Back for the third time-Black on Black Crime solutions panel
“POWER OF THE VOTE!”
By Kevin Dorival
They’re back for the 3rd time – the 3rd Annual Black On Black Crime Solutions Panel. The “Power of the Vote!” is this year’s theme for the annual panel discussion. Over 3 million people in America can’t vote, and most of them are Blacks. The purpose of the annual event this year is to bring tangible solutions to the voting problems that the urban community has been plagued with. Courage To Believe International, a nonprofit mentoring organization, is bringing experts to the table that are on the frontlines of the battlefield to improve the lives of those in the urban community.
“It is both an honor and privilege to have this event three years straight. I felt compelled to host this event with a political twist, since its election year,” says King Kevin Dorival, president of Courage To Believe International, Inc. The free event will be on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at the Worldwide Christian Center Church, 450 N. Powerline Rd. Pompano Beach, Fla.
Pastors Mrs. & Mr. Dozier have been a long time supporter of Broward County communities.
Dorival is a mentor, author, and the producer of the annual panel. Every year, this event is supported by in-kind services and donations by concerned citizens and educators around the country. “We are still seeking support so that we can provide food, reward the panelist, and student volunteers that participate every year. Volunteer hours are available,” says Mr. Dorival.
Recently, Mr. Dorival was able to get his civil rights restored on October of 2015 after waiting a long 13 years. He hasn’t voted since Bill Clinton was president. His story of persistence in calling, writing, and waiting for the Clemency Board in Tallahassee and Broward County officials to restore his rights paid off. Now, he is a motivational speaker, mentor, and author of The Courage To Believe, autobiography. He encourages others to fight for their rights too. He founded a chess mentoring group and community support organization, Courage To Believe International, Inc., which is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt, nonprofit organization.
Since 1980, there has been approximately 325,000 deaths of Black men at the hands of black offenders (2010 Bureau of Justice Statistics). Current statistics also show that about 38% of the Black males in America are either in prison, on probation or on parole, which means they can’t vote.
Unfortunately, until we address the root cause of these behaviors, we will continue to see young Black males end up included in these statistical numbers. We must seek to stem the tide of black males that die by a violent crime perpetrated by another Black man or that become trapped in the justice system as a part of the offender population.
2016 Panelist:
* Florence Taylor Barner, Broward Judicial Candidate, Group 3
* Judge Kal Evans, retention election, Group 2
* Broward Sheriff, Scott Israel
* Dale Holness, Broward County Commissioner, District 9
* Phyllis Pritcher, Broward Judicial Candidate, Group 2
* Judge Matthew Destry, retention election, Group 15
* Roshawn Banks, Attorney
* Willie Jones, Candidate for Broward Sheriff
* Neva Rainfort-Smith, Asst. State Attorney
* Dr. Ak Tousa, International Socio Pathologist
* Valencia Gunder, Com-munity Activist, Miami
* Student Minister, Roland Muhammad, Nation of Islam
* Gino M. Herring, Supervisor of Elections Office
* Anthony Malcolm, Radio Show Host
* Suzette Speaks will be our host
