Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/44484
This is the first international fraternal organization to be founded on the campus of a historically Black college – HowardUniversity in 1911. This fraternity has participat- ed in numerous key events through American history including the fight for civil rights and social justice. Today, Omega Psi Phi has over 700 chapters throughout the United States, Bermuda, Virgin Islands, Korea, Japan, Liberia, Germany and Kuwait. Famous Omegas include Bill Cosby, Langston Hughes, Michael Jordan, Tom Joyner, Steve Harvey, Jesse Jackson and Shaquille O'Neal. Attendance: 10,000 Last/Current Convention:Washington DC Convention Dates: July 28–31, 2011 Venue:Walter E. Washington Convention Center Hotels: Hyatt Regency Washington (Capitol Hill), Hyatt Regency Crystal City Room Nights: 20,520 Estimated Economic Impact: $11.4 million Headquarters: 3951 Snapfinger Parkway, Decatur, Georgia 30035 Phone: (404) 284-5533 Next Conclave:TBD Planner: Dr. John Epps, Director Website: omegapsiphifraternity.org —————————————— 13. PROGRESSIVE NATIONAL BAPTIST – 50TH ANNUAL SESSION Organized at the height of the Civil Rights Movement in 1961, no other group has contributedmore to the strug- gle for civil and human rights than the Progressive National Baptists. The convention was the denomina- tional home and national platform for Rev. Dr. Martin LutherKing, Jr.,who addressed every annual session until his death in 1968. The Progressive's count among their many distinguishedmembers theRev. Jessie Jackson,Rev. Benjamin Hooks, Rev.William Gray III, and Rev.Walter E. Fauntroy. The PNBC is an association of Baptist churches throughout the world committed to themandate of making Disciples of Christ. Today, new generations of Progressive Baptists are continuing the struggle for full voter registration,education and participation,affirmation action against all forms of racism and bigotry, Black eco- nomic empowerment and development, equal educational opportunity and so much more. Attendance: 8,000 Last/Current Convention Location:Washington DC Convention Dates:August 8–11, 2011 Venue/Hotel:MarriottWardman Park Room Nights: 10,600 Estimated Economic Impact: $9.1 million Headquarters: 601 50th Street NE, Washington DC 20019 National President: Dr.CarrollA.Baltimore, Sr. Phone: (202) 396-0558 Membership: 2.5 million Next Convention:TBD General Secretary: Dr.Walter Parrish III Website: pnbc.org ————————————— 14. FULL GOSPEL BAPTIST CHURCH FELLOWSHIP 17TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Over 25,000 people attended the first Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship at the Louisiana Superdome in 1994. Fromthe vision theHoly Spirit first impressed upon Founder and International Presiding Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. back in 1992 this Fellowship continues to grow in prestige and influence. Among the Fellowship's major initiatives since 1994 include church planting in Africa and India, the dispensation of multiple $5,000 grants to strug- gling churches and the development of the Full Gospel Baptist Sunday School Curriculum. Attendance: 8,000 Last/Current Convention:Atlanta Convention Dates: June 29–July 1, 2011 Venue: Georgia World Congress Center Host Hotel: Hyatt Regency Atlanta Room nights: 5,631 Estimated Economic Impact: $5 million Headquarters: 1691 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30349 International Presiding Bishop: Paul S. Morton Phone: (770) 907-9877 Next Convention:Atlanta Dates: June 27-29, 2012 Website: fullgospelbaptist.org ————————————— 15. CHURCH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST OF THE APOSTOLIC FAITH – ANNUAL CONVOCATION The church started in 1919, under the guidance of Bishop Robert C. Lawson, in NewYork City. The church quickly outgrew the space for worship as the congregation jumped to 200. Ministers and preachers were sent across the globe carrying the apostolic message. The church on 124th Street and 7thAvenue in NewYork is known as the "Mother Church" of the Churches of our Lord Jesus Christ. This group has numerous gatherings of varying sizes all across the nation. International Holy Convocation Attendance: 8,000 Last/Current Convention: Baltimore Convention Dates: July 10-17, 2011 Venue: Baltimore Convention Center Hotels:Various Downtown Properties Room Nights: 3,915 Estimated Economic Impact: $8.3 million Next Convention: Greensboro,NC Dates: July 18–22, 2012 Venue: Joseph Koury Convention Center Hotel: Sheraton Greensboro Hotel at Four Seasons Meeting Planner: BishopWilliamWilkins, Jr. Black Meetings & Tourism September/October 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 33