The Black Institute and Bertha Lewis Mourn the Passing of Nelson Mandela

The Black Institute (TBI) and Bertha Lewis mourn the passing of Nelson Mandela at the age of 95.

"I am heartbroken by the passing of Nelson Mandela, and my condolences go out to his family in their time of grief," Bertha Lewis, President of The Black Institute said. "Throughout his life and career, he was a paragon of the bravery and tenacity necessary to effect positive change in a world gripped by poverty, disease, and injustice. He received a life imprisonment sentence in the early 1960s for his efforts to oust an oppressive government that subjugated black South Africans through its Apartheid regime. His courage inspired an international campaign that eventually led to his release after 27 years behind bars. Mandela negotiated for the end of Apartheid, and established the first multiracial elections in 1994, which led to his election as the first black president of his nation. His administration investigated past human rights violations and sponsored initiatives to expand healthcare services for his citizens. In his life after politics, he founded the Nelson Mandela Foundation to fight poverty and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. He was a rare and extraordinary man who exhibited qualities that we should all aspire to possess. Recent developments in the U.S. Supreme Court underscore the fragility of the progress that we've made toward ending inequality and racial discrimination. It is so important for civil rights movements all over the world to have leaders with the charisma and perseverance to tackle the ongoing challenges facing black men and women globally. Mandela's accomplishments should inspire those who find themselves embroiled in the struggle for peace, tolerance, and equal rights. Let us honor his life and his commitment by striving to advance his mission in our daily lives, and promote the values he championed through our choices and deeds."

For more information about The Black Institute, visit the website at www.theBlackinstitute.org. The Black Institute is located at 39 Broadway Suite 1740 New York, NY.

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