Celebrate Black History Month with Peace Makers
Written by Dr. Michael L. Patterson, Founder, Be A Peace Maker, Inc.
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of noted historian Carter G. Woodson’s dedication to celebrating the contributions of African Americans throughout history. This month is a time to celebrate black achievement and give visibility to racial issues where they persist today. By observing this month, we spotlight people and organizations making a change and provide a stage for them to broadcast their message.
Blue Trust is continuing its community engagement journey in honor of Black History Month. In 2019, Blue Trust made tremendous headway in building bridges between communities with resources and those who live on the economic fringes. With encouragement from leadership, the company has made more significant strides in obeying the scripture in James 1:27: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
One of the avenues used to meet the needs of the marginalized has been through a partnership with Be A Peace Maker, Inc, or as we call them, Peace Makers. Through Peace Makers, community partnerships have been developed to support the African American community locally and nationwide.
We are excited to announce a collaboration with the B.E.S.T. Academy, located in the 30318 zip code of Atlanta, GA, to provide mentors for low-income students. Statistically, this zip code has a high rate of imprisoned fathers, teen pregnancies, and suicides. Although the work seems daunting, Blue Trust is sending mentors into the community in hopes of helping the young men at B.E.S.T. Academy to see the unlimited possibilities that exist. Please pray for our efforts; we are looking forward to God using these mentors to change the trajectory of future generations by modeling godly character and biblical stewardship to some of those most in need in our communities.
If you are interested in learning more about these efforts, please listen to this podcast where we sit down with Dr. Timothy D. Jones, the principal of B.E.S.T. Academy, and Shannon Williams, assistant principal of the school.
Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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