CHICAGO, On August 29-31, 2013 Pastors, Christian Leaders, Political Activist and Concerned Citizens from across the country will convene at the Pheasant Run Inn Resort in St. Charles, Illinois, to discuss, among other things, how together we begin to turn the tide in our communities amidst cultural norms and values, which have contributed to the growing attack, and subsequent breakdown, of the natural family.
The Summit, entitled Defending the Natural Family: R.I.S.E. to Rebuild the Foundation of Black America, will feature the partnership of national, state and local leaders prepared to address key issues and challenges facing, in particular, Black America. Pointing to recent efforts in Illinois by predominantly Black pastors to advert attempts to make homosexual marriage legal, Freedom's Journal Institute (FJI) president and Black Conservative Summit (BCS) organizer Eric M. Wallace, PhD asserts "the battle is not over, and the impeding of homosexual marriage is not enough. The epidemic of out of wedlock births, gang violence, abortion and school drop out rates are just a few of the symptoms of a much bigger problem plaguing the Black community."
Wallace maintains, that despite these unsettling trends both historical and biblical precedence bears witness to the fact that the "natural family" is the foundation of our society. "We believe that through the promotion and propagation of intact natural families, coupled with the ongoing education and implementation of conservative tenets like the R.I.S.E. principles, we can begin to diminish the need for, and over dependence on, such things as welfare programs and unnecessary government interference, which in turn give 'rise' to extraordinary possibilities that are the result of healthier, more responsible and productive, members of society."
Though, by in large, the conservative movement has been poorly branded within the African American community, Summit organizers believe the BCS's focus on defending the natural family will serve, as a catalyst for uniting and creating much needed dialogue between Black conservative leaders and the African American constituency.
Confirmed speakers include, among others, the Hon. Ken Blackwell (former Cincinnati Mayor and Ohio Secretary of State, Kay Coles James (President and Founder of The Gloucester Institute) and syndicated columnist and commentator Star Parker.
