April 2016 Edition

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CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS OF EXCELLENCE 2011 - 2016

Getting To The Mind: The Opioid Epidemic

By Charleta B. Tavares

13 26

Court Appointed Special Advocates Seek Help to Protect Young Victims

By Kathy Kerr

IMPACT Celebrates 5th Annual Ripple of Hope Awards

By Kenneth L. Wright

Minority Health Edition

Dr. Kevin Dixon “A True Public Servant” April 2016

Publisher’s Page Founder & Publisher Ray Miller Layout & Design Ray Miller, III Assistant Editor Ray Miller, III Staff Keia Sykes Photographer Ira Graham, III Steve Harrison

Contributing Editors Tim Anderson Tim Ahrens, D. Min Doug Bailey, M.A. Lisa D. Benton, MD Roderick Q. Blount, Jr. M.A. Stephanie R. Bridges Lucretia Brock Iris Cooper, MBA Angela Dawson Marian Wright Edelman Arianna Howard Joyce Johnson, CRT Cecil Jones, MBA Elizabeth Joy, MBA Jacqueline Lewis-Lyons, Psy.D William McCoy, MPA Natalie McGill Brandi Slaughter Charleta B. Tavares Antoinette Greene Tubbs Kay Wilson Annie J. Ross Womack

The Columbus African American News Journal was founded by Ray Miller on January 10, 2011

Welcome to the April 2016 edition of The Columbus African American. The editorial focus for this month’s edition of the news journal is Minority Health. I had the good fortune of attending the Minority Health Month Kick-off event held earlier this month in Columbus and I could not have been more proud of the transformative work being done by the board, staff, and locally funded agencies of the Commission. Director Angela Dawson and her staff are to be heartily commended for their superb organization of the event. The new, young African American legislators who have replaced their parents in the Ohio House of Representatives are very impressive and will undoubtedly advance the work of the Commission for years to come. A special thank you to the sponsors of the event is in order.

More broadly, on the topic of minority health, you will find a series of articles addressing autoimmune disease, asthma, sexual abuse, oral health, the importance of drinking water, violence, infant mortality, substance abuse, kidney disease, abuse and neglect of children, sickle cell disease and other illnesses. Next month we will include an addendum to these articles to address heart disease, cancer, diabetes, AIDS, diet, nutrition, smoking, physical activity and obesity. Unfortunately, we still find substantial disparities with respect to each of these health conditions between African Americans and every other racial group.

Too often, we neglect to provide needed attention to behavioral healthcare. Our cover story, featuring Dr. Kevin Dixon, allows us to educate the public on the expansive work being done by the ADAMH Board of Franklin County in the area of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health. The story also provides an important history on the Board’s groundbreaking leadership in the area of cultural competence training. Our focus on Dr. Dixon allows us to introduce you to one of the primary leaders in the State of Ohio on the need to provide culturally appropriate care.

On March 24, 2016, St. Philip Episcopal Church was the site of one of the most important community celebrations of the year. The occasion was the recognition of Dr. Tom Simpson for his years of service in the field of public education, athletics, and community engagement. The event was hosted by The Thursday Club which was founded in 1943. The room was packed to capacity and leaders from every element of the Columbus community were present to honor “Doc”.

Speaker after speaker rose to heap praises on Dr. Simpson for being a “father” to so many young boys, for saving their lives, providing tough love, being authentic, being a keeper of our culture, and being an outstanding educator and coach. I was honored to give remarks on the program along with James Bynum, Cathryn Willis, Leonard King, David Hughes, Council Member Priscilla Tyson--joined by Council Member Jaiza Page and State Representative Hearcel Craig. The purpose of the celebration was given by Hank Simpson (not related) who serves as the General Chairman of The Thursday Club and the tone of the event was set by Tom Dillard who spoke of the beauty of “community” and who African Americans really are as a people. Dr. Tom Simpson graduated from Central High School, Central State University (B.A.), Xavier University (MS), and The Ohio State University (PhD). Finally, a special thanks to The Thursday Club for presenting me with a football signed by all of the members who were present.

The story behind the gift is too long to tell in this limited space.

We, at The Columbus African American, have decided to permanently add three new featured columns to the news journal. Because of the importance to our community of the NAACP, Columbus Urban League and IMPACT Community Action Agency, we have offered to these historic agencies the opportunity to keep our community apprised of their major activities, services and programs through the submission of a monthly column. Two such articles are included in this edition of the news journal.

Finally, we want to remind our readers to purchase tickets to attend the Five Year Anniversary Celebration of The Columbus African American. The event will be held on Friday, June 17, 2016 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at The Boat House at Confluence Park. Tickets are $40.00 per person or $400.00 for a table of ten. This will be a grand celebration wherein we will recognize our contributing writers, major advertisers, subscribers, and our staff. We will have a dynamic keynote speaker and a wonderfully precise program. You will definitely want to be in attendance.

Finally, Finally, please take the time to congratulate the Fellows in Cycle VIII of the Progressive Leadership Academy on their graduation from this elite program. The graduation ceremony will take place next Friday, April 15th at Ohio Dominican University-Bishop James Griffin Student Center. Please contact us for additional information.

Thank you for your continued support.

The Columbus African American News Journal 750 East Long Street Columbus, Ohio 43203 Office: 614.340.4891 editor@columbusafricanamerican.com

With Appreciation and Respect,

Ray Miller Founder & Publisher 3

The Columbus African American News Journal • April 2016

In This Issue

(L to R) Haki Madhubuti, Dr. Kevin Dixon, Ed Gordon, Ray Miller

Cover Story – Page 20

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Chronic Kidney Disease: Growing Public Health Issue

By Antoinette Greene Tubbs

23

Technology Education Sources For Your Children (and You)

31

Jerry Hammond - Columbus’ First African American City Council President

By Cecil Jones

By Roderick Q. Blount

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5

AIDS and African American Women

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Legacy, Service and Demonstration

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Know The Facts About Asthma and COPD

8

The Silent Assassin In The

African American 14 Community 15 Are You Ready for Some

Really Bad Behavior?

16 Watch Your Mouth 17 Know Your Fate, If You

Can’t Hydrate

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Getting To The Mind: The Opioid Epidemic

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The Columbus African American News Journal • April 2016

Chronic Kidney Disease, Growing Public Health Issue

17

Improving Early Developmental Screenings for Ohio’s Kids

18

Public Health Issue #1

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COVER STORY

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Technology Education Sources for You (and Kids)

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Linda K. Slocum and Letting Kids Succeed

25

The Time Is Always Right

To Do Right

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IMPACT Celebrates 5th Annual Ripple of Hopes Awards

28

PLA Cycle VIII

29

HOMEPORT

30

Book Bags & E-Readers

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Jerry Hammond - Columbus’ First African American City Council President

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Columbus NAACP Update

35

Tea Is Better For You

35

Oberlin College Aquires Papers From Civil

Rights Legend Mary Church Terrell

36

Community Events

38

Distribution List

Court Appointed Special Advocates Seek Help to Protect Young Victims of Abuse April is Minority Health Month The Sickle Cell Disease Phenomena Legislative Update Surviving the Civilian Battlefield 4

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 HEALTH

CAANJ

AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE AND AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN: TOWARDS SELF-ADVOCACY AND SELF-CARE

By Lucretia Brock and Arianna Howard My name is Lucretia and I have fibromyalgia Felt as if my skin was on fire Literally it hurts to touch me I had pain from my neck all the way down to my ankles Living under a shroud of pain Everyday all day 24 hours a day I was in pain and I was so tired It was literally almost debilitating I was under a huge amount of daily ongoing stress at any given time I would have 3 jobs It’s just something that you get used to I knew that I wasn’t crazy With the stress of being a black woman…a wife…a mother… one doctor would say one thing and another doctor would say something else Understand the dialogue that should happen between a patient and their doctor You have to be an advocate for yourself “My story, unfortunately, rings true for millions of African American women across the United States. Hi. My name is Lucretia and I have fibromyalgia. Although fibromyalgia is not classified as an autoimmune disease, it shares many of the same symptoms. In this piece, my daughter and I will share some important facts about autoimmune disease - a group of diseases that is wreaking havoc in the African American female community. You will also learn of my experiences. It is our hope that the information gleaned will be shared with African American women you love and care for. Encourage them to actively advocate for their health - the future of our community depends on it.”

Awareness The Autoimmune Diseases Association (2016) defines autoimmune disease as a varied group of illnesses that involve almost every human organ system and includes diseases of the nervous, gastrointestinal, endocrine systems, as well as skin and other connective tissues, eyes, blood and blood vessels. The underlying problem is “autoimmunity” – the body’s immune system becomes misdirected and attacks the very organs it was designed to protect.

There are some 100 different types of autoimmune diseases, each having similar symptoms. According to a survey by the Autoimmune Diseases Association (2016), over 45 percent of patients with autoimmune diseases have been labeled chronic complainers in the earliest stages of their illness. “I was absolutely miserable. I described it as living under a shroud of pain...every day, all day, twenty four hours a day, I was in pain...It literally hurts to touch me.”

Many general practitioners are unfamiliar with these diseases which can make them difficult to diagnose. For the patient, this can be frustrating and stressful. “I kept going to doctor after doctor after doctor and it wasn’t until years later that I found the right doctor who then referred me to a

rheumatologist who was able to finally diagnose me with Fibromyalgia.”

Of the 50 million Americans living and coping with autoimmune disease (AD), more than 75 percent of them are women. Different ethnic groups are more susceptible to certain autoimmune diseases a well. In lupus, for example, African-American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American women are two to three times more likely to develop the disease than Caucasian women, and African-American women are three times more likely to develop lupus than Caucasian women.

One can only speculate as to why African American women are more likely to suffer from AD than other groups. The scant research on this subgroup of AD patients only compounds the issue.

What to look for In an article written by the Affordable Healthcare Insurance Network (2015), six major symptoms are identified as indicators for autoimmune disease: #1 - Joint pain or pain and weakness in the muscles #2 - Rashes and hives #3 - Numbness or tingling in hands and feet #4 - Dry mouth, skin and eyes #5 - Hair loss #6 - Inability to concentrate “I remember having terrible headaches that were so severe that it was literally almost debilitating... sometimes if felt as if my skin was on fire...all of these symptoms were unfamiliar to me.”

Self-Advocacy African American women are conditioned to take on the world. We are expected to care for everyone and place their needs before our own at the expense of our own health and wellbeing.

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY. Know when something is off - just as you do for your loved ones. You would notice if your husband began complaining of headaches, right? Or, if your child started limping or holding her stomach? Now is the time for African American women to begin centering our health and wellbeing. Remember: Being your best self allows you to be the best support for others.

If you suspect that you may suffer from an autoimmune disease, begin by keeping a journal of symptoms; how you feel, what time of day or if a certain activity caused the symptom. Jot down questions to ask your doctor. The dialogue between you and your doctor should be just that, dialogue. Ask questions until you feel satisfied 5

with the answers. Remember, you have the right to say no to tests and medications, at least until you have had the opportunity to do your own research. And remember, you do not have to stop at one doctor; get a second, third, even fourth opinion. The average patient with autoimmune disease sees six doctors before attaining a correct diagnosis. The less you pay attention to your own health, the less those around you will pay attention to it. If a symptom is a concern, it is worth talking to your doctor.

Self-Care Centering your health and wellbeing is not a selfish act. We must care for ourselves before we task ourselves with caring for anyone else.

Connecting with others who are committed to living healthy and whole lives can provide much needed support and encouragement. In Columbus, Ohio, multiple organizations and groups exist that are geared toward connecting and supporting healthy people. I, Lucretia’s eldest daughter, Arianna, recently connected with one such organization: Project LIFE. Project LIFE (Lifestyle Improvement through Faith and Empowerment), founded by Lakeesha Leonard, was birthed out of a passionate desire to tackle the health crises that exists among African American women, many of whom fail to get adequate nutrition and engage in physical activity. These two tools - adequate nutrition and physical activity - can reverse much of what physically ails many Americans. Project LIFE responds to the health crisis among African American women by offering uniquely tailored social support, accountability, encouragement, consciousness raising/awareness, and meal plans and exercise programs. Project LIFE also gives focus to inner wellness through mind renewal and positive affirmations. If you are interested in being supported by the passion that engendered Project LIFE, please contact LaKeesha Leonard at www.facebook.com/ProjectLIFEQueen or LaKeeshaLeonard@speakoveryourlife.com.

“I hope that at least one of you, after reading this or learning about this piece through a loved one, successfully commits to the acts of self-advocacy and self-care. Pay attention to your body. Ask questions and actively pursue the life you were destined to live.”

For more information: www.webmd.com; www. mayoclinic.com Lucretia Brock is a freelance ghostwriter and has been writing articles, poetry and short stories since a very young age. Inspired by her daughter, Arianna, Lucretia recently returned to school seeking a Bachelor’s degree in English/ Creative Writing.

Arianna Howard, B.S., M.Ed., is a doctoral candidate at The Ohio State University, studying issues of family and school relationships along intersections of race, gender and socioeconomic status. She has worked as an education specialist, preschool and public middle school teacher.

The The Columbus African American NewsNews Journal • February Columbus African American Journal • April 2015 2016

LEGACY, SERVICE AND DEMONSTRATION: THE BLUEPRINT FOR ENGAGEMENT

By Tim Anderson In recognition of National Minority Health Month my love for (our) history beckons me to connect the dots of legacy, service and demonstration. Early 20th century black leaders such as W. E. B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington innately understood that economic empowerment began first by addressing the health disparity divide that existed between blacks and whites.

These leaders did not seek to reduce health disparities of blacks but to eliminate the health disparities of blacks. DuBois, the principle author of the study titled,” The Health and Physique of the Negro American” used the study to debunk the prevailing and erroneous and detrimental wisdom by whites that blacks were genetically inferior. This study is a fascinating scientific analysis that arguably disproves the racist’s legacy of slavery.

Service and demonstration for African Americans has been a part our history. One could argue, that oppressed populations under severe crisis (environmental or otherwise) triggers a DNAtype response that is counter intuitive to the crisis. Thus synthesizing a response of service and demonstration from those adversely impacted. Perhaps, the successful outcome of the Flint Michigan’s water poisoning crisis will be solved by those most affected. It should not go unnoticed that Flint’s Mayor, Karen Weaver is an African American woman who from this experience, will certainly become an expert on environmental pollutants, environmental racism and their adverse impact upon oppressed communities. Undoubtedly, Flint will not be the only community that faces such an environmental crisis. The Flint legacy, will certainly drive an engagement of service and demonstration that will strengthen the response to the next crisis.

Those of us who connect our service and demonstration to the legacy of a collective past, are not challenged by threat of life for such engagement, but by disengagement of community. Our community has become Washington also realized that addressing health our less engaged in health demonstrations while disparities among blacks was the foundation exhibiting unhealthy behavior that promotes to set economic empowerment upon. During chronic diseases illnesses requiring medical this period ninety percent of blacks lived in intervention. If,and African Americans were the the segregated south. Black life expectancy healthiest population in the nation, one would was lower than whites, infectious and chronic expect a high degree of social and diseases were higher in blacks and infant activism sustaining healthy awareness behavior and mortality was higher than whites. In 1915, supported by health demonstrations. Regrettably, Washington created his last national initiative, we are a population possessing among the worse National Negro Health Week (NNHW). NNHW health outcomes such as; premature deaths, which was held annually during the first week escalating rate of chronic diseases, high rates in April continued for thirty-six years and of obesity and unhealthy dietary habits. During would became the springboard for establishing Minority Health Month, health demonstrations National Minority Health Month. It is the legacy will occur throughout the nation aimed at of those early 20th century black leaders which preventative intervention. Many of these events today leads service and demonstration as a vital will focus on the African American populations component for addressing health disparities. with health demonstrations and forums seeking inform us with important information on living First Lady, Michelle Obama has turned the to well improving our health. Sponsors of White House lawn into an outdoor classroom. these and events become less interested in continuing Understanding healthy food production, financial support low turnout, potentially preparation and cooking is essential to healthy jeopardizing futurewith health events aimed at our child development. She has created a garden community. that her family enjoys and also teaching children the importance of growing food. As the medical There is only one White House and Michelle community begins to reconcile the relationship Obama, but there are many throughout the between health and nutrition, Mrs. Obama has community and the nation that have dedicated taken the approach that teaching children about themselves to teaching us how to live healthier. plant based foods will prepare them for a life Take the first step towards improving your health time of making healthier choices. by participating in health demonstrations and Take your loves, children, grandchildren I connect Mrs. Obama’s service and forums. and neighbors and visit these health forums. demonstration with that of the National Negro Buy and read a book nutrition, exercising, Health Week. Similarly, NNHW volunteers weight managementabout or chronic disease would conduct demonstrations, however, on a prevention. The weather is improving go outside vastly different venue, on plantations under the and walk. In Columbus, Ohio you can the scrutiny of shotgun touting white overseers. Parks and Recreation Centers for as littlejoin as ten Demonstrating infectious disease prevention dollars for a three-month membership or forty techniques to blacks in the segregated south dollars for an annual membership, I have a was not a welcomed event by white landowners. membership.

These landowners viewed such intervention with great suspicion and a potential destabilizing On April 16, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. we will kickforce to white authority. The volunteers, many off In My Backyard Health and Wellness 2016. of who came from other parts of the country This will be our sixth year of providing health were warned with threats of violence should and wellness education and activities in our their health demonstrations veered towards backyard. For 2016, our focus will be on healthy open discussions. Blacks were discouraged cooking demonstrations that will be posted on from asking questions to these early community our YouTube Channel (In My Backyard Health health workers. Only in black churches, away and Wellness). We will be posting a total of from the landowners and overseers could the twelve healthy cooking demonstration for 2016. health workers and the local black community Our 2016 kick-off program will be based upon feel relatively safe from threat of retribution in a relatively new gardening technique, known as discussing health matters. strawbale gardening. In strawbale gardening a The Columbus African American News Journal • April 2016

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bale of straw is used to grow food without soil.

Organic matter is used to convert the straw into a host to support the growth and nourishment of plants including vegetables. Strawbale gardening is easy, weed-free, generally extends the growing season and produces a higher yield than soil base gardening. Our backyard for this demonstration is located at 1905 Merryhill Drive, Columbus 43219 in the Eastgate community.

Finally, in recognition of legacy, service and demonstration this article recognizes the contribution of noteworthy men. They are James D. Anderson (1915-2010) my grandfather and a Tuskegee Airman; Clifford A. Tyree (19262011) my great uncle, whose life epitomized community service and engagement; and the men of the Thursday Noon Luncheon Club (TNLC) of the Eldon and Elise Ward YMCA. I was recently informed by my friend, Tom Dillard, that TNLC reads the articles featured in the Columbus African American and have read and discussed my articles at their luncheons. The members of the TNLC represent this community most respected citizens and I am truly humbled to learn of their high interest in my articles featured within this publication. My community health engagement is linked to a one-hundred year plus legacy of Dubois’, Washington’s and others’ efforts that created a model of community health intervention. I continue to write; drawing upon a base of knowledge, personal experiences and observations.

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.

CAANJ

KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT ASTHMA AND COPD anxiety, panic and depression, often leading to alienation from family and friends.

By Joyce Johnson, CRT, RCP, CLYL, CTTS We all know someone with asthma or COPD. Maybe it’s a family member or friend, or it might be yourself. These two chronic breathing diseases are among the most common cause of emergency department to second hand smoke, environmental pollution visits and hospitalizations, accounting for lost both indoor and outdoor also contribute to the school/work days and billions of dollars in health incidence of asthma. care costs annually.

If your child has been diagnosed with asthma And the number of men, women and children it is very important to have an asthma “action living with these diseases is growing yearly. plan” in place. This is a step by step plan to Asthma is a chronic disease that inflames and help the child identify the early symptoms and narrows the airways leading to prolonged for the caregiver to respond accordingly. These episodes of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness instructions should be provided to anyone who of breath and coughing. Onset of symptoms is is responsible for caring for your child. Early usually quick and may be related to exposure to identification is key to treating asthma and allergens. It is usually treated with a long term avoiding crisis situations. preventative, or “maintenance” medication and asthma episodes are treated with a fast acting And to dispel common myth: Asthma doesn’t go “rescue” medication. away, but it can be dormant for extended periods of time.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics nearly 18 million, or over 7% of adults COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary have asthma and over 7 million children, or Disease) is an umbrella term that includes nearly 9%, have been diagnosed with asthma. diagnoses of emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

In the U.S. over 3600 deaths occur annually These two diseases are often co-existent and directly related to a diagnosis of asthma. have similar symptoms, such as shortness of breath and a productive cough. They are also Asthma is an epidemic that disproportionately commonly treated with similar medications affects children and underserved minority prescribed to help clear and open the airways. populations. African Americans are 20% more These two diseases may also be accompanied likely to have asthma and three times more and compounded by a history of asthma. likely to die from asthma related causes than the white population. In 2003-2005 African COPD develops over many years, often as a American children had a death rate seven times result of smoking or exposure to second hand that of white children and were three times more smoke. Work related exposure to various dusts, likely to be admitted to a hospital, as reported by pollutants and chemicals can also impact your U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lungs, as can air pollution and hazards in your Office of Minority Health. African Americans home such as molds and mildews. Over a period experience more severe asthma with more severe of many years your airways become inflamed, clinical symptoms. creating more mucus. The airways and air sacs lose elasticity which leads to air trapping and Studies are looking at genetics, access to care, shortness of breath. Scar tissue, pneumonias and geography, income and overall living conditions infections are also common with COPD. Along to help better understand this common but often with diminished ability to perform activities of deadly disease. Other factors such as exposure daily living, many people with COPD experience

It is estimated that over 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD and another 16 million remain undiagnosed. In 2014 COPD moved up to become the third leading cause of death in America, accounting for nearly 125,000 deaths per year. Although tobacco use has certainly decreased in the past decades, the long term results are becoming more prominent as the population ages.

Most COPD is diagnosed between the ages of 45-60 years old. The symptoms may have been present for many years prior to diagnosis. COPD is easily diagnosed by a simple breathing test, using a spirometer. The earlier it is detected the better it can be treated. It is possible to live a long, active life with COPD if medication and precaution is taken in conjunction with quitting smoking, exercise and activity.

Although the incidence of COPD is still slightly higher in whites than blacks and in men than women, it is interesting to note that African Americans despite typically starting to smoke at a later age and with less pack per day rate of consumption present with symptoms at an earlier age and similar severity. There is some conjecture that this might be due in part to the higher use of menthol cigarettes in the African American community. In a study reported by the U.S. Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, in a significant number of African Americans diagnosed with lung cancer, there was found to be a high incidence of previously undiagnosed COPD. As a word of caution, shortness of breath is not a part of the aging process. Talk to your physician if you are experiencing shortness of breath or an on-going cough.

Joyce Johnson CRT, RCP, CLYL, CTTS, Director of Outreach and Cessation Services at The Breathing Association, has worked as a Respiratory Therapist for over 40 years. She has extensive experience in Critical Care, Home Care and Public Education. She is also a Certified Laughter Yoga leader and Tobacco Treatment Specialist. She strives to help individuals better understand and treat their lung disease and also leads group educational classes on lung disease and breathing exercises. She can be contacted at jjohnson@breathingassociation.org

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

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Columbus African American Journal • April 2015 2016 The The Columbus African American NewsNews Journal • February

CAANJ

THE SILENT ASSASSIN IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY

By Elizabeth Joy, MBA, LSW, LCDC III Injustice and police brutality?

We’ll march for that.

Diabetes and high blood pressure? We’ll walk for that.

Racist presidential candidate? We’ll post on social media, argue, rant, protest, exercise our right to vote, and distrupt rallies for that.

Family members being sexually abused? ...SILENCE...

Please don’t do me like you’ve done us in the past.

Please don’t turn your face, close your ears, and turn the page….. I know it’s uncomfortable and taboo but please honor our journey of survival and suffering in silence by respectfully listening/ reading just for a moment.

There are millions of us. We are your daughters and sons, nieces and nephews, we are your grandchildren (yes, boys get sexually abused too). You have ignored us. You have created environments that encourage us not to tell, and for those of us who had the courage to tell, you crushed our courage with a heartless response.

The statistics say that 1 in 4 girls and 1 and 6 boys will be sexually abused by the age of 18.

Statistics also show that sex crimes are the most under reported, therefore we know the numbers are higher than we could ever imagine. You teach us “stranger danger,” but 90% of the time, sexual abuse is an inside job, carried out by a family member or friend of the family. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why it’s so hard for you to support us. You love us, but you love our perpetrator too. It’s your son, your brother, your uncle, your pastor, who did this to us and you just can’t figure out how to process and address this conflict (of course, there are female perpetrators also).

the law. Fondling and being forced to view pornography are a few examples. * 1 in 5 children are solicited sexually while on the internet. * An estimated 39 MILLION childhood sexual abuse survivors exist in America today. * Approximately 40% of children are sexually abused by older/larger children. * More than 20% of children are sexually abused before the age of 8. * Nearly 50% of all victims of forcible sodomy, sexual assault with an object, and forcible fondling are children under the age of 12. * Almost 80% of children initially deny abuse or are tentative in disclosing. * Of those who disclose, more than 20% eventually recent even though the abuse actually occurred. * Only approximately 4-8% of child sexual abuse reports are fabricated. addressed by a professional and again, this is * Nearly 70% of child sex offenders have beyond the scope of speaking to the pastor. between 1 and 9 victims and at least 20% have 10 to 40 victims.

Sexual abuse and the secrecy that accompanies it is a universal issue however, the near absolute What can you do? refusal to have discussion around this topic is specifically an issue in the African American * Prevention – Talk to your children, girls family. Injustice and inequality are certainly and boys, about inappropriate touch. Be sure issues that require our attention, but when will to cover the fact that friends and close family we begin to look inward at issues that need to members are included on the list of those who be addressed “in-house.” It doesn’t go away by may not touch them. ignoring it or keeping it a secret. It is not resolved * Believe us!!! It takes great courage to disclose through prayer. At minimum, a conversation has abuse. To not be believed is crushing. to start. Let’s start now. * Get help for the survivor. This not something one just “gets over.” Do not question the survivor.

Elizabeth Joy is founder of Survivors To Alivers, Professional counseling is needed. This is far a non-profit organization focused on empowering beyond the scope of talking to the pastor. trauma survivors to overcome challenges and * Don’t say you understand…. You don’t. * Don’t blame us. It doesn’t matter what we do, achieve restoration. Her organization offers what we say, or how we dress. There is nothing online support groups and a space for trauma any individual can do to provide permission to survivors to connect and support one another.

Elizabeth is a speaker, life coach, and author be raped or sexually violated. * Don’t try to address the perpetrator simply of “You Survived… Now What? A Road Map by telling him/her to apologize and/or never to Reclaiming Life.” For more information do it again. This is serious crime with serious visit www.survivorstoalivers.org, email ejoy@ psychological elements at its root. It must be survivorstoalivers.org, or call 614-332-1592.

Many who have experienced sexual abuse will tell you that the actual acts of sexual violence against us aren’t the hardest part of the experience, it’s the damage the experience does to our minds, souls, and spirits along with the absolute lack of empathetic response from our family and community that causes the most pain.

Our bodies are made to recover from wounds but our hearts struggle to process the judgement, the recommendations to “get over it,” the accusations that we’re lying, and the urges to suck it up and be nice to our perpetrator, that don’t have a natural course for recovery.

Additional statistics you should know: * 40-60 % of BLACK GIRLS are sexually abused by the age of 18. * One does not have to be penetrated or even touched to be sexually abused in the eyes of

The Columbus African American News Journal • April February 20162015

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CAANJ

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME REALLY BAD BEHAVIOR?

By Jaqueline LewisLyons, Psy.D I love sports. I look forward to April 1st as the start of baseball season. I am one of those few people who watch the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. I must admit that my husband is puzzled by this. You see, I like sports much more than he does. He has actually reminded me that there are other television shows on in the spring besides baseball. Anyway, it all started when my children played soccer. I had to learn the game just to keep up. Soccer became a big part of our lives because we felt the need to be involved with our childrens’ activities. We soon became coaches for a select team and then became referees for the Mid-Ohio Select Soccer League.

I believe that sports are a great part of the growing up process for our children. It allows them to get regular physical activity, interact with teammates, and learn important life skills.

Unfortunately, I have observed some of the worst behavior imaginable at youth sports events. Yes, there is the occasional call that makes a player mumble something under his breath or a snide remark one girl makes to an opposing team member. That is expected. After all, these are

children and they are learning to handle anger, frustration, and embarrassment in a public arena.

However, it is the adults’ behavior that has often shocked and appalled me. If we wonder why our young people seem lacking in respect and tolerance for others, the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. There were times when parents would have to be sent to their cars before we could allow the match to continue. When the adults are behaving badly, the children become confused and upset. It distracts from the activity and hurts the entire program.

on young minds.

When I see a professional athlete throwing away his talents or making a mess of a wonderful opportunity, it makes me wonder about that person’s back story. What was their childhood/ family life like? Did they have love and emotional support when the rough times came?

Where do they draw their strength from – is it just themselves, or something bigger? I’m reminded of Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Are we bringing our children up with the right values? Are we teaching them to Unfortunately, we see this trend filtering down be discerning in how they choose role models? from professional sports to the youth arena.

Granted, there is a lot of pressure on professional As for me, I may be watching fewer games athletes but I am concerned when they deny the this year. I am choosing to follow and support impact their behaviors have on their young fans. only those athletes who take their job seriously, Some have actively refused their role as a role on and off the playing field. I encourage you to talk with your children about what they see, model. What they seem to be forgetting is that and how it makes them feel or think about their whenever you are in the public eye, you are sports heroes. It is ultimately our responsibility being watched. When you are one of millions to lay the groundwork for the next generation of who had the dream of making it to that level, professionals, whether in sports or in politics. you do have a responsibility to carry yourself with dignity and respect. It is part of being a Dr. Jacqueline Lewis-Lyons’ office is located in professional – whether you are a professional North Columbus. Her practice centers on helping athlete, professional performer, or a professional clients with depression and anxiety related In recent years, after discovering a politician. Life in the public eye does carry disorders. love for running, she expanded her practice to responsibilities. There is a saying, “To whom include services related to Sport Psychology much is given, much is required.” I don’t think for athletes of all ages and levels. To reach it is unreasonable for us to expect, or demand her, call 614-443-7040 or email her at Jaqui@ better behavior from those who are so influential DrLewisLyons.com

WATCH YOUR MOUTH!

By Portia Bell, DDS A smile is understood by all human beings, it speaks a universal language. A healthy mouth and smile allow us to communicate with others and nourish ourselves. An unhealthy mouth affects your ability to communicate, as well as eat and smile. Untreated disease in the mouth also impacts upon overall health. That’s right; an unhealthy mouth can compromise your whole body’s health. It is well known that a toothache can disrupt one’s sleep. Pain in the mouth can also affect focus at work or school as well as one’s ability to eat and drink comfortably.

Other conditions such as gum disease do not hurt like a tooth ache until it is far advanced. These conditions can progress quietly, unknown to the individual that is affected.

In order for problems and conditions in the mouth to be corrected, they must be diagnosed.

This is a problem for many in the African American community. Many people do not give proper attention to the health of their mouths.

There are some oral conditions that occur in higher proportion in the African American community. These are decayed teeth, gum disease (periodontal disease), oral cancer, and the long term effects of childhood oral neglect.

Today I will address decayed teeth and gum disease.

Most people are familiar with what happens when a tooth is diseased; we call it tooth decay, or a cavity. A cavity occurs when bacteria in the mouth over power our immune system’s defenses, secrete acid as a waste product and create holes in the enamel of our teeth. The cavity may then develop symptoms of sensitivity and can cause pain. Thorough flossing, brushing, and rinsing reduce the amount of the bacteria in your mouth. Simply performing a thorough cleansing of the mouth before bed goes a long way toward minimizing dental disease. Other helpful lifestyle habits include eating a diet low in sugar, brushing with fluoridated toothpaste, and avoiding the use of teeth as tools: opening containers or chewing on objects that are not food. If left untreated, cavities expand, destroying more tooth structure, and enter the pulp of the tooth. In the later stages, treatment may include a crown, root canal, or extraction of the tooth.

Gum disease was once referred to as pyorrhea of the gums. The proper term for this condition of gum and bone infection is periodontal disease.

Bacteria left at the neck of the tooth breeds and creates a toxic environment for the gum and tooth sockets. The disease causes redness in the gums, swelling, bleeding, and sometimes pus. A distinctive foul odor accompanies this breakdown of the flesh. Remember, this condition progresses without pain. Left untreated, the end stage of this condition is looseness of the teeth, and pain. This usually develops over a lifetime, not quickly. So if caught in time, the condition can be treated

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and controlled. Effective treatment involves removing the bacteria and tartar from the roots of the teeth. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (2015), gum disease is mostly prevalent among ethnic minorities. 59.1 % African Americans over the age of 30 have some form of it. Most cases of gum disease are undiagnosed; leaving this condition untreated and the body at risk. Other systemic diseases that interfere with the body’s inflammatory system can worsen due to the presence of untreated gum disease. Conditions of the heart, arthritis, and diabetes interact with this chronic inflammatory condition.

For many reasons, oral health has taken a back seat in the current culture. In the African American community, we often are simply not aware of the damage that untreated oral disease can create. As Maya Angelou once stated, “When you know better, you can do better”. Let’s do better by obtaining better oral health!

Works Cited Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

(2015, February 17). Periodontal Disease More Prevalent among Ethnic Minorities, Says New Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Perio.org. Retrieved March 27, 2016, fromhttps://www.perio.org/consumer/ CDC-AAP-periodontal-disease-ethnicminorities Dr. Portia Bell is the owner of Portia J. Bell, DDS , Inc. located at 2710 Crossroads Plaza Dr., 43219. To make an appointment, call 614471-1161.

The Columbus African American News Journal • April 2016

CAANJ

KNOW YOUR FATE, IF YOU CAN’T HYDRATE

By Minister J. Douglas Bailey, Sr., M.A. When was the last time you were concerned about the water you were going to drink? If you’re anything like me and practically every other American, the thought really didn’t cross your mind unless you were at the water fountain in a movie theater. Well, that’s not the case in Flint Michigan.

Nearly two years ago, the state of Michigan decided to save money by switching Flint’s water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River, notoriously known for its filth. Soon after the switch, the water started to look, smell and taste funny to the residents. They said it often looked dirty. Flint River is 19 times more corrosive than Lake Huron. It was actually iron in the river that made it look brown and dirty.

• Maintains Regularity: Aids in digestion even order a bottled water recall once a problem has been found but, there is no guarantee that of food and prevents constipation.

• Prevents Cramps and Sprains: Helps to bottles of water are safe. keep joints lubricated and muscles more elastic The question is, “Can the residence of Flint take so joint pain is less likely.

• Promotes Weight Loss: Removes a do-it-yourself approach to decontaminating their water?” Well, boiling water can kill germs, by-products of fat, reduces hunger, raises but things like lead, nitrates, and pesticides aren’t metabolism and has zero calories.

• Natural Headache Remedy: Helps affected. Since boiling reduces the volume of water, it increases the concentration of those relieve and prevent migraine headaches and particular contaminants. Some of the residents back pain, which are commonly caused by try to make their drinking water safer by using dehydration. water filters. There are several filters that do help. A reverse osmosis unit with carbon can Here are a few points of contact with programs remove nitrates and sodium as well as pesticides designed to aid the residents of Flint Michigan: and petrochemicals. Activated carbon filters can remove certain organic contaminants that affect Flint Community Schools accepts both cash taste and odor. Some systems are also designed donations and bottled water. Donations can be A study conducted in 2011 found that Flint River to remove chlorination byproducts, solvents, and made the Flint School District’s finance office at would have to be treated with an anti-corrosive pesticides, or certain metals, such as: copper or 810-767-6030. To schedule a bottled water drop agent in order for it to be a safe source for lead. off, contact 810-760-1310. drinking water. Adding that agent would have cost roughly $100 a day. Experts say 90% of Not getting enough water can lead to dehydration, Flint Water Response Team is the go-to place the problems with the water would have been which can cause muscle weakness and cramping, for all information and resources regarding avoided. This is not a surprise to many of us in a lack of coordination, and an increased risk government and charitable assistance for this fallen world. It is written in 1Timothy 6:10: of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Water is so Flint residents. Web address is: http://www.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil:” important that we couldn’t last more than five unitedwaygenesee.org/civicrm/contribute/ To compound the issue, about half of the service lines to homes in Flint are made of lead and because the water wasn’t properly treated, lead began leaching into the water supply, in addition to the iron. Flint’s drinking water became contaminated with lead in April 2014, while the city was under the control of a state-appointed emergency manager. Anyone who drank city tap water was exposed to lead. Children are more susceptible to lead poisoning than adults. The long-term health consequences of lead poisoning are irreversible. Lead can cause both physical and mental developmental problems in infants and children. We can’t put a dollar amount on the devastation to the Flint community, and in particular to the children.

When drinking water leaves a treatment plant on its way to our homes, it must meet strict safety standards. That doesn’t mean that our water is free of all contaminants, but that the levels of any contaminants don’t pose any serious health risk.

It is considered generally safe if it comes from a public water system in the United States. July 1 of each year, public water suppliers are required to mail their customers a drinking water quality report, sometimes called a consumer confidence report or CCR. The report tells where our water comes from and what’s in it. Call the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 to get information about the quality and safety of your drinking water.

The Food and Drug Administration regulates bottled water as a food. They have the ability to oversee a mandatory testing program like the EPA does with public water suppliers. They can

days without it. The Institute of Medicine’s Food and Nutrition Board recommended that women actually need 91 ounces of water daily, and men need 125 ounces. Our body weight is more than 50% water. Drinking water helps maintain the balance of body fluids. Without water, we can’t maintain a normal body temperature.

Additionally, we would not be able to effectively lubricate our joints, or get rid of waste through urination, sweat, and bowel movements. When we’re low on fluids, the brain triggers the body’s thirst mechanism. Here is what an adequate amount of water does for the body:

• Increases Energy and Relieves Fatigue: Since our brain is mostly water, drinking it helps us to think, focus and concentrate better and be more alert. As an added bonus, energy levels are also boosted.

• Flushes out Toxins: Gets rid of waste through sweat and urination which reduces the risk of kidney stones and urinary tract infections.

The Columbus African American News Journal • April 20162015 February

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The American Red Cross has volunteers distributing water testing kits, water filters and bottled water at several locations.

REFERENCES: How Tap Water Became Toxic In Flint, Michigan Sara Ganim and Linh Tran, CNN January 13, 2016 How Water Crisis in Flint, Mich., Became Federal State of Emergency, Jessica Durando, USA TODAY January 20, 2016 Revelation 7:17 “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘He will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

CAANJ

GETTING TO THE MIND: THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC

ADDRESSING ADDICTION THROUGH COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS

By Charleta B. Tavares Minority Health Month provides an opportunity for us to focus on the populations that are bearing the brunt of the unnecessary, unacceptable and unconscionable disparities in mortality and morbidity rates - racial and ethnic communities. Unfortunately, when former state Representative and Senator, Ray Miller, Jr. established the Commission on Minority Health (1987) and later Minority Health Month in the state of Ohio (1989) he did not realize that he would give “birth” to a movement around the country to establish state offices of minority health, and national recognition of Minority Health Month (2001). As his Legislative Assistant during the period the Commission was conceived and later established, I know of the hard work and the strategic efforts that were undertaken to identify the right staff, members to serve as commissioners and the proactive, undeterred leadership of the chair (Miller) that was necessary to keep the Commission alive and resolute on the health of racial and ethnic populations. The Commission and her advocates have been unwavering and indefatigable in addressing the premature death and disease among racial and ethnic populations throughout the last 29 years. The diseases and illnesses the Commission is charged with addressing are: * Cardiovascular * Cancers * Diabetes * Infant Mortality * Substance Abuse * Violence * Systemic Lupus Erythematous Substance abuse is one of the diseases that has and continues to impact our African American community disproportionately and with more severe consequences than the Caucasian community. Throughout the 1980s and beyond during the “War On Drugs”, “Three Strikes, You’re Out” and “Just Say, No” campaigns – African Americans were systematically targeted for their use of heroin, “crack” cocaine and other drugs, charged and slammed into the criminal justice system.

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and Charleta B. Tavares by heroin and morphine they present an intrinsic abuse and addiction liability, particularly if they are used for non-medical purposes. They are most dangerous and addictive when taken via methods that increase their euphoric effects (the “high”), such as crushing pills and then snorting or injecting the powder or combining the pills with alcohol or other drugs.

These new addicts however; are not summarily being relegated to the criminal justice system.

Now the rallying cries are: “we have to treat the disease”; “we need to provide treatment”; “we need more resources”; “we cannot send them to prison because this is an illness”. Addiction counselors, social workers, psychologists and other substance use disorder providers all agree with these comments. African American and communities of color also agree that we need to understand and have compassion for those with the disease however; they are also asking – where were you when the drug plague was killing our children and sending our family members to prison indefinitely?

We have to do more to eliminate substance use disparities, unequal treatment and consequences.

We have to work to undue the harm done to our communities’ residents who are still fighting for their lives by getting treatment, staying sober/ drug-free and in recovery. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Sylvia Burwell recently announced the release of $94 million to community health centers across America to provide substance use services including medication-assisted treatment.

PrimaryOne Health received one of the grants for $325,000 and will partner with Maryhaven and CompDrug to expand our continuum of behavioral health services to treat all residents in need including African American, vulnerable, un/underinsured and others in need of substance use services.

Fast-forward, if you will, to 1991 and the drug of choice is now opioids. The number of prescriptions for opioids (like hydrocodone and oxycodone products) have escalated from around 76 million in 1991 to nearly 207 million in 2013, with the United States their biggest consumer globally, accounting for almost 100 percent of the world total for hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin) and 81 percent for oxycodone (e.g., Percocet)i. The populations now being affected are Caucasian young, middle-income, rural and suburban residents in Ohio and the United States. Because prescription opioids are similar to, and act on the same brain systems affected Integrated Care Manager, Staci Swenson will

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lead the organization in efforts to expand services and build effective screening, prevention and education tools to assist Central Ohio community members struggling with addiction.

In addition, Sen. Sherrod Brown recently held a press conference with PrimaryOne Health and Netcare to announce his efforts in Congress to comprehensively address the multidimensional needs with the Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention and Reduction Act and the Recovery Enhancement for Addiction Treatment Act (TREAT Act).

We have an opportunity to work to ensure that all of our residents are valued, are given care that is appropriate, accessible and specific to their needs. We can make sure that the mistakes of the past are not revisited in the future – addiction effects all and needs to be addressed in a humane, respectful and appropriate way. We can and must root out discrimination and Unequal Treatment in Health Care ii.

International Narcotics Control Board Report 2008. United Nations Pubs. 2009. p. 20 ii Institutes of Medicine Report http://www. nationalacademies.org/hmd/~/media/Files/ Report%20Files/2003/Unequal-TreatmentConfronting-Racial-and-Ethnic-Disparities-inHealth-Care/DisparitiesAdmin8pg.pdf i

Charleta B. Tavares is the Chief Executive Officer at PrimaryOne Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) system providing comprehensive primary care, OB-GYN, pediatric, vision, dental, behavioral health and specialty care at 10 locations in Central Ohio.

The mission is to provide access to services that improve the health status of families including people experiencing financial, social, or cultural barriers to health care. www.primaryonehealth. org.

Columbus African American Journal • April 2015 2016 The The Columbus African American NewsNews Journal • February

CAANJ

NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION CALLS CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE GROWING PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM: 6 STEPS YOU NEED TO TAKE NOW

By Antoinette Greene Tubbs Most Americans know that heart disease and cancer can be silent killers and understand that monitoring blood pressure and having regular mammograms are critical to protecting their health. Too few adults— and not enough doctors—realize, however, that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is another common, life-threatening illness that often goes undetected until very advanced when it could be diagnosed early through simple tests.

Recent studies report that 26 million Americans suffer from CKD and millions more are at risk.

“Unfortunately, about 90% of the 26 million are undiagnosed and completely unaware that they are living with a potentially life-threatening condition,” says Antoinette Greene Tubbs, Program Manager for the National Kidney Foundation serving Ohio. Undiagnosed and untreated, CKD can lead to serious health problems including kidney failure (end-stage renal disease). Caught early, it can often be managed, and kidney damage can be slowed or stopped. That’s why early testing for people at risk is so important.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes of kidney disease. Due to high rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, African-Americans have an increased risk of developing kidney failure. “While many in the Black community know if they are diabetic or hypertensive, most do not know that they may also have CKD,” states Tubbs. It is estimated that 35% of adults with type 2 diabetes have CKD. AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND KIDNEY DISEASE • African-Americans suffer from kidney failure at a significantly higher rate than Caucasians – almost 4 times higher.

• African-Americans constitute more than 35% of all patients in the U.S. receiving dialysis for kidney failure, but only represent 13.2% of the overall U.S. population.

• Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in African-Americans. Approximately 4.9 million African-Americans over 20 years of age are living with either diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes.

• High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure among African Americans, and remains the leading cause of death due to its link with heart attacks and strokes.

What does all of this mean? African-Americans should take action now to prevent or delay kidney disease and are urged not to wait for symptoms.

Tubbs explains that “Kidney disease is staged similar to cancer, with stage five being end-stage renal failure. It is not until this stage where we see CKD most likely to present symptoms and at this end-stage, the treatment options are limited to dialysis or transplant (which can take years of waiting for a viable donor).”

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) offers this 6-step primer for protecting health.

Step 1: Know The Facts 6 Things Healthy Kidneys Do: • Regulate the body’s fluid levels • Filter wastes and toxins from the blood • Release a hormone that regulates blood pressure

• Activate Vitamin D to maintain healthy bones • Release the hormone that directs production of red blood cells • Keep blood minerals in balance (sodium, phosphorus, potassium) 8 Problems CKD Can Cause: • Cardiovascular disease • Heart attack and stroke • High blood pressure • Death • Weak bones • Nerve damage (neuropathy) • Kidney failure (end-stage renal disease, or ESRD) • Anemia or low red blood cell count Step 2: Assess Your Risk 4 Main Risk Factors: • Diabetes (self or family) • High blood pressure (self or family) • Cardiovascular disease (self or family) • Family history of kidney disease or diabetes or high blood pressure 10 Additional Risk Factors: • African-American heritage • Native American heritage • Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander heritage • Age 60 or older • Obesity • Low birth weight • Prolonged use of NSAIDs, a type of painkillers, such as ibuprofen and naproxen • Lupus, other autoimmune disorders • Chronic urinary tract infections • Kidney stones Step 3: Recognize Symptoms Most people with early CKD have no symptoms, which is why early testing is critical. Pay attention to these 8 Possible Trouble Signs: • Fatigue, weakness • Difficult, painful urination • Foamy urine • Pink, dark urine (blood in urine) • Increased need to urinate (especially at night) • Puffy eyes • Swollen face, hands, abdomen, ankles, feet • Increased thirst Step 4: Get Tested Ask your primary-care physician about these tests—and be especially insistent about the last one. Your doctor may want to perform other tests as well.

4 Simple, Life-Saving Tests: TEST 1:Blood Pressure Why: High blood pressure can damage small blood vessels in the kidneys. It is the secondleading cause of kidney failure after diabetes.

Good Score: Below 140/90 is good for most people. Below 130/80 is better if you have chronic kidney disease. Below 120/80 is best.

TEST 2:Protein in Urine Why: Traces of a type of protein, albumin in urine (albuminuria) is an early sign of CKD. Persistent amounts of albumin and other proteins in the urine (proteinuria) indicate kidney damage.

Good Score: Less than 30 mg of albumin per

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gram of urinary creatinine (a normal waste product) TEST 3:Creatinine in Blood (Serum Creatinine) Why: Healthy kidneys filter creatinine (a waste product from muscle activity) out of the blood.

When kidney function is reduced, creatinine levels rise.

Good Score: 0.6 to 1.2 mg per deciliter of blood, depending on other variables TEST 4:Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) Why: This is the most sensitive and accurate gauge of kidney function. Doctors measure blood creatinine levels and perform a calculation based on age, race, and gender.

Good Score: Over 90 is good. 60-89 should be monitored. Less than 60 for 3 consecutive months indicates CKD. Step 5: Stay Healthy 6 Things People with CKD Should Do • Lower high blood pressure • Keep blood-sugar levels under control if diabetic • Reduce salt intake • Avoid NSAIDs, a type of painkillers • Moderate protein consumption • Get an annual flu shot 9 Things Everyone Should Do: • Exercise regularly • Control weight • Follow a balanced diet • Quit smoking • Drink only in moderation • Stay hydrated • Monitor cholesterol levels • Get an annual physical • Know your family medical history Step 6: Learn More Do you need a kidney health check? Come to the National Kidney Foundation’s KEEP Healthy screening and find out. One in three Americans is at risk for developing kidney disease. KEEP Healthy will help you learn if you’re the one.

Program Manager, Greene-Tubbs, is committed to ensuring that the National Kidney Foundation’s programs and services are accessible throughout the state of Ohio, especially underserved areas.

For more information, please contact Antoinette.

Greene@kidney.org.

To learn more about CKD risk factors, prevention and treatment, visit www.kidney.org Sources: United States Renal Data System, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Diabetes Education Program, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, United States Census Bureau, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Department of Minority Health; www.kidney.org; Kidney Connect Antoinette Greene Tubbs is a Program Manager for the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and is responsible for the successful implementation of NKF programs and services throughout Ohio. She has also served the United States Air Force Materiel Command and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention with an extensive background in wellness program management.

A Dayton native, she currently resides in Pickerington, OH and enjoys spending time with her family.

CAANJ “If I can sit down for freedom, you can stand up for children,” Rosa Parks.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Franklin County ask for your help to support young victims of abuse and neglect.

By Kathy Kerr You’ve seen our kids on the news—victims of horrific physical, emotional, and sexual abuse—these are CASA kids.

“Infant Hospitalized Due to Injuries Caused by Mother” “Stepfather Arrested and charged with Sexually Abusing Young Stepdaughter” Every day in this country, 1,900 children become victims of abuse and neglect, and four of them will die. Due to abuse and neglect, these innocent children often are removed from their homes and have their lives turned upside down.

One of the country’s leading child advocacy organizations, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children, is seeking passionate volunteers to give a voice to those most vulnerable as they wade through the overburdened legal and child welfare system. CASA trains community volunteers to become Guardians ad Litem (GALs)—sworn officers of the court who monitor each child’s case, serving the singular purpose of advocating for the child’s best interest. “The system focuses on the family. The GAL focuses only on the child’s best interest,” said Kathy Kerr, executive director, CASA of Franklin County.

“Too many children are forced to go through the chaos of moving through the child protection system alone. We need a call to action for volunteers to step up and be a voice for children that desperately need them,” said CASA Board Member Vincent Duncan.

Volunteers come from all walks of life—they do not need to be lawyers or social workers. Our children most often come from underserved populations and are equally male and female, so having a diverse population of volunteers who can genuinely empathize with these children is invaluable.

CASA screens its volunteers and provides them with the requisite knowledge and skills training. This includes training in the legal system, case/project management, interviewing and analysis, cultural awareness, investigation, effective communication, child and family development, conflict management, and mental health and substance abuse awareness.

Once assigned to a case, the GAL visits the child at least monthly in the home and talks with his/her teachers, doctors, and others close to the child. The GAL then provides a brief report of findings to the court, and when the case goes before the judge, the GAL serves firsthand as the child’s voice answering questions and making fact-based recommendations. “It is a wonderful opportunity to gain experience and interact with judges, attorneys, social workers, and other professionals while helping a child find the safest place to grow”, Kerr added. The CASA volunteer is often the only consistent, caring adult involved from beginning to end in a child’s case in juvenile court.

Research shows that children who experience the positive CASA GAL relationship are more likely to succeed in school and less likely to get into trouble, abuse illegal substances, or commit child abuse or family violence as adults.

“We give them hope, love and a chance to grow up,” Kerr said. Yvette McGee Brown, former Ohio Supreme Court Justice, was more candid. “The 9-yearold you ignore today will be the 15-year-old with a 9 millimeter in your back tomorrow.”

Volunteers are desperately needed. Less than five hours a month will change the life of a neglected and abused child and will certainly enrich yours. A child is waiting. To learn more visit www.casacolumbus.org. The next training class begins on May 23, 2016.

Kathy Kerr is the executive director of CASA of Franklin County located in Columbus, Ohio. CASA is a nonprofit organization that served 831 abused and neglected children last year and have 249 volunteer GALs.

Do you want to help a child?

Will you help an innocent child victim of abuse and neglect?

5 hours a month will give these children a chance in life.

Join us for our next training class beginning May 23, 2016!

Join us for our next training class beginning October 5, 2015! http://www.casacolumbus.org/volunteer/ http://www.casacolumbus.org/volunteer/

•Be our guest•September 23, 2016•Speak Up For Children breakfast• •Learn more•www.casacolumbus.org•614-525-7450• *Be our guest *October 16, 2015* Speak Up for Children Breakfast* *Learn more* www.casacolumbus.org* 614-525-7450* 13

Columbus African American Journal • April 2015 2016 The The Columbus African American NewsNews Journal • February

CAANJ

APRIL IS MINORITY HEALTH MONTH

By Angela Dawson Over 29 years ago former State Senator, Ray Miller saw the need for a state commission that would devote resources to address minority health disparities in Ohio. His visionary actions resulted in the initiation of the taskforce on Black and Minority Health whose recommendations included the creation of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health.

The Commission leads the nation by celebrating Minority Health Month. Minority Health Month was created in April 1989 by the Commission as a statewide, 30-day wellness campaign.

In 2000, Minority Health Month became a national celebration. Minority Health Month was designed to promote healthy lifestyles, provide crucial information to allow individuals to practice disease prevention, showcase the resources for providers of grass roots healthcare; disseminate 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 Ohio Commission on Minority Health initiated this important health awareness campaign with a statewide kickoff that was held on Thursday, March 24, 2106 at the Vern Riffe Center.

This statewide event was made possible through the generous support of corporate sponsors.

This year’s sponsors include: • Gold Level sponsor: Medical Mutual • Bronze Level sponsor: Buckeye Health Plan • Pewter Level sponsors: Promedica, InHealth Mutual, Molina, United Health Plan, CareSource and PrimaryOne Health This event helps bring attention to the fact that health disparities are preventable and cost effective and must have policy and legislative solutions.

During the month of April, there will be over 100 events throughout the State of Ohio focused on the promotion of healthy lifestyles, screening activities, and the provision of crucial health information to allow individuals to practice disease prevention. The statewide calendar of events is posted at www.mih.ohio.gov on the Commission website.

In 1985, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a landmark

report documenting the existence of health disparities for minorities in the United States.

In the decades since the release of that report much has changed in our society—including significant improvements in health and health services throughout the nation. Nevertheless, health and healthcare disparities continue to exist and, in some cases, the gap continues to grow for racial and ethnic minorities, the poor, and other at-risk populations. (NPA Report, 2011) According to the 2011 United States of Diabetes Report, more than 50% of Americans could have diabetes or pre-diabetes by 2020. This will result in a cost of $3.3 trillion for the federal government in Medicaid, Medicare and other public programs.

Based on recent data in the Ohio Department of Health 2015, Chronic Disease Report, Diabetes cost the state of Ohio approximately $4.6 billion dollars in 2012. The social costs of this disease is alarming when in 2012, Ohio’s African American population had a 79% higher age adjusted diabetes death rate when compared with whites.

This staggering statistic is just one example of why the Commission remains consistent in its dedication to eliminating disparities in minority health through innovative strategies and financial opportunities, public health promotion, legislative action, public policy and systems change.

The Commissions efforts over the past year have been to ensure the representation of racial and ethnic population needs in statewide initiatives such as the Ohio State Innovative Model, Patient Centered Medical Homes, MyCare Ohio, and the Ohio Infant Mortality Commission.

In September 2015, the Commission’s Medical Expert Panel released the inaugural white paper focused on Infant Mortality under the leadership of Dr. Lolita McDavid and with the contributions of subject matter experts from across the state.

This white paper contains strategies to create a data driven social determinant approach along with clear cut upstream, midstream and downstream policy and legislative solutions designed to achieve equity in birth outcomes and reduce costs.

Furthermore, in an effort to address Ohio’s unacceptable infant mortality rates the Commission initiated a legislative effort to expand and replicate the Pathways Community Hub Model, which was seed funded by the Commission in the mid 90’s. This Ohio model has successfully grown to achieve extensive national recognition along with a national certification process. The Commission partnered with legislative champions such as Senator Charleta Tavares, Senator Shannon Jones, Representative Robert Sprague, Representative Sykes and Representative Romanchuk along

with three existing Ohio Pathway Hub Directors to pursue funding to replicate this model. This successful effort resulted in a 60% increase in the Commission’s funding to initiate bringing this model to scale in the state of Ohio.

According to Families USA, the existence of racial and ethnic health disparities are undermining our communities and our health system. Minorities are more likely to suffer from certain health conditions, are more likely to get sick, and have serious complications and die from these conditions.

It is without question that health disparities represent significant burdens for the individuals and families affected. However there are additional societal and financial burdens borne by our state as a whole. These burdens establish both ethical and tangible mandates to reduce health disparities and achieve health equity.

Since 1987, the Ohio Commission on Minority Health (OCMH) has been at the forefront of addressing health disparities and health inequities in Ohio. The persistent nature of health inequities, the effect of social determinants and new opportunities for systemic change requires expertise to address old challenges and maximize new opportunities The Commission’s policy efforts will continue to center on increasing the awareness of the significance of health disparities and their impact on the state, broadening the leadership to address health disparities at all levels, improvement in healthcare access, workforce diversity and cultural/linguistic competency, as well as the availability and meaningful use of health data and research for all racial and ethnic populations.

The Commission’s future efforts will highlight the necessity of working with new and existing partners who can influence the political, social, and economic decisions that largely influence health and identify resources to: • Continue efforts to bring infant mortality Pathways Community Hub model to scale in Ohio; • Implement Commission white paper recommendations; • Develop state level health equity and disparities reports; and • Expand funding capacity.

We acknowledge the contributions of our Commissioners as well as our staff whose daily efforts ensure we remain focused on our mission to eliminate heath disparities.

For more information about the Ohio Commission on Minority Health, the Infant Mortality White Paper, or the Minority Health Month Calendar of Events please visit www.mih.ohio.gov.

State Representative Emilia Strong Sykes shares remarks at the opening session.

Health officials and community supporters from around the state of Ohio.

(L to R) Director Angela Dawson - OCMH, Denise R. Ali, and Daniel Rankin - Medical Mutual and Dr. Gregory L. Hall, OCMH Board Chair - Gold Level Award

The Columbus African American News Journal • April 2016

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The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

CAANJ

THE SICKLE CELL DISEASE PHENOMENA of SCD has not declined, nor have health care disparities ended.

By Annie J. Ross-Womack Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) affects millions worldwide and is prevalent among those with ancestral links to Sub-Saharan Africa, Spanish-speaking regions of South America, the Caribbean and Central America, Saudi Arabia, India and Mediterranean Countries such as Turkey, Greece and Italy.

In the United States it is unknown how many live with SCD, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimated 90,000 to 100,000 Americans are affected and Sickle Cell Disease occurs in 1 of 500 Black / African –American births, 1 of 36,000 Hispanic-American births and 1 in 12 Black / African Americans.

Many factors combine together to affect the health of individuals. Whether people are healthy or not, is determined by their circumstances and environment. Largely, factors such as where we live, the state of our environment, genetics, our income and education level, and our relationships with friends and family all have considerable impacts on health.

Individuals with Sickle Cell Disease statewide are disproportionately affected based on several social determinants of health; genetics / gender, access to healthcare services, education, income and social status /poverty, physical environment and social support networks. Other broader determinants may include, but are not limited to, food/nutrition, housing, physical activity, lifestyle choices, basic health care services, mental health services, dental and vision care, Sickle Cell Disease represents a major health urgent care, emergency care, crisis intervention, issue that disproportionately affects segments health insurance, etc. of the minority populations in Ohio. According to the 2014 US Census , the population The overall lack of knowledge, understanding, estimate was 11,594,163 and of this population, support, awareness and information relative minorities make up 17% of the total population to available services and community resources (1,1971,008) where our target population of that are designed to assist in eliminating barriers Black / African American, Asian, Hispanic, and minimizing determinants for individuals Pacific Islander, Ghanaian; the American Indian, affected by Sickle Cell Disease, has additionally Greek and others of Mediterranean Countries are contributed to the inability of individuals to comprised. improve their health.

Because of the lack of direct service models, knowledge, understanding, support, awareness, information relative to available services and resources for individuals affected by Sickle Cell Disease has further complicated and contributed to the inability of individuals to improve their quality of life. Major Ohio cities provide direct service primarily to children, there exists a need for a statewide coordinated and collaborated effort to provide primary health care services, advocacy and education to adults living with or at-risk of SCD.

It is also important to note that of Ohio’s at-risk population, the following percentages represent prevalence rates based on health, income and poverty indicators of the six major cities; Cleveland (35.9%), Dayton (35.3%), Cincinnati (30.9%), Toledo (27.7%), Akron (26.78%) and Columbus (22.3%). Each major city has contiguous surrounding counties that must be considered in the service delivery so their data is included in the at-risk population prevalence rates.

In 1978, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the Declaration of Alma Ata . The declaration outlined the organization’s stance toward health care made available for all people worldwide. The declaration also defined eight essential components of global primary health care. The list includes Public Education, Proper Nutrition, Clean Water & Sanitation, Maternal & Child Health Care, Immunization, Local Disease Control, Accessible Treatment and Drug Provision.

Also factored into these rates are the underserved and emerging population of Ghanaian, Somalian, Hispanic and Latino populations that often do not have access to appropriate care for general health concerns to include problems associated with Sickle Cell Disease. Health professionals familiar with the SCD Phenomena are not readily available to this segment of the at-risk group; therefore, culturally sensitive education to the health professional to enhance and improve services for this targeted population is either not offered or accepted.

Globally, the response to Sickle Cell Disease and other Hemoglobin Disorders was to increase awareness to the international community of the burden of these disorders, promote equitable access to health services, provide technical support to countries for the prevention and management of these disorders; and promote and support research to improve quality of life for those affected. Many of these resolutions were adopted by health care systems as specific guidelines and standards of care, yet the incidence

One of the largest hindrances is access to adult primary care and the distrust of medical professional to provide the proper care, which is based on the knowledge that many minorities have a learned distrust of the institutional health care system because of documented injustices to certain segments of a population. For example, the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment still influences the mindset of many when topics of healthcare arise.

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The Ohio Sickle Cell and Health Association (OSCHA)understands that some still carry this deeply rooted feeling are less likely to receive information and adhere to sound medical practices unless they are willing to develop a trusting relationship with the group providing the care. The relationship model and case management approach has developed strong and lasting relationships with individuals with Sickle Cell Disease or Trait, while at the same time collecting valuable information regarding barriers to services. OSCHA’s strong collaborative base assists in reducing barriers and increase opportunities for education to individuals, extended family members and the health care community.

The Ohio Sickle Cell and Health Association, Incorporated (OSCHA) is a 37 year old nonprofit community-based statewide organization whose mission is to “Provide Education, Advocacy and Support to Persons and Families Affected and At-Risk for Sickle Cell Disease”. Initially organized from the need to provide a payment mechanism for individuals affected by SCD who were medically indigent, OSCHA provides advocacy for individuals affected, serving as a conduit by which pertinent information is shared as it relates to SCD from local, state, regional and national sources.

Annie J. Ross-Womack, OSCHA’s Executive Director has 25 plus years of experience in the development of programming, project management, planning, coordination and implementation of activities and services. Ms. Ross-Womack holds a degree in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Technology and Mathematics and has a proven professional background and expertise in non-profit health/ small business and grant writing/management, organizational structure, project management, strategic planning, technology integration as well as overall business systems.

For more information about this disease, please contact the Ohio Sickle Cell & Health Association at 614-228-0157 or you can visit their website at www.OhioSickleCell.org.

The Columbus African American News Journal • April 2016

CAANJ

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

SAVING OUR BABIES: OHIO COMMISSION ON INFANT MORTALITY REPORT

By Senator Charleta B. Tavares In celebration of Minority Health Month (April) and the conclusion of Women’s History Month, our legislative report will focus on infant mortality – and more specifically for this publication, The Columbus African American the death of our African American babies. When Ohio Infant Mortality Commission we see a baby most individuals will smile, marvel Press Conference at how tiny, cute and special God’s creation is to the parent(s) and pretend that all babies are 1,000 live births. Disappointingly, the mortality precious and valued. The stark reality however, rate is nearly double for black babies with the national rate being 11.2 deaths per 1,000 births is not black and white or is it? compared to Ohio’s at 13.8 deaths per 1,000 On June 6, 2013 during the discussion and vote live births in 2013. Regrettably, Ohio has yet on the state of Ohio’s 2-year Operating Budget to even meet the Healthy People 1990 national (H.B. 59) I challenged my colleagues in the goal for black babies. If this path continues, it Ohio Senate to value, care and focus policies and will be 2053 before Ohio’s black babies even resources to address the premature, unnecessary achieve the 2013 infant mortality rate of Ohio’s death and disease among racial and ethnic white babies. Black infant deaths are 2.3 to each populations in Ohio. I shared the destruction of 1 white infant death. These alarming statistics lives and communities due to our inaction and do not highlight the magnitude nor frightening disregard for African American, Asian, Latino reality of the deaths of our children. and Native Americans. My pleas and requested charge were not acted upon however; I did get Based on the most recent data issued by the Ohio a convert a Caucasian, female Senate colleague Department of Health (ODH), Ohio saw a who pledged to work with me, Senator Shannon decline in its overall infant mortality rate from Jones (R-Cinc.). One black/African American 7.33 in 2013 to 6.8 in 2014. While this modest female and one white/Caucasian female senator, improvement is positive, Ohio must remain women working together to change the trajectory cautious because it appears as if the racial disparity is actually increasing. Ohio’s infant for our babies. mortality rate for black babies increased from We have accomplished quite a bit since 2013 but, 13.8 infant deaths in 2013 to 14.3 in 2014, while there is much more work to do. Recently, one for white babies it stands at 5.3 per 1,000 live of our successful jointly sponsored legislative births (down from 6.0/1,000 over the same time efforts which created the Ohio Commission on period). Our black babies are dying at 2.7 times Infant Mortality (Am. Sub. Senate Bill 276 of the rate of our white babies…our babies are the 130th General Assembly) released a report increasingly dying. We need your help. Black/ on March 22, 2016. The Commission was African American, white/Caucasian, racial, charged with conducting an inventory of all ethnic and cultural community residents of Ohio state programs that may impact infant mortality we need you to help us in addressing the shocking and their available funding streams as well as, and gruesome reality for our most vulnerable to evaluate each program’s performance in residents – our babies. Contact members of the improving the infant mortality rate in the state. Ohio Commission on Infant Mortality to get The Commission’s report lists approximately involved and adopt the recommendations from fifty recommendations for improving the health the report including addressing the underlying outcomes for all of our babies (http://cim. social determinants, cultural competence and legislature.ohio.gov/Assets/Files/march-2016- safe spacing. final-report.pdf).

Committee Members The national infant mortality rate in 2013 was 5.96 deaths per 1,000 live births (already Representative Stephanie Kunze, Ohio House of meeting the Healthy People 2020 national Representatives, Co-Chair goal); Ohio’s rate was 7.33 infant deaths per Senator Shannon Jones, Ohio Senate, Co-Chair

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Senator Charleta B. Tavares, Ohio Senate Representative Hearcel Craig, Ohio House of Representatives Director John McCarthy, Department of Medicaid Dr. Mary DiOrio, Department of Health Director Angela Dawson, Commission on Minority Health Commissioner Timothy Ingram, Health Commissioner Dr. Darren Adams, Coroner Dr. Robert Falcone, Ohio Hospital Association Jessie Cannon, Ohio Children’s Hospital Association Dr. Patricia Gabbe, Community-Based Program Teleange Thomas, Community-Based Program Monica Juenger, Office of Health Transformation Dr. Arthur James, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (Ex-officio member serving at the Commission’s pleasure) Susan Ackerman, Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee (Ex-officio member serving at the Commission’s pleasure) 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.

CAANJ

SURVIVING ON THE CIVILIAN BATTLEFIELD away, but rather lay still and apply pressure and

By Lisa D. Benton, MD, MPH a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Unfortunately, sitting still is not usually possible if you are being Recently I attended a medical shot at by people chasing you with guns, knives education conference at or baseball bats blazing and swinging.

OSU discussing state of the art management of wounds. While findings such as this give you great pause A recurring theme was and have countless policy implications for public that advancements on the safety, on a personal level, it can motivate you to battlefield and in war zones for caring for acutely strategically fight for your survival. injured patients are interchangeable with caring for wounds sustained from gun fire and blast Perhaps before signing up for the active shooter injuries in America’s residential cities and the training, you can begin with taking some simple surrounding suburbs due to terrorist attacks and steps to stay prepared and ready and keep you other incidents of gun violence. That is what is and your neighborhood safe. It also means having safety in relationships, education, finances and known as “civilian trauma”. every day communications.

Lessons learned from gang violence and criminal activity have been carried to the battlefield In tangible terms, it can mean knowing your for military medicine and vice versa. In many neighbors, your children’s teachers, besties and instances civilian trauma is similar in intensity Instagram, Snapchat and Spotify pages. Some and severity to military trauma and has a lot of studies show that teenagers spend up to 6 hours a day on the internet and on their mobile devices. comparable outcomes.

It also means knowing what seniors and people As an example, battlefield surgeons have been with disabilities are home alone, what time the able to apply methods to resuscitate someone recreation center closes and who to call when the who has been shot from lessons learned in street lights are out. It also means knowing what to do and who to call when you become aware of treating people shot in gang-related violence.

You bleed out of larger blood vessels faster if bullying, elder abuse and child abuse. you keep running. They now know the ability to survive is better if you don’t get up and try to run As a fan of being healthy and fit, I encourage you

to stay on track and step up your game. I also encourage readers to open their eyes wider and take in what else goes on and even make your voice heard and actions seen in conversations that matter for your own safety.

For example, I take and teach dance classes, but I’ve started taking a dance class that includes teaching basic self-defense moves. I’ve also joined a conditioning class that gives attention to also eating right and staying spiritually fit to help me keep it moving forward and altogether.

Readers, please keep this conversation going and feel free to let me know what you’re doing to help you move to a better mind, body and spirit—a place where you feel and are safe.

SideBar/Resources Crisis Text Line http://www.crisistextline.org/ textline/?gclid=CO703pj6MsCFQQEaQodiSMMwg Ohio Legal Services http://www.ohiolegalservices.org/public/legal_ problem Lisa D. Benton, MD, MPH (The Doctor is In) breastsurgeonlb@gmail.com Twitter: @DctrLisa (415) 746-0627

IMPROVING EARLY DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS FOR OHIO’S KIDS: A LESSON IN COLLABORATION reimbursement, improving tracking and referrals across the state, and leveraging existing systems to improve care coordination. As a first step, we developed an EPSDT Toolkit that gives providers and advocates the resources they need to share the importance of routine screenings with parents and families.

By Brandi Slaughter We all want what’s best for our children – whether they are our patients, our students, our neighbors or our own kids. This shared commitment to the health and well-being of Ohio’s future leaders drove our recent work in Ohio to establish Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) & Developmental Screening recommendations.

With less than one in three Ohio kids receiving timely developmental screenings currently, we knew there was room for improvement. More importantly, we knew there were plenty of people who wanted to help.

At Voices for Ohio’s Children, we wanted to develop comprehensive and realistic recommendations that would help more families and health providers proactively track milestones in children’s development and intervene as early as possible. But we certainly couldn’t do it alone.

We convened a collaborative and diverse group of stakeholders – including families, managed care providers, and interagency policy officials – to build consensus on how we could improve Ohio’s EPSDT program.

with nearly 85 percent of brain development happening in the first three years of a child’s life, routine screenings during this time are critical. We worked together to assess strengths and challenges facing Ohio’s current EPSDT program and policies, and brainstormed ways to combat our toughest challenges. Over the course of 2015, we developed realistic and actionable short-, medium- and long-term recommendations.

When released, these recommendations were praised by policymakers, healthcare providers, and families as an important step toward ensuring that all Ohio’s children get the developmental screenings they need to thrive.

The recommendations and the energy they have created are an exciting step toward a brighter future for our kids – and also a true testament to the power of collaboration with a shared goal. By bringing together those who know the issue best, we were able to make real progress toward an Ohio where every child gets the developmental screenings he or she needs to show up ready to learn and succeed on the first day of school.

You can learn more about our recommendations and the importance of Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment & Developmental Screening here: http://www. raiseyourvoiceforkids.org/Resources Brandi Slaughter is the Interim Chief Executive Officer for Voice’s For Ohio’s Children, a non-profit organization that advocates for public policy that improves the well-being of Ohio’s children and their families by building nonpartisan collaborations amongst the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors.

Bringing together diverse perspectives and complementary priorities drove our success and allowed us to develop a wide breadth of recommendations that are both meaningful and actionable.

Our recommendations included improving outreach to families, incorporating modern technology in health The group we brought together understood that processes, expanding the providers eligible for www.RaiseYourVoiceForKids.org The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

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The Columbus African American News Journal • April 2016

CAANJ

PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE #1:BLACK VIOLENCE AND VICTIMIZATION

By William McCoy Violence and victimization have been part of the AfricanAmerican experience, since the nation’s earliest beginnings. Hundreds of thousands of Africans were forcibly brought to this country or lost their lives during the Middle Passage. Millions of Black Americans experienced countless murders, rapes, and beatings, and horrific violence, during more than 200 years of slavery. The release of the nation’s four million slaves in the 1860s spawned the Reconstruction Era, rise of hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan, lynching of thousands of African-Americans, burning and destruction of African-American homes and communities, and race riots and mob action. Most of this violence was perpetrated by White men against AfricanAmericans.

In the late 1950s and 1960s, Black Americans came together to demand civil and human rights through collective action. “Say it loud, I’m Black and I’m proud” became their mantra, while “Lift and Every Voice and Sing” emerged as the anthem of African-Americans. The rise of political activism and positive Black consciousness, brought the hope of a better day.

Then, a funny thing happened on the way to utopia: illegal drugs flooded the Black community, followed by calls for “law and order” and a “war on drugs” in the White community. Heavyhanded policing, discriminatory drug laws, rise of street gangs, elimination of employment and other social programs and other factors all contributed to the reversal of the positive trends that were emerging. The media and music industry’s negative portrayals of AfricanAmericans adversely affected people, Black and White, viewed them.

Today, violence and victimization is a major public health issue within the African-American community. In 2012, the average Black person was 6.5 times more likely to be murdered than the average White person. Nine of every ten

Black people who were murdered died at the hands of other Black people, according to John Lott of the National Crime Prevention Research Center (August 22, 2014). Statistics also show, African-Americans perpetrate and experience violent assaults, rapes, and other violent crimes at much higher rates than any other racial group in the United States.

The problem is worse among Black youth. In 2014, Black youth committed six times more murders, three times more rapes, 10 times more robberies, and three times more assaults than their White counterparts (OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book, Juvenile Arrest Trends, December 13, 2015). Furthermore, children’s exposure to community violence, whether as a victim, an offender, or a witness to violence, has been linked to symptoms of depression and anxiety, PTSD, poorer academic functioning, and problem behaviors such as delinquency and perpetrating aggression and violence (Anita Jones Thomas, Devin Carey, et al, “AfricanAmerican Youth and Exposure to Community Violence: Supporting Change from the Inside,” Journal for Social Action in Counseling and Psychology, Spring 2012).

The causes of violent and abusive behavior within the Black community are numerous. Hundreds of years of experience as victims of and exposure to violence, internalized oppression and selfhate, poverty, unemployment, media and music, all are among the factors that contribute to the violent thinking and behaviors that currently afflicts the African-American community. A public health approach to dealing with violence is sorely needed.

The good news is that people can change. It is important to remember: (1) violence is a learned behavior and can be unlearned; (2) the choices people make in their attitudes and actions are often based on their best perceived survival strategy at the time; and (3) information alone does not change attitudes and behaviorsexperience does. On an individual level, peopleespecially perpetrators of violence- need to receive high-impact, experiential training that focuses on the root causes of why they think and act as they do. This training should help

The Columbus African American News Journal • April 20162015 February

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them change their violent and abusive attitudes and behaviors, and teach them how to build relationships with others. In short, they need a Violence Interruption Experience.

On a societal level, special efforts ought to be made to reduce unemployment and link the jobless with jobs. Interventions that address the mental and emotional well-being of both perpetrators and victims of violence should be promoted, along with the prevention and treatment of alcohol and other drug abuse. Institutional and individual racism and discrimination also need to be reduced.

In conclusion, violence should be treated as a public health problem that affects perpetrators, victims, and those exposed to it, alike. Prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies need to be put in place to interrupt and reduce violence. While employment, behavioral health, and alcohol and other drug treatment should be parts of a comprehensive approach to violence reduction, it should be remembered that attitudinal and behavioral change is “heart work not head work.” As such, the spiritual and intellectual development of violent perpetrators is essential to helping them change, just as it is to helping victims of crime forgive and heal from the trauma they have experienced.

William McCoy is founder of and principal consultant for The McCoy Company- a personal services consulting firm specializing in planning, training, and development. He has extensive experience in dealing with the issues of violence and victimization, substance abuse, and economic development. Mr. McCoy is also one on the nation’s leading proponents of violence interruption training. Prior to establishing The McCoy Company, he spent 12 years in highprofile public service positions, highlighted by two White House appointments. William McCoy holds a BA degree in economics and a MPA in finance. He is an award-winner and published author, profiled in Who’s Who in the World and elsewhere. Mr. McCoy can be reached at (614) 785-8497 or via e-mail at wmccoy2@ themccoycompany.com.

CAANJ

Meet

George Foreman III

MEET & Greet

with George Foreman III, Jerry Page, & Vonzell Johnson

THURSDAY APRIL 28

Plentiful Appetizers, Book Sale, Selfies & Autographs

5pm – 8PM

MAIN EVENT

PRESENTATION BY GEORGE FOREMAN III Followed by a Q&A Session

SILENT AUCTION

autographed boxing gloves from James “BUSTER” DOUGLAS, Jerry Page and Vonzell Johnson

All proceeds support programs for underserved kids in Central Ohio

Get TIckets & LEARN MORE

homeportohio.org/strongkids Must be 21+ to attend

OF COLUMBUS

Photo by Trevor Paulhus

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Columbus African American Journal • April 2015 2016 The The Columbus African American NewsNews Journal • February

CAANJ

2 COVER STORY

DR. KEVIN DIXON: A TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT

doctorate from Temple. Our daughter Maya is also a Spelman graduate and will attend graduate school for film at American University this fall.

By Ray Miller The preeminent African American scholar, sociologist, journalist and historian, Dr. William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, authored The Souls of Black Folk in 1903. In this seminal work Du Bois penned these powerful words: “One ever feels his twoness-- an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.”

What are the values that guide your life?

Strong family values such as hard work, dedication, discipline and commitment instilled in me as a child still guide me today. Faith is extremely important to me and helps with all aspects of my life. My mentors also helped shape my values along with many of my experiences working with local and national leaders through ADAMH and my early broadcast career. The learning I received from leaders were enormous influences in my career as a young professional Dr. Melanye White Dixon, Maya Dixon – offering their wisdom, guidance, and coaching. and Dr. Kevin Dixon I often reflect upon meeting and spending time with pioneers such as Maya Angelou, Nikki Alvin Poussaint, Iyanla Vanzant and many Giovanni, Ivan Van Sertima, Sonia Sanchez, Dick Gregory, Randall Robinson and others who others. were pioneers and change agents in the African American community.

Share with us your background.

Du Bois was an intellectual. He was not loud or boastful. It appeared as though he was born to be a researcher and a writer. Dr. Dubois had an absolute intolerance for injustice and inequality and he worked feverishly toward the elimination of racism and discrimination in every aspect of I am originally from Philadelphia, where I served as Assistant Director for Temple University’s American life.

Pan African Studies Community Education On many occasions, one is not fully able to Program. While in Philadelphia, I co-hosted connect their motivations, drive and passion to and produced weekend talk shows on WDAS that which causes their behavior. In the instance radio for eight years, addressing community of African Americans this reality becomes even and social policy issues in the tri-state area. In more complicated when the historical effects of 1986 I was named team historian and reporter slavery, lynchings and other forms of degradation for paralyzed skydiver Jim McGowan’s historic English Channel swim in Dover England. This and dehumanization are factored in. event was covered by news agencies worldwide.

Fast forward to Columbus, Ohio in the year 1990.

A convergence of brilliant Africentric thought I also served as Former Station Manager for had been taking place throughout the nation. Key WIXQ-FM radio at Millersville University – African American leaders at the local, state and where I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in national level--from various disciplines-- had Secondary Education. My graduate work was changed the conversation on race from blaming at Central Michigan and Doctorate from Union the victim to understanding the causes of one’s Institute and University (Dissertation: The socio-economic status and various pathological Experience of African American Employees Referencing their Axiology in the Workplace: A conditions.

Phenomenological Investigation). In addition, The Du Boisian philosophy and approach I serve on numerous boards and committees, to problem solving had been established. If including board chair of PrimaryOne Health, one is fully aware of a problem, they have a WBNS-10 TV Jefferson Awards Blue Ribbon responsibility to do their best to fix it. Enter the Panel, and as a Mental Health First Aid instructor. subject of this cover story.

Tell us about your family background?

Dr. Kevin Dixon is vice president of community and cultural engagement at the Alcohol, Drug, I grew up in a military family often moving and Mental Health Board of Franklin County from base to base through early childhood. My (ADAMH). He is responsible for developing father served in the U.S. Marines as a Korean community-based initiatives that address a wide- and Vietnam War veteran and was a manager range of behavioral health issues, including at Merck, a pharmaceutical company outside school district initiatives, faith-based, immigrant of Philadelphia. My mother was manager of populations, and other key community the Base Exchange (retail store) for a naval air collaborations. In the early 90s, Dixon directed station outside of Philadelphia. I am married the ADAMH Board’s innovative cultural training to Dr. Melanye White Dixon, who is an project, culminating in a successful series of associate professor at The Ohio State University national conferences. Numerous scholars and Department of Dance. She is from Chattanooga leaders participated in those conferences, which TN and a graduate of Spelman College and included Maya Angelou, Harvard psychiatrist Columbia University prior to earning her The 20162015 The Columbus Columbus African African American American News News Journal Journal •• April February

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What motivates you to do the kind of work in which you are involved?

Witnessing first-hand the challenges that people struggling with mental health and addiction issues face is a strong motivator to do this work. This has been a journey of nearly 30 years – and I am inspired each and every day as an administrator when I witness the work of some of the most dedicated and committed people in our provider network who service the most vulnerable citizens in our community. It is truly a work of passion to help design, create, and implement programs and services that meet the needs of a growing highly diverse community. My friends from the Somali, Latino, Asian, Native American and other emerging communities keep me honest about the needs of these emerging populations.

Resultingly, having a CEO such as David Royer – who demands nothing less than hard work and excellence, ensures that one must have similar values to work at ADAMH. Expound on your community service.

My early community work as a young adult began with WDAS FM, Philadelphia’s number one broadcast station at the time, afforded me the opportunity to work with great public servants – who valued what they did for people other than themselves. My mentor Mattie Humphrey, a radio broadcast pioneer, taught me the importance of community service by only inviting guests on our program who served others in the community. We also co-produced several broadcast shows for our AM station on Sunday evenings – that only featured community service organizations – which addressed the needs of veterans, seniors, health and human services in the community, as well as national issues such as education and prison reform.

CAANJ programs are bringing awareness to African view themselves. Drs. Ivan Van Sertima and Asa Americans and other populations.

Hilliard shared their discoveries working with students by informing them of the contributions ADAMH’s board of trustees and leadership to society that get overlooked in health, science, several years ago saw the value in becoming and history. Offering such dynamic speakers more community focused by generating outreach to both the system and community created a efforts designed to support the work occurring foundation for how we structure care and offer with our providers. This work ranges from services to diverse communities. We were educating faith and community leaders about clear from the beginning of these early efforts behavioral health, to providing services in 15 of that cultural competence is a journey and not a 16 Franklin County school districts. It is clear destination. Our work with emerging immigrant that much more work needs to occur, but we are populations continues. witnessing greater awareness and more people reaching out to help.

WIXQ Station Manager Kevin “Disco” Dixon waits for his cue on Sunday night program.

I had the opportunity to work with and interview many community leaders including Congressman William H. Gray, poet Sonia Sanchez, Dick Gregory, Gil Scot Heron, James Brown, Grover Washington Jr., Mother Divine, Bobby Seale, and dozens of others who stood strong for community causes. These experiences in the late 70s to mid-80s helped shape my vision to be of service to the community.

Coming to Columbus

What were the seeds of the groundbreaking cultural competence training that you helped to initiate in Columbus, Ohio?

The Georgetown Center for Childhood Development Technical Assistance Center provided the pioneering work for cultural competence nationally.

Their monograph entitled, “Towards a Culturally Competent System of Care” prepared by Dr. Terry Cross et al in 1989, laid the groundwork for the nation.

Their paradigm focused on a continuum of development from cultural destructiveness and incapacity to cultural proficiency and legitimacy, which was grounded in policy, practice structure and attitude. The Ohio Dept. of Mental Health also conducted a statewide study to determine its level of competence in 1989 and 1991 – and offered statewide training through the work of Wilma Townsend who now works for SAMHSA. The study revealed that ethnic populations were often misdiagnosed, over-medicated, overhospitalized, and underutilized community based care. ADAMH in the early 90’s built upon this work – by helping to inform its clinicians and administrators to learn more about cultural competence and better serve ethnic minority populations.

When I came to Columbus in 1986 – I was told by a mentor and elder statesman in Philadelphia politics, Representative David P. Richardson, to reach out to Rep. Ray Miller. He understood I had been raised and mentored by some of Philly’s finest community servants and reaching out to Rep. Miller would help me continue that work. He and his protégé now State Senator Tavares were true community servants and vocal advocates for the needs of those living with mental health challenges and struggling with addiction; both forging legislation to improve culturally competent healthcare for our most ADAMH in conjunction with the state vulnerable citizens. department of mental health hosted a series of national training conferences that focused One of the hallmarks of my career was situated on various aspects of the African American, in the opportunity to develop and implement Asian, Latino, and Native populations and a cultural training initiative that brought to mental health and addiction services. Nationally Columbus a number of scholars and practitioners respected scholars and other leaders gathered in in behavioral health, health, education, youth Columbus to help educate the system, but also services, and others. Scholars and friends such the community on the importance of mental as Drs. Edwin Nichols, Linda James Myers, wellness, and to examine programs and models Moriba Kelsey, and Thomas Parham provided that were offered nationally. At that time we the guidance and research for improving cultural clearly understood the importance of taking competence in the service of others. a multi-disciplinary approach to addressing problems related to social determinants of What is happening to African Americans health. Scholars in behavioral health, primary relative to alcohol, drug addiction and mental health, education, media, and other disciplines health? shared their research and programs designed to meet the needs of diverse communities.

Through the strong outreach and engagement efforts by ADAMH, we are witnessing more This work that brought a dynamic array of African American residents and other cultural scholars together had never occurred in mental communities discussing issues related to mental health and substance abuse care. Harvard health and addiction. ADAMH’s mini-grant scholars Drs. Alvin Poussaint and Deborah and community sponsorship program, summer Prothro Stith focused on community violence camp prevention initiatives, Mental Health First and crime – and its connection to the countless Aid training, community town hall meetings, hours of such images on television, music, and community conversations on mental health, film. Such images not only misrepresent the school-based funding, mural projects, and other reality of certain populations, it often impacts community-based prevention and treatment how the target populations of these stereotypes 21

(L to R) Randall Robinson, Haki Madhabuti, George Curry, Dr. Kevin Dixon, Ed Gordon, Ray Miller

Dr. Kevin Dixon walks with Maya Angelou

Samuel L. Jackson and Dr. Melanye and Kevin Dixon

Clark Kellog, Dr. Kevin Dixon and Jane Grote Abell

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3 EDUCATION

TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION SOURCES FOR YOUR CHILDREN (AND YOU)

By Cecil Jones, MBA

Technology Education Program for Students After School

Are your children interested in science, engineering, technology or mathematics? Do you want to understand more about technology? There are some GREAT, FREE sources in central Ohio.

The OSU African American Extension Center at 905 Mt Vernon Avenue, 614-292-3922, aaascec@osu.edu, provides technology sessions for young students and for adults. This program provides students in the 4th through 12th grades 4-12 with science, technology, engineering and mathematics sessions to learn concepts and obtain hands-on skills.

Let’s start with students in the Columbus City Schools. Columbus City Schools has two Career Technical Centers located at the Columbus Downtown High School and the Ft. Hayes Career Center, not very far from downtown. The schools focus on students that are juniors and seniors (http://www.ccsoh.us/Students.aspx). Freshman students should begin thinking about whether they want to attend those schools. Sophomore students interested in applying for technology programs should apply in the sophomore year to begin classes beginning in their junior year. Note that the skills learned in these programs prepare students for 4 year colleges, 2 year colleges and if college is to be a delayed option (going to work for a while, first). This education path provide some marketable skills to secure entry level technology jobs.

Some schools have technology clubs and even external organizations that sponsor some of their after-school technology sessions (web development, building online games, developing mobile apps for access by phone, etc.). Ask the principal, guidance counselors and teachers about the programs available at the school.

Don’t Forget the Libraries!

The process is simple and benefits are great: Students in 7th through 12th grades, apply for CCP admission to any public or participating private college. The classes, fees and books are free at public colleges. There may be a small fee at a private college. A good guidance counselor can help. If a guidance counselor appears not positive and helpful, talk to someone else.

Whetstone High School offers dual enrollment technology courses where students earn college credit toward a certificate or a college degree in Information technology.

MIT Program Franklin University, Columbus State Community College, Battelle and Metro have combined to provide a 5 year Metro Institute of Technology program that provides a high school diploma while obtaining a 2 year college associate degree.

It is located downtown at Franklin University.

Additionally, technical certifications are also options in the program. The program is designed to give students more options by the time they graduate. After receiving the high school degree and associate degree simultaneously, one is then prepared for career entry or to move on to the final 2 years to obtain a bachelor’s degree at a 4 year college. This gives students more confidence in education and career choices.

Students have the ability to obtain technology certifications (the A+ computer technology certification, computer network certification, etc.). Web and mobile application courses are available. Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) in Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Flash certification can be obtained. Sun Certified Java Associate certification is a program offered. Additionally, Students are able to take college courses from simultaneously students can obtain college credit Columbus State, Franklin and Ohio State for some of their courses. while in high school. Some of the students take advantage of the program and secure part-time Creative Technology and Education Programs jobs while in school. Employers may utilize the current state-of-the-arts skills learned by these Related, the College Credit Plus Program (CCP) students, as a student works part-time. (https://www.franklin.edu/getting-started/highschool-students/college-credit-plus) is available Teachers Continue to Learn for students in the 7th to 12th grades to take college level courses. The college courses taken Teachers and administrators in Columbus City through CCP may also fulfill your high school Schools, there are technology options for you!

You have free Microsoft Office (MS) software graduation requirements. that you can download. Microsoft Office 2013 CCP is attended by students who wish to gain (Word, Excel, Outlook and other MS software) knowledge in college-level courses. It also is offered as a free download for home use exposes students to college level courses, strives from Microsoft for all Columbus City School toward advanced academic goals, and allows employees (see http://www.ccsoh.us/Staff.aspx). take classes with students with various skills; students also learn from each other. If a student Additionally, Columbus City Schools provides is responsible enough to turn homework in on Public School Works online modules to provide time, consider the CCP program. Talk with your staff access to electronic professional education and training development opportunities. guidance counselor.

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The Whitehall and Driving Park Libraries are doing and planning more technology focus activities. Opportunities and sessions to use technology to create music, videos, web presence, digital art and photography are available.

Other Programs TechCorps provide local technical training and opportunities for young middle school and high school students (http://twenty.techcorps.org/).

A national association focused on uplifting technology skills for middle school and high schools students, in addition to adults is found at www.bdpa.org. In Columbus, development of games for middle school students, technology for high school students in addition to networking and seminars for adults is their focus.

Do a little web surfing to discover the free technology training and education that is available locally and available online.

Go for it!

The purpose of this column is to provide useful information and knowledge that you can use, today. If you have a technology question (how to get something done, what business, process or software solution might be available for your situation, etc.), please email the question or comment to Admin@Accelerationservices.net for response.

What new technology or process have you learned this month? Need advice on how to look for that technology position? Are you considering technology education (courses, certificates or degrees) and need information? Do you have a business, process, project management, personnel or technology question? Please let me know. Cecil Jones MBA, ABD, PMP, CCP, SCPM, FLMI 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. www.AccelerationServices.net

Columbus African American Journal • April 2016 The The Columbus African American NewsNews Journal • February 2015

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LINDA K. SLOCUM AND LETTING KIDS SUCCEED

By Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens Being in the presence of Ms. Linda Kae Slocum is inspiring. She has a vision for a better world and it begins with the children in her summer program called “Letting Kids Succeed” or LKS for short. This is a program for African-American children and teens in the heart of the city. LKS and Linda’s inspiring leadership has blessed our church for the past twelve years. With over 150 children each summer, I have now seen hundreds of lives transformed through LKS. I encourage all school age children who have yet to establish their summer program plans for their children or grandchildren to check out Letting Kids Succeed.

To sign-up soon call 614-506-0080.

Recently I asked Linda some questions about LKS. Here is what the founder and director of Letting Kids Succeed had to say.

Tim: What inspired you to being Letting Kids Succeed?

Linda: On November 2, 2004 I arrived at work and was given a letter that said “Your services are no longer needed.” That was the beginning of Letting Kids Succeed. Out of my desire to help children was the driving force behind LKS. I wanted to give children in the community a quality program.

Tim: What need did you see in our community to found LKS? Linda: The need that I saw in the community was that our children were academically behind and I felt that I needed to try to help out some type of way. I also saw that student coming out of college didn’t have all the skills they needed to teach our children. So now during the summer months I hire college students in the field of education to allow them to obtain experience. The campers are able to have future educator teach them during summer and it’s a win win situation for everyone. The college students are so full of new ideals and can make the learning process fun for the camper during summer months. This process has allowed our campers to go back to school in the fall with higher confidence and being prepared for the new school year. It really boils down to building better students and training future educators.

Tim: What are the foundational principles and values you are teaching in LKS? Linda: Making sure the children know they are the best of the best always doing their best. When you respect yourself and others and stay focus you can accomplish your dreams. Because when you dare to dream you dare to make a difference in your life.

Tim: Linda, could you give me two or three success stories of your program?

Linda: My very first success story would be both of my daughters who came to work for me. They were there each and every day from the start of the day to the end of the day. There would be times when I would be at the church from 6:30am until the last person left the church.

I say to them it must be hard being my daughters because I give out so much to all the children. I

Photo By LettingKidsSucceed.com

am always surrounded by the children giving me hugs and saying Ms. Linda I love you. When I’m at work when my daughters say mom I don’t even hear them but if they say Ms. Linda I always respond, “yes sweetie what do you need?” It has become a family joke now just call her Ms. Linda. I am very proud of both of my girls they both have their master’s degree and they are both administrators. So I say to God be the Glory.

There is a young man name DJ who walked away from camp as a teenage and was upset because I had boundaries and he didn’t want to stay within the guide lines. About 4 years later I was sitting in my office and he walks up the stairs at the church and walks into my office and gave the biggest huge. We began to talk about things that he had done and how he wanted to change his ways. He then reached out to a few more of the kids that were at camp when he was younger (they were all 4th graders together). A few days later they all showed up and we had a great time talking and reminiscing about their old LKS days at the church. Within weeks these young people were leaving for college. It was just like yesterday they were all just 4th graders at camp. Since then DJ has come back every summer to visit and talk with the children and told them you need to listen to Ms. Linda (that put the biggest smile on my face) that’s when you know you are going gods work.

There was a young man name Cedric who I hired when he was in the 8th grade. I would always tell the staff you never know who is watching you. Once Cedric came home for the summer after completed his first year at college he had an interview. After the interview he came straight to the church to tell me that he had gotten the job. The person that interviewed him was an LKS parent. This parent had seen his work ethic at the camp and he was given the job. He came to say thanks Ms. Linda you are right we never know who is watching. This past summer on his way to work he stopped past the church to say hello and how he is working for an accounting firm downtown.

Tim: Where have you found resources in the community to launch and sustain this program? Another words, what corporations or organizations give financial support or other

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kinds of resources support? Let’s name them.

Linda: The program was started with zero dollars. For years we only have depended on the payment from the parents to make the program run. There was one time I wrote a Grant and received money for FCJFS. I have received money once from Frist Congregational Church. I have an aunt that has made donations.

We are now accredited with ACA so we can now accept Title XX funds. There is also an organization called CPO housing and they pay for their children that live within their housing to attend camp free. This past summer we had the wonderful opportunity to work with CSC. Tim: Now in your 12th summer of doing this, what keeps you coming back?

Linda: What keeps me coming back is the ability to feel the learning gap for our children during the summer months. We are also able to hire LKS campers in the summer once they become high school freshman. I also get a joy of all of the past campers and staff that come by the church every summer just to check in and say hi. Each year I am able to see the fruit of what God has given me to do. There has not been one summer when the past campers or staff have not stopped and given a helping hand or just talked about what camp meant to them.

Tim: Why do you call the program Letting Kids Succeed? Why the use of the word letting?

Linda: My name is Linda Kae Slocum and I had been doing programing around the city of Columbus and people knew me so I needed something that connected to me. While I was sitting at a meeting I just wrote me initials down on paper and the words just came Letting Kids Succeed. The word letting means to me allowing kids to succeed in any way that works for them.

With letting there are no boundaries that would stop them from succeeding.

Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens is the Senior Minister of First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in downtown Columbus. A church known for its witness to social justice since its birth as an abolitionist congregation in 1852. Rev. Ahrens is the fifth consecutive senior minister from Yale Divinity School and is a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ.

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THE TIME IS ALWAYS RIGHT TO DO RIGHT

By Marian Wright Edelman March 31 is the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s last Sunday sermon at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. in 1968 before his assassination four days later: “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution”. Dr. King said he believed a triple revolution was taking place in the world – a technological revolution, a revolution in weaponry, and a human rights revolution. To face this triple revolution, he said we must figure out how to develop a world perspective, eradicate racism and economic injustice, rid our nation and world of poverty, and find an alternative to war and bloodshed – all with great urgency: “It may well be that we will have to repent in this generation. Not merely for the vitriolic words and the violent actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence and indifference of the good people who sit around and say, ‘Wait on time.’ Somewhere we must come to see that human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated individuals who are willing to be co-workers with God. And without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the primitive forces of social stagnation.

So we must help time and realize that the time is always ripe to do right.”

We must act upon his warnings if our children, nation’s future and founding principles – subverted and still sullied by the legacies of slavery, Native American genocide, exclusion of women and nonpropertied men of all colors from our electoral processes – are to be saved.

I have said often that too many Americans would rather celebrate than follow Dr. King.

Many have enshrined Dr. King the dreamer and ignored Dr. King the “disturber of all unjust peace,” as theologian Vincent Harding said.

Many remember King the vocal opponent of violence but not the King who called for massive nonviolent civil disobedience to challenge the stockpiling of weapons of death and the wars they fuel and the excessive materialism of the greedy which deprives the needy of the basic necessities of life. And many celebrate Dr. King the orator but ignore his words about the need for reordering the misguided values and national investment priorities he believed are the seeds of America’s downfall.

Dr. King’s greatness lay in his willingness to struggle to hear and see the truth; to not give into fear, uncertainty and despair; to continue to grow and to never lose hope, despite every discouragement from his government and even his closest friends and advisers. Contributors deserted him as he spoke out not only for an end to the Vietnam War but for a fairer distribution of our country’s vast resources between the rich and the poor. Why was he pushing the nation to do more on the tail of the greatest civil rights strides ever made and challenging a President

who had declared a war on poverty? Because he saw that our nation’s ills went far deeper and that fundamental structural and priorities changes had to be made and that the War on Poverty and Vietnam War were inextricably intertwined.

In the Cathedral sermon he announced that in a few weeks he would be coming back to Washington leading a Poor People’s Campaign: “We are going to bring the tired, the poor, the huddled masses . . . We are going to bring children and adults and old people, people who have never seen a doctor or a dentist in their lives . . . We are not coming to engage in any histrionic gesture. We are not coming to tear up Washington. We are coming to demand that the government address itself to the problem of poverty. We read one day, ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.’ But if a man doesn’t have a job or an income, he has neither life nor liberty nor the possibility for the pursuit of happiness. He merely exists.”

“We are coming to ask America to be true to the huge promissory note that it signed years ago. And we are coming to engage in dramatic nonviolent action, to call attention to the gulf between promise and fulfillment; to make the invisible visible. Why do we do it this way? We do it this way because it is our experience that the nation doesn’t move around questions of genuine equality for the poor and for black people until it is confronted massively, dramatically in terms of direct action . . . And I submit that nothing will be done until people of goodwill put their bodies and their souls in motion.”

As always Dr. King’s voice and vision were prescient and right – and speak to where our nation is today. Towards the end of his life Dr. King said to a group of friends: “We fought hard and long, and I have never doubted that we would prevail in this struggle. Already our rewards have begun to reveal themselves. Desegregation…the Voting Rights Act…But what deeply troubles me now is that for all the steps we’ve taken toward integration, I’ve come to believe that we

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are integrating into a burning house” riddled by excessive militarism, materialism and racism.

When asked what we should do Dr. King answered: “We’re just going to have to become firemen” and sound the siren of alarm.

Our nation and world desperately need loud sirens and firefighters for justice right now to curb morally obscene child poverty rates; wealth and income inequality; massive miseducation of poor children of color; preventable hunger and homelessness; mass incarceration and unjust criminal justice systems that criminalize the poor; and bullying and demagogic politicians encouraging assault of nonviolent protesters.

The time is ripe right now to do what is right and reject the ugliness, violence and greed that have permeated too much of our political discourse.

We need to move forward and not backward and teach our children we can disagree strongly without disagreeing wrongly.

Marian Wright Edelman is President of the Children’s Defense Fund whose Leave No Child Behind mission is to ensure every child a Health Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communitites. For more information go to www.

ChildrensDefense.org

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IMPACT COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY:

TO CELEBRATE 5TH ANNUAL RIPPLE OF HOPE AWARDS May is National Community Action Month and each year during this time, we at IMPACT Community Action, along with a network of more than 1,100 Community Action Agencies nationwide, intensify our efforts to call attention to the issues of poverty and to galvanize efforts to address those issues.

The Promise of Community states “Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.”

Building upon this Promise, it is IMPACT’s pledge and promise to carry out the following principles every day in all that we do.

Customer service • we promise to ensure that our customers are treated with respect at all times and we will provide them with the best service possible.

Financial accountability • we promise to be good stewards of the resources that of been entrusted to us and we will make sure they are used for the purpose they are intended.

Communication • we promise to be transparent and to maintain open lines of communication with our customers, partners, funders, and the greater community as a whole.

Advocacy • we promise to champion the effort to uplift this community so that all people have a real opportunity to achieve self-sufficiency.

Program/service delivery • we promise to use the best practices and to provide innovative programs and services that are effective in meeting the needs of our customers in the community.

Partnerships/collaborations • we promise to collaborate with partners who have demonstrated a commitment to creating expanding opportunities for self-sufficiency for Franklin County residents.

In the spirit of this pledge and promise, IMPACT Community Action will honor three local servant leaders -- Ohio State Senator Charleta B. Tavares, Ms. Lela Boykin, and Mr. Philip E. Cole -- at our

Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry Keynote Speaker Formerly with MSNBC

5th Annual Ripple of Hope Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, May 31, 2016. Individually and collectively, Senator Tavares, Ms. Boykin and Mr. Cole represent the best and most dedicated soldiers in the War on Poverty.

Charleta B. Tavares (D-Columbus) is the State Senator for the 15th District and Assistant Democratic Leader in the Ohio Senate. A committed public servant, she has served since 2011 as the State Senator, which includes, Bexley and parts of Grandview Heights as well as the historic neighborhoods of the city of Columbus.

She currently serves as the Senate ranking member on both the Ways and Means and the Health and Human Services Committees. In addition, Senator Tavares serves as the President/ CEO of Primary One Health, a federally qualified primary healthcare system to provide access to services that improve the health status of families including people experiencing financial, social, or cultural barriers to health care.

Ms. Lela Boykin is a seasoned veteran in urban community service and is the director of Community Relations for The Neighborhood House, Inc., an organization she has served dutifully for more than 35 years. In her current role, Ms. Boykin works to connect the agency with the community and to sustain those relationships, all while helping to further the agency’s mission to assist children, families and single adults to become self-sufficient.

Philip E. Cole has served as the Executive Director of the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies since 1989, representing Ohio’s forty-eight community action agencies. In addition to numerous legislative battles, during his tenure Mr. Cole has developed the Ohio Community Action Training Organization to train the leadership of nonprofit organizations; and, created the Community Action Best Practices Awards; the Annual “State of Poverty in Ohio Report;” and the Ohio Self-Sufficiency Standard.

The 2016 Ripple of Hope Awards will be presented at the 5th Annual Ripple of Hope Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at the Columbus Hilton Hotel at Easton. Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry, the former host of “Melissa Harris Perry” on MSNBC will provide the keynote address and NBC4 news anchor Mike Jackson will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.

Lela Boykin Award Recipient Neighborhood House

Senator Charleta B. Tavares Award Recipient Ohio State Senate

The Columbus African American News Journal • April 2016

The Ripple of Hope Award was created in 2012

by IMPACT Community Action and adopted by its Board of Directors to recognize servant leadership by individuals and/or organizations in the public, private/non-profit, and community sectors. These three categories mirror IMPACT’s unique tripartite Board of Directors who govern the agency and direct its mission.

Through the Ripple of Hope Awards Luncheon, IMPACT Community Action brings to the forefront the current state of poverty in our nation, in our state and in our local communities by: • Recognizing the outstanding work by servant leaders in the public, private/non-profit and community sectors • Engaging elected officials, business leaders, state and local officials, community leaders, civic groups and other stakeholders on the affects and effects of poverty • Collaborating with other like-minded entities to raise the discussion on poverty, to influence the allocation of resources and to lead the charge to confront institutional and generational issues surrounding poverty.

• Generate resources to fund, staff and develop programs and services that move low-income residents from crisis to stability and from poverty to self-sufficiency Proceeds from this event support ongoing poverty-fighting initiatives at IMPACT Community Action.

For sponsorships, advertising, and ticket information, please visit IMPACT’s website (www.impactca.org) or call 614.453.1624 for more details.

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Philip E. Cole Award Recipient Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

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The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

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EQUAL HOUSING

LENDER

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4 PLA CYCLE VIII

During the month of March, Cycle VIII had the opportunity to visit Capital Park Family Health Center on the north-side of Columbus to hear from Dr. Portia Bell, Curtis Jewell and Marty Miller. The following week, the fellows heard from Chip Spinning, Derrick Clay, and Jordan Miller. On March 30, the PLA held its final class where they welcomed Curtis Stitt, Allesia Gillison, Michael Woods and Dr. Ron Parker.

The fellows will present their final class projects on April 13, followed by their graduation on April 15, 2016. The next PLA session will start in August.

(L to R) Dr. Portia Bell - Owner of Portia J. Bell, DDS, Curtis Jewell - Founder/CEO, Excel Management Systems, Inc., Marty Miller - CEO, Heart of Ohio Family Health Centers, Derrick Clay - President/CEO, The New Visions Group, Chip Spinning - Director, Franklin County Children Services.

(L to R) Jordan Miller - CEO, Fifth Third Bank, Michael Woods - President/CEO, Woods Development Group, LLC, Allesia Gillison - Chief Academic Officer, Columbus City Schools, Curtis Stitt - CEO, Central Ohio Transit Authority, Dr. Ron Parker - Program Manager, The Ohio State University

r a t S t h g i n d i M don’t miss

at the King arts Complex 29th gala Saturday, May 21 thekingartscomplex.com

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presented by

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

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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.

6 CEU & RCHs Provided

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 — 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM The Ohio State University Student Union, 1739 N. High Street 29

Columbus African American Journal • April 2015 2016 The The Columbus African American NewsNews Journal • February

CAANJ

By Ray Miller, MPA Before I Forget - Love, Hope, Help and Acceptance in Our Fight Against Alzheimer’s

Black Man in a White Coat - A Doctor’s Reflections on Race and Medicine

By B. Smith, Dan Gasby, and Michael Shnayerson

By Damon Tweedy, M.D. When Damon Tweedy begins medical school, he envisions a bright future where his segregated, workingclass background will become largely irrelevant. Instead, he finds that he has joined a new world where race is front and center. The recipient of a scholarship designed to increase black student enrollment, Tweedy soon meets a professor who bluntly questions whether he belongs in medical school, a moment that crystallizes the challenges he will face throughout his career.

Black Man in a White Coat examines the complex ways in which both black doctors and patients must navigate the difficult and often contradictory terrain of race and medicine. In this powerful, moving and deeply emphatic book, Tweedy explores the challenges confronting black doctors, and the disproportionate health burdens faced by black patients, seeking a way to better treatment and care.

Restaurateur, magazine publisher, celebrity chef, and nationally known lifestyle maven, B. Smith is struggling at 66 with a tag she never expected to add to that string: Alzheimer’s patient. She’s not alone. Every 67 seconds, someone newly develops it, and millions of lives are affected by its aftershocks.

B. and her husband, Dan, working with Vanity Fair contributing editor Michael Shnayerson, unstintingly share their unfolding story. Crafted in short chapters that interweave their narrative with practical and helpful advice, readers learn about dealing with Alzheimer’s day-to-day challenges: the family realities and tensions, ways of coping, coming research that may tip the scale, as well as lessons learned along the way. At its heart, Before I Forget is a love story: illuminating a love of family, life, and hope.

MELVIN EDWARDS FIVE DECADES Thru 5.8.16

One of America’s foremost contemporary sculptors, Melvin Edwards is best known for Lynch Fragments, a series of reliefs born out of the civil rights movement.

Melvin Edwards, Some Bright Morning (Lynch Fragment), 1963. Welded steel, 14 ¼ x 9 ¼ x 5 inches. Courtesy Alexander Gray Associates, New York; Stephen Friedman Gallery, London. © 2016 Melvin Edwards / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo: Jeffrey Sturges

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5 BUSINESS

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THE BOTTOM LINE: CELEBRATING THE MINDS OF INVENTORS

By Iris Cooper, MBA I wish I had paid more attention in science classes in high school and college.

I was the student who daydreamed in class, crammed for the test, and avoided the laboratory. Now as a senager, I truly regret my past behavior. I cringe when I open directions for a household devise that has more than three steps. I search for products that are easy-to-assembly: no tools required. In a world that depends on technology, I am mentally exhausted from running to catch up with every new system or application.

Technology is the driver of the future and innovation is inherent in the minds of inventors.

I have a deep admiration for inventors and their vision. Inventors are entrepreneurs who believe that their ideas will change the world. Inventors see the possibilities and not the barriers; the glass is always three-quarters full and never loses content. Inventors produce goods and services that add value to the quality of life in our society. When inventors commercialize their ideas, jobs materialize for the local community and the world.

Listed below are a few of the noteworthy inventions from African-Americans in the 20th century.

1. Bessie Blount: Blount, a graduate of Union Junior College, invented an electrical device that would deliver one mouthful of food at a time to a patient in a wheelchair or in a bed.

2. Mark Dean: Dean, an IBM engineer, helped to design the first personal computer and the ports to allow speakers and monitors. He received a

PhD in electrical engineering from Stanford University.

3. Lonnie Johnson: Johnson, an aerospace engineer invented the Super Soaker, a popular summer water toy. Johnson graduated from Tuskegee University.

4. Marretta I. Johnson: Johnson received a patent for the Total Travel Baby Bag, a diaper bag with a built-in bottle warmer, storage cooler, garment bag, and soiled garment pouch.

She received a business degree from DeVry University.

5. Gerald A. Lawson: Lawson create the first interchangeable cartridge for gaming systems such as PlayStation and X-Box. His business model allows game system firms to earn unlimited income from game cartridges after the game system purchase. He graduated from Queens College.

6. Ashley Scott, PhD: Scott, a University of Texas graduate, launched new applications for nanotechnology, creating processes that enhance fabrics with nano-fibers to improve water resistance, change colors, or increase absorption.

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) is the platform for a sustainable civilization

and a successful career. Truly, the evocative slogan for the United Negro College Fund,” a mind is a terrible thing to waste”, has universal application and a unique connotation for Black youth. We elders must support our youth in STEM disciplines to improve the quality of life on earth in the future. We must encourage young minds to dream, and dream boldly without the limitations of time, space, or financial resources.

Information retrieved from africanamericaninventors.org Iris Cooper’s career includes leadership positions in financial services, economic development, community service, communication, government, and education.

She is the owner of “JustAskIris!” an entrepreneurial coaching firm. Iris is a founder of Glory Foods, Inc., a multi-million dollar food marketing company. Iris is recognized nationally as an expert in business strategy and branding, having coached many startups to sustainability. Her newest venture is Finish Your Gloryfied Business Plan Now!, a workshop to foster entrepreneurial success. Iris is the former Director of the Ohio Division of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, where Iris led the state from 29th worst place for small businesses in 2007 to the 9th best in the nation, and 1st in the Midwest in four years.

In 2015 Iris introduced the 2nd version of “When the Devil is Beating His Wife, a Christian Perspective on Domestic Violence and Recovery” co-authored with Melanie Houston and available on Amazon and alabasterboxmedia.com. Iris is a featured writer and speaker on business topics, and an adjunct professor at Franklin University.

She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, the Indiana University Alumni Association, and WELD. She will complete her DBA in 2016 from Walden University, majoring in Entrepreneurship.

DID YOU KNOW? The Ohio State University has 11 employees who made more than $1 million in total compensation last year. The school also has 110 employees who made more than $500,000 and 781 workers who pulled in more than $250,000. In addition there are 4,844 employees who made at least $100,000. Below are some of the top earners: Thad Matta, head basketball coach - $5.78 million Urban Myer, head football coach - $4.54 million (this does not include bonuses for wins against Michigan, Bowl Games, etc.)

Geoffrey Chatas, CFO/Senior VP of Finance - $1.89 million Steven Gabbe, former CEO of OSU Wexner Medical Center and current faculty member - $1.8 million Eugene Smith, athletics director - $1.63 million Michael Drake, president - $1.02 million The Ohio State University employs over 30,000 people. It is considered the largest employer in Central Ohio.

Information provided by Columbus Business First - March 26, 2016

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6 HISTORY

JERRY HAMMOND: COLUMBUS’ FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

By Rodney Q. Blount, M.A. The right to vote is a hallmark of American Democracy. However, this right has constantly been challenged. Before the Fifteenth Amendment to the US Constitution was passed, only white males (and in many areas only white male landowners), were universally allowed to vote in America.

However, even after the Fifteenth Amendment was passed in 1870, which prohibited discrimination on US citizens’ right to vote based on race, color, or previous enslavement status, there were laws introduced to limit, if not completely eliminate, minorities right to vote.

Individuals and organizations, like the NAACP, fought against this blatant discrimination and the fruits of their labor was rewarded with the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a law that continues to be challenged to this day. Columbus has always had active African American communities that have went to the polls to exercise their right to vote. Exercising the right to vote also made it possible for Jerry Hammond to be elected to the Columbus city council, of which he became the first African American president. Hammond’s life is a true testament of overcoming obstacles and using his success to help others. He was an iconic figure in Columbus and his impact is still in effect today.

Jerry Hammond was born on May 29, 1934, in South Bend, Indiana, to Henry and Daisy Hammond. He also had two sisters, Netty (Cooper) and Barbara (Gonclaves). He came a long way from growing up in South Bend.

When Jerry was a teenager, he began to befriend many young men who were going down the wrong path. This negative partnership escalated to Hammond being arrested for second degree burglary at the age of 18. Jerry knew he had to turn his life around by changing his friends and his environment. As soon as he was released he moved to Cleveland with family and after three years in Cleveland, Hammond headed south to Columbus. In Columbus, Hammond accepted a job as a counselor to troubled youths at a state institution and enrolled at Ohio State University.

He excelled and later went to work for Columbus Southern Power (now American Electric Power), where he rose through the ranks to become the Executive Assistant to the President. Before serving on city council, Jerry also chaired the Police Community Relations Committee that helped draft the city’s first written policy on use of deadly force.

Jerry Hammond’s rise in the political sphere began in 1974 when he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Councilman James Roseboro, former Ohio State football star and good friend of Hammond’s who persuaded Hammond to take the position. To his surprise, Jerry Hammond excelled in this new role. He served for four consecutive terms and usually received

more votes than the other councilmen. This is especially significant when considering that black voters only constituted around 20 percent of the Columbus electorate for most of his tenure and the council members were elected at-large.

He was very popular throughout Columbus because he was very active in the Columbus neighborhoods. He was an advocate for each part of the city to grow and he especially took an interest in the Near Eastside/King-Lincoln District. During Hammond’s administration, the King Arts Complex was established and he assisted with finding permanent funding for the arts.

Hammond was recognized locally and nationally for his community activism and knowledge of redevelopment and housing. He helped establish the Community Shelter Board, which strives to end homelessness by creating collaborations, innovating solutions, and investing in quality programs. He was also one of the original committee members involved in creating the Fort Hayes Career Center and co-chaired the successful 1978 Columbus City Schools levy campaign following desegregation. He created the Legislative Research Office and the neighborhood commissions, which advises the city council on issues such as zoning that affect their areas. In addition, he worked to advance the rights of minorities. He also created the Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization (NCR) program, a small business loan program.

His success culminated in his election as the first African American to become president of the Columbus City Council in 1984, which he served until the end of his tenure with city council in 1990.

In addition to his previously mentioned positions, Hammond has worked as a Bureau Chief for the Ohio Department of Economic and Community Development and in positions with the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Columbus and the Training Institute of Central Ohio. Jerry Hammond also served on many boards and was appointed to a four-year term on the Franklin County Children Services Board and upon his appointment stated, “During the early part of

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my career I was working with kids and now I have the opportunity to come back to that. I … look forward to contributing to the mission of protecting our community’s children and helping their families.” Hammond received over 200 community service and achievement awards and the Jerry Hammond Center on East Broad Street is named after him. He was a member of several civic groups and other organizations, including an over fifty year membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity having joined Kappa chapter at Ohio State University.

Hammond was known not only for his help of the community, but he was also known for his style.

Mayor Michael Coleman commented about Hammond, “Jerry was the coolest cat in the city.

He had a swagger, and plenty of it to go around.”

He also loved golf and jazz. He started the Major Chord jazz club in Short North which featured local and national jazz artist. Hammond also loved his wife, Mary Jo Green; kids, Charlene and Gerry (Anthea); and three grandsons, Chad Anderson, Christopher Hammond and Jaden Hammond. Jerry Hammond lived a full life and passed away on August 25, 2010.

As many elders have stated, freedom is not free.

Many Americans, especially African Americans, have fought for our civil and voting rights so that we could enjoy the full benefits of being an American. That is why it is important for everyone to vote because every vote counts. I know that sounds cliché, but it is true, especially during the current political cycle where dramatic changes can occur depending on who we elect.

We must be ready to vote for our next Jerry Hammond, a true leader and advocate. He never forgot where he came from and taught everyone, especially young people, that they can learn from their mistakes and can turn a new leaf.

Former mayor Michael Coleman stated, “If there wasn’t a Jerry Hammond, there wouldn’t be a Mike Coleman. He was one of my mentors and a personal friend.” Let’s make sure we are mentors and advocates in our communities so that we can leave them in a better place than we have found them. Thank you Jerry Hammond.

Works Cited Cleveland Call & Post (September 4, 2010) Columbus Dispatch (August 25, 2010; August 26, 2010) Columbus Library Digital Collections Csb.org Ebony magazine (May 1987) Legacy.com (August 2010, November 2014) Ourcampaigns.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.

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

7 JUSTICE

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PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SHORTENS PRISON SENTENCES FOR 61 DRUG OFFENDERS WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on March 30, 2016, commuted the prison sentences of 61 drug offenders, including more than a third serving life sentences, giving new energy to calls for overhauling the U.S. criminal justice system.

All of the inmates are serving time for drug possession, intent to sell or related crimes. Most are nonviolent offenders, although a few were also charged with firearms violations. Obama’s commutation shortens their sentences, with most of the inmates set to be released on July 28.

Obama has long called for getting rid of strict sentences for drug offenses that critics say lead to excessive punishment and sky-high incarceration rates. With Obama’s support, the Justice Department in recent years has directed prosecutors to rein in the use of harsh mandatory minimums and expanded the criteria for inmates applying for clemency.

Though there’s wide bipartisan support in

Congress for overhauling the criminal justice system, momentum has slowed as the chaotic presidential campaign has made cooperation between Republicans and Democrats increasingly difficult.

Obama, in a letter to the inmates, said the presidential power to grant commutations and pardons “embodies the basic belief in our democracy that people deserve a second chance after having made a mistake in their lives that led to a conviction under our laws.”

Obama met for lunch Wednesday with people whose sentences were previously commuted to hear about the challenges of re-entering society.

The latest commutations bring to 248 the total number of inmates whose sentences Obama has commuted, more than the past six presidents combined, the White House said. The pace of commutations and the rarer use of pardons are expected to increase as the end of Obama’s presidency nears.

UPDATES FROM NAACP: COLUMBUS CHAPTER

By Kay Wilson I’m fired up and ready to go!

On behalf of the Columbus NAACP Branch 3177, welcome to our space on the pages of this incredible News Journal. Branch 3177 of the NAACP is on a mission to ensure racial equity for everyone.

We have answered the call to work for justice and equality. In today’s climate, this work is extremely important and I applaud the members of our branch for playing such a critical role in our community. We invite you to learn more about us; don’t just join the MOMENT, join the MOVEMENT. Stephen White, Central District Director and General Counsel, Senator Rob Portman’s office, requested collaboration regarding a roundtable on poverty, he emphasized the work of the NAACP and our efforts reaching out to both branches of Government in order to work toward a better Columbus for everyone. We appreciate these requests for collaboration, as it is important to keep this conversation alive and to move on the economic and justice concerns of our community.

Most importantly it allows us the opportunity to share perspectives around our legislative agenda and press for much needed change. Our work with local elected officials is part of the ongoing efforts of the NAACP to engage our law makers, to ensure that they hear the prospective of Columbus’ minority and particularly African

American Citizenry.

Lela Boykin, Chair of the NAACP Columbus Health Committee convened a roundtable on March 28th, with the purpose to discuss strategies, goals and programs to improve the health of the Columbus community and the African American community in particular.

There were thirteen (13) Health care providers and advocate organizations represented. The group was clear that some public policy decisions that may appear to be helpful, are not, and more education of state legislators must be done to reverse this situation.

Our Education Committee, headed by Chairs Dr. Tina Pierce and Tom Dillard have been diligent in attending meetings by the Columbus City Schools Ad Hoc Facilities Committee with a desired set of focus areas. They were also standing in support of African American students affected by recent racially motivated issues in the Pickerington School District. Dialogue around the issue of the racial discrimination and bigotry in our school systems (and the injustices allowed to be perpetrated in these systems) is crucial to the struggle against anti-Blackness. But as we discover and confront issues of education, policing and incarceration, we must be very intentional about who is framing such dialogues, and what agenda that framing serves.

When we talk about criminal “justice” reform, we must first consider that which we are defining as “criminal.”

We must ask what is criminal justice when children, the elderly, the disabled and everyday working people in our neighboring city of Flint, 33

Michigan, cannot safely drink their water due to lead contamination which has occurred because their local government switched the city’s water sources in 2014 in order to allegedly save money.

Lawrence Auls, Chair of Labor and Industry has set up meetings with Ms. Tracie Davies, Director Public Utilities, to discuss our own local Water System Project and how it affects our households and our labor force.

And finally, we ask, what can criminal justice mean in a country that houses the most incarcerated people ever recorded in human history?

We invite you to join us in the work. We continue to the push to register thousands in Columbus to vote and equip our most vulnerable communities with the resources to fight back against attacks on fundamental voting rights through our nationwide NAACP campaign.

Our fellow freedom-fighters are committed to making impactful changes and addressing the civil rights issues of our time. Our work includes championing our national game changers of Economic Sustainability, Education, Health, Public Safety& Criminal Justice and Civic Engagement. Our next General Meeting is Monday April 11th at The Hub, 1336 E. Main Street Columbus, OH 43205 at 7pm. If you are not a member, please consider joining the LARGEST and the OLDEST, the BADDEST and the BOLDEST, the MOST LOVED and the MOST HATED, the MOST FEARED and REVERED, the MOST CUSSED and DISCUSSED Civil Rights Organization in America!

Columbus African American Journal • April 2015 2016 The The Columbus African American NewsNews Journal • February

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PRISONS TAKING STEPS TO PROTECT HEALTH, WELL-BEING OF INMATES: NEW ACTIONS ON SOLITARY CONFINEMENT

By Natalie McGill While Colorado Department of Corrections Executive Director Rick Raemisch takes pride in his job, it was the way it became available that reminds him of the need for prison reform.

In March 2013, his predecessor, Tom Clements, was killed by a man who was released from prison after spending years as a prisoner in solitary confinement. While Colorado was working toward change, Clements’ death was a wake-up call not only on what isolation can do to the mental health of inmates, but how much more needs to be done across U.S. prisons and jails to address the health needs of inmates before they reenter society.

While it would have been easy, politically, to favor the use of solitary confinement after Clements’ death, Raemisch said he had the support of the governor and legislature to continue reforms on the use of restrictive housing.

“He believed in reforming…the use of segregation and that changes could be made,” Raemisch said of Clements.

In the past year — or since coming to prison or jail — nearly 20 percent of U.S. prisoners and 18 percent of jail inmates have been in some form of restrictive housing, such as solitary confinement or disciplinary segregation, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ “Use of Restrictive Housing in U.S. Prisons and Jails, 2011-12” report released in October. Additionally, from 2011 to 2012, nearly 30 percent of prisoners and 22 percent of jail inmates who had “serious psychological distress” were placed in some form of restrictive housing.

States such as Colorado, California and New York have tackled prison reform in recent years and the issue has new legs, thanks to President Barack Obama. In January, Obama announced he was adopting recommendations from the U.S. Department of Justice, which includes ending solitary confinement for juveniles in the federal prison system and increasing mental health treatment options for inmates.

“Research suggests that solitary confinement has the potential to lead to devastating, lasting psychological consequences,” Obama said in a Jan. 25 op-ed in The Washington Post.

“It has been linked to depression, alienation, withdrawal, a reduced ability to interact with others and the potential for violent behavior.

Some studies indicate that it can worsen existing mental illnesses and even trigger new ones.

Prisoners in solitary are more likely to commit suicide, especially juveniles and people with mental illnesses.”

Obama also requested $24 million in his fiscal year 2017 budget proposal to expand “secure mental health units” for prisoners with serious behavioral health issues and to provide more psychologists who are trained to provide mental health care for prisoners in need of restrictive housing, according to a White House fact sheet.

While Obama’s actions are a step in the right direction, Brad Brockmann, JD, MDiv, executive director of the Center for Prisoner Health and Human Rights, said solitary confinement should

ultimately be eliminated across the board, starting now for inmates with serious mental illness.

A proven alternative is to place inmates with serious mental illness into residential treatment units where their underlying problems can be addressed. Otherwise, officials are only dealing with the behavioral symptoms, said Brockmann of the center, which is based out of the Miriam Hospital and Brown University’s School of Public Health in Providence, Rhode Island.

“In general, 15 percent of the prison population and 20 percent of jail inmates have a serious mental illness,” Brockmann told The Nation’s Health. “Because they often have difficulty understanding and following orders and rules, inmates with (serious mental illness) are overrepresented in solitary confinement, where their conditions only deteriorate.”

Brockmann’s suggestion of a treatment unit is a reality in Colorado, where two of the state’s 20 prison facilities are residential treatment facilities without restrictive housing policies. One of those units, which houses about 250 inmates, saw a 93 percent reduction in the use of restraints against prisoners and a 46 percent decline in offenders who assaulted prison staff.

Overall, in a Colorado prison population of about 20,000 inmates, about 1,500 were in restrictive housing in 2011 — about 7 percent of the prison population. Thanks to Colorado’s prison reforms, that number shrank to less than 1 percent of the prison population. Even further, no prisoner has been released directly from restrictive housing into society since March 2014, Raemisch said.

Raemisch got insights into the experience in January 2014 when he volunteered to spend 20 hours in solitary confinement in a Colorado prison, which he said pales in comparison to the weeks, months and years prisoners have spent in such quarters.

“You can’t take people who have been in segregation for any period of time and put them back in general population and have a good day,” Raemisch told The Nation’s Health.

“There has to be a socialization process. We have step-down programs where they’re out of their cells four hours a day to see how they react and interact with other inmates. Once clinicians are comfortable with that, they go to programs to help manage their anger. The goal is to get them into general population.”

Holistic health of US prisoners on agenda While mental health is an important part of the prison reform puzzle, physical health is also paramount. To tackle prisoner health, Brockmann said what is needed are systems with strong bridges to post-release care, optimally where

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health providers inside a correctional facility are the same ones a prisoner sees when she or he reenters society.

Brockmann cited Project Bridge in Rhode Island, which is run out of the Miriam Hospital and focuses on inmates with HIV. Social workers with connections to HIV care providers in the community work inside the correctional system in Rhode Island to identify inmates with HIV and link them to trusted providers following release.

In addition, effective and quality case management services are essential, he said.

“A returning prisoner faces a wide spectrum of competing reentry and survival needs that often trump one’s health needs,” Brockmann told The Nation’s Health.“You need housing. You need to find a job. You need to meet with your probation officer. The chances of fall-off in follow-up care are astronomical, which hurts reentry success and poses a public health risk.

“We know for instance that the rates of HIV infection in the nation’s prisons and jails (are) five times that of the rest of the country. The rates are higher for hepatitis C — about 10 times higher. Continuity of care is absolutely critical.”

Public health should be involved in prison reform not just from a health care perspective, but also from a policy one, said Marc Morjé Howard, PhD, JD, MA, director of Georgetown University’s Prisons and Justice Initiative.

Howard said the public health community needs to actively talk to their elected officials about solitary confinement and prison conditions in general, as 95 percent of people incarcerated will at one point be released.

“The research is very clear on solitary confinement,” Howard told The Nation’s Health.

“The public health community has to bring home how damaging it is for people to be held in these conditions when they are all by themselves, when they have mental health problems to begin with that are untreated. When they return to general population directly from solitary, the consequences can be sad and scary.”

Following Clements’ death, Raemisch said he knows those consequences firsthand. But he said there has been criticism for his department’s reform methods, including the belief that inmates are being treated too well and that isolation is appropriate given the severity of their crimes.

“The fact of the matter is, people are sent to prison as punishment, not for punishment,” Raemisch said. “I never try to change the way a victim or a family of a victim thinks about an inmate that has done something to them.

“I don’t even pretend to understand what someone feels when something horrific has happened to them or their family members. But what I do try to explain is I don’t want any more victims.

When I say no more victims, I mean my staff also. That’s why we’re doing the things we’re doing. I’m convinced our reforms are making what we do safer. Our mission is to send them back better than when they came in.”

For more information on the DOJ recommendations on solitary confinement and mental health and Obama’s actions, visit www. whitehouse.gov.

Article from The Nation’s Health, American Public Health Association

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

8 ARTS & LIFE

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TEA IS BETTER FOR YOU

By Stephanie Bridges Days, even years pass.

Higher education is pursued and obtained.

Familial and corporate success are actualized. But who ministers to the adolescent in each of us; who gives space for the child to heal and fully embrace and enjoy adulthood? Do the work.

The teapot whistled, waking Brian from his sleep. Ugh, tea in the morning. He needed a jolt to wake up, and if he drank tea and coffee he would be running to the bathroom all day.

Brian’s wife said tea was better for him, so he would take the cup, kiss her goodbye and head to the drive thru for coffee.

On his way to the office, Brian pondered the heaviness in the air. There wasn’t a storm on the horizon – just a gray day, like the ones before it and the ones to come. Maybe it wasn’t the day. Perhaps the gray cloud hovered just inside Brian’s mind like the memories he couldn’t release.

“Oh, Brian, it’s your turn to read,” the teacher announced with a smirk.

Brian stared at the page, “D-d-d-d o-o-o-gz arrrrraaaahh m-m-m-aaaanz b-b-b-esst friend.”

Brian took a deep breath as the class roared with laughter. He thought he would pee his pants, so he jumped from his seat and rushed toward the door. Craig stuck out his foot, and Brian fell to the floor. The sudden collision released his bladder.

“Eeww! Gross!” was all he could hear as he lie on the white tiled floor unable to move.

Brian reached for his briefcase in the backseat and headed into the building where he worked for the past eight years. He had moved up in the organization securing a position in management.

He liked his job; his colleagues were great. But anytime he heard people talking and laughing outside his office, he knew for sure they were making fun of him.

The same week as the “accident” in class, the freckle faced girl with the frizzy reddish brown mushroom hair, caught up with Brian on the walk home.

“They’re all jerks. There’s nothing wrong with stuttering,” she spat through braces and a lisp.

Kelly was a close 2nd to Brian on the list of kids to bully. He couldn’t fathom how the two of them together would help matters. So he ignored her, quickened his pace, and abruptly turned to cross the street.

“Hey, wait! Do you want to go to the dance?”

Kelly yelled. Brian stopped in the middle of Livingston Avenue. He looked at Kelly and couldn’t pick out one thing about her that he

liked. He even enjoyed her turns at being tortured because it meant he got a small, but welcomed respite.

“Sure,” he shrugged. Then Brian jumped out of the street just in time to miss on-coming traffic.

Brian was tripped twice on the dance floor, but the 2nd time Kelly warned him and he played it off like it was a dance move; Kelly was shoved into the punch, the large bowl wobbled spilling onto her pink dress but Brian grabbed her arm before she crash landed into the table; Craig got on the mic and dedicated a song stuttering every syllable; and kids threw wadded up paper at Kelly that read “Most Likely to be Ugly.” But all in all, it was a successful night for the two of them. Both had experienced much worse on their own, and this was the first time either had danced in public.

Kelly now wears a full head of convincing Brazilian weave, the braces are gone, the freckles are covered flawlessly by cosmetics, and she only lisps at Brian’s request. Brian no longer stutters, and they got married after each graduated from college. Kelly has never once mentioned the day Brian peed his pants in class. But every morning, she offers him tea.

Stephanie Bridges is an author and active writer.

A native of Columbus, she is a contributing writer for The Columbus African American.

OBERLIN COLLEGE ACQUIRES A COLLECTION OF PAPERS OF EARLY CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST MARY CHURCH TERRELL Oberlin College in Ohio has received an archive of documents relating to Mary Church Terrell. The papers were donated

by Raymond and Jean Langston, the current occupant of the home in Highland Beach, Maryland, where Terrell died. The collection includes documents, letters, diaries, photographs and other artifacts, some dating to the 1890s and earlier.

Mary Church Terrell was the daughter of former slaves. She was a 1884 graduate of Oberlin College and went on to become a teacher and principal of M Street Colored High School, now known as Dunbar High School. Terrell was the founding president of the National Association of Colored Women and was a charter member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Terrell was the first African

Mary teaching elementary children through the A.M.E. church in Ohio.

American woman to serve on the Washington, D.C. Board of Education.

In 1949, Terrell, then in her 80s, was refused service at a Washington, D.C., restaurant. She filed suit and in a case eventually decided by the Supreme Court, racial segregation of restaurants in the nation’s capital was ruled unconstitutional.

Mary Church Terrell died on July 24, 1954 at the age of 90.

Article from The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education.

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Sept. 23, 1953 - At 90 years old, Mrs. Terrell celebrates her birthday with (L to R) Federal Judge William Hastie, NAACP President Walter White and Eugene Davidson, NAACP official.

“And so, lifting as we climb, onward and upward we go, struggling and striving, and hoping that the buds and blossoms of our desires will be burst inlo glorious fruition ere long.”

- Mary Church Terrell

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COMMUNITYEVENTS 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 614-627-1224.

April 8-9, 2016 Comedian Damon Wayans, Jr. Looking just like his father, Damon Wayans, Jr., has been on the comedy scene for the last ten years and has appeared in several sitcoms on ABC and Fox. He recently starred in the movie Let’s Be Cops and is currently on his own comedy tour in the US. This is one show you do not want to miss. For tickets, call 614-471-5636.

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

Location: The Funny Bone - Easton Town Center Address: 145 Easton Station, 43219 Time: Call for times.

Admission: Call for prices.

Web: www.ColumbusFunnyBone.com

April 7, 2016 Lincoln Theatre Gala Come out and join in a celebration of one of the oldest icons in the African American community, The Lincoln Theatre. First opened in 1928 as the Ogden Theatre, it was renamed the Lincoln in 1939.

Artists such as Nacy Wilson, Cab Calloway and Count Basie have all graced it’s stage. For more information or for tickets, call 614719-6710.

Location: The Lincoln Theatre Address: 769 E. Long Street, 43203 Time: 6:00 PM Admission: Call for prices.

Web: www.LincolnTheatreColumbus.com April 7, 2016 Lifeline of Ohio: African American Advisorty Council Come out and join in a celebration of one of the oldest icons in the African American community, The Lincoln Theatre. First opened in 1928 as the Ogden Theatre, it was renamed the Lincoln in 1939.

Artists such as Nacy Wilson, Cab Calloway and Count Basie have all graced it’s stage. For more information or for tickets, call 614719-6710.

Location: Lifeline of Ohio Address: 760 Kinear Road (2nd Floor), 43212 Time: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Admission: Call for prices.

April 9, 2016 Poindexter Opportunity Day Are you looking for a job in construction or training program?

Are you an employer facing a labor shortage? Then you want to attend this first in a series of events to help the unemployed/ underemployed in Central Ohio. This event is sponsored by OSU, Ruscilli Construction, McCormack Baron Salazar Developer and Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority. For more information call 614-237-6021.

Location: The OSU African, African American Extension Center Address: 905 Mount Vernon Ave., 43203 Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Admission: Free

The Columbus African American News Journal • April 20162015 February

April 14-16, 2016 Comedian Gary Owen A natived of Cincinnati, Ohio, Gary Owen has appeared in over 20 movies including Daddy Day Care, Think Like A Man, and Ride Along. He got his start on BET’s Comic View and went on to headline Martin Lawrence’s Comedy show on Starz. Ebony Magazine named him “Black America’s Favorite White Comic” in 2011. For more inforamation or for tickets, call 614-471-5636.

Location: The Funny Bone - Easton Town Center Address: 145 Easton Station, 43219 Time: Call for times.

Admission: Call for prices.

Web: www.ColumbusFunnyBone.com April 16, 2016 Columbus Empowerment Social Calling all professional black women in Columbus. Join us for an afternoon of cocktails and networking! Do a little mental winter cleaning by chatting with some of our guest experts, meet some likeminded women and learn from each other while building relationships.

This event is sponsored by Black Career Women’s Network.

Location: Gateway Film Center Address: 1550 N. High Street, 43201 Time: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM Admission: Members - Free, Non-Members - $15 Web: www.BCWnetwork.com April 19, 2016 Central State University Night at Linden McKinley STEM It is time to get ready for college. Join Central State University as they host a recruitment night at Linden McKinley STEM Academy. Meet with current CSU students, receive on-site admissions, scholarship opportunities and more. This is a one-time opportunity to become a CSU Marauder! For more information call 614-365-5583.

Location: Linden McKinley STEM Academy Address: 1320 Duxberry Ave., 43211 Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Admission: Free

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COMMUNITYEVENTS April 22, 2016 Alvis House: Evening of Light Come out and celebrate an Evening of Light, the annual fundraiser for The Alvis House. This event is full of delightful food and great music. Proceeds help to offer families solid support and hope as they build prodcutive and self-sufficient lives. For tickets, call 614252-8402 Location: L Brands Headquarters Address: 3 Limited Parkway, 43230 Time: 6:00 PM Admission: $175 per person, $900 6-pack tickets Web: www.Alvis180.org/support/evening-of-light April 23, 2016 Miss Black Ohio Pageant Miss Black Ohio Pageant will hold their 34th annual pageant in Columbus. Contestants from all over the state will convene at OSU’s Union Hall to crown their queen. The winner will be candidate for Miss Black USA and also compete for Miss USA. For more information or for tickets, call 614-352-2628.

April 28, 2016 32nd Annual Volunteer Reception Franklin County Children Services’ Advisory Committee would like to invite you to participate in their 32nd Annual Volunteer Reception. This event honors volunteers and others who have been supportive of FCCS through various programs such as SIMBA, College Bound, Holiday Wish and others. Please RSVP by Friday, April 15 by calling 614-2752690.

Location: The Ohio Union Address: 1739 North High Street, 43210 Time: Reception at 6:30 PM, Program at 7:00 PM Admission: Call for prices Web: www.Childrenservices.Franklincountyohio.gov April 28-29, 2016 Nelson W. Trout Lecture Series The Annual Nelson W. Trout Lecture Series at Trinity Lutheran Seminary will feature Dr. Otis Moss, III, Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. All are welcome to attend. For more information call 614-235-4136.

Location: Ohio Union - U.S. Bank Conference Room Address: 1739 N. High Street, 43210 Time: 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM Admission: Adults $25, Children $10 Web: www.MissBlackOhio.com

Location: The Ohio Union Address: 1739 North High Street, 43210 Time: April 28: 1:30 PM - 7:30 PM, April 29: 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM Admission: Lecture is Free, Banquet is $35 per person.

Web: www.TLSohio.edu

April 23, 2016 Festival of Laughs Featuring Mike Epps & Earthquake You don’t want to miss this exclusive one-night comedy event!

Famed comedian Mike Epps and Earthquake will take the stage in Columbus as part of their nationwide comedy tour. For more information or for tickets, call 614-847-4400.

May 1, 2016 Fantasia & Anthony Hamilton in Concert Come out and hear the soulful sounds of two of R&B’s greatest artists: Fantasia and Anthony Hamilton. This concert will take place for one night only in Columbus. For more information or for tickets, call 614847-4400,

Location: Palace Theatre Address: 34 W. Broad Street, 43215 Time: 8:00 PM Admission: $52 - $78 Web: www.CAPA.com

Location: Palace Theatre Address: 34 W. Broad Street, 43215 Time: 7:30 PM Admission: $49 - $69 Web: www.CAPA.com

April 23, 2016 Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra Feat. Aaron Diehl Trio The Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra (CYJO) is celebrating their 25th Anniversary with a special evening performance from Columbus native, Aaron Diehl. Following his performance, members of the CYJO will join him on stage for once-in-a-lifetime performance. For tickets, call 614-294-5200

May 2-3, 2016 22nd Annual National Conference on Diversity, Race & Learning This is one of the university’s most comprehensive conferences that focus on issues of diversity, cultural inclusion and acceptance. The themes examine, through participant discourse, ways to effectively bridge the economic, political and socio-educational divides that continue to be pertinent in the American social landscape. To register, visit the website below.

Location: The Lincoln Theatre Address: 769 E. Long Street, 43203 Time: 8:00 PM Admission: $25 Web: www.JazzArtsGroup.com

Location: Hale Hall - OSU Main Campus Address: 154 W 12th Ave, 43210 Time: Call for complete schedule.

Admission: $40 (students), $175 (non-students) Web: www.ODI.OSU.edu

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.

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The Columbus African American News Journal • April 2016

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THE COLUMBUS AFRICAN AMERICAN NEWS JOURNAL PARTIAL 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 - Driving Park 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

April 20162015 The Columbus African American News Journal • February

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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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