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 8 Free Thursday July 16, 2015
Meet The Facilitators
Local Businessman Dr. Robert “Bob” Wright, Jr. To Host Symposium On Business Empowerment
Bob Wright Symposium Brings World Class Minority Business Leaders To Columbus Pages 6-15
Public School Choice... Are Our Black Students Being Denied Access?
Open Records Requests Reveals Problems With MCSD HB251 Application Process Page 17 Page 5
On The Move
Meet Tomorrows Leaders Today Page 20
SOLD OUT
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THURSDAY July 16, 2015
I Guess It’s Never Too Early According to the street committee there already names being considered for a run as our next mayor. Some names we’ve heard before and some of the suggested names are very interesting. Here are some of the names. Current City Councilor Skip Henderson’s name has surfaced once again as it has the past three elections. We are surprised to hear that At-Large Councilor Judy Thomas may be considering a run. Finally we are hearing that former State Representative Jed Harris is also considering tossing his hat into the ring. He is a native of Columbus and considers himself a longtime friend of the African-American community. Folks a r e s t i l l h o p i n g t h e Ta x Commissioner Lula Huff will seriously consider running. She has name recognition, credibility and she is knowledgeable of the city.
The Street Committee 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 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
TRUST GOD
THURSDAY July 16, 2015
A VIEW FROM A PEW
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Teddy Bear School”. LeAnn Rimes is fine when she’s singing, Crystal Gayle’s, “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”. It’s funny though, as much as I like Country music the only time I listen to it is when I’m traveling, as I was over recently. Inevitably there are always a few songs that come on where I break down with; “That’s my jam”. Here is one of my favorite “Country Jams” I heard by Red Sovine while on the road. It always touches my heart and I hope it does yours as well.
Throughout the year, as we celebrate this 10 year milestone, I periodically pub- lish those columns that were helpful in my life in hopes that in turn it will again bless you and many others. Here is one that was first published on September 13, 2012
Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, George Jones and the like grew when I lived in Clifton Forge, Virginia where there were no R&B stations. The total population at the time was 5008 and the only music available on the radio was Country.
I like country music. I ‘m sure my love for the music of Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash,
Today, although I like some of the contemporary country songs I prefer my country music the way I like my R&B music, “Old
“I was on the outskirts of a little southern town, Trying to reach my destination before the sun went down. The old CB was blaring away on channel one-nine When there came a little boy's voice on the radio line. And he said, "Breaker, one-nine, is anyone there? Come on back, truckers, and talk to Teddy Bear." Well, I keyed the mike and I said, "Well, you got it, Teddy Bear." And the little boy's voice came back on the air "'Preciate the break. Who we got on that end?" I told him my handle, and then he began: "Now, I'm not supposed to bother you fellas out there, Mom says you're busy and for me to stay off the air. But you see, I get lonely and it helps to talk 'Cause that's about all I can do. I'm crippled and I can't walk."
I came back and told him to fire up that mike and I'd talk to him as long as he'd like. "This was my dad's radio," the little boy said, "But I guess it's mine and Mom's now 'cause my daddy's dead. Dad had a wreck about a month ago. He was trying to get home in a blinding snow. Mom has to work now to make ends meet And I'm not much help with my two crippled feet. She says not to worry, that we'll make it all right, But I hear her crying sometimes late at night. You know, there's one thing I want more than anything else to see. Aw, I know you guys are too busy to bother with me, But, you see, my dad used to take me for rides when he was home But I guess that's all over now since my daddy's gone." Not one breaker came on the old CB as that little crippled boy talked with me. I tried hard to swallow, the lump just wouldn't stay down As I thought about my boy back in Greenville town. "Dad was gonna take Mom and me with him later on this year. Why, I remember him saying, 'Someday this old truck'll be yours, Teddy Bear.' But I know I'll never get to ride an 18wheeler again, But this old base will keep me in touch with all my trucker friends. Teddy Bear's gonna back on out now and leave you alone 'Cause it's about time for Mom to come home. But you give me a shout when you're passing through And I'll sure be happy to come back to you." Well, I came back and I said, "Before you go ten-ten, What's your home-twenty, little CB
friend?" Well, he gave me his address and I didn't once hesitate 'Cause this hot load of freight was just gonna have to wait. I turned that truck around on a dime And headed straight for Jackson Street, 229. And as I rounded the corner, boy, I got one heck of a shock- Eighteen-wheelers were lined up for three city blocks! Why, I guess every driver for miles around had caught Teddy Bear's call And that little crippled boy was having a ball. For as fast as one driver would carry him in, Another would carry him to his truck and take off again. Well, you better believe I took my turn at riding Teddy Bear And then I carried him back in and put him down in his chair. And, buddy, if I never live to see happiness again I want you to know I saw it that day, in the face of that little man. We took up a collection for him before his mama got home And each driver said goodbye and then they were all gone. He shook my hand with a milelong grin And said, "So long, trucker, I'll catch you again!" I hit that interstate with tears in my eyes And I turned on the radio and I got another surprise. "Breaker, one-nine," came a voice on the air, "Just one word of thanks from Mama Teddy Bear. We wish each and every one a special prayer for you 'Cause you just made my little boy's dream come true. I'll sign off now before I start to cry. May God ride with you. Ten-four, and goodbye."
Wane A. Hailes
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July 16, 2015
Opinion/Editorial
There are a number of elected officials in the Columbus Consolidated Government. Currently serving as mayor, Teresa Pike Tomlinson is certainly one of those elected officials. She is the mayor. As an elected official in the CCG the has the legal authority to manage and organize her office as she sees fits, given that her actions do not violate the law or the Charter. This mayor would not allow City Council to undermine her authority by dictating how she should manage and organize her office. She would not allow City Council to ride herd on her or target her office for punitive budget cuts based on all or some of the councilors' personal or political feelings about her. I will give it to her, Mayor Tomlinson would never stand to be bossed, bullied, or bowed. Nevertheless, what this mayor as an elected official would not take from others is exactly what she wants other elected officials in the CCG to take off her. Fueled by revenge and totally blinded by the desire to dominate elected officials and rule the CCG with an iron fist, Mayor Tomlinson has seriously underestimated a few of the elected officials. There are some of them that are simply not going to submit to the mayor's will when they have no actual duty or legal obligation to do so. Mayor Tomlinson is just not going to be able to force them to do whatever she wants for no other good reason than she says they have to do it, nor should they. They are not employee subordinates. None of the elected officials serve at the pleasure of mayor and council as do appointed officials, which is a very significant distinction that mayor and certain councilors are obviously determined to ignore as much and as long as they are allowed to get away with doing it. As much as the mayor would have it to be so, the Charter does not give the mayor any actual authority over elected officials, and it certainly does not provide for mayor and members of council teaming up
to stage a sort of "hostile takeover" of any elected office using the budget review hearings as a cover to do the dirty work. It is no surprise and no secret that the mayor has it in for the sheriff and the marshal, as well as anyone that will not bow down to her. After she was reelected, it was a foregone conclusion what this mayor would do to get even with the sheriff and marshal, no matter what she told the public about moving forward. Unfortunately, a mayor or a councilor can make up reasons to justify their actions and decisions. In this case, the dirty work was the mayor's proposal in the 2016 budget to transfer eight (8) deputies from the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office to the Columbus Police Department and to also "cut" a total of six (6) deputies from the Muscogee County Marshal's Office. Apparently, the mayor thought opening the door for additional lawsuits would be great idea. Be that as it may, one has to wonder if mayor and council are limited in power and authority to the degree they cannot even impose disciplinary action against an employee of the sheriff or any elected official, then just how did she think they would get away with "transferring" a total eight (8) deputies to CPD? Well, the mayor had nothing to lose. If council bought into her sales pitch and voted for the proposal, then it would be on council's head. To get the job done in quick and easy fashion, the mayor relied on the ready-available and misleading "duplicative services" argument in pushing the proposal to transfer the deputies to CPD. The mayor's thinking was that since CPD had investigators the Sheriff's Office should not be allowed to have their own. However, council found no merit in the mayor's "law enforcement resources are not to be duplicative of others provided in the county" argument and voted for all (8) deputies to remain working in whatever position the sheriff as an elected official saw fit. The may-
By Barbara Johnson Special To The Courier
I would recommend the extinction of race identification. On almost all official documents and applications you are asked your race. Race is arbitrary and needs society's desperate need to legitimize it. By making citizens identify with a race, it is maintained and embedded in our psyche. You are constantly reminded of who you are and “where you belong”. There are stereotypes for any and every group that exists. These are the primary categories on which draw conclusions of people immediately. They provide us with cues on how to treat the person we are encountering, what to expect
and how to conduct ourselves. When joining a particular group - by birth either gender or raceor something as simple as a sports team, you subconsciously begin to live up to some of the expectations. Take the sports team for example; you would not typically even join a team if you did not possess the stereotypical characteristics believed of that team or group. You would not usually see a football player join the chess team. With identifying to these race categories you are also aware of how you are perceived by others. This prevents one from being their authentic self. These
By Brother Love Special To The Courier or actually later cited OCGA 36-8-5 (Powers of county police generally) in a op-ed published in the Sunday edition of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer on July 1st. Mayor Tomlinson claimed in the op-ed that OCGA 36-8-5 "shows" one thing or another in support of her interpretation. Well, I do not know what OCGA 36-8-5 showed the mayor, but what it will not show you when you read it are the words the mayor used in the op-ed regarding the statute. The mayor read so much into what was outlined in OCGA 36-8-5 it is fair to say that her interpretation equated to a total rewrite, which really does show us something. That something it shows is just how desperate the mayor is for power, control, and revenge. From where I sit, the mayor plays very lose with the truth. If you trust this mayor then you do so at your own risk. I say the news media should do a better job fact checking. I say we as citizens should do our homework and fact check the information being thrown out by the mayor as well as everybody else. You can trust and support all you want, but as a citizen taxpayer you should trust but verify. I will show you how to start. This is what the mayor said in her op-ed: "The only funds sought to be reduced through the budget process are related to duplicative law enforcement services. (And, no, the Sheriff’s Office is not the Chief Law Enforcement agency of the county, as OCGA § 36-8-5 shows that where there is a countywide police department so funded, the Police Department, not the Sheriff’s Office, is the Chief Law Enforcement agency, and while the Sheriff is required to have “some” budget for law enforcement, those law
categories are limiting. Why should a person of mixed races have to pick between the two, or more. Your race does not explain who you are. Your race does not give any innate cues to what you like, what you’re good at, or how you behave. Once you love someone, either in a romantic or friendship capacity, their race is no longer considered either. You don’t even think about your race until someone asks, until someone else’s need to put you in a box rears its ugly head. By eliminating this constant reminder of who you are, you
enforcement resources are not to be duplicative of others provided in the county.)" This is O.C. G. A. 36-8-5 (2014): O.C.G.A. § 36-8-5 GEORGIA CODE Copyright 2014 by The State of Georgia All rights reserved. *** Current Through the 2014 Regular Session *** TITLE 36. LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO COUNTIES ONLY CHAPTER 8. COUNTY POLICE O.C.G.A. § 36-8-5 (2014) § 36-8-5. Powers of county police generally Under the direction and control of the county governing authority, the county police shall have: (1) The same power to make arrests and to execute and return criminal warrants and processes in the county of their election or appointment only, as sheriffs have; and (2) All the powers of sheriffs as peace officers in the county of their election or appointment. HISTORY: Ga. L. 1909, p. 156, § 3; Civil Code 1910, § 851; Ga. L. 1914, p. 142, § 3; Code 1933, § 23-1403; Ga. L. 1961, p. 217, § 1. At this point I will leave it to you to decide if Mayor Tomlinson was being totally honest regarding the explicit or implicit content of the statute, or was she reading words and meanings into the statute and embellishing what it said or may have even suggested? These are our taxpayers dollars here we are talking about one way or another. Concerned citizens and voters should want to know if the elected officials we have helped put into office are lying to our faces and wasting our taxpayer dollars just because they are in position to make the decision.
would be free to live out your true self, who you really are. I would follow through with an extensive government endorsed marketing campaign with thought provoking commercials. I would use people that look like another race but identify with another. I would also conduct an optional government funded program to allow any individual an opportunity to look into their lineage. I would also get any old laws regarding race or certain crime favoritism obliterated. Like the one drop law that is still on the books; individuals serving more time in prison for a smaller amount of crack than they would serve for cocaine. This is especially ridiculous because
they are the same drug just processed different, like the difference between oats and oatmeal or peanuts and peanut butter. Not to go off on tangent but this, I believe, will begin to address some recent concerns. It becomes a little more pointless to massacre a congregation of unarmed followers to start a “race war” because race would not exist. It would be equally as silly for a woman to claim she is black, without having to suffer a day of the struggle brought on by this race identification. By eliminating race identification this will begin to start a much-needed dialogue about how miniscule this whole notion of race really is.
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C OVER S TORY
July 16, 2015
Wright Symposium On Business Empowerment Scheduled For August 20 By Wane A. Hailes The Courier The inaugural Bob Wright Symposium On Business Empowerment is scheduled for Thursday, August 20, 2015, from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm, at the Cunningham Center, Columbus State University (CSU). Dr. Linda Hadley, Dean of the Turner College of Business at CSU, is assisting with the coordination and support of this symposium. The conference will feature world class business leaders and executives sharing invaluable business insight, knowledge and experience, in addition to networking opportunities for attendees. “The symposium is designed to expose members of our community to successful entrepreneurs who are industry trailblazers and respected thought-leaders within their fields,” said Bob Wright. “This is also the first event of its kind to take place in my hometown of Columbus, Georgia, the proud home of several influential minority business and community leaders.” The conference will be moderated by ABC News Anchor/Reporter, Byron Pitts, and some of the business leaders scheduled for the event include: • Dr. William F. Pickard, Chairman and CEO of Global Automotive Alliance, LLC, of Bloomfield Heights, MI • Deryl McKissack, Chairwoman of the Board, McKissack & McKissack Construction, of Washington, DC • Earl Stafford, Chief Executive
Officer, Wentworth Group, LLC, of Reston, VA • Emanuel Jones, Georgia State Senator, President of the Legacy Automotive Group, of Atlanta, GA • Russell Wright, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, SENTEL Corporation, of Alexandria, VA • Gale Hill, Owner and Operator, AJH, Inc. dba McDonald’s Restaurants, of Columbus, OH • Khary Lewis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Infinite Services & Solution, Inc., of Columbus, GA • S y l v e s t e r H e s t e r , Vi c e President and Chief Operating Officer, Global Automotive, LLC, of Duluth, GA • Veranda Dickens, Chairman of Seaway Bank and Trust Company, of Chicago, IL • Tommy W. Dortch, Jr., Chair Emeritus of 100 Black Men of America, and Chairman and CEO of TWD, Inc., of Atlanta, GA In addition to the above speakers, Dan Amos, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aflac, will be the symposiums lunch keynote speaker. Individual registration for the full conference is $150.00. The event is sponsored by the Delta Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and the Alpha Georgia Education Foundation. For additional sponsorship opportunities, contact Douglas Bryant, 706-5665875, or douglasbryant@ml.com.
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M EET D R . R OBERT L. W RIGHT, J R .
July 16, 2015
Dr. Robert “Bob� Wright, Jr. Chairman and CEO of FE Holdings, Inc. Dr. Robert L. Wright presently serves as Chairman and CEO of FE Holdings, Inc., a firm dedicated to the investment and growth of private and public sector companies. He also serves as Chairman Emeritus of Sentel Corporation, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. Dr. Wright has over 40 years of experience in government, business, finance, politics and project management. He served three consecutive terms as a member of the Columbus, Georgia City Council, and was appointed by President Reagan to the position of Associate Administrator for Minority Small Business at the U.S. Small Business Administration. Prior to his most recent leadership roles, Dr. Wright founded Dimensions International, Inc. (01), a provider of technology solutions to the government and private sectors. Starting with only three employees in 1985, he built Dimensions International into a world-class organization with more than 100 offices in 10 countries and over 1 ,500 employees in 16 different time zones. 01 provided leadingedge technology to the government and private sector in the fields of logistics support, systems engineering and integration, information technology management, airspace management, security engineering and operations. Dr. Wright served as Chairman and CEO, and later Chairman Emeritus and Senior Advisor of 01 until
2007, when the company was sold to Honeywell International, Inc. Dr. Wright later served as Chairman of Flight Explorer (FE). FE is a global flight tracking information technology and communications solutions provider to the business, aviation and traveler community. Dr. Wright later sold FE to Sabre Technologies in 2008. Dr. Robert L. Wright was born in Columbus, Georgia and received a Degree in Optometry from The College of Optometry at The Ohio State University. Presently, he is a member and former member of several boards and organizations such as: Director Emeritus, Aflac Board of Directors and Past Chairman, Aflac Audit Committee Board of Directors, Horatio Alger Association Board of Trustees, The Ohio State University Foundation Member, Capital Campaign Steering Committee, The Ohio State University Board of Directors, Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation Former Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees, Morehouse School of Medicine F o r m e r M e m b e r, A l u m n i Advisory Council, The Ohio State University Former Member, Board of Trustees, Columbus State University, Columbus, Georgia Former Member, Executive Leadership Cabinet, Washington, DC, Martin Luther
King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. Former Chairman of the Presidential Commission for the National Museum of African American History and Culture Former Member, The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Former Member, National Infantry Foundation Board, Columbus, GA Former Member, Board of Directors of the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce Former Member, Board of Directors, Northern Virginia Technology Council Dr. Wright has been awarded with the following honors: 2014 Congressional Black Caucus Phoenix Award 2014 National Optometric Association Lifetime Achievement Award 2009 Recipient Horatio Alger Aw a r d f o r D i s t i n g u i s h e d Americans 2009 Columbus Technical College of Georgia Benefactor of the Year Award 2008 Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Community Leadership Award 2007 Recipient of the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award 2007 Inductee into the Jr. Achievers of Columbus Georgia Hall of Fame 2004 Inductee into the Small Business Association Hall of Fame 2001 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Te c h n o l o g y S e r v i c e s Outstanding Leadership & Achievement Award; Named one of the 50 Most Influential Minorities in Business, Minority Business & Professionals Network and many more.
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M EET T HE FACILITATORS
July 16, 2015
Deryl McKissack Chairwoman of The Board McKissack & McKissack Construction Deryl McKissack is Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of McKissack & McKissack, a national architectural, engineering, and construction services firm that provides Best-in-Class services to both private and public sector clients. The company has earned a strong reputation for consistently delivering results on time sensitive, complex, high profile projects. From our nation's most revered memorials, public spaces, and institutions to complex public housing and education solutions, transportation megaprojects, and leading green buildings, Ms. McKissack has piloted the company's management of many of the country's most complex construction projects. Through her leadership and vision, McKissack & McKissack has 140 employees, with major offices in Washington, DC, Chicago, Baltimore, and Los Angeles. Moreover, it is ranked by Engineering News-Record as one of the top 50 program management and top 100 construction management for-fee firms in the United States. Ms. McKissack's passion for excellence has defined the culture of McKissack & McKissack, which provides quality services in the areas of healthcare, environmental, government, education, residential, sports and recreational, commercial, and transportation, among others. The firm has greatly contributed to the landscape of
our country's National Mall in Washington, DC, with projects such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson Memorial Upgrades. The firm was also the designer of the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Stands. Additional projects include the Main U.S. Treasure Building, Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Los Angeles International Airport Central Utility Plant Replacement, Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor, Chicago Housing Authority-Wide Construction Management, District of Columbia Public Schools Modernization and Stabilization Project, Washington Nationals Major League Baseball Stadium, O'Hare International Airport Modernization, McCormick Place West Expansion, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Hotel Expansion and Renovation, and U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters. Prior to launching her own organization, Ms. McKissack worked directly with the president of Howard University. Her leadership at the institution was marked by successfully managing all of the facilities and associated capital budget, which covered three campuses, 133 buildings, and 900 employees. Earlier in her career, she worked for both Turner Construction Company and Dames & Moore Group, leaders in the construction and engineering industries.
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M EET T HE FACILITATORS
July 16, 2015
Sylvester Hester Vice Chairman/COO Global Automotive Alliance, LLC Sylvester Hester is Vice Chairman and Chief Operations Officer, Global Automotive Alliance (GAA). The enterprise is comprised of five manufac- turing and logistics companies with eleven U.S. operations, and 1 ,400 employees. Since stepping into this role in 2008 Hester's focus on operational excellence and sustained growth has resulted in a cor- porate acquisition, entre into new markets, an increase in facilities, innovation in product and service delivery and enhanced national and global relationships. GAA companies are: ARD Logistics, Global SQ, Grupo Antolin Wayne, Key Logistics and Vitec. Global Automotive Alliance began as an automotive supplier in 1999 and today has the reputation for providing quality manufacturing and exceptional logistics management to aerospace, automotive, food & beverage, government and retailers. Hester led the aerospace expansion, including two new logistics operations in Charleston, SC, and in 2013 Global SQ, a logistics com- pany providing quality inspec- tion services for Toyota in Georgetown, KY was acquired. His lengthy career in the automotive parts manufacturing began in 1985 as an engineering technician for General Motors Advanced Engineering. He quickly moved up to project engineer/project manager at Regal Plastics in Michigan before moving into account
management at Tredegar Molded Products and Woodbridge Inoac. In 1993 Hester returned to Regal Plastics as Vice President where his success prepared him to initiate and launch ARD in 1998 when chairman and CEO, William Pickard selected him as president of ARD near Atlanta, Georgia. In 2003 he was named president of GAA's newest acquisition, Key Logistics and today Hester is president of four GAA companies including Global SQ, and Grupo Antolin Wayne. In addition to serving as president of GAA's Advisory Board of Directors Hester is Vice Chair of the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council transportation and logistics com- mittee, and is a board mem- ber for the Southern Region Minority Supplier Development Council. He is also a mem- ber of Kappa Alpha Psi fra- ternity. Hester is completing a Master of Science in Administration with concentration in Leadership at Central Michigan University, and has a Bachelor of Science in Plastics Engineering with an emphasis in Polymer Chemistry from Ferris State University. He has completed the Advanced Minority Business Executive Program (AMBEP) at Dartmouth College Tucks School of Business and the Kellogg School of Management Advanced Management Education Program (AMEP) at Northwestern University.
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M EET T HE FACILITATORS
Tommy W. Dortch, Jr. Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., Chairman Emeritus of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and President and Chief Executive Officer of TWO, Inc., has established himself as a leader by diligently working to dismantle systemic barriers to empowerment. He graduated from Fort Valley State University with a degree in Sociology and earned a graduate degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Clark Atlanta University. Under his guidance, 100 Black Men of America expanded to include 102 chapters throughout the US, Africa, England and the West Indies. Formed in 1986, the mission of the "100" is to improve the quality of life, and enhance the educational and economic opportunities for AfricanAmericans. Mr. Dortch launched his formal career in 1972, writing proposals and developing fund raising projects for the State of Georgia that sought to aid marginalized members of society. He became the Associate Director of the Democratic Party of Georgia in 1974 where during his four-year tenure he assisted in the creation of the first charter for the state party and wrote the first Affirmative Action and Compliance Review Program for the Party. In 1978, Mr. Dortch began working with U.S. Senator Sam Nunn by providing technical assistance at confer-
July 16, 2015
Chair Emeritus 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and Chairman and CEO of TWD, Inc.
ences, meetings, and pUblic hearings. In 1990, he became the State Director and served as chief administrator over five field offices and one state office. Mr. Dortch was the first African-American to serve in this capacity for the United States Senate. In 1995, Mr. Dortch chose to apply the more than twenty years of experience and knowledge gained from working in government to his business interests. These include serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TWO, Inc., a consulting firm with emphasis on business development, public relations and fundraising; President of South West Investment Group (SWIG), a community development and investment group; and Chief Executive Officer of A t l a n t a Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n Systems, Inc., a paratransit system that manages nonemergency transportation for Fulton County Government. Thirty years ago, he wrote proposals and developed fund raising projects designed to empower single parents and communities to meet the needs of their children. More recently, he authored "The Miracles of Mentoring: The Joy of Investing in Our Future," published by Doubleday Books. Today, he is the voice of the 100's Four for the Future.
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C OVER S TORY
Byron Pitts ABC News Anchor/Reporter Byron Pitts was named ABC News "Nightline" co-anchor in 2014. Mr. Pitts joined ABC News in April 2013 as anchor and Chief National Correspondent covering national news stories and in-depth features for the network, reporting for all broadcasts and platforms including "Good Morning America," "World News with Diane Sawyer," "Nightline," "This Week" and "20/20". Pitts also reports for all ABC News digital properties including ABCNews.com. Named NABJ Journalist of the Year in 2002, Mr. Pitts is a multiple Emmy award-winning journalist known for his thoughtful storytelling, on-the-ground reporting and in-depth interviews. A news veteran with over 30 years of experience, Mr. Pitts has traveled around the world to cover some of the biggest news stories of our time from the Florida presidential recount to the tsunami in Indonesia and the refugee crisis in Kosovo. In less than 24 hours after joining ABC News, Mr. Pitts participated in live special coverage of the Boston marathon bombing investigation, including the daylong manhunt for the Tsarnaev brothers that virtually shut down the city. Prior to joining ABC News, Mr. Pitts spent 15 years at CBS News where he recently served as Chief National Correspondent for "The CBS
Evening News" and filed regularly for "60 Minutes," covering presidential campaigns and political conventions, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and the devastating earthquake in Haiti. He was also one of CBS News' first reporters at Ground Zero during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, winning an Emmy award for his coverage. Pitts has received several other prestigious awards for his work including an Emmy award for his reporting on the Chicago train wreck in 1999, a National Association of Black Journalists Award, four Associated Press Awards and six regional Emmy awards. Mr. Pitts joined CBS News in 1997 as a correspondent for the 24-hour affiliate news service, CBS Newspath, in Washington, D.C., where he focused on politics and national interest pieces. One year later he was named CBS News correspondent, filing for the Miami and Atlanta bureaus before arriving in New York City in 2001. Mr. Pitts dreamed of becoming a journalist at a young age, but he faced two serious obstacles to his dream. He was illiterate until the age of 12 and struggled to overcome a stutter. He began his career at WNCT - TV in Greenville, North Carolina. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1982,
July 16, 2015
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M EET T HE FACILITATORS
July 16, 2015
Senator Emanuel Jones President of the Legacy Automotive Group Emanuel Jones, a Democrat, was first elected to the Georgia Senate from District 10 in 2004. Sen. Jones represents Southwest DeKalb County, Henry County and East Atlanta. He currently serves as Chairman of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. Senator Jones is Secretary of the Interstate Cooperation Committee. He also serves on the Senate Retirement, Special Judiciary and Veterans, Military & Homeland Security committees. Sen. Jones is PresidenVOwner of Legacy Chevrolet Cadillac Saab of Columbus, Legacy Ford of McDonough, Legendary Ford Mercury of Marion, N.C., and ANSA Automotive of Macon. He was a 2008 nominee for the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, nominated by Ambassador Andrew Young. He was selected for the 2008 Atlanta Business League 50 Most Influential Award, the Morris Brown College Pacesetter Award in 2008, Metro Atlanta YMCA Volunteer of the Year, Ford Motor Minority Dealer Executive Director's Award, Henry County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year, Black Enterprise Top 100 Minority Owned Companies, Georgia Trend Top 40 Under 40 Rising Stars, Governor's Proclamation Entrepreneur of the Year, Freshman Legislator of the Year in 2005, Legislator of the Year of the Organization of DeKalb Educators in 2006, and
U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Service Firm of the Year. Sen. Jones is the owner of one of the Atlanta Area's largest African-American owned businesses. He received his MBA in Finance/Accounting from Columbia University in 1986, preceded by a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1981. He was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1980 and rose to the rank of Captain. Sen. Jones graduated as class valedictorian from West Fulton High School in Atlanta in 1977. Sen. Jones had career positions with IBM (1981-84) and Arthur Anderson & Co. (198688), prior to entering the automobile business in 1988 as a dealer candidate in Ford Motor Company's minority dealer operations. Sen. Jones was named one of the 50 Most Influential people from Who's Who in Black Atlanta. He is a former Trustee for Henry Medical Center, past Finance Chairman of Henry Medical Center, past Chairman of Henry County YMCA, past Chairman of Henry County's United Way Campaign and Partners in Education of numerous elementary, middle and high schools.
M EET T HE FACILITATORS
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July 16, 2015
Gail Hill Owner/Operator AJH, Inc. dba McDonalds Restaurants Gale Hill is the president of Mint Marketing Agency, LLC. She is a highly regarded entrepreneur who has an eye for innovation and the expertise to evolve brands across digital platforms and alternative communication mediums. Her greatest strengths are drive and leadership. She thrives on challenges, particularly those that develop the company's reach. Her most recent project involves a strategic partnership with General Motors. Hill draws on her diverse experience in marketing, sales and business development to provide her clients with a branding experience proven to increase their customer loyalty. Through her innovative and unparalleled ability to harness the power of social media, she is able help her clients increase their brand awareness and profits. Hill joined the McDonald's family as a franchise owner in 2008. A native of Detroit, Hill relocated to Columbus, Ohio to procure and operate two (2) McDonald's restaurants. Hill has led her franchise businesses through survival, turnaround and growth modes. She has utilized her extensive experience in driving results through marketing strategies to build these businesses. Hill has had a long and successful history in the automotive industry. She held various leadership positions at
General Motors, where she was responsible for defining and driving the company's strategic marketing initiatives, and sUbsequently bolstering the company's position in the auto industry. Later, she applied this knowledge toward running her own Chevrolet automotive dealership. As a board member of McDonald's Ohio Regional Leadership Council and Columbus & Central Ohio Owner/Operators CO-OP, Hill has played an essential role in the development of these organization's progression and educational strategies. Her ultimate goal is to educate and encourage fiscal empowerment amongst the owners/operators. Hill earned a MA Degree from Central Michigan University and a BA Degree from Western Michigan University. Hill currently is a member of The Links Incorporated and is a Ronald McDonald House board member. She has held board membership with the American Heart Association, NAACP, Heritage Foundation and the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce. Hill is a past recipient of YWCA's Women of Achievement Award. Her true passion is devoting her time and resources to empowering youth to become successful leaders.
M EET T HE FACILITATORS
PAGE 13
Khary Lewis Chairman, CEO and Founder Infinite Services & Solutions, Inc. Khary Lewis I is the Chairman, CEO, and founder of Infinite Services & Solutions, Inc. As Chairman & CEO, Khary is responsible for leading daily corporate strategies and overall operations. He leads the efforts of Infinite's management team and employees through the establishment of policies, objectives, and strategies - as well as ensuring the continuous evolution of Infinite as a whole. Khary is also heavily involved in the business development and marketing efforts of the corporation such as delivering capabilities presentations, technical and cost proposal development, and the development of potential strategic partnership opportunities. His previous experience includes directing the Marketing and Business Development efforts of a small minority owned business in Columbus, Georgia. He is well versed in all areas of business as a result of his experiences in accounting, human resources, administration, and operations. Khary received his BBA from Georgia Southern University and Master's Degree in Information Technology from Troy University. Additionally, his community involvement includes serving on various boards and committees throughout the City of Atlanta and memberships in various community organizations to
include Little League baseball, NOlA, and others. In 2002, Khary was an awardee of the Georgia Trend Magazine's "40 under 40" distinction - an
July 16, 2015
Earl W. Stafford CEO The Wentworth Group, LLC
award acknowledging up and coming young leaders of Georgia. Mr. Lewis is married with 2 sons.
Earl W. Stafford is the Chief Executive Officer of the private equity firm, The We n t w o r t h G r o u p , L L C (TWG). TWG provides investment, financial and business support services to the small business community offering services and products to the federal and commercial markets. In his present position he provides the vision and leadership necessary to ensure the firm's strategic and financial viability. He brings over 35 years of leadership and executive experience to the position. Prior to founding TWG, Mr. Stafford served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of UNITECH, an award-winning training and simulation tech
nology solutions company. Mr. Stafford received his bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He earned his MBA from Southern Illinois University and has had conferred upon him the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by Virginia State University. He is a graduate of the Owner/President Management executive program at Harvard Business School. He currently serves on the Boards of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Venture Philanthropy Partners and the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans.
M EET T HE FACILITATORS
PAGE 14
July 16, 2015
Dr. William Pickard Chairman and CEO Global Automotive Alliance, LLC William F. Pickard, PhD is Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Global Automotive Alliance, a group of six manufacturing entities with eight facilities in the United States and Canada. He is recognized by the automotive industry for masterminding the first minority-owned group of tier-one and tier-two plastic parts suppliers to service the top three U.S. automakers. Pickard established Alliance in 1999 and by 2004 employed more than 1 ,200 people and generated more than $200 million in sales by leveraging joint ventures with larger companies. Dr. Pickard's quest to establish the automotive group began after a conversation with Henry Ford II. Pickard, then a McDonald's franchise owner and auto dealership investor, was told that Ford Motor Company needed black suppliers. Turning his investments towards minority-owned automotive parts manufacturers, he gained majority ownership of six firms, which now comprise Global Automotive Alliance. The group of companies, which produces car interior, exterior, and underthe-hood parts such as automotive fuel systems, seat covers, and injection molded interior headliners, has appeared on the Black Enterprise list of the top 100 industrial/service companies. Under Pickard's leadership Global Automotive Alliance continues to exceed industry norms for minority hiring and
minorities in management positions. Other companies guided by Dr. Pickard include VITEC, LLC and Bearwood Management Company, where he is chairman and chief executive officer, and MGM Grand Detroit Casino where he is a partner. Pickard has also been chairman and chief executive officer of Group Antolin Wayne, ARD Logistics, LLC. President Ronald Reagan appointed Pickard as the first chairman of the African Development Foundation in 1982. In 1991 President George Bush appointed him to the Federal Home Loan Bank Board - Indianapolis Bank in Indiana, and to The National Advisory Committee on Trade Policy Negotiations in March 1990. From 1977 to 1981 Pickard served as Second Vice Chairman of the Michigan State Republican Party. Dr. Pickard's success and contributions have been recognized on numerous fronts. In 2010 Hour Detroit Magazine honored him as a Detroiter of the Year for leadership and philanthropy, particularly in the area of arts, education, and entrepreneurship. Detroit News identified him as a 2001 Michiganian of the Year, a title bestowed on outstanding citizens whose good works have enhanced the quality of life in Michigan.
M EET T HE FACILITATORS
PAGE 15
Russell T. Wright Chairman and CEO of SENTEL Corporation Russell T. Wright is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SENTEL Corp. A recognized technology leader known for crafting the requisite strategic vision to achieve business goals, Mr. Wright, has a unique blend of executive acumen, global team-building and IT solutions development. Mr. Wright believes SENTEL's philosophy is straightforward and simple: To perform focused work dedicated to providing practical solutions to complex problems while building and maintaining long-term strategic partnerships with each customer. Mr. Wright previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Dimensions International, Inc. (01). He was responsible for the overall direction and leadership of 01, including establishing and presenting its strategy, goals and objectives. Mr. Wright managed and directed the day-to-day operations, which included management over the operational aspect of each department, including Human Resources, IT, Finance, Contracts and Business Development. Taking over the top spot at the global IT and aerospace management company from his father in 2003, Mr. Wright then led the sale of the majority of 01 to publicly traded Honeywell International Inc. in a deal valued at $230 million. As part of the deal, Mr. Wright, formed WC Holding and acquired SENTEL's assets. Mr. Wright also retained an executive position and ran day-to-
day operations once the acquisition was in its final phase. Mr. Wright served as Vice President of Honeywell Technology Solutions Inc. (HTSI), a wholly-owned government services subsidiary within Honeywell Aerospace, which serves the space, military and commercial aviation markets. Wright led the HTSI business that provided space,' networks and communications support, logistics and engineering services for the Department of Defense and federal civilian customers. Russell Wright is a member of the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC), the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, and serves on George Mason-University's Diversity Advisory Board. Mr. Wright holds a B.A. in Business Management from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, holds a Masters in Business Administration and Project Management from Keller Graduate School, and has a Masters Certificate in Government Contracting from the George Washington University School of Business and Public Management. Mr. Wright also completed the Minority Business Executive Program at the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College.
July 16, 2015
PAGE 16
July 16, 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
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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
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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 17
July 16, 2015
Are Our Black Students Being Denied Access To Better Performing Schools In The District? 2015 HB 251 (MCSD) Space Available Press Release Shows Discrepancies By Wane A. Hailes Special to the Courier After receiving numerous phone calls from parents complaining about the recent press release they received regarding House Bill 251, we decided to ask our own questions. The press release was titled “2015 Space Available Georgia Public School Choice Option (House Bill 251)”. If their child is enrolled in a school that is failing It allows parents to choose a school for their child in the district other than the school of assignment from a list of schools where space is available. Transportation is not provided and appeals are not allowed. Students are selected using a lottery. The press release stated that application requests would be accepted Friday, July 10 ␣ Friday, July 24, 2015, by 5:00 p.m. Forms are available at all schools in the Muscogee County School District (MCSD) and the Central Registration Office, which is located at 2960 Macon Road. It went on to state that parents who are interested in applying must complete and submit a House Bill 251 Request Form and return it to the Muscogee County Public Education Center, 2960 Macon Road, in the Division of Student Services by 5:00 p.m. on July 24, 2015. Parents may also determine the school of assignment by accessing the School Locator
(https://locator.muscogee.k12.ga.us/Loca tor/). Type the street address in the online link of the school locator to see the school of assignment (elementary school, middle school and high school). School assignments are determined by the parent/guardian’s legal home address. A list of the identified schools that the parents received with space available is provided below. The X denotes schools that have space available. After reviewing the press release we realized it raised a number of questions. Through an Open Records Request we asked for clarification through the following questions: 1. The media release titled "2015 Space Available Georgia Public Choice Option (House Bill 251) states that it was released to parents on July 9, 2015. When reading the press release it says applications will be accepted Friday July 10-Friday July 24, 2015. Most parents would have missed at least a day to request an application. Should not this information, by law, been made available to parents at least 14 days prior to July 9, 2015? 2. What administrative department and department head in the Muscogee county school District is responsible for disseminating this information and why was it not released at that time, according to the law? 3. Are the minimum numbers of enrollment per elementary school still 450 and 624 for middle schools? If so then why aren't all of the elementary, middle and high schools that are listed below the minimum enrollment available for parents to choose from? 4. Based on their own enrollment numbers how can the school district claim that there is
no space avail able? 5. Who made the decision on what schools were and were not available and how what was their decision based upon? 6. What steps will the school administration take in allowing parents to request applications to all of the schools with space available? We also asked for the current enrollment numbers from each school. (See Box here). We were unable to have all of our q u e s t i o n s answered by prior to going to press but what we do know is: 1) By law the information was to be disseminated 14 days prior to when it was and 2) all of the the decisions were made by the A s s i s t a n t Superintendent of Education, Rebecca Braaten.
With this information alone every parents request for a change of schools should be granted. Braaten was unavailable for comment because she was attending a work related conference. For continued updates on this story visit our website a t w w w. c o u r i ernews.org
PAGE 18
July 16, 2015
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THE CORPORATE CENTER 233 12TH STREET, SUITE 500 COLUMBUS, GA 31901
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July 16, 2015
PAGE 19
Office: 1.800.769.0694 1124 Lockwood Avenue Columbus, Georgia 31906
Fire and Burglar Alarm Security Cameras Surround Sound
www.alarmcommunicationinc.com Curtis Stephens
Cell: 706.888.8522
Columbus Technical College is Hiring! We are looking for qualified candidates for the following positions: Allied Health Instructor – Associate Degree (Full-time) Associate Degree of Nursing Instructor (Full-time) Barber Instructor (Part-time) Campus Police Officer (Full-time) Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Adjunct Instructor (Part-time) Computer Training Instructor (Economic Development)-(Part-time) Cosmetology Instructor (Part-time) Culinary Arts Instructor (Full-time) Diagnostic Medical Sonography Instructor (Full-time) Driverʼs Education Instructor (Part-time) Esthetics Adjunct Instructor (Part-time) History Instructor (Part-time) Instructional Aide – Cosmetology (Part-time) Librarian (Evening) – (Part-time) Paramedic Program Instructor (Full-time) Physics Adjunct Instructor (Part-time) Service Industry Academy (SIA) Instructor – (Full-time) Service Industry Academy (SIA) Instructor (Part-time) Service Industry Academy (SIA) Instructor CLHIS (Part-time)
For more details and to apply for these positions, please go to www.columbustech.edu and click “CTC Employment.” Columbus Technical College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Freedom Bonding Co., Inc. Bonds of All Courts 24 Hour Service - Day or Night
Ronnie Maddox
James Williams
Clay Coleman
615 Tenth Street Columbus, GA 31901
706.571.0170
Requests for Bids/Proposals RFB No. 16-0001 Electrical Fixtures, Parts and Supplies (Annual Contract) Due: July 29, 2015 - 2:30 PM Kevin Robertson, Buyer I 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 Buyer via email krobertson@columbusga.org, fax 706.653.4109 or telephone 706.653.4105. Andrea J. McCorvey, CPPB Purchasing Division Manager
PAGE 20
July 16, 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”
Tremaine “Teddy” Reese, Esq.
Gwennetta Wright
be endorsed by anyone else”, Teddy further advanced his education and career graduating Cum Laude from Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando, Florida in May of 2012.
Licensed Realtor ERA Elite Venture Realty, and the C.E.O of a local Non-Profit Organization called R e a c h 4 Yo u r Dreams. Utilizing motivating methods daily and being able to not only help others prosper in various aspects of their lives, achieve goals, but to also give encouragement and serve her community was the real gift and talent Wright processed. “ I believe in motivating the people around me to live their purpose in life”, said Gwennetta.
As the Director of Community Operations and Affairs for Georgia Appleseed, a non-profit organization devoted to law that serves the public interests, and focuses on achieving systemic changes to laws and policies that unfairly impact children a n d p o o r , Te d d y believes “people and communities working together is the only thing that will improve our current conditions.”
By Nadine Haralson The Courier Known to many as “Teddy”, Tremaine Reese Esquire is a man who has always refused to back down and settle for what he was told he could not achieve or what was out of his reach. Born and raised in the small town of Gordon, Georgia, Reese used perseverance as motivation and became the first in his family to attend a college or University. He graduated from Albany State University in 2003 with a Bachelor degree in Computer Science and he received a Master of Public Administration degree from Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia in 2005. Putting his own inspirational words into action; “Trust in God and let him guide your path, it doesn’t have to feel right or
Since 2009 Reese has been actively involved in the American Bar Association and The National Bar Association and currently serves on the American Bar Association taskforce evaluating the future of legal education. “I work in a profession where African Americans make up only 4.8% of the entire population” explains Teddy, “regardless of my failures or successes, I will always be a loud and strong advocate for diversity and inclusion. It’s the healthy and wise thing to do.” Attorney Teddy Reese feels there’s a need for him to continue to do the works he does not for himself, but for the young black boys and men that are dreaming success, making the paths easier for them, stating if he doesn’t fight the battle, who will. For more information on the Georgia Appleseed please visit their facebook page.
By Nadine Haralson The Courier “Any dream is reachable as long as you have faith in the Lord and are willing to work hard and sacrifice.” Words and actions of the Millionaire Mindset hash tag queen. In September of 2006 Gwennetta Wright decided that enough was enough when it come to living and working for others and become an entrepreneur opening her first of many business ventures Xpert Tax Service LLC. After stepping out on faith with her first business and having it become a success, Gwennetta realized that not only was becoming a business woman and entrepreneur a mindset, but it was her purpose. “I was put on this earth to be a leader,” says Wright. In addition to her Tax Preparations business, Gwennetta ventured off in realty becoming
Because of her hard work and dedication to the community Gwennetta Wright has become known as an insightful woman who exudes intelligence, innovation and diversity, becoming a community leader, mentor and philanthropist. Many who have served under Wright’s teaching and leadership, feels she’s inspiring and will challenge you to be and do your best. Over the years Gwennetta’s work has received numerous honors, awards and recognition ranging from the Ellis Realty Award in 2007, Atlanta Woman of the Week in 2009 from Examiner.com, Tenacious Business of the Year in 2011, and the 2012 Community Service Award from The Courier/Eco Latino Newspaper. Always reminding herself that “The Sky’s the Limit”, thru the eyes of Ms. Wright, it seems even the sky is limitless.
Jueves 16 de Julio 2015
PAGE 4 ESPINOSA From Pagina 3
a que Jesús le estaba diciendo EFATA?, al lugar que se encontraba cerrado para recibir, (el corazón). Quizás no te percatas que lo que postergas en tu vida para ser arreglado provee para que el corazón se cierre ante una gran oportunidad de restauración y sanidad, como en casos de situaciones conyugales en las cuales el corazón ya se ha encerrado al no será posible, no importa lo que hayas escuchado por tus oídos lo que está cerrado es el corazón y al estarlo impide recibir lo dicho. Hoy no le estoy hablando a tus oídos, ni tampoco a tu lengua, hoy le estoy hablando a tu corazón y estoy declarando esta palabra poderosa EFATA, (se abierto), sobre tu vida, sobre tu matrimonio, tu casa, familia, relaciones saludables, trabajo y ministerio. Muchas veces Dios tiene que apartarnos de entre la gente tapando nuestros oídos, y haciendo que su palabra toque nuestra lengua para así hablarle a nuestro corazón para que opere más allá de la razón, llevándonos a operar en la convicción de que si estamos abier-
tos para sanidad seremos sanos, si estamos abierto para libertad seremos libertados, si estamos abiertos para restauración seremos restaurados. No hay nada imposible si nuestro corazón está abierto a lo que Dios quiere hacer en nuestras vidas. Hoy es el día para ser abierto, para levantarte, para sacudirte de todo aquello que impide que escuches, o sea que sueltes los corajes, las raíces de amargura y corras con paciencia la carrera que tienes por delante. No es tiempo de cerrar tu corazón cuando hay sanidad, restauración
disponible hoy para ti. Tu Padre está interesado en tu corazón y al sanarlo podrás vivir conectando al El de for-
ma poderosa. Bendiciones para ti amado lector.
Pagina 2
Jueves 16 de Julio 2015
Aumentan las Muertes por Accidentes de Tráfico: Consejos para Mantener a su Familia Segura
(StatePoint) Las muertes por accidentes de tráfico están aumentando, y los expertos temen que la tendencia continuará este verano durante un período conocido como los 100 Días Mortales. Los fines de semana del verano tienden a ser los más peligrosos, donde siete de cada 10 choques ocurrieron un sábado o domingo durante el verano de 2014.
Por: Pastor Leif I. Espinosa Iglesia Tabernáculo Familiar, Inc. / Family Tabernacle Church, Inc. 318 10th Ave. B-F, Columbus, Ga. 31901 706-761-4156 para oración Efata
Marcos 7:31-37 ¿Alguna vez te has encontrado con alguien que no quiere salir de donde está, ni siquiera se da la oportunidad de salir de la condición en la cual se encuentra? La realidad es que son cosas con las que como Pastores nos encontramos día a día. Personas a quienes de alguna manera u otra se les difi-
“Aunque las estadísticas indican una tendencia peligrosa, tenemos la capacidad de influir en los resultados mediante nuestras decisiones y comportamiento,” señaló Deborah A.P. Hersman, presidenta y directora general del National Safety Council (NSC, Consejo Nacional de Seguridad). “El verano es habitualmente un periodo de gran exposición, en el
cual se conducen muchísimas millas y hay varios fines de semana de puente. Tome con seriedad sus responsabilidades al volante este verano y asegúrese de llegar con seguridad a su destino.” En los Estados Unidos, las muertes por accidentes de tráfico aumentaron todos los meses durante el semestre previo al verano, en comparación con el mismo periodo de seis meses hace un año. NSC considera que el pico en choques de automóvil mortales se debe en parte a una economía que está mejorando. Los bajos precios de la gasolina y bajas tasas de desempleo llevan a un mayor tráfico debido a que más personas pueden darse el lujo de viajar grandes distancias y tomar vacaciones.
de velocidad y el alcohol, también son más comunes durante el verano. Un promedio anual de 2,781 muertes en junio, julio y agosto se debieron al exceso de velocidad, y 2,846 involucran se debieron al alcohol, según el análisis que hace NSC de los datos de la Administración Nacional de Seguridad del Tráfico de la Autopista.
Algunos factores de las colisiones, tales como el exceso
• Póngase el cinturón de seguridad para todos los viajes, cor-
Para ayudarle a mantenerse seguro en las carreteras este verano, NSC recomienda a los conductores: • Infórmese acerca de los sistemas de seguridad de su vehículo y cómo utilizarlos. Recursos gratuitos tales como MyCarDoesWhat.org pueden ayudar a los conductores a entender los detalles de cuestiones como el punto ciego, los sistemas de advertencia de salida del carril y las cámaras para la reversa. Visite www.MyCarDoesWhat.org para más información.
Conectándote con el Padre
culta creer que todo puede ser diferente. Viven cerrados a que puede haber un cambio en sus vidas, por que en muchas ocasiones consiste en modificar cosas con las cuales no quieren trabajar de su propia vida. Saben que es lo que les hace mucho daño pero las dejan ahí. Esto se debe a que en la mayoría de los casos el nivel de profundidad en la cual se encuentran sumidos es tan fuerte que se encuentran cerrados a recibir instrucción, ayuda y dirección. No obstante hay una historia que quiero compartir contigo amado lector dicha historia da lugar en lugar llamado Sidón cerca del mar de Galilea ceca de un lugar también llamado Decápolis, dice la historia que le fue traído
a Jesús un sordo y tartamudo, le rogaron que le pusiera la mano encima. Lo que más me intriga es que Jesús lo tomo (aparte de la gente) ya que hay cosas en las cuales Dios quiere trabajar contigo y necesita apartarte de todo aquello que impida que seas abierto a lo que Dios quiere hacer en ti. Dice la historia que le metió las dedos en las orejas de él, o sea les tapo los oídos, ¿pero porque si era sordo?, es que hay cosas que hacen que te vuelvas sordo a lo que el Todo Poderoso quiere que escuches, le metió los dedos en las orejas, y escupiendo, toco su lengua; hay cosas que has escuchado que han cambiado tu forma de hablar y declarar. Es ahí donde
queda evidenciado que el problema no es lo que hablan sino de donde proviene. Y dice que levantado los ojos al cielo, gimió, y le dijo: Efata, es decir: Se abierto. Al momento le
tos o largos, incluso si es pasajero en el asiento trasero. • Designe a un conductor que no beba u organice un transporte alternativo. • Duerma lo suficiente y tome pausas periódicas para evitar la fatiga. • Nunca utilice un teléfono celular cuando esté al volante, ni siquiera en manos libres. • Monitoree los hábitos de conducción de los adolescentes. Un estudio de NSC encontró que muchos padres se sienten más inclinados a relajar las reglas de conducción de la familia durante el verano. Los pasajeros adolescentes son una de las mayores distracciones. “Pensamos que al tomar las precauciones pertinentes, podemos hacer que las carreteras sean más seguras y salvar vidas este verano,” dijo Hersman.
fueron abiertos sus oídos, y se desato la ligadura de su lengua, y hablaba bien. ¿Me pregunté por un momento si los oídos estaban tapados por los dedos
SEE ESPINOSA Pagina 4
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 Minoría
Edición 8
Gratis
Jueves 16 de Julio 2015
Aumentan las Muertes por Accidentes de Tráfico: Consejos para Mantener a su Familia Pagina 2 Segura
Pastor Leif I. Espinosa Iglesia Taberna!culo Familiar, Inc. / Family Tabernacle Church, Inc.
Pagina 2
Attorney Jose Guzman Opens Private Practice In Columbus
721 1st Avenue Columbus, Georgia
Pagina 7 Courier