African-American Ministers Conference Scrutinizes Katrina Response from Unique Perspective

What happened?

With communities continuing to suffer long after the flood waters of Hurricane Katrina receded, the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference established the Katrina National Justice Commission to examine the local, state and federal response to Hurricane Katrina from the perspective of the African-American church community. The Proctor Conference convened the Commission, akin to the 911 Commission, to identify critical next steps for long-term reconstruction and restoration; plans that must be undertaken to ensure preparedness for disasters and emergencies in communities across the nation; and long-term public policies that may help eradicate racial and economic disparities made evident by this disaster. Proctor Conference leaders also took part in several major congressional briefings and secured significant grants to support African-American churches in Baton Rouge, Houston and Chicago.

In June 2006, the Proctor Conference opened the first round of publicl Commission hearings, which included testimony from Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), representatives from the U.S. Army (Joint Task Force Katrina), FEMA, the American Red Cross, and African-American pastors and evacuees from the Gulf Coast. Two more rounds of hearings are scheduled for the summer of 2006 in New Orleans, LA and Houston, TX. The commission will release a final report in September 2006.

What methods did faith leaders use?

Respect for Proctor Conference founders and its Board of Trustees -- which is made up of African-American leaders known nationally and internationally for their involvement in social justice and political activism -- gave the Proctor Conference great legitimacy and reach. With Katrina focusing the nation’s attention on racial injustice, the Proctor Conference’s leadership team was able to recruit other prominent African-American leaders, community activists, ministers, and organizations such as Africa Action, Bread for the World, and the Congressional Black Caucus to stand in support of its inclusive mission.

Additionally, the Proctor Conference combined its public hearings with persistent Congressional lobbying for prompt aid from the government to hurricane survivors. In the days leading up to the commission hearings, the group held a series of “Legislative Days� as part of its lobbying process. At these meetings, African-American pastors discussed strategies for motivating their congregations around social justice advocacy and learned how to lobby effectively in the halls of Congress. Working in collaboration with the Congressional Black Caucus, participants gained invaluable first hand insight into how best to influence the legislative agenda.

Leaders also partnered with Faith in Public Life to develop a press strategy. Planners made the event attractive to media by compelling high profile participants to testify at the hearings and conducting direct outreach to appropriate media outlets. Extensive media coverage followed, including coverage in the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

What was their message?

As the hearings opened in Washington, Proctor Conference General Secretary Dr. Iva E. Carruthers described the core mission in language that balanced solemn memorial with hopeful vision. In her words, "This commission creates a forum for remembrance, restoration, and healing for individuals and communities whose vitality and future represent the possibility for all of America." Organizers used the language of vocation and justice to describe the goals of the campaign: “We are called to help those who have been further marginalized by Katrina. We are called to take care of those who have been displaced. We are called to restore hope in Katrina victims and in this nation, as we seek to redress the effects of this disaster and to fulfill the promises of American democracy.�

A key component of their message was to emphasize the first person stories of those who were directly impacted by Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. The testimonies of first responders and evacuees illuminated what went wrong and remains to be done to secure justice for the hurricane’s victims. This is a crucial step in keeping reconstruction on the forefront of the nation’s agenda.

What challenges were faced?

With two congressional committees and the White House issuing reports in response to Hurricane Katrina, the Proctor Conference’s effort could have seemed redundant. Proctor Conference leaders confronted this challenge by providing the unique and largely unheard perspective of the African-American church community. Backed by research demonstrating that 63 percent of African American parishioners believe the pastor to be the most important leader in their community, the Proctor Conference convincingly made its case that its prophetic voice had to be heard. The national Commission was the first of its kind, consisting only of independent African-American faith leaders and community activists.

How can you use this example?

Hurricane Katrina and the plight of its victims attracted extensive media coverage. However, as time elapsed and the public’s attention turned to more recent news, it became imperative for the Proctor Conference to develop a strategy that would bring attention back to the injustices that occurred before and after the disaster. The Proctor Conference gained media attention by attracting a unique coalition of community leaders to support their Commission. By parterning with organizations such as the Congressional Black Caucus and other members of Congress, they were able to penetrate the political arena and gain the backing they needed to affect future public policy concerning natural disasters.

Key Links

Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Inc.

Congressional Black Caucus Hurricane Katrina Relief Info

Group to tell stories of storm victims: It seeks to remind Americans of disaster, Times Picayune, June 14, 2006

Black Ministers Group Conducts Post-Katrina Discussion, Scripps Howard Foundation Wire, June 17, 2006

Roundtable: Religion's Response to Katrina (Including Proctor Conference General Secretary Dr. Iva E. Carruthers), NPR's News & Notes with Ed Gordon, September 25, 2005