sclcnational.org

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

19. August 2011
by keith
0 comments

MLK Message in the Music

As we witness one of Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream’s become fulfilled, and America embarks on a new journey with the inauguration of President elect Barack Obama, we must not forget the messages of Dr. Martin Luther King and how he tirelessly fought for civil rights and justice for all. On January 12, 2009, The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) presents “Message In The Music.” This compilation CD makes it possible for today’s younger generation to be exposed to a selection of Dr. King’s messages in an unconventional way. Music artists both known and new, have come together to record original songs with the speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King resonating in the background. Each song off the 15 track album reminds us of the hopes and dreams Dr. Martin Luther King had for civil rights in America.

While the music moves you physically, the words of Dr. King move you emotionally. In an impressive collaborative way that is relative to today’s diverse musical tastes, “Message In The Music” features a variety of music formats. There is something for everyone on this album, from the soulful R&B sounds of Lenny Williams with the touching song “Dr. King We Love You,” to the Hip-Hop sounds of Snoop Dogg, and the Pop Dance sounds of new artist Shari Tanizawa. Executive Produced by Kevin Irving of Kirv Entertainment and Lanz Alexander, “Message In The Music” will be available at local churches, major record stores, digitally online as well as the official website www.mlkrecords.com.

The SCLC is still in existence today and proceeds from the sales of “Message In The Music” will benefit the continuous work of this historic organization which now focuses its efforts on hate crimes, discrimination, and police brutality. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was formed in 1957. It had two objectives, one to use nonviolent protest as a method of resistance to discrimination and the other to appeal to the moral conscience of Americans. After extensive discussion, the SCLC was founded by Martin Luther King, Ralph Abernathy, Fred Shuttlesworth, Bayard Rustin, and others. King was elected as the first president and Abernathy served as the treasurer. In the spirit of Martin Luther King,Jr., the Southern Christian Leadership Conference is renewing its commitment to bring about the promise of ‘one nation, under God, INDIVISIBLE’ together with the commitment to activate the ‘strength to love’ within the community of humankind.

19. August 2011
by keith
0 comments

Million March To Vote Success

PRESIDENT STEELE AND MUSIC PRODUCER GATHER HUNDREDS TO MARCH AND RALLY AT THE GEORGIA STATE CAPITOL

Civil Rights Leader Dr. Charles Steele, Jr. and Multi-Platinum Producer Kevin “Khao” Cates led a march and rally Sunday, November 2nd in Atlanta, Ga. The march and rally was the culmination of the Million March 2 Vote Campaign, a non-partisan nationwide effort that calls on civic minded organizations to encourage their members and constituents to vote.

The campaign targeted people that in the past may have never voted or been unaware of the steps to take to register to vote. The March began at 2:00pm and the Rally at 3:00pm. Participants assembled at Morris Brown Herndon Stadium at 12:30pm and marched down Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd to the Georgia State Capitol.
“It appears that the younger generations have lost sight of the struggles and obstacles that preceded them,” said Dr. Steele. “We want to rekindle that spirit in our youth and encourage everyone to use the right that so many have died for.”
“Our generation takes a lot for granted,” Khao said. “There is so much to learn from one another and it’s way overdue. There is lack of participation from us. I asked myself: who will be our leaders of tomorrow if we don’t make a stand and vote?”

Dr. Steele and Khao will continue working together with the Bridging da Gap Movement. Bridging da Gap is an International project meant to bring generations together to share information and create a society conducive to progress and awareness. Dr. Steele and Khao see the need to create a platform for the unification of youth and great leaders of the older generation. The project includes various recording artists joining together to record an entire album with proceeds going to benefit Youth Programs and development of educational programs that promote such growth. The first single launching this collaborative movement is titled “Bridging da Gap” featuring Khao and Dr. Steele. Bridging da Gap will include curriculum that address the problems faced by today’s youth, with solutions that spark discussions between the generations to permit an exchange of information.
Dr. Steele and Khao performed their riveting and powerful song at the Rally on Sunday. Celebrity guests were also in attendance and performed. Community leaders, politicians, hip-hop artists, professional athletes and music executives also joined Dr. Steele and Khao in the march.

19. August 2011
by keith
0 comments

Leadership United Commemorative Posters now available

This year’s historic election has its roots in 1963 when an estimated crowd of 250,000 people gathered on the monument grounds of Washington, DC for SCLC’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s. speech. NBC and ABC interrupted their programming to bring it live to viewers across the country. Dr. King had originally planned to deliver a different speech, but departed from his text to the “I have a dream” theme he used on prior occasions. Although it was a speech he had given on many other occasions, Dr. King’s I have a dream speech is one of the most famous speeches ever given.

“I have a dream, that one day, even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

In his January 20, 2008 speech at Ebeneezer Baptist Church, Barack Obama spoke of Martin Luther King, Jr. bringing unity in an hour of need. Obama stated, “What Dr. King understood is that if just one person chose to walk instead of ride the bus, those walls of oppression would not be moved. But maybe if a few more walked, the foundation might start to shake. If a few more women were willing to do what Rosa Parks had done, maybe the cracks would start to show. If teenagers took freedom rides from North to South, maybe a few bricks would come loose. Maybe if white folks marched because they had come to understand that their freedom too was at stake in the impending battle, the wall would begin to sway. And if enough Americans were awakened to the injustice; if they joined together, North and South, rich and poor, Christian and Jew, then perhaps that wall would come tumbling down, and justice would flow like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Own a piece of history. A limited number of posters are available.
The poster is $20.00 plus $3.50 shipping and handling
Poster sales fund SCLC’s nonviolent programs and activities.
Please support the continuous work of SCLC by purchasing the commemorative SCLC 45th anniversary of the 1963 march on Washington poster.
Please don’t miss out on your chance to own a piece of history. A limited number of posters are available. The cost of the poster is $20.00 and $3.50 shipping and handling.
All sales of this poster will be used to fund SCLC’s nonviolent programs and activities.