Who and Why We Are!
Board of Directors
Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony
Founder
TOLANI A . ANTHONY
MARVIN W. BEATTY
LAMONT COLE
HIRAM JACKSON
KATIE RILEY
Lady Monica G. Anthony
Director
Freedom Institute for Economic, Social Justice and Political Empowerment (original logo)
An Idea is Born...
Rev. Dr. Anthony envisioned a weekend, like that of the Congressional Black Caucus, where people would come from all around to partake of the vast information provided and also enjoy themselves.
Edu-Tainment
This trademarked name was the concept of Rev. Anthony to provide EDUcation for your head and EnterTAINMENT for your heart!
The Freedom Institute for Economic, Social Justice and People Empowerment (ESP) was founded by Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony in 2001. His vision was to provide a weekend of events that addressed the ESP components of the organization complete with
EDU-TAINMENT--Education for your head and Entertainment for your heart! From this vision
FREEDOM WEEKEND was birthed!
For nearly two-decades the Freedom Institute, has sponsored Freedom Weekend. The events have varied over the years with Braintrusts, symposiums, workshops, concerts walk/runs, give-aways and more.
Speakers, participants and panelists have been a varying presentation of the best and brightest in their respective fields from Detroit and throughout the country; Minister Louise Farrakhan, Congressman John Conyers, Jr., Tavis Smiley, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Susan L. Taylor, Russell Simmons, Dr. Ron Walters, Rev. Al Sharpton, Dr. Celeste Wakins-Hayes, Hillery Shelton, Shaka Senghor and this is a small glimpse of the magnitude over the last, nearly, two decades.
We work with a host of community partners, local municipalities, foundations and corporate sponsors making every effort to bring a broad spectrum of services, resources and information for the entire community and with the purpose of enhancing the quality of their lives.
MISSION...
The mission of the Freedom Institute is to provide economic and social justice opportunities to empower, enlighten, educate, and enhance the quality of life for youth, adults and communities at large.
VISION...
Our vision is to enhance the quality of life for the community by empowering them through economic, social justice and more.
Dr. Ron Walters (1938-2010)
Published author of more than 100 books, speaker, professor and world-renowned scholar of African-America politics are just a few of the many hats Dr. Walters donned during his lifetime.
His activism began in his youth in Kansas as an NAACP Youth Council President. He was a professor at Howard, Brandeis, Syracuse, and Princeton universities, to name a few.
He was the campaign manager and consultant for Rev. Jesse L. Jackson's presidential campaign. He was a sought out political commentator on CNN, Nightline and many other media outlets.
He was a supporter, and served on the Advisory Board, of the Freedom Institute from its inception until his passing in 2010. In 2011, we posthumously named our National Town Hall meeting in his honor with the blessing of his widow, Patricia Ann Walters, on hand.
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world!
-Nelson Mandela
Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.
-Malcolm X
