The Minority Center for Participation and Empowerment, a United State based non-profit organization, held festivities marking its formal launching program on Saturday October 15, 2022, in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
The launching activities included anti-gun violence parade on the principal streets of Southwest Philadelphia, an anti-gun Violence soccer tournament which included four African countries including Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali and the Ivory Coast, and a formal program attended by government officials from the counties of Delaware and Philadelphia, members of the minority communities representing different countries.
Liberia was represented by ULAA president Shiwoh Kamara who on behalf of the Liberians in America expressed gratitude to such a worthy undertaken initiated by his fellow Liberian. Mr. Kamara pledged ULAA support for the initiative.
Those who graced the program included State representative Regina Young, the NAACP, Delaware County Black Caucus, City of Philadelphia, AFRICOM represented by Dr. Vera Tolbert, representatives from minority communities including the Liberian Association of Pennsylvania.
Speaking at the program, the chair of the Philadelphia Mayoral Commission on African and Caribbean Affairs former Philadelphia Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell emphasized her commission’s support for the Minority Center effort to support initiatives to help the minority population and help reduce crime in the various communities.
During her opening, Mrs. Sheila A. Carter, Chair of the Board of the Minority Center commended Mr. Alascal Wisner for such an initiative to help fellow minorities in the United States.
She noted that the initiative is very great and when given the appropriate funding will solve most problems in the minority communities.
For his part Minority Center Executive Director Alascal Y. Wisner Sr. reported that the Minority Center was founded to help reduce the number of stigma associated with minority populations by helping to improve the lives of minorities by first reviewing their specific issues and working with them to address those issues.
He reported that the Minority Center programs include peer/addiction counseling, skill trainings, youth, Sports, social services, legal, anti-Gun Violence, Minority Solidarity, among others.
He reported that under the Minority Solidarity program, color people in America will meet and address issues that affect their various communities.
According to Mr. Wisner, this program is intended to unite minorities in America come out with joint programs to support each other.
Mr. Wisner also revealed that the Minority Center also has a chapter in State of Minnesota and documentation for Chapter in the State of Delaware was nearing completion.
He noted that his long term goal is to have chapters in Minority populated communities throughout America.
In the anti-gun violence tournament, Liberia defeated Mali in the first game, Ivory Coast defeated Sierra Leone in the second game. For the final, Liberia walked over the Ivory Coast in penalty kicks.
