Established
February, 1987
We encourage youth to reach their highest potential through the Rosa Parks philosophy of "Quiet Strength."
Quiet Strength incorporates life skills which demonstrate dignity with pride, courage with perseverance and power with discipline in a comfortable environment of peace.
Help us preserve and continue her life work!
Support the Legacy organization that Mrs. Parks established and Loved.
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Commemoration of the 45th Anniversary March on Washington
August 28, 2008
Collectively on August 28, 2008 we will provide an opportunity for youth to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the March on Washington. This event will run from 10:00am – 7pm to focus on educational activities that raise consciousness of our need to come together as a nation to address the many challenges we face as well as celebrate the many victories and progress that has been made since the March. Most of all we want to inspire youth to think critically about Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going? Many of our youth are not aware of the conditions that once existed before legislation was passed to achieve equality for all of America’s citizens regardless of the color of their skin. Drawing from the historical contributions of Rosa L. Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King we will concentrate on three areas Voting Rights, Poor People’s Campaign and Education Equality. Our intent is to expose youth to the stories of struggles and the work of Dr. King and Mrs. Parks. The highlight of the day will be these stories as told by participants in the movement and then to hear the multicultural youth voices expressing their dreams for equality as they stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The back drop surrounding the event will be voter registration, a display on Voting Rights and civic responsibility and interactive educational information dissemination.
We are connected in this endeavor with several groups to champion our youth. We extend an invitation for other youth groups, youth serving organizations and the youth arm of the faith community to join us on the mall in Washington at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. We will include youth in sharing their experiences in achieving their dreams through individual acts, group programs or participation in community organizing and activism for change. If you can’t be with us in person we encourage you to pass on this history and inspiration to youth, our next generation, back in your local community.
“Racism is still alive and will stay with us as long as we allow it. But we can teach our youth to continue the effort and not lose the gains we have achieved. We can show them how opportunities come along and how individuals today can still bring about change.”
- Rosa Parks, “Quiet Strength” 1994
Program – 11:00 am Where Have We Been? Stories of the Struggle
- Women of the Movement
- Voting Rights
- Civil Rights
- Environmental Justice
- Education Equality
- Economic Equity
12:00 noon Where Are We Going? Rosa Parks Next Generation Youth Voices
- Voices of Compassion
- Voices of Opportunity
- Voices of Victory
- Voices of Commitment
- Voices of Hope/Inspiration
- Voices of Vision
- Voices of Action
(Rosa Parks’ Pathways to Freedom Youth will lift their voices as well as open mic exclusively for young people from the crowd to express their “dream” from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial)
Mall Activities – 10:00 -7:00
- Voter Registration On Site
- Rosa Parks Exhibit – “Voting Our Civic Responsibility”
- Featuring the Re Authorization of the Voting Rights Act
- Information Dissemination
- Poverty Information
- Environmental Stewardship – Rosa Parks’ “Green Sprouts”
- Health and Nutrition
- Interactive Stations
- Face Painting – Theme Patriotism
- Feedback Poll on realizing the “Dream”
- Voting Rights Activity Sheets
- Music of the Movement – Group Singing
- Interviews by Student Journalists
WANTED - VOLUNTEERS
TO WORK AT MARCH ON WASHINGTON COMMEMORATIVE
Lincoln Memorial 8/28/08 --10 A M - 7 P M (2 hr shifts)
For More information CALL (313) 965-0606
Volunteer Roles:
- Voter Registration
- Pass out information
- Staff Rosa Parks Voting Exhibit
- Organize student speakers at the mics
- Greeters
- Set Up
- Pack/Clean Up
- Medical/First Aid Needs
- Communication -especially cell phone network
About the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development:
Visit www.RosaParks.org to learn about the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development, and their signature program, Pathways to Freedom – in their annual theme: “Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going?” youth, ages 11-17, perform educational and historical research on the past, present and future. There are five divisions to the program: national, regional, local, quantum leap to success (QLS) and international. Youth participate globally. See excerpts from the 2007 program at www.youtube.com/rosaparksinstitute.
Did you know?
Mrs. Rosa Parks named the Institute to honor her husband Raymond Parks?
Fact:
Mrs. Parks so dearly loved her husband and wanted to honor him for his life threatening contribution to civil rights, voting rights and his life time devotion to her in her activism and commitment to improve the lives of children.
2007 Pathways To Freedom program video. Taped, edited and produced entirely by the students.
