LANDOVER, MD — U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today sponsored a Faith-based Summit for approximately 100 Prince George’s County religious leaders to discuss job opportunities and economic empowerment. Participants in the Summit included Alexia Kelly, Deputy Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnership and members of the Collective Empowerment Group, a group of Prince George’s County African-American religious leaders who advocate for ways to increase economic empowerment.
“I have organized today’s Summit because the leaders of the Prince George’s County religious community provide a strong voice on behalf of the entire community. As we begin to recover from this recession, we need to reach out to all parts of our community in a way that will help connect people with jobs,” said Senator Cardin, a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee.
“We’re excited to partner with Senator Cardin to make sure faith-based and non-profit organizations in Maryland have an opportunity to learn about the resources that are available to them through the federal government,” said Joshua DuBois, Special Assistant to the President and Executive Director of The White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
“It is a blessing for the Collective Empowerment Group to work with the White House, Senator Cardin and representatives of the various federal agencies to bring positive empowerment and positive change to individuals, families and communities. Together we can stimulate and actualize economic empowerment for those within the church and beyond the walls of the sanctuary, leaving a legacy for future generations,” said the Rev. Kerry Hill, President of the Collective Empowerment Group.
The Summit also included a panel discussion of faith-based liaisons from federal agencies, including: the Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
