THE BALTIMORE TIMES Vol. 25 31 No. No. 7 41 August December 11 - 17, 3 2017- 9, 2010 A Baltimore Times/Times of Baltimore Publication All African American 231st Transportation Truck Battalion Celebrates 67th Anniversary Several members of the Veterans of the 231st Transportation Truck Battalion with Major General Linda L Singh, The Adjutant General MD National Guard (center). Sitting beside her is Brigadier General Claude Patterson who served with the HQ of the 231st in Korea, who re- cently passed away. On the extreme right is the retired SFC Lloyd R. Scott, President of the veterans organization with former Delegate Clarence (Tiger ) Davis.(See article on page 10) (Photo in the LTC Cade Armory) Upward Bound: Preparing high school students for college By Ruth Young Tyler Academy. This summer he returned to serve as a summer bridge student. After six-weeks of intensive sessions “It’s a place of peace, as long as you and college level coursework, 49 Balti- create the atmosphere,” he said. Rico more County high school students grad- established networks with other Upward uated from the Community College of Bound scholars that he went through the Baltimore County (CCBC) Upward program with and they remain in contact. Bound program on July 26, 2017 in Michael Thompson, residential director hopes of matriculating into college. of CCBC Upward Bound program and From June 18 to July 26, the students residential assistant Danielle Jordan participated in program at CCBC and organized academic activities, coordi- lived on the campus of University of nated collegiate workshops and invited Maryland Baltimore County (UMUC). several guest speakers, including a local Upward Bound is a nationwide, grant attorney, April Watts, radio personality of funded educational program, authorized Magic 95.9 and Nadir Nasheed, director by the Higher Education Act (HEA) of of Trading Places Mentoring Academy. 1965. At the time, President Lyndon B. Thompson hopes that by broadening Johnson signed the legislation into law, their career scope, the students will take it was intended to “strengthen the educa- advantage of opportunities that are pre- tional resources of our colleges and uni- sented to them. versities and to provide financial Baltimore County students completed a six-week college readiness program “In addition to learning in school, we assistance for students in postsecondary hosted by Upward Bound. Many of the students are the first generation to attend want our scholars to educate themselves and higher education.” Since 1965 the college. (Seated, left to right) Jamil Charles, Lucy Ekeh, Adia Mason and Milan outside of the school environment,” he HEA has been reauthorized nine times. Marseille. (Standing, left to right) Dana Thomas, Sherron Edwards, Director of said. Coordinated by CCBC, the Upward CCBC Upward Bound; and Rico Dorsey, a summer bridge student. Lucy Ekeh raced at the opportunity to Bound program was initiated in 1987 Photo Credit: Ruth Young Tyler attend the summer intensive program. She and serves students who have demon- neither parent may have Bachelor’s study theater and attend Maryland Insti- was accepted into the program and less strated academic potential. The program degree. The remaining third may exceed tute College of Art. than a month later she moved into a dorm is in its 30th year of promoting the de- the income guidelines or may not be first “I’m finding out who I am and how to room. Unlike some other Upward Bound velopment of students’ basic academic generation college graduates. support myself. Anybody who wants scholars, both of Lucy’s parents graduated skills, cultural enrichment and the moti- “We track students for six years after better for themselves should be part of from college in Nigeria. Combining her vation to successfully matriculate to and they’ve completed the program,” said Upward Bound,” he said. “They give athleticism with academics, the incoming graduate from a four-year college. To Edwards. you the tools you need to succeed, you senior at Landsdowne High School is in- ensure the students’ highest success rate, The Department of Education requires just have to use them.” terested in studying law. the scholars are required to participate in an annual performance report detailing Many of the students learned about the “The top three things I gained from the all of the program’s activities. students’ coursework, grades, grade program through word-of-mouth, like program is a sense of guidance, prepara- Jamil Charles, 17, a third year Upward point average and test results, according 18-year-old Rico Dorsey, whose godfather tion and responsibility,” said Ekeh. She Bound scholar who plans to study nuclear to Edwards. During the Upward Bound participated in the program 10 years ago. said her organization and planning skills or electrical engineering and to attend Al- matriculation and coaching process, Rico has participated in the program for has increased significantly since the start abama State or the University of Mary- Edwards reviews students’ assessments three years as a student at Milford Mill of the program. land on a full academic scholarship. of their actual reading level versus Tell us about your positive stories. Connect with us: Intellectually daring and with a wise “what their report card says.” Facebook.com/TheBaltimoreTimes perspective on life, Charles said, “I don’t Although excited about attending Twitter: @Baltimore_Times want my mother to pay a dime for col- Upward Bound in his freshman year, Instagram: @thebaltimoretimes lege. It’s not an option about going to Dana Thomas’ refocused his attention to college, it’s a must.” improve his grade point average. At the The Baltimore Times With a 3.8 grade point average, Charles end of the first quarter of his sophomore NOTICE (USPS 5840) is published every Friday is a member of the National Honor Soci- year, he earned straight A’s. by The Baltimore Times, 2513 N. ety, executive treasure for student gov- “I was ecstatic about being eligible,” Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218. ernment association at Owings Mills he said. Any unsolicited manuscripts, editorial cartoons, etc., sent to The Baltimore Subscriptions by mail $60 per year. High School and plays football, lacrosse With a broad smile and dread locks Standard bulk postage paid at Baltimore, Times become the property of The and wrestles during the school year. reaching his shoulders, the 17 year old MD 21233. Postmaster send address Baltimore Times and its Editorial According to Sherron Edwards, director, rising senior at Landsdowne High changes to: CCBC Upward Bound, two thirds of the School laughed as he recalled how he Department, which reserves the right The Baltimore Times students must meet the income guidelines pretended to be a Power Ranger. Now to accept or reject any or all such 2513 N. Charles Street and be first generation to attend college— the aspiring actor and model aspires to unsolicited material. Baltimore, MD 21218 Page 2 The Baltimore Times, August 11 - 17, 2017 (www.baltimoretimes-online.com) Positive stories about positive people! Positive stories about positive people! The Baltimore Times, August 11 - 17, 2017 (www.baltimoretimes-online.com) Page 3 Guest Editorials/Commentary President Obama’s Policies Still Drive Economic Growth By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Contributor In May of 2017, the black unemployment rate hit its lowest level in 17 years: 7.5 percent. Then, in June, the jobless rate for blacks fell to 7.1 percent, before rising to 7.4 percent in July, according to the latest jobs report. The jobs numbers over the last six months have generally been impressive. It's fas- cinating to note that suddenly, all the accusations that low jobs numbers were "fake" when President Barack Obama was in office have suddenly vanished. The black unemployment rate hit 16.7 percent in September 2011—the highest black unemployment since Ronald Reagan was in office pushing "trickle down" economics. Overall, the black unemployment numbers were higher, on average, under President Obama than President George W. Bush or President Bill Clinton. The 30 year-high for black joblessness in late 2011 prompted members of the Con- gressional Black Caucus (CBC) to embark on an August 2011 jobs tour. That same year, President Obama barked at members of the CBC at their annual gala to "put on your marching shoes...and stop whining and complaining." The black unemployment rate, in general, was lower under President George W. Bush than it was under President Obama. Economists agree that the high jobless numbers, under President Obama, were largely driven by the economic downturn known as the Great Recession. Now, Obama's economic policies are continuing to bear fruit during Trump's first six months as the Black jobless numbers improve. Commentary Black unemployment still remains double than it is for whites. July's numbers showed black unemployment at 7.4 percent, Hispanics at 5.1 percent and whites at 3.8. Get to the root mium. Your neighborhood includes In 2013, AFL-CIO Chief economist Bill Spriggs wrote: "A big puzzle in looking at dilapidated houses, vacant houses, and the changes in the black unemployment rate is the fact the black labor force is older of the problem empty trash filled lots. Estimates run as now than during past major downturns in the mid-1970s and early 1980s. In 1975, By Ken Morgan high as 16,000 vacant houses. More the black unemployment rate spiked to 15.4 percent. In 1982 and 1983, the black vacant houses in neighborhoods mean unemployment rate skyrocketed to above 20 percent for a nine-month period start- lower life expectancy according to Organizers and participants of the Cease ing in October 1982." Baltimore City. It is not just from gun Fire movement to stop the killings in Balti- Several political observers pointed out that many jobs being added to the U.S.