2015 Regional Justice Leadership Summit

The Center for Fair Housing is proud to announce its 5th Annual Regional Justice Leadership Summit. This year we are proud to announce our event sponsors are the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and the US Environmental Protection Agency-Gulf of Mexico Program Office.

This Summit will be held April 22-24, 2015, and this year’s theme is “Gulf South Rising: Making an Impact for Just Communities.” This year we marked the 47^th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act and the 50^th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. Categorically, these two laws have had tremendous impact on underserved communities in their right to access in fair and equal treatment.  Another important piece of law providing fair and equal access for underserved communities has been President Bill Clinton’s Executive Order on Environmental Justice signed twenty-one years ago. Over the last ten years our Gulf Coast has withstood much devastation, Hurricanes Ivan, Katrina and Rita and the BP Oil Spill all of which have had catastrophic effects on the communities of the Gulf Coast. Nevertheless, what we have found is that the people that make up the Gulf Coast have a spirit of determination and resiliency…we are the “Gulf Rising.” We are rising from the ashes of both natural and man-made disasters and we are the better for it all. This year we are continuing in our efforts to make an impact for just communities.

We are encouraged and we know that you will not be disappointed as we look at how to tackle issues of housing, environment, economic and community development. The framework of the Summit has always been about solutions. Those that have attended past Summits have always left the convening with tools and newly formed relationships that are instrumental to the needs of their communities. This year we are remembering what has been lost but also focusing on the future of Gulf Coast communities. After Hurricane Katrina we realized that if we want real change, we had to connect the dots and move to action from a regional perspective. Some of the workshops this year will focus on public engagement on the local, state and federal levels; protecting and preserving community land, community development block grant funds, how the get resources, worker’s rights, homeowner’s insurance discrimination, and cultural tourism to name a few.  

The keynote speakers include community activist, Pastor E. O. Jackson of  Greater New Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL and US Attorney Kenyen Brown,  Alabama Southern District.  Additionally, as always there will be a host of local, regional and national presenters, more information on those presenters will be coming in the following weeks.

Register Now! 

AGENDA

This year's Summit agenda takes a look at some very relevant issues that are often not addressed when it comes to unserserved communities. We will provide workshops on environmental justice and public engagement, community cooperatives, fair housing and predatory lending, protecting and preserving community land to name a few. Please click here to review the 2015 draft Regional Justice Leadership Summit agenda. A final agenda is forthcoming.

                                             SUMMIT ACCOMMODATONS

We are back again at the Courtyard by Marriott Mobile, located at 1000 W I-65 Service Road South, Mobile, AL 36609, for a special rate of $99.00 per night. When calling to make your reservations please reference the "Justice Summit" for this special rate. Click here for a direct link to the hotel or you may call them at (251) 344-5200 to make your reservation. The Summit room block special rate is for Wednesday, April 22nd-Thursday, April 23rd. Guest will have access to local eateries and shopping located near the hotel.

SUMMIT ACTIVITY DATES AND LOCATIONS

The Pre-Summit Town Hall Meeting will be Wednesday, April 22nd at 5:30pm and will be held at the William "Bill" Clarke Community Center at 2501 W Main St, Pricahrd, AL 36610. On Thursday, April 23rdand Friday, April 24th the Summit activities will be held at the Bright Spot (Mt. Hebron) located at 2531 Berkely Ave, Prichard, AL 36610. Summit hours for Thursday, April 23rd  and Friday, April 24th are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with registration and breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m. 

       SCHOLARSHIPS                        

We are delighted in your interest to attend the 2015 Regional Justice Leadership Summit! We would like for as many to attend as possible and are very aware that due to the current economy, many who would like to attend are unable. This is a scholarship application to attend the 2015 Regional Justice Leadership Summit at the Bright Spot located at 2531 Berkely Ave, Prichard, AL. This year we have a very limited amount of funds available and scholarships will be providedon a first come, first serve basis. If you are in need of assistance with registrations costs, please contact Gwendolyn Darty, at the Center for Fair Housing directly at (251) 479-1532 or email at gdarty@sacfh.org.  You must complete the scholarship application for approval to register with scholarship status. Click here for the application.