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August 22, 2007 615-277-5597 (office)

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janel@karldean.info

DEAN GARNERS SUPPORT FROM BLACK MINISTERS

27 pastors endorse Dean at Justice A.A. Birch breakfast

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Candidate for Mayor Karl Dean was endorsed by 27 religious leaders in
the black community at a breakfast event at Harper’s restaurant on Jefferson Street this morning.

Justice A.A. Birch Jr. hosted the event. He introduced Dean, calling him “a man of honesty, a
man of integrity and a man of ability.”

Bishop George W. Price, Jr. and Pastor James “Tex” Thomas both spoke of their support for
Dean. Price presides over Bethesda Original Church of God and Thomas leads the congregation
at Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist. The ministers endorse as individuals.

“Karl is the one who I believe will do his very best to move Nashville into the 21st Century and I
like him because he knows he doesn’t have all the answers and he’s willing to listen,” Price said.

Addressing the crowd, Thomas said “the black community can decide this election.”

“You cannot separate religion in the black community from politics. In the 60s, when we were in
the movement, we marched down these streets when people couldn’t vote. We not only changed
Nashville but we turned the world upside down,” he said.

Dean said he is honored to receive such strong support and told the crowd “you are here when I
need you and I will be there when you need me.”

“This is a great city and I have tremendous optimism about our future but we have to be in this
together,” he said.

Dean also talked about his priorities for Nashville, which are better schools, safer neighborhoods
and more jobs in all parts of the city.

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Dean garners support from black ministers, Page 2 of 2

“No matter where I go in this city, no matter what group I appear in front of, I’m talking about
the same issues. I am making a commitment here, the same commitment I make in East
Nashville, Southeast and West Nashville that I am going to improve our schools,” he said.

Dean said by improving our schools, Nashville will has have less crime and more economic
growth.

Sen. Thelma Harper, whose family owns Harper’s restaurant, also spoke at the event. Other
elected officials in attendance this morning include Councilwoman-Elect Erica Gilmore for
District 19, Councilman Ed Whitmore for district 21 and Councilman Walter Hunt for District 3.

Pastors Endorsing Karl Dean

• Fred Beasley • Michael D. Joyner

• George T. Brooks • Robert E. Keesee
• Herbert T. Brown • Clinton M. Lewis, Sr.
• Harvey Butler • Troy Merritt
• Ricky C. Bynum • Breonus Mitchell
• Vincent Campbell • Derrick Moore
• Percy Clark • Earnest Norman
• Corey Cunningham • George W. Price, Jr.
• Darrell Drumright • James “Tex” Thomas
• Roderick Glatt • Darryl Thompson
• Micheal V. Graves • James C. Turner, Sr.
• William V. Green • James C. Turner, Jr.
• William Harris, Sr. • James Wynn
• Alonzo Hatchett

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Paid for by Karl Dean for Mayor, Leigh Walton, Treasurer