TPC April 2015

GOOD NEWS FROM THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY

April 2015

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EDUCATION ISSUE

CELEBRATING

15

YEARS!

Mary Schmidt Campbell to Lead Spelman UNCF Standing Strong for HBCU’s Amazing: Ricky Dillard & Gospelfest 2015

Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson 40 Years of Faith and God’s Grace

M AY Y MA

Join us in May May spirit social justice justice| |arts arts| |culture culture spirit || social

FF CC BBCC

First 1912 Adam Adam Clayton ClaytonPowell PowellJr.Jr.Blvd.

Blvd.| New | New York, NY FirstCorinthian CorinthianBaptist Baptist Church Church | 1912 York, NY Pastor Walrond,Jr.Jr.--Senior SeniorPastor Pastor Pastor Michael A. Walrond, Sunday 9:30am||11:30am 11:30am| |www.fcbcnyc.tv www.fcbcnyc.tv SundayService ServiceTimes: Times: 7:30am 7:30am || 9:30am Visit us us Online: Online: www.fcbcnyc.org Visit www.fcbcnyc.org| |212.864.5976 212.864.5976

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1313 W.o.W. W.o.W.

Love Feast Feast Love 4PM 4PM

15 15

Wayne Shorter Jazz Wayne Event Shorter Jazz 8PM Event 8PM

24 24 Pastor’s Birthday Pastor’s Celebration Birthday Guest Preachers: Rev. Matthew V. Johnson & Celebration Rev. W. Franklyn Richardson

Guest Preachers: Rev. Matthew V. Johnson & Rev. W. Franklyn Richardson

Pre-Mother’s Pre-Mother’s Day Day Celebration Celebration 4PM 4PM

16 16 Zumba & Yoga in the Zumba & Park Yoga in the 10AM Park 10AM

28 28 My Sister, Myself My with Rev.Sister, LaKeesha Myself 7PM with Rev. LaKeesha 7PM

Coffee Coffee&& Conversation Conversation with Pastor Mike with Pastor Mike 10AM 10AM

17 17 Domestic Violence Domestic Awareness Violence Awareness

30 30 Project Savings Project 10AM Savings 10AM

Find us on Social Media Facebook.com/ fcbcnyc | Twitter.com/ fcbc_nyc | Instagram.com/ fcbcnyc

Find us on Social Media Facebook.com/ fcbcnyc | Twitter.com/ fcbc_nyc | Instagram.com/ fcbcnyc

Mother’s Day Mother’s Day

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Women of of Women Worship Worship Service Service 7PM 7PM

2323

HIV/AIDS Queens and Walk HIV/AIDS Princess Royal Queens and 8AM Tea Royal Walk Princess 3PM 8AM Tea 3PM Event Icon Guide Event Icon Guide Health Event

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Women & Girls Day & Women Guest Preachers: Rev. Elaine Flake & Girls Day Rev. Kimberly Moore Guest Preachers: Rev. Elaine Flake & Rev. Kimberly Moore

Health Event Food & Fellowship Event Food & Fellowship Event Spirit & Wellness Event Spirit & Wellness Event Fellowship Event Fellowship Event Arts Event Arts Event Social Justice Event Social Justice Event

APRIL 2015

CONTENTS 46

SECTIONS MONEY ........................................15 HEALTH ........................................26 EDUCATION ..................................35 CULTURE ......................................72

Features Roundtable Wrap-Up ......................................15 Win, Rock & Rule ............................................18

ON THE COVER: REV. DR. W. FRANKLYN RICHARDSON CELEBRATES 40 YEARS AT GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH

&also inside

Mayor Welcomes Commissioners ....................19 Selma March Remembered ............................22 Wayside B.C. Honors Heroes ...........................24 Book Review: Eldercare ..................................26 Pastor Johnson Celebrated .............................34 MLK Program at Newark Public Library ...........35 Schmidt Campbell to Lead Spelman ...............36

Guest Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

UNCF Gala ......................................................44

My View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Thurgood Marshall Fund Dinner ......................54

Fitness Doctor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Ricky Dillard Headlines GospelFest .................72

Gospel Train . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Owens Marks 25th Pastoral Anniversary ..........77

The Way Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Harlem Youngsters Win White House Film Award ..79

The Last Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Higher Ground Baptist Association ..................84

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The Positive Community April 2015

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All Nations Apostolic Tabernacle — Queens

Commercial & Nonprofit Carver is Lending in the Community When Bishop Reverend Dawson of All Nations Apostolic Tabernacle needed financing to make renovations to two landmark properties in Jamaica, Queens, he banked local at Carver. For more information, we invite you to call our Lending Specialists at 718.230.2900 or email us at Lending@carverbank.com.

carverbank.com BEDFORD STUYVESANT • CROWN HEIGHTS • FLATBUSH • FORT GREENE • HARLEM • EAST HARLEM • JAMAICA • ST. ALBANS

DON’T JUST CELEBRATE HISTORY, CREATE IT. We all have the potential to make the future we wish to see, just like these six students from the Bronx Academy of Promise. They won the Verizon Innovative App Challenge by creating an app that made mathematics exciting to them and their fellow students.

You, too, can make history. Go to PotentialOfUs.com and get the technology and inspiration you need from America’s largest and most reliable 4G LTE network. #PotentialOfUs See verizonwireless.com/bestnetwork for details. ©2015 Verizon Wireless.

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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@thepositivecommunity.com

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Abyssinian B.C., Harlem, NY Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III, Pastor

Ebenezer B.C., Englewood, NJ Rev. Jovan Troy Davis, M.Div.

Mariners’ Temple B.C., New York, NY Rev. Dr. Henrietta Carter

St. Luke Baptist Church of Harlem, NY Rev. Dr. Johnnie McCann, Pastor

Abyssinian B.C., Newark, NJ Rev. Dr. Perry Simmons, Pastor

Emmanuel Baptist Church, Brooklyn NY Rev. Anthony Trufant, Pastor

Messiah Baptist Church, Bridgeport, CT Rev. James Logan, Pastor

St Luke B.C., Paterson, NJ Rev. Kenneth D.R. Clayton, Pastor

Abundant Life Fellowship COGIC, Newark, NJ Supt. Edward Bohannon, Jr, Pastor

Empire Missionary B.C., Convention NY Rev. Dr. Ronald Grant, President

Messiah Baptist Church, East Orange, NJ Rev. Dana Owens, Pastor

St. James AME Church, Newark, NJ Rev. Ronald L. Slaughter, Pastor

Evening Star B.C., Brooklyn, NY Rev. Washington Lundy, Pastor

Metropolitan B.C., Newark, NJ Rev. Dr. David Jefferson, Pastor

St. Paul Baptist, Red Bank, NJ Rev. Alexander Brown, Pastor

Fellowship Missionary B.C., Newark, NJ Rev. Dr. Elton T. Byrd Pastor/Founder

Mount Calvary United Methodist Church, New York, NY Rev. Francis Kairson, Pastor

St. Matthew AME Church, Orange, NJ Rev. Dr. Lanel D. Guyton, Pastor

Aenon Baptist Church, Vauxhall NJ Rev Alphonso Williams, Sr Pastor Agape Christian Ministries Worship Ctr. Rev. Craig R. Jackson. Pastor Antioch Baptist Church., Brooklyn, NY Rev. Robert M. Waterman, Pastor

First B.C. of Lincoln Gardens, Somerset NJ Rev. Dr. DeForest (Buster) Soaries, Pastor

Mt. Neboh Baptist Church, Harlem, NY Rev. Dr. Johnnie Green Jr., Pastor

Archdiocese of New York Brother Tyrone Davis, Office of Black Ministry

First Baptist Church, East Elmhurst, NY Rev Patrick Henry Young, Pastor

Berean B.C., Brooklyn, NY Rev. Arlee Griffin Jr., Pastor

First Baptist B.C. of Teaneck, NJ Rev. Marilyn Monroe Harris, Pastor

Bethany B.C., Brooklyn, NY Rev. Dr. Adolphus C. Lacey, Sr. Pastor

First Bethel Baptist Church, Newark, NJ H. Grady James III, Pastor

Bethany B.C., Newark, NJ Rev. Dr. M. William Howard, Pastor

First Corinthian Baptist Church, NY Rev. Michael A. Walrond, Jr. Senior Pastor

Beulah Bible Cathedral Church, Newark, NJ Gerald Lydell Dickson, Senior Pastor

First Park Baptist Church, Plainfield, NJ Rev. Rufus McClendon, Jr., Pastor

Black Ministers Council of NJ Rev. Reginald T. Jackson, Exec. Director

Friendship Baptist Church, Harlem, NY Rev. James A. Kilgore, Pastor

Calvary Baptist Church, Garfield, NJ Rev. Calvin McKinney, Pastor

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

Calvary Baptist Church, Morristown, NJ Rev. Jerry M. Carter, Jr., Pastor

Good Neighbor Baptist Church Rev. Dr. George A. Blackwell, III, Pastor

New Hope Baptist Church of Hackensack, Hackensack, NJ Rev. Dr. Frances Mannin-Fontaine, Pastor

Canaan B. C. of Christ, Harlem, NY Rev. Thomas D. Johnson, Pastor

Grace B. C., Mt. Vernon, NY Rev. Dr. Franklyn W. Richardson, Pastor

New Life Cathedral, Mt. Holly, NJ Rev. Eric Wallace, Pastor

Canaan B.C., Paterson, NJ Rev. Dr. Gadson L. Graham

Greater Abyssinian BC, Newark, NJ Rev. Allen Potts, Senior Pastor

New Zion B.C., Elizabeth, NJ Rev. Kevin James White, Pastor

Cathedral International., Perth Amboy, NJ Bishop Donald Hilliard, Pastor

Greater Faith Baptist Church, Philadelphia, PA Rev. Larry L. Marcus

Paradise B. C., Newark, NJ Rev. Jethro James, Pastor

Charity Baptist Church, Bronx, NY Rev. Reginald Williams, Pastor

Greater New Hope Missionary B.C., NYC Rev. Joan J. Brightharp, Pastor

Christian Cultural Center, Brooklyn, NY Rev. A.R. Barnard, Pastor

Greater Zion Hill B.C., Harlem, NY Rev. Dr. Frank J. Blackshear, Pastor

Christian Love B.C., Irvington, NJ Rev. Ron Christian, Pastor

Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI) Drek E. Broomes, President & CEO

Community B.C., Englewood, NJ Rev. Dr. Lester Taylor, Pastor

Imani Baptist Church, East Orange, NJ Rev.Chuch Chamberlayne, Pastor

Community Church of God, Plainfield, NJ Rev. Dr. Shirley B. Cathie., Pastor Emeritus

It Is Well Living Ministries, Clark, NJ Rev. Kahlil Carmichael, Pastor

Concord B.C., Brooklyn, NY Rev. Dr. Gary V. Simpson, Pastor

Lagree Baptist Church, New York, NY Rev. Wayland Williams, Jr., Pastor

Convent Avenue Baptist Church, New York, NY Rev. Dr. Jesse T. Willams, Pastor

Macedonia Baptist Church, Lakewood, NJ Dr. Edward D. Harper, Pastor

Mt. Pisgah B.C., Brooklyn, NY Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, Pastor Mount Olive Baptist Church, Hackensack, NJ Rev. Gregory J. Jackson, Pastor Mount Zion Baptist Church, Westwood, NJ Rev. Barry R. Miller, Pastor Mt. Olivet B.C, Newark, NJ Rev. André W. Milteer, Pastor Mt. Zion AME Church, Trenton, NJ Rev. J. Stanley Justice, Pastor New Hope Baptist Church, Metuchen, NJ Rev. Dr. Ronald L. Owens, Pastor

Pilgrim B. C., Newark, NJ Rev. Dr. Glenn Wilson, Pastor Ruth Fellowship Ministries, Plainfield, NJ Rev. Tracey Brown, Pastor Shiloh AME Zion Church, Englewood, NJ Rev. John D. Givens, Pastor Shiloh B.C., Plainfield, NJ Rev. Dr. Gerald Lamont Thomas, Pastor Shiloh B.C., Trenton, NJ Rev. Darell Armstrong, Pastor St. Albans, NY COGIC Rev. Dr. Ben Monroe St. Anthony Baptist Church, Brooklyn, NY Rev. Dr. Duane E. Cooper St. John Baptist Church Camden, NJ Rev. Dr. Silas M. Townsend, Pastor

St. Paul Community B.C., Brooklyn, NY Rev. David K. Brawley, Pastor The New Hope B.C., Newark, NJ Rev. Joe Carter, Senior Pastor Union Baptist Temple,, Bridgeton, NJ Rev. Albert L. Morgan, Pastor Walker Memorial B.C. Bronx, NY Rev. Dr. J. Albert Bush Sr., Pastor World Gospel Music Assoc., Newark, NJ Dr. Albert Lewis, Founder

Businesses & Organizations 125th St. BID African American Heritage Parade American Diabetes Association American Heart Association, Northern, NJ Brown Executive Realty LLC, Morristown, NJ City National Bank Essex County College, NJ Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce Marion P. Thomas Charter School Medgar Evers College Mildred Crump, Newark City Council Muslim American Chamber of Commerce NAACP New Jersey* NAACP, NY State Conference* New Brunswick Theological Seminary New Jersey Performing Arts Center New York Theological Seminary New York Urban League Newark School of Theology Nubian Conservatory of Music Razac Products Co., Newark, NJ Schomburg Center The College of New Rochelle United Way of Essex and West Hudson WBGO-88.3FM West Harlem Group Assistance, Inc. WKMB-1070AM

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!

“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

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United Way of Essex and West Hudson’s Women In Support Present

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United Way of Essex and West Hudson April 2015 The Positive Community

9

DR. HOWARD BURRELL GUEST EDITORIAL

Dr. Burrell is a State of New Jersey Commissioner, North Jersey District Water Supply Commission; Trustee, Newark School of Theology and member of the Board of Regents, Felician College.

The Importance of Education and Cultural Literacy “If a people expect to be ignorant and free, they expect what never was and will never be.”

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his quotation from Thomas Jefferson ties the importance of an educated people to their ability to gain and maintain their freedom. These words continue to be pertinent to our nation in general, and to our nation’s citizens of African descent in particular.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, between 1990 and 2013, the percentage of black Americans 25–29 years-old that had attained a bachelor’s or higher degree increased from 13% to 20%. While this achievement represented forward movement, the attainment rate at this education level between black and white Americans actually widened—it went from 13 to 20 percentage points.

These statics reveal that while there has been and continues to be progress, we still have a long ways to go in order to be fully competitive on a national and international playing field that gets even more competitive each day.

To me, these are not just statics, for behind these statics are human beings, some with futures that could be lost if they don’t understand that education can be both, a tool for gaining and maintaining an individual’s/a people’s freedom, and an indispensable vehicle for upward mobility in their personal lives.

This is a lesson that I learned first-hand. I was born in the State of Mississippi where I was raised by a mother who separated from my father when I was less than two years old.

That lady who raised me had only a sixth grade education, and is now 89 years old.

And while she taught me that all earnest work is honorable, she also constantly repeated to me that she wanted me to have more options in life than the limited number of options that doomed her to have no choice but to work some of the most unpleasant, unsafe, and low paying jobs that were available to a black woman in the Mississippi of the 1950s and 1960s.

10 The Positive Community

April 2015

She explained that while existing social and racial conditions had placed severe limits on the work and life options that were available to her, and she also made sure that I knew that her limited 6th grade education had critically and painfully made it all but impossible for her to ever move beyond certain job and career limiting options.

Because I internalized and acted on the teachings and wisdom of my mother, the Creator has enabled me to have opportunities that as a child, I didn’t even know existed.

And of equal importance, it has enabled the Creator to use me as an agent for positive, progressive and compassionate transformation.

As important as education is, Dr. King reminded us that intellect or formal education by itself is not sufficient. He said that “The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with education and reason, but with no moral or cultural compass.”

I believe that Dr. King’s statement serves as a warning to us, current day black America, i.e., while we seem to be making some progress in the area of formal education attainment, our collective behavior indicates a serious deficiency in our moral and cultural compasses.

If we are earnest with ourselves, we must admit that our collective behavior reflects a loss of cultural literacy — that is, a loss of the awareness of our cultural history and its impact and influence on our ability to survive and progress.

This loss of cultural literacy has made it difficult, if not impossible, for many to understand and use the social, economic, political, and religious awareness of our past as a source of strength and motivation for moving forward in the present and the future.

We live during a time when there is a cultural and spiritual crisis in most communities, and I believe that education and cultural literacy are important, vital aspects of the solution; therefore, I will continue to address these issues at every opportunity; I invite all like-minded individuals to join me!

thepositivecommunity.com

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A diverse, urban research university.

An anchor institution in Newark, of Newark.

Rutgers University-Newark: accessible, affordable, cutting-edge education preparing you to succeed in today’s world and the world you will make.

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Bring your talents and join us as we take on the eternal questions and great challenges of our time.

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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.

Spring Has Sprung

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pring is busting out all over. At least those are the lyrics in one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musicals. Spring has sprung. Spirits are lifted. Nature dons new clothing, so to speak. Certain trees bud with cherry blossoms that are absolutely breathtaking.

Bears come out of hiding, as it were, and so does God’s human creation. Sidewalk cafes swell with humanity trying to soak up the sun that remains in the sky a little longer during the warmer months. Picnic baskets come down from the attics. Fruit stands begin to burst with succulent fruit like peaches, whose fuzzy skins hide sweet-tasting flavors and juices that sometimes streams down one’s face at the first bite.

Ah, the wonderful, changing seasons that give us a glimpse of the magnitude of God’s awesome power when He blankets the earth with snow then sweeps it all away making room for beautiful flowers that rest on freshly cut grass and neatly trimmed shrubs. Oh, this may not be everybody’s cosmetic reality, but it is how

12 The Positive Community

April 2015

I choose to see God’s handiwork in the ordinariness of our lives. I love warm weather. I love rolling the car windows down and feeling a cool breeze brush my face as I drive along some thoroughfare whether it’s in the heart of the ‘hood or in some sterile, bedroom community where it sometimes seems as if nothing moves and all are asleep. I’ve learned that God can make the birds chirp in the bowels of urban decay as well as in those gated communities where residents erroneously believe that trouble lurks somewhere outside the walls of their fortified fortresses.

I’m looking forward to going back to Amherst, NY, right outside Buffalo and 30 minutes away from Niagara Falls. As quiet as it’s kept, the city of Buffalo itself has a rich, black history and some friends and I were introduced to that history two years ago when we trekked to one of the beautiful area hotels for some R&R (rest and relaxation). Spring makes me feel more alive, more energetic and more eager to be involved in the goings on concerning the human family. I like it. End of story.

thepositivecommunity.com

8.375 x 10.875 UH Generic Ad_Layout 1 4/11/14 10:33 AM Page 2

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BUSINESS, MONEY & WORK

G CENTER AND TRAININ FAMILY MEETING PARAMUS, NJ LEGE • MOSES S ROAD, MUNITY COL 400 PARAMU BERGEN COM Y EDUCATION TECHNOLOG

so enjoyed the women's empowerment roundtable on Saturday, March 28th. Each woman brought to the table a “Idynamic story of how they became game changers and it helped me to continue my journey to become a game changer as well! I walked away feeling more empowered.

Sharon Levy ” CEO & Founder of Taking Tea InStyle LLC in Princeton

writing to extend my sincere appreciation for the phenomenal program that The Positive Community hosted “IatamBergen County Community College. The panel of incredibly accomplished women and the eloquent keynote address by Dr. Ross were empowering and impactful. Dr. Daniels was equally inspirational and a gracious moderator. I was truly blessed by the experience and look forward to the next event. The messages were so powerful and would benefit so many others if archived and shown on your website as a video/webinar. Again, my sincere appreciation for a day well spent.

Bettie Jarvis

”

Mass Mutual Insurance

roundtable was an extraordinary opportunity to see these women who, through sheer tenacity, determination, “The education and creativity, carved out a niche for themselves on the landscape of black womanhood. Through their stories, we learned how they found their voices and how we, too, can find ours and share it with the world. The discussion was a wonderful opportunity to hear and share war stories and to collectively arrive at the conclusion that, despite trials and adversities, we can and do overcome.

”

Celeste Bateman Celeste Bateman & Associates in Newark

Community College President Dr. B. Kaye Walter and I thank you for the “Bergen opportunity to partner with you for the “African American Women Who Change the Game” forum. This program is an important marker on our pathway to the inclusion of all our constituents of Bergen County.

”

Dr. Ursula Parrish Daniels Executive Assistant to the President, Bergen Community College

www.thepositivecommunity.com

April 2015 The Positive Community

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Roundtable: Women Who Change the Game

Dee Marshall Coach/Author TV Lifestyle Personality DeeCMarshall.com

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Michelle Jean CEO & Co-Founder Zesa Raw

The Positive Community April 2015

Sabrina Lamb Founder/CEO WorldMoney.org

Jennifer Jones Austin CEO and Executive Director Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA)

Dr. Jo-Ann Rolle Dean, The School of Business Medgar Evers College

Tai M. Cooper Chief Policy Advisor, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka

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HEALTH MEDICAL

EAST GROUP

L–R: Welcome Speaker Deborah A. Smith, SVP, Community Affairs manager/Government and Community Relations Wells Fargo Bank; Moderator, Dr. Ursula Daniels, executive assistant to the president, Bergen Community College and Keynote Speaker Dr. Sydelle Ross, anesthesiologist at Health East Medical Group

Rev. Theresa Nance Invocation

The Positive Community Family Photos: Vincent Bryant and Karen Waters

The Wells Fargo Team

www.thepositivecommunity.com

Acknowledgements: We offer our deepest gratitude to Al Koeppe, former president and CEO of the Newark Alliance; the late Clement A. Price, Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor of History and founding director of the Institute on Ethnicity, Culture and the Modern Experience at Rutgers Newark; and Rev. Dr. M. William Howard, senior pastor of Bethany Baptist Church, Newark for their vision and wisdom in the development of the Newark Leadership Roundtable Series.

April 2015 The Positive Community

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WIN, ROCK & RULE L–R: Hon.Victoria Pratt, Michellene Davis, and Dee Marshall

Women get Advice on how to Move Ahead in their Careers Hon. Dana Redd

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usiness cards were exchanged, hugs were shared and power networking was the focus of Win, Rock & Rule, the Women’s History Month event hosted by life coach, author and television personality Dee Marshall. Based on the event theme, “Where Access Meets Opportunity,” participants discussed triumphs, challenges and solutions for career advancement.

Barnabas Health and Prudential Insurance Company sponsored the program, which was held at the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel on March 25, 2015. Each of the award-winners is an “FO,” Marshall’s term for women who have made history as the first and/or only in their positions or industries. Michellene Davis, Esq., an FO herself as executive vice president of Corporate Affairs at Barnabas Health, served as moderator of the panel.

Speakers and panelists, all women who broke through barriers of male dominance or lack of diversity in the work place, spoke passionately about their jour-

neys and their work as experts in financial education, fitness, health care, and government. They were Hon. Dana Redd, Mayor of Camden,NJ; Barnabas Health VP of Healthy Living & Community Engagement, Barbara Mintz; Regional Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administrator, Kellie LeDet; Financial Professional, The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Maddie S. Brooks; Fitness Expert, Get Fit with Nik, Nikki Kimbrough; and Financial Educator and Author, Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche.

As the first Dominican-American to become a judge in the City of Newark, Hon.Victoria Pratt received the Trailblazer Award. Top radio personality, Toya Beasley received the Game Changer award for her work as founder/CEO of the non-profit organization, SistaFriendz. Fatima Scipio, CEO of Young Enterprising Sisters (YES), which helps girls ages 8 to 17 understand what it takes to become a business owner, was acknowledged as a power player.

L–R: Kellie Ledet, Barbara Mintz, Maddie S. Brooks

Gale Britton, VP Recruitment & Selection at Prudential

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The Positive Community April 2015

www.thepositivecommunity.com

Mayor Welcomes New Commissioners

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n March 2nd, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka officially welcomed and congratulated an “awesome and dynamic group of ladies” to oversee the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women. “It was appropriate to launch this effort during Women’s History Month,” said the Mayor, “because it honors the struggles and celebrates the rise of women in our communities. I hope that in this spirit you will continue to grow and inspire others to join our efforts in supporting the success of all women and through them the community at large.”

The Commission on the Status of Women is charged with working in Essex County as advocates, policy makers, and ambassadors helping to transform Newark into a community “…we can all believe in!” concluded Mayor Baraka.

Amina Baraka (Mayor’s mother)

Mayor Ras J Baraka

L–R: Talia Young; Tracy Mumford; Mayor Baraka; Joyce Harley, Esq. and Jamilah Muhammad Photos: Karen Waters

Carole Wiggins

Newark Municipal Council members L–R: John S. James; Gale Cheneyfield Jenkins; Council President Mildred C. Crump; Joseph McCallum, Jr. and Eddie Osbourne www.thepositivecommunity.com

April 2015 The Positive Community

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Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

Program Provides Working Families Economic Relief and Self-Respect

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merica’s welfare state is quietly evolving from needs-based to an employment-based safety net that rewards working families and fuels dreams of a better life, indicates a new study led by a Michigan State University (MSU) scholar.

The major reason is the little-known Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a $65 billion federal tax-relief program for working families. The program has been expanded dramatically during the past 25 years, while cash welfare has been sharply curtailed.

Reporting in the April issue of the American Sociological Review, Jennifer Sykes and colleagues find the tax-credit program seems to bolster recipients’ self-respect by emphasizing their role as working parents and providers. Cash welfare recipients, on the other hand, often feel like others see them as outcasts or freeloaders since they’re not required to work to receive the benefit.

The average tax credit for a family with children is almost $3,000 annually. A single parent of three who works full time can get as much as $6,143. Typically, the lump-sum refund constitutes about one-fifth of a family’s annual income. The program lifts some 7 million people out of poverty every year, about half of those children.

“The Earned Income Tax Credit is one of the most successful poverty-alleviating social policies to date,” said Sykes, an assistant professor of social relations and policy in MSU’s James Madison College. “It takes a poor-paying job and makes it a decent job. It also removes the stigma and enhances feelings of upward mobility and social inclusion.”

However many eligible individuals do not claim the EITC. Some are not aware of it, though federal, state and city agencies have all attempted to solve that problem. According to the NYC public advocate’s office, some low income workers are forced to file as self-employed because their employers pay cash salaries and do

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The Positive Community April 2015

not provide necessary proof of income.

In addition, many skilled-workers such as hair stylists, taxi drivers, day laborers, delivery men, construction workers, child care and home assistants, and others may earn their wages in cash. More than often, such workers earn an annual gross income that falls within the qualifying ranges of the EITC. Yet, many file their tax returns using the self-employed status because they are not equipped to keep the data regarding income and expenses like truly self-employed business owners can.

The researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 115 EITC recipients in Boston about how they spent the money and what it meant to them. About 25 percent of the money went to pay off bills or reduce debt; another 17 percent went into savings; and about 40 percent went to needed items such as furniture or to fund “upward mobility” goals such as schooling.

Only 10 percent of the money was spent on “treats” such as special clothing for the children, dinner at a restaurant, or a modest weekend vacation. “These are things middle-class families take for granted,” Sykes said.

About half of U.S. states have their own programs to supplement the federal credit, although in some cases the state-level programs have been stripped down. Both New York and New Jersey have their own regulations concerning marriage, civil unions, child custody and part-time residents.

Critics have called the tax credit “welfare by another name.” But Sykes considers it a highly effective assistance program worthy of expansion. “Millions of lowincome, working-class folks in America are making ends meet by living in the red. They are working, but they are not earning a livable wage,” she explained. “The EITC is a powerful force in the lives of these families.”

Compiled by Jean Nash Wells from ASA News and NYC Department of Consumer Affairs www.thepositivecommunity.com

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Selma March Remembered in Brooklyn Borough President, Elected Officials, and Community Leaders March to Brooklyn Borough Hall to View President Obama’s Address to the Nation From Selma

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rooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and Civil Rights Attorney Norman Siegel marched across the Brooklyn Bridge with over five hundred New Yorkers in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the first of three marches conducted by civil rights activists in 1965 from Selma, Alabama to the state’s capital of Montgomery, events that helped lead to the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965. The route led over the Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn Borough Hall, where Borough President Adams hosted a community viewing of President Barack Obama’s speech to the

nation from Selma. Joined by leaders such as former New York City Mayor David Dinkins and Dr. Karen S. Daughtry, wife of nationally prominent pastor Reverend Dr. Herbert Daughtry, Borough President Adams and others spoke about the historic nature of this march.

“We’re fighting now for not just civil rights, but human rights,” said Borough President Adams. “The right to housing, the right to employment, the right to healthcare, the right to not be prosecuted unfairly; all those who feel America has denied them, this is your Selma moment.”

Photos: Lem Peterkin

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The Positive Community April 2015

www.thepositivecommunity.com

It’s happening at

Columbia in April Wednesday, April 1 – Thursday, April 2 Conference: Fascisms Across Borders 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Heyman Center, Second Floor Common Room, Morningside campus This two-day conference looks at the history of fascism and its renewal as neo-fascism around the globe. The second day of the conference will be held at The New School for Social Research.

For more info, call (212) 854-8443 or visit www.heymancenter.org.

Friday, April 3 – Saturday, April 4 Conference: Managing Borders 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Heyman Center, Common Room, Morningside campus An interdisciplinary conference on American immigration marking the 50th anniversary of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. For more info, call (212) 854-8443 or visit www.heymancenter.org.

Wednesday, April 1 The Hundred-year Marathon: China’s Secret Strategy

Noon 918 International Affairs, Morningside campus A brown bag lecture with Michael Pillsbury, senior fellow and director of the Center for Chinese Strategy, The Hudson Institute.

For more info, call (212) 854-2592 or visit www.columbia.edu/cu/weai.

Thursday, April 2 Being Bad: My Baby Brother and the Schoolto-Prison Pipeline 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Cowin Center, Teachers College, Morningside campus Professor Crystal Laura, acclaimed educator Bill Ayers and teacher Adam Kuranishi discuss Laura’s latest book.

Accounting her brothers odyssey through school and prison, she argues that schools can only succeed with all children when they are built on a foundation of love, justice and joy.

For more info, contact Suzanne Pratt at teaching.residents@tc.edu or (212) 678-7465.

Tuesday, April 7

Thursday, April 9

The State of Sustainability Policy: Progress and Opportunity 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Low Memorial Library, Morningside campus

Concert: Bach, Revisited: Helmut Lachenmann + Bach 8:00 p.m.

Miller Theatre, Morningside campus

The technological, social, cultural, economic and political transition to a sustainable economy has begun. This panel will explore the role that public policy plays in influencing behavior within organizations and among individuals. For more info, visit www.earth .columbia.edu/events.

This program creates an eye-opening dialogue between Bach and Helmut Lachenmann works for solo violin and cello, an early Lachenmann trio, plus a unique collaboration across the centuries.

Wednesday, April 8 Concert: Talea Ensemble Music of Pierluigi Billone 7:00 p.m.

The Italian Academy, 1161 Amsterdam Ave., Morningside campus Music by Italian composer Pierluigi Billone.

For more info, call (212) 854-1623 or visit www.italianacademy.columbia.edu/events.

Protecting New York’s Water 6:10 p.m.

209 Havemeyer, Morningside campus The Earth Institute and the School of Continuing Education present a lecture on the use of advocacy, science, the law and sustainable design in safeguarding or restoring watersheds and estuaries.

For more info and to RSVP, email Hayley Martinez at hmartinez@ei.columbia.edu.

Thursday, April 9 Colm Tóibín and Roy Foster in Conversation 8:30 p.m.

Sulzberger Parlor, Barnard Hall, Barnard campus Celebrated author Colm Toibin will be in conversation with Roy Foster, professor of Irish history, about subjects addressed in their upcoming works, both set in Ireland.

For more info, call (212) 854-8443 or visit www.heymancenter.org.

Child Prodigies and the Performance of Genius: From Pascal to Minou Drouet 6:00 p.m.

East Gallery, Buell Hall, Morningside campus Ann Jefferson will discuss her recent work on genius and child prodigies in France.

For further information, send an email to ll2787@columbia.edu.

Friday, April 10 The Olympics and the Culture of Brazil 6:00 p.m.

501 Northwest Corner Building, Morningside campus This seminar examines examples of how brands capitalize on strategic opportunities connected to major cultural and media events. For more info or to RSVP, visit the events calendar of www.ce.columbia.edu.

Saturday, April 11 Unweaving the Core: Homer, Bearden & Us 6:00 p.m.

Hamilton Hall, Morningside campus A student showcase features new student writing, art, music and puppetry, as well as a performance of The Odyssey interwoven with other texts including narratives by people who were enslaved, war poetry and stories about migration. For more info, call (212) 851-9275.

Lifelong Learners Auditing Program The Lifelong Learners Auditing Program at Columbia University was launched in 1986 by the School of Continuing Education and the Brookdale Institute on Aging and Adult Human Development with the aim of establishing at Columbia University a community of mature learners committed to the principles of lifelong education. Individuals over 65 years of age who are interested in auditing courses may enroll at a discount as Lifelong Learners. Since there is limited space available to auditors, and seats are taken on a firstcome, first-served basis once registration is open. Applicants, who must be a resident of Manhattan living north of 96th Street, are encouraged to apply as soon as the courses are posted (1 month prior to the start of classes). For more info, call (212) 854-9666 or www. ce.columbia.edu/auditing.

All events are open to the public. This is a sampling of them. For additional events or general information, visit www.columbia.edu or call (212) 854-2871. For Columbia sports info, visit www.gocolumbialions.com.

Guests in need of disability services should call (212) 854-2284 prior to the event.

Tuesday, April 14 The Ever-unfolding Thomas Merton 6:00 p.m.

523 Butler Library, Morningside campus Michael Higgins, of Sacred Heart University, discusses the legacy of Thomas Merton, one of the most influential Catholic writers of the 20th century. An opportunity to view the exhibition “Seasons of Celebration” will immediately follow the lecture. For more info, call (212) 854-4048.

Thursday, April 16 The Geography of History: Plotting Columbus in Map and Narrative 6:00 p.m.

523 Butler Library, Morningside campus A look at the foldout maps from Washington Irving’s A History of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus (1828), which shed new light on the geopolitics of the time. For further info, call (212) 854-8481.

Saturday, April 18 Men’s Baseball vs.

Cornell Noon Robertson Field, Satow Stadium, 218th Street and Broadway Game two of this double header will begin at 3:00 p.m. For more info, call (212) 8542535 or visit www.gocolumbialions.com.

Wednesday, April 22 Recital And Panel Discussion: Concert Spirituals and the Black Soprano 7:00 p.m.

St. Paul’s Chapel, Morningside campus Through a recital and panel discussion, Concert Spirituals and the Black Soprano enacts a reconsideration of the role of singing concert spirituals among black sopranos in relation to political resistance, musical virtuosity, sexuality and the sacred.

For more info, call (212) 851-4145 or visit www.ircpl.org/events.

Saturday, April 25, 2015 Men’s Baseball vs. Penn 1:00 p.m.

Robertson Field, Satow Stadium, 218th Street and Broadway Game two of this double header will begin at 4:00 p.m. For more info, call (212) 8542535 or visit www.gocolumbialions.com.

Wayside Baptist Church Honors Local Heroes L–R: Lisa Lewis, program coordinator; Detective Dawn Townsend; Assemblywoman Latrice Walker; and Pastor Hamatheite

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ev. M.Z. Hamatheite, pastor of Wayside Baptist Church, Brooklyn, presided over the church’s 3rd Annual Black History Month program. "Honoring Our Local Heroes" was the theme of the event, which was created to acknowledge and pay tribute to ordinary people doing extraordinary things in their communities.

Lisa Lewis, coordinator of the event, explained that her goal for the program was to bring awareness to the service of everyday people in service to their community, so she created a venue for living legends.

In his keynote address, U.S. Congressman Hakeem Jeffries spoke about Black History as world history, noting that much of that history is not mentioned in the history books used in schools today. They created and contributed much of the technology used today in the modern world, he said, charging the young people who were present to “aspire to hold down more than a corner, dismiss the doubters and keep on marching toward your dreams.”

Honorees included: Community Service Award: Detective Dawn Townsend, 73rd Precinct

Faith Based Community Initiative Award: Reverend Dr. Robert Waterman, pastor Antioch Baptist Church and chairman of African American Clergy and Elected Officials Innovation in Education Award: Scott Schuster Public Service Award: Congresswoman Yvette Clark Award for Entrepreneurship: Elwood Whitney, president of E & M Electrical Contractor Photos: Lem Peterkin

Elwood Whitney, Entrepreneurship Award recipient

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Rev. Dr Robert Waterman, Faith Based Community Initiative Award recipient

The Positive Community April 2015

Scott Schuster, Innovative Educator Award recipient

L–R: U.S. Congressman Hakeem Jeffries with Rev. M.Z. Hamatheite

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Accepting Reservations For Mother's Day

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April 2015 The Positive Community

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Author Derrick Y. McDaniel

Health P R E V E N T I O N , T R E AT M E N T & C U R E

An Angel Appeared Eldercare: The Essential Guide to Caring For your Loved One and Yourself BOOK REVIEW BY QUINITA EDMONIA GOOD

I

became a full-time caregiver to my mother in November of last year. It’s been five months now, and many nice and not-so-nice changes have occurred in me. Some days I feel like I’m closer to my mother and some days I do not. Some days I feel she’s happy with me and some days I feel she’s not. She’s happy to have me here, I know. But she also feels like I’m “taking over her life,” and sometimes I feel like I’m losing mine. It’s both rewarding and difficult for both of us.

The second week in March, when we were having a really difficult time, an angel appeared. My editor asked me to review a book on eldercare, written by Derrick Y. McDaniel, JD, MBA, PMP, and now the principal and managing director at S.E. & D. Enterprises, a privately owned and managed company focusing on the senior care industry. In Eldercare: The Essential Guide to Caring for Your Loved One and Yourself, McDaniel speaks to both the familial and professional caregiver.

What makes this book so great is that I found all of my challenges listed within it—having that initial “talk” with the care recipient, working with other family members throughout the process; the mental, financial, and physical strains of caregiving; how and

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The Positive Community April 2015

why you—as a caregiver—need to take care of yourself; the prospect of depression; getting help; how to select a home-care agency when needed; and much, much more. What really reeled me in was not only was McDaniel’s book so relevant, it also opened my eyes to the fact that millions of others are going through what my mom and I are going through. We are not alone.

And, furthermore, he includes all kinds of resources, websites, and organizations that are out there to help caregivers and care recipients.

McDaniel, who delineates two types of caregivers, says, there are the gradual caregiver and the crisis caregiver. The gradual caregiver starts out running errands and possibly taking the care recipient to doctor’s appointments; while the crisis caregiver becomes so in response to a crisis like a fall, stroke, or heart attack. As a gradual caregiver, McDaniel Continued on next page www.thepositivecommunity.com

ELDERCARE

Upcoming Special Issue!

Continued from previous page

Quinita Edmonia Good is the owner and operator of Qwrites Writing & Editorial Services and The Online Writing Center.

To contact her, email her at qwrites@live.com. www.thepositivecommunity.com

May

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served his grandmother for 11 years until she passed away.

As the primary caregiver for his grandmother, he comes from both a professional and personal perspective.

Throughout the book, there are facts, tips and suggestions, as well as empathy for all those going through this caregiving process including empathy for the care recipient. You get to understand why your loved one(s) is acting the way they do. Family dynamics are explained, and suggestions are given to alleviate stress, strongholds, and misunderstandings. The caregiver’s own health and well-being is placed in great importance, and McDaniel urges caregivers to join local support groups, inform and call on other family members and friends, and to get regular health assessments for themselves. Many of the resources—from transportation to Medicare savings programs—and a list of organizations to help are listed in the in the back of the book.

“It should be noted that my grandmother and I had always been close,” says McDaniel, who also explains that he ended up the most likely caregiver in his grandmother’s family (his mother and his grandmother’s two sons were unable to do it). He goes on, in the book, to say that not all primary caregivers are as close to their elderly relatives, and he gives family structures and suggestions on how to maneuver this scenario.

In addition to the above, McDaniel also brings quite a bit of knowledge and understanding from a medical perspective. He talks about physical and mental challenges of the care recipient, like hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, geriatric assessments, and choosing a geriatric physician and home health care agency for help and back-up.

McDaniel says that taking care of his grandmother was one of the greatest experiences of his life. “I knew , her as ‘Nana and more than that,” he says, describing his role as changing from care recipient as a boy to caregiver and friend as an adult.

Eldercare: The Essential Guide to Caring for Your Loved One and Yourself is a must read for anyone who is a primary or professional caregiver or who is in a family where a loved one has now become dependent. It sells for anywhere from $11.35 to $13.95 on Amazon.com, B&N.com, and www.DerrickMcDaniel.com; and for $5 on Kindle or the Nook. You may also order the book at bookstores. To learn more about McDaniel and his business, please visit his professional web site at caringheartseldercareservices.com or his personal web site at www.derrickmcdaniel.com.

I will be keeping the book as a much needed resource and will probably share it with my mom so that we are both informed and empowered.

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KAHLIL CARMICHAEL THE FITNESS DOCTOR Kahlil Carmichael is the spiritual director and founder of It Is Well Wellness and Worship Center in Somerset, New Jersey. He is a spiritual leader and the owner of The Fitness Doctor; a fitness and wellness consulting company. He writes a monthly column for The Positive Community Magazine and is the author of 50 Tips for a Better You! To grow spiritually and improve physically, or have Pastor Carmichael present his wellness seminar to your church or group you can email Kahlil at Pastor@itiswellchurch.com or call 732-921-3746.

Resurrection Power

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or the Carmichael family, the beginning of spring is all about renewal and resurrection. From March 21 through June 21, my family and I are all about assessing what has not been working and making a renewed commitment to resurrect what has waned or weakened.

For some there is a need to resurrect a relationship that has been weakened by the mundane; for others it’s the need to resurrect a business or ministry that has been operating under the banner of mediocrity.

But unfortunately for a large percentage of people, there is a necessity to resurrect their physical fitness and health regimen.

Most people start the New Year off with a bang. Gym memberships increase significantly and people often attach themselves to the latest (and cheapest) fitness fad. Whether it is six minute abs, $2.99 per month workouts, and/or the latest diet that does not work, people still believe that there is a shortcut to physical fitness and optimal health.

Let me share this divine truth with you in the name of Jesus Christ. There is absolutely no shortcut to getting fit. You must exercise, eat healthy, and pray without ceasing. It is the only way. There are tools that I am finding that can help such as certain smoothies and Iaso Tea (an herbal tea product that I offer my clients). But the reality is that nothing works without exercising consistently and eating healthier. Period.

So why don’t we pause, take a deep breath, move forward and resurrect what has waned or weakened specifically a physical fitness and health regimen.

Lighten Up Your Goals Your fitness goal may be too big for you right now, especially if you’re new to exercise. Beginners “want to go for maximal goals, but they tend to get overwhelmed,” says Gerald Endress, exercise physiologist at Duke Center for Living in North Carolina. So don’t start off trying to work out an hour every day. Instead, set more reasonable, achievable goals, like exercising 20 to 30 minutes two or three times a week.

Track Your Progress Chart your workouts, whether you do it online or in an old-school fitness journal. Seeing improvements, such as running faster, doing more reps, or working out more often, makes you want to keep going.

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April 2015

Delete Guilt Get real. You’re going to miss a day or two. If you accept that there will be some side steps on your fitness journey, you’ll be better prepared mentally to deal with setbacks, Endress says. Don’t let a misstep be an excuse for giving up.

Focus Only On Yourself There will always be someone fitter, faster, or more flexible than you. Don’t compare yourself to them, Endress says. Forget about them. Do not let them deter you from your goal. Your workout time is for you, and about you.

Get a Cheering Squad Find people—friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors—who will encourage you to stay on track. Ask them to do exactly that. The person should be supportive but not critical. If helpful reassurance turns into criticism, gently remind your pal that you don’t need nagging.

Forget the Past So maybe you weren’t the most athletic kid in high school and were the last chosen for class games. That was years ago. Your goal now is not to win a letter jacket or make the cheerleading squad. You want to exercise to stay healthy and enjoy your life.

Although these tips appear to be simplistic, they can actually serve as a catalyst to get you moving forward on your journey to good health and well-being. Jesus said in Luke 6:62: “No man putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the Kingdom of God.” I want to encourage you, beloved, to allow God to strengthen your hands so that you might be restored back to good health. I pray you and your family will experience Resurrection Power.

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. thepositivecommunity.com

American Diabetes Association Expo Jacob Javitz Center, NYC

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Faithful is the mother, who studies during the day and waits tables at night to build a better life for her family.

For more than 1.2 million members, Fidelis Care was, is, and always will be...

Faithful.

Quality health coverage. It’s Our Mission.

Fidelis means faithful. We're the Catholic-sponsored health plan.

State of the Black Church

L–R: Host Pastor Michael A. Walrond, Jr. and Rev. Dr. A. R. Bernard

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undreds of faith leaders gathered for the historic first State of the Church address in New York City.

Leading faith leaders from all five boroughs included: Rev. Dr. A. R. Bernard, Brooklyn; Rev. Dr. Floyd Flake, Queens; Rev. Michael Walrond, Jr., Harlem; Rev. Jacques Degraff, Manhattan; Bishop Victor Brown, Staten Island; Revs.

Tim and Que English, Bronx.

Saturday May 30th 10 am – 3:00 pm Bethany Baptist Church Men’s Health Fair 275 West Market Street, Newark NJ

LEARN EIGHT IMPORTANT WAYS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN

SUBTITLE

FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS

MAY IS NATIONAL PHYSICAL FITNESS AND SPORTS MONTH

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“ We’ve created a Managed Long Term Care program that’s specific to the needs of you and your family.”

Gwendolyn Barr, Horizon NJ Health

Is it getting harder for you to take care of your loved one safely?

But you don’t want to place her in a skilled nursing facility. What if we could

provide long-term care and support for her at her home…in her community?

Learn how our Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) program helps eligible* members to live comfortably and safely in their own homes and communities in New Jersey.

Call our toll-free Horizon NJ Health Enrollment Hotline to learn more about how to apply: 1-844-444-4410 (TTY services are available at 1-844-889-7700) *Members must meet certain financial and clinical (medical) requirements to be eligible for the MLTSS program.

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

The Horizon® name and symbols are registered marks of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. © 2013 Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey Three Penn Plaza East,Newark, New Jersey 07105.

Friendship Baptist Celebrates Pastor Johnson Photos: Karen Waters

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riendship Baptist Church of Asbury Park, NJ hosted a special worship service on Sunday, March 29. Family, friends and colleagues from near and far gathered to celebrate Pastor Bernard F. Johnson and Lady Sonia Johnson on the occasion of their second pastoral anniversary.

L–R: First Lady Sonia, daughter Jasmine, and Reverend Bernard Johnson

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MLK Program at Newark Public Library

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n January 24, 2015, the Newark Public Library in collaboration with the NJ Institute for Social Justice and the Newark Community LGBTQ Center, presented a special program commemorating the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. “Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere,� produced by Celeste Bateman & Associates, LLC., included performances by the Special Ensemble, a premier musical youth performance group. Poetry with Jaleesa McEachin, actress/motivational speaker and poet. Kevin Powell, president and co-founder of BK Nation and author of eleven books was the keynote speaker.

Jerome C. Harris, Jr., interim president/CEO of the NJ Institute for Social Justice

www.thepositivecommunity.com

April 2015 The Positive Community

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Education

TEACHING, LEARNING, MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Image courtesy of Spelman College

Mary Schmidt Campbell, Tapped to Lead Spelman Historically Black College for Women Appoints New President

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ary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., has been appointed president of Spelman College. The college's 10th president since its founding in 1881, she will officially assume the role on August 1, 2015. Formerly dean emerita of the Tisch School of the Arts and university professor in the Department of Art and Public Policy at New York University, Dr. Campbell’s experience spans both the private and non-profit sectors.

She established herself as a change agent when she was executive director and chief curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem, the first accredited black fine arts museum in the nation. At Tisch, Dr. Campbell elevated the school's profile and stature, increased the recruitment of a more diverse faculty and student body, and led an unprecedented capital campaign for the school. As associate provost for the Arts of NYU, she spearheaded the development of NYU's Game Center, a multi-disciplinary collaboration among education, science, engineering and the arts. She also served as New York City's cultural affairs commissioner, and in 2009, President Barack Obama appointed her vice chair of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, a non-partisan White House advisory group.

In this role, she participated in a national effort to use arts education as a strategy to successfully turn around some of the nation’s worst performing schools.

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"I am honored to join a community with such a distinguished record for developing bold thinking black women who have vaulted into leadership roles all over the country," Dr. Campbell said. Speaking about her predecessor, Dr. Beverly Tatum, she remarked, “…it is a privilege to inherit the presidency from such a visionary leader."

After 13 years at the helm of the nation’s most selective historically black college for women, Dr. Tatum will step down in July. Her tenure has included record fundraising, strong enrollment, significant campus renovations and a one-of-a-kind wellness initiative tailored to interrupt the declining health trajectory for African-American women.

“Leading a college is like running a relay race,” Tatum observed. “ You get the baton from one person and run as fast as you can to make as much progress as you can until it is your turn to pass the baton. That baton is now being passed to someone who can run fast and carry it forward with vision and speed."

Rosalind Brewer, a Spelman graduate, chair of the Spelman Board of Trustees and president and CEO of Sam's Club, lauded Campbell as “…enterprising and exhibits tremendous clarity in responding to challenges with sustainable solutions… She is the right leader at the right time because her dynamic and innovative leadership has been demonstrated at every step along the way in her career.”

Continued on page 88

CCNY Dean Gilda Barabino Elected AIMBE President

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Image courtesy of CCNY

ilda Barabino, dean of engineering at CCNY, has been elected president of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.

Dr. Gilda Barabino, dean of the City College of New York’s Grove School of Engineering, was elected president of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) at its annual meeting in Washington, D.C. March 16. She will serve a two-year term beginning in 2016.

Barabino is currently chair of AIMBE’s committee for underrepresented minorities. Her election as president came on the day Dr. Marom Bikson, professor of biomedical engineering in the Grove School, was inducted into AIMBE’s College of Fellows for his outstanding research.

Barabino has served as dean of the Grove School since 2013. She is the first African-American woman to serve as dean of engineering at a college that is not an HBCU. A noted researcher in sickle cell disease, cellular, and tissue engineering, she has distinguished herself as a leader and tireless advocate for diversity in science and engineering.

AIMBE is a non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., representing 50,000 individuals and the top 2% of medical and biological engineers. It also represents academic institutions, private industry, and professional engineering societies.

Dean Gilda Barabino

WELCOME TO THE LARGEST PUBLIC COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE NORTHEAST

APPLY NOW!

FALL 2015 DIRECT ADMISSION BEGINS ON APRIL 6: www.citytech.cuny.edu/directadmission

SUMMER SESSIONS SESSION 1 BEGINS ON

MAY 28

SESSION 2 BEGINS ON

JULY 6

www.citytech.cuny.edu/summer

NEW YORK CITY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

CITY TECH www.thepositivecommunity.com

300 Jay Street • Brooklyn, NY 11201 Follow Us: www.citytech.cuny.edu/facebook

718.260.5500 April 2015 The Positive Community

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More Successful Students Start at Bergen Community College Than Ever Before

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his year, according to data compiled by Community College Week, Bergen now ranks as New Jersey’s top associate degree granting institution.

On the strength of a 13 percent year-over-year increase in graduates, Bergen leapfrogged last year’s New Jersey No. 1 – Monmouth County’s Brookdale Community College – to claim the top spot. Bergen awarded degrees to 2,222 students in the class of 2013, placing it 29th among all two-year institutions in the U.S. Bergen and Brookdale (43rd) are the only New Jersey colleges to appear in the publication’s annual “Top 100 Associate Degree Producers” list for total graduates.

Bergen ranked 43rd on last year’s list; Brookdale ranked 39th.

Bergen President B. Kaye Walter, Ph.D. said the top state rank and high national placement reflect the College’s institutional priority of supporting student success.

“When community colleges talk about a ‘commitment to completion,’ supporting students from application to graduation remains the overriding goal,” President Walter said. “Over the past few years, we have focused our strategic planning and execution on this idea – providing high-quality engagement through all facets of the institution. Whether that means employing an award winning faculty, supplying efficient student service resources or high-technology facilities,

Bergen aims to support students at all levels.”

The quality of that support remains conveyed through recognitions such as the following: in 2014, the National College Learning Center Association named the Cerullo Learning Assistance Center as the best twoyear school tutoring resource in the nation. Bergen represents the first New Jersey school – four- or twoyear – to earn the Frank L. Christ Outstanding Learning Center Award.

Past honorees include Clemson University, Texas A&M and Dutchess Community College.

While on campus, Bergen students define themselves as leaders too: the Alpha Epsilon Phi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa – the international honor society of two-year colleges – rose to the top of the Middle States Region at the group’s 28th annual convention, earning 12 awards and becoming one of only three “distinguished chapters” among 77 in the Middle States Region. More than 1,100 students have earned a spot in the honor society recognizing their high GPAs and community service projects.

Speaking of which, with 634 students completing 35,000 hours of community service last year, Bergen made the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the seventh consecutive time.

The list recognizes institutions that have incorporated service learning

programs into their curricula and campus environment. Bergen represents one of only three New Jersey community colleges on the 2014 list. Giving back starts at the top, too: President Walter signed the “Presidents’ Commitment to Food and Nutrition Security” pledge initiated by Auburn University – making Bergen the only two-year institution to do so.

For its efforts, Bergen has achieved notoriety as a leader. That’s why the federal government picked the College to direct a consortium of 12 two-year colleges, more than 20 employers and 10 workforce investment boards as part of a $15 million job-training grant to fund a regional healthcare career pathways system.

Health professions programs remain a priority for Bergen. Currently under construction at the College’s main campus, the region’s only health professions integrated teaching center will open in 2016.

The $26 million facility, financed in large part by the 2012 New Jersey voter-supported Building our Future Bond Act, will house the College’s comprehensive health professions programs.

With their Bergen degree in hand, Bergen students transfer to the best four-year colleges in the nation – including every one of the Ivy League schools – or immediately enter careers in sectors such as healthcare and law enforcement.

Do you seek success? Start at Bergen.

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Coming soon to the region’s leading healthcare educator: the Health Professions Integrated Teaching Center.

Home of the No. 1-ranked tutoring center in the U.S. by the National College Learning Center Association.

When you think about Bergen Community College, in addition to affordable tuition, flexible schedules, financial aid opportunities and accomplished faculty, think about how you’ll: • Join a learning community of almost 16,000 students who have chosen to begin their path to a degree at Bergen • Become part of a supportive environment with services like the No. 1 tutoring center in the U.S. • Have the opportunity to achieve academic excellence – Bergen's Phi Theta Kappa chapter (the honor society of two-year colleges) ranks as one of the three best in the 77-member region Think about it. Think about Bergen.

For more information, contact the Office of Admissions at (201) 447-7200 or email admissions@bergen.edu.

L–R: Chike Uzoka, entrepreneur coach with Keith H. Green, president & CEO UWEWH

L–R: Dr. Lauren Wells, City of Newark; Catherine Wilson, UWEWH; Kimberly McLain, Foundation for Newark’s Future; and Annette Strickland, The Schuman Foundation

Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, celebrity reader at Newark’s 13th Street School

$400,000 Grant for Home-Based Literacy

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n an effort to improve early literacy and family engagement outcomes in children from birth to 8 in Newark, the Foundtion for Newark’s Future made a $400,000 grant to the United Way of Essex and West Hudson (UWEWH). The announcement was made in January at United Way’s annual Celebrity Read Program kickoff breakfast at the Newark Museum. The grant will allow UWEWH to implement a nationally successful program, Raising a Reader.

“The development of reading readiness skills requires a robust home-based literacy environment. Book sharing coupled with family engagement interventions are among the innovative strategies shown to promote oral language and literacy skills among children. When children have these supports, they excel in the classroom,” said Keith H. Green, president and CEO United Way of Essex and West Hudson.

The Foundation for Newark’s Future is a private foundation working to improve educational outcomes for Newark students. The Foundation is part of a $200 million campaign for Newark’s public schools, established in 2010 with a $100 million matching grant from

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United Way Receives Grant from Foundation for Newark’s Future Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, and quickly met with a $25M investment by William J. Ackerman at the Pershing Square Foundation.

"The Foundation for Newark’s Future is proud to support the United Way’s implementation of Raising a Reader in Newark,” said Kimberly McLain. “The program has a proven impact on parents, kids, and whole families through its evidence-based programming, and through this grant it will reach 2,000 Newark families per year.”

According to Gabrielle Miller, Ed.D., national executive director of Raising A Reader, “The research is absolutely clear and demonstrates the critical role home literacy habits have on a child’s academic, social and behavioral growth." Participating children in the program will be given several age-appropriate books to take home and read with their parents. Every week they will exchange the books for new ones to bring home and read. The program will also provide support and guidance to parents and teachers on how to get children to develop the habit of reading at home.

Nationally, more than 1.25 million families have been served by the program to-date.

—JNW www.thepositivecommunity.com

THE CHAD FOUNDATION PROUDLY ANNOUNCES

The 2015 Third Annual Chad Scholars Awards Reception Honoring Newark’s Best and Brightest Graduating Seniors and 2015 Distinguished Educator Award recipient, Brother Reuben Dash, Retired Principal, former Chad Science Academy

Wednesday, May 27, 2015 6 pm

Maize Restaurant (Robert Treat Hotel) 50 Park Place, Newark, NJ 07102

Tickets available: $50 All proceeds benefit the Chad Scholars Program RSVP: ntaylorporter@gmail.com

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OUR PROUD HISTORY Dear Students, Families and Educators: Welcome to Merit Preparatory Charter School of Newark (Merit Prep). Merit Prep is reinventing school as we know it. A dedicated group of educators founded Merit Prep in 2011 to provide your children with an education that will prepare them for the worlds of college, work and life.

Caption about your family photo.

Merit’s hallmark is blending online dwdwdwdwdwd instruction and in-person teaching to provide a personalized, future-oriented educational experience. Our innovative teaching methods will prepare your children to achieve at the highest academic levels. Each student receives a personal learning plan that teaches them what they need to learn, at the appropriate level they need to learn it, and then moves students forward to the next step they need to master. Merit Prep is not cookie-cutter. We teach each student at an individual level.

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Merit Prep works because we have a high-expectation no-excuses culture.

Personal responsibility and pride in achievement are how we motivate our students. We value your partnership and faith in us to provide your children with the education they need to live and work in our rapidly changing world. The education they deserve.

We look forward to welcoming your family to ours! www.thepositivecommunity.com

NOW ENROLLING GRADES 6-9

EVERY STUDENT HAS THE POWER TO ACHIEVE. OUR JOB IS TO ENSURE THEY DO.

Seats filling up fast!

Personalized learning. Passionate teachers.

College-focused. Tuition-free.

HERE’S HOW WE’RE DIFFERENT

A small and safe learning community

Open communication with families

College focused culture with a longer school day and year

NOW ENROLLING FOR 2015-2016: Grades 6 thru 9

OPEN HOUSE DATES 5 pm - 7 pm

Now accepting applications. Drop off paper applications at the school or with a school representative.

Thursday January 29th

Small group instruction

Parents: Please fill ou TO JOIN US, PLEASE RANK MERIT PREP NEWARK AS YOUR FIRST One Newark Enrolls | 2014-2015 Student Applicati CHOICE ON YOUR APPLICATION Page 2 of 2

C

SECTION C: School Choices and Sibling Information

Use school code 716

Please list up to 8 schools in order of preference. Please only select schools you would like for your child to atten assigned to any ranked school. One Newark Enrolls will attempt to match each child with his or her highest-choic availability. Families are encouraged to select as many schools as they are interested in attending, up to 8.

Thursday March 12th

Or apply online www.newarkenrolls.org

Every student uses a laptop for learning

Please indicate if the applying child has a sibling at any school you list, and if so, please provide that child’s nam

Choice

Thursday April 30th

1st

School Code

716

School Name

Merit Prep Newark

PHONE

973.642.4400

EMAIL

3rd

info@meritprepschools.org 4th

Yes

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No

Yes

2nd

HAVE QUESTIONS? WANT TO SCHEDULE A VISIT?

Sibling in School?

Sibling First and Last Name:

No

ADDRESS 909 Broad St. Newark, NJ 07102

Yes

Sibling First and Last Name:

No

Yes

Sibling First and Last Name:

No

5th

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A Mind Is...

UNCF Honors Wells Fargo, Macy’s, and Dr. Rosco C. Brown, Jr.

L–R: Wells Fargo SEVP/CIO and UNCF Board member Kevin Rhein, his wife Nancy Rhein; Wells Fargo SVP and Director of National Partnerships Georgette Dixon, and UNCF President/CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax

L–R: Ed Goldberg, SVP, Government & Consumer Affairs & Diversity Vendor Development, Macy's; President Jeff Gennette, Macy's; Dr. Michael L. Lomax; SVP of Diversity and Legal Affairs William Hawthorne, Macy's

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onight is a night to honor and celebrate all we have achieved together with the help of our honorees, but it is also a call to action on how far we still have to go in providing our young people with the tools and support they need to get to and through college," said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., UNCF (United Negro College Fund) president and CEO, on the occasion of the organization’s 71st “A Mind Is” gala. "It is not simply about coming together for one night,” he continued, “but a new philanthropy that sees an investment in our young people that will pay dividends not just for them, but for all of us."

Those dividends are tangible, as evidenced by the more than 400,000 students who have secured college degrees with the help of UNCF. Each year, in addition to supporting its member institutions and their students, UNCF awards more than 12,000 scholarships and advocates for the right of low-income and minority students to receive a good education from preschool through college graduation. Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has raised more than $4.3 billion.

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L–R: Leslie Wyche and Bro. Tyrone Davis, Office of Black Ministry, Archdiocese of NY

The gala, which was held at Grand Hyatt New York, honored Wells Fargo and Macy’s Inc., two longtime corporate partners whose support has aided UNCF’s mission to strengthen a college-going culture. Wells Fargo has donated more than $5 million to UNCF since 2008 toward scholarship support. Macy’s has been a longtime supporter of UNCF, and in the past 10 years alone, has awarded $1.4 million in support across all markets of UNCF for scholarships and other UNCF endeavors.

Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr., received the Shirley Chisholm Community Service Award for his longtime work addressing and solving educational challenges in Greater New York City. Dr. Brown commanded the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group, the Tuskegee Airmen, in World War II. He is currently the director of the Center for Urban Education Policy and professor at the Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York, and is past president of Bronx Community College. —JNW www.thepositivecommunity.com

L-R: Fred D. Mitchell, VP of Development UNCF; Dr. Larry L. Earvin, president of Huston-Tilltson University; UNCF Board Chair William Stasior; Dr. Roscoe C. Brown receiving his award; and Dr. Michael L. Lomax

Photos courtesy of UNCF

Erica Nichole Walker, 2013 Bethune-Cookman University graduate, a writer and actress in New York City, spoke about her Campaign for Emergency Student Aid scholarship (CESA), which helped generate nearly $25K in CESA donations at the gala

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Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson Celebrating 40 Years of Faith, and Grace Baptist Church Accomplishments, and God’s Grace

By Glenda Cadogan

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n the late 1960s, a young man applied to Virginia Union University. Even though it was recognized that he could not read, at least not well enough to succeed, he was accepted. His acceptance was clearly not based on his academic credentials, but on something else someone saw in him and the recommendation of his church pastor. The young man was placed in remedial reading classes and with hard work and dedicated effort he eventually received his cap and gown.

Fast forward to today. As the chairman of the Board of Trustees of Virginia Union, that former student now signs the degrees of every graduating student. His name is W. Franklyn Richardson—Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, that is. And his chairmanship is but a speck in the multi-colored ministry of Dr. Richardson, who is best known as senior pastor of the historic Grace Baptist Church of Mt. Vernon, New York.

This month, Dr. Richardson is celebrating his 40th Anniversary as pastor of the church with a three-month long celebration themed: 40 Years of Grace: A Pastor and His People. Of his humble beginnings as a remedial reading student Dr. Richardson says: “God is a good God. What a wonderful circle of life.”

In April 1975 when Dr. Richardson accepted his third pastorate at Grace Baptist, the lay of the land was not

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encouraging. “The building was dilapidated, the membership was down and the money was dwindling,” he recalled. “But what drew me to the church was its people. The church had a great congregation 15 years prior and in their DNA was the desire to be great again. They were bigger than their surroundings and I saw in them the potential as was seen in me when I entered Virginia Union. As a result, they cooperated with leadership and have done so even unto this day. People who have come since then have joined in and created a kind of congregation that is open to growth.”

This growth has spawned several community development and economic impact projects in the surrounding neighborhood. Among its accomplishments is $100 million in housing development in the past 10 years with 400 units built in the past 15 years. Yet it is not any of these that Dr. Richardson names as his greatest accomplishment in reflecting on his four decades at the helm.

That honor is reserved for his work in “transforming lives. I have been an advocate for people,” he tells The Positive Community. “And in so doing I have been able to work with young people—including 70 students we currently support in colleges and universities across the country. I have been privileged to work with seniors in the December of their days and families in crisis. So to thepositivecommunity.com

me, what’s most significant about my 40 year tenure is that I have served so many people in diverse circumstances and helped them develop their potential.”

In a wide-ranging interview, Dr. Richardson discussed some of the current and upcoming projects stamped with his unique signature.

Freedom Schools The Freedom School concept engineered by Civil Rights activist Marian Wright Edelman came to Grace Baptist 11 years ago. “In the Freedom School we are able to take students from low income households and instill in them confidence, self-esteem, and life skills,” Richardson explained. “Freedom Schools are a blueprint of how my career was able to move forward. So in my opinion, it is the best use of resources to take kids from public schools and motivate them.” His opinion is backed by testimony from parents, teachers, students, and a Harvard study that concluded that kids who come out of the 6-week program over the summer go up two reading levels by the time they reintegrate into their schools. Every day in the Freedom School, children are exposed to successful people who read and speak to them. They are also required to read 12 books by African American authors to further affirm a culture of success.

Jazz Vespers/Music Education The newest program to come to Grace Baptist is Jazz Vespers. Based on a model created by Dr. M. William Howard, Jr. of Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, the Jazz Vespers is designed to make the gospel and faith appealing to a greater segment of the community. “The medium is jazz—which is grounded in spirituality—but the aim is to give people an opportunity to accept Christ and become a part of the church,” said Richardson. “At the same time, we get to affirm the contributions of jazz musicians.” The Jazz Vespers will be held on the first Saturday of every month beginning in May. The philosophy at Grace is that music is critical to a well-rounded education. Thus, the creation of the Grace Music School with Wesley Reynoso, where students can learn to play 13 different instruments. In addition, there are wonderful jazz musicians from all over who come to the school to teach. The music school provides a natural base to help solicit musicians for the Jazz Vespers.

CD Release In further celebration, Dr. Richardson is set to release his new CD, Songs of the Shepherd. “This CD is as a result of the membership’s clamoring for and encouraging it,” he said. “After 40 years of being here I sing a lot. So they asked me to produce the CD, which for me is a wonderful opportunity to share songs that have been meaningful to me on my journey as a pastor.” Included among continued on next page

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DR. RICHARDSON continued from previous page

the 12 tracks on the CD are “He Leadeth Me,” “God is Able,” “Amazing Grace” and “Sweet Little Jesus Boy.” Proceeds from the sale of the CD will go toward the church building fund.

With housing units, a music CD, schools, and innovative programs all created under his stewardship, there is no shortage of things for which Dr. Richardson can be remembered. But despite all these accomplishments, some say that he will be remembered most for his dynamic preaching. His sermons have been deposited into the lives of his congregants and people still quote from sermons he delivered 40 years ago. “I think that my sermons will be the greatest mention of my name,” he says reflectively.

The eldest of three children born and raised in a West Philadelphia middle class family, Dr. Richardson always had the drive to succeed. In his youth he set up a shoe shine stall on the corner in his neighborhood and later cleaned up in a barber shop. And after overcoming his

reading impediment and graduating from Virginia Union, he received his Divinity degree from Yale University Divinity School and his Doctorate of Ministry as a Wyatt Tee Walker Fellow from the United Theological Seminary. He now holds other chairmanships such as that of the Board of the National Action Network; the Conference of National Black Churches and American Legacy Magazine.

Therefore, for the man of faith who has pulled himself up by his boot straps, Dr. Richardson’s greatest sermon is his life. “I take preaching so seriously that I try to live out my sermons beyond Sunday morning service,” he acknowledged. “So in fact, my sermons are not only inspirational but instructional.” And even with the weight of his tremendous responsibilities, Dr. Richardson never murmurs nor complains. As it states in his all-time favorite hymn: “’Tis my God that leadeth me,” he says, adding, “By waters still or troubled sea, still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.”

MOCCA (Ministry of College and Career Alliance) Grace Baptist Church supports college students throughout their time in school and into careers. Wherever there is a need Grace Baptist Church is there to help.

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Positive Music

Matters!

Rev. Dr. Richardson’ Music M

usic Literacy is Cultural Literacy. The following is a list of Rev. Richardson’s favorite songs, hymns and artists. Identify the artists, the songs and the times that inspired their great music. Engage family and friends in a conversation about music—our music, our culture.

He Leadeth Me (Hymn) The Corinthian Song (Micah Stampley) Glory (JohnLegend/ Common) Get Here if You Can (Oleta Adams) Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Hymn)

Someday We’ll All Be Free (Donny Hathaway) I Need You Now (Smokie Norful) A House is Not a Home (Luther Vandross) Amazing Grace ( Aretha Franklin) Men in My Life (Anita Baker)

At The Positive Community, we are compiling a list of popular music that celebrates life—the very best of African American culture, values and traditions. Name the songs and artists that should be added. Choose from the Negro Sprituals, Blues, Jazz, Gospel, R&B and Hip Hop. Visit thepositivecommunity.com to register.

A musical time capsule will be created as a faith-gift of love and hope for future generations. In 2063, our descendants will witness the centennial of the March on Washington and the 200th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. Let’s pass along our great musical legacy!

In June 2015, African American Music Appreciation Month aka, Black Music Month, we will close the list and seal the capsule. It becomes a valuable possession of time: our musical story, a beautiful soundtrack— the trials, tribulations and triumphs a loving, gifted people revealed!

Submit your playlist today . . . #PositiveMusicMatters www.thepositivecommunity.com thepositivecommunity.com

HEADED FOR HISTORIC GAINS.

Introducing Better FuturesTM —a whole new kind of investment with a greater return than money. When you invest, it helps kids go to college. Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste but a wonderful thing to invest in.TM ©2013 UNCF

Invest in Better Futures at UNCF.ORG/INVEST April 2015 The Positive Community April 2015 The Positive Community

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JOIN GRACE AS WE CELEBRATE DR. RICHARDSON’S 40TH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY

J. MCCANN

J. COLVIN

M. WALDRON

A. SHARPTON

R. BACHUS W. RICHARDSON, III

D. JONES

A. LACEY

CELEBRATING W. FRANKLYN RICHARDSON APRIL 12 - JUNE 14, 2015

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015 • 7:30AM - Dr. J. G. McCann • 9:30 & 11:30AM - Dr. Jawanza Colvin • 6:00PM - Pastor Mike Waldron & Congregation WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015 • 7:00PM - Community Night featuring Rev. Al Sharpton SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 • 7:30AM - Rev. Reginald Bachus • 9:30AM - Rev. William F. Richardson, III • 11:30AM - Dr. Dwight C. Jones • 6:00PM - Dr. Adolphus C. Lacey & Congregation ...AND MUCH, MUCH MORE! STAY TUNED! For information on advertisement or sponsorship opportunities, contact Deacon Richard Thompson (917) 270-7672 or a member of the 40th Anniversary committee at (914) 664-2676 or via email: gracejournal2015@gmail.com. Stay tuned for further updates by visiting our website at www.gracechurchtoday.org.

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YEARS OF GRACE: A PASTOR AND HIS PEOPLE

Grace Baptist Church • 52 South Sixth Avenue• Mount Vernon, NY 10550 • Phone: (914) 664-2676 • Fax: (914) 664-2833 • www.gracechurchtoday.org

L–R: Deborah “Beechie” Witcher Jackson, 100 Black Women of NJ with Lt. Gov. Kim Gaudagno

L–R: Dr. N. Joyce Payne, director of Nat. Alliance for Public Trust, TMCF; Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. President/CEO TMCF; Gail Thigpen-Allen, event planner

L–R: David Harris with Hon. William “Bill” Payne

Master of Ceremonies Peter C. Harvey, Esq. and wife Tammy

Honorees: L–R (holding statues) David L. Harris, Rev. Edwin D. Leahy, OSB; Karen Kessler; Hon. Paul J. Fishman with Dr. N. Joyce Payne, Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. and Peter Harvey

L–R: Student ambassadors Malika Jones and Lascel Parkinson

L–R: Vocalist, Gwen Moten and Musician Dexter Allgood, PhD.

L–R: Rick Thigpen, PSE&G and Cynthia Mapp

David L. Harris, Esq. Honored at Thurgood Marshall Fund Dinner

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Photos: Karen Waters

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he Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) hosted its 15th annual New Jersey Awards for Excellence on March 19th at Nanina’s In The Park, Bellville, NJ. The fund is named for the U.S. Supreme Court’s first African-American Justice. Established in 1987, TMCF supports and represents nearly 300,000 students attending its 47 member-schools including publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s), medical schools and law schools.

The 2015 honorees are: The Hon. Paul Fishma, U.S. Attorney, District of New Jersey; Karen J. Kessle, principal, Evergreen Partners, Inc.; Fr. Edwin D. Leahy, headmaster, St. Benedict Preparatory School; The Hon. John E. Wallace, NJ State Supreme Court Justice (Ret.); and David L. Harris, Esq., retired partner at Lowenstein and Sandler law firm in Newark. Mr. Harris has been lauded as one of the top ten litigators in New Jersey, and is known for his trial, appellate, and arbitration skills in complex business litigation. He has been consistently recognized for over a decade in Best Lawyers in America.

David Harris is past board chair at Newark School of Theology. He is a trustee and treasurer of the Donald M. Payne, Sr. Global Foundation, a member of the Rutgers Board of Overseers, a board member of Blanton-Peale Institute and the South Orange/Maplewood Coalition.

L–R: Michael Hahn, partner, Lowenstein, Sandler; David Harris and wife Betty; Vice Chancellor Marcia Brown, Esq., Rutgers Newark; Rev. Douglas Bendall, PhD. president/founder, Newark School of Theology

L–R: Adrian Council with Louis LaSalle and Milton Anderson of Barnabas Health

Darryl Terry, Newark Beth-Israel Hospital

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The Newark School of Theology A Place that Empowers Learning For Personal Faith Reverend Andrew Hoyte has the goal of establishing a school of theology in Trinidad that is modeled upon The Newark School of Theology in Newark

Summer Courses 2015 CLASSES BEGIN JUNE 1st •

Seminary level education for pastors, lay persons, and inquirers

•

Member: National College Credit Recommendation Service (National CCRS)

•

Academic, nonsectarian classes

•

Small classes, personal attention

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Faculty have earned graduate degrees

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Affordable tuition, Payment Plan available

• •

Convenient location near NJPAC Free parking in our lighted lot

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Registration open until classes fill

•

Open House and Registration Saturday, May 16, 2015 10 am to 2 pm Saturday, May 23, 2015 10 am to 2 pm

Offering Advanced Classes in Theology Since 1997

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How To Teach The Bible Dr. Ernestine Galloway, Ed. D.

Counseling The Bereaved Chaplain Cynthia Brady, M.Div., BCC

Spiritual Journaling Ms. Mary Thurmond, B.A.

Biblical Hebrew Rev. Milton Eng , M. Div., Ph. D.

June 1 – July 27 Monday 7:00 – 10:00 pm June 1 – August 3 Monday 7:00 – 10:00 pm June 2 – July 28 Tuesday 7:00 – 10:00 pm June 2 – July 28 Tuesday 7:00 – 10:00 pm

Theology of The Prayer Book June 3 – July 29 Rev. Miguel A. Hernandez, M. Div., STM

Church History Rev. Miguel A. Hernandez, M. Div., STM

Women in The Bible Ms. Mary L. Thomas, M.A. (Union)

Spirituality and Sexuality Rev. Maxine A. Bradshaw, Ph.D.

Wednesday 7:00 – 10:00 pm June 4 – July 30 Thursday 7:00 – 10:00 pm June 4 – August 6 Thursday 7:00 – 10:00 pm June 6 – August 1 Saturday 9:00 am – 12:00 noon

Ask about our Certificate Programs and College Completion Program

REGISTER NOW FOR SUMMER 2015

The Newark School of Theology Two Park Place, Newark, New Jersey 07102 Mail: P.O. Box 831, Newark, NJ 07101 973-297-0505 www.newarkschooloftheology.org The Newark School of Theology does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability or sexual orientation.

www.thepositivecommunity.com

By Rev. Douglas Bendell PHD. Founder and President

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he Reverend Andrew Hoyte began his studies at The Newark School of Theology (NST) in the Spring Semester. Deacon Hoyte, a transitional deacon from the Anglican Diocese of Trinidad and Tobago, will be taking classes in pastoral care and counseling. His goal is to establish a school of theology in Trinidad that is modeled upon The Newark School of Theology in Newark, NJ, after he has completed his studies in December 2016.

Deacon Hoyte chose to study theology at NST after an extensive online search because of its academic programs, small classes, and the individual attention given to students. "The Newark School of Theology is a school where one is not the same after even the first class," he said. "It is a school designed with the needs of its students in mind and a place that empowers learning for personal faith and more effective ministry."

Deacon Hoyte has two bachelor degrees from the West Indian Theological College (Trinidad), a Masters of Divinity degree from Cummings Theological Seminary (SC), and a Masters of Arts in Religion from Memphis Theological Seminary. He has also studied at The School of Theology at the University of the South (TN) and Nashotah House in Wisconsin. He is married to The Reverend Beverley Hoyte with whom he has three children.

April 2015 The Positive Community

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CHILD DEVELOPEMENT CENTER FOUNDED BY STEPHEN N. ADUBATO

Newark Preschool Teacher Shares Her Gift of Singing

A high-quality free preschool

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for Newark s children

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15 children in a classroom n Tamika Scott’s classroom at The There’s more that goes on in Scott’s 973-481-1023 Certified Preschool Teachers Pre-care from 7:30 a.m.

North Ward Center Child Developclassroom than singing. There’s also After-care till 5:30 p.m.

Structured curriculum ment Center in Newark, a and gaggle of the serious business of learning. The Math phonetic awareness 475 Mount Prospect • 346 Mount Prospect State-of-the-art preschoolers seated onLicensed, a rug, with day begins for some as early as 7:30 300-306 Mount Prospect • 341 is Roseville Avenue Preschool Facilities their hands neatly folded a.m. and ends at 3 p.m., though Steve Adubato, Founder on their laps.

Adrianne Davis, Co-Founder/Executive Director many preschoolers stay to 5:30 p.m.

Scott asks the children about the for aftercare. weather. One boy raises his hand and tells Scott that it’s cold and rainy. She At the beginning of the day, students hands him a marker and he steps to a can choose an area of the classroom weather chart and colors in a grid. that they want to explore. Scott and her assistant make the rounds to enAfter a few more questions, Scott tells sure students are learning the lessons the children it’s time to sing. They jump of each area. up and clap their hands excitedly as Scott leads them in a song about the seasons. Students also get breakfast, lunch and a snack, play outside, take an hour nap While the children may not realize it, and spend time learning the basics. anyone listening to Scott’s singing will Nearly all the students who graduate immediately recognize she doesn’t from the program are able to read, have the voice of a typical preschool write and count. teacher.

“When the students graduate from our “It’s a gift from God,” says Scott, who program, they are ready for kindergarstarted singing as a child in the Rain- ten,” said Michele Sceppaguercio, the bow Sisters at the Rose of Sharon Bap- director of the preschool program. “A tist Church in Newark. Now she sings high-quality early childhood educaat Bethel New Life in East Orange. tion sets the foundation for academic achievement.”

Singing is an important part of the curriculum at The North Ward Center Indeed, a study by Rutgers University’s Child Development Center, even for National Institute for Early Education teachers who weren’t blessed with Research found that urban children Scott’s voice. who attended preschool had academic gains through fourth and fifth grade.

“It doesn’t matter if you have a good voice, you should sing anyway,” Scott The preschool was among the first said. “A song gets the children excited, programs created by The North Ward it makes it fun and gets them involved.” Center. Since then, it has grown into

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The Positive Community April 2015

one of the largest providers of free preschool in the state, with 40 classrooms at four locations, each with 15 students.

“In order for our children in Newark to compete, we need to give them the advantage of an excellent early education,” said Founder Stephen N. Adubato.

In addition to the preschool, The Center founded Robert Treat Academy, a nationally recognized, Blue Ribbon K-8 charter school. The Center also operates one of the largest after-school programs in the state as well as programs for seniors and families.

“Our core mission is to provide Newark citizens with the tools they need to be successful in life,” said Adrianne Davis, the Co-Founder/Executive Director of The North Ward Center.

In the classroom, Scott, 38, gives children those tools. Born and raised in Newark, Scott graduated from Kean University with a degree in early childhood education and received her master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She has been teaching at the North Ward Center Child Development Center for 15 years.

“I felt like I was chosen to do this by God,” Scott said. “Going into early childhood education was the best decision I ever made. God definitely ordered my steps.” www.thepositivecommunity.com

C HILD D EVELOPEMENT C ENTER CHILD DEVELOPEMENT CENTER

FOUNDED FOUNDED BY

BY STEPHEN STEPHEN N. N. ADUBATO ADUBATO

A high-quality free preschool

’

for Newark s children

973-481-1023 Pre-care Pre-care from from 7:30 7:30 a.m. a.m.

After-care till 5:30 After-care till 5:30 p.m. p.m.

Locations Locations

475 475 Mount Mount Prospect Prospect • • 346 346 Mount Mount Prospect Prospect 300-306 Mount Prospect • 341 Roseville 300-306 Mount Prospect • 341 Roseville Avenue Avenue

15 15 children children in in aa classroom classroom Certified Certified Preschool Preschool Teachers Teachers

Structured Structured curriculum curriculum Math Math and and phonetic phonetic awareness awareness Licensed, Licensed, State-of-the-art State-of-the-art Preschool Preschool Facilities Facilities

Steve Steve Adubato, Adubato, Founder Founder Adrianne Davis, Co-Founder/Executive Adrianne Davis, Co-Founder/Executive Director Director

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cuny.edu/welco CUNY Value Offers Access to Opportunity And Freedom from Debt James B. Milliken, Chancellor, The City University of New York

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he numbers are dramatic. At The City University of New York 7 in 10 full-time undergraduates attend college tuition-free. And 8 in 10 graduate free of debt.

CUNY’s exceptional affordability is an incomparable value in today’s higher education marketplace, where yearly college bills can easily outpace family wages and student-loan debt – exceeding $1.1 trillion nationwide – impedes graduates’ financial freedom, including, studies say, the ability to purchase a home. CUNY costs a fraction of what students pay at private universities, and it beats most public institutions, too.

These low costs make it possible for 7 in 10 full-time undergraduates to attend college tuition-free, fully covered by financial aid and the American Opportunity Tax Credit, and for eight in 10 to graduate free from federal education debt. When our students do borrow, statistics show, they end up owing less than their peers elsewhere.

CUNY’s affordable tuition is part of a successful, long-term financial partnership between the University, state and city governments, philanthropists, alumni and students. Enduring value

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The Positive Community April 2015

increases lifelong opportunities for our students to pursue their educational, professional, financial and personal goals. That’s freedom.

CUNY colleges offer a wealth of rigorous, innovative and life-changing academic opportunities, sparking an enrollment surge to 274,000 this fall and attracting so many motivated highachieving students that every year they garner not just a few, but a raft of top national honors.

For 2014, CUNY boasts a record 22 Fulbright Scholarships awarded to students for study and teaching abroad; other prestigious awards recently received by CUNY “Every year, hundreds of thousands of students choose The City University of New York for a multitude of reasons that can be summed up as one: opportunity. Providing a quality, accessible education, regardless of background or means, has been CUNY’s mission since 1847. The University’s unwavering commitment to that principle is a source of enormous pride.,” said Chancellor James B. Milliken. “CUNY colleges offer a seemingly infinite array of academic programs

taught by award-winning faculty, as well as the arts, sports, internships, scholarships and community service opportunities. The powerful combination of quality academics, remarkable affordability, financial support and the convenience of 24 modern campuses spanning the five boroughs of New York — the most exciting city in the world — makes CUNY a singular value in higher education today. The wise choice for smart students: That’s the CUNY Value.”

Uncompromising in its mission of excellence and opportunity, CUNY provides an extensive array of challenging academic offerings, from traditional liberal arts programs to the Macaulay Honors College, from highlevel scientific research with faculty mentors to initiatives to boost college readiness and keep students on track to a degree.

The University’s recent Pathways to Degree Completion reforms ensure academic rigor across all CUNY colleges, encouraging timely graduation and keeping education costs in check.

Academic value: It’s the leading reason why CUNY is New York’s top highereducation destination. www.thepositivecommunity.com

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very year, hundreds of thousands of students choose The City University of New York for a multitude of reasons that can be summed up as one: opportunity. Providing quality, accessible education has been CUNY’s mission since 1847, a commitment that is a source of enormous pride. The powerful combination of quality academics, remarkable affordability, financial support and 24 modern campuses spanning the five boroughs of New York – the world’s most exciting city – makes CUNY a singular value in higher education.

That’s the CUNY Value.

— James B. Milliken, Chancellor

cuny.edu/welcome

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How Not To Mortgage Your Future Teaching Financial Wellbeing to Students, Clergy and Congregations

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ersonal debt is an uncomfortable topic of discussion for most people.

However, New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NBTS) is placing debt front and center in an attempt to improve the current and long-term financial wellbeing of students and future ministerial leaders.

Nationwide, it’s common for college students to have an educational debt level of $30,000 or more after graduation. At NBTS, approximately 25% of its students carry that debt load before enrolling at the Seminary.

This predicament of heavy debt loads – and the repayment challenges that go along with it – is not exclusive to students. Hundreds of churches around the country are facing foreclosure and thousands more are in default on their mortgages.

The How Not To Mortgage Your Future program, developed by NBTS and funded by a Lilly Endowment grant, helps students asses, address and avoid high levels of personal debt. It also aims to kindle conversations within churches about the costs of attending seminary while urging them to reexamine fair compensation for clergy and faith leaders. The How Not To Mortgage Your Future program, which includes consumer information, academic courses, financial aid workshops and one-on-one counseling, is available to NBTS students now.

An Economic Strategy Grounded in Theology NBTS has enlisted the help of the Rev. Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr., Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens and the force behind the dfree® (no debt, no deficits, no delinquencies changing debt, deficits & delinquencies to deposits, dividends & deeds) movement, to help students be more strategic when it comes

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to their finances. Dr. Soaries is teaching a seven-week course, entitled, “Creating and Sustaining a Debt Free Ministry: The Clergy Cycle, Congregation and Church.”

His course offers a historical, cultural, biblical and social overview of consumer debt, as well as the impact of debt on clergy and congregational ministry.

On a social level, contends Dr. Soaries, clergy are often put into the same category as doctors and lawyers. Clergy are expected to go through years of school for training, and many borrow money to do so. Unlike doctors and lawyers, clergy are not likely to earn large salaries upon graduating and may struggle to repay those loans. There is also a cultural expectation that ministers impose on themselves and each other that create some challenges related to finances.

It’s an expectation that Dr. Soaries experienced early in his ministry.

“A few weeks after I was licensed to preach, a friend told me that I could no longer drive my Chevy because preachers drive Cadillacs,” he recalls. “My response was, ‘you know what, you’re right!’ I traded in my Chevy, which was paid for, and bought a Cadillac, which put me in debt.”

Managing finances is not a subject typically spoken about in seminaries, but it is a conversation that must take place. “I had 10 years of formal theological training, but I never received one hour of instruction on finances or budgeting,” states Dr. Soaries. “This course offers me an opportunity to probe more deeply with people who are preparing for ministry about the realities, options, and causes and effects of financial management and mismanagement.”

“African Americans have had a glorious history and a miraculous journey in

this country,” Dr. Soaries continues. “We have survived an inconceivable onslaught of oppression and repression. The reason we survived is because we learned how to take care of ourselves when no one else took care of us. We developed the philosophy, strategy and tactics to fight for our rights, build our own institutions, change public policy and win elections.

The one thing we have not learned as a people is how to create and execute an economic strategy that proliferates throughout the community.”

At the end of the course, students of Dr. Soaries’ class will be equipped with a coherent, theological perspective about money, and will be able to communicate clearly with other people about their financial needs as well as teach them how to be empowered through the church in areas of finance. Dr. Soaries also wants students to have a real hands-on understanding of their financial future. “Many clergy may not be able to live off the salary they receive from their churches. Part of that means knowing how to communicate with your congregation and your employer about compensation.”

The support students receive continues after the course is completed. Each student will be assigned a financial coach to ensure that the things they learn in the classroom are not left in the classroom, explains Dr. Soaries. “The coaches will encourage them, extend their instruction and hold them accountable to ensure a greater likelihood that this course will be an impact course and not just an intellectual course.”

The cost of this course is underwritten by the Lilly Grant and is free of charge to all students who successfully complete the requirements of the course. www.thepositivecommunity.com

Are you interested in theological education and ministry tr aining?

Join us for our Open House and Information Sessions OPEN HOUSE

RSVP

Tuesday, April 21, 2015 5:00pm–8:30pm New York Campus at St. John’s University St John’s Hall, Room B36 8000 Utopia Parkway Jamaica, New York 11439

INFORMATION SESSIONS at our NJ and NY Campuses

Tuesday, May 5, 2015 5:30pm–7:30pm New Jersey Campus at New Brunswick Theological Seminary 35 Seminary Place New Brunswick, NJ 08901 and

For New Jersey campus, call Jeffrey Rogers at 732-247-5241 ext. 320 or email jrogers@nbts.edu for more information For New York campus, call Faye Taylor at 718-990-6000 or email ftaylor@nbts.edu for more information

Wednesday, May 6, 2015 5:30pm–7:30pm New York Campus at St. John’s University St John’s Hall, Room B36 8000 Utopia Parkway Jamaica, New York 11439 New Brunswick Theological Seminary makes seminary education more accessible and more practical.

With an innovative curriculum that provides a solid grounding in classical theology combined with a strong emphasis on hands-on ministry, our graduates are better prepared to serve a vibrant, changing world.

Currently Offering: Master of Divinity (MDiv) Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Master of Arts (MA) Certificate Progr ams in English & Spanish

Part-time/Full-time — Day, Evening and Weekend Classes

w w w.nbts.edu

Sending Sending More More Newark Newark Kids Kids to to College College Last year, 95 percent of all seniors from KIPP New Jersey’s high school, Academy, entered college.

Last year, 95Newark percent Collegiate of all seniors from KIPP New Jersey’s Of who finished 8th grade in one of KIPP New highstudents school, Newark Collegiate Academy, entered college.

Jersey’s schools, went8th on grade to college no of matter Of students who77% finished in one KIPP what New high school they77% attended.

New Jersey’s students Jersey’s schools, went onKIPP to college no matter what have gained acceptance to colleges such as Swarthmore, high school they attended. KIPP New Jersey’s students Smith, UVA, acceptance Duke, Brandeis, Haverford, George have gained to colleges such Barnard, as Swarthmore, Washington Boston Haverford, College, Howard, NCGeorge State, Smith, UVA, University, Duke, Brandeis, Barnard, and Rutgers. University, Boston College, Howard, NC State, Washington and Rutgers.

To gain insight into the essence of this success, we spoke with twoinsight KIPP into NewtheJersey students NaheemweHeight, To gain essence of this-success, spoke who Academy in 5thHeight, grade with attended two KIPPKIPP’s New Rise Jersey studentsstarting - Naheem and attending who Samiyah attended Lucas, KIPP’s who Rise started Academy starting KIPP’s in 5th TEAM grade Academy in 6thLucas, grade.who started attending KIPP’s TEAM and Samiyah Academy in 6th grade.

Both are now seniors graduating from KIPP’s Newark Both are Academy now seniors graduating from college KIPP’snext Newark Collegiate and planning to attend year.

Collegiate Academy and planning to attend college next year.

teams and the teams were named after colleges there be teams teams were like Princeton, Georgetown, teams would and the named after colleges and Maryland.

My teacher would thereUniversity would be of teams like Princeton, Georgetown, always instill the idea of attending college and in our and University of Maryland. My teacher would classrooms would us what would beand expected always instillhethe idea tell of attending college in our of us in college. classrooms he would tell us what would be expected of us in college.

Normally at that age, college is not really on the radar for most kids.

Was scary?

Normally at that age,that college is not really on the radar for most kids. Was that scary?

Samiyah – No one from my family has ever attended college.

I came KIPP, teachers shedattended light on Samiyah When – No one fromtomy family has ever what college to offtoer.KIPP, Weteachers have guest college.

Whenhas I came shedspeakers light on come in to tellhas us what do get intospeakers college. what college to offwe er. need We to have guest At first a what bit nerve racking, it come in it to was tell us we need to dobut geteventually into college. became and racking, I learnedbut what should be At first itsecond was anature bit nerve eventually it expected of me.nature Soonand theI expectation going be to became second learned whatofshould college became normthe andexpectation I felt real hope for my expected of me.theSoon of going to future. college became the norm and I felt real hope for my future.

“No one from my family “No one attended from mycollege. family has ever has ever attended college.

When I came to KIPP, When to KIPP, teachersI came shed light on teachers shed light on what college has to offer.” what college has to off er.”

SAMIYAH LUCAS, CLASS OF 2015 Samiyah Lucas came to KIPP New Jersey in 6th grade. She has been Lucas accepted to to Clark Atlanta University.

Samiyah came KIPP New Jersey in 6th grade. She has been accepted to Clark Atlanta University.

When you first started attending a KIPP school in Newark, what kind of expectations yourschool teachers When you first started attending adidKIPP in set for you and kind your fellow students? did your teachers Newark, what of expectations set for you and your fellow students?

Naheem – Once I started at Rise Academy, I immediately felt challenged.

The homework at the Ischool that I Naheem – Once I started at Rise Academy, immediately had previously attended was not at consistent.

At that KIPP,I felt challenged.

The homework the school Ihad received homework for was everynot core subject every day previously attended consistent.

At KIPP, and the teachers set expectations thatsubject helped every me create I received homework for every core day aand personal work set ethic.

When Ithat firsthelped startedmeatcreate KIPP, the teachers expectations in 5th grade, I remember missionatinKIPP, our a personal work ethic. teachers When I fiset rst astarted classroom for Iall of us called, “Climbing Mountain to in 5th grade, remember teachers set athe mission in our College.” us dreaming of attending colleges classroomTeachers for all ofhad us called, “Climbing the Mountain to like Princeton and had Georgetown.

They even set colleges up field College.”

Teachers us dreaming of attending trips to visit college campuses to show us the potential like Princeton and Georgetown. They even set up field all of to us visit had. college campuses to show us the potential trips all of us had.

Samiyah – When I started in 6th grade, I remember how teachers the class up into diffI erent academic Samiyah –broke WhenupI started in 6th grade, remember how teachers broke up the class up into different academic

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SAMIYAH LUCAS, CLASS OF 2015

Naheem – Along the way, we have always had a great support have genuine relationships my Naheemsystem.

– Along Ithe way, we have always hadwith a great teachers - I still talk to many of my old teachers. support system.

I have genuine relationships withOne my teacher the summer with my personal teachershelped - I stillme talkover to many of my old teachers.

One statement for my I feel the way teacher helped mecollege over theapplication. summer with my personal that teachers us and helped us, we the became statement for guided my college application.

I feel way prepared to goguided down this successfully. that teachers us path and helped us, we became prepared to go down this path successfully.

Can you tell me about some of those specific actions of atell KIPP wereofpivotal you inc Can you meteacher aboutthat some thoseforspecifi attending actions of colleges? a KIPP teacher that were pivotal for you in attending colleges?

Samiyah - Teachers at KIPP always go beyond their actual to help I call go my beyond college Samiyah - jobs Teachers at students.

KIPP always counselor the totime, hours. I call Sometimes it’s their actualalljobs helpafter students. my college not even about issues, it canSometimes just be about counselor all thecollege time, after hours. it’s not even about college issues, it can just be about

enroll, apply and get more info at: enroll, apply and get more info at: www.kippnj.org www.kippnj.org

anything. I know the teachers and counselors at KIPP will always be Ithere Whenand I am in college, I know anything. know for theus. teachers counselors at KIPP willI can callbe anythere of my or counselors help.I always forKIPP us. teachers When I am in college, for I know Students defiof nitely build teachers those bonds with their teachers can call any my KIPP or counselors for help. and createdefi relationships last a long time.

Students nitely build that those bonds with their teachers and create relationships that last a long time.

Now, going onto college next fall, how have you grown over time at college a KIPP?next fall, how have you grown Now,your going onto over your time at a KIPP? Samiyah – I was shy, but now I am involved in so much. I am ambitious. think if now thereI am is something want, I willI Samiyah – I wasIshy, but involved inI so much. now go after it. I Ithink am involved cheerleading, National am ambitious. if there isinsomething I want, I will Honor Student Government, a lot of things now goSociety, after it.and I am involved in cheerleading, National IHonor neverSociety, thoughtand I would beGovernment, interested ina when I was Student lot of things younger.

I am also very optimistic, veryinexcited. am I never thought I would be interested when I Iwas excited a newvery chapter in my life becomeI am my younger.to Istart am also optimistic, veryand excited. own person.

I plan tochapter study communications in college excited to start a new in my life and become my and likeI to work television or radio. I doinnot think ownwould person. plan to in study communications college Iand would ever of going away to college, not would likethink to work in television or radio.

I dohad notitthink been for ever my teachers KIPP.away to college, had it not I would think ofatgoing been for my teachers at KIPP. Naheem – I learned I am a risk taker. I am not afraid to test boundaries.

Personally, I have become resilient Naheem – I learned I am a risk taker.

I am very not afraid to and in Personally, everything that I do.

I like to finish what test persistent boundaries.

I have become very resilient Iand start.

For example, I am that on the persistent in everything I do.cross-country I like to finishteam, what an opportunity I may have I had not attended I start.

For example, I amnot on had the ifcross-country team, Newark Collegiate Cross-country was the an opportunity I mayAcademy. have not had if I had not attended hardest I ever Academy. had to do,Cross-country but I never gave Newark thing Collegiate wasup.theI went to every andtoworked Mygave coachup. wasI hardest thing practice I ever had do, buthard.

I never always me. He howhard. hardMy cross-country went tothere everyfor practice andknew worked coach was was for there me, but supported whatcross-country I was doing. always for he me.always He knew how hard Iwas could forsupported help and advice.

He doing. would fortext me, him but anytime he always what I was come me anytime.

I learned when you struggle it I couldmeet text him anytime for help and advice.

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I learned when you struggle it Veterinarian I willgoing. alwaysSome stay connected Newark, is my choice and to keep day I wouldtolike to be because thatand is where was born raised. to Newark, Veterinarian I will Ialways stayand connected because that is where I was born and raised.

Naheem Height has attended KIPP schools since 5th grade.

HeHeight has been Lycoming Naheem hasaccepted attendedtoKIPP schoolsCollege. since 5th grade. He has been accepted to Lycoming College.

www.thepositivecommunity.com

“

KIPP New Jersey is preparing my children, not just for college, but the real world as well.”

– Seek and Rise Academy Parent

KIPP New Jersey supports our kids to and through college.

95% 77%

More African American students went on to four-year colleges from our high school (Newark Collegiate) than any other high

of seniors to college of 8th grade grads to college*

*Whether they went to our high school or not.

school in Newark.

Students stay with KIPP New Jersey.

KIPP New Jersey’s attrition rate is one of the lowest in Newark.

7%

Our student attrition

Student attrition is the percentage of students who leave a school within a school year.

Student attrition at individual Newark schools. (less is better)

We serve students who need us.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Our school demographics closely

FREE & REDUCED MEALS KIPP New Jersey

87%

Newark Public

mirror those of the Newark Public

85%

Schools.

KIPP Schools are public. That means free to apply and attend.

KIPP New Jersey’s schools are public schools. We are publicly funded, free to attend and have no entrance requirements or tests to get in. enroll, apply and get more info at: www.kippnj.org

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The Adult Learner Degree Program At The College of New Rochelle

Can Take You Where You Want to Go Move Toward a Brighter Future The College of New Rochelle School of New Resources is a recognized leader in providing a quality Bachelor’s degree program for adults 21 and older. Our program is designed to help adults overcome traditional barriers to pursuing a college education and focuses on individualized degree plans, flexible schedules, and affordability. In a national study, we were named a “best practice” institution by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning.

An Individualized Program of Study We’ll work with you to develop an individualized degree plan that meets your educational and career goals. Our

faculty helps you select courses based on your past experiences and future interests. You can choose to specialize in communications, foreign languages, humanities, psychology, or social sciences. Our Professional Sequencing Program combines coursework in business administration and management, healthcare administration, and human services with mini-internships, so you can gain hands-on experience.

You can finish your degree faster through six-credit courses that meet once a week, and by earning up to 30 credits for learning based on your previous work and life experience. Evening, weekend, and summer courses, and full- or part-time enrollment make it possible for you to earn a degree at your own pace.

Six Campuses In Your Community We offer six campuses with modern facilities in New Rochelle, CoOp City, the South Bronx, Brooklyn, Harlem and at DC-37 Union Headquarters in Lower Manhattan. Our Career Development Office and counseling services help you develop job search strategies and prepare for interviews.

We’ll Meet Your Financial Need The financial aid staff at the College are available to help you develop an aid package that fits your need. This can include a combination of grants, loans, campus employment, and external resources.

Join us for an Adult Learner Information Day on April 18th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To learn more, visit www.cnr.edu/positive1.

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www.thepositivecommunity.com

EARN YOUR BACHELOR’S DEGREE WITH AN ADULT LEARNER PROGRAM AT ONE OF OUR SIX CONVENIENT CAMPUSES. Offering a bachelor’s degree program for adults 21 and older, the School of New Resources gives your career the jump start it deserves. Earn a distinctive, career-focused education while keeping up with your busy schedule.

• Flexible morning, evening, and weekend classes • Six-credit courses help you finish faster

JOIN US FOR AN ADULT LEARNER INFORMATION DAY

• Up to 30 course credits for life/work experience • Low-cost tuition/one-on-one financial advisement

REGISTER TODAY!

WWW.CNR.EDU/POSITIVE SATURDAY APRIL 18 11 A.M.–2 P.M.

855-225-8866 BROOKLYN CAMPUS

1368 Fulton Street, Brooklyn

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755 Co-op City Boulevard, Bronx

DC 37 CAMPUS

125 Barclay Street, New York

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332 East 149th Street, Bronx

NEW ROCHELLE CAMPUS

29 Castle Place, New Rochelle

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144 West 125th Street, New York

CNR-14-2322_7.15x9.6_PositiveComm_SNR_v1.indd 1

4/8/15 4:51 PM

North Star Academy Launches Newark GED Program

Pictured from left to right are Rashon Hasan, president of the Newark school advisory board, Tanisha Dowell, Earl Easterling, Ann Marie Maitland, Wendy Cubano, the GED instructor, Arthur Epps, Nicole Harris, Latisha Johnson, and Ibrahim Martinez.

Tanisha, Earl, Ann Marie and Ibrahim earned their GED this year at Community Academy.

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nn Marie Maitland used to get embarrassed and feel unqualified whenever she got to the section on a job application where they asked about her education.

Even though she finished school in her native Jamaica, Maitland’s diploma wasn’t recognized in the United States.

Without a high school diploma, Maitland faced job rejection time and time again.

At 45, Maitland decided to enroll in General Educational Development (GED) classes at Community Academy, an adult school operated out of North Star Academy Charter School’s building on Alexander Street in Newark's West Ward.

After completing the program, Maitland took the GED in February of 2015 and learned recently that she had passed.

“I now know I have qualifications to move on,” Maitland said. “I can apply for college at Essex County College for Nursing. I can even get a business degree online. I needed this for my life, in everything I do. I’ve accomplished something huge.”

The Community Academy was started in October 2014 with the goal of changing the lives of Newark residents. It was conceived by North Star Academy, which operates K-12 charter public schools throughout the city. The Community Academy also offers free fitness and nutrition classes and parent advocacy and empowerment workshops taught by local experts. The workshops were made possible by a grant from the www.thepositivecommunity.com

Newark Charter School Fund. The Urban League of Essex County is a supporter.

Rashon Hasan, the president of the Newark Public Schools Advisory Board, said he visited the Community Academy and was “blown away” by the personal stories and experiences that were shared by the students.

“There is a huge need for GED Programs in Newark and many institutions do not have the capacity and resources to support this need,” Hasan said. “The team at North Star helped change the lives of adults and help them take a step forward in their efforts to build a better life for themselves and their families. We need more programs like this to serve Newark and help citizens gain that educational edge to compete for job opportunities.”

Newark At-Large Councilman Carlos Gonzalez, who helped promote the program in the city, said he hoped the students would continue their education.

This program “empowers the citizens of Newark that desire to improve their education and work hard to attain a GED,” Gonzalez said.

“At North Star, our mission extends beyond educating just our students,” said Juliana Worrell, principal of North Star Academy Alexander Street School.

“We are here to serve the entire community, including those who may not have received the benefits of a high-quality education when they were younger.”

For Tanisha Dowell, getting her GED through Community Academy has renewed her sense of hope. At 16, she

dropped out of East Orange High School when she got pregnant. She attended several different GED programs, but found them boring and never finished.

She was easily discouraged and believed she would never achieve her goal. Then she found Community Academy.

“This program helped me understand the areas where I struggled most,” said Dowell, now 25 and living in a transition shelter. “I could never understand fractions but my teacher made math so much fun. She helped me look at fractions like money. I passed that test because the staff believed in me.”

Now, Dowell said, she feels a sense of accomplishment.

“I finally did something with my life,” she said. “Now I’m going to Essex County College to study Early Childhood Education. I’m able to move on with my life and not stay stuck in the same rut believing that I can’t accomplish anything I set my mind to.”

Even though GED candidate Tqisha Floyd dropped out of high school when she was 16, she constantly tries to instill the need in her three children to finish school.

Floyd admits, however, that she wasn’t the best messenger: “How can I tell my kids to finish school, when I didn’t?” So at 40, she enrolled in North Star’s Community Academy and has already progressed several grade levels. She will be ready for her GED test in just a few months.

After that, she plans on attending college to become a drug counselor.

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usic is among the top 10 majors that students choose at Nyack College from a roster of more than 50. Nyack’s rich history in music programs began with the Diploma in Sacred Music, first offered in the fall of 1938. Since 1962, Nyack has held the distinguished accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Today undergraduate degrees offered include the Bachelor of Music, the Bachelor of Arts in Music, and the Associate in Science in Music. Concentrations include Music Education, Performance, Composition, and Music in Worship.

On Friday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m., the School of Music will showcase the

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Nyack’s School of Music Headlines an Avery Fisher Hall Lincoln Center Concert extraordinary talent of Nyack students, alumni, faculty, and staff in “A Concert Celebrating God’s Faithfulness” on the stage of Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center in New York City. The meticulously selected music—classical, contemporary, jazz, and gospel—captures the essence of the intentionally diverse culture that exists on Nyack’s New York campuses in suburban Hudson Valley and in historic Battery Park. Some 60 countries are represented in the Nyack student population; others hail from every region of our nation.

School of Music performances are a tradition that span more than seven decades. In addition to their regional travels in North America, international

tours have included stops in France, Poland, Asia, Germany, and Russia.

The more than 100-voice group has graced the stages of Alice Tully Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall. In addition to recitals and concerts, other performance opportunities for Nyack students include the full costume productions of the College’s Opera Theater Workshop, the Jazz Ensemble, and the Collegium Musicum, a pre-classical period repertoire.

Ticket information for the April 17 concert is available at www.lincolncenter.org, by phoning CenterCharge at 212.721.6500 or by visiting the Avery Fisher Hall Box Office.

• Doctor

of Ministry (DMin) Degree • Alliance Theological Seminary: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, Master of Professional Studies • MA in Mental Health Counseling • MS in Organizational Leadership–finish in as little as 12 months • MBA–finish in as little as 16 months • MS in Childhood Education, Childhood Special Education, TESOL • MA in Ancient Judaism and Christian Origins

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS 2 Washington St, New York NY 10004

Call 866-42-NYACK or visit our website at www.nyack.edu Nyack, NY • New York, NY 68

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Public Policy Program

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he fields of community affairs, local government, political office, public or private administration, human resources and urban planning are ever-growing and thriving especially in the vibrant city of Jersey City. Saint Peter’s University offers degrees that will help advance or prepare an individual for careers in these sectors.

The Public Policy program is an innovative program developed for para-professional, entry-level government or social service workers who are also active in community, civic and volunteer organizations.

What makes the public policy program stand out is the approach to education. This approach is called “experiential learning,”

which simply means that the starting focus of Saint Peter’s classes is the students’ own personal experiences, coupled with that of the experiences of fellow students and staff.

Saint Peter’s examines life conditions in the communities in which the students live and work and the public policies that have shaped them. The addition of the flexible schedule of Saturday and evening classes makes our program desirable for the busy adult learner.

Graduates from the public policy program will be prepared for a career in a wide variety of fields including research analysis, program development and planning, human services, business, education and

social science research. Coursework can also be combined with internship and research opportunities.

Karen Fuentes, ’14, a Public Policy Program graduate, comments on the value of the program: “The Public Policy Program is great because it is a gateway to see how the community works on a local, state and federal level. The courses challenge you to see society in an unbiased way, to look towards the future of policies, how current political laws need to be changed or why they do not, and how we can help administer a better future for everyone. The Saint Peter’s University Public Policy Program has taught me to think like a leader, and to act like one.”

Saint Peter’s University. Achieve your Dream. Make your Mark.

To learn more about the public policy and public administration program, please call the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies Admission at (201) 761-6470 or visit us www.saintpeters.edu.

Apply Now and

Make a Difference.

Our Public Policy Program is made for you, the busy Adult Learner!

• Associate Degree in Public Policy • Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies • Evening & Saturday Classes

Public Policy Program The Public Policy Program at Saint Peter’s University is a full-time, undergraduate program in urban policy science. The program seeks to foster an atmosphere of community by providing a context for mutual support and learning among students, faculty, and staff and to provide a thorough understanding of public and urban policy, academic excellence, moral integrity, and professional ethics. www.thepositivecommunity.com

• Student-Centric Advising from Supportive Faculty • Integrated Curriculum

The Jesuit University of New Jersey

April 2015 The Positive Community

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To u ro C o l l e g e

A World of Possibilities

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or most students, summer means vacation, a respite from a year of hard work navigating through tough courses in pursuit of a degree. But summer can also offer great opportunities for students to accelerate their education by attending summer school.

Think about it: Taking 16-19 credits a semester could be daunting, to say the least – especially when you consider that many students have to balance the responsibilities of full-time work, family, and being a full-time student. To cut that load down by even one course could make a significant difference in the results of a student’s efforts. Well, summer school is a chance to take up to 8 credits, usually two courses. This means that a student might have to take only 12 credits during the regular Fall and Spring semesters and be able to devote sufficient time to those courses to excel.

Touro College’s New York School of Career and Applied Studies (NYSCAS) is pleased to offer a variety of courses for the 2015 summer session. Students can take classes in college writing, literature, the natural sciences,

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The Positive Community April 2015

psychology, human services, computer science, math, and many other areas. Courses are offered at our seven sites throughout New York City, and classes are given in the morning, afternoon and evening as well as on Sundays. Each site is conveniently located near mass transportation, and students can build their summer school schedules around their work and family commitments while still leaving time for vacation fun.

Summer school can be intense: the normal 15-week semester is condensed into 7 weeks (classes meet twice a week instead of once). But the atmosphere in summer school is usually somewhat more relaxed and may be especially conducive to studying. A lot happens in a relatively short time, and before you know it, you have up to another 8 credits under your belt.

Attend summer school and graduating earlier becomes a distinct possibility.

And that introduces the possibility of joining the work force or starting graduate or professional study sooner.

summer in the event that their home colleges are not offering what they need or those classes are closed.

Also, students often need to take specific courses because they are requirements for professional schools. Summer school is an ideal way to earn those necessary credits.

Registration for the summer session at NYSCAS has begun. Stop into any site, talk to a counselor, see what courses are offered that you need for your core requirements or a major, and register early. Once you see how those credits can add up, you’ll be glad that you took this step. For more information, check our website at www.touro.edu or give us a call at (212) 463-0400 x5500.

There’s always someone onsite who will be happy to answer your questions and get you started.

Summer can mean so much more than just time off – it can also mean time well spent. Register at NYSCAS and make it count!

Touro is an equal opportunity institution.

Here’s another thing: NYSCAS welcomes students visiting from other colleges to take courses during the

For Touro’s complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please visit www.touro.edu www.thepositivecommunity.com

facebook.com/nyscasTouro @nyscasTouro

apply ONLINE at a p p l y.to u r o. e d u

Touro College: a world of possibilities assOCiate’s anD BaChelOr’s DeGrees

• Business Management and Administration • Information Technology • Human Services • Psychology • Education • Biology • Social Sciences • Paralegal Studies • Digital Multimedia Design • Liberal Arts and Sciences • and more inteGrateD hOnOrs traCKs Undergraduate/Osteopathic Medicine Undergraduate/Pharmacy

Other PrOfessiOnal OPPOrtunities • Pre-Law • Pre-Medical • Pre-Dental

212.463.0400 x5500 718.265.6534 x1003

Manhattan:

infOrMatiOn sessiOns:

BrOOKlYn: Bensonhurst, Brighton Beach, Flatbush, Kings Highway, Starrett City

Manhattan: 27-33 West 23rd Street, Admissions Office Wednesdays, 12 noon-5 pm Brooklyn: 1870 Stillwell Avenue, Admissions Office

Queens:

718.520.5107 x109 Forest Hills

w w w.to u r o. e d u /ny s c a s N ew Yo r k S c h o o l o f C ar e e r an d A p p l i e d S tu d i e s

Wednesdays, 11 am-7 pm

scan here

Touro is an equal opportunity institution For Touro’s complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please visit www.touro.edu

Culture M U S I C ,

A R T

Amazing!

McDonald’s Gospelfest 2015: When the Choir Meets the Quartet Ricky Dillard and New Generation featured artists

BY QUINITA EDMONIA GOOD

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cDonald’s Gospelfest 2015 promises to be another foot stomping celebration—the kind of show that has become a tradition for gospel lovers from far and wide.

Of course there’s the talent competition, a real crowd pleaser with rising stars doing their utmost in a number of categories. Then the pros take the stage: Bishop Hezekiah Walker & LFC, Mighty Clouds of Joy, The Five Blind Boys of Alabama, the Mississippi Mass Choir, The Thompson Community Reunion Choir,

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Greater Allen AME Cathedral Mass Choir, Doc McKenzie & The Hi-Lites, The Clark Sisters are back by popular demand, and this year, 2014 Stellar Award winner Ricky Dillard. One of the most popular gospel singers today, Dillard and his New Generation Chorale (New “G”) are featured artists.

Amazing, Dillard’s newest album with New G, won four 2014 Stellar Awards. The single “Amazing” is listed on Billboard’s Top Gospel Songs and is in frequent rotation on gospel radio. Dillard, along with others like Tiff Joy (the featured singer on the single), wrote the music and produced it. He trained the New G choir and directed them in the studio and on stage.

The four Stellar awards were for Choir of the Year, Contemporary Choir of the Year, Contemporary CD of the Year, and Song of the Year. “The experience has been overwhelming, said Dillard. To have four wins and to just celebrate God’s amazing grace and to be celebrated for the project as well as being inducted into the Stellar Hall of Fame. Now, we’re excited about this year and how the Lord really blessed us.”

Among his early musical influences, Dillard cites Dr. Charles G. Hayes, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, James Cleveland, and Milton Brunson. Born and raised in Chicago, Ricky was introduced to gospel music by his mother and grandmother, and began singing in a church choir at the early age of four. At five he was directing the youth choir and later the young adult choirs. Dillard recalls when he came across a recording that would inspire him to pursue gospel singing even more zealously—”Amazing Grace” by James Cleveland and Aretha Franklin with the Southern California Community Choir and the Institutional Radio Choir from Brooklyn, NY. Dillard continued to direct choirs locally, was a member of the Thompson Community Singers, and starting in the early ‘90s, began issuing solo albums (which often merged gospel with dance), including such releases as

thepositivecommunity.com

1991’s Promise, 1993’s A Holy Ghost Take-Over, 1995’s Hallelujah, 1996’s Worked It Out, and 2000’s No Limit.

Next on his to-do list Dillard explained, “I am in the process of starting a group home for orphans in Chicago, called the The Great Covenant House. We want to give homes to some children who don’t have families or don’t have a beautiful home where they can be taught and nurtured and loved and empowered. In the near future, we’re working on our funding, whereas we can bless…some children.”

Dillard is excited about appearing at Gospelfest, too, and why not?

According to Emmy Award winning producer/director A. Curtis Farrow, McDonald’s Gospelfest contestants of all colors, ages, cultures and faiths compete as Soloists, Youth Choir, Adult Choir, Praise Dance, Step, Singing Groups, Gospel Comedians, Gospel Poets and Gospel Rappers. The competition and concert all take place on one night, on one stage, worshipping one God. It will be an evening to remember.

“Auditions at my store were great! The talent was simply phenomenal,” said Angela Adderley, McDonald’s owner-operator in Plainfield, NJ. “My husband, my staff and I were blown away with the phenomenal talent. It’s a sincere pleasure to give back to the community, to host such great talent who were auditioning to be a part of McDonald’s Gospelfest. I can’t wait to see the finalists and world renowned choirs and quartets hit the stage.

This will be the Mother’s Day event of 2015.”

Tickets for the 2015 Gospelfest can be purchased at the Prudential Center Box Office, through Ticketmaster by calling (800)745.3000 and www.ticketmaster.com. For further information, please call the McDonald’s Gospelfest Hotline at 973-643-6262.

McDonald’s Gospelfest originated in 1983 under the auspices of the McDonald’s Corporation and the McDonald’s Tri-State Owner/Operator Association.

The McDonald’s Gospelfest competition has been an important fundraising event that supports education opportunities within local communities and has helped McDonald’s Tri-State Owner/Operator Association award millions of dollars in scholarships to deserving students. Gospelfest has emerged as the nation’s preeminent Gospel celebration spreading joy, inspiration, encouragement and hope.

Quinita Edmonia Good is the founder and operator of The Online Writing Center, LLC; and can be reached at qwrites@live.com. www.thepositivecommunity.com

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Community Spiritual Engagement Reclaiming, Restoring, and Reviving the City of Newark

Bishop Carlton addresses press conference as Rev. Roundtree, Dr. Perry Simmons, Jr. and clergy leaders listen attentively

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Mayoral Aide for Clergy Affairs Rev. Louise Scott-Rountree Photos: Vincent Bryant

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ayor Ras J. Baraka, the Newark Municipal Council, and Mayoral Aide for Clergy Affairs Rev. Louise Scott-Rountree initiated a city-wide effort, led by Newark’s clergy members, to galvanize the community in a spiritual renewal.

At a press conference to announce the initiative, religious leaders— an alliance of pastors, rabbis and imams—from each of Newark’s wards detailed plans for Saturday, March 28th when thousands of clergy would take to the streets in the North, South, East, West and Central wards with activities and informational material. Newark’s clergy have played an integral role in revitalizing the City and have worked closely with the Mayor and Rev. Scott-Rountree since the new administration took office in July, 2014 and heeded his call to “...do what you were called to do and bring the power of faith and hope to our community — restoring lives and spirits, and healing hearts and minds.” —AAC

Tracy Munford and Dr. John A. Brennan, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center

L–R: Rev. Robert Morrast and Bishop Rudy Carlton

www.thepositivecommunity.com

GLENN ALLEN SIMS PHOTO BY ANDREW ECCLES

SPRING IS IN FULL SWING!

ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER • 5/8-10

Bill Charlap presents Bird Lives! A Salute to Charlie Parker

Jim Henson’s Dinosaur Train Live!

An Afternoon with Audra McDonald

Saturday, April 11 at 7:30pm

Sunday, April 12 at 1pm & 5pm

Sunday, April 19 at 3pm

Swinging on a Star: The Music of Jimmy Van Heusen featuring Norm Lewis and Rebecca Luker

Michael Franks with Raul Midón Saturday, May 2 at 8pm

Saturday, April 25 at 8pm

Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and Toni Braxton

André Watts with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

The Adventures of Robin Hood Visible Fictions

Invincible: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson

Gilberto Santa Rosa, Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz

Sunday, May 10 at 7pm The Prudential Center 25 Lafayette Street

Friday, May 15 at 8pm

Unleash your imagination for a silly and unexpected take on the legend of Robin Hood!

The world’s greatest Michael Jackson impersonators re-create the experience of seeing the King of Pop live!

Saturday, June 20 at 8pm

Saturday, June 6 at 2pm

Saturday, June 13 at 8pm

For tickets and a full schedule visit njpac.org or call 1.888.GO.NJPAC • Groups: 973.297.5804 NEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER • One Center Street, Newark, NJ

#NJPAC

World Music Series sponsored by American Express

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Photo: Wali Amin Muhammad

NY State Assemblyman Keith L. T. Wright, Honoree Ahmaya Knoelle Higginsen, and Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer

Honoree Millicent Eleanore Wilkinson Redick, center, flanked by NYC Council member Inez Dickens and NYS Assemblyman Keith L. T. Wright

Unsung Sheroes Honored at Schomburg Photos: Seitu Oronde

Photo: Wali Amin Muhammad

Florence M. Rice Celebrates 96 Years

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lorence M. Rice (seated) was celebrated on her 96th birthday on March 22, 2015 by Sisters Uptown Bookstore and Culture Book Club. Rice founded the Harlem Consumer Education Council, waging a war against corporations who discriminated against African Americans and other minorities.

The Harlem Consumer Education Council investigated over 100,000 complaints.

She has lectured around the world, and in South Africa she was named a delegate in the first World Consumer Congress.

Rice continues to work in consumer affairs in New York City.

Janifer Wilson, standing at Ms. Rice's left, is the owner of Sisters Uptown Bookstore and president of Culture Club.

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Rev. Dr. Ronald L. Owens 25th Pastoral Anniversary

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he Vessel, The Voice, The Vision,” was the theme for the celebration to honor Reverend Dr. Ronald L. Owens on the occasion of his 25th pastoral anniversary. The ballroom at the Crown Plaza in Edison, NJ overflowed with accolades for the beloved pastor—God’s selfless servant and popular, effective, community leader, It was a night of love—touching tributes, fond memories and laughter for the spiritual leader and senior pastor of the mighty New Hope Baptist Church, Metuchen, NJ. Rev. Owen’s college friend, Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, NY, delivered keynote remarks. —AC

Rev. Gary Owens with Leading Lady Cheryl E. Owens

In her testimony, First Lady Cheryl E. Owens, Rev. Owen’s wife of 46 years spoke these words: God is so true to His word, He will take care of you…I have seen how my husband, Pastor Owens,led the disciples to Christ and helped them through financial and health issues. I have seen my husband rejoice in the victories of the disciples of New Hope and witnessed him agonizing and crying over problems in their lives. I thank God for my husband, my best friend, father to my daughters, and grandfather to our grandsons. He goes beyond measure to take care of all of us, to make sure we have the best. My love for him cannot be put into words, but I do know we will be together forever!! And forever in love…To God Be the Glory!

Photos: Karen Waters

L-R: Adrian A. Council, interim Board co-chair, Newark School of Theology; Rev. Albert Morgan, senior pastor Union Baptist Temple; Bridgeton, NJ; Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson; Rev. Tracy Brown, moderator, Middlesex Association, pastor Ruth Fellowship Ministries; Plainfield; Rev. Gary Owens; Kabili Tayari, former deputy mayor, Jersey City, NJ; Rev. Dr. Lester W. Taylor, Jr., senior pastor, Community Baptist Church, Englewood, NJ www.thepositivecommunity.com

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Newark Museum in collaboration with Rutgers University-Newark presents the 8th Annual

Dinosaur Day SATURday

May 2, 2015 noon-4:30 pm

11 AM early admission for members. Activities free with suggested admission unless otherwise noted.

Hands-on activities for the entire family

Supported by

+ Roaring, breathing 15' T-Rex from Field Station: Dinosaurs + Geological demonstrations + Shark tooth fossil dig + Live Birds of Prey + Sluice for minerals and keep one + Touchable pre-historic fossil specimens from Dinosaurs Rock + Geo treasure hunt + Hurricane simulator* (with winds up to 78 mph) + Meet Diego, the Nickelodeon action-adventure hero + Tsunami tank + Fossil rubbings + Dinosaur origami + Planetarium shows* * Additional fee required

newarkmuseum.org 49 washington street, newark, nj 973.596.6550 711 tty U

Meet Diego!

On-site parking available for a fee.

Offi cial Airline

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Media Partner

www.thepositivecommunity.com

L-R: Chazz Johnson, Janaya Nicholson, Ojani Johnson, Jared Collazo and David Maxwell at the White House

Harlem Youngsters Win Film Award

By Glenda Cadogan

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Photos by Melvin McCray

hen it comes to emotions, Professor Melvin McCray considers himself to be pretty much an unflappable guy. So consider his surprise when he not only felt goose bumps, but the earth move under his feet as he stood in the East Room of the White House that was transformed into a movie theatre for a special ceremony.

The thing that caused the flap was not so much about his achievement but that of

the nine students in his Digital Media Training Program in Harlem (DMTPH) who were being honored as one of the winners of President Obama’s second annual White House Student Film Festival.

The Harlem high schoolers ages 13–18, were among the 15 winners selected from a field of 1,500 entries in the national competition launched by the White House last year and featuring short films focused on the “Impact of Giving Back.” Their 3-minute winning documentary called Mentoring In Harlem took a look at five mentoring and community service programs in their neighborhood.

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HARLEM YOUNGSTERS continued from previous page

“As these young people are showing us, it’s a message that can be told powerfully through film,” Obama said.

“That’s true whether you’re a middle-schooler with a GoPro or a Hollywood director on a custom-made soundstage.”

The film project came out of Professor McCray’s DMTPH, which he instituted in 2013 as a means of teaching Black and Latino students to be media creators.

McCray is a former editor at ABC’s World News Tonight with Peter Jennings and teaches at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. “I lived in Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn and it was there that I noticed how many black and Latino children were great consumers of media,” McCray pointed out. “I thought about how much nicer it would be if they knew how to create media as well.” , Eventually, operating under the auspices of the Board for the Education of People of African Ancestry founded by Dr. Adelaide Sanford, McCray received a grant from the West Harlem Development Corporation the organization that oversees funds from the Columbia University Community Benefits Agreement for the residents of Manhattan’s Community Board 9.

Last year McCray’s students submitted a film called Harlem Through My Eyes to the inaugural film festival and gained an honorable mention. This proved to be more than enough to fuel the enthusiasm of the young mediamakers whom McCray vehemently encouraged. “At first when I told them that next year we could win this thing, they looked at me with skepticism,” said McCray. “But I insisted that they imagine themselves being in the White House as winners. They obviously heeded this advice because, what was to many a pie in the sky dream became a prize reality.

Their winning entry featured five Harlem mentorship programs: Blue Nile Rites of Passage, Impact Repertory

Theater, Mama Foundation for the Arts, Deep Dish Green Screen and Friday Night Live at The Riverside Church.

“This film was a big accomplishment for me,” said Jared Collazo, “because it shows that I can be great at what I put my mind to.” Hannah Coleman said that before the film project, she was “. . . unsure of who and what I wanted to be. Now I’ve found confidence in myself and my dreams,” she declared.

Most of the students in the DMTPH reside in the Grant Housing Project in Harlem made even more notorious last year with the arrest of 100 young people for gang activity. “This is a positive story to come from the Grant Houses and I hope that it is one that resonates as loudly as the negative ones we hear all the time,” said McCray.

At the White House awards ceremony, President Obama used the occasion to launch a new Arts Initiative aimed at getting the film industry to mentor young film makers. As a result, the winners had an opportunity to rub shoulders with several Hollywood celebrities including Steve McQueen, director of the Oscar-winning movie 12 Years a Slave, and Academy Award-winning actress Hilary Swank. But despite the pomp and circumstance of the occasion and the star gazing opportunities, McCray is hoping that his students look beyond the neon lights and on to something more lasting. “It is great to be celebrated and recognized for your achievements,” he said.

“But the one thing I would like these student to take away from this experience is that they have unlimited potential and so can do anything they set their minds to.

I hope that their skepticism is now replaced with optimism and that they will actually be able to set a high bar for themselves and realize the dreams that they once felt were unimaginable.”

To view the winning film visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXNPV_pjr3Q.

ABOVE: Prof. Melvin McCray LEFT: The winners with the President of the United States

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April 2015

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BY PATRICIA BALDWIN

Jason Nelson’s Jesus Revealed Grace & Peace

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t’s Resurrection Season and whether it snows or rains, Jesus remains the same—He is Alive! We are rejoicing and grateful to God for sending His son and for Jason Nelson’s current #1 single (for 10 consecutive weeks) “I AM” on RCA Inspiration Records. His new #1 live album, Jesus Revealed speaks of our risen Savior. Ok, let me formally introduce this man of God— who is also a Bishop, STELLAR Award winning singer, songwriter, musician, and twin (of Jonathan Nelson), and pastors The Tabernacle at Greater Bethlehem Temple, in Randallstown, Maryland. This humble man has three albums under his belt including the 2012 hit “Shifting the Atmosphere” and he composed Marvin Sapp’s “Thirsty.” He is not a stranger to the presence of God, because praise and worship is a lifestyle for him and every song that he ministers honors the Father and points the Glory back to Him. Bishop Nelson considers the accolades and what God is doing through his music a humbling experience. “I’m amazed that ‘I AM’ is still the #1 song in the country,” he said. “This speaks to people’s desire to see the hand of the Lord work and our willingness to step back and let HIM work.”

Nelson’s may be one of the most recognized voices in gospel music, and he is considered to possess a rare gift in the Body of Christ as he releases the power of the presence of God. Although Nelson is a man of many hats with many accomplishments, his humility is evident as he considers one of his greatest accomplishments to be his family—his wife, Tonya, and his children Jaelyn, and Jason Christopher.

Jesus Revealed The title track “Jesus Revealed” is a beautiful sermonic introduction that presents Jesus and what he came to do, thepositivecommunity.com

but more than that it is a melodic assignment that advises us to not be ashamed of our Savior. “God Is Great” opens with an up-tempo celebratory praise, then questions who can compare to our God. He further declares God is great and greatly to be praised and I will bless his name forever. “Pour Out Your Spirit” is a mid-tempo declaration that asks God to pour out your spirit in this place and overwhelm and fill us. Ok you know I love a good chant, so “Can’t Stop Calling” highlights calling the name of Jesus and lets people know that His name is above all names. Nelson is able to identify Jesus as the high priest, declaring him as royalty and majesty—but he makes sure that he brings it back to the wonderful name of Jesus.

Jason slows it down with “Way Maker” to testify that no matter what we deal with, God will make a way. It’s relative to a love song for those who are struggling or being tested with life issues. On “I Am,” he is able to speak on behalf of God to remind every listener that in spite of what you’re dealing with,” “remember who I Am.” Not only is He a way maker, but He’s everything you need Him to be whenever you need Him to be it. He says, “That’s who I am, just let me be who I am for you.”

Nelson teamed up with last year’s Sunday Best winner, Tasha Page-Lockhart, with a mellow worship, “I See the Lord,” that speaks of the Lord in His glory as the temple embraces his train and fills it up. Finally, “The Worship Song” featuring Livre is just a warm melodic declaration to worship our God no matter how you feel or what time of day it is we choose to worship.

Out of all of the things Bishop Jason Nelson does, to be used by God is more than enough for him. Nelson’s work is a testament of one who is a pleaser of God through his faith. Whether its singing, preaching, writing, or just being a friend, he is open to be used as God sees fit and is proud to present Jesus Revealed!

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“IT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND” -OPRAH

Introducing Higher Ground Association Of Baptist Churches

Dr. Guy Campbell, Jr., president of the General Baptist Convention of New Jersey

L–R: Pastor Craig Jackson, Agape Baptist Church, Newark; Pastor Malik McKinley, First Baptist Church of Pennington; and Pastor Tajjah Counts, First Baptist Church of Yardley and Finance officer of Higher Ground

Photos: Vincent Bryant

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t was a joyous occasion on Saturday March 7th at Saint Phillips Baptist Church in Hamilton, NJ (just outside of Trenton). The General Baptist Convention of NJ, Inc., under the leadership of state president, Dr. Guy Campbell, Jr. and National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., welcomed the state’s newest association, Higher Ground Association of Baptist Churches, Inc. It was also the inaugural celebration for Dr. Joseph E. Woods, founder and visionary, moderator of the state’s 6th group of affiliated Baptist Churches.

The keynote sermon was delivered by Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr. senior pastor, First Baptist Church at Lincoln Gardens, Somerset, NJ. The theme for the new association: I press on for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ (Philippians 3:14, KJV)

L–R: Dr. Joseph E. Woods and Lady Heather Woods, moderator and First Lady of Higher Ground

L–R: Dr. Leo H. Graham, pastor, Tabernacle Baptist Church, New Brunswick and former Board member of NBC, USA, Inc.; Rev. George Martinez, president of the Ministers Conference of Newark and Vicinity; Dr. Edward D. Harper, pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Lakewood and executive assistant to Dr. Guy Campbell, Jr.; Pastor Grady James, pastor of First Bethel Baptist Church, Newark and recording secretary of GBCNJ

All clergy in attendance gather around the newly installed Moderator, Dr. Joseph E. Woods and Lady Heather Woods, as Dr. Leo H. Graham renders the prayer for the first couple of Higher Ground Association

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Dr. Deforest B. Soaries, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens

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Tracey Martin Visits Saint Phillips Baptist Church Trayvon's Father Speaks Standing, L–R: Deacon Alfred Carter; Minister Edward Hunter, coordinator and emcee of event, both of Saint Phillips Baptist Church of Hamilton. Seated, L–R: Dr. Joseph E. Woods, senior servant leader and pastor of Saint Phillips Baptist Church of Hamilton, event host; Tracey Martin, father of Trayvon Martin.

T

Photo: Vincent Bryant

racey Martin, the father of slain Florida teenager, Trayvon Martin, was recently welcomed to Sunday services at Saint Phillips Baptist Church in Hamilton, NJ. He spoke passionately to the congregation about the ordeal he and his family suffered and encouraged the audience to take a stand for the young

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people in our communities for change. Justice begins at home—within our own families and in our communities. Martin’s visit was part of the inaugural celebration worship experience of the Higher Ground Association of Baptist Churches, Inc. Dr. Joseph E. Woods, moderator and host pastor.

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The HCCI Board of Directors and the Honorary Dinner Chairs Cordially Invite You To 13th ANNUAL “LET US BREAK BREAD TOGETHER” AWARDS DINNER

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Marina del Rey

One Marina Drive, Throgs Neck, NY 10465 6:00 PM Reception | 7:00 PM Dinner & Program For tickets call: 212-281-4887, ext. 221 or visit www.hcci.org HONORING:

ROSEMONDE PIERRE-LOUIS Commissioner Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence

CAPTAIN PAUL WASHINGTON Former President The Vulcan Society FDNY

DEBORAH L. JOHNSON Vice President Chase Bank

NEW HERITAGE JEAN NASH THEATRE GROUP WELLS Accepted by Co-Founder & Executive Producer Editor-in-Chief Voza Rivers The Positive Community

REV. DENNIS A. DILLON President The Christian Times

GREATER HARLEM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Accepted by President & CEO Lloyd A. Williams

With Special Recognition to HCCI’s Founding President - Bishop Preston R. Washington, Sr. Accepted by Rev. Dr. Renee F. Washington Gardner

SPELMAN PRESIDENT Continued from page 36

NYU president John Sexton concurred. “Spelman College could not have made a more outstanding choice than Mary Schmidt Campbell to be its next president," he said.

"She draws the best out of everyone around her. Loved by students, respected by faculty, she is a real leader – brilliant, strategic, funny, energetic and warm.”

Campbell received a B.A. degree in English Literature from Swarthmore College, an M.A. in Art History from Syracuse University, and a Ph.D. in Humanities, also from Syracuse. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and sits on the board of The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. A former member of the Board of Trustees of the New York Shakespeare Festival, Dr. Campbell also served for 12 years on the Board of Managers of Swarthmore College. She holds honorary degrees from The College of New Rochelle, Colgate University, City University of New York, Pace University, Maryland Institute College of Art and Swarthmore College and is the recipient of a number of awards and honors. She lectures widely around the country and the world, and has authored many papers and articles on a range of subjects including African-American art, urban cultural policy issues, leadership and arts in education. Dr. Campbell has written several books and is currently completing a book on Romare Bearden for Oxford University Press.

Learn more about Dr. Campbell and the presidential transition here: http://www.spelman.edu/president-elect.

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The Little Chapel with a Big Heart 88

The Positive Community April 2015

For many years Florence E. Browne has served many communities locally and abroad. Feel free to visit our Funeral Home located in the Village of Harlem, New York. Our Service Family would be more than happy to sit and answer your questions regarding funeral arrangements, cremations & pre-arrangements. In addition, we provide notary services as well as referrals for anyone desiring professional grief counseling.

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MWANDIKAJI K. MWANAFUNZI THE WAY AHEAD

After Resurrection Sunday

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ince Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday occurred so early in April this year, you are probably reading this column some time after these high holy days have occurred. Nonetheless, we Christians should think about those high holy days throughout the year, since they commemorate events so central to our belief system. Through His crucifixion, Christ paid for our sins and gave us the opportunity to have eternal life.

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

—John 1:29 (NASB) (John the Baptist, speaking of Jesus Christ) “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

—John 3:16 (NASB)

Christ’s Resurrection exemplified eternal life. So throughout April, in fact throughout the whole year, let’s keep thinking about the holy weekend of Good Friday through Resurrection Sunday. Also, these weeks following Resurrection Sunday are a great time to reflect on Jesus’ walk on earth during the weeks immediately following His resurrection.

“To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.” —Acts 1:3 (NASB)

Christ’s appearances after rising from the dead began on Resurrection Sunday, when he appeared and spoke to Mary Magdalene near the tomb. Also on Resurrection Sunday, He appeared and spoke with two disciples walking toward the village of Emmaus. Later that day, the risen Christ appeared to disciples gathered in the “upper room” and conversed with them.

Somewhat further into the 40-day period, Jesus met with the remaining eleven lead disciples (twelve minus Judas) on a mountain in Galilee, updated them, and issued the Great Commission: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and in earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the

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name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; . . .”—Matthew 28:18-20 (NASB) Also in Galilee, the risen Christ met with seven disciples who were fishing. It was there that He instructed Peter to “Feed my sheep” –a command that I think effectively applies to all church leaders− and further dialoged with them. This is recorded in the 21st chapter of the Book of John. Christ is also recorded to have appeared to others during the 40-day period.

Finally, in Jerusalem, the risen Christ met again with the apostles, and told them “. . . you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” (This prophecy was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost.) Jesus again issued the Great Commission, this time with additional strategic, geographic, and sequential detail, and then ascended into heaven. (Acts 1:4-8) So there is plenty to read, think about, and commemorate during these weeks following our commemoration of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. For a more detailed study guide, see the May 2012 issue of The Positive Community, where this column delineates Christ’s 40-day post Revelation appearances, with Bible references.

Finally, what Christ said after issuing the Great Commission on the mountain in Galilee remains relevant today: “. . . and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”—Matthew 28:20 (NASB)

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GOOD NEWS FROM THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY

thepositivecommunity.com April 2015

™

Vol. 15, No. 4

BY R.L. WITTER

THROUGH A LENS DARKLY

Publisher Adrian A. Council, Sr.

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Editor-in-Chief Jean Nash Wells Associate Editor R. L. Witter Sales Angela Ridenour Adrian Council, Jr. NGS Communications, Inc. Satori MPR Marc Williams Contributing Writers Mwandikaji K. Mwanafunzi g.r. mattox Patricia Baldwin Doris Young Boyer Rev. Theresa Nance Rev. Reginald T. Jackson Glenda Cadogan Helene Fox Rev. Dr. Joanne Noel Photographers Bob Gore Wali A. Muhammad Seitu Oronde Rev. Dr. William L. Watkins, Jr. Darryl Hall Vincent Bryant Hubert Williams Brian Branch Price Karen Waters 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: news@thepositivecommunity.com Website: thepositivecommunity.com All contents © 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.

90 The Positive Community

The Last Word

April 2015

ur mission at The Positive Community is to shine a light on the good things happening in our community. It’s easy to find the bad things. Open any newspaper, turn on any television news source, or visit just about any website and you’ll be bombarded with stories of violence, hatred, theft, dishonesty, and every other abomination your mind can conjure.

Some theorize that the seeming uptick in cruelty and crime can be attributed to our reliance upon technology and the desensitization it has caused. One might posit that the social disconnection and world of impersonal interactions created by online interaction and social media have played a large part in where we currently find ourselves as a society. It is rumored that Albert Einstein once said, “It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” These words weigh heavily on my mind each time I scroll past a video on social media whose title promises that someone “gets beat down” or “got mollywhopped.”

Now, it seems that the videos have graduated from social media to the news stream. News broadcasts cite Youtube as the source of videos where people argue and curse one another before inevitably coming to blows.

While often I can hear others egging on the fighters as though they were ringside at a professional boxing match, my mind wanders to try to comprehend why their impulse was to watch and exacerbate, rather than to break up the fight. I struggle to grasp why there are 20 people watching— recording the fight with their cell phones in hand—rather than calling the police.

Early April has seen another violent video making its rounds on websites and newscasts. The death of Walter L. Scott at the hands of a South Carolina police officer came after a routine traffic stop, the use of a taser, 50 year-old Scott attempting to run, and the pop-

ping sound of eight bullets discharged from the officer’s Feidin gun. The bullets Santana hit their target; the target hit the ground; and the police officer hit the ground running with a harrowing story of the victim having attacked him, a struggle having ensued for the officer’s taser, and being in fear for his life, having to shoot the suspect.

It might have been just another story of yet another black man killed at the hands of police who were only trying to do their difficult and dangerous job, but for one thing: someone was standing around with a cell phone in hand, recording it all. If ever there was an appropriate time, this was it. No need to call the police—they were already there. But the officer didn’t know that Feidin Santana was there, let alone recording. And Santana’s camera captured not only the senseless shooting, but the officer leisurely walking as Scott lay dying; walking over to the body to drop something next to it—the taser Scott allegedly wrested from the officer in an attempt to do him harm.

As much as I hate that this video exists, I am thankful that it does. I applaud Feidin Santana for his quick thinking and bravery in recording the incident. I marvel at Santana’s further courage in seeking out Scott’s family and providing them with the recording that would tell the world what really happened and hopefully, garner some sense of justice for them as they cope with the unnecessary death of their loved one.

Another Einstein quote hangs heavy on my heart today: “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” Thank you, Mr. Santana for stepping up and doing something. May your actions inspire others in theirs. thepositivecommunity.com

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