Page 2 ~ December 12, 2014/THE VILLAGER www.theaustinvillager.com THE COMMUNIQUÉ SIFFORD IS FIRST BLACK GOLFER TO EARN A PGA CARD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 account. His caption read, “History was made last night by my grandpa. Thanks Charlie for inspiring Pop, who then in turn inspired me and others like us. Heroic fight & you won.” Sifford remembers 1964 as a year when America’s obsession with sports clashed with its ambivalence about racism. During that year, Bill Russell led the Bos- ton Celtics to another N.B.A Championship, Jim Brown let the Cleveland Browns to the N.F.L. championship and Bob Gibson pitched the St Louis Cardinals to a World Series baseball title. On Monday, Sifford , the first Black Golfer to earn a PGA card, sat proudly as the first Black President of FROM CLUB HOUSE TO WHITE HOUSE - President Barack Obama (l) places Medal of Freedom the United States placed the Presidential Medal of Free- around the neck of Charlie Sifford. Photo by Golf.com dom around his neck. LINDER: “Change Can Impart Grammy®-Award Winner Wisdom and Perspective Chrisette Michele Also Scheduled to Perform CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Michele will round out the evening’s enter- tainment at HT’s signature Gala. The Gala will feature a tribute to President and Dr. Larry L. Earvin Chief Executive Officer Larry L. Earvin, Ph.D., who has announced his retire- ment effective June 30, 2015. Earvin’s vision for the fundraiser has helped to generate more than $1 million for the University during the past 11 years. Gary Clark Jr. (Photo courtesy of http://www.garyclarkjr.com/gcjlivealbum) COMMUNITY OF EXCELLENCE - Austin With an appreciation of The event will NAACP President, Nelson Linder speaking during blues, jazz, soul, country, further be filled with music the award ceremony for the 49th Annual DeWitty/ and hip hop, Clark began from HT’s Elite Combo, un- Overton Freedom Fund Banquet at the Hyatt Re- playing guitar at age 12 der the direction of Dr. Javier gency in Austin, TX. Photo credit: Naomi Richard and got his big break from Stuppard, featuring student the late promoter and club musicians, performing an CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 owner Clifford Antone. His array of selections from was the esteemed recipient of the DeWitty/ talents as an electric gui- various genres during the Overton Award. The Captain Louie White Award was tarist were highlighted on evening that highlights the given to Captain Cyril Friday of the Travis County the big screen in the 2007 popular Parade of Masks Sheriff’s Office. “Our award recipients this year repre- movie “Honeydripper” competition. sent how an unyielding commitment to excellence and that featured Danny Other event change can impart wisdom and perspective that can Glover, Lisa Gay Hamilton, spotlights include the ultimately affect the quality of life for everyone in the Chrisette Michele and Yaya DaCosta. Re- Community Tower of Light community,” said Austin NAACP President, Nelson (Photo courtesy of http://www.thisischrisettemichele.com/) cently, he was featured in Award recipient for 2015 Linder. Clark won magazine has captivated two acoustic blues perfor- to join previous winners MEDINA: “I am excited to bring his 2014 Grammy®-Award audiences from Coachella mances on the “12 Years Dr. W. Charles Akins; Philip for the Best Traditional to Glastonbury, a Slave” movie soundtrack. and Donna Berber, A Glim- what I’ve learned back to R&B Performance for Lollapalooza to the New Michele, mer of Hope Foundation; colleagues and students” “Please Come Home” Orleans Jazz and Heritage known for singing broken- The Honorable Ronnie hearted love songs, re- McDonald; and Brian CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 from the Blak and Blu al- Festival, from Metallica’s bum. His newest album Orion Festival to Jay-Z’s leased “Better” with the Peierls, Peierls Founda- fessionals such as Medina can learn and medi- “Gary Clark Jr. Live” fea- Made in America. He has popular “You Mean That tion. Guests may pur- tate over their goals and ambitions. The institute is set tures his best live perfor- performed with legendary Much To Me, “A Couple of chase their admission for up to permit time for in-depth discussions and small, mances on songs such as rock and roll artists as well Forevers,” and “Snow.” $125 or their sponsorship faculty-led mentor group sessions. Participants will be “Catfish Blues,” “Travis as Jimmie Vaughan, Alicia Her time away from the online at http:// involved in content sessions on topics such as strate- County,” and “When the Keys, and Sheryl Crow in spotlight included a mind, www.cvent.com/d/ gic thinking, leading change, career advancement plan- Sun Comes Down.” Clark, venues from Antone’s to body, and spiritual trans- y4q6p4/4W. ning and work/life balance. considered “The King of Belgium with stops at the formation for a strong For more information, Commenting on this honor, Medina said, “I’m look- Summer Festivals,” ac- White House and the “To- comeback that she will call 512.505.3073. A mask ing forward to this opportunity to not only grow per- cording to Rolling Stone night Show” with Jay Leno. bring to the Gala. is required. sonally, but also professionally. “I am excited to bring what I’ve learned back to colleagues and students.” The Alliance for African American Health in Cen- tion Grant which was given to Austin as part of the Af- Medina lives in Manor, Texas with her husband tral Texas held a free Fitness Showcase event on Mon- fordable Care Act. UT-Austin was the direct grantee, Omar and daughter Isabelle. The dean has worked for day, December 8, 2014 from 5:45pm – 7:45pm at Travis and the alliance has partnered with them. the liberal arts university since August 2014. County Precinct One; which is located at 4717 Heflin Overton said increasing access to free or low cost Lane. The precinct is near MLK and Springdale Road. fitness opportunities and addressing physical activities Free Fitness Showcase The event was set up in the community room and in- are purposes for the grant. In order to carry out their By Shirley A. Hammond cluded some rigorous physical activity. Several exer- end they have agreements with several organizations follow her on twitter at twitter.com/xtremeridewish1 cise demonstrations were given; including Afro-Brazil- who have agreed to provide their facilities. They in- ian Dance, Yoga, Zumba, Chair Exercises, Pilates, Tai clude Precinct One, First Baptist Church (Heflin Lane), Chi and Strengthening/Toning. Different instructors of- Texas Empowerment Academy at Bluestein Drive near fered insight into their fitness activity specialty. Norman Elementary and Greater Works Baptist Church According to the alliance’s executive director, (who has a walking trail). Marva Overton, the event was an effort to try to find She said the next step will be getting sponsorships out what type of class those who attended will be in- to offset the cost of the instructors; who she described terested in having on an ongoing basis. Each instructor as community-minded people who are not seeking to showcased their classes through a 20 minute demo while do this as a goldmine. “We see it as only fair to com- people participated. “This will give people a feel for pensate them in some manner.” what’s available. It may be something that people will Once all details are cemented, the community will want to have there,” said Overton. be able to find out the start date through social media, PU-PU-PU-PUSH IT REAL GOOD: She said it will also give instructors some network- websites and advertisements in neighborhood associa- Attendees doing one of a variety of ing and exposure opportunity, because many of them tion newsletters. They will also pass out information exercises that were demonstrated by hold different classes around the community already. near the precinct. For more information contact the ex- instructors. Photo by AAAHCT staff. This effort is part of the Community Transforma- ecutive director at [email protected]..