WITH NEWLY APPOINTED PRESIDENT JERI L.WRIGHT, DAUGHTER OF RENOWNED PREACHER JEREMIAH WRIGHT
NAN Chicago Chapter Strives to Reshape City’s Focus on Social Justice and Civil Rights
(Chicago, July 27, 2007 )"Reverend Al Sharpton, Former Presidential candidate and one of the country"s foremost leaders for civil rights, will be in Chicago to announce the launch of a Chicago chapter of his National Action Network on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 , at the historic Regal Theater, located 1645 East 79th Street . A launch press conference is scheduled for 4p.m. and will be attended by Jeri L. Wright, the President-elect of the Chicago Chapter of NAN, along with other community, religious and political leaders from the Chicago area.
The newly formed Chicago chapter is one of 36 chapters of National Action Network in the United States and Rev. Sharpton is excited to have appointed Jeri Wright to serve as leader because she will impart a fresh vision for Chicago . According to Reverend Sharpton: "I have worked with Ms. Wright on a range of issues through the years and she has the strong vision and commitment to lead the Chicago chapter with an aggressive agenda that will fight civil injustice, racial disparity, and socio-economic inequality."
NAN is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the nation and works extensively to promote a modern civil rights agenda which includes a standard of decency for all people regardless of race or sex, social justice for all communities, and improvement of race relations. Through the years, NAN has served as a megaphone for the voiceless and an advocate for those in need. The organization has been in the forefront on issues relating to voter registration, education, and police misconduct. You can learn more about what we do viewing our website at www.nationalactionnetwork.net.
"Because of my upbringing, I have always been committed to the liberation of people of African descent," Wright says. "And I have always admired the work that Rev. Shapton has done with the National Action Network. As I began to help build his clergy connections across the country, one day I came to the realization that I was being called to do more than just produce a publication that educates nurtures and empowers Africans in the Diaspora or give consultations on the subject, but to take ownership and lead the movement here in Chicago. This vision for the Chicago chapter is to bridge the generational gap and engage people of all ages. That vision is reflected through our inter-generational leadership."
The first initiative of the Chicago chapter is slated as The NAN Decency Initiative national "Day of Outrage" against the continuous use in the music recording industry of the words "nigga," "bitch" and "ho." Reverend Sharpton, who has persistently challenged the entertainment industry on denigrating lyrics, will lead a protest in 20 cities including Chicago on August 7th to call for the withdrawal of public investments from companies that won’t clean up their act. In many states billions of dollars from state pension funds are invested in the entertainment industry. The overall goal is to establish a single standard that will be adopted by media and entertainment entities that will respect all people regardless of race, gender and sexual orientation.
WHO:
Reverend Al Sharpton, Founder and President of NAN; Jeri Wright, President/NAN-Chicago; Reverend Otis Moss III, Vice-President/NAN-Chicago; Arrie Denise Thomas-Williams, Director of Decency/NAN-Chicago; 6th Ward Alderman Freddrenna Lyle, Treasurer/NAN-Chicago; Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr., Senior Pastor/Trinity United Church of Christ; Father Michael Pfleger, Pastor, Community of St. Sabina, and other committed clergy
WHAT:
Launch of National Action Network Chicago Chapter
WHEN:
Wednesday, August 1, 2007 , 4P.M.
WHERE:
1645 East 79th Street (Regal Theater)
Contacts:
Chicago Communications Director: LaKeisha Gray – Sewell
(773) 577-4600 lrgwriting1@yahoo.com
National Vice President of Communications: Rachel Noerdlinger
(212) 876-5444 revalmedia@yahoo.com
