ADW Atlanta Daily World
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Mike Berlon Page 7
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Volume 85 • Issue 44
ADW ‘Women of Excellence’ have Delightful Stories to Tell
By Charlotte Roy ADW Managing Editor
Tanya Coleman
Stacy Cole-Bell
You may know that Tanya Coleman is Media recognizing the contributions and marketing and advertising manager at Publix accomplishments of extraordinary women in Supermarkets, but few people know that her Atlanta and the surrounding communities. first ambition was to be a blues singer. “In “Our 2013 honorees have demonstrated high school, that was the career I wanted,” she exceptional courage, unwavering conviction, says with a smile. “But it turns out I was just and extraordinary grace in achieving notable too shy.” success in their careers and community service Coleman, who is noted for her beautiful efforts,” says Atlanta Daily World Publisher voice, sings for friends, church and personal Alexis Scott. “But, they are also interesting pleasure. But, she notes, “I just wasn’t ready to women with delightful stories to tell.” sing the blues.” Most people know Veronica Biggins as You may know that Atty. Stacy Cole is direcmanaging director of the Atlanta office of Ditor of government and community affairs for versified Search, who served as assistant to the Veronica Biggins Comcast, but it’s not widely known that one of president of the United States and director of her hobbies is collecting angels. “I started when my mother presidential personnel under Bill Clinton. But what you may was ill and I was caring for her,” she recalls. “I have 30 angels not know is that as a child she lived in Jakarta, Indonesia, for now, and I add to my collection whenever I travel.” two years while her father taught at the university there. Her angels are ceramic, or handcrafted, or “just unique “Coming from North Carolina, it was an extraordinary enough to catch my eye,” she says. “It’s something that gives experience for me,” she says. “Particularly to see that all the me pleasure, though I have to work to keep it under control.” people were brown, and they were in charge of the whole These accomplished and fascinating women are among 50 country. It opened my eyes and affected the rest of my life.” being honored by The Atlanta Daily World as “Women of To purchase tickets to the event, call Michelle Gipson at Excellence” at an awards ceremony on Thursday, June 20, at 404-761-1114 ext. 11 or visit www.atlantadailyworld.com and the 200 Peachtree from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The public is invited click on the “Women of Excellence” icon. to come to the event and meet them. “Women of Excellence” is a signature event of Real Times
Atlanta Braves Page 9
June 6 - 12, 2013
Former Atlanta Public Schools Chief Information Officer Indicted Special to ADW
Jerome Oberlton and Mahendra Patel have been arraigned for allegedly receiving kickback payments in exchange for Oberlton using his influence as chief information officer for Atlanta Public Schools to award a $780,000 computer project. They both pled “not guilty” and were released on bond. “As the chief information officer for APS, Oberlton was entrusted with overseeing a program designed to centralize student data,” said United States Attorney Sally Yates. “Rather than ensuring that venders were selected based upon what was best for the school system, the defendants are charged with using Oberlton’s public position to line their pockets.” According to Yates, the indictment, and information presented in court: Jerome Oberlton was the chief information officer (CIO) for Atlanta Public Schools (APS) between June 2004 and August 2007 and had overall management responsibility for APS’ information technology program. In January 2007, APS issued a request for proposal for a data warehousing project for the school system. The indictment charges that Oberlton influenced the request for proposal process and ultimately caused the winning bidder to be selected in exchange for kickbacks paid to Oberlton and Patel, who was an acquaintance of Oberlton. In order to hide the bribes, Oberlton created Global Technology Partners and later Global Technology Services and funneled the bribe payments through these shell companies. Oberlton was able to conceal his ownership of Global Technology Partners and Global Technology Services from APS. The kickbacks to Patel were disguised as sales commissions for non-existent consulting work. The computer company ultimately paid approximately $60,000 in bribes to Oberlton and Patel for nearly six months and in return the IT company received almost $800,000 in APS project work. The defendants are charged with conspiracy to defraud APS, conspiracy under color of official right, a money laundering conspiracy, mail fraud, and wire fraud. Oberlton additionally is charged with bribery and money laundering, The public is reminded that criminal charges are only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. For further information, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or 404-581-6016.
Jerome Oberlton
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Atlanta Daily World
Womenof Excellence Thursday, June 20, 2013 3 p.m. - 6 p.m
200 Peachtree
200 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
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Kim Coles To Purchase Tickets and Tables call Michelle Gipson (404) 761-1114 Sponsorship Oportunities Available
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June 6 - 12, 2013
2013 Honorees f
The Honorable Stacy Abrahams Juanita Baranco Leona Barr-Davenport Kathleen Bertrand Veronica Biggins Lisa Borders Kathleen Brewer-Edwards Karmetria Burton Candice Byrd Xernona Clayton Stacy Cole Tanya Coleman Shan Cooper Tara Y. Coyt Beverly Daniel-Tatum Cynthia N. Day Evern Epps Lisa Flagg Nancy Flake Johnson Judy Forte Shirley Franklin Jasmine Guy The Honorable Glenda Hatchett Quinnie Jenkins-Rice Stacey Key Gwen Keyes Fleming Bernice King Renee’ Lewis Glover Miranda Mack McKenzie Janice Mathis Deidre McDonald Janice McKenzie-Crayton The Honorable M. Yvette Miller Candy Moore Ericka D. Newsome-Hill Jackie Parker Mary Parker Monica Pearson Erica Qualls The Honorable Cathelene “Tina” Robinson Sylvia Russell Ingrid Saunders Jones Roberta Shields Geri Thomas Pat Upshaw-Monteith Charmaine Ward Elisabeth Williams Omilami Dr. Evelyn Wynn-Dixon
news
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GA Blacks’ Arrest Rates for Marijuana Possession are Disproportionate
June 6 - 12, 2013
Private and Government Efforts Help Provide Homes for Veterans
By ADW Staff
A new report from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) shows that African Americans in Georgia are arrested for marijuana possession at a jarringly higher rate than Whites. The report released Monday evening details marijuana possession arrest rates in the United States from 2001 to 2010, and Georgia marijuana possession laws are disproportionately enforced against Blacks. Georgia had the sixth highest arrest rate in the nation (389 per 100,000) and the sixth most total arrests for marijuana possession in 2010 (32,473), of which Blacks accounted for approximately 64 percent, the study found. Blacks were 3.69 times more likely to be arrested than Whites. “Marijuana prohibition is taking a toll on the entire country, but Georgia is among the states paying the biggest price,” said Mason Tvert, director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project. “Law enforcement resources would be better spent addressing serious crimes instead of arresting adults for using a substance objectively less harmful than alcohol.” The ACLU’s study found a similar trend throughout the U.S. Black people are arrested for possessing marijuana at a higher rate than White people, even though marijuana use by both races is about the same. The analysis of federal crime data, released Tuesday, found marijuana arrest rates for
Blacks were 3.73 times greater than those for Whites nationally in 2010. In some counties, the arrest rate was 10 to 30 times greater for Blacks. The ACLU found that the overall increase in marijuana possession arrests from 2001 to 2010 is mostly due to drastic increases in arrests of Black people. The discrepancy in arrests was evidenced throughout the country, regardless of the size of the Black population of the location and regardless of the Black population’s income levels, the data shows. African Americans living in counties with the highest median household incomes, $85,000 to $115,000, are two to eight times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than Whites. “Marijuana prohibition laws are not only irrational, but also unfair,” Tvert said. “Discrimination against communities of color played a role in their creation and it continues to play a role in their enforcement.” Ezekiel Edwards, lead author of the study, attributed the disparate arrest rates to racial profiling by police seeking to pad their arrest numbers with “low-level” arrests in “certain communities that they have kind of labeled as problematic.” The report is based Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program and the United States Census Bureau’s annual county population estimates. The full report is available at http://www.aclu.org/ criminal-law-reform/war-marijuana-blackand-white-report. The ACLU supports legalization of marijuana and regulation through taxation and licensing. It also supports eliminating criminal and civil penalties for marijuana possession. If those two options are not possible, the group supports punishment for marijuana possession with only civil penalties.
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Injured Marine Corps Sgt. Corey Bowen and his family are the recipients of a new home in Lawrenceville as a result of efforts by Eckrich Foods “Operation Inspiration” and non-profit “Operation Homefront.” Compiled by ADW Staff Marine Corps Sgt. Corey Bowen served two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. While on active duty, Bowen suffered multiple severe spine and hip injuries. As he continued to recover from these injuries, his wife, Detrese, was forced to leave her job to manage his medical care, leaving the family in difficult financial straits. Thanks to support from the national non-profit organization Operation Homefront, however, Bowen is learning new job skills, and the family is “back on track.” Now, Eckrich Foods’ military family support program “Operation Inspiration” and Operation Homefront have teamed up to help move the Bowen family to Georgia from California to be closer to their extended family support system. The first step was to provide the Bowens and their four children with a new home and furnishings in Lawrenceville. This week national Television Meteorologist Al Roker was on hand to surprise the family at the new house. The event was filmed for inclusion in an upcoming halfhour special “Operation Inspiration” that will air on, WXIA, on June 29 at 7:30 pm. Eckrich is partnering with Operation Homefront for the second consecutive year and is donating 5 cents from the purchase of each specially-marked Eckrich package from May 1 through July 4, up to $250,000, to Operation Homefront to support military families. The federal government, actively involved
in the effort to assure that the words “homeless” and “veteran” are rarely used together in a sentence in the U.S., has announced a new program. Approximately 280 homeless veterans living on the streets and in shelters in Georgia will soon find a permanent place to call home. U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced recently that HUD will provide $60 million to local public housing agencies across the country to provide permanent supportive housing to homeless veterans, many of whom are living with chronic disabling conditions. Georgia will receive nearly $1,994,934 to assist its homeless veterans. The housing assistance is provided through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program, which combines rental assistance from HUD with case management and clinical services provided by the V.A. Since 2008, a total of 48,385 vouchers have been awarded and 42,557 formerly homeless veterans are currently in homes because of HUD-VASH. “Our veterans have answered the call of duty. That’s why our nation has its own duty – to help homeless servicemen and women rejoin the very communities they have given so much to protect,” said Donovan. “These grants make it possible to help more veterans obtain housing, bringing us steps closer to our goal of ending veteran homelessness by 2015.”
Cobb County Police Chief Sued for Racism By ADW Staff
A federal lawsuit against Cobb County Police Chief John Houser alleges he has engaged in racism against two Black lieutenants. Lieutenants James Brown and Craig Owens claim the chief has repeatedly promoted White officers to captain ahead of them. They claim they are deserving of the job because of their experience and recommendations. Each have served more than 20 years with the department. The lawsuit details several incidents when a white officer has been promoted before them. The police department has declined to comment on the lawsuit.
State Rep. Alisha Morgan (D-Austell) says she’s received other complaints from minority officers. “I am concerned about the process for promotion, and sympathize with these officers and believe they are brave for bringing forth this lawsuit,” Morgan told WSB-TV. Brown and Owens are asking for a permanent injunction to prevent this prejudice from being practiced in the department again. The two are also asking that the judge promote them. There is currently one Black member of the Cobb police command staff, according to WSB-TV.
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community
June 6 - 12, 2013
College Park recognized as a ‘Playful City USA’ Community Special to ADW
From Reader to Leader The Buckhead Cascade City Chapter of the Links Inc. recently hosted a book fair for children at the W. W. Woolfolk Boys and Girls Club located in S.W. Atlanta. The chapter has created a year-round reading and discussion program called “Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader” for youth in kindergarten through second grade. Twice a week chapter members meet with the children and expose them to various authors and cultures through reading and discussion. Pictured here are Chapter President Gail Tusan Washington and Kelli Bacote-Boone helping children select books to take home from the fair.
Emory Professor Writes about Young Black Men ‘Cut Dead’
The city of College Park, Ga., along with 217 cities and towns earned recognition from national non-profit KaBOOM! as a 2013 Playful City USA community for its efforts to give children ample opportunities for recreation. Sponsored by the Humana Foundation, Playful City USA is a national program from KaBOOM! that celebrates and promotes local policies that increase play opportunities for children and is a key platform in combating the lack of play among children. “We’re pleased to provide the types of recreational facilities that our citizens expect and deserve,” said newly appointed Director of Recreation Keith James. “Our dedication to ensure the perfect locales for child development through recreation and exercise were made possible by the commitment of our mayor and council.” KaBOOM! selected College Park for its dedication to play, and for its recreational facilities that cover a vast selection of sports. “We’re excited about being named a playful city for the fourth year,” said College Park Mayor Jack Longino. “This is a testament of our recreation programs and facilities for the young and the young at heart in our community,” he added.
Special to ADW
Despite their hopes and aspirations for the future, too many African-American young men are still being rendered mute and invisible by society, says Emory University’s Gregory Ellison. His new book, “Cut Dead But Still Alive: Caring for African American Young Men,” (Abingdon Press, 2013) is a call for action and a blueprint for response. Ellison, assistant professor of pastoral care and counseling at Emory’s Candler School of Theology, invites readers to enter the lives of five young men, chronicling their journeys from a sense of invisibility to a sense of understanding of both themselves and the world around them. He encountered these young men in his work with high school and college-aged students in church and school settings, and from programs for youths transitioning from prison. While the individuals are real, they also represent many more youth who have limited access to education, have been in prison, or have been pushed to the margins in society. In describing the plight of African-American young men, Ellison uses a 19th century phrase, “cut dead,” an expression he first encountered in the writings of William James in which the famous psychologist talks about humans as social beings. “James asserted that it would be a cruel and fiendish punishment for any person to go unnoticed or unseen, to be made invisible,” says Ellison. “James recognized that people would rather be tortured than to be ‘cut dead’—deliberately ignored or snubbed completely.” For the complete story, visit www.news.emory.edu.
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Community
Fulton Residents Can Train to Become Health and Wellness Champions
Local Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Plans 63rd Annual Debutante Ball
By ADW Staff
College Park has outstanding facilities to watch track and field, football, big-league and little-league baseball, tennis, basketball, swimming, soccer, weightlifting and gymnastics. “We have it all,” said James. “And our staff is magnificent.” College Park partnered with The Georgia Favor House to establish a Let’s Move headquarters near College Park’s city hall. The Georgia Favor House, founded in 2005 by Subrenia and Rex Willis, focuses on the consumption of healthy foods, exercise and excellence in academics. By creating a Let’s Move headquarters near city hall, children will have a convenient, safe place to play. Activities include monthly play dates, trips to community spaces and education on healthy lifestyle choices. The 217 Playful City USA communities are now eligible for $15,000, $20,000 and $30,000 grants via Let’s Play, a community partnership led by Dr. Pepper Snapple Group to get kids and families active nationwide. Grant recipients will be announced in the fall. For more information on the KaBOOM! Playful City USA program, including Let’s Play grants and applications for 2014, visit www.playfulcityusa.org.
The Health Promotion Action Coalition of Fulton County Health & Wellness is launching the first community-based training series to prepare county residents to become “Community Resource Champions.” The event will place Fulton County citizens with researchers, scientists and economic professionals, talented leaders, business professionals and health care providers in a learning environment. Many of Fulton County’s economic and health resources are often unknown and difficult to navigate. This training will reveal several tools for individual citizens to improve their community’s health and economic improvements within our Fulton County neighborhoods, schools, faith-based organizations and companies. The grassroots training will be conducted in conjunction with Georgia State University
June 6- 12, 2013
and the Center of Excellence in Health Disparities. Fulton County citizens interested in enrolling for this training and becoming leaders and champions for health and wellness in Fulton County are encouraged to attend the one day session held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. either on Saturday, June 8, at Tabernacle Baptist Church 475 Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 or on Friday, June 14, at Carver Family YMCA 1600 Pryor Road, Atlanta, GA 30315. To register, email taylor.radke@fultoncountyga.gov. Registration is free and lunch is provided.
The ladies of the Eta Sigma Atlanta Alum nae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. and Yellow Tea Rose Foundation are accepting recommendations and applications for their 63rd Debutante Ball and Miss Rhomania Scholarship Program. In 1950, the Eta Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. became the first Greek letter organization to present African-American young women to Atlanta society. Since then, Eta Sigma, along with the Yellow Tea Rose Foundation, has introduced thousands of young ladies to Atlanta society and awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships. The 2013 Debutante class is forming. Informational sessions are being held for young women to learn more about participating in this exceptional experience and Atlanta tradition. The next session will be held on Saturday, June 15 at noon at the Atlanta Metropolitan State College Library, 3rd Floor, 1630 Metropolitan Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30310 For additional information, call Ann Broughton at 404-661-3937, Argent Sue Gibson at 404-580-7243 or Tamesha Favors at 404-543-4221.
62nd Debutante Ball Class of 2012 Photo by Dwayne Sullivan
Community Council Plans Father and Son ‘Round-Up’
By ADW Staff
The Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta (CCMA) will host their first Father-2-Son “Round-Up” -- an afternoon of male bonding, open dialogue, and empowerment in celebration of fatherhood. “We believe that the father/son relationship transcends all other parent/child relationships because it has the power to shape the course of all mankind. However, it is one that has been undermined in American society,” says CCMA Project Manager Robert Watson. “‘Round-Up’ is an acronym for “Reaching Out to Unite, Nurture, and Develop Ultimate Partnerships,’ created to foster empowered relationships between fathers and their sons.” The event will be held Saturday, June 8, at 12:30 p.m., at Cunningham Auditorium in the Hickman Student Center of Morris Brown College, 715 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, S.W. Resources, lunch, and activities for fathers and sons will be offered. Representatives from participating fatherhood organizations will be on hand to display information and discuss their services with the participants. Complimentary tickets for this event are available to all fatherhood organizations that participate, so that they may bring fathers and sons that they serve. RSVP for the event as soon as possible by calling 404-221-1222 or emailing info@communitycouncilma.org.
Atlanta History Center
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business
June 6 - 12, 2013
Council President Ceasar Mitchell Hosts Back to Business Conference
Equal Business Opportunity Plan in Place for Stadium Development
Atlanta City Council At this year’s event, President Ceasar C. Mitchmore than 25 public and ell, in partnership with the private vendors will be on U.S. Government Services hand to share informaAdministration (GSA), will tion about procurement host his 2nd Annual Back opportunities within their To Business Conference on organizations. In addition, Thursday, June 20, from 9 there will be panel discusa.m. to 3 p.m. at Atlanta sions on doing business City Hall, 55 Trinity with the Atlanta Falcons Avenue, S.W. on the new stadium, on Back To Business (B2B) citywide construction is Council President opportunities, procureMitchell’s free educational, ment and Disadvantaged Atlanta City Council President training and business netBusiness Enterprise certiworking event for all busi- Ceasar C. Mitchell fications, as well as finance nesses, including minority, and business development. veteran and women-owned companies doing Invited vendors include: City of Atlanta, business or interested in seeking business DeKalb County Government, GSA, Georgia with government and corporate entities. Power Company, Environmental Protection “I am excited to once again host this Agency, The Atlanta Falcons, UPS, US Small event, which brings together businesses of Business Administration, Invest Atlanta, various sizes and resources in an effort to Grady Hospital, Atlanta Public Schools, create partnerships, share information and Office Depot, PNC Bank. mutual support,” said Mitchell. “Atlanta Registration for B2B is required for each continues to be touted as a prime example attendee, and space is limited. To register, go of a city that effectively opened doors for to www.backtobusinessatl.eventbrite.com. minority-owned firms across industries, and For more information, call Council President I am doing my part to make sure this legacy Mitchell’s office at 404-330-6052. continues.”
Invest Atlanta has announced -- in partnership with StadCo, the Atlanta Falcons’ stadium development company, and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) – its role in ensuring at least 31 percent participation by female and minority-owned businesses in the construction of the new multipurpose stadium. The Equal Business Opportunity Plan formalizes commitments made by StadCo to foster inclusion in all aspects of the design and construction of the new stadium. After robust negotiations, Invest Atlanta and GWCCA accepted the plan and will actively monitor participation and compliance. Invest Atlanta will carry out its compliance responsibilities with technical assistance from the City’s Office of Contract Compliance. “The participation of female and minority-owned businesses in this high-profile project continues Atlanta’s unique and historic tradition of providing full and fair access to economic development and contracting opportunities to all responsive and qualified businesses,” said Mayor Kasim Reed, who chairs the Invest Atlanta board. “Our commitment to female and minority-owned businesses is part of who we are as a City and as an economic development agency.”
By ADW Staff
By ADW Staff
The plan details measures to engage female and minority-owned businesses in the pre-solicitation, solicitation and construction phases. “We are pleased to see StadCo’s commitment to including female and minority-owned businesses,” said Brian P. McGowan, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. “This plan delineates everyone’s role to make sure this important aspect of the stadium project is carried out appropriately.” To be counted towards the 31 percent participation goal, each female and minority-owned business must be considered a Georgia Certified Contractor or Vendor, requiring certification by the City’s Equal Business Opportunity Program as a Female Business Enterprise (FBE), an African American Business Enterprise (AABE), an Asian (Pacific Islander) American Business Enterprise (APABE), or a Hispanic American Business Enterprise (HABE). Female and minority-owned businesses seeking instructions and application information regarding the City of Atlanta certification process may access http://atlantaga.gov/index.aspx?page=130. A copy of the Equal Business Opportunity Plan for the new stadium project is available on www.newatlantastadium.com.
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politics
Georgia Democratic Party Chair Mike Berlon Steps Down By ADW Staff
Plagued by personal legal problems, Georgia Democratic Party Chairman Mike Berlon has announced that he is stepping down, effective June 9th. Last week, the Georgia Democratic Party sent out a news release announcing Berlon’s departure. “My goal is, and always has been, to unify Georgia Democrats. We have an important US Senate race in 2014 and our focus should be on winning that seat and others,” Berlon said through a spokesperson. Berlon said the day-to-day operations of the party will continue through staff and his role will be primarily oversight of those day to day operations until a new chair is in place. Berlon will not be attending the DNC Executive Committee meeting this weekend in Chicago. “I am concerned only about the continuity of our party and ensuring Democrats get back to the business of demonstrating why we are best positioned to lead this state into the future,” said Berlon. “We have a great opportunity to win a US Senate seat here in
2014. We also have good shot at the governor’s race with the right candidate.” Berlon has been undergoing medical evaluation for significant chest pain and exhaustion. For the balance of last week, he was scheduled for a series of cardiac tests and on the advice of his physician was not available to the media. “Mike has served Democrats in an unpaid capacity for many years. We appreciate his dedication and the countless hours of work on behalf our party,” Senate Democratic Leader Steve Henson said. “Serving as chairman of our party is both a great honor and a great deal of work.” Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed had called for Berlon to step down earlier in the day. Berlon, an attorney who became chair in 2011, has been dealing with several issues in recent weeks, including a reprimand by the State Bar of Georgia, a lawsuit filed by a client and the release of a report showing weak party finances ahead of the 2014 statewide and congressional elections.
June 6 - 12, 2013
Black Mayors Becoming a Major Political Force By Maynard Eaton For ADW Black mayors were once rare and revered, with the late Maynard Jackson setting a high standard as the first Black mayor of a major Southern city in 1974. Now they are a force in American politics. The 39th Annual Convention for the National Conference of Black Mayors (NCBM) rolled into town last week and the sleek event was attended by prestigious political and media figures like Education Secretary Conference Speaker and National Newspaper Publishers AssoArne Duncan and George ciation Editor-in-Chief George Curry, left, stands with SCLC Curry, the premier journalist President Charles Steele. Photos by Alexis Scott of the Black Press. Founded in 1974, NCBM reportedly represents some 650 U.S. mayors, including 65 here in Georgia. “When you look at the local elections this year, watch Augusta, Brunswick, Macon and Dublin, which have large African-American voter populations,” says Willie Burns, the former mayor of Washington, Ga. “Look to see some of those cities headed by Black mayors because of the increased Black voting clout and the clout women voters have. That tells you what we’re doing is working; we are on the rise. I predict by 2016, Georgia is going to turn blue [Democratic].” “We have Black mayors in major cities like Philadelphia, Sacramento, Savannah, Albany, Columbia, S.C. and Baton Rouge, but the conference membership is mostly made up of smaller cities,” says Burns, currently the executive director of the Georgia Conference of Black Mayors. Poverty in their cities remains a pervasive and perplexing problem for many of the NCBM members. Mayor Burns laments that the new “cash crop” for many Black mayors is the prison system. “It saddens you when you visit a prison where 90 percent of the population looks like us -- and the prison is the major industry in the town,” Burns complains. “Davisboro, Ga., for example, has a Black mayor and a population of 2,000 – 1,500 of that is a prison system. “ Bowser, Burns and other NCBM members are banking on the charisma of the incoming president, Sacramento Mayor and former NBA point guard Kevin Johnson, to enhance the group’s financial fortunes. The organization has also begun to expand its memOutgoing NCBM President East Orange, N.J., Mayor Robert bership internationally. Bowser (left) greets conference attendee Nigerian Mayor Bugie George Curry, an Ethan. award-winning journalist and editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, told the group during a keynote address that growing their membership in Africa may be the answer to their wealth woes. “According to the World Bank, seven of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies are in Africa,” Curry commented. “Seven out of 10: Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania, the Congo, Ghana, Zambia and Nigeria. And in some countries, such as Nigeria, this growth is not just fueled by oil money, but also by telecommunications, construction, trade, manufacturing and agriculture. “The slave castles in Ghana and the ‘Door of No Return’ should remind us that Europeans descended upon Africa to steal its people. Now, they hope to come back and steal the land. We should never forget the words of Bishop Desmond Tutu: When the missionaries came to Africa, they had the Bible and we had the land. They said, ‘Let us pray,’ we closed our eyes. When we opened them, we had the Bible and they had the land. We can’t let that happen again.”
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praise
www.ADWnews.com
June 6 - 12, 2013
Angela Harrington Rice, to Turkey. Angela’s portfolio Senior Executive Producer of achievement at Atlanta Interfaith Broadcovers the spectrum of creatcasters, Inc., (AIB) will be ing, writing, and producing recognized for professional award-winning programs excellence in media by the under the AIB banner while Southeast Chapter of the Naserving in various capacities tional Academy of Television during her 34-year stint with Arts and Sciences (NATAS) the channel of interfaith produring the SE Emmy Awards gramming. Gala on June 8, 2013. A graduate of Atlanta’s Rice and 12 other industry Clark College, Angela earned colleagues will be officially a B.A. degree in Mass Cominducted into the associamunications and also holds tion’s Silver Circle with comthe M.A. degree in African mendations for more than 25 Angela Harrington Rice and African‐American Studyears of significant contribuies from Clark Atlanta Unitions to the southern regional market during versity. Currently, as AIB’s Senior Executive a special ceremony later this year. Producer she also hosts AIB’s award-winning NATAS represents the most experienced television show “A Woman’s Place,” which and talented television professionals from focuses on the interests, needs and accomall disciplines of the broadcast industry. The plishments of women. Southeast Division includes outlets in AlaShe is an ordained minister and for six bama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina years, Reverend Harrington-Rice served as and Asheville, NC. Assistant Minister and Dean of the Barbara Angela Harrington Rice is a 2008 Emmy King School of Ministry at Hillside InternaAward recipient for the documentary “AIB tional Truth Center Presents: World Pilgrims: A Sacred Journey
REAL MEN COOK for charity
24th Annual Celebration
C. IN
RE AL
A MEN CH
T RI
I
Atlanta
Keke Wyatt
Conn Jackson
V103 Personality
R&B Singer Performing
Conn TV
Shannon A. Brown Senior VP/Chief HR & Diversity Officer FedEX Express
Valerie Jackson
Judge Glenda Hatchett
Rev. Marvin Moss Cascade UMC
Chairman of Jackmont Hospitality Inc
Guests sample 150 dishes. Music, fun for kids, Once you enter the event all food and drinks are FREE. Come join us. Get tickets online
For Information call 404-344-6594 or email: realmencookatl@yahoo.com www.realmencook.com/Atlanta.html
Sponsors
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Concerned Black Clergy Host Banquet for Fathers The Concerned Black Clergy of Metropolitan Atlanta (CBCMA) will host a “Salute to Black Fathers Banquet” on Friday, June 14th, at 7p.m. at the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway. According to CBCMA president Rev. Frank Cornelius Brown, the event is open to men of all faiths, and will honor a “Man of the Year”, a “Young Man of the Year” and an “Overcoming Man of the Year.” Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and community
By ADW Staff
Georgia World Congress Center 265 Andrew Young International Blvd NW Georgia Ballroom, Building C
Guest Host Egypt
the
organizations are invited to submit nominations for these categories at www.concernedblackclergy.org. Guests to the event are encouraged to wear black, white or silver on the evening. Tickets are $40 per person or $400 per table. For additional information call 404-7554900 or visit the website. The Marriott is located at 2020 Convention Center Concourse, Atlanta, 30337.
15 Year Old Minister to Host Youth Leadership Conference
Sunday, June 16, 2013 Father’s Day 3-6pm , ES
Saint Philip AME Church will host “The Men of God Arise,” Men’s Weekend June 14--17, 2013. On Friday, June 14, 2013, at 7:00 p.m., the Reverend Dr. Grainger Browning, Pastor of Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, MD, will be the speaker for evening. On Saturday, June 15, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., sample the culinary delights from over 100 men of Saint Philip at “Chefs Galore: A Taste of Saint Philip.” Donations are $10/adults and children under 5/free. Then on Sunday, June 16, at both the 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services, Bishop John R. Bryant, Presiding Prelate of the Fourth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, will bring the message. Saint Philip is located at the corner of Candler Road and Memorial Drive at 240 Candler Road, SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30317/404-371-0749.
sports
Noah Terry Wins Tennis Group’s Sportsmanship Award
Producer Angela Rice Honored Saint Philip AME Hosts by TV Professionals Men’s Weekend By ADW Staff
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Minister, singer, musician, and author Jared Sawyer Jr., 15, will present the 2nd Annual “I’m Empowered by God Youth Extravaganza 2013” at the Center Hill Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, July 13, 2013 from 8:30a.m. until 8p.m. Register by June 15th to attend this leadership conference for all youth under the age of 18 years old. The Youth Extravaganza is an annual conference hosted by Jared Sawyer Jr. Ministries for youth and teenagers to empower them to become better leaders in their schools, churches and communities. Through workshops, music, leadership activities and college presentations in a convention structure, attendees will have the opportunity learn more about the skills and attitude they will need in order to be successful. The event is supported by corporations, civic organizations, educational institutions, community leaders, among others. More details featuring celebrity participants will be released soon. Registration is $30 and to pre-register call 678-508-2871 or email info@jaredsawyerjr.com. Center Hill Baptist Church is located at 1305 Northwest Drive, NW.
Noah Terry The hits just keep on coming for Morehouse tennis player Noah Terry, who recently received the ITA/Arthur Ashe Jr. Sportsmanship & Leadership Award, given by the International Tennis Association. Terry is the representative from the NCAA Division II South Region. Terry, the son of Morehouse tennis coach Terry Alexander, helped lead the Maroon Tigers to an outstanding 2013 regular season and a second-place finish in the SIAC tennis championship.
Along the way, Terry was voted to the All-SIAC Team in singles and doubles and the SIAC All-Tournament Team in singles and doubles. Coach Alexander is not taking any credit. “I can honestly say it’s his own doing and not in the genes, because I have never gotten a Sportsmanship Award while playing tennis,” Alexander said, with a smile. “I wonder why?”
June 6 - 12, 2013
Atlanta Braves Heritage Weekend Celebrates Black Legends By Dion Rabouin ADW Digital Editor
The Atlanta Braves paid tribute to African-American heroes from the civil war through the Civil Rights Movement during the team’s first ever Heritage Weekend. Fans at Turner Field got the opportunity to see legends from the Negro Leagues, Tuskegee Airmen and more during the team’s three-game series against the Washington Nationals. This past weekend also included a series of exhibits and attractions honoring African-American achievement in multiple fields. The weekend kicked off on Friday with a celebration of two civil rights leaders, former Georgia congressman and United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young and former state senator Leroy Johnson, who were named the first recipients of the Hank Aaron Champion for Justice Award. The two were feted during a panel discussion on Friday morning at the 755 Club inside Turner Field. Panelists for the discussion included former Tuskegee Airman Val Archer, former NBA player Bernard King, former Brave Brian Jordan and Tommie Smith, the 1968 Olympic gold medalist in the 200-meter track-and-field event. The discussion was moderated by Doug Shipman, CEO for the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. That was followed by a veritable smorgasbord of history and culture on Saturday, highlighted by a P51 Mustang Red Tail fighter plane that flew over Turner Field after the National Anthem and a concert by hip hop pioneers RUN DMC for fans following the game. Before Saturday’s first pitch, Negro League players from teams like the Atlanta Black Crackers, Kansas City Monarchs and Birmingham Black Barons were honored on the field. While most players simply tipped their caps to the crowd, Roosevelt Jackson,
who at 95 years old is recognized as the oldest living member of the Negro Leagues, treated the crowd to a series of dance moves after his introduction. Negro League players also took time to sign autographs and converse with fans who waited in long lines at Turner Field’s outdoor patio area. “I came here and played in ’58. We’d come and play the Atlanta Black Crackers,” said Henry Elmore, who played for the Negro League’s Black Barons and Philadelphia Stars. “I’ve been here before and done the same thing. “All [fans have] to do is talk and listen and learn, because we’ve got a story to tell them.” The Braves and Nationals paid homage to the Negro Leagues by donning their old uniforms. The Braves wore the home jerseys of the Black Crackers while the Nationals wore the away jerseys of the Homestead Grays. “I just appreciate the fact that they’re using sports to bring attention to some of the issues around diversity and overcoming obstacles, given the publicity around Jackie Robinson recently and his movie,” said Kweku Forstall, who came from Tucker with his wife and two daughters to see the exhibits. “This is another way to expose people to it.” Sunday gave fans the opportunity to visit the Negro League Exhibit inside Turner Field’s Hank Aaron Room and catch additional showings of “Rise Above.” Pure baseball fans also got their money’s worth for the weekend as the Braves took two out of three from their division rivals to increase their lead in the National League East.
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How to place a Classified Ad ONLINE: www.atlantadailyworld.com MAIL: ATLANTA DAILY WORLD 34845 N. Desert Drive Building 2, Suite 109-A Atlanta, GA 30344
CLASSIFIEDS BIDS AND PROPOSALS
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CITY OF ATLANTA DEPARTMENT OF PROCUREMENT 55 TRINITY AVENUE, S. W., SUITE 1790 ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-0307 (404) 330-6204
REQUEST FOR SEALED BIDS FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS UNIFORMS BID #FD-060613-OPS UNIF ADVERTISEMENT for FIRE DEPARTMENT UNIFORMS
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EMPLOYMENT Attorney, Korean Practice Team, Atlanta, GA: JD Degree and GA license req’d; must have 1 yr. exp. in int’l business transactions at Asia-based multinational corporations. Send resume to Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP, 201 17th St., Ste. 1700, Atlanta, GA 30363. TIBCO Software Inc. has an opening in Atlanta, GA for a Principal Consultant (Software Engineer) to deliver system architecture & hardware/software specification consulting project activities. Must have unrestricted U.S. work authorization. Mail resumes to Att: D. Dzapo, HR, Ref#AGA3, 3307 Hillview Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94304. Master Teacher – Sci&Tech: Fernbank Elementary Foundation in Atlanta, GA: Dev. & lead schoolwide sci&tech instr prog for K-5 science curriculum. Req Master’s or foreign equ.in Edu/Sci/Pol, Soc, or Cult Studies /rel & 2 yrs elem sch teaching exp. In lieu of Master’s or foreign equ.in Edu/Sci/Pol, Soc, or Cult Studies /rel & 2 yrs elem sch teaching exp will acc Bach or foreign equ in Edu/Sci/Pol, Soc, or Cult Studies /rel & 5 yrs prog post-bacc elem sch teaching exp. Also req 1 yr exp integrating Promethean Int Whiteboard technology AND following skills through edu or work exp: coord/manage after-school sci activities/clubs; grant writing AND GA certification. All exp may or may not be acq concurrently. To apply, cont Drew Schuler, schuleram@bellsouth.net or 157 Heaton Park Dr. Atlanta, GA, 30307.
Cooper Green Mercy Health Services Birmingham, AL NOW HIRING Internal Medicine/Family Practice Physician Excellent opportunity to work in a developing multi-speciality medical practice located in the city’s expanding medical and research community. The successful candidate will be joining an organization that is supported by one of the most outstanding clinical sub-speciality groups in America. This position is a part-time contract position for physician services for an out-patient clinic, no hospital coverage, no on-call, no weekends, no site rotation, no evenings and no holidays. Must have M.D. or D.O., completion of U.S. Residency Program and Board Certified or Board eligible. Three years practicing medicine preferred. If interested, e-mail resume to jccjobs@jccal.org and include on the subject line, “Physician Resume”.
Notice of Incorporation Notice is given that Articles of Incorporation which will incorporate “DENIM GARAGE, Incorporated, INCORPORATED,” will be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing in accordance with the Georgia Nonprofit Corporation Code (O.C.G.A. $14-3-202). The initial registered office of the corporation will be located at 2916 Brookfield Lane SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30331 and its initial reigstered agent at such address is JOSHUA C. LEWIS
BIDS AND PROPOSALS WWPS, LLC is soliciting quotes from qualified subcontractors and suppliers including MBE/FBE/SBE businesses in reference to: FC-6718 Annual Contract for Major Mechanical Repairs Owner: City of Atlanta Bid Date: June 19, 2013 at 1:59 PM Documents can be viewed online by sending a request to rhiggins@ alberici.com. Contact: Estimator P.O. Box 1029, Villa Rica, GA 30180 Phone: (770) 456-6564 & Fax (770) 456-9994
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June 6 - 12, 2013
JUNE 11, 2013 Sealed bids will be received by the Department of Procurement, City of Atlanta, 55 Trinity Avenue, S. W., Suite 1790, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, telephone number (404) 330-6204, no later than 1:59 p.m., (As verified by the bureau of national standards), Opening date: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 For bid no. 6565-Ap, gas pump parts, accessories and services. Sealed bids will be received by the Department of Procurement, City of Atlanta, 55 Trinity Avenue, S. W., Suite 1790, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, telephone number (404) 330-6204, no later than 1:59 p.m., (As verified by the bureau of national standards), Opening date: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 For Bid No. 6664-Ap, ½ Ton Pickup Truck Sealed bids will be received by the Department of Procurement, City of Atlanta, 55 Trinity Avenue, S. W., Suite 1790, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, telephone number (404) 330-6204, no later than 1:59 p.m., (As verified by the bureau of national standards), Opening date: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 For Bid No. 6665-Ap, Bomb Squad-Robot Module JUNE 18, 2013 Sealed bids will be received by the Department of Procurement, City of Atlanta, 55 Trinity Avenue, S. W., Suite 1790, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, telephone number (404) 330-6204, no later than 1:59 p.m., (As verified by the bureau of national standards), Opening date: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 For Bid No. 6564-At, Drum Screen Replacement Parts and Service Sealed bids will be received by the Department of Procurement, City of Atlanta, 55 Trinity Avenue, S. W., Suite 1790, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, telephone number (404) 330-6204, no later than 1:59 p.m., (As verified by the bureau of national standards), Opening date: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 For bid no. 6669-Ap, original equipment manufacturer (oem) and aftermarket repair parts and services for automobiles, light duty trucks, van and suvs Sealed bids will be received by the Department of Procurement, City of Atlanta, 55 trinity Avenue, S. W., Suite 1790, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, telephone number (404) 330-6204, no later than 1:59 p.m., (As verified by the bureau of national standards), Opening date: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 For bid no. 6719-Ap, alternative fuel vehicles JUNE 25, 2013 Sealed bids will be received by the Department of Procurement, City of Atlanta, 55 Trinity Avenue, S. W., Suite 1790, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, telephone number (404) 330-6204, no later than 1:59 p.m., (As verified by the bureau of national standards), Opening date: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 FOR BID NO. 6571-AT, SEWER MANHOLE AND CATCH BASIN CAST IRON METER BOXES Kasim Reed Mayor City of Atlanta Adam L. Smith, Esq., CPPO, CPPB, CPPM, CPP Chief Procurement Officer Department of Procurement
FOR rent 2 bdr, 1 ba, LR/DR/Kitchen - $25/Week 404-794-4315 Louise Merritt 266 Santa Barbara Dr NW • Atlanta, GA 30318 Apt for Rent Southwest near Marta. 1 Bdrm; 1 1/2 Baths; Den; furnished Kitchen and Sunroom. $450 @ month + deposit. Call 404-691-5656
The City of College Park is accepting Sealed Bids from qualified vendors for FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS UNIFORMS. Sealed proposals will be received no later than 3:00 pm, June 6, 2013 at the City of College Park Purchasing Department, 3667 Main Street, College Park Georgia, 30337 at which time they will be opened and publicly read aloud. Bids received after the above date and time, or in any other location other than the Purchasing Department will not be considered. A bid packet may be obtained from the City of College Park Purchasing Department, 3667 Main Street, College Park, Georgia 30337, or from www.collegeparkga.com. A Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting will be held at 10:30am, Thursday, May 16 at the City of College Park City Hall. Questions arising AFTER the Pre-Bid Meeting will be accepted via email ONLY to bgregory@collegeparkga.com until COB Thursday, May 23. An Addendum with all Q&A will be posted to the City’s website on or about COB Thursday, May 30. It is always the vendor’s responsibility to check the City’s website for any/all addenda. The City of College Park reserves the right to reject any or all bids based on past performance and to waive technicalities and informalities, to ignore small price differences when there is a rational benefit to the City, and re-advertise. All Minority, Woman and Small Businesses are strongly encouraged to apply. Only responsive proposals that are determined to meet the requirements and criteria set forth by the City of College Park will be considered.
NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA MECKLENBURG COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION Nicole Bethea v. Nyshonda Kinder and Tavon Coley 13-CVD-5639(CB)
Attention “Tavon Coley”
Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Permanent custody of the minor child born to Nyshonda Kinder and Tavon Coley in Mecklenburg County, NC on February 28, 2010. You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than June 17, 2013 and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought.
This, the 8th day of May, 2013 Cory A. Williams, Attorney Family Law Facilitator 130 N. McDowell St., Suite D Charlotte, NC 28204 REQUEST FOR SEALED BIDS FIRE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION UNIFORMS BID #FD-060613-ADMIN UNIF ADVERTISEMENT for FIRE DEPARTMENT UNIFORMS The City of College Park is accepting Sealed Bids from qualified vendors for FIRE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION UNIFORMS. Sealed proposals will be received no later than 2:00 pm, June 6, 2013 at the City of College Park Purchasing Department, 3667 Main Street, College Park Georgia, 30337 at which time they will be opened and publicly read aloud. Bids received after the above date and time, or in any other location other than the Purchasing Department will not be considered. A bid packet may be obtained from the City of College Park Purchasing Department, 3667 Main Street, College Park, Georgia 30337, or from www.collegeparkga.com. A Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting will be held at 9:30am, Thursday, May 16 at the City of College Park City Hall. Questions arising AFTER the Pre-Bid Meeting will be accepted via email ONLY to bgregory@collegeparkga.com until COB Thursday, May 23. An Addendum with all Q&A will be posted to the City’s website on or about COB Thursday, May 30. It is always the vendor’s responsibility to check the City’s website for any/all addenda. The City of College Park reserves the right to reject any or all bids based on past performance and to waive technicalities and informalities, to ignore small price differences when there is a rational benefit to the City, and re-advertise. All Minority, Woman and Small Businesses are strongly encouraged to apply. Only responsive proposals that are determined to meet the requirements and criteria set forth by the City of College Park will be considered.
Furnished Rooms Furnished Rooms Refrig./Microwave. Newly renovated. Mature adult. $390/mo. + sec. ID references required. Phone 404-729-7738
PROPERTY FOR SALE Property For Sale – 1921 Cummings Dr. S.W., Atlanta 30311 Contact trustee 404-353-6222. Best Offer/Highest Bidder Contact: Barbara Cullings P.O. Box 5043 Atlanta, GA 30302 (404) 353-6222
Viewpoints
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June 6 -12, 2013
NNPA Columnist
NNPA Columnist
by Julianne Malveaux
by George Curry
Is the Recovery Stumbling or Soaring? Although the overall unemployment rate still exceeds 7 percent, and the official Black unemployment rate is greater than 13 percent, there are some who insist that there is a robust economic recovery in progress. Indeed, we were declared “post recession” in 2011, based on the definition of recovery as GDP growth for three quarters in a row. The perception of whether the recovery is stumbling or soaring depends on your own financial status. White and Asian households headed by those age 40-61 and have a two or four year degree recovered all but 2 percent of their wealth by 2012. Similarly situated African-American and Hispanic households had just 58.7 percent of the wealth they had at the beginning of the recession. Wealth recovery depends on race, pre-recession portfolio (which speaks to the racial wealth gap), home value, stocks (the wealthier are more likely to hold stocks than others), savings (lower for African Americans), and debt (higher for African Americans). Wealth accumulation is important. Even moderate amounts of wealth increase the likelihood that young people these in households are more likely to go to college, more likely to experience upward economic mobility, and more likely, in the next generation, to attain homeownership. Our nation lost more than $16 trillion in wealth during the downturn. Much of it has been recovered, but too many families, especially African American families, have yet to recover. Homeownership among African Americans, especially younger African Americans have declined. Unemployment also has something to do with the wealth gap, because those who are unemployed frequently draw down on their home value, increase credit card debt, or use other means to simply survive. African Americans are twice as likely to be unemployed as Whites are, and there are no existing public policies to both increase employment generally, and to target employment programs to those most in need. President Obama can’t create “Black” employment programs, but targeting employment possibilities to inner city resident is an implicit target to Black America. Targeting to recent college grads that are unemployed and have significant debt would also implicitly favor African Americans (since virtually all African American students graduate with some debt, but nearly 50 percent of Whites graduate without debt). Median wealth among single African-American women with children is just $5, according to a Pew study. Average wealth is a bit higher, at $1000. The root of this low level of wealth is a function of unequal income, but more importantly, more debt, lower savings, and lower stock ownership. Consider the life of an African-American mom. She works hard, raises her children as best she can, may or may not have health insurance (the lack of
which can push her into debt), and is likely to have little savings. She is all too often the sole support of her children. If she is the most stable in her family, she is frequently “hit up” for loans by parents and siblings. This, too, contributes to her difficulty to accumulate wealth. Wealth gaps were significant even before the recession, with African Americans less likely to own homes, hold stock, or have significant savings. Not only were African Americans more likely to have debt, but also African-American debt was more likely to come from high-interest credit card debt, while others had lower-interest bank debt. Can the gap between African-American wealth and that of others ever be closed? It’s unlikely, given that unequal wealth is a function of history. In other words, income is a snapshot of what is happening today, but wealth is the history of you and your family. The very wealthy pass on estates that may shape life chances for several generations. Those who were enslaved, generally, had little to leave. Often those who were thrifty enough to accumulate, found their wealth blatantly stolen by envious Whites. The destruction of Black Wall Street had nothing to do with the fact that a Black teenager allegedly jostled a White woman in an elevator, and everything to do with the thriving Black middle class in Tulsa. The next time you hear about economic recovery, ask, “Whose recovery has this been?” Some have escaped from the Great Recession unscathed. Others, especially some African Americans, Latinos, the young, and those who remain unemployed, have yet to experience economic recovery. Julianne Malveaux is a Washington, D.C.-based economist and writer. She is president emerita of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C. Read more: http://www.nnpa.org/news/commentary/in-jobs-were-in-a-race-to-the-bottom-by-julianne-malveaux/#ixzz2UhSgXDOY
Cavemen Keep Sexism Alive
Women serve in almost every high-powered job in the United States: CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, Senators, university presidents, race car drivers and even astronauts. Yet, there are some male bozos who think women should be treated as inferior beings. Conservative blogger and Fox contributor Erick Erickson is the latest man to come out of his cave. After the publication of a Pew study that found that women are the primary or sole source of income in 40 percent of all American households that have minor children, Lou Dobbs had the poor judgment to assemble an all-male panel May 29 for “Lou Dobbs Tonight” to discuss the report.
KELLY: So I’ll start with you, Erick. What makes you dominant and me submissive, and who died and made you scientist-in-chief?
LOU DOBBS: Erick, your thoughts on this study and what it portends?
in.
ERICKSON: Lou, I’m so used to liberals telling conservatives that they’re anti-science. But this is — liberals who defend this and say it’s not a bad thing are very anti-science. When you look at biology, look at the natural world, the roles of a male and female in society, and the other animals, the male typically is the dominant role. The female, it’s not antithesis, or it’s not competing, it’s a complementary role. We as people in a smart society have lost the ability to have complementary relationships in nuclear families, and it’s tearing us apart. And what I find interesting in the survey is that three-quarters of the people surveyed recognize that having moms as the primary breadwinner is bad for kids and bad for marriage, and reality shows us that’s the truth. After pushback from a lot of women, many of them conservative, Erickson tried to clean up his remarks the next day on his radio show, but only made matters worse. It is a fact that children in a two parent, heterosexual household tend to have a more stable upbringing and a better chance of success than those of single parents or gay parents. This is a fact. This is not to insult gay parents. This is not to insult single parents. It’s just a fact. And the, of the subset of children who are raised in a two-parent, nuclear, heterosexual household, children where the father is the one who is the leader of the family, or the breadwinner of the family, however you want to say it, tend to out-perform those where the mother is the primary provider of the family outside of the home. Those are the facts. All I have done is pointed them out … And I understand that some women believe they can have it all, and that’s the crux of the problem. I have to tell you, as a man, where women are told that men have so many more advantages in society, we can’t have it all. Women, you can’t have it all either. Life is a series of compromises and choices. “America Live” anchor Megyn Kelly challenged her Fox News colleague.
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ERIKSON: …This isn’t healthy for society when we think that roles of gender are completely — can be interchangeable. No one’s saying women can’t be or shouldn’t be a breadwinner or even the primary breadwinner. It’s just that when we forced ourselves to this point in society where they have to be, that’s not a good, healthy thing for society. Other women Fox contributors also weighed
“I’m sincerely confused as to why you used behavior of animals to suggest that women shld stay at home,” Fox political analyst Krisen Powers tweeted. Katie Pavlich wrote on her Twitter account, “Not offended by idea of a strong male leading the household, offended he implied women aren’t capable of doing so.” MediaMatters, the press watchdog group, noted, “What the study highlighted, and what Erickson and his fellow Fox News commentators ignored, is the persistent class divide among mothers. According to the data, married mothers who earned more than their husbands were ‘disproportionally white and college educated.’ The single mothers, on the other hand, were ‘more likely to be black or Hispanic, and less likely to have a college degree.’ They also made significantly less: single mothers in the study had a median income of $23,000, about a quarter of the median income of couples with a female primary earner. If those single mothers were never married, their median income dropped to $17,400, hovering near the poverty threshold. “Furthermore, though more women may be ‘breadwinners,’ women still earn significantly less than men. The report showed that 75 percent of husbands still make more than their wives. In fact, women’s wages decreased in 2012, causing the gender-wage gap to widen with women earning only 80.9 percent of what men earned, or about $163 dollars less per week.” George E. Curry, former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine, is editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA.) He is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. Curry can be reached through his Web site, www.georgecurry.com.
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June 6 - 12, 2013
African and Ethnic Wedding Gowns Modeled at NY Bridal Showcase By ADW Staff
African wedding gowns and ethnic bridal dresses were on display in New York City during an annual bridal showcase hosted by Circle of Sisters and WBLS Radio. The show launched the “Queen of the Brides” collection by TeKay Designs, which presented wedding gowns that represent matriarchs from ancient civilizations. Each runway model displayed cultural bridal attire and ethnic gowns inspired by the ancient thrones of Africa. The models portrayed Queen Sheba of Ethiopia, Queen Mumtaz Mahal of India, and Egyptian queens Cleopatra, Nefertiti, Tiye, Ankhesenamun, and Hatshepsut. Each fashion look features an aesthetic embellishment, such as a necklace, bracelet, veil or headpiece that’s of cultural or historic relevance. Veils have been a traditional wedding staple for years, dating back to the 13th century BC. Ancient Egyptian queens wore a range
of elaborate crowns and head pieces linked frequently to the Queen’s role of a goddess, such as Isis. In modern times, the veil is more of a symbol of wedding elegance, and a fashion accessory that complements the dress. TeKay’s bronze metallic headpiece has gold beads and scales and is a historical replica of headpieces worn by Egyptian Queen Cleopatra. Queen Nefertiti’s gown has hand-stitched golden crystal trim, appliques and beads. But the jewelry and headpieces complete the look. The statement necklace with pearls, crystals and hand-blown faceted glass beads has a distinct, royal Egyptian look. The gold, silver, and rhinestone headpiece with a crystal applique in its center added a finishing touch of regal beauty to the ensemble. However, the gowns that are inspired by culture, such as the Maasai wedding dress are equally as regal. The Maasai people in
Kenya are a proud nomadic warrior tribe whose women wear elaborate and colorful beaded necklaces and bold earrings. The fashion line-up also included flower girl dresses with embroidered colors to match the ethnic bridal gowns. As an option, TeKay’s gowns can be ordered with a set of matching bridesmaid’s dresses and groomsmen’s attire to complete a theme wedding ceremony. TeKay’s cultural gowns and jewelry are fused with western silhouettes, and can be worn for occasions beyond the wedding date. For more information and a look at additional gowns visit www.queenofthebrides.com and/or www.tk-designs.com. Photos by Macintosh Smith