African American leaders meet in nation’s capital to sign convenant with Black America

Washington (Black-News.com)--Dozens of the nation’s most influential African American leaders joined broadcaster Tavis Smiley for the signing of "The Covenant with Black America"--a national plan of action to address the primary concerns of African Americans.

Leaders representing political, business, civil rights, educational, business and fraternal organizations pledged to uphold the 10 key tenants found in the document aimed at improving the lives of African Americans at a news conference held Tuesday, February 28 at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington, D.C.

"There is a lot of work to be done. We’re hopeful that this Covenant generates a great deal of conversation and energy in the Black community around moving forward with progress," said Smiley.

"The covenant outlines a plan we can follow. It includes facts around the issues and gives suggestions on what we can do to make Black America better. When you make Black America better; you make all of America better."

Some of the dozens of signers and supporters included Bruce Gordon, president of the NAACP; U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr.; Reginald Weaver, president, National Education Association; U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson; U.S. Representative Mel Watt; Samuel C. Hamilton, grand polemarch, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc; Dr. Sandra L. Gadson, president, National Medical Association; Darryl Matthew, Sr., president, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; and Marie Smith, president, AARP board of directors.

A year in development, "The Covenant with Black America," is a 254-page book that outlines key issues impacting African Americans.

Each chapter includes an essay by a noted expert, background on the issue, and a list of suggestions for how individuals and groups can take action to solve the problems.

In other developments:

• Since its release on February 25, 2006 "The Covenant with Black America" book has ranked "number one" on the online bestsellers’ lists of Amazon, Borders and Barnes and Noble. The book was distributed at the 7th Annual State of the Black Union symposium hosted by Smiley in Houston.

• The Jamestown Project at Yale announced plans to "operationalize" the Covenant Curriculum: A Study of Black Democratic Action, produced by Jamestown Project Advisory Board Member, Dr. Cornel West and Jamestown Project Senior Fellow, Dr. Eddie Glaude.

The Jamestown Project at Yale is a national, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to creating, articulating, promoting, and implementing new ideas for enriching American democracy.

• Ken Mehlman, chairman of the Republican National Party, and Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Party, have pledged that candidates seeking their respective party’s presidential nomination will address the issues outlined in "The Covenant."

For more information about how to implement "The Covenant" and to get "The Covenant with Black America" book, visit www.covenantwithblackamerica.com.

For more information about Tavis Smiley, go to www.tavistalks.com. For information about the Jamestown Project, visit www.jamestownproject.org. For information on the Youth Call to Action, visit www.youthtoleaders.org.