March 2016 Edition

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CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS OF EXCELLENCE 2011 - 2016

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Health Care Leaders: Women at the Helm of Columbus’ FQHCs

By Charleta B. Tavares

29 33

Minority Health Month Kickoff

By Angela Dawson

KENT - The Super Candidate for 25th House District

By Joe Williamson Cooke

Michelle Alexander “Fighting for Racial Justice” March 2016 Cover Art By Robert Shettlery

Publisher’s Page Founder & Publisher Ray Miller Layout & Design Ray Miller, III Assistant Editor Ray Miller, III Staff Keia Sykes Jannerys Hernandez Photographer Steve Harrison Contributing Editors

Tim Anderson Lisa Benton, MD Roderick Q. Blount, Jr. M.A. Stephanie R. Bridges Joe Williamson Cooke Iris Cooper, MBA Angela Dawson Jeff Guo Layden Hayle Cecil Jones, MBA Elizabeth Joy, MBA Jacqueline Lewis-Lyons, Psy.D William McCoy, MPA Ambrose Moses, III Nicey H. Polk Charleta B. Tavares Netta Whitman Ruby White

The Columbus African American News Journal was founded by Ray Miller on January 10, 2011 The Columbus African American News Journal 750 East Long Street Columbus, Ohio 43203 Office: 614.340.4891 editor@columbusafricanamerican.com

Life is good! On April 6th, I will be almost as old as my good friend, State Representative Hearcel Craig, who as we all know, is ancient! I can say this about Hearcel because we have known each other since we were in the 8th grade at Champion Jr. High School and all the way through Columbus East High School. If he were only as good a basketball player as he thought he was......!

On April 21st The Columbus African American will celebrate its Five Year Anniversary and I am elated about our growth. During the month of February, I delivered twelve keynote speeches across the State of Ohio; and, in September of this year we will hold a 10 Year Anniversary Celebration for the combined Progressive Leadership Academy and the Ray Miller Institute for Change and Leadership. Add to this list of good news, the fact that Marty and I will celebrate 45 years of marital bliss on December 18th and you can just put a wrap on 2016.

If one is a person of substance, however; and, if one has genuine love for their people, and is cognizant of the many challenges that beset them--it is difficult to be accepting of our current state of affairs. Moreover, it is insufficient and selfish to just say, “You should look on the bright side.” What is the bright side of a potential Donald Trump Presidency?

How easy is it to stomach the mean spirited and disrespectful manner in which the United States Senate refuses to even consider President Obama’s potential nominee to the Supreme Court of the United States? How can we truly celebrate the good times when the mass incarceration of Black men is at an all-time high, The Ohio State University only has 3100 African American students out of a combined total of 68,000 students on all of their campuses; hate groups and the Klu Klux Klan, in particular, are spreading across America; Black people are being murdered by the police without just cause; and our schools are failing our children miserably.

Now, is absolutely the time and the opportunity for new leaders who have an intolerant attitude toward the injustice of the current state of affairs. Our City, State and Nation need you to accept or take the mantle of leadership and run your leg of this race toward full equality.

Our cover story on Michelle Alexander, found on pages 20 - 21 is very informative.

We have a number of outstanding women in Central Ohio who are deserving of our recognition and appreciation. During this Women’s History Month we have chosen to feature an individual who is a brilliant legal scholar and one of the nation’s leading advocates for criminal justice reform. She will undoubtedly be recorded in the annals of history as a fighter for social justice and the liberation of Black people. In the words of Benjamin Todd Jealous, former President and CEO of the NAACP, “For every century there is a crisis in our democracy, the response to which defines how future generations view those who were alive at the time. In the eighteenth century it was the transatlantic slave trade, in the nineteenth century it was slavery, in the twentieth century it was Jim Crow. Today it is mass incarceration. Alexander’s book “The New Jim Crow” offers a timely and original framework for understanding mass incarceration, its roots to Jim Crow, our modern caste system, and what must be done to eliminate it. This book is a call to action.”

Now, about Donald Trump. What is happening in the minds of the people who are supporting this man? Trump is playing them like a song. To sure up the angry white vote, he strategically refuses to disavow any connection, knowledge or support of David Duke, the former Grand Wizard of the Klu Klux Klan. In fact, Trump would have us to believe that he has never heard of David Duke, even though the record shows that he clearly has. Knowing the murderous, brutal, and vicious history of the Klan toward African Americans, any Black person caught supporting this hustler should be publicly flogged and excommunicated from the race and any other lost soul clearly needs a primer on race relations in the United States.

Politics is on a rapidly declining spiral and the public is withdrawing from the electoral process in ever growing numbers. Here in Franklin County, we have the Democratic Party running candidates against incumbent officeholders who have served with distinction.

If any elected official dares not to follow the party line they are ostracized and punished severely for acting like they live in a democracy. There is no doubt that the Democratic Party is on a dangerous course and will soon self-implode from the weight of its own arrogance. The leaders of the Party might want to get their “D’s” straight and learn the definition of Democracy versus Dictatorship.

Finally, we are asking all of our readers to write to Senator Rob Portman at 37 W. Broad Street, Room 300, Columbus, Ohio 43215 and respectfully tell him to abide by his oath of office and uphold the mandates of the Constitution of the United States, inclusive of holding confirmation hearings on any nominee that President Barack Obama puts forth to serve as a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. This is particularly salient given that most of the core advances that African Americans have made in our fight for justice and full equality have come as a result of favorable decisions from the highest court in our nation.

With Respect and Appreciation,

Ray Miller Founder & Publisher 3

The Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016

In This Issue

Michelle Alexander

24

Accepting Responsibility: The National Coalition

of 100 Black Women

25

Warped Reality: Mass

Incarceration of

African Americans

26

NABJ Dissapointed by

Melissa Harris-Perry

Show End

28

PLA Cycle VIII Update

29

Commission on Minority

Health Kicks Off

Minority Health Month

30

Book Bags & E Readers

31

Jesse Owens: The Buckeye Bullet &

Olympic Champion

Cover Story – Page 20

12 23 31

Trauma Impacts Treatment of Affected Individuals

By J. Mariah Beidleman

Keeping The Home Ownership ‘Dream’ Alive

By Layden Hale

Jesse Owens: The Buckeye Bullet & Olympic Champion

By Roderick Q. Blount

12

5

Getting The Most From Your College Experience

6

Higher Education: College 15 Do I Need It? 16

7

Having A Big Head Can Be A Blessing

8

Healthy Eating Begins with Cooking Healthy

9

Is Clutter Ruining Your Life?

10

The Wounds of Oppression

11

Health Care Leaders: 23 Women at the Helm of Columbus’ FQHCs

Trauma Affects Treatment of Affected Individuals

16

32

History of Black Music

33

KENT - The Super Candidate for 25th House District

34

The Best Night of Taylor’s Life

35

My Adventurous

Experience As A Global Social Impact Fellow

36

Community Events

38

Distribution List

Legislative Update Is the “Ballot or the Bullet” Still Relevant Five Things To Watch For In A Clinton vs Trump General Election

20

COVER STORY

23

Keeping the Home Ownership Dream Alive

The Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016

Homeport Launches Credit Counseling Blitz

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All contents of this news journal are copyrighted © 2015; all rights reserved. Title registration with the U.S. Patent Office pending. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited.

Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, and illustrations will not be returned unless accompanied by a properly addresses envelope bearing sufficient postage. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited materials.

1 EDUCATION

CAANJ

GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

By William McCoy, Erin McCoy-Williams and Shannon McCoy College is seen by many as a passport to greater knowledge and skills, higher income, and a better life. To get the most from your college experience and investment, you should think and act strategically before you go (while in high school), while you are in college, and once you graduate.

The most important work takes place while you are in high school. To begin, you should be clear about why you want to pursue higher education and what you hope to gain from the experience.

Next, get your counselor on board early on.

Let him or her know you plan to go to college and want them to help select potential schools, prepare letters of recommendation, share your transcripts, and identify and seek scholarships and grants.

If possible, start going to college while you are in high school. Many schools and school districts, including Columbus City Schools, offer special programs that allow students to attend local community colleges, colleges, or universities during their junior and senior year(s) free of charge. The school district will pay for your tuition and fees, books, and transportation as part of these programs. If done properly, you can complete one semester of college before you graduate from high school.

While in high school, you should position yourself to get as many scholarships and grants as possible to pay for your higher education.

During your sophomore or junior year, start developing a list of scholarships and grants that are promoted by your counselors, advertised on bulletin boards, and received by other students.

If you have not heard of any- just Google it.

Many schools will give you money for books and

supplies, award scholarship money, and/or waive application fees if you apply early or online, visit campus, and/or attend special programs.

Perhaps, the most important thing you can do to qualify for admission and financial aid is to get a good score on your college entrance exam- i.e.

ACT or SAT. Take these exams seriously. If possible, take the PSAT test your sophomore year. A good score on any of these exams will catch the eye of colleges and universities and, most likely, result in letters of interest and possibly scholarship offers.

Aspiring college students should take the PSAT test their sophomore year. A good score on any of these exams will catch the eye of colleges and universities and, most likely, result in letters of interest and possibly scholarship offers. Don’t forget to take the college entrance exams (ACT and SAT) seriously. Take the ACT or SAT test during your junior year or early senior year.

These tests can determine where you can go and how much money they will give you. For example, Howard University requires a SAT score of 1170 or an ACT score of 26 to qualify for a full-tuition scholarship, while Ohio Dominican University requires an ACT score of 16 to qualify for a merit scholarship. Research on schools’ entrance and scholarship requirements is critical. Technical schools, such as culinary arts, may provide third-party scholarships for belonging to certain professional organizations or participating in industry-related skill-based competitions while in high school.

Once on campus, you should meet with their counselor immediately and lay out a course schedule that will put you on track to graduate in four years. Careful planning on the front-end can help you avoid having to attend an extra semester or year later. Also, make sure you receive transfer credits for post-secondary courses you took in high school. Investigate and integrate study abroad opportunities or internships into your curriculum at the outset.

The search for financial aid should continue throughout college. Some scholarships do not get used and go unclaimed, because students never enroll at a school, run into academic trouble, or leave for one reason or another. There are scholarships that may be available only to current students. Money may also be available for summer semester courses, housing, and other 5

purposes. So, establish a relationship with the financial aid office and inquire about additional money on an on-going basis.

Use your time in college to learn as much as possible, get good grades, and network with their classmates, professors, and others.

Counselors can help you graduate on time, get into graduate school, and/or plan your career.

All of these people may be invaluable resources in transitioning into the next phase of your academic or professional life. College is a time to explore your interests and enjoy yourself.

Take interesting classes, study abroad, join clubs and organizations, and have some fun.

After your graduate, continue to cultivate relationships with your peers, faculty, and staff.

Join the alumni organization and stay connected with the school and other graduates. They may be able to help you find a job, connect with other alumni in other cities, and stay abreast of what is going on at your alma mater. You should also become a regular donor and give money, even small amounts, to your alma mater every year.

Becoming a donor will keep you on the school’s radar, get you listed in their publications, and help in other ways.

In conclusion, there are a number of things you can do to enhance your academic, financial, and social college experience before you arrive, while you are there, and after you leave. Use college to acquire and refine your skills, make new friends, and position yourself for future success. Take full advantage of the opportunities higher education provides.

Erin McCoy-Williams is a practicing attorney in the Washington, DC area and a graduate of Columbus Alternative High School, University of Pittsburgh (BA), and Howard University Law School (JD). Shannon McCoy is an advertising and communications professional in Southern California and a graduate of (Columbus) Northland High School, Howard University (BA), and Franklin University (MBA). William McCoy is founder and principal consultant of The McCoy Company and graduate of Alma College (BA) and American University (MPA).

Mr. McCoy can be contacted at (614) 785-8497 or via e-mail at wmccoy2@themccoycompany. com.

TheThe Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015 Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016

HIGHER EDUCATION: COLLEGE DO I NEED IT? exceeded generally accepted educational quality standards. Accreditation reviews are conducted continuously each few years. A college or university’s accreditation must be current to function as an accredited college.

By Cecil Jones, MBA Do you really need a degree to have a good life? Do you need a degree for a good career? Which degree program should you pursue, if you choose to go to college?

One of the pitfalls of attending a non-accredited college is that many forms of federal and state student aid is NOT available for students attending those non-accredited schools. Another pitfall is that the credits for the courses that you take may not transfer to other schools.

Most graduate schools do not accept degrees from non-accredited bachelor degree granting undergraduate schools. Many employers will not accept degrees from non-accredited colleges for their positions’ educational requirements.

Does a Degree EQUAL a good life?

We live in market based (you are expected to pay for what you get) economy. To fully participate as an educated citizen with decent earnings, with lifelong opportunity, a degree is one of the components to help get you there. Can you be happy without a degree? Sure. Can you start a small business and make money without a degree? Sure. Can you read and learn on your own without going to college? Sure. However, historical information and the research describing the future in this country (and the world) says that you can get there faster and more reliably with college education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm) tell us that the higher the level of education, the higher income bracket people in this country are, usually. Does it still pay to get a college degree?

Even with the skyrocketing costs of education, the numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2014/dataon-display/education-still-pays.htm) continue to say “Yes!” We will discuss this below.

A majority of jobs in this country require collegiate education or post-secondary (more than high school) of some sort. As many of us know from interviews and job postings, employers are requesting a college degree, more frequently than ever before.

Is a standard face-to-face weekday collegiate program the program in which you should enroll? Should you enroll in an online, webbased program? Weekend classes are available, along with evening classes. Should you enroll in those classes? If you have work experience, should

Do you need a Degree for a GOOD career?

First – Why are you going to college? There are some people who want to be a professor at American Public Media says “Educated workers Harvard in the future and there are people who are becoming increasingly valuable for two want to be a social worker here, locally. reasons: Many lower-skilled jobs are being shipped overseas, and computers do much of Second – What is your career interest? There are the mundane, repetitive work now. What’s left few things worse than going to a job that you don’t are more complex tasks that require people to like. If you are having problems determining solve problems and work together…”. (http:// your career interest or if you believe you can do americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/ well in many careers but are undecided, please tomorrows-college/dropouts/value-of-college- seek out a guidance counselor at high school or degree.html). They go on and address job benefits at a college that you are considering. They will and career continuity. “College-educated people work with you for free. There are online quizzes, not only tend to have higher earnings than people like Myer-Briggs that can assist with pointing without degrees, they are also more likely to have out your basic personality traits. Consider health and retirement benefits with their jobs, careers, majors and courses which focus on your strengths and area in which you do well and that and they are far less likely to be unemployed.” you enjoy.

We see the ads on television, radio and on the web, every day. You don’t need to leave home. Third – Which colleges offer that major? All Take classes in your pajamas. Make big dollars colleges do not offer all majors. with your online degree. Are these promises true? Can an online degree actually provide a Fourth – Consider how you learn. Do you better quality of life for you by helping to secure do better in face-to-face courses? Are you comfortable in online courses? Does your a job? schedule lean toward taking classes in the A Wall Street Journal published blog (http:// evening or perhaps on the weekend? blogs.wsj.com/economics/2013/07/06/numberof-the-week-non-traditional-students-are- Fifth – Consider how you will pay for the majority-on-college-campuses/) points out that education. Even if you are working, complete the majority of students in college are non- the FAFSA Financial Aid form. There are some traditional students. Traditional students are scholarships and grants of which you may not be those 18 to 23 years of age going to school full- aware. time, with a primary focus on school. Today, many students are full-time workers taking one Sixth – Take a good, long look at the college. Is or two classes and are pursuing degrees to assist the school accredited? them with bettering their careers.

Employers will often look at the school’s accreditation. Why is accreditation important?

Which Degree program should you pursue, if Accreditation says that an institution has been you choose to GO to College? reviewed and evaluated and that it met or The Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016

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Generally, colleges are accredited by regional accrediting agencies, determined by the location of the college. The major six geographic regional agencies are: the North Central, New England, Northwest, Middle State, Southern and Western Associations of Colleges and Schools. There are additional, different accrediting agencies for other types of colleges, such as technical schools and schools that offer only certificate program.

Check the accreditation of any school in which you want to enroll.

Very often, online degree diplomas and degree transcripts do not say ‘online’ on them. They are degrees, just as classroom based degree programs are degree programs. Many schools offer degree programs where both online courses and faceto-face in classroom courses are available. Some courses are also ‘blended’, that is the class may be online for portions of the class and then faceto-face in a classroom for other portions of the course. Some colleges have degree program where some of the degree program’s courses are offered online; that is, some online classes are available but there is no complete degree programs offered that is entirely 100% online.

Will employers accept an online degree for positions where a degree is required?

Many will. Most employers are aware of the current methods available to receive collegiate education. Employers fully understand that the tools that their organization uses today are not the same tools that will be used five years from now.

This helps drive the need for educated, degreed employees. These degrees include online course.

Can one have a fulfilled life without a college degree? Yes. Personal networks, career potential and earnings tend to be better with education past high school.

Having managed technology, communications and business functionality for multiple Fortune 100 companies, Cecil is a technology and management leader. He teaches technology, business and communications courses. He is a past president of many organizations including BDPA (Technology group), and Columbus Association of Black Journalists. He serves on the Executive Committee of boards including the Vice-Chairman of IMPACT Community Action Agency.

Visit his website at www.accerationservices.net

2 HEALTH

CAANJ

HAVING A BIG HEAD CAN BE A BLESSING

By Lisa D. Benton, M.D., M.P.H. My mom, aunt, father-in-law and many other teachers and educators I admire will tell you that their students that didn’t eat breakfast or hadn’t had dinner the night before were more fidgety, less able to concentrate and even had more behavioral problems.

Recently another study confirmed what just about every teacher in America inherently knows.

Poverty affects childhood brain development.

This study by neurocognitive researchers at bicoastal institutions- UCLA and Columbia University showed that parental education and household incomes correlated with a child’s brain development more strongly than factors associated with race and ethnicity. The children’s brains were examined using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The scans gave a measure of the amount of cortical area, known as grey matter in the child’s brain. The cortical area of the brain has the neural networks that are responsible for processing reading and language, as well as performing a budget, save and work to get out of debt. executive functions (e.g. decision-making, Since it is known that eating empty calories and extra sugar, confounds their learning ability as well as contributes to developing cavities, obesity and childhood diabetes controlling what goes into a child’s mouth is important. Whether you can directly control what a child eats since you do the grocery shopping and cook the meals, or can influence whether a farmers market comes to the neighborhood, you have power.

As an example, consider that California school districts banned “Flamin’ Hot Cheetos” due to their high sugar and salt content, in addition to concern that they contained potentially addictive leadership and delegating authority). ingredients for kids.

Before you respond with a big “Duh”, this study The study on a child’s brain development also showed that by improving parental income referenced the need to improve a child’s access and a child’s access to education resources, you to resources that will stimulate their minds and can get exponential improvement in a developing challenge creativity. The possibilities for growth brain as it is still growing and before it is too late. become almost limitless and approach infinity as As parents, aunts, uncles and neighbors helping their exposure to opportunities increase. raise the kids in our communities, here are a few Today, my daughter-in-law is on the school strategies and uncomplicated suggestions to give wrestling team and her friends take ballet and our children a better environment to learn in and modern dance and their other friends run track to improve their chances to grow up into wise and participate in theater arts. When kids and adults. youth stay active in sports and activities beyond For parents and other adults raising kids, it the school day within reason, the cognitive means advancing their own education beyond development keeps improving. high school or a GED to college or learning a trade. When it comes to money and equity, Even though their busyness sometimes make raising combined household income to amounts me a tired mom, I’m capitalizing on the near $150,000, gave children dramatically more research that showed that children engaged in developed and functioning brains. It starts by extracurricular activities become well-rounded getting educated on how to keep and live within and academically-engaged adults. By helping

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raise children with big heads- more cortical brain tissue, I’m hopefully sowing into the harvest of the most promising leaders of tomorrow.

SideBar Poverty may affect the growth of children’s brains, Science, March 30, 2015 http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2015/03/ poverty-may-affect-growth-children-s-brains Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Banned From Schools in California, New Mexico and Illinois Huff Post Los Angeles, October 17, 2012 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/17/ flamin-hot-cheetos-banned-california-newmexico_n_1974131.html The Association Between School-Based Physical Activity and Academic Performance, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_ academics/pdf

Contact Info: Lisa D. Benton, MD, MPH (The Doctor is In) breastsurgeonlb@gmail.com Twitter:@DctrLisa (415) 746-0627 General Stock Photos

Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016 TheThe Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

CAANJ

HEALTHY EATING BEGINS WITH COOKING HEALTHY many of the vegetables coming from my garden, I will be explaining the true healing benefits of the vegetables used in the YouTube Healthy Cooking Healthy Eating series. Initially, we will produce ten to twelve programs for 2016, with each segment lasting no more than fortyfive minutes in length. Periodically, we will have a guest speaker along with an invited small group while hosting the program outdoors in the vegetable garden.

By Tim Anderson For many years, I have been on a mission to unite my passion of growing foods with my understanding of living well. Approximately ten years ago, I began dabbling with vegetable gardening. I discovered that I had a knack for growing foods, probably developed as a child.

My paternal great-grandmother (Alice Gibson aka Grandma Gip) and my maternal grandmother (Lillian Brown-Noble Tyree aka Nana) were both prolific vegetable gardeners and when visiting Gary, Indiana or Detroit, Michigan my brothers and I would eventually be told to go outside and pulls weeds from the garden. As a ten-year-old active boy, I hated pulling weeds and I do mean hated it. Now, as a middle age man, manicuring my garden is truly a serene experience that I look forward to each growing season. I am thankful to Grandma Gip and Nana for their introduction to and education of this important life skill on growing food. These southern born and northern transplanted women from Sunflower County, Mississippi (Gip) and Bristol, Virginia (Nana) possessed an encyclopedic agricultural knowledge, as well as, a high level of common sense and great judgement that I remain grateful for still today.

As the founder of the In My Backyard Health and Wellness, an initiative which provides health education and wellness activities in the backyard, I have combined my passion for growing foods with cooking healthy foods. This coalescing has once again created an opportunity for further community engagement through social media. Beginning in early April 2016, I will be co-hosting a YouTube series on healthy cooking, tentatively titled, Healthy Cooking Healthy Eating. Joining me as co-host will be Chef James Boatman. Chef James is a culinary educated and trained chef who has a passion for cooking healthy foods. He is currently providing his culinary skills as one of the executive chefs at the Whole Foods Market, located at Easton. In addition, Chef James is providing his expertise to a select group of athletes competing in the 2016 Arnold Classic.

Tim’s Garden in 2015 Over the past few months, Chef James and I have created and reviewed more than two-hundred recipes designed to provide you with healthy and affordable alternatives to your current diet.

These recipes can easily be prepared in anyone’s kitchen, no special appliances or utensils required. Well maybe a few items, such as, a George Foreman grill, a Vitamix blender and of course my pressure cooker. In addition, viewers should have a desire to learn and change their current meals to a more heart healthy, low calorie and high nutrient diet. The filming for the In My Backyard Health and Wellness, Healthy Cooking-Healthy Eating will take place, but where else – In My Kitchen.

The traditional African American cuisine is highly coveted for its diversity of flavors with origins from Africa, the West Indies and North America. Over the centuries our diet has been modified with high levels of salt, unhealthy fats and sugars which have contributed to a nutrient poor diet. The essence of the traditional African American diet is high in nutrients and low in calories primarily due to a vegetable foundation.

That will be our starting point focusing on vegetables, lean cuts of meat and fish, which when prepared in a healthier manner can boost immunity, increase energy levels, encourage weight management and support emotional wellbeing.

Chef James and I, as well as others associated with this initiative believe that this is the first time that two African American men, one with a culinary background and the other a community health background have collaborated on improving the diet within our community. With

Grandma Gip, and Nana are certainly looking down and providing direction from their heavenly position. I can hear Grandma Gip now, “boy, stake up those tomatoes before you start recording”. And of course Nana, “go out back and pull some weeds before putting that garden on YouTube”. My response to both, yes ma’am, with a smile. So if you like this community engagement please support us, by informing your family, friends and colleagues about us.

Also, subscribe to the YouTube channel (In My Backyard Health and Wellness) and email us with your healthy recipes and other healthy ideas (healthycooking@inmybackyardhope.com available by March 15, 2016).

Keep in mind that living well and being well are accomplished by our behavior/lifestyle to live healthier. A healthy diet is an essential component to living well, along with physical activities, mental-emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. This ecosystem on living well is the foundation of this community engagement and we will address these components through this initiative.

And a special note. When going to the barber shop, the barbers Rodney (my barber) and Ernie always tell on each other about who has been eating unhealthy foods. They ask me, what should they eat. I have often said, that I would conduct a healthy cooking demonstration at the shop. Not the most hygienic venue for cooking healthy foods. Now I will say, go to our YouTube channel.

Tim Anderson is a contributing columnist for The Columbus African American with a focus on healthcare. He is the founder of In My Backyard Health and Wellness, providing health education and wellness activities within the urban community. To reach Tim directly, contact him at 614-402-2089 or by email: timanderson@ inmybackyardhope.com.

To Advertise in The Columbus African American contact us at: editor@columbusafricanamerican.com Ray Miller, Publisher 750 East Long Street, Suite 3000 Columbus, Ohio 43203 614.340.4891

The Columbus African American News Journal • March February 2016 2015

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CAANJ

IS CLUTTER RUINING YOUR LIFE?

By Jaqueline LewisLyons, Psy.D Spring is just around the corner, really it is.

And, for many people that means Spring Cleaning. It was always a big project when I was growing up. My mother put us to work, including washing the walls and baseboards in our house. These days I no longer consider it child labor, since I did learn to appreciate having a clean, organized living space. In fact, I once joked to my husband that my dream job would finding a way to combine psychology and interior decorating. Well, in the past few years, there have been a few professionals who have essentially managed to do just that.

If you spend any time at all watching the daytime talk shows, you have been reminded that spring cleaning time is here and many of the guest experts are focusing on the relationship between the state of how homes and our weight. I find this particularly fascinating because I agree that our homes are often a reflection of our inner lives – the mental and emotional aspects. If we are constantly searching for misplaced items, or trying to make do with belongings (clothing or appliances) that are past their usefulness, the odds are we are also experiencing some level of anxiety and/or depression. An extreme example of the mental/emotional connection can be seen on the reality shows about hoarders, who are at the far end of the spectrum. I have met a few who could not leave their homes and some who could not let anyone come in. Clearly, these people

are being weighed down by more than just the having clean surfaces where you can place a cup “stuff” filling their homes. of tea while you read a book. How about not having to rush and throw things in closets and My clients seem to find it strange when I ask under beds when company is expected? about their living and working environments during the early sessions. These questions Start with one drawer. Sort the items into three provide me with information about how the piles: Keep, Toss, Donate. If you have not used client has been taking care of him/herself and an item in the past six months or worn an article how likely they will be to make a commitment to of clothing in a year, it needs to go. If any item cleaning up their lives, internally and externally, requires repairs that you have not been motivated to reach their goals. to do, get rid of it. Move from the drawer to a table or dresser top. Clean it off and let it stay As far as weight is concerned, not every person that way for a few days. Evaluate how that clear who has a problem with clutter is overweight or surface feels to you. What would you want to obese. However, there is the fact that if we are place there – a vase of flowers or a few perfume neglecting our spaces, it is reasonable that other bottles? Take your time and really think about parts of your life, such as health, are also being what you want in your life. ignored, forgotten, or neglected because we don’t know what to do. I have found a variety of charts The clearing process will take time but breaking and lists on the internet which are designed to your project into small steps will get you there. help the average person take control of the Just be consistent and focused, knowing you are clutter in their lives. I was pleasantly surprised worth the effort. I love this quote from Peter that a few even included ridding ourselves of the Walsh, author of “Lose the Clutter, Lose the mental clutter which can be just as stifling and Weight”: paralyzing as the physical clutter. I definitely believe that having a well-organized, clutter-free space, whether at home or at work, can improve Clutter is not just the stuff on your floor – it’s one’s outlook and productivity, and reduce stress anything that stands between you and the life you want to be living. overall.

So, what is the average person to do when time is at a premium and finances will not allow a new closet system? The first step is to take a deep breath and commit to making a change in how you manage your home. If you are not truly committed to the idea of doing things differently, purchasing a bunch of storage totes and hangers won’t make a difference in your life. The action you will need must start in your heart. Think about how life could be calmer, less harried. Imagine

Dr. Jacqueline Lewis-Lyons’ office is located in North Columbus. Her practice centers on helping clients with depression and anxiety related disorders. In recent years, after discovering a love for running, she expanded her practice to include services related to Sport Psychology for athletes of all ages and levels. To reach her, call 614-443-7040 or email her at Jaqui@ DrLewisLyons.com

BE EASY: HOW YOU REACT TO STRESS COULD PUT YOUR HEART AT RISK com. Heart rate variability determines the heart’s ability to respond to challenges. Therefore, according to Nancy L. Sin from Penn State, the higher the heart rate variability, the less risk of heart disease and premature death.

The study included data from 909 participants ages 35 to 85 across the country. Each participant answered questions over the phone about their stressful experiences during an eight-day period.

Their heart’s activity was also measured with an electrocardiogram.

It’s been long assumed that the daily stresses of dealing with a terrible boss at work, sitting in rush-hour traffic or running late to an important lunch meeting can weigh heavy on your heart.

But it’s not the actual number of stressful events that puts a person at higher risk for heart disease and premature death – as many believe.

and emotional reactions to stressful events are more important than exposure to stress per se,” Sin said. “This adds to the evidence that minor hassles might pile up to influence health.”

Here are some tips to manage stress throughout the day: - Find a work-life balance by analyzing how you spend you time each day.

- Make sure to get enough sleep so your body can recover from the day’s stress while you’re sleeping. It’s also helpful to write down what The participants rated each stressful experience you’re worried about before bed so you can let it as “not at all stressful,” “not very stressful,” go while you’re sleeping. “somewhat stressful” or “very stressful.” They also talked about any negative feelings they - Try kickboxing, Zumba or other workouts known to help reduce stress levels. shared during the day.

On average, according to the study, the In fact, according to researchers from Penn State participants had one stressful experience on University and Columbia University, it’s actually nearly half of the interview days. These were people who perceive an event to be stressful and rated generally as “somewhat” stressful. exhibit more negative emotions that are more at Those who perceived the events to be stressful risk for cardiovascular diseases. had a lower heart rate variability, which puts The joint study explored the effect of daily stress them at a greater risk for cardiovascular disease. on heart rate variability, according to Newsmax. “These results tell us that a person’s perceptions The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

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- Reevaluate your purpose in life by connecting with family or friends, spirituality or community service.

- Switch up your diet to include more health foods and limiting the amount of alcohol you consume.

Article courtesy of BlackDoctor.org

The Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016

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3 MENTAL HEALTH 6

THE WOUNDS OF OPPRESSION

By Elizabeth Joy, MBA, LSW, LCDC III We are a strong people.

Enslavement, rape, broken families, beatings, hangings, being told we are not human, inferior treatment……..

African Americans have survived and overcome much and our pride stands elevated on those victories.

As an African American, you have undoubtedly, on multiple occasions: • been watched while shopping for fear you would steal something, • seen someone clinch their purse upon you entering their presence, • feared for your life upon seeing a police officer, • been denied an opportunity (likely several) due To care for ourselves. to your race.

To love ourselves.

To say that living a life in which these experiences are “the norm” is distressing, disturbing, and To remind ourselves that black is beautiful (and emotionally painful would be an understatement. believe it).

Regardless, we continue carrying the torch To address the self-doubt that comes from living of those who have gone before us, demanding as the oppressed. justice and equality. With passion we shout, To address the trust issues and hypervigilance “LOOK!!!! Look at what you’re doing to our that come from being violated by those who are supposed to protect us and spread into people! Look at how you treat us!” relationships we have with loved ones.

Rightfully so, we call out the oppressors in To do so is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of search of answers, in search of solutions. The strength. In fact, it honors the pride we have in To-Do list is long: our rich history (and present) of overcoming the most painful of battles and says, • Abuse of power among law enforcement • Unequal wages “Yes, I have been subjected to horrible • Lack of employment opportunities experiences, and yes, it hurt me, and I will • Systematic and institutionalized racism not only fight to tear down the system which • Failing schools was created to oppress me but I will also work to heal the wounds I have as a result of these The list is long, and yes, we much trudge forward. experiences.”

However, there’s something missing from the Let us take time to acknowledge our pain. Not list….

When will begin to recognize we are wounded?

WE ARE WOUNDED • It hurts to be told you are inferior.

• It hurts to see videos of people who look like you being murdered by those who are supposed to be protecting and serving us.

• It hurts to be stereotyped as violent and ignorant.

• It hurts to know that you must try harder than everyone else to get to the same positions they are in without guarantee that your efforts will be rewarded.

• It hurts to endure the constant deprivation of your rights.

Derived from the Greek word for “wound,” we are TRAUMA survivors… and are still enduring trauma.

As much as we are obligated to continue to advocate for external solutions to the source of our pain (justice, equality, etc.), we owe it to ourselves to look internally and address our wounds.

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as a sign of weakness, but as a sign of strength.

Let us seek ways to nurse our wounds and seek healing on the inside. We need to be internally healthy to have the strength to continue the battle against oppression. James Baldwin reminds us, “The victim who is able to articulate the situation of the victim has ceased to be a victim: he or she has become a threat.”

Finally, let us be mindful. Let us watch our thoughts, watch our words, and watch our actions.

Let us not become the hate for which we have such distain. Let us not become the darkness we have worked so tirelessly to overcome. Let us be light. Let us be love.

Elizabeth Joy is founder of Survivors To Alivers, a non-profit organization focused on empowering trauma survivors to overcome challenges and achieve restoration. Her organization offers online support groups and a space for trauma survivors to connect and support one another.

Elizabeth is a speaker, life coach, and author of “You Survived… Now What? A Road Map to Reclaiming Life.” For more information visit www.survivorstoalivers.org, email ejoy@ survivorstoalivers.org, or call 614-332-1592.

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HEALTH CARE LEADERS: WOMEN AT THE HELM OF COLUMBUS’ FQHCs

By Charleta B. Tavares We have come a long way as women to assume the leadership roles within some of the most dynamic and integral health care institutions of our community – Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).

Our community is fortunate to have four FQHCs serving approximately fifty thousand residents in Central Ohio. The four community health center systems in central Ohio include: Heart of Ohio Family Health Center, Lower Lights Christian Health Center, PrimaryOne Health and Southeast, Inc. Three of the four FQHCs have women leading the organizations as chief executive officers and the fourth has a woman serving as Director of Integrated Care which includes the FQHC. These women serve as the champions for health care for the underserved, vulnerable and economically challenged populations in our community including veterans, homeless, refugee and immigrant populations as well as, those without health care coverage. Their collective efforts have brought voice to the voiceless or to those who speak another language; resources such as food to ensure that medications can be properly metabolized, health education and disease management services to improve health outcomes; and advocacy to improve health care policy and to eliminate health disparities.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month let us recognize the strength and unique perspective women bring to health care and in addressing needs of their communities. We are especially fortunate that two of the four women leaders are African American. Miller and Tavares are women who can and do advocate for racial and ethnic populations from a personal and professional vantage point to address cultural and discriminatory bias that impacts health outcomes and exacerbates health disparities.

Heart of Ohio Family Health Center Marty Miller - CEO Heart of Ohio started with Dr. Sue Leatherman at Capital Park in North Linden in 2003 sharing space with a Head Start program. The initial funding support for the organization came from Mt. Carmel Health System. Within six months the organization was granted FQHC status by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) which further enhanced the ability of the organization to serve patients without the ability to pay.

Heart of Ohio Family Health Center continued to grow over the next six-years. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded Heart of Ohio Family Health $4.4 million in December of 2009, to construct a brand new Capital Park facility at 2365 Innis Road. The organization serves a large Somali and Latino/Hispanic population in the Capital Park and Whitehall locations respectively. Heart of Ohio today serves more than 4500 patients at their two health center locations providing primary medical care, women’s health services,

obstetrics and gynecology, diagnostic laboratory, This new non-profit organization brought all seven independent health centers together interpretation, and other enabling services. under one umbrella with three board members from each to form a new 21-member. Today, www.heartofohiofamilyhealth.org the organization has ten locations in Franklin and Pickaway Counties providing OB/GYN, Lower Lights Christian Health Center pediatrics, behavioral health, vision, dental, Dr. Dana Vallangeon - CEO nutrition, pharmacy and specialty services such therapy serving more Lower Lights Christian Health as cardiology and physical 2 Center (LLCHC) opened in than 35,000 patients.

April 2002 in response to the to provide access to services that need for access to health care in Mission: improve the health status of families – including the community of Franklinton people experiencing financial, social or cultural on the west side of Columbus, barriers to health care.

Ohio. Dr. Dana Vallangeon, our founder, opened Lower www.primaryonehealth.org Lights Christian Health Center, a community-governed 501(c) (3) health center to help adder the health care needs of Franklinton. Southeast Healthcare Services Dr. Dana had felt a calling to serve in medical Sandy Stevenson - Director of Integrated missions since her teenage years and the opening Healthcare of LLCHC fulfilled that dream.

Southeast is one of the LLCHC has grown over the last nearly fourteen largest behavioral healthcare years from one provider and two office staff to organizations in Ohio and serves over 12,000 people more than twenty-five providers and seventy annually through the provision staff serving more than 8,000 patients. In 2014, of mental health, substance a three-operatory dental suite was opened, abuse, primary health care and providing a full spectrum of preventive services other and ancillary medical as well as a limited spectrum of restorative and services. Southeast, Inc. is a emergency services. Health services including comprehensive mental health, medical, behavioral health, spiritual care, dental, chemical dependency, physical healthcare and vision, pharmacy, nutrition and enabling services homeless services organization that has been are provided at their facilities. serving Columbus and Franklin County since Mission: to minister the love of Christ as a model 1978 with offices in six Ohio counties. full-service medical home, focused on whole2011, the U.S. Department of Health and person wellness, available to all in Central Ohio In Human Services, Health Resources and Services who need it, regardless of ability to pay.

Administration (HRSA) awarded Southeast, Inc. $1.2 million. The award designates Southeast www.llchc.org as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing Healthcare for the Homeless in PrimaryOne Health Columbus and Franklin County. The award Charleta B. Tavares - CEO allows the organization to fully integrate primary care into the behavioral health, homeless PrimaryOne Health has gone through significant sheltering and housing supports they provide. changes since the first community health center The FQHC currently serves over 2,500 patients. was established in Columbus/Franklin County Southeast has provided primary health care at its more than 40 years ago (Neighborhood House/ downtown location since 1996 and is currently Billie Brown Jones, 1973). The organization receiving federal funds from the Substance Abuse grew from one center to seven by the 1990’s. The and Mental Health Services Administration as a seven centers were: Billie Brown Jones Health demonstration project site for the integration of Center (Atcheson/Mt. Vernon Avenue); ECCO behavioral and primary health care.

Family Health (E. Main Street); Franklinton Health Center (W. Broad Street); Hilltop Health Mission: to serve as a comprehensive provider of Center (Sullivant Avenue); John R. Maloney mental health, chemical dependency, healthcare, Health Center (Parsons Avenue); St. Mark’s (N. and homeless services, assisting diverse High Street); and St. Stephen’s (E. 17th Avenue). populations regardless of their economic status.

Each of the centers was independently operated by a board of neighborhood residents. Only www.southeastinc.com one of the centers was designated a Federally Charleta B. Tavares is the Chief Executive Officer Qualified Health Center (FQHC), ECCO Family at PrimaryOne Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center which was located on the near Health Center (FQHC) system providing eastside. comprehensive primary care, OB-GYN, pediatric, vision, dental, behavioral health and In 1997, the city of Columbus, which funded all specialty care at 10 locations in Central Ohio. seven neighborhood health centers, established The mission is to provide access to services that a new organization, Columbus Neighborhood improve the health status of families including Health Center, Inc. (CNHC) under the leadership people experiencing financial, social, or cultural of Councilwoman Les Wright and Health barriers to health care. www.primaryonehealth.

Commissioner William “Bill” Myers. This was org. done to create a primary health care system and to ensure federal funding provided through the 1 www.heartofohiofamilyhealth.org and http:// Health Resources and Services Administration bphc.hrsa.gov/uds/datacenter.aspx?q=d&bid=0 (HRSA) continued to flow to Columbus 518310&state=OH&year=2014 through the FQHC. CNHC was established in May, 1997 as a Section 330(e) funded non- 2 www.primaryonehealth.org and http://bphc. profit community health center organization hrsa.gov/uds/datacenter.aspx?q=d&bid=05847 (better known as FQHCs), and a Section 330(h) 0&state=OH&year=2014 funded Health Care for the Homeless Program.

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TRAUMA IMPACTS TREATMENT OF AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS The fact that significant trauma - neglect; physical, mental and emotional abuse; incarceration of a close loved one; etc. - can have lasting effects on childhood development is no secret; however, recent research shows that trauma can impact our daily lives, regardless of when the trauma occurs, and the nature of the trauma does not always have to be catastrophic to be impactful.

Everyone experiences trauma of some sort on varying levels, and often times, people do not realize they have experienced trauma. Trauma can hinder relationships with friends and family, productivity at work, or in severe cases reduce ones’ ability to cope with regular everyday stressors. Sometimes, just watching the six o’clock news can be enough trauma to lead to lasting behavioral and physical health issues.

A recent surge in reports of racial disparities, discriminatory practices, excessive use of force by law enforcement and the loss of lives of unarmed black people has led to a sense of fear, mistrust and unrest, which can lead to trauma.

According to the American Psychological Association, for black American adults, perceived racism may cause mental health symptoms similar to trauma - psychological distress expressed as physical pain, interpersonal sensitivity and anxiety. These feelings, coupled with the stigma associated with mental illness

can lead to disaster. It is beneficial for community members of all races to acknowledge the issue and help foster dialogue to address its impact on mental health, as simply discussing matters of concern can help lead to healing and prevent similar tragedies in the future.

It is also critical that health care providers understand trauma in order not to re-traumatize during the treatment process. Trauma-Informed care, an evidence-based practice that teaches service providers and their organizations about the triggers and vulnerabilities of trauma survivors, has begun to be implemented in health care facilities across Central Ohio and the nation, including Columbus Area Integrated Health Services, Inc., (CAIHS), a leading community-based mental health and wellness service provider in Franklin County. CAIHS partnered with attorney Byron Potts in 2015 to work with community stakeholders - Columbus Police Department, members of the Columbus City Council, community members, politicians and activists to discuss concerns surrounding police interaction with the African American community and issues that impact mental health to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness, increase awareness of mental health resources in the community and increase transparency.

Discussion will continue at CAIHS’ annual mental health conference Trauma Informed Care: Impact on Mind, Body, Behavior and Family on May 4 at The Ohio State Student Union. Along with local behavioral health experts, and Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addition Services Director Tracy Plouck, featured speaker Dr. Derek Suite will discuss the mental and physical effects of trauma on both adults and children, and the best way to treat the people dealing with these challenges to avoid re-traumatization. A panel discussion featuring Patrick A. Palmieri, Ph.D., of the Summa Health System - St. Thomas Hospital; Rachel Ramierz, MA, MSW, LISW-S of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network; Bobbi Beale, PsyD, of the Center for Innovative Practices Case Western Reserve University; Regina Dudley of the Columbus Police Department and Elizabeth Ranade-Janis of the Ohio Human Trafficking Commission will close out the conference.

Conference tickets and sponsorship packages are still available. To learn more, please contact Ursula Linville at ulinville@columbus-area.com or 614-251-7704.

2016 SPRING CLINICAL CONFERENCE

Trauma Informed Care

Impact on Mind, Body, Behavior and Family

Registration Open!

Professionals: $99 in advance, $119 at the door Students: $79 in advance, $99 at the door Includes continental breakfast, lunch and parking.

tferguson@columbus-area.com

614-251-7730 Columbus Area Facebook page Featuring Dr. Derek Suite, Ohio Dept. of Mental Health & Addiction Services Director Tracy Plouck and a panel discussion led by leading behavioral health experts.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 — 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM The Ohio State University Student Union, 1739 N. High Street The Columbus African American News Journal • March February 2016 2015

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6 CEU & RCHs Provided

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Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016 TheThe Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

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The Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN IN THE OHIO LEGISLATURE AND POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

1992 1993

1995

1998 1998 1999

1999 2001 2001 2001 2002

2007 2007

2008 2009 2009 2014 2014 2014 2014

By Charleta B. Tavares As we celebrate Women’s History Month (March) and conclude African American/ Black History Month (February) we should take note of the contributions of African American women in the Ohio General Assembly. Although our history in elective office at the state level is short (since 1979) we have made significant strides in electing African American women to the state legislature, successfully passing policy initiatives to advance our people and communities and electing African American women to leadership positions within the Ohio General Assembly.

The Ohio General Assembly currently has thirtyfour female members out of one hundred and thirty-two or about twenty-six percent (26%).

The Ohio House of Representatives has twentyseven women legislators (27%) and the Ohio Senate has seven (21%). Women are a part of the leadership teams of all four Caucuses in the House and Senate however; their numbers represent a far cry from where they should be.

We have two African American women serving on the leadership team of the Ohio Senate (see the photo). African American women are noticeably absent in the leadership teams of the House Democratic and Republican Caucuses and the Republican Senate Caucus. We must note that the Republican Caucuses have no African American males or females within the membership of either Chamber.

You may ask why this matters or have any relevance to our community especially, in this acrimonious political season where candidates are marginalizing, spewing hatred, sexist and racist remarks against their opponents and the people of America who they claim to want to represent? It matters because our country was founded on a “representative” government and a democracy of “one person, one vote” to ensure we have a government of, by and for the people of the United States of America. Our state has approximately fifty-two percent of our residents who are women – yet only hold twenty-six percent of the seats in the Ohio Legislature which means the voice of women and more pointedly, African American women are not being represented in proportion to their numbers.

Front Row Clockwise: Ohio Minority Senate Leader, Joe Schiavoni, Asst. Minority Whip, Lou Gentile, Minority Whip, Edna Brown and Senate Asst. Minority Leader, Charleta B. Tavares.

We have had twenty-four (24) African American women who have been elected/appointed to the Ohio General Assembly in our two-hundred and thirteen (213) year history as a state. Our first African American woman legislator, Rep. Helen Rankin (Cincinnati, Ohio), was appointed in 1979 a full one-hundred years after the first African American male legislator took office, Rep. George Washington Williams also from Cincinnati. Our first African American woman Senator was Senator Rhine McLin; first African American woman to serve in leadership, Rep. Charleta B. Tavares; first African American woman Senate Minority Leader, Senator Rhine McLin; first African American woman House Minority Leader, Rep. Joyce Beatty and first Democrat and African American woman to serve in leadership in both Houses of the Ohio General Assembly, Senator Charleta B. Tavares as House Minority Whip and Senate Assistant Minority Leader.

African American Women Legislators: 1979 1987 1989

1990

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

Rep. Helen Rankin (Cincinnati) Rep. Vermel Whalen (Cleveland) Rep. Rhine McLin (Dayton); elected in 1994 to the Ohio Senate Rep. C.J. Prentiss (Cleveland); elected

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in 2000 to the Ohio Senate Rep. Barbara Boyd (Cleveland) Rep. Charleta B. Tavares (Columbus); elected in 2010 to the Ohio Senate Senator Janet Howard (Cincinnati, first GOP African American female) Rep. Dixie Allen (Dayton) Rep. Catherine Barrett (Cincinnati) Rep. Shirley Smith (Cleveland); elected in 2006 to the Ohio Senate Rep. Joyce Beatty (Columbus) Rep. Annie Key (Cleveland) Rep. Barbara Sykes (Akron) Rep. Claudette Woodward (Cleveland) Rep. Edna Brown (Toledo); elected in 2010 to the Ohio Senate Rep. Tracy Maxwell Heard (Columbus) Rep. Sandra Williams (Cleveland); elected in 2014 to the Ohio Senate Sen. Nina Turner (Cleveland) Rep. Robin Belcher (Cleveland) Rep. Alicia Reece (Cincinnati) Rep. Janine Boyd (Cleveland) Rep. Christie Bryant (Cincinnati) Rep. Stephanie Howse (Cleveland) Rep. Emilia Sykes (Akron)

The committee schedules, full membership rosters and contact information for the Ohio House and Senate can be found at: www.ohiohouse.gov and www.ohiosenate.gov respectively. If you are interested in getting the House Calendar each week of the General Assembly, contact the House Clerk, http://www.ohiohouse.gov/ housecalendar/house_calendar.pdf or your state Representative. Senate calendars are available at www.ohiosenate.gov; contact the Senate Clerk’s office at (614) 466-4900 or your state Senator.

The Ohio General Assembly sessions and the House and Senate Finance Committee hearings can be viewed live on WOSU/WPBO and replays can be viewed at ohiochannel.gov (specific House and Senate sessions can be searched in the video archives). If you would like to receive updated information on the Ohio General Assembly and policy initiatives introduced, call or email my office at 614.466.5131 or tavares@ohiosenate. com to receive the Tavares Times News monthly legislative newsletter.

Sen. Charleta B. Tavares, D-Columbus, is proud to serve and represent the 15th District, including the historic neighborhoods of Columbus and the cities of Bexley and Grandview Heights in the Ohio Senate.

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IS “THE BALLOT OR THE BULLET” STILL RELEVANT?

By Ambrose Moses, III My core argument is that citizens must fully engage in the election process to 1) identify and elect new and better government officials, 2) insure that better laws are enacted locally and nationwide, and 3) require that those laws be applied equally to all citizens.

In recent years, there has been much media and social media coverage of certain encounters between African Americans and police officers.

Often, in the encounters, the African American is shot and dies from bullets fired by one or more police officers. Then prosecutors, grand juries, judges, and juries turn the broken wheels of a legal system and crank out injustice as standard operating procedure. How do we improve the system? Quite simply, . . . vote.

A couple of years ago the Nation celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The question today, as I understand it, is “Civil Rights at 50: What’s Next?” The thought that comes to mind is that there is still work to be done concerning civil rights and there is now a focus on income inequality. One might say that, in this on-going fight for legal, social, and economic justice for all, we should advance, support, and believe in action on all fronts by whatever means necessary. I agree.

One of the most powerful means of advancing the cause of justice for all is exercising the right to vote. In terms of economic justice, voting determines the city councilmembers, prosecutors, mayors, representatives, governors, senators, treasurers, and other elected officials who serve the community as our governmental

officials. This is crucial and impacts us all.

If we do not exercise the right to vote, we give up our power and allow limited and special interest groups, who have no love for us, our businesses, or our economic well-being, to control the process and the government. They elect governmental officials who enact and execute laws, rules, regulations, and policies that are so harmful, oppressive, and stifling to our economic condition that one can describe it as “economic violence”.

For instance, when certain state or local government agencies are permitted to use public money to contract with certain favored business entities without utilizing a competitive bid process. This eliminates a large segment of the small business community from gaining experience, providing services, and generating profits from lucrative government contracts and projects. While there are some situations where the government must make fast, emergency decisions and expenditures, this is not the normal circumstances of government contracting. Small businesses and small business owners pay taxes that go to support government contracting to which they have little or no access because of the decision-making and selection process.

If one is unjustly subjected to or victimized by violence, her very existence might depend upon her ability to protect and defend herself against the harmful actions of the aggressor. Likewise, one must also protect and defend herself against economic violence.

When she and her business are cornered in that dark and deadly economic alley by her enemies, there is no hero to step in to save the day. There is no hero because the enemies to economic justice have gained control of the government, created the economic danger, and eliminated the hero.

A collection of elected officials who are voted in by a minority of the electorate, most likely do not represent the interests of the majority.

Now, on balance, one must acknowledge that there are a few government programs and loan programs that provide some assistance to small businesses and small business owners. The problem is that they are often limited in their scope and effect. We still have tremendous inequities in the success rate of small businesses, particularly when we look at factors such as the race and gender of the business owners. Thus, we still have significant economic injustice and economic violence.

So, “What’s next?” The small business owner must participate in the process and vote. She must get her family and friends to vote. She must identify hostile elected government officials, organize her fellow voters, and use their votes to remove the offending government official from office.

She must identify, recruit, and support good candidates to serve as elected officials. It will take time to change and correct the course of our government, but it can be done. The ultimate power is, and always will be, with We the People.

So, remember to “vote, vote, vote, vote, vote”.

Ambrose Moses, III is a lawyer and writer whose mission is to promote and obtain “. . . legal, social, and economic justice for all.” His primary areas of practice are business, 501(c) (3)/nonprofits, and crowdfunding. Ambrose regularly presents with community and business development organizations on business and lawrelated topics.

Email: info@MosesLaw.pro • Website: www.

MosesLaw.pro • Telephone: (614) 418-7898

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH FOR IN A CLINTON vs TRUMP GENERAL ELECTION SHOWDOWN

By Lauren Fox

released Tuesday reveals what establishment Republicans have always been fearful of; Trump is a liability for the party. In a matchup, the poll showed Clinton bested Trump 52 percent to 44 percent, a sign that the Republican Party’s best chance to take back the White House could be wasted on a candidate who flimsily echoes sometimes-newly-adopted conservative principles with little insight into or regard for decades-worth of conservative orthodoxy.

Like it or not, the Republican Party woke up on Wednesday, March 2nd to its reality: In the most likely scenario now after Super Tuesday, the party will have to depend on loose cannon, anti-establishment, David Duke-backed Donald Trump to defeat Democratic frontrunner Hillary Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell – the national GOP’s de facto leader who has Clinton in November. begun prepping his delicately-built Republican It’s a scenario that seemed unimaginable months majority in the Senate for a Trump-dominated ago for a Republican Party that had cast its hopes general election– allegedly told members “we’ll on expanding its base in 2016. The Republican drop him like a hot rock” if that is what it takes field was stocked with accomplished governors to protect vulnerable senators. and young, energetic senators who gave face to the younger wing of the party. After Trump’s But demographers and pollsters say that a crushing wins from Georgia to Virginia Tuesday, Democratic wave and a Clinton victory is hardly however, it is hard to imagine anyone else can sealed even against Trump.There is still a path, albeit a narrow one, for him to win. Here is what break through enough to beat him. to watch for in a Clinton-Trump showdown this A CNN poll of registered voters nationally year.

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Just How Scared Are Minority Voters Of Donald Trump?

Trump has threatened to deport 11 million immigrants living in the country illegally, when he is elected president. If Mitt Romney’s comment that immigrants should “self-deport” mobilized a record 11.2 million Hispanic voters in 2012 and left him with an abysmal 27 percent share of the Latino vote, promises of a “beautiful” border wall and mass deportation could lead to a spike in Latino voter turnout that reflects as much a movement against Trump as one for Clinton.

While a record number of Latino voters came out to the polls in 2012, there were still 12 million more eligible Hispanic voters that chose not to come out and cast ballots that year.

Only 48 percent of eligible Latino voters came Continued on next page.

CAANJ out to vote in 2012. And, the number of eligible Latino voters between 2012 and 2016 is estimated to have grown by about 4 million people. That is all to say there is a huge potential for Clinton to maximize Latino voter turnout in November.

And that does not even begin to account for Clinton’s advantage with eligible black voters who have grown by 6 percent since 2012, according to an analysis by Pew. Black voters show up at the polls at much higher rates than Latino voters and have shown they are enthusiastic about supporting Clinton.

The share of the minority vote is expected to be the largest in history, Pew predicts – a numbers advantage for Democrats regardless of if Trump was the nominee– but Trump’s bombastic message and crude delivery could also motivate minority voters to come out in even bigger numbers against him.

it was up 14 percent and in South Carolina, Calling All Angry, Disaffected White Voters turnout was up 20 percent. That is a positive For Trump. This Race Comes Down To You. sign that the excitement surrounding Trump is mobilizing the kinds of voters he will need in Trump is a jet-setting, real-estate-developing a general election to offset Clinton’s built-in billionaire with his name plastered across advantage with minority voters. buildings from the Vegas strip to Manhattan and yet the backbone of his coalition is the white, Do Moderate Republicans Stomach Donald male, working class voter who has yet to bounce Trump Or Do They Stay Home? back from the recession.

In their most recent analysis, Greenberg Quinlan “The white vote could be inflamed if voters are Rosner Research estimates that roughly 30 really mad. Anger will be what makes Trump percent of the Republican Party are moderates president if he is,” says William Frey, a fellow who “dislike pro-life groups” and want to support at the Brookings Institution and a leading a Republican nominee who does not “fight gay marriage.” Those are just some of the voters in demographer on voter changes in the country. the Republican coalition who may be turned off A Democracy Corps survey conducted by by Trump and stay home or even cast ballots for Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg found Hillary Clinton.

this week that Trump had more than double the support among working class voters of his In a general election, it is impossible to predict nearest Republican competitor, and enjoyed a how Trump may retool his message, but so far, the Democracy Corps analysis predicts that similar margin among men as a whole. “the Trump race in particular already pushes 20 Trump’s message of “making America great percent of Republicans to say they are uncertain again” resonates with the kinds of voters who what they will do in the general election against could give him the upper hand in key Rust Belt Hillary Clinton, including one quarter of the states like Ohio, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania Catholics and one third of the moderates.” and perhaps even as far east as Virginia. If enough white voters come out, some experts even believe Trump could make moves in Florida or Colorado.

“The theory would be that if he gets a white working class surge of support of around 6-8 points across certain parts of the country, that might be enough to overcome the Democratic advantage from changing demographics,” says Ruy Teixeira, a senior fellow at both the Center for American Progress and The Century Foundation.

Clinton has struggled with male voters in general so far in primaries, which could give Trump even more men to appeal to. The looming question will be, however, just how motivated those voters are to show up at the polls for Trump.

about his qualifications to be president should not be underestimated. There is no knowing what boundaries Trump breaks in a general election race against Clinton that may motivate voters to support him, or what question marks he introduces and then leaves floating in the air about Clinton’s own qualifications.

Beyond that, Trump has not been bound by the regular political expectations that one should not be a flip-flopper in American politics. There is still a chance that he reverses course on so many of his policy declarations in a general election.

He has already said he supports a mandate for health care and believes Planned Parenthood provides valuable health care services to low income women. He’s left the door open to moderating during a general election, making it tough for Clinton to run a campaign painting him as an extremist symbol of the party.

Could A Positive Message From Clinton Overpower Trump’s Viscerally Angry One?

Trump and Clinton are like two sides of a coin in American politics. Clinton seems forced when she tries to raise her voice and prefers to talk in detailed policy proposals. Trump, meanwhile, goes straight for the gut, speaking in catchy The other major question mark for Trump is if applause lines. his bullying tone toward women and others may hurt him with suburban women, who have voted In a general election, it’s easy to imagine Clinton reliably Republican in recent election cycles, but and Trump will run vastly different campaigns. could be turned off by Trump’s hard-charging Yet, it is still possible that Trump’s dog whistle and crass attacks against Clinton. politics and angry message may only carry him so far. In a general election, Trump will need In A General Election, Trump Could Keep more than just white, working class voters. He On Breaking All the Political Rules. will also need to expand his base beyond tea party voters and evangelicals if he wants to stay This election cycle, Trump has said at every turn competitive. he’d get Mexico to pay for a border wall they clearly are not footing the bill for. He has called That is where it is entirely possible that a targeted into question Sen. Ted Cruz’s eligibility to run and positive Clinton message about advancing for president. He’s mocked a reporter’s physical America could become a refreshing infusion disability, unleashed a plan to ban all Muslims into what may devolve into a nasty, high-octane from coming into the country and continues to attack race orchestrated by Trump. talk about how much Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) sweats on the debate stage. And yet, Trump Lauren Fox is an author and freelance writer. continues leading the polls and growing his She is currently a contributing writer for TalkingPointsMemo.com. support in the Republican primaries.

If early primary contests are any indication, they will be very willing. Republican primary turnout has been higher than usual in 2016 for the GOP. According to CBS News, in Iowa, turnout to the Trump defies political norms in an unpredictable Photo by Forbes.com caucuses was up 50 percent. In New Hampshire way and his uncanny ability to bypass any doubts

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

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The Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016

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The Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016 February 2015

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CAANJ

Please UNITE behind our TRUSTED COUNTYWIDE OFFICE HOLDERS and AWARD-WINNING DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS!

RE-ELECT COMMISSIONER

PAULA BROOKS

RE-ELECT SHERIFF

ZACH SCOTT

RE-ELECT RECORDER

TERRY J. BROWN

Commissioner Paula Brooks, Sheriff Zach Scott, and Recorder Terry Brown have earned our votes for re-election on March 15th.

Friends of Zach Scott

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Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016 TheThe Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

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4 COVER STORY

MICHELLE ALEXANDER: FIGHTING FOR RACIAL JUSTICE

By Ray Miller It is Women’s History Month, 2016. We, as African Americans, have just finished celebrating Black History Month in February and now, those who have a degree of consciousness, have the opportunity to extend the celebration, particularly for Black Women, an astounding 31 more days. For those who allow others to dictate who they celebrate and when, now becomes a time when they race against the clock to schedule speakers, buy race and gender specific materials, and plan, in great detail, relevant programs to educate their particular public about men and women of mark.

In selecting those who are to be recognized, too often attention is paid to the honorees popularity, rather than the significance of their accomplishments. Such is not the case with the subject of this article.

Michelle Alexander, in less than seven years of being on the national stage, has redefined incarceration in the United States, called out the injustices of the so- called criminal justice system, and provided new thought and energy necessary to lead a movement to drastically reduce prison populations, particularly for African American males. Who is this dynamic young leader? This article will borrow from written and recorded interviews, speeches, her writings, and others analyses of the impact of her powerful voice for change.

Michelle Alexander was born on October 7, 1967. She is the daughter of Sandra Alexander, formerly of Ashland, Oregon, and the late John Alexander, originally from Evanston, Illinois.

Her mother was the senior vice president of the ComNet Marketing Group in Medford, Oregon, which solicits donations for nonprofit organizations. Her younger sister, Leslie Alexander, is a professor of African American Studies at Ohio State University and is the author of African or American?: Black Identity and Political Activism in New York City, 17841861. Alexander graduated from Vanderbilt University, where she received a Truman Scholarship. She received a law degree from the Stanford Law School.

he had a felony drug conviction on his record and Alexander had to backtrack completely and finally: The conviction was an insurmountable obstacle to a test case in front of a jury for her at that time. In turn, the man then built a strong anger toward her, saying in effect “I’m innocent ...; it was just a plea bargain”; and that she “was no better than the police” and “You’re crazy if you think you’re going to find anyone here to challenge the police who is not already ‘in the system’?”; he ended by stalking out, tearing up his notes as he went. The experience stuck with Photo Courtesy of Ohio Dominican University Alexander and eventually grew, prompted in part by more observations of events in Oakland, into the book. She has tried to find the young Alexander now holds a joint appointment at man again, in part to dedicate the book to him, the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and but has so far been unable to.1 Ethnicity and the Moritz College of Law at Ohio The New Jim Crow was re-released in paperback State. in early 2012 and has received significant praise.

She is best known for her 2010 book The New As of March 2012 it had been on The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in The Age of York Times Best Seller list for 6 weeks and it also reached number 1 on the Washington Post Colorblindness bestseller list in 2012. The book has also been In it, she argues that systemic racial discrimination the subject of scholarly debate and criticism. in the United States has resumed following the Civil Rights Movement’s gains; the resumption In 1998 Michelle Alexander had just been is embedded in the US War on Drugs and other hired by the Northern-California chapter of the governmental policies and is having devastating American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to social consequences. She considers the scope and head its Racial Justice Project. She was running impact of this current law enforcement, legal and to catch the bus to her new office when she penal activity to be comparable with that of the glimpsed a bright orange poster proclaiming, Jim Crow laws of the 19th and 20th centuries. “The Drug War Is the New Jim Crow.”

Her book concentrates on the mass incarceration “Jim Crow” refers to local and state laws of African-American men. enacted between 1876 and 1965, mainly in the In The New Jim Crow, Alexander argues that South, that mandated racial discrimination and mass incarceration in America functions as a segregation. At the time she saw the poster, system of racial control in a similar way to how Alexander considered it absurd. “I clung to the Jim Crow once operated. Alexander writes, notion that the evils of Jim Crow are behind us,” “Race plays a major role-indeed, a defining she writes. But after a few years of working for role – in the current system, but not because of the ACLU on issues of racial profiling and drug what is commonly understood as old-fashioned, enforcement, she was forced to reevaluate: “I hostile bigotry. This system of control depends began awakening to the reality that this criminalfar more on racial indifference (defined as a lack justice system is not just another institution of compassion and caring about race and racial infected with racial bias, but the primary engine groups) than racial hostility – a feature it actually of racial inequality and stratification in the U.S. today.” shares with its predecessors.

The New Jim Crow describes how she believes oppressed minorities are “subject to legalized discrimination in employment, housing, public benefits, and jury service, just as their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents once were”. Alexander argues the harsh penalty of how “people whose only crime is drug addiction or possession of a small amount of drugs for recreational use find themselves locked out of Tell Us About Your Career the mainstream society--permanently--and also I served for several years as director of the highlights the inequality presented from the Racial Justice Project at the ACLU of Northern fact that “blacks are admitted to prison on drug California, which spearheaded a national charges at a rate from twenty to fifty-seven times campaign against racial profiling by law greater than that of white men”. enforcement. Prior to that I directed the Civil Rights Clinic at Stanford Law School and was In a 2012 interview, Alexander told the story a law clerk for Justice Harry Blackmun at the of the origin of the book. Working on “Driving U. S. Supreme Court and for Chief Judge Abner While Black” DWB racial profiling in Oakland Mikva on the United States Court of Appeals for with the ACLU, a young African-American man the D.C. Circuit. As an associate at Saperstein, came in with a well-documented case of most Goldstein, Demchak & Baller, I specialized in of a year of repeated stops by police with dates plaintiff-side class action suits alleging race and and names. Listening to his story, Alexander increasingly felt she had the test case for which gender discrimination. she was looking. Then the man said in passing The 2016 The Columbus Columbus African African American American News News Journal Journal •• March February 2015

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Alexander now believes that the “War on Drugs” was the creation of conservative political strategists who wanted to appeal to poor and working-class whites resentful of the gains African Americans made during the civil-rights era. That it resulted in disproportionate drugarrest rates in poor communities of color may even have been part of the plan, she says.

Alexander cites some alarming statistics: for example, in 2004, 75 percent of all people imprisoned for drug offenses were black or Latino, despite the fact that the majority of the country’s illegal-drug users and dealers are white.

The child of an interracial couple (her mother is white; her father, now deceased, was African American), Alexander witnessed directly the challenges of racial integration. After her parents had married in Chicago in 1965, Alexander’s mother was promptly disowned by her family and excommunicated from her church. The newlyweds ended up moving to Stelle, Illinois, a three-hundred-person progressive intentional

CAANJ three-fifths of a human being, was included in the Constitution. Without that compromise we would not have emerged as a unified nation.

That racial caste system has remained with us in some form or another ever since.

Photo Courtesy of Ohio Dominican University

community, where Alexander was born in 1967.

When she was eight, her father, who worked for IBM, was transferred to San Francisco, and the family moved to the Bay Area. Although he was one of the office’s top salespeople, he was unable to climb the corporate ladder and ended up leaving his job. Alexander attended many schools, both public and private, which exposed her to people from diverse backgrounds. Later, when she saw how severely black youths are treated by the criminal-justice system, she recalled how often she’d seen white teens participate in the same criminal activities.

Alexander’s maternal grandparents eventually did accept their daughter’s husband and their granddaughter. Seeing them come around gave Alexander hope that society can change. “My grandfather was extremely hostile to my mother marrying my father,” she says, “and he ended up voting for Jesse Jackson for president.”

In the preface to your book you say you wrote it for “people like me — the person I was ten years ago.”

Alexander: Before I began my work on criminal-justice reform at the ACLU, I believed a lot of our society’s myths about drug use and crime in the black community. For example, I believed that people of color were more likely to sell drugs than whites. Not true. I believed that incarceration rates could be explained by crime rates. Not true. Only after years of working on these issues did my eyes open.

You’ve written that “nearly a quarter of African Americans live below the poverty line today, approximately the same percentage as in 1968.” The poverty rate among black children is actually higher now than it was during the civil-rights era. What went wrong?

Alexander: What happened is the movement of the 1960s was left unfinished. People assumed that mere changes to the laws would produce a major social transformation, even if our underlying consciousness didn’t change.

Martin Luther King Jr. repeatedly reminded us that there were going to be black mayors and legislators and other elected officials, but these developments in and of themselves would not produce the necessary social change. We need a radical restructuring of our economy and our society in order to ensure that poor people of all colors gain equal access to opportunity, jobs, housing, and healthcare.

You’ve said that a racial caste system — slavery — was written into the original Constitution.

Alexander: The Constitution was largely a compromise struck with the Southern states, which wanted assurance that they’d be able to retain their slaves as property. So the “threefifths clause,” which counted each slave as

those horror stories to the media. The mediasaturation coverage of crack was no accident.

It was a deliberate campaign that fueled the race to incarcerate. Legislators began passing ever harsher mandatory-minimum sentences in response to the media frenzy.

What do you say to those who view the Constitution as the final word on our Cocaine had an almost glamorous image in the eighties, with beautiful people snorting it freedoms? through hundred-dollar bills, whereas crack, Alexander: I believe in the Constitution as which is simply a different form of cocaine, a living document. The original Constitution was seen as a grimy street drug. denied the right to vote to women, slaves, black people, and even white men who didn’t Alexander: That perception was directly own property. That document isn’t much to be responsible for the so-called hundred-toproud of, except that it contained the seed of one disparity in sentencing: to get a five-year an egalitarian democracy. It’s this seed that is sentence, you had to possess five hundred grams deserving of our reverence and respect. But a of powder cocaine but just five grams of crack. blind loyalty to the original document amounts It’s fair to say that crack’s association with innerto a commitment to preserving the wealth and city black people is what made it possible for legislators, prosecutors, and the public to agree political power of a few. that such sentences were reasonable. The media Let’s talk about the “new Jim Crow”: the campaign also gave rise to a lot of misconceptions rising incarceration rates among young black about crack and its addictiveness and the harm men. In a sense this is more insidious, since it caused, which served to justify the sentencing disparity. Since then science has shown that it’s covert. crack cocaine is not significantly more dangerous Alexander: Yes, during the original Jim Crow and addictive than its powder counterpart, if it’s era WHITES ONLY signs hung over drinking more dangerous at all. Last year the New York fountains, and black people were forced to sit at Times reported that alcohol is more harmful to a the back of the bus. There was no denying the fetus than cocaine, yet the “crack baby” image is existence of the caste system. But today people synonymous with hopeless birth defects. 2 in prison are largely invisible to the rest of us. We have more than 2 million inmates warehoused, The United States imprisons a larger percentage but if you’re not one of them, or a family member of its black population than South Africa did at of one of them, you scarcely notice. Most the height of apartheid. In Washington, D.C., our prisons are located far from urban centers and nation’s capital, it is estimated that three out of major freeways. You literally don’t see them, four young black men (and nearly all those in the and when inmates return home, they’re typically poorest neighborhoods) can expect to serve time returned to the segregated ghetto neighborhoods in prison.3 from which they came, leaving the middle class unaware of how vast this discriminatory system Final Words has become in a very short time.

Today there are more African-Americans under Adding to prisoners’ invisibility is the fact that correctional control — in prison or jail, on they are erased from unemployment and poverty probation or parole — than were enslaved in statistics. If you factor in prisoners, the black 1850, a decade before the Civil War began.4 unemployment rate shoots up by as much as 24 percentage points.

There are millions of African-Americans now cycling in and out of prisons and jails or under And this all started in the 1980s with the U.S. correctional control. In major American cities government’s War on Drugs? today, more than half of working-age AfricanAmerican men are either under correctional Alexander: Yes. Most people imagine that control or branded felons and are thus subject the War on Drugs was launched in response to to legalized discrimination for the rest of their rising drug crime. In fact, when the drug war lives.5 was officially declared in 1982 by President Ronald Reagan, drug crime was on the decline. If we want to do more than just end mass The drug war was part of a conservative political incarceration—if we want to put an end to the strategy designed to appeal to poor and working- history of racial caste in America—we must lay class whites who were anxious about busing, down our racial bribes, join hands with people of desegregation, and affirmative action. Beginning all colors who are not content to wait for change in the 1960s, when the civil-rights movement was to trickle down, and say to those who would in full swing, segregationists and conservative stand in our way: Accept all of us or none.6 politicians found that they could successfully appeal to racial resentments by using “get Sources: tough” rhetoric on issues of crime and welfare.

This tactic convinced many poor and working- 1 Excerpt from Wikipedia.com class whites to defect from the Democratic to the Republican Party.

2 Excerpts from interview with from theSunMagazine.org, February 2011, Issue 422 You’ve said yourself that crack was a “Throwing Away The Key: Michelle Alexander “godsend to the Right.”

On How Prisons Have Become The New Jim Crow” by Arnie Cooper Alexander: Reagan declared his War on Drugs a few years before crack hit the streets. As soon 3,4,5,6 Excerpts from Michelle Alexander by as it emerged, the administration recognized AZQuotes.com an opportunity to build support for the drug war. They hired staff whose job was to find reports of inner-city crack users, crack dealers, crack babies, and crack whores and to feed 21

The Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016

CAANJ

GET FIT FR EE FI N A N CI AL FITNE SS CL A SS

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Homeport is a HUD Certified Housing Counseling Agency offering 10 hours of financial fitness workshops to improve your money management skills. Topics covered include: Budgeting, Financial Planning, Savings, Banking, Credit, Taxes and Insurance. The class is covered over (2) Saturday’s each month.

After you complete Financial Fitness please ask about Financial Coaching opportunities to continue your education.

Register at www.homeportohio.org/register Call 614-221-8889 x134 for more information.

COTA’s Line 83 connects Kingsdale Shopping Center, Northern Lights and Easton Town Center, Monday-Sunday, every 30 minutes.

The Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016 February 2015

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5 HOUSING

CAANJ

KEEPING THE HOME OWNERSHIP ‘DREAM’ ALIVE

By Layden Hale While payments from Ohio’s federally funded “Save the Dream” mortgage assistance program are expected to end this summer, options remain for individuals still struggling financially and in fear of losing their home.

Oddly enough, the help could come from refinance programs homeowners were previously rejected -- most notably HAMP and HARP. “Save the Dream” was initiated in 2010 when the federal government attempted to prevent millions of people from losing their homes as a result of “The Great Recession.”

Save The Dream funding was designed as a breather, covering mortgages up to 18 months.

Eighty percent of the 25,000 participants were unemployed or underemployed. The average assistance was $17,489, according to the Ohio Housing Finance Agency.

Those completing Save The Dream funding but

not whole financially do have options. Homeport counselors know mortgage refinance programs that Save The Dream recipients may quality for, and can assist in filling out paperwork.

With HARP, Home Affordable Refinance Program, refinancing can save homeowners up to $2,400 a year on average.

HARP has changed so that the value of your home is not a factor in refinancing. If your home has lost value since purchase, or you are “underwater” – meaning your mortgage is greater than the home value -- you may qualify for HARP.

HAMP, the Home Affordable Modification Program, has changed too since it was rolled out in 2009. HAMP changes the length of your loan, interest rate and principal balance of your mortgage. HAMP modifications are intended to reduce your monthly mortgage payment to 31 percent of your gross (pre-tax) monthly income.

In each instance homeowners have a better chance of qualifying for HARP, HAMP or HAFA, Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program, because they have created a good mortgage payment history with funding from Save The Dream.

Contact Homeport and schedule an appointment with a Housing Advisory staff member to learn your options. We can’t guarantee a favorable outcome but at least you will be armed with the best information to move forward.

Layden Hale is Senior Counseling Advisor for Homeport. Contact Homeport at 614 221-8889, ext. 134, to register for a financial fitness course, schedule a credit/budget counseling session or design a debt repayment plan. All of these services are free.

HOMEPORT LAUNCHES CREDIT COUNSELING ‘BLITZ’

By Netta Whitman Looking to get a better interest rate on a home mortgage, a car loan or you credit card?

Homeport could help you.

Beginning in March, Homeport will intensify its efforts to educate individuals on how to improve their credit scores.

“The credit counseling blitz begins on March 2 and will continue every Wednesday after for at least three months,” said Netta Whitman, Homeport’s Assistant Director of Learning & Engagement.

“Where we normally offer four, one-hour opportunities once a week, we are now offering 24 opportunities, on a single day, Wednesdays,” Whitman said.

The counseling opportunities would begin at 9 a.m. and continue through most of the day. Up to four Homeport counselors could provide creditcounseling services simultaneously.

“We will review the credit counseling blitz in three months to see how it is working,” Whitman said.

“What we do know is that the information

provided to clients can be valuable. Good credit scores affect the terms of a home loan, the interest rate on a credit card or car loan. Credit scores affect everything. It is an indicator of risk,” Whitman said.

Homeport is methodical in how it evaluates each client’s situation.

“We review their budget to see what they have available to address credit concerns,” Whitman said.

“We pull a report on them from two credit bureaus. We review any negative information that may appear, and we help create a plan to address the negative information.

“It can take a year to make an impact. It depends on how aggressive someone wants to be. Taking income tax refunds could clean up a lot of debt 23

that is weighing down someone’s credit score.”

There is no charge for the counseling sessions, a bonus given the potential impact.

“Home mortgages for a person with good credit might carry an interest rate of three percent,” Whitman said. “A person with a poor score might pay more fees or higher interest. There are companies that can get you into a house with less than stellar credit, but it comes at a cost.”

The difference between a mediocre and good credit report could make a difference of several hundred dollars in a monthly mortgage.

“A score of 640 is considered OK, whereas 660 or higher is good. You can get a mortgage with 640 but you would get the best interest rate at 660 or higher,” Whitman said.

Individuals who went through foreclosure during the height of the Great Recession may be ready to position themselves again for home ownership should they act on information provided to them in a counseling session.

“This would be a great time to put things in order,” Whitman said. “Our credit counseling sessions are great at getting that process going.”

(Homeport is a member of the Columbus Mortgage Bankers Association. To schedule or learn more about Homeport’s free, one-on-one credit counseling classes, call 614 221-8889 x 134.)

Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016 TheThe Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

6 BUSINESS

ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY: THE NATIONAL COALITION OF 100 BLACK WOMEN

By Iris Cooper, MBA We are living in a time of unbearabledissonance between promise and performance; between good politics and good policy; between professed and practiced family values; between racial creed and racial deed; between calls for community and rampant individualism and greed; and between our capacity to prevent and alleviate human deprivation and disease and our political and spiritual will to do so.

Marian Wright Edelman

According to the 2013 census, there were 23.5 Million African-American women in the nation, representing 18% of the 127.3 million women of all ethnicities and 52% of the Black population.

The Black woman is often the head of the household (29%), more than twice the frequency of other female ethnicities (13%). Black women have an average net worth of $100.00, even less if they have children, and the only group experiencing increased unemployment since the great recession.

The sustainability of the Black woman is the nucleus of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW100) and the impetus for its advocacy work in the disciplines of education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.

Advocacy is a political activity intended to influence legislation or policies for the benefit of a specific constituency. Black women may launch a community health fair as a program, but also meet with legislators about the necessity of increasing the state budget allotment for the

Children’s Health Insurance program. Both are important, but advocates strive for long- term change instead of a singular outcome.

The first coalition organized in 1970 with 24 African-American women from New York who were concerned about the root causes of the turbulent 60’s. In 1981, over 500 women in the New York area were members, and believed that the momentum could create a national advocacy group. A new organization debuted in 1981 with women from 14 states and the District of Columbia. Currently, there are 63 chapters in the nation, with two in Central Ohio and four in the State of Ohio.

The 2016 advocacy themes for NCBW100 are: Health: Eliminate disparities, prevention/ decrease mortality, improve health outcomes and access- to affordable healthcare, public safety and crime; Education: Eliminate disparities, improved outcomes- graduation rates, vocational /college preparation, STEM education; Economic Empowerment: Pay equity, AA women owned business growth, livable wage, employment opportunities; Strategic Alliances: Government, corporate, non-profit, faith based; Civic Engagement / Legislation Supporting Advocacy Agenda: Voter education/registration rights, increase women candidates running for political office, issue timely policy alerts, issue position papers on political platform issues.

To underscore its educational commitment, the Central Ohio Chapter will present its annual

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Trailblazer Award and Scholarship Luncheon on May 4, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus.

Three African-American women will receive financial support from the luncheon proceeds.

Our 2016 Trailblazer honoree is Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee, Vice President for Health Sciences and Medical Affairs at New York Institute of Technology, and the first African American woman to serve as dean of a U.S. medical school, the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Representative Joyce Beatty will also receive the first Central Ohio Chapter Advocacy Award, in recognition of her support for African-Americans in Ohio.

For more information regarding the Coalition or this event, visit http://ncbwcentralohio.com.

Information retrieved from blackdemographics. com, www.ncbw.org and Survey of Consumer Finances, 2015.

She is the owner of “JustAskIris” an entreprenerurial coaching firm. Iris is one of the founders of Glory Foods, Inc., a national food marketing company, among several other enterprises. She is the former Director of the Ohio Division of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, featuring the Small Business Development Centers, under Governor Ted Strickland. In 2011, she was appointed to the US Small Business Administration Regulatory Fairness Board. Iris obtained a BA degree in Journalism from Indiana University. She is “ABD” in the DBA program at Walden University, majoring in Entrepreneurship.

She teaches marketing courses at Franklin University and provides content guidance for its entrepreneurship program.

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

CAANJ

AMERICA HAS LOCKED UP SO MANY BLACK PEOPLE IT HAS WARPED OUR SENSE OF REALITY

By Jeff Guo For as long as the government has kept track, the economic statistics have shown a troubling racial gap. Black people are twice as likely as white people to be out of work and looking for a job. This fact was as true in 1954 as it is today.

The most recent report puts the white unemployment rate at around 4.5 percent. The black unemployment rate? About 8.8 percent.

But the economic picture for black Americans is far worse than those statistics indicate. The unemployment rate only measures people who are both living at home and actively looking for a job.

The hitch: A lot of black men aren’t living at home and can’t look for jobs — because they’re behind bars.

Though there are nearly 1.6 million Americans in state or federal prison, their absence is not accounted for in the figures that politicians and policymakers use to make decisions. As a result, we operate under a distorted picture of the nation’s economic health.

There’s no simple way to estimate the impact of mass incarceration on the jobs market. But here’s a simple thought experiment. Imagine how the white and black unemployment rates would change if all the people in prison were added to the unemployment rolls.

According to a Wonkblog analysis of government statistics, about 1.6 percent of prime-age white men (25 to 54 years old) are institutionalized.

If all those 590,000 people were recognized as unemployed, the unemployment rate for primeage white men would increase from about 5 percent to 6.4 percent.

For prime-age black men, though, the unemployment rate would jump from 11 percent to 19 percent. That’s because a far higher fraction of black men — 7.7 percent, or 580,000 people — are institutionalized.

Now, the racial gap starts to look like a racial chasm. (When you take into account local jails, which are not included in these statistics, the situation could be even worse.)

“Imprisonment makes the disadvantaged literally invisible,” writes Harvard sociologist Bruce Western in his book, “Punishment and Inequality in America.” Western was among the first scholars to argue that America has locked up so many people it needs to rethink how it measures the economy.

Over the past 40 years, the prison population has quintupled. As a consequence of disparities in arrests and sentencing, this eruption has disproportionately affected black communities.

Black men are imprisoned at six times the rate of white men. In 2003, the Bureau of Justice Statistics estimated that black men have a 1 in 3 chance of going to federal or state prison in their lifetimes. For some high-risk groups, the economic consequences have been staggering.

According to Census data from 2014, there are more young black high school dropouts in prison than have jobs.

The economic data sweeps these people under the rug, making the situation look far too optimistic for African-Americans. Western started writing about this problem in the early 2000s with Becky Pettit, a sociologist at the University of Texas, Austin. They’ve published reports in top journals, and have each authored books on the subject.

It’s taken a long time for this blind spot to be recognized. Much of the debate about prisons has focused on disparities in the justice system, and rightly so, Western says. The problem begins there. But when a large chunk of the workingage population vanishes from public life, the repercussions spread.

One in nine black children has had a parent behind bars. One in thirteen black adults can’t vote because of their criminal records. Discrimination on the job market deepens racial inequality. Not only does a criminal record make it harder to get hired, but studies find that a criminal record is more of a handicap for black men. Employers are willing to give people second chances, but less so if they’re black.

“Jim Crow and slavery were caste systems. So is our current system of mass incarceration,” wrote civil rights lawyer Michelle Alexander in her 2010 book “The New Jim Crow.”

These consequences entangle the broader economy. Yet, many people who study employment and the job market haven’t been paying attention to the criminal justice system.

That’s a big mistake, according to Western.

“From my point of view,” he says, “mass incarceration is so deeply connected to American poverty and economic inequality.”

A look at the troubling data To see Western’s point, consider the statistics for people at high risk of arrest — young men (aged 20-34) who never finished high school.

Let’s set aside for a moment the unemployment rate, which is a blinkered measure of the economy. Only people who have recently looked for a job are considered unemployed. Instead, economists often focus on a different number, the fraction of people who have jobs. This is called the “employment-population ratio.”

Overall, about 60 percent of young white dropouts

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and 36 percent of young black dropouts were employed in 2014, according to the Census’s Current Population Survey. But there’s a caveat to that number. It excludes people in prison or otherwise institutionalized.

The Census separately measures this population.

According to that data, about 7.6 percent of these white men were institutionalized in 2014.

(Overwhelmingly, this means jail, but it could also mean a mental hospital or a nursing home.)

For black men, the fraction is so staggering, it seems like a typo — 29 percent of black male high-school dropouts between the ages of 20 and 34 were institutionalized in 2014.

When you add in all of the incarcerated, the numbers become much bleaker and the racial gaps much wider. In reality, only about 54 percent of young white male high-school dropouts had jobs in 2014. And only 25 percent of their black counterparts were employed.

As the above numbers indicate, there are more young black male high school dropouts behind bars than have jobs. This is a very high-risk population. But even if we zoom out, the data still are skewed.

Here are the same numbers for all prime-age men in 2014. Officially, 84 percent of white men between 25-54 were working in 2014, compared to 71 percent of black men. After including the incarcerated, the fraction of white men who have jobs hardly changes. But the black employmentpopulation ratio drops to 66 percent.

How incarceration has changed the economy The prison boom has made such a dent that recently, social scientists have completely reconsidered how much progress the black community has made in recent decades.

Derek Neal, an economist at The University of Chicago, and Armin Rick, an economist at Cornell, argue that mass incarceration has masked a lot of economic pain and a lot of inequality.

The official statistics are “very deceptive when the trends in the fraction incarcerated are changing,” Neal says. “You can actually measure an increasing employment rate or a Continued on next page.

The Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016

CAANJ falling unemployment rate simply because, over this period, we’ve put more of the people who have trouble finding jobs in prison.”

Neal and Rick explored a slightly different thought experiment. What if all these men had never been arrested? What if they all had jobs?

What if they were earning wages on par with similar men with similar levels of education?

The effects are not all expected, or even necessarily positive. According to Neal and Rick’s calculations, if all these prisoners were actually working, they would drag down the median white wage by just a little, but it would drag down the median black wage by a lot, since so many black men are incarcerated.

The chart below shows the hypothetical blackwhite wage gap compared to the actual blackwhite wage gap, among men who are 11-15 years out of school. The 1960s and 1970s yielded incredible economic progress for black Americans — dividends from civil rights reform.

But the trend stalled in subsequent decades.

Then, the financial crisis hit, wiping out much of those past gains.

Neal and Rick find that in 2010, black men earned about 75 cents for every dollar white men out of prison made. But if all the men in prison also had jobs, there would be a lot more inequality — black men would only be earning about 65 cents

on the dollar. Had all these people been on the job market instead of in prison, they would have competed with other workers for jobs, driving wages down.

“The growth of incarceration rates among black men in recent decades,” they write, “combined with the sharp drop in black employment rates during the Great Recession have left most black men in a position relative to white men that is really no better than the position they occupied only a few years after the Civil Rights Act of 1965.”

Western and Pettit argue that the wages for lowskilled black workers in the 1990s rose in part because incarceration reduced the number of people competing for work. As incarceration rates slowly start to fall, there will be pressure on the economy to absorb some of the most hardto-employ people in society. “Somehow we’re going to have to figure out how to address the really severe employment problems of low-skill men,” Western says.

This will prove particularly difficult because mass incarceration’s ill effects are concentrated in places already in distress. Researchers once estimated that, in some inner-city neighborhoods, up to one-fifth of the young black men are behind bars at any given moment.

In their absence, their communities start to

7 MEDIA

fracture. So when they get out, they find that there are no jobs and no support networks. “The impact of incarceration on communities and the impact of communities on reentry together create a pernicious cycle of decline,” professors Jeffrey Morenoff and David Harding wrote in the Annual Review of Sociology in 2014.

For now, there are still so many people behind bars that it continues to warp our sense of reality.

Recently, politicians challenged Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen to recognize the vast racial inequalities in the economy. They cited the black unemployment rate — twice the white unemployment rate. But however bad those numbers seem, the truth, after accounting for incarceration, is even worse. So perhaps the next time the jobs report comes out, there could be an extra chart to recognize the 1.6 million prisoners in America.

They don’t show up anywhere in the government’s measurements of economic activity, but their absence is dearly felt.

Article from Washington Post Jeff Guo is a reporter covering economics, domestic policy, and everything empirical. He’s from Maryland, but outside the Beltway. Follow him on Twitter: @_jeffguo.

NABJ DISSAPOINTED BY MELISSA HARRIS-PERRY SHOW’S END, ORGANIZATION CALLS FOR MORE BLACK HOSTS ON NEWS SHOWS

WASHINGTON (Feb. 29, 2016) - The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) expresses disappointment in the demise of the Melissa Harris-Perry Show. It is truly unfortunate because a significant void now exists for all audiences. There are so few black journalists and voices that serve as hosts, reporters and pundits on network news programs.

“I want to thank NABJ for the years of support. I am not a journalist and I did not come to the show from a traditional background but NABJ - both

as individual journalists and as an organization - was consistently supportive of my work over the years,” Harris-Perry told NABJ by phone on Monday.

“Of course I am very sad to lose this platform.

I loved this show! But in truth, any number of excellent journalists could host a valuable two-hour show on weekend mornings. I hope that someone will get a chance to do so in my absence. What I think was most valuable about the MHP Show was not me as a host, it was the diversity of our guests. We were careful and conscious and purposeful about who we invited to the table. No other political talk show could match us in that category. That is what is lost here. Not me. The show. The absence of these voices will be a tremendous loss.”

MSNBC announced on Sunday that it had officially severed ties with Harris-Perry after she walked away from the show last week. In an email that surfaced on Friday, Harris-Perry detailed her complaints about preemptions of her weekend program over the past few weeks.

The New York Times reported Harris-Perry and the network had a dispute over editorial freedom and airtime.

Her MSNBC program was devoted to thoughtprovoking and critical discussion and analysis of politics, society, and culture aired on the weekends. For four years, Harris-Perry and the program’s team of producers provided a critical space for underrepresented voices to discuss issues of national and international importance.

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“We are proud of the diverse backgrounds and viewpoints of our journalists, opinion hosts and analysts. We will gladly put that up against everyone else in the news business,” said Mark Kornblau, senior vice president of communications for NBC News.

Harris-Perry told NABJ that she does not believe she was targeted by her race, however she does not dismiss the ‘race’ factor.

The NABJ advocates for more women and people of color across all media companies. NABJ wishes Harris-Perry all the best and believes that whatever she does next will be great.

We call for all network news outlets to populate their shows with talented and diverse individuals, such as Joy-Ann Reid and Roland Martin, to bring unique perspectives that further advance its coverage.

Sincerely, The NABJ Board of Directors About The National Association of Black Journalists: An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization for journalists of color in the nation, and provides career development as well as educational and other support to its members worldwide. For additional information, please visit www.nabj.org.

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

CAANJ

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The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

EQUAL HOUSING

LENDER

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The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2016

CAANJ

8 PLA CYCLE VIII

During the month of February, Cycle VIII had the opportunity to visit Columbus City Hall and to hear from several of the African American members of city council. Each fellow sat in the council member’s seats. The guest speaker that evening was Dr. Chanelle Jones. The following week, the fellows heard from Attorney John Waddy and Author Wil Haygood. Cycle VIII will present their class projects on March 23, followed by their class graduation on March 30.

Priscilla Tyson - President Pro Tem Columbus City Council

Cycle VIII Fellow - Brooke Brown reads a bio of Councilmember Tyson.

Shannon Hardin - Member Columbus City Council

Cycle VIII Fellows - Kaneeka Dalton-Paul and Rod Dye listen to Councilmember Hardin.

Cycle VIII Fellow - Antwan Steward introduced the class speaker - Dr. Chanelle Jones.

Dr. Chanelle Jones - Assistant Professor Criminology and Criminal Justice Ohio Dominican University

John Waddy - Attorney, Developer

Back Row (L to R) Ray Miller, David Swoope, Elizabeth Joy, Rhonda Knight, Wil Haygood, Brook Brown, Rod Dye, Camren Harris, Johnny Sinkfield.

Wil Haygood - Best Selling Author

The Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016

Front Row (L to R) Helen Stewart, Quiess Muhammed, Stephanie Bridges, Yaves Ellis, Diandra Gordon and Dr. Chanelle Jones.

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The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

CAANJ

OHIO COMMISSION ON MINORITY HEALTH MINORITY HEALTH MONTH KICKOFF In Ohio and across the nation the month of April signifies the beginning of Minority Health Month.

This 30-day, high visibility, health promotion and disease prevention campaign was created in April 1989 by the Ohio Commission on Minority Health and became nationally celebrated in 2000. Minority Health Month was designed to: promote healthy lifestyles; provide crucial information to allow individuals to practice disease prevention; showcase the resources for and providers of grass roots health care and information; highlight the resolution of the disparate health conditions between Ohio’s minority and non-minority populations; and to gain additional support for the on-going efforts to improve minority health year-round.

The Commission will host the 2016 Statewide Minority Health Month Kickoff on Thursday, March 24, 2016 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm in the Vern Riffe Building (CAPA Theatre Lobby) located at 77 S. High Street in Downtown Columbus. The public is invited to attend and participate in the free expo which will feature health screenings, line dancing, massages, healthy foods, educational materials, incentives and engaging speakers.

According to the 2011, U.S. Health and Human Services Action Plan to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities, medical advances and new technologies have provided people in American

Tracy Townsend from WBNS 10TV welcomes the audience.

Visitors pick up important health information from various vendors.

with the potential for longer, healthier lives more than ever before. However, persistent and welldocumented health disparities exist between different racial and ethnic populations and health equity remains elusive. Health disparities, which are differences in health outcomes that are closely linked with social, economic, and environmental disadvantage, are often driven by the social conditions in which individuals are born, grow, learn, live, work, and age.

Individuals, families, and communities that have systematically experienced social and economic disadvantage face greater obstacles to optimal health. African Americans, Hispanic/ Latinos, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders, have significantly higher rates of infant mortality, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, substance abuse, and violence.

These preventable diseases and conditions continue to be responsible for more than 85% of excess deaths within these populations.

Events like Minority Health Month help bring attention to the leading research that continues to reveal little improvement in disparities over the past decade.

In Ohio, in 2012, blacks had a 79% higher ageadjusted diabetes death rate when compared to whites; black men had the highest rate of heart disease deaths, over 45% higher before the age of 65 when compared to white men; blacks had

Commission Founder, Ray Miller (center), Executive Director, Angela Dawson (center right) current staff and board members.

Free health screenings are available to all participants who attend the kick-off.

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a 36% higher age-adjusted stroke death rate than whites; and black women had a 43% higher ageadjusted breast cancer death rate when compared to whites (Ohio Department of Health, 2015).

While Ohio’s infant mortality rate for whites is improving, unfortunately that is not the case for the black infant mortality rate which worsened from 13.8 per 1000 in 2013 to 14.3 per 1000 in 2014 (Ohio Department of Health, 2015).

We celebrated recent efforts during the 2016/2017 State Budget which resulted in a historical increase of over $40 million targeting infant mortality. However, we must remain vigilant to ensure that these recent investments remain consistent in future budgets in order to reduce these disparities over time.

According to the 2015 Ohio Chronic Disease Report, medical costs associated with chronic disease are expected to rise from $25 billion in 2010 to $44 billion in 2020. The Commission is focused on investing in models that demonstrate a return on investment, improve health outcomes and increase life expectancy.

The Commission funded agencies will host over 100 events throughout the month of April in communities across this state.

Visit the Ohio Commission on Minority Health website at www.mih.ohio.gov for a listing of our 2016 statewide events and activities.

Event sponsor, Buckeye Health Plan recieved an award from The Commission on Minority Health

There are free activities for participants including line dancing, Tai Chi and Zumba

Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016 TheThe Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

CAANJ

By Ray Miller, MPA Loretta Lynch - First African American Woman Attorney General

My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me - A Black Woman Discovers Her Family’s Nazi Past

By Eric Braun

By Jennifer Teege and Nikola Sellmair

On April 27, 2015, a packed Senate gallery watched as Loretta Lynch became the first African American woman to be named US attorney general.

Long before Lynch became attorney general, she found herself immersed in politics. When she was fourteen, her father ran for mayor of Durhan, North Carolina. This inspired a passion for politics in Lynch. Upon graduation from law school, she quickly rose through the ranks at a high-powered law firm, and eventually she pursued a career as a top federal prosecutor. This position gave her the professional boost she needed to become attorney general of the United States. Follow Lynch’s journey from a young law student to the nation’s top legal adviser.

At age 38, Jennifer Teege happened to pluck a library book from the shelf - and discovered a horrifying fact: Her grandfather was Amon Goeth, the vicious Nazi commandant depicted in Schindler’s List. Reviled as the “butcher of Plaszow,” Goeth was executed in 1946. The more Teege learned about him, the more certain she became: If her grandfather had met her - a black woman - he would have killed her. Her discovery sends her into a severe depression - and fills her with questions: Why did her birth mother withhold this chilling secret? How could her grandmother have loved a mass murderer?

Teege’s story is cowritten by Nikola Sellmair, who also adds historical context and insight from Teege’s family and friends, in an interwoven narrative. Ultimately, Teege’s search for the truth leads her, step by step, to the possibility of her own liberation.

PUSHOUT - The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools

The Invisibles - The Untold Story of African American Slaves in the White House

By Monique W. Morris

By Jesse Holland

Fifteen-year-old Diamond stopped going to school the day she was expelled for lashing out at her peers who constantly harassed and teased her for something on the staff had missed: she was being trafficked for sex. After months on the run, she was arrested and sent to a detention center for violating a court order to attend school. Black girls represent 16 percent of female students but almost half of all girls with a school-related arrest.

The first trade book to tell these untold stories, Pushout exposes a world of confined potential and supports the growing movement to address the policies, practices, and cultural illiteracy that push countless students out of school and into unhealthy, unstable and often unsafe futures.

For four years Monique W. Morris, author of Black Stats, chronicled the experiences of black girls across the country whose intricate lives are misunderstood and degraded by the very institutions designed to help them flourish.

This is the first book to tell the story of the executive mansion’s most unexpected residents, the African American slaves who lived with the U.S. presidents who owned them. Interest in African Americans and the White House are at an all-time high due to the historic presidency of Barack Obama, and the soon-to-beopened Smithsonian National Museum of African American Culture and History. The Invisibles chronicles the African American presence inside the White House from its beginnings in 1782 until 1862, when President Abrahama Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation that granted slaves their freedom. By reading about these often-intimate relationships, readers will better understand some of the views that various presidents held about class and race in American society, and how these slaves contributed to America as a whole.

Sisters In The Struggle - African American Women in the Civil RightsBlack Power Movement

By Bettye Collier-Thomas and V.P. Franklin

Storming Caesars Palace - How Black Mothers Fought Their Own War on Poverty

By Annelise Orleck In Storming Caesar’s Palace, historian Annelise Orleck tells the compelling story of how a group of welfare mothers built one of this country’s most successful antipoverty programs. Declaring “We can do it and do it better,” these women proved that poor mothers are the real experts on poverty. In 1972 they founded Operation Life, which was responsible for many firsts for the poor in Las Vegas-the first library, medical center, daycare center, job training, and senior citizen housing. By the late 1970’s, Operation Life was bringing in millions of dollars into the community. They became influential in Washington, DC-respected and listened to by political heavyweights such as Ted Kennedy and Jimmy Carter. Though they lost their funding in the 1980’s, their struggles and triumphs still stand as a critical lesson about what can be achieved when those on welfare chart their own course.

Women were at the forefront of the civil rights struggle, but their individual stories were rarely heard. Only recently have historians begun to realize the central role women played in the battle for racial equality. In Sisters in the Struggle, we hear about the unsung heroes of the civil rights movements such as Ella Baker, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Septima Clark.

We learn of Black women’s activism in the Black Panther Party where they fought the police, as well as the entrenched male leadership, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, where the behind-the-scenes work of women kept the organization afloat when it was under siege. This collection represents the coming age of African American women’s history and presents new stories that point the way to future study.

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9 HISTORY

CAANJ

JESSE OWENS: THE BUCKEYE BULLETT & OLYMPIC CHAMPION

By Rodney Q. Blount, M.A. We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.

– Jesse Owens The recent release of the biopic sports-drama film Race has garnered a lot of popularity and critical acclaim. The movie is based on track and field Olympian Jesse Owens experience during the historic 1936 Olympics where Jesse Owens wins a commanding four gold medals. Race captures the racism and adversity he faced in his preparation for and during the track competitions, giving a double meaning to the film’s title. This film, along with other biographies and films about change agents like Jesse Owens, is very important because it uniquely exposes the paradox African Americans faced at home and abroad. Owens was representing the United States of America in Germany, a country which was ran by a white supremacist (Adolf Hitler) who believed the white Aryan athletes from his country were superior to the others, but after winning, he only came back home to the United States, which treated him and other minorities as second class citizens solely on the basis of their skin color. Owens’ victories were not only victories for the United States, but also for minorities, especially African Americans, everywhere debunking myths about superiority based on race. Jesse Owens is a hero and he remained to be a positive force throughout his life.

James Cleveland Owens was born on September 12, 1913, in Oakville, Alabama, to Henry and Emma Owens. He was the youngest of ten children having six brothers and three sisters.

Henry Owens, Jesse’s father, was a sharecropper, a person who lives on the property of a landowner and used the landowners farm equipment in exchange for hard labor and some of the season’s crop from the land they farm, usually half a season’s worth or more. The proceeds from the remaining crops were small, if any, and had to be spent on clothes and other essentials. Owens was a frail child and often sick, but his parents nursed him back to health and by the age of six he was able to walk the nine miles to school with his brothers and sisters. It was in the sprawling low hills and countryside of Alabama that Jesse begins to run for enjoyment.

The Owens family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, when Jesse was nine years old and they became a part of the first wave of the Great Migration, when millions of African Americans left the rural, segregated South for a new home in the Northeast, Midwest, and Western regions of America, particularly in urban areas. He was enrolled into Bolton Elementary School in 1923.

When his teacher asked for his name, he said

J.C., short for James Cleveland. However, due to his southern drawl the teacher thought he said Jesse and his new nickname stuck with him for the rest of his life.

Jesse Owens enrolled into Fairmount Junior High School in 1927. He met his future wife, Minnie Ruth Solomon, at Fairmount in 1930 and they would remain together for the rest of their lives.

At Fairmount he also met Coach Charles Riley who helped transform Owens into an Olympic champion. Owens practiced intensely and broke the world record for junior high school in the high jump and long jump. He continued to be a phenomenal track athlete at East Technical High School in Cleveland and led his team to the state championships in May 1931 and May 1932. In 1932, Owens first child, Gloria, was born. Gloria was followed by two more daughters, Marlene (1939) and Beverly (1940). “At his third and final state championship, Jesse breaks the world record for high school students in the long jump, sailing 24′ 3 1/6″, a state record that stood for 44 years.”

Jesse Owens enrolled at the Ohio State University in the fall of 1933. He worked several jobs to provide for his family including being a night elevator operator and a page at the Ohio Statehouse. On May 25, 1935, Owens made history at the Big Ten championships in Ann Arbor where he set three world records in the 220-yard dash, 220-yard low hurdles, and in the long jump competition. He also tied for a world record in the 100 yard dash. Richard C. Crepeau, University of Central Florida sports history professor, chose these wins on one day as the most impressive athletic achievement since 1850. Jesse’s many accomplishments in track

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

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and field garnered him the name the “Buckeye Bullet.” He continued to compete and win in NCAA championships, AAUU championships, and Olympic trials throughout the year, winning all 42 competitions that he entered.

On July 11th, 1936 at the Olympic Trials in New York City, Jesse easily qualified in the 100 meter, the 200 meter and the long jump. At the 1936 Olympics on August 3, Owens won the 100 meter sprint in 10.3seconds, defeating teammate and friend Ralph Metcalfe by a tenth of a second.

Owens and Metcalfe were among the 18 African Americans who competed in the 1936 Olympics, winning a total of 14 medals. On August 4, Owens won the long jump competition with a jump of 26 feet 5 inches. On August 5, he won the 200 meter sprint with a time of 20.7 seconds, defeating Jackie Robinson’s older brother, Mack Robinson. On August 9, Owens won his fourth gold medal in the 4x100 sprint relay setting a world record of 39.8 seconds in the event along with his teammates Ralph Metcalfe, Frank Wykoff and Foy Draper. It should be noted that a popular story has been repeated that Hitler snubbed Owens and refused to shake his hand.

Owens later said, “Hitler didn’t snub me – it was our president {Franklin Roosevelt} who snubbed me. The president didn’t even send me a telegram.” He also credited his triumph in the long jump competition to the advice he received from Luz Long, the German competitor whom he defeated.

After the Olympics, Owens took up a variety of jobs to support himself and his family. He campaigned for the Republican Party, opened a dry cleaning business, worked in the personnel department with Ford Motor Company, and was a running coach for the New York Mets, among others. In 1946, Owens and his family moved to Chicago and started his own public relations agency. He was also a motivational speaker.

In 1953, Owens was appointed to the Illinois State Athletic Commission. Jesse Owens was a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha since joining at Ohio State and was also a member of King David Lodge #100 PHA in Chicago.

In 1970, he was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and in 1974 he was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame. In 1977 he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Jimmy Carter and he posthumously received the Congressional Gold Medal from President George H.W. Bush in 1990. After retirement, Jesse Owens moved to Phoenix, Arizona and served on the boards of Memorial Hospital, The National Conference of Christians and Jews and the Salvation Army’s Family Advisory Center. In 1972, Jesse received an honorary doctorate of athletic arts from the Ohio State University. He has also been honored by two postage stamps. In addition, the Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium was opened in 2001 and named in Jesse Owens’ honor. The stadium is a 10,000 seat-capacity stadium located here in Columbus. The Ohio State University’s men’s and women’s lacrosse teams as well as the soccer and track and field teams use the Owens stadium.

The Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016

CAANJ J.C. “Jesse” Owens passed away on March 31, 1980, after a battle with lung cancer. His legacy is vast and he is often ranked as one of the greatest athletes of all time. One of the websites I visited said, “Few athletes have transcended their sports to become a symbol of an era as did Jesse Owens.” I could not agree more! I was able to find a large amount of information on Owens and this article only scratches the surface. Jesse came across many obstacles and he did not always have an easy life, but he persevered and he was a true champion. I encourage everyone to learn more about Jesse Owens either through watching the movie Race and reading books and/ or articles about him.

Works Cited http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/14/movies/ jesse-owens-movie-race.html?_r=0 http://www.biography.com/people/jesse-owens9431142#early-years http://www.jesseowens.com/ http://jesseowensmemorialpark.com/ wordpress1/ohio-state http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Jesse_ Owens.aspx

https://saggigga.wordpress.com/2011/02/17/ blacks-and-the-1936olympics/ Rose, Lacey (November 18, 2005). “The Single Greatest Athletic Achievement”. Forbes.com.

Roderick Blount is an Educator and Historian.

He received two Bachelor of Arts degrees from Ball State University and a Masters of Arts degree from The Ohio State University. His work has been featured in several publications.

Roderick is a native of Columbus, Ohio and is a member of several organizations.

Historical Photos provided by Rolling Stone.

HISTORY OF BLACK MUSIC provided reasons why the study of black history is vital. Then he launched into his fascination and extensive knowledge of black music and shared some earlier forms such as spirituals, ragtime, and jazz.

By Nicey H. Polk In early February, I wrote an opinion piece, “Is Black History Month Necessary?” which included research on Carter G. Woodson who instituted Black History Week in 1926. Several years ago, I had the occasion to write some thoughts on the history of black music. These sparked my interest in attending the Kings Arts Complex’s final program celebrating Black History Month on Saturday, February 27.

The program included a chronology of black music by retired Ohio State University music professor, Dr. Ted McDaniel. He began by sharing some interesting facts about Dr. Woodson’s vision, education, and accomplishments, and

Black music, he states, began with shouts, cries, and field hollers and progressed to the minstrel tradition of which My Old Kentucky Home is a product. The blues, he aptly describes as a testimony to hard times. Spirituals have a long history, but Fisk’s Jubilee Singers began the popularization in the 1880s. A decade later, Scott Joplin in St. Louis, gave prominence to ragtime, a lively, syncopated dance music designed for piano. This music’s popularity hailed Tin Pan Alley, continued after the turn of the century and gave rise to jazz. With the advent of jazz, the emphasis shifted from dancing to music to listening to music. Jelly Roll Morton, a pivotal and talented figure in ragtime, jazz, and blues, also referenced the discrimination endured by was a pianist, composer, and arranger. black American soldiers, Thurgood Marshall’s This improvisational form included musicians, contributions through his NAACP affiliation, composers, and vocalists—from Ella Fitzgerald, LBJ’s nomination of him to the Supreme Court Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington (with over in 1967, along with Wil Haygood’s monumental 2000 compositions) to Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie page-turner, Showdown, a detailed account of Parker, and Monk who gave rise to bebop in the Marshall’s confirmation hearing.

1940s; and Byrd, Miles Davis, and Coltrane.

The ticket price ($15/20) may have contributed The 1930s, however, witnessed the rise of gospel to light attendance, but the program which compositions by Tommy Dorsey and Lucie included an exhaustive video as background, a Campbell. Having indicated that he was from female vocalist and jazz ensemble, The Good Memphis perked up my ears, but I was surprised Fellas, was well worth the time and cost. to hear Campbell’s name. She had been my mother’s teacher at Booker T. Washington HS Nicey H. Polk is a former English teacher in the late 30s and early 40s. Dr. McDaniel, like with the Columbus City Schools. She holds a my mother, expressed the pain associated with MA in English literature from The Ohio State Dr. King’s assassination in their favorite city. He University.

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The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

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KENT - THE SUPER CANDIDATE FOR THE 25TH HOUSE DISTRICT

By Joe Williamson Cooke Campaign rhetoric is rampant in the months and weeks leading up to a political campaign.

Candidates promise what they will do.

Competitors challenge how they will do it. Supporters question whether they are sincere about their willingness to live up to their commitments. The public may cast their votes based on mere speculation regarding who their candidate really is.

Such is not the case with Bernadine Kennedy Kent, a Democratic party candidate for the 25th District of the Ohio House of Representatives on the March 15, 2016 primary ballot. Her track record of being an advocate for what she believes in is so well-established that she is known in educational circles as being a whistleblower, or a person who comes forward with information that is not popular, but needs to be brought to light in order for justice to prevail.

Kent is currently head of a nonprofit advocacy group known as PASS or Parent Advocates for Students in School. She started the group nearly 15 years ago based on needs she determined existed after an extensive tenure as an educator and subsequently an educational administrator in Grove City, in the states of Maryland and New Jersey, in the Franklin County Juvenile detention center, and in the Columbus City School District. Her work with the detained juveniles was particularly enlightening: “I found that these children weren’t going to school. I found that they wanted to be something in life and live those dreams and go to college and have a career. The circumstances in their lives and environment caused a number of challenges.

After teaching there, I thought that we could do a better job of intervening in these children’s lives much earlier.”

As she built a reputation of advocating for students, she remembers an incident in which a father came to her and asked for her help in getting his daughter out of an evening program she had been placed in.” He had a right not to have his daughter in this 3-hour program,” Kent recalls. “By being taken out of the traditional school day environment and only being allowed to come to school in the evening, she wasn’t able to take advantage of the breakfast and lunch programs she was qualified for or able to receive the required educational hours under Ohio law.

It took three years to get that program closed down.” By Kent’s estimation, over 1,000 students had dropped out of high school as a result of this program called the Acceleration Academy, which gave parents the idea that their children would accelerate. Kent said, “The parents soon found out that this wasn’t the case and they wanted their children out. My job became to let them know that their children didn’t have to be in this program; and with several parents armed with that knowledge and a few elected officials making inquiries, the district was forced to close the program. Ms. Kent remembers one of the program’s victims admonishing the board for using her as a “guinea pig”.

The most noteworthy of Kent’s advocacy efforts resulted in extensive educational reform, beginning when she became troubled by her realization that economically disadvantaged students, who were entitled to receive free

tutoring in math and reading, were not, in fact, getting this service in the manner as she noted it was to have been provided under federal law.

“The problem was that no one ensured that the outside tutoring companies approved by the state to tutor the students were real,” Kent recalled.

“The tutoring companies should have been screened to make sure that they were financially sound. The Ohio Department of Education did not do that prior to placing the companies on their approved list. School districts were forced to use these companies that charged up to $125 an hour to tutor Ohio students in basic reading and math. These outside providers became headhunters looking for students to sign up, and once the students were signed up, the parents often never heard from the tutoring companies again.

In some cases, the [tutors’] phone numbers were disconnected, and there was even a number going to a club called ‘Girl Friday’. Several companies called from the list had no idea about any tutoring. Several companies had addresses in California, Texas, Maryland, and D.C.” Kent’s efforts ultimately resulted in her revealing the problem to the Ohio Auditor of State. Since the funding provided for the tutoring was part of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, a state and federal investigation led to a successful probe of the NCLB tutoring program, criminal charges being filed, and the closing of the program not only in Ohio but in 40 other states. Kent’s tireless efforts to bring the troubling situation to light also put her in the news media spotlight. “I was on the news in 2011 talking about the Ohio Department of Education making sure the tutoring providers were financially sound as required of them” Kent said. “After that interview, ODE attempted to ensure the providers were financially sound; however, they soon found out that was not the case when after requesting the 277 providers remaining on the list submit an audit but only 25 were able to turn in an audit by the scheduled due date.

Kent attributed her effectiveness in recognizing the fraud to the fact that she knew the system. “I knew that they could not be tutoring that huge number of students. One tutoring company in Cleveland claimed 1,600 students a year were attending their after school tutoring program.

That gave that tutoring company approximately 3.8 million dollars in payments a year for 16 weeks of claimed tutoring. I knew those numbers couldn’t be real. In Columbus Schools alone, the Auditor of State found 27 companies over a three-year period has bilked the taxpayers out of $800,000. As a former teacher and assistant principal, I knew the most students we could get to attend in-school tutoring using certified teachers was generally around 10 to 20.”

Kent believes that her prominence as a former school teacher and administrator, and her ongoing commitment to overcoming even the most daunting obstacles to providing quality education is one of the main strengths she will bring to the Ohio House of Representatives.

“Every profession has a language that we use and that language is intimidating for someone who is a non-educator and who hasn’t worked in the system. I believe that there needs to be someone at the State government level who has a background in the educational profession.”

To demonstrate the importance of this type of experience in the state legislature, Kent noted that underlying the tutoring scandal were the issues of damage and identity theft. “People don’t realize the long-term ramifications of data tampering and of economically disadvantaged 33

students not getting their entitled tutoring in reading and math. The tutoring was to help these students pass the proficiency tests as well as close the achievement gap. It was to help schools get out of academic emergency and not be labeled failing schools. This fraud really disrupted our communities when schools labeled as failing were closed down. Here was a benefit for the economically disadvantaged child that they never got, and the future impact of the students’ stolen identities from the NCLB Tutoring fraud is yet to be determined.”

Kent’s educational platform would also serve as the foundation for the other priorities she would address such as jobs and safety if elected to the Ohio House of Representatives. “Everything stems from education,” she asserts. “I have always been for education because I believe it is the most important topic in the state. Some argue jobs are number one, but without a strong public school system, unemployment spirals, jobs move away because there is no qualified workforce and we can’t attract jobs for the same reason and crime goes up. Education is attached to the success of everything.”

The ultimate effectiveness of public servants is the extent to which what they promise to do is reflected in what they have already done. “She’s principled, number one,” confirms Bob Fitrakis, who has worked with Kent as an attorney and a political writer. “She’s incredibly intelligent and incorruptible. You don’t have to worry about her selling out to special interests.” Fitrakis also noted Kent’s ability to form diverse alliances, a skill that has become increasingly critical in achieving political success. “Her history of reaching out to the White progressive community would make her a good candidate for the 25th House District,” noted Fitzrakis, a Caucasian male. “It’s much better to have a whistle blower as a policy maker rather than leaving them on the sideline. I think she needs to get rewarded for her policies by being elected to the Statehouse.

This endorsement of Kent’s Ohio House candidacy was echoed by a parent directly affected by Kent’s reputation for doing and not just talking. “She advocated for my children,” said Jocelyn Slaughter explaining how Kent works with the schools as well as works with the family to be sure they all understand their roles and responsibilities to make sure children are successful. Slaughter said Kent told her ‘to find out what your children like to do and build on it’.

“She’s open to talk to anyone, no matter who you are,” Slaughter concluded. “She’s able to work with a diverse set of people because she is openminded and open to different perspectives. She is versatile in what she does. She stands firm if she’s done the research on a situation and lets you know if a situation is wrong. She’s never pulling stuff out of the air. She told me reading is fundamental and it keeps you knowledgeable.

You have to keep reading and researching, and you always have to make sure that it’s accurate information. She has a heart for people. I’m rooting for her to get in there [the Ohio House of Representatives].”

In her own way, Kent agrees. “I have done the work without a title,” she says of her Ohio Legislature candidacy. “I have demonstrated what I would do in regard to finding a solution and collaboration. I have the tenacity not to give up until I find that solution.” Kent concludes by stating, “My work as an educator, activist, and advocate has undoubtedly given me purpose, but it has also prepared me to become the next State Representative of the 25th district.”

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10 ARTS & LIFE

THE BEST NIGHT OF TAYLOR’S LIFE

By Stephanie Bridges We are embarking on a historical first. In 2016 this country will elect the first woman president. Or not.

With each election comes a bevy of women’s issues, including our right to choose. This is one area where I probably stand less to the left of politics and more in the middle - for a multitude of reasons. But even as Christians, we must always remember having a baby out of wedlock is not a sin. Fornication is a sin. A child is a gift from God. Taylor sat still while her makeup was being applied. She felt like a real celebrity. Hair, wardrobe, makeup, mani/pedi you name it; she was being primped and pampered for what would be the best night of her life. Prom. Her dress was hanging on the door. She admired the sequined bodice that flared into a beautiful sun-drenched ball gown. Taylor scanned her closet - its door ajar -and saw nothing yellow. Her eyes perused the floor that had as many clothes strewn across it, as were hung. One lemon tank top that she never wore peeked out from the corner. Taylor looked horrible in yellow. But after trying on at least thirty dresses, at what felt like as many stores, this was definitely the one. Well, the affordable one. There were other dresses, but before she could reach out and brush her hand against the sequined bodice, her mother had the tag in her grasp and announced, “No, this is not a dress for someone with a baby.” Taylor heard this everyday of her pregnancy and now into the first 4 months of her daughter, Dreama’s life.

No, that makeup, salon, shoe, clutch, limo, lip gloss, hair moisturizer, toothpaste, cereal is not for someone with a baby. Taylor was amazed that her mother could make the same statement, with the same inflection, and maintain the same grave intent without breaking into laughter.

Taylor and her twin sister, Ashley, stood out of her sight and mimicked her words.

“What’s funny?” her mother’s voice raised like a hand ready to swat.

“Nothing, Momma.” Both girls assured her as Taylor guided her over to the clearance rack with the yellow dress.

Ashley did Taylor’s nape length hair with a small flat iron that pressed through thin wefts. They stayed up the night before doing Taylor’s nails and toes with drugstore polish, laughing about prom shopping, practicing dance moves and attending to the baby, Dreama. Ashley headed out early that morning because she was spending the day at the salon with her friends preparing for Prom. It was finally evening and makeup was the finishing step that Taylor’s cousin, Brandi,

was doing for free. They would take Taylor’s boyfriend, Jasper’s car. Taylor looked at her phone, it was 7:00 PM. Prom started at 8:00 PM. She reviewed everything she still needed to do before the official kick off of the best night of her life. Finish makeup, put dress and shoes on, feed baby, and put her to sleep. The knock on the door would come soon and Taylor could feel her scalp tingle in preparation for a full blown flop sweat.

But before she could panic, her spinning mind was interrupted.

“Oh, Taylor, you look stunning,” Brandi crooned.

“Wait!” she grabbed her shoulders to stop her from turning toward the mirror. “Don’t look until you put your dress on.” Brandi’s sentiments were nuanced with the magic of make-believe.

“Okay!” Taylor’s exuberance interrupted the surreal, and she jumped out the chair and did a high knee half jog, half jump step with excitement. She grabbed the dress hanging on the door and headed to the bathroom, but the door was shut and she could see the light coming from underneath - occupied. Taylor stayed in the hallway. There was plenty of space and Taylor thought she may have even felt a breeze. She took off her sweats and t-shirt. Brandi walked into the hallway and put a towel over her head to protect her pixie hairdo and safeguard the ball gown from her painted guise.

“Lift your arms straight up.” Brandi commanded.

Brandi got the dress over her arms and began to pull from the bottom. Taylor squirmed back and forth, side to side until her face was free, then arms and while Brandi pulled, Taylor pushed down from the top until the gown was in place.

Both ladies took a deep breath.

Taylor spun around, “Zip me!” If only it was that easy. The gulf was wide. Brandi said a prayer under her breadth.

When the zipper finally reached the top, Brandi called out, “Won’t He do it?”

“Yes, He Will”, Taylor responded.

“Hey Glory!” The girls went into a mini-church shout.

Dreama must have known her mother was ready, because right before Brandi could guide Taylor’s foot into the left shoe, they heard a small cry.

“These shoes are the bomb, Girl.” Brandi spoke while still admiring the rhinestone studded heels.

All her accoutrement was on point, but the shoes were designer, and probably cost more than everything else put together.

“Yes, aren’t they nice? They’re Ashley’s from last year’s prom. I love them.” Taylor responded matter-of-factly.

“Okay, now look!” Brandi turned Taylor around to the full length mirror that leaned against the wall. “I’ll go get the baby.”

Taylor looked in the mirror and she almost

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couldn’t believe her own eyes. She looked like a princess. “I am a princess.” She affirmed.

Brandi had the baby in her arms and tears in her eyes. “Yes, you are a princess. But girl I gotta go.” She put the burping towel over Taylor’s shoulder and handed her Dreama. Brandi loved her little cousin but she wasn’t real big on babies.

They made her nervous. They gave each other air kisses and Brandi let herself out.

“Okay, clutch, lipstick, money, door key…”

Taylor said each word in an animated voice as if she were telling Dreama a long ago fairytale as she dropped each item in the bedazzled purse.

She started for the stairs and then turned “Oh, shawl. That’s right my little snugum wugum, shawl.” She repeated in a sing-songy voice.

Brandi walked slowly down the staircase, careful not to drop shawl, bag or baby. If she tripped in the stilettos that she was not accustomed to wearing all would be lost, so she called on the name of Jesus grateful for each step. Taylor put Dreama in her play seat and went to the kitchen to warm a bottle of breast milk. It took three days for Taylor to pump and properly store enough milk for this evening. Before she sat down to feed Dreama she looked out the window. No passing cars. She grabbed her clutch to look at her phone and check the time. Uhgg! She realized she left her phone upstairs. She took a deep breath and fed Dreama. She anticipated a knock on the door at any moment. Dreama was fed, burped and rocked back to sleep and still Taylor did not hear any music outside, a car pull up or a knock at the door. It was 8:00 PM. Her phone rang and her heart sank. She did not want to chance the steps again in stilettos nor did she feel the urgency to kick off her heals and make a run for it. There wasn’t anyone she wanted to speak to on the phone. As soon as her cell stopped playing the ring tone for India Arie’s “Can I Walk with You” another phone atop the steps started playing K-Ci and JoJo’s “This is the Day”.

She tried not to listen, but couldn’t help but hear every word of the one-sided conversation.

The voice feigned understanding. “Oh, no that happens. You can only do what you can do. No, she won’t be mad. You know, Taylor. Thank you for calling. I’ll let her know.”

Taylor stared at the steps, the same steps, she had called out to Jesus twelve times just minutes before, and a tear rolled down her face. This could not be happening. Her sister, Ashley, was going to prom the 2nd year in a row, Taylor wouldn’t even make one – her senior prom.

Taylor felt embarrassed by the tears that were no longer taking turns dropping one by one, but now were puddling over her beautiful princess for a day makeup, and clearing away the façade Continued on next page.

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

CAANJ everyone had worked so hard to create. Taylor stared out of the window and braced herself on the sill as she listened to the creak of all twelve steps.

“Hey, Babe.” The voice was warm with consolation. Taylor turned to see Jasper and her emotions mixed. He was so handsome in the black suit they had found at the Thrift Store, and his new vest and bowtie looked like a splash of sunshine straight from Taylor’s dress. Jasper took Taylor in his arms. “The baby sitter canceled.”

“Yeah, I heard you talking. This was so stupid anyway. I’m sorry for taking you through all of this.”

“No, this is a very special day for you, for us.

I’m sorry it didn’t work as planned, but you can still go. I’ll stay here with Dreama.” Jasper tried to wipe the smudged mascara from her face.

“You look beautiful, gorgeous, banging!” He spun her around. “You are a Princess, and I am the luckiest frog in the world.”

Taylor thought about taking Jasper’s car and heading to prom. Teen mom shows up to Prom without a date. Everyone at school was already

talking about her. Goody two-shoes is having a baby. No one believed that she and Jasper were really getting married. Even Ashley acted funny sometimes around her friends – the cool clique.

Showing up alone would just make her life worse.

Then she thought about calling her mom. They didn’t live that far, but the only thing her mom said more than “That [insert item here] is not for someone with a baby,” was “You should name the baby, Dreama ‘I Don’t Get to Go’ Miller”.

Nobody told you to lay up and have an “I don’t get to go.” Mhm, that’s what happens when you have an “I don’t get to go.” Taylor could not take her mother tonight.

sex, so everything was yellow. Taylor’s mom had spent a mint on that one room in their project apartment.

Jasper and Taylor exchanged corsage and boutonniere, took selfies, ate peanut butter crackers, drank tap water on ice, turned up the music and did all of the dances that Taylor had been practicing. Dreama drank the breast milk her mother had worked so hard to express, cooed in her hand embroidered bassinet, and swayed the night away with her mother and father. When daughters become mothers, mothers become grandmothers. Taylor smiled. She looked into her fiancés big brown eyes and at Dreama “I Don’t Get to Go” Miller snuggled in his arms.

Taylor was right; this was the best night of her life.

“No, I want to stay here with the two of you.”

Taylor’s fake enthusiasm diminished with each syllable. Taylor looked over at Dreama and she was wearing yellow too. That is where the golden hue came from. Dreama wore yellow 90% of the Stephanie Bridges is an author and active writer. time and her nursery was decorated from top to A native of Columbus, she is a contributing bottom with yellow blankets, drapes, lamps and writer for The Columbus African American. area rug. When Taylor’s mother found out she was pregnant, she insisted that they be prepared as early as possible even before they knew the

MY ADVENTUROUS EXPERIENCE AS A GLOBAL SOCIAL IMPACT FELLOW

By Ruby White This November I was selected to be a part of a small group of individuals who are working to see a change in their communities.

As a collective, we decided to take a free course on Coursera.org – an amazingly resourceful website that grants access to the world’s top universities. The Social Enterprise course was offered by University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Social Impact Strategy. I personally had reached a point some time ago, where I wanted to see my efforts in grassroots work transform into a sustainable business model that embraces social, environmental, and economic impact.

The 5-week Social Enterprise course provided a straight forward solution to my eight years of dedication towards food justice in lowincome African-American communities. With a revamped business model in tow at the close of the course, I was delighted to see that I could garner more Ivy League level support for my endeavors via the Global Social Impact House – a fellowship specifically designed for social entrepreneurs. The free course attracted over 6000 students across the world, and I had no idea how competitive the program would be.

The Global Social Impact House has three goals for its fellows: develop their social ventures, invoke creative confidence, and expand their networks. For eight days, I experienced just that amongst a diverse group of 22 amazing social entrepreneurs from 12 countries worldwide. We created some of the most impactful moments of our lives in the middle of the rainforest of El

Castillo Costa Rica, at the Rancho Margot.

I immediately identified with the visionary behind Rancho Margot. Known for bringing the first Burger King franchise to England, Don Juan Sostheim decided to commit to the sustainability movement. Steps away from Volcano Arenal, the eco-lodge features yoga two times a day, farmto-table dining, and sustainably-based education programs for primarily graduate students. After being featured on CNN with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Rancho Margot was given the coveted 5-leaf award for employing a Biological-Physical, Services and Infrastructure, External Client & Social-Economic Environment.

For eight days, GSIH fellows engaged in peer to peer sessions, horseback riding through the mountains, night swims, yoga, and design thinking sessions while watching humming birds collect pollen from Birds of Paradise flowers.

Indeed, staying in an exotic space 100% off the grid leaves lots of time to connect. When asked about the most memorable experiences of the fellowship, I received the following responses: Ashley Matejka of Newport, Rhode Island wrote: “Openly asking for ‘help’ was out my norm. I am a resilient military spouse focused on holding

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it all together so my husband can focus on his missions no matter the circumstances on the home front. I am a devoted social entrepreneur determined to create positive change in the world. I am a wellness advocate and coach.

I believe everyone benefits from coaching, including myself”.

Chris Matthews of Queens, New York wrote: “One of the best parts of being at GSIH was having a week with people who get who you are and are after the same thing. Everyone took their cool off at the door and just lived as themselves.

No mask, no front, just them”.

My ultimate goal as a GSIH Fellow was to proudly state as an African-American woman, scientist, teacher, vegetarian, and gardener that I want to see change in the Black community.

We live in food deserts, we haven’t utilized our building and land capital enough, and we all can agree that it’s time to see newer, more innovative milestones made within our culture. Increased access to the best quality of organic foods and recipes permits liberation through health and wellness!

Costa Rica Breakfast Menu One thing I’ll miss the most while in Costa Rica was the traditional breakfast. I stayed at three separate locations, and the vegetarian breakfast menu consisted of the same delectable dishes fresh from the farm. The Costa Rican breakfast menu is guaranteed to give you a great, energetic start to your day. Plus, these flavorful dishes can be made ahead of time and stored for the week! taste.

Ruby White is the Founder/CEO of Jazzy Greens Vegetarian Soul Food. Her company is part of the Food Justice Collective.

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COMMUNITYEVENTS March 3-19, 2016 Play: Two Trains Running Two Trains Running is a play by American playwright August Wilson. The play takes place in the Hill District, an African American neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1969; it explores the impact of gentrification on a well-established African American community. For tickets call 614-558-7912.

Location: The Garden Theater Address: 1187 N. High Street, 43201 Time: Thurs - Sat: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Sun. 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Admission: $15-$20 Web: www.BrownPaperTickets.com/event/2488083 March 9, 2016 65th Annual Citywide Simultaneous Revival - Prayer Service Come out and worship with Trinity Missionary Baptist Church for the annual prayer service featuring host pastor, Dr. Victor M. Davis. For more information call, 614-258-9583.

Location: Trinity Missionary Baptist Church Address: 461 St. Clair Avenue, 43203 Time: 7:00 PM Admission: Free March 13, 2016 65th Annual Citywide Simultaneous Revival - Holy Convocation Celebrate Revival week at the Holy Convocation service at First Church of God under host pastor Bishop Timothy J. Clark. The keynote address will be given by Dr. Alyn E. Waller of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church of Philadelphia. For more information call, 614-258-9583.

Location: First Church of God Address: 3480 Refugee Rd., 43232 Time: 5:00 PM Admission: Free March 14-16, 2016 65th Annual Citywide Simultaneous Revival - Day Services Day services during revival week will be held at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church. The guest lecturer for each day is Dr. F. Bruce Williams, Senior Pastor of Bates Memorial Baptist Church of Louisville, Kentucky. For more information call, 614258-9583.

Location: Trinity Missionary Baptist Church Address: 461 St. Clair Avenue, 43203 Time: 10:00 AM (Daily) Admission: Free

The Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016 February 2015

March 15, 2016 Election Day - Primary Elections Exercise your democratic right to vote! Polls will be open from 6:30 AM 7:30 PM. Aside from the presidential elections, there are races taking place for US Senate, State Representatives, various County seats and more. For more information about your polling location, please contact the Franklin County Board of Elections at 614-525-3100. Please take your ID and proper documents to confirm your identity. Make it a day on, not a day off!

Location: Varies Address: Varies Time: 6:30 AM - 7:30 PM Admission: Free Web: www.VoteFranklinCountyOhio.gov March 15, 2016 Leadership Breakfast Join the Mt. Vernon Avenue District Improvement Association (MVADIA) as they host a leadership breakfast at the King Arts Complex. MVADIA will honor Clarence Mingo, Franklin County Auditor and Lileana Cavanaugh, Executive Director for the Ohio Commision on Hispanic/Latino Affairs. For tickets, call 614-636-1682.

Location: King Arts Complex Address: 87 Mt. Vernon Ave., 43203 Time: 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM Admission: $25 March 17-20, 2016 Columbus International Car Show Each year the Columbus International Car Show rolls into town with displays of the latest and greatest models and automotive technologies.

See all of your favorite sports cars, sedans, and SUVs in one location.

It’s an auto show and so much more!

Location:Greater Columbus Convention Center Address: 400 N. High Street. 43215 Time: Thurs-Fri: Noon - 9:00 PM, Sat: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Sun: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Admission: Adults $10, Online $8, Seniors/Students $5 Web: www.ColumbusAutoShow.com March 17-20, 2016 Aladdin Temple Shrine Circus The Aladdin Temple Shrine Circus returns to the Ohio Expo Center with tons of family fun with clowns, aerialists, animal acts, indoor carnival rides, elephant rides and much more! For more information call 614475-0058 or visit the website below.

Location: Ohio Expo Center Address: 717 E. 17th Ave., 43211 Time: Call for show times.

Admission: VIP Seats $25, Reserved Seats $20, $18, $12, Half-price for children under 12.

Web: www.AladdinShrine.org

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COMMUNITYEVENTS

March 17, 2016 Backstage At The Lincoln: Chrissy T & Arianne Glass For one night only, come out and listen to the soulful sounds of Columbus natives, Chrissy T and Adrianne Glass. Backstage at the Lincoln allows the audience to share in an intimate musical experience with each artists. For more information or for tickets, call 614-384-3500.

Location: The Lincoln Theatre Address: 769 E. Long Street, 43203 Time: 7:00 PM Admission: $10.00 Web: www.Lincolntheatrecolumbus.com/backstage

March 19, 2016 Gospel On The Avenue Join the King Arts Complex during a celebration of Gospel music.

The program features established and emerging Gospel artists as well as choirs. Gospel music has roots in the black oral tradition, it allowed many who could not read scripture to participate in religious ritual. For more information call 614-645-5464.

Location: The King Arts Complex Address: 867 Mt. Vernon Ave., 43203 Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Admission: $20 - $25 Web: www.KingArtsComplex.com March 21, 2016 Black Hack Where the brightest, most innovative, and most influential African Americans in tech, business, entertainment, and trends come together. Through educational and inspirational events we will discuss how to hack tech, business, and finances to make change and build wealth. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit the website below.

Location: Rev1 Ventures Address: 1275 Kinnear Road, 43212 Time: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Admission: $10 - $30 Web: www.BLKHack.com March 24, 2016 Minority Health Month Kick-Off Event April is Minority Health Month and the Ohio Commission on Minority Health would like for you to join them for their kickoff celebration. Come out to this free event and speak to health professionals, free health screenings, Zumba, Line Dancing, Healthy Foods and much more.

Location: Vern Riffe Building (3rd & 5th Floor Lobby) Address: 77 S. High Street, 43215 Time: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Admission: Free Web: www.MIH.Ohio.gov

March 24-25, 2016 Comedian Martin Lawrence Famed comedian/actor Martin Lawrence is coming to Columbus. The former host of Def Comedy Jam and star of The Martin Lawrence Show is bringing his “Doing Time: Uncut” tour to the Palace Theatre. For more information or for tickets, call 614-847-4400.

Location: Palace Theatre Address: 50 W Broad Street, 43215 Time: 8:00 PM Admission: Call for ticket prices.

March 30, 2016 Conversation Series: Columbus’ Cultural Harlem Join the Lincoln Theatre Association as they host an event that covers “Columbus Cultural Harlem” from 1900 - 1940. This presentation includes a documentary and panel discussion on how the city became the epicenter of African American artistic explosion and more. For more information, call 614-384-5639.

Location: The Lincoln Theatre Address: 769 E. Long Street, 43203 Time: Doors open at 5:30 PM, Program begins at 6:00PM Admission: Free March 30-31, 2016 Hip Hop Literacies: Black Women and Girl’s Lives Matter The purpose of this conference is to bring together scholars, educators, activists, students, artists and community members to dialogue on pressing social problems. This year’s focus is on Black Women and Girl’s Lives Matter. For tickets or for more information please call 614688-5392.

Location: Frank B. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, Main Campus Address: 154 W 12th Ave., 43210 Time: Call for conference times.

Admission: $5 OSU Students, $10 Non-Student, $20 On-Site Web: www.Events.ehe.osu.edu/2016-hip-hop-literacies-conference

April 6, 2016 2016 Women of Achievement For over 30 years, the YWCA of Columbus have gathered over lunch to honor a select group of Columbus women who have made extraordinary contributions to their families, workplaces, and communities. For more information about the honorees or to purchase tickets, please call 614627-1224.

Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center (Battelle Ballroom) Address: 400 N. High Street, 43215 Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Admission: Call for prices.

Web: www.YWCAColumbus.org

Please note: Information for this section is gathered from multiple commnuity sources. The Columbus African American is not responsible for the accuracy and content of information. Times, dates and locations are subject to change. If you have an event that you would like to feature in this section, please call 614-3404891 or email us at editor@columbusafricanamerican.com. Submissions are due by the last Friday of each month.

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

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The Columbus African American News Journal • March 2016

CAANJ

THE COLUMBUS AFRICAN AMERICAN NEWS JOURNAL DISTRIBUTION LIST

COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES

RESTAURANTS

Capital University - Student Union Columbus State Community College - Franklin Hall Franklin University Ohio Dominican University OSU Hospital East OSU Medical Center OSU Diversity & Inclusion Bricker Hall OSU African American & African Studies Community Extension Center

A Family Affair La Glory Cafe New Harvest Cafe Old Bag of Nails Super Chefs Tooties Chicken & Waffles The Lincoln Cafe (Formerly known as Zanzibar Brews)

GROCERY STORES

News Journal Distribution Locations

The Hill’s Market Kroger - Bexely Kroger - Whitehall Kroger - Reynoldsburgh Kroger - Gahanna Kroger - German Village Kroger - Short North/Campus

The Columbus African American is the largest minority publication in Central LIBRARIES Ohio with over 40,000 readers. The news journal is distributed on the first Friday of every month at more than 150 locations around the city. Pick up your CML - Barnett Branch copy today at a location near you!

CML - Gahanna Branch New Jerusalem Baptist Church CHURCHES CML - Canal Winchester Branch New Birth Christian Ministries CML - Hilltop Branch All Nations Church New Salem Missionary Baptist Church CML - Karl Road Branch Asbury North United Methodist Church Oakley Full Gospel Church CML - Linden Branch Christ Memorial Baptist Church Original Glorious C.O.G.I.C. CML - Livingston Branch Columbus Christian Center Refuge Missionary Baptist Church CML - MLK Branch Corinthian Baptist Church Rehoboth Temple of Christ CML - Reynoldsburgh Branch Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church Rhema Christian Center CML - Shepard Branch Faith Ministries Second Baptist Church CML - Whitehall Branch First A.M.E Zion Church First Church of God Family Missionary Baptist Church Friendship Baptist Church Higher Ground A.A. Hosack St. Baptist Church Jordan Baptist Church Kingdom Christian Center Living Faith Apostolic Church Love Zion Baptist Church Maynard Ave Baptist Church Mt. Hermon Missionary Baptist Church Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Mt. Vernon AME

Shiloh Baptist Church St. John AME Church

RECREATION CENTERS

St. Paul AME Church

AARP Ohio Jenkins Terrace Isabelle Ridgeway Care Center Summit’s Trace Wexner Heritage Village STATE, COUNTY & CITY DEPARTMENTS ADAMH of Franklin County Columbus Health Department COWIC Dept. Jobs & Family Services Franklin County Children Services Ohio Dept. of Transportation MISCELLANEOUS Dollar General (Broad & Main) All Neighborhood Health Centers King Arts Complex Homeport C.D. White Funeral Home Caliman Funeral Home

St. Phillip`s Episcopal Church St. Philip Lutheran Church Southfield Missionary Baptist Church Smyrna Missionary Baptist Church Spring Hill Baptist Church Tabernacle Baptist Church Traveler’s Rest Baptist Church Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church Trinity Baptist Church Union Grove Baptist Church Vineyard Columbus

March 2016 The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

SENIOR CARE ORGANIZATIONS

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Canal Winchester YMCA E.E. Ward Family YMCA Hilltop YMCA North YMCA Barnett Recreation Center Beatty Recreation Center Driving Park Recreation Center Marion Franklin Recreation Center

Mt. Carmel Hospital East & West 22 Newstands Downtown

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The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

OPEN ENROLLMENT STARTS

You Have a Choice!

Now!

Serving Grades

K-8

CHALLENGING CURRICULUM AND DAILY SPORTS INSTRUCTION! 3 ALL DAY KINDERGARTEN 3 Small Class Sizes 3 Extended School Day from 8 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

3 Daily Fitness Instruction in Martial Arts, Soccer, and Tennis 3 No Tuition!

3 All Students Wear Uniforms 3 Teachers and Staff Who Care!

3 Individualized Instruction to Meet the Needs of the Whole Child 3 LIMITED SPACE. UNLIMITED POTENTIAL!

Strong Academics—2 hours of reading/language arts, 1.5 hours of math, 1 hour each of science and social studies daily 3 Daily Character Education

Choose from 1 of 5 conveniently located campuses!

1258 Demorest Rd. • Columbus OH 43204 E-mail: ssantos@performanceacademies.com Phone: 614-318-0606

1875 Morse Rd. • Columbus OH 43229 E-mail: medwards@performanceacademies.com Phone: 614-318-0600

3474 Livingston Ave. • Columbus OH 43227 E-mail: wconnick@performanceacademies.com Phone: 614-324-4585

Information Meetings will be held at each school for interested parents.

Please check the websites for dates and times.

2220 South Hamilton Rd. • Columbus OH 43232 E-mail: ntate@performanceacademies.com (Grade 4-8) jpammer@performanceacademies.com (Grade K-3) Phone: 614-314-6301

274 E. 1st Avenue, Suite 200 • Columbus, Ohio 43201 E-mail: ahaman@performanceacademies.com Phone: 614-318-0720

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The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015