Harry Belafonte chairs Global 2017 Week of Non-Violence, Justice and Opportunities

BLACK WOMEN FOR POSITIVE CHANGE IN AFFILIATION WITH POSITIVE CHANGE FOUNDATION

Preserving and Strengthening the Middle/Working Class
"Changing the Culture of Violence in America"


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2017

CONTACT:
S. Myers, BW4PC Co-Chair
202-327-4301

HARRY BELAFONTE CHAIRS GLOBAL 2017 WEEK OF NON-VIOLENCE, JUSTICE AND OPPORTUNITIES

Harry Belafonte, esteemed Grammy, Emmy and Tony award winning songwriter, actor, Civil Rights Activist, and philanthropist, has agreed to serve as Honorary Chair of the 5th Annual Week of Non-Violence, Justice and Opportunities, October 15-23, 2017. This annual event is organized by Black Women for Positive Change, (BW4PC) an inter-faith network of Women and Good Brothers, from diverse backgrounds, races and religions. "We are honored to have Mr. Belafonte lend his name to this global effort to prevent violence," said BW4PC National Co-Chairs Virginia Delegate Daun S. Hester and Dr. Stephanie E. Myers. "Our theme is to 'Change the Culture of Violence in America, and the World," and we believe Mr. Belafonte's stature as a world leader will encourage people to organize violence prevention events, in their own cities."

In a statement, Mr. Harry Belafonte, Honorary Chair, of the 2017 Week of Non-Violence, Justice and Opportunities states, "In the midst of a struggle, the fabric of progression is kept together through the threads of non-violence. The Week of Non-Violence is essential to sanctify Trayvon Martin and other young people who have lost their lives to violence. We must take the teachings from these tragedies to continue the non-violent dialogue which Dr. King preached." Joining Honorary Chair Mr. Belafonte on the Honorary Committee, are Co-Chairs Kemba Smith, Criminal Justice Advocate and President, Kemba Smith Foundation; Michelle Bernard, MSNBC Anchor and President of the Bernard Center for Women; and Chris Daniels, Project Management and Conflict Resolution Expert.

BW4PC initiated the Week of Non-Violence in 2013, after the tragic shooting of Trayvon Martin, and other youth. The goal is to help young people, law enforcement and violence-prone adults to learn that violence can be prevented through anger management, conflict resolution, de-escalation, improved law enforcement/community relations and other evidence-based methods. The BW4PC Non-Violence initiative began in Washington, D.C. and has spread to 27 U.S. Cities, and the UK. Organizations, Faith Institutions, Youth groups, entertainers, athletes and others who are interested in organizing Non-Violence events in their own cities, can sign up at: www.2017weekofnonviolence.org.

Partners for the 2017 Week of Non-Violence are the Positive Change Foundation, National Black Nurses Association, Highmark, Inc., United Steelworkers Union, Holman United Methodist Church, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE) National Bar Association, Masjid Muhammad-the Nation's Mosque, Wednesday Clergy Fellowship, and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, D.C. For more information, contact Karen Carrington, 202-210-4005.

1220 L. Street, NW, #100-181, Washington, DC 20005; Fax 202-403-3743
Bkwomen4poschange@gmail.com; www.blackwomenforpositivechange.org