B2
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010
C E L E B R A T E B L A C K H I S T O RY
ARIZONA INFORMANT
Town Hall Marks 50th Anniversary Of Sit-ins By Brittney M. Black GREENSBORO, N.C. The Rev. Jesse Jackson, Bennett College President Julianne Malveaux and journalists Ed Gordon and Stephen A. Smith debated leadership and activism Jan. 28 with other participants of a two-part town hall discussion at North Carolina A&T State University, the first of a series of events in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Greensboro sit-ins. Jackson spearheaded the first panel with a heated discussion of what drove activism in the past and what is missing in the current generation. “Youth today don’t appreciate how humiliating segregation was,” Jackson, a 1964 A&T graduate, told the audience of more than 500 people gathered in the Alumni Foundations Events Center. “The students at A&T and Bennett couldn’t use a downtown toilet when I was younger. We couldn’t rent a room at the Holiday Inn. Since that time, things have changed and this generation doesn’t remember that.” Dr. Harold L. Martin Sr., chancellor of A&T, was a high school student during the sit-ins. “I’m thankful that I came up in a time where the students pushed the envelope,” Martin chimed in. “Young people, don’t take for granted what you have today.” Malveaux, his counterpart at Bennett, disagreed with her fellow panelists. “I don’t think the students take it for granted,” she said. “I see young women on Bennett’s campus breaking boundaries everyday. The old heads
WED 3 Dr. Matthew Whitaker will present “Race
Relations and Interracial Unity in America: An Open House Keynote for the THEM Exhibit,” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the first floor of the CGCC Library. Throughout the month of February the Chandler-Gilbert Community College Library Gallery will host, THEM: Images of Separation, a traveling exhibition that showcases items from popular culture used to stereotype different groups. Arizona African American Republican Committee Black History Month meeting 6:00 to 8 p.m. 3501 N. 24th St. (Rep. Hdqtrs.) in Phoenix. Contact: Chairman Clyde Bowen 602-274-5439.
FRI 5 African American Vibes of the City: “Mixed
Historic photo of Greensboro sit-in, Feb. 1, 1960
have to make the history come to life for youth today. Dr. King said when he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize, ‘I had the audacity to dream.’ What we have to do in our households, in our curriculums, in our day-today interactions is reenforce the notion of audacity.” Other participants on the first panel included Kim Saunders, CEO and president of Mechanics & Farmers Bank, and Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the Hip Hop Summit Action Network. Gordon was the moderator of both panels, sponsored by the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, which will open Monday, Feb. 1, the anniversary of the original 1960 sit-in. The museum is located in the F.W. Woolworth building and includes the original stools where the A&T Four sat. The notion of audacity was continued in the second panel, which focused on leadership.
A younger group of panelists consisted of Denyqua Rodriguez, a Bennett student; Gary Brown, an A&T student; Inga Willis, a Howard University graduate and music industry entrepreneur; Zim Ugochukwu, a student representative of Ignite Greensboro; Warren Ballentine, political activist and creator of the Warren Ballentine Show, a syndicated radio program; and Stephen A. Smith, FOX sports anchor. “Everyone is always looking for someone to be a leader,” Ballentine said. “We as a people need to start having ‘geese sense.’ When geese fly, one goose takes the lead out in the front and withstands all the beating from the air that he can stand. When he can’t take anymore, that goose will fall back and another goose will rotate and take his place. What difference does it really make who’s in the lead?” Leadership continued to be a hot topic among the panelists as they discussed the role that rap-
pers and actors play in the younger generation. A&T alumna Jazmyne Cosby came out to the town hall to participate in the discussion and other commemoration activities. “The first panel seemed to be speaking to an older crowd,” Cosby said. “I felt like they were not really grabbing my attention on some of the views that they were talking about. I enjoyed the second panel a lot more, because I could relate to their issues.” Greensboro native Celesta Dunston, 52, had a more personal reason for attending the town hall. “The creation of the International Civil Rights museum is an important addition for us in Greensboro,” Dunston said. “I was born in 1957, and I grew up knowing about a lot of things that occurred in the black community that were not fair. We have not overcome, and we have not arrived because everyday people get discriminated against. I still remember this; a lot of young people don’t.”
The Founder Of Black History Month “Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.” - Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, Although many people are familiar with Black History Month and Carter G. Woodson, most people are not aware of how Black History Month was founded. It is a very interesting story. The distinguished
Dr. Carter Woodson, (December 1875 April 1950)
author, editor, publisher and historian, Dr. Carter Goodwin Woodson is known as the father of Black History. He authored and published numerous scholarly books, periodicals and articles on the positive contributions of Blacks. Dr. Woodson established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915 and in 1916 he founded the Journal of Negro History. In addition, Dr. Woodson founded the
Associated Publishers and the Negro History Bulletin. One of his most famous books, The MisEducation of the Negro is a must read for anyone interested in black history. Dr. Woodson attended and earned his undergraduate degree from Berea College in Kentucky and later went on to earn a PhD from Harvard University becoming the second African American to earn a PhD from Harvard (W.E.B. DuBois was the first).
Media Art Exhibition” featuring both two and three dimensional works of art from prominent Valley artists. The exhibit will open with a free first Friday’s gallery reception from 6 to 8 p.m. The Phoenix Center for the Arts is located at 1202 North 3rd St. Participants will be able to tour the gallery, meet the artists, listen to live music, enjoy free refreshments, and visit art booths. Additional information is available on-line at: http://phoenix.gov/ PARKS/phxctr.html or by calling 602-262-4627.
First Friday Black History Month arts and music celebration 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Downtown Civic Space Park, 424 N. Central Ave., Phoenix.
SAT 6 Regional Unity Walk at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate community solidarity and diversity. The event is hosted by human relations commissions from six Valley communities including walkers from Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and Arizona State University. Start at Tempe Lake Marina and the ASU Lot 59 in Tempe, and finish at Tempe Art Park, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway. For more information or to register as a group or individual, call 602-495-3737. Visit www.tempe.gov/diversityregionalunitywalk for a map to the assembly points. SUN 7 Jazz saxophonist Marion Meadows will lead a Sunday afternoon Black History Month celebration concert at the ASU Kerr Cultural Center on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The concert will feature music written and interpreted by African-American composers and musicians. Tickets are available at the Kerr box office, 6110 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480-596-2660, Ticketmaster locations and online at jazzinaz.org.
TUE 9 George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center will host an evening with the founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, Lonnie G. Bunch, Ph.D. The event will include a talk by Dr. Bunch, a question and answer session, hors d’oeuvres, and an optional tour of the Carver Museum. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center. 415 East Grant Street in Phoenix. Information at http://carvermuseum.com
FRI 12 South Chandler Self Help Foundation Black History program at the Chandler Center for the Arts beginning at 7 p.m. Featured performers will be VOW, Miss la'Donna, Allen Morris, New Jerusalem Choir, Mz. D and Celia among others. Also scheduled to attend the event is Miss Juneteenth, Amber Thomas. Part of the proceeds will go to the Haiti relief effort. Open to the public – donation asked. For more information regarding the SCSHF or the Black History program call 480-593-9488.
THU 18 Annual “A Taste of Soul” celebration commemorating Black History Month at South Mountain High School Student Cafeteria. From 3:00 until 5 p.m. This year’s theme is “A Changing Wind In 20TN.” For information contact: Corine Hill-Hicks 602-764-5130 or LaVerne Odoms 602-764-5019.
ARIZONA INFORMANT
C E L E B R A T E B L A C K H I S T O RY
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010
B3
B4
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010
C E L E B R A T E B L A C K H I S T O RY
Black Women Walking At SMCC Feb. 11 - 13 In celebration of Black History Month, South Mountain Community College, the SMCC Black Student Union and Seek First Entertainment will present Black Women Walking, a one-act play spotlighting the achievements of eleven notable African-American women, February 11-13. From the living room of three friends, playgoers will venture back in time to meet such historic figures as Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Mary McLeod Bethune, and other Black heroines of history, and witness the courage, character, and brilliance of these women who impacted the American landscape with their powerful journeys toward freedom, justice and equality. The play is written by Karen F. Williams and directed by Kevvin Taylor. Included in the cast are: Betty Hanes, Esther Bailey, Lorraine Taylor, Bobbie Washington, Jeri White, Dr. Dolores B. Reid, Thomasina Daniels, Leticia Carey, Ruth Alexander, Janice Jackson, Rev. Angela Miler, Deborah Margolis, Justice Renaissance, Quanta’ Brown, Brashae Perry, and Aftyn and Alexys Brandon. The play also features lesser-known historical figures such as Fannie Lou Hamer, Zora Neal Hurston and Willie Mae Ford Smith – women who didn’t necessarily make it into the history books, but much like their better-known counterparts, were God-fearing women who triumphed over great obstacles through their perseverance and spirituality. Black Women Walking is seen through the eyes of three elderly women. By coming together and sharing the stories of these great women of history, they too become liberated and empowered.
They stand tall, moving with faith, and stepping out with courage, despite the limitations and frailties of their age. According to the director, Kevvin Taylor, Black Women Walking educates, entertains and emancipates. It is a spiritual-based play with universal themes about the importance of education, civil rights, liberation, justice and equality. It is a classic tale of finding strength in the struggle, appropriate for all ages, and has a message for everyone. Young girls are empowered with a sense of womanhood, self-confidence and pride. Males see beyond the images of women portrayed in the hip-hop culture and media, leading to healthier, respect-based attitudes and behavior. The play is an opportunity for parents to share a positive learning experience with their children, and educators can use it as a tool for teaching important lessons of history, diversity and social interaction. Each performance is followed by a short discussion of the play’s themes and messages involving the cast, audience and director. Three performances of Black Women Walking will be presented. The first, a schoolday performance intended for elementary age students, takes place Thursday, February 11, at 10 a.m. That will be followed by two evening performances, Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13, beginning at 7 p.m. each evening. Black Women Walking will be presented in the South Mountain Community College Performance Hall, 7050 S. 24th Street in Phoenix, just north of Baseline Road. General admission tickets are available at the door one hour before performances.
ARIZONA INFORMANT
ARIZONA INFORMANT
ALL- INFORMANT FOOTBALL Pullout Pages
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010
B5
ALL INFORMANT TEAM 2009-10
Davon Jones of Mountain Pointe High School runs over one defender and drags another for several yards in their contest versus Marcos de Niza.
2009-10 All-Informant Gridiron Team Is Loaded With Talent also ran for 1,208 yards which equated to 100.7 yards per game and combined, he personally amassed 227.1 yards per game. Carey was instrumental in leading the Dorados to the 4A Division I football state title by carrying the pigskin 224 times for 2,738 yards, 43 touchdowns and nearly rushed for 200 yards per g a m e (195.6).
was a sack,. In addition, he accounted for 45 TDs this season for 270 points meaning he scored 19.3 points each time he took the field. For Hughes and his fellow Coyotes, Centennial’s season ended one game too soon as the once nationally-ranked Coyotes lost in the Final Four of the 5A Division II playoffs. Personally, Hughes was simply outstanding despite not playing most fourth quarters until the post season and did not fumble once the entire season.
EY AR
EE M
It’s that time of the scholastic year that this newspaper names its annual All-Arizona Informant Football Team and this year’s team is stacked with a lot of skilled gridiron players at every position. Not including our staff meeting, which was pretty animated as the writers politicked for players they deemed deserving a spot on this year’s team, it took five revisions before the organization came to an agreement on this season’s squad. For 2009-2010, the AllInformant Offensive Team is comprised of Chandler’s quarterback Brett Hundley, Oro Valley Canyon del Oro’s running back Ka’Deem Carey, Peoria Centennial’s RB Anthony Hughes, Scottsdale Chaparral’s RB Dwayne Garrett, Phoenix Mountain Pointe’s RB Davon Jones, Glendale’s RB Donald McGruder, Peoria Cactus’ RB Allen Woods, Tucson Sunnyside wide receiver Chris Howard, Tempe Marco de Niza’s WR Justin Rodriguez, Phoenix Carl Hayden’s lineman Tre Fields, Marcos de Niza’s OL Brandon Gammage and Tucson Santa
Rita’s OL Jaquari Kountz. On the other side of the ball is this year’s All-Informant Defensive Team and it’s members are Carl Hayden’s lineman Marquise Douglass, Chandler Hamilton’s DL Tevin Hood, Scottsdale Saguaro’s DL Jordan McDonald, Marcos de Niza’s linebacker Ramon Abreu, Sierra Vista Buena’s LB DeAndre Little, Paradise Valley’s LB Tyree Parker, Douglas’ defensive back Joel Bello, Hamilton’s DB Devon Carrington, Goodyear Millennium’s DB Marquis Flowers, Phoenix St. Mary’s DB R.J. McGill and Canyon del Oro’s DB Josh Robbins. Hamilton’s Zach Bauman, Phoenix Mountain Pointe’s De’Andre Currie, Santa Rita’s Greg Jones and Tucson Sabino’s Keanu Nelson are all listed as “athletes” who made the AllInformant Special Team. Once Hundley took over the signal calling duties for Chandler, he ignited the offense and the Wolves became a legitimate team to challenge for the Class 5A Division I state title. As a QB, Hundley completed 107 of his 170 passes for 1,517 yards, 16 touchdown and 2 interceptions to lead Chandler to the Final Four of the playoffs. He
C
KA’D
By: Vincent R. Crawford Sports Editor
He also caught five passes for 73 yards, completed both of his pass attempts, intercepted three passes, returned kickoffs, and had 22 total tackles of which one
Hughes rushed for 2,002 yards, on 186 carries, meaning, on average, he gained a first down every time he toted the leather (10.8 yards per carry).
The senior Coyote scored 32 rushing TDs and averaged 143.0 yards per game. Defensively, Hughes also had 39 tackles and a pick Garrett was another player whose team won a state title – 5A Division II. The senior Firebird ran for 1,847 yards, on 227 attempts, for 34 TDs. On average, he gained 8.1 yards per carry and 132 yards per game. For the season, Garrett scored 37 times, for 222 points, and scored, on average, 15.9 points per game for the state champs. Garrett also caught 11 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns. Jones was a leader on a squad that advanced to the 5A Division I Final Four before losing. Statistically, Jones carried the rock 259 times for 1,791 yards, 30 TDs for an average of 137.9 per contest. He also caught 15 passes for 215 yards and another three scores. Jones played defense as well and finished with one interception for the Pride. Overall, Jones crossed the goal line 34 times including his successful PAT attempt for 200 points (15.4 ppg) on the season. continued on page B6
B6
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010
ALL- INFORMANT FOOTBALL Pullout Pages
ARIZONA INFORMANT
ALL INFORMANT TEAM 2009-10 continued from page B5
McGruder’s team failed to make the post season in 2009, but its not because the senior Cardinal was not trying. As the main focus of opposing defenses, McGruder still managed to gain 1,528 yards, on 169 attempts, for 17 TDs and moved the yardage marker 9.0 yards per carry. Points wise, he averaged 11.0 points per game for Glendale and excelled on defense as well as the special team. In addition, McGruder threw six passes and averaged 18.3 yards per pass reception. Woods also was on a state-winning team as he was instrumental in Cactus taking home firstplace honors in the 4A Division II playoffs. The senior Cobra was a tough runner as he had his number called 336 times to carry the ball 2,661 yards for nearly 200 yards per game (190.1) as well. On the ground, he scored 37 TDs and with his special team TD, he totaled 228 points on the season scoring 16.3 points per game. On offense, Woods also caught six passes, but his main task was to carry the pigskin and he did it well. Howard was easily the best wide receiver in southern Arizona and received all the rightful accolades he garnered in the off-season because of his tremendous senior season for the Blue Devils. On the campaign, Howard caught passes for more than 1,200 yards to lead Sunnyside into the second round of the playoffs before being defeated by Marcos de Niza, 34-24. Rodriguez is the other wide out on the team and he caught 50 balls for 839 yards and 16 TDs to help lead the Padres into the 5A Division II title game. He also averaged 9.5 yards each time he carried the ball, completed his lone pass attempt for 55 yards, picked off four passes on defense and returned a single kick return opportunity 60 yards. Fields was a two-way starter for the Falcons and the main guy his running back ran behind when Hayden needed a first down via the rushing
attack. Defensively, Fields finished with 19 tackles including one quarterback sack. Once, Coach Cleveland Dansby called his number to carry the ball on offense and Fields came through with a fiveyard run for a first down. Gammage was another lineman who played on both sides of the ball and he was a key member on the Padres title-game appearing team and the squad that knocked off top-ranked Centennial in the Final Four round of the post season. Gammage dominated his man on offense and was tough on defense. He caused one fumble, recovered another and even deflected a ball in pass defense. Kountz was a highly thought of offensive lineman who was a three-year starter for the Eagles who lost in the championship game of the 4A Division II playoffs. Kountz opened up holes for his running back and ran the ball as well for Santa Rita. He carried the leather 11 times for 75 yards while be ing used mainly as a shortyardage back. Kountz did not score this season, but his longest run was 14 yards. Douglass was also an instrumental leader on the Falcons’ football team that enjoyed success on the gridiron after breaking a 66-game losing streak against San Luis. The senior defensive lineman often was double teamed by opposing offensive linemen, but he still managed to finish with 33 tackles and two sacks. Douglass was as an important key to Hayden’s defense as the coach was to the team. Hood always seemed to be around the ball when a tackle occurred close to the line of scrimmage as evident by his 67 assisted tackles to go along with his 39 solo tackles and 19 sacks. He also caused two fumbles and recovered two other loose balls. As with the other Huskies on this year’s All-Informant Football Team, Hood was a main player in Hamilton’s acquisition of the 5A Division I championship trophy that was raised after the Huskies beat Mesa for the title. continued on page B7
Brett Hundley
Anthony Hughes
Dwayne Garrett
Davon Jones
Donald McGruder
Allen Woods
Allen Woods breaks a tackle of a Peoria defender
Chris Howard
ALL- INFORMANT FOOTBALL Pullout Pages
ARIZONA INFORMANT
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010
B7
ALL INFORMANT TEAM 2009-10 continued from page B6
Justin Rodriguez
Tre Fields
Brandon Gammage
Jaquari Kountz
Tevin Hood holds up the sign for being number one while his Huskies celebrate their 5A-I state championship win.
Ramon Abreu Deandre Little recorded 135 total tackles this season and will be playing Division I football next year for the University of Texas-El Paso (UTEP).
Davon Carrington holds up the state championship trophy earned by Hamilton this season.
Marquise Douglass
Marquis Flowers
Tyree Parker
The Sabercats played their way to the 4A Division I Final Four thanks in part to the play of defensive lineman McDonald, who finished with 79 total tackles and numerous quarterback take downs. McDonald often had to fight through double team blocks to get to the signal caller, but he managed to do it 14 times at the chagrin of the opposing offensive coordinator. Abreu is a tremendous football player who rarely left the field. On defense, he finished with 141 total tackles including 106 solo tackles and three sacks. Abreu also picked off four opposing passes, recovered two fumbles and caused another one. With the scoring team, Abreu carried the ball 122 times for 898 yards and 11 TDs and caught 33 passes for 500 yards and three more scores. On special teams, Abreu returned a kickoff return 92 yards for a TD. His name is Little but he does not play like it and he definitely is not little in statue. The senior Colt is 6-feet-3 inches tall and weighs a muscular 230 pounds and will be taking his skills to the University of Texas-El Paso in the fall. On the season, DeAndre Little recorded 135 total tackles and arguably is considered the leading collegiate linebacker prospect in southern Arizona. The Trojans advanced to the second round of the 4A Division II playoffs thanks a lot to Parker's play on the field, on which he was a great two-way player. Parker was in on 29 tackles, took down a QB once for minus-11 yards and intercepted one pass and returned it 59 yards for a score. On offense, Parker rushed for 1,549 yards, on 187 carries, and 20 TDs and finished with 25 receptions for 406 yards and three scores. The Bulldogs also made it to the Elite 8 round of the 4A Division II playoffs before their season came to an end. On that Douglas squad, Bello really stood out as he helped the Bulldogs reach the post season for the first time in 20 years. In 2009, Bello returned four of his
interceptions for touchdowns. Against Scottsdale Arcadia, he took a pick 27 yards to the house, returned a kickoff 90 yards for a TD and ran 65-yards for another TD. His longest kickoff return for a score was 99 yards. Carrington was just awesome in the Huskies defensive backfield as a pass stopper. He also was not afraid to hit people as evident by his 93 tackles and three sacks. For the 5A Division I state champions, Carrington returned two kickoffs to pay dirt and was used as a ball carrier once and, on the play, ran 19 yards before being tackled. Carrington played a huge part in Hamilton winning the state crown. Flowers was another young man that rarely left the field for the Tigers, a team that came up short in the second round of the 5A Division II playoffs. Flowers was in on 62 total tackles, picked off two passes and blocked a field goal for Millennium. The senior also carried the ball 135 times for 1,247 yards and 16 TDs for the Tigers. McGill was St. Mary's top pass defender and each game he was assigned the opposing team's top receiver and he excelled in shutting them down. Like our squad's other DB, McGill did not hesitate hitting anyone wearing a different color jersey. As an offensive star, caught 193 passes for 1,167 yards and nine TDs and he rushed 37 times for 577 yards and four TDs. Robbins was a two-way starter for the 4A Division I state champion Dorados and is UA-bound next year. Robbins amassed 34 tackles to go along with his six interceptions, one fumble recovery and one caused fumble. As a receiver, Robbins caught 28 passes for 332 yards and six touchdowns. Robbins also returned kickoff and punts for Canyon del Oro. Bauman shared the backfield at Hamilton and still finished with some outstanding statistics nonetheless for the champion Huskies. As a ball carrier, he ran 143 times for 1,178 yards and 25 TDs. continued on page B8
B8
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010
ALL- INFORMANT FOOTBALL Pullout Pages
ARIZONA INFORMANT
ALL INFORMANT TEAM 2009-10 continued from page B7
As a receiver, Bauman caught 28 passes for 508 yards and five more scores. With his 30 TDs, he averaged 13.0 points per game and was a top defensive player as well. Bauman may be best known for getting the tough yards when his team needed them. Currie was one of the top overall players in the state and has some gaudy statistics to back it up. On
offense, Currie took the pigskin 186 times via a hand off and gained 1,717 yards and scored six points 21 times for the Pride. He also caught four passes for 59 yards as a key member of Mountain Pointe's team that made it to the 5A Division I Final Four. For the Santa Rita, the team that finished second in the 4A Division II playoffs, Jones did some of everything for the Eagles. Jones carried the ball (15; 185 yds.; 3 TDs), was used
as a receiver (32; 703 yds.; 9 TDs), played quarterback, punted the ball, returned punts and kickoffs, scored touchdowns and he played defense. In other words, he was the consummate all-around football player who was great no matter which position he was playing. Nelson is another very talented versatile player and was one of the main reasons why the Sabercats advanced to the 4A Division I cham-
pionship game. Nelson rushed for 1,276 yards and 22 TDs, caught 30 passes for 450 yards and three TDs, and completed 20 of 26 passes for 394 yards. On defense, he finished with 42 tackles, four interceptions and caused one fumble. These young men were inspirational in the success their teams had this season and they gave their fans a lot to cheer about and many memories to hold onto after graduation.
RJ McGill
All Informant selectee Brett Hundley tries to get away from Huskie defenders including fellow AI selectee Tevin Hood (hanging from his arm). Hundley was unsuccessful and Hood was credited with a sack on the play.
D’Andre Currie
Keanu Nelson
Zach Bauman
Greg Jones
Josh Robbins
ARIZONA INFORMANT
C E L E B R A T E B L A C K H I S T O RY
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010
B9
B10
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010
C E L E B R A T E B L A C K H I S T O RY
Chandler Gilbert CC To Host THEM: Images of Separation Exhibit Throughout Black History Month Dr. Matthew Whitaker speaker at exhibit opening Feb. 3 Throughout the month of February the Chandler-Gilbert Community College Library Gallery will host, THEM: Images of Separation, a traveling exhibition that showcases items from popular culture used to stereotype different groups. The negative imagery -- found on postcards, license plates, games, souvenirs and costumes -- promoted stereotyping against such groups as Asian-Americans, Hispanics, Jews, and poor whites, as well as those who are "other" in terms of body type or sexual orientation. CGCC English faculty Patrick Williams was instrumental in bringing the exhibit to CGCC. “Our hope is that students will view the exhibit and understand that these messages are out there,” Williams said. “We want to raise awareness and generate discussion about learning how we can treat one another better. At the end of the day, we are all a part of a group, and each one of us could be ‘them’ in the right situation.” Dr. Matthew Whitaker will present “Race Relations and Interracial Unity in America: An Open House Keynote for the THEM Exhibit,” on Wednesday, February 3 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the first floor of the CGCC library. Whitaker explores American race relations, and demonstrates that the largely undetected interracial struggle for racial justice and equality can offer a framework for confronting racism and inequality locally,
Dr. Matthew Whitaker nationally, and beyond. Following a question and answer session, audience members will be invited to view and discuss the THEM exhibit. This exhibit is free and open to the public. CGCC Library hours are Monday through Thurs-day, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CGCC is located at 2626 E. Pecos Rd., between Gilbert and Cooper Roads in Chandler. For more information, call (480) 732-7030.
Marion Meadows To Highlight Sunday Concert Smooth jazz saxophonist Marion Meadows will lead a Sunday afternoon celebration concert at the ASU Kerr Cultural Center on February 7 at 1:30 p.m. The event is being presented by Jazz in AZ and the ASU Kerr Cultural Center, with underwriting by the Jazzbird Foundation. The concert will feature music written and interpreted by AfricanAmerican composers and musicians. Meadows, who is well-versed in jazz from Louis Armstrong through be-bop, avant-garde and contemporary jazz, will perform with versatile instrumentalists Rachel Eckroth on piano, Mario Mendivil on bass and Jabari on drums, plus special guests. In addition, Meadows will share historical facts and insights related to the contributions of Black artists to America's original art form. “Although not strictly an African-American music form, jazz has been heavily influenced by the Black community, starting
ARIZONA INFORMANT
Dr. Karen Hardin Receives MLK Award Dr. Karen Hardin, college professor and mentor to many was the recipient of the Dr. Martin L. King, Jr’s achievement award for her service to students and her volunteer work in the community. Dr. Hardin has worked at Mesa College for 24 years and during that time has helped students receive over $70,000 in scholarships to continue their education. While performing her duties as a full time faculty member, she volunteers to serve as the Advisor to the Mesa College Chapter of the NAACP. The college chapter focus is on servant leadership and community engagement. Often on the week-ends you can find Dr. Hardin volunteering at KEYS Community Center and coordinating a special tutoring program to assist youth improve their performance on the AIMS test. Dr. Hardin states that she was pleased to accept the award and hopes that she will be remembered for
Dr. Karen Harden (2nd left) with some of her students in a recent AZI file photo.
being the best college professor that she could be which reflects the famous words of Dr. King when he said, ‘If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted pictures, or as well as Beethoven composed music, or as well as Shakespeare wrote poetry. The person should sweep streets so well that all the host in heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” The award was presented by the City of Mesa Parks and Recreation
Department who annually awards a citizen for their volunteer contributions. The coordinator of the program is Marc Beasley and the presentation is made during the MLK Basketball Tournament at Mesa College. One of her students, Nykia Williams, summed up the significance of the award stating, “I’ve been blessed with a professor who is molding me into a women for greater than I had even seen in myself. I know by the time she is done with me, I will be a great woman doing great things like her.”
Valley Unity Walk Set For Saturday Hundreds of people from across the Valley are expected to participate in a Regional Unity Walk at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, to celebrate community solidarity and diversity. The event is hosted by human relations commissions from six Valley communities including walkers from Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale,
Tempe and Arizona State University. The walkers will assemble and receive their Tshirts at 10 a.m. at Tempe Lake Marina and the ASU Lot 59 in Tempe, and finish at Tempe Art Park, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway. The Walk Festival at Tempe Art Park will feature a keynote speech by Alonzo Jones, entertain-
ment, free hot dogs and drinks and inflatables for the kids. The walk and celebration are free. For more information or to register as a group or individual, call 602-4953737. Visit www.tempe. gov/diversityregionalunitywalk for a map to the assembly points.
First Friday Black History Month Celebration Set For Phoenix Downtown Civic Space Park
Marion Meadows will be featured in a concert of music by African-American composers and musicians.
with its earliest roots and continuing into the present time,” says Meadows. “All Americans should become familiar with jazz - not only for its crucial place in music history, but also because of its significance in 20th-century cultural history, and particu-
larly the history of Black culture in the United States.” Tickets are available at the Kerr box office, 6110 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480-596-2660, Ticketmaster locations and online at jazzinaz.org.
First Friday Civic Space Park will celebrate black history and culture in honor of National Black History Month from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, at Downtown Civic Space Park, 424 N. Central Ave. in Phoenix The event by the Civic Space Partnership is part of the continued efforts by community members,
businesses and institutions to bring quality arts and culture to Downtown Phoenix. Partners involved in this event include the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, The Fair Trade Store, Las Otras Hermanas, Boys Hope Girls Hope, Artlink. Participants can enjoy the work of local black
artists and natural hair styling demonstrations by Arlette’s Natural Hair Designs. For musical entertainment, we’ll be gifted with the cool sounds of Spooky Cool, a Valley experimental jazz band. Additionally, for youth there will be workshops with Shining Souls.
Arizona Informant
1746 E. Madison, Suite 2 • Phoenix, Arizona 85034 Telephone: (602) 257-9300
Subscription Rates
Local — 1 Year: $30 Out-of-State — 1 Year: $35 Yes, I would like a 1 year subscription to the Arizona Informant newspaper. Please start my subscription with the next issue. I am enclosing a ■ check, ■ money order, in the amount of $________ NAME ___________________________________________________ STREET__________________________________________________ CITY____________________________STATE_______ZIP________
ARIZONA INFORMANT
C E L E B R A T E B L A C K H I S T O RY
Chandler Black History Program United In Love By Floyd Alvin Galloway The South Chandler Self Help Foundation (SCSHF) will hold its 19th Annual Black History Celebration on February 12. The celebration’s theme this year is “United in Love”. The events will be educational, entertaining, informative, something for everyone and feature a gospel concert with several individual and group performances The event will be held at the Chandler Center for the Arts beginning at 7 p.m. Featured performers will be VOW, Miss la'Donna, Allen Morris,
New Jerusalem Choir, Mz. D and Celia among others. Also scheduled to attend the event is Miss Juneteenth, Amber Thomas. The event, which is open to the public, will assist in raising funds for the earthquake victims in Haiti and the SCSHF organization. The earthquake victims in Haiti still require a tremendous amount of assistance and will for sometime. SCSHF is non-profit community organization that encourages selfreliance and spirituality while the family or individual is setting goals for success. The foundation
provides social and cultural activities that educate and unite the community. Last year SCSHF celebrated it’s 20th anniversary. Because of the slow economy it has been hit hard like other non-profit groups relying on community support. But the viable and needed organization vows to overcome the financial restraints and continue to serve its community. Just as President Obama noted in his State of the Union speech, SCSHF officials say, “we don’t quit.” For information about SCSHF or the Feb. 12 program: 480-593-9488.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010
B11
B12
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010
C E L E B R A T E B L A C K H I S T O RY
ARIZONA INFORMANT