Thanksgiving Weekend  DC at MLK Memorial

Saturday, November 30, 2013 11am-3pm

The Nation Gathers to Honor and Give Thanks—

With and for: Pastors| Prophets| Creative Talents | Dreamers

Spiritual Leaders| Innovative Thinkers| Community-Civic-Governmental Officials

I. Presenting Partners: Supreme Day of Prayer at the MLK Memorial— A set time and place for corporate and community leaders to say, “Thanks for Giving”—Yes, to Rev. Dr. King, but also to many who support their businesses and services year after year— plus the kick-off to 2014 MLK Holiday Celebrations-   “Reflecting the Past... Inspecting the Present... Projecting the Future”

II.  Strategy: Getting corporate and community support to assist with resources to bring people to this spiritual landmark including a key delegation of the organizing leaders of the event with the “Thanks For Giving: 2013 Delta to DC Diversity Tour”— This tour is a continuing pilgrimage led by Arkansans and leaders from the LA, TN, and MS Delta to DC to honor and extend the legacy of Dr. King as it relates to the globally diverse marketplace in the 21st century. Touring group includes: Clergy, college students, community leaders, educators and an invite to persons of all backgrounds: race, creed and color who want to visit and/or return to this spiritual landmark and offer moments of thanksgiving in a prayer, music and creative day of activities.

II. Background: MLK-UNDIVIDED speaks to the never-ending biblical rights/truths that inspired and guided Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., beyond social, political, civil and human rights agendas. Today, amid the storms of politics, race, religion and many divides in our nation, spiritual leaders know that this is a teachable moment and we will not allow the sacrifices and work rendered by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to be buried and left out of the problem-solving equation.

This year, timed to coincide with the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, the tribute offers a special time to convene at this spiritual landmark and pass the torch to today’s leaders and prepare and inspire event planners for the upcoming MLK Holiday 2014 commemorative events and beyond. We believe this is important because:

1. Dr. King is the ONLY diversity model that is honored on the National Mall that honors an American who is honored as a spiritual leader. This magnet is one of a few national personalities, monuments and causes that can draw millions to remember, pause and more greatly unite.
   
2. It provides a platform as to how the “now” leaders can be agents of change by using their gifts and talents of diversity continuing in the same spirit of love, sacrifice and humility of Rev. Dr. King.
   
3. This is the first Thanksgiving beyond the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington. And beginning with a national tribute of thanks from this location can inspire millions to stop the violence and conduct of hate and begin again to commit to the principles of love and non-violence practiced by Rev. King.
        
        
   I.       “Thanks For Giving: 2013 Delta to DC Diversity Tour”— 40-50 community representatives and volunteers from the AR-LA-MS-TN Delta will travel to DC and return as community ambassadors of diversity, creativity and volunteerism. This touring conference combines outreach with community and faith-based organizations and institutions to better reach and empower each delegate to return and more greatly assist in their communities where many persons are faced with complexities including but not limited to: Food Insecurity-Poverty-Crime-Drugs-Unemployment, etc.  Special moments include but are not limited to touring of historic landmarks and Project Eden— Founded in 2012, Project EDEN^™ is an innovative youth-led urban garden initiative that brings fresh fruits and vegetables, workforce development, and transitional employment opportunities to underserved youth and adults in Southeast Washington, DC.
    
   II.       Fundraising: October 20-November 20: Invite institutional/community and corporate leaders join/partner with us to develop and promote the event on a national scale to assist with funding support for 40-50 community representatives and volunteers from the AR-LA-MS-TN Delta to travel to DC.
    
   1.       The goal is to raise a minimum of $5,000 for each state delegation with a representation of 10. 
   2.       Each delegate has an expense of $350: Expense includes bus fare, two night’s hotel lodging (minimum of two persons/room), and meals on the bus to and from DC. Meals in DC are at the expense of each delegate.  
   Contact: Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr., D.D.
   The College of Aspiring Artists, CEO
                                              870.623.8179 |email: ceo@thecollegeofaspiringartists.org
                                                  http://thanksgivingatmlkmemorial.blogspot.com/