CROSS WORD CHRISTIAN CHURCH TO HOST FATHERS
Bishop Lacy Sykes, Jr. Welcomes Fathers Back-To-School

Riverside, CA. Street Positive CEO and Million Father March Organizer, Terry Boykins, announced today that the 2012 Inland Empire Million Father March will be hosted by Bishop Lacy Sykes, Jr., and Cross Word Christian Church on September 8, 2012 beginning at 8 am. A petition will be circulated for fathers to sign in efforts to secure key resources from both state and federal agencies to support more fatherhood engagement in early childhood education; children in father-absent homes are five times more likely to be poor. U.S. Census Bureau.

The 2012 event themed, “I Am My Child’s Superhero”, will pay special tribute to active duty and veteran military fathers as the nation’s largest campaign encouraging fathers to take their children back-to-school gets underway.

Located at the former March AFB in Riverside, CA, Boykins states “The choice of Cross Word Christian Church is both symbolically and logistically practical given the goals and objectives we have set with this year’s march. Those participating will truly be part of the kind of history their children’s children will speak about one day. So, participants definitely want to make sure they bring their cameras. And, walking shoes. On-lookers will truly see the Power of Fathers Moving As One in support of their children’s education.”

The proposed march route is approximately 2.2 miles.

Planning for the Million Father March is underway and those wishing to volunteer should contact (909) 880-9427. Additionally, efforts are being made to collect canned goods and bottled water to support youth and families in transitional living facilities.

The themed event, “I Am My Child’s Superhero”, will offer a commemorative T-Shirt, as well as, a book entitled “A Fragile Child’s Cry” by author H. L. Stampley to promote literacy; Stampley participated in the 2009 Million Father March, which, was dedicated to fathers of disabled children.

Boykins, who since early 2007, has helped organize the national outreach effort founded by Black Star Project’s, Phillip Jackson in 2004, says he and Bishop Sykes have met and discussed the importance of father involvement on numerous occasions. Sykes has spoken widely on the subject and routinely interacts with “Men of Valor”, a church ministry at CWCC, to progress those who are fathers and those who one day will become fathers. In addition to providing the welcome and greetings to attendees, he will also conduct the event’s annual “Back-to-School” prayer.

Another instrumental community partner involved in bringing the Million Father March to the Inland Empire is Pastor James Baylark of Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Perris, CA. Pastor Baylark is slated to speak on “The Church and the Streets.”

Important topics covered during the 2012 Inland Empire Million Father March will include mental health, academic achievement, child safety, student violence, incarceration, parent-teacher partnerships, graduation rates and goals, as well as, college and trade-school support. The event will als feature guests speakers, panel discussions, open mic, entertainment, resources and food offerings. Dr. D.C. Nosakhere Thomas and son, Kamaal Thomas, who was recently awarded the Gates Millennium Scholarship and featured on ABC7 Cool Kids will serve as father-son emcees for the event. Kamaal will attend UC Davis in the fall. Participation and attendance is expected to be significant.

Exhibitor space is limited and will be available on a “first come – first served” basis. Contact Ms. Jessica Garcia at (909) 556-4650 to request an application. For additional updates and information regarding the Inland Empire Million Father March visit www.streetpositive.com.

Note, the Los Angeles Million Father March will be hosted by LAMFMOC and held at Mona Park in Compton, CA on September 29. “I Am My Child’s Superhero.”