WASHINGTON - February 16, 2010. – Prominent leaders from across the country, including Rev. Al Sharpton, White House Urban Affairs Director Adolfo Carrión, Jr. and former New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, are taking part in a Congressional Black Caucus Issues Forum that U. S. Representative Edolphus “Ed” Towns is hosting to explore the challenges confronting African American families.
The forum, the first in a series that the Congressional Black Caucus intends to host around the country, will delve into issues like barriers to employment, single parenthood, inadequate educational opportunities and policies undercutting responsible fatherhood.
Featuring Reverend Sharpton as the keynote speaker and On-Air Financial Journalist Stacey Tisdale as the moderator, the event entitled, “From Entitlement to Employment:  Policy, Place and Opportunity,” will consist of two panel discussions to explore how local nonprofits, religious leaders and government agencies can provide support to struggling minority families as the nation rises from an economic downturn that deepened problems many in the African American community already face.
Nearly two-hundred people are expected to attend.

HOST:                 U.S. Rep. Edolphus “Ed” Towns (NY-10)

KEYNOTE:           Rev. Al Sharpton,
                           President and Founder, National Action Network
                           Nationally-syndicated Radio Host, Television Personality and Columnist

MODERATOR:     Stacey Tisdale, Author and Financial Television Journalist

PANELISTS (I):   

Dr. Adelaide L. Sanford, Former Vice Chancellor
New York State Board of Regents

Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson, Executive Director
Children’s Defense Fund, New York

Hon. William C. Thompson, Former Comptroller
New York City

Mr. Edwin “Eddie” Ellis Director
Prison Ministry, New York Riverside Church

PANELISTS (II):   

Adolfo Carrión, Jr., White House Director
Office of Urban Affairs

U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis (IL-07)
Sponsor of H.R. 2979: The Julia Carson Responsible Fathers and Healthy Families Act

U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY-11), Co-Sponsor H.R. 2979

DATE:             Tuesday, February 16, 2010

TIME:              9 a.m.

PLACE:          Brooklyn Borough Hall
                     The Courtroom
                     209 Joralemon Street
                     Brooklyn, NY 11209

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