RELIGIOUS LEADERS ASSEMBLE IN OUR NATION'S CAPITOL TO CELEBRATE THE INAUGURATION OF THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT -- BARACK OBAMA

RELIGIOUS LEADERS ASSEMBLE IN OUR NATION'S CAPITOL TO CELEBRATE THE INAUGURATION OF THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT -- BARACK OBAMA

African American Religious Leaders Mark History by Honoring 25 Individuals and Making a Commitment to Fight HIV/AIDS

Washington, DC (BlackNews.com) - The nation's religious leaders representing historic denominations and churches across the country have joined to celebrate the most historic moment in American U.S. history--the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama. The African American Church Inaugural Ball will be held Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 6 pm at the Grand Hyatt Washington.

The African American Church Inaugural Ball chaired by the Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, senior pastor, Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, New York along with Inaugural co-chairs Bishop George E. Battle, Jr., Presiding Prelate, Northeastern District African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr., Senior Pastor, Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, Cleveland, OH will mark this historic moment by honoring 25 individuals who represent the diverse achievements of African Americans with the once in a life-time Keepers of the Flame Award. These faith leaders are also affirming their commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS in the United States and in Africa by making this event a benefit for The Balm In Gilead, a non-profit organization that has been working with these faith communities for over 20 years in building the capacity of faith institutions in the US and in Africa to address HIV/AIDS and other health disparities.

Honorary Inaugural Ball Chairs include: Bishop T.D. Jakes - T. D. Jakes Ministries; Bishop Paul S. Morton - Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship; Bishop William H. Graves, Sr. - Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; Bishop George W. C. Walker, Sr. - African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church ;Bishop John Bryant, Sr. - African Methodist Episcopal Church; Rev. Dr. Stephen J. Thurston - National Baptist Convention of America; Rev. Dr. William J. Shaw - National Baptist Convention, USA; Bishop Horace E. Smith, MD - Pentecostal Assemblies of the World; Rev. Dr. Arlee Griffin, Jr. American Baptist Church, USA; Rev. Dr. Paul Smith - The Presbyterian Church, USA; ; and Bishop Orris Walker - The Episcopal Church.

The Ball's theme, "We Have Come This Far By Faith," will be upheld as these religious leaders pay homage to these extraordinary leaders with the "Keepers of the Flame" Award. The Keepers of the Flame honorees include: Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Gen. Colin Powell; Ms. Donna Brazile, Dr. Maya Angelou, Mr. Earl Graves; Dr. Dorothy I. Height: Congressman John Lewis; Rev. Joseph Lowery; Bishop John Hurst Adams; Mr. Robert J. Brown; Rev. Jesse Jackson; Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole; Dr. Marian Wright Edelman; Rev. Al Sharpton; Dr. John Hope Franklin; Sr., Rev. Dr. William H. Gray; III; Bishop Barbara Harris, The Honorable Alexis Herman; Rev. Dr. Benjamin Hooks, Rev. Della Reese-Lett, Mr. Marc Morial, Rev. Dr. Gardner Taylor; Rev. Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker, Sr., and Mrs. Myrlie Evers Williams.

Opera legend Ms. Jessye Norman will pay vocal tribute to the honorees. Other artists and groups confirmed to perform include: Ms. Regina Belle (singing the gospel hit, God is Good), Ms. Shari Addison (Gospel Best), Ms. Jackie Gouche (the writer of Psalm 121 -- My Help Cometh from the Lord), gospel artist, Micah Stampley, the Grace Baptist Church Choir of Mount Vernon, New York and Sage, an all women's jazz ensemble.

"We must honor this time in our great history, struggles and strength as well as make a commitment to the future of our community," said Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, II, Inaugural Ball Chair and pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon, NY.

The Executive Producer is Pernessa Seele, who also serves as the Founder/CEO of the gala's fundraising beneficiary, The Balm in Gilead. For more than 20 years, the Balm in Gilead has provided health education and service delivery systems within African and African American faith communities to address HIV/AIDS and other health concerns which disproportionately affect Black people.

For more information on the African American Church Inaugural Ball visit www.africanamericanchurchinauguralball.com

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