Johnson C. Smith University News January 11, 2011 Grassroots Activists to Host an "Ndaba" at Johnson C. Smith University Local community activists will host an "Ndaba" on January 17, 2011, 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., in the Mary Joyce Taylor Crisp Student Union - Grimes Lounge on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University. "Ndaba," or great sitting down, is a community forum which is common in African tradition. From the Ashanti to South Africa's Nguni, most tribes practice the principle of consensus. Community activists approached Johnson C. Smith University's Center for Applied Leadership and Community Development and requested that the University facilitate a meeting to discuss and find collaborative solutions for three major issues that impact the African-American community: education, economic empowerment, and community leadership. The community activists have agreed to frame the meeting in the "Ndaba" tradition. "One major concern we have as residents, with regards to education, is the number of schools closing in Charlotte Mecklenburg," said Michele Robinson, community activist. "We want to find solutions, not only to this issue, but to others that impact the African-American community as well. We hope that once we leave the meeting, we will walk away with a better understanding as to how we, as community leaders and concerned residents, can work with city and state officials in policy decision making." In addition, Rev. Mildred McCullough, Community Activist, stated, "I truly hope attendees will comprehend the significance of the impact that school closings have on our children, communities, and the equitable distribution of resources." McCullough further noted, "Bruns Avenue Elementary is a prime example because additional funding would be required to transform the facility for the K - 8 planning decision." Johnson C. Smith University established the Center for Applied Leadership and Community Development in 2009 with the main purpose of community engagement and civic education. Currently, the Center works with 27 neighborhoods in Charlotte, as well as community-based groups in Cleveland and Catawba Counties. "In our role as a facilitator, we hope to assist grassroots leaders in empowering themselves and building their assets," said Sherrill Hampton, Director, Center for Applied Leadership and Community Development. "Johnson C. Smith University will continue to develop its strong partnership with our neighboring communities and city leaders." If anyone from the media would like to attend this meeting, please contact La Vondra Farquharson, Office of Public Relations, at 704.378.1032. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.