What does it mean to be a black male in America?
That question, a loaded one, holds a multi-layered answer. The portrayal of African American men in society can be good. Black men, like anyone else play the daily roles of fathers, doctors, lawyers, successful businessmen, clergymen, educators, athletes and entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, the image of African American men can sometimes be portrayed in an unflattering way, also. Movies, television and society often mirror one another and in turn depict black men as lazy, unemployed and hyper-sexualized human beings that don’t take care of their responsibilities.
As a result, tomorrow in Washington, D.C., the LoveLife Foundation, plans to address some of those concerns, and look for change.
Taking all of that into consideration, the untimely deaths of Eric Garner in New York City and Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, the First Annual Black Male Summit and Town Hall presented by the LoveLife Foundation will take place at the Temple of Praise Church in Washington, D.C. The two-hour summit will feature a panel seeking to dispel the negative portrayals of Black males in American society. Hosted by TV One’s Roland Martin, the theme of the inaugural summit is “I Am The Master Of My Fate.” The Black Male Summit & Town Hall Meeting will highlight accurate information and data on where and how Black males are achieving.
This signature event will also provide solutions to properly identify, improve and respond to encourage empowerment and growth. The panel will feature journalist and political commentator Jeff Johnson, Pastor W. Lamar Staples, Pastor Jabari Douglas, Dr. George Holmes, Reverend Lennox Yearwood, Ed Davis; Executive Director of DC Children and Youth, Tony Lewis, Jr., a Community Activist and Founder of Sons Of Life and Grammy nominated singer Raheem DeVaughn.
The summit will be the first of a series of events introducing Washington, D.C. to the very first annual—Raheem Devaughn’s Love Life Foundation Charity Weekend that takes place August 22-24. “I firmly believe that we have the chance to be the change we want to see,” Raheem DeVaughn tells The Source.
“I am honored and humbled to be able to be of service to others. The LoveLife will be a resource for others to be empowered. I look forward to collaborating with community organizations and other foundations.”
For more info, visit www.lovelifefoundationdmv.org
