The Message and the Messenger Matter Prayer Breakfast

4914 Constitution Avenue,Baton Rouge LA 70808

12 March, 2022

Description

The Message and the Messenger Matter Prayer Breakfast “Why People of Faith must be on the front lines of Social Justice and Life." The Message and the Messenger Matter Prayer Breakfast “Why People of Faith must be on the front lines of Social Justice and Life." Saturday, March 12th 6:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. The Embassy Suites by Hilton 4914 Constitution Avenue Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70808. Special Guests: Joia Erin Thorton, Founder, Faith Leaders of Color Coalition (https://www.floccjustice.org/ ) National Policy Strategist, Southern Center for Human Rights Joia Erin Thornton is an avid civil rights advocate, writer, historian, and policy leader. Ms. Thornton has a unique hometown experience growing up in both Memphis, Tennessee and New Orleans, Louisiana; two cities on the mighty Mississippi river riddled with class, race, and educational disparities, that have heavily impacted her passion and work toward the continued progression of civil and human rights. An ample amount of her work is dedicated to grasstops organizing, program implementation, and model design in state and national policy reform. A few of her most notable speaking engagements and projects include the National Habeas Seminar: Clemency & Coalition Building, NAACP Legal Defense Fund-Capital Punishment Conference, Federal Resource Counsel: Community Lawyering Panel, the National Civil Rights Museum Journey to Justice Symposium, and The NBA Cares-Memphis Grizzlies social justice panel. She has also launched the Faith Leaders of Color Coalition or (FLOCC), a group of BIPOC faith leaders concerned about the use of the death penalty state and nationwide. Ms. Thornton has a Bachelor of arts from Louisiana State University in English and French and a Master of Public Administration-Policy & Legal Studies from the University of Memphis. Most recently, Ms. Thornton has joined the 2021 Leadership Memphis Executive cohort class. Ms. Thornton has fervent passion and heart to end systemic biases in all socio-economic sectors. Rev. Robert Payne, Pastor, St. Mary's AME Church, Shreveport. Louisiana First Lady Linda Payne, St. Mary's AME Church, Shreveport, Louisiana Rev. Robert Payne, Jr. was born September 30, 1969 at Homestead AFB, FL to Chief Master Sergeant-retired Robert and Elizabeth Payne. He and his wife Linda were married in July 1996. They have two daughters, Mandi, and Iyana. . Rev. Payne graduated from the University of South Alabama in 1991 with his Bachelor's degree in Mathematics. He entered the Air Force upon graduation and served on active duty for 24 years, retiring in 2015. Rev. Payne graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) with a Master’s of Science degree in Operations Research in the spring of 1996. In July 1998 Rev. Payne entered the ministry while attending Historic St. John's African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Montgomery, AL. He served as the pastor of Union Bethel AME Church in Great Falls, MT from 2000-2004 and was ordained an Elder in the church in August 2002. He pastored the Minot Air Force Base Gospel Service from 2008-2009 and now serves as the pastor of St Mary AME Church in Shreveport, LA. In addition to his pastoral duties, Rev Payne works at Barksdale Air Force Base, LA for Booz Allen Hamilton corporation supporting Air Force acquisition efforts.