Change for Our Community forum to be held Friday

During the recent presidential election, both candidates believed the nation needed an infusion of change to help pull the country out of its recent slump.

A local organization hopes to follow the lines of Barack Obama and John McCain, just on a smaller scale.

Believing change in America begins in the hearts and minds of its citizens, Communities in Schools of Cherokee County in cooperation with the Divine Literary Tour will host a "Change for Our Community Forum" Friday at Sagebrush Restaurant on Floyd Baker Boulevard.

The two organizations came together last month for Empowerment Weekend, as several authors and other presenters delivered messages of hope and inspiration to local youths and their families.

According to Communities in Schools Project Director Edward Surratt, last month's festivities did empower many of its participants, but left him and others wanting to make a bigger impact in the community.

"We want to do things that will keep kids involved throughout the year," Surratt said. "A lot of them don't know anything except for Cherokee County. But it's our goal to help them broaden."

Among the people in attendance at Empowerment Weekend was best-selling author Toschia Moffett Santiago and Tanya Walters, a Los Angeles, Calif., native known for creating the God- Parents Youth Organization, which takes 25 underprivileged youths from several locales on a tour across America.

During their time in Gaffney, both were able to build relationships with churches, local leaders and others in an effort to change many of the social ills that plague our nation's communities.

"The beauty of our organizations is we have developed integral relationships with organizations that are truly committed to change," Moffett said. "Our programs transcend race, gender and socio-economic statuses. As president-elect Barack Obama eloquently stated, 'We are not a Black America, or a White America... we are the United States of America."

Moffett plans to present community leaders with several event ideas for the upcoming year including a step show involving several Black fraternities and sororities, activities for Black and Women's History months and a Spanish Immersion program.

According to Surratt, many do not participate due to a lack of transportation, funds or other problems. However, he believes if you bring the event to their doorstep, they have no choice but to attend.

"Transportation may sometimes be an issue, but we're bringing these events to them," Surratt said. "It's us bringing more of the world to students otherwise not given that chance."

The forum begins at 6 p.m. For more information, call Surratt at 902-9904.