Save the Date for 2009 conference
September 23-25, 2009
Lake Charles, LA
2008 conference highlights/photos
Louisiana's community and faith leaders are asking themselves one hard question: "Have we made progress in helping the people overcome societal issues such as hunger, poverty,
violence, lack of affordable housing, homelessness, obesity, neighborhood blight, and rampant unemployment? "
About the 2008 Conference
"New Beginnings: Expanding Beyond Charity" presents three topic-specific tracks that investigate and explore the changing state of health and wellness, housing, and economic
development nationally and locally. Presenters and session facilitators will invoke discussion and provide insight on how and where community and faith leaders can impact change.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
What issues are impacting the health and wellness of the people who are served by religious or non-government organizations? What resources and funding are available to service
the community's vast health and wellness needs? What kind of programs and services are necessary for the residents near your facility? The Health and Wellness sessions address
these questions and include information on health ministries, family and human development, tobacco-free living, and substance abuse.
HOUSING
For middle-income individuals, securing affordable and livable housing means overcoming major barriers. An integral component of community rebuilding and re-investing involves
removing those barriers whether they are lack of information or lack of finances. The challenges many Louisiana residents are facing include hurricane destruction or damage as
well as a turbulent lending and mortgage climate. Sessions in the housing track covers America's Affordable Communities Initiatives, faith and non-profit organizations' construction
of new homes, housing and community collaborations, and the home purchasing process.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Louisiana's state of recovery has provided Individuals, families, and communities with a greater understanding that economic development requires commitment of everyone to simply
create and maintain jobs. Economic Development sessions engage the participants in exploring community and workforce development programs, building infrastructure to support community
development, understanding impacts on emerging and existing organizations, and joining the White House Conference on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
Other workshops
The conference also offers grantsmanship, technology, church administration, and youth development workshops. To register for specific workshops online, click here or print the
registration form and return via fax to the Southern University Ag Center.
2008 conference photos
2007 conference photos
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Last Year's Speakers
MICHAEL V. ROBERTS, JD
Chairman & CEO
The Roberts Companies
Michael Roberts is the classic American entrepreneur. Born to middle class hard working parents, educated in the St. Louis public school system, he worked his way through college
and law school to become one of St. Louis’ leading businessmen. Throughout his rise in business, Mr. Roberts maintained a strong commitment to the African-American community from
which he came. Locating his headquarters in the heart of this community, his endeavors over the last twenty-nine years have created thousands of jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities,
raised the level of economic activity and enhanced the quality of life for the African-American community. Full bio.
Major Brock Jr.,
President
Brock Enterprises, Inc.
Louisiana businessman, Major Brock Jr., specializes in community and economic development grant preparation and project management, personnel administration, human relations and
human resources development including training, planning of change strategies and reorganization strategies and minority business advisement and management services. He has assists
government entities with real estate development projects, develops financial proposals for the sizing of housing revenue bonds; conducts public policy impact analysis; and provides
infrastructure financing and development plans for community enhancement activities. Mr. Brock has expanded project and grant management services to faith-based and community
organizations, which include organizational formation for not-for-profit,501 (c)(3)s, limited liability companies, and various corporations. His work includes specific project
development and reporting, task planning and analysis, financing strategies and proposal preparation.
Theron Jackson
Theron Jackson, Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Institutional Advancement and Director of University Relations for Southern University at Shreveport, Louisiana (SUSLA),
currently serves as Pastor of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Greenwood, LA. Jackson is the former President of the 13th District Baptist Association's Congress of Christian
Education. He is currently serving as Vice Moderator of the 13th District Baptist Association. Jackson has initiated numerous ministries to minister to health, education, and
financial welfare of the Community. Jackson has been the featured speaker for churches, graduations, corporate meetings, government agency meetings, law enforcement training
conferences, women's conferences, college and university events, and military base events. In 1998 at age 29, Jackson made an impressive run for the office of Mayor in the city
of Shreveport, capturing nearly 20% of the vote as a political newcomer. In November of 1998, Jackson was recognized by Ebony magazine as one of the nation's top 30 leaders under
30. On October 5, 2002 Jackson was elected to the Shreveport City Council as the Representative for District "G". As councilman, Jackson created the City of Shreveport's Youth City
Council and in the summer of 2006 Jackson created 100 jobs for young people in the city of Shreveport. Jackson has also recently completed a term as a member of the board of directors
of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials.
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