Dallas South News Wire
Dr. William Watley, Sr. Pastor of Saint Philip AME Church, Atlanta GA
The African American Pastors Coalition (AAPC) announced today their 2012 plans for the 17th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration set for 11 a.m. Monday, January 16 at the Christian Chapel “Temple of Faith” CME Church, 14120 Noel Rd. in Dallas.
The annual celebration will feature internationally renowned Author and Preacher Rev. Dr. William Watley of Atlanta, GA as its keynote speaker. Dr.Watley is Senior Pastor of Saint Philip AME Church in Atlanta.
This year’s theme, Breaking the Chain: With our Voice, Our Vote and Victory will allow the largest Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Color in North Texas to continue to inform, unite and mobilize its more than 20 thousand members to continue the work of empowering the larger community.
“Our mission and goal since our inception is timeless, in that as an organization we continue to seek ways to network with our more than 90 Churches to create an ongoing atmosphere to effect change in our community and in the lives of our congregations and families, explained Dr. Jerry Christian, President of AAPC and Senior Pastor of Kirkwood Temple CME.
While the MLK Celebration is an annual highlight for AAPC, the organization has a significant influence and presence in issues that impact the City and the State of Texas. Its leaders can be found in the quest to improve relations between the Dallas ISD and the community, raising issues of financial equity in lending practices through its ongoing partnership with Dallas Telco Federal Credit Union.
The organization continues to provide proactive leadership in the awareness of voter mobilization and elected official accountability. The organization’s most significant accomplishment has been the development of a 300 Home housing community known as Unity Estates located in the Southern Sector of Dallas.
The annual MLK Celebration hosted by AAPC has hosted some of the most prolific and prophetic voices over its 17-year history, including the late Dr. E.K. Baily, Dr. Floyd H. Flake, Bishop, Dr. Claudette Copeland, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II, Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Dr. Zan Wesley Holmes and so many other legendary Theologians and Scholars. All with one purpose - to allow us to Remember, Celebrate and Act.
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