2011 UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS - COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT ASSOCIATION, INC.

CEA Move to the former Holy Rosary School in Homewood

During the first part of 2011, CEA will move its offices and programs to the Holy Rosary building in Homewood.  With the increase in space, CEA will be able to broaden its programs, services and community activities.  The space will also include CEA’s new culturally specific partial hospitalization program.

Calendar of Events

CEA will publish a Calendar of Events in upcoming newsletters, listing upcoming programs, forums, Peace Alliance meetings and events, as well as community activities.

Founder’s Day

Held annually in June, a day for celebrating the work of CEA and to honor its founder.

Day of Black Male Solidarity

Occurs annually in June since 2007 - over 600 Black men and youth gather to renew their vow to unite and address community needs.

Black Family Reunion

A two-day event held annually the first weekend in August for the last 8 years, CEA has been sponsoring the Black Family Reunion as an opportunity for Allegheny County residents to come together for two days to celebrate the Black Family. 

National Conference on Mitigating the Impact of Social & Psychological Trauma to the Social Fabric of the African American Community

To be held in October, the conference will focus on broadening the dialogue and addressing the critical nature of disparities among people of color in our communities from a multi-disciplinary standpoint.  The conference themes will focus on 4 major areas:

• Education
• Economic Development
• Physical, Mental & Environmental Health
• Public Safety/Criminal Justice

As well, a major overriding theme of the conference will be the cultural resiliency of African Americans.

The major outcomes of the conference will be:

• Participants will increase their knowledge, specialized skills, and cultural competency using intervention and prevention strategies and tools designed to serve people of color.
• Participants will increase their knowledge of best practices and solutions in intervention and prevention strategies using evidence based models. 
• A collaborative/partnership foundation will be established to: 1) build a strong community-based network, and 2) create an effective model and plan for a continuum of care within community settings.
• A comprehensive, community-based “Continuum of Care” model for intervention and prevention will be envisioned and developed to connect community stakeholders and public and social service professionals and agencies in Allegheny County.

A conference planning team comprised of scholars from several universities, as well as representatives from the criminal justice system, faith based organizations, mental and physical health providers, a housing coalition, political and educational institutions has been meeting regularly to plan the conference.  It will feature national speakers and will include workshops focusing on best practices from around the country that are addressing the challenges within the African American community.  Data collected during the year from residents in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County related to the 4 areas of focus will be presented. 

During the final day of the conference, participants will come together to develop a strategy and an implementation plan for addressing the disparities and challenges that African Americans face in Pittsburgh & Allegheny County.   

Ancestor’s Day

Held annually in October to give CEA youth participants an opportunity to showcase their talents as they honor African American “mover’s & shakers” from the past via song, spoken word, dramatic readings, and dance.

Kwanzaa

Held annually in December, the visions and values of Kwanzaa revolve around the practice of five fundamental activities which celebrate and reinforce family, community, and culture.  Kwanzaa historically has always been a time to reflect, socialize, share information, and celebrate accomplishments collectively.

Each year at the Kwanzaa celebration CEA honors outstanding community residents who are committed to working towards the positive transformation of African Americans and the betterment of our communities. As noted previously, Kwanza which has been held annually for over 12 years and is continually participated by over 500 community residents, key leaders, public service officials, and local media.

PEACE ALLIANCE NETWORK

• Continuing the push for a Public Hearing to address the violence in the Black Community.
• Visiting communities and continuing community organizing activities to create the groundswell of residents committed and ready to take action for change.
• Continuation of the organizing efforts and working groups within the areas of focus: 
  • Mother and families who have lost children to violence,
  • Education
  • People of Faith
  • Youth
  • Political Empowerment & Workforce Development
• Conducting voter registration drives throughout the year at activities and events of the Peace Alliance Network.
• Conducting round table discussions with identified corporations and businesses to ascertain what their responsibility and commitment will be regarding reinvesting dollars back into the communities that they rely on for support,
• Conducting round table discussions with elected officials to determine what their responsibility to their constituents should be and what will be expected of them in terms of support and commitment to the developing Urban Agenda
• Creation of an Urban Agenda through the Peace Alliance Network and Commission for a Better Life for presentation and recommendation to the 2012 election campaign incumbents and hopefuls.