Events

Ken Bedell moderated a panel discussion about the role of religious communicators in supporting civil rights at the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meeting in Atlanta, Georgia from April 5-7, 2018.

Participants in the panel were Dr. Robert M. Franklin Jr., Yvette Moore, Kemal Budak, Rev. Dr. Kenneth Bedell (photo by Andy and Malinda Rawls)

Click Read more below to see a full report on the panel discussion written by Douglas F. Cannon, Ph.D., APR+M, Fellow PRSA

"On April 3-5, 2018 the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) and our partners will gather in Washington, D.C. for a historic event to launch its Truth and Racial Justice Initiative. As we mark 50 years since the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, we will commit to do our part to eradicate the entrenched racism that grips the United States and paralyzes our ability to see every human being as equal."(From the rally website)

How Can You Join the NCC Initiative?

1) You can join the rally on the National Mall on April 4, 2018 to demonstrate with your presence that you share the belief that it is time to take on the difficult task of ending racism.

2) You can organize your church, campus ministry, or other organization to support the launch of the Truth and Racial Justice Initiative by joining 500 other groups in contributing $500 to pay the bills for the rally.

3) If you can't attend the rally in DC, you can participate in the "virtual rally" through social media. Start today by participating in the discussion on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Begin by downloading the rally social media kit.

This awakening is led by the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) its 38 member denominations in partnership with National African American Clergy Network, The Conference of National Black Churches, and more than seven additional civil rights and religious organizations. It will kick-off with a rally on the National Mall on April 4, 2018, the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The sponsors of this rally promise that “This launch event will be followed by an extensive program that will address racism in the areas of church life and practices, criminal, economic and social justice, civil and human rights, environmental justice, immigration, media, and education.”

Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell (Grace and Race Ministries, Inc.) and Alexei Laushkin (Kingdom Missionary Society) a FACEBOOK LIVE Online Discussion entitled Breaking the Silence on Racism.

The discussion introduced MLK Bridges, a program to commemorate the 50^thAnniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by engaging 50 houses of worship, faith-based and other civic organizations to work together as bridge builders for racial understanding and action.

The student newspaper at Georgetown University, THE GEORGETOWN VOICE, reported on an event hosted by the Berkley Center on Civil Rights.

Austin Corona described the presentation by Ken Bedell and the discussion that followed.

Click on "Read more" to read the full story.

Realizing the Civil Rights Dream Events
October 8-13, 2017

Click on "Read more" to see a list of events.

Justin Kaufman of WGN radio in Chicago talked with Ken Bedell on September 13, 2017. In the 30 minute interview they discussed Rev. Jesse Jackson's 1988 speech at the National Democratic Convention where he proposed using the image of a patchwork quilt to describe a vision of America without racism. With this image all ethnic and racial identities have full participation in the American life. Also, each patch makes a contribution, so if a patch is missing the quilt is not complete. The image focuses on what every identity group can contribute to American society. You can listen to the whole interview at the WGN website: http://wgnradio.com/2017/09/12/is-there-still-hope-for-equality-in-amer…

On Thursday, September 28, I'll participate in the Authors' Book Signing at the ASALH conference. The signing will be from 6:30 -- 9:30 PM in the Mezzanine Level of the Hilton Netherland Plaza Hotel, 35 W. 5th st., Cincinnati OH 45202. It is free and open to the public. I'd love to see my friends from southwest Ohio, so stop by and say hi.