The Deborah Movement Presses On!!!

So as I spoke about before the Deborah Movement which was created under the umbrella of the Black Star Project is moving full speed ahead!! The Black Star Project is well known in our community for mentoring, tutoring, advocacy of education, the black family and other issues that plagued our community.

The Deborahs is a spiritually driven, woman based movement that has gained national and international attention. The movement is growing to the point that there are chapters on the north, south, west, & south suburbs. A Deborah Movement recently developed a chapter in Gary, IN as well as New Jersey who have already started their own chapter. So there is much progress & great energy amongst the women in this movement and it is a honor to be a part of such an active movement!

Well now we are ready to developed a solid operational plan and what better why to start the discussion then to invite a legend from the Black Panther Party. Wanda Ross the Chief Developer of the Breakfast program of the panthers graced our presence June 30th at the offices of Black Star and I must say the wisdom and direction she shared was exactly what the Deborah Movement needed to hear! Pointed out that "saving the world" is a lifetime commitment and in order to make a real change in our communities we must be in it for the long haul! Other advice that hit home is listening to the wisdom of our elders, one the short falls of the panthers was that many were young & dismissed the advice our elders or labeled them as too slow...This was a wake up call for me! Not that I don't listen to my elders but in this day & age us Generation X'ers feel it our time make a difference & later for the baby boomers.

After this discussion, I welcome our baby boomers with open hands especially as we developed our operational plan! Ms. Wanda Ross & other activist Ms. Helen Sinclair gave the Deborahs a since of hope to keep moving, as they both are 60 or older and still fighting the fight for justice & power for our people. So far with the many projects I am juggling I can say that this journey is truly a well worth "training" that will be vital as I progress in life.

Link here to a recent interview with fellows Deborahs by Marc Sims: http://www.youtube.com/user/VPChicago#p/u/8/oUAKTCfgUkY

The Deborah Movement Is in Action

Actions of the Deborah Movement

1) Friday, July 9, 2010 - Join the Deborahs with Father Michael Pfleger and the Faith Community of Saint Sabina on the corner of 7900 south and Cottage Grove (800 east), one of the most violent corners in Chicago, for "An Evening of Prayer" at 7:00 pm. Deborahs should arrive at 6:45 pm. Deborah Cynthia Flowers serving.

2) Saturday, July 10, 2010 - Join the Deborahs at Operation PUSH with Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., for a national back-to-school pep/prep rally at 950 East 50th Street in Chicago, Illinois at 9:45 am. Deborah Sister Afrika Porter serving.

3) Saturday, July 10, 2010 - Join The Deborah Movement as they usher for Professor Michelle Alexander and her book The New Jim Crow at Hartzell Memorial United Methodist Church at 3330 South King Drive, Chicago Illinois at 3:30 pm. Twenty-five (25) Deborahs will usher this event. This event is open to all Deborahs, to all women and all people. Deborahs Barbara Sanders and Ladell Johnson are serving.

4) Saturday, July 10, 2010 - Join South Suburban Deborahs at a funeral for Pierre Walker, a resident of the south suburb, who died in a swimming accident, at his funeral service, 10:00 am, St. Bethel M.B. Church, 1303 Fifth Avenue, Chicago, Heights, Illinois 60411. Funds are needed to bury Mr. Walker. Deborah Doris Williams serving.

5) Midnight, Sunday Night, July 11, 2010 - Join The Deborah Movement as they walk a midnight prayer patrol through one of the most violent districts in America. On Wedneday of this week, a police officer was killed two blocks from this patrol route. We need at least 6 Deborahs to walk from 59th and Woods to 59th and Halsted. We will meet at about 11:45 pm on Sunday night, July 11, 2010 at 59th and Woods to begin this midnight march. Deborah Shirley Hill is serving. Please call Dorothy at 773.285.9600 for more information.

6) Saturday, July 17, 2010 - Join the Deborahs for a "Peace and Victory March" beginning at Troy (3133 west) and Lawrence (4800 north) in Chicago, Illinois at 12:30 pm, to bring about awareness of youth violence, to put an end to the silence in the community and to find the killers of Lazarus Jones. There is a $10,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the killers. Please call 312-742-4410 or Armitage Baptist Church at 773-384-HOPE with information. Deborah Pamela Hester-Jones and the North Side Deborahs are serving.

You should have a Deborah Movement in your community and in your city! Call 773.285.9600 to begin the process of organizing a Deborah Movement in your city.