CONCERNED BLACK CLERGY: MILESTONES Since its humble beginnings in 1983, the Concerned Black Clergy of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc. (CBC) has achieved numerous milestones while serving as a pillar of strength and hope in the community.
From meetings and rallies to marches, arrests and jailing, CBC has undertaken many notable activities through the years.
Homelessness, Housing and Community Crises
Churches were formed into clusters to provide food and shelter for the homeless. With the assistance of CBC members, several feeding and sheltering organizations were founded. Several exist to this day.
When the tornado hit downtown Atlanta area and inner city neighborhoods in 2008, CBC played a key role in providing support to those families that were affected.
Victims of the Albany flood and Camilla tornado called upon the Atlanta community for assistance. As a result, local churches through CBC donated thousands of dollars.
Advocacy
CBC advocated on behalf of the churches that were impacted by the building of the Georgia Dome. As a result, churches were more equitably compensated. The Vine City Community Development Association was formed.
The cost for pharmaceutical services to indigent patients at Grady Hospital were to be dramatically increased. With advocacy and leadership of CBC, the costs were not increased. Additional funds were received from Fulton and Dekalb Counties. Petitions to the State of Georgia continue for additional funding for Grady Hospital.
Social Responsibility
Hosted Annual Salute to Black Fathers for 25 years.
Hosted Annual Salute to Black Mothers for 19 years.
A 10,000 men and boys March for Brotherhood took place May 18, 1991, highlighting the commitment of men to take responsibility for our community. This successful march gave leadership to the Local Organizing Committee for the Million Man March held several years later in Washington, DC.
Politics and Justice
During the 1980's and 90's, a series of "fly-ins" to Washington, DC took place for area clergy and lay leaders.
Year round, year in and out, Voter Registration and Voter Education activities have been held and sponsored. CBC is credited for registering tens of thousands during these campaigns.
The justice system, especially the juvenile level has long been a concern of CBC and a battleground for advocacy. Many activities have been held attacking the disproportionate numbers of African-Americans incarcerated. Marches and campaigns have been held against the death penalty. CBC has attacked the media for its selective pre-trial publicity.
Health and Wellness
CBC has implemented countless programs to increase immunization and increase the number of persons enrolled in PeachCare.
During the 1980's, CBC recognized the need to deal with AIDS and the HIV crisis and worked to have clergy involved in the discussion and bring awareness to the epidemic.
CBC has formed a partnership in the fight against targeting young African in ads and the placement of tobacco products in stores.
Hosted Annual Clergy, Congregation and Community Health Walk for five years.
Education
Awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to over 100 worthy students in Trade, Technical & Vocational Fields since 2004 through the Make a Way Gospel Scholarship Concert.
Workplace Justice
Workers Against Discriminations requested CBC assistance against Lockheed Martin. This was the beginning of CBC's organized fight against corporate injustice and has taken CBC "all the way" in the courts.