their unique, effective partnership in both their business and family life make the duo a significant contribution to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference at this time in history.

In our one-on-one interview with her, we asked her the following question: “You’ve had somewhat of a traditional marriage and relationship with your husband Charles – and yet you are a strong leader yourself, and have had a vibrant professional career of your own.

What advice would you give young women considering a professional career, especially in Civil Rights, and also considering marriage?”

Reflecting for a moment, her answer was thoughtful: “Young women, when you meet someone, you have to share a similar passion. If it’s something that’s as challenging as working in civil rights/human rights, you have to share the love – otherwise it won’t work.”

She elaborated, “Coretta had to love the work in order for her to withstand the hardship, because she had to endure what Martin endured. All civil rights families are that way. Whatever Charles endures, if you can’t stand strong, you can’t survive. The girls and I have shared our strength with each other, and have stayed strong with Charles, pushing forward. We have to push hard, to encourage him, so he won’t worry about his family, so he can do what he enjoys, which is helping others.

You have to share the passion.”

In fact, this retired educator – beautiful on the outside as well as the inside – who loves reading history books and listening to jazz, often shares her wisdom with young men and women, as they look to be successful in their lives. She sees the most important area in life for them to focus on is the gift that God has given them, and to learn to love that gift.

“If young men and women can figure out what their gift from God is, develop that gift, and learn to love their gift – and if it’s a gift, it may not be easy, because God doesn’t give ‘easy things’ – then they’ll be happy in their endeavors.” sclc

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women to watch SCLC “Stop the Violence Initiative” Launches “Justice for Girls” Strategy

BY CARRIE L. WILLIAMS

A

t the Southern Christian Leadership Conference national headquarters, the word is out. The new “Stop the Violence Initiative” met its first goal, successfully launching the strategy “Justice for Girls” at its stakeholder launching event on January 10, 2013.

Over fifty stakeholders from diverse disciplines and backgrounds attended.

With a continuous flow of attendees arriving throughout the evening, those present demonstrated quiet attentiveness during the multi–media presentation, and generous applause to the words of special guest speaker Ms. Lisa Williams, Founder/Exec. Director of Living Waters for Girls, a victim refuge and recovery organization for sex-trafficked girls and women in the United States.

The question and answer session, including questions from the media, was lively, engaging head table leaders and attending stakeholders. The dialogue centered around the new SCLC initiative, SCLC’s past activities in nonviolence, and intentional re-focus on nonviolence through the “Stop the Violence Initiative”.

“I read about sex trafficking in ‘Essence’, and it was so shocking that I couldn’t sleep at night,” Director Cathelean Steele explained in her opening remarks speech. “So I started researching it, and decided we need to do something.”

Leaders at the head table included Initiative Director Cathelean C. Steele, SCLC President Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian,

CEO Charles Steele, Jr., City of Atlanta Board member Ms. Brenda Muhammad (also of Atlanta Victim Assistance Program, Inc.), Sen. Donzella James, Rep. Tyrone Brooks, and SCLC Executive Director Damien Connors.

SCLC Board Chairman Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr. and “Justice for Girls” Ambassador Xernona Clayton, although absent, expressed their support through video and prepared statements during the opening remarks.

“Violence has been, and will be, for some time, the language of American culture,” SCLC President and revered Civil Rights leader Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian reflected in his filmed remarks. “How do we get rid of it? You can’t get rid of it by not talking about it. You can at least do something about it. This [the initiative] gives the introduction into who we are – we are Martin’s people...”

SCLC Board member Ms. Rita Samuels was in attendance, as well as Initiative core team members: Certified Mediator in the area of Public Policy Management Mr. Al Bartell, Videographer/Documentarian Clyde Bradley, Events Management Consultant Catrese Jenkins, Working Group Facilitator Pamela Bridgeman, and Field Operations Manager Will Marshall.

The evening was moderated by SCLC National Communications Director and 8-time Emmy-award winning news reporter Maynard Eaton as well as the Initiative’s Media and Communications Coordinator Carrie

To view opening remarks presented at the initiative launch scan the QR code:

SCLC “Stop the Violence Initiative” Contact information for participation and planning: Cathelean Steele Director (404) 522-1420 cathelean@nationalsclc.org

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SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

L. Williams. Special lighting and table arrangements, coupled with light tapas dinner, inspirational background music, and room for mingling at the new OrganiX Food Lounge in old Fourth Ward, gave the evening an additional, unconventional touch.

The SCLC “Stop the Violence Initiative” stakeholder launch took place one day before Human Trafficking Awareness Day, a day on which the Georgia Human Trafficking Joint Study Commission met for its second session at the Capitol, to record numbers of attendees. Exactly one week after SCLC’s launch event, the Federal Department of Health and Human Services Southeast Region IV held its Federal Human Trafficking Forum to over 500 stakeholders in the Southeast region. In attendance was SCLC “Stop the Violence Initiative” Director Cathelean Steele and two Initiative team members. The Federal Forum confirmed for Mrs. Steele that her efforts with SCLC’s latest initiative were in sync with forum expert speakers recommendations: focus on prevention, emphasize a public/community health approach, and collect reliable data.

The SCLC “Stop the Violence Initiative” aims to be a coordinator of collaborative efforts nationally, and a clearinghouse for collecting and distributing reliable data regarding violence prevention in the areas of child sex trafficking (“Justice for Girls”) and predatory violence(pertaining to the Initiative’s strategy called “Streetpeace”).

Efforts are to impact the city of Atlanta, the Southeast region, and the nation.

“GABEO, NAACP, SCLC, Rainbow PUSH and others ought to be collaborating and working together on this issue,” said GA State Rep. Tyrone Brooks, known for his Civil Rights leadership across the spectrum of historic Atlanta Civil Rights organizations. “We can’t dialogue it away. We have to get in there, and make it go away.” sclc

Carrie L. Williams Media and Communications Coordinator (404) 397-7667 sclcstoptheviolence@gmail.com

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women to watch

For Justice Sake...

Human trafficking has been called a form of modernday slavery where people profit from the control and exploitation of others. As defined under U.S. federal law, victims of human trafficking include children involved in the sex trade.

BY LISA WILLIAMS

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SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

t is no secret that there is still a lot of work to be done in America to stop human sex trafficking of children and bring to justice those responsible for this crime. It is equally important that we ensure our community provides victimized children with a full range of services that will assist in their healing and restoration. Without exception, one child exploited, is one child too many. I know from first-hand experience that children who have been trafficked did not choose to be exploited by the adults who profit from the rape, brutality and layers of psychological trauma inflicted upon them.

The fact that American children, girls and boys, are sold and traded like commodities in communities we call home should not only outrage us as a people, but also propel us to levy our entire might against the heinous crime of human sex trafficking and those who perpetrate these crimes against our most vulnerable citizens. Citizens who are often too young to drive, vote and certainly too young to consent to being taken, branded, beaten, photographed or posted on the Internet for sale, all for the sexual pleasure, perversion and financial gain of adults.

As a survivor, no, thriver, and residential service provider, I write to you, not just for me, but for American girls and boys and young women who are victims of exploitation needing to have their voices heard.

We did not wake up one day declaring to our families, communities, state or country that we wanted a life filled with violence, degradation, shame, brutality and multiple rapes for profit that sometimes includes foreign objects, being urinated on and other unimaginable acts; contracting diseases to including Herpes, HIV and AIDs, unwanted pregnancies, miscarriages, forced abortions, nightly quotas, arrests, legal charges, and incarceration for crimes committed against us. Nor did we ever imagine that some of our families, state entities and law enforcement agents who are charged with protecting and ensuring our health, safety and welfare would be unable and sometimes unwilling to protect us, to see us as victims, to find us when hidden in plain view, to understand what we are unable as children to explain, or to stop this nightmare from happening to other children.

Today, as I work for solutions to the issue of human sex trafficking, I am reminded of those who have come in and out of my life, by the circumstances of a young girl who called me some time ago from state custody and simply asked, Can you help me?

Just four years earlier, at 13 years old she had been rented, traded and bought by men old enough to be her father or grandfather for their sexual pleasure and abuse. Shortly after that call, she was released into my custody and came to reside with other girls who

were 12-17 years old at our residential home, where she discovered that she was loved and protected. She could sleep at night and not have to worry about someone invading her body or imprisoning her mind.

For the most part, she never had a chance, as a young child to know what love, protection or self-worth felt like because someone labeled her expendable.

And it was through her words that I heard my own story. I felt her pain because it was wrapped in my own, as a 12-yearold girl who had been thrown away, used, abused and, too, labeled expendable. Her voice, her pain, was real.

That same pain, was what I heard from one 13-year-old girl, who said to me upon entering our home, “Where were you when I was taken at 11 years old from in front on my school? Did you coming looking for me? Did you put my face on the news? No, you didn’t. Only my Pimp has been there for me, and he comes looking for me when I’m missing.”

I heard her with my ears, and with my heart, and could not answer, for there was no sufficient answer to give.

I understand each girl’s journey is unique and truly only begins when she steps into our home. That is why emphasis is placed on helping her to move beyond the trauma of her experiences and forward towards a greater understanding of herself, an increased sense of worth and the ability to make positive life affirming decisions.

Relapses are inevitable, but relapse is less and success is greater when the victims have a safe refuge or adequate community services that will help through the healing process.

It is true that we need to do more to stop the demand, to prosecute and to hold accountable those recruiting, selling and demanding to rape children for profit. One American child living this nightmare is one too many.

It is true that we need to do more to prevent further victimization, to identify those currently at risk, to provide intervention services to those in need and to provide the appropriate type and level of care for victims and their families to heal.

It is true that it is not just enough to rescue them, but we must educate them

and give them proper tools so they can ultimately provide for themselves and become self-sufficient. By giving them the tools they need to build bright futures, we can mitigate the fear that often lures them back to their dark and dangerous pasts. Education will not only change their lives, but will change the lives of their families for generations to come.

It is true that we need to provide more oversight, accountability and evaluation for those receiving state and federal funding who provide assistance and care for our most vulnerable citizens.

It is also true, that a lot of good work has been done, but that we, as a community and nation, still have a lot of work to do. I wish I had all of the answers for the problems we face with regard to how best to stop the demand and eradicate the human sex trafficking of children in our communities, but I don’t.

However, what I do know and what is indisputable is that it is a crime to recruit, buy, post on the Internet, sell, trade and rape children for profit. That I know for sure. I know the emotional, mental and physical damage that it causes. I also know, that whether the count of victimized children represents 10, 100 or 100,000, those children require...no, they demand our attention, our commitment and our action. To paraphrase President Obama, the fact that a problem is complex does not provide an excuse not to try to address it.

My own life experience has given me a front row seat to violence, survival sex and evil of human sex trafficking of children and young women. Although I cannot rescue all the girls, I can stand beside some of them and be a part of their restoration to wholeness. They know that I understand what it’s like to be held at gunpoint, to be demeaned and called unprintable names, to be afraid all the time in your own skin, to be repeatedly violated and tortured and then to be blamed for it all.

As we embrace 2013, I want to thank you in advance for the greater success that lies ahead as we continue together to fight the demand and provide hope, safety and healing for children.

What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God…

About Lisa Williams: In 1999, Lisa founded Circle of Friends: Celebrating Life, Inc, a not-for-profit organization of women helping women; trading in her financially rewarding private sector career, for one that would allow her to leverage her personal trials and successes to become a champion for others. In 2007, committed to righting the wrongs that she had been subjected to, Lisa conceived and launched what is today known as, Living Water for Girls, a nationally recognized residential and therapeutic safe refuge for young American girls who have been brutalized by prostitution, human sex trafficking and exploitation. In 2013 she established the Living Water Learning Resource Center, a gender-specific, non-residential education, vocational and life skills training and mentoring program for American girls and young women ages 16-26 who have experienced violence, street life and other horrific life experiences.

Taking no salary, Lisa leads a team of 120 volunteers and a staff of 8; she spends more than 60 hours a week working to ensure that girls and young women can find safety and heal from traumatic life events, pursue educational endeavors and acquire skills to become self-sufficient.

Lisa Williams is the author of Beautiful Layers: Stories from those who survived the life of prostitution & child sexual exploitation.

She is a former United States military officer, wife to her best friend of 25-years, and mother of biological and adopted children. She lives on a small farm in Georgia and thanks God continuously for “this good life” as she works to pursue a better quality of life for others.

Lisa Williams contact info: write2me@me.com or through the Circle of Friends: Celebrating Life Inc. website, www.cofcl.org. sclc SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine

23

feature

Unforgettable at 100 The Unveiling of a “Forever” Commemorative Stamp with Her Civil Rights Community on Parks’ 100 th Birthday at King Center Celebration

BY MAYNARD EATON & CARRIE L. WILLIAMS

t was almost like a family reunion, the excitement and the fellowship was so palpable among the attendees of Rosa Parks’ 100th Birthday commemoration on Feb. 4th at the King Center in Atlanta Especially among the Civil Rights Movement women.

Having worked diligently over several months for this moment, Brenda Davenport, Founder and Co-Chair of the Rosa Parks Centennial Tribute Committee explained why: “Once she[Parks] sat down, the rest of the world stood up.

That one act started the modern day Civil Rights Movement– bringing us Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and so many more.”

“All the great women of the Civil Rights Movement are coming to proudly honor one of their own,” followed CoChair Margaret Muhammad, “the first ‘she-roe’ of the struggle for racial justice.”

And proudly honor her they did.

Among those present were: Dr. Bernice King/King Center CEO; SCLC First Lady Cathelean Steele; SCLC WOMEN President Evelyn Lowery; Janice Mathis/Rainbow/PUSH Executive Director; Helen Butler/People’s Agenda Executive Director; former State Rep. Roberta Abdul-Salaam; Mrs. Christine King Farris; and other civil rights icons, foot soldiers and public policy leaders.

Dr. Bernice King made note in her welcoming remarks how Rosa Parks and countless other unrecognized women were the backbone of the Civil Rights Movement: “We must

L to R: Brenda Davenport, Pamela Wilson Smith (U.S. Postal Service), Evelyn Lowery, Naomi B. King, and Bernice King cut Rosa Parks’ birthday cake. Photo credit clyde_bradley@msn.com

24 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

never forget it was women who were the impetus of the Montgomery Bus Boycott,” she said. “How in the world was the movement going to happen without women?”

SCLC First Lady Cathelean Steele added: “Rosa Parks was sitting in the middle of the bus known as ‘No Man’s Land’ because it wasn’t the white section or the black section. And the bus driver who made her get off the bus was the same driver who she’d had a confrontation with in 1943.”

The U.S. Postal Service The First Lady went on to say 2013 Rosa Parks stamp that there was much about Rosa honors the life of this Parks that many outside the extraordinary American Movement did not know about her, activist who became an iconic figure in the civil including that she was no stranger rights movement. to confrontation or social change.

“Rosa Parks was raised by a grandfather who carried a shotgun to protect his family from the Ku Klux Klan, and who taught her about Marcus Garvey,” Mrs. Steele informed. “So she grew up with activism in her soul.”

Not only was Rosa Parks honored Feb. 4th by the hundreds at the King Center in Atlanta, but by hundreds near Detroit, Michigan as well, where she went to work for Rep. John Conyers and lived until the age of 92. The actual bus that Rosa Parks had been on, refusing to give up her seat, was a part of the 12-hour long commemoration ceremony at Dearborn’s Henry Ford Museum, along with a similar commemorative stamp unveiling.

A proclamation from U.S. Pres. Obama was a part of both commemorations as well, which read: “As we mark the 100th anniversary of Rosa Parks’ birth, we celebrate the life of a genuine American hero and remind ourselves that although the principle of equality has always been self-evident, it has never been self-executing. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate service, community and education programs to honor Rosa Parks’ enduring legacy.”

The U.S. postal stamp commemorating Ms. Rosa Parks is a “Forever” stamp, and is the second in a set of civil rights stamps being issued this year by the United Postal Service. sclc

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in memoriam

Pictures, L-R: Frederick Moore, 1951-2013; Fred Moore, doing what he did best, leading what proved to be his final march earlier this year in Macon, Ga.; and during the recent "Bloody Sunday" re-enactment, supporters salute the life and work of Fredrick Moore as they walk across the Edmund Pettis Bridge. Photos by clyde_bradley@msn.com

Frederick Moore

The Quintessential SCLC “Ground Crew” Member is Fondly Remembered

BY ARIT ESSIAN

W

ords of a civil rights anthem became a tribute and a defiant reaffirmation Saturday Feb 16, for “Leader” Frederick Moore, who for half a century refused to be turned from his devotion to the Movement and from the pavement as a vigilant “ground crew” member.

“Aint gonna let nobody turn me ‘round! Keep on walkin’!” they sang.

In what was part rally, part funeral; friends, family, and fellow activists, along with presidents and past presidents of SCLC; triumphantly belted the iconic words at Ebenezer Baptist church, in a final salute to the life of longtime SCLC ground crew member Frederick Moore. He was age 62.

Wearing red and blue – war colors of the Poor People’s Campaign – the enduring crusade for economic organized by Martin Luther King Jr., and SCLC in 1968; they made it known that Fred was a man taken from their beloved Ground crew community. Not a foot soldier –the term affectionately defined for many who were intimately entwined in the movement, but a ‘ground-crew’ member; one of the few direct disciples of Martin Luther King, Jr. The Ground Crew were but a handful of men, including the likes of the Rev. James Orange, and the Rev. Fred Taylor.

They marched with King, mentored under him, and saw to it that the hardware of civil disobedience remained oiled.

Mourners and celebrants remembered Fred for undying devotion to King’s mission and for his evolving roles with the organization he birthed [SCLC] during a storied 40-year career with the civil rights organization.

Moore was also a prodigious and productive photographer who amassed an extensive array of poignant and precious photographs of noted civil rights figures, marches and movements. “Fred chronicled SCLC’s events much like a news photographer,” opines Clyde Bradley, SCLC Magazine’s photo editor. “He captured so many rare moments of people and places with his camera, his SCLC office was often called

26 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

the ‘Movement’s Museum’. His work could easily fill several books portraying the Movement. He had a good eye.”

Fred joined SCLC from an early age after encountering King as a 9th grader in Crawfordville, Ga. King was on visit to the small town to organize protests for school integration.

County officials retaliated against the young Fred for his participation by firing his grandfather, a school bus driver. Fred however ignored the early warning to forsake the Movement.

He continued with the cause, eventually creating an indelible mark on Georgia history, when he and 39 other Black students became the first Black’s to integrate the “Whites-only” high school in Warrenton, Ga. Fred continued desegregation efforts throughout the 1970’s, strategically targeting rural communities around the state in Milledgeville, Dublin, and Augusta.

According to colleagues, he was a protector; passionate on voters rights and in voter registration – in which he was prolific in helping to register thousands of African-Americans.

He was the organizer who saw that everything was in place.

“Fred was in charge of making sure we had the permits, staples...signs, rope, any basic supplies for direct action – he coordinated everything...getting food, took up offerings... We all became known as the SCLC Field Staff under Abernathy; sort of the nucleus at the home base on Auburn Ave. Fred called it something else though. We were ‘part of the supporting cast of the drama of the Movement,’” said the Rev. Taylor.

“When you have Fredrick, it’s like having another 25 people. You don’t got nothing to worry about. He was about the last to leave out of everywhere. He would put his life on the line for you,” added Ralph Worrell, a longtime SCLC comrade to Fred.

In his quiet disposition, Fred was charged with providing security to leaders like Abernathy, Lowery, Hosea Williams – and with protecting the SCLC women.

When the Rev. Taylor was beat in front of the sheriff of Johnson County, while challenging the county’s refusal to

issue permits to honor King Day; it was one of the rare an expedition taken on without Fred. Taylor’s small frame was crammed in vehicle and dropped on the side of the highway, where he was left bleeding. “You can’t do that,” is what Fred later told him.

“Don’t think little of him because he was quiet,” said Brenda Davenport, SCLC’s youngest board member in 1982, who joined after an impulsive knock on the SCLC door and demand to speak with Joseph Lowery lead her into working for the civil rights organization at the age of 20.

“A lot of us do a lot of talking, but it takes a team. What I love about Dr. King is that he built a team and Fred knew how to always make sure we had signs, and food, and a camera in the truck, and if we had to run, he would be right there with the van,” Davenport said.

Davenport says learned of Fred’s untimely passing on from a 7 a.m. phone call. She called Rev. Taylor, then Dexter, King’s second son.

Others remember Fred for being the cheerful voice that symbolized the initial encounter of many with SCLC, both on the phone and in the office at the front desk. He answered the phones, marched at the front and in the middle, and became the organizations trusted van driver, even when he dug in his own pockets for gas money, or giggled at jabs that he didn’t know how to drive.

And Fred was remembered as much for activism, as he was for his keychain of ‘100’ keys, collected over the years from places he’d visited and protested. He was remembered for his inability to ever finish a meal without messing up a tie or shirt; and for his photos which immortalized him. Fred took thousands of photos, and blanketed the walls of his SCLC office with images; an archive registering the 50 years he dedicated to the movement.

Friends fondly also recall his inseparable pairing with Ralph. The two were brothers-in-direct action, seemingly joined at the overalls.”

Ralph entered the Movement after informing King at a labor convention in 1963 that he wanted to be a part and would do whatever he had to – not knowing the seriousness at the time. He reflects later meeting Fred right on Auburn Ave in 1969. Joined at the overalls, they became close friends working on various campaigns and weathering the changes of SCLC together.

“We were just young men coming into the Movement.

After the 60’s, all the veterans thought it was over and went out and got good jobs, and it was the little folks that kept it going. When the doors were going to close, and handwriting was on the walls, everybody was leaving, and there was no money, some folks had buried us, but we stuck together. It

Fred deserved honor as high as he can get.

He was the last staff person that worked under all administrations. He put footprints all around this country.”

–Brenda Davenport

was just us and Rev. Taylor for a while. ‘Why are you putting up with this foolishness?’ they said. But I’ll be just like Fred, with SCLC until death,” Worrell said.

When SCLC received warning in 2012 from community activist Rose Saunders, of Ku Klux Klan (KKK) plans to erect a statue in Selma; Fred without hesitation called on Ralph , along with Joe Hammond and William Marshall. The four left for Selma in a haste, derailing the KKK plan before CEO Charles Steele could even make it to Selma later.

Davenport’s arrival at SCLC was a contributing factor to the Fred/Ralph liaison, as she proudly says that she stole Rev. Taylor from Fred.

Mighty in physical size and devotion, Fred once lay before a bus to prevent it from moving during one of his integration crusades. In later years he became member of the

L-R: April 4, 2012, Atlanta, Ralph Worrell, Bernard Lafayette, Jr., C.T. Vivian and Frederick Moore; join hands during the singing of “We Shall Overcome” after laying a wreath at the gravesite of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., marking the 44th anniversary of his assassination.

Continental Walk for Disarmament and Social justice, and the noted “Blue Crew,” helping win the election of Andrew Young and various African-American legislators.

“Fred deserved honor as high as he can get. He was the last staff person that worked under all administrations. He put footprints all around this country,” said Davenport.

But at his funeral, few words were required to elaborate his life.

“Love justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly,” said Ebenezer Senior pastor, the Rev. Ralph Warnock – everything said to have been done by Fred.

And with Warnock having officiated three homegoings at the church for various leaders, and yet so early into the year; the definite, yet inaudible cry during Fred’s funeral was for the future of the Movement.

With so many ‘foot’ and ‘ground’ soldiers departing in mass exodus, the passing of another great pioneer only symbolized the urgent call for leaders remaining to prioritization enabling the next generation of leaders. sclc SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine 27

feature My mission and mantra is to document and archive the plethora of news and cultural content that paints the extraordinary picture of Black life – both past and present.

BY MAYNARD EATON

CLYDE BRADLEY

M

uch like the iconic storytellers of West Africa, Clyde Bradley, channels their spirit and substance as a Georgia Griot. Bradley is a premier professional photo and video journalist based in Atlanta who has emerged as a quintessential storyteller and chronicler of the Black experience. His passion is documenting the achievements of pioneer Black history-makers and civil rights leaders, while capturing contemporary community and cultural events. Bradley successfully and skillfully operates as a oneman documentary unit.

Most recently Bradley’s body of work was honored and exhibited at the Georgia General Assembly along with several other notable African American photographers.

“My mission and mantra is to document and archive the plethora of news and cultural content that paints the extraordinary picture of Black life—both past and present,” Bradley says.

“Clyde is as good as it gets as it gets as a photo journalist,” says Charles Steele, the President Emeritus and CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. “It is important to him that our story is told correctly and creatively. I applaud DeMark Liggins (foreground) and Maynard Eaton (background) view the photo exhibit. Photo credit clyde_bradley@msn.com Clyde’s work.”

For the past six years, Bradley has been a ubiquitous figure – using his video and still cameras to report, expose and publicize a variety of pertinent and pressing issues that impact and give insight to the Black community. It is not a first class or important event if Bradley is not on the scene to photograph it!

Clyde is the founder and CEO of Voice of the Voiceless 1, a galvanizing grassroots media operation that focuses on highlighting prominent figures, community leaders and unsung heroes.

His pictures and persona have positively impacted the lives of countless Georgians.

Clyde Bradley is a unique and masterful multimedia maestro whose artistry and news reporting Georgia General Assembly, Atlanta: (L-R) Ga. Rep. Earnest "coach" Williams, is rich, robust and riveting. Clyde takes pleasure Ga. Rep. Able Mable Thomas, Ga. Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler, Ga. Rep. Calvin in his reputation for his ability to generate exclusive Smyre, Ga. Rep. Sandra Scott, Ga. Rep. Gloria Frazier, Bud Smith, Clyde Bradley, Horace Henry, Jim Alexander, Sue Ross, Ga. Rep. Roger Bruce, and House content that mainstream media outlets often dismiss or are uninformed about. He is a rare breed. sclc Speaker David Ralston. Photo credit clyde_bradley@msn.com 28 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

Dillard’s 1600 Cantrell Road Little Rock, Arkansas

Come in for homestyle favorites like chicken tenders, baked fish or chopped steak, complete with two sides and fresh baked bread.

Catering and Meeting Space available. piccadilly.com

In memory of Dr. King. We wish the SCLC continued growth and progress to our minority communities and to our youth.

Security Finance Corp.

181 Security Place Spartanburg, South Carolina

Wacker Chemical Corp.

3301 Sutton Road Adrian, Michigan 49221 www.wacker.com

We Join the SCLC in Honoring the Memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Security Assurance Management

May His Dream Become a Reality for All People.

910 17th Street NW, Suite 220 Washington, DC 20006

Evening Post Publishing Co.

Intermune, Inc. 3280 Bayshore Blvd.

Brisbane, CA 94005

Bollag International Corp.

6924 Orr Road Charlotte, North Carolina 28213

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine 29

employment opps.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority acknowledges the contributions of the SCLC for equal opportunity.

MARTA isis an Equal Opportunity MARTA Opportunity Employer Employer It is MARTA policy that no employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, disability, provided that the individual with the disability is able to perform the essential functions of the job which he/she desires to hold with reasonable accommodation by the Authority.

METROPOLITAN ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY WWW.ITSMARTA.COM

Diversity & Inclusion

John Wileyy & Sons, Inc., one of Forbes Magazine's g “Biggest gg Best Companies,” C ompanies,” is a leading global publisher pr providing oviding mustmusthave have ccontent ontent and ser services vices for for the academic, academic, professional, proffessional, scientific, scientific, ttechnical, technical,, medic medical, medical, scholar scholarly sch ly and cconsumer onsumer mar markets. kets.

At At W Wiley, iley, w we e vvalue alue our ccolleagues…respect olleagues…respect their dignit dignityy as individuals…and rrecognize ecognize their mer merit. it. Through Through our ccommitommitment ment to to a diverse diverse w workforce, orkfforce, W Wiley iley supp supports orts equal opp opportunity ortunity ffor or emplo employment, yment, de development, velopment, and advancement advancement for for all qualified people. people.

Opportunities ar Opportunities are e often offtten available available in our edit editorial, orial,, mar marketing, keting, production, pr oduction, digital publishing publishing,, sales sales,, inf information for ormation ttechnology echnology and finance finance ar areas eas within our N New ew JJersey, ersey, Indianap Indianapolis, olis, Boston Boston and C California aliffornia lo locations. cations. FFor or openings, openings, please visit the ccareers areers section section of our w website: ebsite:: www www.wiley.com. .wiley.com.. If If interested, interested, apply online or submit resume resume to: to: John John Wiley Wiley & SSons, ons, Inc Inc.,., 111 R River iver Street, Street, Mailstop Mailstop 3-02,, H Hoboken, oboken,, NJ 07030.

Wee ar W are ree an equal opp opportunity ortunitty emplo employer. oyyerr.

EOE m/f/d/v

30 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

Robert Bosch Tool Corporation 1800 W. Central Road Mt. Prospect, IL 60056 Equal Opportunity Employer www.robertboschtoolcorporation.com

CWA Salutes the Southern Christian Leadership Conference 11455 Airline Hwy (225) 293-8900 On the corner of Airline Hwy & Sherwood Forest

Compliments of a Friend in Detroit, Michigan

Imagine Your Possibilities At FHLBank Pittsburgh, our staff is a key competitive asset. Whether you’re a recent grad or seasoned professional, we help you imagine your future in an inclusive, vibrant setting.

Visit us at www.fhlb-pgh.com to see why we may be a good business move for you.

FHLBank is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in employment and contracting.

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine 31

We believe in equal opportunity for all regardless of race, We congratulate the SCLC’s efforts to improve world peace and equality for all. www.fnf.com

RUBIN POSTAER & ASSOCIATES Supporting the dreams of all in search of equal employment opportunities, irrespective of race, creed, sex, age, disability, or ethnic background.

Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company

www. rpa.com

Forrest City School District #7 1 Market Street Elmwood Park, New Jersey 07407

845 North Rosser Forrest City, Arkansas

www.soundviewpaper.com

A.L. Gilbert Company 304 N. Yosemite Avenue Oakdale, California

We Join the SCLC in Honoring the Memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Happiness in in every every bite. bite.

Happiness

sees.com | 800.347.7337

32 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

ATLANTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE 1560 Metropolitan Parkway Atlanta, GA 30310 www.atlantatech.edu

Supports Equal Opportunity for All, Regardless of Race, Creed, Sex, Age, Disability or Ethnic Background.

creed, sex, age, disability, or ethnic background.

Bay City Public School District 910 North Walnut Street Bay City, MI 48706 Contact us at (989) 671-8140 or www.bcschools.net

BCB Community Bank 104 Avenue C Bayonne, NJ 07002

NCP Solutions

Brooks Automation 15 Elizabeth Drive Chelmsford, MA 08124 Teterboro Airport | South Hackensack, New Jersey

Filtrona Greensboro, Inc. 303 Gallimore Dairy Road Greensboro, NC 27409

Dedicated to Physician and Patient An Equal Opportunity Employer www.purduepharma.com

Missouri Drydock & Repair Company P.O. Box 700 Cape Girardeau, Missouri

We Join the SCLC in Honoring the Memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & Mrs Corretta Scott King

Office of Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas 500 West Temple Street, Room 866 Los Angeles, CA 90012

Century-National Insurance Company 12200 Sylvan Street North Hollywood, California

Supporting Diversity & Opportunities for Everyone Supports Equal Opportunity For All Americans Regardless of Race, Creed, Sex, Age, Disability or Ethnic Background

Call. 800-526-9328 Click.www.motionindustries.com Visit.Over 550 Locations

Body Shop of America

Oak Grove School District

6225 Powers Avenue Jacksonville, Florida 32217

6578 Santa Teresa Boulevard San Jose, California 95119

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine 33

We believe in equal opportunity for all regardless of race, creed, sex, age, disability, or ethnic background.

Atlanta Dental Supply Company 1650 Satellite Blvd.; Duluth, Georgia 30097 The Avanti Cigar Company 1015 North Main Avenue Scranton, Pennsylvania 18508 Bethany Christian Services, Inc. P.O. Box 294; 901 Eastern Avenue NE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501 1-800-Bethany Brockport Auxiliary Service State University College 350 New Campus Drive Brockport, New York 14420 California Community Colleges 1102 Q Street, Suite 4 Sacramento, California 95811 Carl Buddig & Company 950 West 105th Street Homewood, Illinois 60430-2040 City of Myrtle Beach P.O. Box 2468 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Clay County Board of Education P.O. Box 278; 121 2nd Avenue North Ashland, Alabama 36251 (256) 354-5414 D & L Coal Company, Inc. P.O. Box 185; Bloomington, Maryland 21523 D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital 1301 Bellville Avenue Brewton, Alabama 36427 Eastern Fish Company Glenpoint Center East 300 Frank W. Burr Boulevard Teaneck, New Jersey 07666 Enterprise Bank of South Carolina 206 East Broadway Street Ehrhardt, South Carolina 29081

Fred’s Incorporated 4300 New Getwell Road Memphis, Tennessee 38118 www.fredsinc.Com Frymaster Division Manitowoc Foodservice, Inc. 8700 Line Avenue Shreveport, Louisiana 71106 FX Matt Brewing Co. 811 Edward Street Utica, New York 13503 Hallen Construction Company, Inc. 4270 Austin Boulevard Island Park, New York 11558 Hill Mechanical Group 11045 Gage Avenue Franklin Park, Illinois 60131 Jelly Belly Candy Company 1501 Morrow Avenue North Chicago, Illinois 60064 John Taylor 3435 Meridian Way Winston-Salem, North Carolina

MS Consultants, Inc. 333 East Federal Street Youngstown, Ohio 44503 North Lawrence Community School District 460 W Street; Bedford, Indiana 47421 www.nlcs.k12.in.us Pharr Yarns, LLC P.O. Box 1939; McAdenville, North Carolina Rawlings Sporting Goods 510 Maryville University Drive, Suite 110 St. Louis, Missouri 63141 Roberts Sewing Center www.aquiltersparadise.com 1-800-273-9111 Royal Cup, Inc. P.O. Box 170971 Birmingham, Alabama 35217 The Salvation Army 3637 Broadway; Kansas City, Missouri 64111 Spartan Chemical Company 1110 Spartan Drive; Maumee, Ohio 43537 1-800-537-8990 www.spartanchemical.com

Johnson Level & Tool Manufacturing Company 6333 West Donges Bay Road Mequon, Wisconsin 53092

Stack-On Products Company P.O. Box 489; 1360 North Old Rand Road Wauconda, Illinois 60084

Katz, Sapper & Miller, LLP 800 East 96th Street, Suite 500 Indianapolis, Indiana 46240

Sunny King Automotive Group P.O. Box 1288; Anniston, Alabama 36202 www.sunnyking.com

Klaasmeyer Construction Company, Inc. P.O. Box 847; Conway, Arkansas 72033

Twentytwo Squared 1170 Peachtree Street NE, 15th Floor Atlanta, Georgia 30309

Litchfield Bancorp 294 West Street Litchfield, Connecticut 06759

Utility Workers Union of America 815 16th Street Northwest Washington, DC 20006

Los Angeles Unified School District 333 South Beaudry Avenue Los Angeles, California 90017 www.teachinla.com

Wheat Street Baptist Church 18 William Holmes Boarders Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30312

LSW Engineers 2333 West Northern Avenue Phoenix, Arizona 85021

WOOF-AM & FM; Dothan, Alabama www.woofradio.com www.997wooffm.com

Federated Investors Foundation, Inc. Federated Investors Tower 1001 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222

Mayer Electric Supply Company, Inc. 3405 4th Avenue South Birmingham, Alabama 35222

Compliments of a Sincere & True Friend in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

First Federal Savings Bank 320 East Main Street Lincolnton, North Carolina 28092

M.G. Maher & Company, Inc. 365 Canal Street, Suite 1600 New Orleans, Louisiana 70130

Evangelical Homes of Michigan 1601 Briarwood Circle, #400 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108

34 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

Compliments of a Friend in: Westport, Connecticut Minneapolis, Minnesota Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Help us make social responsibility an everyday reality.

Your SCLC membership will enable us to promote program initiatives that include voter registration and education, conflict resolution and non-violence training, economic empowerment, healthcare, youth development, and chapter development. ! YOUTH $10 (Age 11-17) One-Year Membership Member Newsletter

! GENERAL $25 One-Year Membership Member Newsletter

! DREAM KEEPER $250 One-Year Membership Member Newsletter Quarterly SCLC Magazine Membership Certificate

! SENIOR $10 (Age 65 and Over) One-Year Membership Member Newsletter

! FAITHFUL SERVANT $50 One-Year Membership Member Newsletter Quarterly SCLC Magazine

! DRUM MAJOR $500 One-Year Membership Member Newsletter Quarterly SCLC Magazine Membership Plaque

! STUDENT $10 (Age 18-24) One-Year Membership Member Newsletter

! FREEDOM FIGHTER $100 One-Year Membership Member Newsletter Quarterly SCLC Magazine

! MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. LIFE $1000 Member Newsletter Quarterly SCLC Magazine Membership Plaque

Cut along dotted line, detach, and return with your payment.

SCLC MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Please check circle(s) that apply:

Name Address City Day Tel.

State

Zip

Evening Tel.

Chapter Name (if applicable)

! Youth $10 ! Senior $10 ! Student $10 ! General $25 ! Faithful Servant $50 ! Freedom Fighter $100 ! Dream Keeper $250 ! Drum Major $500 ! Martin Luther King Jr. Life $1000

Email Amount Enclosed $ The Life Membership can be paid in installments with an initial payment of $250 and with an annual minimum of $250. Please submit membership payments by check or money order to your local SCLC office or the SCLC National HQ.

Mail to: SCLC NATIONAL HQ 320 Auburn Avenue Atlanta, GA 30303

Tim Dismond Senior Managing Director, Global Corporate Services Overland Over land Park, KS

TTashna-Loy ashna-Loy N. Donaldson Regional Director of Operations, Midwest Region, Asset Services Chicago, IL

Jessica Ochoa Vice President, Brokerage Chair, Hispanic Networking Group Houston, TX

Michelle Esquivel-Hart Senior Vice President, Brokerage Beverly Hills, CA

EEric Yarbro Yarbro b Senior Vice President, Brokerage Founder & Co-Chair, African-American Network Group New York, NYY

CBRE SALUTES SALUTES

THE THE SSOUTHERN OUTHERN CCHRISTIAN HRISTIAN LLEADERSHIP EADERSH ERSHIP CONFERENCE CONFERENCE

AAND ND THE DRE DREAM AM OOFF BR BRINGING INGING DDIVERSITY IVERRSITY TO TO EVERY EVERY COMMUNITY. COMMUNITYY.

At CBRE, we believe in attracting and developing the best talent in the real estate services industry. And in fostering an inclusive culture that values the differences of each individual and recognizes their contributions to our collective success. It’s how we became the global leader in real estate services. And it’s how we continue to provide our clients with the best solutions for all their real estate needs. At CBRE, diversity drives success. CBRE is seeking talented individuals to join our team. For more information, please contact Cherrese Belt at 214.438.8743.

W WEE APPLAUD APPLAUD THE SCLC FFOR OR CARRYING CARRYING ON DR. DR. KING’S KING’S LEGACY. LEGACYY. #1 IN REAL ESTATE ESTATE SERVICES WORLD WORLDWIDE WIDE CBRE is an EOE/AAP Employer W/M/D/V

www.cbre.com/careers www .cbre.com/careers

www.cbre.com/inclusion www.cbre.com/inclusion

employment opps.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority acknowledges the contributions of the SCLC for equal opportunity.

MARTA isis an Equal Opportunity MARTA Opportunity Employer Employer It is MARTA policy that no employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, disability, provided that the individual with the disability is able to perform the essential functions of the job which he/she desires to hold with reasonable accommodation by the Authority.

METROPOLITAN ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY WWW.ITSMARTA.COM

See Diversity As Strength When you’re ready for acareer with acorporation where diversity and teamwork equal strength, and employees are valued for their skills and abilities, you’re ready for SCANA Corporation.

John Wileyy & Sons, Inc., one of Forbes Magazine's g “Biggest gg Best Companies,” C ompanies,” isis aa leading leading global global publisher publisher pr providing pr oviding must must-have have ccontent ontent and ser services vices for for the academic, academic, professional, proffessional, scientific, scien tific, ttechnical, echnical,, medic medical, al, scholarly scholar sch ly and cconsumer onsumer mar markets. kets.

Headquartered in Cayce, SC, SCANA Corporation is a Fortune 500 energy-based holding company, with $12 billion in assets, whose businesses include regulated electric and natural gas utility operations and other energy-related businesses. SCANA’s subsidiaries serve approximately 659,000 electric customers in South Carolina and more than one million natural gas customers in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. SCANA has nine significant direct, wholly-owned subsidiaries.

At W At Wiley, iley, w we e vvalue alue our ccolleagues…respect olleagues…respect their dignit dignityy as individuals…and rrecognize ecognize their mer merit. it. Through Through our ccommitommitment ment tto o a diverse diverse w workforce, orkfforce, W Wiley iley supp supports orts equal opp opportunity ortunity ffor or emplo employment, yment, de development, velopment, and advancement advancement for for all qualified people. people.

Please visit our website at www.scana.com for more information on the career opportunities SCANA has to offer. Diversity and teamwork are the essence of our business and the power that inspires our careers. Women, minorities, veterans and disabled individuals are encouraged to apply. SCANA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer ofand the Secretary of Labor’s Opportunity Award, which recognizes one company for comprehensive proud recipientof the Secretary of Labor’s Opportunity Award, which recognizes one company for comprehensive workforce strategies that exemplify Equal Opportunity Opportunities.

Opportunities are Opportunities are often offtten available available in our editorial, editorial,, mar marketing, keting, production, pr oduction, digital publishing publishing,, sales, sales, inf information for ormation ttechnology echnology and financ finance e areas areas within our N New ew Jersey, Jersey, Indianap Indianapolis, olis, B Boston oston and C California aliffornia locations. locations. FFor or openings, openings, please visit the ccareers areers section sec tion of our w website: ebsite:: www www.wiley.com. .wiley.com.. If If interested, interested, apply online or submit rresume esume tto: o: JJohn ohn Wiley Wiley & SSons, ons, Inc Inc.,., 111 R River iver SStreet, treet, Mailstop Mailstop 3-02,, Hoboken, Hoboken,, NJ 07030.

www.scana.com 30 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

Wee ar W are ree an equal opp opportunity ortunitty emplo employer. oyyerr.

EOE m/f/d/v

CWA Salutes the Southern Christian Leadership Conference 11455 Airline Hwy (225) 293-8900 On the corner of Airline Hwy & Sherwood Forest

Compliments of a Friend in Detroit, Michigan

Imagine Your Possibilities At FHLBank Pittsburgh, our staff is a key competitive asset. Whether you’re a recent grad or seasoned professional, we help you imagine your future in an inclusive, vibrant setting.

Visit us at www.fhlb-pgh.com to see why we may be a good business move for you.

FHLBank is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in employment and contracting.

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine 31

We believe in equal opportunity for all regardless of race, We congratulate the SCLC’s efforts to improve world peace and equality for all. www.fnf.com

RUBIN POSTAER & ASSOCIATES Supporting the dreams of all in search of equal employment opportunities, irrespective of race, creed, sex, age, disability, or ethnic background.

Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company

www. rpa.com

Forrest City School District #7 1 Market Street Elmwood Park, New Jersey 07407

845 North Rosser Forrest City, Arkansas

www.soundviewpaper.com

A.L. Gilbert Company 304 N. Yosemite Avenue Oakdale, California

We Join the SCLC in Honoring the Memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Happiness in in every every bite. bite.

Happiness

sees.com | 800.347.7337

32 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

ATLANTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE 1560 Metropolitan Parkway Atlanta, GA 30310 www.atlantatech.edu

Supports Equal Opportunity for All, Regardless of Race, Creed, Sex, Age, Disability or Ethnic Background.

creed, sex, age, disability, or ethnic background.

Bay City Public School District 910 North Walnut Street Bay City, MI 48706 Contact us at (989) 671-8140 or www.bcschools.net

BCB Community Bank 104 Avenue C Bayonne, NJ 07002

NCP Solutions

Brooks Automation 15 Elizabeth Drive Chelmsford, MA 08124 Teterboro Airport | South Hackensack, New Jersey

Filtrona Greensboro, Inc. 303 Gallimore Dairy Road Greensboro, NC 27409

Dedicated to Physician and Patient An Equal Opportunity Employer www.purduepharma.com

Missouri Drydock & Repair Company P.O. Box 700 Cape Girardeau, Missouri

We Join the SCLC in Honoring the Memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & Mrs Corretta Scott King

Office of Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas 500 West Temple Street, Room 866 Los Angeles, CA 90012

Century-National Insurance Company 12200 Sylvan Street North Hollywood, California

Supporting Diversity & Opportunities for Everyone Supports Equal Opportunity For All Americans Regardless of Race, Creed, Sex, Age, Disability or Ethnic Background

Call. 800-526-9328 Click.www.motionindustries.com Visit.Over 550 Locations

Body Shop of America

Oak Grove School District

6225 Powers Avenue Jacksonville, Florida 32217

6578 Santa Teresa Boulevard San Jose, California 95119

SPRING 2013 / SCLC Magazine 33

We believe in equal opportunity for all regardless of race, creed, sex, age, disability, or ethnic background.

Atlanta Dental Supply Company 1650 Satellite Blvd.; Duluth, Georgia 30097 The Avanti Cigar Company 1015 North Main Avenue Scranton, Pennsylvania 18508 Bethany Christian Services, Inc. P.O. Box 294; 901 Eastern Avenue NE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501 1-800-Bethany Brockport Auxiliary Service State University College 350 New Campus Drive Brockport, New York 14420 California Community Colleges 1102 Q Street, Suite 4 Sacramento, California 95811 Carl Buddig & Company 950 West 105th Street Homewood, Illinois 60430-2040 City of Myrtle Beach P.O. Box 2468 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Clay County Board of Education P.O. Box 278; 121 2nd Avenue North Ashland, Alabama 36251 (256) 354-5414 D & L Coal Company, Inc. P.O. Box 185; Bloomington, Maryland 21523 D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital 1301 Bellville Avenue Brewton, Alabama 36427 Eastern Fish Company Glenpoint Center East 300 Frank W. Burr Boulevard Teaneck, New Jersey 07666 Enterprise Bank of South Carolina 206 East Broadway Street Ehrhardt, South Carolina 29081

Fred’s Incorporated 4300 New Getwell Road Memphis, Tennessee 38118 www.fredsinc.Com Frymaster Division Manitowoc Foodservice, Inc. 8700 Line Avenue Shreveport, Louisiana 71106 FX Matt Brewing Co. 811 Edward Street Utica, New York 13503 Hallen Construction Company, Inc. 4270 Austin Boulevard Island Park, New York 11558 Hill Mechanical Group 11045 Gage Avenue Franklin Park, Illinois 60131 Jelly Belly Candy Company 1501 Morrow Avenue North Chicago, Illinois 60064 John Taylor 3435 Meridian Way Winston-Salem, North Carolina

MS Consultants, Inc. 333 East Federal Street Youngstown, Ohio 44503 North Lawrence Community School District 460 W Street; Bedford, Indiana 47421 www.nlcs.k12.in.us Pharr Yarns, LLC P.O. Box 1939; McAdenville, North Carolina Rawlings Sporting Goods 510 Maryville University Drive, Suite 110 St. Louis, Missouri 63141 Roberts Sewing Center www.aquiltersparadise.com 1-800-273-9111 Royal Cup, Inc. P.O. Box 170971 Birmingham, Alabama 35217 The Salvation Army 3637 Broadway; Kansas City, Missouri 64111 Spartan Chemical Company 1110 Spartan Drive; Maumee, Ohio 43537 1-800-537-8990 www.spartanchemical.com

Johnson Level & Tool Manufacturing Company 6333 West Donges Bay Road Mequon, Wisconsin 53092

Stack-On Products Company P.O. Box 489; 1360 North Old Rand Road Wauconda, Illinois 60084

Katz, Sapper & Miller, LLP 800 East 96th Street, Suite 500 Indianapolis, Indiana 46240

Sunny King Automotive Group P.O. Box 1288; Anniston, Alabama 36202 www.sunnyking.com

Klaasmeyer Construction Company, Inc. P.O. Box 847; Conway, Arkansas 72033

Twentytwo Squared 1170 Peachtree Street NE, 15th Floor Atlanta, Georgia 30309

Litchfield Bancorp 294 West Street Litchfield, Connecticut 06759

Utility Workers Union of America 815 16th Street Northwest Washington, DC 20006

Los Angeles Unified School District 333 South Beaudry Avenue Los Angeles, California 90017 www.teachinla.com

Wheat Street Baptist Church 18 William Holmes Boarders Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30312

LSW Engineers 2333 West Northern Avenue Phoenix, Arizona 85021

WOOF-AM & FM; Dothan, Alabama www.woofradio.com www.997wooffm.com

Federated Investors Foundation, Inc. Federated Investors Tower 1001 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222

Mayer Electric Supply Company, Inc. 3405 4th Avenue South Birmingham, Alabama 35222

Compliments of a Sincere & True Friend in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

First Federal Savings Bank 320 East Main Street Lincolnton, North Carolina 28092

M.G. Maher & Company, Inc. 365 Canal Street, Suite 1600 New Orleans, Louisiana 70130

Evangelical Homes of Michigan 1601 Briarwood Circle, #400 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108

34 SCLC Magazine / SPRING 2013

Compliments of a Friend in: Westport, Connecticut Minneapolis, Minnesota Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Help us make social responsibility an everyday reality.

Your SCLC membership will enable us to promote program initiatives that include voter registration and education, conflict resolution and non-violence training, economic empowerment, healthcare, youth development, and chapter development. ! YOUTH $10 (Age 11-17) One-Year Membership Member Newsletter

! GENERAL $25 One-Year Membership Member Newsletter

! DREAM KEEPER $250 One-Year Membership Member Newsletter Quarterly SCLC Magazine Membership Certificate

! SENIOR $10 (Age 65 and Over) One-Year Membership Member Newsletter

! FAITHFUL SERVANT $50 One-Year Membership Member Newsletter Quarterly SCLC Magazine

! DRUM MAJOR $500 One-Year Membership Member Newsletter Quarterly SCLC Magazine Membership Plaque

! STUDENT $10 (Age 18-24) One-Year Membership Member Newsletter

! FREEDOM FIGHTER $100 One-Year Membership Member Newsletter Quarterly SCLC Magazine

! MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. LIFE $1000 Member Newsletter Quarterly SCLC Magazine Membership Plaque

Cut along dotted line, detach, and return with your payment.

SCLC MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Please check circle(s) that apply:

Name Address City Day Tel.

State

Zip

Evening Tel.

Chapter Name (if applicable)

! Youth $10 ! Senior $10 ! Student $10 ! General $25 ! Faithful Servant $50 ! Freedom Fighter $100 ! Dream Keeper $250 ! Drum Major $500 ! Martin Luther King Jr. Life $1000

Email Amount Enclosed $ The Life Membership can be paid in installments with an initial payment of $250 and with an annual minimum of $250. Please submit membership payments by check or money order to your local SCLC office or the SCLC National HQ.

Mail to: SCLC NATIONAL HQ 320 Auburn Avenue Atlanta, GA 30303

Tim Dismond Senior Managing Director, Global Corporate Services Overland Over land Park, KS

TTashna-Loy ashna-Loy N. Donaldson Regional Director of Operations, Midwest Region, Asset Services Chicago, IL

Jessica Ochoa Vice President, Brokerage Chair, Hispanic Networking Group Houston, TX

Michelle Esquivel-Hart Senior Vice President, Brokerage Beverly Hills, CA

EEric Yarbro Yarbro b Senior Vice President, Brokerage Founder & Co-Chair, African-American Network Group New York, NYY

CBRE SALUTES SALUTES

THE THE SSOUTHERN OUTHERN CCHRISTIAN HRISTIAN LLEADERSHIP EADERSH ERSHIP CONFERENCE CONFERENCE

AAND ND THE DRE DREAM AM OOFF BR BRINGING INGING DDIVERSITY IVERRSITY TO TO EVERY EVERY COMMUNITY. COMMUNITYY.

At CBRE, we believe in attracting and developing the best talent in the real estate services industry. And in fostering an inclusive culture that values the differences of each individual and recognizes their contributions to our collective success. It’s how we became the global leader in real estate services. And it’s how we continue to provide our clients with the best solutions for all their real estate needs. At CBRE, diversity drives success. CBRE is seeking talented individuals to join our team. For more information, please contact Cherrese Belt at 214.438.8743.

W WEE APPLAUD APPLAUD THE SCLC FFOR OR CARRYING CARRYING ON DR. DR. KING’S KING’S LEGACY. LEGACYY. #1 IN REAL ESTATE ESTATE SERVICES WORLD WORLDWIDE WIDE CBRE is an EOE/AAP Employer W/M/D/V

www.cbre.com/careers www .cbre.com/careers

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