CLYDE "CW" WIILIAM & AMELIA HARRIS
Clyde William (CW) Harris and his wife Amelia have three children (two daughters and a son) and five grandchildren and reside in Baltimore, Maryland.
I spent a Sunday with the two of them on Sunday, September 28, 2003.  I met them at Martha's Place, a transitional recovery house for women, located on Pennsylvania Avenue in Baltimore.  As far as the structure of the organization is concerned, Martha's Place (CW is the Founder and Chairman) and Newborn Holistic Ministries, Inc. (CW is the Chairman) are creations of Newborn Community of Faith Church where is CW is an Pastor.  The mission of Newborn Holistic Ministries, Inc. is to preserve and enrich life in the Sandtown/Upton communities by providing services that will enable residents to meet their material, social, and spiritual needs.  When I arrived at Martha's Place, the church service had just started.  The testimony part of the ceremony to me was very intense, heart felt, and emotional.  Amelia was designated to give the Hominy. She is a very quiet, soft-spoken, and a nice women.  I watched this woman of a few words give the Hominy with power, dynamics, directness, opinion, and feeling.  I was truly impressed and enjoyed her articulate speaking ability, as well as, her testimony.
I was taken on a tour of the house.  It was "spic and span".  Martha's Place had prepared for a celebration that afternoon of an unveiling of a tile mural, which can be seen on the house on Baltimore's historic Pennsylvania Avenue.  The tile mural is a picture of one of the first graduates of Martha's Place.  She is standing very tall as if she is reaching the sky with her hands out as if saying to GOD--thank you--"I am free"!  There were about eight women that lived in the house.  I found them to be very friendly, warm, serene, exciting, and each one had a very interesting and spiritual story to tell.  The unveiling ceremony was held in the peaceful atmosphere of the beautifully landscaped backyard where there were refreshments and a beautiful pond with goldfish swimming around in it.  There were other graduates and their families, board members, the media, creators of the tile mural and pond, and other guest and friends on hand to wish Martha's Place all the success in the world.  I left Martha's Place with a good feeling in my heart because it reminded me of the time when I use to do volunteer work for  homeless women in Washington, D.C.   I miss my heart feeling good like that.
On the same day, I attended New Song Community Church where CW is an Elder.  Amelia stayed at Martha's Place to help them prepare for the unveiling ceremony.  The congregation at this church fascinated me.  It was such a diverse, friendly group and it seemed as though everyone loved everyone, even the children loved one another.  CW led the Praise and Worship putting enthusiasm into his singing.  The church band members were very talented and the music they made was very spiritual and enjoyable.
CW and Amelia are responsible for obtaining the New Song Worship and Arts Center in Baltimore for the purpose of holding Chicago Steppin lessons taught by Calvin and Michele's Production Company.  CW and Amelia are also involved in the Habitat for Humanity (rebuilding of houses) and teaching the youth hand dance in Baltimore.  I went to visit CW's office.
On a personal note, I find the Harris' to be a very lovely couple.  They are community oriented and responsible for performing "their" civic duty.  They are spiritually minded and believe in GOD and love.  Then there is the other side of this dynamic duo that takes time to socialize with their peers in hand dancing and Chicago Steppin. 

WRITTEN BY MARCIA FOSTER
May GOD continue to bless the both of you and your family and the great work that you are doing to keep Baltimore and its Baltimorean's happy, healthy, safe, and under the influence of GOD!
newbornch@hotmail.com
410-728-2227 (office)