A special initiative started by a Bermuda-born African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church bishop is aiming to help black men achieve social, political and economic strength in the 21st century.

Thousands of black men took part in the Christian Men's Freedom Forum 2000 -- created by Somerset-born Bishop Vinton R. Anderson -- at the Firstar Center in Cincinnati, Ohio on Tuesday.

The forum was timed to coincide with the 2.5 million-member denomination's General Conference, which is also in Cincinnati this week.

AME churches throughout the United States, Africa, Canada, England and the Caribbean were represented.

The bulk of the clergy from the local branch are understood to be at the conference, including Presiding Elder Malcolm Eve.

Bishop Anderson is in charge of the Second Episcopal District, which covers Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. Bermuda is in the First Episcopal District.

The forum is the first step in an international campaign to help make black men feel a part of society's mainstream.

"Racial discrimination, inequities in the justice system, the drug culture and the lack of positive male role models are some of the problems that have made many black men feel isolated from the mainstream of society,'' Bishop Anderson told the Associated Press this week.

"I wanted to bring together black men from around the world, not only for serious discussion of the problems facing black society, but as a way to come up with solutions.'' Bishop Anderson acknowledged the general goals of the Freedom Forum could not be accomplished immediately, but said he was confident that local congregations could help black men meet the challenges of the 21st century.

"Our task is daunting but not insurmountable,'' Bishop Anderson said. "We have to focus on helping black men find self esteem and spiritual strength so that they and their families can achieve the social, political and economic strength needed in this new century.'' Fighting racism: Bishop Vinton Anderson