November 25, 2002

Dear Gamaliel Affiliates, Allies and Leadership,
 

On the first evening of the National Leadership Assembly we will announce the creation of the Gamaliel African American Leadership Commission. The NLA Board recommended the creation of this 12 month commission to engage and empower African American leadership in the metro equity agenda and to make recommendations for future action.

Background

As you know, The Gamaliel Foundation was originally established in 1968 to support the Contract Buyers League, an African American organization fighting to protect homeowners in Chicago's Westside neighbors who had been discriminated against by banks and savings and loan institutions. In 1986 Gamaliel reorganized as an organizing institute providing resources to build powerful community leaders in low-income communities. We are now broad based multiracial, multi-religious, and multi-ethnic in 18 states and 3 provinces of South Africa, organizing on the metropolitan equity. We have a strategic plan to build 100 organizations by 2010.

The Problem

As you also know, as Gamaliel Affiliates we have experienced systemic and fundamental difficulty in recruitment and retention of African American organizers, clergy, laity and congregations. Nationally, African American leadership in the metro equity analysis is very scarce. And the reality of African Americans is that we have accumulated "Zero Wealth", during 400 years of economic, race and class oppression. Most African Americans live in black decaying urban central cities, destabilized or transitioning older suburban communities among other poor, working poor, blue collar and Black professionals. Land use and public transportation policy and segregated, disparate, and inequitable housing disproportionately burden African American communities. Major investments are routinely made outside of Black communities, resulting in place-centered poverty. Lack of good jobs, sprawl, dis-investment, abandonment, crime, drugs, poor schools, etc., are consequences.

Call for Action

The Gamaliel National Leadership Assembly Board proposal is to create an African American Leadership Commission within the Gamaliel network. It will have the responsibility of suggesting strategies and structures for increasing the number and retention of African American congregations and organizers across the Gamaliel network, and reframing the metropolitan analysis to clearly address the concerns of urban communities.

This Gamaliel African American Commission will work in 2003 on a plan of action that includes:

	One on Ones in Gamaliel with African American clergy and organizers, lead organizers, Senior Staff/Territory Directories, Central Staff, Gamaliel Board and Presidents of Affiliate organizations.
	Convene a gathering to deepen understanding of metro equity and connections to urban plight.
	Create and move recommendations, including recommendations for any future life of the commission, through the Gamaliel power tables such as the Central Staff, the Gamaliel Board, the Senior Staff and the Gamaliel National Clergy Caucus.
	Present Final Recommendations to all Affiliates and NLA 2003.

The Gamaliel Board believes this AALC strategy is good for all of our Gamaliel affiliates. It will help us build more power to transform African American communities and the world. We look forward to input and support from all Gamaliel.
 

If you wish more information, please call me at the Interfaith Federation Office, 219 886-3647.

Peace,

The Reverend Cheryl Rivera,

President, National Leadership Assembly Board