September 2010 Issue

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GOOD NEWS FROM THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY

September 2010

www.thepositivecommunity.com $2.95

Ethiopia: The Ancient Gem of Africa

EDUCATION ISSUE

Medgar Evers New Multi-million Dollar Health and Science Building

MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE: 40TH ANNIVERSARY

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September 2010

CONTENTS 38

Features COVER STORY Medgar Evers College Celebrates 40 Years

United Missionary Baptists Free and Clear . . . 18 Historically Low NY Mortgage Rates . . . . . . . . 19 Red Is the New Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Harlem Week Health Walk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

&also inside From the Editor’s Desk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Guest Editorial: In Celebration of CUNY . . 11

ACT-SO: The Best and the Brightest . . . . . . . . 34 Inspiring Women at MEC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 NYUL Scholarships Help Finance Dreams . . . . 44 Religious Studies Debuts at MEC . . . . . . . . . . 45 Readers Turn Out for Newark Library. . . . . . . . 36

Shepherd’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 My View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Your Religious Liberty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Nyack University on the Horizon . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Fitness Doctor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Charlotte Ottley Expands Her Market. . . . . . . . 57

Gospel Train . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Ethiopia: The Ancient Gem of Africa . . . . . . . . 58

From the Heart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

A Passion for Christ: The Angel of Boland Hall. 68

The Way Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

New Hope Missionary Baptist Association, Inc. Rev. Dr. George Blackwell III, Moderator �ost

General Baptist Convention NJ, Inc. Rev. Dr. Guy Campbell, Jr., President

Annual Session  October 4—8, 2010 Host Church: New Zion Baptist Church 800-822 Flora Street Elizabeth, New Jersey Rev. Kevin White, Pastor (908) 355-0081

Hotel: Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott 1 Hotel Road (Newark International Airport) Newark, NJ 07114 • (973) 623-0006

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GREAT

R C OLL

MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!

ALL

TO PROGRESS

he clergy organizations, churches, community businesses and institutions listed below have committed to the purchase of at least 50 magazines per month at $1.00 each (one-third of the cover price) or support this publication through the purchase of advertising. Find out more by calling 973-233-9200 or email rollcall@thepositivecommunitycom

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Abyssinian B.C., Harlem, NY

First Bethel Baptist Church, Newark, NJ

New Jerusalem B.C., Queens, NY

Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III, Pastor

H. Grady James III, Pastor

Rev. Dr. Calvin Rice, Pastor

Archdiocese of New York

Friendship Baptist Church, Harlem, NY

New Zion B.C., Elizabeth, NJ

Brother Tyrone Davis, Exec. Director

Rev. James A. Kilgore, Pastor

Rev. Kevin James White, Pastor

125th St. BID

Berean B. C., Brooklyn, NY

General Baptist Convention, NJ

Newark Dist. of AME Church, Newark, NJ

African American Heritage Parade

Rev. Arlee Griffin Jr., Pastor

Rev. Dr. Guy Campbell, President

Howard Grant, Presiding Elder

Bethany B.C., Brooklyn, NY

Grace B. C., Mt. Vernon, NY

Paradise B. C., Newark, NJ

Rev. Dr. David Hampton, Pastor

Rev. Dr. Franklyn W. Richardson, Pastor

Rev. Jethro James, Pastor

Bethany B.C., Newark, NJ.

Greater Allen Cathedral, Queens, NY

Paterson’s Pastor’s Workshop, Paterson, NJ

American Heart Association, Northern, NJ

Rev. Dr. M. William Howard, Pastor

Revs. Floyd and Elaine Flake, Co-Pastors

Rev. Dr. James Kuykendall, President

Birdel’s Tapes & Audio, Brooklyn

Beulah B.C., Newark, NJ

Greater New Hope Missionary B.C., NYC

Shiloh B.C., Plainfield, NJ

Carver Federal Savings Bank

Rev. Gerald L. Dickson, Pastor

Rev. Joan J. Brightharp, Pastor

Rev. Dr. Gerald Lamont Thomas, Pastor

City National Bank

Black Ministers Council of NJ

Greater Zion Hill B.C., Harlem, NY

St Luke B. C., Paterson, NJ

Rev. Reginald T. Jackson, Exec. Director

Rev. Dr. Frank J. Blackshear, Pastor

Rev. Kenneth D.R. Clayton, Pastor

Calvary Baptist Church, Garfield, NJ

Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI)

St. Albans, NY COGIC

Rev. Calvin McKinney, Pastor Canaan B. C. of Christ, Harlem, NY Rev. Thomas D. Johnson, Pastor Childs Memorial COGIC, Harlem, NY Bishop Norman N. Quick, Pastor Christian Love B.C., Irvington, NJ Rev. Ron Christian, Pastor Community B.C., Englewood, NJ Rev. Dr. Lester Taylor, Pastor Community Church of God, Plainfield, NJ Rev. Dr. Shirley B. Cathie., Pastor Emeritus Concord B.C., Brooklyn, NY Rev. Dr. Gary V. Simpson, Pastor Empire Missionary B.C. Convention NY Rev. Washington Lundy, President Fellowship Missionary B, C., Newark, NJ Rev. E.T. Byrd, Pastor First B.C. of Lincoln Gardens, Somerset NJ Rev. Dr. DeForest (Buster) Soaries, Pastor First Baptist B.C. of Teaneck, NJ Rev. Marilyn Monroe Harris, Pastor

Lucille McEwen, President & CEO Manhattan District AME Churches, NY Rev. Harold Rutherford, Presiding Elder Masjid Imam Ali K. Muslim, Newark, NJ Imam Akbar Muhammad Metropolitan B. C., Newark, NJ Rev. Dr. David Jefferson, Pastor Evening Star B.C., Brooklyn, NY Rev. Washington Lundy, Pastor Mother A.M.E. Zion Church, Harlem Rev. Dr. Gregory Robeson Smith, Pastor Mt. Neboh Baptist Church, Harlem, NY Rev. Dr. Johnnie Green Jr., Pastor Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Harlem, NY Rev. Charles A. Curtis, Pastor Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Peekskill, NY Rev. Adolphus Lacey, Pastor Mt. Pisgah B.C., Brooklyn, NY Rev. Dr. Johnnie Ray Youngblood, Pastor Nazarene Congregational Church Brooklyn, NY

Rev. Ben Monroe St. James AME Church, Newark, NJ

Businesses & Organizations

African American Muslims for Interfaith Relationships (AAMIR) American Diabetes Association

Essex County College, NJ Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce Inner City Broadcasting Medgar Evers College Mildred Crump, Newark City Council NAACP New Jersey*

Rev. William L. Watley, Pastor

NAACP, NY State Conference*

St. John AME Church, Harlem, NY

New Brunswick Theological Seminary

Rev. James E. Booker Jr., Pastor

New Jersey Performing Arts Center

St. Matthew AME Church, Orange, NJ

New York Theological Seminary

Rev. Reginald T. Jackson, Pastor

New York Urban League

St. Paul Community B. C., Brooklyn, NY

Newark School of Theology

Rev. David K. Brawley, Pastor

Razac Products Co., Newark, NJ

The Cathedral Int’l., Perth Amboy, NJ

Schomburg Center

Bishop Donald Hilliard, Pastor

The Bozeman Law Firm

The New Hope B. C., Newark, NJ

The College of New Rochelle

Rev. Joe Carter, Senior Pastor

The United Way of Essex and West Hudson

Thessalonia Worship Center, Bronx, NY

University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ

Rev. Dr. Shellie Sampson, Pastor

WBGO-88.3FM

United Black Clergy of Westchester, Inc.

WKMB-1070AM

Rev. Dr. Franklyn W. Richardson, Pastor Walker Memorial B.C. Bronx, NY Rev. Dr. J. Albert Bush Sr., Pastor World Gospel Music Assoc., Newark, NJ Dr. Albert Lewis, Founder

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!

Rev, Conrad B. Tillard, Pastor

“The Positive Community magazine does outstanding work in promoting the good works of the Black Church. All churches and businesses should subscribe to and advertise in The Positive Community. Please support this magazine, the only one that features good news about the black community.”—Rev. Buster Soaries, General Baptist Revival, May 20, 2010

Our Dream Is Simple...

It’s The American Dream.

Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 31:9

Join us on 10.2.10 as we rally for Jobs, Justice & Education WHO? Our People. It is time that our communities come together. We have the right to live the change we voted for in 2008. ONE NATION WORKING TOGETHER is not just for one community, it is for all communities. It is for OUR community. We hope to galvanize those deeply affected by our struggling economy: Youth (College and Non College), Women, the Faith Community, Working Class People, Unionized Workers, and the Immigrant Community.

WHAT? “ONE NATION WORKING TOGETHER is about reordering our nation’s priorities to invest in our most valuable resource—our people.”

We believe that everyone deserves the chance to achieve the American Dream - a secure job, a safe home and a quality public education. We will fight for stable jobs, homes we can call our own, the opportunity for all children to obtain a quality public education, and a pathway to citizenship for recent immigrants. Our Dream is the American Dream.

WHERE? We are going to March on Washington, D.C. on October 2, 2010 (10.2.10) at the Lincoln Memorial. Whether we come by car, bus, plane or train, we will mobilize tens of thousands of people to march in solidarity at the Nation’s Capitol in order to protect our jobs, our education and our economy.

WHEN?

10.2.10 in Washington, D.C.

WHY? We are building a movement. Join us as we bring together the majority of people for justice in America. Join us as we build an authentically diverse coalition of our Black, Brown, Red, and White Brothers and Sisters that is rooted in our country’s democratic and progressive traditions. Join us as we reclaim American themes and traditions - a more perfect union, common good and justice for all.

HOW? We will build diverse community coalitions that represent what our neighbors and cities look like. We will organize, go door to door and talk to the community using our relations and grassroots tactics to not only get people on the bus to Washington, D.C., but to build a movement that people can resonate with and believe in.

to learn more visit:

OneNationWorkingTogether.org call 212-603-0082, or text ONE to 62227

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R.L. WITTER FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

The Alarm Has Sounded n the immortal words of Laurence Fishburne’s “Dap” of Spike Lee’s School Daze, “WAKE UP!!” I often find myself saying that phrase to the people I have deemed zombies—those wandering through life in a haze of narcissism, selfishness and cluelessness. “Wake Up” is also the title of a new song and CD by John Legend and The Roots, a cover of the classic Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes anthem from the 70s. If ever a song lyric heralded what is needed in the African-American community today, this is it.

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Wake up everybody no more sleepin’ in bed No more backward thinkin’ time for thinkin’ ahead The world has changed so very much From what it used to be There is so much hatred war an’ poverty Wake up all the teachers time to teach a new way Maybe then they’ll listen to whatcha’ have to say Cause they’re the ones who’s coming up and the world is in their hands When you teach the children teach ‘em the very best you can.

CHORUS The world won’t get no better if we just let it be The world won’t get no better we gotta change it yeah, just you and me.

Let’s take a page from the books of the educators, activists, volunteers and students in the pages of this month’s Positive Community magazine. The scholars receiving NYUL and ACT-SO scholarships are truly our leaders of tomorrow. These programs not only reward them for their efforts and talents, but teach them teamwork and tenacity and expose them to mentors who can aid them in realizing their dreams while becoming dedicated and productive members of a community.

Wake up all the doctors make the ol' people well They're the ones who suffer an' who catch all the hell

www.thepositivecommunity.com

But they don't have so very long before the Judgement Day So won'tcha make them happy before they pass away.

Wake up all the builders time to build a new land I know we can do it if we all lend a hand The only thing we have to do is put it in our mind Surely things will work out they do it every time.

I’m reminded of the comfort Rosemary Sinclair experienced in From the Heart while coping with the death of her beloved husband. Friends and family surrounded and supported her, just as they did for Dana Christmas-McCain as she overcame her injuries from that tragic fire in A Passion for Life in Christ. Let us not forget that Dana suffered those devastating wounds as the result of her commitment to community and her Christian faith and morals. And please keep in mind the difference you can make and the solace you can offer with a blood donation to alleviate someone with Sickle Cell disease.

The world won’t get no better if we just let it be The world won’t get no better we gotta change it yeah, just you and me

The Founders of Medgar Evers College changed the world for Brooklyn students who wanted to continue their education in their own neighborhood. By committing to the students and the community, Medgar Evers College has opened doors and offered opportunities to thousands of people.

Those opportunities allow people to improve their lives, families and employment opportunities, which in turn improve the community for others.

It’s all related. If we can teach our people— especially our children—one thing, that’s it. We are all connected and when one hurts, we all hurt; but when one of us succeeds, all of us benefit.

Wake up!!

September 2010 The Positive Community

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President William L. Pollard, and the students, faculty, and staff of

ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT OUR

Anniversary

September 2010-September 2011

1650 Bedford Avenue | Brooklyn, NY 11225 | Tel: 718-270-6024 | www.mec.cuny.edu

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MATTHEW GOLDSTEIN GUEST EDITORIAL

Matthew Goldstein is Chancellor, The City University of New York

In Celebration of CUNY Medgar Evers College marks 40th Anniversary ast summer, President Barack Obama publicly announced an ambitious goal for our country: to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. “We’ve got to prepare our people with the skills they need to compete in this global economy,” the president said. “Time and again, when we have placed our bet for the future on education, we have prospered as a result.”

I couldn’t agree more with the words of the president, a former community organizer working at The City College of New York. Today, advanced skills are a necessity in an unforgiving, highly competitive economy. A college degree offers a lifetime of benefits—not only to graduates but to the communities, cities, and countries to which they contribute.

If CUNY’s record-high enrollments are any indication, more and more New Yorkers recognize the importance of higher education. This fall this university is projected to serve 267,000 degree-seeking students across the five boroughs. The burgeoning response to CUNY’s highly regarded degree offerings, world-class faculty, and innovative academic programs is both challenging and gratifying.

The energy at CUNY is especially evident at Medgar Evers College, which marks its 40th anniversary this year.

Having grown from an enrollment of 1,000 students in 1970 to more than 7,000 students today, and boasting an acclaimed faculty and a host of new degree programs and facilities, Medgar Evers has much to celebrate.

Under the leadership of President William Pollard, the college remains focused on student success, spurring degree-seekers to become leaders in their professional fields, whether health care, business, the arts, or a range of other areas.

In fact, it was groundbreaking work at the college that was the impetus for the University’s Black Male Initiative (BMI). Based on promising student-development models at Medgar Evers, the BMI is designed to strengthen the pipeline for students from groups that are severely

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under-represented in higher education, particularly African American males. The BMI supports dozens of programs across the CUNY campuses that offer SAT preparation, GED completion, reentry initiatives, mentorship aimed at increasing retention and graduation rates, targeted teacher education projects, performancebased workshops, and conferences, among other activities. A CUNY BMI Research Institute at City College is also in development. Enrollment, graduation rates, and degrees granted to black men and women at CUNY continue to increase, and the university remains committed to building a stable and successful educational pipeline for all students.

When I graduated from CUNY’s City College of New York, our commencement speaker was the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who spoke to my class less than 24 hours after Medgar Evers, the pioneering civil rights activist for whom our CUNY college is named, had been killed in front of his home in Mississippi. Dr. King, whose voice that day reflected his anguish, indignation, and determination, told us, “The crisis of this age presents a real challenge to all men of good will. We are challenged to develop a world perspective…We must all learn to live together as brothers or we will all perish together as fools.”

Today, we are still challenged to develop a world perspective—and higher education is the key to that development. A strong college education not only fosters intellectual rigor but also broadens our mindset and encourages a sense of communal responsibility. Ensuring that more and more students have the preparation and opportunity to engage in a rigorous academic program and earn a well-respected degree must be an essential priority of our nation and our city.

I take great pride in the dedicated work of Medgar Evers College and all of the CUNY’s 23 colleges and professional schools to transform the lives of New Yorkers— and I look forward to witnessing the next generation of CUNY graduates in turn transform the future of our city, state, and nation.

September 2010 The Positive Community

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REVEREND REGINALD T. JACKSON A SHEPHERD’S CORNER

Rev. Jackson is pastor of St. Matthew A.M.E Church in Orange NJ And executive director of the Black Ministers Council of NJ

Public School Reform The new civil rights movement

hildren are now going back to school to begin another year of instruction and learning in pursuit of an education. As we begin another school year, there continues to rage a debate about what we need to do to improve the education that our children receive, reform our schools, improve teacher quality and whether private and charter schools are viable alternatives to public schools.

There is no issue more important or sensitive to me than the issue of the quality of the education being delivered to our children today. I have long believed and I am more convinced than ever that a quality education is a civil right.

Believing this, I am outraged that so many of our children are being denied this civil right. For several years, in this column and others, I have talked about the importance of education and consequences to our children, families, communities, state and nation that result because our children do not receive a quality education. I have talked about it in pleasant tones and polite conversation, but I can no longer continue to do that because too many children are being lost, communities impoverished and states and our nation falling behind other nations around the world in terms of productivity, technology, and creativity.

It is time to throw down the gauntlet! If a quality education is a civil right, then why aren’t we fighting for it like we fought for voting, housing, public accommodations, transportation and other civil rights? We won them because we fought for them. It is disappointing and frustrating to see much of African American leadership ignoring the need for public school reform, yet opposing school choice. In fact they lump all of school choice together as vouchers, but it is more than vouchers.

What is most frustrating is that many of them use the same talking points the teachers unions use to support their opposition to school choice, i.e., school choice won’t help all children, it will hurt the public schools and it will take the best students out of the public schools leaving the worst students behind. Oh yeah, it also takes money away from the public schools and they don’t have the same requirements as the public schools. All of these arguments are false. Suppose Harriett Tubman decided not to help any slaves through the Underground Railroad because “we can’t free all slaves.” Why do we make public schools more

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The Positive Community September 2010

It is disappointing and frustrating to see much of African American leadership ignoring the need for public school reform, yet opposing school choice. important than the children they are to educate? New Jersey spends more on education than any state in the nation and it is the largest item in the state’s budget, yet student performance is declining. It’s not about money; it’s about quality instruction. In addition, charter and private schools should be held to the same requirements as public schools.

Why is it that many African American leaders and organizations oppose school choice but at the same time don’t fight to reform the public schools? Is it because we are afraid to challenge those who have been our friends in other fights or who finance our efforts today, making it hard to challenge them? All I know is that if more African American leaders and organizations spent as much time, energy and heat fighting for school reform as they do fighting school choice, more of our children would receive a quality education. Again I have to ask why? Why are our children the only ones who don’t have options?

If parents don’t have the means to send their children to better school they have to stay in failing schools.

The national unemployment rate is 9.6 percent; in the African American community, it is more than double that percentage. In every area the recession has hit African Americans harder than other segments of the population, in large measure because too many of our people don’t have the education or the skills for jobs that are available.

We will always be on the short end of the stick until more of our children are given the opportunity to receive a good, quality education—whether that happens through public school reform or school choice. I pray for and call on African American leaders to lead, to step up to the plate and fight for our children and their civil right to a decent— no—a high quality education. www.thepositivecommunity.com

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

- Nelson Mandela

A new school year.

A new opportunity to continue our investment in our children, our schools, our communities – and our future.

New Jersey Education Association Barbara Keshishian, President Wendell Steinhauer, Vice President Marie Blistan, Secretary-Treasurer Vincent Giordano, Executive Director Richard Gray, Assistant Executive Director/Research Director

Nelson Mandela photo courtesy of “South Africa The Good News” www.sagoodnews.co.za

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REV. THERESA NANCE MY VIEW

Rev. Nance is pastor of The Church by the Side of the Road in Passaic, NJ. She is also a radio talk show host and documentary filmmaker.

LISTEN TO THE POSITIVE COMMUNITY HOUR ON WKMB 1070 AM HARVEST RADIO, MONDAYS, 1:30–2:30 P.M. WITH HOST THERESA NANCE.

September in the Rain hat is what queen of the blues Dinah Washington used to sing about. It’s that time of the year; school begins, organizations that have been lying dormant since the beginning of summer suddenly come alive with various and sundry activities. The days grow shorter and before you know it, the old basement shovel reappears and a blanket of snow covers the land yet again.

But most of all, it’s a time of both reflection and anticipation. The Positive Community Magazine will celebrate 10 years of serving the church and community. Trust me, this viable product where beauty shines from both within the pages of the publication and on the outside as well, does much with not enough resources from the very community it serves. But, that’s a dandy story for a different day. School begins. I’ll get back into the classroom at the Passaic County Community College and try to convince the young and the young at heart that being able to read well is a powerful tool to have at one’s disposal. Yes, times have changed enough that America can elect an African American president, but that only serves as an even greater reminder that education is the great equalizer. Reading is the tip of the iceberg—the key that opens the door to all possibilities. Reading a book can spark your imagination, teach you how to cook a meal to feed your body and teach you God’s Word to save your soul.

A powerful tool just doesn’t seem to say enough.

The local school systems throughout the tri-state area are being asked to make bricks with straw, so to speak, as academic cuts are bound to impede some portion of teachers’ ability to activate young minds and cultivate thought processes. A number of school administrators are bailing out, reaching for their pensions and/or social security benefits earlier than they anticipated, and most of all, school-aged children and college students alike may find themselves within the halls of academia without the wherewithal to be successful.

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The Positive Community September 2010

But that is where we, the community come into the picture. Most of our children will attend those public schools where budget cuts and reorganization have cut staff, extracurricular activities, after-school programs and everything else beyond the basic requirements. Most of us know how to read, to add and subtract, to add glitter and glue to a piece of paper, how to sing a song or how to listen to and encourage an excited child, so our children do not have to feel the pain of the economic crunch. Maybe this year, and for many years to come, our children’s favorite teachers will be Miss Mommy, Mr. Daddy, Miss Auntie or Mr. Deacon. Maybe this year’s most interesting field trip will be the one taken with the family to the library, the park or Grandma’s house.

September brings promises of great things to come, i.e., fall concerts that hearken the budding musical genius of our youth, awards given out at a science fair and the anticipation of the feeling of pride that comes with being named to the Honor Roll, Principal’s Circle or Dean’s List.

September also celebrates the football star, the head cheerleader and the homecoming king and queen; but let’s strive for these kids to be celebrated equally for their academic achievements. Academic and athletic prowess combined offer more scholarship opportunities for our children in the never-ending quest to educate themselves and realize their unlimited potential.

The malls and broadcast media will remind us all too soon that Thanksgiving is coming and Christmas cannot be far behind. Okay, but for now, let us stay in the moment, enjoy the milder weather and the flamboyant colors of autumn and focus on settling into the daily school routine, completing homework assignments and reinforcing the importance of reading, writing and ‘rithmetic.

September is a time to start anew. It’s a time to regroup, refresh and reflect. It’s a time to say, “Thank you Lord, for the marvelous two months of warmth and sometimes scorching heat that came our way.”

It’s time to get up and at ‘em.

For more information visit www.gildasclubnnj.org. www.thepositivecommunity.com

Sharpton’s ‘Reclaim the Dream’ Event Brings Thousands to Honor MLK Photo: Eric Livseye

Newark Councilwoman Mildred Crump and Rev. Grady James, pastor of First Bethel B.C. at the Newark march rally Members of Evergreen Baptist Church, Newark Photos: Wali Amin Muhammad

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Rev. Sharpton addresses the crowd

ev. Al Sharpton was joined by thousands of concerned citizens from around the country on Saturday, August 28, for the National Action Network’s “Reclaim the Dream” rally and march in commemoration of the anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s March on Washington in 1963. The rally, which was held on the athletic field of Dunbar High School in Northwest Washington, D.C., was followed by a five mile march along the streets of the nation’s capital to the National Mall, where conservative talk show host Glenn Beck had organized a simultaneous rally.

Rev. David Jefferson of Metropolitan Baptist Church, Newark and congregation members Photo: Risasi Dais

Rev. Al Sharpton, radio host Tom Joyner; U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and NAACP President/CEO Ben Jealous and others lead the march.

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The Positive Community September 2010

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September 2010 The Positive Community

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Money

By Rev. patricia A. Morris

B u s i n ess , M o n e y & w o rk

Hallelujah! We’re Debt Free!

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ll of the 113 pastors, churches and congregations of New York City's United Missionary Baptist Association (UMBA) met the news with joy!! At the Third Quarterly Session in July, Moderator Rev. Lee Arrington announced that the organization had made its final payment on the debt that had been “overshadowing our efforts,” Rev. Lee Arrington with Rev. Carl Washington, vice moderator during a symbolic ceremony at Convent Avenue Baptist Church in Harlem where the debt instrument was burned. “We stood together and weathered the storm together and now we are debt free and can move forward in our service to God and the communities where our Houses of Worship are located,” said Rev. Arrington. “The United Missionary Baptist Association (UMBA) faced this obstacle and overcame it together,” he continued.

“This is further proof that we are indeed united.” Reverend Dr. Jesse T. Williams is senior pastor of Convent Rev. Joe Bush, Foreign Mission Board, NBC USA, Inc. Avenue Baptist Church.

Photos: Bruce Moore

Sanctuary of Convent Avenue Baptist Church

Burning of the debt

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The Positive Community September 2010

Rev. Carl Washington leads prayer www.thepositivecommunity.com

Lowest Interest Rates Ever New York State Mortgage Agency offers 4 and 3.5 % Rates

“E

nergizing New York's housing market is critical to revitalizing the State's economy,” said Governor David A. Paterson announcing the historically low interest rates the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) is now offering. It is his hope that the four percent rate available through the Low Interest Rate Program and the three point five percent for low-income first-time homebuyers through the Achieving the Dream Program will encourage responsible homeownership and help promote the economic recovery. “Encouraging SONYMA's strong homeownership program is part our efforts to integrate the state's major housing agencies and create more efficiencies in the state's housing programs," the Governor continued.

These rates, the lowest in the agency’s 40-year history were made possible because of SONYMA’s participation in the New Issue Bond Purchase (NIBP) Program, one of the lesser known initiatives of the Obama administration aimed at encouraging sustainable homeownership and stimulating the nation's economy.

NIBP allows SONYMA and other participating state housing finance agencies to sell its bonds to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac at lower interest rates than under the prior pricing structure, making it possible to provide lower rates to homebuyers.

Brian Lawlor, the state's top housing official, who serves as president and CEO of "nyhomes" and commissioner of the Division of Housing and Community Renewal, was effusive in stating his appreciation. "The actions of the Treasury Department last week in revising the Obama administration's New Issue Bond Purchase Program were critical to our ability to offer these new very competitive rates,” he said. “We want to thank Michael S. Barr, assistant treasury secretary for Financial Institutions, for being responsive to the needs of state housing finance agencies across the country and in New York. Also, both the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies and the National Council of State Housing Agencies were instrumental in helping create the NIBP program and advocating for last week's policy changes."

Looking forward to a stronger housing market, Duncan R. MacKenzie, chief executive officer of New York State Association of Realtors, was also enthusiastic in his remarks."The actions taken by SONYMA are a strong second act to the now expired federal tax credit. The resulting new rate structure being offered

by SONYMA, coupled with its favorable down payment requirements, is a strong incentive to enter the market

www.thepositivecommunity.com

New York Gov. Paterson

for first-time and low to moderate income home buyers. Realtors across the state report an ample inventory of homes for sale, and when combined with historic financing rates such as offered by SONYMA, this a perfect time to purchase."

SONYMA offers several competitively priced mortgage products, designed primarily for first-time homebuyers, to enable low- and moderate-income New Yorkers to become homeowners.

Continued on Page 72

The path to your first home.

The State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) offers first-time homebuyers: • 30- or 40- year fixed interest rates that are typically below market; • Financing up to 97%; • Flexible underwriting guidelines; • Down payment assistance (higher of $3,000 or 3% of the loan amount or up to $10,000); • No points; • No financing add ons.

For more information, call

1-800-382-HOME (4663) or visit www.nyhomes.org

September 2010 The Positive Community

19

Local Brothers Vote at Omega Psi Phi Grand Conclave

By Ralph r. Waller

T

he City of Raleigh, North Carolina and the Raleigh Convention Center extended a warm welcome to several thousand men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., who attended the 76th Grand Conclave.

This event, the major Omega international gathering is held every two years and this yearbeing an election year for Grand Basileus and other Grand officers. Brothers from most New Jersey chapters were represented including Upsilon Phi Chapter of Newark and Eta Pi Chapter of Montclair. Raleigh is home to two HBCU's, Shaw University and St. Augustine's College. Each institution has an undergraduate chapter of Omega.

In addition to the political caucusing and voting, the weeklong schedule included a range of events, social, service and community. These included a youth leadership conference, golf tournament, comedy/step show, community service project, Omega parade/lawn party/ village, R&B concert & dance, rededication dinner for brothers, jazz lounge and a worship/memorial service, Brother Andrew Ray was elected as the new Grand

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The Positive Community September 2010

Front Row L-R Brothers William C. Brummell; J. Garfield Jackson Jr.; James Moore Jr. and William H. L. Oliver of Upsilon Phi Chapter, Newark and Back Row L-R Brothers Langston Harley and Elton Hawkins of Eta Pi Chapter, Montclair

Basileus of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. for a two year term. He will guide the fraternity to new heights in preparation for the centennial anniversary to be held in Washington, DC in July, 2011.

www.thepositivecommunity.com

Sheila Oliver

Assemblywoman

Rev. Dr. Calvin McKinney

Chris Rabb Author

Pamela Miller, Esq. Medco

Donald M.Payne U.S. Congressman

2010 NJBIC Award Recipients Thursday, October 7, 2010

Friday, October 8, 2010

23rd Annual Senior Symposium on Black Aging Senior Symposium Luncheon Honoree: Gustav Heningburg Heningburg Associates, Inc. NJBIC Lifetime Achievement Award

Donald K. Tucker Leadership Banquet Honoree: A. Zachary Yamba President Emeritus, Essex County College NJBIC Lifetime Achievement Award

Contact Information: For Exhibits, Sponsorships, and Registration Information Please Call: 973-824-7463 • Fax: 973-824-2212 • www.njbic.org

CACCI: Helping Small Business for 25 Years L-R: Dr. Roy Hastick Sr., NYC Comptroller John Liu and Dr. Eda Hastick

Photo: Wali Amin Muhammad

T

he Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) celebrated 25 years of continuous service to the small business community with an official 25th anniversary membership business networking reception on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at Brooklyn Borough Hall.

Said Dr. Roy A. Hastick Sr., president/founder, “We seize this opportunity to thank CACCI mem-

22

bers, supporters and well-wishers who have helped to sustain CACCI over the years, and enabled us to survive and thrive despite many challenges as well as our board of directors, elected officials, business partners, public and private sector agencies, and the wider community, who have helped us to reach this historic milestone."

Over the years CACCI has provided business assistance to small

The Positive Community September 2010

business owners in areas of business planning, preparing for accessing financing, certification preparation, procurement opportunities, business expansion, and promoting trade, investment and tourism in the Caribbean. CACCI's extensive track record of service delivery, and established partnerships with government and private sectors has enabled the organization to survive and thrive for 25 years.

www.thepositivecommunity.com

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Perfect Strangers Wanted

E

very four weeks at The Valerie Fund Children’s Center, 14-year-old Imani watches blood from a perfect stranger travel into her arm through thin plastic tubing descending from a bag at the top of an I.V. pole. Imani’s life has depended upon perfect strangers since she was two. I say “perfect” stranger because that stranger’s blood matches certain characteristics in Imani’s blood perfectly except it doesn’t carry the a cell that Imani’s does, so it prevents her from having more frequent episodes of excruciating pain that are the hallmark of sickle cell disease—at least for a little while.

Imani is Shelby Cook’s “miracle child.” Shelby was told that because of her own sickle cell disease she would probably not be able to conceive; at best, a pregnancy would end in miscarriage. But Shelby had faith and at 29, after three years of marriage, she gave birth to Imani, whose name is Swahili for “faith.” When Imani was four months old, Shelby knew that her mild-mannered baby’s grunts and cries meant she was having her first sickle cell crisis. The doctors confirmed the diagnosis when Imani’s hands and feet became swollen and distorted—she was producing sickle-shaped blood cells that did not carry sufficient oxygen instead of healthy round ones that did.

Nearly everyone of African descent has heard of sickle cell, but many are unaware of its profound impact or how they can help others who have the disease. Well

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The Positive Community September 2010

By Lori Abrams

Nearly everyone of African descent has heard of sickle cell, but many are unaware of its profound impact or how they can help others who have the disease. Well over 95% of those affected are black, but it also affects people of Hispanic, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean origin. over 95% of those affected are black, but it also affects people of Hispanic, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean origin. It is because of children like Imani that the need is urgent for people of African heritage to donate blood that can stave off painful sickling crises and stroke, minimize organ damage and even prevent death. Compatible blood will come from donors within the same ethnic group as the recipient, but it takes hundreds of donations to find the perfect match. While only some sickle cell patients require regular blood transfusions like Imani does, most will need them periodically.

That’s why The Valerie Fund created its “RED IS THE NEW BLACK” Sickle Cell Awareness Blood Drives nearly three years ago: to create an opportunity to give blood as an immediate, life-saving response to a complex health issue for the black community by the black community and raise awareness about the disease. Increasing blood donation in the community has its challenges.

Many harbor an historic, reality-based distrust of the medical establishment, while others fear that any sort of needle could transmit HIV or other infections. How do we move past these stumbling blocks and let the opportunity to save a child prevail? www.thepositivecommunity.com

At the Valerie Fund, we’re doing our very best. Nearly 500 sickle cell patients from infants to young adults are served at The Valerie Fund Center at Newark Beth Israel Hospital, which hosts the largest pediatric sickle cell program in New Jersey. Six Valerie Fund Children’s Centers provide medical and psychosocial care to the majority of children with sickle cell in New Jersey, as well as children with cancer and other blood disorders. In the near term we hope to raise enough money to fund a dedicated sickle cell social worker for families with young children at the Newark Center and a nurse practitioner to help adolescents and young adults learn to manage their own health as they transition out of the nurturing environment of pediatric care. Physicians there recently received a federal grant to create North-Central New Jersey Sickle Cell Network and direct people with sickle cell who have fallen out of care back to the care of a doctor regardless of their economic status.

Like Shelby Cook and her daughter Imani, most patients suffer from chronic pain and are prescribed a combination of medications as common as penicillin and as addictive as morphine and oxycontin. Effects of the disease range from stroke, which can lead to physical and learning disabilities; organ damage; and necrosis. Necrosis has caused Shelby Cook’s hip bone to decompose, so she is bracing herself for a fourth hip replacement and is concerned about the pain in her elbow that’s been building. In addition to the pain and

“

damaging effects on the body, sickle cell disease also impacts peer relationships, education, employment and finances, and one’s psychological and emotional state.

About one in every 12 African-Americans carries the sickle cell trait; two parents with the trait have 25 percent chance of producing a child with the disease with each birth. Sickle cell trait, which evolved as the body’s natural defense against malaria, can be detetected with a simple blood test. It has no symptons. In the U.S., estimates show that more than 80,000 people live with sickle cell disease. In very rare cases, sickle cell trait has been linked to stroke and even death, but only in a perfect storm of environmental and physical conditions.

We hope we can bring out large numbers of concerned community members to donate blood at our upcoming October blood drives at Liberty Science Center on October 2 and UMDNJ-NJ Medical School on October 23. It doesn’t hurt and takes only a few minutes, but through that simple act, patients can get relief and their families, whose lives are affected by the disease, will appreciate the showing of support.

Working with The Positive Community, the Red Cross, Jack and Jill of Greater Essex County, National Coalition of 100 Black Women of Bergen & Passaic, and the students of UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School and the Red Cross, we hope to bring together perfect strangers to donate and learn as well as meet some of the families who rely on them.

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September 2010 The Positive Community

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KAHLIL CARMICHAEL THE FITNESS DOCTOR

Kahlil Carmichael is the owner of The Fitness Doctor, Inc., a Personal Training, Consulting and Wellness company.

To contact Kahlil, call 732-921-3746 or visit his website at www.Thefitnessdoctor.com.

Fall Healthy Kick-off said that he made a decision to face his fears and work his way through them.

So here is a little mental exercise followed by a Healthy Kick off Tip to help you start and finish strong on your journey to healthy living. To begin, first make a schedule of when you will exercise, put it on the calendar and in your schedule so that it becomes a part of your daily routine. Next, commit to following an exercise routine for 30 days; and finally, don’t stop exercising. No matter what comes your way keep going! Face the challenges and overcome them.

To help you with your Healthy Kick Off, we would like to offer the first 50 Positive Community readers to mention this article a free 1-hour personal training session along with a free-30 day trial of The Fitness Doctor’s Online Nutrition Tool. Remember you are well able! an you believe that fall is almost here? It is time to refocus on work, school and all things that are not leisurely in nature. If you are like most of us, you may be wondering how you can do it all. We all seem to have a never-ending to-do list that doesn’t seem to ever get done! What I want you to know is that as it says in Numbers 13:30, “…we are well able.”

I recently read an article about a CEO in which he shared how he became successful and manages to navigate his company through the rough seas of this financial climate and stay ahead of the pack. Three of the things he said struck me as life lessons that perhaps we can all learn from and apply to our lives to improve our health. He first credited staying mentally sharp with working out daily with a personal trainer (at 4:30 AM to boot!). He next said that he learned early on how to give his all to produce the results that he desired. Lastly, he

C

It is time to refocus on work, school and all things that are not leisurely in nature.

If you are like most of us, you may be wondering how you can do it all.

26

The Positive Community September 2010

Healthy Kick Off Tips • Monitor and journal your food intake daily

• Begin working out for at least 30 minutes each day • Eliminate fast food and high sugar content drinks from your diet

• Practice Portion Control Eat Healthy. Exercise Consistently. Live Well!

FIT COMMUNITY MONDAY SENIOR WORKOUT It Is Well Living Church 2 Denman Avenue, Clark NJ 11:00 AM Mondays at 7:00AM

It is Well Living Church 2 Denman Ave. Clark, NJ The Word and Workout Bible Study

The Workout: 7–7:45PM The Word: 7:45–8:35PM Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9:45–10:15AM and 10:30–11:00AM

JFK Assisted Living Center Edison, NJ

Disclaimer: The information contained in this column is of a general nature. You should consult your physician or health care professional before beginning any exercise program or changing your dietary regimen. www.thepositivecommunity.com

www.thepositivecommunity.com

September 2010 The Positive Community

27

Harlem Week Celebrates a Healthy Lifestyle Hundreds Run/Walk in Annual Percy Sutton 5K Race For Haiti and Healthy Lifestyle

I

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The Positive Community September 2010

By Theresa Racine

Dr. John Palmer, executive director, Harlem Hospital

Members of The Positive Community/Healthfirst Walk team Photos: Hubert Williams

t was a perfect day to get healthy. Hundreds of runners from throughout the tri-state area joined Harlem residents for the annual Percy Sutton 5K Race, hosted by the New York Road Runners Club in conjunction with Harlem Week. Among those lacing up their Nikes for their first official road race were members of Fit to the CORE Boot Camp in Harlem and the staff of The Positive Community magazine. All were on a mission to show the community that one can start on the road to good health with even just a few lifestyle changes.

“We have problems with sugar diabetes and high cholesterol in urban communities. I am one that has actually had those diseases and now my numbers are consistently coming down because I am active.” said Rosalind Eddy. “All it takes is baby steps,” added Yvette Burg. “Just take one step and keep improving every day.”

Yvette and Rosalind are prime examples of people who encourage their family, friends, and community to get healthy. They attend classes at Fit to the CORE, where women and men share common health and diet problems. By working with a certified fitness instructor in their community, they have been able to beat their weight and health issues. Now they let others know, getting them to join the program. “We can control it,” says Rosalind. “We just have to start now.”

While Yvette and Rosalind ran the Percy Sutton 5K Race, others, like Cheryl Saunders of The Positive Community walked to show support of Haiti. They joined participants from the William J. Clinton Foundation.

Proceeds from the event were donated directly to the foundation to help the children of Haiti. “Seeing those children (Haitian) on television one year later, who may not be able to run or walk again, I knew I had to show my support by doing this race.” said Saunders.

Crossing the finish line in 37:18 minutes, Yvette and Rosalind are looking forward to their next race, vowing to beat the time. “We’re running another one in three weeks,” beamed Yvette. Not bad for two women who one year ago did not run at all. The 3.2-mile race is one of the cities most challenging, given the hilly race route through Harlem streets. The winners of the Percy Sutton 5K flew past the finish line in record-breaking times.

Abiyot Endale set the men’s record at 15:00 minutes and Sally Meyerhoff, finished in an impressive 17:09 minutes for the women. Watch out Sally, next year Rosalind and Yvette may be right behind you on their journey to a healthy lifestyle.

Mike Wood, Fox 5 NY; Marci McCall, Emblem Health; Keisha Sutton, Inner City Broadcasting Co.; Rev. Jacques DeGraff

www.thepositivecommunity.com

Your Health

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093-009-10

Convent Avenue Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Jesse T. Williams, Jr., Senior Pastor

ANNUAL “YES WE CARE” COMMUNITY FAIR

Health Fair & Blood Drive!

Free Health Screenings: Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Diabetes, Foot Care, Vision, Dental, Alzheimer, Arthritis & Nutrition.

Public Benefits Workshops: Medicare & Medicaid, Social Security Retirement, Survivor & Disability Benefits, Medicare Savings Program, Food Stamps and more…

Saturday, October 2, 2010 • 10 am—2:30 pm Convent Avenue Baptist Church 420 W 145th St, Lecture Hall • New York, NY 10031

COST: FREE! FREE! FREE! • Light refreshments served Adults of all ages, Caregivers and Senior Citizens • For more information Please call Rev. Brenda Price at (212) 234-6767 The Positive Community Salutes Medgar Evers College The upcoming April 2011 issue of The Positive Community magazine will feature a tribute to Brooklyn’s Medgar Evers College.

For forty years, Medgar Evers College has educated and molded minds into movers, shakers and leaders. Did you attend or are you currently attending Medgar Evers College? Share your experiences with The Positive Community and our readers.

Submit a brief (no more than 250 words) account of how the school inspired, changed or helped you.

Tell us about the people you met and the doors that were opened for you.

Let us know why you fondly remember your time at Medgar Evers and how it has affected your life for the better.

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The Positive Community September 2010

www.thepositivecommunity.com

“Calvary Hospital reminds me every day why I became a nurse.”

“Being a nurse is the most gratifying profession in the world. It was what I always wanted to do. And for the past 25 years, I feel extremely blessed that I chose Calvary Hospital as the place to share my skills. There has not been a moment when I haven’t felt the reward and satisfaction of instilling the spirit of life into patients who are so very close to death. As a Calvary nurse, my challenge every day is to create ‘good memories’ for both the patient and the family. Whatever it takes: a joke to make them laugh… a hug to comfort them.

My job at Calvary is to never, ever abandon them during this final journey in life. I am with them as a member of their family. And what a remarkable feeling that is. This is Calvary Hospital. This is the reason why I became a nurse.”

- Marilyn Crockett, RN For more information call 718-518-2300 or visit www.calvaryhospital.org.

1740 Eastchester Road • Bronx, NY 10461 • (718) 518-2300 Calvary Hospital Inpatient Service • Outpatient Services • Calvary@Home (Home Care/Hospice) Center for Curative and Palliative Wound Care • Satellite Services at Lutheran Medical Center, Brooklyn NY 11220 (Calvary@Home programs are Medicare-certified and contract with most major insurances.)

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Education T ea c h i n g , L ear n i n g , M ak i n g a D i ffere n c e

Area Teens Win Big in ACT-SO National Competition

ABOVE CENTER: Melissa Sanchez - Kansas Gold Medal: Biology ABOVE RIGHT: Johnathan Wright - Bronze Medal - Music Composition

The National Team from New York

T

he New York/New Jersey area was represented and well received at the national ACT-SO competition that took place last July in Kansas City, Missouri.

Seventeen students from New York City high schools and 29 students from New Jersey traveled to Kansas City to compete in the National ACT-SO academic enrichment competition administered by the NAACP. ACT-SO, the acronym for Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics, dubbed the “Olympics of the Mind,” is a yearlong program spanning several disciplines as well as field trips that involves mentoring and coaching by professionals. These gifted and talented teens are referred to as ‘the Brightest and the Best’ in America and are all gold

34

The Positive Community September 2010

Photos: Gerald Peart

Crystal Glenn - Silver Medal Music Vocal Classical

The National Team from New York

medal winners in the Sciences, Humanities, Architecture and Visual and Performing Arts.

Several local teens medaled at the national competition, including from New Jersey: Jalyssa James of New Brunswick, silver medal Vocal Contemporary; Adele Taylor of Gloucester, silver medal Entrepreneurship; Takir Anderson of Newark, bronze medal Architecture and Alicia Oliver of Gloucester, bronze medal Photography. Medalists from New York included: Crystal Glenn, silver medal Vocal Classical; Johnathan Wright, bronze medal Music Composition; Melissa Sanchez, gold medal Biology; Vaspour Antanesian, silver medal Chemistry and Nafi Shabnam, silver medal- Medicine/Health. www.thepositivecommunity.com

By the

Book

Photos and text: g.r. mattox

24 Hour Read-In to Protest Library Closings

L­–R: Osceola Heard, age 10 and his sister, Chunani, age 9. Both attend St. Phillips Academy in Newark, same school.

Becky Doggett reads A letter from a Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King.

O

ne by one, Newark residents stepped to a microphone set up on Newark City Hall’s steps to make themselves heard during a 24-hour read-in, hoping to restore full library services in the city.

Over 150 library-goers came to read excerpts from their PosComm.5:PosComm .5 9/3/10 4:31 PM Page 1

Library Director Wilma Grey

favorite books and poems or to simply bear witness to the importance of the library. The event, which took place on one of the last scorching hot afternoons of the summer and continued through the wee hours through the morning until noon the following day, was designed Continued on Page 50

of the

Oranges Academy √ 100% Graduation Rate √ 100% College Acceptance Rate √ 3.5 million in merit-based aid to Class of ‘10

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The Positive Community September 2010

SponSoRed by the SiSteRS of ChARity of St. elizAbeth

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AT 40

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A Hero’s Legacy Medgar Evers College Celebrates 40 Years

BY GLENDA CADOGAN, JAMES V. D’AMBROSIO AND STEPHEN HOGGARD he founding of Medgar Evers College (MEC) in New York is a compelling, inspirational tale that offers many lessons about the quest for equal rights and justice in this country. It is not only the story of the people of Central Brooklyn’s dream of truly creating a community college, but also pertinent to all impoverished communities struggling to find a way to create academic institutions that foster a brighter future for their children.

T

The Beginning New York City in the 1960s was full of drama and passion—a hotbed of activity where local community organizing, Black Nationalism and international political movements converged. Nationally, the voices and actions of leaders like Martin, Malcolm and Medgar were shaping the landscape of the civil rights movement. In Brooklyn, grassroots organizers led the charge and coordinated protests, rallies, conferences and fomented discussion. In Central Brooklyn specifically, education emerged as a flashpoint. Inserting their voices and presence through political activity were grassroots community leaders such as Ella Sease, Reginald Nero, Louise Glover,

Shirley Chisholm, Sonny Carson, Rev. Sandy F. Ray, Al Vann, Major Owens, Elsie Richardson, Jitu Weusi and William Howard Sr. The spirit of activism that fueled the founders of MEC is typified in Ella Sease, a PTA activist who, like her peers, dreamed of a college for the youth of her community. Moving her vision to action, Ella would sit at her kitchen table every Friday and write a letter to then Governor Nelson Rockefeller. In it, she asked for funds for a new high school and college in Central Brooklyn. She persisted with this request for several years and at a public hearing in Brooklyn, Ella showed up unannounced, insisted on speaking, and exclaimed to the Governor that— “… Central Brooklyn must have a college!”

The vision that inspired Ella was also the community’s dream that inspired The Central Brooklyn Coordinating Council, Inc., a coalition of community groups that would become a major force in the struggle to bring a CUNY college to the area. The group met regularly throughout the early and mid 1960s to assess community needs and create pro-

“We knew that Mississippi existed in New York, too and so what happened there could happen anywhere in America. We wanted to say just that by honoring Medgar Evers as a local educational hero.”—Jitu Weusi 38

The Positive Community September 2010

www.thepositivecommunity.com

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grams to address them. Among the powerful groups affiliated with the Council were the Bedford Stuyvesant Neighborhood Council, Brevort Savings Bank, the Brooklyn Public Library, Carver Federal Savings and Loan Bank, the Brooklyn Chapter of the NAACP, and the Brooklyn Urban League.

Negotiations Begin Jitu Weusi was a member of the Committee for Educational Needs and Services, which was subsequently formed to lead the negotiations with the then CUNY Board of Higher Education (now the Board of Trustees). He remembers the struggle as though it were yesterday. “The Board of Trustees made it very clear from early on that we were going to have limited power in the structuring of the college,” Weusi told The Positive Community. “But we were determined and stood up to them at every turn.” According to Weusi, even the naming of the college was a contentious issue.

Who and Why Medgar Evers “The BOT was deeply offended that we wanted to name the college after Medgar Evers, who was a recent victim in the Civil Rights struggle,” he said.

“They were partial to a name like Frederick Douglass and argued that, having been killed in Mississippi, Medgar Evers was not relevant in New York. But our vision was broader,” he asserted. “We knew that Mississippi existed in New York, too and so what happened there could happen anywhere in America. We wanted to say just that by honoring Medgar Evers as a local educational hero.”

After a six-year struggle, the college was founded in 1969 and in 1970 was indeed named after Medgar Wiley Evers, the courageous Mississippiborn civil rights activist who, while serving in World War II, became disenchanted by the knowledge that he was fighting for freedom halfway around the world while he and other American blacks endured segregation and other forms of racism. On July 30, 1970 Governor Rockefeller signed the legislation approving the “establishment of an experimental four-year college of professional studies offering both career and transfer associate degrees and the baccalaureate degree. In December that same year, the Medgar Evers College Community Council, chaired by John Enoch and the Board of Higher Education, co-hosted an announcement ceremony at the Bedford YMCA. Chairman Enoch stated: “The Medgar Evers College, reflecting the image of the martyred leader who dedicated his life to the cause of individual freedom, dignity and personal fulfillment, will add another pillar of strength to the growing educational, economic, cultural and social

www.thepositivecommunity.com

In choosing the name of Medgar Evers, it is our hope that his ideals will inspire students and faculty of the college in their pursuit of truth as the surest path to human freedom and social justice.”—-Myrlie Evers foundations of the Central Brooklyn community and New York City.”

Myrlie Evers, widow of the slain Civil Rights leader and two of her children attended the ceremony. She was presented a scroll that cited her husband’s “ . . . effective contribution to the cause of human freedom and dignity . . . In choosing the name of Medgar Evers, it is our hope that his ideals will inspire students and faculty of the college in their pursuit of truth as the surest path to human freedom and social justice.”

A Unique Institution For Medgar Evers College, a predominantly African-American institution nestled in the heart of the ethnically diverse Crown Heights section of Brooklyn and the youngest four-year college in the CUNY system enrolling 7,200 students, the success of the past 40 years has not come easily.

Throughout its lifespan, the college has withstood challenges to provide pathways to brighter futures for Central Brooklyn residents and remains uniquely the only CUNY College born out of community struggle and racial conflicts; the only one where the community participated equally with the

The first class of over 1,000 students was admitted in September 1971.

Initially, classes were held in Central Brooklyn

churches—The

Masonic

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CUNY Board of Higher Education in defining the college’s mission, mandates, goals and status and the only one dedicated to working with the community.

The first class of over 1,000 students was admitted in September 1971. Initially, classes were held in Central Brooklyn churches—The Masonic Temple on Claremont Avenue, St. Luke’s Church on Washington Avenue and St. Joseph’s Church on Dean Street. Later, the college occupied buildings at 1150 Carroll Street and 1650 and 1637 Bedford Avenue, respectively. This fall, Academic Building I—a $250 million state-of-the art building housing the School of Science, Health and Technology will be officially opened.

The Presidents Dr. Richard Trent was appointed first president of the college, serving until 1982. He was succeeded by Interim Administrator Dennis Paul until Jay Carrington Chun, II became its second president in 1984. He was succeeded by Acting President Dr. Leo Corbie in 1987 while a search was conducted for a permanent appointment.

The 1980s was an energized, tumultuous period for the college giving rise to cultural programming including Kwanzaa celebrations, anti-Apartheid programs, and establishing an annual tribute to the Ancestors of the Middle Passage. In addition, the college’s degree-granting status became a major issue when it was stripped of its full seniorcollege status and received less money than other CUNY senior colleges.

On September 1, 1989, Dr. Edison O. Jackson was appointed third president of Medgar Evers College, beginning 20 years of visionary leadership until his retirement in 2009. The college’s longest tenured president and an ordained minister dedicated to uplifting people of color—Jackson brought stability and growth, including restoring the college’s status as Edison O. a full four-year degree-granting Jackson institution. Among his many accomplishments was founding the Male Development and Empowerment Center (MDEC),

supporting young AfricanAmerican males in pursuing a college education and a better life.

On August 1, 2009, Dr. William L. Pollard—a distinguished educational leader with over 40 years experience in higher education administraWilliam L. tion—was appointed the colPollard lege’s fourth president. A little more than a year into his presidency, he pursues a progressive agenda that includes: making the institution the most student-centered college in CUNY and providing more opportunities and resources for students and plans to expand the infrastructure to meet the demands of record enrollment.

A Beacon of Hope The college has graduated over 12,000 alumni since its doors first opened. Among them are Carl Andrews, a former New York State Senator; Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant, author and television personality and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.

As the college celebrates its 40th anniversary, Weusi, is proud of the fact that he and his associates were privileged to play a role in providing an educational alternative for the young people of Central Brooklyn. “In the mid 60’s we had what was only a dream,” he said. “But with determined effort we were able to give life to this dream with the establishment of an institution of higher learning. This dream is now something tangible and indisputable.

It is an indication of the progress we can make as a people. My only hope is that now, we don’t fall asleep at the switch.”

Today, Medgar Evers College stands as a beacon of hope to many in Central Brooklyn—a place where lives are transformed and bright futures begin. Born out of a struggle, nurtured by activism and cared for by a community, it is the hope that over the next 40 years Medgar Evers College will live up to its goal…preparing students for leadership roles in a changing world, so that they and the college can be energizers or change-agents in the community. A luta continua! (The Struggle Continues).

Today, Medgar Evers College stands as a beacon of hope to many in Central Brooklyn—a place where lives are transformed and bright futures begin.

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Inspiring Women Academic success and leadership development at MEC

s Medgar Evers College (MEC) prepares to celebrate its 40th Anniversary, the 28-year-old Center for Women’s Development continues to demonstrate the MEC Founders’ commitment to provide access to higher education for residents of Central Brooklyn—and beyond. Established in 1982 in response to student concerns regarding inadequate resources to support the 75 percent female student population, the center emerged from the collective vision of faculty, staff, students, community leaders, clergy, and local elected officials. Safiya Bandele (then working as an Academic Advisor/Instructor in the Department of Humanities) was chosen as the founding director and received her official CUNY appointment following a national search.

For nearly three decades, the center’s primary directive as a unit in the Student Affairs/Services Division has been to facilitate the successful pursuit of the academic degree through institutionalized support. The collective emphasized the importance of development for women, meaning services and programming that encourage not only academic success and successful pursuit of the academic degree but also leadership development.

Center programming includes: individual and crisis counseling, support groups, advocacy, referrals (campus and community), educational forums, lectures and seminars and specialized events.

The Center’s current programs encourage students to embrace and manifest their potential as scholars, leaders, and engaged members of the global community: 1) The Gender-Specific/All Women’s Freshman Seminar Class is a collaboration of the Center and the Freshman Year Program. The curriculum includes the standard first-year academic foundational modules complemented by speciallydesigned gender-specific interactive activities.

2) The Role Model Program, co-sponsored by the NYC Coalition of 100 Black Women and corporate sponsor L’Oreal U.S.A., pairs selected high-achieving CUNY students with professional women in their career field for an intensive mentoring and “shadowing” experience. Students receive valuable career information and are awarded scholarships.

3) Women of Distinction are students nominated by faculty in their majors based on G.P.A., outstanding achievement, service in the disciplines and community service.

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4) Upsilon Theta Pi Honor Society inducts women who have demonstrated excellence in scholarship and who pledge to work individually and collectively to enrich their communities through service, in keeping with their motto: Not For Ourselves Alone.

5) S.H.A.D.E.S. (Sisters Having a Definite Excellence Strategy) was originally organized as a Center Project. It is now chartered as a student club open to students interested in women’s empowerment through service and leadership. The Center provides faculty advisement to S.H.A.D.E.S., as well as meeting and program space. S.H.A.D.E.S. serves as a personal development as well as academic support group; students assist in campus organizing and supporting “Walks” (Breast Cancer, HIV Aids, Domestic Violence), provide specialized support for student parents, and serve as a medium for students’ creative expressions.

6) Safe Zones are designated CUNY/campus spaces where students who identify as lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, or transgender are welcome. The Center also provides faculty/staff advisement to The LIFE Club (the student club for LGBT students and allies and has historically sponsored events inclusive of the LGBT community.

The Center plays a pivotal role in the CUNY policies addressing the quality of campus life, such as the policy addressing sexual assault approved by CUNY Board of Trustees in June, which provides for assistance and protection for student victims of sexual assault, stalking and domestic and intimate partner violence. The policy includes campus Women’s Centers as a point of on-campus contact for students. Center staff have provided leadership and service to the Sexual Harassment Intake and Education Committee; the Workplace Violence Prevention Committee; the Domestic Violence in the Workplace Committee, and the in-formation Committee on Hunger and Homelessness.

The Center for Women’s Development partners with community organizations that share a commitment to women and girls. These include the program C.H.O.I.C.E. (a weekly workshop addressing issues of adolescence for incarcerated female adolescents ages 13 to 18 at a 25-bed, secure state detention facility); and GIFTS (Girls Inspired For Tomorrow’s Success—a life skills/college prep program for students at the New York City Diploma Plus High School).

In 1982, following a national search by CUNY, Safiya Bandele, who was the students’ choice for the position, became the Center’s official founding director. Under Ms. Bandele’s leadership, the Center has achieved CUNY, local, state, national and international recognition for its groundbreaking work on women’s empowerment. The recipient of dozens of MEC and community awards for service and achievement, Safiya Bandele is the quintessential torchbearer for gender equity. “The college’s commitment to a deeper student-centeredness should mean special attention to the majority female student population issues—true in 1982, true in 2010,” remarked Ms. Bandele. www.thepositivecommunity.com

Future Leaders Receive NYUL Scholarships

By R. L. Witter and Jean Nash Wells

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n Tuesday, August 10, 2010 a “Send-Off” reception was held for the 2010 Class of Whitney M. Young, Jr. Memorial Scholars and their parents.

The scholarships are given to deserving students each year to offset the cost of pursing an undergraduate degree. Students are able to use the scholarship toward the cost of books, meal plans and living expenses in addition to tuition. The hope of the New York Urban League is that these scholarships will assist students with the incidentals that many financial aid packages and other scholarships do not cover.

As each Whitney M. Young, Jr. Scholar pursues his or her individual goals and dreams, the NYUL is committed to staying connected to these young people through adulthood. At the reception, students and parents were encouraged to ask questions of NYUL staff and volunteers as they prepare for this new road ahead. As their fall semester begins, these young students will be paired with a New York Urban League Young Professionals mentor. The students will have the opportunity to gather together again and share the experiences of their first month at the September 25th Football Classic.

Scholarship applications are accepted each fall and the NYUL is committed to providing scholarships to students who show promise. “The Classic introduces thousands of New York children to the college experience, and proceeds help hundreds more attend college at an HBCU or other university,” said Arva R. Rice, president and CEO of the New York Urban League.

Ms. Rice was awarded the Centennial Newcomer CEO of the Year Award. The award, which was presented during the Delegate Assembly, at the National Urban League” Annual Convention in Washington D.C., was given to Ms. Rice for her work in transforming the New York Urban League since being named CEO in April of 2009. The Legendary former Los Angeles UL CEO, John Mack, congratulated Ms. Rice after she received the award and noted "You're doing it.”

The scholarship is named for the late Whitney M. Young Jr. who led the National Urban League from 1961 until his death in 1971. He was one of America's most charismatic, courageous and influential civil rights pioneers, whose forte was negotiation. During his tenure, Young expanded the organization’s mission and nearly doubled the number of branches, while earning the support of business and political leaders. He was an advisor

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Front L to R: Machline Clerrosier, Daniela Vera, Tatum Lloyd, and Yokarla Veras. Middle L to R: Esther Whang and Titilayo Oshinaya, Back L to R: Mark Rivers, Ronnie Kennedy and Kevin Brown.

to Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. He initiated the "Street Academy,” an alternative education system for high school dropouts and his Domestic Marshal Plan greatly influenced President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty.

President Johnson awarded him the Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor and President Richard M. Nixon gave the eulogy at Mr. Young’s funeral in which he said, “What monument do we build to him?

He leaves his own monument, not one, but thousands, thousands of men and women in his own race who have a chance, an equal chance, that they otherwise might never have had except for what he did; and thousands of others not of his own race who have an understanding in their hearts which they would not have had except for what he taught.”

The 2010 New York Urban League Football Classic, which raises funds for the Whitney M. Young Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, will take place on September 25, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey in a battle between gridiron rivals Howard University and Morgan State University. Tickets can be purchased from ticketmaster.com or by calling 212-926-8000 ext. 222 or 202.

To read more of President Nixon’s eulogy of Mr. Young go to: www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com

Creating a Climate of Civility MEC’s Religious Studies grows in numbers while embracing all faiths By g.r. mattox

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n the last 20 years, Medgar Evers Coland hired Dr. Daryl M. Trimiew, an accomlege (MEC) went from “a college that plished scholar, theologian and ethicist. Dr. had lost hope, and felt neglected by Trimiew answered the call on his life while the system and the public,” to an instituattending Arts High School in Newark. It tion that has become a stabilizing force was there that he learned that the world in its Central Brooklyn neighborhood, a could be changed and individuals could be standout in the CUNY system and an instichange agents. During this period, he betution of choice for those in surrounding came a born-again Christian and set about communities who seek a degree. During answering God’s call for his life. He received this time, new academic centers focushis degree in Biblical Studies in 1972, three Dr. Daryl M. Trimiew ing on black literature, women’s studies, years after graduating from Arts, and went teaching and public policy have been created and more on to earn a Law degree from Rutgers, a Masters from than a dozen new degree programs have been added to Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Illinois and his the college’s catalogue.

Doctorate from Emory University. In 1991 he became an Just four short years ago, a bachelor degree level ordained minister in Disciples of Christ and has full minprogram concentrating on Religious Studies was just isterial standing with the United Church of Christ. Before a gleam in the eye of its then-president Dr. Edison O. coming to MEC he served at Colgate Rochester/Crozer Jackson. He, along with the input of two prominent Divinity School as the Dean of Black Church Studies, as Brooklyn pastors — the late Rev. Dr. Sandy F. Ray of Cor- the John Price Crozer Chair in Christian Social Ethics, nerstone Baptist Church and Rev. Clarence Norman, Sr. and the Director of the Program of Education and Action of First Baptist Church of Crown Heights, had the idea for Responsible Leadership (PEARL). of establishing a program that would “explore religious As Dr. Jackson worked with Rev. Ray and Rev. Norteachings and practices as important aspects of social, man to make the program a reality, Dr. Trimiew has political and economic life.” worked with other important congregational leaders in While it may be considered one of the smallest on the the “borough of churches” to build the program and MEC campus and one of the few of its type in the CUNY propel it forward, among them the Reverends Anthony system, the Religious Studies program, which became Trufant, Johnnie Ray Youngblood and Herbert Daugha reality in April 2008 when it began enrolling students try. With a sizeable Caribbean and Hasidic Jewish popufor that spring’s semester, has made steady progress and lation in the Crown Heights neighborhood surrounding has become noted for its all-encompassing examination MEC, Trimiew and his associates saw an opportunity to of the wide spectrum of religion. Unique in its design reach out and accomplish ecumenical work bringing for students to develop an appreciation for African, different faiths together. “One of things I’ve noticed in African-American and Caribbean contributions to the 15 years of teaching on the seminary level is that a lot development of American and world religious history, of seminarians know no other religion but Christianity,” the program offers courses in Eastern traditions of HinTrimiew noted. “What we are trying to do on campus is duism, Buddhism and Chinese philosophies; the other to create a climate of civility. This is an effort to combat Abrahamic faiths of Islam and Judaism; the esthetics of misunderstanding between religious groups and help religion and even examines syncretic religions like Sanpeople understand that what makes this country great is teria, which is a fusion of the Catholic, Native American the right individuals have to practice religion freely.” and Yoruba religions. Students who major, minor or In building the department, Trimiew and his fivework toward an Associate’s degree in Religious Studies member staff have clocked many non-classroom hours will spend a certain amount of time (for Bachelor candi- forming partnerships with other theological institutions dates it would be two years) taking the core curriculum where MEC students can attend for further studies, requirements, then continue with elective courses to and students enrolled at the partnering institutions can round out requirements for their degree. come to MEC to take courses. There is an articulation To lead and guide this program, as well as the Departagreement with New York Theological Seminary and ment of Religion and Philosophy, Dr. Jackson sought out Continued on page 70

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Region’s Best and Brightest Get Their Start at Bergen Community College W

hen Jimmy Schmitt enrolled at Bergen Community College in 2008, he never imagined the tremendous impact the institution would have upon his academic future and the legacy he would leave behind as a member of the college’s Men’s Basketball team, which made its first-ever appearance in the Final Four of the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Men’s Basketball Championship in March.

“As a student and athlete, I learned time management, dedication and responsibility,” said Schmitt. “Success in the classroom and on the basketball court comes with hard work and practice.”

At a young age, his parents instilled in him an important lesson—that education comes before playing sports. He graduated from Bergen in May 2010 with a 3.97 grade point average. Jimmy will attend Felician College this fall with a full tuition scholarship, and continue to play college basketball.

Jimmy Schmitt is one of thousands of students who receive more than just an education at Bergen Community College.

They learn how to become responsible citizens and participate in various initiatives on campus.

Making a Difference in the Community This year, more than 500 Bergen students and 60 faculty members devoted more than 9,000 hours to helping social service organizations, government agencies, hospitals and schools. With the class of 2010, the College began including service learning participation on each student’s transcript.

Keisha Branch

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Bergen Community College honored Deaho Moon, who achieved a 4.0 grade point average, as the valedictorian at the College’s commencement ceremony in May.

The college’s commitment to civic responsibility empowered Bergen student Keisha Branch and the Business and Finance Club to partner with the Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services Center in Hackensack to offer support services to homeless people in the surrounding area.

“Bergen signifies a place where people can make a fresh start,” said Ms. Branch. “I gained an appreciation of the college’s community outreach through service learning projects, including the ‘Give Till It Helps Campaign’ to raise money for people in Haiti and volunteer efforts to guide families through the enrollment process for food stamps.” Starting this fall, Ms. Branch and several of her peers will teach an introduction to computers course and a class in financial management to the homeless. The program is based on a professional development workshop series that Ms. Branch created with the college’s Office of Career and Transfer Services during the spring 2010 semester.

“I am the type of person who never gives up,” said Keisha. “I don’t view people as statistics but as individuals who are productive members of society. They just need a chance to succeed.”

Smart Start to Four-Year Degree Known as Mr. Dinosaur by his friends, Deaho Moon has always had an interest in science and the universe. Originally from South Korea, Deaho immigrated to the United States in 2007 and enrolled at Bergen. His love of science prompted him to pursue a degree in engineering science. As an international student, he was eager to take on the challenges that a new country and culture would offer him.

In May 2010, he was honored as the Class of 2010 valedictorian and awarded an associate in science degree at the college’s commencement ceremony. Moon will attend the University of California Berkeley in Fall 2010.

As a student at Bergen, Deaho participated in community service initiatives including the Haitian Relief Fund. He also donated money that he earned tutoring other students to support two children in Africa through the charity group Compassion.

Deaho Moon survived a childhood with many hardships but had “dreams bigger than the universe.” He is proud of his accomplishments and deems “Bergen as the first step on the path toward realizing my dreams.”

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Be Exceptional. BeBergen.

Begin your future. Register today for fall courses.

A dedicated faculty, 140 academic

Courses Begin September 8 at the Main Campus in Paramus and October 4 at Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands

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Our Public Schools Are the Best in the Nation; Together We Can Do Even Better

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ecently, the Schott Foundation for Public Education announced that New Jersey leads the nation with the highest black male graduation rate and that Newark, NJ has the highest rate among cities. That’s an achievement of which we can – and should – all be proud. However, with only 65 percent of New Jersey’s black male students graduating from high school, our state must do better.

The members of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), which represents teachers and educational support professionals in most of New Jersey’s public schools, are committed to improving opportunities for every child. NJEA was a strong advocate for Abbott funding, which was a key element in helping to close the achievement gap between minority and white students.

In fact, the Schott report highlighted the Abbott funding as a reason for New Jersey’s high performance.

Unfortunately, due to legal challenges, New Jersey has backed away from its commitment to the Abbott funding that has helped improve academic success among urban and minority students. This year, under Governor Christie’s devastating budget cuts, our urban schools have been cut even further. Essex County lost more funding than any other county in the state. Essex County public schools are still reeling from the loss of $108.2 million.

NJEA will continue to fight for adequate funding for our schools, but we need your help to ensure that this generation of students is not shortchanged. NJEA funds

NJEA funds almost $2,000,000 in local projects every year that are designed by teachers and other school staff to build support for their local public schools, improve the quality of education, and develop relationships with parents and the community.

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almost $2 million in local projects every year that are designed by teachers and other school staff to build support for their local public schools, improve the quality of education, and develop relationships with parents and the community.

In addition, NJEA has developed partnerships with diverse organizations such as the American Heart Association, News 12 New Jersey, Rutgers University, the New York Giants, the Trenton Thunder, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the New Jersey Hall of Fame, among others. These partnerships are designed to inspire student learning and spotlight the achievements of New Jersey’s public schools. It is clear that good quality schools lead to a good quality of life in communities and a strong, prosperous economy.

NJEA’s Families and Schools Together (FAST) Work for Children program was created to encourage families to be involved in their children’s education, to enhance student academic progress, and to feel welcome in public schools. FAST is a coalition of education advocates, community groups, and schools working together to foster family involvement in education. FAST is a jointly sponsored effort of the New Jersey Education Association, its local affiliates, the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, with additional program support from the NAACP Statewide Education Committee and the Latino Institute.

NJEA supports legislation [S-837/A-1837] that will provide up to 24 hours of paid leave during any 12-month period for a parent or guardian of a child with special needs in a public school. The leave would specifically be used for any school-related conference, meeting, event, or function that is requested or required by school staff for the betterment of the educational needs of their child. Every educator understands the importance of close communication between parents and schools in facilitating students’ success.

The bottom line: while New Jersey has the best public education system in the nation, we can do better and we are working to do better. We need the help of parents, community members, religious institutions, nonprofits, business and industry, political leaders and many more in order to be ultimately successful. We welcome you – and your ideas – to the conversation about how we achieve that.

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Whether you dream of a career in the sciences, education, business or anything in between, Ramapo College will help you get there.

A rigorous liberal arts education at Ramapo College enables you to think critically and gives you the broad intellectual skills and abilities necessary for making enlightened choices in your life.

• 18:1 student - faculty ratio • Small class size (average is 23 students) • Affordable public college tuition • Recent graduates accepted to Columbia, Dartmouth, Penn and Cornell Ph.D. programs

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your efforts to be a centre of excellence where understanding of his word is nurtured and students bear the fruit of love, compassion and caring to a world that is aching for these gifts.”

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to send a message to city officials.

Over $2 million in funding was cut from the library’s budget, forcing its director, Wilma Grey to permanently close two branches, close other branches two days a week and lay off thirty-one employees. Acknowledging that libraries all over the state are facing cutbacks, she nonetheless voiced her belief that the grassroots effort would make city officials sit up and take notice: “I think it’s really important for the mayor and city council to know exactly what the citizens of Newark are missing if we eliminate services to the extent that we’re being threatened.” Following the read-in, a large group went into City Hall to let their concerns be known.

“For me, the library was my first step into the wider world,” said Read-In organizer Terry Seuss. “When you are able to take out books that tell you about different types of things, it opens up the world to a child.” Nine year-old Chunani Heard, a student at St. Phillip’s Academy who likes books by juvenile writer Beverly Cleary and took a turn at the mic, echoed Seuss’ feelings. “The library has a lot of things that I know about and want to learn about,” she said. I’m sad and angry because the mayor does not know what he is doing to kids like us.”

Due to a $180 million budget deficit, the city officials have had to make many unpopular decisions including lay-offs and furloughs of hundreds of city workers, as have many municipalities across the state and the country.

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The Positive Community September 2010

Saturday, Nov. 13

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The War Memorial Building 10:00am – 4:00pm 200 Barrack St., Trenton, NJ 08079

Monday, Nov. 15

November 13-19, 2010 Scholarships Available!

Over 40 HBCU Admissions Counselors FREE Application Fees

Burlington County College 9:00am – 1:00pm 601 Pemberton Browns Mills Rd., Pemberton, NJ 08068

Tuesday, Nov. 16

Passaic County Community College 9:00am – 1:00pm One College Blvd., Paterson, NJ 07505

Most colleges in attendance will waive the application fee with a completed application. Visit our website www.HBCU-CFNJ.com to review the On-Site Reference Guide Wednesday, Nov. 17 for more information about admissions, application fee waivers Susquehanna Bank Center and scholarships, plus a list of participating HBCUs. 9:00am – 1:00pm

1 Harbor Blvd., Camden, NJ 08103

On-Site Admission

Bring official transcript, completed application, ACT/SAT scores and GPA to be considered for on-site admission.

HBCU Alumni Panel | Financial Aid Workshop Professional dress strongly recommended Students and groups can register at

www.HBCU-CFNJ.com

Thursday, Nov. 18

School District of Philadelphia Location to be determined

Friday, Nov. 19

Raritan Valley Community College 8:30am – 1:00pm Rte 28 & Lamington Rd., North Branch, NJ 08876

www.thepositivecommunity.com

The summer before her senior year as a criminal justice major at Rutgers, Karina Martinez of Lyndhurst, New Jersey, studied child labor laws in Ghana as part of an effort to raise awareness about human rights.

Some universities prepare you for the real world.

At Rutgers, you’re in it.

admissions.rutgers.edu/real

RU0910-0204 UUAad.indd 1

4/1/10 1:12:19 PM

Where Your Religious Liberty Begins

By Rev. Warner Richards, Pastor Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Church, Brooklyn, NY

G

cautioned the officers that their intrusion violated the od gifted humans with free will and freedom of rights and sanctity of the church. The officers failed to choice. With this precious gift God even allows us the liberty of choosing not to follow him. This heed to the admonishments and refused to enter into dialogue concerning the matter. is how sacred liberty and freedom of conscience are.

These grave acts caused consternation in the local Thus, faith is a pact between man and God. This makes religious community and have now become a national the struggle for liberty complex and ongoing, and too concern. Should law enforcement be respectful of the often groups motivated by self-interests try to curtail sanctity of houses of worship? Is there a need for police it. This can lead to abuse, and in most instances where training in religious sensitivity? Should there be protocols religious liberty has been violated, there is involvement as to how law enforcement handles houses of worship? of some government institution.

Further concern now permeates the case since the What is religious liberty? Is it to live in a nation with 10AUG Page 1 on Page 55 laws that protect and defend the free exercise ofATS reli-PosComChange4-5x4-5:Nyack 8/27/10 10:08 AM Continued gious practices and beliefs? Or is it to live in a nation with a government that stays out of religious life allowing religion to self-govern?

Since liberty is a personal gift from the creator, in order to preserve liberty we must protect it and defend it. We must understand that • Doctor of Ministry my privilege ends where your liberty • Master of Divinity begins. Liberty is therefore dependent on mutual respect between • Master of Arts individuals and institutions.

• Master of Professional Studies This principle of respect was • Certificate Programs violated on the night of Friday, May 7, 2010. More than fifteen police ofAn Academically Excellent education ficers from Brooklyn’s 77th Precinct that is Socially Relevant and Personally stormed the Shiloh Seventh-day AdTransforming in an environment that is ventist Church on Eastern Parkway, Globally Engaged and Intentionally Diverse. in pursuit of a young parishioner.

This unfortunate incident took JOIN US FOR AN OPEN HOUSE! place during our Sabbath hours.

Monday, September 20, 2010 • 6:00 p.m.

The officers entered the church Thursday, October 21, 2010 • 6:00 p.m. without the permission of the pas350 North Highland Avenue, Nyack, NY tor and without a warrant.

As they entered the premises, the first elder of the church identified himself as the highest-ranking church official on the premises and

52

The Positive Community September 2010

Call 800-541-6891 or visit our website at www.nyack.edu/ats to make a reservation to attend.

Nyack, NY • New York, NY • www.nyack.edu/ats

www.thepositivecommunity.com

Nyack College Seeks University Status First Doctoral Degree Approved

“We want to build churches that are with the community, not just in it,...

We need to help leaders minister in an urban context.”

D

uring his inaugural speech in April 2007, President Michael G. Scales shared his vision for Nyack College to attain university status and three years later, that goal is well in sight. The New York State Board of Regents recently approved the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree program, which will be launched in January 2011 at Alliance Theological Seminary (ATS), one of the institution’s eight schools. This degree is the first of three doctorates required by the state to transition the college to university status.

The visionary leadership of Dr. Scales, Nyack’s twelfth president mirrors the fervor of the college’s founder, Dr. A.B. Simpson. “I believe Dr. Simpson would be proud,” said Dr. Michael Scales in his announcement to the campus community this month. “Our perseverance, endurance, and persistence finally win. More importantly, God blesses us with a favorable ruling in HIS time! …a Christ-centered university in New York is a Christ-centered university to the world!” he continued.

Under the direction of Dr. Elias Dantas, the D.Min. program will offer a concentration in Christian Leadership in the Global Context. Prior to his ATS appointment, Dr. Dantas was the associate pastor at Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, CA. He earned graduate degrees in church growth, missiology, and intercultural studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. www.thepositivecommunity.com

Also an author of books and articles, the awardwinning former professor has a vision for the role of the church in society and a vision for how ATS will be instrumental in fulfilling that role. “We want to build churches that are with the community, not just in it,” Dantas said.

“We’re becoming a country of foreign-born people. We need to help leaders minister in an urban context.”

The opportunity to help churches do that is a part of what drew Dantas to ATS. The native Brazilian has always recognized the importance of creating a church with a global mind-set. At ATS, that global mind-set permeates everything. It reflects the vision and mission of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, “to integrate the practice of ministry with a theological and biblical base.”

Nyack College was founded in 1882 by Dr. Albert Benjamin Simpson. In addition to its residential campus in Nyack, NY and a commuter campus in New York City, extension sites are located in Washington, DC and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Nyack is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and is chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York.

Prospective students interested in the 36-credit, three-year program should contact the Office of Admissions for details on the application process by phoning 1.800.541.6891 or emailing admissions.ats@nyack.edu.

—Courtesy Nyack College September 2010 The Positive Community

53

Transforming Seven Harlem Schools

Turnaround for Children NAME:Schoo and the New York Foundling Partner to Help Students SIZE:3x9.5 Fulfill their NAME:Schools Generic Potential

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ADVERTISING COPY PROOF OK encouraging and safe environment where faith-based values are Archdiocese of Newarkalthough offerCatholic a positive, with goals and direction in life. And children can grow in body, mind and spirit. basic to our education, religious diversity Founded in the 1990’s, TFC has been transforming Ad Okayfaith-based Ad Cost $values are Our caring, qualified teachers and providesafe a is an integral part of where our classrooms. encouraging environment although Catholic strong, academic foundation – over 97% Catholic Elementary School is the start Newchallenged, Ad To Come lowest performing schools in the the most of Catholic school graduates advance in body, of a smart investment child’s future. children can grow mind andin your spirit. basic to our education, religious diversity Please make the following changes: to college.

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DATE: reorganized and counteract the effects of Catholic school graduates advance of a smart investment inreenergized your child’s to future.

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To helpchildren. families manage tuition, we offer s develop into Then again, so are your The Catholic Elementary Schools in flexible payment programs. This valueDATE: high risk for involvement with juvenile justice, foster the Archdiocese of Newark are deeply based education is well worth the cost. tholic mas información lassoEscuelas care or child welfare systems. The Foundling has many committedPara to helping students develop into sobre Then again, are your children.

DATE: SIGNATURE: ArchdioceseToof Católicas Elemtales de la Arquidiócesis de programs to serve these populations. learn more about the Catholic Para mas información sobre las Escuelas SIGNATURE: Schools in the Archdiocese of Católicas Elemtales de la Arquidiócesis de 7-4258. Elementary Newark, favor de llamar al (973) 497-4258.

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ACCOUNT and teachers in each school to develop the systems to adEXECUTIVE: EXECUTIVE: The Catholic Elementary Schools in the Archdiocese of Newark dress the needs presented by students and staff. Specifintary Schools in the Archdiocese of Newark ISSUE DATE: Opening hearts, minds and doors, ISSUE DATE: cally, the agency guides each Advocate schoolatin(973) its 497-4192 development of Please fax back to The Catholic

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ening hearts, minds and doors, 54

The Positive Community September 2010

Continued on nextatpage Please fax back to The Catholic Advocate (973) 497-419 www.thepositivecommunity.com

HARLEM SCHOOLS a Student Intervention Team (SIT), a school-based team that meets regularly to identify students in need of mental health services, coordinate intervention strategies for them, and develop linkages with community resources, such as The Foundling. Additionally, in this partnership, Foundling staff will be part of the Student Intervention Teams, provide crisis consultation at the schools, and provide mental health training to teachers as well as treatment to referred families.

In the 2009-10 school year, this initiative helped link over 100 students and their families with services from The Foundling. The partnership is slated to expand to at least seven more schools in the next academic year, giving thousands of students the chance to escape the potentially devastating effects of poverty. For more information, contact Dr. Sylvia Rowlands at sylvia.rowlands@ nyfoundling.org or call 718-772-0246.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Family, Church & Community Minded

Serious Injury • Wrongful Death Commercial & Residential Real Estate Sales & Purchase Closings • Wills & Trusts

Continued from Page 52 police department has not issued an apology and the commissioner has declined to meet with church officials.

After the event took place, the response of the department was to taint the reputation of the church and the young man in the media. In response, on Saturday May 15, 2010 elected officials: Congresswoman Yvette Clark, Assemblyman Hakeem Jefferies, Councilmember Letitia James, the Rev. Al Sharpton and other community and religious leaders convened at the Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church for a massive community prayer vigil. The objective was to raise a unified voice affirming respect for all religious institutions and to voice displeasure at this clear violation of religious rights. As the pastor of this congregation, it is my belief that when the police stormed our church they trampled every house of worship in this nation. A people’s religious rights are sacred; no person or institution has the right to violate or define them. Your privilege ends where my liberty begins.

Editor’s Note: In an update on the story at press time, Pastor Richards advises us that the young man is home with his parents; he appeared in court in August with another date set for October. “I know that the D.A has been reviewing new evidence about the case that could have it dismissed,” he said, “but so far they have not made any official statement on the matter.

Concerning NYPD and their response to the church’s complaint, they still have not admitted wrongdoing or apologized; however we have learned—by their own admission—that there has been a flood of letters from all over the country to the NYPD protesting the police conduct. We received a letter from the Police Commissioner saying that they were launching an internal investigation to see if the officers acted professionally. This, we believe is another way of denying or ignoring the real issue, which is the disrespect exhibited by the officers and consequently by the department toward a house of worship.” www.thepositivecommunity.com

Estates • Immigration • Family Law Commercial Business Representation Free Initial Consultation on Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Claims

Bruce L. Bozeman Attorney at Law 914-668-4600

6 Gramatan Avenue Mount Vernon, NY 10050

September 2010 The Positive Community

55

B.F. Johnson

Community Center

Metropolitan Baptist Church 149 Springfield Avenue Newark, NJ

973.642.2267 Church Office 973.418.3952 Banquet Hall BFJohnsonCenter@mbcnewark.org

Truly memorable occasions begin with the perfect setting.

B.F. Johnson Community Center is prepared to make your next event truly special. Pricing that is just right to make your event perfect.

Banquets – Weddings – Meetings – Special Occasions

56

The Positive Community September 2010

www.thepositivecommunity.com

Charlotte Ottley Expands Her Territory

F

ormer New York media consultant and publicist, Charlotte M. Ottley continues to make a difference in the many lives she touches. The borders of her territory continue to expand with the recent dedication of the Charlotte Merritts Ottley Transitional Women’s Center (CMOTWC) in St. Louis, MO. CMOTWC is a one-of-a-kind facility and program created to address the needs of women who have successfully come through chemical dependency treatment programs.

The building was officially opened on the 27th anniversary of B.A.S.I.C, the Black Alcohol/Drug Service and Information Center founded by Oval Miller Sr. The event was attended by elected officials and guests from throughout the country.

L–R: Oval Miller and Charlotte Ottley cut the ribbon

L–R: Michael McMillan, license collector of the City of St. Louis and honorary co-chairman, Don Hubbard; Fr. Ed Grissedieck, founding member of BASIC; Baseball Hall of Famer Lou Brock and wife, Rev. Jacqueline Brock.

Ottley. Pictured l-r: Charlotte Ottley, Oval Miller, Actor/Director Malik Yoba and Michael McMillan

L–R: Friends traveled from 12 different cities. New Yorkers among them are: Abisola Faision of Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's National Black Theatre; Derek Noel, and Ed Meyers www.thepositivecommunity.com

September 2010 The Positive Community

57

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Culture M U S I C ,

A R T

&

L I T E R A T U R E

Ethiopia: The birthplace of Civilization and Christianity in Africa

E

thiopia is old beyond imagination. This is where archaeologists found Lucy in 1974, the remains of the first human dating more than 3.5 millions years old. It is one of the poorest countries in the world and, yet Ethiopian culture and heritage is rich and diverse. Unique among African countries, Ethiopia was never colonized and has enjoyed a long history of independence. Its traditions remain rooted in history and religion. Politically, it is a federal democratic republic. Although geographically close to the equator, because of its mountains, rivers and lakes, the climate is mild year round. The rainy season is from June through September, but the rains are gentle. The population is about 67 million, of which 40 million follow the Christian faith.

Ethiopia is mentioned 3 times in the Old Testament in books of Amos, Genesis and Numbers, and it is also mentioned in the New Testament in the book of Acts.

On my first trip to Ethiopia, I escorted ten ministers. We departed as travelers and returned as Ethiopians.

Let me take you on the journey.

We landed in Addis Ababa, the capital, which was founded in 1886.

Because of its indigenous character and legacy of the Abyssinian empire,

58

The Positive Community September 2010

By: Nick Mancino President, Journeys Unlimited

Ethiopia and its capital have long been a source of pride for the PanAfrican movement. Today the city is home to 3.5 million people, the secretariat of the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, as well as many UN organizations and NGOs. Addis Ababa hosts more foreign embassies and international missions than anywhere else in the world except for Washington D.C. Surrounded by mountains, the city has a wonderful appeal and boasts several parks, museums, and a mix of older and contemporary buildings.

At the Sunday service at Trinity Cathedral, hundreds of white-muslinwrapped worshippers huddled beside pillars and prostrated themselves on small rugs kissing the cold stone floor all facing east towards Jerusalem. We were moved by the sight of priests, deacons and monks dancing, processing the Talbot, a replica of the Holy Ark while drums and other musical instruments were playing, and chanting. while others kissed the floor repeatedly. All were barefoot. Outside the Cathedral we saw a group of women clutching their prayer books, bowing against the stone walls similar to the davening [praying] performed

by Jews at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. According to our guide, the women were in their menstrual

Bet Glyorgis Church at Lalibela cycle and not allowed to enter the church—another reminder of the deep connection between Judaism and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Next it was on to Axum, frequently referred to as the sacred city of the Ethiopians, and reputed to be the home of the legendary Queen of Sheba. It seems certain that a great civilization was established here by immigrants from Southern Arabia.

Axum was well known to Greek traders as a fine city and center of a very considerable empire; rising to importance around one thousand years before the birth of Christ. www.thepositivecommunity.com

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Axum is the location of the Church of St. Mary of Zion where, according to legend, the biblical Ark of the Covenant was placed. Axum introduced the first written African language, Ge’ez, and gave birth to Christianity, in 327 AD when Syrian monks converted King Azana. Axum gave us the longest running monarchy, the Solomonic line, which ended with the 225th emperor, Haile Selassie, whose reign ended in 1975.

Axum is also famous for its seven mysterious monolithic steles, hewn from single pieces of solid granite. They were originally built as tombs for kings and queens, but now they seem less like prayers of stone and more like lightning rods to heaven.

The next day we flew to Gondar, referred to as the Camelot of Africa, with its graceful medieval castles inspired by the Portuguese. Emperor Fasilidas founded the city in 1635, and it served as the capital of Ethiopia for over 200 years. Besides the castles, visitors can tour the Bathing Palace of Emperor Fasilidas, which is used for the annual feast of Timket, or Epiphany. It is in this region that many churches are decorated Gondarine style. The most famous is the Debre Birhan Selassie with its beautifully adorned murals and ceilings. Depicted on the ceiling is the head of John the Baptist with wings. Legend has it that after he was decapitated, his head traveled throughout the Holy Land preaching Jesus’ teachings.

Our next stop was Bahar Dar, located on the southern shores of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, one of two tributaries to the great Nile River and from which most of the Nile’s water and fertile soil emanate.

The exciting Blue Nile Falls provided access by boat to a number of historic lakeside churches and monasteries.

Most date from the seventeenth century and have beautifully decorated walls and ceilings. We visited the Maria Asua monastery. The monks www.thepositivecommunity.com

Blue Nile Falls

Castle in Gondar

explained the history of the church and the daily life of a monk. We were there for several hours and just before leaving, asked what we could do to help the church. It turned out the greatest need was a generator—electrical power is irregular and often goes off. That evening, the group raised the funds for a generator and a PA system.

When we delivered them, it was an exciting time for the monks and priests, but most of all for us. One of the monks was so moved that he forgot his monastic manners and hugged and kissed everyone, including the women (which is not allowed). Some of the monasteries are even forbidden to women.

Lalibella, designated by UNESCO as a world heritage site, was our final stop and a truly unbelievable sight.

Eleven remarkable rock-hewn monolithic churches rise from out of a deep chasm. Built by King Lalibella in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, these beautiful structures were carved out of solid rock. Each church is unique, some decorated with fascinating paintings. All are active churches. Legend has it that King Lalibella received a

vision from God commanding him to build churches similar to those in Jerusalem. It is also said that the Almighty told the prince how to design them. Indeed, they seem to be heaven-made.

We encountered many beggars there, and we each did what we could to help the local economy. One of the ministers ran out of money, so he returned to the bus barefoot.

Ethiopia is a beautiful, rugged land offering unforgettable “once-in-a-lifetime” travel experiences. Hotel accommodations vary from the luxurious Sheraton or five-star Hilton in Addis Ababa, to two-star hotels in the other cities, which provided quality service and were very clean.

Ethiopia is old, old beyond all imagination; its culture and traditions date back over 3,000 years. As its tourism brochures point out, Ethiopia is the land of discovery, culture and beauty, cradle of mankind and source of the Nile River, with thirteen months of sunshine…Ethiopia is an exceptional and unique vacation destination and offering something for everyone.

September 2010 The Positive Community

59

Harlem Week Keeps the JointsJu m p i n’ Photos: Hubert Williams

H

arlem week was drawing to a close, but Harlem’s nightlife was just getting started as excited patrons were shuttled on special busses from place to place (nine in all), sampling Harlem after dark and celebrating both the historic, still vibrant old and the exciting new hot spots. Dubbed “The Joints are Jumpin,” the evening has become one of the most anticipated of all of the 45-day Harlem Week festivities.

Each “joint” the likes of Uptown Grand, Lenox Lounge and Terrace on the Park, featured a different genre of musical entertainment and cuisine, served along with distinctive beverages.

At the Dwyer Cultural Center, a cabaret showcased the acclaimed Brown Baby Girl featuring Lorenda Robinson. The Positive Community was recognized on the occasion of our 10th anniversary. Flo Riley, veteran host on Harlem Community Radio, (WHCR.org/90.3FM), and Tariq Towe and Daaiya Lomax of WHCR’s Gardens of Tranquility, the jazz and talk show were also recognized along with the Amsterdam News’ photo journalist, Bill Moore. Author and journalist Herb Boyd hosted.

L–R: Adrian Council, Flo Wiley, Jean Nash Wells and Herb Boyd

Guests were treated to a delightful buffet and wine tasting courtesy of 57 Main Street Importers, one of the few black-owned wine companies. Their products are imported from a South African winery that has 40 percent black ownership.

Lorenda Robinson

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The Positive Community September 2010

www.thepositivecommunity.com

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The Positive Community September 2010

amily, did we not have a great summer? Okay, granted this was the hottest it’s been in a while, but either you enjoyed it for what it’s worth or did like some to stay as cool as possible and took it all in—inside.

Either way, to God be the glory for keeping us day by day and being alive to give Him praise during the heat, ‘cause as the preachers say—“There’s a place hotter than this!”

This summer I have listened to an abundance of music to keep me inspired, encouraged and uplifted.

With that being said, I want to share some personal favorites that consistently reminded me of the true joy of who God is, the passion of what God does and the power that He has. Here they are in no particular order, and I’m sure some of these are on your iPod repeat as well.

Feel free to let us know what songs did the same for you!

VaShawn Mitchell is back again, Triumphant is the name of the CD, but the single is “Nobody Greater.” It declares that you can go to the top of the mountain or the lowest valley or sea, but there is nobody greater than our God. When I listen to this song and the pureness of the music (in a sense that less is more), I get the simple yet powerful message that no matter what, the final say belongs to Him. People have searched all over this universe and, guess what, there is still NOBODY greater! And for those who didn’t know, VaShawn wrote “I Love You More Than Anything” and I’m still singing that on the daily, too.

Earnest Pugh’s Rain on Us CD is doing great in stores and in churches as a remarkable worship experience.

The song that grabs me is “God Wants to Heal You.” Never have I heard a song that sounds like a true messenge—a personal letter just for me. Pugh’s song reminds me that everywhere I hurt, God wants to heal me. He doesn’t want me to worry or hold back, but I should move forward, let go and let Him free me from every pain and doubt. Where I was damaged, He will

F

www.thepositivecommunity.com

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repair and re-establish me and you. Once God repairs, it’s a done deal!

Detroit’s own Fred Hammond wrote a song back in the day for The Singletons titled “Created to Worship.”

Now, everyone knows that a Fred Hammond song is a classic by itself. However, his Warehouse Worship crew did another arrangement, and Fred’s performance with the crew is new and awesome! This is a praise and worship hit and I will definitely be teaching it to my team.

The words are a simple acknowledgement of what our Father designed us to do: “I was created to worship You/For You are lovely and Your ways are wonderful.”

The lyrics are enough to make me give all my praise and my heart rejoices knowing I am fearfully and wonderfully made to worship Him! Ok, last one now… Have you ever listened to a CD and liked one song so much that you played it over and over and forgot about the rest of the songs? Well obviously I have, so I took a second listen to a CD that I put down way back; you know, I ‘slept on it’ as they say. It’s Bishop Paul S. Morton’s Cry Your Last Tear, and the particular song, titled “I Am What You See,” was written by one of my good friends, Deon Kipping (led by Pastor William H. Murphy III). It starts as a prayer to our Father to help us to see what He sees in us. In our pain, He sees victory.

In our weakness, He sees us strong. He has given us all these promises to remind us who we are, and by the end

www.thepositivecommunity.com

of the song, the prayer becomes a declaration that “yes, I am what You see.” It takes me back to 2 Corinthians 4:18, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Summer will soon be over so it’s time to get back to business. Listen to songs to stimulate and prepare you for what comes next. To those who are preparing for the fall semester in school, let’s focus. Those with presentations and productions for the boss, get busy. If you’re not working yet, waiting to go back to work or school or unsure what to do next, know that God’s plan is the only Plan A. Don’t just trust Him, but put your trust in Him, read His word, praise His name, and rejoice in the knowledge that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. So whatever the assignment that you are given, do it in Jesus’ name. Be inspired by His love and the plan that He has for you.

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ROSEMARY SINCLAIR FROM THE HEART

My Savior . . . More Than Amazing Grace

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acquired a measure of peacefulness and comfort. He died with a week.

I had not gone back to visit him after I said my goodbye.

I wanted to have sweet memories of him and I wanted to let him have time alone with the Savior during his last moments. It was not my place to intrude. Everyone must experience that moment for themselves.

Paul’s going home celebration was a joyful gathering of friends and family. I dressed completely in white to symbolize the peace and relief I felt knowing that my Paul was finally free of pain and in the presence of the Lord, feeling more joy than he had ever experienced during his life on earth.

It’s been two months since his death. For the most part I am content, enjoying the beauty and comfort of the home my dear husband provided for me. I am surrounded by Paul’s love and the fruits of his hard work. I now know the reality of Christ’s amazing grace and companionship that keeps me from being lonely or sad. But sometimes, when I really miss him, I picture Paul abiding in glory in the presence of his Lord, where we will be together again someday.

WAITING I waited For an answer to my prayer That asked God to send someone To love me and take care of me You came So strong and protective That none would slight me Whenever you were around I waited For you to tell me that you loved me Then I didn’t need to wait long For you to ask me to marry you Through the years I waited For our golden years When we could be together constantly Now you’re gone And once more I am waiting For that wondrous day when I will join you In that beautiful place above That God has prepared for His beloved So then finally All my waiting Shall not have been in vain www.thepositivecommunity.com

© Rosemary Sinclair

ords cannot adequately describe the depth of the Savior’s love and concern for us when we call upon Him. Christ is always available to respond with comfort and encouragement to anyone who is suffering and turns to Him. I speak Paul Sinclair from experience after years of 1955–2010 enjoying Christ’s loving companionship and uplifting presence when I’ve suffered disappointments and sorrow during life’s trials.

Recently, I felt our Lord’s astounding saving grace as I was confronted with a most difficult ordeal that tested my faith and strength as a believer. From the beginning of April, I sat my husband’s bedside watching the deterioration wrought upon him by the cruel ravages of Parkinson’s disease.

Though he could not respond, doctors assured me that my partner, my husband of 39 years could hear and understand when I spoke the words of love and concern that I deeply felt. At first, I was driving the two-hour trip to be at Paul’s side. In the end when he could no longer eat or drink or accept any nourishment, he was kept alive by an IV of sugar water. His eyes told me of his suffering while his body convulsed with uncontrollable tremors. Finally, I moved into a motel near the medical center where he was being treated so that I could be with him at a moment’s notice.

Then I was informed that death was imminent— two to three weeks at the most, so we made arrangements to transfer him to a hospice center where he could be made comfortable and kept under 24-hour scrutiny. It was a lovely, serene place where he would be kept as comfortable as possible and free of pain. I realized that this was a gift of love that I could give him, so I bent close to his ear and whispered that he no longer needed to suffer so bravely. I told him that he had provided well for me and that all my needs were met. I told him how much joy he had brought my life and that I would not be sad. I kissed his parched lips and told him I would see him at the hospice.

His brother, Stephen, traveled many miles to take me there. Paul was gaunt beyond belief, but seemed to have

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The Positive Community September 2010

Combine ½ onion, ½ scallion, 1/2 thyme, ½ all seasonings ; add oxtails Place mixture in large hot skillet with the vegetable oil.

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September 2010 The Positive Community

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A Passion for Life in Christ

BY R.L. WITTER

ana Christmas-McCain has a smile that lights up a room. Her calm, easy-going demeanor immediately puts people at ease and draws them into conversation. Her desire to interact and be involved with those around her, as well as her nurturing nature, make it easy to see why she became a Resident Assistant while she attended Seton Hall University. “I was held accountable for the students who I referred to as ‘my babies’ on the third floor. They relied on me for advice, information regarding policies, regulations, upcoming events, etc,” reflected Christmas-McCain on a recent afternoon. She continued, “We shared the same living space along with our residents and we were responsible for fostering a sense of community; therefore, ‘we’ all looked out for each other to ensure the safety of the community.” It was Christmas-McCain’s sense of duty and obligation to that community that earned her the moniker “The Angel of Boland Hall” in January 2000.

On the morning of January 19th around 4:25 AM, fire alarms sounded in Boland Hall. While the majority of the other residents went back to sleep or remained in their rooms and despite the fact that there had already been more than 15 false alarms over the course of the school year, Christmas-McCain did her duty and checked the hallway outside her dorm room. Upon finding smoke in the corridor, Dana could have quickly and easily exited the building and reported the fire from the safety of an external location. But she didn’t. “This was no time to solely think of myself,” she explained. “If I was not safe, they were not safe,” she said of her charges. In an unselfish and heroic act and without regard for her own safety, she went through the hallways, knocking on doors and screaming to awaken and alert other students to the need to exit quickly. “This is the reason I knocked on the doors and called out to the others while the back of my scalp burned,” she explained. “How selfish and unjust would it have been for me to be well aware of the danger that lay ahead of them and not warn them?”

Her heroic and unselfish spirit has been immortalized by a scholarship named in her honor. The $10,000 Dana Christmas Scholarship has been awarded annually since 2001 to New Jersey students who have exhibited heroism

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in their communities. Like Christmas-McCain, most of the scholarship recipients do not consider themselves heroes, “I was just doing what anyone would have done,” Billy Hoffman, 18, of Toms River, NJ told the Star Ledger. He received the prestigious award for saving a neighbor who jumped into an icy pool while trying to save her pet.

Dana will tell you, “I, in my own strength, could have not made it out alive if God had not been present.” She recalls walking the hallways, the smell of smoke, the feeling of her skin burning and praying as she lay down— unable to take another step. She also recalls someone in white carrying her downstairs and outside to safety on the morning of the fire. Witnesses recall seeing her exit the building of her own volition. “God was in it with me and He did not allow me to perish in the flames,” she says; “I might not have been able to grasp that concept then, but I am much wiser now.”

Ten years older and wiser, Christmas-McCain’s life is on a different track now. “The young woman I was before was self-centered and unappreciative... Instead of being grateful for the loving mother and grandmother along with my aunts and uncles that met many of my family’s needs, I focused on the negative.” All of that has changed now as she has dedicated her life to Christ and is living out her dreams. After more than 15 surgeries, strenuous physical therapy to counteract injuries she suffered in the fire and daily duties as wife to Courtney McCain and mother to daughter Madison, it would be easily understood if Dana chose to rest or relax during her down time. But that isn’t her calling. Instead, she and her husband are active members of Grace Chapel Baptist Church, where Courtney serves as Minister of Music. Additionally, Dana is a student at New York Theological Seminary, a public speaker and a writer. In addition to maintaining her blog, http://www.msdivapages.blogspot.com, which is geared toward young women and helping them maintain their dignity and morals in today’s society, she is currently writing her first book, HeroSaved: The Fire Burned My Body but Not My Soul.

It is anticipated to be released in 2011.

Dana says of her life today, “God gave me a renewed mind and a great appreciation for life. I now appreciate the sunlight as well as the rain, for both have contributed to my growth and to the woman I am today…

God is truly amazing!” He is and so is she, as His servant, his instrument. Dana Christmas-McCain is truly the Angel of Boland Hall and we are all fortunate to have her in our midst. www.thepositivecommunity.com

F R it i t e F R it i t e F it Rite Fit Rite

RELIGIOUS STUDIES Continued from page 45

a formal connection with New Brunswick Theological Seminary is pending. Professor Sheila Gillams spent time in Togo this summer exploring the possibility of a partnership in that country, and last year Dr. Trimiew went to Israel for the same reason.

The department is currently planning its Prophetic Pastors Symposium, scheduled to take place in the fall.

The conference will celebrate local pastors who have provided community leadership for over 50 years; honorees are being videotaped to create and preserve an archive.

In addition, some of the symposium papers will be published. “What I want to do is have a collection of religious leaders in our library,” Trimiew said. “One of the things we don’t do oftentimes in the African American community is preserve a historical record of very successful religious leaders. A lot of the wisdom, techniques and spirituality and just the process of being a religious leader often remain in their families and this leads to materials being lost. Morehouse [College] has the Howard Thurman papers; Boston University has the King papers. What we are trying to do is put together a collection of some of the materials of leading Brooklyn ministers.”

One thing that Dr. Trimiew makes clear is that this degree program is not just for those looking to enter the pulpit. “Who runs your WMCA’s? Your not-for-profits?

Gets involved in a lot of international affairs?” he poses.

“Frequently it is those who have religious studies backgrounds because they have a better understanding of the relationships we have around the world, which are frequently infused with religious meaning and obligation.” One of those students who will probably follow that path is Diane Harris, who entered the Religious Studies program after hearing a presentation given by Dr. Trimiew to the graduating class of the New York Theological Certificate Program.

The former human recourses director, who maintains a 3.925 grade point average, says her degree will continue to assist her in reaching her personal goals both in her church and in her career. “It helps in cultivating a greater sensitivity to the complexity and diversity of religious beliefs and practices, which positively enforces my ability to empathize with others,” Harris said. “In this I have the desire to help others by providing them with guidance, encouragement, moral development and spirituality, which a degree in religious studies prepares me for.”

As small as MEC’s Religion and Philosophy department is at this point, the growth is steady and is firmly planted in both the landscape of the college and that of the CUNY system. Dr. Trimiew, his staff and students are becoming known for building and being a part of an entity with very bright prospects. “I am still attempting to faithfully serve God's call,” he reflected, “and trying to lead people to accepting God's grace in their lives at Medgar Evers and in the church at large.”

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MORTGAGE RATES

Continued from Page 19

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In addition to the low interest rates, SONYMA loans offer the following features: • Down payment assistance of up to $10,000 is available; • Availability of 40-year mortgages; • Rate lock periods of 100 days (240 for new construction and rehabilitation properties); • 97 percent financing for most property types and as little as 1 percent borrower owned funds towards the down payment; • No upfront mortgage insurance premiums and no borrower-paid points; • Does not charge higher interest rates or add-ons for different property types, loan amounts over $417,000, properties located in declining markets, or borrowers with lower FICO scores; • Flexible condominium and cooperative project requirements.

SONYMA offers a variety of low down payment mortgages that provide below-market fixed interest rates, as well as closing cost assistance through a network of participating lenders across the state.

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MWANDIKAJI K. MWANAFUNZI THE WAY AHEAD

Constructing Roads to College Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

—Proverbs 22:6 (New American Standard Bible)

rothers and sisters, we must not allow the March 2010 announcement that the entire senior class of Chicago’s black all-male Urban Prep charter school has been accepted into four-year colleges to decay into “old news.” Nor can we afford to let it be missed news.

Rather, this spectacular achievement must frame our marching orders for the 2010–2011 school year and beyond. Having seen that such victory is possible, we must set specific goals to replicate that victory for students with whom we are affiliated in our own communities, churches, and families.

This will require a change of culture (i.e. value system) for many of us. We, our offspring, and their children must agree through our actions to value education more than style, television, movies, and hip hop. To help implement this change, we should place books in our homes, physically accessible to toddlers and teenagers who live with or visit us. Included should be Bibles, science, history, math and black classic literature. More fact than fiction should fill our home libraries. We adults must read and discuss the books’ content ourselves, often (but not only) within earshot of our up-and-comings.

The school curriculum established in Texas this past spring elevates right-wing ideology above objective fact. If this becomes a national trend, the most effective way to guard against school-based brainwashing will be to provide independent access to truth through the resources of families, congregations, and community organizations.

The Body of Christ, acting as the head and not the tail, should lead the charge to make African American culture more education-friendly. Using the Bible to introduce preschool children to reading would help make them comfortable with its contents. For young teens, congregations should conduct “rites of passage” requiring youths to analyze (not just read) the Bible, such as tracing consistencies between the Old and New Testaments. The analytical ability and cognitive discipline that they develop in this process would likely make schoolwork more manageable.

Hopefully, these would also help more teenagers to choose

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wisely between Christ and the world at a time in their lives when the world’s pull is intense. Moreover, it should help aggregate positive peer pressure.

A local beam of hope is the Imagine Me Leadership Charter School scheduled to open in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY this fall. This school, sponsored by St. Paul Community Baptist Church (SPCBC), seeks as its core population boys whom society at large assumes will fail, such as sons of incarcerated fathers. It is better to start guiding such boys toward success now than to wait for others to move them toward prison.

Planned grades are K–5, although only K–1 will be served during the first school year.

Despite SPCBC sponsorship, Imagine Me will not be overtly Christ-centered because charter schools are technically public schools. But remember that Urban Prep, where the entire class of 2010 was accepted into four-year colleges, is a charter school.

At Imagine Me, positive values will permeate. The school will have a strong adult male presence, consisting primarily of screened, seasoned men of various backgrounds drawn from SPCBC’s Simeon Guild. They will work synergistically with students and teachers.

Regarding the effectiveness of single-gender schools, during the 1960’s I graduated from an all-boys public high school that excelled academically and also had a nationally ranked school newspaper, a winning math team, and, by the way, powerhouse sports teams. As a pubescent male at that time, I would have preferred to sit next to girls. Looking back, however, the absence of the opposite sex and the presence of positively directed male peer pressure helped many of us focus on succeeding in class and school organizations and getting into good colleges.

In the church that I now attend, when we pray during August worship services for young folks about to enter or return to college, young women always predominate. I’d like to see the number of young men increase.

Creating new types of schools will help, but in the immediate future there will be too few of these to accommodate all the young men who need them. Therefore, most comprehensively, we must find ways to elevate the value that typical young African American males attach to education.

September 2010 The Positive Community

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GOOD NEWS FROM THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY

www.thepositivecommunity.com Summer 2010

Editor-in-Chief Jean Nash Wells Associate Editor R. L. Witter Sales Angela Ridenour Adrian Council, Jr. NGS Communications, Inc. Satori MPR Church/Community Affairs Coordinator Faith Jackson Contributing Writers Sonja Gracy Dr. Phillip Bonaparte Dr. John Palmer Mwandikaji K. Mwanafunzi g.r. mattox Rosemary Sinclair Patricia Baldwin Rev. Theresa Nance Rev. Reginald T. Jackson Herb Boyd Glenda Codogan Toni Parker Helene Fox Glen Townes Rev. Dr. Joanne Noel Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood William Parrish Photographers Bob Gore Wali A. Muhammad Seitu Oronde Rev. Dr. William L. Watkins, Jr. Darryl Hall Vincent Bryant Donovan Gopie Linda Pace Art Direction & Layout Penguin Design Group Martin Maishman The Positive Community Corp.

133 Glenridge Avenue Montclair, NJ 07042 973-233-9200 Fax: 973-233-9201 Email: positive.corp@verizon.net Website: thepositivecommunity.com All contents © 2010 The Positve Community Corporation.

All Rights Reserved. This publication, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced, stored in a computerized or other retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means whatsoever without the prior written permission of The Positive Community Corporation. Any opinions expressed herein are solely the opinions of the writer(s) and not necessarily those of The Positive CommunityTM, its management or staff. The Positive CommunityTM reserves the right to retain all materials and does not assume reponsibility for unsolicited materials.

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BY ADRIAN A. COUNCIL, SR.

Vol. 10, No. 8

Publisher Adrian A. Council, Sr.

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The Last Word ON HARLEM, HAITI AND A RUN FOR HOPE e hope that you enjoyed our annual Harlem Summer Issue. Harlem USA is the most famous black community in the world—the cultural capital of black America. According to the Manhattan Borough President’s office, Harlem is only second to Times Square as a popular tourist destination in NYC. Harlem has been called “home” by countless legends—the giants in music, the arts, sports, religion and politics whose impact on language, fashion, the American soul and world popular culture continue to shine and resonate. The “Village Of Harlem;” whose main business and shopping thoroughfare, the ever bustling 125th Street is home to the fabled World Famous Apollo Theater and the offices of the former President of the United States, William Jefferson (Bill) Clinton.

It’s a cultural celebration Uptown as the HARLEM WEEK Festival, swings into high gear! We are grateful to the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce for honoring The Positive Community at Gracie Mansion during the Annual Harlem Week kick-off reception. The grand honors went to the family of the late Percy Ellis Sutton, former Manhattan Borough President, a co-founder of Harlem Week and founder of the Inner City Broadcasting Corporation, owners of radio stations WLIB and WBLS This year’s HARLEM WEEK festival theme is, “Harlem Remembers, Salutes and Celebrates the Children of Haiti.” Throughout the festival, there will be special salutes and recognitions to remind us of the devastating earthquake that claimed

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The Positive Community September 2010 The Positive Community Summer 2010

over 200,000 lives. The people, the children are suffering on this island nation just 90 minutes from the coast of Florida. Six months later, the relief efforts continue. Our prayers, time and resources are still very much needed.

A key activity at HARLEM WEEK 2010 is the Annual Percy Sutton Harlem 5k Run and the New York Family Walk-a-Thon organized by the New York Road Runners Club and the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce. This year, these events will be used as a fundraiser to assist the children of Haiti. The event will be held on Saturday August 21st.

Our colleague, Mr. Karl B. Rodney, publisher of the New York Carib news is organizing fellow newspapers and magazine publishers from our community to support this initiative. In addition to providing promotional support, we will also be fielding walk teams. Our walk team, The Positive Community Crusaders will be lead by our own, Rev. Kahlil Carmichael, “The Fitness Doctor.”

We invite individuals, families, churches, schools, businesses and community organizations to join our team. Sign-up today, contact Ms Faith Jackson at The Positive Community: 973-233-9200 or e-mail faith@thepositivecommunity.com To form your own walk team contact Ms. Tamara Smalling at HARLEM WEEK at 212-862-8477 or visit www.harlemdiscover.com Always remember that teamwork and service—selfless, loving service, are the essentials of progress and a community-building ideal.

Together, in the spirit of brotherhood and community pride let us promote goodwill and celebrate cultural unity through support of this truly noble and most healthy cause! www.thepositivecommunity.com

www.thepositivecommunity.com

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