In Memory Of: The Reverend Dr. Joseph Echols Lowery
3rd National SCLC President & CEO
Our beloved, Rev. Dr. Joseph Echols Lowery, made his transition peacefully at home at 10 p.m., Friday, March 27, at the age of 98. He was surrounded by his daughters.
Hailed as the "Dean of the Civil Rights Movement" upon his receipt of the NAACP's
Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr. Lowery had assumed and executed a broad and diverse series of roles over the span of his nine decades: leader, pastor, servant, father, husband, freedom fighter and advocate.
Born in Huntsville, Ala., on October 6, 1921, his legacy of service and struggle was long and rich. His genesis as a civil rights advocate dates to the early 1950s, when he headed the Alabama Civic Affairs Association, which led the movement to desegregate buses and public accommodations. In 1957, with friend and colleague Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he was a co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
He served as Vice President (1957-1967), Chairman of the Board (1967-1977), and as President and Chief Executive Officer (1977-1998). To continue his legacy and promote non-violent advocacy among future generations, The Joseph E. Lowery Institute for Justice & Human Rights was founded in 2002 at Clark Atlanta University. The Institute was later renamed to include and honor Dr. Evelyn Lowery, his beloved partner in marriage and the movement for 67 years.
Calling on his over 40 years as 'pastor' and in his inimitable style, Dr. Lowery delivered the benediction on the occasion of President Barack Obama's inauguration as the 44th President of the United States in 2009. Later that year, President Obama awarded him the nation's highest civilian honor, The Presidential Medal of Freedom, in recognition of his lifelong commitment to the nonviolent struggle for the causes of justice, human rights, economic equality, voting rights, peace and human dignity.
Please pray and respect the privacy of the entire Lowery family during this difficult time. The family will not be conducting interviews during this grieving period.
[SOURCE: Jazzmyne Public Relations | 323-380-8819 | jazzmynepr@gmail.com]
New Orleans MLK Commission Meeting
SCLC NEW ORLEANS CHAPTER PRESENTS POSTER TO New Orleans Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Planning Commission Chair Judge Terri Love and Co-Chair Barbara Lacen Keller: (L-R) Alice Lewis, Robert Bachman, Judge Terri Love, Barbra Lacen Keller, Florida Hargrove, and Ronald Coleman [All pictured are members of SCLC]. — at Israelite Baptist Church. Elder Bachman, Judge Love and Ms. Keller recently joined the SCLC New Orleans (LA) Chapter [Photo by Dr. Levon A. LeBan]
A VIP Tour of the Mormon Temple in Baton Rouge, LA
2019 International SCLC "Chapter of the Year"
The SCLC New Orleans (LA) Chapter was selected at the 61st Convention as SCLC "Chapter of the Year" (From left) Bernice Johnson, Florida Carr Hargrove, Dr. Levon A. LeBan, and Alice Lewis
Awarded for the work and dedication of ALL the Members
National "Justice for Girls" Certificate of Appreciation
The Louisiana Weekly Celebrates MLK & SCLC
Nearly 100 years of providing "News that matters"
VOL. XCIV NO. 18; Week of January 13-19, 2020
VOL. XCIV NO. 19; Week of January 20-26, 2020
The MLK Edition of the SCLC National Magazine
SCLC Magazine (WINTER 2020, Chapter News)
January 15, 2020
SCLC partnered with the American Red Cross to install smoke detectors
2019: Canvasing & Installing Smoke Detectors
Canvasing the Irish Channel in New Orleans
CONGRATS: 2019 National SCLC "Chapter of the Year"
61st Annual Convention Awardees included: Hon. John Lewis; Ambassador Andrew Young; and Secretary Hillary Clinton
Dr. Bernard Lafayette, the 1968 Poor People's Campaign Chairman
Bishop Calvin W. Woods, Sr., National Board Member
New Orleans Tribune (2019, Volume 35, Number 4)
SCLC Magazine (WINTER 2019, Chapter Spotlight)
SCLCNOLA "JUSTICE SERIES" at Dillard University
Dr. Horace Mann Bond Justice Series
Named in honor of Dr. Horace Mann Bond (1904-1972), first “Dean of University” and in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of Dillard University. Dr. Bond also served as the first President of Fort Valley State College in 1939 and the first African American President of Lincoln University (established in 1854 as Ashmun Institute) of Pennsylvania in 1945.
Sponsored by: Professor Cortheal Clark, Chair, School of Humanities, Dillard University; Rev. Dr. Levon A. LeBan, President, New Orleans Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; Dr. Samuel Odom, Millie M. Charles School of Social Work, Southern University at New Orleans and Dr. Sean Gibbs, Department of Psychology, Dillard University.
Learn More
In 1869, with support from the American Missionary Association of the Congregational Church (now the United Church of Christ) and the Freedmen’s Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church (now the United Methodist Church), Straight University and the Union Normal School were founded. They were subsequently renamed Straight College and New Orleans University, respectively. Gilbert Academy,...
SCLCNOLA Mental Health Disparities Panel
Meet The Panel
Dr. Shantoyia Jones, Xavier University; Dr. Sean Gibbs, Dillard University; Dr. Alana Anthony, M.D.; Dr. Blair Condoll, J.D., Dillard University; Dr. Samuel Odom, Southern University at New Orleans; and Prof. Joel George, Sr., Delgado College
01/15/2019 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Observances
2019 SCLC New Orleans (LA) "Chapter of the Year"
The SCLC New Orleans (LA) Chapter TODAY!
With the motto: “Redeeming the Soul of America,” the current areas of focus of the SCLC New Orleans Chapter are: education; criminal justice; economic sustainability; and healthcare. Specifically, the Chapter has aggressively engaged in Voter Engagement to include registration, education, and active participation. In addition, the Justice for Girls Committee centers around assisting young girls to reach their greatest potential. Also, the Chapter partnered with the Peace Keepers of New Orleans to receive community engagement training. Another partnership is with the Louisiana Region of the American Red Cross, assisting with the “Sound the Alarm” Campaign which educates residents on the importance of having an escape plan in the event of a fire and to provide free smoke detectors. Finally, the Chapter initiated a “keep toy guns from our children” campaign. That campaign seeks to eliminate “realistic-looking” toy guns from area stores AND homes.
Email: sclcnola@gmail.com
Anti "Real-Looking" Toy Gun Initiative
According to the Washington Post, nearly 90 people wielding "real-looking" toy guns were killed by police officers in the last several years. We submit, 1 is too many. Help us get the message out to parents and guardians, DON'T BUY "REAL-LOOKING" TOY GUNS!
Help us help the community: sclcnola@gmail.com
The American Red Cross
We are stronger together! The leadership and membership of the SCLC New Orleans Chapter has been volunteering with the Red Cross for about a year with the Louisiana floods of 2016 and the tornado of 2017. In addition, members actively participate in the "Sound the Alarm" Campaign educating the community on the importance of having a plan in the event of a home fire.
2018 Millie Charles School of Social Work Presentation
Over 250 years of experience In the struggle for civil rights. Members (L-R) Josie LaCour, Rev. Dr. Ernest Marcelle, Sr., Florida Carr Hargrove and Attorney Robert Moffett.
Graduate MSW students in the Millie Charles School of Social Work
Dr. Samuel Odom's class, Southern University at New Orleans
SCLC - MISSION & MEMBERSHIPS
Mission & Objectives of the SCLC
(PICTURED L-R): Atty. Charles Brooks, National Legal Advisor; Hon. Randall Gains, National Executive Committee Vice Chairman; Rev. Dr. Levon A. LeBan, SCLC New Orleans Chapter President; Dr. Charles K. Steele, Jr., SCLC National President.
Mission:
At SCLC, we challenge all people of good will, of every persuasion, who believe in the principles espoused by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to join us in our mission.
The New Orleans Chapter of the SCLC is committed to building an organization that will address the needs of the Metropolitan New Orleans Area. By networking with members of the communities to address and combat the forces of racism, poverty, and disempowerment.
The SCLC New Orleans Chapter will help to build a coalition of volunteers to promote social justice and to stand as a unified voice for the citizens of New Orleans and the greater surrounding Parishes.
Objectives
• To promote spiritual principles within our membership and local communities.
• To educate youth and adults in the areas of personal responsibility, leadership potential, and community service.
• To ensure economic justice and civil rights in the areas of discrimination and affirmative action.
• To eradicate environmental classism and racism wherever it exists.
We at SCLC challenge all people of good will, of every persuasion, who believe in the principles espoused by Martin Luther King, Jr. to join us in our mission.
National SCLC Presidents
• Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: 1957 to 1968
• Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy: 1968 to 1977
• Rev. Joseph E. Lowery: 1977 to 1997
• Mr. Martin L. King, III: 1998 to 2003
• Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth: 2004
• Dr. Charles Steele, Jr.: November 2005 to 2008
• Rev. Dr. Howard Creecy, Jr.: 2011
• Dr. Charles Steele, Jr.: 2012 to Present
SCLC New Orleans Chapter Presidents
• Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: 1957 to 1959
• Rev. Abraham Lincoln Davis, Jr.: 1959 to 1978
• Rev. Dr. Simme Lee Harvey: 1978 to 2008
• Rev. Dr. Norwood Thompson, Jr.: 2008 to 2017
• Rev. Dr. Levon Aldon LeBan: 2017 to Present
Membership Levels
SCLC Individual Memberships:
Youth (Ages 11-17) - $10
Student (Ages 18-24) - $10
Senior (Ages 65 and Over) - $10
One Year Membership
General - $25
One Year Membership
Faithful Servant - $50
One Year Membership
Quarterly SCLC Magazine
Freedom Fighter - $100
One Year Membership
Quarterly SCLC Magazine
Dream Keeper - $250
One Year Membership
Quarterly SCLC Magazine
Membership Certificate
Drum Major - $500
One Year Membership
Quarterly SCLC Magazine
Membership Plaque
Life Membership - $2000
Lifetime Membership Plaque
Quarterly SCLC Magazine
25% Event Registration Discount
Corporate Membership(s)
For Corporate Memberships, please contact:
The Department of Chapters and Affiliates
404.522.1420 or membership@nationalsclc.org
To join online: http://nationalsclc.org/get-involved-2/join/