The Rev. Al Sharpton addresses the participants of the Southern University Ag Center's Tenth Annual Community and Faith Leadership Development Conference in Baton Rouge. Pictured are (left –right) Chris Robichaux, agent; Leodrey Williams, chancellor, SU Ag Center; Martin Luther King, III; Eddie Beckwith Jr., mayor of Tallulah; Gina E. Eubanks, vice chancellor for extension, SU Ag Center; Dawn Mellion, agricultural specialist, SU Ag Center; and the Rev. J. L. Franklin, pastor of Bethel Metropolitan Baptist Fellowship Church of Lakes Charles.

AgCenter conference seeks to inspire, equip community leaders

The Rev. Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III brought an unexpected message of hope and encouragement to 200 faith and community leaders gathered at the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center's annual leadership development conference in late September.

The community and faith leadership conference is in its 10th year and is a three-day training event for leaders of non-profit organizations, churches, synagogues, housing and community development corporations and youth centers.

"What we are doing here is carrying out our land-grant mission of educating people who will not enroll in our academic programs, but who can take the vast resources of the university and apply it to their businesses, family and apply it to the success and mobility of their citizenry," Ag Center Chancellor Leodrey Williams said.

The fact that Sharpton and King walked in on this development conference for leaders is more than 'coincidental,' said Williams. "They thought enough of what were are doing to pause and give encouragement to all the participants and the leadership. They are sincere about what they are doing. This is important for leaders to do things like this."

Conference planner Gina Eubanks said the surprise visit aligned and placed greater emphasis on the conference theme of extending, engaging, and empowering leaders across Louisiana.

"They [Sharpton and King] left the leaders here with the impression that they can go forward with their own efforts of community empowerment," said Eubanks, vice chancellor for extension of the Southern University Ag Center. "To have national figures take time out of their schedule and say a few words of encouragement, that's empowerment and it shows that they understand what Southern University is doing for the citizens of Louisiana."