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FinalCall.com News
National News
Richmond hosts Millions More Movement TV program
By Hassan Muhammad
Updated Oct 25, 2007 - 10:35:00 PM
The Millions More Movement Cable Television program hosted by Hassan Muhammad recently aired each Tuesday night for six weeks in Richmond, Virginia, bringing numerous organizations and the Local Organizing Committee of the Millions More Movement, chaired by Dennis Harvey, together in unity around collective goals and an established, unified working network and alliance.
The first segment of the show focused on the historical perspective of the Million Man March and how it evolved into the Million Woman March, the Million Family March, the Million Worker’s March, the Million Reparations March, and now, the Millions More Movement.
“The march is now a movement; even though we have had a lot of marches the condition of our people is not improved. We now need unity and movement on a sustain basis,” Brother Tracy Muhammad of Muhammad’s Mosque No. 24 commented.
The first segment of the show focused on the historical perspective of the Million Man March and how it evolved into the Million Woman March, the Million Family March, the Million Worker’s March, the Million Reparations March, and now, the Millions More Movement.
“The march is now a movement; even though we have had a lot of marches the condition of our people is not improved. We now need unity and movement on a sustain basis,” Brother Tracy Muhammad of Muhammad’s Mosque No. 24 commented.
The Million Man March produced Black men to register to vote in record numbers, join Black organizations in record numbers, and there was a significant increase in Black adoptions. “In reviewing the sharp increase in the male vote, I find it highly implausible that there was another factor that rivaled the Million Man March in bringing about this change,” said David Bositis of the Joint Center for Economic Studies.
However, none of this was reported in depth in the main stream media outlets. Speaking to the need of why the Millions More Movement Ministry of Information is so important so that we don’t have to rely on the various “managed” news of America, we need to gather all Black newspaper, magazines, radio and television organizations together in unity and in truth.
Also on this first segment was the LOC chairman, Brother Dennis Harvey, a master gardener who has held several workshops on the art and science of growing your own food.
“If planters don’t plant, then eaters don’t eat. Agriculture is the foundation of every culture; when we plant a crop that our parents or grandparents planted before us, gardening becomes a celebration of our ancestry. Gardening is a rich, intriguing mixture of nature’s gifts and discovering this wonder and awe of the natural world,” explained Bro. Dennis.
“Horticulture is the science or art of producing, cultivating, and using ornamental plants, fruits, and vegetables. The horticulture therapy programs benefit the mentally ill substance abusers, public offenders, and patients suffering from head trauma, paraplegia, and paralysis. In a rapidly growing urban communities, couldn’t planting a garden help the quality of life?” asked Bro. Dennis.
Another segment of the cable program featured Sister Angela Patton from the Camp Diva Organization, who shared with us that her organization’s history stems from the tragic death of 5-year-old Diva Mstadi Smith-Roane, who was killed by a firearm.
“Firearms are the second leading cause of death for young people 10-24 years of age, and for every child killed, four are wounded. Our mission is to provide opportunities for teen girls to prepare themselves spiritually, physically, socially, emotionally, intellectually and culturally for their mission into womanhood through after school and summer retreats,” Ms. Patton explained. Sasha Davenport, President/CEO of the Road to Redemption Association; Madonna Stewart from the “Ceeatta House; and Brother Jerry Muhammad, head of the Prison Reform Ministry in Virginia and members of the LOC Ministry of Justice were participants in the third segment which focused on the millions of people incarcerated in the United States, mentioning the harsh statistic of “over 56,000 adults and juveniles are behind bars,” in the state of Virginia alone.
Segments four and five featured guests Kelly Evans, an office manager for Precious Memories Bookstore owned by Linda Pate. Their 3-year-old business has goals of reaching out to the community—young and old—to connect with books.
Greg Stallings, Teacher of the Year for the 2005-2006 in the Richmond, Virginia Public School System; Diona Sheffield, Director of Administration for T.O.D.A. Y.S. Youth Services; and Pamela Muhammad, owner of Ancient Techniques Natural Hair Care Salon, Spa & Braiding Academy, also appeared.
The sixth and final segment of the Millions More Movement cable TV program featured author, speaker, performer and columnist Geri Mason, who has traveled throughout Virginia and beyond, and was a guest speaker at the 1997 Million Woman March in Philadelphia, Pa. After being diagnosed with breast cancer at age 30, she started her quest for a more purposeful life.
“I am a living and walking testimony of what God can do if you allow Him to lead you,” Ms. Mason shares with her audiences. Her openness and willingness to share her own life’s experiences has placed her in great demand. With a soft-spoken style and genuine spirituality, Ms. Mason puts herself into all of her presentations, whether it’s dance, singing, or speaking and has inspired audiences at such places as correctional facilities, women’s organizations, churches, and senior centers. Her latest book, “No More Tears,” has inspired mothers and daughters to form a more personal bond.
Also joining the last segment was Ahmad X who presented some poems from his “Lyrics by Ahmad X.” Bro. Ahmad is a social conscious writer of the spoken word. He said ‘‘that he does not believe in the foul language and the verbal abuse of our Black women.
