ESR, Wake Forest religion stalwart celebrate faith-based community
In photo above: More than 30 representatives gather in the Training Room of Experiment in Self- Reliance for lunch, entertainment and thoughtful empowerment on May 14. (Submitted Photo)
Special to The Chronicle
In honor of its partnerships with the faith-based community, Experiment in Self- Reliance (ESR) held a celebratory luncheon on May 14 in the Training Room of ESR.
The event showcased the organization’s relationships with the community faith-based organizations who have helped ESR “empower people to become self-reliant.”
Locally, many individual congregations and faith leaders throughout the community stepped up to help found ESR and support its early growth and development. Likewise, over the years, churches, clergy, and communities of faith have continued to be instrumental in ESR’s programming, funding and efforts to come together across the community in caring and outreach.
The keynote speaker for the event was the Rev. Dr. Bill J. Leonard, former and founding dean of Wake Forest Divinity School and currently the James and Marilyn Dunn Professor of Church History.
Dr. Leonard spoke about the Civil Rights Movement and the foundation of Community Action Agencies and church involvement. The mistress of ceremony is Mütter D. Evans, president of Mütter Evans Communications.
D. D. Adams, city councilwoman of the North Ward, also spoke.
Mayor Pro tempore and City Council Member of the Northeast Ward, Dr. Vivian H. Burke, received special acknowledgement on behalf of her late husband, Rep. Logan Burke, who had been an advocate for ESR throughout the history of the organization. Logan Burke worked with a former executive director, the late Louise Wilson, to aid in negotiating strategies to engage faith-based organizations, sororities and fraternities with the organization. Logan Burke served as chairman of ESR’s Board of Directors, and served his family’s beloved church, Grace Presbyterian, which has also supported ESR throughout the years.
“We wouldn’t be here today without the incredible support we have received over the years from our partners, like the churches we are recognizing today. They are truly a gift,” said Executive Director Twana W. Roebuck.
More than 30 representatives attended the event, which included lunch, entertainment and thoughtful empowerment.
