The Port City Review January Edition 2023

January 2023 In The Words Of A King Page 18

Thomas Barbee Makes History Page 4

A Heart and History of Service Page 30

Organizing History Page 12

Career Readiness Through Development Page 26

honors the Life, Legacy and Revolutionary Spirit of

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Outspoken, Unapologetic and Real

Volume 2

NO. 2

January 2023

President and Chief Executive Officer Julius Hall

---------------------- EDITORIAL ---------------------Executive Editor Chantaye McLaughlin Managing Editor Julius Hall

Senior Editor Natalie Leggette

--------------- CONTRIBUTING WRITERS --------------Robert Bryant, Ph.D. Natalie Leggette Scott Lorenza

Chantaye Mc Laughlin Christopher Smith

--------------------- ADVERTISING --------------------Director Natalie Leggette

--------------------- TECHNOLOGY --------------------Director of Information Technology Christopher Smith

The

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CONTENTS

PORT WENTWORTH Thomas Barbee Makes History………………………Page 4 Salon Warehouse Space and the need for Vocational Rehabilitation Services in Port Wentworth …………………………Page 6 Promise Keeping Plans in Motion …………………Page 23

EDUCATION Career Readiness Through Development …….…Page 26 A Heart and History of Service ………..……………Page 30

SPORTS January Sports Update………………………...………Page 8

CULTURE Organizing History ………………………….………….Page 12 In The Words Of A King …………………….…………Page 18-21 & 34-36

Port Wentworth

THOMAS BARBEE MAYOR PRO TEMP PORT WENTWORTH CITY COUNCIL PORT WENTWORTH, GEORGIA 4

Thomas Barbee Makes History Most Decorated Elected Official in Port Wentworth History By: Chris Smith

Based in Atlanta, the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, research, training, employee benefit and technical consulting services to all of Georgia’s 537 cities. In January 2023, The GMA held their Annual Convention in Atlanta. Port Wentworth’s Mayor Pro Temp, Thomas Barbee received the prestigious Certificate of Dedication from the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute.

The Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute, is a cooperative effort of the GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, provides a nationally recognized series of training opportunities for city officials. To receive a Certificate of Dedication, a city official must complete a minimum of 276 training hours, including at least 108 hours from a list of required classes, 18 hours of which must be from Advanced Leadership track, the Newly Elected Officials Institute and the Robert E. Knox, Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute. The training program consists of more than 80 courses.

Mayor Pro Temp Thomas Barbee is the first elected official in the history of Port Wentworth to achieve the Certificate Of Dedication. Reflecting on his achievement Mayor Pro Temp Barbee stated, “serving the people of Port Wentworth is an honor. I see great benefit in gaining more information from the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute and I look forward to more opportunities in the near future.” The retired Air Force veteran of 21 years, is currently serving in his second term on council and works diligently every day to build a better Port Wentworth.

He is a very familiar and friendly face to many residents of Port Wentworth. Born in Tennessee and raised in Indiana, he joined the United States Air Force in 1984 and retired in 2005 after 21 years of honorable service. His work at the Pentagon along with decades of service ingrained a strong belief in accountability. He and his wife, Margo, live in the Rice Creek Subdivision of the city. Mr. Barbee moved to Port Wentworth in August 2011 and fell in love with the pulse of the community.

Ever ready to lend a helping hand, Mayor Pro Temp Barbee leads by example. Sharing his belief, “there is no greater reward in public service than knowing that I helped to make a difference in our community!”

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Port Wentworth Salon Warehouse Space and the need for Vocational Rehabilitation Services in Port Wentworth.

By: Chantaye McLaughlin

Photo Credit: Spacecrafting Photography

When Governor Kemp reopened the state of Georgia, one of the first industries to reopen were beauty salons. Upon the opening of the beauty salons, life began to normalize. Is it because many of the gig workers who were drawing unemployment were able to return to the work environments that were conducive to their trade or skill? It could be argued that after the SBA put almost a trillion dollars into the community, everyone began having businesses and purchasing office space.

If Port Wentworth were to develop more warehouse space that could be converted into office space, then it would allow for more skilled labor and for more youth to be trained and developed in vocational rehabilitation services.

If we would convert office space into things like beauty and barbershop it would lead to more business ownership, a decrease in crime and an increase into the overall economy. The reason why the office space would lead to business ownership is because a container inside of a warehouse is less expensive and less harmful to the environment than a building.

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Photo Credit: Wynn Locations

The pandemic showed us the value of the working class. The first industry to open up outside of the first responders were the beauty and barbershops. Many argued conspiracy due to the industry being filled with individuals who are often considered as the working class or even gig workers. The reality is beauticians and barbers have been around since the beginning of time and they are service providers. Beauticians and barbers set the tone for the culture and for a multibillion-dollar industry. Everyone wants to look and feel good, and that is what they create.

Warehouse space and containers allow for creatives to create. Tattoo artists, fashion designers and musicians having access to space that they can own would assist with stabilizing the economy further and lowering the deficit. The more consumerism that takes place, the more money there is that floats throughout the economy. That is why it is often stated that African-Americans are the largest consumers with spending powers exceeding a trillion dollars.

Photo Credit: Bettmann//Gettty Images

Photo Credit: Unknown

Barbershops in the African-American community have often controlled the narrative of business, politics, family, Black love and any other topic that could not be discussed at home or where there was no man in the home. Beauticians in the African American community served as the therapists and counselors and they were there before reality television, to tell the young girls how to dress, how to be courted properly and even to absorb and gather all the gossip and information. When I was growing up, we had Too Groovy in Savannah and every Black male has at least heard of Boyz II Men. This is where the youth got their lives back when it was popular to look good before it was the in thing to carry guns and fight out problems by shooting and killing.

These containers and warehouses could revitalize an entire generation and provide positive opportunities for a culture that has been destroyed from gangs and violence.

These containers could reinforce the importance of trade schools and colleges. It is my hope that we normalize businesses that stabilize the economy as well as put money back into the communities that are the most impacted by crime.

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Sports UGA Wins National Championship By: The Coach

Photo Credit: ESPN.com

The University of Georgia has become the first college football team to win back-to-back National Championships since 2012. The Bulldogs dominated the Horn Frogs from the first play of the game until the last play, ending with the most impressive win in college football, National Championship game history. The SEC showed the world why they are the best college football conference in the country.

Critics have immediately started second guessing why TCU was allowed into the championship game. The national spotlight has certainly boosted TCU’s program and increased applicants for enrollment into the University.

UGA’s Stetson Bennett accounted for 5 TD’s and was named MVP of the game.

The only question after Georgia’s 65-7 win was, what team would Bennett go to in the upcoming draft. The Dawgs are now preseason favorites to take it all again next year. Fans are excited for the first week of September 2023.

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Photo Credit: ESPN.com

In other sporting news: In Major League Baseball players are still on the move, signing record breaking contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars each. Fourth round pick from the MLB’s 2020 draft, Atlanta Braves Pitcher, Spencer Strider has officially changed his jersey number to 99.

When asked if he chose his number to match his average pitching velocity, Strider said, “That had nothing to do with it. I think my average velocity was 98.2 [mph], so that wouldn’t be completely accurate.”

Spencer Strider

Atlanta Braves Photo Credit: MLB.com

Oscar Tshiebwe Kentucky

College basketball is halfway through the season.

Oscar Tshiebwe of Kentucky the has a potential challenger in Perdu’s Zach Edey for his quest for National Player of the Year.

Kansas, may very well have the skills to defend their national title and Norfolk State guard, Jo Bryant Jr., who was awarded the MEAC player of the year last year could be in position to win that title again. He has already established himself as a legend and Norfolk State looks forward to their third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance.

March Madness is only a few weeks away and the first four game will kick off March 14 – 15th in Dayton, Ohio. The rounds culminate with the Final Four on April 1st and the NCAA Championship Game on April 3rd of this year.

The official Golf season is right around the corner.

The 87th Edition of the Masters Tournament will be held April 6-9, this year at the Augusta National Golf Club, in Augusta, Georgia. Tournament Officials have announced that the LIV Golf Players will not be barred from participating in the 2023 Masters Tournament.

Photo Credit: ESPN.com

Jo Bryant, Jr. Norfolk State University

Photo Credit: ESPN.com

The First Black Man to Play in The Masters

Lee Elder Photo Credit: AP

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Culture Organizing History

By Natalie Leggette

A Philip Randolph was born in Crescent City, Florida in 1889. He was the second son of his parents, Reverend James and Elizabeth Randolph. He was christened and named Asa Philip Randolph. He was given the name Asa after a biblical king who reigned 41 years and who distributed his wealth among the people of his Kingdom.

“And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father.”

-1 Kings 15:11 KJV

A. PHILIP RANDOLPH Photo Credit Bettmann/Getty Images

Raised to know that they were not inferior to any white boy, his parents taught him and his brother, that they were just as able, and as competent, and they had as much intellectuality as any individual.

Teaching their sons that they were not supposed to bow or take a back seat to anyone, their teachings were reinforced by the fiery preaching of their church member, Bishop Henry Macneil Turner, who argued that black people had a right to demand total social equality.

He graduated high school as valedictorian and moved to Harlem, New York in 1911. While attending college he was drawn into

radical politics and became a democratic socialist speaking out for freedom, equality and justice.

In 1914, Randolph married Lucille Green, a salon owner and member of Harlem’s Black elite, with funding from her business, Randolph launched the extreme and radical publication, The Messenger, with fellow socialist, Chandler Owen. They were labeled as the New Negro Radicals. Throughout the 20th century, A. Philip Randolph set the agenda for the modern civil rights movement. Randolph was opposed to the first World War and condemned those who supported the war. Their unrelenting protests earned A. 12

Organizing History Philip Randolph the distinction as, the most dangerous Negro in America, by the United States Attorney General in 1919. He used his publication to fight for opportunity and protection for black workers. Pushing for unionization, A. Philip Randolph was the instrumental force behind the formation of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. He continued his fight for Negro representation and inclusion in the national union associations. In the 1940’s, Randolph stood against two presidents, and it was at this time, when Randolph first expressed the need for a mass demonstration by thousands of Negroes to protest on the lawn of the White House. It was at this time that Randolph appointed Bayard Rustin as the youth organizer of the proposed 1941 March on Washington. This march was a threat to President Roosevelt and six days before the proposed demonstration, President Roosevelt signed an Executive Order ending segregation in defense industries and in the military. In the 1950’s Randolph continued to challenge Union leaders, demanding equality for black workers.

Also, during this period in history, Bayard Rustin cofounded the Congress Of Racial Equality (CORE).

Rustin organized campaigns and led workshops on nonviolent direct action. During World War II Rustin spent over two years in prison as a “conscientious objector.” In 1947 Rustin was arrested during CORE’s Journey of Reconciliation. This journey tested the Supreme Court rulings barring segregation in interstate travel. This test provided a model for the 1961 Freedom Rides. Rustin was also instrumental in the reform of prison chain gangs. The report of his 22 days spent on a brutal, North Carolina chain gang, was published in many newspapers , leading to reformation of the practice.

BAYARD RUSTIN Photo Credit: Stephen F. Somerstein/ Getty Images

For over a half a century, A. Philip Randolph fought to improve the lives of Black Americans. Fighting for jobs and labor. Working with leaders like Roy Wilkins and organizers like Bayard Rustin, A. Philip Randolph’s dream never died. Once again, he expressed the need 13

Culture Organizing History for mass action and called for a new March on Washington for jobs and freedom.

“Negroes want the same things that white citizens possess. All of their rights. They want no reservation. They want complete equality, social, economic and political, and no force under the sun can stand or block or stop this civil rights revolution which is now underway.”

A Philip Randolph began to plan the historic March on Washington in April 1963. He worked to united the civil rights organizations, and although a controversial choice, Randolph chose Bayard Rustin as the Chief Organizer of the March. Regardless of Rustin’s past and lifestyle choices, Randolph did not waiver because he knew that Bayard Rustin had exceptional organizing skills. They brought together the leaders of the civil rights organizations and they worked tirelessly to get the word out about the March.

A live, national broadcast, in the Spring of 1963, discussed the upcoming March on Washington. Hosted by Dr. Kenneth Clark, Professor at New York City University. Five Negro leaders shared their thoughts on the impending March on Washington. The five leaders were: Roy Wilkins – NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People); Whitney Young, Jr. – Urban League; James Farmer - CORE (Congress On Racial Equality); James Foreman - SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee); and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. – SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference). During the broadcast, these five distinguished gentlemen clearly, assuredly and unapologetically described the plan of the protest and the intention of the event.

Rev. King said, “…we are not going to Washington to intimidate any congressman or any senator. It will give a large number of people an opportunity to articulate their longings and aspirations for freedom. Their desire to see meaningful forthright civil rights legislation in this session of Congress and, of course we also intend to arouse the conscience of the nation over the economic plight of the Negro, 100 years after emancipation, and I think it can have a great impact. I think it will dramatize the issue. It will have educational value in that it will allow many people to see and understand the continued indignities and injustices which Negroes confront all over the nation.”

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Organizing History The broadcast continued with support echoed from all five of the civil rights leaders.

Days before the protest was scheduled, President Kennedy called for a meeting with A. Philip Randolph in an attempt, to call off the March. The President expressed concern for violence and A. Philip Randolph assured President Kennedy that it would be an orderly, peaceful, and nonviolent protest.

Photo Credit: World Telegram & Sun photo by O. Fernandez

Randolph’s vision finally came to fruition. After a lifetime of calls for mass action a Philip Randolph gave the first speech at the March on Washington.

“Hello Americans, we are gathered here, in the largest demonstration, in the history of this nation.

Let the nation and the world know the meaning of our numbers. We are not a pressure group. We are not an organization or a group of organizations. We are not a mob. We are the guard of a massive moral revolution for jobs and freedom.”

More than 250,000 people waited with great anticipation for the last speaker. A. Philip Randolph stepped up to the microphone and said, “At this time, I have the honor to present to you, the moral leader of our nation, a great dedicated man, a philosopher of a nonviolent system of behavior and seeking to bring about social change for the advancement of justice, freedom and human dignity.

I have the pleasure to present to you, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”

The March on Washington served not only the purpose that it set out to achieve, but it was a passing down of the mantle from one generation of leaders to the next generation of leaders. Today, the world recognizes the dream that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 15

Culture Organizing History shared, yet we must also remember that on this historic day in American history, there was also a dream fulfilled. Decades of struggle, trials and strife, trying to organize and demonstrate in mass numbers, his Dream with the world, A. Philip Randolph achieved what many deemed impossible.

Photo Credit: National Archives/Getty Images The great and iconic speech given on that day was the culmination of meetings, rallies, conferences, arguments and negotiations by many great men and women of color. Black people coming together, setting aside differences for one common goal.

Let us always remember, that behind every great leader and every great event are amazing, dynamic, dedicated and passion-filled organizers and unifiers laboring for the greater good of the black community. May God Almighty continue to bless the work of their hands.

References: kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/rustin-bayard A Philip Randolph For Jobs and Freedom, PBS,org

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Built to Last: A. Philip Randolph Museum, ABC-TV

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The Words of a King

“Whites, it must frankly be said, are not putting in a similar mass effort to reeducate themselves out of their racial ignorance. It is an aspect of their sense of superiority that the white people of America believe they have so little to learn. The reality of substantial investment to assist Negroes into the 20th century, adjusting to Negro neighbors and genuine school integration, is still a nightmare for all too many white Americans… These are the deepest causes for contemporary abrasions between the races. Loose and easy language about equality, resonant resolutions about brotherhood fall pleasantly on the ear, but for the Negro there is a credibility gap he cannot overlook. He remembers that with each modest advance the white population promptly raises the argument that the Negro has come far enough. Each step forward accents an ever-present tendency to backlash.”

- Where Do We Go From Here 1967 18

“The evils of capitalism are as real as the evils of militarism and racism. The problems of racial injustice an economic injustice cannot be solved without a radical redistribution of political and economic power.”

- King to the Southern Christian leadership Conference Board | March 30, 1967 Photo Credit: Richlandlibrary.com

“Again, we have deluded ourselves into believing the myth that capitalism grew and prospered out of the Protestant ethic of hard work and sacrifices. Capitalism was built on the exploitation of black slaves and continues to thrive on the exploitation of the poor, both black and white, both here and abroad.”

- The Three Evils speech, 1967

“White Americans must recognize that justice for black people cannot be achieved without radical changes in the structure of our society.”

- Where Do We Go From Here, 1967 Photo Credit: Jack Corn/The Tennessean

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The Words of a King “…I believe firmly that we can solve this problem. I know that there are still difficult days ahead. And they are days of glorious opportunity.

Our goal for America is freedom. Abused and scorned though we may be, our destiny is tied up with America's. Before the Pilgrim fathers landed at Plymouth, we were here. Before Jefferson etched across the pages of history the words that I just quoted from the Declaration of Independence, we were here. Before the beautiful words of the StarSpangled Banner were written, we were here. For more than two centuries our forbearers labored here without wages. They made cotton king. They built the homes of their masters in the midst of the most oppressive and humiliating conditions. And yet out of a bottomless vitality they continued to grow and develop. If the inexpressible cruelties of slavery couldn't stop us, the opposition that we now face will surely fail. We're going to win our freedom because both the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of the almighty God are embodied in our echoing demands. And we can sing We Shall Overcome, because somehow, we know the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

- 1966 Ware Lecture: Don't Sleep Through the Revolution, by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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“…at the very same time that America refused to give the Negro any land, through an act of Congress, our government was giving away millions of acres of land and the West and the Midwest. Which meant that it was willing to undergird its white peasants from Europe with an economic floor, but not only did they give the land, they built land grant colleges, with government money, to teach them how to farm. Not only that, they provided county agents to further their expertise in farming.

Not only that, they provided low interest rates in order that they could mechanize their farms. Not only that, today, many of these people are receiving millions of dollars in federal subsidies not to farm and they are the very people telling the black man that he ought to lift himself by his own bootstraps. And this is what we are faced with, and this is the reality. Now, when we come to Washington and this campaign, we are coming to get our check.”

- The Two Nations of Black America 21

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Port Wentworth Promise Keeping Plans in Motion By: Scott Lorenza

Port Wentworth City Council addressed the next steps for ClearWater Solutions plan to address issues and complaints regarding their service to the City and residents of Port Wentworth, in the November 2022 City Council meeting.

ClearWater Solutions’ CEO, Steve Cawood, explained that he has never been in a situation like this, he apologized and stated that ClearWater Solutions would like to make this right. He said that the wastewater treatment plant has tight limits due to the proximity of the Savannah River, and there have been some issues with equipment as well. He also said, that he would like to correct the fine issues past and present, as well as help correct the violations.

City Council Member Stephens, asked when ClearWater was going to have people dedicated to work for Port Wentworth, and what was the hiring process. Cawood informed Council that they have a vigorous HR process. He went on to say that his first concern was ensuring that they are compliant and working to fix all issues.

In the December 1, 2022, Port Wentworth City Council meeting, a motion was made, seconded and approved, to unanimously to purchase a Rebuild of the Wastewater Treatment Facility Effluent Pump and Motor with Goforth Williamson, Inc. The City Manager explained that this was one of the high-priced repairs that needed to be done at the waste-water treatment plant.

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Port Wentworth Promise Keeping Plans in Motion The Port City Review reached out to ClearWater Solutions to see if they had a plan to address the past issues and complaints as of yet. A representative of the company stated that they have an assessment of the work to be done and they have put together a productive and efficient plan to resolve issues and provide excellent service to the city of Port Wentworth. The representative shared, “we have repaired 4 of the 5 main vehicles for operation, and the 5th vehicle is scheduled for repair.” They also stated that, “the dredge work along roadways will increase, and they are working diligently to improve and maintain the right of ways throughout the area.” The representative confirmed that ClearWater has daily calls to ensure that they have either completed and/or are working to resolve all issues. ClearWater Solutions is accepting applications at this time.

Information can be found at https://clearwatersol.com/careers/apply

It appears ClearWater Solutions is on tract to keep the promises their CEO made to City Council. They do not seem to shy away from, but rather face the challenges head on, with a resolute attitude. The development of a preventative maintenance strategy that is incorporated into their plan of correction is refreshing, demonstrating ClearWater's commitment to providing service to the residents and businesses in Port Wentworth.

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Port Wentworth Promise Keeping Plans in Motion

The City of Port Wentworth’s Wastewater Treatment Facility serves the City and surrounding areas. The 2.0 MGD reclamation facility is the first Zero Ultimate Oxygen Demand facility in the Southeastern United States. It is located just off O’Leary Road between EMD Chemicals and the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge.

The Port Wentworth facility is state-of-the-art. It helps eliminate a non-compliant point source for pollution and improves the water quality in the Savannah River, which benefits the entire ecosystem. The Wastewater Treatment Facility will provide long-term economic benefits to the City of Port Wentworth by ensuring the continued availability of its wastewater treatment capacity to accommodate future growth needs of the City.

Water Emergencies (Afterhours) For water or sewer emergencies that occur after 5:00 p.m., that are not related to billing, such as a sewer back up or a main water line break, please call the Emergency After-hours number at 912656-9449.

How to Report a Stormwater Pollution Issue If you observe someone illegally dumping into a storm drain or ditch, or have other stormwater-related concerns, please contact the City’s Public Services Department at 912-966-7427 25

Education Career Readiness Through Development, By: Robert Bryant, Ph.D.

Photo Credit: gorodenkoff | Getty Images

Career and Technical Education (CTE) continue to be a priority for communities throughout our nation. There is a shortage of professionals in several critical career fields like nursing, education, among others. Additionally, the generational shift of babyboomers is likely to create a gap within a variety of professions. The need for a skilled workforce has grown and that has expanded programs to develop individuals with necessary competencies. The urgency of career and technical education allows for individuals to a) develop skills for the workforce, b) advance knowledge about one’s career, c) identify pathways for growth, and d) meet the demands of emerging professions.

Individuals who complete high school have the option to enter the workforce. The need for skilled workers continues to remain an integral component for vocations like electricians, plumbers, carpenters, mechanics, and other related fields. Access to the labor market is attached to occupational learning for individuals to function successfully in their professional role. Many occupations require a level of training that could range from self-directed learning to an apprenticeship, to formal classroom activities. There are some professions that are regulated by laws and standards with clear requirements to 26

Career Readiness Through Development guide how individuals should be prepared. For instance, a medical doctor has a specific path of educational activities that are prescribed before an individual may function as a physician. An electrician would be required to complete required courses and hands-on training to gain the necessary competencies.

In most professions there are specific outcomes that can be measured to assess the knowledge and skills of an individual. To document the training and development for professionals there must be a community of professionals who account for how well newcomers to the field are able to function with the appropriate knowledge in a specific field of practice. Knowledge is enhanced if the individual has an opportunity to be engaged in the context of practice and is accomplished through a designed apprenticeship.

Chatham County and its surrounding counties are expanding, and new professional opportunities are emerging. We must maintain our focus on apprenticeships and training programs that develop young professionals to be well-prepared.

Educational curriculums must be designed with both career and technical learning opportunities.

The opportunities arising from warehouses, skilled-labor, and other careers require our educational institutions to prepare our workforce to be sustainable for long-term career experiences.

Photo Credit: michaeljung/Getty Images

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Education A Heart and History of Service By: Natalie Leggette

Dr. Tonia Howard Hall took her Oath of Office as a returning Board Member, at the Board of Education’s 2023 Oath of Office Ceremony on January 5th of this year. Dr. Howard-Hall was re-elected to represent the 8th District. She shared a touching memory of collecting the belongings of her deceased brother ten years ago. She was moved to find that her brother kept a letter that she had sent him while she was a student at Florida A&M University, postmarked October 13th, 1980. Her brother had kept this letter in his box of important papers. She had no idea that her brother saved her letter after all those years, and she had no idea how much that letter meant to him.

Accepting her position of service to the SCCPSS Board of Education, Dr. Tonia HowardHall sent another letter to her dear late brother Ronnie, from her heart to heaven. Her letter began by assuring her brother of her commitment to serve. She detailed her passions, “I am most passionate about early learning opportunities. I am passionate about student academic growth because, standardized tests have the proclivity to mask student growth and student progress. I have a passion for teacher recruitment and 30

retention. And most important, I believe in policy, because policy is what drives an organization.” She told her brother that she is prepared, focused and qualified to serve and that the 36,000 students are the reason she will continue in service.

Dr. Tonia Howard-Hall is a proud product of the Savannah Chatham County Public School System and Tompkins High School Graduate. She shared with the audience and her late brother that she is a parent, a grandparent, a former teacher and a former administrator of Savannah Chatham County Public Schools. .

As she closed Dr. Howard-Hall asked her late brother to tell her grandmothers, ‘Thank You,’ Thanking her Great, Great, Great, Grandmother, who labored as a slave, on a plantation in Toombs County, Georgia. Thanking her Great, Great, Grandmother who never had the opportunity to get an education. She thanked her Great Grandmother, who never had the opportunity to vote, and she asked that he thank her Grandmother, who endured the hardship of the Great Depression accompanied with the Jim Crow Movement in the South.

She also shared in her letter to her beloved brother that she honors their mother, 86, who was forced to drop out of high school due to teenage pregnancy, yet she cared for and raised a family of eight in a one-bedroom apartment house.

Dr. Tonia Howard Hall declared that she stands on their shoulders. The blood, sweat, tears and sacrifices of the generations that have gone before her have enabled her to rise as an exemplary role model, not only for her own family, but also for the 36,000 children who attend the Savannah Chatham County Public School System.

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The Words of a King The Other America Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “A second myth that we must deal with is that of exaggerated progress. Certainly, we have made progress in race relations. And I think we can all glory that things are better today than they were ten years ago or even three years ago. We should be proud of the steps we've made to rid our nation of this great evil of racial segregation and discrimination. On the other hand, we must realize the plant of freedom is only a bud and not yet a flower. The Negro is freer in 1966, but he is not yet free. The Negro knows more dignity today than he has known in any period of his history in this country, but he is not yet equal. There still are stubborn, difficult problems to deal with all over the country.”

“I'm appalled that some people feel that the civil rights struggle is over because we have a 1964 civil rights bill with ten titles and a voting rights bill. Over and over again, people ask, what else do you want? They feel that everything is all right. Well, let them look around our big cities…. the Negro in his own life is confronting a major depression. This is true of every major city in the United States.

While there is great affluence all around there still stubborn depths of poverty, deprivation and despair…..These are stubborn, difficult problems, and yet they are problems that must be tackled, for I need not remind you of the dangers inherent therein. There is nothing more dangerous than to build a society with a large segment of individuals within that society who feel that they have no stake in it, who feel that they have nothing to lose. These are the people who will riot, these are the people who will turn their ears from pleas for non-violence. For the health of our nation, these problems must be solved. “ 34

Photo Credit: John C. Goodwin | UMC

“In the areas of housing, schooling, and employment there is still a great deal that must be done. We've come a long, long way; we still have a long, long way to go and action programs are necessary. I've heard it said that the day of demonstrations is over; this is something that we hear a great deal. Well, I'm sorry that I can't agree with that. I wish that I could say the day of demonstrations is over, but as long as these problems are with us, it will be necessary to demonstrate in order to call attention to them. I'm not saying that a demonstration is going to solve the problem of poverty, the problem of housing, the problems that we face in the schools. It's going to take something much more than a demonstration, but at least the demonstration calls attention to it; at least the demonstration creates a kind of constructive crisis that causes a community to see the problem and causes a community to begin moving toward the point of acting on it. The church must support this kind of demonstration.”

Photo Credit: Jimmy Ellis | The Tennessean

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The Words of a King

Photo Credit: AP

“I believe firmly that we can solve this problem. I know that there are still difficult days ahead. And they are days of glorious opportunity. Our goal for America is freedom. Abused and scorned though we may be, our destiny is tied up with America's. Before the Pilgrim fathers landed at Plymouth, we were here. Before Jefferson etched across the pages of history the words that I just quoted from the Declaration of Independence, we were here. Before the beautiful words of the Star-Spangled Banner were written, we were here. For more than two centuries our forbearers labored here without wages.

They made cotton king. They built the homes of their masters in the midst of the most oppressive and humiliating conditions. And yet out of a bottomless vitality they continued to grow and develop. If the inexpressible cruelties of slavery couldn't stop us, the opposition that we now face will surely fail. We're going to win our freedom because both the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of the almighty God are embodied in our echoing demands. And we can sing We Shall Overcome, because somehow, we know the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 36