Operation Black Vote - Making Dr. Kings dream a reality

Leaders like Martin Luther King and Barack Obama are a source of inspiration for people throughout the world. 2008 marks the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, a prominent African-American civil rights leader. This year also marks the rise of Barack Obama, an African –American US presidential hopeful who has defied all the barriers that have eluded many African -Americans from reaching the pinnacles of US democratic institutions.

We at Operation Black Vote (OBV) believe that democracy cannot begin to address the concerns of BME communities until it is inclusive and representative of the people it seeks to serve. At the moment we are under-represented in places of power and influence. Our mission is to redress this imbalance.

OBV will on Thursday July 17th at 1.30pm hold a conference at the The Barton Hill Settlement, 43 Ducie Road, Barton Hill, Bristol BS5 0AX, to discuss the political alienation of Black Minority groups, particularly young people, and look at innovative ways of empowerment.  

There will be a key note address from 2007 The Apprentice star Tre Azam, OBV director Simon Woolley and Dr. Marie-Annick Gournet ,Senior lecturer, University of the West of England

A panel discussion with the council leader, with workshops from leading youth service providers Rite Direktshon, The DISC agency and others.

Refreshments and free lunch will be served from 1pm.

This event is free but we are restricted in the number of available seats so please RSVP faz@obv.org.uk or call 020-8983-5474 by Tuesday 15th July.

Motivating young people to understand, appreciate and become involved in civic society is a huge but crucial challenge. But we believe, with your support, we can cultivate a generation of leaders to highest levels of office to make Dr. King’s dream a reality.