News and events
"Religiously Buckle Up" Message Promoted at Lenten Service
March 12
On Wednesday, March 12th during the African American Council of Churches (AACC) of Dane County Lenten Service at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Pat Smith of Meharry Medical College and the Meharry/State Farm Alliance gave a riveting speech on why safety belts matter to the African American community. She challenged the 300-plus people who attended services not to allow fears of racial profiling to side track passage of standard enforcement of safety belt legislation currently pending in the Wisconsin State Legislature.
(right) Pat Smith of Meharry/State Farm Alliance addresses gathering of congregants at African American Council of Churches Lenten Service March 12 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
Vehicle crashes are currently the leading cause of death for young African American males through the age of 14 and the second leading cause of death for young black males ages 15 to 24, said Smith. According to a Meharry Medical College study, Achieving A Credible Health and Safety Approach To Increasing Seat Belt Use Among African Americans, it has been estimated that approximately 1,300 African American lives could be saved and 26,000 injuries could be prevented if African Americans would buckle up. "Lack of safety belt use among young African Americans constitutes a public health crisis," said Smith. Passage of standard enforcement legislation in other states has had the effect of raising safety belt use rates among African Americans. "As African Americans, we face instances of racial profiling - don't let that issue stand in the way of saving young black lives," she said.
Pastor David Smith of Faith Community Christian Church in Madison and President of African American Council of Churches introduced Ms. Smith, and encouraged community members to recognize the importance of her message. 
(right) Lt. Stephanie Bradley Wilson, who led Safe Communities' outreach efforts to increase safety belt use among African American community members; Pat Smith, Meharry Medical College; Chet Gerach, State Farm Insurance and Othell Raven, Meharry Medical College gathered in Mt. Zion's sanctuary after services.
The March 12th lenten service is just one example of African American Council of Churches' leadership in local safety belt efforts. AACC member churches Faith Community Christian Church, Mt. Zion Baptist, Second Baptist and SS. Morris AME Churches have increased safety belt use among congregants through messages from the pulpit, distribution of bookmarks for Bibles and programs for youth that stress buckling up. In addition, at the conclusion of each "Let's Go to Church" radio broadcast ( 7 - 9 AM Sundays on 1670 AM - The Pulse), pastors and guests remind listeners to "religiously buckle up".
African American Council of Churches was awarded Safe Communities' 2007 Be Safe Award for Innovation for its safety belt efforts. For more information on AACC visit www.afamcc.org and Meharry Medical College see www.mmc.edu.
