Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. International President Jonathan Mason Challenges Members To Talk About Domestic Abuse

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As controversy swirls around football stars Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson, International President Jonathan Mason of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (PBS)  is challenging each of the fraternity's 650 chapters—about 150,000 members—to organize community conversations across the nation about domestic abuse and empowering young men of color. As PBS joins the 44^th Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus next week, the fraternity plans to include domestic abuse as one of the topics in the Real Talk panel discussion.

PBS will host Real Talk on Wednesday, September 24, convening leaders from diverse fields to facilitate dialogue about our responsibility to develop leadership among the next generation of Black men. Confirmed guests include: Marc Morial of the National Urban League, Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Rev. Al Sharpton, John Jackson of the Schott Foundation, Attorney Benjamin Crump, Steven Hawkins of Amnesty International USA, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, Congressman Hakeem Jefferies, and Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, co-chair of this year's Legislative Conference. The event will begin with a reception and Meet-and-Greet at 6:00pm at the Washington Marriot Wardman Park, and the panel discussion will occur from 7:30 to 9:30pm. Moving beyond a discussion of the problem, panelists and participants will discourse about a specific, action-filled agenda to lift up the next generation of Black leaders.

As the fraternity marks its centennial anniversary, PBS has committed to be a partner with the White House initiative, My Brother's Keeper, to connect young people with mentoring and support networks that will help them gain the skills they need to succeed.  The fraternity is joining the Legislative Conference with a 10 Point Plan to address social justice issues facing young men of color and help African Americans realize their full potential in life. The fraternity will debut its "Rise and Thunder" initiative for international youth mentoring during the Conference, and will support Congressional leaders' efforts for a National Criminal Background Check System and the repeal of the "Gun Show Loophole" for firearms purchases.

Since its founding in 1914, the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. has promoted a noble culture of service to the community. Members of PBS have committed to promoting leadership and embodying the values that will create a new era of successful young people is, above all, in the spirit of fraternity.

For more information or to attend the Real Talk event, please contact [email protected].

Contact:
Mallory Consulting
908-727-3425

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SOURCE Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.