Joint Center's Michael Wenger Available for Comment on 5th Anniversary of Clinton Initiative on Race

6/12/2002

From: Liselle Yorke of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, 202-789-6366, lyorke@jointcenter.org

News Advisory:

Five years ago, President Clinton proudly announced the creation of an Initiative on Race that was designed to bridge racial and ethnic divides through dialogue across the country. The Initiative was succeeded by the White House Office of One America. The Bush administration announced almost 16 months ago that it would continue the effort through a "Task Force on Uniting America." As we approach the June 14 anniversary, Michael R. Wenger, director of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies's NABRE (Network of Alliances Bridging Race and Ethnicity) program is available to discuss the Initiative's impact and that of the Bush administration's Task Force.

Wenger served as the deputy director for outreach and program development for the Initiative on Race where he was responsible for programs designed to broaden public support. In November 2000, he became the first director of NABRE (pronounced "neighbor"), a program that links 156 organizations across the country engaged in racial healing and racial justice activities. Wenger's account of the Initiative on Race's accomplishments, shortcomings, and lessons is carried in the June 2002 issue of the Joint Center's magazine, FOCUS.

Contact Liselle Yorke to schedule an interview or for copies of the FOCUS article. Reprint permission is available.

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, conducts research and analyses on public policy issues of concern to African Americans and other minorities, promotes their involvement in the governance process, and operates programs that create coalitions within the minority, business, and other diverse communities. For information, visit http://www.jointcenter.org.