SHELBY County Commissioner Henri E. Brooks will sponsor her First Annual Faith Based Community Know Your Government Day on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at the Cook Convention Center. “The purpose of the program is to educate the public regarding the legislative process and to promote social justice and economic empowerment through political influence’” stated Commissioner Brooks .
 
 
“Because of numerous  telephone calls, e-mails and letters, we are planning an event similar to my Nashville based ‘African American Church Day on Capitol Hill.’ We cannot ignore these requests. We are inaugurating this educational and informational program here in Memphis- even bigger and better” according to Brooks.
 
“This program is free to the public and will be held from 8am until 5pm at the Cook Convention Center located at 255 N. Main Street; pre-registration is strongly suggested. The theme of this inaugural event will be Transforming Government to Meet Human Needs.
 
The day’s events will begin with registration and a complimentary continental breakfast followed by the opening plenary session where the honorary co-chairs and elected officials will be introduced. The morning plenary speakers are the Honorable Shelby County Mayor AC Wharton and the Reverend Dr. Gale Kennebrew, Corporate Director of Spiritual Care and Clinical Pastoral Education at Methodist Healthcare. Pastor James Thomas of Jefferson Street Baptist Church of Nashville will bring ecumenical remarks prior to lunch.

The day will culminate with the afternoon session including lunch and workshops focusing on education, safe schools and communities, economic advocacy and community funding, prisoner-re-entry, felony voting rights, veterans’ services, slum and blight initiatives, mental healthcare, Congregational Health Network, neighborhood/community empowerment, and government navigating-city, county and state levels.
 
“Statewide churches, organizations and community groups have been invited. This is their opportunity to let their voices be heard in a chorus of aggressive advocates for social justice and economic empowerment in our communities,” stated Commissioner Brooks.