THE PHILADELPHIA BLACK PUBLIC ISSUES FORUM


Our Origin and Purpose

The Philadelphia Black Public Issues Forum began in honor of the late Fr. Paul M. Washington, former rector of the Church of the Advocate at 18th and Paul M. Washington Ave. in North Philadelphia. The Forum is a provider and legitimizer of public space for the free expression of dissident Black voices on public issues central to our communities. The Forum’s purpose is to provide a public space and an opportunity to be heard to Black persons and groups who bring non-traditional approaches to ways of thinking and organizing focused on solving pressing community problems.

The Philadelphia Black Public Issues Forum convened two (2) gatherings at the Church of the Advocate: the first, held on February 25, 2006, featured veteran civil rights and community activists who shared their experiences and history with the community; the second, held July 16, 2006, featured a call to community activists and organizations to participate in an Anti-Violence Summit. Community activists and authorized representatives of community organizations signed the Pledge of Commitment to form The Coalition, and agreed to sponsor a Youth Summit in August, 2006.
On August 16, 2006, we held a very successful 'Young People's Summit in at the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

We believe we must take a proactive approach. Prayer vigils and memorials are fine for those that have already been lost, but more importantly, we must minimize the chances of losing more of our most precious resource, our children.