Vernon Oakes takes the show on the road to the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund’s 51st Annual Meeting. Vernon interviews Cornelius Blanding, Executive Director of the Federation, and Bruce Harold. Vernon and his guests discuss initiatives and accomplishments of the organization, initiatives that have been spearheaded by the federation to help its members, and the contributions of Ralph Paige, long-time advocate and former Executive Director of FAS/LAF, who made his transition on June 28, 2018. Blanding assumed the position of Executive Director in March of 2015, and has worked with the Federation for the past 20 years. He has worked in various program and leadership capacities to propel the organization and its membership forward. Immediately prior to his appointment he served as the Federation’s Deputy Director. Mr. Harold is the outreach specialist for Louisiana. The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund (FAS/LAF) will hold its 51st Annual Meeting and 17th Estelle Witherspoon Life Achievement Award Dinner beginning in Birmingham, Alabama on August 16 and ending in Epes, Alabama on August 18. The FAS/LAF has worked for more than half a century to reverse the trend of African American land loss and spur land-based economic development. At this year’s event a special tribute will be presented in honor of Ralph Paige, former Executive Director and long-time advocate of the FSC/LAF.
