ConnectionalLayEconomicDevelopmentCorporationCLEDC - The Alachua-Central District Lay Organization

Connectional Lay Economic Development Corporation
“CLEDC”

Economic Empowerment For the 21^st Century
“Together we can make the concept a reality”
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What is the CLEDC’s Mission?
The Connectional Lay Economic Development Corporation’s mission is to establish a program that will provide financial assistance for the success of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

What is the basic concept of CLEDC?
Conceptually, the CLEDC financial goal is to get a large number of AME Church members, (including bishops, ministers, and lay persons) to make a small annual contribution of $60 to generate millions of dollars. The contributions are invested as they accumulate and sound investment opportunities occur. These funds would then be used for establishing businesses that in turn can make profits for our Church. These profits would be used in five Church areas: AME schools, evangelism, church extension, overseas projects and church budget.

Brief History of CLEDC
The late Mr. J. D. Williams, Connectional Lay President for over two decades, initiated the concept for CLEDC. In August 1983, at the 18^th session of the Connectional Lay Organization Biennial held in Detroit, Michigan, the lay delegation approved the Connectional Lay Economic Development Corporation, (CLEDC) concept. It also directed a 19-person volunteer planning committee to establish the CLEDC. Their challenge was to establish a fund for economic empowerment that would create businesses owned and controlled by minorities to provide goods and services; and to enhance the quality of life among minority people. In November 1983, the state of Missouri issued a Certificate of Incorporation for the CLEDC as a non-profit organization. On July 11, 1984, a CLEDC report was made a part of the Connectional Lay report to the 42^nd Quadrennial session of the AME Church General Conference in Kansas City, Missouri.

The report was accepted and approved by the General Conference. In 1991, the Connectional Lay Executive Board approved a member donation program to raise at least $200,000 annually be receiving a $60 a year donation from AME Church members and lay organizations at all levels. The CLEDC is a continuation of the legacy of Richard Allen, the founding Father, who preached a message of religious freedom, political empowerment, and economic self- determination.

Are contributions used for CLEDC’s administrative costs?
No, to date, none of the contributions or interest has been spent for any purpose. The CLEDC has a line item in the Connectional Lay Organization budget for the CLEDC’s administrative costs.