Alkebulan Inc and the Commission on Minority Health presents a day long initiative to occur concurrently with the JuneteenthOhio Festival activities as a part of the Health & Wellness Pavilion which occurs at Franklin Park in the multipurpose building. The overall purpose of the initiative is to deal with the serious issue challenging the health and wellness of African American Families. This event will occur on June 14th 2008 from 12 p.m. to 8 pm free of charge to all JuneteenthOhio participants. The objectives are to raise awareness of the cycle of violence within African American households, provide training and information to men and women of color on ways to reduce Intimate Partner Violence within their families and communities and to enhance the current network of support for men, women, and children at risk. There will be five workshops on the following topics; 1) Domestic violence 101, 2) Child abuse and ending the cycle of violence, 3) Seeking solutions to why men batter, 4) Post slavery implications in African American homes, and 5) Building healthy relationships. The goal of a Call to Men of Color is to bring together professionals and the at risk population during a festive occasion, for the purpose of edutainment, sounding an alarm and raising awareness through education and entertainment. The featured speakers are:

Ava Muhammad, who is a Columbus native, has experience in law enforcement stating in 1976 with the New York State Office of Child Support Enforcement, then served as an Assistant District Attorney in Queens, New York in 1980. Dr. Muhammad joined several other young Black attorneys in starting a successful criminal defense practice. She is a gifted lecturer and researcher. Her ability to connect with the human spirit has placed her in great demand among colleges, universities, churches, conferences, and radio programs. She has lectured at Yale Law School, Howard University, University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Florida A&M, Emory University, University of Wisconsin, University of Minnesota, Ohio State University and Vermont Law School. She has addressed the National Association of Black Social Workers, the NAACP Leadership Conference, the Million Woman March, the 40th Anniversary of the March on Washington in 2003. She travels the globe captivating and inspiring audiences in London, Paris, the Caribbean and virtually every major city in America. She has been featured several times in Essence Magazine, providing guidance and counsel on such topics as “The Love You Deserve” and the September 11, 2001 attack on the United States, and is recognized by Essence as one of the 30 most influential Black women in America.

Author of the book "God are you mad at me?"

He lectures on chemical dependency and the breakdown of the brain under influences of cocaine, Longs has become a motivational speaker, teaching others about the effects of drugs and abuse, the journey of self-exploration and spiritual understanding, the importance of people, particularly youth, having an alternative outlet which one can use in order to express himself. Longs has spoken at Franklin University, Columbus State Community College, and a list of prisons, grammar, middle, and senior high schools, and drug rehabilitation programs.

Harold Longs is a two-time World Power lifting Champion with the N.A.S.A. organization in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Using lifting as a way to stay out of trouble he holds the Best Overall Lifter title for 1997 and 2003. The writer continues to train and compete, as well as speak in a quest to encourage youth and adults to never give up on their dreams. Proving that no matter what your struggles are you can overcome them.