The National Black Church Initiative Launches its Responsible Drinking Campaign in Harlem

March 1, 2023March 6, 2023 R.L. Witter

Members of the National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) from the New York area joined NBCI President Rev. Anthony Evans to launch a Responsible Drinking Campaign during a news conference in front of the Apollo Theater on December 17. The live on social media event brought a simple message to New Yorkers: If YOU ARE GOING TO DRINK, DO IT RESPONSIBLY. Since COVID, alcohol abuse, violence, and deadly vehicular accident rates have risen. The NBCI ministers preached and the theater group, IMPACT, performed to draw attention to the problem of alcoholism in the community.

NBCI, a partner of the Diageo Multicultural Consortium for Responsible Drinking (MCRD) Initiative, is a coalition of 150,000 African American and Latino churches working to eradicate racial disparities in healthcare, technology, education, housing, and environment. The mission of NBCI is to provide critical wellness information to all of its members, congregants, churches, and the public. NBCI partners with major organizations and officials to reduce racial disparities. The programs—guided by credible statistical analysis, science-based strategies and techniques, and methods that work—offer faith-based, out-of-the-box, and innovative solutions to stubborn economic and social issues.

Six public service announcements (PSAs) featuring the ministers (see below) will air on local television and radio beginning in 2023. Powerful messages encouraging responsibility and moderation, the PSAs begin a three-year effort to change the impact of alcohol in these communities.

Rev. Dr. Calvin R. Kendrick, pastor,
Grace Baptist Church, Bronx, NY

Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams, pastor,
Co-Op City Baptist Church, Bronx, NY

Bishop Peggy Smalls,
Change a Life Ministries, Inc. United Clergy of NY

Rev. Dr. James N. McKoy,
Springfield Baptist Church, Beacon, NY

Rev. Dr. Allen Paul Weaver, Jr.,
Bethesda Baptist Church of New Rochelle, NY

Rev. Reginald E Paris, pastor,
United Christian Baptist Church, Bronx, NY

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