Dr. Charles Steele

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

Calling All Future Leaders…Stand Up, Speak Up and Create Change!

By Dr. Charles Steele Jr., SCLC National President & CEO As I sat and thought about what I wanted to write about in this issue of the SCLC magazine, I knew I wanted to speak to our upcoming leaders. It is time that we understand the importance of creating leaders in our own communities. Leaders aren’t born, they’re taught, nourished, trained and developed. I believe to be a good leader you must know what a leader looks and acts like. We must start training our children on how to be good leaders. To be a leader you must have once been led. You must understand what it takes to be a leader, study under a mentorship, give of your time helping others and understanding their issues. You can’t speak to issues you don’t understand. It’s time to stand up, speak up and create change. SCLC is always willing and able to train young people on how to be leaders under the Kingian non-violent conflict reconciliation training courses. We need more leaders in this country. One or two leaders is not enough. We need leaders in every community and on every corner. We cannot lose this fight…our children’s lives depend on it! SCLC is reigniting the fire of Justice. We are lifting the torch high as we transform into an innovative organization ready and willing to take on that silent monster called racism. ‘

SCLC has transformed from a national organization to an international organization. Why? Because unfortunately, racism has a passport. As racism transforms, so will the SCLC. We are ready to devise new strategies to deal with the ever-camouflaged racism that exist. We are proud of our legacy and as we transform to deal with a changing world, we remain rooted in the followings of our co-founders. SCLC will continue to focus on domestic issues while embracing the international community simultaneously. What I have learned over the years is that there is no America without the world and there is no world without America. We have to care about the underserved across the globe as well. SCLC National Magazine/ Spring 2022 Issue

SCLC will do its part to uplift those affected by the war in Ukraine. We are all heart broken over the events taking place in Ukraine. As we see the unfair treatment of God’s children all around the world, we must speak up and help create change where we can. We can do this by helping to create SCLC leaders in every community in this country. Your voice is important and needs to be heard.

SCLC is also concerned with not only what happens in the streets, but also what happens in the suites. I have been talking to you for almost two years about our “From the Streets to the Suites” campaign. SCLC has always understood that we can’t fix the world without addressing the issues in America. Although we attempt to do as much as we can, we are only as strong as our foundation. Therefore, SCLC is continuing to do the maintenance necessary to ensure that we are strong and fit for future generations. Contrary to what many might think, organizations like SCLC are imperative to our freedom today, tomorrow and forever. We want to be a glimmer of hope for all God’s children all over the world and it is imperative that we understand the foundation from which we build must remain strong. SCLC has to stay in the streets! However, it’s time to take it to the suites. What goes on in the suites directly affects the streets. We need more leaders in the streets and the suites. The “From the Streets to the Suites” initiative targets corporations. This initiative looks at helping those that have been treated unfairly at their place of employment. We focus on organizations that have been accused of racism and discrimination, especially companies that have been lauded as leaders in diversity, equity and inclusion. It is written down in history the accomplishments of SCLC and the civil rights movement in the 1960’s. Lead by our co-founder Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr., SCLC was able to help bring about the 1965 Civil Rights Act. Of course, we have all witnessed most recently the Black Lives Matters’ demonstrations that focused much of its efforts on ending injustices in the streets as people all over the country protested police violence against people of color. This should never change and is always needed. This SCLC campaign has been taking from the streets to the suites for the last two years. Not only must we fight injustices in the streets, but we must also fight injustices in the suites. Corporations hold the power to close many of the gaps between the races in America, including gaps in income, education, housing, healthcare and public safety. Justice in the streets is just as important as justice in the suite. Civil rights is ever-changing and we will continue to change with it every step of the way. Calling all leaders…It’s time! Find an SCLC chapter and we will help find you a mentor…leadership is calling.

We join the SCLC in honoring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We fully support equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, or ethnic background.