The 7th Call to Action inter-active forum presented by the “Change the Game for a New Generation Initiative” was well attended, and everyone there was fully engaged. At the Pine Hills Community Center, the focus of the evening was on Black on Black violence, and developing long and short range strategies for the African American community in Orange County. The event was scheduled for two hours, but as ministers, and community leaders shared their best practices, and efforts to stop violence, there was not enough time for everyone to tell their story.
The Call to Action was overwhelmingly answered, as there was excellent support from a number of pastors, who are on the front line in their community fighting crime and domestic violence.
Pastor Kelvin Roundtree from New Life Global started the event with prayer and two musical selections followed, from Xavier Quarterman and his musical group. The music was beautiful, filled with the message of love, and after the musical selections, Dr.Sydel LeGrande started the event by explaining the reason why call to action gatherings exist, and her desire to collaborate with other community organizations that are change agents in Orange County.
Pastor James Watkins from Bethel AME and Vice President of “Stop the Violence” discussed the events that are on their calendar in the next weeks. Bishop A.L. Helligar, founder of Stop the Killing Start Living, announced that his organization will hold its annual march in Pine Hills on October 22, 2016. Pastor Julius Miles of Kingdom Generation Church reported that good results are flowing from his interaction with police in the Holden Heights community.
Deputy Larry Clifton of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office discussed the ”See Something Say Something” program, and 911/Anonymous Reporting. Dr. LeGrande followed up the Sheriff’s presentation with a statement of long range goals, which included a comprehensive focus on Pine Hill’s children, part of the Change the Game for a New Generation initiative.
Dr. LeGrande is the founder/CEO of “Change the Game for a New Generation” and also owner of Your Place Medical Center in Tampa and Orlando, with a 501©3 non-profit organization entitled Fruit of Glory Ministries.
She provided the audience with facts and statistics about violence in Orange County, and discussed how the community can get engaged this year in the “Change the Game for a New Generation” project.
