Rev. Dr. Al Sharpton brought the National Action Network’s (NAN) AI Workshop and Voter Brigade Rally to Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church in Cleveland, bringing together community leaders, clergy and voters around two critical issues: technology and political participation.

Sharpton also selected Dr. Marcia L. McCoy to lead the NAN Voter Brigade in Ohio.

AI WORKSHOP

The artificial intelligence workshop was led by Susan Hearn, Lead Strategist on the NAN AI Initiative, and featured a PowerPoint presentation, live ChatGPT demonstrations and participant questions.

Explaining why NAN brought the program to Cleveland, Sharpton said, “We can’t afford to have our children and grandchildren upstairs using Artificial Intelligence and you’re downstairs still using a rotary phone.”

He emphasized that AI literacy is both a civil rights and economic opportunity issue, with NAN working to ensure Black and Brown communities have the skills and influence needed to navigate a rapidly changing economy.

The initiative focuses on expanding access to practical AI education, supporting economic self-determination and strengthening community voices in technology decisions. Participants learned how to recognize AI’s limitations, protect personal information, verify answers and use AI for employment, business, communication, organizing and everyday needs.

VOTER BRIGADE RALLY PROGRAM & ATTENDEES

The rally opened with an invocation by Midwest Region Chaplain Rev. Dr. Rebecca Stitt, followed by Elder Jacqueline Goodrum, who presented “Ancestors Promise.” Minister Tina Farmer led the singing of the National Negro Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing, by James Weldon Johnson.

Guest recognition included Dr. Marcia L. Thomas McCoy, Midwest Region chapter leaders, MOW Freedom Riders and bus coordinators, along with representatives from Canton, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Indianapolis, Steubenville and Milwaukee.

Also represented were the Black Women’s Army, Divine 9 fraternities and sororities, Elks and OES Lincoln Chapter #3, New Life at Calvary, Love in Action, National Congress of Black Women, NCNW chapters, Unity Coalition-AKA Construction and other community organizations and leaders.

NAN GREATER CLEVELAND CHAPTER INTRODUCTION OF REV. DR. AL SHARPTON

Rev. Dr. Bishop E.T. Caviness introduced Sharpton with a powerful tribute, asking, “What manner of man is this?”

Caviness described Sharpton as a nationally recognized civil rights leader who has remained connected to the people while walking among presidents, political leaders and national media figures.

He highlighted Sharpton’s decades of activism, from preaching as a child and becoming a youth leader under Rev. Jesse Jackson to founding the National Youth Movement at age 16. Caviness also recalled Sharpton’s advocacy for the Central Park Five, police accountability and communities of color.

Using the words of the prophets Amos and Micah, Caviness characterized Sharpton as a man committed to justice, mercy and humility.

He called on the congregation to welcome “one of the greatest freedom fighters the world has ever known” — Rev. Dr. Professor Al Sharpton.

REV. DR. AL SHARPTON BRIGADE MESSAGE

Sharpton began by honoring Rev. Dr. Bishop E.T. Caviness, praising the 98-year-old Cleveland leader for remaining on the battlefield and continuing to guide the community.

He also recognized Dr. Marcia McCoy and Call & Post Executive Director Dale Edwards, praising Edwards for using Black-owned media to tell the community’s story.

Sharpton said Black newspapers and radio once served as an independent communications network when mainstream media excluded Black voices. He warned that today, many Black communities depend on social media platforms they do not own or control.

“We need to stand with people like Dale so that we have a voice,” Sharpton said.

Sharpton thanked Clevelanders who supported NAN’s national efforts and said he came to Ohio because of the commitment shown by those who traveled and organized.

He placed today’s struggle in historical context, recalling the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Civil Rights Movement, the Voting Rights Act and the organizing work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Ohio.

He reminded the audience that Cleveland was a major center of Black political empowerment and challenged Ohio voters to reclaim that tradition.

“We’ve got negro amnesia,” Sharpton declared. “We forgot who we are, we forgot where we come from and we forgot where God brought us from.”

He urged younger generations to understand the sacrifices that made today’s opportunities possible and challenged them not to surrender their political or economic power.

Sharpton also challenged the negative messages often found in popular culture, urging artists and young people to use their voices to uplift their communities rather than reinforce damaging stereotypes.

“The strength of a tree is not its branches; it’s its roots,” he said, emphasizing the importance of learning from previous generations.

ORGANIZE, REGISTER AND VOTE

Sharpton’s central message was organization.

He announced that Dr. Marcia McCoy will lead NAN’s Voter Brigade in Ohio and called on residents to sign up, establish phone banks at community centers and churches, contact voters and help people get to the polls.

“We need to organize grassroots,” Sharpton said, urging volunteers to ask voters whether they are registered, whether they plan to vote and whether they need transportation.

He stressed that NAN is not telling people whom to vote for, but encouraging them to vote for their own interests.

“If somebody wants to take away your HBCUs, Medicaid, Medicare or affordable health care, they’re not on my side,” he said. “I want you to vote for yourself.”

Sharpton also urged people not to allow their past to define their future, reminding the audience that people can overcome adversity and become leaders.

FAITH, HISTORY AND THE POWER TO CHANGE

Sharpton closed by turning to Scripture, recalling the story of Moses and the Israelites escaping Egyptian bondage.

He reminded the audience that God used Moses, a fugitive, to lead people out of bondage and parted the Red Sea when there appeared to be no way forward.

“If God can use a fugitive, God can use you,” Sharpton said.

His message to Cleveland was ultimately one of faith, political participation, economic empowerment and collective responsibility.

The challenge, he said, is not whether Black communities have the power to make change — history has already proven that they do.

“You’re not a grasshopper,” Sharpton declared. “You’re serving a God that can change the trajectory, save a dying nation and make a way out of no way.”

He closed with the familiar declaration that echoed throughout the sanctuary:

“Won’t He do it? Won’t He do it? Won’t He do it?”

The post REV. AL SHARPTON COMES TO TOWN appeared first on Call and Post.

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