Black organizations, residents to convene at Merritt College

Amidst state budget cuts, soaring unemployment rates and the barrage of doom and gloom news coming out of East Bay communities, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson and several local groups have organized “African American Organizations Making Connections” taking place Saturday, May 1.

Supervisor Keith Carson African American Organizations Making Connections Saturday, May 1 Merritt College 8 am. to 2 p.m. RSVP- Facebook More info

The community forum will take place at Oakland’s Merritt College. The program includes members from various organizations who will share best practices and challenges, initiate strategic partnerships and take advantage of the opportunity to network and identify points of collaboration to leverage scarce resources.

“Over the past year with budget cuts, we continue to look to strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations, in efforts to streamline our program delivery and maintain high standards of service to our clients,” said Pastor Raymond E. Lankford, co-founder of Healthy Communities. “This is not only important to the success of these organizations, but it is crucial to the survival of our residents.

Several hundred attendees from community, youth and faith-based organizations, county agencies, businesses and more will take part in the forum.

Organizations and agencies currently taking part in the planning for the event include the Office of Supervisor Keith Carson; Alameda County Probation Department; MPCAH Faith Partners Collaborative; Alameda County Public Health Department, Maternal, Paternal Child & Adolescent Health Programs; 100 Black Men of the Bay Area; National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc., Oakland Bay Area Chapter; Healthy Oakland; Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action; African American Studies, Merritt College; Black Women Organizing for Political Action; Berkeley Youth Alternatives; Youth Radio; African American Business Exchange; Good News in Oakland; Black Hour Radio; The Mentoring Center; and Charles Houston Bar Association.

Scheduled to speak to participants are Congresswoman Barbara Lee; Assemblymember Sandré Swanson; and Youth Movement Records Executive Director Ryan Nicole Peters, who will facilitate a youth panel discussion. A keynote presentation will be delivered by Dr. Julia Hare, who will discuss “The Art of Building Strategic Partnerships.”

“African American Organizations Making Connections” is a free event open to youth and adults. Light refreshments will be served and there will be free childcare on site. Merritt College is located at 12500 Campus Drive in Oakland.

To register visit Making Connections. For more information or to volunteer at the event, call (510) 272-6695. Parking details - $1 for the day – can be downloaded.

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