Courier april 2

The

Courier www.couriernews.org

S ERVING C OLUMBUS , F T. B ENNING , P HENIX C ITY & S URROUNDING A REAS

The Voice Of The Community

Vol. 10 Edition 1 Free Thursday April 2, 2015

We’re Making Changes!

April 2, 2015 Dear Mr. Frank Myers and Mr. John Thomas:

We Are Excited About Our Future Page 7

We have decided to collectively submit this letter to you because we feel that it is of paramount importance that you understand our position after the results of the recent SPLOST, which was decided on March 17, 2015.

Get Your Subscription!

With its passing, and contrary to what you would have us believe, a mandate has been set and it is crystal clear Dr. Lewis has our support. We are hopeful that you will see this as your wake-up call and realize any further attempts to manipulate school board members or the African-American community will be futile.

Order Online Receive Your June 2015 Magazine

Page 11 Nominations Are Now Being Accepted

Finally, you were absolutely correct, the voters have indeed thrown a parade in Columbus, Georgia and make no mistake about it, we’ve selected Dr. David Lewis our Grand Marshal.

Respectfully submitted, Various Non-Elected Community Leaders

2015 Community Service Awards, July 25, 2015

Page 13

Page 2

2

The Street Committee

THURSDAY April 2, 2015

Dear Frank & John: Be careful What You Wish For

In a letter sent to Dr. David Lewis, Superintendent of the MCSD dated September 22, 2014 newly elected school board members Frank Myers and John Thomas wrote: “We believe that you continue to be out of touch with the political climate in Muscogee County as evidenced by the fact that you informed us that you plan to go forward with a new SPLOST in March of next year… we want you to know that we have reached out to various non elected community leaders who have demonstrated an interest and involvement in our local public education system through the years. It is our hope that you will be hearing from at least some of these people who we also believe might help give you a wake-up call regarding the state of political affairs in Columbus, Georgia.

Mr. Lewis, make no mistake about it - the voters have thrown a parade in Columbus, Georgia. We would very much like to see you lead that parade, as opposed to being trampled by it.

But that is completely up to you.”

The full letter is available online at couriernews.org.

Ms. Moore, Really?

The street committee was all-abuzz when a video from a local TV station

In Memorium

LTC (Ret.) Reginald L. Pugh, Sr 7/30/1954 - 3/26/2015

ran a story from the “Say No To The SPLOST” headquarters. The video showed political activist Nadine Moore dancing and singing in front of the camera. According to the street committee everyone has a right to vote for and represent whom he or she chooses, but is it too much to ask that we do it with some degree of dignity?

Sunday Voting Forum According to the street committee there will be a forum on Thursday, April 2, 2015 in the Community Room, First

Harrell’s Tax Service 111 North Oakley Drive Columbus, Georgia

706.575.9779 Call Us Today You’ll Find Us Always Courteous Always Professional Always Ethical “With Us Customer Satisfaction Counts”

LTC (Ret.) Reginald L. Pugh, Sr., 61, Columbus, GA, died Thursday, March 26, 2015. The Homegoing Celebration was held at Revelation Missionary Baptist Church on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. His interment with full military honors was in Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery. Pastor Valerie Thompson was the officiate. An Omega Omega Ceremony was held 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Pugh served as President/CEO of the Urban League of Greater Columbus from 2000-2012. He is survived by his wife Mayor Pro-Tem Evelyn TurnerPugh and their five children.

Floor of the Citizens Services Center to discuss the feasibility of Sunday Voting beginning in 2016. This forum is open to the public and provides an opportunity to let the elections board know that we want Sunday access.

The Courier Eco Latino Newspaper is published bi-weekly *Any editorial content are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper, publisher or staff Member

Visit Us Online At www.thecourierecolatinonewspaper.com Office Location The Courier Eco Latino Newspaper 416 12th Street Suite 201 Columbus, Georgia 31901 Email: thecourier@wowway.com Phone: 706.225.0106 Mailing Address P.O. Box 5747 Columbus, Ga 31906

THURSDAY April 2, 2015

A VIEW FROM A PEW

3

A Reason, A Season, A Lifetime life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will not only be a better businessperson but a better person over all.

As I look back over these past ten years of publishing my column; “A View From A Pew” I realize how blessed I have been. In turn many of you have called, written, emailed or stopped me on the street to say how a par- ticular column or columns have impacted your lives. Throughout the year, as we celebrate this milestone, I will periodically pub- lish those columns that were help- ful in my life in hopes that in turn it will again bless you and many others. Here is one that was first published on August 2, 2012 My good friend, Georgia State Representative Calvin Smyre always seems to come up with sayings that make you go, ”Hmmmm”. They are simple sayings but they make a whole lot of sense. His most recent one is, ”If you ever see a tur tle sitting on a fence, you know it didn’t get there by itself”.

Anyone who has had any success in life would have to agree that they have had some assistance along the way. I know I have.

As an entrepreneur and business owner one of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that sometimes, even with that assistance, you have to let people go. Everybody that starts out with you may not end up with you and that’s ok. Some people won’t be able to keep up with you.

Not everyone will have the capacity to face disappointment after disappointment and keep on going. I had to learn that there will be some people you will love, but you will have to leave them where they are and keep on moving.

One of my favorite sayings is, “sometimes you have to let go to grow”. People come into your

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, spiritually or even financially. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die, o r f a d e i n t o a n o n y m i t y.

Sometimes circumstances dictate that they go in another direction leaving you to wonder; sometimes they walk away, uncaring and unwilling.

Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled and their work is done.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON. They may only be there for a short period of time based on premeditated agendas; they may have motives that are not condoned by you, or because your turn has come to share with them in growing or learning new initiatives for the future.

If all things are good, they may bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They

may introduce you to new routines and techniques that you have never experienced. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. But only for a season -- they move on.

These are the hardest people to let go because you tend to really like them and because they did an excellent job for you. Because of this you spend an awful lot of time begging them to stay and offering them all kinds of incentives if they did. These are the main ones you have to cut loose. Why, because Gods’ got something better in store for you.

And then there are those who are to be there for a LIFETIME. These relationships are harder to recognize for the moment, but with time can be the best choice you can make.

But how many people do you know are willing to persevere for the long haul? Find one and I guarantee you will have him or her as someone trustworthy. These individuals are sent by God and are not necessarily large in numbers.

Life timers teach you lifetime lessons. They accept you for what and who you are, do not prematurely judge you, do not have any inhibitions about taking chances for the betterment of the relationship, and surely feel that compatibility is something that is assessed as you go, not at the spur of the moment. They don't adhere to conditions and will be there during the zero hour.

Ten years ago I started my business with close to twenty employees. Today I do that same amount of work with four dedicated and committed people. These are people who understand and believe in our mission and work everyday to make it a reality. I have learned to have faith in His word when He says, “you’ve got less help than you had before, but you’re going to do more than you did before”. With His help you will be able to get the victory with less. That is why you’ve got to let people go.

I’ve learned over the years it’s not how many you’ve got with you, it’s how tough the few are you’ve got left. Like David when he went to fight the Amalekites and half of his soldiers got to tired to go on, I’d rather have 4 roughneck, ready, “Ride or Die” folks than 20 grumbling mumbling and complaining folks. Sometimes it doesn’t take all of that. The bible tells me sometimes it doesn’t take an army of people but instead all it takes is a slingshot and 5 smooth pebbles. I’m no preacher, but my bible tells me that sometimes all you need is two fish and 5 loaves of bread. Somewhere in “The Good Book” it says sometimes all you need is the jawbone of a donkey to kill a thousand men.

So don’t be discouraged. Learn to understand people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. The sooner you figure that out the better you will be.

Wane A. Hailes

Page 4

April 2, 2015

Opinion/Editorial

By Ron Busby, Sr. NNPA Columnist

By Brother Love Special To The Courier

“Empire” Shows that Black Dollars Matter According to a Nielsen consumer report, African Americans are voracious consumers of media, watching 37 percent more television than any other slice of American demography.

While that’s not new news, it is disturbing that we don’t completely understand the connection between our TV consumption and the huge profits generated by our connection to television.

To be fair, some TV programming can actually be beneficial. The recent coverage of the 50th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” opened the eyes of generations of Americans who were unaware of the brutality of racial oppression in America. Much of television, however, is simply escapist entertainment for us, but a tremendous cash cow for programmers and advertisers. Take for example “Empire” on Fox. The network is known for its history of racist banter and has exploited Black America while simultaneously benefiting from Black consumers. Statistics show that “Empire” is Fox’s highest grossing show in three years, which translates into a huge pay-off for Fox. How big?

How about the $45.2 billion Comcast/Time Warner merger? How about the $48.5 billion AT&T acquisition of DirecTV or the estimated $1.3 trillion dollars spent annually by Black consumers? Not to mention the $20 billion lawsuit filed by the National Association of African American Owned Media and Entertainment Studios Networks, against Comcast, Time Warner, and other civil rights organizations as party to a plan to ensure that profits from Black viewership continue pouring into the same pockets?

We’ve watched with interest and commented on this situation earlier, but the situation has not improved.

We will reserve judgment on the soundness of Entertainment Studios Network’s CEO Byron Allen’s pending legal action, but there are a few things of which we are absolutely certain: No telecom giant has a plan for meaningful participation/inclusion of Black business in their day-to-day procurement activity; No programming giant has a plan to include, develop or support the development of positive Black portrayals to any meaningful degree; No cable/pay TV provider makes programming targeting Black consumers available at their basic service level, which requires their best customers to pay extra to view their favorite shows; No advertiser using the TV/PayTV medium includes Black business in any significant way in the development, production, delivery/distribution of their products to this loyal consumer base.

See Busby Page 10

Opinion (Continued from last Courier/Eco Latino)

Brothers and sisters, I have told you before that it is not easy to be an activist. If you stand for what is fair and just for all citizens, it is especially difficult being a community activist in Columbus, Georgia. There are some very harmful mindsets and attitudes one will undoubtedly come into contact with. There are some African Americans here that still have the slave mentality.

They are in love with their modern day state of servitude. They are happy and content with the subservient roles they play. As long as they feel they have life a little better than most other African Americans. It does not matter a thing in the world about the rest of us. In fact, these poor souls are totally convinced their current status and relationship with the power structure is the very best any African American could ever hope for in our city. The status quo is their god and their heaven. They are totally committed to playing the second fiddle role.

The Bible tells us that God not only heard the cry of the children of Israel in slavery down in Egypt land, but that God took actions to bring relief to their suffering. In contrast, many establishment African Americans here are not crying out to God to be free at all. They do not want God to send them any Moses or Aaron types to confront their beloved Pharaoh, meaning the status quo system and those that head up the system. Sadly, the ones of which I speak do not even think they are in bondage.

Although none of them will ever publicly admit it, they actually hate any other African American that will dare speak the truth about what really goes on in Columbus as far as double standards or discrimination. They fear any liberation style message at all preached by any African American. They are dreadfully afraid that any such message preached here by an African American will anger Pharaoh, and thereby place their relationships with Pharaoh in jeopardy. Frankly speaking, what they are doing is sowing in the flesh. They are serving the sin nature within. Apparently, their relationships with Pharaoh are much more important to them than a closer walk with God through Jesus Christ, who commanded us to love one another. None of this is a really a very pretty picture to paint, but truth is not always pretty.

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. could not even find an African American church, Baptist or otherwise, where he could deliver a speech when he came to Columbus. That is the type spirit that dwells in the hearts of some people in this city to this very day, and that spirit is of Satan not God. They are the deceived and misguided. We have some African American elected officials that are not going to help average African American citizens whenever one of those citizens might need them the most. I am totaly

See Love Page 10

By Georgia Ellyse Special To The Courier

That’s Just My Baby Mama: 3 Ways Premarital Pregnancy Ruins Families When I was in middle school, I use to daydream about being “normal”. While “normal” is relative, the way I was raised was far from anything that would be considered normal. Raised in a single parent home with parents that suffered from addiction so much so, many would say I was raised in a “trap house”. Our two bedroom apartment in Saint Paul, Minnesota was raided by police the morning after my 14th birthday. I longed for a sense of normalcy.

I had a strong desire to sit down at the dinner table at night and eat together as a family. Even in high school, I played basketball and was on the JV team freshmen year and varsity by the time I was a sophomore. Looking back on my time hoopin’, I can honestly count on one hand how many games my family came to. It was in these moments I became envious of my teammates. Whether we won or lost, they had someone to lean on. That was something I longed for.

Early on, I had a pretty clear understanding of what I did NOT want. I was candid with myself, I would not become a product of my environment. Being exposed to drugs, poverty, prostitution, domestic violence and other illegal and immoral behavior at a very young age quickly helped me realize that I wanted more.

I began making promises to myself. After seeing my mother’s face broken, I vowed that I would never be in an abusive relationship. After sneaking into the basement of our duplex to plug our fridge in so our food wouldn’t spoil because our light bill was overdue, I vowed that it would never happen to me.

Unfortunately, good intentions aren’t enough to escort us to our destinies. Although I had a clear understanding of my destination, I had had no clue on how to get there.

Following a number of failed attempts, I had to face the fact that I made promises to myself that I did not know how to keep and as a result, the things I said “would never happen to me” eventually ended up playing out right before my eyes like a movie that I was watching for the second time.

Primarily, my failure to have a family would be more disheartening than anything else. As a hardworking, ambitious, God fearing young woman, I didn’t understand how I ended up separating from my child’s father and not getting married like we had talked about for years.

Yet, being a single mother was quickly becoming See Georgia Page 10

PAGE 5

C OVER S TORY

April 2, 2015

Do You Know Your History?

One was Winter Cantey, the father of Elizabeth Cantey. In his obituary, it states how he was respected and loved by the White class. This is the same house negro that was given his freedom before the civil war had begun and refused it (his freedom).

Confederate General Henry L. Benning April 2, 1814-July 10, 1875 Henry L. Benning was a lawyer, l e g i s l a t o r, j u d g e , a n d a Confederate General during the American Civil War. He owned 97 slaves.

By Johnnie Warner Special To The Courier Phenix City, Alabama and Columbus, Georgia Jubilee 150 years of Freedom Many local Blacks are not aware of their (Phenix City and Columbus) freedom day because after the Civil War, Whites in this area had put much fear in Blacks. April 16, 2015 is the 150th year of the end of slavery in Phenix City and Columbus.

To the local White community, the last of the battles between Girard/Columbus Confederate soldiers losing to the Union army was heart-breaking. To the local Whites, the aggressors (Union Army) pillaged and destroyed both towns. To them, the Union Army were evil and wicked men. To the slaves (except the house Negros), they were liberators. After the war, southern Whites of Phenix City and Columbus had remained in power. This statement is manifested with the naming of a federal military installation Fort Benning. Confederate General Henry L. Benning was a Confederate General during the Civil War. He owned 97 slaves in Columbus/Muscogee County.

After the war, the house negroes had became the leaders of the Black community.

As a Muscogee County delegate to the secession convention, Henry L. Benning, for whom Fort Benning is named, was on the committee that introduced a bill calling for Georgia to withdraw from the United States. The convention voted on January 19, 1861 to secede.

The vote was 208 for secession, 89 against.

After Georgia seceded from the Union, Benning was sent as Georgia's representative to Virginia, which was still debating the secession question.

There, he gave a speech before the Virginia secession convention, arguing that separation from the Union was the only way to preserve slavery.

1st two sentences of the Georgia Declaration of Secession -Approved, Tuesday, January 29, 1861-The people of Georgia having dissolved their political connection with the Government of the United States of America, present to their confederates and the world the causes which have led to the separation. For the last ten years we have had numerous and serious causes of complaint against our non-slaveholding confederate States with reference to the subject of African slavery.

April 16, 1865, the Civil War

Battles of Girard, Alabama and Columbus, Georgia, was “Freedom Day� for local slaves.

Many Civil War historians claim the Civil War Battles of Girard, Alabama and Columbus, Georgia were the last battles of the Civil War. In the spring of 1865, Brevet Maj. General James Harrison Wilson led Federal troops through Alabama and into Georgia. The first Federal scouts appeared before the defense line of Columbus, Georgia on the west bank of the Chattahoochee-Girard, Alabama; now known as Phenix City, Alabama at 2:00PM on April 16, 1865.

They discovered a force of Black slaves busily engaged in a last effort to strengthen the earthworks.

Federal troops attempted to capture the lower bridge (Dillingham Bridge) between Girard and Columbus at about 3:00PM, but were repulsed. Around 8:00PM the 14th Street bridge was seized and the Federal troops crossed the bridge to capture Columbus.

General Wilson made his headquarters at the Mott House on the Georgia side of the riverbank. Several slaves realized the Federal occupation was a sign of

liberation and slipped quietly from their quarters to get a look at their liberators and to celebrate their freedom. On the morning of April 17, 1865 slaves made their way into the streets of Girard and Columbus dancing, singing, and questioning the Federal troops about the spoils that freedom would shortly bring.

*Jubilee (Freedom Day) Phenix City/Columbus, Georgia is an annual observance equivalent to Juneteenth of Galveston, Texas and equivalent to the Jewish Passover.

For more information call 706-575-3646, Columbus Black History Museum and Archives

PAGE 6

April 2, 2015

Who’s Got Next?...

Young Professionals On The Move Nadine Haralson, provides up close and personal interviews with young professionals who are making a difference in our community. Join us each issue as we introduce, recognize, and celebrate those individuals in Columbus, Phenix City and Ft. Benning who are… “On The Move”

Greg Davis, Jr.

Akear Mewborn and a Masters degree in the Art of Teaching English/Language Arts for grades 6th-12th at Columbus State University.

Davis Broadcasting, Inc., Greg Jr. spent many summers interning with Turner Broadcasting and American Express Corporate Headquarters in New York.

Davis also worked for Sony Electronic where he was part of their initial class of Rotational Developmental Program. In addition he worked with the company in sales and marketing for three years. In 2011 he decided to return home to Columbus, GA and work for the family business, Davis Broadcasting Inc.

By Nadine Haralson The Courier To say Greg Davis Jr. is “On the Move” is an understatement. He’s a young professional that’s not just on the move, but also on the go. Young, energetic, sophisticated, educated, with charm and professionalism, young Greg is a person to keep your eye on.

A busy young professional, Greg graduated from Columbus High School in 2004. He received his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Morehouse College where he graduated with honors. Definitely understanding the meaning of “a mind is a terrible thing to waste” he refuses to let even the smallest of brain cells to go without use, or to let his educational success get the best of him.

The son of Greg and Cheryl Davis of

But don’t be fooled, young Davis is not all work and no play, he clearly understands the value of taking time for personal enjoyment and even more so, time to help serve and give back to the community in which he was brought up. Greg always enjoys a good game of recreational Kickball a team he is captain.

Davis serves as youth Coordinator for the 4th Street Baptist Church “Step Team” (Columbus, GA) and the “Hospitality Committee” at Elizabeth Baptist Church (Atlanta).

For Mewborn teaching has become a way a life. “I merged the desire to help others with my passion for literature and decided to go into the teaching profession” explains Akear.

With nearly 1.2 million students dropping out of high school (a student every 26 seconds or 7,000 a day), 750,000 teen pregnancies a year, young black boys falling victim to police brutality and TV reality shows along with social media affecting the minds of young people everyday, it’s no wonder Akear feels the way she does.

While she might not have any biological children she has 160 pus adopted ones that keep her busy.

By Nadine Haralson The Courier “People tend to ask me, have I always known I wanted to be a teacher, and my reply is always the same. Yes!”

“I’m constantly driven by my desire to make a difference in the community in which I live and work,” states Davis.

As Vice President of the local Columbus M o r e h o u s e A l u m n i C h a p t e r, Parliamentarian of the Emerging 100 of Atlanta (subsidiary of 100 Black Men Atlanta Inc.), and due to graduate this May with a Master of Business Administration, I’m sure Greg Davis, Jr. will go beyond making a difference.

Selected by the Muscogee County school district to be a participant in the Project Zero Conference (a Harvard Graduate School of Education research group that studies and investigates the nature of intelligence, understanding, thinking, creativity and ethics of human learning), Akear Mewborn is what one would consider to be an Educational Philanthropist.

“I live by the words of Morehouse Alum, Benjamin Elijah Mays”, shares Greg. ‘Whatever you do, strive to do it so well that no man living, and no man dead, and no man yet to be born could do it any better’”. Enough said.

Born and raised in Columbus, GA, Mewborn says that at an early age she knew she wanted a career that would allow her to help others in some capacity. Graduating from Carver High School she continued her education by earning a Bachelor’s degree in English

“I try to be a role model, shares Ms. Mewborn, in between teaching subjects and verbs and William Shakespeare, I try to sneak in life lessons to my young female students on how to be a lady and knowing their worth, and my males students on how to be treated like a lady.”

It’s not just about teaching young adults what they can do for themselves to Akear Mewborn, it’s so much more.

It’s also about molding her students into educated and well-rounded citizens of society who will be able to contribute positively. This fall Akear will begin working on her Doctorate degree.

Ultimately she would like to be a college professor teaching either Women’s Studies or African-American Studies.

Citing her favorite Maya Angelou quote “My mission is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, compassion, humor, and some style.” A mission I’m sure Akear Mewborn will have no problem completing.

PAGE 7

F ROM T HE P UBLISHER

April 2, 2015

We’re Making Changes! us at: www.thecourierecolatinonewspaper.com. Most of you have felt our domain name was too long and cumbersome and we agree. Today we have changed our domain name to one that is more convenient.

You can now reach our website at: www.couriernews.org.

From time to time automobiles, homes and even our own bodies need repair, renovation and or rejuvenation. Whether it’s new tires, a new roof, facelift, tummy tuck or a simple makeover changes are made to enhance what was once old.

That’s exactly what we have done and why we are excited.

We are in the midst of a major makeover beginning with our website. For the past 10 years you have been able to view

10 year ago my intention was not to start a newspaper initially. My plan was to publish a quarterly magazine specifically serving the AfricanAmerican and Hispanic

businessmen and women, professionals and concerned citizens with a goal to ignite conversation, promote empowerment and celebrate aspiration. As I’ve often quoted from Proverbs 16.9; “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” I understand now that wasn’t His plan for me.

Now, 10 years to the month that we began publishing The Courier Eco Latino newspaper, we introduced; Courier Eco

Latino, The Magazine. The response has been great thus far and we are fortunate to have teamed up with two of the most creative and talented graphic artists in the city, Keith Phillips and Kenneth Davis with K & K Designs who provided the layout and design of our product. Our magazine is a quarterly publication available by subscription only (see page 11). Issues will be released in March, June, September and December of each year.The website address for the magazine

www.couriernews.org www.couriermag.com thecourier@wowway.com

is: www.couriermag.com In the coming months we invite you to be on the look out for more changes like our new layout and design of The Courier Eco Latino newspaper compliments of K & K Designs as well as a few new print publications. In the meantime our new contact information is as follows

Office 416 12th Street Columbus, Georgia 31901 Mailing Address P. O. Box 5747 Columbus, Georgia 31906 Phone 706.225.0106 Email: thecourier@wowway.com

Wane A. Hailes

EMPLOYMENT LAW SERIOUS BODILY INJURY WRONGFUL DEATH DUI, CONTRACTS DISPUTES ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS GENERAL CIVIL LITIGATION www.hatcherstubbs.com HATCHER, STUBBS, LAND, HOLLIS & ROTHSCHILDS, LLP

THE CORPORATE CENTER 233 12TH STREET, SUITE 500 COLUMBUS, GA 31901

(706) 324-0201

April 2, 2015

PAGE 8

By Wane A. Hailes The Courier The Columbus Alumni Chapter of Rust College is sponsoring the World Renowned Rust A’Capella Choir in concert Saturday, April 11, 2015 7:00pm, at St. John AME Church on Steam Mill Road.

They will also perform at the 8:30 and 11:30 morning services at St. Mark United Methodist Church on Whitesville Road. Each year the choir travels around the country during Spring break, in a fund raising effort.

Remarkably, these students do not just tour with their hands - Tour of Zimbabwe in 2001 - Two European trips as Ambassadors of Friendship - First place in the 13th Annual American Negro Spiritual Festival, Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, OH. (1994) - The 1982 and 1983 World’s Fair - Annual tours throughout the Midwest and South - Appearances as guest on several regional radio and television programs (including the International Protestant Hour, which is heard in over 100 foreign countries and the United States).

In the late 1930s and 1940s, choir members often traveled in station wagons and cars with student drivers, and in many instances, Rust College students were their own directors.

Because funds were limited, and because of the then Jim Crow laws, choir members were forced to reside in the homes of alumni and friends. Miss Doxey and her choir were used as ambassadors and fundraisers for the College, and represented the school at various functions throughout the Mid-

Western United States and the South. The choir has continued to carry on many of the traditions from eras past, making friends and supporters of the college.

Dorothy Lee Jones, former choir directress for the Greenville, MS Public School District, assumed her present position as Directress of the Rust College A’Cappella Choir in August 2010. Ms. Jones served six years in the United States Marine Corps, graduated magna cum laude from M i s s i s s i p p i Va l l e y S t a t e University with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree, and earned the Master of Music Education from Jackson State University.

Ms. Jones has a broad background in music which ranges from instructing and directing adult church choirs to formulating multiple high school choirs, and steering them

through keen competition which has resulted in Special Achievement Awards and numerous outstanding honors.

The purpose of the choir has

been to serve as a public relations entity to help spread the good news regarding the college. No other organization on campus has brought more prestige and contributed more to

the welfare of the college. With its years of accomplishments, it is no doubt that the A’Cappella Choir is vested in the hearts of thousands.

PAGE 9

April 2, 2015

Metropolitan Baptist Church

Robert D. Wilson

Attorney at Law

1635 5th Avenue . Columbus, Georgia 706.322.1488

Service Schedule Sunday School 9:30 A.M Sunday Worship 11:00 A.M Monday Night Prayer 6:00 P.M Tuesday Bible Study 12:00 P.M & 5:30 P.M Pastor Curtis Crocker, Jr.

Mission Statement A growing church for growing Christians attempting to grow the Kingdom, one soul at a time.

First African Baptist Church 901 5th Avenue

233 12th Street, Suite 622 Columbus, Georgia 31901 (706)323-0610 Personal Injury - Workers’ Compensation Wills & Estate - Criminal Defense Email: robertdwilson@bellsouth.net

ATTORNEY S TACEY J ACKSON

Columbus, Georgia

Sunday Worship Sunday School 9:30 A.M. Morning Worship 11A.M. Transportation Provided

Call 706-323-3367 Sr. Pastor Roderick Green

The McCardle House 927 Third Avenue Columbus, Georgia

706.324.0882 Practice Areas: Criminal Defense Personal injury Family law attorneysjackson@gmail.com

T HE L AW O FFICES OF S HEVON S. T HOMAS & ASSOCIATES F RIENDSHIP B APTIST C HURCH E ARLY W ORSHIP 8AM

B REAKFAST 9:AM

M ORNING W ORSHIP 11AM

831 6 TH AVE C OLUMBUS , G A S UNDAY S CHOOL 9:30 AM

W EDNESDAY P RAYER M EETING /B IBLE S TUDY 7PM

WEBSITE : WWW. FRIENDSHIPMBC . ORG

S UNDAY C HILD D AY C ARE S ERVICES AVAILABLE F OR T HOSE ATTENDING O UR W ORSHIP

(O FFICE )706.323-6996 (PASTOR ’ S HOME )706.561.6733 R EV. D R . E MMETT S. A NITON , J R PASTOR

C. B ROWN & A SSOCIATES , I NC .

1300 W YNNTON R OAD

Carl Brown Representative

S UITE #107

Life, Disability, Health, Dental, Mutual Funds, Annuities, Medicare Supplements, IRA’s, Critical Illness

C OLUMBUS , G EORGIA

Office: 706-653-1287 Fax: 706-653-1290 Cell: 706-718-7313 Email: broker59@aol.com

Practice Areas: Misdemeanor . Felony . DUI . Personal Injurury . Auto .

Divorce . Family .

Juvenile . Probate .

Wills 201 9th Street Columbus, Georgia 706.507.5425

PAGE 10 Busby From Page 4 Telecom companies and consumer product companies are gearing up for an assault on your wallets like nothing you’ve ever seen, and if you’re riveted by the latest episode or game-of-the-week, you may not

Love From Page 4 convinced there are some establishment African Americans in leadership that will actually work behind your back to thwart any efforts to bring about justice and equality. You know who they are, or I am sure you can guess. They are the current servants benefiting from the status quo system. In many cases you find them trying to tell you what person and what issue you should vote for. Although recognized and respected leaders, they ultimately have their own best interest at heart, not yours or mine. In other words, I am talking about so-called Black leaders that certain Black lives do not matter to at all when it comes down to defending your rights and fighting against injustice. Worse yet, you have some African American church pastors trying to raise their value by in effect being stereotypical politicians, meaning they are full of doubletalk. These pastors are usually found on the wrong side of the fight and involved for the wrong reasons, meaning self-serving reasons. I realize that the elected officials and church pastors I am talking about may have good intentions, or have convinced themselves of as much, but their good intentions are not going to prove to bring about progress for the entire African

Georgia From Page 4 my reality the older that my daughter got. No mattter what I did, it was out of my control. No matter how strong the desire to be a family was, you reach a point of maturity where you realize, that you can not control anyone but yourself. So rather then trying to force someone to do what you think is right, you have to step aside and let them live out their dreams.

The further I traveled into being a single parent I realized how preva-

APRIL 2, 2105 even notice your pocket being picked. Decisions about your money are being made right now. These decisions are being made by people who don’t know you, and whose only interest is how long you’re in front of your TV before you go buy the

products they are selling.

American community going forward. Their misguided good intentions and go-along attitudes will inevitably serve to work against our best interest and keep us in a perpetual state of not truly being treated as equals or with due respect.

respected African Americans does not sound very encouraging, but I am not going to lie for you to like me or love me. I never have and never will. What I have the courage to say you already know in your hearts.

We understand it’s about business – big business. We also understand that it is Black consumers’ money that makes the business so big. But if Black businesses don’t flourish as a

The African American community is being set up for future failure by some of its own respected so-called leaders.

Our children and our children’s children will pay a heavy price for the poor leadership decisions being made today by those establishment leaders with the go along just to get along attitudes. Young African Americans leaders of tomorrow will step into ready-made roles as “bit players” if they follow in the footsteps of some of the current leadership. If the next generation of African American leaders does not come to understand what is going on right now, what is at stake for the African American community, and what must be done to prevent our further decline in real respect and progress, then they will no doubt just end up being the next generation of yes men and yes women servants of the status quo power structure. I am going on record with that. I know that to a great extent none of what I am saying about some very

Many of you have sadly been forced by personal experience to come to the realization that help in this city is a matter of social class and community status. Those of you that have gone to some of these trusted and respected African Americans for help know that I only speak the truth about what they do and will not do.

You found out just what I found out, which is all some of them are experts in is telling you what they cannot do for you.

This is especially true if you are not in their clique or circle of close friends. Everyday African American citizens simply do not rate high enough on the social ladder for some leading African Americans.

When these so-called leaders say they cannot help you, what they really mean is they are not going to do anything at all worthwhile to help you in any way. If you are a typical, hardworking African American citizen that is not connected to the right group or right people, even if you and your family are members of the right church

lent this issue was in our community. Having a child out of wedlock is quickly becoming the norm in our society and is driving traditional family values to the brink of extinction.

Committed Enough To Have A Baby, But Not To Get Married – It’s interesting that so many young couples have children out of wedlock, me being one of them. Not being wise enough to recognize that the responsibility and commitment that it takes to raise another human being is far

greater then that of marriage. Until we recognize that having a child is actually a huge commitment, we will continue to contribute to the destruction of family ideology Premarital Pregnancy, Deprives Children Of Their Best Teacher- You are your child’s greatest teacher is example. If you do not posses enough self control to wait until your married, do not expect your children to do so.

Oh, you’re not perfect, and you don’t expect your child to be either? That’s

result of all this activity designed to move dollars out of Black pockets, we’ll be back to “Good Times” in the projects instead of building Empires. All the more reason to invest money in the Black community. If you can devote time to watching your in some cases, then you really do not matter much if at all.

When trouble comes your way, especially if it comes by way of local government, you are on your own. No different than any other group of people, some African Americans are perfectly capable of demonstrating indifference and bias toward other African Americans for any number of pathetic reasons, be those reasons class, gender, or anything else one might think of.

As a local community activist, I had to face all these ugly truths I am sharing with you about some respected people.

All of you need to face the truth about whomever it is coping out or selling out when it comes to standing up and speaking out against injustice.

These people are just running game on us. The truth of the matter is that we are dealing with a lot of lost people controlled by the sin nature. Lying and deceiving in the name of politics, government, and power is simply their usual way of doing day-to-day business.

They never think of their actions in terms of evil or sin, but they must be warned anyway.

Despite being good churchgoing Christians, they are worldly people that believe in the worldly way of living life. They have church in their lives but fine. I knew someone would try to throw that in as an excuse to try and deflect the validity of this statement.

However, deep down inside, no man honestly wants to see his daughter give birth to a child fathered by a man who didn’t have enough regard for his daughter to marry her. So ultimately, fellas… if you wouldn’t want it for your daughter, than you shouldn’t be partaking in it yourself.

Children Of Single Parent Households Often Feel Inadequate

favorite television show, then you can also devote time to buying from your local Black businesses.

Make #Blackdollarsmatters not just a hashtag, but a way of life.

Ron Busby, Sr. is president of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.

the way of God is not in their hearts. Their actions speak out as proof against them.

I am neither a church pastor nor a prophet. Nevertheless, I would not have you ignorant, my brothers and sisters. You read this column because you trust what I say in this column.

I must tell you what has been placed on my heart to tell you for all the good of all. Right and wrong are at war with each other. Good and evil are involved in an ongoing struggle in this city. Friends, I am talking about spiritual warfare.

When I or anybody else stand up and truly fight injustice as well as publicly challenge those that condone the injustice and other unfair practices, we are actually fighting against evil.

For the righteous warrior to be victorious in spiritual warfare against the double standards and strangle hold of injustice in this city, as well as all other manner of evil that believers face in their personal lives, we must have the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit working with us, for us, and in us.

We must cry out to God for the help and protection we need to defeat all the workers of iniquity that condone or even deliberately ignore the injustices suffered by the innocent.

Until next time, may God bless you and keep you all.

– Speaking from experience, their is a sense of inadequacy when you are raised in a single parent home.

Because you are not given the reinforcement by both parents, your self esteem tends to suffer. Not only does this effect your mental and emotional health, it can also cause you to make poor decisions such as repeating the cycle and becoming a product of your environment or having a child out of wedlock.

Next Issue June 2015!

Courier Eco Latino, The Magazine is the premiere source for an authoritative perspective on the tricity’s African-American and Hispanic community.

Specifically serving the African-American and Hispanic businessmen and women, professionals and concerned citizens our goal is to ignite conversation, promote empowerment and celebrate aspiration.

Published Quarterly June 2015 September 2015 December 2015 March 2016 *Available Through Subscription Only

YES! Send me 1 year (4 issues) of Courier Eco Latino, The Magazine for just $20 _____________________________________________________________ Name (Please Print) _____________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip Code _____________________________________________________________ Email

Make Checks Payable To The Courier Mail Payment To: The Courier Magazine P.O. Box 5747 Columbus, Georgia 31906

Save Time And Order Online At: www.couriermag.com

10th Annual COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS RECOGNIZING 25 INDIVIDUALS/ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE PROVIDED DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND HISPANIC COMMUNITY

Nominations Are Now Being Accepted

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD NOMINATION FORM Name of Nominee____________________________________________ Individual/Company___________________________________________ Title/Position________________________________________________ Address____________________________________________________ City____________________________State___________Zip__________ Business Phone________________Home Phone__________________ Deadline May 1, 2015 Please complete the nomination form and mail to the address below : Courier / Eco Latino P.O. Box 5747 Columbus, Georgia 31906 or Email to: thecourier@wowway.com

SAVE THE

DATE

SATURDAY JULY 25, 2015

7:30 PM

COLUMBUS CONVENTION & TRADE CENTER COLUMBUS, GEORGIA 31901

April 2, 2015

PAGE 14

Sconiers Funeral Home, Inc 836-5th Avenue Columbus, Georgia 31901

Freedom Bonding Co., Inc. Bonds of All Courts 24 Hour Service - Day or Night

Ronnie Maddox Serving Columbus, Phenix City & Surrounding areas since 1916.

Visit our facility with; Chapel that seats over 200, Spacious Conference Rooms & Parking Facility & More

Office: 1.800.769.0694 Fire and Burglar Alarm 1124 Lockwood Avenue Security Cameras Columbus, Georgia 31906 Surround Sound www.alarmcommunicationinc.com

Curtis Stephens

Cell: 706.888.8522

Clay Coleman

James Williams 615 Tenth Street Columbus, GA 31901

706.571.0170

PAGE 15

April 2, 2015

D30 ENT - THE INSIDER

the hip hop scene THE TEA! Chris Brown is off of Probation!

“Free at Last, Free at last, Thank God almighty [I am] Free At Last”, is what singer Chris Brown is now chanting as his 2009 assault case of his ex-girlf r i e n d Rihanna came to a close this week. Brown is no longer on probation and he took to twitter to let the world know just how excited he is about this news.

“IM OFF PROBATION!!!!!!!!! Thank The Lord!!!!” he tweeted.

Since the incident we’ve witnessed Brown’s continued trouble with the law from violating his probation in 2013 due to an altercation in Washington, DC cause him to serve 3 months in jail, to being denied access into Canada allegedly because of his criminal background. With his new found freedom the sky is the limit for Chris Brown and his family. He has a new edition to his family, his 9-month old daughter Royalty and has a new album out “Fan of a Fan” with hip hop artist Tyga.

He has a lot of things to keep him busy, let’s hope that there won’t be any social media ranting from the singer any time soon. Congratulations Chris Brown.

“No Ring, No Claiming” Actress Taraji P. Henson is the reigning Queen of Hollywood right now. The success of her new show “Empire” on Fox has everyone wanting a piece of Taraji.

Besides anticipating the second season of “Empire,” everyone is wondering a b o u t Henson’s dat-

ing life. During a recent interview with Steve Harvey, she revealed that she does not claim men.

“I’m a grown woman, so you know like ‘dating’ those days are over, says Taraji, if there’s no ring on this finger, no-one gets claimed. You don’t get claimed until you claim me. Now today with all of this social media, it’s not private.”

Living a private life in the spotlight has to be one of the hardest things to do, but at the tender age of 44, Henson does not have time to casually date she’s made it clear. She’s a single mother with a now adult son, whose father was killed when he was younger.

Henson has let us all know that we will never know who she’s dating until they claim her and put a ring on her finger. The less time she has to date the more she can work on delivering us a perfect performance as “Cookie.”

Congratulations on a new hit show Taraji!

D30 Radio presents: The Hype Teens

D30 Radio has introduced a new edition to its on growing Empire of radio personalities: Teenagers! On Monday March 16, the “Hype Teens” consisting of Destiny Elliott, Cache Tapre, and Lauren Coco premiered on D30Radio.com. The show the “Hype Teens” cover everything that teenagers are talking about, experiencing and listening to today. Drama, fashion, beauty, interviews, advice, and events are just some of the topics that the girls cover. On their very first show alone, the girls premiered with impressive numbers proving that teenagers know exactly what they want to hear on the radio.

Business Spotlight: King Formals

D30 marketing and promotions provides excellent marketing services for business and artists in the Southeast Region. Our newest client King Formals is a black owned formal shop located on 2319 Pierce Road in Phenix City, Alabama.

Kings Formals specializes in quality gowns and tuxedos for all special occasions, whether it’s a wedding, prom, or a ball. The owner Latoya Pollard King, and her staff provides excellent one-on-one customer service and the proper knowledge on what looks best for each of their clients.

Although the formal shop has only been open for two months that has not stopped King and her staff from networking and being a pillar in the community. King Formals has recently given away a free wedding dress at the River Mill Center bridal show, and is also a blue level sponsor for the 3rd Annual Mother Son dance in Columbus, GA. Stop by and visit them today for your next formal event. They are open Monday 12p.m.

- 6p.m. Tuesday- Friday from 10 a.m. - 5:30p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. - 4p.m and on Sundays by appointment only.

PAGE 16

The Hip Hop Scene Written And Provided

By Kirsten King and Chequelle Brown

April 2, 2015

Mommy and Me! The month of May with “When I Grow Up,” will be dedicated to mothers and their children. Each child will be asked to bring their mothers to the “When I Grow Up” sessions for a time of bonding and understanding. The guest speaker Lori Amor will be helping the mothers and their children to learn how to communicate effectively, respect other, and have fun while growing and appreciating each moment they share.

Each session for the girls is the first Thursday of each month, and the boys are the second Thursday of each month. The sessions are held at the Gallery at Fountain Park. For more information, register via Eventbrite and for sponsorship inquiries email whenigrowup30@gmail.com .

Marketing Tips You are your brand!! When people see you they should automatically tie you to your brand... Therefore, always look presentable when you step out, have business cards, & every now & then wear your brand! �#�WalkingBillboard� If they can't snap a pic of you, don't step out!

People watch everything on social media, depending upon your title and or image, you have to be careful what you post. Yes its your page, but if your business requires support & on-lookers, its NOW our/their page!

Every social media platform serves a different purpose and draws a distinctive audience. Understanding this can make your marketing efforts go more smoothly. Know who you are promoting too & if its effective!!

For Information contact d30ent@gmail.com or call 706-442-0978

To Advertise call 706.225.0106 or 706.442.0978

Page 17

By Wane A. Hailes The Courier Davis Broadcasting Inc. of Columbus is proud to announce the ALL NEW K92.7 - The Best R&B and Throwbacks! WKZJ now has something for everyone as they continue to play the Best R&B including artist such as Mary J Blige, Usher, Kem, Sam Smith and Charlie Wilson. We're excited to now include such classic throwback artist such as LL Cool J, Doug E. Fresh, Missy Elliot, Heavy D and the Boys, and Outkast.

Listeners are encouraged to tune in to the ALL NEW K92.7 all Day with this FRESH new Line Up! Tom Joyner Morning Show The Tom Joyner

Davis Broadcasting, Inc. Announces Changes Morning Show is on MondaySaturday from 6a-10a with Tom Joyner, Sybill Wilkes, and J. Anthony Brown. The TJMS has been on WKZJ-FM K92.7 radio since the mid 1990’s- spanning more than 20 years. The show is a source of information for and about African Americans reaching more than 8 million listeners each week across 115 radio stations.

Middays with Georgia Georgia began her broadcasting journey in college at the University of St. Thomas' online station, KUST in 2009. Shortly thereafter, she began at KMOJ radio 89.9 FM “The People's Station" in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In 2013,she made the big move to Columbus, GA where she became co-host on

the #1 Morning then Afternoon radio show ‘Baby J and Georgia’ on the Foxie 105. She is excited to become the new midday host on the all new K92.7 working Monday- Friday 10am-3pm and Sundays 2pm6pm.

The D.L. Hughley Show The D.L. Hughely Show is FAST, FUNNY, and Bringin' It Home! D.L. Hughely is one of the most popular and highly recognized standup comedians on the road today and has also made quite an impression in the television, film and radio a r e n a s .

Hughley, ready to take people on a no holds ride of humor and reality in the afternoons, stated, “I’m very excited to get

back to radio and it couldn’t have come at a better time. I think radio fits my sensibility.

I want to be fast, I want to be funny, I want to be topical.

I want to make people laugh a lot and think a little. Some people want to push the envelope – I want to see if I can singe it a little.” Cohosts include Jasmine Sanders and Steve Wilson.

THE VIBE with Shawn Knight Shawn Knight is no stranger when it comes to radio and television. In the early stages of his career Shawn got his teachings f r o m Kennedy King College and was on the college radio station 8 9 . 3 F M W K K C .

April 2, 2015 Also, he interned at NBC 5 Chicago "The Jenny Jones Show" for the 1996-1997 Season.

Shawn worked WGCI AM-FM then WPWX Power 92 and WSRB Soul 106 3 where he was employed at the station for 10 years. He also worked with WTLC AM-FM and later transitioned to Davis Broadcasting WKZJ K92.7 in Columbus, Georgia where he will host THE VIBE show from Sunday through Monday, 7pm12midnight.

Diggin in the Crates is a 2 hour feature of 80's and 90's Classic Hip Hop and R&B hosted by the legendary Chubb Rock and DJ Bent Roc. You can catch this show each Saturday Night from 7pm to 9pm on the All New K92.7!

“MAYNARD”— the documentary movie on the life of former Atlanta Mayor Maynard H. Jackson, Jr. announced by Auburn Avenue Films.

(Atlanta, GA) January 19, 2015—Auburn Avenue Films produces the theatrical documentary about the life and legacy of Atlanta’s first AfricanAmerican Mayor, Maynard Holbrook Jackson Jr. The documentary, MAYNARD, is currently in pre-production led by an Oscar nominated and Emmy award-winning team.

MAYNARD offers an introspective look into the life of the political and business titan who became Atlanta’s first African-American Mayor.

“My father fought the good fight for equal opportunity especially for African Americans. He believed the way to accomplish that was through the power of the vote, economic strength and educational achievement or, the ballot, the book and the buck, as he put it,” said Brooke Jackson Edmond, daughter of Mayor Jackson. “All Atlantans have benefitted from his work as have countless others far beyond Atlanta. There is a thriving African-American business class largely because of Maynard Jackson.”

MAYNARD will be produced

by Auburn Avenue Films; one of Atlanta’s newest production companies. The production team includes Executive Producers: Wendy Eley Jackson; Maynard H. Jackson, III; Elizabeth Jackson Hodges; Howie Hodges, and Brooke Jackson Edmond. Oscar-nominated producer/director/editor

Samuel D. Pollard will direct the film, and Emmy and Peabody Award-winner Sheila Curran Bernard has been tapped as writer. Winsome Sinclair joins the production as producer along with other producers including Donald Jarmond, Karl Carter and Jason Orr; associate producers include Norman “Kozmo” Miller and Jamille Bradfield.

An official release date has not been announced.

Mayor Jackson was known as a charismatic and compassionate leader who served a record three terms as Atlanta’s mayor. He is credited with building the world's busiest airport; leading the crusade to bring the 1996 Olympics to Atlanta; revitalizing downtown Atlanta as a thriving business and residential community; and redeveloping more than 20 of Atlanta's historic neighborhoods. Yet, in spite of his

professional success there were personal challenges as well.

“Most people only remember the public side of Maynard Jackson, Jr. but they never saw the man who struggled with the loss of his own father at the age of 15, the brother who buried two sisters, the husband went through divorce, or the father who feared he would lose his only son,” said Maynard H. Jackson, III, son of Mayor Jackson. “In this documentary you will definitely see the giant of a mayor but, more importantly, you see the giant of a real man.”

MAYNARD offers an intimate view of Jackson from those who knew him best. The film will include personal family photos and rare interviews with his widow, his five children, his former wife, and his siblings as well as many of Jackson’s close associates

and confidants.

“We want people to know how much he cared for all people in the city that he loved,” said Elizabeth Jackson Hodges, oldest daughter of Mayor Jackson. “He wanted everyone leading successful and fulfilled lives and he worked hard for this purpose.

However, we totally understand that if we want our stories to be told correctly, we need to tell them ourselves.”

This is why the movie about my father is so very important for the world to see,” Elizabeth added.

Auburn Avenue Films Inc. is an Atlanta based television and film company specializing in development, production, and post production. For more information about the documentary, please follow our progress at #maynardmovie or contact Auburn Avenue Films at 404-5058188.

PAGE 18

April 2, 2015

Requests for Proposals RFB No. 15-0025 South Lumpkin Multi-use Trail Due: March 18, 2015 – 2:30 pm Della Lewis, CPPB Buyer Specialist RFP No. 15-0024 GIS Tax Parcel Map Database Due: April 10, 2015 – 5:00 pm Sandra Chandler, Buyer Sealed responses must be received and time/date stamped by the respective due dates shown above, by the Finance Department/Purchasing Division of Columbus Consolidated Government, 100 Tenth Street, Columbus, GA 31901. To obtain specifications, visit the City's website at www.columbusga.org, notify the respective Buyer via email dlewis@columbusga.org and schandler@columbusga.org, fax 706.653.4109 or telephone 706.653.4105.

Andrea J. McCorvey, CPPB Purchasing Division Manager

First Lady Apparel “Where Every Lady Is First”

Lisa Thomas-Cutts Owner

We Specialize In Upscale Fashions St. John Knits, Luxury Evening Gowns and Other Designer Apparel

Call For An Appointment 706.329.3482 “A girl should always be two things:classy and fabulous.”

- Coco Chanel

Pagina 6

Jueves 2 de Abril 2015

Torress Family Offers Real Mexican Tacos And More!

By Nadine Haralson Eco Latino One thing that is always evident in the Hispanic culture is that a high value is placed on a hard work ethic and structure in business and family.

With family, often a large unit, with each member usually has a traditional role. Even children are taught at an early age that togetherness and involvement is a must in order to ensure the success of the family.

And who doesn’t know this better than the Torres family led

by Abraham and Esmeralda.

Former owners of Taco el Paisa in Phenix City, Alabama, the Torres family are usually one of the local’s favorite vendors at the Tri-City Latino Festival and other local Hispanic events around town. Lucky for us The Courier Eco Latino was able to catch up with them where they are often spotted serving a long line of hungry customers on South Lumpkin Road next to ABC Coin Laundry.

Eco: What is your Hispanic background, and are you a Columbus, GA native?

Abraham: My family and I are of Mexican background. We are originally from California and have been living in Columbus, GA for ten years.

Eco: Why the food and restaurant business?

Torres: We love food and wanted to bring traditional Mexican flavors to Columbus. We wanted to start something that we could do as a family and in turn bring us closer together.

A family business gives our children a foundation and teaches them skills, success, and also how to support themselves.

Eco: How long have you and your wife been cooking and what type of training have you had?

Torres: My wife and I have basically been cooking all our lives. We both started at an early age. The training and learning comes from our family and helping in the kitchen as kids.

Eco: Food in the Mexican culture is often an extensive part of who they are as a group. Traditions, rituals, and

recipes are more than often inherited from ancestors and passed along to future generations. Meals usually consist of meats such as pork, lamb, or beef that’s well seasoned with a blend of flavors and spices, along with fruits and vegetables. What are some traditional foods you offer?

Torres: We offer real Mexican Tacos, Quesadillas, Tortillas, and many more.

Eco: You mentioned family involvement.

Torres: Yes, Esmeralda and I have four children, three girls and one boy. Everyone helps with either food preparation the night before or day of, prepping and setting up for service, cleaning, assisting customers or the cash register.

Eco: And may I say Abraham Jr. is always a constant pleasant face, who is always very kind and respectful and eager to help customers.

If you’re driving around Columbus, and looking for a

real taste of traditional Mexican food, don’t hesitate to swing by and visit the Torres family every

Saturday and Sunday on South Lumpkin Road next to the ABC Coin Laundry. You won’t regret it.

Pagina 5

Jueves 2 de Abril 2015

Employment for Latinos Comes Back To Life

By Vanessa Cárdenas & Jackie Odum Last Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released their Employment Report for the

month of February. The monthly ritual brought good news for the labor market. Overall, an additional 295,000 jobs were gained in the month of February, averaging out to nearly 300,000 over the past six months. The national unemployment rate fell to 5.5 percent, decreasing by 1.2 percentage points from just one year earlier.

And while this month’s jobs report showed robust macroeconomic growth, the report held even better news for some of the nation’s most vulnerable communities – people of color.

Since February 2014, the Latino unemployment rate has fallen by 1.5 percentage points to 6.6 percent. The African American unemployment rate changed by 1.6 percentage points – from 12 percent to 10.4 percent.

Meanwhile, the white unemployment rate declined by 1.1 percentage points from one year earlier and still remains below the national average at 4.7 percent.

Across the board, these com-

munities have experienced strong job growth; however, Latinos, in particular, have seen massive economic gains since the end of the Great Recession.

The Latino unemployment rate has fully recovered back to its prerecession levels. This compares to a recovery of about 91 percent of the way for African Americans, 87 percent of the way for Asians and 96 percent of the way for White workers as of December 2014.

Additionally, employment among Latinos has increased by 5 percent, compared to 3.8 percent for African Americans and 1.4 percent for whites. The increase is at least in part due to demographics where the average white worker is older than the average American, while the average Latino tends to be much younger.

Despite post-Recession employment gains among Latinos in the labor force, struggles in educational attainment, occupational advancement and higher wages are still quite evident. The most recent BLS report on labor force characteristics shows that Latinos continue to struggle disproportionately to their ethnic and racial counterparts.

Among Latinos in the labor force aged 25 and older, a whopping 29 percent had less than a high school diploma and 31 percent were high school graduates with no college degree.. Educational attainment often leads to career advancement and increased earnings potential, and the lack thereof continues to stymie economic security for Latinos today.

Meaning that Latinos continue to be pushed into low-wage work that often provides subpar wages and lack employersponsored benefits that are crucial to achieving the American dream. BLS data shows that the median weekly earnings of a full-time Latino salary worker was only $578 in 2013, compared to $802 for white workers.

While Latinos have made significant strides in some industries that pay above average wages such as construction, Latinos still hold the highest concentration of workers in the lowest-paying industry – services occupations.

It should come as no surprise then that Latinos also have the lowest concentration of workers in the highest-paying major occupational category – management, professional and related occupations. Whereas only 20 percent of Latinos hold management, professional and related occupations, 50 percent of Asians, 29 percent of African Americans, and 39 percent of whites fall within this same category.

Given the population growth in the Latino community and the increasingly important role they play in our economy and future workforce, more needs to be done to close the gaps they face.

Some state and local policymakers have already taken the first step towards

raising wages for the Latino community. On January 1st of this year, the minimum wage rose for 20 states and D.C., and in total, 29 states and D.C. now have minimum wages above the federal minimum.

This is a huge victory for Latinos as they are more likely to find themselves in low-wage work.

Yet, policymakers need do more to ensure fair wages for Latinos and other struggling workers. A start would be to raise the federal minimum wage, strengthen collective bargaining rights, and invest in apprenticeship programs and STEM education.

We need to develop targeted policies that promote educational and occupational

advancement for communities of color. It’s about time that Latinos begin to see their economic contributions translated to fair wages, and policymakers need to take steps to enable the economic recovery of all workers.

Vanessa Cárdenas is Vice President for the Progress 2050 project at the Center for American Progress (CAP), with expertise in demographic change, ethnic media, immigration and Latino issues; Jackie Odum serves as a research assistant with CAP’s Economic Policy team.

- See more at: http://www.latinovations.com/2015/03/17/guest-bloggervanessa-cardenas-jackie-odum-employm ent-for-latinos-comes-back-tolife/#sthash.wZgVmoYi.dpuf

Jueves 2 de Abril 2015

PAGE 5

Georgiacares está aquí para ayudarle!

La zona de River Valley Agency on Aging Georgiacares Programa responde a las preguntas acerca de: - Bajo Costo Medicamentos Recetados Programas Asistencia Mecánica y cómo aplicar (LIS) - Revisión de su Medicare Resumen - Programa Medicare (MSP) - Servicios Preventivos Medicare - Senior Medicare Patrol-SMP (Medicare Errores, fraudes y abusos - LIS ( Low-Income Subvención) y MSP (Programa Medicare

¿Su iglesia y/o organización basada en la fe o organismo de un grupo superior y/o alto cargo del ministerio? ¿Le gustaría saber más acerca de cómo proteger a los adultos mayores en su comunidad de medicare/Medicaid Errores, fraude, abuso y el robo de identidad?

Medicare preguntas? ¿Está girando 65?

Llame a la oficina hoy Georgiacares que prepare una presentación de su iglesia u organización a aprender sobre el programa de Medicare, ayuda extra para aquellos que califican, Medicare servicios de prevención y asistencia mecánica llamada prescripción oportunidades de trabajo voluntario llame al 1-866 -5524464, Opción 4 y pedir Shameika Averett, Coordinador Georgiacares

Pagina 2

Revivió El Empleo Para Los Latinos

Por Vanessa Cárdenas & Jackie Odum El viernes pasado, el Departamento de Estadísticas Laborales (BLS, por sus siglas en inglés) publicó su Informe sobre el Empleo del mes de febrero. El informe tiene buenas noticias: el mercado laboral añadió 295 mil puestos de trabajo en el mes de febrero, con un promedio de alrededor de 300.000 en los últimos seis meses.

La tasa nacional de desempleo cayó a 5,5 por ciento, disminuyendo en un 1,2 puntos porcentuales desde tan sólo un año anterior.

Mientras que el informe de empleo de este mes mostró un crecimiento macroeconómico robusto, el informe incluye mejores noticias para las comunidades más vulnerables de la nación. Desde febrero del año 2014, la tasa de desempleo entre los Latinos ha caído 1,5 puntos porcentuales al 6,6 por ciento. La tasa de trabajo de la comunidad afro americana ha cambiado por 1,6 puntos porcentuales – de 12 por ciento a 10,4 por ciento.

Mientras tanto, la tasa de desempleo de los blancos ha disminuido por 1,1 puntos porcentuales desde el año anterior y todavía se mantiene por debajo de la media nacional, en un 4,7 por ciento.

En general estas comunidades han tenido un crecimiento de empleo muy bueno; los Latinos, en particular, han visto grandes ganancias económicas desde el fin de la Gran Recesión. La tasa de desempleo entre los latinos se ha recuperado completamentea niveles de antes de la recesión. Esto se compara con la recuperación de

91 por ciento entre los afroamericanos, el 87 por ciento entre los asiáticos y el 96 por ciento entre los trabajadores blancos en diciembre de 2014.

Además, el empleo entre los latinos ha aumentado en un 5 por ciento, comparado con un 3,8 por ciento para afro americanos y 1,4 para los blancos.

El aumento se debe en parte a la demografía, dado a que el trabajador blanco-no hispano en xx promedio es mayor que el estadounidense de a pie, mientras que el trabajador promedio latino tiende a ser mucho más joven.

A pesar de las ganancias en los empleos después de la recesión entre los latinos en la fuerza laboral, las luchas en términos de logros educativos y profesionales, y para salarios más altos son todavía muy evidentes. El informe más reciente del BLS sobre las características de la fuerza laboral demuestra que los latinos siguen luchando de manera desproporcionada a sus homólogos étnicos y raciales. Entre latinos de 25 años y más en la fuerza laboral, un alarmante 29 por ciento tiene menos de un diploma de escuela secundaria y 31 por ciento se han graduado de escuela secundaria pero no han obtenido un título universitario. El nivel educacional a menudo conduce al progreso profesional y a un mayor potencial de ingresos – la falta de estudios continúa siendo un obstáculo a la seguridad económica de los latinos hoy en día. Esto significa que los latinos continúan siendo empujados a trabajos de bajos salarios que a menudo ofrecen sueldos por debajo del nivel normal, sin beneficios por parte de sus empleadores, los cuales son cruciales para alcanzar “el

sueño americano”. Datos del BLS demuestran que los ingresos semanales promedios de un trabajador Latino fueron sólo $578 en el año 2013, en comparación con $802 para los trabajadores blancos.

Mientras que los latinos han avanzado significativamente en industrias que pagan por encima de los salarios medios, como la construcción, aún tienen la mayor concentración de trabajadores en la industria de salarios más bajos – en ocupaciones de servicios.

Entonces, no debería sorprender que los latinos también tienen la menor concentración de trabajadores en las ocupaciones que ganan más – supervisión, profesionales y ocupaciones relacionadas.

Mientras que sólo el 20 por ciento de los latinos están en ocupaciones profesionales o posiciones supervisoras, el 50 por ciento de los asiáticos, el 29 por ciento de los afroamericanos y el 39 por ciento de los blancos caen dentro de esta misma categoría.

Dado el crecimiento de la población en la comunidad hispana, el papel que juegan los latinos en los cambios demográficos de nuestra nación, y la importancia que desempeñan en nuestra economía y el futuro laboral, aún queda mucho por hacer para cerrar las brechas a las cuales se enfrentan. Algunos

Jueves 2 de Abril 2015

legisladores estatales y locales ya han dado el primer paso hacia elevar los salarios para la comunidad latina. Desde el 1º de enero de este año, el salario mínimo se elevó en 20 estados y el Distrito de Columbia, y en total, 29 estados y el Distrito tienen salarios mínimos superiores al salario mínimo federal. Esta es una gran victoria para los latinos, ya que ellos son más propen-

imo federal, fortalecer los derechos de negociación colectiva, e invertir en programas de aprendizaje y educación STEM (los campos académicos de ciencias, tecnología, ingeniería, y matemáticas, pos sus siglas en Ingles). Tenemos que desarrollar políticas específicas que promuevan el avance educativo y ocupacional para las comunidades de color. Ya es hora de que los latinos comiencen

sos a encontrarse en trabajos de bajos salarios. Sin embargo, líderes electos deben hacer más para garantizar salarios justos no sólo para los latinos pero para todos los trabajadores. Un buen comienzo sería aumentar el salario mín-

a ver a sus contribuciones económicas traducidas a un salario justo, y los políticos deben tomar medidas para que todos los trabajadores puedan recuperarse económicamente.

SEE ENGLISH VERSION ON PAGE 5

Es un asunto de familia “Nuestra familia sirviendo lasuya”

Eco Latino Vol. 10

couriernews.org

S ERVING C OLUMBUS , F T. B ENNING , P HENIX C ITY & S URROUNDING A REAS

La Voz de la Minor铆a

Edici贸n 3

Gratis

Jueves 2 de Abril 2015

Torress Family Offers Real Mexican Tacos And More

Revivi贸 El Empleo Para Los Latinos

Pagina 2, 5 Pagina

6