Task Force Calls for Strengthening Children and Families in Haiti

Prepared to Facilitate Black Adoptions Where Appropriate

Press Advisory/Notice of Press Conference

NEW YORK, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by the Institute of the Black World:

Convened by: The Institute of the Black World 21st Century's Black Family Summit Task Force on Strengthening Children and Families in Haiti – www.ibw21.org

When and Where: Wednesday, February 3, 12:30 PM, National Press Club, Bloomberg Room, 529 14th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20045

Principal Participants:

• Dr. Ron Daniels, President, Institute of the Black World 21st Century, Founder, Haiti Support Project, Distinguished Lecturer, York College, City University of New York
• Leonard Dunston, President Emeritus, National Association of Black Social Workers, Chairman, IBW Black Family Summit, Durham, NC
• Omarosa Stallworth, Original Apprentice, Gardner C. Taylor Fellow, Washington, DC
• Nisa Muhammad, Executive Director, Wedded Bliss Foundation (featured in CNN Black in America II), Final Call Newspaper, Nation of Islam, Washington, DC
• Dr. Evita Bynum, Executive Director, National Association of Black Sociologists, Washington, DC
• Dr. Annelle Primm, Chairperson, All Healers Mental Health Alliance, Baltimore, MD
• Dr. Benson Cooke, President, National Association of Black Psychologists
• Annetta Wilson, Executive Director, Sankofa Safe Children's Project, Chicago, IL

Background/Context:

The images are all over the major media, untold thousands of Haitian children who were already orphans prior to the devastating earthquake which struck Haiti and thousands more who may have lost their parents in the aftermath of this catastrophic event. The newscasts have also been filled with images of scores of White Americans adopting Haitian children or seeking to do so. And, in some instances taking children out of the country illegally, as was the case with thirty-three Haitian children recently transported across the border to the Dominican Republic by members of a Church from the U.S.  Haitian authorities arrested the group and charged them with child trafficking.

Since the earthquake there has been a brewing debate and controversy in Black America over the adoption of Haitian children. On radio talk shows, callers have been asking: Are there any Haitian- owned orphanages in Haiti? Should Haitian children be taken out of their homeland or remain in Haiti? Why don't we see Haitian Americans or African Americans adopting Haitian children? Are there any Black-owned agencies involved in the adoption process? After the issue was discussed on Rev. Al Sharpton's nationally syndicated radio talk show, Keeping It Real, the staff at the National Action Network reports that the lines were flooded with inquiries of Black families expressing a willingness to adopt Haitian children. Black adoption agencies from around the country report a similar response. And, Omarosa Stallworth, an original Apprentice and Gardner C. Taylor Fellow at United Theological Seminary – who traveled to Haiti in 2007 with the Haiti Support Project – has stepped forth to say she and her family are ready and willing to adopt a Haitian child if appropriate.

In response to the massive crisis of Haiti's children, the Institute of the Black World 21st Century's Black Family Summit, under the leadership of Leonard Dunston, President Emeritus of the National Association of Black Social Workers, has formed a National Task Force to address the range of issues raised above. Composed of Directors of seven (7) Black Adoption Agencies, leading Black psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and sociologists and representatives of several national organizations specializing in Black family issues, the Task Force will issue A Declaration of Intent to Strengthen Haitian Children and Families at a press conference at the National Press Club, Wednesday, February 3, 12:30 PM in the Bloomberg Room of the National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C.

SOURCE Institute of the Black World