Omega Network For Action, Inc. To Launch Its James E. Clyburn Leadership Institute At The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 52nd Annual Legislative Conference

Washington, D.C.--Omega Network For Action, Inc. (ONFA) is a 501(c)(4) created to aid African Americans and others in underserved communities achieve their highest true social parity, economic self-reliance, power, and civil rights. In furtherance of its mission, ONFA established the James E. Clyburn Leadership Institute (JECLI) in 2021. With an emphasis on education, the Clyburn Leadership Institute will serve as ONFA's training arm for cultivating the next generation of elected African American leaders. Selected participants will be provided tools as well as guidance for running effective and ethical campaigns that result in goal achievement: winning an elected office.

Established in the name of political mainstay Congressman James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, the Clyburn Leadership Institute offers a 12-month cohort model. The JECLI will cover numerous topics ranging from Campaign Financing to Organizing Principles to Coalition Building. The Clyburn Leadership Institute will operate as a training arm of Omega Network For Action with the primary purpose of cultivating the next generation of legislative leaders.

"We have a phenomenal class, a great group of individuals who are set to make effective changes in their communities" says ONFA Board Chair and President, Dr. David E. Marion. "I look forward to witnessing the collective achievements of this inaugural class. As stewards of their respective communities, they represent the best. I applaud their drive to seek elected office with an eye on affecting positive change, all of which is rooted in a commitment to service." Marion and the ONFA Board of Directors will toast the Fellows' future successes at a workshop slated for later this month.

Since 2020, ONFA has implemented a Get Out the Black Male Vote initiative, endorsed winning candidates such as Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (GA) and Mark Kelly (AZ), plus held virtual town halls nationwide as a means of empowerment. With the Clyburn Leadership Institute ONFA will advance its mission by facilitating the emergence of decision makers, who will create policies that are more equitable for African Americans and other traditionally underrepresented groups.

The first official meeting of the JECLI will take place on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 52nd Annual Legislative Conference. The day-long intensive workshop will feature sessions touching upon African Americans throughout history, America's political history, and the importance of polls, along with a Spotlight Panel where the speakers will discuss top priorities for the 2024 U.S. political landscape.

The first group of JECLI Fellows represents California, the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Southeast, and Southern regions of the United States. As a collective, the Fellows' credentials are impressive with varied interest in all levels of elected office. An underlying theme of the inaugural cohort is fostering equity that delivers economic development to constituencies. Members of the James E. Clyburn Leadership Institute's first cohort are as follows:

Rhonda Bailey (Mississippi)
Gregory Burnett, Sr. (Connecticut)
Brian L. DeShields (North Carolina)
Monifa D. Drayton (North Carolina)
Kevin Ford, Jr. (Maryland)
Stephanie Hall (Maryland)
Harold M. Love, Jr., PhD (Tennessee)
Dr. Nkiruka Catherine Ohaegbu (DBA) (California)
Traci Smith-Kimes (Florida)

Congressman Clyburn has been quoted as saying "[w]e must not sit idly by and let things happen," and in that vein ONFA wishes to acknowledge the generous sponsors of the JECLI's September 2023 Workshop: Mr. Kendrick B. Meek, Senior Advisor with King & Spalding, LLP; Mr. Johnnie Smith, Owner of STS Tax Services Inc.; Cisco Systems, Inc.; D4 Women In Action, Inc.; and Mr. Sedrick M. Spencer, Partner with Cali2NewOrleans.

For more information about the James E. Clyburn Leadership Institute or to become a sponsor, send an email to jeclinstitute@omeganetworkforaction.org. To become an Omega Network For Action, Inc. supporter and learn how to become an integral part of achieving parity for all, please contact ONFA Executive Director Cheryl Mann at cmann@omeganetworkforaction.org.

Omega Network For Action, Inc.
4301 50th Street, Suite 300, No 3002
Washington, D.C., 20016

Press Contact: Cheryl Mann
Phone: +1 646.481.8708
Email: cmann@omeganetworkforaction.org
Socials: @OmegaForAction

ABOUT OMEGA NETWORK FOR ACTION, INC.
With the U.S. political landscape as a backdrop, Omega Network For Action, Inc. (ONFA) is a 501(c)(4) that operates exclusively to aid routinely disadvantaged groups. ONFA endeavors to help African Americans-and others from underserved communities-navigate the political process through advocacy with education and the promotion of economic self-reliance by elevating power that helps to preserve civil rights. ONFA's signature education program is the James E. Clyburn Leadership Institute. Visit ONFA's website, omeganetworkforaction.org, to learn more and support future ventures. Find, Follow, and Like Omega Network For Action (@OmegaForAction) on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

ABOUT THE JAMES E. CLYBURN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Developers of the James E. Clyburn Leadership Institute (JECLI) believe that African Americans should not only have the opportunity to fulfill their civic duties as public servants, but also have the requisite skill set to successfully do so. Serving as the training arm for the cultivation of the next generation of African American political leaders, the JECLI will offer a 12-month cohort for educating and training those who aspire to hold an elected office. Email jeclinstitute@omeganetworkforaction.org or call +1 646.481.8708 to receive more information.