Absolon Kent

 "Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase." — Martin Luther King, Jr.

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WASHINGTON — More than 50 years after Martin Luther King, Jr. made his famous "l Have a Dream" speech, many African-Americans in our nation are still dreaming of King's equal nation. The reality is that while many blacks are living King's dream of equality and fair treatment, many are not. While Dr. King is remembered for many things, his commitment to service stands out. If anything is to be remembered about King, it should be that "everyone can be great because everyone can serve."

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

In 2016, many young Black males still live in poverty in communities filled with drug dealers and crack addicts. A large number of these young men will not live to see their 30th birthday as random acts of brutality claim young lives. Sadly, many of them can name more correctional facilities than institutions of higher learning. The students in these communities still are not adequately prepared to pursue an education and men and women in these communities have lost hope for a change to a brighter future.

While the United States pauses for one day, we should recommit itself to improving our communities everywhere; not just for one day in January, but throughout the year. Poverty, violence and ignorance will never end if our collective work ceases after the holiday. Let this MLK Holiday be the beginning of service and fresh commitment to improving communities in this country, and maybe King's dream can materialize sooner rather than later.

ANNANDALE, Va. — Commodore Conyers had a passion for Savannah State University and his community. The long time educator and community leader died at his Albany, Ga. home on Aug. 15. He was 84.

Conyers, a 1958 graduate of Savannah State, was a life member of the SSUNAA and a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. A long-time supporter of the university and the SSUNAA, Conyers served as president of the SSUNAA Greater Albany Chapter for several years and was the 2014 Savannah State University Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal. He was recently nominated to be inducted into the SSU Foundation Hall of Fame Class of 2015.

“As we all know, he was truly a Smart, Bold and Proud Tiger who loved his alma mater,” said Dr. Cheryl Dozier, the president of Savannah State University in an email to the university community.

Conyers devoted his time and talents and helped raise funds for several organizations including the 100 Black Men of Albany, Strive to Thrive Albany, his alma mater, Savannah State University, where he majored in industrial education, and the American Legion Post 512. He also held advanced degrees from Valdosta State University (’79 – Vocational Administration) and Albany State University (’86 – Administration and ’90 – Administration and Supervision).

Aside from his philanthropic efforts, Conyers was an educator, and former principal of Dougherty High School in Albany, Ga. and an activist for educators. After leaving Dougherty High he served the school board as the head of the county’s career tech program. He was also a Deacon and former Superintendent of Sunday School at the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Albany.

“The entire Savannah State University National Alumni Association family is saddened by the loss of Mr. Commodore Conyers,” said Clyde Newton the National President of the Savannah State University National Alumni Association. “Mr. Conyers has been a leader and mentor in SSUNAA for many years. His dedication and commitment to excellence will serve as his legacy to all of us.”

Conyers served in many capacities in public service in and around Albany. He was sworn in to the Dougherty County Water, Gas, and Light Board in January 2007 and also served on the election board for Dougherty County and was a member of the Albany Civil Rights Movement Museum board of directors.

“We certainly appreciate his dedicated service and committed support to Savannah State University, said Charles Young, the chairman of the Savannah State University Foundation. “May God continue to bless, comfort, strengthen and sustain his family and friends, and give them peace.”

A Wake service will be held on Friday, August 21, 6 – 8 pm at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church (325 Whitney Avenue) in Albany and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 22 at  3 pm at Mt. Zion Baptist Church (901 S. Westover Blvd.) in Albany.

{Originally posted to SSUNAA.org}

<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/136631836?loop=1&title=0&byline=0" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/136631836">Riding the carousel at the Ocean City Boardwalk</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/absolonkent">Absolon Kent</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> <p><b>OCEAN CITY, NJ &mdash;&nbsp;</b>Riding the carousel on the Ocean City Beach Boardwalk during a family vacation to Ocean City, New Jersey.</p>

I have been challenged by my classmate Live Love Laugh​ to participate in The Seven Day Bible Verse Challenge. The challenge is to post a bible verse each day and to challenge two other social media friends to do the same each day for seven days. 

Day 7:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

‭‭John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Now on this final day, I challenge YOU. If you are reading this message I’m challenging you to participate and spread the Good News to the world. 

I have been challenged by my classmate Live Love Laugh​ to participate in The Seven Day Bible Verse Challenge. The challenge is to post a bible verse each day and to challenge two other social media friends to do the same each day for seven days. 

Day 6:

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

‭‭I Peter‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I now challenge some of my favorite ministers / Pastors, Rev. Linda Watson-Dowden​, Pastor Steve K Reynolds​, Rev. Stevonia Cunningham​, and Pastor Stan Rone​ and to participate and spread the Good News to the world. 

I have been challenged by my classmate Live Love Laugh​ to participate in The Seven Day Bible Verse Challenge. The challenge is to post a bible verse each day and to challenge two other social media friends to do the same each day for seven days. 

Day 5:

"Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:3-4‬‬ NKJV

I now challenge my Shipmates Jonathan Hazel​ and Keith Kinjatta Dobbins​ to participate and spread the Good News to the world.