Who and Why We Are!
Board of Directors
Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony
Founder
TOLANI A . ANTHONY
MARVIN W. BEATTY
LAMONT COLE
HIRAM JACKSON
KATIE RILEY
Lady Monica G. Anthony
Director
Freedom Institute for Economic, Social Justice and Political Empowerment (original logo)
An Idea is Born
Rev. Dr. Anthony envisioned a weekend, like that of the Congressional Black Caucus, where people would come from all around to partake of the vast information provided and also enjoy themselves.
Edu-Tainment
This trademarked name was the concept of Rev. Anthony to provide Education for your head and Entertainment for your heart!
The Freedom Institute for Economic, Social Justice and People Empowerment (ESP) was founded by Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony in 2001. His vision was to provide a weekend of events that addressed the ESP components of the organization complete with EDU-TAINMENT--Education for your head and Entertainment for your heart! From this visionFREEDOM WEEKEND was birthed!
For nearly two-decades the Freedom Institute, has sponsored Freedom Weekend. The events have varied over the years with Braintrusts, symposiums, workshops, concerts walk/runs, give-aways and more.
Speakers, participants and panelists have been a varying presentation of the best and brightest in their respective fields from Detroit and throughout the country; Minister Louise Farrakhan, Congressman John Conyers, Jr., Tavis Smiley, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Susan L. Taylor, Russell Simmons, Dr. Ron Walters, Rev. Al Sharpton, Dr. Celeste Wakins-Hayes, Hillery Shelton, Shaka Senghor and this is a small glimpse of the magnitude over the last, nearly, two decades.
We work with a host of community partners, local municipalities, foundations and corporate sponsors making every effort to bring a broad spectrum of services, resources and information for the entire community and with the purpose of enhancing the quality of their lives.
MISSION...
The mission of the Freedom Institute is to provide economic and social justice opportunities to empower, enlighten, educate, and enhance the quality of life for youth, adults and communities at large.
VISION...
Our vision is to enhance the quality of life for the community by empowering them through economic, social justice and more.