Press Release

Cummings to Hold Forum Calling Black Men to Action
Event will raise awareness about the need for mentors in African American communities

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, former Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), will host an issue forum with 100 Black Men of America, Inc. at this year’s CBC Foundation Annual Legislative Conference.

The forum, “Men to Boys: Life Lessons to Uplift our Community,” will take place on Friday, September 25, 2009 from 1:30 pm to 4:50 pm in Room 207-A of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

The event will begin with a riveting clip from the documentary “Men II Boys,” produced by award-winning documentarian Janks Morton and featuring LaMarr Darnell Shields who wrote the book “101 Things Every Boy/Young Man of Color Should Know,” which inspired the film.

The forum will consist of two panel discussions moderated by Judge Greg Mathis of the nationally televised court show Judge Mathis. Panelists will discuss the necessary components of effective mentorship programs that can provide holistic support in all areas of a young man’s life and how those programs can be replicated.

WHO:                                    U.S. Congressman Elijah E. Cummings

                                                100 Black Men of America, Inc.

WHAT:                                  CBC Foundation Annual Legislative Conference Issue Forum on Mentoring in African American communities

WHEN:                                 Friday, September 25, 2009, 1:30pm-4:50pm

WHERE:                              Washington Convention Center, Room 207-A

                                                801 Mt. Vernon Place, NW

                                                Washington, DC 20001

PANELISTS:                       Judge Greg Mathis (Moderator), The Judge Mathis Show

Panel 1:

(1:30-3:10)

John Bryant

Founder & Chairman

Operation HOPE

Jeff Johnson

International Journalist, Political Commentator

BET Networks

Dr. Joshua Murfree

Vice Chairman of Programs

100 Black Men of America, Inc.

Bishop Dwayne Debnam

Pastor

Morning Star Baptist Church

Call to Mentor

(3:20pm)

Susan Taylor, National Cares Mentoring Movement

Essence Magazine Editor-Emeritus

Panel 2:

(3:30 – 4:50)

Kevin Liles

Executive Vice President

Warner Music Group

Dr. Robert Franklin

President

Morehouse College

Dr. Pierre Vigilance

Director

District of Columbia Department of Health

Dr. Steve Perry

Founder & Principal

Capital Preparatory Magnet School

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