Visions
2000
Hope for the future in the present
By
Rev. John Fisher
Editor and Publisher, A.M.E. Today
President George W.
Bush currently is talking about helping Faith-Based Programs with
funding. This dream, if it passes the scrutiny of the Supreme Court, may
some day see the light of day.
There is one group that
is not waiting for a hand out, it is developing its own strategy for
African American economic security and it bears not only the name of
Richard Allen, but also close ties to the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Visions 2000 - The
Richard Allen Foundation is a viable and vibrant organization that came out of
the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Pioneering this
landmark effort is founder and chairman, Ernestine Lee. Henning, the Episcopal
Supervisor of the 8th Episcopal District, where her husband, Bishop Cornal
Garnett Henning, Sr. is the Presiding Prelate.
Recently, Visions 2000
took its first steps towards economic independence by investing in a 117-room
Howard Johnson hotel located a 22 North Third Street in Memphis, Tennessee.
This is part of the
founding vision of Visions 2000, to invest in the ownership in the hotel
industry, an arena where African Americans spend billions annually but see
little return due to lack of ownership.
The money to make the
initial investment came from Founding Sponsors, individuals who gave a one
time contribution of $100 or more to help create the seed money necessary to
begin the acquisition of hotel ownership.
The leadership of
Visions 2000 - Richard Allen Foundation succinctly explain that ownership in
hotels will:
- Recycle dollars in
the community.
- Increase employment
opportunities.
- Create numerous
vending opportunities for entrepreneurs.
- Provide income to
support community programs and projects.
The group explains in
its Mission Statement::
"The Richard Allen Foundation is a
non-profit service organization based on the legacy of Bishop Richard Allen,
founder of the Free African Society and the African Methodist Episcopal
Church, organizations which served the spiritual, economic, and educational
needs of his people through self help. Our purpose is to continue the legacy
by promoting economic development, education, and empowerment for youth,
adults and seniors. This goal will be accomplished through the creation of a
financial and economic base serving the needs of African peoples and enabling
us to meet the global challenges of the 21st century."
To move forward into
the future, and to continue meeting its goals and achieving its vision,
Visions 2000 needs more people to step forward and become Founding Sponsors.
As Vision 2000 grows and matures there also will be opportunities arising to
invest in it as a Real Estate Investment Trust.
Many ethnic groups are
passing African Americans by on the economic ladder. They are empowering
themselves by being business owners.
Vision 2000 looks to
achieve similar status for African Americans in general and the membership of
the African Methodist Episcopal Church in particular.
For more information on
Visions 2000- The Richard Allen Foundation and all of its adjunct programs, you
can visit its web site at http://www.richardallenfoundation.org/
You also can call for information
at 800-777-1028 or fax at 310-412-7278. You can write to Visions 2000 at
Visions 2000, Richard Allen Foundation, 110 S. LaBrea Ave., Suite 415,
Inglewood, California, 90301.
If you would like to become a Founding
Sponsor, below is a coupon you can use to send in your donation:
If you contact Visions
2000, tell them A.M.E. Today sent you!
