FIRST ANNUAL AFRICAN AMERICAN ELECTED OFFICIALS’ THANKSGIVING BRUNCH

State Sen. Royce West, State Rep. Toni Rose, Dallas Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Erik Wilson, Dallas ISD School Board Trustee Lew Blackburn, and Paul Quinn College President Michael Sorrell hosted the First Annual African American Elected Officials Thanksgiving Brunch at PaulQuinnCollege’s Zale Library.

More than 70 current and former African American elected officials were present at this historic event. Former State Representative and Pastor Emeritus of St. Luke Community United Methodist Church – Dallas, Rev. Dr. Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr., delivered a powerful luncheon address that beckoned them to come together, stay together, and move forward together. He offered a number of examples that reiterated that “We either learn how to live together or perish separately as fools.” “Looking across the room there was a collection of influence, abilities and knowledge that we must take advantage of to form a common agenda that will address the needs of African Americans across Dallas County and the region,” said Sen. West. “We may not always have this opportunity, so the time to act is now. We can rally around issues such as obtaining quality education for our children, access to healthcare and jobs that pay a livable wage. Improvements in these areas will benefit not only African Americans but will contribute to the quality of life in all of our respective communities.” Senator West ended the luncheon by calling for officials to develop a set objectives and goals and to establish benchmarks that can be measured moving forward. For more information, please contact Tamara Sadler or Kelvin Bass at 214-467-0123.