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MLK III & LaDainian Tomlinson Coming to Waco & Marlin
For those interested in an extreme make-over for EW and Marlin, check out the article below from Sophia Strother, founder of Empowerment Driven by Knowledge Coalition, a local nonprofit organization…
Martin Luther King III and Realizing the Dream, Inc. (an organization he founded to continue his father, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, passion for equity and fairness for all) are partnering with Empowerment Driven by Knowledge Coalition to host their national “Looking, Listening and Learning Tour on Poverty in America” in East Waco and Marlin, Texas, Tuesday, July 7 - Thursday, July 9, 2009.
Marlin & East Waco affect over 24,000 people with over 40% of population living in these areas at or below the poverty line. Both communities are in obvious decline and we want to combat the issues that result from such high poverty rates.
To accomplish this we are inviting citizens, influential businesses, community leaders and educators to gather together to develop, pledge, and execute a tangible plan of action for Falls County and East Waco. Branson, Missouri is a prime example of overwhelming success that resulted from a handful of citizens getting together, one project at a time and rebuilding their community to one of the most sought after communities in the United States. We want to create an increased opportunity for entrepreneurship and employment to be able to retain talent and grow city revenue and population.
LaDainian Tomlinson, #21 of the San Diego Chargers, a native of Marlin & Waco, has agreed to support the initiative and will be the special guest at “A Time for Change” Investors Brunch in Waco on Thursday, July 2. The investor’s brunch will be hosted by the Central Texas African American Chamber of Commerce at the City of Waco Multi-purpose Center for a donation of $30.00. This meeting will inform people how they can invest in East Waco & Marlin and clarify the benefits and far reaching effects this will have on thousands of families,” said CEO of CTAACC, Laveda Brown.
Empowerment Driven by Knowledge Coalition will host the annual “A Taste of Falls County” on Monday, July 6 at the BTW Alumni Association’s Building in Marlin before the “Official Listening & Learning Poverty Tour” begins. “A Taste of Falls County” is a festive occasion that brings everyone from Falls County together for a wonderful evening of dining, entertainment, vendors and dream making. A $5.00 donation for educators/students and $10.00 general admission will enable you to feast on delectables from over 15 restaurants throughout Falls & McLennan County while enjoying live entertainment. All of the proceeds will go toward the “Make Your Mark on Education Scholarship”. This scholarship can be used by Falls County residents toward GED classes and/or college tuition.
On Tuesday July 7, 2009, the official “Listening & Learning Poverty Tour in America” will begin with a Walking & Talking tour of Marlin by Realizing the Dream, elected official, community leaders, and more. The events in East Waco & Marlin that will follow from Tuesday, July 7th - Thursday, July 9th will be replicated across the nation, including other southern states and urban areas. The tours include neighborhood visits, strategy sessions with select elected officials and community leaders and Town Hall Meetings. The outcome will be a written report for national distribution, a national network of baseline cities and a comprehensive strategy for a national initiative against poverty in America. They will discuss increasing educational and occupational opportunities for people who are disenfranchised, as well as affordable housing, economics and creating coalitions to bring about consistent and on-going change.
My vision in inviting MLK III and his organization, Realizing the Dream, to East Waco and Marlin is not to invoke a blame-game scenario, instead it is to allow for hope to be reignited into thousands of families between these two communities so they can heal and move forward. I founded Empowerment Driven by Knowledge Coalition with the vision of “EMPOWERING” people to take control of their own future. Our vision is to be known as the starting point for tomorrow’s leaders. We believe that years from now, the Empowerment Driven by Knowledge Coalition will be viewed as the organization that helped to launch careers, businesses, and community leaders. We partner with businesses and organizations that enable innovative and quality programming that responds to the needs of the community and its residents. This contributes to the economic and social health of our communities.
Realizing the Dream, Inc., with headquarters in Atlanta, Ga., is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making Dr. King’s dream a reality by helping make the American dream possible for all. Realizing the Dream seeks to continue the legacy and work of Dr. and Mrs. King in wiping out poverty and injustice through programs that foster peace and nonviolent social change, empowering poverty-stricken communities and developing strong leaders among the nation’s youth.
Here’s a list of the scheduled events: For more detailed information please visit www.trustworthyconsult.com.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
A Time for Change Investors Brunch 11:00am - 1:00pm
Special Guest: LaDainian Tomlinson
(254) 235-3204 for more info
Monday, July 6, 2009
A Taste of Falls County 6:00pm - 8:00pm
BTW Alumni Building, Marlin
( 254) 412-1172 for more info
Official RTD “Listening & Learning Poverty Tour” Begins
(Everything FREE & Open to Media and Public)
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Walking Tour of Marlin 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Tour begins at Bible Way Church Family Worship Center, Gresham Street
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Walking Tour of East Waco 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Tour begins at Living Word Church Dunbar Street
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
MLK III hosts East Waco Town Hall Meeting 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Town Hall Meeting at 1020 E Waco Drive, Waco Across from G.L. Wiley
Thursday, July 9, 2009
MLK III hosts Marlin Town Hall Meeting 10:30am - 12:00 noon
Town Hall Meeting at Coach Carter Impact Academy - Kendrick Street
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Comments
By mikey
June 16, 2009 8:11 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Give Thanks to the Lord for He is good, His face shines more brilliantly than the sun upon us.
By Fred
June 19, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
That East Waco Crack-Dealer who Murdered that man on Sherman St. got ninty-nine years in TDC….prison. And the Crack keeps flowing (all night long) on the steets of East Waco. Shame upon shame.
By mikey
June 20, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Take heart Fred. Our crack problem may soon be over. With the “powers that be” decisions that they make there may not be any buildings left in East Waco for crackhouses or people to sell or buy crack. East Waco will soon look like the moon if they have their way. Hey maybe NASA will start training here for the moonbase.
By Eazy
June 21, 2009 12:10 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
I’m from Waco and I love it with all my heart. I’m tried of people talking and not moving. You want to help it out get off butt and make things happen. The kids there are all reachable but no one trys. The elders in Waco age range 40 to 50 don’t move they watch form some real groups go through the street round up kids teach knowlegde stop talking and do something. I”m only 23 every time i come home i walk the streets I talk to my little brothers and sisters i try to show them a better way. The churches are support right? But where the memebers at? Are we afarid of the world? Has it became more powerful than God himself? Get the Pastor engaged…People pray for our home!
By mikey
June 30, 2009 4:57 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
New business just opened on Elm St. next to Marilyn’s Gift Gallery. McDowell’s Cafe and Store. Slowly but surely momentum is gaining. Wah,Wah,Wah, NASA, maybe you wont get your moon training base in East Waco after all. On a different subject, have you ever seen such slow progress as the remodeling of the Washington Ave. Bridge? Seems as if that stupid thing will fall into the water before it is finished.
By babby
July 6, 2009 9:01 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
How is babby formed?