. >> tom joyner was helping to moderate with you. there are authors, professors of hbcus, congressmen. >> naacp, urban league. it's easy to have people who are in academics and activists, but you've got to have infrastructure. having the urban league and naacp, those groups have people, members and chapters. 100 black men. that it's difference. it's easy to say, folks do something. they say where do i go? >> you talk about the political economic and socio-cultural avenues here. these are things mark morial with the urban league, naacp have been tackling on a regular basis. why this conglomeration today, for example, over the course of four days, why is this particularly important and pivotal? how might this help reset an agenda for the next coming months? >> this was specifically about give me one thing you are going to work on and you want people to work with you. thousands of folks watching on television, commenting online. i have been hearing since the election folks saying, i want to do something. of course the president's slogan

we will hear from radio talk show host tom joyner among others. this last about 1.5 hours. >> we are very happy to host " measuring the movement." we are in a new his -- a new century with new circumstances and we need tangible results, not just one-liners and sound bites. today, we hope to start that a new conversation. we must hold everyone accountable, from government to our own institutions. we must be accountable from the white house to your house and my house. you must be accountable, too. in that spirit, the president of the united states has sent a message. president obama sent a message to us that will be read by a young african-american staff member who works with him in the white house every day. me welcome michael blake shot may well come michael blake. [applause] >> deer river chart and -- dear reverend, the president regrets that he is unable to join us today. [applause] this has been one of the most challenging times in our nation, but because of the work on the recovery act and policy is that we have enacted, we are starting to see

. >> i am tom joyner and i am thrilled to be here to set some goals to move our community forward. >>this is not a chat session. that indeed is obvious. we are with some of the top leaders, thinkers called politicians and activists for a two hour working session to discuss what needs to advance the black agenda as to how they will achieve goals over the next 12 months. >> this is not about [inaudible] is about what the nation's first black president should be doing. it is about what everyone, including the president and civil rights leaders an unnamed balks should be doing to answer the call. if you are looking at this as a discussion were we would meet, talk and discuss, you are at the wrong place. this is about folks coming together to mobilize and to act. but not just the folks in the room, but also those of you at home and online. everyone has a role to play >> as we know that the government cannot solve every problem. but i will always be honest with you about the challenges that we face. i will listen to you, especially when we disagree. above all, i will ask you to join in the

. >> i am tom joyner and i am thrilled to be here to set some goals to move our community forward. >> this is not a chat session. that indeed is obvious. we are with some of the top leaders, thinkers, politicians and activists for a two hour working session to discuss what needs to advance the black agenda as to how they will achieve goals over the next 12 months. >> this is not about [inaudible] it isn't about what the nation's first black president should be doing. it is about what everyone, including the president and civil rights leaders and unnamed folks should be doing to answer the call. if you are looking at this as a discussion were we would meet, talk and discuss, you are at the wrong place. this is about folks coming together to mobilize and to act. but not just the folks in the room, but also those of you at home and online. everyone has a role to play. >> as we know that the government cannot solve every problem. but i will always be honest with you about the challenges that we face. i will listen to you, especially when we disagree. above all, i will ask you to join in t