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In any organization that is worth its salt and is about the enhancement of the beloved community, it must always exude integrity, be tenacious in carrying out its mission, be exacting in its history, and be true to itself and the people who will be affected as a result of its actions. This stance was indicative of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance in its former days.
This missive is delivered to the Baltimore metropolitan citizenry, in the hopes of setting the record straight as to the IMA’s history, its processes of endorsements, and the actions taken as voice on behalf of the marginalized, the poor, the disenfranchised, and the disinherited.
The original IMA was always a group that was interracial, cross generational, ecumenical, and made up of clergy men and women from the city and surrounding counties. Its leadership was dynamic in its representation of the group with varied and sundry styles. It was known for its ability to engage the powers that be in both corporate and governmental entities. It engaged ecclesiastical leadership to use its influence for social change and betterment.
The Alliance was the progenitor of two organizations that had and still has a major impact on the lives of people. Firstly it created its brainchild for organizing communities in the city, Baltimoreans United for Leadership Development (BUILD), The Maryland Food Committee, and the precursor to the Associated Black Charities, the Black United Fund. It had the ability to coalesce with other clergy bodies, human and civil rights organizations, and educational institutions.
Unfortunately, we the undersigned former leadership of the IMA feel that the original intent, mission, and actions of the IMA have been obscured by its present leadership. It has lost its raison d’être and no clear reason that gives qualitative substantive underpinnings for its endorsements. Secondly, according to present candidates running for the mayoral office, and others, many were not included in the vetting process. Thirdly, it has not propagated the issues and concerns publicly as to the community’s agenda. Fourthly, it lacks transparency in that there was no announcement of hosting a forum for citizens to at least see and hear how candidates stood on the issues. The public and candidates were ignorant as to how and what the screening process would be formulated.
We also make clear that the original IMA was an organized body of clergy but not an incorporated one. That was the reason for our ability to endorse. We have learned since that it is an incorporated body. The question is how one can make an endorsement of any candidate under such auspices?
It is our position that the current IMA has wavered from the original founders and succeeding presidents and clergy members. There is clear distinction between the two.
Signed
Rev. Dr. William C. Calhoun Sr.
Rev. Dr. Johnny Golden
Rev. Dr. Arnold Howard
Rev. Dr. Douglas I. Miles
Rev. Dr. Gregory B. Perkins
The opinions on this page are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the AFRO. Send letters to The Afro-American • 1531 S. Edgewood St. Baltimore, MD 21227 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to [email protected]
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