FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 12, 2007

Bonita Buford

Charlotte Mecklenburg African American Agenda (CM3A)

704.737.2657

www.CM3A.org

More Than 1000 Commit to Attack Disparities in African American Community

Charlotte, NC – In an unprecedented show of support and civic engagement, more than 1000 people came together for two days to address disparities facing many Charlotte Mecklenburg African Americans.  Juan Williams, Fox News Sunday panelist, addressed a standing-room-only Convention Center ballroom on Friday, January 5th, telling the 1100 there that the CM3A Town Hall Meeting was as important a moment for Charlotte as the founding of the NAACP or the Montgomery bus boycotts were for America.

“This is a ready, get set, go meeting,” Williams said.  “What we’re doing tonight truly has the potential to be something revolutionary.”

Williams’ speech led to three simultaneous discussion groups.  During one, an open forum, Charlotte’s Mayor Pat McCrory challenged the audience to join him in mentoring young people.  Sixty individuals responded, offering their time and talents.

Saturday, January 6^th, was the day participants rolled up their sleeves and worked.  After an energizing opening with local public health educator, Kwain Bryant, 1000-plus registrants broke into small groups where they were armed with facts.  Each was handed a participant guide outlining the gaps that exist for many African Americans in comparison to Whites in the community.  Mecklenburg County disparity data was organized to mirror the ten covenant areas in Tavis Smiley’s book, The Covenant with Black America, and in small sessions, participants were able to advocate for their passions and then, by voting, to determine the disparities that would be addressed by the community-at-large. 

After economist Julianne Malveaux spoke, CM3A Chair, North Carolina Senator Malcolm Graham, stood before the audience and reported that the adult, youth and public official breakout groups had unanimously selected education as the most pressing issue to address in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. 

“It was important that we took a look at the ‘man in the mirror’,” Senator Graham explained to the crowd.  “The community has spoken and the agenda is our community’s call to action.”  

A prevailing theme in the breakout sessions was that audience members wanted action and that they wanted to be a part of that action.  CM3A Honorary Chair, US Congressman Mel Watt, closed the two-day event by thanking the over 600 individuals who completed forms declaring their personal commitment to furthering the agenda. 

Even before the doors opened last Friday, the CM3A steering committee and design team had agreed to a 100-day follow-up plan.  Fifteen days after the conference, the committee would meet to review the results of the town hall meeting.  All participants who made a personal commitment would be matched with an organization that can use their skills within forty-five days.  And by the end of one hundred days, the actions that Mecklenburg County leadership will take to affect the change mandated by the agenda’s priorities will be announced. 

“It’s important that we harness participants’ energy and commitment and that they see the results of their efforts,” said Viola Lyles, design team member. 

The results of the town hall meeting will be posted on www.CM3A.org.  Mecklenburg County residents may continue to go online to make individual commitments and to monitor progress on the initiative.

As the doors closed, an unnamed public official reminded:  All covenant areas must be approached with an attitude of hope and with positive expectations.

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