Everyone needs to know this story. This community just lost a very valuable member of this community to yet another act of extreme violence. This woman had seen hells gates once and lived to survive the story. Two or three years ago this woman exhibited her artwork at Reading Area Community College. It was an array of photographs and original art pieces done by Cheryl O’kafor. The exhibit was that of Cheryl’s recovery from the severe abuse she received from her first husband. She had survived multiple gunshot wounds and long recovery period both physically and then again mentally. This is what Cheryl’s artwork was about: the mental and emotional recovery. Cheryl healed herself.

She also went on to serve this community. She established and ran the organization called the Multicultural And Literacy Institute.

“This organization instills rites of passage in teen groups as a tool for reaffirming cultures, gaining self-knowledge, confidence-building, learning responsibility and teamwork. The journey of life is examined and exposed for its self-fulfillment needs. The institute is designed for both peer and adult mentoring. In addition this organization has its own show on BCTV and offers many fun events such as bowling and dances to its members”. berksunitysolution.org

As an organization MALI participated in food drives for this community and was an avid supporter of other community groups such as African American Coalition of Reading and Berks Unity Solution. The MALI teens gave performances at local community events. Cheryl influenced this all.

But most the most beautiful thing about Cheryl was her ability to share.

I am the founder and director of an organization called Berks Unity Solution. I wanted to share something good with our community. When Cheryl and I met, I knew she was one of the most gracious people I have ever met. I needed information to do what I wanted to do for the community and Cheryl volunteered freely information which was a driving piece to Berks Unity Solutions success. She did that because it was the right thing to do, not because she would benefit in any other way than to help our community. She knew that the giving and sharing of information was the key to any positive endeavor. I have walked to paths of this community and it is a rare find for someone who gives without some sort of ego boosting, financial gain, or political agenda. People like Cheryl are blessing to a community who is very much in need of such spirit’s who walk in beauty. This is a sad, sad day to have lost Cheryl to yet another violent act. She had made it through the muck and the mile only to be murdered yesterday by her second husband, who then turned the gun on himself.

People it is bad out there. Our mission is to STOP the VIOLENCE and the pain it brings back into the community. It affects everyone with its ripple effect. We either pull together or we fall apart. It is a group decision.

PS: If anyone visits berkksunitysolution.org, We lost some information due to technical difficulties, and are a bit behind in other areas, and I know ‘Literacy’ is spelled wrong. Sorry, I have no help and have been having health issues.

BPI Parade and Fair

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of your for your support and friendship over the last few months. Saturday’s parade and fair was a complete success. One hundred members of community organizations came out to walk the streets of Reading showing a unified effort to support non-violence. Over forty organizations participated in this community fair disseminating information and opening new pathways of communication in our county. Participants came from four surroundings counties to offer their support to this Initiative. We achieved our goals in setting precedence. Where else could you see Muslims banning together with Native Americans in a drum circle? Or Latin dancers sharing a space with Zen Buddhists? This was a time for all community non-violence groups to meet with global non-violence groups to send the message that violence is not the answer. Communication is the only positive way to resolve conflicts. This is what the Berks Peace Initiative is about. This is what we have achieved. This is a new beginning built upon the labor of all community members. At a close look, one can see that violence thrives on fear. We have taught tolerance and respect. Gangs flourish because they fulfill a need for a sense of belonging. We have offered better opportunities. Gangs also persist because they simply unify. If we want to have an impact on our children and our community, we must unite. The Berks Peace Initiative is an ongoing project. We will begin the web-directory and event calendar next week. The parade and fair photos and films clips will be on the web promptly. If anyone has any photos taken at our event, I would greatly appreciate if you would share them. Thank you. Furthermore, we have begun planning for next year’s event, for some time in May. If anyone would like to help in the planning and implementation of this event, please contact me. Again, thank you everyone. You have all truly touched my heart.