Staff WriterNew York, NY, November 8, 2006: The New York Christian Times, in partnership with Citigroup, welcomed sponsors and community partners, to the Black Church Means Business Power Breakfast at Citicorp Center, yesterday morning. The meeting welcomed close to 100 clergy, corporate conference participants and media outlets to discuss “How Faith and Business Can Work Together to Impact and help Transform Community.”
Keynote speaker, Mrs. Denise Durham Williams, National Director of Community Relations, Citibank, N.A. spoke passionately on the linkage between faith and economics, acknowledging the power of the church and faith-based organizations in building an active business community.
“We are here to partner,” said Williams, also a presenter at the 2006 Black Church Means Business Conference. “We want to help vitalize and stabilize the community.”
Williams highlighted her company’s $200 million 10 year financial education commitment to long term community development through wealth building by providing affordable housing.
Dr. Avis Hendrickson, Educator and volunteer member of the Conference Planning Committee, underscored Citibank’s focus on education in her update of the Conference’s various forums, which includes banking, real estate development and the business of fashion.
“Education is the key to opportunities, especially for our youths,” Dr. Hendrickson asserted.
The attentive audience listened to Jamaican born Rev. Dennis Dillon, CEO of T he New York Christian Times and Executive Chair of the 2006 Conference, unveiled plans for the Economic Literacy Coalition (ELC). This initiative will be launched in early 2007, as a corporate counsel that will strategically addresses key critical areas contributing to the financial education and economic empowerment of the Black Community.
“Some of the most formidable leaders are present,” stated Dillon, “…through our synergy of collective efforts, we will continue to make strides in economically impacting our communities.”
Rev. Dillon emphasized the tangible benefits to all conference participants, highlighting benefits to businesses that will see increase in capital, participation in government and corporate contracts; as well as increased access to product distribution and franchise ownership.
The Black Church Means Business Conference will be held on December 11 th and 12th at the Brooklyn Museum. For registration and exhibitor information, contact Faye Braz, conference coordinator, at 718-638-6397.
ABOUT THE BLACK CHURCH MEANS BUSINESS CONFERENCE
Under the mission “to enlighten and inspire in order to transform,” Black Church Means Business Conference was launched in 1994, committed to empowering the Black community with the spiritual and economic tools for community development and sustainability. The fourth major installment, the 2006 BCMB Conference will be held at the newly renovated Brooklyn Museum on December 11th and 12th.
Piloted by Executive Chair Rev. Dennis Dillon, CEO of the New York Christian Times newspaper and Chief Executive Minister of the Brooklyn Christian Center, a nationwide coalition of Black churches have embraced partnerships with other religious groups and corporate America, as well as aspiring entrepreneurs to present an interactive two-day forum. Providing information and guidance on starting and developing a profitable business, increasing access to commercial loans, franchising, real estate development, gaining government and private contracts, credit restoration, global markets, and a wealth of other areas, the Black Church Means Business Conference features presenters George Fraser, President of Success Source Unlimited and publisher of Success Guide: The Networking Guide to Black Resources; Dr. Farrah Gray, a young entrepreneur who became a self-made millionaire at the age of 14; and world renowned spiritual leader and author, Jamaican born, Bishop Noel Jones.
PRESS CONTACT:
Camille T. Barrett
Intrakk Public Relations & Marketing
718-638-6397
[email protected]
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