Greetings,
The year 2006 promises to be a time for excitement as well as challenges for leaders and workers in community economic development. I am so encouraged by the fact that as we all forge ahead this year to invoke prosperity and change in our communities, we have leadership in the form of city mayors who are committed to representing our mission of building prosperous communities across this state. Mayors William "Bill" Bell, Bunny Sanders, Terry Bellamy, and Frank Deese, I congratulate you each on your personal and political victories. Thank you for hearing the voices of CDC leaders, and most importantly, for acting with a spirit of purpose as we work to achieve our collective goals.

I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Initiative's first annual event honoring Mrs. Rosa Parks. With the support of our grantee partners, funders, local and state leaders, I am convinced that the works and convictions of this great champion for equality, do indeed live on.

With warmest regards,