YO:Durham holds fifth graduation By Evelyn Howell Cook, a former YO:Durham Summer Career Academy team FOR THE TRIANGLE TRIBUNE leader in 2007, said she is “glad and proud” she was given an op - portunity to participate in the program. “I still feel connected to DURHAM – On June 1, 20 teens marched on stage and received this community,” she said. certificates for their hard work during the YO:Durham fifth an - Cook encouraged students to challenge themselves “to be in niversary graduation ceremony. new settings, meet new people and find new opportunities.” Each year at-risk teens are given an opportunity for positive life- Durham Congregations in Action, an interfaith, inter-racial or - changing experiences through a summer school academy, so they ganization, started the YO:Durham program in 2007, where 15- may further develop their strategic thinking skills for success in to 17-year-olds are selected from Durham Public Schools, juve - school. In addition, the program provides a paid, part-time year- nile court counselors and congregation pools. They must be cur - long internship, where young minds can experience firsthand rently enrolled in high school or a recognized GED program, or how the workplace actually works. an alternative school. “You have been given an incredible tool box in this program,” All are identified based on eligibility for free or reduced lunch, said invited speaker Carrie B. Cook, Charlotte regional liaison to court involvement, a history of truancy or suspension, academ - PHOTO/YO DURHAM U.S. Senator Kay Hagan, as she addressed a crowd of about 100 at N.C. Mutual Life Insurance Company. Yo:Durham alum Tyler Allen (center) with his mother, See YO:DURHAM/ 2A Alveda Allen (left) and grandmother.

SPORTS Long Ball program begins play at Hillside Park

VOLUME 14 NO. 26 WEEK OF JUNE 10, 2012 $1.00 THE TRIANGLE’S CHOICE FOR THE BLACK VOICE Wake Program superintendent discusses VIETNAM WAR’S empowers progress 50-YEAR public By Sommer Brokaw ANNIVERSARY housing [email protected] Superintendent Anthony Tata By Sommer Brokaw had an uphill battle when he took COMMEMORATED [email protected] over North Carolina’s largest school district over a year ago. A new program trains public Tata, the previous chief oper - housing residents to better their ating officer of public schools in communities. Washington, D.C., faced an array Realistic Approaches to of problems when he took lead - Developing Active Residents or ership of Wake County Public RADAR is the name of the train - Schools. Issues ranged from a ing program. Can I Live, Inc. $60 million budget hole to on - Executive Director Racquel going growth to the district’s ac - Williams and Burnetta Smith, creditation being downgraded Wake County Housing Authority to the lack of a solid school as - executive director, are the cre - signment plan. ators. “That’s a pretty tall order for Smith, who has over 30 years any person to come in and face of experience in housing and so I’m proud of the budget that community development fields, we implemented for this year, has lived in subsidized housing. which protected teachers. We Williams, a single mother of four didn’t have a single teacher lay - boys and a motivational speak - off that was induced by fund - er, also identifies with the resi - ing,” he said. dents. Tata said they actually grew PHOTO/SUBMITTED "Oftentimes, you have techni - the number of teachers because cal people but not many people of the growing student popula - First Lt. Fred Black, Company D, First Battalion, 505th Infantry, Third Brigade, (1969). are able to train the residents of tion, and also added a foreign public housing," she said. language in every middle school, By Sommer Brokaw Vietnamese deaths. Many Americans still question whether it was "Because I look like them, I've and new science and technolo - [email protected] a necessary war or a failed effort to protect the South Vietnamese been through some of the same gy and global networking schools from a totalitarian government. things they've been through, but “in a very lean budget year.” RALEIGH - Instead of getting the homecoming they felt they de - Jim Black (no relation), who now lives in Charlotte and grew up I'm also that consultant trainer Board member John Tedesco, served, some Vietnam veterans were embarrassed to even be seen on the west side of Chicago, was drafted into the U.S. Army in Vietnam it gives credibility to the work." who joined when the Republican- in uniform. Now, they are getting overdue praise. Gov. Bev Perdue in the spring of 1969 and served 26 months. He said he went be - The primary goal of the two- backed board majority took con - recently marked the 50-year anniversary of the war. cause he was ordered to go and didn’t want to be considered a trai - day training is to move resident trol in 2009, said Tata has got - More than 216,000 North Carolinians served in the military dur - tor. councils to become officially rec - ten “glowing” board reviews, es - ing the Vietnam War. Over 4,200 were wounded in action, and 1,624 “Hopefully, it will put some focus on the needs of Vietnam veter - ognized governing bodies and pecially for his support for teach - lost their lives. Perdue proclaimed May 21 the beginning of the ans,” he said regarding the 50th anniversary commemoration. “If functioning agents of communi - ers. state’s observation. The state commemoration will be held in con - you were a Vietnam veteran, you would come home and you took ty improvement. "As I say in “That is the first effort by any - junction with the national one that kicked off on Memorial Day your uniform off, and you didn’t tell anybody except your friends training, nobody wants to be part one to support an increase for with President ’s speech at the Vietnam Memorial or people in the service that you’d been in service. I didn’t even look of an organization that's not do - teachers with 1 percent supple - Wall in Washington, D.C. at photographs that I posted (on Facebook) until last week, but I ing anything," Smith said. "You ment, and that’s an acknowl - “And I think there was a lot of vindication there,” said retired don’t have any demons or anything.” don't want to be viewed as a edgement to the work that they Army Colonel Fred Black, a Vietnam War veteran who has served Entering the Army the year after Martin Luther King Jr. was assas - clique or a just a social club or a are doing,” said Tama Bouncer, in the 82nd Airborne Division and now lives in Chapel Hill. sinated, Jim Black said there was racial tension on both sides. “Guys place where you turn your meet - president of the N.C. Association Black said the one thing that makes the national commemora - would call white guys different names and vice versa,” he said. ings into gripe sessions. One of of Educators. tion special is that there was so much criticism of the wall when it “There was so much junk talking . . . I think when you’re in a com - the things I talk about is resident The Republican-backed school was initially designed or proposed. Another is the history of vet - bat situation, you don’t think about anything but about getting council coming up with a focus. board majority voted to disman - erans being shunned due to the anti-war feelings, especially at col - through it and then afterwards you go your separate ways once you People want to be a part of some - tle the socioeconomic diversity leges and universities. With Fort Bragg being a major training base get back to camp.” thing that is action oriented." policy, which led to a series of at the time, he is also pleased with the governor’s proclamation. Charles Rodman, an Army veteran who now lives in Raleigh, served Through resident councils, arrests and protests of commu - Black recalled the anti-war sentiment when he was in graduate one tour in Vietnam and 13 years in the military before retiring as public housing residents are en - nity activists. The state NAACP school at Syracuse University in the mid-1970s. staff sergeant. He, like many other soldiers, suffered emotional couraged to help ensure safer, also filed a complaint that “The war was coming to an end, but there was still lots of hostil - scars. He said he was a tank mechanic in an area that was heavily cleaner and more productive prompted an accreditation re - ity about Vietnam and in some cases directed to people who had exposed to rocket and mortar attacks. communities. They are also as - view by AdvancED. anything to do with it,” he said. “I was an officer. I volunteered to “I went through that post-traumatic stress trauma, and you just sisted to work with housing au - Within a few weeks of begin - be in the Army. I went through ROTC at the time when the war was have to be careful about how you deal with being surrounded with thorities to provide health, edu - ning his duties on Jan. 31, 2011, a very divisive topic. We had people on our faculty that would feel a lot of people and when you hear gunfire. Things of that nature, it cational and employment oppor - a special review team was ap - free to condemn not only the war, but also the leaders of the coun - kind of sends us back to Vietnam,” he said. tunities to create a better envi - pointed by AdvancED to make try and those of us in ROTC. One professor said ‘If you want to Elree Smith, who is from Louisiana and now lives in Raleigh, served ronment for socioeconomic ad - an onsite visit, and WCPSS was pass this class, don’t ever wear that uniform’ in his class. I had to two tours in the U.S. Army in Vietnam before retiring from the mil - vancement. placed on “accredited warned” do a change on Thursday, which was ROTC day.” itary as a sergeant first class. He said he faced racial tensions earli - "I think public housing should status. But since then, the status The commemoration will last 13 years - the length of time from er in his service, but Vietnam was different. be a doorway of opportunity and has been upgraded to “accredit - the early combat operations of 1962 to the fall of Saigon in 1975. “In Vietnam, I became close to people across races,” he said. “That not a lifestyle," Williams said. ed on advisement,” which main - According to a Digital History website, the Vietnam War resulted was pretty much a necessity. It’s a fact that they had my back, I had Some of the training topics cov - tains the accreditation status of in nearly 60,000 American deaths and an estimated 2 million their back.” er leadership, money matters, schools in the district for the rest community safety, organization - of the year. al management and how to con - “We addressed seven major ar - duct effective meetings. eas we needed to work on and Coalition launches As a follow-up to the training, had 57 action steps that we took, resident councils are provided a and we worked our way through workbook, which has instruc - that and in November they came anti-hazing campaign tions on running a board, setting to visit and on January they said by-laws and a agenda and writ - ‘you’re on the right track.’ They ing the minutes, to code regula - By Suzanne Gamboa drum major Robert Champion were very congratulatory about tions and an election process. The Associated Press Jr. was subjected before he died working our way toward good Residents of Wake Housing has persisted as a rite of passage governance and sound gover - Authority haven't been through WASHINGTON - Alarmed by despite the various actions their nance,” Tata said. “We’re proud the recent hazing death of a RADAR training yet, but Williams individual groups previously of that.” Florida A&M University band stu - said they are in the process of have taken to address the prob - When Tata arrived, he was also dent, a coalition of black frater - developing it. "Over the last two lem. charged with implementing a nities and sororities joined with years, what we were doing with "We no longer can treat it as a new choice school assignment civil rights leader Al Sharpton the housing authorities was an series of isolated and unrelated plan that a Republican-backed and others in pledging to work informal part of RADAR," she sets of unfortunate incidences," majority school board had ap - harder to end the practice. said. "All of the work we've done said Jimmy Hammock, president proved and a new Democratic Leaders of the coalition told in Wake County re-establishing reporters last week that the type dormant resident councils over See WAKE/2A of hazing to which Florida A&M See COALITION/ 2A See PROGRAM/ 2A To subscribe: 919-688-9408 Teaching the Index or fax: 919-688-2740 Editorial 4A Sports 1B Bible closes www.triangletribune.com achievement Focus 6 A Classifieds 4B gap Arts & Life 5B Religion 6B Remember to recycle 2A NEWS/ The Triangle Tribune Sunday, June 10, 2012 YO:Durham holds fifth graduation ceremony Continued from 1A support throughout high school this world who care and will “This is a true blessing in my “The internship made a big interviewing skills. I don’t shake help you accomplish your ically delayed or at risk of re - and college. life. I never thought walking impact on him because he was or freeze on the spot anymore.” “We follow them after they dreams,” said Shiree Mitchell, a through those doors would help very shy and reserved,” Davis Tyler Allen, one of the first tention, or have an environmen - Hillside High sophomore and tal or home risk factor. leave,” said Blackmon who has guide me to pursue my said. participants in the 2007-08 pro - been with the program since the recipient of a $1,000 Jamie dreams,” said Mitchell whose Kristin Davis, who plans to at - gram, was invited back to share “Our program prepares youth Lauffer Memorial Leadership for career opportunities that beginning. “We need more vol - dream is to attend New York tend N.C. Central and major in his experience. He is attending unteers to serve as mentors for Scholarship to be used toward University and major in physi - electrical engineering, said he N.C. State and majoring in cel - they otherwise would not en - college expenses. counter,” Program Director students. We depend on the cal therapy. discovered a lot about himself lular and molecular biology with support of volunteers, sponsors, Haley Perry received the Sharyn Davis’ son Kristin re - and others. a minor in genetics. Susan Blackmon said. $1,000 Adriel D. Williams Blackmon said though the nonprofits and businesses.” ceived an internship at Shodor, “My people skills weren’t that “You have the tools to build The program also awards two Memorial Scholarship. She at - a nonprofit research and edu - great,” said the Durham School whatever future you want. All program operates on a shoe - tends Riverside High and plans string budget, mentors keep up scholarships to outstanding par - cation organization, which she of the Arts student. “The pro - you have to do is use them,” he ticipants each year. to further her education at St. said helped her 17-year-old raise gram helped me come out of said. with each teen and continues to Augustine’s College in Raleigh. assist students with academic “There are people out here in his self-esteem. my shell. It helped me with my Wake County schools superintendent discusses progress

Continued from 1A in economically diverse schools. where the children came from.” something we’ve got to take a hard look at.” Critics say the new assignment plan created af - majority sworn into office in December accepted. Tata recently proposed a magnet school review. He added that he is proud of his efforts to re - ter that socioeconomic policy’s dismantling will “We’re always cognizant of economic balance at cruit more black teachers. “We’ve seen roughly a A choice-based assignment plan with four main result in more high poverty, racially isolated principles – stability, proximity, choice and achieve - schools, particularly in magnets,” he said. “When 5 percent increase year over year in African- schools. you see high free and reduced lunch percentage, American teachers, and in particular we’ve seen ment – was developed after seven months of plan - Walnut Creek Elementary has 69 percent African- ning and several community input sessions. they are migrating into eastern Wake from south - an increase in male African American teachers,” American students, about 25 percent Caucasian east Raleigh, and there is still a high percentage he said. “That for me is a good news story. We Implementation will begin with all rising kinder - students and 67 percent on free and reduced garten students in the 2012-23 class. in southeast Raleigh; but it’s a tough economy continue to work very hard at it.” lunch, according to the 20-day enrollment count. and poverty is increasing in the country so that’s The single-sex leadership academies WCPSS plans A majority of the students are underperforming. to open this fall are also in high demand with rough - Critics cite Walnut Creek as an example of a high ly 1,000 applicants for the 300 seats. poverty, racially isolated school that opened af - The NAACP alleges in a Title VI civil rights com - ter the dismantling of the socioeconomic diver - plaint against WCPSS that the growth in the stu - sity policy. But Tata said they have put more re - dent population was the primary reason for reas - sources into the school, and formative assess - signment in the past several years. Wake’s previ - ments are showing academic progress. ous commitment to maintaining a diverse socioe - “When they walked in the door, 62 percent of conomic environment led to not only social ben - students were not at grade level for reading,” he efits, but also a large body of research shows that said. “That has nothing to do with Walnut Creek students actually learn better when they are placed and its performance. It has everything to do with Coalition’s anti-hazing policy

Continued from 1A aboard a bus with other band criminal hazing statutes or lose members after a football game. transportation funding. of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., An autopsy showed he died of Ricky L. Jones, political science which heads up the coalition. internal injuries from a beating professor at the University of "It's almost as if someone has that authorities say was a result Louisville and author of a book tattooed in their brain this is the of hazing. on hazing in black fraternities, way to be accepted," said Rep. Eleven band members have said the campaign may be the Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., who said been charged with felony hazing first to address hazing in black her anti-hazing efforts earned and two are charged with misde - groups on a national level, and her the nickname "Haze Buster" meanors. Florida A&M's band has is needed because there has not when she served as a regional di - been suspended indefinitely, and been enough outrage among rector of Alpha Kappa Alpha Florida university system offi - blacks over deaths and injuries Sorority. cials are still looking into whether related to hazing. He said he is The coalition has invested an school officials ignored past skeptical whether the campaign initial $25,000 to launch a na - warnings about hazing. will yield results, given that haz - tional campaign that will include Under a bill Wilson is drafting, ing is deeply seeded in the cul - radio ads on ESPN, print adver - students would permanently lose ture. tising, an Aug. 11 town hall on eligibility for financial aid if they "I'm worried about preserva - hazing at the Marriott Executive are convicted of hazing under tion of lives of students," he said. Center in Charlotte and a National state law, or are officially sanc - Eliminating organizations where Anti-Hazing Day on Sept. 6. tioned by a college or university hazing occurs gets rid of a threat Champion, 26, died in for hazing. The bill also would to students' lives, he said. November after collapsing require states to enact felony Delta Sigma Theta President Program empowers public housing residents

Continued from 1A the training, we got officers duly isfaction and quality of life. elected within 30 days." "Time is a precious commodi - the space of two years, it was re - Shaniek Joyner, vice president ty in housing authorities just like ally also just what we do. This is of the Mitchell Wooten Courts probably with most other jobs, what I've been doing outside of resident council, said the train - so when you're able to give some - motivational speaking and train - ing has also helped her self-es - one a tool that requires less staff ing - just motivating the hardest teem as a leader. "It just gave me time, which will train groups to to serve." motivation and more confidence be independent, then that's just But leaders of various resident in myself," she said. "It was just an absolute plus," Smith said. "It's councils within the Kinston the different aspects of the train - a win-win. It's a win for the resi - Housing Authority, who have al - ing, ways of going about ap - dents' organization because most ready been trained, said RADAR proaching people, ways to keep organizations feel great when has helped their councils become our community safe step by they feel like they know how to more effective. step." operate, and the housing author - "The election process was won - As an initiative of the ity will feel good about the fact derful," said Lisa Mathis, presi - Department of Housing and that they have strong councils dent of Jack Rountree Resident Urban Development, public that can operate without tremen - Council in Kinston. "We weren't housing residents are encour - dous oversight." aware of how to go about the aged to partner with housing au - For more information, contact election process. By attending thorities to improve resident sat - Williams at (919) 256-4250. ‘School Daze’ with Obama & Romney

By Yanick Rice Lamb AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS

Magistrate Sidney Barthwell Jr. knew both President Barack Obama and Republican candi - date Mitt Romney long before they became house - hold names. Barthwell was the only African-American in the class of 1965 with Romney at Cranbrook School for Boys in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. From 1987 to 1990, he attended law school at Harvard University, where he met Obama. Nestled on 315 acres in suburban Detroit and Mitt Romney and Barack Obama designed by Finnish architect Gottlieb Eliel Saarinen in 1927, the “drop-dead gorgeous” and would treat his son’s friends to banana splits Cranbrook Academy is considered the Exeter and made with Barthwell’s Ice Cream. Cranbrook was Andover of the Midwest, Barthwell said. It’s also his idea. The decision was non-negotiable. known from a freestyle battle in the movie “8 The elder Barthwell was friendly with the elder Mile.” Eminen’s character, Rabbit, attacks the street Romney. Both self-made men worked on land - cred of rap rival Papa Doc, portrayed by Anthony mark civil rights provisions as delegates to Mackie, derisively outing him as a wannabe gang - Michigan’s Constitutional Convention in 1961. ster of privilege from Cranbrook. Before his death in 1995, George Romney had At 12, Barthwell experienced “culture shock,” turned around American Motors, led Michigan as going from his Boston-Edison neighborhood, a three-term governor, served in President Richard where African-Americans of all backgrounds lived, Nixon’s cabinet and ran for president. to boarding school at Cranbook with the richest “Whenever he came to the school,” Barthwell of the rich. Barthwell grew up comfortably, but said, “he always went out of his way to say hello he wasn’t Romney rich. His father, who died at and ask about my father.” Barthwell respected age 99 in 2005, was part of the Great Migration. the governor, who was also his commencement In 1922, he headed north from Cordele, Ga., to speaker. “Governor Romney was a civil rights ac - Detroit, where he amassed a dozen pharmacies - the largest black-owned chain in the country - See SCHOOL/ 3A 3A NEWS/ The Triangle Tribune Sunday, June 10, 2012 ‘School Daze’ with Obama & Romney

Continued from 1A ing to be a cop and pulling over n’t think Romney should be In the spring of 1990, Obama friends on a double date. Falling judged for pranks he might have became for the first black presi - tivist, even though he was a for the ruse, the girls were mor - pulled a half-century ago. “It is dent of the Harvard Law Review, Republican. Back in those days, tified when he pulled out emp - not an accurate representation selected on the basis of grades, they had an animal known as a ty liquor bottles that had been of who he is now,” he said. “He’s scores and the votes of editors. moderate Republican. That ani - planted in the trunk. matured tremendously.” Outside law school, Obama and mal no longer exists.” Other Cranbrook alumni de - During his second year at Barthwell would talk trash about Mitt Romney, Barthwell re - scribed a hair-cutting attack on Harvard, Barthwell met 27-year- basketball, although they never called, “was a very ordinary, very a boy in his dormitory “with old Barack Obama. “Everyone got around to challenging each average type of student. He was bleached-blond hair that draped there was extremely talented; other on the court. “He had some not an athlete. He wasn’t one of over one eye,” according to an they were just very impressive,” personality about him,” Barthwell the top students. He wasn’t a article by Jason Horowitz on May Barthwell said. “Even amidst all said. class leader. 10 in The Washington Post. of these smart people, there were During their Harvard days, “He wasn’t the guy that you The boy, John Lauber, was those who stood out as being the Barthwell never envisioned would think would be president “perpetually teased for his non- smartest of the smart and stars Obama as president because of or running for president,” conformity and presumed ho - among stars. Barack was one of the times. “Realistically, I wasn’t Barthwell added, “but you have mosexuality,” Horowitz wrote. those people. Barack was a very thinking that any black man or to keep in mind his pedigree. He Classmates also said Romney nice man; very, very friendly to any woman would be president came from privilege.” Romney giggled after guiding a blind everybody. We got a chance to in my lifetime. The stars aligned wasn’t merely born with a silver teacher into a door and uttered know each other really well.” for Barack. When opportunity spoon, he said, but with “a big “Atta girl!” when a “closeted gay” Both men were members of the knocks, you have to be ready to titanium spoon.” student would speak in class. Black Law Students Association walk through the door and he Barthwell also remembers Barthwell doesn’t remember and editors at the Harvard Law was.” Romney as a “practical joker” these incidents and said he did - Review. and heard tales of him pretend - Trayvon Martin’s killer back in jail

Prosecutors provided financial records and transcripts of taped Zimmerman and wife telephone conversations between Zimmerman and his wife, Shelly. At Zimmerman’s bond hearing, there was this exchange between Prosecutor de la Rionda and Shelly Zimmerman: lied about finances Q: You mentioned also, in terms of the ability of your husband to make a bond amount, that you had no money, is that correct? A: To my knowledge, that’s correct. By George E. Curry Q: Were you aware of the website that Mr. Zimmerman or some - NATIONAL NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION body on his behalf created? A: I’m aware of that website. WASHINGTON – After having his bond revoked by a judge who Q: How much money is in that website right now? How much wonders whether he was deliberately misled by George Zimmerman money as a result of that website was – and his wife, the admitted killer of unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon A: Currently, I do not know. Martin remains confined to his cell in the Polk County Correctional Q: Do you have an estimate as to how much money has already Facility in Sanford, Fla., this week facing serious credibility issues been obtained or collected? that could impact the outcome of his future trial. A: I do not. Acting on a motion by state prosecutors, Seminole County Circuit However, transcripts of telephone calls between Zimmerman Judge Kenneth Lester revoked Zimmerman’s $150,000 bond last and his wife – calls that they knew were being recorded – showed week and ordered him returned to police custody within 48 hours. that they discussed money in the account on April 12, 15 and 16 – Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder in con - well before the April 20 bond hearing at which they were trying to nection with the death of Martin, who was returning from a near - show that Zimmerman was indigent and could not afford a high by 7-11 store with a can of Arizona tea and a bag of Skittles when bond. he was shot fatally by Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch captain. “During some of the calls to his wife, Shelly Zimmerman, Defendant By prearrangement, Zimmerman, who had been living in an undis - discussed the amount of money sent to PayPal through the web - closed location since posting bond on April 23, met personnel from site, which was deposited into Defendant’s Credit Union account, the Seminole County Sheriff’s office in a parking lot off a nearby and at defendant’s direction transferred into his wife’s Credit Union interstate highway, where he was handcuffed and transferred to an account,” the motion to revoke Zimmerman’s bond recounted. unmarked white police van. At 1:43 p.m. on Sunday, approximate - “The Credit Union statements show on 4/19/2012, the day be - ly 45 minutes before the court-imposed deadline, Zimmerman was fore the Bond Hearing, Defendant and his wife had access to over led out of the van and escorted inside the correctional facility where $135,000.00. Defendant has intentionally deceived the Court with he was booked and placed in a private cell. Wearing a checkered the assistance of his wife, Shelly Zimmerman. During the jail phone button-down shirt and jeans, Zimmerman did not answer questions calls both of them spoke in code to hide what they were doing. And, shouted to him by waiting reporters. Defendant fully controlled and participated in the transfer of mon - His attorney, Mark O’Mara, filed a motion for a new bond hearing ey from the PayPal accounts to Defendant and his wife’s Credit on Monday, which Judge Lester is expected to grant. Union accounts. 4A NEWS/ The Triangle Tribune Sunday, June 10, 2012

115 Market Street, Suite 360H Durham, NC 27701 Gerald O. Johnson PUBLISHER Bonitta Best EDITOR NAACP strays from mission

Those who have followed my writings over the years know that I am not very fond of the modern-day NAACP. It has strayed far from its original mission and has become a patsy for the Democratic Party. The organization is more concerned with having a photo taken at the White House than being the picture of equality and fairness for those with no voice. The group was founded in 1909 as a civil rights or - ganization. Its charter stated its mission as: “To pro - mote equality of rights and to eradicate caste or race prejudice among the citizens of the ; to advance the interest of colored [Black] citizens; to se - cure for them impartial suffrage; and to increase their opportunities for securing justice in the courts, education for the children, em - ployment according to their ability and complete equality before law.” A charter or mission statement guides an organization to ensure that it stays true to its mission; it helps an organi - zation to stay focused on its raison d’e - tre – its reason for being. So, I ask the Job numbers could hurt Obama RAYNARD NAACP: What is the basis for its focus on JACKSON gay entitlements or citizenship for those The unemployment rate in economic stimulus that Bain. economists say we need to in the country illegally? was 8.1 percent in April. In could help a Democratic President Obama, too, generate 300,000 jobs a Notice that I used the term “gay entitlements” not May, it rose just a tiny bit to president they have consis - must be cautioned against month just to stay even with gay rights. A right has to be derived from some source 8.2 percent. A tenth of a per - tently opposed. So, straying into trivial issues population growth. In the document – the U.S. Constitution, a law, the Bible, etc. centage point does not seem President Obama and the when economic issues are first quarter of this year, an But an entitlement is not derivative, it’s based on a like a big deal. Indeed, the business sector that sup - central. At the same time, average of 226,000 jobs “belief” that one deservers a benefit and that belief Department of Labor de - ports him are pretty much the president is to be con - were created each month. is totally subjective. scries the unemployment left to their own devices gratulated for taking a But in April, just 77,000 jobs Based on its charter, the NAACP has no business be - rate as "essentially un - when it comes to job cre - strong position on marriage were created, and in May, ing involved in all these issues that are outside of its changed." And, compared to ation. And it isn't that the equality. Some may say that only 69,000 jobs. Declines core mission of obtaining equality for black citizens. this time last year, when the unemployed will flock to it was a long time coming, in job creation speak to Has the Human Rights Campaign (a gay entitlements rate was 9 percent, people Romney, they may simply and that it might be a calcu - shrinking opportunities for group) or the pro-amnesty forces come out with a are mostly better off. But stay home. lated move to influence those who are not working. statement about Trayvon Martin or all the child the magic number for many As always, the unemploy - some votes in the election. While the Obama adminis - killings in Chicago or discrimination against blacks? observers is a ment number the Bureau of But those who are watching tration has few tools to com - We all know the answer is an emphatic no! number be - Labor Statistics report is not carefully understand that bat the current employment So, you have the NAACP fighting for entitlements low 8 percent. the best number to review. whether it helps the election situation, his team now that are outside the scope of its charter, yet the groups According When those marginally at - or hurts it (and some needs to go on the offensive it is fighting for gives no reciprocity when it comes to many, tached to the labor market African- American pastors to talk about ways more to issues of particular interest to the black commu - should the and those who work part are railing against this one), jobs can be created, and by nity. unemploy - time but want full-time this was a matter of con - pointing out the ways that It should not surprise the public that the NAACP has ment rate work are included, the un - science. Unfortunately, legislative gridlock hurts publically declared its support for gay marriage. drop to 7.5 or employment rate soars to Romney has no such con - those who are looking for Notice that I did not say “marriage equality.” When JULIANNE even 7.8 per - 14.8 percent. The black un - science. He knows the work. Without aggressive at - gays use the word marriage equality, they are saying cent, birther rap is nonsense. Yet tention to the plight of the ALVEAUX employment rate rises to a that they want gay marriage to be equal to heterosex - M President depression-era level of 24.5 he stands by a birther and unemployed, the Romney ual marriage. By definition that cannot happen since Obama will percent. Moreover, the num - says nothing. His own father crew can use stagnant num - marriage is between a man and a woman. They want have something to point to ber of folk who haven't had was the subject of birther bers to take the offensive. acceptance. They want to redefine marriage, thereby in terms of labor market a job for six months has vitriol more than 40 years This can't happen. If the em - forcing society to accept their lifestyle choices. progress. Should it rise risen. Now, 5.4 million peo - ago when he ran for presi - ployment situation is stag - When the NAACP issued its statement of support for above 8.5 percent, ple, 42.8 percent of the un - dent and it was revealed nant now, imagine it under gay entitlements it said, “The NAACP Constitution af - Republican candidate Mitt employed, haven't had a job that he was born in Mexico. cut-government-spending firmatively states our objective to ensure the ‘polit - Romney can continue to for more than 27 weeks. The diversions will be dust Romney. ical, educational, social and economic equality’ of all pound on him about eco - Romney, in hanging in the wind come election President Obama and his people. Therefore, the NAACP has opposed and will nomic failure (that is, when around and day. People are mostly go - team need to contrast the continue to oppose any national, state, local policy his team is not misspelling the "birther" crowd, is ing to vote their pocket - Romney record with his or legislative initiative that seeks to codify discrimi - "Amercia"). What happens if counting on hysteria and books. The news that unem - own, and make it clear that nation or hatred into the law or to remove the the unemployment rate trivia to drive him to victo - ployment rates are stagnant failure to stimulate the Constitutional rights of LGBT citizens. We support lingers between 7.8 percent ry. Romney says President and possibly rising is bad economy will lead to disas - marriage equality consistent with equal protection and 8.5 percent is anybody's Obama doesn't know how to news for President Obama, ter. under the law provided under the Fourteenth guess. create jobs, but this is the no matter how his team Julianne Malveaux is a Amendment of the United States Constitution. Further, No help is likely to come same man who says he "en - spins it. Washington, D.C.-based we strongly affirm the religious freedoms of all peo - from Congress. The joys" firing people and who And beneath the numbers economist and writer. She is ple as protected by the First Amendment.” Republican majority in the slashed employment when is lots of pain that is being president emerita of Bennett Using the 14th amendment as the basis for assert - House is hardly interested he was a corporate raider at masked. For example, some College for Women. ing the right for gays to marry is a bit of a stretch. In Hernandez v. Texas (1954), the U.S. Supreme Court held that the 14th amendment protects those beyond the racial classes of white or Negro and extends to other racial, ethnic and other historically disadvan - taged groups, i.e. women. Exposing a paper sham in construction So, please tell me which of the above groups would gay marriage come under? The 14th amendment does thing fishy. The plum job in struction and not reporting not apply to them. They are asking the courts to cre - The times were tense as HH&N had signing authority the city was the massive it. About 10 days later, an ate a special class of rights based on sexual prefer - my office of Minority on the account. In total, it new state office building. agent from the IRS visited ence, which is their ultimate goal. Gays do not de - Business Development for was a nine point agreement The construction manage - my office. The sister said "I serve special protection based on their sexual pref - the state of Indiana pro - full of sinister schemes. ment firm was Huber, Hunt visited Mr. Thomas and he erences, but they do deserve equal protection based ceeded to weed out the cor - I reported our findings to and Nichols, the largest confessed to a paper sham. on their humanity. ruption and deceit in the the state Department of such firm in the state with He is waiting for you to vis - In a 2005 speech, former NAACP Chairman Julian contracting arenas. The Administration. The general offices throughout the na - it him so he can inform you Bond said “…Sexual disposition parallels race. I (a worst sector was construc - counsel asked us "Where are tion. There was a company of the mess. I guess my gay person])was born this way. I have no choice. I tion, and I knew the office you guys going with this?" I listed on the Minority badge and pistol on my hip wouldn’t change it if I could. Sexuality is unchange - needed more muscle and responded: "To hell and back Business Report by the intimidated him. He told it able.” expertise to recognize the if that is what it takes." I was name of Thomas all." I guess Bond never heard of anyone having his sex fraud as it oc - about to leave my position Construction, and it report - Our visit to Thomas was changed surgically? curred. I pro - to start a local black cham - edly had contracts totaling indeed revealing. He ex - So, let me make sure I understand this: If I choose posed a new ber of commerce so I had no more than $2 million. plained how Huber, Hunt to exercise my right to oppose gay marriage, I am position: con - fear. At an event for the Gary stated that, accord - and Nichols recruited him. hateful and believe in discrimination? While the black struction spe - Indiana Black Expo, I stood ing to his research, the firm He thought he was going to community is dysfunctional with black-on-black cialist. This on a stage with the Rev. didn't have that kind of ca - make a lot of money but crime, runaway teenage pregnancy and high unem - person would Jesse Jackson and took the pability. He drove by its list - pretty soon they had him ployment, the NAACP is taking up a cause that has have an expert - microphone. I shouted ARRY ed address and saw nothing doing a lot of stupid things. absolutely no legal basis and is outside the mandate H ise in the intri - "Huber, Hunt and No that would cast doubt on his The key evidence was that of its own charter. Are you kidding me? C. cacies of con - Negroes has been busted for struction man - conclusion. Huber, Hunt and Nichols ac - fronting on the state office ALFORD To do more than $100,000 tually put the scheme down Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard agement, engi - building and the state must in work for the state of on paper. They had a writ - Jackson & Associates, LLC., a Washington, D.C.-based neering and gen - punish them!" The newspa - Indiana, one must first pre- ten blueprint for fronting on public relations/government affairs firm. He can be eral/sub contracting. pers, television stations and qualify by demonstrating the project, and Thomas reached at www.raynardjackson.com. Almost immediately after radio channels blew it up. the budget office approved capacity. Gary and I strolled turned a copy of it over to Huber, Hunt and Nichols the addition, Gary Gibson, over to the Department of us. was banned from state proj - a family friend, came to vis - Public Works to look at the The written agreement ects for five years. They it me. He informed me that file on Thomas had things like "For assign - eventually changed their he was moving back to Construction. We pulled it ment of material purchase name to Hunt Construction. Indianapolis from Detroit out and found that it was orders to you, HH&N will re - The U.S. Attorney wanted to after he lost his wife to sick - empty. We suspected fraud. imburse Thomas go after 72-year-old Thomas, le cell anemia. He was seek - My problem was how to I Construction Company a fee but we persuaded them to ing tips for employment. I prove it. of 3% over and above the to - leave him alone. They looked at his resume and I told Gary to let me think tal cost of the purchase or - wouldn't pursue HH&N. shouted "You have a con - on a plan of action. About der. Joint checks will be is - struction management de - two nights later, I saw an IRS sued to Thomas (To be continued next gree from Notre Dame and ad on TV. It asked potential Construction Company in week.) experience with a major whistle blowers to dial a the name of Thomas and the construction firm?" particular 800 telephone named recipient of the pur - God is indeed great! Gary number and report tax chase order." Wow! They ac - Harry Alford is the co- started working for me cheats. God is indeed great! tually set up a special bank founder, president/CEO of within a few weeks. I called the IRS and report - account where they would the National Black Chamber Within his first week on ed Thomas Construction as jointly go to the bank and of Commerce. Website: the job, he detected some - doing $2 million in con - make the deposits, but only www.nationalbcc.org. SUNDAY, JUNE 10, 2012

Raleigh • Cary • Durham • Chapel Hill 5A Business/Real Estate Wife of Black Enterprise publisher dies usiness THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN African-American business and Women of Power Summit, a ma - source of strength and inspira - B NEWSPAPER tion,” Earl Graves Jr., president commerce, she served at times jor networking opportunity and as editorial director, circulation conference for black women ex - and CEO of Black Enterprise, riefs Barbara Kydd Graves, wife of director and chief financial of - ecutives. said in a news release. “Above B Black Enterprise magazine all, she genuinely cared for ficer. In addition to occupying A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., her Founder and Publisher Earl G. key positions in the magazine passing came on the last day of every member of the Black Graves Sr. and one of the key and publishing company, the one of Black Enterprise’s major Enterprise family, and held a BUSINESS AFTER HOURS forces in the development of former elementary school events, a Chicago conference special passion for children and The Raleigh African- the 40-year-old magazine, died teacher and Brooklyn College unveiling the BE 100, the annu - young people in particular.” American Chamber of last month at Howard University graduate was a mentor for sev - al listing of the 100 most influ - Survivors include her husband Commerce and AALI of Hospital after a three-year bat - eral generations of Black ential black businesses. of 51 years; three sons: Graves United Way will host a net - tle against cancer. She was 74. Enterprise management execu - “My mother was a steadfast Jr., and Johnny and Michael working mixer June 14, 6 Since the creation of the influ - tives. She was also one of the and loving partner and coun - Graves; and eight grandchildren. p.m. at Prime Smokehouse Graves ential monthly publication for architects of the Black Enterprise selor to my father; his quiet on Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh. CHAMBER MEETING Morrisville Chamber of Commerce will host State of Morrisville June 14, 8 to 9:30 Black businesses need proper planning and marketing a.m. at the White Ventures Chamber Building. Visit www.MorrisvilleChamber.org. By James Clingman paid employees. These non-employer firms generat - In other words, do something that will benefit some PRODUCT CAMP NNPA COLUMNIST ed $38.6 billion in receipts and accounted for 94.4 per - other black businessperson. Don’t be afraid of market - cent of the total number of black-owned firms and 28.1 ing, and please don’t deny the opportunity for a black The third annual Often we hear that most small businesses fail be - ProductCampRTP is June 16, percent of gross receipts. marketing professional to write your marketing plan cause of a lack of capital. We hear the tails of entrepre - This scenario, coupled with the rate of failure among and to execute a portion of that plan, if the need aris - 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cambria neurs who did not make it because they simply did Suites in Morrisville. The black-owned businesses, strongly suggests a need for es. not have enough money to fund their business. They better management of those businesses. Just as im - Research, research, research before you jump into event is expected to draw nu - failed because they could not get a loan from the bank. merous product manage - portantly, the data indicate a tremendous need for business. Just because you are a great cook does not They failed because of cash flow problems. growth and job creation. mean you can run a restaurant. Spend some of your ment and marketing profes - While all of those reasons are legitimate and valid, sionals. Visit www.product - The value of proper marketing and advertising can - money researching your market to determine the need in many cases small businesses fail because of improp - not be overstated when it comes to the success of a for your product or service, as well as what your com - camprtp.org. er planning and marketing, as well as a lack of ade - EMPLOYEE WORKSHOP business, especially a small business. For some rea - petition is doing. quate research. Too many business owners are unwill - son, we seem to shy away from spending money on You know the saying: “Everybody wants to go to heav - A “Design for How People ng to invest some of their limited resources in the very i advertising, marketing and research. In many cases, en, but nobody wants to die.” This is a case of many Learn” Julie Dirksen work - things that will make them successful. Further, sad to shop is June 22, 9 a.m. to we even fail to allocate money for these services in our people wanting to be entrepreneurs, but few are will - say, too many of us are unwilling to hire other black initial budgets. That’s a prescription for failure or, at ing to do what it takes to be successful. 4:30 p.m. at Homewood professionals to advise us on things such as account - Suites, 3600 Mt. Moriah Rd. minimum, a business that will not likely reach its full Let’s create and maintain strong and thriving black ing, legal, marketing and other necessary functions to potential. businesses. Let’s use one another’s strengths and ex - in Durham. Register at any successful business. www.astd-rta.org. The handwriting is on the wall for the workers of this pertise to make our businesses grow. Let’s work to - That’s too bad, but I suppose that is why less than 2 country. Downsizing, rightsizing, re-engineering or gether, cooperatively, to make a better future for our GOLF CLASSIC percent of African- Americans are entrepreneurs. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro whatever you want to call it is the orders of the day. children, teaching them how to make jobs rather than According to the last economic census in 2007, blacks Business ownership and mutual support are keys to take jobs. We can only do that through business de - Chamber of Commerce will wned 1.9 million non-farm U.S. businesses. These o the success of black people in this country. We must velopment, and we can only develop viable business - host its annual Chamber Golf black-owned firms accounted for 7.1 percent of all non- Classic June 25, 9 a.m. to 4 be willing to support one another’s businesses, and we es by learning more about entrepreneurship. farm businesses in the United States, employed 921,032 must be smart when starting new businesses. Recognize and understand the rules of the entrepre - p.m. at the Governors Club. persons and generated $137.5 billion in receipts. Register online at www.car - Place high priority on getting the proper assistance neurial game, and learn to play them well. Money fol - There were 106,824 black-owned employer firms in with your business plan. Hire a black professional to lows good planning and good management, no mat - olinachamber.org/events. 2007. These firms employed 921,032 persons and had MORE JOBS guide you through the maze of research, management ter what color you are. a total payroll of $23.9 billion, generated $98.9 billion and marketing needs. Yes, we know how to do those Ingersoll Rand, a global di - in receipts, but accounted for just 5.6 percent of the versified industrial compa - things, too. Jim Clingman, founder of the Greater Cincinnati total number of black-owned firms and 71.9 percent Advertise your business in the proper medium, and African American Chamber of Commerce, is an adjunct ny, plans to create an addi - of black-owned firms’ gross receipts. Average receipts tional 60 jobs and invest please use black-owned media to do so, as well as oth - professor at the University of Cincinnati and can be for black-owned employer firms in 2007 were $925,427. er means of getting the word out about your business. reached through his website, blackonomics.com. nearly $22 million over the In contrast, 1.8 million black-owned firms had no next three years in Mocksville in David County. Salaries will vary but the average wage will be $35,230. Send your business news Black pilots at United delayed for takeoff to [email protected]. By Gary L. Flower racial discrimination. Following the EEOC While piloting airplanes may have been brought in from outside. NNPA COLUMNIST complaints, the airlines hastily hired their passion in the U.S. Air Force and What United pilots are seeking can be three African-Americans for manage - through other training routes to the cap - summed up in the words of Capt. Leon Former Last week, 24 long-term employees of ment positions. But that is not the point. tain’s chair, those who filed suit are ex - Miller: “The struggle for inclusion at United Continental Holdings, United United Airlines misrepresents its own tremely qualified to serve in manage - United Airlines is a long-standing issue Airlines and Continental Airlines filed a history of promoting black pilots. In a ment. For example, 22 of the plaintiffs that many have tried to address over a Hillside lawsuit in San Francisco, Calif., alleging 2012 press release, Capt. James Simons have bachelor’s degrees, three have long period of time. We must break the racial discrimination, retaliation and ha - Jr., who has been named chief pilot for earned MBAs, one has a Masters of glass ceiling and stop retaliatory actions, rassment in violation of the Civil Rights the northeast region, was hailed as the Science and another a Masters of Arts. and make a corporate culture change High Act of 1964 and state fair employment company’s first African-American chief Yet, by being passed over for manage - that is truly inclusive.” laws. pilot. Wrong! Actually, Capt. Alfonzo ment positions, none of them seem In 2001, following evidence of racial I vividly remember United Airlines tel - “Rick” McCullough was the first black “qualified” for jobs their less-creden - discrimination at Toyota USA, I had the alum evision commercials of the 1970s urg - chief pilot. tialed white colleagues now occupy. And experience of organizing informational ing us to “Fly the friendly skies of United.” This year, Americans lauded the movie America wants to claim we are a “post- pickets in 24 American cities with the In 2012, the skies appear to be anything Red Tails that highlighted the compe - racial” nation! Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Diversity but friendly for black pilots as they seek tence, courage and commitment of black Not surprisingly, blacks and other peo - As a result, Toyota admitted being a an equal opportunity to be promoted to pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen. ple of color are woefully underrepresent - bad actor in the transportation industry the management ranks. They faced blatant racial discrimination ed in managerial ranks in proportion to and committed to a 10-year, $8 billion Fellow The basis for the lawsuit is not new. In in the 1940s. Ironically, some 70 years their representation in the United work - diversity plan. Although airlines are dif - 1976, a consent decree was reached with later, black pilots are still fighting for force. Worst still, there seems to be an ferent from automakers, the principle of United Airlines to end discrimination developing a measurable plan for inclu - STAFF REPORTS equal opportunity. United airlines can - air (pun intended) of retaliation for against black employees. It stalled in not credibly salute the Tuskegee Airmen whistleblower pilots. Of the 13 pilots sion is in the best tradition of American DURHAM - Durham native and 1995. In 2010, black pilots and opera - in magazine ads while simultaneously who filed EEOC complaints in 2010, none ideals. United may learn a lot from the Hillside High School alumnus tions supervisors who were members of fending off charges of racial discrimina - have been promoted to management de - Toyota model. Charles Belk the United Coalition for Diversity filed tion. spite filing scores and scores of applica - Gary L. Flowers is executive director has been se - Equal Employment Opportunity Like the Tuskegee Airman, today’s tions. The three blacks who were hired and CEO of the Black Leadership Forum, lected as one Commission complaints again, charging black pilots are extremely competent. in 2010 either did not complain or were Inc. of three Diversity Fellows for the 2012 Cable Skills go begging for meaningful opportunity Executive Management at Harvard Underemployment a fact of life cent of the households they serve have at least one “Because we’re a small place, we’re blessed to still person working. The organization, which delivers food be open as so many other pantries and places are grow - Belk Business School. for many American workers through its nationwide network of member food banks, ing,” she said. “We’re still growing because the need is The management program, has seen a 46 percent increase in the number of peo - growing. When they come through the doors, they are ple they feed. That translates to 37 million people, or really stressed. And we try to motivate them.” sponsored by CTAM Educational By Akeya Dickson Foundation, is a world-class one in eight Americans relying on Feeding America for Pope dismisses altogether the stereotype that some management development ex - NATIONAL NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION food and groceries. have that people who ask for assistance are lazy and perience for high potential ca - “The underemployed have a low salary, don’t have taking advantage of these services. WASHINGTON – The woman selling you lottery tick - ble and media executives in an health insurance. That’s why people are working two “I find that the percentage is just so minute, it’s not ets at 7-11 could be an engineer with multiple degrees. elite business school environ - or three jobs, just to make ends meet at the end of the worth mentioning,” she explained. “When it comes to The guy bagging your groceries may have earned a six- ment. The weeklong program is month,” said Peele, who coordinates food distribution the underemployed, these are people who have chal - figure salary in the not-too-distant past. Welcome to from June 10-15, 2012, and al - to more than 700 nonprofit partner organizations that lenges asking for help. Everyone is treated with digni - underemployment, the new norm in America. lows participants to study with provide food for those at risk of hunger in the ty and respect. They’re running from job to job, work - As of April, there are nearly 8 million adults in this top Harvard Business School Washington Metropolitan area. ing four hours here and there. It’s affecting their morale, country who are underemployed, defined as those professors and selected indus - Shabach Ministries’ Emergency Empowerment Center their home life and the amount of time they get to working part-time jobs up to 34 hours for economic try luminaries within a curricu - in Landover, Md., is affiliated with the First Baptist spend with their family.” reasons; more than 1 million of them are black, accord - lum that’s built around detailed Church of Glenarden and is a partner agency with the Underemployment was up 19 percent in mid-February ing to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor case study problems. It’s a stim - Capital Area Food Bank. from 18.7 percent in January, according to a Gallup Statistics. California and Nevada are the states seeing ulating, demanding program Gwen Pope, the center’s manager, said that she is poll. Administrators of the poll noted, “Regardless of the highest rates of underemployment, while North with a focus on business strat - definitely seeing an increase in underemployed peo - what the government reports, Gallup’s unemployment Dakota has the lowest. egy, management and market - ple needing assistance from outside agencies to put and underemployment measures show a sharp dete - An increasing number of underemployed people, ing principles that ready them food on the table and clothes on their families’ backs. rioration in job market conditions since mid-January.” which combines the percentage of workers who are for the next generation of chal - First noticing an uptick as far back as seven years ago, And while much attention has been paid to recent unemployed with the percentage working part-time lenges. she said that she feels like underemployment is actu - college graduates being jobless or underemployed, but wanting full-time work, are turning to charitable Born and raised in Durham, ally the new norm for now as companies lay off peo - Pope said that it’s a real problem for people who are organizations for assistance. Belk is a producer and the chief ple or close down altogether. mid-career professionals with families. “One of the misconceptions is that people who need branding officer for I Will Make “These are people who had these jobs for 15 or 20 “I’m not talking about people who are just coming food assistance are just the homeless,” said Marian You A Star Productions, a Los years. These people were making $80,000 to $100,000,” out of college looking for jobs. What is disturbing is Barton Peele, senior director of partner relations for Angeles-based, social/digital she said. “They are educated, have graduate degrees, these are people who are 45 years old and older,” she the Capital Area Food Bank. “There is an unemploy - marketing and production com - but knew that they had to go out into the marketplace said. “The jobs that are available are normally the jobs ment problem in our country. But a bigger problem is pany. His company provides and find jobs. They were living in those $500,000 to that they’re kids would be taking. They’re in direct actually underemployment, where the job you have services to cable television net - $600,000 houses. These people have had to downsize competition with them. That’s a real reality check.” doesn’t provide for your needs.” works, movie studios, entertain - because they couldn’t afford it any longer.” Nonprofit organizations such as Suited for Change Hunger in America 2010, a comprehensive study of ment and the arts. Last year, the center served more than 12,000 house - specializes in helping low-income women secure pro - domestic hunger by nonprofit organization Feeding Belk is the son of Johnnie holds and more than 35,000 people. In addition to pro - fessional employment, are adept at dealing with the America, conducted 61,000 interviews and surveyed Alston Belk. viding groceries that will last a family from three weeks chronically unemployed and sees about 1,000 women 37,000 feeding agencies. The study found that 36 per - to a month, the center supplies clothing and house each year through 71 referral agencies. ware. in the community. SUNDAY, JUNE 10, 2012 Raleigh • Cary • Durham • Chapel Hill 6A Community Focus SORORITY NEWS

DADH GOLF TOURNAMENET The Durham Alumnae Delta House recently hosted School News its annual golf tournament fundraiser at the Hillandale Golf Course in Durham. The DADH, a 501©3 nonprof - & Notes it organization, engages in cultural, educational and N.C. CENTRAL public service activities to support the Durham com - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of N.C. has invest - munity. The Triangle Putters, a group of minority women ed $100,000 in the nursing department. NCCU whose mission is to promote goodwill and the game of will use the grant to help fund new technolo - golf, were featured participants at this year’s event. gy to train nursing students and to underwrite research opportunities that will prepare them DELTA SIGMA THETA to address the chronic and acute health care “We are the Heart of Durham!” was the theme as Deltas needs of North Carolinians. of Durham Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta This funding to NCCU is the latest in BCBSNC’s Sorority forged ahead to promote their annual May DADH golf tournament winners effort to support the development and train - Week Celebration. The observance, a week set aside in ing of North Carolina’s health-care workforce. May, was conceived by the first grand national presi - BCBSNC has awarded similar grants to academ - dent of the Sorority, Sadie T.M. Alexander, in the early ic institutions working to fill shortages within 1900s to champion college-educated Negro women and the state (allied health, nursing, primary care also to foster the development of finer womanhood physicians, etc.), programs that encourage grad - through cultural programs and activities. She asked uates to remain in North Carolina and those that the period of celebration be in May, a month of with an emphasis on serving rural communi - natural rejuvenation and one which symbolizes new ties. Similar funding has been awarded to life and new inspiration. Appalachian State, Campbell and Elon univer - The highlight of the month was the Awards and sities. Recognition Breakfast at the Radisson Hotel on May 19. In August 2011, NCCU opened a state-of-the- The Merrick-Fisher-Spaulding Award, the highest hon - WAKE COUNTY art nursing building to support the universi - or a member can receive, was presented to Omega • Briarcliff Elementary fifth- ty’s 64-year-old nursing program. NCCU was Parker for outstanding service to the Durham commu - grader Nolan Turner gave the stu - one of the first universities in the United States nity. The award is named for Lyda Merrick, an honorary dents at his school a gift. He plays to offer a baccalaureate in nursing to associ - Delta who founded the Negro Braille magazine; Mary Triangle Putters in an area wheelchair basketball ate degree and diploma nurses. The program Fisher Morris and Minnie Pearson Spaulding, who were league and recently shared his received full accreditation by the National charter members of the Durham chapter. Margaret love of the sport with fellow stu - League for Nursing Accreditation Commission Sellers Morris and Ann Henderson Brockenborough re - dents. Turner raised the money in 1970, a status it has maintained ever since. ceived recognition for 25 years and 50 years of mem - needed to bring wheelchair ath - bership, respectively. And Mary Hester Smith was rec - letes and wheelchairs to his ST. AUGUSTNE’S ognized for 75 years as a soror. school to allow all Briarcliff stu - The Department of Film & Interactive Media Dr. Jerry Head was the recipient of the Unsung Hero dents the experience. will host its 12th annual teen summer film Award as an educator, mentor and professional pho - workshops June 18-29 and July 9-20. These tographer. He is a continuing inspiration to others DURHAM COUNTY hands-on workshops are open to teenagers through his many leadership roles at White Rock Baptist • James E. Shepard Magnet ages 13-18 who have a strong interest in learn - Church, and his various community, civic and public Middle is participating in the Big ing professional filmmaking. These 10-day service participations. Dr. Daphne Wiggins-Obie, asso - Lots 2012 Lots2Give program. workshops meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every ciate pastor of Union Baptist Church received the Unsung Participating schools will be the weekday. Experienced production profession - Heroine Award. She is a clergy leader and works with recipients of an in-store donation als at will provide students with hands-on train - other churches to provide spiritual motivation to ad - program and will also have the ing in digital camera operation, screenwriting, dress the stigma of HIV/AIDS. opportunity to put their creativ - shooting in our soundstage, camera angles, Durham Alumnae Chapter of DST Inc. is under the ity to the test in an online video composition of shot, sound, casting, audition - leadership of President Azzie Conley; the May Week contest where they could win a ing, acting for the camera, and more. By the committee chair is Loren Darden and co-chair Louise Durham alumnae chapter members and DADH share of $120,000 in cash prizes. end of each workshop, students will have com - Weeks. golf committee members. Now through July 8, customers pleted a short video. can help Shepard by donating $1 Applications are now available. Email Ellen or $5 at participating Big Lots Shepard at [email protected] or call 516- stores. One hundred percent of 4371 for an application. donations will go to participat - ing schools in this area. For more information and a complete list of participating stores and schools, visit N.C. Habitat www.biglots.com/lots2give. for Humanity Ask Gwendolyn impacted by May Week committee, first row, l-r: Louise Weeks, Cynthia Kirby, Geneva Fearrinton, Theodosia Shields and Gloria Doyle; second row: Baines budget Gwendolyn Price, Carolyn Walker, Azzie Conley, My brother’s baby looks like L-r: Ann Brockenborough and Margaret Morris Loren Darden and Margaret Morris. his best friend

Dear Gwendolyn: By Stephanie Carroll Carson I have two brothers and no sis - N.C. NEWS SERVICE ters. I am the spoiled girl. My NCNW conducts health fair family is going through a crisis. DURHAM - Cuts to federal programs loom large This is the problem: My broth - over North Carolina’s Habitat for Humanity er met a girl and he claims it was chapters. In his proposed budget this year, love at first sight. Two months President Obama did not recommend funding ago, she and my brother came for the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity by and that was the first time we Program that helps nonprofits such as Habitat saw the baby. The two of them purchase property and develop infrastructure got an apartment together three for affordable housing. months before the baby was born. Phillip Azar, the associate director of HFH My mother is upset, my Homes in Durham, said the program is a good younger brother is upset, and I one. “It is a way where Habitat and HUD and the am upset. You see...my brother government can partner which does involve is rather slow. When we tried to ownership, empowerment, private-sector in - tell him he needs a DNA test, he volvement.” became furious. He says we are Statewide SHOP funds have built more than just jealous that finally he met a 1,000 houses, relieving the burden on local and woman who truly loves him. state agencies, which have had their budgets Gwendolyn, what should we cut at the state level. The federal program is do? That lady is playing him for built around the Habitat model and involves stupid. His used-to-be best friend potential homeowners in the construction of left town immediately after the their homes. Seated, l-r: Shirley Reams, Roberta Amey-Hill and Vivian Crump; standing, l-r: Sharlene Lee, Jackie McBride, Elizabeth Jones, Jackie Morrison, Eleanor Vanhooke, Grace McGirth, Luci baby was born. Everyone was McMillan, Shirley Lassiter, Shirley Jones, Mildred Henderson and Virginia Williams. telling my brother’s best friend Chris Ptomey, the director of Federal Relations the baby looked too much like for Habitat for Humanity International, said him. Therefore, he fled the city. choosing to eliminate SHOP funding will end STAFF REPORTS Kendrall Mohden, chief recreation therapist at the VA Ann up costing society in the long run. Medical Center, involved the participants with chair ex - “We only serve families that aren’t being DURHAM – The National Council of Negro Women ercises. Approximately 35 residents were in attendance. Dear Ann: served by other programs. We’re talking about (Durham section) health awareness committee recent - A reception with gifts was part of the event as well. I agree your brother should re - a group of people who either will not be served ly conducted a health fair at the Durham Hosiery Mills Chairperson Grace McGirth and the health awareness quest the DNA test. But let me or will have to turn to other government pro - apartments. Presenters included Coordinator Luci committee also present monthly informational sessions tell you this: He is gloating over grams,” he said. McMillan, who spoke to the group on healthy living. at each NCNW meeting. the fact he has a woman. Some men have no problem whatso - Ptomey said the president’s reasoning in elim - ever getting a date or a wife. Not inating funding is that purchasing property and true with all men. Your brother developing infrastructure is covered under an - Start your day with peanut butter falls in the latter. other federal program, but that program, called Human features can be a HOME, does not often fund self-help housing strange thing. Until there is a programs. If you're looking for a better way to start the day, try 1 2 cup peanut butter, smooth DNA test, you cannot go by the Habitat said SHOP funding isn’t the only is - some peanut butter. This nutrient-dense food is a smart 2⁄Tbsp peanut oil, salad or cooking looks of the child. People often sue. The HUD Section 4 program’s funding was option for breakfast because it's filling and 1 2 cup prune puree resemble people and many times cut by 30 percent last year. The HFH Goldboro tastes great. Two tablespoons of smooth- 1-⁄1 2 cups whole wheat flour are not related even as a distant chapter received money four years ago to ex - style peanut butter offers 8 grams of plant- 2 T⁄bsp peanut flour, defatted (optional) cousin. It can happen that way. pand and went from a staff of one to 12 full- based protein and more than 30 essential 1-1 2 tsp baking powder Many men know or have an time employees. nutrients and phytonutrients. 3 4⁄tsp baking soda idea that their baby is not their Here are four easy breakfast ideas: 1⁄8 tsp salt, table baby. But they want the woman Executive Director Ti’Eshia Moore said the 1. Swirl peanut butter into oatmeal. 1⁄2 cup multigrain cereal and that’s what love is all about. money and staff helps them begin projects. 2. Add smooth-style peanut butter into 1⁄2cup unsalted dry roasted peanuts I just hope he does not go ape “We would take 10 steps back in the nature a breakfast smoothie for an easy portable ⁄ crazy when they have their first of wanting to save money. We can support the meal. Preheat oven to 350° F. Coat muffin tins big argument and she tells him construction part, but the land is hard to come 3. Toast whole grain frozen waffles and top with with nonstick cooking spray or use muffin tin liners. In - It’s not your baby anyway. by,” Moore said peanut butter instead of syrup for a low-sugar start. a large bowl, mix honey, egg, mashed bananas, peanut Got a problem? Don’t solve it Statewide Section 4 funds have built almost 4. Spread peanut butter on whole grain bread and butter, peanut oil and prune puree. In a separate bowl, alone. Write to Gwendolyn Baines 500 houses since 2006. top with slices of banana. mix whole wheat flour, peanut flour, baking powder, at: P. O. Box 10066, Raleigh, NC baking soda, salt and multigrain cereal. Mix wet and dry 27605-0066 (to receive a reply Peanut Butter Banana Power Muffin ingredients. Mix until almost completely combined. Fold send a self-addressed stamped Ingredients in peanuts. Using an ice cream scoop, divide the batter envelope) or email her at: gwen - 1 4 cup honey between 12 muffin tins. Bake for approximately 20 min - [email protected] and visit her 1⁄large egg utes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes website : www.gwenbaines.com. 3 medium bananas out clean.