June 2014
n a i l l i v e z n o r B e th
nt Suppleme A newsletter from the An electronic newsletter from the Department of African African American American and and African African Studies Studies Community Extension Extension Center Center Community
Freedom Summer (1964) Features Page 3: Summer Residential Program Hosts High School Students– Kevin L. Brooks, Ph.D. Upcoming Events Page 5: Senior Citizen Movie Matinee Page 6: Men’s Health Expo Ads Page 4: Saving America: How Garage Entrepreneurs Grow Small Firms into Large Fortunes– Roger D. Blackwell, Ph.D.
We here at the African American and African Studies Community Extension Center at The Ohio State University pay homage to those who participated in Freedom Summer of 1964. The courage, fortitude, resilience, bravery and commitment shown by the men and women, boys and girls of all races, ages, stations, creeds and political orientation are not lost on us. It is because of you that we are able to do what we do. If not for YOU, there would be no US.
Department of African American and African Studies Community Extension Center 905 Mount Vernon Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43203-1413
Phone: (614) 292-3922 Fax: (614) 292-3892 http://aaascec.osu.edu aaascec@osu.edu
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of the CEC 12Core Programs 6 T he Ohio State University’s AAAS Community Extension Center is the outreach component of the Department of African American and African Studies. The CEC is one of the few off-campus facilities of its kind in the nation. Originally housed at two different locations on Ohio Avenue, the CEC moved to its current location in 1986. The CEC plays an integral role in enhancing the life chances of those who live in and around the Mount Vernon Avenue Area. Toward that end, the CEC offers an array of programs at no or nominal cost to the public. Programs include, but are not limited to, the following: conferences, symposia, computer classes, credit and noncredit courses, summer programs, lecture series, and film series. People from all walks of life have participated in these programs. Based on evaluations of our programs and personal testimonies, the CEC is having an impact on residents living in and around the Bronzeville Neighborhood.
1 Black Veterans Day Salute During the salute, Black men and women from Ohio who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces are publicly recognized. Since the salute’s inception in 2006, the CEC has honored Vietnam War veterans (2007), Korean War veterans (2008), African-American servicewomen (2009), World War II veterans (2010), Gulf War Era veterans (2011) ,Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans (2012) and Black Civil War Veterans (2013)
2 Ray Miller Institute for Change & Leadership This 10-week long leadership course trains young Black professionals from the Columbus community in various areas of leadership. The Institute was founded in 2006 by former State Senator and Minority Whip Ray Miller. Miller has built a reputation as a strong advocate for those who have historically not had access to power. Admission to the Institute is highly competitive. The Institute is offered during OSU’s autumn and spring semesters with the support of OSU’s Office of Continuing Education. Participants who complete the course receive three CEU credits.
3 Senior Citizens Movie Matinee The movie matinee is a chance for senior citizens to watch a film that otherwise might be cost prohibitive in an accommodating environment. A discussion, usually led by an OSU professor or administrator, is held at the end of the film.
4 Computer Literacy Program Throughout the academic year, the CEC offers free and reduced-cost computer technology courses. The program is geared toward seniors but open to everyone. Courses include the following: Senior Computer Orientation, Internet, Email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher.
5 Lecture Series Presentations given by OSU faculty, students and/or community members about topics pertinent to the Black community.
Math and Science Program
The Math and Science Program was established in partnership with the OSU Medical Center in 2003. The Math and Science Program exposes students in grades 4 through 12 to the wonders of math and science using hands-on activities. The purpose of the program is three-fold: 1) To increase competency in math and science among students of color; 2) To expose students of color to math and science related careers; and 3) To encourage students of color to major in math or science. The program meets on the fourth Monday of each month from October to May.
7 Summer Residential Program The Summer Residential Program (SRP) was established in 1999 and is designed to provide students with both an appreciation for and an understanding of African-American and African culture and history. The SRP also helps students strengthen their computer literacy skills. Past themes include: “Entrepreneurship in the Black Community and Economic Freedom” (2013), “The Underground Railroad” (2012), “All Eyez On Me: Deconstructing Images of African-American Women in Hip Hop” (2011), “letz b down: Social Justice Advocacy for Blacks During the American Revolutionary War Era” (2010), “The Low Country: Black Culture, Literacy and History in Charleston, South Carolina” (2009). The program is held every June and is for rising 11th and 12th graders. Students live on OSU’s campus.
8 African Affairs Symposium This one-day symposium brings members of the African American and African communities together to discuss issues of particular interest to Africa. The inaugural symposium in 2007 examined the life of South African civil rights activist Steve Biko. “Africa in the Age of Globalization” was the theme of the 2008 symposium. The 2009 symposium examined the life of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana, West Africa. In 2010, the focus was on Pan-Africanism and the Diaspora. The Democratic Republic of the Congo was the theme of the 2011 symposium.
9 Summer Enrichment Program This week-long, non-residential day program is designed to help rising 9th and 10th graders improve their reading and writing skills. The program, which was founded in 2009, is hosted annually in June and accepts approximately 15 students.
10 History of Black Columbus Conference This one-day conference celebrates the rich history of African Americans in Columbus and increases awareness of the significant contributions African Americans have made in all areas of city life. This annual conference is held in the spring.
11 Black History Month Forum The forum is in its fourth year and is focused on celebrating African descended peoples from all over the world. This year, documentaries about the following influential Black historical figures were shown: John Henrik Clarke, Kwame Nkrumah, Fannie Lou Hamer, James Baldwin, Minister Elijah Muhummad.
12 Enemies of the State The annual event features activists from America’s most notorious radical organizations, people who pressured America to live up to its highest ideals. In past years, activists from The Revolutionary Action Movement (2013), The Us Organization (2012), and the Black Panther Party (2011) were invited to speak.
About Bronzeville During the 1930s, African-American leaders in Columbus named the predominately African-American neighborhood between the boundaries of Woodland Avenue (East), Cleveland Avenue (West), Broad Street (South) and the railroad tracks (North) “Bronzeville.” The population was approximately 40,000 residents. In 1937, the same African-American leaders elected a mayor of Bronzeville and created an eight member Cabinet to address social, political and economic issues in the neighborhood. Now, as a result of the establishment of several Neighborhood Civic Associations such as the Woodland Civic Association (East) and the Discovery District (West), Bronzeville was reduced to its current boundaries: Taylor Avenue (East), Jefferson Avenue (West), Broad Street (South), and I-670 (North). The Bronzevillian is inspired by this rich history.
CEC Advisory Board Paul Cook Wanda Dillard Francisca Figueroa-Jackson Mark S. Froehlich Ray Miller, former State Senator Lupenga Mphande, Ph.D. William E. Nelson, Jr., Ph.D. (Deceased) *Ike Newsum, Ph.D. and Chair Rick Pfeiffer, City Attorney Thomas Simpson, Ph.D. Reita Smith Charleta Tavares, State Senator Nana Watson
CEC Director *Judson L. Jeffries, Ph.D.
CEC Staff Sarah Twitty Senior Program Coordinator & Fiscal Officer Kevin L. Brooks, Ph.D. Program Coordinator Alecia Shipe Technology Program Coordinator
Address Department of African American and African Studies Community Extension Center 905 Mount Vernon Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43203-1413 *Ex officio members.
the Bronzevillian Supplement June 2014
Summer Residential Program Hosts High School Students By: Kevin L. Brooks, Ph.D.
With warmer weather and longer days, the summer season is a time of fun, excitement, and new opportunities. On June 15, a day celebrating fathers, honoring fatherhood, and observing the roles men play as parents in their families, communities, and society, the African American and African Studies Community Extension Center (AAASCEC) hosted nine high school juniors and seniors as well as their families during the orientation session for the 2014 Summer Residential Program (SRP). In its fifteenth year, SRP is a two-week interdisciplinary, coeducational academic program designed to improve students’ critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as develop their competencies in research methods, expository writing, and oral communication. The residential component gives students the unique opportunity to experience life on a college campus and participate in activities that mirror those in higher education. For many, this program will increase their comfort level with pursuing a college education and will help make the transition from high school a smooth one. The program has four goals: 1) to provide students with an appreciation for and an understanding of African American and African history, 2) to develop students’ familiarity and proficiency in the use of computer technology, 3) to strengthen students’ high-order thinking and analytical skills, and 4) to enhance students’ personal and collective identity construction and cultivate their understanding of community development. The theme for this summer is Leadership Development in the Black Community: Youth Activism from the Civil Rights Movement to Rock the Vote. The purpose of the program is to provide a setting for students to examine critical aspects of the Civil Rights Movement and the Rock the Vote initiative. Students spend their mornings in class on campus discussing topics related to civil rights, voting rights, and labor laws and their afternoons consist of doing lab work and attending leadership development workshops at the Community Extension Center. In addition to academic instruction, students participate in activities designed to enhance their holistic wellness. For instance, they go on a walking tour of the OSU campus, visiting the Department of African American and African Studies, the Hale Black Cultural Center, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and other cultural, social, and academic units. Furthermore, students receive a tour of the historic Bronzeville community and participate in several community-organized events on topics such as Black mental health, generational legacies, and economic and community development. Students will present their final projects to an audience that consists of their classmates, families, community residents, and invited civic leaders during the Summer Residential Program Closing Reception from 5:30 to 7:00pm on Friday, June 27, 2014. Please join us as these burgeoning leaders put on display their perspectives on leadership, youth activism, and social justice.
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Saving America
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Senior Citizen Movie Matinee
On July 8th we will be showing the movie Mandela. Please RSVP by calling 614-292-3922
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Men’s Health Expo
To register please call 614-293-7020 To register please call 614-293-7020