NBC News Anchor Brian Williams Convenes Black Pastors for a 'DAY OF DIALOGUE'

NBC News Anchor Brian Williams Convenes Black Pastors for a 'DAY OF DIALOGUE'

African American Pastors Gathered at NBC News World Headquarters to Discuss Issues Affecting the Black Community

NEW YORK, March 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Five prominent African American pastors convened in New York City on Thursday, March 6 for a "Day of Dialogue" with NBC Nightly News Anchor and Managing Editor Brian Williams to draw the network's attention to key issues affecting the Black community. The pastors, including bishops Charles Blake, Sedgwick Daniels and T.D. Jakes, along with pastors A.R. Bernard and John Borders III, provided an enlightening look at the church's role in addressing the problems faced by African Americans nationwide.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080307/NYF030)

"It was a wonderful thing to have the NBC News editorial staff meet with five of the most influential African-American pastors in this country," said Williams. "These are men on the front lines in their communities. Given the importance of faith in our national conversation, the conversation we had can only make our work better."

Williams, along with several NBC News producers and executives, including President Steve Capus, listened as the renowned pastors discussed the importance of saving the Black male, providing housing and education, addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis, and healing inner cities from the wounds created by the influx of crime and drugs.

"This session was the first time that NBC News has brought together such a distinguished group of pastors representing the African American community of faith," said Capus. "We understand that the church is more than a place of worship, it is a tremendous resource for the African American community. We were pleased to have such a unique opportunity to create an open pipeline of information with them."

"As the epicenter of many inner cities, the church has the responsibility to go into the communities and show our brothers and sisters how to survive and thrive," said Bishop Jakes, senior pastor of The Potter's House of Dallas. "We need to find a way to work with the media in a concerted effort to increase awareness of the resources offered by Black churches to communities all over the country."

"Churches are building schools and housing developments, offering financial literacy programs and job training, and developing counseling centers, prison ministries and drug rehabilitation programs," said Bishop Blake, presiding bishop of the six million-member Church of God in Christ and pastor of West Angeles Church of God in Christ. "When other organizations abandoned us, we had to create our own support system."

The "Day of Dialogue" opened the door for future discourse between the Black church and NBC News' editorial board.

About NBC News

NBC News has been a leading source of global news and information for more than 75 years, first on radio, and today via broadcast and cable television, the Internet, radio and cell phones. Operating around the clock with bureaus in key cities in the United States and overseas, NBC News provides immediate coverage and in-depth reporting of major events to a worldwide audience.

Photo: NewsCom:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080307/NYF030
AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN6
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: NBC News

CONTACT: Tia Jackson, +1-212-219-7203, Tjackson@uniworldgroup.com, or
Lauren Kapp, +1-212-664-2919, Lauren.kapp@nbcuni.com, both for NBC News

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