Washington, DC. (ChristianPRgroup.com) - Following the recent release of a video "call to participate" featuring Grammy Award winner, Dr. Bobby Jones, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP), along with a host of national Black organizations, officially launched the first in a series of Black Voter Empowerment Sundays. The nationwide effort will organize a ministry of civic participation that galvanizes the Black community to register and vote in the November 2007 elections and the fast-approaching presidential primaries.

The NCBCP Unity Black Campaign's first Black Voter Empowerment Sunday series is dedicated to the memory of Fannie Lou Hamer who was born on October 6, 1917.

"The primary mission of Black Voter Empowerment Sundays is to focus on ways the faith community can participate and encourage them to utilize their Civic Participation Ministries around the task of empowering our communities and families with vigorous electoral participation, and vigilance for protecting our votes," said Rev. Dr. Barbara Williams Skinner, founder and convener, Skinner Leadership Institute.

"That ultimately will enhance the pursuit of social justice, quality education and economic enrichment for our families and communities," Skinner added.

During the four-Sunday blitz, the Civic Participation Ministry will supply churches with literature and talking points to help focus the attention of congregants on the call to organize, advocate, register, and vote in the service of their community. In addition to encouraging the formation of Civic Participation Ministry's, the group recommends that congregations discuss the historic relevance of voting and protecting the right to vote. For those with elections in November, spiritual leaders are urged address the need for people to get involved and get out and vote.

While the nation is focused on the 2008 presidential election, this November many voters will be going to the polls to elect governors, state legislators, and city council members in state and local elections.

"The individuals elected in November will make decisions on critical ballot initiatives for school funding and worker's rights," said Melanie L. Campbell, executive director and CEO of NCBCP. "If we are going to maximize our power and influence we must encourage citizens to vote next month and in the 2008 primaries. There is no better place to get that message out than the cornerstone of the Black community, the Black Church."

Black Voter Empowerment Sundays is an initiative of "[UNITY: THE BLACK CAMPAIGN]," an alliance of Black leaders from The National Urban League, 100 Black Men Of America, Essence Magazine, The National Council Of Negro Women, Black Youth Vote!, The A. Philip Randolph Institute, The Coalition Of Black Trade Unionists and the Council of Presidents-Devine 9.

All faith-based organizations are encouraged to participate in Black Voter Empowerment Sundays. Churches can sign up, request materials or more information by calling the NCBCP at (202) 659-4929 or visit [UNITY: THE BLACK CAMPAIGN] online at www.BlackCampaign.org. "Traditionally, the church is the foundation for organizing our community. We're bringing our organizing and advocacy home to where it has always begun, the Black Church, so we can claim our victory," Campbell adds.