National Black Church Initiative Joins With Cedisus to Offer Churches and Families Emergency Water Supplies

Partnership will improve disaster preparedness, well-being

Washington, DC – The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a faith-based coalition of 34,000 churches comprised of 15 denominations and 15.7 million African Americans, announced plans to partner with Cedisus, LLC to help bring access to emergency water supplies to its congregants and churches so members can be more prepared in disaster events, in addition to improving overall health.

“Community preparedness in our churches is critical to the well-being and health security of African Americans” said Rev. Anthony Evans, NBCI President. “We are excited to partner with Cedisus to bring their great resources and know-how to our member congregations, and are confident that both organizations will help to educate and prepare our membership base for what the future may hold.”

African American communities are disproportionally vulnerable to natural disasters, and are significantly less likely to be prepared than their white counterparts. Blacks were the least likely to stockpile emergency supplies according to a recent study led by the University of Colorado. During Hurricane Katrina, disaster unpreparedness displaced 300,000 African Americans who faced a double threat from a lack of clean drinking water.

“Preparedness is key to avoiding more tragedy after a natural disaster occurs. Our goal in partnering with NBCI is to help communities lessen the blow when that tragedy strikes” said Jerry Clark, Principle at Cedisus. “As a minority business enterprise it gives us pride not only to help with preparedness, but also in educating minority communities on how important water and hydrating are to everyday life.”

The partnership plans to bring education and resources to NBCI’s membership base in the coming months. The partnership will be a critical part of NBCI’s Health Emergency Declaration (HED) Program, which works to eliminate health disparities plaguing African Americans across the county.

About NBCI

The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) is a coalition of 34,000 African American and Latino churches working to eradicate racial disparities in healthcare, technology, education, housing, and the environment. NBCI’s mission is to provide critical wellness information to all of its members, congregants, churches and the public. The National Black Church Initiative’s methodology is utilizing faith and sound health science.

NBCI partners with major organizations and officials whose main mission is to reduce racial disparities in a variety of areas. NBCI offers faith-based, out-of-the-box and cutting edge solutions to stubborn economic and social issues.

Visit www.naltblackchurch.com/health/cedisus.html for more information.

About Cedisus

Cedisus is a minority owned business enterprise out of the mid-west. The company prides itself on having high quality and reliable supply chain relationships throughout the U.S. and abroad. Principle Jerry Clark is a Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) via the Institute for Supply Management, a DDI Certified Facilitator from Development Dimensions International and former Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Evansville Housing Authority. Mr. Clark is a recipient of the President’s Award for Contribution to Economic Development from the Evansville, IN Branch of the NAACP, and a recipient of the Special Recognition For Outstanding Volunteer Services award from the Indiana Minority Supplier Development Council. Visit www.Cedisus.com for more information.