Black Methodist Denominations Unveil Male Investment Plan
Columbia, SC (March 3, 2010) – The nation’s three largest Black Methodist denominations, the AME, AME Zion and CME Churches, developed and presented today, their plan to address the plight of African American males. The program, called The Male Investment Plan was presented to the entire body assembled in the Carolina Coliseum for the Great Gathering. In unveiling the Male Investment Plan, Bishop Warren Brown, AME Zion Chair of Bishops told the assemblage, “We are going to leave this place united and committed, and I know it’s going to be a success because all of you here are going to do your part to make it work.”
Male Investment Program (MIP) highlights:
·Is designed for African American males ages 5 to 25;
Will address the needs of the African American community and specifically the impact of the economy, education, health and wellness and spiritual enrichment;
Will use a Saturday Academy concept. Each academy may differ from others, but all will follow a basic structure;
Subjects covered will be determined by local organizing committees;
The academies will be located in AME, AMEZ and CME churches on rotating basis;
Participants will be paired with a mentor;
Workshops will include life skills, career options, self esteem, anger management and spiritual enhancements, study habits and financial literacy; and
Goal is “to dramatically change the lives of participants by exposing them to the awesome gifts given them by God.”
Bishop Brown said phase one of the Male Enhancement Program will begin May 2010 in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The program will be phased in over time in 13 regions across the country.
For more information, visit www.greatgathering.org. In particular, view the YouTube video message from President Barack Obama in support of the Great Gathering.
Contact:Bob Ellison, bellison@wallscomm.com, (202) 726-1599
Lon Walls, lwalls@wallscomm.com, (301) 996-1669
Alan Hermesch ahermesch@aol.com, (301) 365-4762.
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