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Video: Newport  News Councilwoman Tina Vick

The Peninsula District Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Southeast Community Day Planning Committee held their annual Conference and Banquet over the weekend.

The Theme. Is The Dream Over?

A photojournal.

Part One: The Diversity Conference

"The Melting Pot Concept" Hosted and Moderated by Polly Chong, Attorney at Law.

Photo: Victoria Turner SCLC Secretary and Treasurer and Polly Chong Attorney at Law, host of the Diversity Forum, and SCLC Life Member.

Addressing the "Melting Pot" concept, several members of the panel spoke of using language interpreters in the courts. With many different languages spoken on the Peninsula, it is sometimes a challenge to get an interpreter.

There was also discussion as to whether or not the "Melting Pot" concept recognizes all cultures, or if the concept in reality means that all cultures must give up their ways and assimilate into the white middle class culture.

Photo (Pictured left to right): Polly Chong (speaking), Linda Curtis (Hampton Commonwealth Attorney), and Jonathan Zur from Virginia Inclusion

The panel left to right: Linda Curtis, Hampton Commonwealth Attorney, Jonathan Zur from Virginia Inclusion, Newport News Mayor Dr. McKinley Price, Newport News Sheriff Gabe Morgan, Newport News Judge Brian Sugg, and Paul Freemans.

Newport News Mayor McKinley Price:  "I have been a part of People to People since its beginning in Newport News. I was on the School Board for eight years; the last two as chairman. At that time it was an appointed position. It was known when one of us left you would replace a black with a black. When I left that didn't happen. And then, at 16^th street the bridge was shut down, the all white men on City Council said it was shut down because there was no money to repair the bridge. But the people of the neighborhood percieved that it was to seperate them fron the affulent neighborhood on the other side of the bridge. The third thing was some basketball courts were shut down. This all happened during a two week period and at the same timeas the Rodney King era. Some members of the business culture felt this wasn’t going to be perceived well, People To People was formed in Newport News to try to head off problems."

"The Melting Pot to me was not something desirable. It meant I had to give up something to be perceived as American. For the white people it was fine, but for the minorities to the sub cultures it might have not have been received that way. “

Photo: Congressman Bobby Scott (holding microphone), Attorney Paul Freemans (center), and Newport News Judge Brian Sugg (left)

SCLC Chapter President Andrew Shannon and SCLC Chapter Vice-President Edna Davis 

Photo: Founder and Organizer of Southeast Community Day President Andrew Shannon and Polly Chong

Photo Left to Right: Victoria Turner SCLC Secretary and Treasurer, Polly Chong, Judge Brian Sugg, Andrew Shannon, Lisha Bryant-Shannon, Bishop Marcus Campbell, and Congressman Bobby Scott

Part Two: The Community Forum hosted by Newport News City Councilwoman Tina Vick

Photo (left to right): Victoria Turner SCLC Secretary and Treasurer, Felicia S. Jackson from SunTrust Mortgage, and Newport News City Councilwoman Tina Vick

There was much talk as to whether or not many of the local organizations were actually in the trenches helping those in need, or if the grant money was merely going to pay administrative salaries. 

There was also discussion as to schools. Should the schools try to educate all children, even those children facing obstacles to learning, such as parents who don't care, or should children who don't display an interest in learning be put out of the school system?

Photo left: Newport News Councilwoman Tina Vick. Right: Edna V. Davis, President of Southeast Community Day Planning Committee

The Panel, (Left to Right): Milton Hill, Jr, Fabiola Curran, Renita Parker, Aaron Carter, Teunsha Vick, Nikki Walker, and Rasheed Wyatt

Nikki Walker: "We have to make a difference in other peoples lives. I was working with a seventeen year old girl who was leading two gangs. Today she is an A-B student in college, her circle of friends has changed, her relationship with her mother is better. And you know what else? Many of her former gang members are following her example."

Rasheed Wyatt: "We are where we are because of what Dr. King did, and those who took the bullets, and now we don’t want to do any of it to keep moving forward. …We have to stop having that crap in the barrel mentality. We don’t even want to help each other. But we’ll be quick enough to tear it down."

Former Delegate Dr. Mary T. Christian was acknowledged as a member of the audience

Fabiola Curran spoke on issues facing the Hispanic community

The Banquet

Keynote Speaker- Bishop Marcus DeWayne Campbell

Topic- Is the Dream Dead?

As Dr. Curtis Harris continues to recover, his absence this evening was noted.

Veronica Cunningham and Marcela Wishom singing praises

Felicia Jackson of SunTrust (middle) and Michele Grant (right) with the Office of Human Affairs, and friend enjoying the evening.

Photo Left to Right: Bill Hayes, Pomoco Auto Group; Newport News Vice-Mayor Madeline McMillan; Congressman Rob Wittman

Pastor Reverend Norman Cunningham, Mt Sinai Christian Development Church gave the invocation.

Vice-Mayor Madeline McMillan giving her opening remarks.

Congressman Rob Wittman

Audience enjoying the banquet entertainment

(Right to Left): Edith White - President and CEO of the Urban League of Hampton Roads with her mother and Francine Bryce - Richmond GMWA Choir

Bill Hayes, President of Pomoco Auto Group

Edith White - President and CEO of the Urban League of Hampton Roads

Lionel Hines, Band Director of the New Generation Marching Band

Reverend Norman Cunningham of Mt. Sinai Christian Development Church finishes up with comments

Dan and Fabiola Curran

The Richmond Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America Choir performs.

The residents of Layfatte Apartments, Sandra Timmons, and former Delegate Dr. Mary T. Christian appreciates the music of the Richmond GMWA

The evening was enjoyed by the young at heart

And by the young too!

Keynote speaker Bishop Marcus D. Campbell's Mother, as well as his son, came along to offer support.

Richmond GMWA Choir

Keynote Speaker Bishop Marcus D. Campbell and his wife JaJuana(far right), enjoy the good food. There was plenty for all!

Bishop Campbell is the Senior Pastor of the Providence Baptist Church in Prince George County, Virginia.

Bishop Campbell noted in his talk, "The Dream has died like a seed and gone into the ground. That seed is has now grown and is blossoming."

And music.

The ballroom was crowded

Andrew Shannon, Bishop Marcus D. Campbell, JaJuana Campbell, Lisha Bryant-Shannon at the head table

Edith White, President and CEO of the Urban League of Hampton Roads speaks to Congressman Rob Wittman

The saxaphone player jazzed-up the evening

 ©Copyright 2011| James River Journal  Give credit to Seth Fisher/James River Journal when using any photo.

Photos by:

Seth Fisher

You can reach Seth at 757-876-8648

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Story by:

Dan Curran

You can reach Dan at 757-291-6494 

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