The Black Table

The Black Table
For far too long we have been given a false sense of having “a seat at the table” in America. Most everyone people are familiar with the term “having a seat at the table.” This seat is reserved for those who are considered to have the influence and power to make decisions and effect change, the table has become a symbol of power, negotiation and credibility through which a group can plot a course for successful outcomes. In other words, when one is provided with a seat at the table, it represents an opportunity to be heard and to make a difference. When we talk about the Black Table we are asserting that there needs to be a new table created for black people only to have a seat at. This table is to create a seat of influence and power to make black decisions and effect positive change for all Black people. The following are the major categories of leaders who should be at the table for the Black on Black Movement:

1. Religious leaders

AME-Bishop Ann Henning Byfield
CME-
COGIC-Bishop W. S. Wright
Baptist-
Nation of Islam-Bro. Thomas
Others? Dr John W Kinney

2. Grade School Leaders

Rashaki Maskani
Ruffin Swain

3. School Board leaders

Others?

4. University Professors-

Dr. Harold Trulear,
Dr. Amen Rah,

5. HBCU Leaders-

Dr. Andre Strong
Others?

6. Social Justice leaders

Action Network-Al Sharpton
Equal Justice Initiative
Civil Rights Attorneys-Atty. Rodney Strong
Others?

7. Business Owners including Farmers

Lg med small John Boyd Jr.
Others?



8. Nonprofit leaders-

Helping girls boys and substance abusers
Others?

9. Grass Roots leaders

Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) Organization

10. Gang leaders
All major black organizations
Others?

11. Celebrities

Major and minor
Others?

12. Black media

Major and minor-Roland Martin, Thaddeus Matthews
Others?

13. Black Corrections Professionals

?
14. Black Police

?
15. Sorority Leaders

?

16. Fraternity Leaders

?
17. Film makers

Tyler Perry
?

18. Ghanaians, Liberians, Kenyans, South Africans (Africans)
?

19. Black Malia
?


20. Technical Professional
?

21. Foster Care Leader
?

22. Economist-

Dr. Boyce Watkins
?

23. Political Leaders
?

24. Financial and Banking Leaders
?

25. Wall Street Professionals
?

26. Stay at Home Mom Representatives
?

27. Factory Worker Professionals
?

28. Healthcare and Nutrition
?

Next step is to identify specific names of the leaders of the categories and their contact information. We then must make initial contacts and plan a save the date summit(s). This save the date includes date, time, place, and core coordinators.
Finally we must prepare an agenda and facilitate structure I.e. discussion plan, number of hours, action steps, etc. All plans need financial resources and therefore we will engage in establishing a Venture Capital Fund. This will be managed by a Finance Committee of the organization.