From left, George Grandy, Jr. Census Regional Director, Atlanta; Rev. Bernie Miller, and former Mayor Johnny Ford, Tuskegee Al. Click to enlarge.
Rev. Dr. Bernie Miller, pastor of New Covenant Fellowship Church and chairman of the Census Advisory Committee on the African American Population, was the keynote speaker for the U.S. Census Bureau’s Atlanta Regional office’s summit held in Destin, Fl. last week.
Dr. Miller highlighted the importance of the 2010 Census Partnership Program before more than 50 African American civic leaders and Census Bureau staff.
In attendance was former Tuskegee, Alabama Mayor, Johnny Ford, founder and Director General of the World Conference of Mayors and Founder of the National Conference of Black Mayors.
Rev. Miller said partner organizations "have a unique and pivotal role at every stage of census implementation: increasing awareness, educating the community and mobilizing our masses." He compared the Census Bureau to the human body, with the American people representing the heart of the Census Bureau and the campaign for an accurate count.
“All civic, governmental and religious groups are critical in areas where persons have been displaced by hurricanes Ivan, Katrina, and Rita, or shaken by economic hardships, those fearful of Immigration Customs Enforcement, as well as those who may not speak English or are afraid of a government badge and suspicious of anyone with a clipboard,” said Rev. Miller.