January 2017 Edition by Columbus African American News Journal

January 2017

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6 10 Becoming King By Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens

Protecting Fair Housing In 2017

By John Delia

What Would MLK Say To Leaders Today? By Cecil Jones, MBA

The King Legacy, The Obama Presidency, and the African American Inimitable Obligation By Tim Anderson

Martin Luther King Jr. Day The First National Holiday Honoring an African American On this day, we too embody the Real Possibilities of making the world a better place for us all. At AARP, we are committed to uplifting and empowering future generations. Visit aarp.org/blackcommunity

Real Possibilities is a trademark of AARP.

Publisher’s Page Founder & Publisher Ray Miller

Layout & Design Ray Miller, III

Assistant Editor Ray Miller, III

Associate Editor Edward Bell Distribution Manager Ronald Burke Research Associate Florence Ogola

Lead Photographer Steve Harrison

Contributing Editors Tim Ahrens, D.Min Tim Anderson Edward Bell, MBA Lisa Benton, MD, MPH Roderick Q. Blount, Jr. MA Iris Cooper, DBA John Delia Marian Wright Edelman Gloria P. Fleming, MD Eric L. Johnson, PhD Cecil Jones, MBA Marquise Lawrence Jacqueline Lewis-Lyons, Psy.D William McCoy, MPA Ambrose Moses, III, JD Senator Charleta B. Tavares Cissy Watkins Kalitha Williams

The Columbus African American news journal was founded by Ray Miller on January 10, 2011

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS! The Columbus African American

It is fitting that we would commence our seventh year of publishing The Columbus African American news journal during the same month that we celebrate the remarkable life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Just the mention of the name, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., elicits what it means to be excellent. Our contributing editors have gone above and beyond their normal high standard to present Dr. Kings life in the most insightful, pragmatic, and instructive ways. The totality of the articles provides the depth of King’s understanding of religion, his examination of his own life, and his full acceptance of his calling to lead all mankind to an acceptance of unconditional love for one another. During the next two months, I will deliver more than thirty keynote speeches in churches, prisons, colleges and universities, public schools, governmental agencies, and various social organizations. The combination of Martin Luther King Day ceremonies, followed by Black History Month, provides the opportunity to share perspectives on race relations in the United States and abroad, including ways and means of addressing the most persistent social and economic issues facing those who find themselves on the margins of society-- either on a temporary or long-term basis. The first such speech for me will take place on Thursday, January 12, 2017 in Canton, Ohio. The invitation for me to speak comes by courtesy of newly elected State Representative Thomas West. Representative West’s election marks the first time in the history of Stark County that an African American has been elected to the State Legislature. I know Representative West well, and he will undoubtedly serve with distinction. Let us pray! I want to begin my remarks this morning in a rather unorthodox manner. We will blend the secular, with the spiritual and end up with the inspirational. John Legend was born John Stephens on December 28, 1978 in Springfield Ohio. Yet, one more outstanding musical artist from the State of Ohio. Don’t let me break out with some Eddie Levert and the O’Jays up in here or we will be climbing the “Stairway To Heaven.” Ohio is rich with artists, poets, writers, musicians, singers and actors. Charles Waddell Chestnut from Cleveland; Paul Laurence Dunbar (We Wear The Mask) --Dayton; Langston Hughes (Mother To Son) Cleveland; Mari Evans (She’s a Black Woman) --Toledo; Rita Dove--Akron; Toni Morrison (Beloved)--Lorain; Nikki Giovanni--Cincinnati; Kathleen Battle (Great Sopranist-Portsmouth; Ruby Dee--Cleveland; The Ohio Players--Dayton; Nancy Wilson, Columbus; Dorothy Dandridge, Cleveland and Halle Berry, also from Cleveland, Ohio. John Legend is a phenomenal vocalist, pianist, and song writer. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and has a string of awards from every major organization in the industry, including Three Grammys, BET, and Soul Train Awards. In 2007 he started his own record label, Homeschool Records, to be distributed by Atlantic. Allow me to paint a picture on the virtual canvas that I presented moments ago. The context is love. How much better would we be if we truly loved each other more. How much more progress could we make, as a nation, if we built each other up, rather than tear each other down. Listen to the lyrics in John Legend’s latest masterpiece titled, “Love Me Now.” Pulling me further further than I’ve been before Making me stronger Shaking me right to the core, oh I don’t know what’s in the stars Never heard it from above, the world isn’t ours But I know what’s in my heart If you ain’t mine I’ll be torn apart I don’t know who’s going to kiss you when I’m gone So, I’m gonna love you now, like it’s all I have I know it’ll kill me when it’s over I don’t wanna think about it, I want you to love me now.

503 S. High Street - Suite 102 Columbus, Ohio 43215 Office: 614.826.2254

Continued on page....

editor@columbusafricanamerican.com

The Columbus African American • January 2017

In This Issue

Cover Story – Page 20

By: Robert “Bo” Chilton

AARP Commends Ohio House Speaker for New Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care

Healthcare Justice: Nothing For Us, Without Us

By: Charleta B. Tavares

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and U.S. Foreign Policy By: William McCoy, MPA

Protect Fair Housing in 2017

Commit to Get Engaged in 2017

King Revisited 2017

Legislative Update

What Would MLK Say to Leaders Today?

Trump Tight: The Donald Plays A Winning Electoral Hand

New African American State Legislators 2017

Breastfeeding

Congresswoman Joyce Beatty Sworn Into 115th Congress The King Legacy, The Obama 19 Presidency and the African American Inimitable Obligation

AARP Commends Ohio House Speaker for new Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care

The Rise of America’s Anti- Intellectualism

The Columbus African American • January 2017

Men’s Ministry at Second Baptist Church Invite you to Valentine’s Program COVER STORY

Columbus Division of Fire: Recruitment and Outreach

Healthcare Justice: Nothing For Us, Without Us

Making a Postive Impact on the World - Part 2

More Reasons to Leave Behind Stress in 2017

Get Your Eyes Checked in January: National Glaucoma Awareness Month

Information Security - Are You Secure In Your Position?

Book Bags & E-Readers

Money 101 - Part V: Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and U.S. Foreign Policy

The Bottom Line: Not Just Another Black Widow

2016 Year In Review

MBE’s Must Be Vigilant, Informed and Active in 2017

Mahalia Jackson: The Queen of Gospel and Foot Soldier for Civil Rights

Community Events

All contents of this news journal are copyrighted © 2015; all rights reserved. Title registration with the U.S. Patent Office pending. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, and illustrations will not be returned unless accompanied by a properly addresses envelope bearing sufficient postage. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited materials.

PUBLISHER’S PAGE Continued from Page 3 Love me now, love me now When we’ve done all that we could To turn darkness into light, turn evil to good Even when we try so hard For that perfect kind of love, it could all fall apart. And who’s gonna kiss you when I’m gone. Again, there are three types of love in the Bible: Eros, Agape, and Philos. I am not certain, but I don’t believe John Legend is simply talking about erotic love or a close friendship. His words have too much depth and substance to be taken that lightly. He is either consciously or unconsciously singing about a love that surpasses all understanding. A communal love that is the foundation on which we build the beloved community. A love that he learned about when he played the piano for his church choir at the age of seven years old. An awful lot seeps into your consciousness when your mother directs the local church choir, your grandmother is the church organist, and your father and brother are the drummers. Without even thinking about it, you revert to that which you have been taught. John Legend and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were both speaking about the same kind of love. Knowing that Agape love is the foundation upon which we build a more civil society and the realization of greater equality between the races in America. The theme of my remarks for this City-wide Martin Luther King Day ceremony will be “What Is That in Your Hand? And, my subtext will be “We’ve Got the Power.” You know the story, taken from the Bible in the Book of Exodus, 4th Chapter, verses 1-17. God selects Moses to go to Egypt and save his people. To say that Moses was reluctant would be a gross understatement. He had an excuse for every admonition by God. Finally, the Lord grew so tired of Moses’ whining and crying that he decided to use Moses’ brother Aaron to accomplish the mission--speaking through Moses to Aaron the new messenger. It is interesting, but not an uncommon practice, to find in verse 27 these words “The Lord said to Aaron, ‘Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.’ So, he met Moses at the mountain of God and kissed him.” Here we find a Brother kissing his brother to bring him comfort and to assure him that he loved him and had his back. There are three kinds of love in the Bible. They are: Eros, Agape and Philos. Eros is a Greek term which means desire and longing. And per the Greek methodology, Eros is the name of the Greek God of love. Eros love is based on the strong feeling we have for one another and it usually develops during the first stage of a romantic relationship. This kind of love is based on the physical traits. And unless it is redeemed by the Lord’s presence, this type of love can end up being possessive, since it always seeks to first conquer and then control. Agape love is a special term which represents the divine love of the Lord towards his Son, Jesus Christ, human beings, and all believers. Jesus himself showed this type of Divine love for his father in heaven and all humanity. Agape love is the love that God commanded all believers to have for everyone regardless of whether they are believers or not. Agape love should never be determined by our feelings; it is more of a set of behaviors or actions. With Agape love, you do not actually have to feel it for you to give it. Which means that you can be able to show love without feeling anything at all; however, feelings can follow showing this kind of love. Agape love us totally altruistic, shown as part of a disciplined spiritual life unconcerned with merit or repayment or reciprocity. Philos is a unique kind of love, like the one you have for a companion or a friend. It refers to loving one another just like your brother or sister. This love is for a friend who is close to us, and is characterized by various shared experiences between two people. In fact, this is the kind of love that may Christians tend to practice toward one another. Philos love can end up souring at times, as we have all experienced at some point in our lives. In all his teachings on nonviolence and civil disobedience Dr. King would often distinguish between these three distinct kinds of love. In fact, in developing the concept of the “beloved community,” Dr. King strongly encouraged embracing Agape love as a means of loving your enemies. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. occupied the public stage and kissed us for thirteen years--from December 5, 1955 when he was elected president of the Montgomery Improvement Association, until April 4, 1968, when he was taken from us by an assassin’s bullet (James Earl Ray) on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. King’s rise to prominence was meteoric. In 1956, after African Americans, led by King and others in Montgomery, Alabama, boycotted the buses for more than a year (381 days) the U.S. Supreme Court rules that bus segregation is illegal. In 1957 king forms the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and becomes its first President. On September 27th, the U. S. Congress passes the first Civil Rights Act since Reconstruction... To read the balance of the speech which speaks to our collective political, economic and demographic power visit our Columbus African American News journal Facebook page.

The Columbus African American NewsAmerican Journal • •February 2015 The Columbus African January 2017

HOUSING

PROTECTING FAIR HOUSING IN 2017 By John Delia On this 2017 Martin Luther King Day, it is an honor to have the call to focus a reflection on Dr. King’s legacy and his many heroic accomplishments. Today’s built environment has been greatly influenced by a number of unfair development practices. The built environment, in plain speak, is everything you see when you walk outside your door. It’s the infrastructure, streets, sidewalks, tunnels, buildings and streetlights. Change the built environment and you change the way a person experiences the world. Indeed, racial zoning, expulsive zoning and racial covenants have directly contributed to housing segregation, disinvestment in poor communities and other inequities found in predominately African American neighborhoods. Racial and social exclusion and exploitation were driving forces in the landscape of inequality of urban development and real estate.

American, Jews, and other immigrant nonwhite access. This implication led to wealth loss and a shrinking tax base in stigmatized locations. In communities. short, the redlining maps helped institutionalize The United States government made the decision discriminatory practices and existing biases to enter the real estate finance business through towards people. the National Housing Act of 1934. In the WWII landscape, the need for housing was at an all-time Mortgages provide funding for both residential high. While developing standards and guidelines and commercial property. Commercial mortgages My father was born in 1964. The Freedom for lending to home buyers, the government in particular allows small businesses to start Movement for fair housing started in 1966. relied on the professional assistance of private and grow. Small businesses allow money to The Fair Housing Act was established in 1968. sector participants. Geographic areas had to be circulate in an economy, which provides jobs, My father was 4 at the time. The “promises of rated for the purpose of real estate mortgage traffic and cohesion in community. Redlining a century” were finally fulfilled after the death lending. This is how redlining began. effectively stifled economic progress in African of Dr. Martin Luther King. I was born when American neighborhoods, leaving local residents my father was age 26. Today, this 51st year The information gathered during this process without access to employment opportunities anniversary of fair housing in the United States, was used to form Home Owner Loan maps and supplying a steady pipeline of abandoned I am 26. Like my father who has much life which influenced access to funds through private buildings, neglect, and deterring surroundings. to live, we are still at the beginning of a long banking institutions. Each map would color code journey. It may seem like fair housing rights were areas indicating how much of a federal guarantee Redlining Contributed to Disinvestment in implemented a long time ago, but in reality, a full a mortgage loan would receive. Communities Poor and Ethnic Communities generation has not even passed. Fair housing is coded with a red color would receive no backed still very much young. funds; yellow areas received fifteen percent T h e s e h i g h p o v e r t y a r e a s w i t h h i g h backing. The low level of investment effectively unemployment, failing schools, and vacant and “Blacks should be quarantined in isolated starved the highlighted communities from abandoned housing are proven to decline public slums in order to reduce the incidents of receiving loans, stable real estate sales activity safety and hinder health as well as long-term life civil disturbance, to prevent the spread of and new home construction. outcomes. The negative outcomes associated with communicable disease into the nearby White inequity and barriers to opportunity also produce neighborhoods, and to protect property values Desirable, Caucasian communities received an “opportunity cost” to communities and regions among the White majority.” up to 80% federal backing making those and which these disadvantaged populations -Baltimore Mayor J. Barry Mahool, 1910 prime real estate markets. New construction reside. sprouted in these wealthy white communities, Institutional Racism and Public Policy making attractive digs for new and upgrading Some examples include the cost of incarceration, homebuyers. The guidelines established rules the cost of remedial education, the cost to Racial covenants were used to maintain racial for market activity for almost two decades before treat poor health outcomes and the cost for segregation. A covenant is a contract restriction the civil rights movement began. The FHA the distribution of social services i.e. food, imposed on the deed of a real estate property lending standards emphasized racial exclusion housing, and unemployment support, etc. The which permits whom the property may be and segregation focusing on race, ethnicity and disadvantaged communities are poorly prepared sold to. When covenants are used to dictate social class. educationally and psychologically for productive property ownership based on certain people work and societal integration. They are unable to and races it is known as racial zoning. Racial Redlining contributed to disinvestment, earn livable income and support consistent work; zoning is considered aggressive use of racially housing value and structural decline, and most struggle with basic life functions viewing Dr.land King speaks at a Housing Rally in Chicago. and ethnically restrictive covenants on predatory lending. The neighborhoods which no long-term perspectives. use and real estate. This tools were typically were rated red and yellow ultimately suffered used to protect specific economic interest of from foreclosure and high vacancy, as well as Continued on Page 7 white communities at the expense of African higher crime as a result of restricted economic The Columbus African American • January 2017

Continued from Page 6

is not a threat but a fact of history. King knew, status of many communities. “society must protect the robbed and punish the robber…” and his peaceful actions allows him to The Chicago Freedom Movement “Open endure an unjust punishment in the Birmingham Housing” There is an illusion in society that the jail. implications of inequality impact us all. False. Racism and discrimination have long been a Inequality only affects those who can’t get In the present day we can look to the City of part of public agencies and public policy. While away from it. Inequality describes the unequal Chicago and its high concentration of crime and African-American and Hispanic members of distribution of and disparities in access to violence. As noted by Francis Cardinal George, the armed forces fought and died in Vietnam, various resources. According to Douglas Massey, Archbishop of Chicago, “Overt forms of racism, their families had trouble renting or purchasing professor of sociology at Princeton University, such as spatial racism, which refers to patterns homes in certain residential areas. Chicago was a “Inequality is generated and perpetuated by two of metropolitan development in which affluent quintessential example this phenomenon. basic mechanisms: exploitations and opportunity population create racially and economically hoarding.” There are staggering differences segregated suburb or gentrified areas of cities, In the summer of 1966, Dr. King moved to between the top 1%, top fifth, middle class, and leaving the poor isolated in deteriorating areas.” Chicago and engaged in a series of marches, lowest earners in society. This has very harmful impacts on society and appealing to the city’s real estate practitioners to end discriminatory housing practices. King eventually we will reach a tipping point. The United States of America was founded on the proclaimed that “Now is the time to get rid exploitation and opportunity hoarding of select In “The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality of the slums and ghettos of Chicago. Now is racial and social groups, first through indentured makes Societies Stronger” by Richard Wilkinson the time to make justice a reality all over this service then slavery. Former U.S President and Kate Pickett, “we found between greater nation. Now is the time.” The Chicago Freedom Abraham Lincoln recognized inequality could inequality and higher rates of imprisonment, Movement included a large rally, marches, not last, “this nation cannot survive half slave poorer literacy and math scores, increased obesity, and demands to the City of Chicago. Specific and half free,” before his abolishment of slavery. more violence, higher teenage pregnancies demands covered a wide range of areas including open housing, quality education, transportation rates and poorer mental health.” These issues People of color continued to feel the direct only affect some, inequality may have long and job access, income and employment, health, impact of this inequality during the era of Jim term implications, and however we have not wealth generation, crime and the criminal justice Crow laws. In his Letter from Birmingham tangible date for the end of this world. Those system, community development, tenant rights, Jail, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. articulates the with access to resources are able to be sheltered and higher quality of life. awareness that we are all one, “I am cognizant from this reality. “Rather than being the “land of of the interrelatedness of all communities and opportunity,” the United States has unusually low Dr. King’s demand for open housing led to the states.” Dr. King’s presence in Birmingham was rates of social mobility which seem to match its 1968 passage of the Fair Housing Act. The Act declared a national policy of fair housing to peacefully demonstrate the urge to ending unusually large income differences.” This is the throughout the United States. The law makes inequality and segregation. To pose the question: landscape and without leadership, vision, and illegal any discrimination in the sale, lease or ‘Does inequality impact us all?’, one must clearly change we shall remain in this state. rental of housing, or making housing otherwise describe whom “us” refers to. It is hard to view unavailable, because of race, color, religion, sex, the human race as one global population when Racial zoning was a disruptive process with handicap, familial status, or national origin. historically we have been separate. lasting negative generational implications in society and the environment of cities today. This The First Step in a 1,000-mile Journey Dr. King also realized that, “If his repressed type of social engineering influenced policy emotions are not released in nonviolent ways, development, social order, and the economic Readers of the CAAJ, residents and leaders of they will seek expression through violence”; this Columbus, I beg you - LOOK AROUND THE URBAN COMMUNITIES. Dr. King was correct, open housing just the first step in a “1000 step journey.” If you have the capacity, strongly consider making an investment in real estate. Urban America has long been overlooked and misunderstood. Historically racist policies like redlining and government facilitated experiments known as ‘projects’ or public housing units have long impacted communities of color. The 1968 Fair Housing Act was passed by Congress as a direct result of both the 1966 Chicago open housing movement and as a response to the assassination of King. The power and impact of real estate and the built environment critical in our everyday lives. It can have both positive and negative effects. You can use real estate as a tool for positive social impact. In 2017 moving forward, Affordable Housing is the “New” Fair Housing movement. About the author: John Delia has been an active investor in the Columbus OH market for over six years. To find out more about the opportunities that exist in the area or how you can get started investing in real estate, connect with John and other local investors at CentralOhioPropertyExchange.com

The Columbus African January 2017 The Columbus African American NewsAmerican Journal • •February 2015

POLITICS KING REVISITED 2017

By Eric L. Johnson, PhD The yearly visitation of Dr. King’s legacy has in many respects become routine but the value of his message is as important today as it has ever been. Not because Donald Trump is President-Elect but because many of the issues that he spent his life addressing persists as ongoing barriers to the fulfilment of America’s promise. Dr. King’s missive addressed issues such as political disenfranchisement, economic disparities, the psychological impact of oppression on the oppressor as well as the oppressed, and he even addressed the Black Lives Matter subject more than four decades ago. This year as we do every year we try to ask relevant questions such as: What is the relevant meaning of Dr. King’s legacy today? Where do we go from here? How do we apply the lessons learned from his message to move us forward? These questions and many others serve as the mechanism by which we adjust our course and assess the progress of the journey thus far. The courage necessary to do what Dr. King did is in many ways is unimaginable. His willingness to continue in an effort that almost most certainly would result in his death requires both our admiration and respect. The faith to beat the drum of justice for the fulfilment of promises never before seen in an environment where the mortal dangers were both clear and present. Dr. King more often than not targeted the conscience of liberal White folks because he believed agitation would yield less fruit than reconciliation. Moreover, he believed that agitation was not sustainable and reconciliation

laid the ground work for continued progress and understanding. We are yet still faced with very similar complexities. While Dr. King was not an advocate of the slogan Black Power he was nonetheless very aware of the need for its existence, why it was important and why the black community should in some ways subscribe to it. Anyone who doubts that fact should refer back to Dr. Kings’ book “Where do we go from here: Chaos or Community?” Dr. King often wrote about his disappointment in the at best inconsistent systemic responses to what he saw as injustice and at worst implicit consent to a status quo that maintained the oppression and exploitation of the black community. While over four decades ago Dr. King wrote about infant mortality rates, police violence, and the general need for social change, today we are still faced with the same issues. Application of the lessons born from King’s legacy has proven to be a major task. One lesson that can be learned by Dr. King’s Life is to instill in our children a sense of purpose that is rooted in an understanding of human dignity. The dignity that every human being exist for and with a purpose that does rely on the recognition of a potential oppressor. While certainly speaking truth to power is an important element of social change, so is developing a sense of individual and collective purpose that works for our good without apology. Dr. King’s apparent faith in the conscious of good people has proven to be less than optimal. Dr. King lamented the fragmentation of individuals and organizations in our community. A collective sense of purpose may be both our most effective and most sustainable tool in the fight for equality and social change. The yearly visitation of Dr. King’s legacy has to be more than an academic exercise. Our referral to the King vestige each year has to either give new insight to the past or provide a novel clarity to the road ahead. As the inheritors

The Columbus African American •News January Journal 2017• February 2015

of Dr. King’s legacy each of us is required to do the work necessary to create a better tomorrow for our children and our community. If there is a single lesson to be gained from the life of Dr. King it is that we are all required to sacrifice for the world we wish to bring into existence. This year like all the years before and all the years to come is time for each of us assess where we are and where we wish to be both as individuals and as a community. There are no magic potions to be applied, we are either willing to do what is required or we are not. We are not in control of what happens outside our communities, but we are solely and singularly accountable for the sense of purpose in ourselves and in our children. Dr. King’s message sometimes lacked that element explicitly but it represents the potential for our community far more than the conscious of White liberals whose collective commitment has been in some cases critical. However we cannot assign responsibility for the future of our community to anyone other than ourselves. So this year as we should every year, let us celebrate the legacy of Dr. King by recognizing his and others contributions and assessing the work we have to do in the coming year. Dr. Eric L. Johnson currently serves as the Chief Consultant with Strategies to Succeed and he is on the faculty at Virginia International University. He is the former Chief of Research Publications for the United States Air Force Academy. He also worked in Columbus Public Schools for the eight years. Moreover, he has conducted seminars in many organizations nationally and internationally in places such as Russia, China, Canada, Africa and Central America. In addition he has published three books Livin’ in the Shade, co-authored with his son, 10 Deadly Aspects of Pride, and Beyond Self Help: A Journey to be better.

POLITICS

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

LEGISLATIVE SESSION CONCLUDES FOR 2016

By Senator Charleta B. Tavares Abortion restrictions, gun control, voter suppression, renewable energy moratoriums and restricting local government authority to increase minimum wages were some of the priorities fast-tracked through the Ohio General Assembly during the last week of Session (December 7-9, 2016). The Ohio Legislature has concluded their work for the 131st General Assembly (GA) or the Lame Duck Session. These bills were contentious measures championed by the GOP in Ohio and throughout the country. Unfortunately, these are not the priorities of African Americans, people of color, the middle class or marginalized members of Ohio’s communities. Bread and butter issues such as living wages, clean water, strong education, affordable college tuition and rebuilding our infrastructure – roads, sewers and bridges did not make the list. Here is a look at some of the more controversial bills: 1. Ban on abortions after 20 weeks Abortions after 20-weeks’ gestation will be banned in Ohio in about three months. While Gov. Kasich signed the 20-week ban, he vetoed the ‘heartbeat’ bill which would have outlawed abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. Earlier in the year, a new law went into effect that requires the Department of Health to make sure state funds are not used to perform abortions. 2. Expanded concealed-carry gun laws Active duty members of the Armed Forces no longer need a concealed handgun license to carry their weapon, as long as they have a valid military ID and can prove training on the weapon. Employers can no longer punish workers who have a gun in their car on company property. Also, a prohibition was lifted allowing properly licensed concealed handguns on college campuses, day-care centers and some other buildings – meaning you should beware of whether or not your child may be exposed to people and have access to guns in their child care facility or college campus. 3. Fighting heroin epidemic House Bill 110 requires emergency medical personnel to administer naloxone to save lives from overdoses. The new law also prohibits arresting or punishing someone who calls 911 to save someone from a drug overdose. However, that immunity is only good twice. One controversial part of the law is that it allows medical personnel to report the names and addresses of overdose victims to law enforcement. 4. New protections for animals House Bill 60 was signed in June and increases the penalties on people who abuse animals in an effort to obtain painkillers from veterinarians. The bill also strengthened the penalties for assaulting

a police dog or horse. Now if a police animal is killed in an assault there is a mandatory prison term and fine. Late in the session, lawmakers also outlawed bestiality. Ohio was one of the few states that still did not have a law on the books prohibiting sex with animals. In May, Kasich signed a law allowing medical personnel to aid injured pets when they are called to the scene of an emergency such as a house fire. Once human injuries are handled, EMS can now help animals. Senate Bill 215 also allows immunity from civil liability for someone who damages a vehicle to rescue an animal in danger. 5. Cities are not allowed to increase minimum wage

recommendations to address the issues facing children and families. Miller continued to work during his tenure in the Senate to create the commission to holistically research, develop and recommend policies and other strategies to ameliorate the instability of families in Ohio. Another bill which was passed and signed by the Governor on December 16, 2016 to address infant mortality and the disparity in the deaths of African American babies was Senate Bill 332 jointly sponsored by Senators Charleta B. Tavares (D-Columbus) and Shannon Jones (R-Springboro). Senate Bill 332, is one of the most comprehensive pieces of legislation in the country to tackle the horrendous death rate of babies in Ohio especially, African American babies which are dying at almost three-times the rate as Caucasian babies. The bill includes almost 45 recommendation outlined in the Ohio Infant Mortality Commission’s report release in March 2016.

Hidden in a bill and passed dealing with the regulation of pet stores, lawmakers inserted an amendment prohibiting cities or other governments from establishing a minimum wage different that the state level. This action came as Cleveland voters were set to decide in May whether to phase in a $15-an-hour local We have made some progress in this General minimum wage. Assembly however; we have a long way to go… we must stay focused on solutions with everyone Let’s look at one issue which dramatically participating. Each of us have a role…we have illustrates the divide between the “politician’s” the skills, knowledge, intelligence, creativity priorities and the peoples’ – economic progress and strength to lift up our children and families. or wealth and wages. According to David According to the principles of Kwanzaa: Leonhardt in an October 2016 article in the New York Times titled, A Great Fight of Our Times, Our self-determination (Kujichagulia) teaches “…When progress is the norm, it feeds on itself. us to uphold our right and responsibility to People can trust that their own sacrifices will be ourselves, to live free lives, to enjoy a full usually pay off. They can endure hard times measure of justice, and to bear constant witness without becoming cynical and can be generous to the equal validity and value of African ways. toward others. Our history has shown us how we have worked collectively (Ujima) in solidarity (Umoja) with Now, imagine a different reality: one in which purpose (Nia) and faith (Imani) to share the your family — or whole community — had wealth or cooperative economics (Ujamma) by known scant progress for decades. You couldn’t establishing policies and strategies to aid and tell stories of upward mobility, because they empower the poor and vulnerable, protect and wouldn’t be true. Instead, you would be preserve the environment and create conditions frustrated, about hard work gone unrewarded, conducive to a life of dignity and decency for and anxious, for your future and your children...” everyone. Finally, we have a moral imperative He further posits that between one-third and to make our community and world better than one-half of American families’ incomes have we inherited it. To use our creativity (Kuumba) remained stagnant over the last three decades and genius as Dr. Maulana Karenga stated, “…to and the household wealth has actually decreased raise up what is ruined; repair what is damaged; by 14% since 1984. Yet, our Ohio and U.S. legislators have continued to fight measures to rejoin what is severed; replenish what is depleted; increase the minimum wage; provided tax cuts strengthen what is weakened; set right what is for the upper middle and wealthy; increased tax wrong; and make flourish that which is insecure credits, abatements and other mechanisms for and undeveloped…” some businesses and wealthy individuals – all at the expense of the middle and lower-income The Ohio General Assembly sessions and the House and Senate Finance Committee hearings populations. can be viewed live on WOSU/WPBO and replays Some of us are fighting and making strides in can be viewed at ohiochannel.gov (specific House focusing in on these trends and on how we can and Senate sessions can be searched in the video If you would like to receive updated address the wealth, wage, health and stability archives). information on the Ohio General Assembly and gap of our families and children. One of the policy initiatives introduced, call or email my bills passed in the 131st General Assembly office at 614.466.5131 or tavares@ohiosenate. was Senate Bill 30, which will establish the com to receive the Tavares Times News monthly Ohio Family Stability Commission. The bill legislative newsletter. was initially conceived by former Senator Ray Miller back in 2009 (S.B 14) after he convened Sen. Charleta B. Tavares, D-Columbus, is proud an Ohio Family Stability Summit co-chaired by to serve and represent the 15th District, including Bishop Timothy J. Clarke, First Church of God the historic neighborhoods of Columbus and and Pastor Rich Nathan, The Vineyard Church. the cities of Bexley and Grandview Heights in The summit brought together social services, the Ohio Senate. She serves as the Ohio Senate employment, criminal justice, housing and other Assistant Democratic Leader and the Ranking professionals, faith leaders, policymakers and Member of the Senate Ways & Means and Health community members to dissect and develop and Human Services Committees.

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

The Columbus African American • January 2017

POLITICS

WHAT WOULD MLK SAY TO LEADERS TODAY? We should ask: Are we writing and ready for our “new song”? Are we prepared for change?

By Cecil Jones, MBA Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968

YOUNG LEADERS There are great young leaders coming along. There are even more that we need to identify, assist with their confidence and share our network and resources. A young leader is NOT necessarily that young person who might be receiving awards. The real young leader is one who is spending time in the community, doing work in the community and cares not about awards. The young leader (or potential leader) that others want to spend time with and nurture is one whom does not care about awards. Real leaders do not need daily pats on the back for motivation to help our community

Is it Time for a Handoff? In my previous article, we shared methods to connect with others using ‘retail technology’. Let’s continue that focus on the importance of connecting with others, reaching out and helping our community. What do you think Martin Luther King Jr. would say about reaching out and connecting, if he were still with us today? Born Jan 15, 1929, he would be 88 years old this month. You and I know community leaders in our community in their 60s, 70s and 80s. We have hard working mature seniors as leaders of in our local and national community. Go with me - Be creative and envision this imaginary situation with me: At 88 years of age and decades of social activity, if Martin were alive today, what do you believe MLK would say to leaders today? What would he say to you? Would he look at the state of our community leadership and say “It is time for a handoff”? Some of leaders have been in the trenches for decades. Many of our older warriors grow weary. Some have health challenges. The ‘boomers’ (people born between the years of 1946-1964) are retiring. Are the next group of community leaders coming forward? Think about the social service organization leaders that serve our community. Many of them will retire within a couple of years. There are central Ohio state political figures and city of Columbus politicians that are friendly to our needs who are retiring or are term-limited; they will be out of office within a couple of years. Look at the ages of other forward thinking leaders; they have fought a great fight but will not be in their positions much longer. Several of our leading clergy in many churches will likely step aside in the next few years. Our media leaders have been with us for years and some can retire whenever they are ready; next month, if they would like. What do you think Martin would say to our mature leaders? Might he reflect on something similar or something parallel to Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”? While our young leaders are not children, he might say “Prepare these new leaders, now!”

Frances Miller/LIFE

those leaders. Are we sharing opportunities with these strong, up-and-coming younger leaders? Are we giving them a broad current view of situations that are being worked or need to be worked? We think about Martin’s work with segregation, discrimination and voting but please remember that the issues he fought included but were broader than those issues. MLK’s battles evolved over time.

Indeed, as we saw and as we see leaders change (mayor of Columbus, United Way, corporations, social service organizations, church leaders, etc.), the need for young leaders is blatant. If you want to help your community, look for others (particularly the mature leaders) that are currently helping the community. Where does one start? It does not matter – the important thing is to start. There are formal Leadership programs around; however, getting started and doing the work is more important.

WHAT WOULD MLK SAY TO LEADERS Martin took on many fights. He took issue with (AND YOU) TODAY? the Vietnam War. On April 4, 1967, (http://www. crmvet.org/info/mlk_viet.pdf) he delivered a I believe Martin has said it already. Be Your Best. speech in New York City: ‘Beyond Vietnam: A He said: “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, Time to Break Silence‘ denouncing America’s he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or fighting in Vietnam, an undeclared war. Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep A year later on April 3, 1968, the evening before streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and Martin was assassinated, his speech included earth will pause to say, here lived a great street economic inequities, an issue that is being battled sweeper who did his job well.” (http://www. quotationspage.com/quote/31363.html) today. While Martin Luther King gave his time and life to the struggle, his popularity was not universal across the Black community. He was not popular with many young Blacks, including some of the Students Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Later, the student leaders were not as accepting of non-violent protest as a tactic and questioned its effectiveness (http://www.history. com/topics/black-history/sncc). Perhaps seeing that there were others that questioned non-violent tactics made MLK more acceptable to some of mainstream America.

Mature Leaders: Reach out to those budding younger leaders. The time is now. Young Leaders: Identify how you want to change the community and reach out to others, now. YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS YOU!

Having managed technology, communications and business functionality for multiple Fortune 100 companies, Cecil is a technology and management leader. He teaches technology, business and communications courses. He is a past president of many organizations including For a short synopsis of Martin Luther King’s life, BDPA (Technology group), and Columbus MATURE LEADERS visit http://www.biography.com/people/martin- Association of Black Journalists. He serves on luther-king-jr-9365086#synopsis. the Executive Committee of boards including Whom are we mentoring? Who is the “next Chairman of IMPACT Community Action person up”? What knowledge are we imparting? A GREAT VIEW AND FRAMEWORK Agency. www.AccelerationServices.net What lessons learned and retrospectives are we sharing? What formal and informal ways are we My Pastor, Reverend Dr. Howard T. Washington, What new technology or process have you providing information and relationships to our Second Baptist Church, on Sunday January 1, learned this month? Need advice on how to look younger family members, our extended families shared Psalm 98: 1-9 in his sermon. He provided for that technology position? Are you considering and younger people in our community? There a framework that gave me good focus for 2017. technology education (courses, certificates or are programs available. For example, there It also gave me another view from which to think degrees) and need information? Do you have a is a Progress Leadership Academy program about this article, including how communities business, process, project management, personnel mentioned in this edition that identifies and trains continue to prosper and move our agenda along or technology question? Please let me know. those up-and-coming age 25-to-40 leaders. The over generations. He shared that “A new song is Cecil Jones MBA, ABD, PMP, CCP, SCPM, FLMI, Lean Professional program also focuses on community projects for birthed from the memories of our past”. The Columbus African American •News January 2017• February 2015 Journal

POLITICS

NEW AFRICAN AMERICAN STATE LEGISLATORS 2017

Honorable Edna Brown

Ohio Senate District 11 - Hamilton County

Honorable Charleta B. Tavares Ohio Senate District 5 - Franklin County

Honorable Cecil Thomas Ohio Senate District 9 - Hamilton County

Honorable Vernon Sykes Ohio Senate District 28 - Summit County

Honorable Sandra Williams Ohio Senate

District 21 - Cuyahoga County

CONGRESSWOMAN BEATTY SWORN INTO 115TH CONGRESS Lew among many others. The Committee’s work will also certainly be front and center during the 115th Congress, as President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to undue most of President Barack Obama’s successful economic and financial policies, including repealing Dodd-Frank and the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

The historic Columbus Metropolitan Library, in the heart of downtown Columbus, was buzzing with excitement on December 30, 2016 for the ceremonial Swearing-in Ceremony for the 115th Congress in honor of U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty. A standing-room only crowd of more than 300 people was in attendance as Beatty took the Oath of Office, flanked by her husband, former Ohio Representative Otto Beatty, Jr., and joined on stage by her granddaughter holding the Bible and Judge Laurel Blunt administering the Oath. First elected in 2012, Beatty was most recently re-elected for her third consecutive term to the U.S. House of Representatives on November 8, 2016. In Congress, Beatty serves on the powerful House Committee on Financial Services, the exclusive Committee charged with overseeing the entire financial services industry. This important Committee assignment has allowed Beatty to interface with our country’s most esteemed policymakers and leading experts, including current Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen and Secretary of the Treasury Jack

In advance of the incoming Trump Administration and the first time in more than a decade that Republicans have held majorities in both chambers of Congress and occupied the White House, Beatty pledged to continue to be a strong voice for her constituents at the ceremony. “I am eager to roll up my sleeves and make a difference in the lives of Central Ohioans,” Beatty said. “I intend on advancing a legislative agenda that puts working families, seniors, and our nation’s veterans first.” Beatty remarked, “Now is not the time to wind back the clock and put our country back in the same dire economic situation we found ourselves just eight years ago.” The following week, four days after her rousing promise, Beatty was back in Washington, D.C., along with the 435 Members of Congress and 100 Senators, for the first day of the 1st Session of the 115th Congress on January 3, 2017. During the first day of the 115th Congress, as is customary, Congressional Republicans and Democrats elected the Speaker of the House and passed the very first piece of legislation: the House Rules Package. As expected, current Speaker, Congressman Paul Ryan (WI-01) was re-elected to the position—a result all but assured as Republicans hold a comfortable margin in the House of Representatives of 241 to 194.

provision into the rules package to disband the independent Office of Congressional Ethics, preventing it from reviewing anonymous complaints and giving its authority to the very Members it is charged with investigating for potential violations. Reaction was mostly negative, with Americans across the political spectrum expressing opposition to the provision, not to mention a tweet about the controversial provision from President-elect Trump. As a result, Republican lawmakers made a change to the measure only hours ahead of the scheduled vote on the House Floor. Although the contentious provision was removed prior to House vote, Republican leadership kept intact another provision to impose a fine(s) against a Member of Congress for the use of electronic photography, audio, visual, recording or broadcasting on the House Floor—a procedural move many political observers considered political retribution for the House Democratic sit-in, on June 22nd and 23rd, 2016 to hold votes on bipartisan gun violence prevention legislation.

After passage of the rules package on a partyline vote of 234-193, Beatty issued a statement slamming the move. “Congressional Republicans refuse to budge on a provision that will hamper a Member of Congress’ ability to fully voice the concerns of their constituency,” read the statement. “The politically-motivated provision inserted into the House Rules Package was designed to punish House Democrats, including me, who spoke out on the need for commonsense, bipartisan gun violence prevention legislation.” The statement concluded, “Yet, in reality, the move will actually affect Democrats However, the first day was not without its and Republicans alike. I refused to support such political fireworks. Prior to full consideration an unprecedented move and voted against the by the House, Republican leadership inserted a House Rules Package.” 11

The Columbus African January 2017 The Columbus African American NewsAmerican Journal • •February 2015

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The Columbus African American •News January Journal 2017• February 2015

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CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

“THE ULTIMATE MEASURE OF A MAN IS NOT WHERE HE STANDS IN MOMENTS OF COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE, BUT WHERE HE STANDS AT TIMES OF CHALLENGE AND CONTROVERSY.”

The Columbus African American • January 2017

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

THE KING LEGACY, THE OBAMA PRESIDENCY AND THE AFRICAN AMERICAN INIMITABLE OBLIGATION

By Tim Anderson Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s leadership in the fight for freedom, equality and justice has been the most enduring and significant milestone in my life time. Our history was changed by one man’s dream, a dream that resonated not just in the south but throughout this country. A dream that connected on a global basis against oppression with the struggle for freedom, equality and justice in apartheid South Africa. Had King lived his natural life span, conceivable he could have been with us today. He would have witnessed, Shirley Chisholm and Jessie Jackson run for the highest political office in the land and Nelson Mandela becoming president of a postapartheid South Africa. By the age of eighty he would have witnessed one of the most significant historical events of his life, the election of the first African American as president of the United States of America. The social trajectory of our nation was on dual course of reconciliation with its oppressive history and a healing path through landmark civil rights legislation and President Lyndon Johnson’s war on poverty initiatives. The nineteenth century writer and social critic, Charles Dickens in his novel, A Tale of Two Cities, starts by writing his paradoxical statement, “it was the best of times, it was the worst of time”. Had Dickens lived during the epoch period of the civil rights movement, perhaps he could have written, A Tale of Two Societies. Writing, “it was the worst of times, it was the hope of better times ahead”. Our hopes of better times ahead ended abruptly with the powder keg exploding over the assassination of Dr. King. From our sorrow came a collective purpose and obligation to honor the dreamer and continue his work. King’s assassin had ended the life of the prophetic dreamer but not his dream. King’s dream gave us hope. Inspiring blacks and whites, the rich and the poor, the old and the young, women and men, a nation and our world to seek freedom, equality and justice for all. Since King’s death, many of the policies that he died for have come under strong political and legal challenges, but still we fight, as we must. Fighting to protect our right to vote resulted in this nation’s electing the first African American president. Without the dreamer and his dream, many would have believed that the possibility of a black president was a century or more away, if ever. Had Dr. King lived he would have continued to been a major force on both the domestic and international stage. Inspiring us all to become engaged in addressing those most at risk: the poor, children, the elderly, healthcare inequities

and social justice. He would have been leading and seeking solutions for greater religious understanding and acceptance between Muslims, Christians and Jews. He would have fought for the rights of undocumented immigrants and opposed any barriers physical or otherwise that prohibited or restricted immigrants from entering this country. The Obama presidency demonstrates the powerful legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is far reaching and transcending. It is too early to determine what President Obama real legacy will become. Undoubtedly, history will judge whether his presidency and his policies were effective in diverting a global financial collapse, rescuing the U.S. automakers’ industry or creating affordable healthcare coverage. In his remaining days in the oval office, President Obama would be better served aligning his presidency with the King legacy rather than seeking to inoculate his key policies from the next administration. Two decades into the twenty-first century, Dr. King’s life remains a powerful symbol of conviction, contribution and the ultimate sacrifice. With King’s legacy rooted in the social condition of the African American experience, it is unequivocally and uniquely our own. By virtue of his presidency, Obama becomes a principal steward of the King legacy. With that responsibility, he is charged with ensuring that the dreamer’s dream and that of his legacy will continue to inspire others to serve this country. We now know what is possible; somewhere within our diverse community is an African American mother carrying in her womb her unborn child that will become president. Or an African American toddler who will one day aspire to become president, or within the next ten to twenty years an African American woman will seek to become the first woman president. The power of the King legacy makes all things possible.

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

King’s dream rooted in the American dream continues to inspire us. For we are all stewards of the dream and practitioners of his legacy. Let us be mindful that the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. legacy is a living legacy. We honor his legacy, not by a national holiday, a statue on the national mall, or by naming buildings or streets after him, or leading marches or holding large events; we honor Dr. King’s living legacy through service. On February 4, 1968, Dr. King gave his Drum Major for Peace sermon; two months to the day of his death on April 4, 1968. His prophetic sermon warned against the trappings of seeking accolades and personal attention. King cautioned on developing a drum major instincts for selfinterest or gain. Instead, King illustrated that our true purpose is not to satisfy our selfish needs, but to serve those in need. To feed the hungry, clothes the naked, house the homeless, taking care of our elderly and the poor. Dr. King wanted to be remembered not by his awards, honors or fame, but as a servant to others through his deeds. He wished to be remembered as that drum major for peace, a drum major for justice and a drum major for righteousness. As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy, let us honor him by recommitting ourselves to service in our community. By addressing the unmet needs of those most vulnerable and at risk, we continue Dr. King’s legacy of service. Through our collective deeds of service, we ensure that King’s legacy will transcend, inspire and transform the lives of generations to come. It is the African American inimitable obligation to serve our community based on King’s legacy and his ultimate sacrifice. Tim Anderson is a columnist and essayist featured in the Columbus African American News Journal, as well as, on social media. Current writing project: Something to Say, Essays from a not-so-angry black man (Summer 2017). To reach Tim directly; contact him via email: tim. anderson614@gmail.com.

The Columbus African American • January 2017

THE RISE OF AMERICA’S ANTI-INTELLECTUALISM By Marquise Lawrence The entire world was rocked by the results of the 2016 election that sent Trump to the White House. How could a man who spouts deranged lies about minorities of all creeds—a man who mocks the disabled, brags about sexual assault, and has little-to-no understanding of the world around him—be sent to the Oval Office? Because these facts did not matter to a large majority of the American population. This is the culmination of a path contemporary America has traveled for some time now. In the past, the 24-hour news cycle actually reported the news; now you have thinly veiled opinion shows covering the news and adding spin to it. In addition, you now have social media perpetuating false narratives and voters willingly sticking within their own bubbles of ideology, unaware or unwilling to reconcile the facts from the opinions. This is why pundits are calling this new era “Post-Truth”. Facts and statistics no longer matter simply because the general public can no longer discern between them and the falsehoods that are perpetuated amongst them. Now one can choose to receive information that

is solely palpable to their own ideology and will realistically never have to challenge their own biases. This is an immense danger to America’s democracy—catastrophic even. We have already seen the beginnings of why this new era is dangerous to us all. Russia was successful in spreading fake news through social media and in normalizing White Nationalism (aka, the AltRight) and the majority of Republicans embraced these efforts, rather than combat them. A democracy can only work well when the populace is well informed and actively participates in the process. We are heading in the opposite direction. Donald Trump exploited this new environment expertly and the media aided and abetted him, rarely challenging his lies or his pandering to extremist groups. They broadcasted almost every rally of his in full and normalized his rhetoric that demonized large groups of people. Trump appealed to the lowest common denominator with simple explanations of how he would fix the country in ways that are simply not possible or untrue. Rural America and the working class will not benefit from tax cuts on the rich, neither from deporting undocumented immigrants, nor from a repeal of the Affordable Care Act. In fact, most of his policies and the policies of the Congressional Republicans will negatively affect these people

and most of America. Infrastructure spending is off the table and privatizing Medicare and Social Security is at the top of the priority list. Trump threatens the very fabric of American foreign and domestic policy and embodies the already disproven policies of trickle-down economics and yet, people believe he will do the exact opposite. It is not only Russia, Trump, or the media’s fault why this anti-intellectual transformation has occurred, but also our own as voters. We need to gather more information from a variety of outlets and have our own points of view challenged and if something seems too good to be true, we need to fact-check it. Hopefully that way we can get back to a nation built on factual information and not empty propaganda. Marquise Lawrence is a member of the Osceola County, Florida Democratic Executive Committee. Mr. Lawrence served as a volunteer for the 2016 Clinton campaign and 2008 and 2012 Obama campaigns. He has been interested and active in education and politics, since an early age. A high school Valedictorian, Marquise is a recent University of Central Florida graduate, where he earned a BA degree. Marquise Lawrence can be reached at (407) 255-9492 or via email at marquise_lawrence@ knights.ucf.edu.

COMMIT TO GET ENGAGED IN 2017

By Kalitha Williams E v e r y b o d y c a n b e g re a t . Because anyone can serve – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The November election is like the bad after taste of 2016. We’ve all commiserated with our Facebook friends and likely participated in robust debates over holiday celebrations about what went wrong. As we begin chipping away at our New Year’s Resolutions like losing weight, increasing our savings and going to church more, let me suggest another one to add to your list, GET ENGAGED! Don’t just focus on your physical, financial and spiritual health; prioritize our community’s civic health. Voting is not enough. Just like you have to regularly exercise and eat right to maintain physical health, the same is true with our civic health. We vote to ensure that we have a voice in what is going on in our government and how it impacts our lives. We elect candidates to implement our values through public policy. However, casting our votes once or twice a year is not enough to ensure that our government is working in the way we may want. Civic responsibility does not end at the voting booth. We have to be engaged with important issues throughout the year. It’s important to hold public officials accountable to what they

said they would do while they were campaigning. When you hire a plumber to unclog a pipe in your home, you likely monitor their work to ensure they’re fixing the problem. The same is true with government and public officials; we have to watch them to ensure they’re doing the work we “hired” them to do. So how do you start? Ask yourself what matters most to you. If you have young children, maybe education and rising college costs are important to you. Others may be most concerned with healthcare, transportation or other issues. The issue in which you are most passionate is the place to start. Think about how you feel about this issue, why it matters to you and how it could be working to best meet your needs and the lives of others. Find groups and organizations that share your point of view. Join their email list-servs, like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter to get updates on how your issue is progressing or being stalled. They will be a great resource to help you follow the issue, share ways to get involved, and know how your local, state and federal public officials are supporting or opposing the issue. For instance, if your passion issue is mental health, The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a leading advocacy organization with a strong presence at the local, state and federal level. Raise your voice! Once you’re connected and better informed about your passion issue, get involved. There are lots of ways to elevate a cause. Contacting elected

The Columbus African American •News January 2017• February 2015 Journal

officials to express your point of view, organizing meetings to raise awareness, writing letters to newspapers and other activities will help ensure you have an opportunity to impact the shaping of our community. Engage in the ways that make the most sense for you. However you decide get involved, know that your contribution will have important impact. Remember, small ripples in the sea can build into powerful waves. In this political climate, we need more voices, ideas and actions to ensure that the policies that shape our society reflect our values. Your active engagement and service is vital to the success of our community. Kalitha Williams is a blogger and the Franklin County Democratic Central Committee Member for Columbus Ward 44. Follow her on Twitter at @KalithaWrites or online at www. kalithawilliams.com.

TRUMP TIGHT: THE DONALD PLAYS A WINNING ELECTORAL HAND

By William McCoy, MPA and Marquise Lawrence, BA If Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were alive to witness the 2016 Presidential election, like Marvin Gaye, he might ask, “What’s going on?” The 2008 and 2012 elections of Barack Obama, the nation’s first African-American president ushered in boundless optimism in many quarters. It also fueled the fires of hate and bigotry among some White Americans. Dr. King’s dream became manifest, as the nation considered the prospect of a post-racial racial society. While much of the country celebrated Barack Obama’s ascension to America’s highest elective office, Congressional Republicans met the night he was sworn-in and took a “blood oath” to oppose every idea and initiative he advanced, wrote Cash Michaels (“Blood Oath: GOP vowed to block Obama from the first day he assumed office,” District Chronicles, September 16, 2012). From Day One, the GOP and its media allies sowed the seeds of discontent, discord, and disrespect toward President Barack Obama. The election of President Obama contributed, in some measure, to the shocking 2016 election of Donald Trump. Candidate Trump rode White America’s resentment of President Obama to a surprising electoral victory. Civility and political correctness were cast aside and replaced by angry attacks on President Obama and Candidate Hillary Clinton. Racism was on full display as Candidate Trump declared his intention to ban Muslim immigrants, build a wall along the Mexican border, and encourage the mistreatment of Black inner-city residents by police through “stop and frisk” and “law and order” tactics. Sexism was front and center as Candidate Trump called women names, engaged in “locker room (sexual assault) talk,” and was accused of sexual misconduct by a cadre of women. He mocked the disabled, disadvantaged, and disenfranchised. Candidate Trump spoke at length of his admiration for his “friend” Russian leader Vladimir Putin. None of this mattered to his White supporters. In retrospect, Trump’s approach was the stuff of political genius- because it worked. The Ku Klux Klan and White Nationalists (i.e. Alt Right) were among the first to publicly support Candidate Trump. They were joined by a White silent majority, who openly opposed Trump while secretly voting for him. This coalition embraced Trump’s racist rhetoric and code words, lies, distortions, and distractions. Trump supporters accepted his simplistic slogans and solutions, ignored his missteps and misdeeds,

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and overlooked his cavalier attitude toward complex issues and world affairs. In short, Trump successfully appealed to White people’s biases and fears. Several factors aided in Trump’s election. First, objective and balanced news reporting were replaced by thinly veiled, partisan opinion coverage. This, coupled with unbridled social media, produced and perpetrated false narratives, ideological intransience, and a blatant disregard for the “facts” among much of the voting public. Some of this can be attributed to the “post-truth” (or post factual) politics phenomenon. Wikipedia calls post-truth politics “a political culture in which debate is framed largely by appeals to emotion disconnected from the details of policy, and by the repeated assertion of talking points to which factual rebuttals are ignored.” Post-truth renders traditional contesting and falsifying of truth to “secondary” importance. The term “posttruth” was named “2016 international word of the year” by Oxford Dictionaries. Second, many people intentionally ignored the misinformation and missteps of both Trump and Clinton. Rationality or reason played little or no role in their support for either candidate. A famous social psychology experiment on individual conformity to group behavior was conducted by Dr. Samuel Asch in 1951. Asch found nearly two of five people were willing to ignore reality and knowingly give an incorrect answer to conform to the rest of the group. Third, Trump received 53% of the female vote. Most women chose Trump over the first viable female candidate for president. Trump’s ability to attract women voters- and Hillary Clinton’s inability to secure the support of most womenwas one of the keys to the election. It is not clear if Trump’s rhetoric was part of a successful strategy to get White votes or if he really intends to dismantle Obamacare, build a wall along the Mexican border, ban Muslim immigrants, and appoint reactionary, right-wing justices to the Supreme Court. We do not know

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

if Trump will really walk away from international environmental (e.g. climate change), nuclear proliferation, and trade agreements. We must wait and see. In conclusion, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The ultimate measure of a man (or woman) is not where he (or she) stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he (or she) stands at times of challenge and controversy.” African-Americans should continue to mobilize, remain politically engaged, and embrace selfhelp strategies. For those fearing the worst, remember Dr. King also said, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” William McCoy is founder and president of The McCoy Company- a world-class, personal services consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, economic development, and training that helps its clients articulate and achieve their visions, solve problems, and capitalize on their opportunities. He has also worked with the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and other national think tanks, held two White House appointments, and managed political campaigns. Mr. McCoy holds a BA in economics and a MPA in finance. He is a certified industrial developer and certified economic developer, profiled in Who’s Who in the World and elsewhere. You can reach Mr. McCoy at (614) 785-8497 or via e-mail wmccoy2@themccoycompany.com. His website can be found at www.themccoycompany.com. Marquise Lawrence is a member of the Osceola County, Florida Democratic Executive Committee. Mr. Lawrence served as a volunteer for the 2016 Clinton campaign and 2008 and 2012 Obama campaigns. He has been interested and active in education and politics, since an early age. A high school Valedictorian, Marquise is a recent University of Central Florida graduate, where he earned a BA degree. Marquise Lawrence can be reached at (407) 255-9492 or via email at marquise_lawrence@ knights.ucf.edu. The Columbus African American • January 2017

BREASTFEEDING By Cissy Watkins Breast milk is nature’s perfect food. And it’s not just good for babies. It’s good for moms too. Breast milk boosts a baby’s immune system, reducing the risk of illness, asthma, chronic ear infections, childhood cancers and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Moms that breastfeed have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes and postpartum depression. Breastfeeding also can save $1,500 or more in the first year of a baby’s life on formula, doctors’ visits and medicine. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants are breastfed exclusively for about the first 6 months and that breastfeeding continues for at least 12 months, and longer as mother and baby desire. Breastfeeding gives babies the healthiest start in life – and it helps reduce infant mortality which is a crisis in our community. In fact, it’s estimated that more than 900 infant lives per year may be saved in the United States if 90% of mothers exclusively breastfed for 6 months. That’s why CelebrateOne – the collective community initiative that leads our efforts to reduce infant mortality and cut racial disparities in Columbus – supports and encourages all moms to breastfeed as part of a holistic approach to reducing infant deaths. CelebrateOne is working with diverse partners to implement the recommendations of the Infant Mortality Task Force and address risk factors that contribute to our high infant mortality rate, including breastfeeding because it helps improve the health of moms and babies.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breastfeeding rates improved nationwide from 2000-2008, and some of the greatest improvement was among black women. Still, only about 59 percent of black mothers breastfed in 2008 compared to 75 percent of white mothers. The rate of breastfeeding at a baby’s first birthday in 2008 was about 23 percent overall, but only 12.5 percent for black mothers. The good news is that while the rate was low, it was nearly double the rate for black mothers compared to the year 2000.

There are many reasons for this racial disparity in breastfeeding. First, a mother of color’s journey is different. There is historical racism to overcome, including the narrative of the wet nurse as well as unethical marketing of formula in low-income communities. This is paired with Yet, despite all the health benefits, black mothers a lack of breastfeeding education from hospitals, are less likely to breastfeed than white mothers. health care providers and even family members. Minority mothers, also, are not well represented in the mainstream media and advertising. Black moms – like all moms – are more successful in breastfeeding when they see other people who look like them doing it. Recognizing the need to encourage other breastfeeding mothers like me, three other women and I started the Breastfeeding Support Group for Black Women in Central Ohio. “Our Village”, as we lovingly refer to it, started small with just five women on Facebook, but it has grown to nearly 200 members in just one year. While our group is very diverse, we all share one common goal: to offer a safe space that supports breastfeeding moms of color so they can reach their own breastfeeding goals. Our group of breastfeeding moms, medical professionals of color and seasoned breastfeeders, who all self-

The Columbus African American •News January 2017• February 2015 Journal

identify as black, meet once a month to share praises, struggles and their personal style of feeding. We believe that it is imperative that we share evidence-based information that supports breastfeeding and community resources available to new moms such as home visiting programs, lactation consultants and insurance coverage for breast pumps. Through fellowship, friendship and information sharing, we are working to normalize breastfeeding for black women in our own community. Together, as a Village, we are helping black mothers become more successful advocates for breastfeeding, so that we can continue to increase breastfeeding rates, eliminating racial disparities. The result will be healthier mothers and children who will get the best start in life, living to celebrate their first birthday and thriving every year beyond. Cissy Watkins began her career in early childhood education working as a teacher, nanny and basketball coach. Moving from Oregon to Columbus in 2013, she found her place among the South Side Work Group, becoming very involved with the community. As a breastfeeding advocate, Cissy started the Breastfeeding Support Group for Black Women in Central Ohio. A recent graduate of CelebrateOne’s Community Health Worker Program, Cissy works as a Community Connector at Community Development for All People (CD4AP), a local nonprofit. Cissy resides on the south side of Columbus with her partner and son. The Breastfeeding Support Group for Black Women in Central Ohio meets at the Near East Neighborhood Pride Center. For more information, email: bbfcentralohio@gmail.com For more information about CelebrateOne, visit www.celebrateone.info.

COMMUNITY

AARP OHIO: COMMENDS OHIO HOUSE SPEAKER CLIFF ROSENBERGER FOR NEW COMMITTEE ON AGING & LONG-TERM CARE Aging Boomers, Gen Xers & Millennials Will All Findings show that an older population can contribute greatly in all walks of life. But to make Benefit from Focus the most of this opportunity, communities must COLUMBUS, OH (January 3, 2017) As the address an array of challenges that can make it 132nd General Session for Ohio got underway, harder to stay independent and productive. Speaker of the House Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) announced the formation of a new The over-arching goals of financial security, standing committee on Aging & Long-Term Care health and personal well-being are linked in to focus on the strategies and solutions that can countless ways and benefit all generations. support Ohioans and their families as they age. Common sense solutions will require fresh thinking and a crosscutting approach. They State Director of AARP Ohio Barbara A. also require a willingness from policymakers Sykes said, “The aging of our population is and political leaders to take on difficult issues a demographic wave that will reshape every and openness to both new ideas and even some community in this state, our nation – and compromise by advocates and other stakeholders. most of the world. We are so pleased Speaker Rosenberger has the vision to see the vital Sykes added, “Creating an Aging & Long-Term importance of this area and the opportunity Ohio Care Committee means important bills like the Ohio Caregiving Act we helped pass will has to get ahead of the changes.” continue to receive the support and attention Since the middle of the 20th century, global life they deserve by our legislators. AARP Ohio and expectancy has increased by two decades. In just Ohio’s 1.5 million AARP members thank you.” a few years, there will be more people over age Follow us on Twitter: @AARPOhio and 65 in the world than children under 5. Facebook: AARP OH

MEN’S MINISTRY OF SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH INVITE YOU TO VALENTINE’S PROGRAM Columbus, Ohio – Communication is powerful. As a tool, it can be demonstrated verbally or nonverbally. In a relationship, whether married or single, communication is a means to strengthen and build. It can also become a vehicle that destroys an individual’s ability to maintain healthy and vibrant relationships.

reflected on God’s blessings and the values we developed, which have proven critical to our marital success.” The event topic is, “Communication: The Foundation On Which Relationships Are Built.” The event program is designed to provide married and single attendees with biblical understanding, strategies, and tools that will improve their interpersonal communication. The panel, comprised of married and single persons, will comprehensively address this topic and share personal experiences (inclusive of techniques) that have worked in building effective communication skills. The session will be engaging and interactive.

If you are in need of hearing open and honest conversation about the importance of good communication and how it can positively or negatively impact your life, please plan to attend the Men’s Ministry of Second Baptist Church 3rd Annual Valentine’s Event scheduled for Saturday, February 11, 2017 beginning at 9:00 am. The church is located at 186 N.17th Street, Columbus, Ohio 43203. For additional information about the event Ray Miller, a member of the inaugural panel for schedule, logistics, and updates, visit the church’s the Valentine event stated, “Previously serving as website at www.secondbaptistcolumbus.com panel member allowed my wife and I to publicly You may also contact Troy Glover via phone at verbalize attributes that kept our marriage 614-253-4313 or email, Troyg1906@wowway. strong and vibrant for more than 30 years. We com.

To Advertise in The Columbus African American contact us at: editor@columbusafricanamerican.com RayS. Miller, Publisher 503 High Street - Suite 102

750 East Long Street, Suite 3000 Columbus, Ohio 43203

Columbus, OH 43215 614-826-2254

614.340.4891

The Columbus African January 2017 The Columbus African American NewsAmerican Journal • •February 2015

COVER STORY BECOMING KING

By Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens He was born Michael King, Jr. the oldest child of Rev. Mike King and Alberta Williams King on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. When he was nine, following his father’s trip to Europe and walking in the footsteps of the great Protestant Reformer, Martin Luther, Mike’s name (along with “Daddy King’s’’ name) was changed to Martin Luther King, Jr. He was sitting in the sanctuary when his dad told the congregation of his revelation and his name change. He was excited for his father and then realized, his name just got changed, too. It was a bit of shock for a nine-year child! By 15 years old, “M.L.” was a freshman at Morehouse College in Atlanta. By 19, he was a first year student at Crozier Seminary in Philadelphia. By 22, he was in Boston University working on his PhD and by 25 he was married to Coretta Scott and had been called as pastor of Dexter Ave. Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala. One year and three months later, after Rosa Parks’ arrest on a Montgomery public bus, December 1, 1955, Martin was handpicked to lead the most important non-violent civil rights protest in American history. Twelve years, four months and three days later, Nobel Peace Prize winner and leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was murdered by an assassin’s bullet while standing on the balcony of a Memphis, Tenn., motel just moments before he and friends were headed to dinner at the home of Pastor Samuel Billie Kyles. He was 39 years, two months and 20 days old. An autopsy said his heart was equivalent to a 60-year-old man. How did Mike become King? How did he become the first and only African-American for whom a national holiday is celebrated? How did he become a non-elected national and global leader whose memory is now enshrined in a beautiful memorial across the Tidal Basin from the Jefferson Memorial and a few hundred yards from the Reflecting pool, the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument? How did Martin Luther become King? Friend of Dr. King and great Jewish theologian, Abraham Joshua Heschel, wrote these words about the prophets of old: “The prophet is a person who sees the world with the eyes of God, who holds God and humanity in one thought, at one time, in all times.” Rabbi Heschel continues: “The passion of God is speaking when the prophet speaks. . .. He feels fiercely. God has thrust a burden upon his soul and he is bowed and stunned by humanity’s fierce greed.

. . . Prophecy is the voice that God has lent to the silent agony, a voice to the plundered poor, to the profaned riches of the world. It is a form of living, a crossing point of God and man. God is raging in the prophet’s words . . . the prophet seldom tells a story, but casts events. . . . He lives in sympathy with the divine pathos.” (Found in Abraham Heschel’s The Prophets, Harper and Row, NY, NY, 1962, pp. 3-6). In Martin Luther King, Jr., God sent America and the world a prophet for our times. Like the Biblical prophets of old, King was not chiseled out of rock. He was not created in a vacuum. He was not dropped from high in the heavens. Martin was born and raised in the black church, in the Deep South, in the heart of America’s racial segregation and racial hate. He became King because of the influences of black men and women – intellectuals like Dr. Benjamin Mays, president of Morehouse College; activists like the middle-aged Pullman porter named E.D. Nixon; trained non-violent resisters like Rosa Parks; a young English professor and activist named JoAnne Robinson; and pastoral colleagues like Rev. Ralph David Abernathy, Sr., pastor of First Baptist Church in Montgomery. He became King because he followed the pastorate of the great preacher and radical visionary Dr. Vernon Johns who was ousted from the pulpit of Dexter Avenue because he wore overalls and sold collard greens on the campus of Alabama State College (behavior unbecoming of Dexter Avenue’s pastor – according to Dexter Ave. Deacons). Martin became King because of his wife Coretta – who was much more of an activist than he was when they met - gave him books to read, brought him to lectures she felt he needed to hear, and took him to rallies when he would rather have been home reading. He arrived in Montgomery, Ala., in September

The January 2017• February 2015 The Columbus Columbus African African American American •News Journal

1954, six months after the landmark Supreme Court decision of Brown vs. the Board of Education. He became King on the streets of Montgomery, walking, talking, listening and learning from working men and women in the capital city of Alabama. He became King as a pastor comforting victims of racial violence, the victims of lynchings from the hanging trees of Alabama, economic violence and injustice and social evil. There were many reasons and many people, who pulled, pushed, persuaded and persevered in providing Martin the opportunities to pursue the prophetic imagination which was inside his soul. In the long run, Martin became King because Jesus Christ called him to pick up his cross and lay down his life for his friends. Let’s go back and take a look at the making of a prophet, the becoming of King. One member of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church said in November 1959, when Dr. King was leaving Dexter to head to the SCLC from headquarters in Atlanta and from there into the rest of the world: “The history books may write it Rev. King was born in Atlanta, and then came to Montgomery, but we feel that he was born in Montgomery in the struggles here, and now he is moving to Atlanta for bigger responsibilities.” Martin King was born in the struggles of Montgomery. In late-August 1955 (less than year after Martin’s return to the South), in a small, sleepy town called Money, Miss., a 14-year-old African-American from Chicago named Emmitt Till was visiting relatives in the Delta for the summer. In the general store in Money, he reportedly flirted with a white woman. Several nights later, the woman’s husband and his brother dragged Emmett from his uncle’s house, brutally beat him, tortured him and shot him in the head before throwing his body in the

COVER STORY Tallahatchie River, chained to a 70 pound cotton gin fan. Three days later his body was discovered and retrieved from the river. Returned to Chicago, Emmett was buried with an open casket and thousands attending his funeral. With gruesome pictures in Jet Magazine, portraying Emmett’s condition, the whole world was watching. This was not just another lynching of another young black man. This lynching shifted the way people responded to racial hatred. How do I know that? Because Rosa Parks, less than three months after Emmett was buried, reported that when she refused to move from her seat on Friday, December 1, 1955, on a Montgomery bus, said, “I saw the face of Emmett Till and I knew I had to stay in my seat for him.” God bless your memory, Emmett Till. You had a part in helping Martin become King. Ms. Parks knew exactly what she was doing. She was trained in non-violent civil disobedience. Once booked and jailed for “disorderly conduct,” the whole of black Montgomery was in an uproar. Congressman John Lewis tells it this way: “The buzz flew through town. They arrested Ms. Parks? She wouldn’t hurt a fly. This is wrong! We have got to do something this time.” Over the weekend, the black community was organized. By Sunday morning, the morning announcements and the sermons from the pulpits of many black churches (including Dexter Avenue) were calling for a bus boycott. By Monday, December 4, the bus boycott had begun. People were walking to work. That night a huge rally was held at Holt Street Baptist Church. Martin was called on to preach. We need to remember that his preaching didn’t inspire the 50,000 bus riders to walk, but it gave them hope and vision and fired them for the second day and the subsequent 385 days. Taylor Branch, in his three part epic on King’s career, says that King was in his element. He was a great orator and preacher. While Dr. King participated in many direct actions, he NEVER initiated any by himself in his lifetime. His inclination was to inspire social change through oratory. The combination of his preaching and others leading the charge was to become the perfect storm for non-violent social change that swept the South, then the North and in time, the entire nation in the years that followed. Although many things affected and influenced Dr. King, the January 30, 1956, bombing of his home in which the front porch of his house was blown up while Coretta and Martin the Third were inside, made Martin realize how dangerous his journey to justice would be. He knew that he may lose his life in the struggle. He knew that his family was at risk as well. That attack convinced him to no longer carry a gun – which he had to that point. He said, “No gun can save me. Guns will only inflict more violence in this nation and in our lives.” These are powerfully prophetic words for our day and time as well! Dr. King’s essential message was clear and it was formed throughout his childhood and youth. Clayborne Carson, King biographer and archivist of King’s sermons, letters and other writings, has

studied the work of Dr. King more closely than anyone else. Commenting on the Montgomery years, Dr. Carson writes: “King’s optimistic, hope-filled message rooted in the power of God inspired men and women to remain in and sacrifice for the struggle. His consistent emphasis on the love ethic found in the life and teachings of Jesus provided the theological undergirding for the strategy of nonviolence. King’s growing faith in God also fueled his conviction that the civil rights movement could become a vehicle for redemption in Montgomery, the South and the throughout the whole nation.” (Troy Jackson, Becoming King, The University Press of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 2008, p. 5). King was passionate in his commitment to the power of love and the centrality of the social gospel in his preaching and teaching throughout the Montgomery boycott. But he came to Montgomery ready for this task. He was fortunate to cut his preaching teeth before arriving in Montgomery. While a student preacher at Daddy King’s Ebenezer Baptist Church in the “Sweet Auburn” section of Atlanta, King had been addressing his views on race, segregation, peace, economic injustice from the pulpit. He had sharpened the tools for his craft in the workshop of his daddy’s church – his childhood church. He tells the story of his first sermon at Ebenezer. He was nervously pacing and talking to himself when one of the elder women of the church came upon him. “Martin, what is the matter?” He responded, “I am not sure I should be preaching. I am not sure this is right.” She smiled and responded, “Like Jeremiah, God claimed you in the womb of your mother. What’s right with God is right. It’s not for you to be nervous about. It is your destiny, son.” With these words and a tender touch to the cheek, Martin felt the peace of God which passes understanding sweep through his body and soul.

God within the shadow, keeping above his own.’ This is something in the universe that justifies the Biblical writer saying, you shall reap what you sow.” (Ibid, p. 42) No matter what the circumstances he faced, Martin maintained the hope and optimism of his faith grounded in the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Montgomery, the young King was to face the challenges of any Baptist preacher. He was warned by friends and family that there was a small group of people in Ebenezer who didn’t like preachers. He was warned about Deacon Thomas H. Randall, who if he was still alive, was known to take pride in bringing down the pastors of Dexter Avenue. When Martin arrived, Deacon Randall was not only alive, but the chair of the Deacons. He kept a notebook on King recording any misdeeds, shortcomings, when he was late for meetings, and complaints from members and other citizens. While leading the movement for social change that would rock the nation, Dr. King had to deal with Deacon Randall. Even Jesus had his inner-church challenges and he had a membership of 12! Martin surrounded Deacon Randall with love and a plan. Martin took the high ground laying out to the whole church 34 recommendations for them – including a plan for growth and a social and political action committee. In the end, it was Deacon Randall who wrote of Dr. King at his departure in 1960, “The kind of life Dr. King has lived as pastor has been inspiring. His sermons and talks have served as a compelling force in our lives – urging us to live the full life – thus broadening the horizons of our responsibilities beyond our own church.” (Ibid, p. 174). In time, his greatest detractor became his great friend. What a friend we have in Jesus! Forged in the crucible of Montgomery, Martin went forward his last eight years to change the course of history. As a prophet of the social gospel, Martin saw the world with the eyes of God – holding God and humanity in one thought, at one time, in all times (to paraphrase Rabbi Heschel). He spoke with the passion of God, feeling fiercely and casting events and always keeping step with the divine pathos he had come to know in Jesus Christ his Lord and savior.

Writing to Coretta during their courtship, he included a prayer with which he had ended a sermon three years earlier - when he was 20 years old. “Let us continue to hope, work and pray that in the future we will live to see a warless world, a better distribution of wealth, and a brotherhood that transcends race or color.” This time, he added to his beloved, “This is the gospel that I In the end, we come to know the divine pathos by walking with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King will preach to the world.” (Ibid, p. 49). Jr. In the end, he became King by knowing and During these years before Montgomery, Martin following his King. We would be wise to follow worked hard at developing quotation laden Martin and Jesus in our journey of faith. After refrains that he memorized and used countless all, Martin had the drum major instinct. What a times in sermons and speeches to justify hope. great gift! So let us be wise so that we too may From the pulpit of Ebenezer, he tested out become like King. Thanks be to God for the Rev. his cadence and his refrain of hope: “There is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. something in the universe that justifies Carlyle in saying, ‘No lie can live forever.’ There is Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens is the Senior Minister of something in this universe that justifies William First Congregational Church, United Church of Cullen Bryant saying, ‘Truth crushed to the Christ in downtown Columbus. A church known earth will rise again.’ There is something in for its witness to social justice since its birth as this universe that justifies James Russell Lowell an abolitionist congregation in 1852. Rev. Ahrens saying, “Truth forever on the scaffold, wrong is the fifth consecutive senior minister from Yale forever on the throne, yet the scaffold sways the Divinity School and is a lifelong member of the future and, behind the dim unknown, Standeth United Church of Christ. 21

The Columbus African American • January 2017

The Columbus African American •News January 2017• February 2015 Journal

COLUMBUS DIVISION OF FIRE - RECRUITMENT OUTREACH The Columbus Division of Fire is an accredited agency that employs over 1500 Uniform Firefighters. Columbus is the 15th largest Fire Department in the Country serving a metropolitan community over 800,000 people. Annually, The Division of Fire responds to over 150,000 calls for emergency services. As our hiring needs vary from year to year, it is our goal to continually seek highly qualified and diverse candidates to join our Fire Division. https://www.columbus.gov/becomeaCFDfirefighter/ The Division offers careers in a multitude of disciplines: Advance Life Care

Terrorism Liaison Officer Program

Training Division

Dive and Rescue Team/DART

Special Service

Hazmat

Fire Explosive Investigative Unit

Bomb Squad

K-9 Unit

Research and Development

Advanced Firefighting

Promotional Ranks

Employee’s salary increases to the next higher step after completing one year of continuous service in the previous step. The salary is determined by the collective barganing contract between the City of Columbus and Columbus Firefighters Union Local #67 as of January 14, 2016. Salary Starting Pay

$1,9400.00 bi-weekly

$50,440.00 annually

STEP B

$2,038.40 bi-weekly

$52,998.40 annually

STEP C

$2,141.60 bi-weekly

$55,681.50 annually

STEP D

$2,555.20 bi-weekly

$66,435.20 annually

STEP E

$2,973.60 bi-weekly

$77,313.60 annually

The Columbus Division of Fire offers an attractive and competitve fringe benefit package. Health Insurance*

Annual Service Credit

Life Insurance

Clothing and Equipment Allowance

Vision Care

College Tuition Reimbursement

Dental Plan

Retirement Plan

Prescription Drug Plan

Deferred Compensation Program

Paid Sick Leave

Earn College Credits

Paid Vacation Leave

Paid Holidays

*Eligibility for insurance benefits begins on the first day of the month following date of hire.

If you are interested in joining the Columbus Division of Fire, please contact our office today to be added to our mailing list for upcoming firefighter (#3090) testing information announcements from the Civil Service Commission. Call today at 614-645-6387 or sign-up online at www.Columbus.gov/civilservice/ The Columbus Division of Fire is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The Columbus African January 2017 The Columbus African American NewsAmerican Journal • •February 2015

HEALTH

HEALTHCARE JUSTICE: NOTHING FOR US, WITHOUT US By Charleta B. Tavares The recent elections have put in jeopardy the future of the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. ACA or Obamacare). The president-elect and the majority party in Congress have vowed to repeal the ACA and roll back the expansion of Medicaid. On December 13th the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released an extensive compilation of national and state-level data illustrating the substantial improvements in health care for all Americans in the last six years. According to the report “The uninsured rate has fallen to the lowest level on record, and 20 million Americans have gained coverage thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). But beyond those people who would otherwise be uninsured, millions of Americans with employer, Medicaid, Medicare, or individual market coverage have benefited from new protections as a result of the law…”

Where did Dr. Geiger develop the concept of the community health center? It came from South Africa. During his training in medical school Geiger got a scholarship to study and work at the Pholela Health Center in Zululand. The center was one of more than 70 such centers in South Africa serving Africans, Indians, and some poor whites. The experience changed Geiger’s life and showed him how the denial of health care was an instrument of political and economic oppression. It also revealed a strategy to empower people to both secure health services and challenge that oppression at the same time.

In the years that followed, Dr. Geiger helped to organize residents in Bolivar County, Mississippi, and in the Columbia Point Public Housing Project in Boston, MA, to establish the nation’s first two community health centers. The health centers were funded through the Office of Economic Opportunity, the agency directing the War on Poverty. The early health centers provided important medical services but also addressed the social determinants of health such The ACA has provided healthcare coverage and as poverty, unemployment, malnutrition, and ostensibly health care to millions more Americans environmental health issues. through Medicaid expansion (additional 15.7 million), Marketplace (10 million) and free The Mississippi Center was by far the more preventative care i.e., mammograms, cancer difficult one to launch. The oppressor as well as screenings, flu shots, contraceptives and etc. the oppressed can recognize the liberating effects that have benefitted 137 million residents. In of access to health care. As Geiger commented addition, due to the ACA, 2.3 million young later, “they (that is, the institutions of Jim Crow) people are able to maintain coverage on their recognized that this was a very different model parents’ insurance until age 26; there is no and it would directly empower impoverished discrimination against residents with pre-existing black populations as partners in the delivery conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and of their own health services, thus bypassing cardiovascular diseases which disproportionately all the gatekeepers and mechanisms of control that the white power structure had up until then affects African Americans. exercised.” You may ask what these statistics have to do with healthcare justice. How does the ACA impact health and for whom? How do community health centers and the civil rights movements converge? Why the mantra nothing for us or about us without us?

Dr. Geiger’s words and pioneering efforts in America are ironic for those of us of African descent. He replicated the community health center concept which was modeled after that of a small village in South Africa during Apartheid. He took the notion of empowerment and addressing the social conditions influencing the health and well-being of the patient and built a movement in America. We now have over 1,300 community health centers with 9000+ sites serving more than 25 million people. As we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his fight for civil rights, human rights and justice let’s reflect on one of his quotes germane to healthcare justice:

The birth of community health centers comes out of the Civil Rights Movement and the War on Poverty. In fact, Dr. Jack Geiger and his colleague, Dr. Count Gibson are often credited as the pioneers of the community health center movement in the United States. Dr. Geiger was active in the Civil Rights movement in the early 1940’s and, after completing his medical training, participated in the Freedom Summer in Mississippi in 1964. He served as a member of the Medical Committee for Human Rights – a “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice group to provide medical services to civil rights in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.” Dr. King understood the ravages the workers. body, mind and spirit face when discrimination, The Columbus African American • January 2017

inequity and injustice pervade healthcare policies, providers and programs for African Americans and those marginalized in our society. He focused his Poor People’s March on the people – empowered and courageous taking on the institutions, government and hatemongers in America who would deny them what was right, just and humane. We can follow both Dr. King and the doctrines of the War on Poverty to fight those who would deny basic human rights of life and liberty without discrimination or we can pretend that we do not have control and wait for others to do for us what we are not willing to do for ourselves, families and community members. The War on Poverty’s programs were designed to have the people at the decision-making tables…nothing about us or for us, without us was the mantra and focus. We have the skills, knowledge, people and power to stand up and fight for a health care system that addresses our needs, eliminates health disparities and recruits, retains and trains culturally and linguistically appropriate providers and staff. We can control the fate of the Affordable Care Act and the provisions that support the needs of our community and we can make scholarly recommendations on the improvements necessary to augment our health outcomes and eliminate the premature disease or death of our community’s people. If you need assistance with enrollment in the Marketplace (until January 31, 2017) or Medicaid contact Brian Hall at Brian.Hall@ primaryonehealth.org or 614.620.8088 with our Certified Application Counselor Team at PrimaryOne Health. Sources: HHS.Gov December 13, 2016 release March 10, 2014 We Are Public Health, posted in interview by guest editor, Ted Henson, and Community Health Centers and the Civil Rights Movement Community Health Partnership Thursday, August 13, 2015 1

Charleta B. Tavares is the Chief Executive Officer at PrimaryOne Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) system providing comprehensive primary care, OB-GYN, pediatric, vision, dental, behavioral health and specialty care at 10 locations in Central Ohio. The mission is to provide access to services that improve the health status of families including people experiencing financial, social, or cultural barriers to health care. www.primaryonehealth. org.

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

HEALTH

MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE WORLD - PART 2 By Jaqueline Lewis-Lyons, Psy.D Happy New Year to everyone! I have heard many people comment over the past few weeks how glad they will be to see the end of 2016. This past year definitely presented many challenges for us personally, and as a nation. However, we must not allow the disappointments, losses, or negative experiences change how we see the world around us. And, we have a duty to continue to improve our world, in whatever ways we can. Last month, we started looking at making a positive impact and I shared some facts from an article from Forbes.com, discussing the first three core behaviors. Let’s continue with the rest. #4 – People who want to positively impact the world invest time and energy not in what is, but in what can be. This one dares us to dream, and dream BIG. We are not limited by what we can see and what has already been done. We each have been gifted with imagination, a heart that desires purpose and connection, and a community that surrounds us. It’s time to pull out some paper and let those thoughts, dreams, and forgotten plans come to life. There is something that each one of us can do, no matter how impossible it may seem, that can grow and serve a need in our communities.

#8 - People who want to positively impact the world look at the journey (process, lessons, etc) as the goal. They do not try to take short cuts and are focused on what they learn along the way. We cannot be so intent on reaching a certain goal that we miss the view along the way. Imagine taking a car trip across the United States. Are you likely to ignore every landmark or sunset along the way? I hope not. Our journey through life is the same – it #5 – People who make an impact embrace is not just about the endpoint. criticism. We have become too sensitive. If #9 – Here is the final core behavior. People who someone doesn’t like us or responds in a way want to impact the world use their power and that makes us uncomfortable, we tuck our tails influence well. They are careful about how they and retreat. We are not meant to be cowardly or use their strengths, and seek the benefit of all afraid of opposition. Sometimes, it is through rather than just themselves. opposition that you find what is really meaningful for you. What are you willing to fight for? You Tony Robbins once said that 10% of the must be ready to stand up to the naysayers and wealthiest people in America account for only mean comments. Just because ‘they’ don’t have 25% of all charitable giving. Does that shock your vision/passion does not mean that you are wrong. Be strong and confident despite the criticism. #6 – People who positively impact others spread what they know. They believe that their ideas, and plans will benefit others and go all out to help those they can reach. What do you know that someone else needs to learn? Everyone has skills and knowledge from life experiences. It’s time to share yours.

HIGH STREET - SUITE 102, COLUMBUS, OH 43215

anyone besides me? Does it make you think about how we all have a duty to help those who have less than we do? It may be that most of the wealthiest are so far away from the realities of living day to day, that they don’t give it a second thought. But, I am sure that you and I can identify many needs right outside our doors. Let’s make this year count by doing what we can to make a difference in someone’s life. Dr. Jacqueline Lewis-Lyons’s office is located in north Columbus. Her practice centers on helping clients with depression and anxiety related disorders. In recent years, after discovering a love of running, she expanded her practice to include servces related to Sports Psychology for athletes of all ages and levels. To reach her, call 614-443-7040 or email her at Jacqui@ DrLewisLyons.com

503 S.

#7 – To make an impact, you must be willing to lift others up as you ascend. There is an old saying that I love: Our purpose is to touch the life and hearts of others without stepping on others! None of us was meant to be an island, teamwork is built into our DNA and we must embrace the opportunities as well as learn from the challenges of working with others. Our goal is ultimately to raise everyone, not just ourselves. The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

The Columbus African American • January 2017

HEALTH

MORE REASONS TO LEAVE BEHIND STRESS IN 2017 By Lisa D. Benton, MD In prioritizing my New Year’s resolutions, I added reducing stress to the top of my list. In my mind. there are enough reasons to keep lowering stress levels front and center all the time since too much stress can unravel all the other positive changes you want to make for your health and your life. Also, for me, quite a bit of scientific research supports my decision. Perhaps you will agree. As African Americans most of us has heard how stress can kill you. For example, there is a direct relationship between the amount of extra hours you work each week, stress and your risk of heartrelated disease such as angina, hypertension, stroke or a heart attack. The number of people reporting work-related stress has been steadily increasing. A 2013 study showed that 8 out of 10 of us are already stressed out about our jobs due to lower salaries and the increasing workload. When discrimination is obvious or perceived in the workplace African Americans and Latinos report having even more stress.

other belief system on the planet there is the recurring theme and admonition to let go of things in this life that bring stress, baggage, negativity and distract your focus and time in your life and vocation. Reducing stress has been instruction for healthy living through the ages probably since the beginning of time.

Stress results in less restful sleep and keeps your body in a state of fight or flight with body systems operating on high or overdrive making you more prone to burn out. Your body’s defender systems—commonly known as your inflammatory response is busy secreting Whether stress is a root cause contributing chemicals and hormones. Stress contributes to to rising blood pressure, so high that it is arthritis and prematurely ages you. Know and remember, you have the power to causing chest pain and a heart attack or causing choose to take steps when it comes to changing headaches, blurred vision, ringing in the ears and Now there is more scientific evidence that where and with whom you work and play. a stroke, the story of stress does not end there. supports that. One 2016 study showed that stress Too much stress is doing you a lot worse. Stress can cancel out the benefit of healthy eating and Even though you may not be able to change has been implicated in just about every illness contribute to weight gain, and another study those settings overnight or over months you you can think of. Whether it’s cancer, diabetes, showed that stress has a role in developing can take one step each day forward and toward obesity, mental illness or even healing a cut or memory loss and dementia. something different. From the great wisdom wound after surgery, increased stress can play a of Maya Angelou “Do your best you can until negative role. Stress depletes the quality of your The quality of your life and living is better when you know better, then when you know better do life and how you live. you’re eating right, exercising and surrounded better.” by positive relationships and situations. You have the power to make simple, obvious choices Learn a little more… to get your life to that place. Start moving more- The National Institute for Occupational Health even if it is just walking 15- 25 minutes daily and Safety (NIOSH) or standing to take a 10 to 15-minute stretch https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-101/ break every 30 minutes when sitting watching How Chronic Stress Promotes Spread of Cancer, television or at the computer. and What You Can Do About It, March 24, You are what you eat, so choosing fruits, 2016 http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/ vegetables and nuts over foods with processed archive/2016/03/24/chronic-stress-cancer.aspx sugar and extra salt and fats will give you more sustained energy, help your memory and give Chronic stress, anxiety can damage the brain, increase risk of major psychiatric disorders, you better looking skin, hair, nails and teeth. Science Daily, January 21, 2016 Vitamins, minerals, amino acids and supplements h t t p s : / / w w w . s c i e n c e d a i l y . c o m / (such as biotin, vitamin D, C, lutein, lysine, green releases/2016/01/160121121818.htm tea extract) can help but getting these nutrients Depression, daily stressors and inflammatory from their sources is even better. responses to high-fat meals: when stress For example, you can take the vitamin A, C, E overrides healthier food choices by J K Kiecoltand other supplements equivalent to a tomato Glaser, Molecular Psychiatry, September 2016 or orange, or drink tomato or orange juice but http://www.nature.com/mp/journal/vaop/ eating fresh tomatoes or oranges is the better ncurrent/full/mp2016149a.html choice to give your body the nutrition, building Lisa D. Benton, MD, MPH (The Doctor is In) blocks and energy it needs. breastsurgeonlb@gmail.com Remember, in Christianity and just about every Twitter: @DctrLisa (415) 746-0627 The Columbus African American • January 2017

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

HEALTH

GET YOUR EYES CHECKED IN JANUARY: NATIONAL GLAUCOMA AWARENESS MONTH

By Gloria P. Fleming, MD Glaucoma is known as the sneak thief of sight. There are no symptoms of the disease. Glaucoma is a silent eye disease that can sneak up on you without warning and steal your sight without you knowing what happened. If left untreated, damage can occur to your optic nerve that can cause permanent vision loss. Glaucoma affects close to three million Americans and is the leading cause of blindness among African Americans. The disease is six to eight times more common in African Americans than Caucasians. Additionally, the disease becomes more common as you get older. Understanding the disease and your risk factors are important to raise awareness and decrease your risk of losing your sight. What is glaucoma? Glaucoma is a group of diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve (which is the nerve that connects your eye to your brain). This nerve is responsible for transmitting images that you see to your brain. Damage to this nerve causes you to lose vision in your periphery (the side vision that you use to drive), known as visual field loss. Between 40 and 50% of your vision can be lost without you even knowing it has occurred. Glaucoma is a chronic disease, there is no cure, and the damage cannot be undone, so treatment is aimed at slowing the rate of visual loss and preventing blindness. How do you know if you have glaucoma? You will not know if you have glaucoma. It is a silent disease. Regular comprehensive eye exams are extremely important, so that an eye

care provider can evaluate you for early signs of 3. Surgical procedures in an operating room glaucoma. All treatments have the common goal of lowering What is a complete eye exam? eye pressure inside of the eye and preventing damage to the optic nerve. Your options depend Your eye care provider will measure your vision, on what type of glaucoma you have, how measure the pressure inside of the eye and dilate advanced it is and your overall health. The earlier your pupil to evaluate your optic nerve. You may glaucoma is detected, the better the chance of also be tested to see how well your optic nerve treating it to prevent more damage. is functioning by performing a visual field exam and other testing to look at the structure of the Your eye health is very important and January optic nerve to see if there is any damage. There (National Glaucoma Awareness Month) is a good are some additional tests that can also be done to time to have a complete eye exam or glaucoma evaluate glaucoma. A complete eye exam is the screening. Diagnosing glaucoma is not always best way to protect your sight against glaucoma. easy and may involve many different tests, but earlier diagnosis can reduce your risk of Are there any risk factors for glaucoma? having vision loss. Although there is no cure for glaucoma, it is treatable. Those who are at higher risk for glaucoma are the elderly, African Americans, Latinos, diabetics and Please take this quick TRUE OR FALSE Eye-Q people with family members who have a history test to see how much you understand about of glaucoma. Again, glaucoma is the leading glaucoma: cause of blindness among African Americans. 1. Glaucoma is a silent disease. You may have glaucoma and not know it. Is there any treatment for glaucoma? 2. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness Although there is no cure for glaucoma, once among African Americans. diagnosed, it can be treated. In a normal eye, 3. A family history of glaucoma is a risk factor. there is a balance between the fluid that is 4. People at risk for glaucoma should have a produced and the fluid that leaves the eye through dilated eye exam. the drain inside of the eye. This balance keeps the eye pressure inside of the eye at a healthy level. You should have answered “true” to all of the It is believed that increased eye pressure questions above. Please remember to see your (pressure inside of the eye) can cause stress eye care provider to make sure you have good eye health. on the optic nerve and cause damage, which can result in vision loss or worse, blindness. *** The goal of treating glaucoma is to reduce the Gloria P. Fleming, MD is an Associate eye pressure and prevent vision loss. There are Professor of Ophthalmology at The Ohio State several treatment options: University Wexner Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology. She is board certified in 1. Eye drops to reduce eye pressure Ophthalmology and is a Glaucoma Specialist 2. Laser surgery Eye Surgeon.

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

The Columbus African American • January 2017

INFORMATION SECURITY - ARE YOU SECURE IN YOUR POSITION? By Cecil Jones, MBA Information Security as a Career You likely connected to the Internet today via your phone, computer or device around your house. During the Christmas season, we saw the advertisements for all types of technology devices: Smart TVs, toys that connect to the internet, online game playing, web cams to monitor outside and inside of homes, drones, etc. A view of the increasing risks with just toys alone is given on the http://readwrite.com/2016/07/03/ connected-toys-and-iot-dt2/ website. More of our technology ‘toys’ provide fun and real time interaction but they also add a risk: SECURITY. The evening news discusses some of the hacking that occurs from nation to nation, from hackers to businesses and also hackers to individuals. What does this mean for careers and jobs? It means that the Information Security field has GREAT demand! What is an Information Security Professional? What does an Information Security professional do? The duties vary across organizations; the responsibility generally is to help protect the organization from Security attacks and to recommend and influence security policies. Truity.com, which matches personalities and careers, describes an Information Security Analysts responsibilities as some of below: - Monitor their organization’s networks for security breaches and investigate a violation when one occurs - Prepare reports that document security breaches and the extent of the damage caused by the breaches - Conduct penetration testing, which is when analysts simulate attacks to look for vulnerabilities in their systems before they can be exploited

The Columbus African American • January 2017

- Research the latest information technology (IT) security trends - Help plan and carry out an organization’s way of handling security - Develop security standards and best practices for their organization - Recommend security enhancements to management or senior IT staff - Help computer users when they need to install or learn about new security products and procedures What is the Salary in this Career Path? There is a greater demand for individuals in the Information Security field than there are candidates for these positions. If your interest is in this area, please take a look at this field. Note that Internet Security is also called Cybernet Security or CyberSecurity by some. An Information Security professional can easily earn $100,000 per year in the central Ohio market. IT Security Manager salaries exceed $200,000. See https://www.roberthalf. com/technology/salary-center-for-technologyprofessionals for salary ranges in the Columbus area for IT professionals. What Education Do I Need? Colleges are responding by quickly developing degrees and majors to prepare individuals for these careers. Columbus State Community College describer its Security degree program at the http://www.cscc.edu/about/newspress/2015/cybersecurity.shtml website. Franklin University’s has developed an http:// www.franklin.edu/cyber-security-bachelorsdegree-program website says “Cyber Security professionals command 9% more in salary than other IT professionals”. For those interested in certifications in IT Security, the CISSP certification, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (https://www.isc2.org/cissp/default.aspx) is a popular certification. Can I View Some of the Current Issues of IT Security That are Being Worked? 28

A popular site to view Security notifications is the Computer Emergency Readiness Team web site: United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) https://www.us-cert. gov/ncas/alerts. Security professional view the site regularly and report new security challenges to that site. For those interested in more detail on the responsibilities of an IT Security Professional can view http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ csd3230.pdf. Each month, technology provides ever increasing methods to connect to others, inexpensively. This adds to the needs for additional Information Security professionals. Additionally, if one wants to pursue another IT profession (or related non-IT position), it is easy to move from IT Security to other IT career paths. MAKE SURE YOUR SYSTEMS ARE SECURE! Help Us to Help You The purpose of this column is to provide useful information and knowledge that you can use, today. If you have a technology question (how to get something done, what business, process or software solution might be available for your situation, etc.), please email the question or comment to the email address Admin@ Accelerationservices.net for a quick response. People, Process and Technology What new technology or process have you learned this month? Need advice on how to look for that technology position? Are you considering technology education (courses, certificates or degrees) and need information? Do you have a business, process, project management, personnel or technology question? Please let me know. Cecil Jones MBA, ABD, PMP, CCP, SCPM, FLMI, Lean Professional admin@accelerationservices.net www.AccelerationServices.net

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

The Columbus African January 2017 The Columbus African American NewsAmerican Journal • •February 2015

By Ray Miller, MPA And Justice for All - The United States Commission on Civil Rights and the Continuing Struggle for Freedom in America

Death of a King - The Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Final Year By Tavis Smiley

By Mary Frances Berry

Martin Luther King, Jr. died in one of the most shocking assassinations the world has known, but little is remembered about the life he led in his final year. New York Times bestselling author and awardwinning broadcaster Tavis Smiley recounts the final 365 days of King’s life, revealing the minister’s trials and tribulations -denunciations by the press, rejection from the president, dismissal by the country’s black middle class and militants, assaults on his character, ideology and political tactics, to name a few -- all of which he had to rise above in order to lead and address the racism, poverty, and militarism that threatned to destroy our democracy. Here is an exceptional glimpse into King’s life -- one that adds both nuance and gravitas to his legacy as an American hero.

This is the story of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, through its extraordinary fifty years at the heart of the civil rights movement and the struggle for justice in America. Mary Frances Berry, the commission’s chairperson for than a decade, tells the commission’s founding in 1957 by President Eisenhower, in response to burgeoning civil rights protests: how it was designed to be an independent bipartisan Federal agency - made up of six members, with no more than three from one political party, free of interference from Congress and presidents - beholden to no government body, with full subpoena power and free to decide what it would investigate. An Easy Burden - The Civil Rights Movement and the Transformation of America

Judge Thelton Henderson - Breaking New Ground By Richard B. Kuhns

By Andrew Young

Thelton Henderson, presently a Senior United States District Judge in San Francisco, rose from humble origins to become a leading civil rights attorney and innovator of minority admissions programs. This book traces his career from a football star to his work in the 1960’s as the first African American lawyer from the Justice Department in the South to his notable and controversial decisions on such matters as veterans’ affairs, educational and prison reform, and the environment. Judge Henderson’s background and remarkable achievements challenge readers to consider what it means to be a wise and effective judge in modern America. A documentary film on Judge Henderson’s life, Soul of Justice by Abby Ginzberg, was released in 2005.

The civil rights movement and the generations of men and women who lived and died to redeem the soul of America changed this country and the world forever. An Easy Burden is a masterful first person account of the brave and the foolhardy, the weak and the strong, the blind and the visionary, who fought on both sides of that struggle. Told through the words and experience of Andrew Young, who stood at the side of Martin Luther King, Jr. through the most dramatic, tragic and triumphant moments of the movement. This book is a glimpse at the inner workings of this movement as few have had the opportunity to know it. More than history, this book includes a visionary afterword that charts a course for America and its role in the world as a standardbearer for freedom, peace, prosperity.

Selma to Saigon - The Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War By Daniel S. Lucks

The Bill of the Century - The Epic Battle for the Civil Rights Act By Clay Risen The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the single most important piece of legislation passed by Congress in American history. This one law so dramatically altered American society that, looking back, it seemed preordained -as Everett Dirksen, the GOP leader in the Senate and key supporter of the bill, said, “No force is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” But there was nothing predestined about the victory: a phalanx of powerful senators, pledging to “fight to the death” for segregation, launched the longest filibuster in American history to defeat it. The bill’s passage has often been credited to the political leadership of President Lyndon B. Johnson, or the moral force of Martin Luther King, Jr. Yet as Clay Risen shows, the battle for the Civil Rights Act was a story much bigger than those two men. It was a broad, epic struggle, a sweeping tale of unceasing grassroots activism, ringing speeches, backroom deal-making, and finally, hand-to-hand legislative combat. In The Bill of the Century, Clay Risen delivers the full story, in all its complexity and drama. The Columbus African American •News January 2017• February 2015 Journal

The civil rights and anti-Vietnam War movements were the two greatest protests of twentieth-century America. The dramatic escalation of U.S. involvement in Vietnam in 1965 took precedence over civil rights legislation, which had dominated White House and congressional attention during the first half of the decade. The two issues became intertwined on January 6, 1966 when the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) became the first civil rights organization to formally oppose the war, protesting the injustic of drafting African Americans to fight for the freedom of South Vietnamese people when they were still denied basic freedoms at home. This powerful narrative illuminates the effects of the war on the lives of leaders such as Whitney Young Jr., Stokely Carmichael, Roy Wilkins, Bayard Rustin, and Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as other activists who faced the threat of the military draft along with race-related discrimination and violence.

BUSINESS

MONEY 101 - PART V - TRIBUTE TO DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. By Edward Bell, MBA While we remember the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., as a Pastor and an activist in the cause for Civil Rights and a great Orator, many in the African American Community do not realize the highly gifted and educated Dr. King, had a tremendous understanding of most issues dealing with life and the intricacies associated with it. It’s worth recalling, much of King’s activities had an economic component as well. In honor and memory of one of America’s most preeminent heroes, we will look at five financial lessons we can all learn from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy. LESSON #1: Don’t wait for economic change – create it Are you guilty of complaining about your workplace, your low pay or something unfair happened to you economically? A company denied you a job, some insurer rejected your insurance claim, a bank turned you down for a much-needed loan, and you’re convinced your misfortune was racially motivated. Maybe you’re right, or maybe you’re wrong. Either way, how do you plan to fix your circumstances and move forward positively? Or perhaps you’re longing for better pay and more career success, but you’re stuck in a cubicle waiting to be recognized for your hard work while others are promoted left and right all around you. Well, Dr. King didn’t just moan about social and economic injustice. He worked hard to change such wrongdoing. He protested. He lobbied. He went to jail. He sacrificed. In his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” in April of 1963, Dr. King wrote: “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” What are you willing to do to create the economic realities you desire? LESSON #2: Financial freedom is worth fighting for One very profound quote from Dr. King goes like this: “There is nothing in all the world greater than freedom. It is worth paying for; it is worth losing a job for; it is worth going to jail for. I would rather be a free pauper than a rich slave. I would rather die in abject poverty with my convictions than live in inordinate riches with the lack of self respect.” Those are powerful words. And I like to think Dr. King meant “freedom” in every sense of the word – including financial freedom. In my opinion though – and I really hate to say this – too many African-Americans who want financial freedom aren’t willing to seriously fight for it, not taking enough risks to get it. We’ll fight for all

sorts of things: just turn on The Real Housewives of Atlanta to see crazy fights over a bunch of nothing. But how come more of us aren’t out there fighting to teach our kids to be financially literate; fighting to help more Black men graduate from college; or fighting against poverty – even though we live in the richest country on the planet? Winning these battles will promote generational and national economic security. LESSON #3: Sometimes you need to step out on faith and take a risk One of Dr. King’s most memorable quotes was when he said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.” Having faith and taking risks are necessary components to building wealth and managing one’s finances. So what are some ways to take prudent risks and achieve financial freedom? You could start by something as simple as tuning out the all the noise, the commercialism, and the “bling” culture surrounding so many of us. So what if your friends are driving a new car every other year or spending their money on designer clothes? Forget about buying into a materialist, consumer culture, and focus instead on creating true wealth by investing for the future. Unfortunately, far too few of us are doing this. It’s as if we truly believe “Wall Street is a White man’s world,” as several people have told me over the years. Perhaps misguided thinking explains why an Ariel/Hewitt study found only 66% of Blacks contribute to their 401(k) retirement plans at work, compared to a 77% 401(k) participation rate for whites. Also, among Blacks who do invest via company retirement Plans, six in 10 African-Americans have less than $50,000 saved in those plans, while only 23% have more than $100,000 in these plans, according to a Prudential study called “The

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

African-American Financial Experience.” Comparatively, 34% of Americans in general have $100,000 in company retirement plans, Prudential found. Besides investing, another worthwhile risk is to go out and start your own business. Stop worrying about a “steady paycheck” and don’t let the fear of failure hold you back. Have faith, do you homework, and start fighting for you economic future by taking the economic reins via entrepreneurship. Soon enough your success will silence the naysayers. And what if your business fails? Trust me when I say, even if it happens, being your own boss will bring personal freedom which is its own reward. LESSON #4: Your education, job or career status doesn’t define you In the wake of job loss, the Great Recession, and other financial calamities, many people have become depressed, angry or bitter because they aren’t where they want to be, career-wise or economically. If Dr. King were here, he’d have none of that. Dr. King once said, “Everybody can be great… because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” So don’t let your outlook be clouded by your title or your degree, or the lack of one. Dr. King reminded us all; you can go as far as your faith and hard work take you. LESSON#5: Even though Dr. King taught us we are not defined by our careers, I love how he urged people to take their jobs and their callings in life seriously. He suggested no matter how lofty or how common your profession, you should do it with honor and pride. He said, “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” I appreciate Dr. King’s beautiful call to always work to the best of your ability, because ultimately the truly successful people in life are those with great work ethics. Edward Bell, MBA, AAMS, CMFC, CSS was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio and graduated with honors in a course, “Writing for Children,” from the Institute of Children’s Literature. He has served as Contributing Editor of the Autograph Times. Ed won the 1999 award for best screenplay from the PEN American Center in New York and garnered the runner-up award for non-fiction writing in 2000. He earned a Master’s degree, as well as designations as: Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS); Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor (CMFC), and Certified Customer Service Specialist (CSS).

The Columbus African American • January 2017

BUSINESS

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AND U.S. FOREIGN POLICY By William McCoy, MPA One should not talk about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy without acknowledging that “By the time of his untimely demise, Dr. King had become the country’s most prominent opponent of the Vietnam War, and a staunch critic of overall U.S. foreign policy, which he deemed militaristic” (Elison Elliott, “Dr. MLK Jr. on Economic Justice and U.S. Foreign Policy,” Global Markets/Foreign Policy Association, September 20, 2010). Dr. King led numerous anti-war protests and gave his signature anti-war speech, A Time to Break Silence (aka Beyond Vietnam), at Riverside Church in Manhattan on April 4, 1967- a year to the day before he was murdered by the bullet of domestic terrorists. In it, Dr. King called the United States “the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today” (Elliott, 2010). He expanded the footprint of the civil rights movement to include many White anti-war activists and, eventually, 1960s national opinion leaders, like Walter Cronkite (an iconic news anchor). Dr. King saw the Vietnam War and struggles of people around the world as linked to the civil rights movement. In his Beyond Vietnam speech, MLK said, “There is a very obvious and almost facile connection between the war in Vietnam and the struggle I and others have been waging in America . . . it is estimated that we spend $500,000 to kill each enemy soldier, while we spend only fifty-three dollars for each person classified as poor, and much of that fifty-three dollars goes for salaries to people that are not poor. So, I was increasingly compelled to see the war as an enemy of the poor, and attack it as such” (Elliott, 2010). Dr. King maintained America’s war machine was not only taking a toll on human life, but also sapping resources from the war on poverty, ignorance, and inequality. Dr. King asserted the nation’s foreign policy

Dr. King speaks out against the war on Vietnam.

The Columbus African American • January 2017

Dr. King marches in Harlem against the Vietnam War. decisions were flawed, because most Americansincluding African-Americans- were excluded from its formulation. He questioned whether the exclusion of the “values, traditions and perspectives of a large, important and influential segment of its society” produced a foreign policy that could “ever truly reflect ‘American’ national interests” (Elliott, 2010). MLK went on to say, “I don’t believe we can have world peace until America has an integrated foreign policy that represents the views and sensibilities of all its people.” King asked the nation to consider the immorality and costs- spiritual, financial, and human- of war. He felt all people- especially Christiansshould dedicate themselves to ending war and oppression. Dr. King believed, “War is always the instrument of the powerful. It sharpens the sting of inequality, and by destruction it steals from the poor the lives they have built” (David Bromwich, “Martin Luther King’s Speech Against the Vietnam War,” May 16, 2008). “From Vietnam to South Africa to Latin America, King said, the U.S. was ‘on the wrong side of a world revolution.’ King asked why the U.S. was suppressing revolutions ‘of the shirtless and barefoot people’ in the Third World, instead of supporting them” (Bromwich, 2008). He went on to say, “Somehow this madness must cease. We must stop now. . . I speak as a child of God and brother to the suffering poor of Vietnam. I speak as one who loves America, to the leaders of our own nation: The great initiative in this war is ours; the initiative to stop it must be ours” (Bromwich, 2008). Bromwich asks: “How would our history, and Vietnam’s, have changed had Martin Luther King’s advice been followed in 1967? Many who are dead would have lived. . . And the truth of the warning that followed his proposals would not have become a truth of history: that America (as King put it) was placing itself on the wrong side of the revolution for freedom throughout the world” (2008). Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s landmark A Time 32

to Break Silence speech angered then-President Lyndon Johnson, J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI, the military-industrial complex, and many politicians and leaders. A significant number of people, including some African-Americans, felt MLK should stick to domestic civil rights and not get involved with international affairs and human rights. This speech and Dr. King’s related anti-war activities may have contributed to his assassination just as much, if not more, than his civil rights activities. In conclusion, let us not simply remember Dr. King’s efforts to secure civil rights for AfricanAmericans and economic justice for America’s poor. Let us also recall his advocacy and work on behalf of poor and oppressed peoples- and for peace- around the world. As the nation moves forward, African-American politicians, leaders, and citizens would do well to recollect and revisit MLK’s foreign policy views. In so doing, let us remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s admonition that “We are called to play the Good Samaritan on life’s roadside.” William McCoy is founder and principal consultant for The McCoy Company- a personal services consulting firm specializing in economic development, strategic planning, and training. Mr. McCoy has directed a city economic development department, local development corporations, and Peace Corps international development programs in Africa. He has been involved with over $1 billion in financing, helped over 100 people go into business or expand their existing business, served on the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Financial Roundtable, convened National Urban Policy Roundtables on capital access and minority business enterprise, and moderated White House Conference on Small Business sessions. Mr. McCoy holds BA degree in economics and a MPA in finance. He is also an American Economic Development Council certified economic/ industrial developer. William McCoy can be reached at (614) 785-8497 or via e-mail at wmccoy2@themccoycompany.com.

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

BUSINESS

THE BOTTOM LINE:

NOT JUST ANOTHER BLACK WIDOW By Iris Cooper, DBA As we remember Martin Luther King’s birthday, let us also celebrate the vital role Coretta played in his life and legacy. Black men are an endangered species; AfricanAmerican males expire from unnatural causes or uncontrolled disease at a faster rate any other demographic. One exceptional death transpired on April 4, 1968 when Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated. King was the moral compass of America; he was the archangel for the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses yearning to breathe free (Elizabeth Lazarus). He was also a scholar, a preacher, a father, and the husband of Coretta Scott King. Coretta joined the ranks of thousands of Black women left alone to raise children, keep food on the table and a roof over their heads, while holding their head high in spite of the pain and despair from losing a spouse too soon. She was yet another Black widow, but unlike the rest of the members, Coretta had a monumental task to assume and execute; She had to continue Martin’s advocacy work for others with the dignity, dedication, and diligence that only a strong willed, God-fearing Black widow can maintain. I am a black woman the music of my song some sweet arpeggio of tears is written in a minor key and I can be heard humming in the night can be heard humming in the night. Coretta was educated, refined, and talented. She received a BA degree in Education from Antioch College in Ohio and went on to the Boston Conservatory of Music to gain a degree in violin and voice. Coretta reluctantly abandoned her promising career as a musician after marriage. She prayed deeply about the marriage before accepting his proposal; the trials and expectations of a preacher’s wife, especially in light of Martin’ commitment to the civil rights movement, were dangerous propositions. However, through love and respect, they both stood together for equal rights regardless of gender, race, or culture. With four children, she balanced homemaking and Martin’s ministry with the perpetual fear of losing him to the violence and hatred that surrounded them. The two were spiritual soul mates, yet death was always top-of-mind as they collectively challenged the deceitful discrimination of the 60’s. I saw my mate leap screaming to the sea and I/with these hands/cupped the lifebreath

from my issue in the canebrake I lost Nat’s swinging body in a rain of tears and heard my son scream all the way from Anzio for Peace he never knew....I learned Da Nang and Pork Chop Hill in anguish Now my nostrils know the gas and these trigger tire/d fingers seek the softness in my warrior’s beard

Poetry by Mari Evans. Information from Ebony Magazine, Johnson Publishing Company. BIO: DR. IRIS ANN COOPER aka “JustAskIris!” (www.justaskiris.com) iris@justaskiris.com 614-750-1870

Iris Ann Cooper’s career includes leadership positions in financial services, economic development, community service, communication, Coretta could not afford the luxury of grief when government, entrepreneurship, and education. Martin died; her widowhood did not provide She is the owner of “JustAskIris!” an room nor time to grieve openly; Black widows entrepreneurial coaching firm. Iris founded must be strong for their families to symbolize Glory Foods, Inc., a multi-million dollar the comfort of knowing that the father remained food marketing company. Iris is recognized in spirit if not in flesh. Within days of his death, nationally as a business strategy and branding she spoke at a demonstration against violence expert, having coached many startups to as his replacement. Lauded as one of the most sustainability. Her newest venture is Finish influential female leaders in the world, Coretta Your Gloryfied Business Plan Now!, a received honorary doctorates from more than 60 workshop to foster entrepreneurial success. Iris colleges and universities, including Morehouse College, Princeton University and Bethune- is the former Director of the Ohio Division of Cookman College. She was the first woman to Entrepreneurship and Small Business, where deliver the class day address at Harvard, and as Iris led the state from 29th worst place for the first woman to preach at a statutory service small businesses in 2007 to the ninth best in the at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Coretta’s nation, and 1st in the Midwest in four years. life became an extension of her husband’s In 2015 Iris introduced the 2nd version as she pressed forward as a Black widow and of “When the Devil is Beating His Wife, a an outspoken nemesis against bigotry and Christian Perspective on Domestic Violence discrimination of any kind. She died in 2006 and Recovery” co-authored with Melanie but remains the undisputed First Lady of the Houston and available on Amazon and American Civil Rights Movement. alabasterboxmedia.com. Iris is a featured writer and speaker on business topics, and an adjunct professor at Franklin University. She is an active I am a black woman member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., tall as a cypress the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, strong beyond all definition still the Indiana University Alumni Association, defying place and time and Women for Economic Leadership and Development. Iris holds a BA in Journalism and and circumstance assailed an MBA in Marketing from Indiana University. impervious indestructible In 2016, she obtained her Doctorate in Business Look on me and be Administration from Walden University, renewed. majoring in Entrepreneurship. 33

The Columbus African January 2017 The Columbus African American NewsAmerican Journal • •February 2015

BUSINESS

2016 - YEAR IN REVIEW By Edward Bell, MBA The year 2016 will be recorded within annals of our AfricanAmerican community as a year that began with so much hope and joy, yet quickly became laced in sorrow. It will also, sadly, be remembered as a year of shame, shock, and disbelief. Happiness turned into despair as the looming lasso of dread began to tighten its grip on sanity and reason. While there were many moments for happiness, it was always tempered with the fear that something unsettling lurked. 2016 saw our communities nationally and locally suffer with and through the losses of so many prominent members in our African-American family. It was with great sadness stretching across the globe when we learned the greatest sports icon of all time had passed away. Muhammad Ali in many ways epitomized our grit, our angst, our spirit and our values. A generation of AfricanAmericans listened spellbound first, to his poems, then his political viewpoints as he fought both man and governments. Muhammad Ali’s boast at being “The Greatest!” has never been discounted and widely accepted as true, and yet, there was so much more to the man who stood by his morals until the very end.

lived in public-housing, using those scenes as her backdrop before application to the easel. Our community has truly lost a visionary and talent that cannot be readily replaced. In 2016, we witnessed the anniversary of the Columbus African-American News Journal (CAANJ). Your paper happily became five years old: an infant in printed news, and yet so adult in its delivery, presentation and acceptance with you, our readership.

We, who help to bring your paper to fruition, would like to take this time to reflect back over the year that was 2016. In January, we began 2016 also saw us lose a music icon whose that year as we do this year, with a celebration to influence continues to rein supreme over honor and remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. youth and adults the world over. Prince, was In September, we observed the 10th year a man whose androgynous looks sometimes anniversary celebration of the combined caused consternation within our communities. Progressive Leadership Academy and the Ray Hugely embraced by the white community, it Miller Institute for Change and Leadership. We took several years before Prince’s own people also saw the unthinkable occur as Donald Trump accepted him and yet, he still turned out hit after was nominated to represent the republican party hit, remembering his roots within his songs. as their endorsed candidate for the office of the When he was finally accepted in the African- president, while the Democrats endorsed and American communities across the globe, it was rallied around Hillary Clinton as their choice to sweet vindication for a man who had given so represent the nation as the 46th President of the much to America’s music scene. As a musician United States. and showman, his performances transcended In the February, our Founder & Publisher Ray the norm and reached to heights never before Miller pointed out that the CAANJ’s cover is imagined. His star grew fast and sustained, reserved for those who bear the title of “best-ofuntil sadly, he lost his life to a culture so many the-best.” So 2016 found the following women of our youth fall victims to, but we will always and men to fit the criteria of Best-of-the-Best: remember fondly the flamboyancy that was January was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Pastor, Prince and the pounding and melodic tunes that Orator, Civil & Human Rights Activist; February helped to shape a people. was Wil Haygood, Author; March was Michelle On the local level, our community lost a true community asset in Kojo Kamau. As a renowned photographer, historian, teacher and community activist, Mr. Kamau served as an inspiration and mentor to many of our youth, exuding a patience and understanding that far exceeded the normal. His photography is legendary within Central Ohio and his personality can never be matched.

Aminah Robinson, born Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson was widely known across the United States as an American artist who specialized in her depiction of everyday life in our neighborhoods. As a young girl, Aminah watched the people who The Columbus African American • January 2017

Alexander, Legal Scholar; April was Dr. Kevin Dixon, ADAMH Board of Franklin County; May was Tina Thomas-Manning, Reynoldsburg School Superintendent; June was the Honorable Priscilla R. Tyson, Columbus City Council President Pro-Tempore; July was our Founder & Publisher and former Ohio State Senator Ray Miller; August saw Michael L. Woods, Sr., Founder/CEO of Woods Development Group, LLC; September was Barbara Sykes, Director of Ohio’s AARP; October was Curtis Stitt, President and CEO of COTA; November was Sylvia Garrett of Sylvia Garrett Agency, LLC34

Nationwide Insurance and we ended the year with Ned Pettus, Jr., PhD. Columbus Safety Director. These are but some of the many African-American women and men who make our community run smoothly. The decision on who to feature each month is a very hard one to make but our Publisher takes the time to weigh current contributions and how these contributions help the overall theme of that month’s issue. Every news disseminating newspaper or journal in the United States would not exist if not for its team of writers, and the Columbus AfricanAmerican News Journal is different only in that we feel we have the best team of writers in the United States today. With that in mind, we would like to take this time to recognize the women and men, who work tirelessly to create, write and edit the stories, columns or segments that you have come to read and love. The names are presented here in alphabetical order. Thanks go out to: Trey Addison; Tim Ahrens; Tim Anderson; Doug Bailey; Jonathan Beard; J. Mariah Beidleman; Edward Bell; Lisa Benton; Roderick Q. Blount, Jr.; Stephanie R. Bridges; Lucretia Brock; Alexis Calvert; Mark Cardwell; Robert “Bo” Chilton; Deena Chisholm; Joseph W. Cooke; Iris Cooper; Lance Cranmer; Lynette Cashaw-Davis; Angela Dawson; John Delia; William Dodson; Jeanine P. Donaldson; Marian Wright Edelman; Carole Genshaft; Darrell Gray; Isi Ikharebha Green; Jeff Guo; Tanya R. Gure; Layden Hayle; Arianna Howard; Oluwaseun Isaiah; Eric L. Johnson; Joyce Johnson; Cecil Jones; Chanelle Jones; Michael Jones; Elizabeth Joy; Ibram X. Kendi; Jacqueline Lewis-Lyons; William McCoy; Leon McDougle; Natalie McGill; Mary Kay Meagher; Marty Miller; Ray Miller; Ray Miller, III; Ambrose Moses, III; Ojala Ani Mwalimu; Steve Nicol; Yolanda Owens; Afua Owusu; Clarice Palmer; Tina Pierce; Milca Pierre; Nicey H. Polk; Casey Quinlan; Angela Ramos; JoyAnn Reid; Mysheika Williams Roberts; Abbie Roth; Brandi Slaughter; Tierny Sneed; Senator

Continued on page 35

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

BUSINESS Continued from page 34

Charleta B. Tavares; Nancy Tidwell; Antoinette Greene Tubbs; Netta Whitman; Ruby White; Kalitha Williams; Kay Wilson; Annie J. Ross Womack; and Alex Zimmerman. These are the women and men who so lovingly brought the heartbeat of our community to the pages of the Columbus African-American News Journal in a selfless manner. We would be remiss if we did not point out a few of the negatives that came about in 2016. In February and March, we witnessed Donald Trump (republican party endorsed candidate for the office of the President of the United States); disavow any knowledge or connection to former Klu Klux Klan Grand Wizard, David Duke, which leaves many wondering where the mindset of white America is really at?

Leadership Academy was highlighted. It was learned that the young people (average age 32 years), enrolled were learning about many principles designed to allow them to better understand our communities and their own selfdevelopment.

is upon us and like all of us; those of us who work at CAANJ look forward to a better year and a lessening of the struggles that have faced our community. We sincerely wish each of you and your loved ones the very best for the coming year and continued progress in your walk through life.

Other topics to find their way into the pages of CAANJ were: Represent Columbus, a citizens ballot that proposes an amendment to change the size and composition of the City Council; Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation (COWIC); Housing and Economic Development in Columbus / Franklin County; the three “Ps” were discussed – Pacifiers, Pretenders and Pandering Pimps; Hillary Clinton on her Voting Rights Act and the upcoming election; a general plea was made to the general citizenry that we needed to vote as if our lives depended on it, and we ended the year with a missive concerning the Strengthening the African-American family by putting forth a major marketing campaign to reduce the number of African-American babies being born out of wedlock.

Sadly, 2016 also brings to an end the “Camelot” era and extraordinary time of our 44th and 45th President of the United States. President Barack Hussein Obama became our President at a time when we so desperately needed a leader that would serve as inspiration to all and make us, as a community, proud to be Americans. In spite of all of the rancor and dissension within the halls of Congress, he stood his ground and did not relinquish any of his values. We can all remember how proud we were when Barack Obama, from the streets of Chicago, was sworn in as the President of these United States and how high we held our heads when he gave his first State of the Union address to the nation. Many of our youth are now inspired to become all they can be because of this man, Barack Hussein Obama.

In April the theme was Minority Health addressing matters of autoimmune disease, asthma, sexual abuse, oral health, the importance of drinking water, violence, infant mortality, substance abuse, kidney disease, abuse and Within the pages of your Columbus Africanneglect of children, sickle cell disease and other American News Journal, we continue to strive illnesses. to bring you the best journalism possible without In May’s issue the status of the Progressive giving away our integrity or identity. A new year

Edward Bell, writes exclusively for the AfricanAmerican News Journal and questions to this column should be addressed to him at: 3222 N. 34th Street, Apt. B, Tampa, Florida 33605

MBE’S MUST BE VIGILANT, INFORMED AND ACTIVE IN 2017 3904 (“Good Faith Efforts”), 3905 (“Contractor By Ambrose Moses, III, JD Registration, Certification and Reporting”), 3906 (“Department/Contracting Agency On December 12, 2016, Responsibility”), and 3907 (“Other Provisions”); d u r i n g C o l u m b u s C i t y and to declare an emergency.” Council’s last meeting of 2016, the Columbus The NAACP opposed two aspects of Ordinance NAACP rose in opposition 3025-2016: to certain aspects of t h e C i t y ’s r e p e a l a n d First, the definitions of “Minority Business replacement of its Affirmative Action Code Enterprise” and “minority group members” as set (Title 39). Specifically, the Columbus NAACP forth in Columbus City Code section 3901.01(G) asked that the definitions of “Minority Business should not have been repealed and replaced until Enterprise” and “minority group members” as after, and only if warranted by, the disparity study set forth in the then current Columbus City Code that the City intends to perform in 2017. Under section 3901.01(G) not be repealed and replaced the then existing law, the definition of “minority until after the disparity study has been completed group members” could be amended through and the results have been reviewed and made legislation by the city council and approved by public. To change the definitions before the the mayor to either include or exclude other disparity study has been completed seems to “put ethnic groups, only if a legally sufficient factual the cart before the horse”. Those who support predicate existed to warrant such inclusion or the development of a strong and vibrant African exclusion. Determining whether a legally American business community in Columbus, sufficient factual predicate exists is one of the must be vigilant, informed, active, and vocal in purposes of the disparity study that is scheduled for 2017. 2017. Over the objections and concerns articulated by Columbus NAACP representatives Lawrence Auls (Chair, Labor and Industry Committee) and Ambrose Moses, III (Chair, Economic Development Committee), City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 3025-2016 which was summarized as “[t]o create the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and establish its functions and duties; to amend Section 211.03 of the Columbus City Codes; to repeal the existing chapters of Title 39 and replace those chapters through the enactment of new Columbus City Code Chapters 3901(“Definitions”), 3902 (“Organization”), 3903 (“Assistance Activities”),

Second, the Columbus NAACP also voiced its position that the proposed repeal and replacement of Title 39, particularly the definitions of minority business enterprise and minority group member, was not an emergency ordinance and should not be treated as such. Treating an ordinance as an emergency reduces the amount of time that the public has in which to raise objections to a proposed decision or to an approved ordinance before it goes into effect.

There are stakeholders such as Columbus residents, African Americans, African Americanowned businesses, and certified Minority Business Enterprises, who want and deserve a fair and reasonable opportunity to fully participate in the process by questioning, offering their insight, sharing their concerns, and providing relevant suggestions on the proposed changes to Title 39. While there was a public hearing on the legislation, and the NAACP was able to have a meeting jointly with representatives of City Council, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and the Mayor’s office, there was a need to notify and include more Columbus residents and Columbus-area stakeholders in the discussion Even without the disparity study, we know that and process. the U.S. Census Bureau reports that African Americans are 28% of the population in At this point, the City has issued an RFP and Columbus and that the City of Columbus reports is selecting a contractor to perform the City’s that its overall utilization of African American- disparity study in 2017. Therefore, it is important owned businesses is only 3.1%. Given the for those who support the development of a long-standing concerns that African American- strong and vibrant African American business owned businesses have not received a fair and community in Columbus, to be vigilant, equitable share of contract opportunities from informed, active, and vocal in 2017. the City of Columbus, 3.1% utilization is a significant indicator of a current and on-going Ambrose Moses, III – Lawyer/Business/ problem. That is why changing the definitions Crowdfunding – (614) 418-7898 – www. before the disparity study has been completed is MosesLaw.pro – Twitter: @MosesLaw – so alarming. Facebook: facebook.com/MosesLawOffice 35

The Columbus African January 2017 The Columbus African American NewsAmerican Journal • •February 2015

HISTORY

MAHALIA JACKSON THE QUEEN OF GOSPEL AND FOOT SOLDIER FOR CIVIL RIGHTS By Rodney Q. Blount, M.A. Martin Luther King, Jr. is the ultimate symbol of the Civil Rights movement because of his ability to galvanize countless Americans to fight against injustice, racism and violence. His I Have a Dream and I’ve Been to the Mountaintop speeches, among his many iconic speeches, inspired millions because of their vision and their blueprint for a better future that is immortalized in them. He sacrificed so much, ultimately including his life, for the movement. The Civil Rights movement did not start or end with Martin Luther King, Jr. Also, Martin L. King, Jr. knew that even though he was a leader of the Civil Right movement, he could not do it on his own. He garnered support from other religious leaders, politicians, actors, actresses, singers, business leaders, and everyday citizens. Revs. Ralph Abernathy, Andrew Young, Jesse Jackson, and John Lewis are commonly associated with the Civil Rights movement and for their close connection with Martin Luther King, Jr. However, there were several others who were less conspicuous, but worked very hard for the Civil Rights movement and with Martin Luther King, Jr. Mahalia Jackson is one of the Civil Rights crusaders who was known more for her profession, but not as much for her Civil Rights activity. Mahalia Jackson was an exceptional and matchless gospel singer and is known as “The Queen of Gospel,” although she would reply “just Mahalia, baby.” She defined gospel music and was a bridge for when it was not popular and brought it to the masses. She was also a humanitarian who traveled all over the world bringing joy to millions and being an ambassador of goodwill. Mahala “Halie” Jackson was born on October 26, 1911, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Johnny Jackson and Charity Clark. She was the third of six children and they lived in a small “shot-gun” house in the “Black Pearl” section of the city. Her father was a stevedore (a person employed, or a contractor engaged, at a dock to load and unload cargo from ships) and her mother was a maid and laundress who died at the age of 25 (Mahalia was 5 at that time). Her Aunt Mahala, whom she was named after, raised her and her brother and ran a strict household. She also made sure that they were active in the family church, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. It was at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church that Mahalia began singing. She was also influenced by the singing style of Bessie Smith, but vowed never to sing contemporary music. At the age of 16, Mahalia moved to Chicago to live with an aunt. She joined Greater Salem Baptist Church soon after she arrived from Chicago and began to sing professionally with the Johnson singers, one of the first professional singing gospel groups. It was around this time that she added an I to her name. In 1929, she met composer Thomas Dorsey,

known as the “Father of Gospel Music,” and they begin a 14-year association of touring at conventions and church programs. She would be associated for the rest of her life with several of the songs he composed including Precious Lord, Take My Hand. In 1946 she recorded her signature song “Move On Up a Littler Higher,” which sold 100,000 copies and eventually passed the one million mark. By 1947, Mahalia had become the official soloist of the National Baptist Convention. As Jackson became more successful and gained a wider audience, she was criticized by some gospel aficionados who complained about her handclapping and foot-stomping and about her bringing “jazz into the church,” but she persevered. She had many notable accomplishments during this period, including her performance of many songs in the 1958 film St. Louis Blues, singing “Trouble of the World” in 1959’s Imitation of Life, and recording with Percy Faith. She was the main attraction in the first gospel music showcase at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1957. She was also present at the opening night of Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music in December 1957. In 1961, she sang at John F. Kennedy’s inaugural ball. She also recorded two Christmas albums and was a regular on television and in short films. In the 1960s, she toured several times in Europe, Africa and the United States. In 1970, she guest-starred on episode 56 of Sesame Street, singing “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” Mahalia Jackson offered her talents to the Civil Rights Movement also. She first became associated with Rev. Ralph Abernathy and Rev. Martin L. King, Jr. at the August 1956 National Baptist Convention. They invited her to sing at a rally to raise money for the Montgomery bus boycott on

The Columbus African American •News January 2017• February 2015 Journal

December 6, 1956 and she agreed. “From this point forward, Jackson appeared often with King, singing before his speeches and for SCLC fundraisers. In a 1962 SCLC press release, he wrote she had “appeared on numerous programs that helped the struggle in the South, but now she has indicated that she wants to be involved on a regular basis.” Jesse Jackson said when King called on her, she never refused, traveling with him to the deepest parts of the segregated South.” At the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, Jackson performed “I Been ‘Buked and I Been Scorned”, before King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech. Toward the end of his recitation of his prepared text in his “I have a dream” speech, he was prompted by Mahalia Jackson’s cry: “Tell them about the dream, Martin! Tell them about the dream!” That’s what witnesses close to the podium heard the gospel great shout midway through the speech and it had an astonishing effect. King pushed away his prepared text and begin telling the crowd and the millions watching on television about the dream. Mahalia Jackson faced racial injustice throughout her life, including when she tried to buy a home, but faced discrimination from realtors and white home owners. Shots were fired at her window when she moved into her home. Jackson said that she hoped her music could “break down some of the hate and fear that divide the white and black people in this country”. She also contributed financially to the movement. Mahalia Jackson passed away on January 27, 1972, in Chicago. The iconic singer touched countless lives and tens of thousands lined up to file past her coffin at Greater Salem Baptist Church to pay their last respects. She touched the lives of many here in Columbus, including my family, and packed an auditorium with a capacity of 3,000 during one of her visits to perform in Columbus. As we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, let us not forget about the other Civil Rights leaders and activists like Mahalia Jackson who worked with King to fight injustice and make America live up to the principles it espoused. I want to thank Mahalia Jackson for pouring her soul into her music and into the fight against discrimination. Works Cited Just Mahalia, Baby: The Mahalia Jackson Story https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahalia_Jackson http://www.legacy.com/news/celebrity-deaths/ article/mahalia-jackson-and-civil-rights http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/ fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=535 Roderick Blount is an Educator and Historian. He received two Bachelor of Arts degrees from Ball State University and a Masters of Arts degree from The Ohio State University. His work has been featured in several publications. Roderick is a native of Columbus, Ohio and is a member of several organizations.

COMMUNITYEVENTS January 12, 2017 25th Annual MLK Mayor’s Breakfast - Canton, OH The Greater Canton Martin Luther King Jr. Commission is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the MLK Mayor’s Breakfast. This year’s keynote speaker is Ray Miller, Publisher of The Columbus African American. This year’s theme is “United We Serve” For more information or for tickets, call 330-456-8231.

January 15-16, 2017 Civil Rights Weekend In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Ohio History Center will celebrate the accomplshments of African Americans in Ohio who contributed to the Civil Rights Movement. For more information, call 614-297-2300 or visit the website below.

Location: Alex D. Krassass Event Center Address: 251 25th Street NW, 44709 Time: 8:00 AM Admission: Call for prices.

Location: Ohio History Center Address: 800 E. 17th Ave., 43211 Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Sat. & Mon.), Noon - 5:00 PM (Sun.) Admission: $10, Senior - $9, Youth (6-12) - $5 Web: www.OhioHistory.org

January 12, 2017 The 2017 MLK Annual Awards This annual event sponsored by the Ohio Department of Administrative Services recognizes individuals throughout the state who have emulated the characteristics of Dr. King in their respective fields. This year’s recipients will be announced at a special event held in their honor. For more information, call 614466-8380.

January 15, 2017 Annual Justice Sunday Join the National Association of Blacks in Criminial Justice and the National Alliance of Faith and Justice as they celebrate their annual Justice Sunday at St. John A.M.E. Church. This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Terrell Lamont Strayhorn, Professor of Higher Education and Director of the Center for Higher Education Enterprise at the Ohio State University.

Location: Trinity Episcopal Church Address: 125 E. Broad St., 43215 Time: Noon Admission: Free Web: www.DAS.Ohio.gov

Location: St. John A.M.E. Church Address: 7700 Crosswoods Blvd., 43235 Time: 10:00 AM Admission: Free Web: www.OhioNABCJ.org

January 14, 2017 30th Annual Labor Salute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Brunch In honor of Dr. King, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists will present awards to several men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving their communities. For more information or for tickets, please call 614-284-7079.

January 16, 2017 32nd Martin Luther King Jr., Breakfast Celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the 32nd Annual Breakfast. This year’s keynote speaker is former Columbus Mayor, Michael B. Coleman. All tickets are sold in advance. To purchase tickets, call 614-252-0868 or visit the website below.

Location: King Arts Complex Address: 867 Mt. Vernon Ave, 43203 Time: 10:00 AM Admission: $55 per person, $440 per table of 8 January 14, 2017 An Evening of Blues For one night only, enjoy the sounds of national blues recording artists Joe Louis Walker, Teeny Tucker and Ohio’s own Micah Kesselring at Copious Notes in downtown Columbus. For tickets or for more information, call 614-947-1520. Location: Copious Notes Address: 520 S. High Street, 43215 Time: Doors Open at 7:30 PM Admission: $35-$55 Web: www.CopiousColumbus.com

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

Location: Greater Convention Center - Battelle Hall Address: 400 N. High Street, 43215 Time: 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM Admission: $40 per person, $400 per table of 10 Web: www.MLKJrBreakfast.com January 16, 2017 MLK Day of Learning - Captial University Celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by attending the “Day of Learning” at Capital University. This annual event presents the community with an entire day of events including a keysnote speech from NY Times Bestselling Author - Wil Haygood. To learn more about this year’s event, call 614-236-6181. Location: Capital University Address: 1 College and Main, 43209 Time: 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM Admission: Programs are Free - Call for lunch prices. Web: www.Capital.edu/Diversity-and-Inclusion

The Columbus African American • January 2017

COMMUNITYEVENTS January 16, 2017 MLK Celebration - Ohio Wesleyn University Join the Office of Diversity and Inclusion as they celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This two-day event has grown over the years to include a worship service and breakfast featuring a well-known keynote speaker and much more. To learn more about this year’s event, call 740-368-3151.

January 26, 2017 Back Stage at the Lincoln - Quan Howell This monthly concert series will feature gospel/R&B singer Quan Howell - former member of gospel ensemble Sounds of Blackness. He will perform a variety of R&B and contemporary hits that honor women. For tickets, call 614-384-5640. Location: Lincoln Theatre Address: 769 E. Long Street, 43203 Time: 7:00 PM Admission: $10 Web: www.LincolnTheatreColumbus.com

Location: Ohio Wesleyan University Address: 61 S. Sandusky Street, 43015 Time: Jan 15 - Worship Service 3:00 PM, Jan 16 - Breakfast 8:30 AM Admission: Worship Service Free - Breakfast $20 per person. Web: www.OWU.edu

January 31, 2017 45th Annual MLK Celebration - Ohio State Each January, the Hale Center offers a series of events to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s keynote speaker is famed civil rights icon - Angela Davis. For more information, call 614-292-0074.

January 17, 2017 Panel Discussion: Is Thriving Possible Under Racial Oppression? Join Suzanne Roberts and Jim White as they discuss race relations in our communities and America. Register today for this free event as they upack the structural foundations of racism and its impact of the physical, mental, and emotional ability of African Americans to thrive in our society. For more information call 614-627-1226.

Location: The Ohio State University - Mershon Auditorium Address: 1817 N. High Street, 43215 Time: 6:30 PM Admission: Free Web: www.ODI.OSU.EDU/hale-black-cultural-center

Location: The Columbus Foundation Address: 1234 E. Broad Street, 43205 Time: 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Admission: Free Web: www.YWCAColumbus.org

February 7, 2017 Lauryn Hill in Concert Join multi-grammy award winning artist Lauryn Hill for her North American tour. Hill will perform hits from her multi-grammy albulm The MisEducation of Lauryn Hill. This one night event, is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see her live in Columbus. For tickets or more information. call 614-469-0939.

January 21, 2017 The Women’s Wealth & Wellness Expo Designed to empower women to make better decisions about their health and financial future, wellness and lifestyle. Participate in over 15 different workshops and enjoy free health screenings, sample makeovers, fitness activities and much more. For more information call 614-259-7526.

Location: The Palace Theatre Address: 34 W. Broad St., 43215 Time: 7:00 PM Admission: $50 - $125 Web: www.TicketMaster.com

Location: The Marting Janis Center Address: 600 East 11th Ave, Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Admission: Free Web: www.TheDivaMovement.org

February 17, 2017 A Tribute to African Americans: Am I My Brother’s Keeper? Join the Central Ohio Youth & Adult Program, Inc. (COYAP) as they present a tribute to African Americans in the Central Ohio Community. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the website listed below.

January 21, 2017 Firefighter Mile - Introduction This event is open to candidates who are interested in joining the Columbus Division of Fire. This is a modified version of the “full-test”. In order to participate, you must register by calling 614-645-8300.

Location: J.H. Ross Family Life Center Address: 907 Lexington Ave., 43201 Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Admission: $35 Web: www.ATAA17.eventbrite.com

Location: Columbus Civil Service/City Complex Address: 750 Piedmont Road, 43224 Time: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Admission: Free Web: www.Columbus.gov/civilservice

Please note: Information for this section is gathered from multiple commnuity sources. The Columbus African American is not responsible for the accuracy and content of information. Times, dates and locations are subject to change. If you have an event that you would like to feature in this section, please call 614-3404891 or email us at editor@columbusafricanamerican.com. Submissions are due the last Friday of each month.

• January 2017• February 2015 The Columbus African American News Journal

Thank you for supporting Ohio’s greatest support system: family caregivers. More than 1.4 million Ohioans are caring for parents, spouses or other loved ones, helping them live safely and independently at home. These family caregivers bear a huge responsibility and fortunately, thanks to our elected leaders, there will be a new state law to help them. Once signed by Governor Kasich, the Ohio CAREgiving Act, will make sure family caregivers are recognized when their loved ones go into the hospital, notified when the patient will be released, and given the instruction they need for continued care before their loved one returns home. AARP Ohio fought for the Ohio CAREgiving Act because supporting family caregivers is a top priority for all of us.

Share your thanks with state legislators for supporting family caregivers. Visit action.aarp.org/OHCaregiving today. AARP thanks the Ohio state legislature for passing the Ohio CAREgiving Act, especially the bill’s sponsors and co-sponsors: Senator Peggy Lehner House Assistant Majority Whip Sarah LaTourette Senate President Keith Faber

facebook.com/aarpoh @aarpohio aarp.org/ohio

Senate Assistant Minority Leader Charleta Tavares Senator Shannon Jones Senator Bill Beagle Senator Capri Cafaro

Senator William Coley Senator Cliff Hite Speaker of the House Cliff Rosenberger Representative Anne Gonzales

Paid for by AARP

Columbus African American The ColumbusThe African American News Journal • October February2016 2015

The Columbus African American News Journal â&#x20AC;¢ February 2015