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Fresno’s African-American leadership affirms their commitment to liberty and justice for all

Juneteenth press conference tomorrow to highlight decades of collective work from the different African-American organizations throughout Fresno


By ONME Newswire

Across the nation, residents are celebrating Juneteenth, celebrating the emancipation of slaves in 1865; however, it was not until up to two years after did slave masters free them. Juneteenth marks that celebration of the official word-of-mouth freedom for the enslaved African Americans still working on their masters’ plantations.


The African-American community in Fresno, CA collectively decided to celebrate Juneteenth by informing the Fresno greater community of African American organizations, groups and individuals working diligently to eradicate the injustice and inequity created by racism and prejudice in the community, and to build a community of hope and prosperity for every American.


African-American leaders will meet at Fresno EOC Local Conversation Corps located at the Reverend Swillis Neighborhood Youth Center, on 1805 E. California Ave., in Fresno, CA at 10:00 AM, Friday, June 19.


Rising Star Baptist Church Pastor B.T. Lewis organized a group of 50+ Black organizations to come to the table and educate the Central Valley community using social media, online and offline TV platforms to stream live through the ONME Network and CMAC, starting at 9:00 AM on the ONME Network, Comcast Channel 93 and AT & T U-Verse Channel 99 on Friday, June 19.

“In the wake of a coronavirus that continues to violate the health and safety of our community more than any other, said Pastor BT Lewis, “and in light of the horrific murders of black men and women across this nation, most recently Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd in Minneapolis, the faith, business, and civic leaders in Fresno California declare and affirm to continue our daily fight in this city and county for unmitigated justice and our right to be treated humanely in every segment of society.”

“These are the leaders of organizations and movements in our city that labor daily against the racism and prejudice deeply rooted in the fabric and consciousness of people in our community and the systems, institutions, and policies that govern us,” explained Lewis. “It is no anomaly and nor is it by accident that for years the African American community has engaged in protests and civil disobedience without vandalism and looting. Our mayor, our mayor-elect, and others in leadership in our city and in our county can a-test to the fact that these leaders set the tone for effecting change and community response to a consistent trend of injustice and inequity in the legacy systems, institutions, and policies that govern day to day life as an African American in Fresno.

Each leader will speak for 45 seconds to present their name, the name of their organization, their statement against racism, and their vision and their organization’s vision for building a community of righteousness, justice, equality, and a better quality of life for African Americans in our community.


African American Leaders / Organizations will include:

Action of Change - Michae Lynn Lewis

African American Clergy Task Force – Pastor B. T. Lewis II

African American Caucus for the Democratic Party – Daren Miller

African American Museum - Board Member Barigye McCoy

BAPAC – Christopher Washington

Black Nurses Association – Dr. Carol Drake

Fresno Black Wall Street - Adrian Harris

BLOC (Black Leaders Organizing Change) - Viva Straughter

BWOPA – Cynthia Sterling

The California Advocate – Mark Kimber

Concerned Citizens of West Fresno- Mary Curry

The Dawn Proposal - Dr. Venise Curry

Fresno EOC Conservation Corps – Shawn Riggins

Fresno Metro Black Chamber – Tara Lynn Gray

Fresno Street Saints – Pastor Brian King

Golden Westside Planning Committee- Debbie Darden

Heat - Diane Smith

Fresno NAACP - Leroy Candler

National Action Network – Dr. Floyd Harris

The ONME Network – Julia Dudley, Lenice Najieb

St. Rest Community Development Corp. – Pastor DJ Criner

Take A Stand - Janice Sumler

United Black Men – Ron Hill

West Fresno Democratic Club - Mikki Addison

West Fresno Faith Based Organization – Pastor Bruce McAlister

West Fresno Family Resource Center - Yolanda Randles

Westside CDC – Pastor Paul Binion

Fresno Unified School Board President Keisha Thomas

FUSD African American Academic Acceleration Program Director, Wendy McCulley

Dottie Smith, Fresno County Democratic Party Central Committee Representative

Trustee Eric Payne, State Center Community College District

Trustee Kimberly Tapscott-Munson, Fresno County Board of Education

Retired Police Sargent – Robert Mitchell


The ONME Network will start a simulcast live stream broadcast to online and offline TV channels at 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM; hosts will review the latest local and national news surrounding Juneteenth and the Black Lives Matter movement throughout California. ONME will then stream live the 10:00 AM African-American leadership press conference, followed by the Ken McCoy Entertainment Report at 12:00 PM.

The ONME Network will also rebroadcast last weekends 2020 Virtual Juneteenth Jazz and Blues event on Saturday from 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM and a part 3 Juneteenth broadcast Sunday, June 21 from 12:00 PM -4:00 PM.



WATCH IT LIVE BELOW FRIDAY, JUNE 19 - 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

SATURDAY, JUNE 20 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

SUNDAY, JUNE 21 12:00 PM -4:00 PM














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