FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2011
Israelite Nation Acknowledges Its Graduates

Written by: Elaine Belanger-Porter
Edited by: Elder Shadrock Porter

The Israelite Nation World Wide Ministries held its first ceremony for Israelite graduates of the highest order of education at the Nation's headquarters in Toronto, Canada, on October 2,2011. The purpose for this event was to give thanks to The God of Abraham, The God of Isaac, and The God of Jacob for the attainment of university degrees by Israelites over the past seven years.

The ceremony began with a grand procession led by the R.I.S.E. (Restoring Israelite Self-awareness through Education) youth group, who marched to the rhythm of Herb Alpert's song, "Rise" followed by the Supreme Council of the INWWM and finally the honored graduates. The program included keynote speakers and degree presentations, with a special degree presented to Elder Shadrock Porter, Master Teacher & Founder of INWWM. Moreover, reflective comments by the graduates and other brethren, as well as a riveting spoken word performance by Jeffrey Blair Jr. entitled, "Get up and Get ready," completed the program.
The gowns, sashes and degrees were specifically designed for this occasion and were all very unique to Israel. They were created for the graduates and will be used in future ceremonies acknowledging the achievements of brethren in higher education.

The event concluded with a Mediterranean-style feast hosted by Elaine B. Porter who shared her personal thoughts of the day: "Academic excellence is our legacy and it is time to redeem this God-given gift to propel us into places of authority and influence in our respective disciplines."

The greatest academies were endowed for Israelites, with the highest form of education. Deuteronomy 4:5-6 outlines the knowledge, understanding and wisdom given to us for the empowerment of our people through secular and spiritual educational attainment. The scripture states:

"Behold, I have taught you statues and judgments…Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statues and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."

Three important thoughts come to mind upon reflection of these scriptures. First, in response to explicit directives given by the God of Israel, a new knowledge system consisting of laws, statues and judgments was constructed, which formed the foundation of the most advanced civilization known to man. As in the time of Moses, the Israelite culture would become the standard for many societies worldwide.

Once the knowledge base was constructed, chosen Israelites were selected to teach the laws, statues, and commandments to the elect. Deuteronomy 4:5-6 and many other scriptures outlined specific strategies implemented by the God of Israel to ensure that His doctrine would be understood and assimilated into the lives of His children.

Finally, our knowledge, understanding and wisdom acquired through the obedience of these laws, statues and judgments distinguish us from all other nations. Thus, Deuteronomy 4:5-6 was the scripture chosen for the graduation certificates as a reminder that the degree of our obedience determines the degree of our success. We boast a marvelous history of Israelites who, through secular and spiritual educational attainment, rose to the highest positions of authority and influence in the countries they were led captive.

Andrea Anderson, Bachelor of Commerce
IT Management – Telecommunications & Networking
Ryerson University

Priest Jeffrey Blair Sr., Juris Doctor (JD)
Rutgers University School of Law

Jeffrey Blair Jr., Associate Degree
Creative Writing and Premed
Bard College

Vanessa Gayle, Bachelor of Science
Major: Kinesiology (Human Kinetics)
Minor: Biochemistry, Honors: Magna Cum Laude
Saginaw Valley State University

Vanessa Gayle, Master of Science
Majors: Health Services Research with an Administration Concentration
Central Michigan University

Priest Kurt Jackson, Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Albert Einstein College of Medicine / Montefiore Medical Center

Dwayne Jacobs, Bachelors of Social Work
York University

Avery W. McNeil, Ed.S. Curriculum & Instruction
Honors
Lincoln Memorial University

Gian Paolo Vescio,Bachelor of Political Science
York University

Elaine Belanger-Porter, Bachelor of Education in Adult Education
Honors: Summa Cum Laude
Brock University

Elaine Belanger-Porter,Master of Arts in Education
Major: Community College
Central Michigan University