Spreading peace for 40 days and beyond

Civil rights, social justice, and economic equity are but a few of the causes the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated his life, ministry, and advocacy for. All of the aforementioned are indeed notable and worthy causes that align with community empowerment and uplift. Ultimately, the end game is to create a more peaceful existence between one's fellow man, woman, and child and making communities better and stronger.

Next Saturday, January 19th, the metro Atlanta chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., in partnership with Service for Peace, are embarking on the start of a 40 day time period to expand this sentiment and approach as it relates to social and economic ills and issues, as well as continued efforts of community development.

Taking place at the Ivy Community Center from 10am to 12:30pm, both organizations are collaborating on the "Realizing the Dream...Give Peace a Chance" peace rally and workshop. As an extension of the sorority's larger national EYL (Emerging Young Leaders) platform, the program is designed for middle school students to provide a forum to address areas of concern, along with practical strategies to help in addressing and problem-solving said areas.

Awareness of issues related to crime, crime-prevention, anti-gang and bullying approaches, and improved interaction with law enforcement are the key topical areas for youth (grades 6-8). Concurrently for parents, a town-hall session is taking place to help provide additional resources and strategies in addressing these and other related issues.

The program is free and open to the public. Parents and students who are interested in participating may RSVP via email immediately at akapeacerally2013@gmail.com.

All attendees are asked to arrive by 9:45am.

In kicking off the 40 Days of Peace initiative, the hope is for young people to identify, commit, and engage in positive acts of kindness and service to help make a positive difference one day at a time, one act at a time. Coinciding with the MLK Holiday, the larger focus is by having more involved, the habits built extend beyond the 40 day period and become ingrained as a part of one's (individual and community) day to day state of being. Individuals, families, communities, and law enforcement, in working together, can help make a positive difference.

With members from metro-area chapters in Cobb, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale counties, along with area law enforcement and other agents of the community, the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. are focused on making an impact in the lives of those in their servicing areas, specifically through the lens of their EYL program. Next Saturday serves as a way to expand their reach in reinvesting in the lives of young people and the metro-Atlanta community.

40 days starts next week, but can extend for a lifetime.