Title
Honoring, recognizing and commending Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller and Mr. Tariq Karim El-Shabazz, Esquire for their extraordinary performance in Jeff Stetson's production The Meeting.
Body
WHEREAS, The Meeting is based on a hypothetical meeting between Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, two leaders of the Civil Rights Era; and
WHEREAS, The Meeting portrays a spirited debate between the two Civil Rights Era giants about their differing approaches to improving the lives of black men and women in a predominantly white society; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Stetson wrote The Meeting as an educational tool to engage students with the Civil Rights Movement; and
WHEREAS, The Meeting received eight N.A.A.C.P. Image Awards, including best play and best writer, and it received an Emmy award for technical achievement; and
WHEREAS, The proceeds of The Meeting go to benefit the Molefi Kete Asante Institute; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Waller is the Senior Pastor of the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia with a Bachelor Degree in Music Business from Ohio University, a Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry in Ministry to Marriage and Family from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Waller is an influential revivalist, singer, musician, and visionary who Upscale Magazine described as, an individual who has been called to operate far beyond the restraints of traditionalism; and
WHEREAS, Mr. El-Shabazz is a Muslim attorney who has practiced complex civil and criminal litigation in both Federal and State Court for more than 25 years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. El-Shabazz is a highly sought-after legal analyst with many appearances on ABC, CBS, Fox News, Comcast Network's It's Your Call with Lynn Doyle and Court TV's nationally syndicated shows; Jamie Floyd: Best Defense, Bloom & Politan: Open Court and Nancy Grace: Closing Argument; and
WHEREAS, The Meeting is an influential and relevant instrument for educating the Philadelphia community about individual rights and equality in the face of persisting racial inequality; now, therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor, recognize and commend Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller and Mr. Tariq Karim El-Shabazz, Esquire for their extraordinary performance in Jeff Stetson's production The Meeting.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller and Mr. Tariq Karim El-Shabazz, Esquire as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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