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Volume 122 No. 48

JULY 5, 2014 -JULY 11, 2014

BlackCivil Rights Act: 50 Years Later Baltimore’s Owned Food Trucks

By Zenitha Prince Senior AFRO Correspondent

Have Your Taste Cravings Covered

Fifty years ago, United States President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the 1964 Civil Rights Act on July 2, signaling a sea change in American society. “That Act absolutely transformed America,” said Barbara Arnwine, executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. She added, “It is most possibly one of the most radical pieces of legislation in

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By Roberto Alejandro Special to the AFRO Since 2002, the Baltimore City area has witnessed a growing industry of Black-owned food trucks. With a variety of cuisine, these food trucks not only provide Baltimoreans with original mealtime options, but serve as a conduit for the dreams and passions of their enterprising owners.

James “Shawn” Glanville, a 15-year veteran of the Baltimore City Police Department, started out cooking for his fellow officers and squad mates. His Caribbean style cuisine was such a hit that one of his colleagues suggested he start a food truck.

Three years ago, Glanville did exactly that. His truck, Continued on A8 Wikimedia Commons

President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the 1964 Civil Rights Act as Martin Luther King Jr., and others, look on. the world.”

In 1963, when the CRA was introduced and being debated in Congress, America was a country still steeped in segregation. It was still legal to refuse to serve Blacks, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asians at restaurants and in hotels … to deny people transit on private transportation … to deny women access to certain jobs. Workplaces were segregated, colleges banned women from matriculating, and interracial gatherings – and relationships – were still outlawed in some places.

“Today, we can walk down the street and share the sidewalks and Blacks don’t have to give way to Whites,” Arnwine said. Women comprise the majority of college graduates and can pursue careers in fields from which they were previously barred, and those

advancements were all because of the Civil Rights Act, she added.

But, even then the fight for equal rights and opportunity continued to be waged.

“A lot of Americans walk around thinking that the society became the way it looks today naturally,” Arnwine said. They don’t understand it took two-to-three decades of litigation to change this society. “We had to sue almost every police department, fire department, restaurants, hotels – everybody – before people started to accept that the laws had changed.”

Even with those victories there were losses – but that’s par for the course in the history of the civil rights struggle, said Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel, NAACP Legal Continued on A3

Photo courtesy of Eric Sessions

South Carolina Bar-b-que, is owned by Eric Sessions, is the way Sessions pursues his passion to feed people.

According to NASA Sub, Morgan’s Contract Was Never in Real Jeopardy

By Sean Yoes Special to the AFRO Despite recent reports to the contrary, Morgan State University’s largest research contract in school history is not in any imminent danger of being revoked or restricted.

“From the tone and specificity of the issues outlined in the USRA letter, it appears Morgan is confronting a raft of federal complaints regarding virtually every aspect of its administration of the program,” read a commentary in the Baltimore Sun published June 30. “Unless something

dramatic changes, the school will either have the program’s funds revoked or the award won’t be renewed when the current agreement expires,” it continued.

The commentary refers to a $28.5 million research contract awarded to Morgan State University by the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) in May of 2011. USRA is a subcontractor of the NASA Goddard Space Flight

Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The contract is scheduled to be renewed at the end of five years.

The USRA sent a letter to Morgan State – which in 2006 became a research institution with a Carnegie Classification – in March of 2014 outlining various issues they had with Morgan’s administration of the contract.

“Performance issues include, but

are not limited to, failure to make transfers of researchers to MSU in a reasonably timely manner, hiring and reporting delays, slow response to requests for corrections to performance problems, and lack of plan to engage more students in research related to Goddard,” wrote Patricia Artimovich, director of Contracts and Compliance with the USRA in a segment of her letter to Morgan.

According to Morgan State University President Dr. David Wilson, all the issues outlined by the Continued on A3

Michelle Howard First Woman Promoted Baltimore City NAACP Looks to Provide to Rank of Four-Star Admiral Resources for Youth in Baltimore City

By Roberto Alejandro Special to the AFRO

By Roberto Alejandro Special to the AFRO

Another glass ceiling lies shattered on the floor as Admiral Michelle Janine Howard was promoted to the rank of four-star admiral on July 1, 2014. She became the first woman, and the first African-American woman, to be promoted to this rank in the United States Navy. Howard, previously the deputy chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans, and Strategy, will now take over the position of vice chief of Naval Operations.

Howard, promoted during a ceremony at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Continued on A4

Worried about the impact of the stricter youth curfew law passed by the Baltimore City Council, the Baltimore City Branch of the NAACP decided to take action. The NAACP Branch is building a coalition of community organizations and businesses to create a “database of the resources” that provide mentorships, jobs, housing, and other necessary services to youth and other members of the Baltimore City community.

At a meeting of community activists and leaders in June, Tessa Hill-Aston, president of the

Photo Courtesy of CHINFO

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Wayne Cowles, Four-star Admiral Michelle Howard’s husband, work together to affix Admiral Howard’s four stars at her promotion and swearing-in ceremony.

Copyright © 2014 by the Afro-American Company

Baltimore City Chapter, recalled her childhood in Cherry Hill. “When I was little, even in Cherry Hill in West Baltimore, if you threw a stone at someone’s car or you were running across somebody’s grass, if my mother wasn’t out front the next door neighbor could tell me ‘don’t do that,’” HillAston said. “And it was okay for her to do that … What we have to do is find things and ways to support people when they need help.”

The initiative is being supported by a wide array of enterprises, from former military and private businesses to entertainment industry insiders and labor unions.

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The Afro-American, July 5, 2014 - July 11, 2014

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Washington State Four-Year-Old Saves Falsely Accused Black Man

that it was the babysitter who ordered her to leave the house while they stole goods from it.

The babysitter and her accomplices were arrested. The babysitter faces charges of conspiring to commit robbery and burglary and second-degree perjury charges. The other suspects were charged with second degree robbery, theft and burglary.

The HistoryMakers Collection Now Housed at Library of Congress

In an effort to capture and preserve the African-American experience, the Library of Congress announced June 24 that it is now the home to The HistoryMakers collection of approximately 2,600 video interviews of African-American pioneers.

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A four-year-old Ferndale, Wash. girl’s honesty ultimately saved her Black neighbor who was falsely accused of a crime.

On June 18, Abby Dean’s 17-year-old babysitter created a fake home invasion scheme, in which she tried to steal The collection will join the archives of the Works Progress from the four-year-old’s family and blame the crime on Administration Slaves Narratives, which were collected in the Blacks. According to Seattle Fox affiliate KCPQ, the 1930’s and consist of more than 2,300 interviews of former babysitter had two accomplices in her fake home invasion slaves. plot, her 16-year-old boyfriend and 18-year-old Ruben The collection includes 9,000 hours of content comprised Benjamin. The babysitter and her boyfriend’s names were not of 14,000 analog tapes, 3,000 DVDs, 6,000 born-digital files, released because they are minors.

70,000 paper documents and digital files, in addition to more Investigators say the 17-year old babysitter made up a than 30,000 digital photographs. According to The New York story claiming that two Black men broke into the Ferndale Times, the collection is expected to open in the fall. home and stole electronics. Items such as a video game The HistoryMakers is a nonprofit research and educational system, iPod, lap tops and piggy bank were claimed to have institution that has recorded histories of both well-known and been missing. Investigators say that babysitter said that one unsung African-Americans since 1999. of the robbers looked like the neighbors next door, according In last week's edition, in the article "Mosby Wins Big Over Bernstein," Julius Henson was erroneously referred to as a felon. His conviction actually was for a misdemeanor to the New York Daily News. for violating Maryland campaign laws.

Neighbor Cody Oakes told the television station that he was handcuffed and questioned for several hours because he matched the description given to police. However, it was four-year-old Abby’s version of the story which helped Whatcom County Sheriff’s office solve the crime. The girl told police that robbers were White, not Black, and

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Montgomery Rice Becomes First Woman to Lead Morehouse School of Medicine

By Roberto Alejandro Special to the AFRO

July 1 will go down as a momentous day for Black women and as a particularly bad day for glass ceilings. On that day the U.S. Navy promoted its first woman, and first African-American woman, to the rank of four-star admiral, and Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice became the first woman, and first African-American woman, to lead Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) as its president.

MSM was originally founded under the umbrella of Morehouse College in 1975, but later became

an independent institution, according to Ronna Nu’man, director of marketing and communications, external for the Morehouse School of Medicine.

In exclusive comments to the AFRO, Nu’man said that as a renowned obstetrician/gynecologist and fertility specialist, as well as the institution’s first woman president, Montgomery Rice brings a new and fresh perspective to the institution. “Her vision (for the school) is a continuation of our current mission, and that mission is to help underserved communities,” said Nu’man.

Montgomery Rice, who

graduated from of Medicine was Harvard Medical founded nearly School in 1987, was 40 years ago. My job is to align that named executive vice president and dean of mission within MSM in 2011. She the context of an now succeeds Dr. extraordinarily John Maupin Jr., in changing health care system and to the role of president.

Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice grow a sustainable, “I am honored that community-focused the Board of Trustees academic health of Morehouse School of Medicine has entrusted in me center.” the presidency of this treasured Prior to joining MSM, institution,” said Montgomery Rice Montgomery Rice had served as in a press release issued by MSM. dean and senior vice president of “Our mission today is as relevant health affairs at Meharry Medical as it was when Morehouse School School in Nashville, Tenn. At

Civil Rights Act

Continued from A1 and Education Defense Fund.

“We go through cycles in this nation,” she said.

“We experience periods of tremendous progress in terms of opening doors of opportunity for all. And then we go through periods of retrenchment. Part of the job of people who work in civil rights advocacy and lawyering is to catch the wave. We have to properly diagnose the times that we are in and deploy our resources appropriately.”

For example, in 1994 – 30 years after the CRA was passed – Denny’s, a national restaurant chain, had to pay more than $54 million to settle a discrimination lawsuit filed by thousands of Black customers who had been denied service, forced to wait for hours, or paid more than White customers.

Almost a decade later, on April 24, 2001, the U.S. Supreme Court made a ruling in Alexander v. Sandoval that dismantled one of the CRA’s most effective weapons for fighting discrimination.

Under the 5-4 decision, private parties could only

Morgan

Continued from A1 USRA are being addressed by the school.

“We have addressed the concerns raised in the letter from the USRA and we did get a letter back from the USRA indicating that they were pleased with the approach that we are taking,” said Dr. Wilson.

According to Wilson, a significant Information Technology (IT) issue has been resolved, additional staff has been hired, 10 students are now interning at NASA and additional training is taking place to resolve the grievances.

“Pleased,” may not be a fully accurate depiction of the USRA’s disposition in reference to Morgan’s administration of the multimillion dollar contract. But, it seems clear the organization believes the university is on track to fully remedy the concerns outlined in that March letter and the contract – despite the assertions of some – was never in any real jeopardy.

“I don’t think we were

bring complaints under Title VI for intentional discrimination and not for actions or policies that have a discriminatory impact. Due to that decision, Arnwine said, a lot of discrimination is “going unchallenged.”

And there are other signs of retrogression. “In the case of employment, for example, we see people using proxies for race [to practice discrimination,]” such as using bad credit and arrest records – which African Americans are more likely to have – as black marks during job applications, Arnwine said. “We’ve had to sue companies who say they will only hire ‘All-American’ workers. Too often when they say ‘All-American’ they mean White-skinned and blueeyed.”

In the broader civil rights landscape, even as the country is commemorating a half-century of the Civil Rights Act, it also marks the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Shelby v.

Holder decision, which gutted Section 4 and Section 5 of the

Voting Rights Act. Arnwine called Shelby a “horrible tragedy” and a faulty decision that ignored realities such as sweeping cases of voter suppression.

Ifill said the decision has hobbled civil rights groups in their fight to ensure equal access to the ballot. “Since Shelby one of the most important things we’ve lost is notice,” she said. “Before the Shelby case, we had a robust Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, which required preclearance, so we learned about any voting changes that jurisdictions in the South planned to make.”

Now, activists have to rely on voters and community groups to alert them to any potentially discriminatory or adverse election changes. “It has put an incredible amount of pressure on community groups and civil rights groups,” Ifill said, though groups like the Lawyers’ Committee and the LDF continue to wage those battles.

In their decision, the Supreme Court justices

ever at the point where we thought that (termination) was a serious consideration,” said Donald Kniffen, president and CEO of Universities Space Research Association.

“If there had been no move to correct the problems that might have been on the table, but there has been considerable effort to try to solve the problem…to address the residual issues. There’s

research contracts and grants to the university in 10 years.

The acquisition of the USRA contract is a significant step in that direction, yet Wilson acknowledges Morgan is still in the “embryonic stages” of being a nationally recognized research institution.

“Johns Hopkins receives more federal grant contracts in one year than all of the HBCU’s combined. It just

“If there had been no move to correct the problems that might have been on the table, but there has been considerable effort to try to solve the problem…to address the residual issues.”

–Donald Kniffen still a long ways to go and we’re working together with them (Morgan) to complete that process well in advance of the time when this contract comes to an end,” Kniffen added.

Dr. Wilson, whose tenure as president began July 1, 2010, pledged among other things to double the number of

shows that there needs to be more investment in these institutions,” said Wilson who rejects the suggestion that he believes Morgan should be held to a different standard than other universities.

“Never did I once advocate or would I ever advocate that there should be a separate standard for Morgan versus other research institutions.

We are one of the youngest research institutions in the country…as a result of that one has to expect growing pains,” Wilson added.

“It feels good to have this pop up early in our maturation so that we understand exactly now what we need to do to put in place an infrastructure so that we at Morgan can administer a $250 million contract. That’s our goal.”

directed Congress to recalibrate Section 4, the formula used to determine which jurisdictions are covered under Section 5. On June 25 – one year after the

Meharry, Montgomery Rice was the founding director of the Center for Women’s Health Research, one of the first research centers in the United States to focus on diseases which disproportionately affect women of color.

According to Nu’man, Montgomery Rice will now turn her focus to preparing the next generation of physicians to treat underserved populations.

“Dr. Rice’s goal is ultimately to be involved [with] the next generation of medical professionals to help those that are in need, with whatever those needs are,” said Nu’man.

is that our Congress in quite partisan and quite paralyzed,” Ifill said of the delay.

Beyond its molasses-slow advancement, the legislation faces other barriers, such

“We go through cycles in this nation. We experience periods of tremendous progress in terms of opening doors of opportunity for all. And then we go through periods of retrenchment. Part of the job of people who work in civil rights advocacy and lawyering is to catch the wave.”

–Sherrilyn Ifill decision – the first hearing on the Voting Rights Amendment Act was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee. “We have some serious issues in Washington and one of them

as the lack of any current Republican support in the Senate. A lot of the opposition was a result of “misinformation” spread by detractors of the bill, said Ifill,

the only national civil rights leader to testify at the hearing.

“For example, several Republican senators asked, ‘Why does this bill target my state?’ So, I had to clarify this bill has a nationwide scope; there is no geographic focus.”

Both Ifill and Arnwine said the bill will only gain momentum if Americans all over the nation speak up.

“The Congress needs to hear from us – the Black, Hispanic and Native-American communities that are affected by these laws – and from White Americans who are embarrassed and distressed that legislators are engaging in explicit efforts to keep certain people from voting,” Ifill said.

“This could still happen this summer but Congress, especially the House, is not going to move without hearing from their constituents,” she added.

“People have to wake up.”

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July 5, 2014 - July 5, 2014, The Afro-American

The Afro-American, July 5, 2014 - July 11, 2014

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Charles Village Art Gallery Looks to Heal Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence

By Roberto Alejandro Special to the AFRO In 2012, the last year for which complete data are available, there were 17,615 reported domestic violence crimes, and 1,236 reported forcible rapes in the state of Maryland. These statistics were compiled by the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, and the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault. At a gallery in Charles Village, artist and domestic abuse survivor Sumaiyah Yates is using art to help women who have endured crimes like these heal from the trauma of their experiences.

Yates, born and raised in Baltimore City, began exploring art in 2005. What began as a love for paper and scrapbooking transformed into a tool for healing, as Yates learned it could aid her in moving beyond an experience of abuse, which she acknowledges but does not discuss in detail. “We all have issues,” Yates said, “so I started using [art] to relieve myself of the stress from my past and move forward into the present.”

In April, 2014, Yates moved her studio, named the Soulful Emergence Art Gallery, to the 2100 block of N. Charles St. from Canton, where she opened the studio in 2013. “Soulful Emergence Art Gallery is dedicated to the positive image of women,” said Yates. “I am a survivor of domestic violence, so the things that I’ve learned, I try to reach out to other women in similar situations, domestically violent situations, victims of sexual trafficking and rape, that sort of thing, to teach them to use how to use art – in conjunction with all the other therapeutic things that they may be doing – to use art as their go-to thing when they’re feeling bad, to get it off.”

To this end, the gallery holds classes and events on art journaling, painting, mixed media, creative writing, and poetry. The courses emphasize intentional creativity, the production of art not for art’s sake but for a specific personal purpose, whether healing, confidence building, or some other end.

The biggest challenge in working with women who are survivors of domestic abuse or sexual Photo by Stephanie ‘Turtlebery’ Chapman

Sumaiyah Yates paints in the gallery.

Photo by Roberto Alejandro

Sumaiyah Yates displays one of her paintings.

Howard

Continued from A1 Arlington National Cemetery, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982. She earned her Master’s in Military Arts and Sciences from the Army’s Command and General Staff College in 1998.

In 1987, while serving on the U.S.S. Lexington, Howard received the Secretary of the Navy/Navy League Captain Winifred Collins Award, granted to one woman officer a year for the demonstration of outstanding leadership. She was also the recipient of the 2011 USO Military Woman of the Year Award, and the 2013 NAACP Chairman’s Image Award.

A veteran of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Howard made history in 1999 when she took command of the U.S.S. Rushmore and became the first AfricanAmerican woman to ever command a ship in the U.S. Navy. “Michelle Howard’s

promotion to the rank of admiral is the result of a brilliant naval career, one I fully expect to continue when she assumes her new role as vice chief of naval operations, but also it is an historic first, an event to be celebrated as she becomes the first female to achieve this position,” said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, according to a press release from the White House Office of African-American Media.

“Her accomplishment is a direct example of a Navy that now, more than ever, reflects the nation it serves – a nation where success is not borne of race, gender, or religion, but of skill and ability.”

Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to President Obama and the chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls, tweeted a congratulatory message to Howard.

“Congratulations to Admiral Michelle Howard – the first woman to achieve four stars in @USNavy history,” read the message from Jarrett.

assault, Yates says, is getting them to realize that they had no fault in the trauma they suffered.

Acutely aware that she is not a therapist or medical professional, Yates looks to bring the healing power of art to bear on lives who could benefit from it the way hers did, but refers anyone she feels needs more clinical assistance to Turnaround Inc., a local non-profit that works with adults and children affected by intimate partner violence and sexual violence, according to their website.

Stephanie Chapman, who goes by the pen-name of Turtleberry, teaches creative writing at Soulful Emergence and serves as house photographer. She also hosts the gallery’s 3rd Eye Thursdays, an open-mic poetry slam held on the first, third, and fifth Thursdays of every month.

For her, one of the challenges as an instructor is getting women to present their work without adding disclaimers, such as ‘this isn’t quite finished’ for example, excuses that minimize their own work before anyone even has a chance to see it.

“A lot of times you see women who come in and there are more disclaimers; their inner critic is worse than the male inner critic,” said Chapman. “Sometimes it’s a level of confidence – even the most confident woman you’ll meet, typically, is not on the same level as the most confident man you’ll meet.”

The gallery, in addition to helping women heal from abuse, is also intentionally oriented towards building up the confidence of those who walk through its doors, looking to build women up to push back against the limitations society often places on them. “I always look to empower women,” said Yates. “You can do and be anything that you want to be, don’t let anybody [say] you can’t. Don’t let society [say] you can’t, don’t follow society’s rules. I’m not a rebel – obviously I go to work every day and I have a gallery – but I feel like society puts caps on people who really want to go out and express themselves better.”

Photo Courtesy of CHINFO

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus swears in Admiral Michelle Howard, as she receives promotion to the rank of four-star admiral.

NAACP Banjos on the Waterfront A night of great live music at the BMI featuring:

Dom Flemons

Tony Trischka

Thursday, July 17 ~ 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Gates open 5:30 pm Tickets $20.00 available at www.thebmi.org or in person at the BMI Seating is limited; beach chairs welcome!

Baltimore Museum of Industry · 1415 Key Highway · thebmi.org · 410.727.4808 x132 Supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. Art Works.

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Ronald Holcombe, a state officer for the American Legion in Baltimore City, helps run Boys State, an annual summer camp in Maryland that teaches civics. “I’m very involved with trying to financially help the youth, get them educated, just teach them the new things of life and how to be a citizen of this country,” Holcombe said.

Holcombe would like to see more information about military programs and careers in the schools, believing that for many young people, especially those who in trouble, military discipline will get them on the path to being productive citizens.

Anita Foster is a filmmaker and playwright, and operates Being Me LLC Productions. With a number of other artists and entertainment industry insiders she created Hip Hop for the Homeless, an annual food drive and fundraiser for shelters and other organizations who work with the homeless. “What’s important is bringing back the unity in the community starting with the youth, and building different strategies and outlets, [and] resources … providing more recreational activities and educational

programs to enhance our youths’ minds [and] to build our future leaders,” Foster said, speaking on the importance of the initiative.

In addition to Hip Hop for the Homeless, Foster is adding her program for high school juniors and seniors to the database. The program, called ‘Motivation to Success,’ provides what Foster termed a “hard blueprint” for youth graduating from high school – making sure they can complete an employment application and working to secure employment before they finish school.

Glen Middleton, president of the Baltimore City branch of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union, said, “I bought into it [the database initiative] right away when Tessa called me up, because we want to do a mentorship program and then help to fund raise to provide money, to provide different events for [youth] to go to.”

At the June meeting, Hill-Aston suggested quarterly meetings, acknowledging the reality of everyone’s busy schedule, in order to develop the resource database. Those gathered, however, felt the initiative was too important and set a monthly meeting schedule.

Hill-Aston said she expects a first version of the database to be ready by early August.

July 5, 2014 - July 11, 2014, The Afro-American

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HEALTH

Climate Change Can Affect One’s Well-Being

By Jazelle Hunt Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON (NNPA) – For most of the nearly 30 years since Dr. Nicole Brodie’s asthma diagnosis, the athlete and Army veteran has been able to maintain an uninterrupted life, continuing to teach elementary school, coach a children’s team, and remain active. She was partly able to do this by moving her family from New York State to Atlanta for the warmer climate.

“When I arrived in Atlanta, my asthma was controlled with just [an] albuterol [inhaler] as needed,” she said at a panel event last week. “But in the last 10 to 15 years, I have had to be on oral steroids…I’ve increased to daily Allegra [allergy pill] and nasal sprays. And I keep a Benadryl on me at all times. I have to take four-to-five pills a day to manage my symptoms.”

And three weeks ago, she found herself in the hospital for an emergency intervention. The heat index had risen too quickly, causing her lungs to fall to 75 percent capacity.

The issue of climate change is often discussed in terms of failing infrastructure, energy squabbles, weather disasters, and ecological concerns. But a mounting body of research is showing that individual and communal wellness is also at stake; and communities of color tend to be some of the hardest hit.

“The theories are over. We needed an insurance policy, and now it’s time to cash in,” Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association said at a press conference to release the report. “For years we’ve debated if [climate change] is happening, but we are now seeing it in patients.”

Two reports released last week examined how the effects of climate change can deeply affect physical and psychological health, on both individual and communal levels. (The studies’ “effects of climate change” referred to trends in extreme weather events, food and water shortages, poor air quality, etc.).

The first report is a survey of 284 physicians of color across 33 states on their experience treating people suffering as a direct or indirect result of climate change. The survey was sponsored by the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communications (4C Program), and the National Medical Association (the largest and oldest professional organization of African American physicians).

In the survey, 61 percent of physicians reported that climate change is affecting the health of their patients a great deal or a moderate amount, and 88 percent have experienced climate change effects outside of their role as physicians.

The most common climate-change related illnesses doctors were seeing in their patients, with 88 respondents seeing each of these trends, were injuries because of severe weather (such as back damage from shoveling after major snowfall), and illness aggravated by air pollution (such as COPD, asthma, and pneumonia). More than half the doctors also reported increases in treating waterborne and vector-borne illnesses (transmitted by insects or microorganisms, often stirred up by heavy rains

Courtesy photo

According to the Office of Minority Health, In 2011 African Americans were 20 percent more likely than Whites to have asthma and three times as likely to die from it. and flooding).

In the case of asthma, African Americans already disproportionately suffer from this condition. According to the Office of Minority Health, In 2011 African Americans were 20 percent more likely than Whites to have asthma and three times as likely to die from it. Add the fact that communities of color and low-income communities tend to be situated in polluted areas, and the stage is set for disaster.

“When I was working in emergency medicine, I saw lots of uninsured people, and many had done every home trick they could to stave off [an asthma] attack,” said Dr. Benjamin. “And then they still had to wait because they had no insurance.”

These physical stressors are also taking a psychological toll, according to another report. “Beyond Storms & Droughts: The Psychological Impacts of Climate Change” explores the mental, physical, and community health impacts of the effects of climate change. This compilation of existing research and expert analysis from climate change solutions nonprofit, ecoAmerica, and the American Psychological Association, finds that Americans will increasingly suffer mental health impacts at the hands of climate change.

“The impacts of climate change on human psychology and well-being arise through two main pathways,” the report reads. “Some impacts will arise from the direct physical impacts of climate change, while others will arise as a result of climate change’s more indirect impacts on human systems and infrastructure.”

The report offers several studies involving Hurricane Katrina victims as an example of a direct and severe hit to mental wellness resulting from climate change. For years after the storm, many survivors experienced post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, “complicated grief,” and

increased domestic abuse.

Indirect, or gradual impacts are more difficult to quantify due to a dearth of research. In one example, the study details a loss of personal or occupational identity after losing possessions in weather events, wildfires, and floods, or being unable to continue lifelong, sometimes generational occupations due to environmental changes (such as oceanic changes that destroy shrimping families’ livelihoods). In another example, the study discusses the relationship between rising temperatures and community aggression that has been well documented, particularly in Black communities.

Both reports find that women (particularly mothers), children, the elderly, and low-income families are the most vulnerable to climate change effects. They also both outline suggestions for people and communities to guard themselves against the adverse effects.

Dr. Christie Manning, co-author of the second report and visiting assistant professor of Environmental Studies at Macalester College, asserts that strong neighborhood networks and an emergency plan set in advance are the greatest defenses, for example.

“At the national level we see a lot of stalling and stalemate, but at the local and city level they realize this is something people need to be prepared for,” she explains. “Cities are seeing the infrastructure costs. Municipalities are really engaged in this idea of being prepared, and resilient.”

The good news is that most communities are bracing for impact by beefing up support services. In the beginning of May, The White House released the Third Annual Climate Assessment, and extensively reviewed report, created by a team of more than 300 experts, and guided by a 60-member Federal Advisory Committee. Almost all science professionals have come to the same conclusion as the report: that climate change is affecting this generation now, and that most Americans are feeling the changes.

“Not a lot of people know a climate scientist, so when you say 98 percent of climate scientists say this is happening…it might not mean much to you,” said Dr. Mona Sarfaty, director of the 4C Program at George Mason. “But everybody knows a doctor.”

(Infographic by ecoAmerica)

Linking the physical and psychological impacts of climate change.

If you’re HIV+ and think you can’t afford the medication you need, there’s something you should know.

MADAP CAN HELP. The Maryland AIDS Drug Assistance Program (MADAP) helps cover the cost of many medications for low to moderate income people in Maryland who are living with HIV/AIDS. There are exciting, new drugs in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Don’t miss out because you can’t afford them.

Call MADAP today.

410-767-6535 Baltimore Area 1-800-205-6308 Toll Free in Maryland 410-333-4800 tdd MADAP is a program of the AIDS Administration Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

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The Afro-American, July 5, 2014 - July 11, 2014

COMMUNITY CONNECTION Heritage Museums and Gardens to Hold Ice Cream Social

There will be an old fashioned ice cream social, 7 p.m., July 11, on the grounds of the Heritage Museums and Gardens of Dorchester. The public is invited to attend this annual event and get their fill of ice cream, with their choice of toppings. The event is free to DCHS members and a donation is requested from nonmembers.

An informal talk by Herschel Johnson will focus on an important person in East New Market history- Sarah Young. Learn about her life beyond slavery and the impact that she is still having on this community. Young will be celebrated 11 a.m., Oct. 4, at the annual East New Market Heritage Day. Hear about the planning and projects that are going into this celebration.

For more information, call 410.228.7953 or email dchs@verizon.net. The Heritage Museums are located at 1003 Greenway Drive, off of Maryland Avenue East.

Former NFL Player Tavon Mason Visits the Woodlawn Library

Tavon Mason, former wide receiver for the New York Jets and Woodlawn High School alum, will read stories to school age children and shares his message about the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle. Autographs will be available after the readings, July 14, Aug. 4 and Aug. 11 at 1811 Woodlawn Drive in Baltimore. His outreach is through the Tavon Mason Loves the Kids Foundation.

Local religious and community leaders took it to the streets, June 7, of Northwest Baltimore for Faith Walk 2014. Beginning at the Forest Park Senior Center on Liberty Heights Avenue, they headed south and then returned for a street revival at their starting point.

In one hour, 14 pastors led prayer on 14 street corners in the Forest Park neighborhood.

Along the way, members of the Christian faith community and community leaders talked with area residents about crime, drug and alcohol addiction, education and unemployment, as well as offered prayer and calls to salvation.

“We just needed to take a stand against crime, unemployment, poverty, and drug activity,” said the Rev. Steve Turner, pastor of Destiny Changers Deliverance Center, which holds services at the senior center every Sunday at 4 p.m. A lifetime resident of Northwest Baltimore known for his music ministry throughout the city, Rev. Turner moved his church from Glen Burnie to Forest Park last summer after sensing a call from God to plant his church in the Forest Park community. “We are praying for God’s glory and peace to fall on this community,” he said.

The interdenominational street service included pastors from the Northwest community, psalmists and praise dancers. Employers with current job openings will have an opportunity to announce jobs and meet with potential candidates during the program. Neighborhood business owners are encouraged to come and promote their businesses.

Participating congregations included: Destiny Changers Deliverance Center, Kingdom Restoration Center, Out of the Box Ministries, Breakthrough Ministries, Holy Temple Church, Christ-Like Apostolic Church, and New Solid Rock Fellowship.

Rev. Turner offered the invitation to all to “accept the challenge and walk with us,” he said.

For more information on future endeavors or on the church, please contact Rev. Steve Turner at 855-393-3232 (toll-free) or at destinychangersdeliverancecenter@aol.com, on Twitter @DestinyChangers, and on Facebook.

Free Concerts Return to Druid Hill Farmer’s Market

Patrons of the July 2 Druid Hill Farmers Market were treated to a free concert featuring Swift Smoke and the Sparks. According to the Friends of Druid Hill Park, who made the recent announcement, Swift Smoke is a sprawling collection of particularly stinky players based in Baltimore.

Their performance marked the return of the Market Concert Series that will happen, 5:20 to 7:30 p.m., the first Wednesday

Faith Walk 2014: 1 Day, 14 Pastors, 14 Street Corners In Forest Park

Tavon Mason of each month, on the lawn next to the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens. Bringing lawn chairs is a good idea.

The farmer’s market is open every Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., June 4 - September 24. In addition to great produce, the Druid Hill Farmers Market features weekly programs including: horse rides, plant workshops and free weekly yoga,

July 5, 2014 - July 11, 2014, The Afro-American

COMMENTARY

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The Creation Myth of the United States I have a story to tell you . . . one pulled out of an old trunk. . . from corners of our collective memory. . . from hidden stories of Americana . . . from the dirt swept under the rug . . . from the backroads of history.

This will not come as a surprise to you that July 4 is not a cause for celebration for African Americans, Native Americans or for Native Hawaiians. Or that the Star Spangled Banner, born in Baltimore Harbor is the sound track of The Creation Myth.

“We know that the Founding Fathers were slave owners and that the freedom they sought did not extend to their slaves.” Dr. Gerald Horne wrote that “1776 was in fact a counter-revolution, a conservative movement fought in order to preserve the colonists’ enslavement of Africans.” Dr. Horne continued, “In a nutshell, London was on the verge of abolishing slavery, which would have carried over to the British colonies. In reaction, the colonists set up the first apartheid state.”

Therefore, the purpose of this story is a vehicle for understanding how and why we need to think about revitalizing and rewriting our “4th of July holiday” tradition.

In spite of the fact that the song was written during the War of 1812, this weekend we will hear our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner” over and over again; completely intertwined with the so called “War of Independence.” That is completely understandable. Since the beginning of the United States in 1775 there has never been a prolonged period when the “troops’ were not called upon in the “defense of the Nation.” She has been at war during 211 out of her 238 calendar years of existence. In other words, there were only 19 calendar years in which the U.S. did not wage any wars; most of the time as the aggressor.

Francis Scott Key, a 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, wrote the lyrics of the national anthem in 1814 after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore by British ships in Chesapeake Bay during the War of 1812.

Most of us cannot sing the song and those who can, only sing one verse.

Did you ever wonder why, if the song has four verses, only the first is commonly sung?

Well I’ll tell you.

Baltimore is so rich in history. From America’s infancy, democracy’s first dream to today’s realities . . . Baltimore has always figured in the struggle.

Every morning in our “separate but equal”(?) school, we stood to pledge allegiance to the flag – “with liberty and justice for all,” justice? And oh, the field trips - Historic Baltimore is an abundant resource for teachers – the many many field trips to Fort McHenry – we ran across the ramparts, climbed on the cannons, peeped into the dungeons, imagined

Marsha Joyner

the bombs bursting in air – and the flag is still waving.

How many times had we as children, fought that war – Baltimore being the only school district in America where the children knew about the War of 1812 let alone the Battle of Baltimore. Each time we held our heads up high and sang, -“O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?”

Not ever giving one thought to the mockery of the words – “No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the Star -Spangled Banner in triumph doth wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!”

At that same time America was at war using slave troops – some of which were massacred in uniform; “Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand”, wrote Francis Scott Key, a slave owner. “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!”

The formation of Dunmore’s Regiment marked a significant turn in both British policy and American.

Dunmore’s members were the first of an estimated 12,000 Blacks who served with British forces in North America during the Revolutionary War. Almost all textbooks present superficial accounts of the Revolution and the part the Slaves and Native Americans played; the hatred was intense! And whose side did they fight on? Can we really believe that the Slaves and Native Americans who had lost all that they hold dear, would fight on the side of the “Americans” to retain the status quo?

In 1775, all “Americans” were actually British citizens, who had taken oaths before God to be loyal to the King.

Therefore this revolt was treason.

Perhaps, just perhaps it is because most of the defining historians who write text books are white males from the northeastern states and that is not the story they want to tell.

We, all of us, have a tendency to exalt a few dramatic

heroes and to conceal the sharp but subtle divisions that shaped the conflicting convictions of Americans, the failure of George Washington ever to win a definitive battle, and the fact that it was the French military forces at sea and on land that made it possible for Americans to prevail over the British.

Also, it is uncomfortable to acknowledge that there were villains and heroes on both sides.

Even as an adult I climbed on the cannon to watch the new flag with its 50th star being raised at Fort McHenry. As the United States celebrated the taking of an indigenous peoples’ land (Hawaii) - again not seeing the travesty in the words – “Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just” Is it ever just to overthrow the Hawaiian Kingdom and take another peoples land? Oh yes, they took parts of Mexico, which we now call New Mexico, Arizona, parts of Texas and California. .”And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion A home and a country should leave us no more?

Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Getting the Racist Stain Out of the Wood I began my legal career in 1967 doing civil rights work in Louisiana. I had many extraordinary experiences there, but the one that made the deepest impression on me occurred in the Louisiana Supreme Court library. When I looked for a rest room, I found two: one for “White men” and a second for “colored men.” This was 1967, 13 years after Brown vs. Board. The letters had been taken down, but they had been up so long they had stained the wood. I learned then that making government take down racist signs did not get the racist stain out of the wood. Forty-seven years later, I am still working to do this.

Today, in partnership with the Public Defender’s Office, our clinical and social work faculty and students are representing over 50 inmates in Maryland who were convicted in the 1960s and 1970s, most of felony murder. All received life-with-parole sentences, but have never been released. Their average age is 64 and they have been locked up three to five decades.

The error in their cases was fundamental. The judges told the jurors they were “the judges of the law” and anything the judge said about the law was “advice” only, which the jurors were “free to reject.” The judges invited the lay jurors to create their own legal rules.

In 2012, the Maryland Court of Appeals decided that all of

Michael Millemann

the 250 or so prisoners still locked up from these 1960s and ‘70s trials are entitled to new trials.

To date, 62 prisoners statewide, 50 from Baltimore City, have been released through negotiations, and almost all placed on probation. Of the 50 from the City, a shocking 98 percent – all but one – is African American. Until the early 1970s, Baltimore City was a majority White city, and African Americans certainly did not commit 98 percent of the homicides there during the 1960s and ‘70s.

Indeed, racism was pervasive. When George Wallace ran in the Maryland Presidential Primary in 1964, he finished a strong second with 43 percent of the vote! His motto was “Segregation today! Segregation tomorrow! Segregation forever!”

Our clients were convicted by all-White or disproportionately White juries in trials that lasted one or two days. They were represented by several lawyers who later were disbarred. Many were in fact innocent, or were guilty of a lesser degree of homicide, or never had a lawyer who argued for them at sentencing.

They grew up in prison, got GEDs and bachelor degrees, and participated in an array of prison programs. Over time, many have become peaceful and infirm senior citizens. They should have been paroled over 20 years ago, but, because Democratic governors effectively abolished parole for lifers,

they were not. They pose no risk to public safety. We need to return to the long tradition of paroling lifers who earn that parole.

The extended families of the 62 never gave up on them.

Social workers and social work students working with the Law School Clinic and Office of Public Defender have established a network of re-entry services for those released, and to date, there has been no recidivism.

The release of these 62 individuals is the result of hard work by many people, including the Office of the Public Defender (who has been the leader), the inmates’ families, their faith communities, social workers and re-entry nonprofits, and, in many cases, courageous prosecutors who have opted to do what is right instead of what is easy.

Most striking, however, is the transformative work that these returning citizens have done for themselves. They have grown into responsible and contributing members of society.

These releases are cause for hope that with perseverance and cooperation among people of good will, we can begin to get the stain of racism out of the wood.

Michael Millemann is a law professor at the University of Maryland-Carey School of Law and a long-time civil rights lawyer.

Bush Marched Us Off to War While Cutting V.A. Benefits

Bill Fletcher, Jr.

In 2003, we were lied into a war with Iraq. Just about everyone now admits that. At the same time that we were being lied into the war, the then Bush administration was cutting benefits to veterans.

This was such an odd set of circumstances. At a point when the U.S. was preparing for war, at a point when one must expect casualties, the Bush administration cut

benefits.

The current crisis in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which has been described as a situation of long waits, in some cases allegedly leading to the deaths of patients, cannot be understood in the absence of a discussion of funding cuts, insufficient funding, and retaliation against workers who have identified the depth of the problems at the VA. In fact, it is fair to say that many of the most vocal critics of the VA, on the Republican side of the aisle, were equally unwilling to fund the

VA to the extent that it has needed funding. Why? The VA gets very high marks from veterans for the actual service that it delivers. Their expertise with physical, emotional and psychological wounds and injuries simply cannot be matched in the non-VA health care systems. It is, in effect, one stop shopping. This, however, is an anathema to many conservatives who wish to see all healthcare privatized. It is for that reason that in the midst of the current VA crisis, there are those who are suggesting a voucher-like system for veterans rather than actually fixing the problems. These critics would rather dismantle the VA and hand out vouchers, than repair a system that has worked for thousands of veterans.

In order for the VA to be repaired, however, the career managers have to be punished for retaliating against whistleblowers within the workforce. VA workers, many of who are represented by the American Federation of Government Employees, have spoken up to identify some of the problems that are currently coming to light, only to face various forms of retaliation from management.

One must ask the question of whether career managers who have watched the juggernaut of privatization proceed down the tracks since the time of the Bush administration, are more

interested in preparing their own nests in the private sector over ensuring that veterans receive the service to which they are entitled. How else can one explain retaliating against workers who speak up?

The VA needs to be repaired, rather than dismantled.

Veterans need improved and prompt service. But this also means that the atmosphere of panic that has been spread by both the Republicans and many people in the media must halt.

Here is an example of why. Part of the reason for delays in care was the direct result of the expansion in VA service to veterans facing disabilities that had previously not been fully covered, e.g., Agent Orange; Gulf War Syndrome. Yet, this has not been discussed in the mainstream media, most likely because to raise the fact that the VA was now serving additional veterans would beg a simple question: Why is the VA not receiving additional resources in order to accomplish its mission?

It makes you wonder…

Bill Fletcher, Jr. is a racial, labor and global justice writer and activist. He is an employee of the American Federation of Government Employees but this column does not necessarily represent their views. Follow Bill on Facebook and at www. billfletcherjr.com.

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The Afro-American, July 5, 2014 - July 11, 5, 2014 2014

Food Trucks Continued from A1

Savannah’s Kitchen, named after his six-yearold daughter, was the first Jamaican food truck in the Baltimore City area, according to Glanville.

Savannah’s Kitchen operates Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and while jerk chicken is a staple for his customers, “Everyone absolutely loves the red snapper,” Glanville said.

Locations for the food truck are available on its Twitter feed, which can be seen at the company’s website www. bmorejamaican.com.

Glanville continues to work for the Baltimore City Police Department, and plans to open a brick and mortar restaurant towards the end of July. Even with the full-time career and new restaurant, Glanville will continue to operate the Savannah’s Kitchen food truck. “That’s where I started and I will still offer that service across the city,” said Glanville.

Gary Brooks grew up in Windsor, Conn., where his father, a mechanical engineer whose roots were in Alabama, passed on the family passion for food and barbeque. Brooks moved to the area to attend Howard University where he majored in business management with a concentration in finance.

Like Glanville, Brooks was first encouraged to enter the food industry by friends who loved his cooking, but was hesitant to open a restaurant, understanding how risky that line of business could be.

From Howard, Brooks came to Maryland where he taught high school for seven years in Baltimore County.

“I was good at teaching, but I wasn’t passionate,” Brooks said.

In late 2012, the call of Brooks’ inherited passion for food, particularly barbecue, won him over and he began bottling a proprietary barbecue sauce in mason jars, selling them online. Brooks’ ultimate goal was to get the

sauce into grocery stores, a goal which required more exposure for his product. A restaurant seemed too risky, but a food truck would allow him to get his sauce out on the streets of Baltimore. So in July 2013 he opened the Fowl Play Food Truck.

Fowl Play specializes in chicken-based dishes, but the Fowl Play sauce is the real star. “It’s the driving force of our business,” said Brooks.

The Fowl Play food truck operates from Monday to Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Daily locations, as well as any evening or weekend events, are posted on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, links to which are available on the company’s website www. fowlplayfoodtruck.com. The company’s sauce may be purchased on the website, as well as from the truck.

Derek Pediford opened the Four Brothers Mobile Cafe two years ago. Pediford, who formerly owned a barbershop as well as owning and managing real estate, said he has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and that food is something he inherited from his family of cooks.

“I’ve always had a passion for cooking,” Pediford said. “I cook for my kids, cook for my family.”

Pediford wanted to open a business where he could sell his hamburgers, but after researching the costs and scouting locations for a restaurant, decided that a food truck made more sense.

The mobile cafe has two signature dishes. The Windsor burger is named after Pediford’s father and consists of a half-pound patty, sautéed onions, sweet chili sauce, and crumbled blue cheese. The Summer burger consists of a half-pound patty, Caribbean mango sauce, sautéed onions, lettuce tomato, and provolone cheese.

Four Brothers operates seven days a week at the Queenstown Outlets and

Photo by R Dione Foto

Gary Brooks, owner of the Fowl Play Food Truck, is using his business to promote his proprietary barbeque sauce. recently opened a second mobile cafe serving the downtown Baltimore City area.

Perhaps the longest serving Black-owned food truck operating in the

Baltimore City area is Eric Session’s South Carolina BarB-Que. Formerly a contractor, Sessions always had a desire to feed and house people.

His previous career allowed him to do the latter, while South Carolina Bar-B-Que, which he opened in 2002, has allowed him to pursue the former.

“We’re a southern style BBQ in the inner city,” said Sessions of his business, which won the award for best barbeque in the 2013 Taste of Three Cities, an annual food truck festival

featuring trucks from Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Baltimore.

“When I started this, I didn’t want a food truck per se, I wanted a mobile trailer because when a food truck is broken, you’re down for the count. If my vehicle is broken, I can just rent something else and still pull and go work,” said Sessions.

While he hesitates to name a signature dish, noting that different items sell on different days, the ribs are Sessions’ personal favorite.

In April 2014, Sessions opened a brick and mortar restaurant that he runs in addition to his mobile food trailer. The restaurant, in Essex, Md., operates from Wednesday to Sunday,

Courtesy of Michael Austin

When you see this logo on the side of a truck, you know you’ve found Michael Austin’s food truck, Rena’s Corner Kitchen.

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Legacy Gala Through the Lens and Lines of the AFRO

Celebrating The AFRO American Newspapers’ 122nd anniversary of being the voice of the African American community

August 15, 2014

Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture 830 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 Gen. Adm. Tickets: $122.00

VIP Tickets: $175.00

Tables: $1200.00

To purchase tickets or more information, call (410) 554-8243

SPONSORED BY

while the food truck operates Monday through Wednesday, and Fridays at different locations in the BaltimoreD.C. corridor. South Carolina Bar-B-Que can be reached at 410-780-2821, and found on the web at www.sccaterers. com.

One of the newest additions to the unofficial guild of Black-owned food trucks is Michael Austin’s Rena’s Corner Kitchen.

Opened in January, Rena’s Corner Kitchen currently operates from Monday to Saturday by the Wabash courthouse in Baltimore City, selling breakfast and lunch items.

Austin was wrongfully imprisoned for murder in 1975, and exonerated in 2001. Currently a musician and producer whose album, ‘I Just Want to Love You,’ is available on iTunes, Austin is working with his chef to develop a signature style for his newest venture.

“This is relatively new for me but it’s something I really enjoy doing. We’re just trying to get our own flavor, our own style, so when people hear our name they’ll know exactly what kind of food we have, and they’ll know it’s going to be good food,” said Austin.

Austin believes that food trucks offer a great opportunity for anyone interested in opening their own business. “If anyone is in the position to purchase a hot dog stand or a food truck, do it, because it’s getting ready to be a lucrative business.

Not just in Baltimore – in D.C. they’re really making a lot of money – but around across the country. And if anyone is in the position to do it, get a truck, and become an entrepreneur and open up your own business because it’s wide open out here,” said Austin.

July 5, 2014 - July 11, 2014, The Afro-American

D

an and Del Henson met at Edmondson High School and became inseparable. They married in their freshman and sophomore years while both were attending Morgan State College (University). Fifty years later, the marriage and the friendship endures.

Their two children, Darren and Dana, have given them three grandchildren, Darien, Bryanna and Daniel who are their constant companions. In earlier days, the parents enjoyed traveling with their children, now the grandchildren are their traveling buddies. Their relationship with their children is one of love, friendship respect and partnership. Del says she talks to her children every day.

The couple Del and Del and Dan’s marriage is one of love, Dan Henson thanked work, sadness, happiness and joy, but most of their friends and family all for them, it is a friendship that has grown for celebrating their and blossomed throughout their 50 years of evening with them

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marriage. The couple quoted, “We are best friends forever.”

Daniel is currently serving as president of Henson Development Company, a developer of affordable rental housing; Del is retired.

Erica and Michael Cryor

Family members Patrick Kelly, Lauren Kelly, Jordan Kelly, Brenda Kelly, Dominique Kelly, Morgan Kelly-Cohn

Darren Henson, son of Dan and Del

Delphine Henson and daughter Dana Henson

Daughter Shauna with Dad Brian Henson

Henson siblings Brian, Danny, Joy Owens, Edward and Eric

Allen and Paula Eason

Dr. Maya Rockeymoore and her husband, Rep. Elijah Cummings

Lisa Fassett, Del. Nathaniel Oakes, Comptroller Joan Pratt

Patricia and Howard Jessamy Theodore Rodgers, Blanche Rodgers, Ruth Muldrow, Ackneil Muldrow

Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine

New Shiloh Greater Choir, Patrick Alston, director

Greater Gethsemane A.M.E. Zion Church Concert Choir, Travis Alexander, director

Wayne Frazier, Pat Frazier, Ron and Joy Owens

The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore unveiled figures of renowned African American faith leaders, June 6, at Morgan State University. While the international faith community geared up to celebrate the life and ministry of Senior AME Bishop, the Right Rev. John R. Bryant, the museum was preparing to add his figure to their extensive collection. Additionally, the figures of the late Rev. Harold A. Carter Sr., formerly pastor of New Shiloh Baptist Church and the Right Rev. George Edward Battle Jr., currently Senior Bishop of the AME Zion Church were unveiled to family, friends and associated congregations. And everyone could appreciate seeing the Queen of Gospel, Mahalia Jackson, looking as if she were poised to burst into song.

The Museum was founded in 1983 by the late Dr. Elmer Martin and his wife, Dr. Joanne Martin, who is currently president and CEO.

The Bryant Family with statue

Bishop Battle and family with statue

Bishop and Mrs. Battle Empowerment Temple A.M.E. Church, Eugene Brown, minister of music

Bishop Bryant with Jack Young,president of City Council, Carl Stokes, City Councilman and friends

Bishop Battle greeting friends with his son

The Rev. Harold A. Carter Jr. and his wife, Rev. Monique Carter, Rev. Cecelia Bryant, Bishop John Bryant and Weptanoma Carter Davis

Corrogan Vaughn, Dr. Lillian Vaughn, the Rev. Dr. A.C.D. Vaughn, Bishop Bryant and Rev. Cecelia Bryant

Bishop Bryant, National Great Blacks in Wax Museum Founder, President and CEO Joanne Martin and Bishop George Battle Photos by J.D. Howard

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The Afro-American, July 5, 2014 - July 11, 2014

“Shall I compare you to a summer’s day? You are more lovely and more moderate: Harsh winds disturb the delicate buds of May, and summer doesn’t last long enough. Sometimes the sun is too hot, and its golden face is often dimmed by clouds. All beautiful things eventually become less beautiful, either by the experiences of life or by the passing of time. But your eternal beauty won’t fade, nor lose any of its quality. And you will never die, as you will live on in my enduring poetry. As long as there are people still alive to read poems this sonnet will live, and you will live in it.” Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 (English version) The Valley Mansion in Cockeysville Maryland was transformed into an intimate chapel adorned with enormous bouquets of stunning white flowers and calla lilies, creating a breathtaking atmosphere for the fairytale wedding of Barrington Branch and Nichelle Smith on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon.

“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.” Proverbs 18:22 “We are family” The “high noon” ceremony filled our eyes with tears as family and friends witnessed this union joining two families together. The groom’s parents Ann and Barrington Branch and the bride’s parents Janice and Conrad Smith stood with their children as Pastor Nevor Mitchner united them in holy matrimony.

Barrington’s strong family bond was evident when he chose his dad, Barrington Branch, granddad Norman Branch and Uncle Michael Bryant of Leawood, Kansas as his best men.

Other members of the wedding party were Nykidra Robinson, Alexis, Brooke and MacKenzie Alexander, Jaden Johns, Courtney Smith, Conrad Smith Jr. and Katrina Johns.

“Isn’t she lovely” The exquisite bride’s entrance was jubilantly announced by the bell-ringer merrily chanting, “the bride is coming.”

Guests attending were Gloria Bryant, Deloris Gray, Bernice Branch, Derek and Kim Alexander, Kip and Deborah Branch, Paula and Pete France, Steven and O’Lillian Johns, William and Dr. Francine Hayes, Mildred and William Harper, Marsha and Charles Owens, Ronnie and Francine Diggs, David Couser, Stephen Trye, Lorenzo Robinson, Sherry Robinson, Calvin Dotson, Victor Green, Michael and Anita Graham, Rayner Parker, Diana Owens, AD Bell, Gloria and Rod Armstrong, Eric and Sophia King, Eric and Shemia Brown and Dudley Stevenson; with guests travelling from Virginia, New Jersey, California and Kansas to share in the joyful occasion.

During the reception, the couple showed a video highlighting their journey and travels during their courtship.

“And she reaches out and takes my hand and squeezes it and says, how you feelin’ hon and I look across at smilin’ lips that warm my heart and see my mornin’ sun, and if that’s not lovin’ me then all I’ve got to say God didn’t make little green apples…”

It’s your anniversary Novella and Kevin Carter, James and Jo Lewis, Ann and Barrington

Branch, and Rita and Elvard Cooper; here’s to you.

“Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind” “Somewhere beyond the sea” 25 of us journeyed to Cambridge for our yearly outing to savor the sweet crabs out of the waters of the Eastern Shore. “Sitting in the park” along the Choptank River we enjoyed the cool breeze that drifted off the water’s edge on a balmy Wednesday afternoon as we ate jumbo crabs, hot dogs, chicken and more. Our host Cambridge’s “native son” Tyrone Seymour impresses us with his hometown as we tour Maces Lane High School, the Elks Home and Cambridge landmarks before we head back across the Bay Bridge.

“A room full of great sportsmen is so much better than a room full of actors.” Clive Owen The Sportsmen’s League delighted over 100 guests with a smorgasbord of ribs, crab soup, homemade potato salad, greens, spaghetti, fried chicken, burgers and hot dogs at their 46th award ceremony at Middle Branch Marina. The Sportsmen’s League consists of people who attended Douglass and Dunbar high schools during the time of segregation. Their love of basketball and childhood memories created lasting friendships. The group presented the Hezekiah Braxton Award and $2500 in memory of member Hezekiah “Hezy” Braxton to the Frederick Douglass High School Alumni Association to support the school’s athletic program.

“I’m so proud of you” Valerie and Myron Bundy are thrilled over the accomplishments of Preze Watson Jr., graduating magnum cum laude from Stevenson University. Preze is among the Who’s Who of colleges and universities.

“Happy happy birthday baby” to Lorenzo “Renny” Robinson, Glenwood Oats Sr., Jackie Robinson Brown, Laverne Naesea, Patricia Tunstall, William “Bill” Massey, Nathaniel “Buzzy” Thomas, Warrior Lawyer J. Wyndal Gordon, Wanda Watts, Loretta Mitchell and Michael Phelps.

“The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living.” Cicero Our condolences to Beta Dotson and Carolyn Wainwright on the death of your husband and brother Carlton “Yummy” Dotson; to the brothers of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity on the death of Richard Speaks; to Elbie and Yoma Howard on the death of their grandson Chi Alyn Mitchell; to Gloria and James Bogan on the death of their niece Freddie Mae Bullock and to Wendle Billips on the death of his mom Rose Brown. “‘Cause we’re a winner and everybody knows it too… we’ll just keep on pushin’ Congratulations to the winners of the June 24 primary and to those who ran for office and didn’t win you’re still a winner you’ve got to “keep on pushing.”

Looking for a way to express what you feel contact Tanya Dennis at 410-655-1114 or BlingTeesbyT@aol.com for a wearable Bling Tee specially designed for you.

Valerie and the Friday Night Bunch Luta Continua (the struggle continues)

SPORTS

AFRO Sports Desk Faceoff

Which NBA Team Had the Best Draft?

By Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley AFRO Sports Writers

With the “deepest” draft in years now complete, the 2014 NBA Draft represented a huge step forward for many teams.

With three highly rated prospects that could have each been taken first overall, several franchises landed key additions that have potential to become major contributors right away.

After the darlings of the draft, Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker, were taken with the top two selections, it was all about fit and function for the rest of the players as teams positioned themselves to acquire major talent. But which team had the best draft? Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley of the AFRO Sports Desk debate the question.

Green: I love what the Philadelphia 76ers have done in the last two drafts. After doubling up and taking Michael CarterWilliams and Nerlens Noel last year, the Sixers received another injury discount when the former top pick Joel Embiid slipped to them at the No. 3 selection Adding Embiid with Noel gives the team a pair of 7-footers—but Philadelphia may not be able to trot them out together until 2015 after reports surfaced that Embiid may miss all of next season with a broken foot. But Embiid’s absence could lead to another top selection for the Sixers in next year’s draft—for a team slowly rebuilding, the Sixers are just collecting damaged but special talent while they suffer through punishing seasons.

Riley: I thought Philadelphia’s selection of Embiid was a bit risky considering last year’s gamble with Noel. Lower leg injuries with NBA big men are always risky, and rolling the dice on situations like those in back-to-back years could easily come back to haunt the Sixers. In contrast, however, I thought the Orlando Magic came away with a nice coup in taking power forward Aaron Gordon and point guard Elfrid Payton.

The fact that both players should be able to walk in and get immediate playing time at positions of need speaks volumes to the Magic’s draft strategy. Orlando has looked to acquire all the young talent it can since the departure of Dwight Howard a few seasons ago, and they landed another pair of blue-chip prospects in the high-flying Gordon and the crafty and quick Payton.

Green: Gordon’s offensive game is still a work in progress and there’s always a wait-and-see approach when a prospect

Joel Embiid celebrates with family after being drafted by the Sixers is coming out of a small school like Payton (University of Lousiana-Lafayette). Grabbing a player most predicted as the top selection just a few weeks ago has to be an attentiongrabber for the Sixers. It’s not often that a team can take a total game changer with the No. 3 selection. Embiid’s one year at Kansas saw play against top-caliber competition, and he blocked shots, dominated on the glass, ran the floor like a gazelle and scored with surprising efficiency and precision as a young freshman.

But on side note, I also really love the New York Knicks’ selection of Cleanthony Early. Here’s a team that didn’t even have a draft pick just a month ago, but new President of Basketball Operations Phil Jackson put his stamp on the team by trading away center Tyson Chandler for veteran point guard Jose Calderon and the 34th overall pick, which he then used to nab Early. Early is an explosive 6-foot, 7-inch small forward that led Wichita State to a perfect 34-0 record and put on a beautiful performance in the NCAA Tournament to advance his team to the Sweet 16. I really see this Knicks team shaping up exactly the way Phil Jackson wants, and Early will be an important piece to what he’s trying to do with the team.

Riley: I agree on the Early pick—that was a nice selection for the Knicks. But as for Embiid, there may be no greater intangible that a prospect can possess than availability. We know about Embiid’s accolades and his length and strength, but what we don’t know is when he’ll play again or if he ever will be the player he was before he broke his foot. The Magic pretty much know what they’re getting with a premiere athletes like Gordon and Payton. The two draftees were often paired together on the same team for pre-draft workouts and just slaughtered competition according to Gordon. “Nobody could stop us,” Gordon told The Orlando Sentinel. “In all the games that we played on the same team, we probably lost twice out of all the games. Interesting enough, we ended up on the same team. So this is my kind of guy. I wouldn’t have picked anybody else in the draft to play with me.” Gordon’s praise of his new teammate is exactly the kind of camaraderie that you want in a pair of fresh-faced rookies. It’s also the kind of chemistry that could help Orlando change their fortunes sooner than later, making the selection of the two easily the most exciting moves of any team in the draft.

July 5, 2014 - July 11, 2014, The Afro-American

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ARTS & CULTURE

One on One with Matthew Schuler

By Andrea “Aunni” Young Special to the AFRO

AFRO: What is your brand going to be? You are so charming, what will you sell America … the world on?

Schuler: It’s actually got a lot to do with this gala, dreaming big. I want to enhance the imagination of America. I want to create stories and sing about more things than just the stuff you hear on the radio. I feel like I’ve been called to something different. I want to be a storyteller.

Matthew Schuler, top six finalist on NBC’s The Voice, danced with more than 60 U.S. Dream Academy students on June 11 at the 13th Annual Power of a Dream Gala. The event was held at the Washington Hilton, in Washington, D.C. Schuler, a Philadelphia native, has turned his loss and elimination on NBC’s vocal competition into a variety of performance opportunities and is inspiring fans everywhere to dream big and have fun. While visiting the District, Schuler took a moment to speak with the AFRO about his experience on The Voice and the current trajectory of his career.

AFRO: How are you doing?

Matthew Schuler: I’m doing really well. I just got off the stage at the U.S. Dream Academy, their gala event. It’s been a really, really, awesome ride! I’ve been here for one day. I got to meet 60 plus amazing kids. Being able to sing and dance with them, it was definitely [an] honor.

AFRO: You are a very inspirational guy! What was it like, your ride on The Voice and your opportunities now?

What’s going on?

Schuler: My ride on The Voice was nothing short of amazing. I was so blessed to make it past the first open call. I went to New York, the Javits Convention Center, and there were about 10,000 people there that weekend. I made through to the callbacks, and then to the executive callbacks, and then finally to the blind auditions.

So many people didn’t get any chair turns. I was blessed enough to get a “4-Chair Turn,” it’s ridiculous. It was like one of the biggest honors on the show to get, and I was floored.

Then to make to the top six, it was an amazing ride. I got so much experience, singing in front of 18 million people live every week. You can’t buy that type of [exposure].

Being on The Voice was] a priceless experience. It definitely catapulted me. America’s been watching me. You can pull me up on YouTube, you can “Google” my name now. Being on that show, it’s totally given me a leg up on the competition

AFRO: Did you dream big as a kid?

Schuler: I guess so, I’m here now. I was always a huge daydreamer. I would have these random thoughts and they would go on these crazy tangents in the middle of classes.

I’ve always been a dreamer.

Matt Schuler

[compared to] people who are just starting out and haven’t had that type of exposure.

I’m definitely trying to use it to my advantage. I’ve been doing a lot of corporate events. I’ve been to Las Vegas, I sang a halftime show there during March Madness, and for the U.S. Rugby Tournament, the World Cup series. I went to Jamaica right after the show. I hung out with Shaggy. I actually have a song out with Shaggy right now, it’s called “Lovin’ You”. We were there for a benefit concert for the Bustamante Hospital [for children]. We raised a whole bunch of money for them.

AFRO: You mentioned Creative Arts Agency, what’s the plan?

Schuler: I’m really trying to get into anything I can get my hands on. I want to be a well-rounded musician, artist, and actor. I’ve got an awesome manager. The dude’s from South Africa. Jaco Booyens. He’s been working with this agency called Actors, Models, and Talent for Christ (AMTC). We’ve been working on A&R [Artists and Repertoire] and on developing my brand as an artist.

You are putting out a product, you’ve got to be clear about your vision, what you want people to see and know you by.

We’ve been working on all that and a lot of songwriting.

AFRO: What would you tell your fans?

Schuler: To dream, definitely. Try to think outside of the box. I feel like I definitely don’t think like other people think. I take ownership of it [my dreams]. I know I’m different, I’m unique. I think that everyone is fearfully and wonderfully made, and everyone has their differences.

AFRO: So is Christ first for you?

Schuler: He is absolutely first, number one, numero uno. I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for Him. AFRO: Any words of caution for those that want to get on The Voice, those that want to challenge the world with their music?

Schuler: I would say, pray a lot. (laughter) Don’t be upset if someone tells you no, just keep going and stay true to yourself at all times. And have fun with it. There have definitely been doors that have closed towards me. You can’t let it get you down. Just get up and keep going!

AFRO: How can your fans find you on Social Media?

Schuler: You can find me on Twitter @ MatthewSchuler_. On Instagram (IG), it’s like an old nickname when I played football, Rugby and stuff, @ Schuuuuler, with 4 U’s. My website is http://www. matthewschulerofficial.com/.

Andrea “Aunni” Young is a contributing writer at the AFRO. Reach out to her ayoung@afro.com.

The Astronomical Kid Comes of Age Brian “Astro” Bradley The “Earth to Echo” Interview with Kam Williams

KW: Who would you say are primary musical influences?

A: The legends: Biggie … Nas … Jay-Z … Tupac … Snoop … Wu-Tang Clan ... guys of that caliber.

By Kam Williams

KW: What would you says is the main message of Earth to Echo?

A: I think it represents friendship! Echo might be an alien, but it symbolizes something that brings you and your friends together. Echo just happens to be an alien, and it took all of us united to save him. We weren’t the coolest kids in the neighborhood, but when we came together on his behalf, we felt like giants who had conquered the world.

Brian “Astro” Bradley was born on August 26, 1996 in Brooklyn, N.Y. where he started rapping at an early age. At 14, he successfully auditioned for Season 1 of the reality-TV series “The X-Factor” by performing a song he wrote called, “Stop Looking at My Moms.”

Astro finished 7th overall in the competition and was subsequently signed to a contract by Epic Records. Here, he talks about making his acting debut as the narrator and co-star of Earth to Echo, a sci-fi adventure very similar to E.T.

Photo by Patrick Wymore

Astro in Earth to Echo.

KW: What interested you in making the jump from music to movies?

A: I haven’t abandoned music. I’m still doing the music thing. I was 15 when I read the script for Earth to Echo. I thought it was amazing, and I couldn’t think of turning it down. It’s awesome for a kid from Brooklyn to have an opportunity to be on the big screen. And I had a great experience learning what the movie business is like. So, I’m glad I did it.

KW: I loved Earth to Echo. It reminded me a lot of E.T. except with cell phones, texting slang, and state-of-the-art gadgets like eyeglasses with video cameras.

A: I think that was producer Andrew Panay’s mission, to bring that nostalgic film back, but to update it with a 2014 spin.

KW: Larry Greenberg asks: Did director Dave Green give you any advice about how to act in front of the green screen opposite special effects that would be added later?

A: He gave all of us advice about ways we could portray our characters better. But as far as the special effects, I got more help from the visual effects team. It was definitely weird to act opposite emptiness, and later see the space filled on the screen by this little alien.

INVITES YOU AND A GUEST TO A SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING

KW: They didn’t focus on the fact that your character, Tuck, is Black in the movie.

So race wasn’t an issue. Did you enjoy that?

A: Yeah, I never even thought about that. And I don’t think anybody else on the set ever focused on it either. It’s 2014, man!

KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

A: Don’t follow in my footsteps. Create your own path. And master your own craft, whatever it is, writer, actor, singer, rapper … Make sure you spend time perfecting being you, and eventually you’ll succeed.

KW: Lisa Loving says: Wow! I just love that music video of “Stop Looking at My Moms.” She asks: How does your mom feel about the song?

A: I don’t want to seem like a jerk, but that song is so old.

It’s from over five years ago now.

KW: So, what’s going on with you musically, then? I know you have a new EP called “Computer Era” coming out.

A: Yeah, I’m going to put the EP out soon, though I’m not rushing it. I’m taking my time since I don’t have a due date.

I’m going to drop the first video from it really soon, but I’m not going to say when.

KW: At what age did you start rapping?

A: About 9, but I’ve been into music since I was 3.

EMAIL: CUSTOMERSERVICE@AFRO.COM TO REGISTER TO WIN TICKETS! NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Supplies are limited. One pass per winner. Each pass admits two. Seating is not guaranteed and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Employees of all promotional partners and The Afro American are not eligible. All decisions are final.

Photo from IMDB

Ne-Yo and Astro in the live season finale of The X Factor.

IN THEATERS JULY 18

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The Afro-American, July 5, 2014 - July 11, 2014

Meet the Pastor Name: Age: Rev. Mark A. Riddix III, 38 Church: Mount Zion Baptist Church, 2000 Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore, two years Hometown: Baltimore Education: B.S. in finance, Oral Roberts University Master’s in theology, St. Mary’s Seminary & University Pursuing doctorate in New Testament theology How did you hear your call to ministry?

Joyous sharing at the altar. great congregation. I love the people at Mount Zion and enjoy preaching each week to people seeking to find wholeness in the gospel message of Christ. I enjoy being able to serve in the important moments of life: marriages, baby dedications, baptisms. It is exciting to see the gospel of Christ transform the core being of people and help them grow spiritually, emotionally and mentally.

A moment with his sister, Dr. Renee Riddix-Hilliard. the people. As the pastor, you carry the cares and concerns of the membership on your heart with you everywhere you go. There is never an off day when something is not needed of you. I was surprised by the totality of the investment that ministry entails.

How does social media enhance your ministry?

Social media has truly been a blessing at Mount Zion as technology has helped to spread the gospel message and further ministry awareness. Facebook, Twitter, UStream and radio (Heaven 600) have been invaluable tools in helping to reach a wider audience and updating individuals on the ministerial activities that take place at the church. It had helped to make the community aware of the multitude of services we provide.

Who in your community most inspires you?

I am always inspired by the endeavors of fellow ministers who are helping to bring about the work of the kingdom of God on earth and who help others to grow into the fullness of Christ. I am inspired by the social justice focus of Pastor Heber Brown III, the spiritual integrity of Bishop Clifford Johnson, and the visionary focus of Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Dr. William Curtis, and Bishop Heber Brown Jr.

My call to ministry came later in life. I always felt the call to ministry but was hesitant about preaching because it conflicted with the plans that I had constructed for my own life. My dream was to be the CEO of an investment management firm and to remain in the corporate world for life. God however had different plans for my life. One day while reading and praying, I heard God speak as clear as day telling me it was time to accept the ministerial call on my life and preach the good news of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

A transformation took place at that moment and I have never looked back since that time.

What was the biggest surprise when you started ministry?

It is the total commitment required in being the senior pastor of a church. The work of the preacher may end on Sunday evening but the work of the pastor is just beginning after Sunday morning worship. It is a spiritual, physical, emotional and mental investment of all your energies. The ministry is a 24 hour a day, seven day a week calling. You are always on call and need to be available to meet the needs of

Pastor confers with Minister Andrew Reed.

Of what aspect are you most proud?

I am most proud of the commitment to prayer and theological study that the members of Mount Zion have made over the past two years. The focus of the church is to “Create a Christ-Centered Community.” This can only be done through submission, obedience and cooperation with the Spirit of God. The concentrated effort and commitment to God has brought forth an increase in the church membership, Christian school enrollment, missionary outreach help and evangelistic efforts. God has blessed us on every hand and the church has prospered despite facing challenging circumstances. I look forward with great anticipation to the work that God will continue to do at Mount Zion.

What’s the most exciting thing about your ministry?

The people. God has blessed me to be the steward over a

What’s your favorite form of recreation? Self care?

My favorite form of recreation is working out. Going to the gym and exercising is a great way to de-stress as it helps me to relax and unwind from the pressures of ministry. It enables me to let go of the daily pressures and come back revitalized. In terms of self-care, I enjoy getting away to the movies, playing basketball, going fishing, and playing chess. Reading and educational pursuits are my intellectual self-care.

Mount Zion members

The Author’s Corner Title: “The First 60 Years: The History of Afro-American Musical Theater And Entertainment 1865-1930” Author: Ronald Smokey Stevens

It was my discovery that this year is the 100th anniversary of the creation of Black Vaudeville which originated in Wash. D.C. with Sherman H. Dudley and his “Dudley Vaudeville Circuit” in 1914

Ronald Smokey Stevens has grown to become an author-filmmaker-and producer.

He began his career professionally as an actor singerdancer with The DC Black Repertory Co. Broadway credits include “Bubbling Brown Sugar”, “Inacent Black”, “DreamGirls” and his production, “Rollin on the Toba.”

His most recent production, a one-man show entitled “I Just Want to Tell Somebody,” based on his autobiography of the same title. Film credits include “Times Square”, “The Cotton Club” and “TheWiz” in which he was one of the crows along with Michael Jackson. He recently filmed his documentary “Preserving LeDroit Park” and is currently shooting a television pilot.

For what audience is this book written?

This book is targeted to anyone that appreciates entertainment history, Black history, and American history on a whole. It is also targeted to all creative artists participating in the entertainment industry. It is also targeted to educators and institutions of higher learning.

What was the impetus for writing this book?

I wrote it at the time of my production, “Rolling on the Toba: A Tribute to the Last Days of Black Vaudeville” on Broadway.

What’s next for you?

My immediate plans are to finish producing the pilot I’ve been developing for national television

What do you want the readers to remember?

The one thing I want the reader to never forget is his or her history, and to realize that Black history is American history.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

Write about the things that you are passionate about, and that interest you the most.

What other books have you written?

I’m also the author of my autobiography, “I Just Want to Tell Somebody.”

What surprised you about the development of the book?

afro.com • Your History • Your Community • Your News

July 5, 2014 - July 11, 2014, The Afro-American

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The Afro-American, July 5, 2014 - July 11, 2014

Nick Cannon Makes Directorial Debut with Help of Star-Studded Cast

Film Review by Kam Williams Nick Cannon is a versatile entertainer; actor, comedian, rapper, radio DJ, TV host and as the husband of pop dive Mariah Carey. With School Dance, Nick steps behind the camera to add filmmaker to his extensive resume.

His jaw-dropping directorial debut is a raunchy romantic comedy that might be best thought of as Romeo and Juliet gone completely gangsta’. Set at an inner-city high school in Los Angeles, the irreverent romp revolves around diminutive Jason Jackson (Bobb’e J. Thompson), a modestly-endowed virgin with a crush on a cute and curvy classmate.

Trouble is Anastacia (Kristina DeBarge) has never even noticed the nondescript nerd. A bigger complication is that he’s Black, she’s Chicano, and their respective ethnic groups

don’t mix, let alone get along. Nevertheless, Jason accepts a dare from the dudes in his posse to get into her proverbial panties by the end of the semester.

To that end, he hatches an elaborate plan to impress the girl of his dreams by winning their high school’s annual talent show that offers a grand prize of $2,000. But of as much import as the outcome of that contest is the raucous road the flick takes en route to that fait accompli.

Director Cannon apparently had no trouble casting his first picture, since the screen is filled with top comedians at every turn, from the man of the year Kevin Hart to the resurrected Katt Williams to “Yo’ Momma’s” Wilmer Valderrama to the irrepressible Luenell to the incomparable Mike Epps to George Lopez and Patrick Warburton. All of the above found the elbow room to do their thing, although the production might have benefited from editing out some of their most offensive remarks.

Still, I suspect that such shocking fare will find a ready audience in a Hip-Hop Generation weaned on a profusion of profanity and fond of the N-word. A 21st century update of the beloved Shakespeare classic about a pair of star-crossed lovers from the opposite side of the tracks.

Good (2 stars) Rated R for crude humor, graphic sexuality, underage drug use, ethnic slurs and pervasive profanity Running time: 85 minutes Distributor: Lionsgate Films To see a trailer for School Dance, visit: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=_qKXSL2N0RQ

Justin Robinson: On His Latest Album “Alana’s Fantasy”

By Nick Antoine Special to the AFRO Justin Robinson is a jazz saxophonist and flutist. Robinson established himself as a child prodigy when, while still a teenager, he began running after-hours jam sessions at the renowned Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City the late 1980’s. He released his debut album “Justin Time” in 1991, which featured saxophone legends such as Bobby Watson and Gary Bartz.

Robinson has shared the stage with greats like Diana Ross, Abbey Lincoln, the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, and currently tours with trumpeter Roy Hargrove. His newest album, Alana’s Fantasy, comes out today under the Criss Cross Jazz label.

What was the artistic vision for Alana’s Fantasy?

I am fortunate to have had the chance to record for a label that has allowed me a lot of freedom. As long as no one is wasting time in the studio, the label pretty much gives you complete license. Basically, I just want to tell my story and hope in the process of doing it that I create work that people can enjoy.

We tried to choose songs that I’m close to and also some tunes I’d been working on like Thelonious Monk’s song “Eronel,” which is actually deceptively harder to play than most people think. Like a lot of Thelonious Monk’s music, you listen to it and say, “Oh, this is a great tune, I should play it!” But then you start practicing it and working on the phrases and you realize his compositions are really hard.

Have any new technologies influenced the way you perform?

Not really. However, technology has allowed me to have my entire [musical] library with me at all times, which is really invaluable. So now, if I’m in the mood to listen to Charlie Parker and then Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, or Sonny Rollins, I have everything at my fingertips. Having those things on your iTunes or on Youtube provides so much motivation, there’s always something to listen to.

What do you make of the up-and-coming musicians in the industry?

I know some of the young guys who are out doing their thing. There are guys like Sullivan Fortner and Jonathan Batiste, who I think are very special musicians, but it’s like any other industry - you can find all spectrums of the rainbow. So you’ll find the great musicians and then there are always going to be guys who you listen to who and you say, “This is not my cup of tea.” But that can be said about any genre of music in any era.

How has jazz changed since you came on the scene?

There are fewer jazz clubs, for one. And the addition of jazz programs in so many universities is another change. These are big differences from my era. My generation learned, basically, the way a boxer learns boxing...from the masters, but also from taking some beatings.

Clifford Jordan used to come down to my jam sessions at the Blue Note and challenge me all the time and George Coleman walked in on my first and only gig at Bradley’s. I don’t think those kinds of experiences happen as much now.

I do think some of the younger ones have been taught a little differently, conceptually, from the way I learned how to play. We took private lessons with guys like Frank Wess and now some of the universities have these masters as adjunct professors. From that perspective, it’s great that younger players have such access to great musicians.

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Is it harder for new artists today to become great with so few opportunities for those types of experiences?

Yeah. I think one of the lessons I really appreciated from the early 90’s era was that you were actually playing in front of people. There’s a big difference from being in the practice room and honing your craft just through study, and actually applying it in real time. It’s just like if you’re an athlete. Nothing can replace the intensity of an actual game. You know, you can train as much as you want, but until you actually get into the ring, you don’t really know where you stand. And I think that’s always the best way to work on your deficits. It’s important to be in uncomfortable situations sometimes.

You were close friends with the late Dwayne Burno, who plays bass on this album. How did Dwayne influence you as a musician and as a person?

I was a little older than Burno, but his work ethic, passion, and love for music was something that always inspired me. He was the type of guy who would even memorize stuff from liner notes on record albums. When I think about a pure musician, he’s one of the guys out of my generation that first comes to mind. He played with some of the most important musicians of the twentieth and twenty-first century, there’s no question about it. I feel blessed to have played with him and, more importantly, to have known him as a person. He was probably one of the most genuine individuals that I’d ever crossed paths with. And I loved him for that.

To order a copy of Justin Robinson’s new CD, “Alana’s Fantasy,” visit: http://www.amazon. com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00IZ7ZCNU/ref=nosim/thslfofire-20

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BUSINESS SERVICES Drive traffic to your business and reach 4.1 million readers with just one phone call & one bill. See your business ad in 104 newspapers in Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia for just $495.00 per ad placement. The value of newspapers advertising HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER....call 1-855-721-6332 x 6 today to place your ad before 4.1 million readers. Email Wanda Smith @ wsmith@mddcpress. com or visit our website at www.mddcpress.com.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Place your ad today in both The Baltimore Sun and The Washington Post newspapers, along with 10 other daily newspapers five days per week. For just pennies on the dollar reach 2.5 million readers through the Daily Classified Connection Network in 3 states: CALL TODAY; SPACE is VERY LIMITED; CALL 1-855721-6332 x 6 or email wsmith@mddcpress. com or visit our website at www.mddcpress.com

EDUCATIONAL TRAINING VETERANS! Take full advantage of your Educational training benefits! GI Bill covers COMPUTER & MEDICAL TRAINING! Call CTI for Free Benefit Analysis today! 1-888407-7173

HELP WANTED: DRIVERS CDL-A Drivers: Looking for Higher Pay?

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

Become a Foster Parent!

Treatment Foster Parents work from home, receive a tax-free stipend and professional 24 hour on-call support for providing shelter for a young person who has suffered abuse or neglect. For more information, call the CHOSEN Treatment Foster Care Program at 1-800-621-8834.

AD NETWORK New Century is Hiring Exp. Drivers, both Solo and Team Operations.

Competitive Pay Package. Sign-On Incentive.

Pets/Welcome! Call (888) 903-8863 or apply online at www.drivenctrans.com.

HELP WANTED: PART-TIME Individuals with good community/ school contacts wanted to place and supervise 15 students from Spain for short term program in July or August in your own community.

Good additional income.

Email resume or letter of interest to: GLOBAL FRIENDSHIPS, INC. FAX- 410-861-8144 EMAIL - jtarlow@ globalfriendships.com

LOTS & ACREAGE LAND BARGAIN. PUBLIC WATER STATE RD FRONTAGE 8.16 AC - $37,215 Prime hardwood setting with pristine mountain & valley views. Ready to build, camp or relax .

This parcel has everything you need: utilities, PUBLIC ATER, general warranty deed, all mineral rights convey, new perc & easy access.

Close to charming country town like Mayberry! Terrific financing with little down. CALL OWNER 1-800-8881262, 7 days

MISCELLANEOUS

AIRLINE CAREERS begin here – Get FAA approved Aviation Maintenance training.

Housing and Financial Aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation

MISCELLANEOUS TRAINING Institute of Maintenance 800-481-8974 NURSING CAREERS begin here - Get trained in months, not years.

Small classes, no waiting list. Financial aid for qualified students. Apply now at Centura College

RESORT/BEACH PROPERTY Richmond 877-2052052

Discover Delaware’s Resort Living without Resort Pricing! Milder winters & Low Taxes!

Gated Community with amazing amenities!

New homes mid $40’s.

Brochures available

SERVS./ MISC.

1-866-629-0770 or www.coolbranch.com Want a larger footprint in the marketplace consider advertising in the MDDC Display 2x2 or 2x4 Advertising Network. Reach 3.6 million readers every week by placing your ad in 82 newspapers in Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia.

With just one phone call, your business and/ or product will be seen by 3.6 million readers HURRY....space is limited, CALL TODAY!!

Call 1-855-721-6332 x 6 or email wsmith@

TYPESET: Wed Jul 02 13:35:09 EDT 2014

LEGAL NOTICES

City of Baltimore Department of Finance Bureau of Purchases Sealed proposals addressed to the Board of Estimates of Baltimore, will be received until, but not later than 11:00 a.m. local time on the following date(s) for the stated requirements: JULY 16, 2014 *O.E.M. PARTS & SERVICE FOR PETERBUILT HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS B50003626 *WASTE OIL/REVENUE B50003468 *EIGHT CUBIC YARD REAR-LOADING REFUSE COLLECTION TRUCK B50003615 *STREET SWEEPER TRUCKS B50003578 JULY 30, 2014 *MAJOR REPAIRS, UPGRADES & REPLACEMENT OF UNDERGROUND & ABOVEGROUND FUEL STORAGE TANKS B50003510 *RENTAL OF PORTABLE CHEMICAL TOILETS B50003541

YOU KNOW YOU’RE IN THE KNOW...

WHEN YOU READ THE AFRO

THE ENTIRE SOLICITATION DOCUMENT CAN BE VIEWED AND DOWN LOADED BY VISITING THE CITYS WEB SITE: www.baltimorecitibuy.org TYPESET: Wed Jul 02 13:34:45 EDT 2014 CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS BUREAU OF WATER AND WASTEWATER NOTICE OF LETTING Sealed Bids or Proposals, in duplicate addressed to the Board of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and marked for Sanitary Contract 901 -Patapsco Residuals Transfer Station at the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant will be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204, City Hall, Baltimore, Maryland until 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, August 13, 2014. Positively no bids will be received after 11:00 A.M. Bids will be publicly opened by the Board of Estimates in Room 215, City Hall at Noon.The Contract Documents may be examined, without charge, at the Department of Public Works Service Center located on the first floor of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 as of Monday, July 7, 2014 and copies may be purchased for a non-refundable cost of $50.00.

Conditions and requirements of the Bid are found in the bid package.

All contractors bidding on this Contract must first be prequalified by the City of Baltimore Contractors Qualification Committee. Interested parties should call 410-396-6883 or contact the Committee at 3000 Druid Park Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21215. If a bid is submitted by a joint venture (”JV”), then in that event, the document that established the JV shall be submitted with the bid for verification purposes. The Prequalification Category required for bidding on this project is E13001 Three Story and Under.

Cost Qualification Range for this work shall be $1,000,000.01 to $2,000,000.00 A ”Pre-Bidding Information” session will be conducted at Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant (3501 Asiatic Ave. Baltimore, MD 21226) in the Administration Building on July 17, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. Principal Items of work for this project are: Construction of a new pre-engineered metal roof structure to house residual materials, including support piles, structural concrete slab and walls, grinder pumping station ”prefabricated drainage system” electrical power, lighting and controls, site improvements and other appurtenant work.

The MBE goal is 19% The WBE goal is 2%

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Buy it • Sell it Swap it • Lease it Rent it • Hire it

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1 Col. Inch Up to 20 Words

AFRO Classified minimum ad rate is $26.54 per col. inch (an inch consists of up to 20 words).

Mail in your ad on form below along with CHECK or MONEY ORDER to: WASHINGTON AFRO-AMERICAN CO. 1917 Benning Road, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002-4723 Attn: Clsf. Adv. Dept.

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NAME: ________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _____________________________________________ PHONE NO.:____________________________________________ CLASSIFICATION: ______________________________________ (Room, Apt., House, etc.)

INSERTION DATE:_________________

BALTIMORE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER Legal Advertising Rates Effective October 1, 2008 PROBATE DIVISION (Estates) 202-332-0080 PROBATE NOTICES a. Order Nisi $ 60 per insertion b. Small Estates (single publication $ 60 per insertion c. Notice to Creditors 1. Domestic $ 60 per insertion 2. Foreign $ 60 per insertion d. Escheated Estates $ 60 per insertion e. Standard Probates

CIVIL NOTICES a. Name Changes 202-879-1133 b. Real Property

$180.00 per 3 weeks $180.00 per 3 weeks $180.00 per 3 weeks $360.00 per 6 weeks $125.00

$ 80.00 $ 200.00

FAMILY COURT 202-879-1212 DOMESTIC RELATIONS 202-879-0157 a. Absent Defendant b. Absolute Divorce c. Custody Divorce

$ 150.00 $ 150.00 $150.00

To place your ad, call 1-800-237-6892, ext. 262, Public Notices $50.00 & up depending on size, Baltimore Legal Notices are $24.84 per inch.

1-800 (AFRO) 892 For Proof of Publication, please call 1-800-237-6892, ext. 244

SANITARY CONTRACT 901 APPROVED: Bernice H. Taylor Clerk, Board of Estimates APPROVED: Rudolph S. Chow, P.E. Director of Public Works

CAREER CORNER ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE INSIDE SALES ADVERTISING ACCOUNT Advertising Sales Professional needed for the AFRO-AmericanEXECUTIVE Newspapers, Washington, D.C. or Baltimore office.

Entry-Level Advertising Sales Rep Position needed provides: for the AFRO-American • Newspapers, Competitive compensation package Baltimore, M.D. • Salary and commission plan • Full benefits after trial period provides: • Position Opportunity for fast track advancement • Competitive compensation package • Salary and commission plan Candidates should be: • • Self starters Full benefits after trial period • • Money motivated Opportunity for fast track • Goal-oriented advancement

• Experienced in online/digital sales • Confident in ability to build strong territory possess: • Candidates Previous salesshould experience preferred • Good typing/data entry skills • Excellent customer service skills Please email your resume to: dhocker@afro.

• or Previous telephone sales experience com mail to: • Excellent written and verbal Afro-American Newspapers Diane W. Hocker,

communication skills Director of Human Resources 2519 N. Charles Street to: Please email your resume Baltimore, MD 21218 lhowze@afro.com or mail to

TYPESET: Wed Jul 02 13:33:04 EDT 2014

AFRO-American Newspapers, Diane W. Hocker, Director of Human Resources, PTA 2519 N. Charles Street, FACULTY - PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT Baltimore, Carroll Community College MD seeks21218 a full-time, 10-month

Physical Therapist Assistant Faculty Member. Detailed information may be obtained at www.carrollcc.edu

To advertise in the AFRO Call 410-554-8200

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JJuly 5, 2014 - July 11, 2014 The Afro-American

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The Afro-American, July 5, 2014 - July 11, 2014

WE’RE HARD AT WORK HERE EVERY DAY. Southern Maryland’s dedication to safety, security and pulling together is bringing even more jobs to the area.

Some of us pull nets from the Bay. Some pull food and feed from the ground. And some pull the promise of an entire community behind them.

But we all pull together to build our future—because we’re Marylanders.

Nearly 6 million strong, we’re the muscle and brainpower of a sturdy, hard-working region that’s proudly diverse and proudly united, with communities inspired by the past and excited for the future. And our dedication to hard work, safety and security is bringing even more jobs and economic opportunities to Southern Maryland. Like the ones at Dominion’s Cove Point LNG project.

In fact, during the three-year period when it will be built, Dominion’s Cove Point project will produce thousands of construction jobs. And once in operation, it will create 75 high-paying permanent positions, as well as provide a long-term revenue stream. Calvert County will receive, on average, an additional $40 million a year in the first fi ve years the project is in operation.

So take a look around. Because when you do, you’ll see people taking care of our environment, taking care of our country and taking care of each other. We call it Maryland pride.

@Dom_CovePoint

Photo from left: Joe Stuck and Steve Hickmann, A Journeymen Inside Wiremen, IBEW Local Union 26

Dom-CovePoint-MDWorker-Pride-CombinedSizes.indd 9

6/23/14 10:10 AM