Bishop Jerry L Maynard
October 25-27 are the official dates for the Strengthening the Black Church 2018 National Prison Summit on Mass Incarceration. ‘Save the Date’ cards are being sent out. Two informational sessions have already taken place, with more on the horizon. Guests and summit attendees will travel locally and from across the country. The Maxwell House Hotel was chosen as the host hotel.
Cathedral of Praise Church of God in Christ (Bishop Jerry Maynard, senior pastor) is the host venue. Dr. Fred A. Allen, national director of ‘Strengthening the Black Church’ is the summit convener. The National Prison Summit on Mass Incarceration will be filled with two-and-a-half days of inspiring teaching, national networking, and policy and impact development designed to empower, encourage, and equip those who work in the areas of mass incarceration, restorative justice, reentry and family outreach. Cutting-edge strategies and best practices from experts from around the country will be taught to allow your ministry and organization to be equipped to impact lasting systemic reform.
The two informational sessions which took place drew in members from the community, elected officials, various churches, corporations, and non-profit organizations. It was a mixture of ex-offenders and non-offenders, but both with the same progressive goals in sight.
Dr. Fred A. Allen
The last information session panel was titled ‘Release.’ It was modified by Dr. Fred A. Allen and Eboni Funderberk. The panel included: Council-woman-at-Large Erica Gilmore; Elder Xuam A. Lawson, Sr.; State Rep. Rev. Harold Moses Love, Jr., Ph.D.; Dawn Stone; Junius B. Dotson; and Rev. Glen Clay. It took place at the Historic First Community Church, hosted by Rev. Glen and Lady Ella Clay. It was a night to remember, as some of the successful ex-offenders spoke in passionate accounts of their lives in prison and now as successful ex-offenders. All were encouraged to invite others to the upcoming information sessions. The next one will be held on Tuesday, May 29, 10 am, at Discipleship Ministries, 1908 Grand Ave., Nashville, Tenn. 37212. That agenda will include a recap of Town Hall Meeting committee discussions; session’s topic reviews; keynote speakers’ reviews; special offerings; sponsorships and partners’ reviews; and the next steps forthcoming.
Toska Lee travels to promote the summit, and she sent an e-mail strand out to committee members stating: “We have great momentum going in Nashville and from across the country like groups from Las Vegas, California, Kansas, Texas, Georgia. I can’t wait to see you in Nashville at our meeting in a couple of weeks. We have lots of work to do to ensure that this national summit is the best yet!”
Early registration is encouraged as the confirmed and pending speaker lineup is quite impressive.
It includes: former Ambassador Andrew Young; actor Hill Harper; Bishop T.D. Jakes; Dr. Frederick Haynes III; Dr. Fred A. Allen; and Bishop Jerry Maynard.
The 2018 National Prison Summit website has a full line up of the two-and-a-half day program, speakers (confirmed and pending), and other pertinent information and necessary updates.
