Lighting The Road To The Future
“The People’s Paper”
Hip-Hop Pioneer MC Lyte Gives Back
Data Zone Page 7
August 4 - August 10, 2018 53nd Year Volume 14 www.ladatanews.com A Data News Weekly Exclusive
18th Annual SatchmoFest Returns August 3rd - 5th, 2018
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Newsmaker
New Orleans Legend
Paul Beaulieu Passes
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Trailblazer LeBron Opens New School
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Cover Story
August 4 - August 10, 2018
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18th Annual SatchmoFest Returns August 3rd - 5th, 2018
Ellis Marsalis (pictured above) is a perennial favorite and will appear again at this year’s Satchmo Summerfest.
By Elise Schenck Data News Weekly Contributor
Satchmo SummerFest is Back and Better than Ever It is that time of year again; the Satchmo Summer-
Fest is in its 18th year, bringing the best in food and music to the Vieux Carre’. While New Orleans is a city with many festivals, this is one of the best. Smaller and more intimate, it pays homage to the life, legacy and music of Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong one of the City’s greatest ambassadors. This is one the entire family can enjoy. It is taking place
at the Jazz Museum at the Mint on Aug-3-5, 2018. The price of admission is 5 dollars for adults and it is free for children 12 and under. 2018 finds the city in the midst of celebrating its 300th Anniversary; one full of grand spectacles and incredible and memorable events. So, it is befitting that there are new additions to the festival, one that is always chockfull of amazing local talent.
Cover Story, Continued on page 3.
On the Cover: This year’s Satchmo SummerFest Poster was designed by New Orleans Artist Lionel Milton, who was part of the original Ya/Ya Artist Collective and have since become world renown selling his works to collectors from around the globe, in addition to his work appearing in advertisements for companies ranging from ESPN, UBER, Heineken, Red Bull and others.
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Cover Story, Continued from page 2.
Charmaine Neville
Nayo Jones
New Orleans Soul Queen Irma Thomas Makes Her Satchmo SummerFest Debut Eight artists in total are making their debut at the fest this year. Most notably, Irma Thomas, the Soul Queen of New Orleans and winner of many awards and honors including, a Grammy, Offbeat Magazine Award, Big Easy Award and Blues Hall of Fame Inductee, will grace the stage on Sunday August 5th, bringing what is guaranteed to be an amazing and captivating show. “Mr. Armstrong was an influence on a lot of young children, including me. I never thought I would be in the business but then saw him as King Zulu when I was nine years old. That parade passed right in front of my house and left such an impression”, Thomas said in a statement regarding the impact Satchmo had on her life and her choosing to pursue a career as a singer.
A Weekend of Great Music, Food and Fun Others who will debut at this year’s fest include: The Nayo Jones Experience, Bonerama, Doyle Cooper Jazz Band, James Williams and Aurora Nealand. The fest has something for everyone, with two stages of great music throughout the three-day event. In addition to those making their debut, return-
tive and have since become world renown selling his works to collectors from around the globe, in addition to his work appearing in advertisements for companies ranging from ESPN, UBER, Heineken, Red Bull and others. “Satchmo’s Music was part of my childhood. He was one of the greatest cultural contributors ever. My art is like visual jazz,” Milton says in a statement, who himself has become a cultural ambassador for the city in his own right. Additionally, the original oil painting of the poster will be up for auction at the official kick-off party.
Preserving the Culture, and Heritage of the City and Promoting Local Pride Irma Thomas
ing festival favorites will also be taking the stage. The lineup includes legendary Artists Big Chief Donald Harrison, Bill Summers and Jazalsa, Preservation Brass Band, Charmaine Neville, Ellis Marsalis, Corey Henry’s Treme’ Funktet and many others. Great music is a staple of New Orleans, drawing people from around the globe to experience the sounds of the world that’s given the gift of Jazz to the world. But the other ingredient that makes New Orleans special is its food. The culinary lineup includes some of New
Orleans favorites: The Big Cheezy, Central Grocery, Roux Carre’, Praline Connection, Palmer’s Jamaica Restaurant, Plum Street Snoballs and many others.
Kick-Off Party Supports Worthy Cause For those who want to support French Quarter Festival, Inc. there is a fundraiser on Thursday August 2nd at the Omni Royal Orleans with music by talented New Orleans vocalist John Boutte. Also, at the event the 2018 Spirit of Satchmo Awards will be given to those that
honor and champion New Orleans music and culture. This year’s honorees are Ashlin Parker, Bethany Bultman and Ellis Marsalis. As many festivals are memorable extravaganzas that shows the best of the city’s and what makes it such a marvelous and splendid place that lies on the mouth of Mississippi; the posters from such events are highly sought after, created by some of the best visual artists in the City. This year’s Satchmo SummerFest Poster was designed by New Orleans Artist Lionel Milton, who was part of the original Ya/Ya Artist Collec-
Satchmo SummerFest is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, which also produces French Quarter Festival in April and Christmas New Orleans Style in December. French Quarter Festivals, Inc. promotes the Vieux Carre’ and the City of New Orleans through high quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city that is a cultural jewel that continues to shine being enjoyed by both locals and tourist. Satchmo SummerFest is one of the many festivals that makes this city great, building community and instilling increased pride in the people of New Orleans.
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Newsmaker
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New Orleans Legendary Broadcaster and Friend Paul Beaulieu Passes Data Staff Reports New Orleans’ beloved activist, educator, journalist and broadcaster, Paul Beaulieu Jr., passed away at age 75 on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. He graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1961 and Xavier University of Louisiana in 1965. Paul is the beloved husband of Cynthia King Beaulieu. He is also survived by his daughters, Samantha Beaulieu and Lyndsey Beaulieu; brothers, Marvin Beaulieu and Lovell Beaulieu; sisters, Karen Beaulieu Major and Victoria Beaulieu Saulny; brother- and sister-in-law Bobby Major Jr. and Lorena King Clark. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Maria Goretti Church, on Tuesday, July 31, 2018, with Interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Mayor LaToya Cantrell released the following statement on the death of Paul Beaulieu, who passed Tuesday, July 24, after a storied journalism career in print, television and radio: “Today New Orleans lost one of her true legendary sons, Paul Beaulieu. He was a community leader who spoke with strength and conviction for those who couldn’t. Just Friday, I had the pleasure of spending time with him as a guest on his radio show,” Mayor Cantrell said. “We engaged
Paul Beaulieu his wife Cynthia and daughters (l-r) Samantha and Lyndsey.
Paul on the mic at his beloved WBOK where he served as a host and the general manager for WBOK-AM, where he was a powerful voice in speaking truth to power.
New Orleans Association of Black Journalists (NOABJ) paid tribute to Paul in this twitter post. Paul was a longtime member and a mentor to many in the organization.
in provocative dialogue about moving our city forward. There are few more passionate about New Orleans than Paul Beaulieu was. We will proudly remember him as a legendary journalist here in our city.” Beaulieu, a product of New Orleans’ 7th Ward and a proud graduate of St. Augustine High School, first made his mark as an opinion writer for the States-Item. Later he turned to broadcasting, first as host of the WVUE program “Dimensions” and then on the local-cable talk show “Between the Lines.” He more recently served as a host and the general manager for WBOK-AM, where he was a powerful voice in speaking truth to power during the critical early period of the city’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina. The New Orleans City Council honored Beaulieu with a proclamation upon his retirement from WBOK in 2015. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the St. Augustine High School Paul Beaulieu Jr. Scholarship Fund, 2600 A.P. Tureaud Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119 (504)940-5980. www.purpleknights.com. Data News Weekly will be running a full feature article on Paul Beaulieu in coming weeks. He was a dear friend and mentor to our staff and publisher for decades, and he will be greatly missed .
NORD Encourages Residents to Register for Fall Programming at Upcoming Back to School Fall Expos Data News Staff Report The City of New Orleans announced that the New Orleans Recreation Development (NORD) Commission will host four Back to School Fall Expos in August. During the expos, families can learn more about NORD fall programming and upcoming events such as athletics, youth and teen programs, fitness, aquatics, dance, arts, NORD Halloween Spooktacular and Fall Movies in the Park. The NORD Fall Expos are free and open to the public.
Expos will also feature a School Supply Giveaway, in partnership with several organizations, to help families kick off the 2018-2019 school year. Parents must attend the Expo with their children to participate in the School Supply Giveaway. Anyone interested in donating school supplies to be given away at the Expo may drop off new and unused school supplies at any NORD facility or public library, now until Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018. Several partnering organizations will be at the Expo to register individuals for other fall programs
being hosted at NORD sites. Additionally, the New Orleans Public Library, Urban League of New Orleans and others will be on-site to provide information and resources about the services offered to the community.
Back to School Fall Expos: Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Stallings St. Claude Rec Center, 4300 St. Claude Ave. Behrman Rec Center, 2529 General Meyer Ave.
Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Lyons Rec Center, 624 Louisiana Ave. Joe W. Brown Rec Center, 5601 Read Blvd. Anyone interested in registering for NORD fall programming is invited to visit the NORD recreation center where each class will be held to register. For more information on classes, locations, dates and times, please visit www.nordc.org or call (504) 658-3052.
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State & Local News
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Local School Supply Lists Now Available For One-Click Shopping on TeacherLists Data News Staff Report Parents from local schools have a new tool in their back-to-school bag of tricks this year as all of their school’s supply lists are now posted on TeacherLists.com. With just one or two clicks, parents can find their child’s exact supply list and then click right over to pre-filled shopping carts on Target, Walmart, Office Depot, Amazon and more to purchase their list and have it shipped right to their home. Target, Walmart and Office Depot also offer in store pick-up. Super easy, super convenient.
The site already includes lists for: Andrew H Wilson Charter School, New Orleans Andrew Jackson Middle School, Chalmette Arthur Ashe Charter School, New Orleans Congett Trippe Janet Elementary School, Marrero Dolhonde, Ella Elementary, Metairie Douglass, Frederick, Elementary School, Gretna Encore Academy, New Orleans Estelle Elementary School, Marrero Geraldine Boudreaux Elementary School, Terrytown Gretna 2 Kindergarten Center, Gretna Haynes Academy For Advanced Studies, Metairie Homer A. Plessy Community School, New
Orleans Hynes Charter School, New Orleans Immaculate Conception School, Marrero Jc Ellis Elementary School, Metairie Jefferson Elementary, Jefferson Joshua Butler Elementary, Westwego Lawrence D Crocker College Prep, New Orleans Lh Marrero Middle School, Marrero Lusher Charter School, New Orleans Lycee Français De La Nouvelle-Orléans, New Orleans Marie B Riviere Elementary School, Metairie Mary Mcleod Bethune Elementary School, New Orleans Metairie Grammar School, Metairie Miller Wall Elementary School, Marrero Morris Jeff Community School, New Orleans Nola Micro Schools, New Orleans Our
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Lady Of Prompt Succor, Chalmette Paul B Habans Charter School, New Orleans Pitre, Vic A, Elementary School, Westwego Riverdale Middle School, Jefferson Solis, Paul J, Elementary School, Gretna St Andrew’S Episcopal School, New
Orleans St Dominic School, New Orleans St Edward The Confessor School, Metairie St Francis Xavier School, Metairie St Louis King Of France School, Metairie St Rita School, Harahan St Rita School, New Orleans The Child Develop-
ment Program Nursery Preschool, New Orleans Visitation Of Our Lady School, Marrero “For decades, the supply list process has been a frustration for parents,”points out TeacherLists President, John Driscoll. “Where to find the lists? When are they available? Forgetting the list on the counter at home. Hunting the isles for the specific items their teacher has requested. All of those issues are solved with TeacherLists.” More than 50,000 schools now have lists posted on TeacherLists. Lists for more than 1 million classrooms are live on the site and include required and requested items as well as specific notes and clarifications from teachers and school staff. Complete details and all the lists are available at www.teacherlists. com/parents.
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Data Zone
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Mississippi Civil Rights Museum Tells Authentic Stories from the Movement By Freddie Allen Editor-in-Chief, NNPA Newswire In the early morning hours of January 10, 1966, civil rights leader Vernon Dahmer Sr. was jolted from his sleep, as members of the Ku Klux Klan surrounded his house just north of Hattiesburg, Miss. Dahmer, a Black landowner, had been actively working to register Blacks to vote and, in some cases, he even paid their “poll” taxes. It was enough to earn a Black man a death sentence in the South. The Klansmen bullets ripped through the darkness splintering wood and shattering glass as they fired on Dahmer’s house; one of them hurled a Molotov cocktail through the window; the Klan wanted to burn Dahmer and his family alive. As smoke and flames engulfed his home, Dahmer grabbed his shotgun and blasted his way out, creating a diversion as the rest of his family fled into the woods. Later that day, Dahmer died from smoke inhalation at an area hospital. A few days later, Dahmer’s voter registration card arrived in the mail. “These are the kinds of stories we talk about in the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum,” said Pamela Junior, the museum’s director. “We tell people all the time: Museums are living and breathing places.” Junior lamented that, oftentimes, the history of the Civil Rights Movement is told through the narrow lens of a few key figures, like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks. She said that it was important that people know that Mississippi was ground zero for the Movement; the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum helps to tell the stories of the people that were there. “What we want to do is make sure that the stories are told authentically,” Junior said. “We have our own native son, Medgar Wiley Evers. We have Fannie Lou Hamer, June Johnson, Owen Brooks…local people who made up the Movement.” Junior said that it was also important to show that civil rights leaders were ordinary people, yet they still managed to have a significant impact on the course of American history. Junior continued: “So, to see something so powerful that these regular,
The atrium of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. (Mississippi Civil Rights Museum)
Exhibit commemorating the Jackson Public Library sit-ins. (Mississippi Civil Rights Museum)
poor people did to make things happen in the state of Mississippi is awesome.” The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum opened on December 9, 2017. The Clarion Ledger reported that the Dahmer family donated a truck that had been shot during the 1966 attack to the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. The museum promotes a greater understanding of the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi and shares the stories of the movement that changed the world. A press release that described the museum said that visitors can witness
the freedom struggle in eight interactive galleries that show the systematic oppression of Black Mississippians and their fight for equality that transformed the state and nation. The press release continued: “Seven of the galleries encircle a central space called ‘This Little Light of Mine.’ There, a dramatic sculpture glows brighter and the music of the Movement swells as visitors gather.” Each museum gallery highlights a specific sub-topic or period. Gallery 1 defines civil and human rights; Gallery 2 focuses
on the Civil War and Reconstruction; Gallery 3 highlights civil rights activists and shares the stories of a Mississippi movement that changed the world; Gallery 4 peels back the layers of a segregated society; Gallery 5 showcases the sacrifices and the successes of the 1960s; Gallery 6 takes a deep dive into the Freedom Summer and local movements in Mississippi (1963-1964); and Gallery 7 tells the story of Black Empowerment from 1965 to the early 1970s. Junior said that, through the civil rights museum, the ills of Mississippi are finally on the wall. “We’re taking the bandage off of the sore,” Junior said. “We don’t allow it to fester anymore. We let it breathe, so that healing can continue.” The last gallery, Junior said, was designed to spark conversations about how all races can move forward together. “Martin is gone. Medgar is gone. All of these people are gone that were at the center of the movement, at the forefront. We believed in them and trusted in them. These people are gone,” Junior said. “So, what we want to do is teach people that they are the movement.” Junior continued: “We are the movement; it’s up to us to do the work.” Gallery 8 is titled “Where do we go from here?” and features mirrors with quotes from Mississippians who made incredible sacrifices to improve the lives of others. One of the last quotes that visitors see as they walk out of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum is by Oseola McCarty, a Black seamstress and domestic worker who lived in Hattiesburg, Miss. McCarty, who “quit school in the sixth grade to go to work, never married, never had children and never learned to drive,” according to The New York Times, eventually donated nearly her entire life savings—$150,000—to the University of Southern Mississippi to fund scholarships for Black students. “[McCarty] said that, ‘if you want to be proud of yourself, you have got to do things you can be proud of,’” Junior said. “So, I want people to live by that mantra.” For more information about the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, please visit http://www.mcrm.mdah.ms.gov/.
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Hip-hop Pioneer MC Lyte Partners with the NNPA to Give Back By Tyvan Burns, Diamond Durant, Denver Lark #TeamOptimistic, NNPA DTU Journalism Fellowship Hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte is the national spokesperson for the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s (NNPA) Discover The Unexpected (DTU) Journalism Fellowship program. Her passion about education and her desire to create opportunities for HBCU students are two of the many reasons she partnered with the NNPA and Chevrolet, the program’s sponsor. As she continues her great acts of philanthropy, MC Lyte said that music and journalism are much alike, as they are both used to tell stories. MC Lyte became great friends with Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., the president and CEO of the NNPA, through his work in hip-hop and civil rights. When she got the call about the NNPA’s DTU program, she said that she was happy to help out; she said that representing the DTU program is a great fit. When it comes to her philanthropic work that grew out of her music career, MC Lyte said that she always wanted to give back. That sense of altruism manifested early on in her music career with her hit single “I Cram to Understand U,” which included a strong anti-drug message, geared towards the Black community.
(From left-right) Denver Lark (North Carolina A&T University), Dana Blair, NNPA DTU Roadtrip Navigator; MC Lyte, Diamond Durant (Morgan State University) and Tyvan Burns (Norfolk State University) pose for a photo during the NNPA’s DTU 2018 Immersion experience with Chevrolet. (Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA)
MC Lyte made it her responsibility to advocate for young people and to shed light on the deluge of heroin and crack cocaine that flooded her Brooklyn neighborhood in the 70’s and 80’s. “I don’t think that I really do anything for me, per se,” MC Lyte said. “It’s about getting out there, [using] the MC Lyte name, to form partnerships with bigger entities and to gain access to resources and sharing those resources with the people who need them the most.” Hip-hop pioneers like Salt-N-Pepa and Rakim inspired MC Lyte to par-
take in the music industry at such an early age. MC Lyte also vividly remembered how the Bronx-born, hip-hop group Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five helped to shape her storytelling rap style. MC Lyte said that “The Message,” the Furious Five classic featuring Melly Mel, painted a picture of life in the Bronx that was very different from her life in Brooklyn, where she was born and raised. “The Message” influenced MC Lyte to gravitate towards the storytelling aspect of hip-hop. MC Lyte described “Lyte as a Rock,” her first
album, as “a book of poems and short stories.” “It was easy to get into a [creative] space and just write,” MC Lyte said. “My mother made me write an essay for whatever I wanted to do.” MC Lyte said that young artists, who are pursuing careers in the entertainment business, should educate themselves about royalties, build a trustworthy team and seek legal advice when necessary. “Never sign anything without counsel and always sign your own checks,” MC Lyte advised. Reminiscing about her career in the music industry, if given the opportunity to change or do anything different, MC Lyte said that she would have said “yes” more often and been more open to trying new music genres and collaborating with unexpected artists.” Although, MC Lyte is often credited as a pioneer in hip-hop culture, her passion to ignite change on a greater scale was alive from the very beginning. She was one of the first female rappers to speak out against sexism and misogyny in the industry. Her voice shook up the male-dominated hip-hop scene and helped pave the way for female MC’s that followed in her footsteps, like Queen Latifah and Missy Elliott. Tyvan Burns (Norfolk State University), Diamond Durant (Morgan State University) and Denver Lark (North Carolina A&T University) are 2018 Discover The Unexpected Journalism Fellows representing #TeamOptimistic. Check out more stories by #TeamOptimistic at nnpa.org/dtu.
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Commentary
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To Be Equal
Congress Must Act to Strengthen Election Security Against Foreign Sabotage
Stop Russia!
Marc Morial President and CEO National Urban League
“It’s undeniable that the Russians are taking the lead on this. Basically, they are the ones that are trying to undermine our basic values, divide us with our allies. They are the ones that are trying to wreak havoc over our election process. We need to call them out on that. It’s critical that we do so, and then take steps to make sure that they are not able to do this with an election coming up ...” - Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats, July 19, 2018.
We don’t yet know – and perhaps may never fully know – to what extent Russian efforts to sabotage American elections succeeded. What we do know is that, in addition to waging a massive disinformation campaign on social media, Kremlinbacked hackers: accessed private email accounts, stole personal information on at least 500,000 voters from a state election website, visited other state websites to identify vulnerabilities, and infiltrated a voter registration software company and disseminated malicious software to Florida county election officials. We also don’t know to what extent any Americans cooperated with Russians in these crimes. We know that the Trump campaign was at least willing to consider accepting opposition research from people known to have ties to the Kremlin. We know a congressional candidate asked for and received damaging stolen information on his or her opponent.
Most importantly, we know that Russia continues its efforts at sabotaging our democracy, and little or nothing is being done to stop it. Protecting the integrity of our democratic process should be the top priority of our elected officials. Instead, the President openly contradicts the assessment of American intelligence and the House of Representatives eliminated new funding for states to strengthen election security. The arrest of Russian operative Maria Butina, who forged close alliances with the NRA, raises questions about whether Russian money was illegally funneled to political candidates through that organizations – and whether those candidates are Congress members who may have motive to thwart such an investigation. Shortly after the inauguration of the current President, I noted that because his elevation to the office was by way of the anachronistic Electoral College – and not the will
of a majority of voters -- he owed the American people an exceptional level of deference. Instead, he repeatedly has shown deference to the architect of the sabotage, lending validity to Vladimir Putin’s discredited denials and refusing to acknowledge the conclusion of the intelligence community that Russia has interfered and continues to do so. In his farewell address, President George Washington warned “against the insidious wiles of foreign influence.” He wasn’t speaking in the abstract: France was actively trying to influence the American election in favor of Thomas Jefferson, who championed France in its conflict with Great Britain. France’s attempts backfired, however, as voters viewed Jefferson’s party as pawns of the French government. James Madison wrote to Jefferson just before the 1796 election, France’s scheme was “working all the evil with which it is pregnant.”
Jefferson lost to John Adams, who supported France’s rival Great Britain. Almost as though he could forsee our present situation, Washington said in his address, “Real patriots who may resist the intrigues of the favorite are liable to become suspected and odious, while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people, to surrender their interests.”
We will not surrender our interests. For African Americans, the right to vote is sacred. The men and women who died in the bloody battle for Black suffrage – heroes such as Rev. George Lee, Medgar Evers, Jimmy Lee Jackson, James Earl Chaney, Andrew Goodman, Mickey Schwerner and Viola Liuzzo – are nothing less than martyrs. Inaction in the face of election sabotage is an affront to their memory. It is sacrilege.
A New Generation of Freedom Fighters Black Youth Are Taking Up the Mantle of Leadership in America
Jeffrey L. Boney NNPA Newswire Contributor
Without being given much direction, Black youth have seemingly taken matters into their own hands, relative to their future here in America, by strategizing, organizing and mobilizing. Whether on social media or through community activism in the streets, Black youth are proactively pushing the agenda for ward and forcing society to no longer ignore many of the issues that have impacting the Black community for decades. Many have decided to take an even greater step towards bringing about change, by getting involved with politics.
These bold efforts to express themselves in ways that are progressive and substantive have given Black youth a clearer vision for their future and an even greater sense of purpose that has given them an alternative to doing things that are detrimental to their future. Because many of their Black predecessors dropped the ball and failed to effectively protect them from the many dangers and pitfalls they have had to face without adequate support, it forced this new generation of Black freedom fighters to become more knowledgeable about things. Black youth have chosen to stand up and fight for themselves, in spite of the lack of collective support they have received from the Blacks who came before them who were beneficiaries of the civil rights struggle. That is why the Black Lives Matter movement was birthed and gained so much traction. Black Lives Matter was formed by a small remnant of Black youth who were sick and tired of being
sick and tired. This energized group of young, African Americans wanted to do something about the issue of police brutality, as well as other critical issues that were negatively impacting the Black community, particularly Black youth. Black Lives Matter isn’t the first example of young, African Americans creating movements and platforms to allow their voices to be heard and making a difference. The hip-hop community was formed because many Black youth wanted to express themselves and needed an outlet to talk about the things they were dealing with in their respective communities and facing in this country. Just as it has been since inception, hip hop has become a steady tool used by Black youth to influence society and make a difference. While there are a myriad of things currently impacting Blacks in America, the advent of social media has given Black youth the necessary access to news and information to keep them up-to-speed on
everything they need to know. Prior to social media, many young, Black people were disconnected from news and politics and had limited interest in things such as reading newspapers, watching news channels, listening to talk radio or keeping up with major current events and social issues online. Now, through social media, Black youth have the ability to get this information in real time and in a way that is interactive and enlightening to them. This has caused many young, Black people to become more engaged in and educated about issues that truly impact their daily lives. As America finds itself in the midst of a crucial midterm election, young, African Americans have chosen to get even more involved and are looking for more ways to make a difference, versus looking for leadership and assistance from older Blacks who many believe have abandoned them or from traditional mainstream Black institutions where they feel they don’t belong. Black youth have
found themselves searching for answers and looking for quality leadership to help them navigate through these tumultuous waters called life in America. Getting involved in community activism and politics may be the tools that they need to make more of an impact. Black youth need direction. This new generation of freedom fighters needs to be mentored and not ignored. This new generation of freedom fighters needs to be encouraged and not berated. This new generation of freedom fighters needs to be praised and not overly criticized. Many Black youth are tired of having to figure things out on their own, but have come to the realization that they are living in a country that does not seem to value their Black lives. They are fighting for their lives and seeking relevance the only way they know how—through using the tools and resources they have at their disposal and by getting engaged by any means necessary.
Health News
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Scarred and Battle Tested from Heart Disease, but Still Fighting By Rhonda E. Monroe Incoming Board Chair-Elect, WomenHeart WomenHeart (the first and leading voice for the 48 million American women living with or at risk of heart disease) story begins in February of 1999, when three women, united by heart disease, formed an organization that was destined to become a lifeline for women across this nation. And at the same time, in February of 1999, a young mother in Charlotte, N.C. suffered a stroke while she was pregnant with her second child. Fortunately, she suffered no long-term deficits, but was horrified by her temporary left side paralysis. Five years later, this size six, 36-year-old woman would suffer the first of three heart attacks just five days after giving birth to her third child. It was May of 2004. She was misdiagnosed for an entire week despite an EKG showing an acute myocardial infarction. She sought treatment six of seven days before someone finally listened. On that sixth night, she laid on her bed with one foot on the ground for the entire night, afraid to relinquish her physical attachment to earth, because she felt her body shutting down. She prayed. And she vowed that if she lived, she would raise her voice so that no other woman suffered her fate. After this week-long heart attack, she returned to the emergency room. She was rushed by ambulance to another hospital and taken to emergency bypass surgery. She had five coronary artery dissections, and she underwent an emergency quadruple bypass. Her heart was so remarkable that the surgeon literally held it in his hand and had someone capture a photograph.
Rhonda E. Monroe, the incoming Board Chair-Elect for WomenHeart, says that the sense of sisterhood and friendship that she found in the organization are truly priceless. (WomenHeart)
Eight months later, that same young mother learned that her bypass grafts had shut down. Her rejection fraction was only 21 percent. She was advised to call a family meeting, get her affairs in order. Her prognosis was grim. It was then that I became intimately acquainted with her. I marveled at her strength and resolve as we walked this journey together. She became a force of nature, moving heaven and earth in her fight for life. She underwent a repeat bypass, had part of her heart cut off, 15 laser holes drilled in her heart, a pericardial window cut in the sac
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around her heart, three defibrillator implants, stents, angioplasty, and then some. She’s flatlined four times, and suffered from congestive heart failure. She’s experienced more heart issues than generations of a family. But I am happy to share with you that she is still with us. This is my story, and WomenHeart has been a lifeline for me. I became a WomenHeart Champion in 2007 and it changed my life. The sense of sisterhood and friendship are truly priceless. WomenHeart is the nation’s only patientcentered organization solely dedicated to advancing women’s heart health through education, advocacy and patient support. At its core are WomenHeart Champions—women living with heart disease—who are trained to be community educators, support network leaders and advocates for women’s heart health in the communities in which they live. WomenHeart is a friend to many WomenHeart Champions like me. Today, I speak to audiences of women living with heart disease and medical professionals. I’m a little scarred and battle tested, I am no longer 36, I am no longer a size six,
but I am still here. And I am determined more than ever now, to keep the vow that I made 14 years ago in May of 2004, so that not another woman suffers my fate. I, along with WomenHeart, am fighting for every heart with the same tenacity and vigor that saved my own. As an African American woman, I know that this disease impacts women differently than men, especially minority women. Heart disease claims the lives of nearly 48,000 African American and 21,000 Hispanic women annually. Which is why I am asking other women of color who are heart disease survivors to join the fight and become a WomenHeart Champion at the 2018 WomenHeart Science & Leadership Symposium. It’s the nation’s only free volunteer program that trains women with heart disease to be community educators and support network coordinators in their communities. They are real women living with heart disease, who share their stories and important messages about heart health—all in the mission to save lives. Join me. To learn more or to sign up, visit http://www.WomenHeart. org/empower.
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August 4 - August 10, 2018
State & Local News
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Can Your Bank Ask You to Prove Citizenship? Kansas Family Has Accounts Frozen by Bank of America After Being Asked About Citizenship Status
Data News Weekly Staff Report A Kansas family said their bank accounts were frozen by Bank of America after officials ask they prove they were American citizens. Josh Collins, of Roeland Park, received in June a form letter in the mail from Bank of America that asked a series of personal questions, including if he were an American citizen or had dual citizenship with another country, he told The Kansas City Star. Collins’ wife, Jessica Salazar Collins, threw out the letter after she and her husband wrote it off as “a scam.” Collins, who had held an account with Bank of America for 20 years, was born in Wichita, Kansas. Salazar Collins was born in Kansas City, Missouri, tracing her roots back in the U.S. two generations, as her great-grandfather emigrated from Mexico. Then last Tuesday, the family found they couldn’t access their money. “They only do that to people’s accounts for people trying to flee the country,” Collins told KCTV. “We’re not criminals. We didn’t do anything wrong.” Collins said he called the bank and was told the account was fro-
Josh Collins, of Roeland Park, received in June a form letter in the mail from Bank of America that asked a series of personal questions, including if he were an American citizen or had dual citizenship with another country.
zen because he hadn’t responded to their inquir y about his citi-
zenship status. When the account remained fro-
zen the next day, Salazar Collins called and was told the card had
been stolen. “So, at that point, we decide to go into the physical bank and it took about 15 minutes, but the first question they asked me was, ‘Are you a citizen?’” he said. “Again? ‘Yes.’ And then they wanted to know if I had dual citizenship.” Collins showed the bank his driver’s license, and his account was ultimately unfrozen, but his automatic bill payments had been deleted, he said. “Like all financial institutions, we’re required by law to maintain complete and accurate records for all of our customers and may periodically request information as required by law and regulation,” Bank of America said in a statement obtained by KCTV. “This is not unique to Bank of America. This type of outreach is nothing new and the information must be up to date. Therefore we periodically reach out to customers, which is what we did in this case.” Bank of America said it plans to reach out to all customers to verify their information and if they do not hear back, they as a last resort “may restrict the account until we can confirm it is in compliance with regulatory requirements.” The Salazar Collins family said it plans to move its business to another bank.
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August 4 - August 10, 2018
LeBron James Opens New School in Akron Ohio, Shares Thoughts on Trump on CNN
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Monday was a dream come true for LeBron James, as it marked the opening of his ‘I Promise’ school in Akron Ohio. The school will serve at-risk 3rd and 4th graders, something James relates to on a personal level, and opening day was truly awe-inspiring.
Data News Staff Edited Report LeBron James spent his Monday touting the opening of an Akron elementary school for at-risk children that he played a significant role in funding and shaping. The I Promise School is a joint venture between the foundation and Akron Public Schools. The school board oversaw the creation of the curriculum and ensured the school would meet educational standards, while LeBron served as the primary donor to help shape the outside-the-classroom goals of the school.
How does the I Promise School differ from any other school? The school will operate with a longer-than-normal school year, with a focus on accelerated learning to bring kids up to speed who otherwise might be lagging. In addition, there is a focus on combating factors outside of the classroom that could cause children to struggle. Ser vices are available to help students deal from stress related to parents who are struggling to make ends meet. In addition there are activities to prevent the kids from having too much idle time and potentially getting into trouble. The school also provides services to families, which include job placement assistance for parents and an on-site food bank that will al-
“We’re in a position right now in America where this whole race thing is taking over. One, because I believe our president is trying to divide us. He’s dividing us, and what I’ve noticed over the last few months is that he’s kind of used sport to kind of divide us. That’s something that I can’t relate to, because I know that sport was the first time I ever was around someone white. I got an opportunity to see them and learn about them, and they got an opportunity to learn about me, and we became very good friends. I was like this is all because of sports. And sports has never been something that divided people. It’s always been something that brings someone together.” - LeBron James
low parents to pick out foods they can prepare at home. LeBron James often credits his bicycle as a huge factor in his childhood that gave him an escape from dangerous parts of his neighborhood and the freedom to explore — every student will receive a bicycle when they arrive. Principal Brandi Davis explained the goals of the I Promise School to the Los Angeles Times: “I think the missing link in public education is that family wraparound support,” said Brandi Davis, the school’s principal. “Because our students come to school and they’re worried about things at home. … We want to create that safe, that secure and that caring and loving environment for our families and our students so that our kids can focus on education.” While promoting the school with CNN’s Don Lemon, James took the
opportunity to discuss the state of race and politics in the United States. James did not hesitate to call out President Donald Trump for his penchant of using race as a wedge issue in his politicking.
James a frequent critic of Trump James, unlike many of his counterparts and predecessors, has rarely been shy to speak candidly on poli-
tics and controversial issues and has been a frequent critic of Trump’s tactic of using his pulpit to sow division. Prior to the start of last season, James called Trump a bum after he rescinded an invitation to the champion Golden State Warriors to attend the White House. “My first initial response was, ‘You bum,’” James told reporters. “He doesn’t understand the power that he has for being the leader of this beautiful country. He doesn’t understand how many kids, no matter the race, look up to the president of the United State for guidance, for leadership, for words of encouragement. He doesn’t understand that, and that’s what makes me more sick than anything.” James has a powerful voice, one of the few that can stand out in a saturated media landscape that’s often overwhelmed by Trump. With his move to Los Angeles and his burgeoning media empire, we should expect to continue to hear James challenge the president’s policies.
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CONGRATULATIONS! CHEVROLET AND NNPA OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE
OUR 2018 DISCOVER THE UNEXPECTED FELLOWS! The wait is over! Chevrolet and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) are proud to announce our six Fellows selected for Discover the Unexpected (DTU) 2018 - a life-changing journalism fellowship.
S TYVAN BURN IVERSITY
UN NORFOLK STATE
DIAMOND DURA
MORGAN STATE UN
NT
IVERSITY
ENRY DAJA UHNIVERSITY D
HOWAR
Chosen from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) nationwide, our DTU 2018 Fellows each receive a $10,000 scholarship, $5,000 stipend and a journalism adventure in the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. Our DTU 2018 Fellows are geared up and ready to go discover stories of inspiration and innovation in our African American communities. Follow us and show our HBCU students some love along the way. The journey begins!
NATRA WN M
A
IN UNIV XWELL ERSIT Y
CLAFL
RN IL A WILBOIVE RSITY
UN FLORIDA A&M
DENVER LARK
NORTH CAROLIN
A A&T UNIVERSITY
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