The Hope Church Hosts 
“Occupy Our Community” Panel Symposium   


     ORLANDO - The Hope Church will host the “Occupy Our Community” Panel Symposium on Friday, February 24, 2012, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., at 3032 Monte Carlo Trail, Orlando, Florida 32805. The event will help raise awareness of growth challenges in the neighborhood of Washington Shores, while addressing potential solutions for shaping a community that can deliver greater economic vitality.
     Themed “A Thriving Community,” the program will serve as the first in a series of panel discussions where prominent business and community leaders, entrepreneurs, public officials, and the general public will assemble to formulate principles of behavior, choice, accountability, and investment procedures that may be practiced to create a thriving neighborhood. 
Discussions will include methods for implementing a blueprint for better community mobilization and serving the needs of its residents, while offering a greater promise of hope for the youth. The forum will also seek an answer to the question: “How do we achieve self-sustainability as a community?” 
     “Citizens of the Washington Shores community rank among the highest in Orlando in joblessness, and experience significant economic, health and educational disparities,” states Bishop Allen T.D. Wiggins, Senior Pastor, at The Hope Church. “Given this, I’m pleased to know that our “Occupy Our Community” forums will stimulate much needed conversation with key stakeholders about what is required to implement a paradigm shift in this economically disadvantaged area,” he adds. 
Washington Shores is a west Orlando neighborhood established by a civic group more than 65 years ago.   
     Scheduled panelists include: Allie L. Braswell, Jr., President, Central Florida Urban League; Dr. Robert M. Spooney, President, African-American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida; David Rucker, President, Greater Washington Shores Area Association; Clinton Salter, Community Resident; Tezlyn Figaro, Founder/CEO, The Allied Group; Virginia Whittington, Metroplan Orlando; Dr. Larry Mills, Senior Pastor, Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church; and Derrick McRae, Senior Pastor, The Experience Christian Center. The program will be moderated and navigated by Don Miller, radio host, the Big 810 AM; Frank Mitchell, Business Strategist; and Pastor Sharon Riley.   
     Entrance to the event is free.  The general public and all Washington Shores residents are encouraged to attend by registering through the “Occupy Our Community” website at www.occupyourcommunity.com.
     For more information regarding the event, call 407-291-4673 or send an email to: contact@OccupyOurCommunity.com.