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Hearns introduces AV African American Leadership Council

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Joining Hearns in announcing the new African American Leadership Council were (L to R) Emmett Murrell, Executive Director of Murrell's Farm and Boys Home; V. Jessie Smith, President of the NAACP-Antelope Valley Chapter; Ansar "Stan" Muhammad, founder of the H.E.L.P.E.R. Foundation; Gwen Cole of the High Desert Alliance of Black School Educators; Pharaoh Mitchell, co-founder of The Community Action League; and Nigel Holly co-founder of The Community Action League.
Joining Hearns in announcing the new African American Leadership Council were (L to R) Emmett Murrell, Executive Director of Murrell’s Farm and Boys Home; V. Jessie Smith, President of the NAACP-Antelope Valley Chapter; Ansar “Stan” Muhammad, founder of the H.E.L.P.E.R. Foundation; Gwen Cole of the High Desert Alliance of Black School Educators; Pharaoh Mitchell, co-founder of The Community Action League; and Nigel Holly co-founder of The Community Action League.

LANCASTER – Lancaster Mayor Emeritus Henry Hearns joined several local community leaders for a press conference Friday to announce the formation of an Antelope Valley African American Leadership Council.

The new nonprofit organization unites and provides a supportive environment for African American leaders serving in various capacities throughout the Antelope Valley, Hearns explained.

“We’re hoping that we can bring about that unity where we’ll speak with one voice,” Hearns said.

Details on specific issues the Council would tackle, who its members are, and when its members would meet are still being worked out, as the Council is still in its infancy stages, Hearns said.

Hearns, who chairs the new organization, distributed a press statement outlining the purpose, mission and vision of the new Antelope Valley African American Leadership Council. Read the statement below:

“The Antelope Valley African American Leadership Council is a coalition of progressive leaders representing African American leaders and organizations in the Valley, ensuring national, state, and local policies are adhered to, and working every day to improve the health, education and social well-being of our community.

The Council’s mission is to provide a supportive environment for African American leaders and organizations in the areas of leadership, unity, policy, and decision making by lending influence to agendas that seek to improve the lives of all African Americans in the Antelope Valley. The Council will serve as a sounding board for directing, advising and empowering African American stakeholders through supportive guidance for African American goals, upward mobility and collective legacy.

Our vision is to support, empower, and hold accountable African American leaders and organizations that have a direct political, social, education, spiritual, and economic impact on the African American community. The Council supports by assisting in organization, development, and implementation; empowers by lending history, influence, endorsements, and guidance; and holds accountable by accessing the goals of the leader and/or organization, and ensuring said goals align with the improvement, health, education, and social well-being of the African American community.”

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Filed Under: Lancaster

24 comments for "Hearns introduces AV African American Leadership Council"

  1. This is the problem with our society. Instead of talking about the entire community speaking with one voice, they are talking about “African Americans” speaking with one voice. As long as a group of people are raised looking at themselves as a separate entity, nothing will ever change.

    • Yes, again, another divisive and race based group being formed. I’m really tired of the the people who are constantly throwing out the race card being racists themselves. It will never work this way. Either everyone is treated equally, or there is no point, and starting ‘African American’ or ‘Hispanic’ clubs and organizations is counterproductive. Henry should know that already.

  2. Aren’t ALL these guys now on a Rex commission? I know they all are in his back pocket. Wonder what it cost him?

    • Yes…these people don’t seem to understand that we see through the blatant opportunism and racism. They are not a solution, but a large part of the problem and need to heal their own minds.

  3. What? No Darren Parker in the photo?? Parker usually NEVER misses a photo op to promote the black man!

    • Our Deputy Mayor, Cassandra Harvey, has not (to my knowledge) been a member of any of these special interest groups. It would seem that someone as influential and well-connected as Ms. Harvey would be a very welcome addition to these groups. Is she not invited or welcome to participate? Just curious.

      • No Cassandra Harvey, Linda Jones, Bo Bynum, Fred Thompson, John Mayfield, Linda Hughes, Pastor Ross, Jaime Jones, Rossie Johnson, Wendell Cuffy, Gary Bell, James Lott, Earl Wilson, etc. this looks like another hand picked Rex committee. Will Stan Muhammad utter another anti semetic and homophobic slur? Will Smith and Murell keep suing Palmdale with their lawyer Parris? Very disappointed.

  4. Does anyone else think that this is connected to the issue of at-large council elections in Lancaster, to paint a picture of Lancaster not being polarized according to Rex’s ‘expert’ on such matters. Looks more like a publicity stunt than anything else.

    Unfortunately, reading the comments below, it looks like Lancaster IS polarized.

    What to do? What to do?

    I wonder what Hearns has to say about Jonathan Ervin’s candidacy. Someone should ask him.

  5. When forming a non-profit organization, it is suppose to already have a mission statement and at least key figures already named in the documents. According to the new article, they don’t even have a defined mission.

    I checked with the IRS to see their status, they aren’t even registered yet. A bit misleading to call one’s self a nonprofit when you haven’t even been granted that status yet..

  6. With all the racial tension in this town, Why can’t they a council without ANY racial title, just for a better community for EVERYONE . Why promote more racism??????????????

    • It seems that every time a “race-specific” or “nationality-specific” group is created, problems and/or issues within the demographics of those newly formed groups increase. We don’t seem to hear about any positive results being produced by the creation of these groups.

    • So very divisive.Mr Hearns,so hypocritical,guess he forgot who voted him in office several years ago,just like Oprah forgetting who made her #1,those terrible “white “people.My guess is there is money to be made from this in the form of grants,etc.

    • I agree. The NAACP is for People of all colors and I am not happy to see that the races will be divided more than ever.
      It seems like the needs of those organizing are looking selfish, and not meant for everybody. What about multi-racial childen?

  7. So when can we start “The Antelope Valley White American Leadership Council”???

    • Looks like my opinions are being moderated. I will try again…

      Never. Didn’t you get the memo? Any r.a.c.e can form a committee…except w.hit.e.s.

    • Has Stan Muhammad apologized yet to the gay and Jewish communities for his homophobic and anti Semitic slurs?

      • Not sure but doubt it or it would have been splashed all over the place.Most likely they think people are too disinterested to remember.Even if he did it would be disingenuous,since those are his core beliefs.