The April 2nd Virtual Transform Westside Summit started with a thoughtful devotion from Bishop John Lewis III, Chair, Vine City Civic Association.

Bishop Lewis recognized the many religions celebrating their respective holidays as Easter Sunday approached.

Moved by the Story of Nehemiah in the Bible, Bishop Lewis drew parallels between the efforts to rebuild Jerusalem and the building of a Beloved Community on Atlanta’s Historic Westside as envisioned by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. To honor this Easter marking the 53rd anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination, Bishop Lewis invited viewers to participate in a moment of silence before presenting his message of “Love as the Foundation of the Beloved Community.”

Lewis highlighted that the Beloved Community offers a model of community based on justice, equal opportunity, and love of one’s fellow human. The Bishop went on to express that for such a dream to ever be fully realized, community leaders and stakeholders must take consistent practical steps to create measurable and lasting equity for residents.

That as we vow to recommit our lives, resources, time, and talent to the rebuilding of our beloved community and its walls,” said Bishop Lewis, we must hold one another accountable in pursuit of the vision and move forward “with divine love.”