By shades Magazine staff

Oakland/Bay Area Cares, part of the mentor-recruitment initiative, National CARES Mentoring Movement, invites community members to join them, Randall Robinson, Dr. Joy DeGruy and Susan L. Taylor to attend the third weekend of transformational healing Friday, July 15, through Sunday, July 17.

With the support of Congresswoman Barbara Lee, last December in Oakland, National CARES – NCMM – launched its new initiative “A New Way Forward,” a four-part series of consciousness-changing training workshops dedicated to healing what’s hurting Black America. The initiative – ANWF – was created by NCMM’s intergenerational 60-member brain trust of scholars, physicians, wellness experts and faith and community leaders, “as a gift of love to Black America," explains Susan L. Taylor, NCMM founder and editor-in-chief emeritus of Essence magazine.

“NCMM is bringing the initiative's principles and best practices to communities coast-to-coast with the goal of fostering peace, prosperity, love and healing within the Black community,” Taylor adds.

ANWF’s primary objective is to prepare and recruit legions of committed adult volunteers in order to close the gap between the relatively few Black mentors and the vast number of vulnerable children who desperately need them.

While heart wrenching statistics indicate 85 percent of Oakland’s ninth graders say they feel unsafe in school, homicide is the leading cause of death for the city’s young males. However, residing in Oakland is the nation’s largest group of progressive African Americans and dedicated activists and organizers with the power to create a model to end the state of emergency among our youth.

“The work of reclaiming our children and community will not happen without the community’s investment,” Taylor says. “With a plan, collaboration, action and faith, we can end the state of emergency among our young in Oakland and create a model for reclaiming vulnerable Black children throughout the nation. Feeling whole, we will stand strong in our highest selves, love ourselves and build healthy relationships with one another.”

The third transformational training will run from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 15, at Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8500 A St. in Oakland.  The community is invited to join Taylor and July’s guest speakers: Mastermind Robinson, who will share strategies for self-renewal and community reclamation, and McGruy, renowned author of “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome,” who will present her illuminating analysis. There also will be a special recognition ceremony for Oakland’s ministers.

On Saturday, July 16 – from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Robinson and DeGruy will be joined by Social Change Entrepreneur and Minister Greg Hodge; Alameda County Chief of Probation David Muhammad; Rev. Andriette Earl, founder of Heart and Soul Center of Light; spiritual activist and organizer Dereca Blackmon; and other strong voices for health and social justice. The day’s programming will include the transformative ANWF “Brother and Sister” Healing Circles and will be held at the Preservation Park’s Nile House, 660-13th St. in Oakland.

On Sunday, July 17, the weekend will culminate with “A Day of Action” when East Bay Area pastors will lead a mobilization to encourage parishioners to sign-up as mentors in collaboration with one of the Bay Area youth-serving organizations in desperate need of Black volunteers.

To register for the weekend, visit caresnewwayforward.eventbrite.com. For out of town travelers, call the Oakland Marriott at (510) 863-4713 for special rates and mention “A New Way Forward.”

For more information on the Day of Action, contact Aisha Bilal, mentor placement coordinator at (415) 573-7451.


A New Way Forward Weekend Schedule

Friday, July 15 - 6 to 9 p.m.
Allen Temple Baptist Church
8500 A St., Oakland

Saturday, July 16 - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Preservation Park Nile Hall
660-13th St., Oakland

Sunday, July 17
Mentor Recruitment East Bay Pastors’ Call to Action
Various churches

Watch A New Way Forward - What's Hurting Black America - March Training event slideshow here.


Originally published at myshadesmagazine.net.