We hosted over 50 Workshop Sessions; 75 presenters; Phenomenal Keynote Speakers. Our conference registration totaled 496 colleagues from over 40 stated throughout the United States who were in attendance!
The full conference papers will be provided by April 2010 but what an outstanding conference from the beginning to the closing keynote. Powerful words and moving speeches from our interfaith prayer breakfast speaker, Bishop George Dallas McKinney as he took us through the story of Nehemiah as he shared that during that time the government system was crumpling and yet because the people led by Nehemiah had the will to work they rebuilt the walls of their communities in 52 days and we can rebuild our families and our communities by that same spirit. Bishop McKinney’s words were powerful.
Ms. Carmen Nazario: Assistant Secretary of Administration for Children and Families gave a deep message that started with her own relationship with her hard working father and how she is committed to carry out the goals set by President Obama.
The morning closing remarks were provided by Mr. Steven Golightly: Director, Los Angeles County Child Support Services who challenged the way in which child support works to move to a new paradigm of working with the entire family so that non-residential parents and parents benefit in the parenting of their children.
Judge Mabelean Ephriam of The Mabelean Ephriam Foundation gave a strong message that was a highlight speech that was many times over received standing ovations.
Mr. Richard R. Ramos, Founder of the Latino Coalition for Faith & Community Leadership gave such a strong and moving closing keynote session that still hosted more than half of the attendees with personal experiences blended with lessons to take back that reinforced how critical a father is to their child’s development.
A full video of this message will be made available by April 2010 for free to all FFCA current members and at cost for reproduction for non-members.
On Thursday, February 25, 2010 we had the great privilege of providing the Red-Tie/Red-Dress Evening Gala in the name of the late Honorable John S. Martinez and Mr. Stanley Seiderman for our National Leader of the Year Award and National Father of the Year Award honored Los Angeles' Honoring Dr. Herschel K. Swinger with a solo tribute musical performance by Mr. Marion Meadows who dazzled the audience with his special talents on the saxophone. Prior to Mr. Meadows performance we were honored to have the Brown Girls from Chicago give an emotional stage performance from this must see troupe!
If you want a copy of the final conference proceedings or videos please call us at 602-254-5081 or 602-301-2947 and of course by email at info@azffc.org
The honorable Bishop George Dallas McKinney
THE BROWN GIRLS' CHRONICLES: LATINAS, FAMILIES, AND RESILIENCE
Saxophonist Marion Meadows
Thank you for our sponsors, volunteers and conference supporters!
Lori Ross, approached Fathers & Families Coalition to share that her company could inkind this wonderful flag at our interfaith prayer breakfast in support of our conference. Fathers & Families Coalition is excited about his partnership and we support their mission. The dream/mission is to continue the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by creating a flag, with his image, that can be displayed throughout the world. We believe our flag can be used as a constant visual reminder of the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Our hope is to encourage every individual to practice his sentiment of nonviolence and racial justice for everyone. For more information contact: Ross Flags and Design LLC
www.rossflags.com
We are so humbled by Volunteers of America of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Urban League with their commitment of over 25 registrations for each of their organizations!
Active Relationship has provided support to our 11th Annual National Fatherhood & Families Conference in a sponsorship of 8 registrations.
Fathers & Families Coalition of America on February 23 thru the 26th, 2010 hosted an outstanding nationally attended conference with over 50 presenters, highlighted by the keynotes by Bishop George Dallas McKinney, of St. Stephens Cathedral in San Diego, CA; Ms. Carmen Nazario Assistant Secretary of the United States Health & Human Services Administration for Children and Families, Washington, DC; Judge Mabelean Ephriam formerly of Divorce Court and founder of the Ephriam Foundation, Los Angeles, CA; Mr. Steven Golightly, Director of the Los Angeles County Child Support Division; and Mr. Richard Ramos, Founder of the National Latino Faith Coalition.
In addition the remarks by our CEO/President, Mr. James Rodriguez, musical performance by Mr. Marion Meadows and theater performance by Chicago’s Brown Girls were outstanding.
