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Volume 88 • Issue 13

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The Links Inc., celebrate 20 years P. 3

Russell Simmons speaks on RushCard glitch P. 7

FDHA 4th Summit takes place in Atlanta P.8 November 5-11, 2015

Lockheed Martin:

Increasing kids’ interest in STEM

November 5-11, 2015

COVER STORY

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Lockheed Martin working to attract more students into STEM fields

By Terry Shropshire Lockheed Martin may be one of the most powerful and important companies in America. Yet for too many students who live within proximity of the vast and formidable edifice in metro Atlanta, they really aren’t consciously aware of the aerospace company’s importance and the myriad of in-demand, highpaying careers that can be had there.

To borrow an aerodynamic or military term, the Lockheed is often not in the “line of sight” of students’ consciousness as a viable career path after preparatory school and higher education, as kids naturally gravitate towards what they see or are exposed to the most.

Lockheed Martin is working to create a paradigm shift in this area by making a greater impression in the metro Atlanta area.

“One of the challenges that we have is that you don’t see Lockheed Martin every day. We don’t sell sodas.

We don’t sell tennis shoes or things like that. So it’s really important for us to get out there to let students know that we’re here and the kinds of things that we do,” said Lockheed Martin’s Hamilton E. Holmes Jr. Lockheed has been working with the K-12 environment and universities to generate a stronger interest in the sciences and mathematics, “and hopefully some of those students will think about Lockheed Martin and coming to work for us at some point in the future or get into careers in the sciences and mathematics.”

Headquartered in suburban Washington, D.C. (Bethesda, Md.), Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 113,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development,

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manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

One of Lockheed’s signature programs in which to manifest these short- and long-range goals of increasing participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is called “Engineers in the Classroom.”

“We get our employees to go out and talk to the students in the classroom environment, where we get to talk to the students about what it’s like to be an engineer and the kinds of things they need to prepare for, for careers in science and math,” Holmes said. “We also host tours at our facility where we bring students here and they have a chance to tour our facility line. They get a chance to see the aircraft being built and processed, and that is a big eye-opener for them.

“We also support local competitions or events such as the ‘First Robotics Competition’ or what’s called ‘Science Olympiad.’ There’s also a ‘Math Count Competition’ or what’s called ‘Aerodesign Competition.’

Those are some of the ways in which we interact with some of the students here locally.”

Holmes noted that one of the greatest impediments to young urban students getting into the sciences and mathematics at a higher percentage is due to a lack of exposure to the careers that can be had at places such as Lockheed Martin.

“The biggest thing we hear is just lack of exposure to careers in technology or careers in science and math,” Holmes said. “The teachers love it when we come out to talk to the students because it exposes them to something that they generally don’t see on a daily basis. Obviously, they see what’s going on in their households or what’s going on in

the community, but if they don’t see other things such as this, they won’t know that such careers are available.

So it’s just a lack of exposure to these career opportunities.”

He continued, “Lockheed engages the community in a myriad of other ways, particularly as it pertains to higher education. The company has partnerships with Spelman and Morehouse colleges and Clark Atlanta University as well as multiple other institutions. We support the 100 Black Men Robotics Team.”

Additionally, Shan Cooper, general manager and vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Marietta facility and president of the Marietta LM AERO Club, works with the UNCF as executive co-chair for the Mayor’s Mask Ball this year. The UNCF is one of the biggest contributors to historically black colleges and universities in America, with the Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball being one of the flagship galas by which to accomplish this mission.

With the many programs Lockheed has with the children in Marietta, Ga. (where it is based locally) and throughout metro Atlanta, Lockheed has found that the tours and programs serve another very important purpose.

curriculum design as well. They can take what they’ve learned from here back to the classroom.”

Holmes concedes that some young kids may find mathematics or STEM initially intimidating until they are exposed to it. Moreover, student interest rises when they are instructed on the practical application of STEM as well as the kind of living they can make.

“Some kids may be intimidated

by STEM. Math scores are down in the U.S. and some kids may say they don’t want to go into the field or don’t know how it’s applied in the real workforce,” Holmes said. “But once they see the end result on the back end, they see how they can use these skills to develop an airplane or a satellite or whatever it may be, and then they tend to look at (STEM) a little differently sometimes.”

To help alleviate or lessen the intimidation factor, Lockheed is developing a partnership with Atlanta Public Schools to focus on robotics in some of their classrooms.

“I’m a product of Atlanta Public Schools myself, so I certainly understand some of the challenges, so we want to help students learn more about the opportunities (within the STEM fields and Lockheed),”

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Atlanta Daily World is powered by Real Times Media “We work with teachers to get them to understand more how the industry operates and what our needs are in business. As you can imagine, the teachers go to college and then they come out and stay on the academic side the entire time (of their careers). But they just don’t have the business industry experience,” Holmes said.

“We have the engineers come to the classroom, we take the teachers on the same tours, and it’s really eye-opening for the teachers as well.

They can go back and explain to the students, ‘this is how you’re going use math to help design this airplane.’ Or if it’s a robotics team, how it’s used at Lockheed. Robots perform some of our functions, so it’s helpful in

Holmes said.

Overall, a career at Lockheed Martin and in the STEM field is a certifiable and undeniable gamechanger that can alter the trajectory of individuals who go into the field, as well as the entire family.

“And that’s also part of the reason why we’re involved. It’s a complete cycle. We hope that the efforts that we put into the community will build a pipeline and get students out of the back end and come and work for us, or to work in science and math in general,” Holmes said.

“We’re hoping to change households. We’re hoping to change people’s lives. If a young person can strive to go to college — and even be the first one (in their family) to go to

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NEWS

T.I.’s restaurant, Scales 925, responds to shooting of former basketball’s Glen Rice Jr.

By Terry Shropshire Glen Rice Sr. has to be devastated that a discharged firearm has visited his once-promising son yet again. The elder Rice, who won a championship at the University of Michigan before moving on to become one of the most feared long-range snipers in modern NBA history, said he thought his son, Glen Rice Jr., learned his lesson after being cut from Georgia Tech after he “accidentally” fired his 9mm handgun during his truncated tenure with the Yellow Jackets.

Being facetious, Glen Rice Sr.’s only crime was that he had sexual relations with eventual Alaskan governor and former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin during their college years back in the day.

Just three years after that Georgia Tech fracas, Rice Jr., a former Washington Wizards sharpshooter, was shot in a parking lot near T.I.’s Atlanta restaurant, Scales 925, following a late-night altercation (they say nothing good happens after midnight).

The management for the Trouble Man’s restaurant (no pun intended) took pains to divorce themselves from the fracas that took place outside the eatery in downtown Atlanta on Oct. 25, 2015.

“The events that happened near Scales 925 is severely

disconcerting. Our staff noticed a heightened exchange between patrons and they were asked to leave. An altercation between the individuals of no affiliation with Scales 925 seemed to have led to an unfortunate escalation in a public area near our restaurant.

We commend our team on the swift and professional handling of the incident and on ensuring that the safety and well being of our patrons and staff remain a priority. We were saddened to learn about Mr. Rice’s injury and wish him the absolute best with his personal injury and situation. The Scales 925 family condemns any act of violence and will always adhere to best practices to safeguard our patrons and staff. We encourage the public and media to continue to responsibly get any additional facts on this unfortunate incident from the authorities, as we plan to do the same.”

For the record, Tip was not at the restaurant at the time of the shooting.

Glen Rice Jr.’s problems don’t end with the bullet hole in his leg.

Police say surveillance cameras captured the younger Rice discarding a firearm while running from the scene. He and his friend also tried to ditch a black bag in their possession, which police later picked up. The contents included a stash of marijuana and Glen Rice Jr’s passport. He was subsequently apprehended for possession after he was treated at the hospital for the gunshot wound.

WASHINGTON – Mayor Kasim Reed joined a panel discussion this morning as part of the National Urban League’s National Higher Education Summit in the nation’s Capitol. The summit brought together nearly 200 education, business and government leaders to discuss the urgent need to enhance college and career success for students of color and low-income students and to prepare these students to meet the challenges of the 21st century workforce.

Mayor Reed joined Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam,

Three ways Obama’s criminal justice reforms will help black families

By Lynette Holloway For decades, ex-felons returning to their communities have been met by obstacles that made it difficult for them to get back on their feet. Most were banned from affordable public housing, certain jobs, and obtaining grants to go to college because of their criminal records.

Unable to find housing or decent jobs to support themselves and their families, most men and women eventually return to the life of crime that tripped them up in the first place.

Most of those men and women are people of color. The NAACP says African-Americans, jailed at nearly six times the rate of Whites, account for half of the nation’s 2.3 million incarcerated population. Blacks make up about 13 percent of the U.S. population, highlighting racial disparities in the criminal justice system.

On Monday, President Barack Obama unveiled a series of initiatives to overhaul the criminal justice system, including greater access to public housing, educational grants, and job training. Here’s how the reforms will help Blacks and other people of color.

Help reduce the rate of recidivism Prison fails to rehabilitate behavior, as two-thirds of prisoners will reoffend, says the NAACP. Obama stressed the importance of providing a bridge from prison to the community.

While visiting Integrity House, a non-profit substance abuse rehabilitation organization that takes a comprehensive services approach to re-integration in Newark, N.J. on Monday, the president met with Daryl Rose. Obama spoke with Rose, who moved to the center after his release, and his relatives about the toll incarceration takes on families and the critical role they can play in the community re-entry and rehabilitation process.

Mayor Reed joins panel at National Urban League’s National Higher Education Summit

By Atlanta Daily World Staff

November 5-11, 2015

Mayor Marty Walsh of Boston, Mayor Christopher Cabaldon of West Sacramento, Calif., Mayor Hardie Davis of Augusta, Ga., and Mayor Brian Jarvis of Beavercreek, Ohio, to discuss the role elected officials can play in addressing these important challenges. The panel discussion, the first of a two-part series called “Leadership: Strategic Investments, Partnerships & Vision,” focused on solutions and best practices identified by each of the elected officials.

“I applaud the National Urban League for organizing this panel, and pulling together an exceptional group of leaders to share solutions for increasing students of color and low-income students’ access to affordable, quality higher education,” said Mayor Reed. “My Administration is working with philanthropists and private sector partners to provide needbased scholarships through the Mayor’s Youth Scholarship Program. This program greatly reduces or eliminates student debt for graduates of Atlanta Public Schools. We are also working to strengthen connections between our colleges and universities with employers, so that more of our graduates can find meaningful employment here in the City, enabling them to remain a part of this community.”

The Mayor’s Youth Scholarship Program (MYSP) has been a key part of Mayor Reed’s effort to boost students of color and low-income students’ access to affordable higher education.

All graduates of Atlanta Public Schools are eligible for the program, which offers substantial funding awards so that students can graduate without student debt.

Provide job training Imprisonment reduces work time of young people over the next decade by 25-30 percent in comparison to youths who were arrested, but not incarcerated. As a result, many ex-felons leave prison without skills. Employers also dismiss them as potential hires after learning about a candidate’s criminal history.

Obama announced grants to provide job training for people with criminal records, including a software development program in Newark. He also unveiled a national clearinghouse to help former inmates expunge or seal records.

Supply housing Most ex-felons are blocked from public housing, a measure of “one strike and you’re out” convictions that gained popularity in the 1990s. Now, the president has issued new guidance for public authorities that clarifies when arrest records can be used to determine eligibility for assisted housing.

More than 600,000 inmates are released each year, and about 70 million Americans have a criminal record, which makes it difficult for them to find jobs and housing, the president says.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Bureau of Justice Assistance at the Department of Justice have launched an $8.7 million demonstration grant to address homelessness and reduce recidivism among the justice-involved population, according to the White House.

The program will explore cost-effective means to help people stuck in the endless criminal justice and homeless service systems, while making new permanent supportive housing available for ex-inmates.

President Obama has made overhauling the nation’s criminal justice system a top priority for his last year in office. And a bipartisan measure co-sponsored by New Jersey Senator Cory Booker to revamp the criminal justice system arrived on the Senate floor last month. A similar bill is wending its way through the House.

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November 5-11, 2015

BUSINESS

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Georgia Tech’s Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts launches Global Women’s Initiative

Atlanta has long been known as a hub for both international business and female leadership. It therefore apropos that Georgia Tech will be launching the Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Institute (GWEI) program though the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts.

Taking place Nov. 1-4, 2015, this invite-only event will create a platform for collaboration and innovation by fostering and highlighting global connections and developing the entrepreneurial and leadership skills of women in Atlanta and internationally.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and his wife, Elizabeth Reed, will join Atlanta City Council President Caesar Mitchell as part of the opening keynote ceremony. The first round of panelists for the event will include women from five different African countries as well as female entrepreneurs from the City of Atlanta Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative.

Attendees will have the opportunity to network with these panelists and speakers, who come from backgrounds

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of agribusiness, technology, media/entertainment and manufacturing. The training session will also help guests to develop business skills, foster international contacts, and facilitate their access to global markets through exposure, networking, and knowledge sharing.

Georgia Tech’s Ivan Allen College is a positive example of female leadership in itself. Dean Jacqueline Jones Royster is Ivan College’s first African-American Dean, and with the assistance of the college’s Managing Director DeShawn Jenkins, is helping to make the GWEI a success through partnering with local, international, and private entities to make the event a success.

For more information on the Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Institute, including sponsors and partners, please visit http://gwei.gatech.edu/.

For additional information for interested members of the media, please contact the T. Morrison Agency.

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COMMUNITY The Buckhead/Cascade city chapter of City of Atlanta partners with SunTrust Bank to add police substation The Links, Inc. celebrates 20 Years

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November 5-11, 2015

Buckhead/Cascade City Chapter Charter Members The members of the Buckhead/Cascade City Chapter of The Links, Incorporated recently celebrated the chapter’s 20th anniversary with its’ signature fundraiser “Linking Heart & Soul” at the Atlanta History Center. More than 400 distinguished guests attended the Sunday afternoon champagne brunch featuring live entertainment by the Infinity Show Band.

Honorary co-chairs, former Mayor of Atlanta Shirley Franklin and Carolyn Young led the organization in raising more than $30,000 to benefit the Center for Civil and Human Rights, The Woolfolk Boys & Girls Club, Jerusalem House and an educational initiative in Haiti.

Barbara Yarn, the chapter’s first president, reflected on the past 20 years and presented current president and charter member, Gail Tusan Washington, a framed copy of the original chapter charter, then led the attendees in a champagne toast. Among those present to celebrate with the chapter were Ambassador Andrew Young, Fulton Country Chairman John Eaves, Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell, charter member Christine King Farris, State Commissioner Robin Crittenden and several other public officials.

The Buckhead/Cascade City Chapter is dedicated to providing service through friendship. Since receiving its charter in 1995,

the members have contributed 3000 volunteer service hours and more than $1 million to the community. The chapter’s numerous outreach initiatives have supported the major facets of Linkdom including Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, Health and Human Services. Some of the programs include efforts to eradicate human trafficking through forums and community conversations, classical music concerts and scholarships as well as youth education, nutrition and fitness programs.

“We cherish our charter and have fun while carrying out our commitment to making a transformational difference in the lives we serve throughout the Greater Atlanta community, said chapter president, Gail Tusan Washington. Over the past twenty years our chapter has grown significantly in number from our original 39 members to just over one hundred. It is an honor to lead these fabulous, generous, resourceful, kindhearted women!”

The anniversary luncheon was a tremendously successful and enjoyable occasion as the accomplishments of the Buckhead/Cascade City Chapter of the Links, Inc. were celebrated. The members look forward to the next 20 years and beyond as the chapter continues to blaze trails and impact lives.

The city of Atlanta and Mayor Kasim Reed listened to the citizens’ concerns on crime and they are acting accordingly.

The timing of this announcement may be fortuitous, but fresh off a recent town hall meeting on rising violent crime, the city announced today that it has accepted a gift of a former branch building and parcel of land in Southwest Atlanta from SunTrust Bank that will be transferred to substation for the Atlanta Police Department.

The building is located at 711 Fulton Industrial Boulevard.

“The strategic location of this facility is a welcomed addition to our policing efforts in serving the residents and businesses of this community,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “We appreciate SunTrust’s generosity in providing us the opportunity to repurpose this facility into an active, vital safety component of the neighborhood.”

Suntrust officials are grateful they are able to contribute to the safety of that particular side of town.

“We’re pleased that the City of Atlanta can use this facility in their service to the community,” said Allison Dukes, chairman and CEO of SunTrust’s Atlanta Division. “SunTrust is focused on helping our clients and neighbors achieve a sense of financial well-being, and we greatly appreciate the work of the police

department in ensuring the community’s safety and overall well-being.”

When renovations are completed, the building will house two specialized APD units: the Zone 4 Criminal Investigation Division (CID), which is currently housed in the lower level of the Adamsville Recreation Center, and the Field Investigation Team (FIT) which is currently housed in a storefront facility at 3565 Martin Luther King Jr Drive. This relocation will provide additional police presence within Zone 4 and the surrounding neighborhoods because of its proximity to major corridors including Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

“The Atlanta Police Department is committed to working with our community partners in every neighborhood in the City of Atlanta,” said Assistant Chief Shawn Jones. “We are increasing our visibility and employing new strategies aimed at lowering crime.”

At a public safety town hall meeting recently held in Midtown, the Atlanta Police Department announced additional steps it is taking to address crime throughout the city. Those efforts include establishing a Repeat Offender Unit to monitor repeat offenders after their arrests, launching special police details that will control possible DUI activity after hours, and utilizing the video integration center to track more than 5,700 security cameras in private and public sector facilities.

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November 5-11, 2015

ENTERTAINMENT

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Black female horror film director Wahida Clark writes best sellers from her prison cell Carla Saunders premieres ‘GPS’

By KaiElz and Lorraine Cochran-Johnson Who knew being a prisoner could be profitable? One inmate did just that.

Wahida Clark grew up on the streets in Trenton, New Jersey. She was involved with the New World, a crew of Black separatist bank robbers, and served time. While serving a tenand-a-half- year sentence in federal prison for money laundering and wire fraud, she began writing fiction.

Her first book was “Thugs and the Women Who Love Them.” After release from prison in 2007, she published 13 additional books.

Clark’s most recent effort is “Thuggz Valentine,” the story of a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde. The story reflects her own experiences while involved with a crime syndicate.

Since opening her own publishing house, Wahida Clark Presents, she has published 70-plus titles from incarcerated authors. Her husband was also locked up and they had

By Terry Shropshire Horror fanatic Carla Saunders, a former extra on Tyler Perry films, has now churned out a series of riveting, startling and stomachchurning horror films and thriller movies in recent years that she’s financed on her own.

Her latest is the independent horror

film GPS, the tale of a group of people who wound up in a destination far different than the one they intended — and the horrific ramifications they incurred. The St. Louis import-turned-Atlanta resident held her red carpet premiere at the Landmark Midtown Arts Cinema near Piedmont Park along with many of the cast and crew.

United Negro College Fund Mayor’s Masked Ball announces co-chairs

By Diane Larche’

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teenage daughters, so she had to find a way to provide for them.

“My husband wrote a book called ‘Uncle Yah Yah’ and I saw a clip about Shannon Holmes, who signed his first book deal while in prison, and I said I could do this,” she said.

Her husband strongly advised her to write about what she knew which, he said, would generate interest from some publishers. She took his advice and subsequently signed deals with two major publishing houses while serving time.

The books landed on the Essence magazine best sellers list multiple times. She has inspired other women and men in prison to write books, from their own experiences and those around them.

Clark hopes that the next direction in her life will be a play, a movie or a TV series.

“My husband taught me that it was easier to write books for money than to write books to educate,” she said.

It has worked for Wahida Clark.

Corporate Executives Shan Cooper and Jack Sawyer were officially announced last week as the honorary co-chairs of the 32nd Annual UNCF Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball. The formal affair, UNCF’s signature fundraising gala and premier social event of the holiday season, will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2015, 6:30 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta.

“We are delighted to have two of Atlanta’s most respected corporate leaders to join Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed as honorary co-chairs of our annual fundraiser. Jack Sawyer and Shan Cooper have raised the bar in establishing a goal of $2 million to support our 37 UNCF member colleges and universities, four of which are right here in Atlanta, said Justine Boyd, UNCF Regional Development Director.

“We need leaders and innovators with vision to develop the solutions to tomorrow’s challenges and to be the pioneers who will define that future,” said Shan Cooper, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company vice president and Marietta general manager. “No one disputes the technological innovation and economic development in every part of society comes from a solid educational foundation.

The UNCF helps lay that foundation. The funds raised at the Mayor’s Masked Ball are a critical component in building tomorrow’s leaders. I’m thrilled to be an honorary co-chair this year.”

“I am deeply humbled to be participating as

Honorary Co-chair, with the wonderful Shan Cooper, of this year’s Mayor’s Masked Ball. The work of UNCF is essential. No institutions have played a bigger role in preparing generations for economic, social and civil advancement than historically black colleges and universities.

Wilmington Trust knows how important UNCF is to our communities, and we are honored to support such a valuable nonprofit, said Jack Sawyer, President Southeast Region Wealth Advisory Group, Wilmington Trust. “I am pleased that the annual Mayor’s Masked Ball will once again help fund the education of thousands of deserving students matriculating at the Atlanta University Center,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “The UNCF has helped millions of students achieve their educational goals for seven decades and I can’t think of a better way to assist in that than with this truly memorable event.”

Started 32 years ago by former Mayor Andrew Young and Billye S. Aaron, the Ball is hosted by the city’s current Mayor and is largely supported by local corporate and civic entities.

A much anticipated holiday event that raises unrestricted dollars for UNCF’s support for local students, the Ball attracts a diverse array of attendees from across the metropolitan area, including local celebrities, dignitaries, civic and elected officials.

Ball highlights include The VIP Masked Award Reception, Silent Holiday Auction, Red Carpet Parade of Stars and Dignitaries, Elegant Dining, Parade of Masks, Dancing and Live entertainment by a national act.

ENTERTAINMENT

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November 5-11, 2015

TLC blasted over #TLCisGoingToJailParty for alleged fake album kickstarter

By Terry Shropshire TLC is being roasted, charbroiled and deep fried after a fan inquired about where their new album is after T-Boz and Chilli promised to produce the EP by mid-October after getting hundreds of thousands of dollars through Kickstarter.

It is not November, and there is not even a whiff of an album.

The duo raised far surpassed their goal of raising $150,000 when they asked the public to help pay for their final album.

T-Boz and Chilli would up pulling in a whopping $430,000 according to their kickstarter page.

A curious “fan” innocently asked T-Boz directly about getting their money back because the album has not dropped and their is no word as to when it might. The rest of Twitter took noticed and clowned TLC to hell and back.

Russell Simmons speaks out on RushCard glitch

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Contributing Writer Russell Simmons hasn’t slept much since news broke in mid-October that users of his RushCard couldn’t access their own money and were locked out of their accounts, due to a computer glitch, leaving some unable to make rent payments, pay utility bills or buy groceries for their families.

“Technology glitches happen, but this was a tsunami,” said Simmons in an exclusive, hour-long interview with the NNPA News Wire.

Users began experiencing problems when Simmons’ company switched to a new transaction-processing provider, something that he said they’ve done successfully at least four times.

“We made the transfer of processes four separate times in the past and the next thing you know, I get a text message that we sent to our customers that we were down for two hours,” said Simmons, the iconic business magnate who founded Def Jam Records and the Phat Farm clothing line. “Our call center usually gets about 600 calls and now it’s [getting] 600,000 calls.”

Simmons said that three multi-billion dollar corporations were involved in the process and each has been helpful in resolving the technical issues related to the latest transition.

Simmons credited MasterCard CEO Ajaypal Singh Banga with immediately responding to the problem and helping to fix it.

“He’s the CEO of a $120 billion company and he picked the telephone up on the first ring,” Simmons said, adding that Banga has talked a lot about finding ways to reach underserved communities and others who don’t use traditional banks.

In the aftermath of the outage that wreaked havoc on the lives of thousands of cardholders, RushCard created a multi-million dollar fund to compen-

sate customers who were affected.

Simmons also said that he has heard the criticism about the outage loud and clear and he’s accepted it and now he’s doing everything in his power to make his cardholders whole, even going beyond that.

“The way I view it, I will take every complaint and claim and pay it, if it has any legitimacy,” said Simmons.

“I’ve heard people being put out of their apartments or in the hospital needing medicine and what I have done, what I do, is if they say they [lost] $400, I’ve given them back that exact amount and I’ve also adjusted their fees.”

In addition to restoring customer accounts in full, Simmons said that from November 1, 2015 through February 29, 2016, RushCard customers will enjoy a nofee holiday, which will exempt card users from paying monthly, transaction and ATM fees during that period.

People who open new accounts will also be eligible for the no-fee holiday benefits, but all cardholders will still be responsible for paying third-party fees.

Despite the outcry by federal regulators and others before and since the RushCard technical problems began, Simmons said that he’s providing a service for the underserved and others that they either don’t have access to traditional banking services or are being overcharged.

According to Bankrate.com, the Prepaid Visa RushCard “Pay As You Go Plan” is among a handful of cards that have no monthly maintenance fees. The card does carry an activation fee that ranges between $3.95 and $9.95 and users are also charged 50 cents for every out-of-network ATM balance inquiry.

In comparison, Walmart’s MoneyCard Plus has a $3 monthly maintenance fee, an activation fee that can be as high as $4 and charges $1 for every ATM balance inquiry, except for inquiries made at MoneyPass ATMs. Simmons said his company has hired additional employees to help answer and resolve customer complaints and that cardholders should continue to report problems and any financial hardships caused by the twoweek outage to the RushCard call center.

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HEALTH

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FDHA 4th Summit features solutions to violence in Atlanta

The statistics are shocking: African American women are three times more likely to die at the hands of a partner or ex-partner than any other race. According to former U.S. Attorney General intimate partner homicide is the leading cause of death for black women The Fulton DeKalb Hospital Authority’s 4th Annual Summit at Atlanta’s Hyatt Regency hotel addressed the disturbing issue in its most impactful health forum of its kind to date. The day-long event’s success is in large part due to the outstanding gathering of local and national healthcare experts who convened to address the issue of violence in the nation and the Atlanta metropolitan area. Notable presenters and participants for “Violence: America’s Challenge,” included; Rev. Dr. Bernice King, former Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin, Essence editor-in-chief emeritus Susan Taylor, “NewsOne Now” talk show host Roland Martin, Judge Glenda Hatchett, news anchor Jovita Moore, ac-

tress/singer Demetria McKinney and a host of other renowned speakers sharing insights and personal stories on the growing epidemic of violence.

“I want us all to understand why violence is America’s challenge. It’s my challenge and it’s your challenge for us to have safe communities and for our young people to walk and live in safe communities. They need to know that when they leave home and return safely, that their loved ones are in safe environments,” explained FDHA board chair Thomas W. Dortch. “We are going to deal with the issue that Atlanta is among the top three cities in the nation for sex trafficking and that type of violence against women, Dortch said adding, “We cannot deal with our women or any of our loved ones being abused any longer.”

Rev. Bernice King opened the FDHA’s 4th Annual Summit’s breakfast discussion with motivating and moving remarks to honor civil rights legends, C.T Vivian, Xernona Clayton, Dr. Charles Steel and Eliazbeth Omilami.

Dynamic discussions followed at the summit’s six workshop sessions which included “Taking It to the Streets,” a domestic violence discussion, “Solutions through Education, Community and Victims’ Assistance,” and “Empowering the Community to Stop the Violence.”

Former Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin facilitated a lively luncheon discussion exploring the problem of human trafficking in the Atlanta metropolitan area, prompting many summit participants to recall past problems of sex trafficking days on Steward Avenue on the city’s Southwest side. “ I remember when Steward Avenue was commonly recognized as ground zero for the sexual exploitation of young women and children in this city, which is why government officials changed the name to Metropolitan Parkway in an attempt to erase the stain,” said luncheon guest Michelle Fling.

The often times shocking discussion of sexual exploitation

of Atlanta’s most vulnerable residents was peppered with staggering statistics of abuse, and concluded with an emotional recognition of the accomplishments of former sex worker Victoria Tucker. Tucker is a graduate of Well Springs Living in Atlanta a non-profit organization dedicated to crisis intervention and promoting of quality of life living for area residents.

The summit concluded with “Let’s Talk About It,” a town hall forum moderated by venerable journalist and television personality, Roland Martin, who lead a robust discussion on causes and solutions to the epidemic of violence in America. Esteemed panelists included; Susan Taylor, Dr. Alveta Thomas, Dr. John Eaves, Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, Ted Jackson, Larry Johnson and Judge Willie Lovett.

The FDHA fosters comprehensive health care for Atlanta’s low-income and indigent residents. The FDHA’s mission is to decrease health disparities and promote the general health of the communities it serves through advocacy, education and outreach.

Diabetes and the surprising power of yogurt

By Constance Brown-Riggs / BlackDoctor.org Many African Americans avoid milk and dairy products because they believe they are lactose intolerant. But if you have prediabetes research shows avoiding dairy can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In fact, there is an emerging body of evidence that yogurt and other dairy products may help you reduce your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity as well as type 2 diabetes – diseases that effect African Americans at disproportionate rates.

Moreover, the type of dairy you eat or drink makes a difference, too. Fermented dairy products like yogurt are associated with a greater decrease in diabetes risk when compared to other types of dairy products.

Heart Health and Blood Pressure.

African Americans have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure. Many fat-free and low-fat yogurts provide more potassium than an equal 8-ounce glass of milk. People who eat yogurt have higher potassium intakes and are less likely to have inadequate intakes of calcium and magnesium – minerals that help control blood pressure.

Obesity. Studies have shown that eating yogurt on a regular basis is associated with a healthy weight. In particular, eating yogurt is associated with less weight gain over time.

And while yogurt, fruits, vegetables and whole grains are all associated with less weight gain over time, yogurt has the best effect.

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Type 2 Diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, regular or Greek plain nonfat yogurt with little or no added sugar, can be a good choice for people with diabetes . Recent research shows that eating yogurt is associated with healthy levels of circulating glucose (blood sugar) within the normal range.

Lactose Intolerance. Yogurt can help lactose intolerant individuals meet their dairy requirement and obtain calcium, potassium and vitamin D – nutrients that most African Americans don’t get enough of. The live and active cultures in yogurt make it a more easily digestible alternative to milk. Also, on average, yogurt has less lactose (milk sugar) per serving than milk.

FAITH

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November 5-11, 2015

National black clergy head to ‘Holler if you hear me: Black and gay in the church’ deliver signatures to Congress

On Thursday, October 29th, senior leaders of the Black church denominations are heading to Capitol Hill to deliver more than 10,000 clergy signatures to members of the Congressional Black Caucus in support of President Obama’s Clean Power Plan. This unprecedented event represents more than 13 million Black church members, all of whom agree that climate change is a serious matter that needs immediate action. The numbers bear out that African Americans and lower-income communities fare far worse than their White counterparts, having increased asthma rates and other respiratory diseases, and missed work and school days, making all agree climate change is a serious threat to the health and economic well-being of the Black community.

Nearly 40 percent of the six million Americans living close to coal-fired power plants are people of color, and are disproportionately African American. The toxins from these

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plants are responsible for thousands of premature deaths, higher risks of asthma attacks and other respiratory diseases, and hundreds of thousands of missed work and school days.

The Clean Power Plan, setting the first ever carbon pollution limits from power plants, will greatly reduce the harmful effects of climate change and result in better health and economic outcomes for the Black community.

Spearheaded by Rev. Dr. Samuel C. Tolbert, president, National Baptist Convention of America; Rev. Jessie Bottoms, vice president, National Baptist Convention USA; Bishop Carroll Baltimore, Global United Fellowship; and Bishop George Battle, senior bishop, A.M.E. Zion Church. The signatures will be delivered Thursday, October 29th at 10:00a.m. to the Cannon House Office Building, Room 122, 27 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC. For more information contact Rae Robinson Trotman at 703-869-5448 or Email rae@irmediallc.com.

For the first time on film, BET.com and filmmaker/journalist Clay Cane explore homophobia in the black church and put the narrative in the hands of black LGBT people who are torn between their faith and the way they are treated by their church.

In the one-hour documentary, HOLLER IF YOU HEAR ME: BLACK AND GAY IN THE CHURCH-which premiered November 2 exclusively on the BET NOW app-Cane travels to Atlanta, Georgia, where church and LGBT culture cross paths like nowhere else. HOLLER IF YOU HEAR ME: BLACK AND GAY IN THE CHURCH” tackles this controversial but important issue through the journeys of those who are living it every day and whose stories deserve to be heard. It tells the story of several people who were ostracized by the church and their families, as well as the stories of those still inside the church. These personal accounts range from young people, such as Hannah, a 24-year-old living in a homeless shelter after being thrown out of her house for being a lesbian to Bishop O.C. Allen, III who leads the most famous LGBT church in the country, Vision Church of Atlanta, with his husband First Gentleman Rashad.

The film is bookended by the courtship and marriage of Jonita and Tonyka, two women who met in church.

With marriage equality, LGBT Pride and the “Transgender Tipping Point,” there has been progress for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, but some religious institutions sadly fall far behind when it comes to accepting and embracing LGBT people.

Cane, a veteran film critic and entertainment editor at BET.com, has written on a variety of cultural subjects, but in his exploration of homophobia he soon found that the subject

warranted a larger format of documentary cinema for its telling.

At the outset of the film, we hear Tonyka’s mother’s voice. She tenderly says that she doesn’t hate gays but adds, “I believe that the enemy has invaded them. I don’t believe they were born that way.”

She continues, “I can’t ever believe that God makes mistakes like that. We have to understand that we are engaged in spiritual warfare.”

This level of candor is found throughout the doc and contributes in large part to why the film is so riveting.

The film also delves into the stories of gays who have remained in the church. One such example is the story of Charles Anthony, the minister of music at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. In the film, he discusses his need to be where he feels God sent him, though he lacks a sense of affirmation from his peers.

To watch a link to the trailer of the gripping documentary “HOLLER IF YOU HEAR ME: BLACK AND GAY IN THE CHURCH” log on to www.bet.com/hollerifyouhearme. Follow the film on social media here: @HollerBET on Twitter, @BETHollerIfYouHearMe on Facebook and @BETHollerIfYouHearMe on Instagram.

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GUEST COMMENTARY

GUEST COMMENTARY

by Julianne Malveaux

by Charlene Crowell

What the first Democratic presidential debate showed us about the candidates In contrast to the more entertaining Republican presidential candidate debates, the first Democratic presidential candidate debate was more absorbing. We heard from grownups who refrained from personal attacks and offered solid information about their positions.

While there were mild fireworks, there was much gravitas, and the sagacity with which these candidates discussed issues was most welcome.

Hillary Rodham Clinton was gracious, graceful, firm and focused. She was the best I’ve seen her since she gave her incandescent speech at the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver.

Martin O’Malley missed his chance to shine. He seemed stiff and though he also seemed thoroughly prepared, he did not stand out.

Senator Lincoln Chafee might as well have stayed home. The dog ate my homework is not a credible defense for voting to repeal Glass-Steagall, the legislation that regulated banks in some of their activities. He says it was his first vote, and his dad had just died. With all due sympathy, that’s no excuse.

Finally we have “Whining Jim Webb” who complained that he was not getting enough time. But he spent too much time saying he wasn’t getting equal time, and he did not jump in, as others did, to make his point.

As CNN’s Anderson Cooper (who did a great job) correctly pointed out, Webb agreed to the rules in advance. And, really, had he equal time, what would he have said, and who would be interested? Bottom line, Webb and Chafee should go away, but they won’t.

The real contrast is between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Bernie Sanders, with O’Malley, seemingly running for vice president, adding occasional spark to the fire.

In response to the question, “Do Black lives matter, or do all lives matter?” Senator Sanders was the only Democrat on stage who uttered the words “institutional racism.” Whatever the Black Lives Matter team said to him in back in August, it took. He invoked Sandra Bland, the woman who supposedly hung herself in Texas, and talked about mass incarceration. O’Malley and Clinton addressed the issue as well, with the acceptable answers that included police reform, education and mass incarceration. Clinton suggested a “new deal” for communities of color, but time prevented her from offering details.

Neither Clinton nor O’Malley suggested that institutional racism had anything to do with the Black Lives Matter movement or the racial disparities that exist in our nation.

Unless I missed something, Chafee did not address the issue.

“Whining Webb” cited his work with African American veterans, which included defending a Marine who was convicted of murder and clearing his name. He also fought to include an African American soldier on the Mall. Great work, but where is the public policy?

The fact that Bernie Sanders mentioned institutional racism is significant. While as many as three-quarters of African Americans vote for Democrats, it is not clear that our Democratic allegiance is returned.

In the Democratic debate, Hillary Clinton talked about the role entrepreneurship plays in empowering people in our nation. Did she (or any of the other candidates) know that the Democratic National Committee spent $500 million on political consulting, but only 1.7 percent of those funds went to minority-owned businesses? African American support of the Democratic Party is not reflected in the dollars the DNC chooses to invest in our community.

Black lives matter, and so do black dollars.

African Americans have unemployment rates that are twice the jobless rates of whites, earn less regardless of education and occupation, have a fraction of the wealth, and less homeownership. Blacks account for 13 percent of the U.S. population, but half of those incarcerated.

Institutional racism is alive and well, but only one Democratic candidate for president chose to mention that. Some will say that Clinton and O’Malley alluded to institutional racism, but the concept has to be embraced, not simply alluded to. When people understand the concept of institutional racism, it allows them to work to dismantle it. Otherwise, we get a tepid response to racial injustices and ignorant attitudes about African American incarceration.

Haven’t you heard some white person say they didn’t own any slaves, without understanding that slavery’s aftermath can be seen in disparity data? Union folks forget that African American people were systematically excluded from their unions, used as strikebreakers until a few decades ago. Others forget the advantages they gained because institutional racism dictated African American exclusion.

Race matters are not the only matters that the Democratic nominee for president must deal with.

But those Democrats who take African American fealty for granted must understand that they have to give as much as they get. If about 25 percent of all Democrats are African American, shouldn’t we get 25 percent of the dollars that the DNC spends?

I am glad that Bernie Sanders raised the issue of institutional racism. I am wondering if the DNC and others will address the issue by doing a better job of distributing contracts and opportunities to minority-owned businesses.

Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist and her latest book, “Are We Better Off? Race, Obama and Public Policy,” will be released this month.

Raw deal from car dealers A century ago, the prevalence of public transportation enabled many Americans to take a bus or trolley car to work, school, shopping or health care providers. Today, many communities lack these public services and consumers instead rely on a personal vehicle to manage their day-to-day concerns. Beyond mobility, owning a car has become a gateway to economic opportunity.

Buying a car is more than finding one you like. Finding the best financing for that car is just as important. How consumers shop for vehicles and financing was the focus of a late 2012 survey sponsored by the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL). Additional research on auto financing and sales is included in CRL’s latest research report, “The State of Lending in America and its Impact on U.S. Households.”

Consumer replies to the survey revealed that a growing number of all consumers were turning to “Buy Here, Pay Here” (BHPH) auto lots.

BHPH dealers typically offer overpriced used cars and process all of their loans in-house. As a result, customers are required to make their payments at the dealership, as often as once a week.

In these types of sales, consumers with low-incomes and low credit scores become targets for predatory lending. CRL’s survey found that black consumers accounted for 41 percent of BHPH customers. Of these consumers, 74 percent were unaware of markups in car sales and finance, and fewer than half negotiated the cost of their monthly payment or cost of the vehicle.

And according to CRL, “Most BHPH dealers do not post prices on the lot. The dealer first assesses what kind of weekly or biweekly payment the consumer can be expected to pay. Then the consumer is told which car or cars are available to them and the price is set.”

The “State of Lending” report also found that most consumers are unaware that vehicle repossessions occur in 25-30 percent of these sales. CRL found that 70 percent of BHPH dealers install devices that can prevent car engines from starting and/or others that track the car’s movement. Should a customer be late or miss a payment, these devices help the dealer to quickly repossess the vehicle.

Typically, most consumers are preoccupied with obtaining personal transportation with what appears to be an affordable, regular payment. Other factors such as the annual percentage rate (APR), down payments, or the cost of add-on services are often ignored by the consumer — to the advantage of the dealer.

By maximizing profits on these older, high-mileage vehicles, most consumers do not realize how bad a deal they made until the car is repossessed.

The report further states, “The lack of transparency and regulation in auto finance has allowed different predatory practices to thrive throughout the years, creating more expensive and unsustainable loans for consumers. If the dealer controls the financing and has the ability to adjust the terms of that financing, the dealer has more opportunity to sell and finance additional insurance or warranty products. “ Even if a consumer has financing in hand, the dealer will try to find a way to convince the consumer to opt for dealer financing, which increases the profit potential in the deal.”

CRL advises that with any car purchase, if possible, consumers should try to secure financing with a bank or credit union before arriving at the dealership. In this way, the consumer gains leverage when negotiating with the dealer. Car buyers should also remember that nearly every aspect of their car loan is negotiable, including the sales price, interest rate, trade-in value, length of the loan and prices of add-on products.

For BHPH dealers in particular, consumers should first pick a car, negotiate the sales price and negotiate the value of a trade-in vehicle. Applying for financing with the dealer before these details are resolved affords dealers an advantage that seldom benefits consumers.

When household budgets are tight and access to credit is even tighter, consumers would be wise to ask enough questions to gain a clear understanding of the terms and conditions of all financial transactions.

When a vehicle is the difference between getting or keeping a job, it is especially in the consumer’s best interest to become as knowledgeable as possible.

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