Close to 5000 secondary school children, along with members of various youth groups, will soon have a unique opportunity to hear renowned Civil Rights Activist and American Baptist Minister, Reverend Alfred "Al" Sharpton, Jr.

This occasion will come on Friday, April 30, when Rev. Sharpton, Jr. delivers a motivational address during an interactive two-hour session at the Wildey Gymnasium, starting at 9:30 a.m.

Minister of Youth, Stephen Lashley, is also expected to be present and will give brief remarks.

Rev. Sharpton will arrive in the island on Thursday, April 29, for an engagement on Friday night and returns to the United States on Saturday, May 1.

The Civil Rights Activist was born on October 3, 1954, in Brooklyn, New York, and ordained as a minister in his youth. He was known as the "boy wonder" preacher of the Washington Temple Church of God.

In 1969, he was appointed by Reverend Jesse Jackson as youth director of Operation Breadbasket, a group that focused on the promotion of new and better jobs for African-Americans. Two years later, and fresh out of high school, Rev. Sharpton founded the National Youth Movement to raise resources for impoverished youth.

He also worked as a tour manager for singer, James Brown, and travelled with gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson.

Rev. Sharpton, Jr. was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 2004 United States presidential election.

saustin@barbados.gov.bb

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