Forum addresses economic issues

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.browardtimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1024&Itemid=144

BY RENEE MICHELLE HARRIS

In this high-spirited election season, forums encouraging critical political dialogue have taken on an increased sense of urgency.

At one such recent gathering, a union-heavy audience of about 100 people assembled on Jan. 25 to discuss a smorgasbord of economic issues that are important to the black community.

The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s Economic Justice and Unity Forum was moderated by Cheryl Mizell, talk show host of 99-JAMZ radio station and Brad Bennett, executive editor of the South Florida Times. Held at Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church in Overtown, the group heard from a diverse panel of experts and union leaders from around the country on topics ranging from an anticipated influx of ‘green’ jobs to meet the country’s increasing environmental concerns to the importance of demanding high wages from companies that can afford to pay them.

Melanie L. Campbell, CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation said that because this year’s presidential race is “one of the most important elections of our lifetime,” forums are necessary in order to assure that “economic issues are front and center.”

William “Bill” Lucy, president of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, issued an ominous economic warning.

Lucy said, “If we don’t demand out of this election a set of policies that yields to our economic state in life, we will have missed a golden opportunity and many of us will be wiped out.”

FULL story at link.