SCLC kicks off 50th anniversary of Poor People’s Campaign

By Mahalieka Muhammad | Last updated: Apr 13, 2016 - 10:59:06 AM

Left to Right: Aaron McCarthy, SCLC Detroit branch president, Charles Steele, Jr. SCLC president and CEO, his wife Cathelean Steele who is also SCLC special programs director, Bishop Dennis Walker and Elder Mary Barlow.

DETROIT—The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) held a press conference at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History to announce the kick off of the 50th Anniversary of the Poor Peoples Campaign (PPC). The SCLC is a nonprofit, interfaith civil rights organization founded by Rev. Joseph Lowery, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Bayard Rustin and Rev. Ralph Abernathy on January 10, 1957 in Atlanta, Ga.

Still based there today, the organization is headed by Mr. Charles Steele, who is the president and CEO. Mr. Steele and his wife Cathelean Steele and a few members of his national staff, along with Adam McCarthy, local president and his staff Bishop Dennis Walker, Edith Lee-Payne, Elder Mary Barlow and Beverly Kindle Walker were all present at the April 4 press conference.

The organization wanted to make the announcement in Detroit for several reasons. First, because 48 years ago on that day, Dr. King, was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn. at the Lorraine Hotel. Dr. King was the first president of the SCLC fighting for freedom, justice, equality and the total liberation of all poor people. Second, Detroit was once a thriving city known as the “motor city” and SCLC stated the group wants to be a part of the city coming back to its former glory.

Students from Muhammad University of Islam attended SCLC press conference. Left to right: (Front row) Tanya Muhammad (ELA Teacher), Khadijah Muhammad – 11th grade, Charles Steele, Jr., SCLC president and CEO, Cathelean Steele, Jahnia Kamau Muhammad – 11th grade and history instructor Mahalieka Muhammad. (Back row) Left to right: Quran Muhammad-11th grade, Yusef Muhammad -11th grade and Jihad Muhammad – 9th grade. Photos courtesy of Mahalieka Muhammad

They recognize as in 1968, Black people still face some of the same disparities in the form of jobs and justice.

The goal of the Poor People’s Campaign, spearheaded by Dr. King and SCLC in 1967 – 1968 was to tackle head on, issues of poverty and economic and housing disparities for all people, regardless of race. Dr. Steele and SCLC in continuing that legacy, have several events planned to commemorate the 50 year mark of the original campaign.

For the next two years, the SCLC Poor People’s Campaign agenda will consist of “tours, projects and marches that will culminate in the spring of 2018 on the Mall in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Steele began the press conference by thanking his good friend the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam for saving the organization from closing its doors a few years ago.

“We want the community to know and I would be remised if I didn’t say that we would not exist today, if it wasn’t for the Nation of Islam under the leadership of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.”

He explained that he couldn’t find enough people to help him save the organization founded by various civil rights stalwarts and nervously came to the Nation of Islam Minister for assistance. Mr. Steele asked the Minister for the loan that he would repay within 90 days. When Min. Farrakhan took out his checkbook and wrote a check for the full amount, he asked Mr. Steele “to promise not to pay him back” and with that donation SCLC was able to settle all debts and open a new building.

Also present at the press conference were students from the high school class of Muhammad University of Islam-Detroit. Yusef Muhammad an 11th grade student, asked about the SCLC’s social programs in the community.

He learned the SCLC has an active campaign called “Justice for Girls” an initiative to bring awareness about sex trafficking or “sex slavery” and to help save girls and boys who are being abused. Justice for Girls: A Practical Guide is a series of interactive lessons rolled out by SCLC that is designed to increase the sense of value and worth of girls 5-18 and hopefully reducing the risk of commercial sexual exploitation. Students also learned of the New Generation Leadership Council, which is to train youth on different forms of non-violent protesting.

“Everywhere I go, the Nation is there to support me,” continued Mr. Steele as he took extra time to offer a message of inspiration to the M.U.I. students, who were the only students present. He thanked them for attending.

“There are three ways to be educated and that was to read, travel and build relationships (trust).” He stressed the importance of being honorable, trustworthy and not worrying about not having resources to accomplish their goals. He also shared with them a Japanese proverb which says, “A goal not written down is nothing more than a wish.”

The press conference ended with the announcement of the SCLC National Convention themed, “Stand Up to Poverty: The Poor Peoples Campaign: The Dream Unfulfilled” scheduled for July 21-24 in Atlanta. For more information or to register for the conference visit www.nationalsclc.org.

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