WHAT: The Gamaliel Network, a faith-based community organization in 18 states, South Africa and Great Britain, will hold its 25th Anniversary Gala, during their Annual International Leadership Assembly (ILA). The Gamaliel Network is expecting over 300 guests from all over the U.S.
WHEN: 25th Anniversary Gala: December 2, 2011 - 6pm Reception, 7pm Dinner.
International Leadership Assembly: December 2-3, 2011
WHERE: CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL - 5440 NORTH RIVER ROAD, ROSEMONT, IL 60018
WHO: The following are confirmed to speak at the Gamaliel 25th Anniversary Gala: Benjamin Todd Jealous, Chief Executive Officer of the NAACP (Keynote Speaker); Bishop Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Congressman Luis Gutierrez; Hilda Solis, U.S. Secretary of Labor.
RSVP: 25th Anniversary Gala: g25.gamaliel.org or call (312) 357-2639.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
During the International Leadership Assembly, hundreds of network affiliates from 18 states, South Africa and Great Britain gather to learn from each other, participate in workshops conducted by top academic, religious, political and labor experts, and map out a strategy for the coming year. Major allies, politicians, bishops, authors, and key staff from foundations—are also in attendance. In addition, this year, the Gamaliel Network will bring together its affiliates, and invites the public to celebrate 25 years of accomplishments on December 2, 2011.
HOST COMMITTEE:
Kirk Adams, International Executive Vice President, Service Employees International Union;
Carl Anthony, Co-director, Breakthrough Communities;
Deepak Bhargava, Executive Director, Center for Community Change;
Congressman Danny K. Davis;
Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez;
Larry Hanry, President, Illinois Citizens Action;
Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.;
Ben Jealous, Chief Executive Officer, NAACP;
Dale Marsico, Executive Director, Community Transportation Association of America;
Katherine McFate, Watch Director, Office of Management and Budget;
Angela Glover Blackwell, Founder and Executive Officer, Policylink;
Susan Olavarria Director of Communications, Midwest Generation;
Paloma Pavel Ph.D, Co-director, Breakthrough Communities,
John Powell, Executive Director, Kirwan Institute;
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky;
Rich Stolz, Campaign Manager, Center for Community Change.
ABOUT THE GAMALIEL NETWORK:
Gamaliel is a grassroots network of non-partisan, faith-based organizations in 18 U.S. states, South Africa and the United Kingdom that organizes to empower ordinary people so they effectively participate in the political, environmental, social and economic decisions affecting their lives.
Gamaliel provides leadership training, helps build community organizations, and leads local and national social justice campaigns. President Obama was trained and mentored by the Gamaliel Network in the 1980’s, when he worked for Gamaliel as a community organizer.
Gamaliel is the only national community organizing network that marries broad-based grassroots organizing campaigns with state-of-the-art regional opportunity research and policy development. In 2010, Ana Garcia-Ashley became the new Executive Director of the Gamaliel Network, making her the only woman of color with this role among the major, long-standing congregation-based networks. She joined Gamaliel in 1992 as the lead organizer of MICAH in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she led one of the most successful campaigns in Gamaliel’s history: winning a $500 million commitment from local banks to invest in affordable housing. As a result, 7,000 low-income families in Milwaukee were able to buy homes. Garcia-Ashley also founded Gamaliel’s statewide Wisconsin affiliate, WISDOM.
For more information, visit:
www.gamaliel.org.
CONTACTS: Media: Alma Campos, (773) 712-2094 –
alma@pilsenneighbors.org.
Registration Inquiries: Regina Lewis, (312) 357-2639 –
regina@gamaliel.org