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Volume 87 • Issue 28
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“There is no passion to be found playing small in settling for a life that is less than the one you are caplable of living. ” - Nelson Mandela
February 19-25, 2015
Georgia’s Opportunity School District to take over 100 ‘chronically’ failing schools
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ATLANTA DAILY WORLD
February 19-25, 2015
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Only Rapid Rewards® Members with a valid Atlanta-area address in their Rapid Rewards accounts are eligible for this promotion. New Members must enroll in Rapid Rewards at Southwest.com/atlanta to be eligible for the promotion and have a valid Atlanta-area address. Existing Members must have a valid Atlanta-area address as of February 5, 2015, to be eligible. Member must enroll or register for this promotion between February 13, 2015, and May 17, 2015, and registration must be completed prior to commencement of travel. Member must complete three qualifying roundtrip revenue flights originating from and returning to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport between February 13, 2015, and May 17, 2015. Three qualifying roundtrips must be booked and travel completed between February 13, 2015, and May 17, 2015. A Member who flies three qualifying roundtrip revenue flights booked through Southwest Airlines® with travel completed between February 13, 2015, and May 17, 2015, will qualify for Companion Pass status, which entitles a designated traveling Companion to fly with the Member through December 31, 2015, on flights booked through Southwest Airlines. A qualifying roundtrip for Companion Pass status is a roundtrip revenue flight on Southwest Airlines from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to a destination city, including any intermediate stops and/or connections on Southwest Airlines, and back to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport within the same reservation. Companion Pass travel is subject to the government-imposed September 11th Security Fee of $5.60 per one-way trip and any foreign government taxes/fees if traveling international, all of which must be paid by credit card when the reservation is made. Visit Southwest.com® to review the full Companion Pass status program rules and regulations. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply.
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Atlanta Daily World
Founded August 5 1928; Became Daily, March 12, 1932 W.A. Scott, II, Founder/Publisher August 5, 1928 to February 7, 1934 Published weekly at 100 Hartsfield Centre Parkway Suite 500 Atlanta, Georgia 30354 Periodicals Postage Paid at Atlanta Mailing Offices. Publication Number 017255 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Atlanta Daily World, 100 Hartsfield Centre Parkway Suite 500 Atlanta, Georgia 30354 Subscriptions: One Year: $52 Two Years: $85 Forms of Payment: Check, Money Order, VISA American Express, MasterCard MEMBER: Associated Press Atlanta Business League Central Atlanta Progress Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce National Newspaper Publishers Website: www.AtlantaDailyWorld.com Roz Edward
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COVER STORY
February 19-25, 2015
Gov. Deal proposes state take over chronically failing Georgia schools By Terry Shropshire Gov. Nathan Deal’s Senate floor leader, Butch Miller (R-Gainesville) on Wednesday, Feb.18 introduced legislation to create an Opportunity School District that will allow the state to temporarily step in to assist chronically failing schools, giving students and parents hope for a better future. “While Georgia boasts many schools that achieve academic excellence every year, we still have too many schools where students have little hope of attaining the skills they need to succeed in the workforce or in higher education,” said Deal. “We have a moral duty to do everything we can to help these children. Failing schools keep the cycle Butch Miller of poverty spinning (R-Gainesville) from one generation to the next. Education provides the only chance for breaking that cycle. When we talk about helping failing schools, we’re talking about rescuing children. I stand firm on the principle that every child can learn, and I stand equally firm in the belief that the status quo isn’t working.” In the governor’s proposal, persistently failing schools are defined as those scoring below 60 on the Georgia Department of Education’s accountability measure and the College and Career Performance Index for three consecutive years. It didn’t take long for Senate Democrats to introduce their own proposal for “Community Schools” which would add access to on-site health clinics, more counselors and after-school services to the mix. The Democratic plan uses a formula which identifies 250 schools they say are in dire need of state assistance. The Opportunity School District would take in no more than 20 schools per year, meaning it would govern no more than 100 at any given time. Schools would stay in the district for no less than five years, but not more than 10 years. “I would like nothing more than for the need for the Opportunity School District to decline every year; that would show our reforms are working,” Deal said. “But everyone – regardless of where they stand on this issue – can agree that today there is a need. We know from other states such as Louisiana and Tennessee that these programs can produce positive results for students and communities. Creating the Opportunity School District requires a constitutional amendment. In the current legislative session, Deal will work with legislators to put the amendment on the 2016 ballot and to pass enabling legislation that will govern how the district operates. “Educational opportunity opens the door to the American dream. We can’t guarantee that every child will achieve, but we must do everything in our power to make sure they at least get the chance,” said Deal. House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams and Deal will take a fact-finding trip to Louisiana next
week to learn more about the governor’s proposal. Democratic support is essential because Deal’s proposal is a constitutional amendment, requiring two-thirds approval by both chambers before it lands on the ballot in 2016. The GOP holds a commanding edge in the House and a supermajority in the Senate, Stacey Abrams but Deal will need to pick off Democrats in both chambers to make up for Republicans who bolt. Abrams said her caucus has attended Deal’s listening sessions and has held its own roundtable discussion with academics on the merits and flaws of the legislation. Rather than put forward a competing plan though, she signaled she would instead
push for changes in the existing proposal. “We need to see the legislation evolve,” she said of the wait-and-see approach. “What gets on there the first day is rarely what makes it to the end.” State School Superintendent Richard Woods wrote in an email that his philosophy did not support any kind of state or federal oversight. “Local school systems, communities, parents, and educators know best how to address the learning needs of their students,” Woods wrote. “Education cannot and should not be micromanaged by an office in Atlanta or Washington.” House Minority Leader, Rep. Stacey Abrams, has questioned how a recovery district would be managed, and in a media symposium with reporters last week asked why schools are failing, and if it’s a funding or structural issue. Numbers about failing students and schools are stark. In Deal’s speech, he said roughly 23 percent of schools have received a D or an F for the past three consecutive years. In the last school year, more than 19,000 high school students have dropped out.
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NEWS
Georgia Department of Transportation to spend $1 billion for traffic congestion By Terry Shropshire The Georgia Department of Transportation is set to spend the largest amount of money in the state’s history to help ease metro Atlanta traffic. Most of the $1 billion project will focus on providing relief where Interstate 285 and Georgia 400 come together. “It will eventually be the largest [project] in GDOT history,” said GDOT project manager Marlow Clowers. GDOT will add lanes and fly-over ramps to increase capacity and establish more collection areas to eliminate bottleneck issues on the city’s highways. GDOT had facilitated an open house in order for the public to provide input into what the design will look like. The Perimeter Mall just north of the city is a major part of this project, GDOT execs said. “It’s become a hub for major employment,
so we’ve got to have this gateway to improve” Perimeter CID president Yvonne Williams told the station. “We’re going to minimize [congestion] as much as we can, but there will be some,” Clowers said. Scheduled to be completed in three years, GDOT says the construction will save drivers an average of eight hours of commuting time a year.
Atlanta state senator seeks to annex new Braves stadium By Terry Shropshire An Atlanta state senator seeks to pass legislation in order to annex the portion of suburban Cobb County, where the Braves will build their new professional baseball stadium, into the city of Atlanta. Sen. HoraceSen. Horacena Tate na Tate (D-Atlanta) has introduced a bill in the Georgia General Assembly seeking to extend the city limits of Atlanta north so that it will include the 60-acre Cobb
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County region where the Braves are building a new $672 million stadium and $400 million mixed-use development. The Braves are scheduled to move out of Turner Field just outside of downtown Atlanta and into their new stadium to begin the 2017 season. Senate Bill 96, filed Tuesday, would extend the city limits north along Interstate 75 if it passes, the Marietta Daily Journal reported. Tate also represents a portion of south Cobb, but was unavailable for comment on the bill. Her counterpart in Cobb County, state Rep. John Carson (R-Cobb) called the filing of the bill imprudent. “I am very disappointed that such legislation, that has virtually no chance of passing, was introduced,” Carson told the MDJ. “In addition, this type of legislation, as well as the manner in which it was introduced, will only cause tension between our communities.”
February 19-25, 2015
Former Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin: “I am acutely aware that women still have a long way to go”
Special to Atlanta Daily World by Shirley Franklin In a speech to the Women in the World Summit, Hillary Clinton said, “I have always believed that women are not victims, we are agents of change, we are drivers of progress, we are makers of peace -- all we need is a fighting chance.” She is right. I had that chance as Atlanta’s first woman mayor and the first African American woman elected to lead a major Southern city. I am grateful for having been given that opportunity and I am under no illusion about my personal success - I am acutely aware that women still have a long way to go. Throughout American history, women have been tireless advocates for equality. We have been fighting not just for ourselves but also for the generations of men and women who will become future agents of change. The fight is far from over, and having an advocate like Hillary Clinton will help us to make significant strides in the struggle for equality. From her time as First Lady of Arkansas to being one of the most successful Secretaries of State, Hillary Clinton has broken down barriers and proven that gender has nothing to do with leadership. Hillary overcame many challenges as a female leader and now tirelessly advocates for the concerns of women and girls. Because when we succeed--America succeeds. Hillary Clinton elevated women’s issues to the forefront of U.S. foreign policy and brought women’s empowerment to the global stage. As Secretary of State, Hillary committed the United States to advancing opportunity for women as entrepreneurs and launched multiple public and private partnerships to raise the status of girls and promote girls’ ed-
ucation around the world. She continues her work empowering women today through the Clinton Foundation and their No Ceilings and Data2x initiatives. During my eight years as mayor, Atlanta collaborated with local and regional leaders in addressing policy challenges that included urban planning, economic development, and infrastructure. During my administration the city may have been widely known for reforming major government operations, ethics reform and planning and executing over $5 billion in airport and water infrastructure improvements, but there was not a day when I was not humbled by the honor and mindful of the responsibility that I stood on the shoulders of women to whom I owed a debt of gratitude. So when community leaders asked me to do something about the horrific human trafficking crisis that was escalating in Atlanta, we did. When employees challenged me to work on a living wage, we did. When high school students asked for help planning for college and closing the funding gap for their educational expenses, we did it. Women can be “drivers of progress” if we are given a chance. As women we are still fighting to erase pay inequity and increase our full political participation. We do not receive equal economic or political opportunity, and our right to make our own healthcare decisions is being challenged. Empowering women isn’t only the right thing to do; it’s the smart thing to do. Hillary Clinton has been a lifelong advocate for women and throughout her career she has served as a role model to women everywhere – myself included. Should she run for president, I would support Hillary Clinton because she understands that when women succeed- America succeeds.
Publishes Every Thursday
BUSINESS Comcast expansion in Atlanta, creates 300 jobs in Fulton and Gwinnett counties
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Febraury 19-25, 2015
Gov. Nathan Deal announced Tuesday, Feb. 17 that Comcast will expand its business in greater Atlanta, creating 300 new jobs in Fulton and Gwinnett counties and relocating to a new, more modern regional headquarters in Peachtree Corners as part of the company’s overall effort to enhance the customer experience. “With approximately 4,000 employees in Georgia, Comcast has long been a strong corporate partner of our state,” said Deal. “Not only has the company created high-quality jobs, but Comcast has also continued to invest in technology infrastructure statewide. With our competitive business climate that includes a solid logistics infrastructure and some of the best and brightest minds in technology, I have no doubt that Comcast will continue to flourish in Georgia.” Comcast has selected Peachtree Corners in Gwinnett County for the location of its new regional headquarters, which will house the company’s existing 532 full-time local employees. The new 88,000-square-foot stateof-the-art facility will feature four floors, a high-tech demonstration lab and a Comcast University space for employee training and continuing education. The company will add 150 positions at its new headquarters and 150 additional employees to its existing facility in Alpharetta on North Point Parkway. “By bringing 300 new jobs to Atlanta,
Comcast continues to support Georgia’s economic development by building a strong, highly skilled workforce, deploying innovative products and services, and investing in the most advanced broadband network in the state,” said Comcast Regional SVP Doug Guthrie. “Our new regional headquarters in Peachtree Corners puts us in a larger, more contemporary environment, allowing us to better meet the needs of our customers across our service area. I want to thank Governor Deal, Economic Development Commissioner Chris Carr, Fulton Chairman John Eaves, Gwinnett Chairman Charlotte Nash, our partners from the state, and those from Ful-
Atlanta chapter of NBMBA presents business forum at Georgia Power
ton and Gwinnett counties for their terrific support.” Lindsay Martin, director of existing industry and regional recruitment at the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), assisted Comcast on behalf of Georgia, along with Partnership Gwinnett and Progress Partners of North Fulton. “Today’s announcement reflects how Georgia’s thriving communities work together with leading global companies such as Comcast to grow our industry base,” said Carr. “These newly created jobs and this increase in investment not only represent career opportunities for Georgians, but they
Steve Harvey expands with new ‘Breakthrough and Self-Development’ division By Qwest 7
By Terry Shropshire The Atlanta Chapter of the National Black MBA Association will present its February Connection Forum: “The Business of Relationships”, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 23, at the Georgia Power Auditorium, 241 Ralph McGill Blvd. “We’ve all heard it before. But, why is it so hard to have a great rela-
tionship? How can we develop viable relationships that help us in our personal and business lives?” The panelist of relationship experts and life strategists will answer those questions as they present an interactive, inspiring and helpful evening of tips, tools and scenarios to help audiences handle your business life by managing your personal life.
will also help further the state’s technology sector.” As one of the Georgia’s largest employers, Comcast boasts 4,000 representatives and holds a 20-year record of spending over $200 million per year in Georgia. Comcast operates nearly 190 facilities, offices and call centers statewide, allowing it to be on-site and responsive to its customers. In Marietta, Alpharetta and Buckhead, Comcast has opened XFINITY Customer Centers, which provide an interactive way for customers to experience products and services, such as the X1 platform and the XFINITY Home suite of products, as well as easily exchange equipment and pay bills. In recent years in Atlanta, Comcast has launched Cloud DVR, a service that enables customers to watch live television on mobile devices and take their content on the go, a growing trend known as TV Everywhere. Comcast has also deployed several hundred thousand local Wi-Fi hotspots in businesses, homes and popular outdoor venues, allowing a virtually seamless online experience for customers. Comcast has invested heavily in expanding its 10-gigabit fiber network that serves businesses, government agencies and other commercial organizations across greater Atlanta, providing the fastest broadband speeds available
To quote Jay Z, Steve Harvey is a business, man. With a popular syndicated radio show, an equally popular talk show and a successful run as an author, the former stand-up comic is truly running things. Although he’s found success in the entertainment world, Harvey’s latest venture finds him building on his desire to give back to the community. The funnyman is joining forces with Motivating the Masses CEO and founder Lisa Nichols to expand his brand. According to a press release, Nichols, a professional “coach” and business-development specialist, will lead the way in the “creation of a new division under the Steve Harvey umbrella that will focus on breakthrough and self-development. Harvey’s work with Nichols, which is part of a series called “Act Like a Success,” will coincide with the release of his new self-improvement book, “Act Like A Success, Think Like A Success.” The press release further notes that the goal of the series is to “educate the public on how to achieve success through personal breakthroughs. Pulling from lessons learned along their journey to success, it will focus on teaching techniques to accelerate growth even if there have been interruptions along the way.” According to the press release, the goal of the series is to “educate the public on how to achieve success through personal breakthroughs. Pulling from lessons learned along their journey to success, it will focus on teaching tech-
niques to accelerate growth even if there have been interruptions along the way.” The Act Like a Success series is the latest in a string of endeavors created by Harvey to help others. Among his most successful endears are the Steve Harvey Mentoring Program for Young, which on teaches the principles of manhood to young men in order to make them strong and responsible members of society and the Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation, which is dedicated to is “reaching back to pull someone forward.”
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COMMUNITY Atlanta Links’ gala to support 2015 ‘Tossed Out Treasures” youth programs set for March 27-28
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Febraury 19-25, 2015
(L)Desmond Johnson, a graduate of the Link-supported Urban Youth Harp Ensemble, performs. (R) Link Joisanne Brown Richmond leads the Project LEAD students in an activity at King Middle School. The Atlanta Chapter of Links, Inc. will sponsor its biennial Valentine’s gala, Red Hearts and Chocolate – Celebrating Our Tradition of Service on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 10:00 a.m. at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. The unique brunch gala will benefit the Atlanta Chapter’s award-winning program, Project LEAD, and other programs that serve local youth. Project LEAD was founded 30 years ago at Sammye Coan Middle School and it continues now at King Middle School in northeast Atlanta. To date, 100 percent of Project LEAD students have graduated from high school and many have completed college and built successful careers. The Atlanta Chapter also supports other youth programs, including the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble. Led by Ms. Roselyn Lewis, this group teaches aspiring African American teens to play the harp. The Urban Harp Ensemble will perform during the reception for the gala. “It’s a way to thank our supporters and to raise money for these vital programs,“ said Red Hearts & Chocolate Co-Chair, Jettie Burnett, M.D. Established in 1946, The Links, Inc. is an international, non-profit organization of more than 12,000 accomplished African-American women in 275 chapters in the U.S. and abroad.
It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations. The women support initiatives in four areas or Facets: National Trends and Services, The Arts, International Trends and Services, Health and Human Services, and Services to Youth.
The Sandy Springs Society will host the 24th annual “Tossed Out Treasures,” the ultimate flea market, Friday, March 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the former Marshalls in Marshall’s Plaza, 6337 Roswell Road. The much-anticipated sale is touted as the ultimate guilt-free shopping experience with bargains on high end treasures including home décor, jewelry, silver, crystal, sports equipment, art, furniture, gently-used clothing, and much more. For those who want an exclusive preview, the bargain hunter’s event opens with a preview party on Thursday, March 26, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Preview Party shoppers can be the first to browse and buy while enjoying dinner, beer and wine, and a silent auction. Treasures are donated by members of the 300-plus Sandy Spring Society and the community at large, and raises up to $70,000 annually. The popular event has served the community for 24 years with proceeds fund-
ing over 20 philanthropic organizations in the Sandy Springs community. This year’s event will be co-chaired by Ann Nable, Elizabeth Kelly, Barbara Groves, and Kathryn Loia and advisor Joan Plunkett. Admission to “Tossed Out Treasures” is free and open to the public. Preview Party tickets, which are limited, are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. The Sandy Springs Society is a 501(c)3 charitable organization of women that was founded in March 1988 to support programs that improve the quality of life for the residents of Sandy Springs. Through its yearly grant process, the organization supports Heritage Sandy Springs and other non-profits in the community that promote the arts, heritage, education, the environment and social services. In its 26 years of existence, the organization has contributed over $2.8 million to the Sandy Springs community.
With the Infinity Show Band providing live music, dancing, and a delectable brunch menu, it promises to be a lively and delightfully different affair. Tickets are $175 per person and a portion of the purchase price is tax deductible. For more information and to purchase tickets, contact Jettie Burnett (678) 596-9939, Donna Williams(678) 596-7854 or Onnye Sears (404) 556-7452.
Atlanta’s top chefs preparing for 10th Annual Chefs of the World: A Taste of Fame Event
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Award winning celebrity chef Marvin Woods will lead a an array of “Top Chefs” as they bring exciting, upscale dining to the city of Atlanta as a scholarship fundraiser for students pursuing degrees in culinary arts and hospitality. Woods will be joined by a diverse group of chefs in the 10th Annual Chefs of the World: A Taste of Fame, devoted to displaying their culinary expertise for invited guests. Sponsored by the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation this event will be held on Monday, March 2 at 6 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, 265 Peachtree Street. Each participating executive or sous chef has graciously committed his/her time and resources to prepare a five-course meal for 10
people. Each meal will be selected personally by the chef and are tastefully and exquisitely unique to their respective style. Up to 25 tables – each seating 10 individuals -- provides an elegant and stylishly appointed setting for this exciting event. Confirmed chefs include: Marvin Woods, Owner and Executive Chef, Asante Restaurant and Lounge, Atlanta; Averriel Thomas, Chef & Owner, Fat Creole Tomato Catering, New Orleans; Martin Pfefferkorn, Executive Chef, Hyatt Regency Atlanta; Natalie Michon Alexander, Owner, Michon’s BBQ Bistro, Atlanta; Tim Kotula, Executive Chef, The Commerce Club, Atlanta; Ashley Clay, Executive Chef/Owner, Scales 925, Atlanta; Ugo Okpareke, Executive Chef, Rays in the City,
Atlanta; Tony Morrow, Owner, The Pecan, Atlanta; Rolando Cantrell, Owner, Cantrell Occasions, Atlanta; Matthew Ionetta, Senior Banquet Chef, Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Atlanta; Marc Suennemann, Executive Chef, Fandangle’s Restaurant, Sheraton Atlanta Hotel; Mark Brown, Owner, Magnificent Meals, Atlanta; Ralph B. Paige, Executive Chef, Atlanta Area Technical College, Atlanta; Kahlicia Pettus, Regional Vice President, Sodexo: Frank Ski’s Restaurant and Lounge, Atlanta; Chef Elliott Farmer, CEO/President, Farmer’s Gourmet Catering/Chef Elliott’s Enterprise, Inc., Douglassville; Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint, Atlanta; and, Simeon Hall, Executive Chef and Owner, Simeon Hall Restaurants, Grand Bahamas.
ENTERTAINMENT
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February 19-25, 2015
Janelle Monáe’s Wondaland signs deal with Epic Records By Jillian Bowe Janelle Monáe is taking her musical brilliance from the stage and into the boardroom. Epic Records and Janelle announced the two have partnered up to start a joint venture with the singer’s Wondaland Records. Under Janelle’s record label, the singer has signed upcoming artists, Jidenna, Roman GianArthur, Deep Cotton, and St. Beauty. Epic Chairman and CEO L.A. Reid said in a released statement: “The collective talent of the Wondaland artists is awe-inspiring. I haven’t personally witnessed a collective that sounds and looks this special in quite a while. I’ve been a longtime supporter and friend of Janelle and it is an honor to now work with her as a visionary businesswoman who brings an all-star group of talented performers to the table.” According to Janelle, each of her artists bring a distinctive sound to the table and to the world. Janelle stated: “I’m so thrilled to share Wondaland Records with the world. Each artist under Wondaland Records
has unparalleled talent, incredible vision, and brings something unique to the music industry. Together, we’re creating a new movement and space for the future of music and pop culture. I’m honored to be partnering with Epic Records and my friend LA Reid to present such extraordinary talent” concluded Monae. Jidenna, who’s first single “Classic Man” featuring label mate Roman GianArthur hits radio stations Feb. 16, is a Brooklyn-based singer who’s “elegant and funky take on hip-hop that transforms ordinary parties into sweaty soirées.” The son of a Nigerian chief and American anthropologist’s single is available on iTunes now. Roman GianArthur, a writer, producer, singer, and arranger who’s “feisty, and consistently touches the soul”. It seems the Roman’s live shows are a must see event and after viewing it online, we can’t agree more. Alex Belle and Isis Valentino make up the group St. Beauty where the women’s mix of rock, soul, folk and tribal music paints what Epic calls, “emotional stories, casting a spell over the listener that cannot be broken.”
Details about Kenya Moore’s boyfriend revealed by ‘Millionaire Matchmaker’
By Sonya Eskridge Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stanger just spilled the tea on Kenya Moore’s boyfriend. Playing out her love life on camera hasn’t worked well for Kenya on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” Perhaps that’s why she’s decided to keep her current relationship off the screen. It’s probably a smart decision. Kenya’s detractors have doubted that her mystery African actually exists. After all of the drama with her ex-beau Walter Jackson, and the disputed nature of their arrangement, viewers believe she’s capable of pulling any trick to make her life seem glamorous. However, Patti brought him up during her
recent chat with Wendy Williams. In fact, she’s pretty well-acquainted with Kenya’s beau because she brought them together! “She’s dating the guy that I fixed her up with,” Patti stated. Patti specializes in results, so she chose carefully when considering a guy for Kenya. He’s got some decent credentials! WetPaint.com reports that, apparently, he graduated from an Ivy League College (no word on which one), and he doesn’t have any kids…so far. Kenya has been very clear about her desire to be a mommy. Maybe there might be a ring and family in Kenya’s future if things go well!
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ENTERTAINMENT Former ‘Young and the Restless’ star suing CBS and Sony over alleged racism
www.AtlantaDailyWorld.com
February 19-25, 2015
Former “Young and the Restless” soap opera star Victoria Rowell is reportedly suing Sony and CBS Television for not rehiring her, saying it was a retaliatory move for her advocating for blacks in front of and behind the camera, according to court documents obtained by inside sources. The 55-year-old actress, who first landed her “Y&R” gig back in 1990 became increasingly dissatisfied with the way in which blacks are treated in soaps. According to Rowell, there aren’t enough African-Americans working in her industry. And when she bellyached about it, the powers that be pulled the plug on her character in 2007. Rowell, however, claims she exited the show because she constantly was on the losing end of the alleged constant behind-the-scenes racist politics that drained her. Rowell claims in the Manhattan federal court filed lawsuit that she has been trying to get back onto “The Young and the Restless” or onto “The Bold and the Beautiful” since 2010. She alleges that her attempts to join one of the two sister soaps has been denied by those hiring at Bell-Phillip Television Production, Inc. and Sony. She also alleges that the CBS CEO is in control and has put the kibosh her re-hiring. “Ms. Rowell has been blacklisted from even being considered for roles on daytime television and on any CBS programming, not because of any acting deficiencies or viewers’ desires, but because of retaliation for her advocacy for African Americans in front of and behind the camera,” the documents state, according to the New York Daily News. In the court papers, Rowell spills all the tea about the discriminatory behaviors she had to endure throughout her 17-
year stint at “Y&R.” Rowell claims she had to pay for a black hair stylist out of her own pockets because the company would not foot the bill. Blacks on the set were treated like second class citizens. “White actors and actresses treated Ms. Rowell and the stylist with impunity, and told Ms. Rowell that her hair ‘smelled,’” according to documents obtained by the Daily News. Rowell points the finger at actress Melody Thomas Scott who sported an oversized afro wig on set as a form of mockery, and actress Michelle Stafford spitting on her, referring to her as a “freak” and screaming, “No one here likes you!” In 2011, Rowell wrote a series of novels about all of the frustrating ins and outs of her business with regards to the treatment of African-Americans. The lack of blacks in decision-making positions also catapulted Rowell to engage in an hours-long tweet tirade last year against her former soap that coincidentally coincided with the show’s 41st anniversary. Meanwhile CBS offered a response to the Rowell suit which they have referred to as bogus according to the New York Daily News: “We were disappointed to learn that, after leaving the cast of ‘The Young and the Restless’ on her own initiative, Ms. Rowell has attempted to rewrite that history through lawyers’ letters and a lawsuit that has no merit,” the spokeswoman said. “We harbor no ill will toward Ms. Rowell, but we will vigorously defend this case.” Rowell seeks damages, back pay and front pay to be determined at trial.
Kanye West says, ‘I wasn’t respecting women the way I needed to’
By Omar Burgess Some of Kanye West’s most notable moments have been viewed through the lens of how he interacts with the women in his life. From the death of his mother, the breakup that inspired 808s & Heartbreak, and his wife and daughter, some of the women in West’s life have been in the spotlight equally as much as he has. With some new creative endeavors on the horizon, West detailed how his dynamic with women has changed over the years. ‘When I was a single bachelor rapper, and
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with the access that I had, I realized that I wasn’t respecting women the way I needed to,’ West told James Harris in a recent interview. ‘God has an amazing way of teaching people, and literally for two years I lived with all alpha females and a daughter, you know? [Laughs] So I had to learn to really do what my mother taught me, and become the man she always knew I could be, and bow as a creative.’ From a creative standpoint, West has coordinated fashion choices with his wife, Kim Kardashian, and included his daughter and late mother in themes for his single “Only One.”
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EDUCATION
February 19-25, 2015
Republicans, Democrats jockey University of Phoenix awards 40 full-tuition scholarships for on changing education law Black teachers
(AP) Outnumbered by Republicans, Democratic lawmakers are jockeying to get their views heard as Congress moves ahead on revising the much-maligned No Child Left Behind education law. With votes anticipated in the House and Senate, House Democrats crowded into a small Capitol Hill hearing room Thursday for their own forum on changing the law in protest of Republicans’ handling of the issue. Annual testing requirements, Common Core standards and school choice are all hot-button issues in the debate. Both sides heartily agree that the landmark law needs to be fixed, but tension centers on the level of federal involvement in classifying and fixing schools. Complicating the issue, allegiances don’t clearly fall along party lines. Among Republicans, for example, some members want to essentially eliminate the federal role in education, but GOP-friendly business groups side with civil rights groups in support of a strong federal role. Teachers’ unions, historically aligned with Democrats, have criticized the Obama administration’s handling of education policy as having too much of an emphasis on testing. The bipartisan No Child Left Behind law, signed by President George W. Bush in 2002, was designed to bring equity to schools and mandated that students in grades three to eight be tested annually in reading and math and once again in high school. Schools that didn’t show annual growth faced consequences, and every student was to be proficient by 2014. Deciding that the goal was unattainable, the Obama administration in 2012 started granting waivers to states allowing them to avoid some of the more stringent requirements of the law if they met conditions such as adopting meaningful teacher evaluation systems and college- and career-ready standards like Common Core. The standards spell out what skills students in each grade should master in reading and math. Widespread disagreement over how to change the law has kept Congress from getting a bill to President Barack Obama. With Republicans now controlling both the House and the Senate, congressional leaders are hopeful they can get a bill passed this year. That’s left House Democrats frustrated with the speed at which it’s moving.
Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., the chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, on Tuesday released a bill to update the law similar to one passed by the House in 2013 without one Democrat on board, and scheduled a Feb. 11 committee meeting to consider it. The bill maintains federal testing requirements, but it strips the federal government of much of its authority – including limiting the education secretary’s role in “coercing” standards. A vote is expected in late February. Kline said the committee has had more than a dozen hearings over the last four years. “Americans have waited long enough for reforms that will fix a broken education system,” he said. Like Alexander, Kline has expressed concern that a strong federal role in education stifles education advancement and innovation in states. But Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, D-Va., the newly appointed senior Democrat on the committee, accused House Republicans of a “hasty, partisan push” to rewrite the law and he organization the forum with a panel of education experts. Opening the hearing, Scott noted that this year, a majority of the nation’s school children live in poverty, and students of color make up the majority of students in school. He said the law must “continue the historic federal role in education to support schools and districts with high concentrations of poverty” and to “overcome the achievement gap that still exists.” Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a statement that Kline’s bill would “turn back the clock on growth.” In the Senate, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington state, senior Democrat on the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, came out against a provision in a draft bill circulated by the panel’s chairman, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, to let federal dollars follow low-income students to a different public school. Much of the discussion in the Senate has focused on whether federal testing mandates should continue. Alexander has said he’s willing to listen to both sides. He’s hopeful by the end of the month he can get a bill out of his committee. “We have to have a bipartisan result. Otherwise we won’t have a law,” Alexander said.
For nearly 40 years, University of Phoenix has been helping working adults attain their education and career goals. To continue this support, we are providing 40 new full-tuition scholarships for those who are chasing dreams bigger than themselves. This new scholarship program is another step toward meeting the needs of our communities through greater involvement in the key areas of education, health care and criminal justice. Dr. Steve Perry, CEO and Founder of Capital Preparatory Schools, Kimberly Worth, Washington DC’s 2009 Teacher of the Year and Byron Jones, CFO of Phoenix University joined “NewsOne Now host” Roland Martin to discuss UOPX new scholarship program and the need for more African American teachers in our classrooms. When asked why it is critical to increase the numbers of African American teachers, Byron Jones told Martin, “It really hits home at what we need in the community.” Currently out of all of the teachers in the United States, only 2 percent are African American. Jones explained the University of Phoenix wants to address this startling statistic, “The University of Phoenix School of Education is one of the largest educational schools in the country, and so we feel that we are primed to be able to offer these 40 scholarships to actually impact that number.” Jones added, “We know it’s so important to have teachers of color in the classroom to actually mentor our students.” Dr. Steve Perry is on the frontlines in the battle to educate our youth, said he had one Black male teacher until he reached graduate school who he later hired to teach at Capital
Preparatory Schools. “When you have an African American male who can teach, not just being Black and male” is not enough according to Perry. “It is important that our children, all children understand that they could have access to individuals who are different from themselves or in some cases as in African American young men are the same as them.” “To have more qualified African American male and female teachers in the classroom is vital,” said Perry. He also noted more teachers are obtaining their master’s degrees through online colleges and gave the University of Phoenix kudos as a great place to start equipping Black teachers to be successful in black communities. Kimberly Worth, Washington DC’s 2009 Teacher of the Year told Martin, African American teachers bring “consciousness” to the classroom. “We are conscious of what we represent in front of our students, we’re conscious of speaking the language of power and how that is interpreted by our students. They see us as a positive image, they see us as someone they can aspire to be, they see us as someone that takes community activism and giving back to our community something very essential and a part of our community, it’s a part of our culture.” Worth explained, “We bring our culture to the classroom, which is so important because we allow children to say we can be excellent and maintain our culture, we don’t have to separate the two, we don’t have to assimilate, we don’t have to change who we are … What we do in the classroom is give our students permission to be Black and excellent.”
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February 19-25, 2015
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PUBLIC NOTICE Notice of Fiscal Year 2016 MTW Annual Plan PUBLIC HEARING Tuesday, March 3, 2015, 6:00pm – 8:00pm 230 John Wesley Dobbs Ave., Atl. GA 30303 The Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta, Georgia (AHA) is developing its FY 2016 Moving to Work Annual Plan which outlines its proposed initiatives and activities. The draft Plan is available for public review. All comments must be received by AHA no later than March 15, 2015 and can be submitted via the public hearing, email: strategy@atlantahousing. org, web: www.atlantahousing.org, scheduling an appointment or message via voicemail 404-817-7458, or mail to AHA-Office of Policy & Strategy. All AHA residents, program participants and other interested parties are invited to attend the public hearing. For assistance or reasonable accommodation to review the Plan or attend the public hearing, call 404-817-7458 no later than February 24, 2015. AHA abides by all Fair Housing laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, familial status or disability
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February 19-25, 2015
GUEST COMMENTARY
GUEST COMMENTARY
by Kevin P. Chavous
by Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis
My Black History: Keeping it real in school and life In the spring of 1968, while growing up in Indianapolis, my mother scooped up me and my three younger siblings and told us that she was going to take us to hear the next president of the United States speak. It was a misty, overcast night but I was excited to go - even if I had to stand in the rain. When we arrived at the near northeast park, the mainly African American crowd was buzzing with expectation. Although I was just 11 years old, I knew that this was a big deal. Soon, Robert Kennedy and his staff arrived at the park. But they didn’t look happy. We were about 30 yards away and I could see the tension on the faces of Kennedy and his team. I sensed something was wrong. From the very beginning, they did not look like they were at a presidential campaign rally. Finally, Bobby Kennedy stood on the back of a truck and announced to all of us that Martin Luther King, Jr. had just been assassinated in Memphis. The crowd, including my mother, all began to gasp, scream, then cry. As sad as I instantly felt, I was determined not to cry. I wanted to be strong. I do remember thinking, however, as the light drizzle fell on my face, it would help to camouflage my tears - but I did not cry. As people were dealing with the shock, some of the folks in the back were getting agitated. I could feel the anger rising. Bobby Kennedy then gave one of the most famous speeches in American political history. He quoted the poet, Aeschylus; talked about the need for love, not hate and then calmed the crowd in a way no one else could do by letting them know that he understood how they felt - especially since, as he said, “a white man killed my brother”. With each word he spoke, you could feel his anguish, his agony and his compassion. That night, nearly every major American city burned in rioting because of the anger over Dr. King’s murder. All except Indianapolis. Bobby Kennedy did what no other white man in America could do that night: he connected with an African American crowd in a way to dissuade them from striking out because of Dr. King’s death. A surreal spiritual energy descended on us all during that intense emotional moment. For those of us watching and listening to him, Bobby Kennedy was no longer a white man talking to Black folks; he was a man who had lost a loved one to a senseless act of violence consoling a group of people who had just lost a loved one to another senseless act of violence. We were all connected through our humanity. I thought of that night during a recent visit to my Indianapolis hometown. I was visiting
the Oaks Academy, a private pre-K-8 elementary school located just five blocks from the park where Bobby Kennedy gave his now legendary speech. The school is one of a kind. Ninety-seven percent of the 600 plus kids are proficient in both reading and math. Indeed, the school’s scores are among the best in the state. Fifty percent of the kids are on free or reduced lunch. Almost 60% of the Oaks students are recipients of scholarships from the Indiana Opportunity Scholarship Program. But here is the really remarkable thing about Oaks Academy: the other 50 percent of the kids come from middle class to upper middle class families. In fact, some of the wealthy parents drive from as far away as Carmel, a well-to-do suburb, to enroll their kids in the school. The Head of School Andrew Hart, works hard to keep the racial and socio-economic balance of the school in place. His waiting list consists of equal parts poor kids and kids from wealthy families. Both groups benefit from the socialization experience of being exposed to someone from a totally different world. For instance, Mr. Hart shakes his head when talking about how extremely different Christmas break is for his kids. One set of kids may go to Vail to ski over the break, while another group of kids have the primary responsibility of taking care of and watching their younger siblings. How does Oaks do it? “It helps that most of our kids enroll at our school in pre-K and remain here until they are ready for high school,” says Andrew Hart. “So, all of our kids and their families feel like they are part of a community. The kids all grow up together. And all are close, irrespective of their backgrounds. They are connected through their shared experience at our school, through our values and our humanity.” Today, with America’s schools more segregated than when the1954 Brown v Board of Education Supreme Court decision legally struck down the practice of ‘separate but equal,’ it is exceedingly rare to see a school with such a diverse socio-economic mix of students. It is rare to see a school community so dedicated to preserve that mix. When I left the amazing Oaks Academy, I drove by Martin Luther King Park, where I witnessed history that tragic night in 1968. As I glanced at the memorial located on the spot where Bobby Kennedy spoke, I thought about both Kennedy and King’s dream of a colorblind society and the irony of how that society is more evident at the tiny elementary school down the street than in most places in America.
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Black History salute to Prince Hall Masons During Black History Month 2015 I believe it is important to highlight some of those long lasting institutions and entities that have continued to serve the empowerment interests of Black America for over the past 200 years. Too often some of us forget too quickly about the historical groups and social bridges that have helped to bring Black America across troubled and perilous waters during the last two centuries. One group that I know we should resolutely salute during every Black History Month is the organization known today as the Grand Lodge of Prince Hall Masons. They have grown exponentially from their first lodge in Boston, Massachusetts in 1787 to numerous other masonic lodges today strategically established and recognized throughout the United States. Without a lot of external fanfare and public boasting about the accomplishments of Prince Hall Masons, the facts are that this organization of skilled and talented “Brothers” has been consistent in contributing to the long protracted progress of Black America. The living legacy of Prince Hall is still today focused on the mission of providing leadership of high moral character, charitable assistance to those in need, and steadfast support of freedom, justice, equality and empowerment for Black Americans and all people. Who was Prince Hall? He was one of the earliest Black abolitionists against the slavery of African people in America in the mid-1700s. He was a Free Black leader in Boston who was proud of his African ancestry and committed to improve the quality of life of African people during the early founding years of the United States. Prince Hall was a Black American freedom fighter who, like Cyprus Attucks, fought bravely in the Revolutionary War. Prince Hall was one of the first Black Americans to be made a mason in America on March 6, 1775 in Boston. Interestingly, he and 14 other Black men initially established and named their first lodge: African Lodge #1 on July 3, 1776, one day before the United States Declaration of Independence was adopted and issued on July 4, 1776. Once again this was a bold historic move by Hall and his masonic brothers with the clear unambiguous intention to stand up and work for African liberation and empowerment as a sacred fraternity. Hall was named master of African Lodge#1. Years later in honor of Prince Hall after his passing, the name of the lodge was changed to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons. Why is this important and relevant 239 years later today in 2015? It is important be-
cause Black history did not start on a slave plantation in the south of the U.S. Prior to the birth of the United States, African people in America were engaged and involved in promoting unity to advance the cause of freedom and liberty. The evidence and truth about the historic and contemporary contributions of Prince Hall Masons to advance our interests needs to be better known and understood today by 44.3 million Black Americans. The history of African people is as old as the history of humanity. Given the fact that racism and racial discrimination are still prevalent throughout the U.S. today means that we have to remain vigilant and committed to keep pushing forward to improve the quality of life for our families and communities. Similar to the fundamental necessity of maintaining the Black church, press, businesses and HBCUs, the issue concerning our awareness of the good work of historic groups like the Prince Hall Masons is equally important. My great grandfather, grandfather and father were all Prince Hall Masons. I know firsthand about the many different orphanages, schools, medical clinics, hospitals, rest homes, many other charitable institutions that they have built across the nation and maintained for all these years serving to uplift Black America. We must teach our young people today about the proud traditions and legacies of our fore parents. No matter what circumstances that we have had to face, we have always found the ways and the means to look after one another with respect, care, giving and love. That challenge and obligation continues today. Black History Month, yes, is a time for reflection and memory of the past. But we must learn from the past and build upon what previous generations have built as a foundation. Let’s celebrate Black history by renewing our determination and spirit to uplift all of our families and communities. Let’s strengthen our institutions and businesses, in particular our HBCUs are in critical need of financial support. Let’s learn from the sustainable tradition of the Honorable Prince Hall: unify, build, outreach to care for others, demand justice and freedom, and enjoy the blessings of life to ensure a better future for those who will come after we have transitioned. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is the President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and can be reached for national advertisement sales and partnership proposals at: dr.bchavis@nnpa.org; and for lectures and other professional consultations at: http://drbenjaminfchavisjr.wix.com/drbfc
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