Resources

Church Associations & Organizations

National Association of Congregational Christian Churches – http://www.naccc.org/

World Council of Churches – http://www.oikoumene.org/

National Association of Evangelicals - http://www.nae.net/

The Council of Churches of the City of New York - http://www.cccny.net/index.html

American Baptist Churches - http://www.abc-usa.org/

Association of Baptists for World Evangelism – http://www.abwe.org/

International Christian Chamber of Commerce - http://www.iccc.net/

Christian Research Institute – http://www.equip.org/

Gospel Music Association – http://www.gospelmusic.org/index.aspx

National C ouncil of Churches USA – http://www.ncccusa.org/

Zion Fellowship International – http://www.zionfellowship.org/

African Methodist Episcopal Church – http://www.ame-church.com/index.php

United Pentecostal Church International – http://www.upci.org/

The People of the United Methodist Church – http://www.umc.org/

Black Organizations and Non-Profits Listings of national African American organizations serving the Black community

100 Black Men of America Working to improve the quality of life within the African American community. Based in Atlanta, Georgia www.100blackmen.org

African American Planning Commission (AAPC) Addresses issues of homelessness (domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, housing shortage, and unemployment) within the communities in which we live and serve. Based in Brooklyn, New York www.aapci.org

African American Speaker Bureau (AASB) This organization is dedicated to the representation of people and projects that address the issues, concerns and celebrations of the African American community. Based in San Francisco, California www.aasb.net

Be Someone, Inc. Uses numerous tools, including the game of chess, to promote self-esteem, responsibility, and analytical thinking amoung at-risk kids. Based in Atlanta, Georgia www.besomeone.org

Black Culinarians Alliance (BCA)A nationwide non-profit, educational and networking organization of hospitality and food service professionals. Based in New York, New York www.blackculinarians.com

Blacks In Government (BIG) Promotes equity in all aspects of life, and excellence in public service. Based in Washington, DC www.bignet.org

Black Wall Street Merchants Association Serves as an advocate for commerce in the African American community. Based in Oakland, California www.blackwallstreet.org

Black Women In Sisterhood For Action (BISA) Develops and promotes alternative strategies for educational and career development of black women. Based in Washington, DC www.bisa-hq.org

Jack and Jill of America A family organization that provides cultural, social, civic and recreational activities that stimulate and expand the mind to enhance life. Based in Washington, DC www.jack-and-jill.org

Miss Black USA Provides educational opportunities to outstanding young women of color and to develop the whole woman mind, body, and spirit. Based in Upper Marlboro, Maryland www.missblackusa.org

National Action Council For Minorities in Engineering (NACME) Offers support to African Americans and other minorities who want to pursue careers in engineering, technology, math and science. Based in White Plains, New Yorkwww.nacme.org

National Action Network This organization, led by Al Sharpton ,promotes a modern civil rights agenda that includes just and decency for all people regardless of race, social justice for communities, and the improvement of race relations. Based in New York, New York www.nationalactionanetwork.net

National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) A champion of social justice, that has fought long and hard to ensure that the voices of African Americans would be heard.Based in Baltimore, Maryland www.naacp.org

National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD) Works to increase the number of African-Americans owning, developing, managing and operating hotels; increase vendor opportunities & executive level jobs for minorities. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Floria www.nabhood.com

National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) The leader in expanding the influence of minority professionals in the fields of accounting and finance. Based in Greenbelt, Maryland www.nabainc.org

National Association of Blacks In Criminal Justice (NABCJ) Provides leaders dedicated to improving the administration of criminal justice, with a goal of achieving equal justice for blacks and other minorities.Based in Durham, North Carolina www.nabcj.org

National Association of Market Developers (NAMD) Cultivates the aspects of the Black experience that can produce results for both the African-American community and institutions, private and public. Based In Plainfield, New Jersey www.namdntl.org

National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI)Improves and protects the lives of African American children. Based in Washington, DC www.nbcdi.org

National Registry of Black Baby Names Largest online collection of names that African American and African parents can choose for their unborn child. Based in Columbus, Ohio. www.blackbabynames.org

National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) One of the largest student-managed organizations in the country that focuses on increasing the number of Black engineers who excel academically and in the workplace.Based in Fairfax, Virginia www.nsbe.org

National Urban League (NUL) The nation’s oldest and largest community- based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream.Based in New York, New York www.nul.org

Rainbow Push Coalition This organization, led by Jesse Jackson, is a progressive organization fighting for social change as a mighty coalition of workers, women and people of color. Based in Chicago, Illinois www.rainbowpush.org

Other Stories

Feature Uncategorized
Higher Education Grants of Interest to African-Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education. Historically Black Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, received a $100,000 grant from DEX Imaging Inc. The grant will fund a scholarship program for Meharry’s School of Graduate Studies and Research, including four scholarships for students in the school’s master of science in public health degree program. The Center for Health Policy and Inequalities Research at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, received a five-year, $2.5 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The grant will fund the Carolinas Alcohol and Drug Resources (CADRE) program that will target racial and ethnic minorities, and particularly African Americans, for HIV and hepatitis testing and for substance abuse treatment. Historically Black Fayetteville State University in North Carolina received a $100,000 grant from the Smithfield-Luter Foundation of Smithfield, Virginia. The grant will fund a scholarship program for children and grandchildren of employees of Smithfield Foods who attend the university. Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, received a three-year, $902,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for a program to train instructors to teach computer science courses in schools in the predominantly Black Hartford public school system that [...]

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Kwanzaa: An African-American cultural celebration

Wednesday, Dec. 26, marks the first day of Kwanzaa, a non-religious celebration of African-American culture. Kwanzaa lasts for seven days, ending on Jan. 1. Kwanzaa, which means “first fruits of the harvest” in Swahili, was founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga and focuses on family, community and culture. Though gifts are exchanged and a feast is enjoyed, Kwanzaa is not to be mistaken as a substitute for Christmas. Instead, it is an affirmation of seven guiding principles, based on the “Nguzo Saba” (“Seven Principles”). These principles pay tribute to our ancestors and culture while reaffirming community values. The seven principles : Umoja (oo-MO-jah): Unity Kujichagulia (koo-gee-cha-goo-LEE-yah): Self-determination Ujima (oo-GEE-mah): Collective work and responsibility Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah): Cooperative economics Nia (NEE-yah): Purpose Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): Creativity Imani (ee-MAH-nee): Faith As with any holiday tradition, there are items used in the celebration. The most familiar symbol of Kwanzaa is the “Kinara,” which is similar to, but not to be confused with, the Menorah used in the Jewish celebration of Hanukah. The Kinara holds seven candles while the Menorah holds nine. The seven candles of Kwanzaa are called “Mishumaa Saba,” featuring three green on the right, three red on the left and one black in the center. Each candle represents [...]

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Md. pastors were searching for solutions even before mass shooting

Long before a 20-year-old suspected gunman walked into a Connecticut elementary school and killed 20 small children and seven educators, several Washington area pastors had planned programs this weekend designed to help families often coping with violence. On Saturday, the Rev. Elwood Gray will oversee a Christmas party for soon-to-be-released inmates at the Montgomery County Detention Center in Rockville. Also, in Glendale, former professional athletes will gather with pastors and a White House official for a town hall meeting on fatherhood. In terms of what happened in Newton, Conn., Gray said mass killings involving children are very hard to deal with in terms of the community. “This hard because these children have not had the opportunity to go through life to go through school,” said Gray, who has worked in prison ministries for more than three decades. “Incidents like this show us how frail life is and how it could be snuffed out at any moment.” Gray said when one looks at incidents like school shooting, there is a pattern because, in many cases, the shooter will either take his life or put himself in a position to be killed. Read More Source:http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/under-god/post/md-pastors-were-searching-for-solutions-even-before-mass-shooting/2012/12/14/1eae8296-4640-11e2-9648-a2c323a991d6_blog.html

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Feature
Hoping for A SPARK of Genius

FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Heb. 11:1, KJV) What does that mean in 2012, mainly to an entrepreneur like me? Especially, when you feel like every day is spent hoping… Hoping that the investors you reached out to return your calls, hoping that your concept doesn’t get lost in trying to make ends meet…just hoping! Well for me, hope is all that I have! It’s the fuel that runs my creativity. It is the spark that ignites my fire, and most of all it’s the substance that keeps my dreams ALIVE. I believe that everyone is created with a spark of genius that is special to them alone. That spark once discovered and meticulously developed will bring that person much success; and those they share it with much joy. That spark can be identified as the one thing that gets you extremely excited when you do it; and others compliment you on it so much that you disregard it. Its simplicity is often overshadowed by the many things that you are “trying” to do, to fit into what society says you should be doing at the stage which you’re in right now. Your spark more often than not will be unconventional [...]

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Obama Proclamation On World Aids Day 2012

On World AIDS Day, more than 30 years after the first cases of this tragic illness were reported, we join the global community once more in standing with the millions of people who live with HIV/AIDS worldwide. We also recommit to preventing the spread of this disease, fighting the stigma associated with infection, and ending this pandemic once and for all. In 2010, my Administration released the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, our Nation’s first comprehensive plan to fight the domestic epidemic. The Strategy aims to reduce new infections, increase access to care, reduce health disparities, and achieve a more coordinated national response to HIV/AIDS here in the United States. To meet these goals, we are advancing HIV/AIDS education; connecting stakeholders throughout the public, private, and non-profit sectors; and investing in promising research that can improve clinical outcomes and reduce therisk of transmission. Moving forward, we must continue to focus on populations with the highest HIV disparities — including gay men, and African American and Latino communities — and scale up effective, evidence-based interventions to prevent and treat HIV. We are also implementing the Affordable Care Act, which has expanded access to HIV testing and will ensure that all Americans, including those living with HIV/AIDS, have access to health insurance [...]

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A Thank You Letter, From A 1st Year Entrepreneur!

As Christmas trees are being mounted and the New York City streets begin to twinkle with crystal-like illumination; one thing that we can say is that Thanksgiving if officially over!! I don’t know about you, but Thanksgiving was especially emotional for me this year. I can’t remember a Thanksgiving time where I truly meant everything that I said I was thankful for. After enduring a year as a new entrepreneur, financial uncertainty, and Hurricane Sandy, I can honestly say that I meant everything I said that I was thankful for this year. It’s scary enough to be an entrepreneur in this ever-changing market, but to also endure one of history’s worst storms and to leave unscathed; I attribute it to nothing more than destiny. I excited in anticipation of what the future has in store for me. Recently, I was speaking to a family friend regarding her decision not to put up a Christmas tree or celebrate Christmas this year. To give you some background, she is a Christian and believes that Christmas is to be celebrated with friends and family. And, she spends countless hours every year decorating her home to welcome the holiday. She’s mounted her family Christmas tree every year since I [...]

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Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving

BCN – Thanksgiving is one of the most popular holidays on the American calendar. Airports are usually filled, traffic is gruesome and grocery stores are a nightmare. The excitement of gathering with friends and family over a delicious spread of foods like stuffing, candy yams, vegetable and we can’t forget the turkey, makes your mouth water. The word Thanksgiving to me is broken up into two words that dictate what we all should do with our day. First, give THANKS!! We all feel that there is a lack of something in our lives. A lack of money, of security, of confidence and the list goes on. But the bible says “in EVERYTHING give THANKS.” So I give thanks to God for what he has provided for me and my family. It is so easy to sit and complain about what we don’t have, but we need to admit that where we are is much better than where we could have been. The second part of the word Thanksgiving is “GIVING.” This simply means that I need to give, not to myself, but to others. Opening your heart to someone who has a greater need than yourself, is key. I understand that my family is blessed [...]

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Helping Our Neighbors after Hurricane Sandy

BCN – On Thursday November 8th 2012, I volunteered with United Way of New York City in an effort to help some of the people still suffering in the after math of Hurricane Sandy. Like many others, I sat looking at the images of the hardest hit areas on the television in dismay and disbelief. These images often made me feel over whelmed and full of emotion. Those emotions led me to donate money to various organizations that were already in the disaster areas. But my inner voice (my spirit) would tell me to get out there and help those who are in great need. I finally started to do my research to figure out which organization i would roll up my sleeves and volunteer with. To my surprise, after filling out several volunteer applications online, many of the opportunities were already at capacity and closed. At that point I secretively said “well, at least I tried .” The next day a representative of one of the companies I applied to returned an email and asked for my assistance. As if God was telling me “you’re not done yet.” I quickly accepted and was on my way to Coney Island, Brooklyn. I assumed the position of [...]

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Four More Year for President Barack Obama

BCN – Last night, November 6th 2012, the country sat at the edge of their seats in front of their televisions waiting to find out who the 45th President of the United States of America would be. Although a close race, President Barack Obama won by a landslide and was re-elected as Commander – in- Chief of USA for the next four year. President Obama received 303 electoral votes and Mitt Romney only received 203, out of the 207 electoral votes needed to win the presidency. Check out his Victory Speech below: Written by Keba Cairo, BCN Contributor

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Voting vs. Hurricane Sandy

Today is “Super Tuesday!” The day that many rush to the polls to exercise their rights and to support the candidate they think will best run our country. But one week after Hurricane Sandy reeked havoc on the East Coast, many polling sites are either still without electricity, have been severely damaged, or are being used as a temporary shelter for victims of the storm. Governor Cuomo signed an executive order yesterdays which allowed voting Affidavit ballots. This meant that voters were able to go to polling sites outside of their district. The governor also allowed MTA buses to be used as shuttle service to take voters from damaged polling sites to alternate sites. With all these plans put into place to help gain the vote of those affected by the storm, do you think that the people will see voting as priority? Think about it, if your house was or is under water, all of you belongings were damaged and for the past week you’ve been cold and hungry without a home to settle into, would running to the polls be at the top of your priority list? Tell us what you think. Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter

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