A Forum on Young African American Men
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Paths to Success: A Forum on Young African American Men A Partnership of the Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation Tuesday, July 18, 2006 SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES Marcellus (Bishop) Allen Born another poverty stricken black male in the city of Newark, “The Brick City,” New Jersey, my name is Marcellus (Bishop) Allen and I am the President of Saving OurSelves (S.O.S.). As an adolescent, like many young men in our inner cities, I encountered various problems which led me to join 9 three gangsta (Blood) set and I have been a member for quite some time. Prior to joining, I have always been disciplined and militant, realizing at an early age that I was a member of that hated group - The Black Man. As evolution engulfed my being, I realized that I walked with another “Set of Foot Prints” and began to walk the positive path in my life. My community services include student workshops on conflict resolution, gang prevention/intervention, and an active participant of the Political Action Committee (P.A.C.) based in Newark, New Jersey. Dr. Drew E. Altman Drew Altman is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. The Kaiser Family Foundation is a non-profit, private operating foundation. It develops and runs its own research and communication programs, often in partnership with outside organizations. The Foundation is not associated with Kaiser Permanente or Kaiser Industries. One of the nation’s largest private foundations devoted to health, the Foundation is a trusted independent voice and source of research and information on health care in the United States. Since 1987, the Foundation has also operated a major program supporting efforts to develop a more equitable health system in South Africa. The Foundation is based in Menlo Park, California, and also operates major facilities in Washington, D.C., including its Barbara Jordan Conference Center and broadcast studio. In 1991, Dr. Altman came to the Foundation and directed a complete overhaul of its mission and operating style, leading to the Foundation’s standing today as a leader in health policy and communications. Dr. Altman is a former Commissioner of the Department of Human Services for the state of New Jersey under Governor Tom Kean (1986-1989). Prior to joining the Foundation in 1990, Dr. Altman was director of the Health and Human Services program at the Pew Charitable Trusts. He was a vice president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation from 1981 to 1986, and served in a senior position in the Health Care Financing Administration in the Carter Administration. Dr. Altman received his BA from Brandeis University and Masters in political science from Brown University. He earned his Ph.D. in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, did his post-doctoral work at the Harvard School of Public Health, and taught graduate courses in public policy at MIT before moving on to public service. Dr. Altman is a member of the Institute of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is an innovator in the world of foundations and a leading expert on national health policy who publishes and speaks widely on health issues. Ras Baraka Ras Baraka, former Newark, N.J. Deputy Mayor, has been called “one of the most consistent, courageous, and insightful activists of his generation.” The son of revered poet-activists Amina and Imamu Amiri Baraka, Ras inherited their proud tradition of artistic excellence and community activism. While a student at Howard University, Ras (sounds like ‘jazz’) formed Black Nia F.O.R.C.E. (Freedom Organization for Racial and Cultural Enlightenment) - a student youth group at the forefront of campus political and social activism. Through the organization, Ras helped organize and participated in food/clothing drives, neighborhood street clean-ups, and tutorials. During his summer breaks, Ras served as Assistant Youth Coordinator for the Commission for Racial Justice. In 1991, he graduated with a degree in political science and history. As an artist, Ras independently released his debut spoken word CD entitled Shorty for Mayor in 1998. The multi-talented Ras also edited In the Tradition (with Kevin Powell) - an anthology of young Black poets (1991). He is currently working on his second book of essays and poems. Currently, Ras is a vice principal at Weequahic High School in Newark. He formerly taught elementary school for ten years and coached girl’s basketball. Baraka’s love for teaching and education is matched only by his passion for political equality. Baraka ran for Newark’s Mayoral position in 1994, garnering nine percent of the vote - a significant task for the then 24 year old. On September 27, 2002, Ras was sworn in to serve as Newark’s Deputy Mayor. One issue that Ras is passionate about is gang intervention and prevention. Ras served as one of the key organizers and mediators of the Newark Cease Fire/Peace Initiative that took place on May 21, 2004. He was a founding member and served as the Chairman for the historic 1st National Hip-Hop Political Convention held in Newark in June 2004. On November 2, 2005, Ras was sworn in as Councilman-at-large to fill the vacated seat held by the late Donald Tucker. Philip Bennett Philip Bennett is managing editor of The Washington Post. From 1999 through 2004 he was assistant managing editor for foreign news at The Post. During his tenure, The Post’s international coverage was recognized with numerous awards, including two Pulitzer prizes for international reporting, most recently for coverage of the war in Iraq. Bennett joined The Post in 1997 as a deputy national editor for coverage of national security, defense and foreign policy. He came to the paper from the Boston Globe, where he was a foreign correspondent covering Latin America and later the Globe’s foreign editor. He has written about Latin America for a variety of magazines. He started in journalism as a reporter for The Lima Times in Peru. Bennett grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and has a degree in history from Harvard College. Dr. Bill Cosby Bill Cosby is, by any standards, one of the most influential stars in America today. Whether it be through concert appearances or recordings, television or films, commercials or education, Bill Cosby has the ability to touch people’s lives. His humor often centers on the basic cornerstones of our existence, seeking to provide an insight into our roles as parents, children, family members, and men and women. Without resorting to gimmickry or lowbrow humor, Bill Cosby’s comedy has a point of reference and respect for the trappings and traditions of the great American humorists such as Charlie Chaplin, Will Rogers, W.C. Fields and Groucho Marx. The 1984-92 run of The Cosby Show and his books Fatherhood and Time Flies established new benchmarks on how success is measured. His status at the top of the TVQ survey year after year continues to confirm his appeal as one of the most popular personalities in America. His lifelong contributions to American culture were recognized with a Kennedy Center Honor in 1998 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in July 2002, America’s highest civilian honor. Today, Cosby has touched the hearts of a new generation of young children with his Emmy Award winning Little Bill animated series, which aired daily on Nickelodeon and Saturday mornings on CBS. The show was based on Cosby’s popular children’s books. His interest in young people also spawned his best-selling book, Congratulations! Now What?, published by Hyperion. The book contains his amusing yet wise take on college life and what lies ahead for the new graduate in the real world. Friends of a Feather: One of Life’s Little Fables, a Harper Entertainment book released in May 2003, is Cosby’s most recent children’s book. Illustrated by his daughter, Erika, it is a beautiful story that explores the theme of being true to yourself. I Am What I Ate … and I’m frightened!!!, Cosby’s newest book published by HarperCollins was released on September 21, 2004 and entered the New York Times Best Seller List at #5. It offers a hip, humorous, hard-earned wisdom on the healthy lifestyle and the behavior behind it. His best seller Fatherhood was launched appropriately enough on Father’s Day as an animated series on Nick at Nite. Bill and Camille Cosby in conjunction with Fox Studios premiered a live action/animated Fat Albert motion picture. It has been a box office success. The Fat Albert television show is now available on DVD and is selling briskly. Cosby’s initial immediate success began with Bill Cosby Is A Very Funny Fellow, Right? and continued with many other comedy albums. He also has released a number of jazz recordings, including hello, friend: to ennis with love (released in 1997). Cosby has earned five Grammy Awards for best comedy album. He often neglected his studies for athletics and, after repeating the tenth grade, he left school to join the Navy. He finished high school via a correspondence course while still in the service. When he was discharged, he enrolled at Temple University as the result of an athletic scholarship where he earned academic honors. His goal was to become a physical education teacher. He probably could have made it as a professional football player, but the world is richer in laughter because he decided on show business. As busy as he is with his many ventures, Cosby has been a crusader throughout his career for a better world and for better understanding between people.