Leadership Training for Inclusive Communities, June 27 - 30, 2024, Stockton University, Galloway, New Jersey.

LEADERSHIP TRAINING BY BUILDING ONE AMERICA and the SUMMIT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS

June 27 through June 30, 2024, Stockton University, Galloway, New Jersey. 


Because space is limited, interested individuals must apply to participate in this program.  The application is available online and can be accessed HERE.

_______________________________________________________________________

FROM DIVERSITY TO SHARED POWER

Demographic diversity has been increasing throughout American society.  While membership and even leadership in many organizations have reflected this change, power and decision-making often fail to keep up with the racial, ethnic, generational and gender make up of our communities and institutions, including labor unions, local government, and religious congregations. This failure has left us weaker and more easily undermined by those who do not share our values of inclusion and opportunity.

One reason for this persistent power gap is that we too often confuse the visual trappings of diversity with genuine equality and political and economic integration. When members of underrepresented groups secure leadership positions they frequently begin at a significant disadvantage. Generational layers of power, privilege, experience and networks of formal and informal relationships are at play in any public arena where power is wielded and important decisions get made. These dynamics are taken for granted or denied by the powerful, while often unseen or not easily understood by the powerless. We frequently find ourselves in organizations, committees, boards and leadership structures that are diverse in name and appearance, but in reality are decidedly lopsided when it comes to the exercise of power.

As Frederick Douglass famously reminded us, power never did and never will be given away by those who have it to those who don’t.

Building One America’s training does not claim to make people more powerful nor does it create diversity, but it does better equip emerging leaders from diverse and working-class backgrounds to better understand and navigate the dynamics of power and politics and to have the tools to compete effectively and further themselves and their values in the public arena. Moreover, it will help individual leaders to recognize more clearly their own potential and motivations to build a powerful and meaningful public life.

Because space is limited, interested individuals must apply to participate in this program.  The application is available online and can be accessed HERE. 

 __________________________________________________________________

Who: This training is for leaders from anywhere who want to become more effective in making a difference – including organizers, leaders and volunteers from the faith community, labor unions, electoral politics, public office holders and grassroots rank-and-file leaders. 

What: The training teaches ordinary people to unleash their capacity to impact the social, political, environmental, and economic decisions affecting their lives. The training has been designed and will be conducted by experienced organizers affiliated with Building One America and the Summit for Civil Rights. The training is unique in combining elements of leadership training developed over the past fifty years by national community organizing networks, with a contemporary analysis and strategy for developing multiracial institutional and social power to build more inclusive and equitable communities.

Topics covered include:

  • An orientation and reflection on power
  • Understanding self-interest as a way to build membership, engage allies and adversaries, and become a more focused and self-motivated leader
  • The role, value, and techniques of one-on-one organizing
  • Conducting and understanding a power analysis
  • Distinguishing the “public” from the “private” in order to build an effective public life
  • The key principles and elements of strategy and tactics and issues and action
  • Identifying and developing leaders
  • The importance of organized money
  • Principles and techniques for effective meetings
  • Personal reflection, strategic planning and developing a personal path to power

The training is not just an intellectual exercise. It challenges and helps experienced leaders and emerging leaders to identify, reflect on, and overcome internalized attitudes and beliefs that stand in the way of becoming more powerful and impactful. The goal is to produce more powerful leaders and to facilitate the expansion of more powerful and more unified multiracial coalitions and structures.

When:  The training will take place over four days starting Thursday, June 27 through Sunday June 30, 2024.

Where: Stocton Universty, Galloway Township Campus, Galloway, NJ

Cost: Tuition plus room and board is $625 per participant for affliaites and sponsoring organizations. 

Because space is limited, interested individuals must apply to participate in this program.  The application is available online and can beaccessed HERE. 
 

TESTIMONIALS 

The training institute helped me become a more powerful leader, acting more strategically, efficiently, and decisively, creating greater accountability for myself and others - Eloise Henry, President, Richmond Heights (OH) City Council

 ...a very powerful training. It equipped me with the tools to reinvent myself - Rev. Rohan Hepkins, Mayor, Yeadon, PA

This is the most relevant, intense and productive conference I have ever attended - Heather Sorge, Campaign Organizer, Healthy Schools Now

Despite 40 plus years in politics, I found the 4-day training to be new, useful, and refreshing.  It was helpful in expanding my own political power and in understanding and dealing with others who are exercising theirs. Ant it led to new and significant relationships for me - Dale Miller, Member, Cuyahoga (OH) County Council

Completely caught me by surprise. I thought I knew what being a leader meant, but the training showed me parts of leadership that I knew nothing about. It really helped me with my networking skills and in my new position as President of CWRUs Black Student Union. I’m excited to see what it can do for more people in our community - Aliah Lawson Executive Chair, Black Student Union, Case Western Reserve Universit

It was helpful. Extraordinarily. Thank you! - Tomea Sippio-Smith - Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PA) Education Policy Director

Training was awesome. Confirmation for me as well as new found skills – Alexis Rean-Walker, HPAE, Secretary-Treasurer

 Learned new skills for active listening and relationship development; clearer understanding of power dynamics that drive organizations and elected leaders; deeper understanding of structural causes of inequity and a path to racial integration; and practical steps to develop an inclusive and powerful network that can drive change - Tom Bullock, Member at Large, Lakewood (OH) City Council

Key learning moments were understanding my power, self interest and anger.  Thank you! – Martha Camacho-Rodriguez - Cerritos College, Trustee, Norwalk, CA

I’ve become more confident and feel that I have fully stepped into my leadership role - Safronia Perry, Executive Director, Hope Station (PA) Area Neighborhood Council

 I used to stay in the back of the room, rarely speak, and try to be invisible. The training helped me to find my voice - Darnelle Crenshaw, Student, Case Western Reserve University  

Thank you. The training was awesome – Taylor Picket Stokes, Rescue Mission of Trenton

The training rocked my world and gave me a new roadmap for action. Amazingly intense and perspective-shifting. Great content, compelling examples, helpful exercises and an energized group of participants. - Gary Forman, Trustee and Executive Committee Member, SOMA Action

__________________________________________________________________________

Leadership Training for Congregations and Community

April 6th, 2024  - from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Fountain Baptist Church - 116 Glenside Ave - Summit, NJ 07901

Register Here

This training builds on the powerful Martin Luther King Day Forum held at Fountain Baptist Church.  It is for clergy and lay leaders who want to develop their skills and advance social justice while building community and strengthening their congregations, organizations, and communities.
 

Purpose and Goals of Training:

1.   An orientation on broad based community organizing for racial, social and economic justice.

2.   Gain the tools and attitudes needed to take the next steps in building out the coalition internally and externally.

Those tools and attitudes will include:

a.   A deeper understanding of power to defend and advance our values.

b.   The importance of understanding and learning the self-interest (issues, concerns) of our congregations / organizations / communities and members as well as the self-interest of key allies and decision makers.

c.    The techniques and a program for a listening process that will enable leaders to deepen their understanding of the problems people are facing and the shared values they are willing to act upon together.

3.   The training will include an analysis of the problem of racial segregation as a form of deliberate political isolation and economic exploitation. 

4.   The training will also provide a power analysis including the process for advancing and winning a legislative campaign.

5.   It will conclude with an agreed upon calendar and specific action steps to for groups to advance issue campaigns, voter engagement, membership recruitment, evangelization and organizational base-building.

 

Who should attend this training:

  • Key leaders from congregations and organizations including the faith community, labor unions, civil rights organizations and social and community-based institutions.

You must register to attend. You can register here.

 Go here for a PDF flyer

 

King Day Clergy Forum with Dr. Otis Moss II at Fountain Baptist Baptist

Join Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Attorney Lawrence Lustberg, Law Professor Erika Wilson, and Rev. Dr. Willie D. Francois.

The Unfinished Work; Ending Segregation, Expanding Opportunity.

Monday, January 15, 2024 - 5-6:30 PM. Fountain Baptist Church, Summit, NJ. 

Please join us for a Martin Luther King Day observance and policy forum on school segregation on Monday, January 15, 2024, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM, ET at Fountain Baptist Church, Summit, NJ.

In October of 2023, a New Jersey Supreme Court Judge ruled that New Jersey's public schools were unconstitutionally segregated by race. This ruling has far reaching implications for students and families from all backgrounds, colors and communities. On January 15th, Martin Luther King Day, 2024 we will hear a report on this case from the lead attorney with analysis from experts and reaction and a proposed action agenda from faith leaders. 

Our faith based coalition has been battling the deeply entrenched and well-funded forces of racial segregation across the state for some time. We intend to expand and escalate our campaign in 2024 as we build multi-racial support to win over policy makers through mobilization and direct action.

We can think of no better use of the King Day observance than to launch this important work in the new year and we would be honored if you would join us. 

"Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children."
 
Martin Luther King, Jr. : I Have a Dream Speech (1963)
 

Martin Luther King Day observance and policy forum on racial segregation, Monday, January 15, 2024, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM, Fountain Baptist Church, Summit, NJ.

Please pre-register here for this gathering of faith, community, political and policy leaders.

Annual Year-End Celebration and Awards Ceremony, Dec 14, 2023

Rev. Albert  MorganLawrence Lustberg - Lloyd Henderson - Tennille McCoy - John FroonjianMila Jasey - Tom Giblin - Nia Gill

 

 


 
 
 
Senior Pastor and "God's Mailman"
Union Baptist Temple, Bridgeton
2023 Moral Leader of the Year
 
 
Director, Gibbons PC
2023 Powerful Ally of the Year
 
 
President, Camden County East NAACP
2023 Outstanding Leader of the Year
 
 
Assemblywoman-elect D-14
2023 Shirley Chisholm Breakthrough Leader
 
 
Director, William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy
2023 Steadfast and Loyal Friend
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Rev. Albert  MorganLawrence Lustberg - Lloyd Henderson - Tennille McCoy - John FroonjianMila Jasey - Tom Giblin - Nia Gill



 

 



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

March on Washington Anniversary Policy Forum

 

 

 

 

Nearly 150 community leaders and clergy from congregations and civic organizations from across Essex, Union, Passaic, and surrounding counties gathered at St. Paul Baptist Church in Montclair Thursday, August 25 to celebrate the March on Washington and to demand action today on its yet unmet demands.

Keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. Willie D. Francois said ending school segregation was the 1st and 3rd demand of the 1963 march, “…and yet here we are”, said Pastor Francois, “these 6 decades later..., in this liberal state - one of the wealthiest in the country - and we’re having to have conversations about how children don’t have to be trapped in pockets of airtight poverty and racial exclusion?” Francois blamed “political inaction and cowardice”. “This is not just about diversity” he said “it’s about opportunity…, this is about power."  

 Hosted by St. Paul Senior Pastor Dr. Bernadette Glover and moderated by Dr. Terry Richardson,  of first Baptist Church in South Orange, the post Covid capacity crowd responded with shouts of “Amen!” and "that Ain't Right!” to the powerful message.  

 

The group did more than preach, agitate, and inspire. The clergy and community coalition (a part of Building One America and the NJ Coalition Against Racial Exclusion NJ-CARE) presented a detailed list of specific legislative actions and called on Governor Murphy and legislators to enact policies aimed at dismantling the “opportunity destroying and stigmatizing scourge of school segregation” without delay.

Senator Joseph P. Cryan and Assemblywoman Mila M. Jasey, the co-chairs of the Legislative Joint Committee on The Public Schools committed to work with the group and advance their initiatives in the New Jersey General Assembly this fall. Jasey was also representing the Legislative Black Caucus as its Education Chair.

Dozens of leaders handed in cards vowing to continue the fight and to participate in upcoming hearings and organizing activity. “We will reconvene” declared Pastor Dana Owens of Messiah Baptist Church in East Orange “we will gather momentum – we shall trouble the waters”.  Next steps for more leaders are clergy to joining this fight will be the Leadership Training for Congregations and Community - Building Power and Building Community - Saturday, October 29, 2022, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Messiah Baptist Church, 13 Oak St, East Orange, NJ 07018. Go here to register.

  

 

Click here for the program and powerpoint from August 25

August 25 Program

March on Washington Anniversary Policy Forum - August 25, 7PM

North Jersey Legislative Policy Forum on School Segregation & Opportunity

August, 2022 marks the 59th Anniversary of Great March on Washington.

Of the 10 demands made at the 1963 March, the 1st and the 3rd demand called for the immediate desegregation of America's public schools. Today, as we enter our 6th decade since the March (and 7 decades since Brown v Board was filed), schools in New Jersey have become some of the most segregated in the nation – more segregated than almost any state of the former confederacy. [1]   

This was not by accident. It was result of deliberate policies that are still in place today and still segregating our children by both race and poverty and denying them equal opportunity to a decent life.

On Thursday, August 25th, we will convene a powerful gathering of community, faith, education and labor leaders along with parents, policy makers and elected officials. The purpose will be to review and react to current and proposed legislation aimed at reversing those policies that drive segregation and repairing the damage it has inflicted on children, families, and communities.

We will be joined by key policy makers including those who have introduced and supported legislation as well as experts and practitioners in the field of education and civil rights including host Rev. Dr. Bernadette Glover and Co-Chair Rev. Dr. Willie D. Francois along with (invited) Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, Legislative Black Caucus Chair Shavonda Sumter and Senator Joe Cryan.  Register here to attend this event. 

 

 

[1] Among the states that rebelled against the Union, only Texas is more segregated than New Jersey today.

Pages