December 2016 Edition

December 2016

FREE

10

Harassment and Intimidation - A Report by the Southern Poverty Law Center

Columbus Safety Director

23

Join The Team: Become A Columbus Firefighter

Success Is A Journey...

Not A Destination

33

Ned Pettus, Jr., PhD

The Trump Opportunity

By William McCoy, MPA

Con artists don’t care how hard you worked.

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aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork

Watchdog Alerts Tips & Resources Free for Everyone

Publisher’s Page Founder & Publisher Ray Miller

Layout & Design Ray Miller, III

Assistant Editor Ray Miller, III

Associate Editor Edward Bell Distribution Manager Ronald Burke Research Associate Florence Ogola

Lead Photographer Steve Harrison

Contributing Editors Tim Ahrens, D.Min Edward Bell, MBA Lisa Benton, MD, MPH Roderick Q. Blount, Jr. MA Robert “Bo” Chilton John Delia Iris Cooper, DBA Chanelle Jones, PhD Elizabeth Joy, MBA Cecil Jones, MBA Jacqueline Lewis-Lyons, Psy.D William McCoy, MPA Ambrose Moses, III, JD Tina Pierce, PhD Senator Charleta B. Tavares

Shallow people are quick to dismiss very serious matters with empty diversionary rhetoric. They make hollow statements such as: “This too shall pass. We’ve been here before. It’s probably our fault. If you people only had voted. It’s all a game anyhow. They are all liars, cheaters, and crooks. Muslims are terrorists and we do need that wall. Well, he must have done something; otherwise the police would not have shot him.

And here’s the kicker: “We have to put it in God’s Hands--You know He’s in control. Yes, I do know God’s in control, but that doesn’t absolve us from our responsibility to analyze the issues, design solutions, and act with a greater sense of urgency to bring about needed change. You might want to open your bibles and read James 2: 14-26.

We are just a month an a half away from celebrating the life of a man who was unquestionably the moral conscious of America--Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. There are some people who would even dare to trivialize the contributions of Dr. King toward major advancements in equal justice and civil rights. Too often, I see them turn their heads dismissively and sigh, as if to say, I know he’s not using Dr. King again. Well, maybe when you get a national holiday named in your honor, we will find it worthy to quote you. Until then, I will continue lifting up the name of the one who epitomized humility, non-violence, strategic action, and mega-change in the laws which oppressed African Americans.

I will be honest, I find it repulsive to even imagine Donald Trump as the President of our country. I know that’s not the right Christian attitude and it’s not at all consistent with what the Bible teaches us about honoring, praying for and supporting our leaders. To that just criticism, I would simply say, I am not a candidate for sainthood! I am a work in progress. Quite frankly, I believe that we are excessively inclined to turn the other cheek too often and much too quickly.

Before the perpetrator of heinous acts of violence and injustice can even seriously contemplate remorse or genuine forgiveness we are ready to pardon their sins. Yes, I do know the question: What Would Jesus Do? For this edition of The Columbus African American, we have asked our esteemed contributing authors to address the critical issues of the day from a solutions standpoint. This is not an unusual approach for our publication. In fact, we consider it a fundamental part of our mission to do so; however with the extreme positions being taken by Donald Trump and the policies and legal decisions that will undoubtedly be advanced by his Cabinet Secretaries, the Judiciary, and White House Staff, there is a heightened need to take the lead and not shrink from our responsibility to hold our leaders accountable and continue functioning as free citizens in a country governed by democratic principles and not autocratic or dictatorial rule.

Here’s a few thoughts of my own: Strengthen the African American Family by putting forth a major marketing campaign to reduce the number (now 72%) of African American babies being born out of wedlock. This is a crisis which should no longer be ignored or excused; Elect Judges who will not contribute to the continued mass incarceration of African Americans and other people of color; Treatment vs. Incarceration must be enacted into law and funded at the appropriate level; to do so would result in a substantial dollar savings from the billions of dollars that we are now spending to warehouse criminal offenders; Redesign the Affordable Care Act before it is redesigned for us; Create high paying jobs for laborers without giving away the farm to corporations in the form of excessively high and poorly monitored tax abatements. Build more affordable housing units; eliminate homelessness in America; Substantially reduce infant mortality; Increase minority business contracts with the government and private sector by 50% each year over the next four years; make mass transit more affordable for working and lowincome people; redesign workforce development programs to assist ex-offenders, low-income and professional users.

Enjoy your reading and please let us here from you on actions that you believe should be taken to better serve the American people. Have a wonderful Holiday Season!

The Columbus African American news journal was founded by Ray Miller on January 10, 2011

With Respect and Appreciation,

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS! The Columbus African American 503 S. High Street - Suite 102 Columbus, Ohio 43215

Ray Miller Founder & Publisher

Office: 614.826.2254 editor@columbusafricanamerican.com

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The Columbus African American • December 2016

In This Issue

23

A Message from Curtis

Stitt, COTA President

& CEO

24

Protecting Our Healthcare

26

Make Me Over 2017

27

Change Does Not Start in the White House

Photo By Adam Cairns/Dispatch

Ned Pettus, Jr., PhD - Columbus Safety Director Cover Story – Page 20

By: Robert “Bo” Chilton

17

AARP and Frank Abagnale Launch Effort to End the Tech Support Scam

18

Opportunity Youth: Opportunity Defferred or Taken

26 5 6

By: Robert “Bo” Chilton

Make Me Over 2017 By: Lisa Benton, MD

on the World - Part 1

30

Book Bags & E-Readers

31

Money 101 - Part IV

32

Using Technology to

Connect (After

The November Elections)

33

The Trump Opportunity

34

Mt. Vernon Plaza

Reimagined

35

Finances: Let’s Talk

About It

36

George Washington

Williams: Politician,

Holiday Shopping - Support

for 2017

Musician, Lawyer,

Black Owned Businesses

Journalist & Historian -

AARP Launches Effort to

Part II

37

Community Events

The Election Results and

7

Who Are You? Who Are We?

8

Legislative Update

9

After Obama’s Last 100 Days: An Action Plan Ten Days After: A Report by the Southern Poverty Law Center

15

Making a Positive Impact

Future of Columbus Housing 16

Criminal Justice Reform

10

28

17

End Tech Support Scam 18

Opportunity Youth: Opportunity Deferred or Taken

20

COVER STORY

23

Join The Team: Become A Columbus Firefighter

Where Do We Go From Here?

The Columbus African American • December 2016

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

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

HOUSING

FUTURE OF COLUMBUS HOUSING FOR 2017

By John Delia As this issue is focused on “Where we go from here?” in light of the 2016 presidential election, I’ve taken Zillow’s look ahead for the 2017 housing market and added commentary on how these trends will affect central Ohio.

Zillow Prediction 1: Cities will focus on denser development of smaller homes close to public transit and urban centers.

In a previous edition of the African American Journal, we referenced opportunities for investing in overlooked, depressed markets. Columbus’ African American residents can strongly consider investing in urban core neighborhoods that provide access to public transport. Columbus is ripe with potential for restoration as its urban core has been largely untouched by gentrification.

This gap in the marketplace allows everyday residents the chance to engage in revitalization first-hand and take advantage of a demographic shift towards urban living.

The rise of urbanization and increased demand for properties in closer proximity to city life will refocus real estate development efforts from the suburban sprawl mindset. Prime Columbus neighborhoods for investment include Linden, the King Lincoln District, Franklinton, the Near East Side, Olde Town East, Southern Orchards, Old Oaks and Driving Park. In each of these areas, proximity and access to public transportation are key amenities. Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has been improving and updating their services over the last 24 months. The introduction of the new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system Columbus now will connect the urban core of downtown to the suburbs via Cleveland Avenue. This type of transportation access will be a key catalyst for new development along Cleveland Avenue and other major thoroughfares.

African American residents have a first-hand understanding of the nature and dynamics within these urban neighborhoods - admittedly with greater intimacy than large developers. Now is the time to review our local and community plans for expected changes on the horizon.

Zillow Prediction 2: More millennials will become homeowners, driving up the homeownership rate. Millennials are also more racially diverse, so more homeowners will be people of color, reflecting the changing demographics of the United States.

Today home ownership rates are at the lowest in since the mid-1960s. At this same time, we’ve had historically low interest rates for the last few years. Interest rates are bound for an increase during the new presidency.

Photo by Walker Evans

financially prepared as our white counterparts in their desire to set down roots. They are, however, better prepared to use this change in lifestyle as a mechanism for progress for the overall wealth among people of color. Historically, tax increases and strict code enforcement have eroded African American property ownership by forcing communities to move against their will. By recognizing the quality of urban housing stock, black millennials can build the communities back with a greater vibrancy than they once had.

We have the opportunity to revitalize our own neighborhoods. This is one of the first times in history where minority communities have both the capacity and the manpower to build our own development without relying on large corporate entities to do it for us -and reap the rewards.

Homeownership is a key way to gain wealth. The opportunity of a lifetime is upon us.

A, luxury housing does not help the thousands of low-income and working-class city residents that need safe, clean, affordable places to live.

We should mobilize the income and wealth that we collectively have to create change for our own people.

Let us not be complacent in our jobs, instead we should be continually improving our personal wealth via earning side incomes and investments.

Real estate investing is the ultimate social enterprises mechanism because you provide what families need most: safe, warm housing.

Prediction 4: Buyers of new homes will have to spend more as builders cover the cost of rising construction wages, driven even higher in 2017 by continued labor shortages, which could be worsened by tougher immigration policies under President-elect Trump.

Prediction 3: Rental affordability will improve Now more than ever we will see the ramifications of the affordable housing crisis. Both presidential as incomes rise and growth in rents slows. candidates proposed aggressive infrastructure The city of Columbus has seen an enormous plans. The same workers who have been building amount of new population growth and real estate our new housing units and other construction will transferred to building roads and new construction over the past 24 months. In be infrastructure. A construction labor shortage reality, the economy has been in recovery from already exists in this country. It will only be the Great Recession for the better part of the last exacerbated by the focus on infrastructure.

4 years. Considering that recessions happen in an 8-10-year cadence (on average) it is short-sighted The issue is two-fold. In the Great Recession, to think that both incomes can increase while many of the skilled construction tradesmen rent rates slow. Each of these are fundamentally moved into other industries and are not tied to the intrinsic health of the economy. Rent interested in returning to the field as similar prices can only deviate from underlying real pay. Additionally, we have not been training the estate values so much before a correction occurs. next generation of highly skilled construction Recognition that rent rates are nearing their peak workers. We need to teach our young men and validates the early warning signs of an economic women to value the craftsmanship of skilled trades and the necessity of doing valuable work slowdown. with real, tangible results. The trades are one of the fastest ways to entrepreneurship and business Similarly, if rents decline (and therefore real ownership. African Americans should go back estate values decline) then there may not be any into the skilled trades: masonry, construction, intrinsic reason for an increase in salary. Rent drywall, plumbing, carpentry, iron working and growth will not slow independent of salary. welding, etc. There will be a need for craftsmen Fundamentally these two indicators should follow that cannot be outsourced. It’s time that we take the same trend. Rents slow because tenants (wage pride in the work of our grandfathers. Encourage earners) are not able to pay the increasing prices. the youth to consider trade schools and vocational Therefore, a fall in income, not an increase, will apprenticeships. justify rent rate decline.

Prediction 5: The percentage of people who

Even though more millennials will become The new units that have been built in Columbus homeowners, minority millennials may not be as are anything but “affordable.” Building Class 5

Continued on Page 6

The Columbus African American News Journal• •December February 2015 The Columbus African American 2016

HOUSING Continued from Page 5

formula for Columbus to maintain its status as the 15th largest metropolitan area in the US. The Additionally, the increase in home prices will drive to work will rise for the first time in a BRT and Smart City grants are starting catalysts only exacerbate the affordable housing crisis.

This increases the market and opportunity for decade as homeowners move further into the for the journey. providing affordable rental housing especially suburbs seeking affordable housing – putting in the urban core of Columbus. African Prediction 6: Home values will grow 3.6 them further from adequate public transit American’s who have the means, should look percent in 2017, according to more than 100 options. economic and housing experts surveyed in the for property in the traditionally African American In 2014 Ohio was ranked #47 in transportation latest Zillow Home Price Expectations Survey. neighborhoods. Provide the revitalization that is funding. The majority of the taxes paid at the gas National home values have risen 4.8 percent so desperately needed and supply the market with the affordable housing stock that is not being pump goes into a fund that provides the funding far in 2016. served by any other entity. Speculation, home that maintains the roads, highways, bridges, etc. flipping or other forms of rapid equity increase One of the largest contributors to the Great The majority of the tax money benefits those with are not recommended. Instead, hold a long term Recession Housing Crisis was people using cars. We need to focus on the transit-dependent perspective 10 -15 year picture as this is the the equity in their homes for frivolous pursuits population. With the increase in cars on the road, opportunity for generational wealth and creating essentially creating bad debt.

Now is not we will have to increase spending on maintaining a legacy. the time to support activities for taking cash the aging American infrastructure. refinances to go on vacation, buy furniture or We should look to change the state level purchase a new car. Don’t be blinded by keeping About the author: John Delia has been an constitution to change how transportation funding up with the Jones and excessive consumption. active investor in the Columbus OH market is structured. The funds should address both the With increasing values, current homeowners for over six years. To find out more about the needs of those with and without access to private should have an increase in equity in addition to opportunities that exist in the area or how transportation. Private transportation funding consistent mortgage pay down. It’s about being you can get started investing in real estate, should be prioritized. Affordable housing and responsible with equity. Now more than ever we connect with John and other local investors at public transit are two key ingredients in the need greater responsibility and care with wealth CentralOhioPropertyExchange.com and wealth preservation.

POLITICS

THE ELECTION RESULTS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM: HAVE WE REACHED AN IMPASSE? WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

By Chanelle Jones, Ph.D. With the recent election of D o n a l d Tr u m p “ t h e L a w and Order Candidate” as President of the United States, it is safe to say that reform of the U.S. criminal justice system has reached a critical crossroads. While several reform efforts have been implemented by President Barack Obama including the “ban the box” initiative, the release of several nonviolent federal drug offenders, the end of solitary confinement for juvenile offenders, and a mandate urging federal prosecutors to focus on high-level drug dealers, it is unclear whether the new Administration will issue several executive orders to reverse the aforementioned reform efforts. What is clear however, is that the rhetoric expressed by President-elect Trump throughout his campaign (e.g. strict restrictions on illegal immigration, a crackdown on national security, and support of stop-and-frisk policies) suggests the new administration will embrace a more punitive rather than rehabilitative stance for the criminal justice system.

Furthermore, the recent selection of Jeff Sessions as the next U.S. Attorney General could have profound negative implications for progressive reform efforts in the criminal justice system.

Sessions, who was once rejected for a federal judgeship, in part due to racist comments, has a reputation of opposing women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, civil rights, pro-immigration efforts, and efforts to end mass incarceration. In fact, he collaborated with a small group of republican lawmakers to oppose a bipartisan bill to reduce mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent offenders, saying the bill would “send a message to judges and prosecutors that we’re not interested in people serving sentences anymore” despite the fact that mandatory sentences greatly contributed to mass incarceration.

only issue with the Klu Klux Klan was that its members used drugs. He used belittling terms to refer to African American attorneys, stated white attorneys representing African American clients were race traitors, and called the NAACP and ACLU “un-American” and “communistinspired.” Sessions referred to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as an “intrusive piece of legislation.”

He voted for a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. He voted against the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women’s Act. He also voted against expanding the definition of hate crimes to include sexual orientation and a 2010 repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” legislation that prevented gay and lesbian men and women from serving openly in the military.

With Sessions at the helm of one of the nation’s most powerful agencies, he could adversely impact the following areas of the criminal justice system: Sentencing – The U.S. Attorney General (AG) oversees the nation’s top federal prosecutors who are appointed by the President. These prosecutors receive charging memos from the U.S. Attorney General that provides guidance toward strict or lenient sentences for certain offenses. Under Former AG Eric Holder and current AG Loretta Lynch, prosecutors were instructed to be lenient on low level drug offenders. This contributed to a reduction in the prison population however, this is likely to change under the leadership of Sessions who recently blocked bipartisan sentencing reform in the senate, saying it would put “violent felons” back into the community.

investigate law enforcement agencies.

Private Prisons – The DOJ’s Bureau of Prisons announced it would begin eliminating the use of private, for-profit prisons in light of reports indicating issues with safety, security, and oversight. However, President-elect Trump has voiced support for private prisons. With Sessions as the potential AG and given his support of President-elect Trump, it is likely that he will also support the continued use of private prisons.

Immigration – The DOJ works in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security to enforce immigration laws. The DOJ is responsible for administering immigration courts, appointing judges, overseeing deportation appeals, and bringing charges against illegal immigrants. Sessions has greatly opposed illegal immigration and with him leading the DOJ, it is likely that immigration to the U.S., a country birthed from immigration, will be limited significantly.

So, with the results of the recent election, the selection of Jeff Sessions as the U.S. Attorney General, and the uncertainty of national criminal justice reform efforts, it is critical that we determine where to go from here. On a local level, it is imperative that we as a community 1) get informed, 2) get inspired, and 3) get involved to effect meaningful change in the criminal justice system. We get informed by learning about candidates (e.g. prosecutors, judges, etc.), criminal justice legislation, and issues (e.g. police/community relations, violence in the community, etc.) that impact our community.

We get inspired by using the new knowledge to stir us to action. We get involved by voting, advocating policy change, and creating initiatives to address issues that immediately impact our community. By addressing issues on a local level, we inevitably impact change on a national level.

Police Oversight – During President Obama’s presidency, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigated several law enforcement agencies accused of violating civil rights. In fact, the DOJ investigated more law enforcement agencies than both the Bush and Clinton Administrations, ultimately entering consent decrees mandating reforms in Ferguson, Cleveland, Chicago, and Baltimore, to name a few. Sessions opposed Dr. Chanelle Jones, is an Assistant Professor the DOJ investigations as an “abuse of federal of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Ohio In addition, Sessions allegedly joked that his authority” which indicates he is less inclined to Dominican Univerisity.

The Columbus African American • December 2016

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POLITICS

WHO ARE YOU? WHO ARE WE?

By Tim Ahrens, D.Min D o n a l d J . Tr u m p i s not funny. For the last month, I have found NOTHING funny in the tweets, speeches, and commentary coming from the mind and lips of Donald J. Trump. As our unofficial President-Elect, what comics and opponents were lampooning up until November 8th, have taken on an air of prophetic terror. We need to stop laughing, sneering and ignoring him and start listening, praying and organizing in response to his victory.

There is no question that the racism, homophobia, xenophobia, misogyny, distain for disabled persons and Islamophobia of Mr. Trump’s language and actions were so blatant that many of his own party’s leaders could not endorse him. Even on Election Night, Trump supporters held their own party in Ohio – not with other Republicans. But, he is now the president-elect.

We have to deal with him.

On Election Day, as I walked the streets of West Franklinton with my wife to “get out the vote,” we witnessed firsthand the root of hate and negative voting. I listened as people shared real anger and fear about real economic pain, job losses, and the feeling of being left behind in an America which grows daily in its gap between rich and poor. Fear drove people to vote in record numbers for a candidate who has a very dismal view of our nation and our people at this time.

Now it is time to turn these fears into tangible economic support on behalf of those who are hurting. That is what we need to do through the faith that we have in God and humanity.

As a Christian pastor who lives inside both the texts of scripture which terrorize and inspire, I have to live with the whole package of Biblical teachings. I do not have the luxury of tossing out what I don’t like to read or hear. Even though the

Jeff Chiu/AP

apocalyptic predictions of Hebrew and Christian authors often frighten and disturb us, they have a lot to teach us in this present age. We can’t walk away from them. “End of Time” scripture is good training and preparation for dealing with the present moment. Take what God has given us and create hope. That is what we are called to do!

Our editor and publisher has asked contributing editors to write about solutions. I believe our solutions will come into focus from our listening.

Listening is essential in finding solutions to the malaise we are in. My beloved wife, Susan Sitler, has a beautiful quote on the wall of our bedroom which reads in part, “…If we listen and hear what is being offered then anything in life can be our guide. Listen.”

I have begun to listen more.

Undone by the hatred and anger I was witnessing all around me, six months ago, I began to organize an interfaith group of clergy who ate breakfast together and talked about racial and economic justice. Our numbers have grown to 64 total. We are 38 White and 26 Black clergy.

Now meeting monthly, we call ourselves The Faithful Breakfast Club. We are like no other “club” in the city – as far as I can tell.

At one of our first meetings I asked the white clergy to shut up and listen. We sat there for 45 minutes and listened as our African-American

7

brothers and sisters talked about their experiences of racism. For many of the prayerful and thoughtful White Christian leaders in the room, it was the first time they had shut up and listened to any person of color. One woman was in tears as we walked out of Pastor Jason Ridley’s Seventh Day Adventist Church in the Hilltop. She said, “I have no idea the extent of the pain, rage and prejudice experienced in this community. I am ashamed.” We keep meeting. We are gaining strength in our growing relationships. We will act together when we can actually stand together.

But, in the meantime, we are listening.

There are many questions twisting in the tumult of our times.

But we need to ride the twisters to the ground.

We need to grab the questions and reign them in.

For example, the question is not “how do I deal with the fears and the anger I am feeling?” The question is, “Who am I?” Furthermore, who are you? Who are we? Are we fearful people or faithful people? Are we powerful people working together – Black, Brown and White – to create solutions based on the values which we hold deep and dear? Or are we just Black, just Brown and just White -more deeply divided over racial and economic injustice than ever before?

The questions I have today are not – “What do I know about Donald Trump? How will he lead our nation?” The questions instead are – “What kind of neighbors and friends are we? What do I know about Columbus and our community? What kind of Ohioans and Americans are we? How will we maintain our Just and Loving approach to all people? What kind of people of faith are we? Who are we?”

It is time for me to shut up and listen. But shutting up and listening must become a collective effort. I take my lead from scripture in which God speaks. God says, “Be still. Be still and know that I am God.” I am listening Lord. I am listening to you and your children.

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.

The Columbus African American 2016 The Columbus African American News Journal• •December February 2015

POLITICS

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

LAME DUCK SESSION AND AFRICAN AMERICAN MEMBERS INCREASED

By Senator Charleta B. Tavares

Tom West – Representative – elect of 49th District – Canton, OH (Stark County) Years in Office: January 1, 2004 to Present Ward 2 Councilman Political Affiliation: Democrat Education: 2001 Graduate University of Akron (Masters Social Work Adm.), 1993 Graduate University of Akron (Bachelors Social Work), 1988 Alumni Mount Union College (Business Administration) Current Employer: Owner/Operator, Pioneer with Vision Consultants, Owner - The Cantonian Restaurant and Lounge

The Ohio Legislature has resumed committee meetings and Session schedules in December to finish up the work of the 131st General Assembly (GA) or the Lame Duck Session.

Members and lobbyists are working feverishly to pass their legislative priorities initiated over the last two years (including the last several weeks) in order to pass them through both Chambers and then on to the Governor’s desk to sign into Glen Holmes – Representative – elect of the 63rd District, McDonald, OH (Trumbull law before December 31st.

County) In addition to completing the legislative agenda Political Affiliation: Democrat for the 131st General Assembly, the four caucuses Education: Girard High, Mount Union of the House and Senate elected their leadership University (Bachelors Sociology) teams for the 132nd General Assembly which Current Employer: Ohio Edison, Mayor of starts in January. All four caucuses saw changes McDonald due to either term limits (and/or moves to the other Chamber) or election losses.* In addition to the three new seats now held

by African Americans, two new members The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) were elected to replace outgoing members. realized an increase in the number of African Representatives – elect Bernadine Kennedy Kent Americans elected to the Ohio House and and Cathy Ingram were elected to replace current Senate. Former Representative Vernon Sykes state Representative Kevin Boyce, 25th District was elected as the first African American senator in Columbus and Representative Christie Bryant from Akron (Summit County). He replaces Kuhns, 32nd District in Cincinnati respectively. term-limited Senator Tom Sawyer who has Rep. Boyce was successfully elected as the first served since 2007. The Ohio Senate now has African American County Commissioner in five African American members out of the nine Franklin County. Rep. Kuhns decided not to seek re-election after accepting a position with member Democratic Caucus. the University of Cincinnati Health leading The OLBC also triumphed in electing two new strategic community relations. members to serve as the first African Americans elected to their respective districts – Rep.- elect Ms. Kent is a former teacher and administrator Tom West representing Canton, Ohio in Stark with Columbus City Schools. She currently County and Rep. – elect Glen Holmes who serves as an advocate for the rights, protection currently serves as Mayor of McDonald, Ohio in and safety of children as the Founder of Parent Advocates for Students in Schools (P.A.S.S.).

Trumbull County (see brief bios below) Ms. Ingram is an instructor at Northern Kentucky University and an independent consultant,

The Columbus African American •News December Journal 2016 • February 2015

8

working extensively on the local, state and federal levels to advance key issues facing education and has served on the Cincinnati School Board for over twenty years.

The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus now boasts thirteen African Americans in the Ohio House of Representatives and five members in the Ohio Senate.1 The OLBC is the first legislative organization in the nation to address the concerns and needs of African American communities.

OLBC (formerly known as the Black Elected Democrats of Ohio) was founded in 1967

by Representative C.J. McLin (deceased) of Dayton, Ohio. *The new leadership teams will be highlighted in the January edition of the Columbus African American.

OLBC has eleven members in the House and five members in the Ohio Senate. Two Cleveland African American House members, Patmon and Barnes, have chosen not to participate as members of OLBC.

1

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. She serves as the Ohio Senate Assistant Democratic Leader and the Ranking Member of the Senate Ways & Means and Health and Human Services Committees.

POLITICS

AFTER OBAMA’S LAST 100 DAYS: AN ACTION PLAN

By Ambrose Moses, III, JD We are in the last 100 days of Barack Obama’s second and final term as President of the United States of America. Even with the election results of 2016, all is not lost. As we prepare for 2017 and life under a new Presidential administration, Regulation Crowdfunding should be a part of the African American community’s action plan.

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act) of 2012 was one of the most significant laws signed by President Obama because it provides a new legal framework that both African Americanowned businesses and the African American community in general can utilize to gain access to capital and to accumulate wealth . . . even if to use regulated Internet-based funding portals are able to go online and invest in entrepreneurs to facilitate the offer and sale of securities in that they believe in.

Donald Trump is President. crowdfunding transactions.

African Americans have the financial resources, The JOBS Act legalized crowdfunding 1) as a way for startup and existing businesses to raise As President Obama explained before signing the creative talent, professional expertise, and business skills to create their own crowdfunding up to $1 million dollars from investors, and law, “because the U.S. is still recovering from one economy. of the worst recessions in our history, the last few 2) as a way for anyone (low income, middle income, and upper income) to safely invest years have been pretty tough on entrepreneurs.

Under the new rules, African Americans can in startup and existing businesses. This new Credit has been tight. And no matter how good be crowdfunding investors who invest into their ideas are, if an entrepreneur can’t get a loan type of crowdfunding is called Regulation African American-owned businesses that are Crowdfunding and is sometimes referred to as from a bank or backing from investors, it’s almost located inside and outside of African American impossible to get their businesses off the ground.” equity crowdfunding.

For African American entrepreneurs, this lack of communities and that employ people living inside and outside of African American communities.

The JOBS Act established a regulatory structure access to capital has been, and is, even worse.

Some of the money earned by these workers for startups and small businesses to raise money Title III of the JOBS Act is part of the solution. can then be spent with other African Americanthrough securities offerings using the Internet owned businesses, helping to harness the elusive through crowdfunding. The crowdfunding Here is what happens because of this law. Before “circulating dollar”. provisions of the JOBS Act were intended to the new law and rules, one could only turn to help provide startups and small businesses with a limited group of investors -- including banks While many African Americans and African capital by making relatively low dollar offerings and wealthy individuals -- to get funding. Laws American-owned businesses, like many other of securities, featuring relatively low dollar that were nearly 80-years-old made it impossible Americans, are not yet ready to engage actively for others to invest. But a lot has changed in 80 investments by the “crowd,” less costly. in Regulation Crowdfunding, with a little work, years, and it was time that our laws did as well. they can quickly be ready.

Congress included a number of provisions Because of the JOBS Act, start-ups and small intended to protect investors who engage in businesses now have access to a big, new pool Those who want to participate in Regulation these transactions, including investment limits, of potential investors -- namely, the American Crowdfunding should take a few next steps. required disclosures by issuers, and a requirement people. For the first time, ordinary Americans 1) Start defining your crowds by actively connecting with one another online and offline.

2) Crowdfunding investors should learn the basics about investing and Regulation Crowdfunding.

3) Entrepreneurs should learn the basics of Regulation Crowdfunding and hire lawyers to help them get their businesses in shape to qualify as an “issuer” under the new rules and pass a due diligence review.

Stay tuned to this space in 2017 as we work to create, educate, and activate crowdfunding within the African American community.

Ambrose Moses, III – Lawyer/Business/ Crowdfunding – (614) 418-7898 – www.

MosesLaw.pro – Twitter: @MosesLaw – Facebook: facebook.com/MosesLawOffice The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

9

The Columbus African American • December 2016

POLITICS

TEN DAYS AFTER:

HARASSMENT AND INTIMIDATION IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE ELECTION - A REPORT BY THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER “This kind of attack happened in the 1950s and ignorance, he must acknowledge that his own words 1960s,” Greenville’s mayor said, “but it shouldn’t have opened “wounds of division” in our country.

Rather than simply saying “Stop it!” and disavowing happen in 2016.”

The incident was just a harbinger of what has become the radical right, he must speak out forcefully and a national outbreak of hate, as white supremacists repeatedly against all forms of bigotry and reach out celebrate Donald Trump’s victory.* In the ten to the communities his words have injured. And rather days following the election, there were almost 900 than merely saying that he “wants to bring the country reports of harassment and intimidation from across together,” his actions must consistently demonstrate the nation. Many harassers invoked Trump’s name he is doing everything in his power to do so. Until during assaults, making it clear that the outbreak of president-elect Trump does these things, the hate that hate stemmed in large part from his electoral success. his campaign has unleashed is likely to continue to flourish.

People have experienced harassment at school, at work, at home, on the street, in public transportation, DATA COLLECTION in their cars, in grocery stores and other places of The 867 hate incidents described here come from business, and in their houses of worship. They most two sources — submissions to the #ReportHate page often have received messages of hate and intolerance on the SPLC website and media accounts. Incidents through graffiti and verbal harassment, although a were limited to real-world events; the count does small number also have reported violent physical not include instances of online harassment. We have interactions. Some incidents were directed at the excluded incidents that authorities have determined to be hoaxes; however, it was not possible to confirm Trump campaign or his supporters.

Of course, hate crimes and lower-level incidents of the veracity of all reports. racial or ethnically charged harassment have long been common in the United States. But the targets of post-election hate incidents report that they are experiencing something quite new.

“I have experienced discrimination in my life, but never in such a public and unashamed manner,” an Asian-American woman reported after a man told her to “go home” as she left an Oakland train station.

Likewise, a black resident whose apartment was vandalized with the phrase “911 nigger” reported that he had “never witnessed anything like this.” A Los Angeles woman, who encountered a man who told her he was “Gonna beat [her] pussy,” stated that she was in this neighborhood “all the time and never experienced this type of language before.” Not far away in Sunnyvale, California, a transgender person reported being targeted with homophobic slurs at a bar where “I’ve been a regular customer for 3 years — never had any issues.”

In his 60 Minutes interview that aired on November 13, President-elect Trump claimed that he was “surprised to hear” that some of his supporters had been using racial slurs and making threats against African Americans, Latinos, and gays. He shouldn’t have been. In his November 23 interview with The New York Times, Trump claimed he had no idea why white supremacists — the so-called “alt right” — had been “energized” by his campaign. Again, it’s no mystery. Both the harassment since the election and the energy on the radical right are the predictable results of the campaign that Trump waged for the presidency — a campaign marked by incendiary racial statements, the stoking of white racial resentment, and attacks on so-called “political correctness.”

People also have been harassed in their homes. Many have reported receiving threatening messages on their front lawns, slipped under their front doors, left on their porches, and taped onto their windshields. A Sudanese-American family in Iowa City, Iowa, for example, found a note attached to their door that read, “You can all go home now. We don’t want niggers and terrorists here. #trump.” A lesbian couple in Austin, Texas, came home to find “DYKE,” “Trump,” and a swastika spray-painted onto their door. One residence in Pittsburg, California, draped a banner proclaiming to neighbors: “You can hang a nigger from a tree equal rights he’ll never see.”

The targets or motivation of the harassers are also illustrated. The figure includes reported hate incidents motivated by disdain for Trump.

The category “Trump-General” refers to incidents in which harassers invoked Trump’s name but did not make their motivations clear. The “other” category refers to hate incidents motivated by bias against Asian Americans, Native Americans, or those The incidents documented here almost certainly with disabilities. Some incidents were difficult to represent a small fraction of the actual number of categorize because they appeared to be motivated by election-related hate incidents that have occurred multiple forms of hatred or bias. since November 8. The Bureau of Justice Statistics The number of reported incidents declined over the estimates that two-thirds of hate crimes go unreported ten days following the election. to the police. The underreporting problem is surely The following sections of this report describe some of more severe when it comes to hate incidents that may the incidents by each group targeted. not rise to the level of criminal violations and that are being reported to a new, little-known repository Anti-Immigrant established by a private organization.

Following a campaign in which promises to build As the hate incident location chart reflects, schools a wall between Mexico and the United States were — K-12 settings and colleges — have been the most frequently touted, anti-immigrant harassment was the common venues for hate incidents, a result that is most reported type received, frequently overlapping not surprising, given how prevalent bullying is in with over forms. Of the 867 hate incidents collected our nation’s schools and the characteristics of young by the SPLC, 280, or 32%, were motivated by antipeople. A Washington state teacher reported that at immigrant sentiment. her school: In Punta Gorda, Florida, an argument between a “Build a wall” was chanted in our cafeteria Wed [after Hispanic family and a woman who nearly drove the election] at lunch. “If you aren’t born here, pack through a crosswalk escalated when she told your bags” was shouted in my own classroom. “Get them they “should all be deported.” In Dallas, an older white man walked by a Hispanic man and, out spic” was said in our halls. unprovoked, yelled, “Go back to Mexico!” An A mother from Colorado offered this story: onlooker noted that most people looked surprised, My 12-year-old daughter is African American. A but no one said anything. boy approached her and said, “Now that Trump is Sadly, even children have been targeted by adult president, I’m going to shoot you and all the blacks strangers in public places. On a beach in Hermosa, I can find.”

California, a 10-year-old boy was approached by a Hate incidents have also been extremely common in two settings where strangers are likely to encounter one another — on the street and in retail establishments. A woman from Louisiana submitted the following report:

middle-aged white man who called him a “beaner” and told him to “get the fuck out” of the country.

Latino residents have reported being harassed by their neighbors. In Tuscola County, Mich., a Latino family was shocked to find a wall of boxes scrawled I was standing at a red light waiting to cross the street. with “Trump,” “Take America Back,” and “Mexicans A black truck with three white men pulled up to the suck.”

At this point, it is not enough for Trump to look in red light. One of them yelled, “F... your black life!” Deportation threats have often been made during the camera and say “Stop it!” to the harassers, as The other two began to laugh. One began to chant vitriolic face-to-face encounters. In Silver Spring, he did on 60 Minutes. Nor is it enough for him to “Trump!” as they drove away.

Maryland, a female shopper berated a Latino worker simply “disavow” the white supremacists who see When an 18-year old service employee in Kalamazoo, for not working fast enough. She demanded to know him as their champion, as he did at the Times. If he Michigan, asked a man if he needed help, he replied, where he was from, and, despite the fact that he was is to make good on the first promise he made as the “I don’t need to ask you for shit. Donald Trump is born in the United States, she repeatedly yelled “This president-elect — his pledge to “bind the wounds of president.” He then called her a “black bitch” and spat division” in our country — he must repair the damage on her shoes. A cashier in Minnesota and a hostess in Continued on Page 11 that his campaign has caused. Rather than feign Illinois were both called “nigger” by their customers.

The Columbus African American •News December 2016 Journal • February 2015

10

POLITICS Continued from Page 10 is my country,” while derisively referring to him as “El Salvador.”

Asian-Americans were also among those targeted with anti-immigrant rhetoric and racial slurs. While a Chinese-American high school student was getting gas, a white man approached her to say, “Can’t wait for Trump to deport you or I will deport you myself, dyke yellow bitch.” On a sidewalk in San Antonio, Texas, a young man asked a girl waiting for the bus, “You’re Asian, right? When they see your eyes, you are going to be deported.”

Undocumented immigrants often fear that reporting harassment and abuse will reveal their status, resulting in the likely underreporting of incidents. Many such incidents are reported only by friends, as was the case with a 12-year-old in Greenville, South Carolina, The middle schooler was surrounded by eight classmates who told her they “couldn’t wait to see her ugly face deported.” She fought them and is now facing a court date that her mother is terrified will result in the family’s deportation. A family friend reported the incident.

Students and young people have absorbed divisive campaign rhetoric and are using it to taunt and harass their classmates, with chants of “Build the wall!” making their way into school cafeterias, hallways, and buses. In Colorado Springs, Colorado, 8th grade students told Latino students on the school bus, “Not only should Trump build a wall, but it should be electrocuted (sic) and Mexicans should have to wear shock collars.” In Redding, California, students brought “deportation letters” to school for their Latino classmates.

Children’s anxieties about being deported are described by one mother’s report from Greenville, North Carolina. When her son asked, “Mom, am I going to be deported?” She told him, “No, why?”

And he said, “Because almost every kid in school was telling me that I was going to be deported to Mexico.

And I told them no, I was born a U.S. citizen. But they said, ‘Yes you are, ’cause you are Mexican — just look at your skin color.’”

Even teachers, those charged with caring for and shaping our young people, have reportedly expressed anti-immigrant sentiments to their students. In Los Angeles, a teacher was recorded telling her student that her parents would be deported. She said, “I have your phone numbers, your address, your mama’s address, your daddy’s address; it’s all in the system, sweetie.” Black students, too, have received this type of harassment from adults they should be able to trust.

Anti-immigration harassment hasn’t been restricted to Latino students. In Wesley Chapel, Florida, a teacher scolded the behavior of black students by saying, “Don’t make me call Donald Trump to get you sent back to Africa.” In Indiana, a 7th grader demanded to know whether a classmate adopted from China was in fact Mexican, because, if so, “Trump is going to kill you.” A middle-school student in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, had her hijab forcefully removed, causing her to fall. A 13-year-old adopted from Mozambique was told by her classmates in California, “Now that Trump won, you’re going to have to go back to Africa — where you belong.”

Anti-Black More than 180, or 23% of the documented incidents reflect anti-black sentiment. The vast majority of incidents targeting black people have consisted of racial slurs, whether in graffiti or face-to-face harassment. In Los Angeles, a five-feet by three-feet

sign was propped next to a bus shelter reading, “NO NIGGERS.” In Arizona, a woman putting groceries in her trunk reported that two men in a pickup truck yelled “Trump forever, you half-nigger slut bitch!” as they drove past her.

Matter read: “We are organizing a new movement to rid our neighborhood of niggers. No more Black Lives Matter! Kill them all.”

African Americans have been frequently targeted with harassment featuring references of Trump and his campaign. A note left in the bathroom of an Iowa university read, “TRUMP 2016 Lets (sic) Run those Niggers and Illegals out of town.” In Nevada, a cashier reported a customer approaching the counter to ask her, “Why so sad? Now that Trump has won, you can all go back to Africa!” In San Diego, a driver yelled at a person crossing the street, “Fucking nigger, go back to Africa! The slave ship is loading up! TRUMP!” One woman reported that a man in a Trump hat approached her at a diner and laughed as he motioned to her biracial daughter, “You’re gonna have to send that one back now.”

In many anti-black incidents, references to lynching has been common. “Noose Tying 101” was written on a whiteboard at San Francisco State University, and a black doll was found hanging from a noose in an elevator at New York’s Canisius College. A man in Kansas City, Missouri, reported that a noose and swastika were spray-painted onto his car, and a young woman in New York City received a text message from a high school classmate reading, “Fuck u nigger bitch. Die. Painfully from a tree….Or being dragged behind a pickup truck flying the confederate flag filled with dem good ol boys. Nigger scum. Cotton picker.”

On the Las Vegas Strip, a white man punched two Anti-Muslim black men and attempted to assault a black woman.

After the attack, he chanted “Donald Trump!” and Hate incidents involving Muslims, or those perceived to be Muslim, were about 6% of the total collected by “White Power!” the SPLC. White people have been threatened for bringing black friends past the boundaries of “white neighborhoods.” Muslim Americans are frequently characterized as A man in Natick, Massachusetts received three letters terrorists. In Nashville, a white man in a truck hurled warning that his community had “zero tolerance for racial slurs at a woman wearing a hijab while she black people.” “We have reclaimed our country back waited for the bus with her son. “Go back to your by selecting Trump,” one note read, “and you are fucking country and take your terrorist son with you,” now messing up everything.” The final letter warned, he said as he drove away. In El Cajon, California, “We have just cleared the white house of niggers! Do a business received a typed note that read: “BE not bring niggers in our neighborhood... We will kill PREPARED TO GO BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY WITH ISIS…DONALD TRUMP WILL KICK them.”

ALL OF YOUR ASS BACK WHERE YOU CAME In Clarksburg, Virginia, a white woman married to a FROM.” black man found a note attached to the family’s front door that read, “you’re worse than your nigger family At a hospital in Chicago, a woman reported that a because you should know better. Race trader (sic). man in the elevator looked at her and said, “Fuckin’ Trump 2016.” In Brundidge, Alabama, an interracial sand-nigger. Thank God Trump is now president. He’s couple found a gun target tacked to the front door gonna deport your terrorist ass.” of their restaurant with a pair of nooses hung on Muslim women wearing hijabs have been particularly either side. A white couple with eleven adopted black vulnerable to threats and assault. Women reported children were the object of a letter that read, “You and being grabbed by their hijab, including a San Jose yours need to stay separate — NOT EQUAL.” State University student who was choked and fell Other anti-black incidents have cited contemporary when a man pulled her head scarf from behind in a themes, like the vandalism of a building in Durham, parking garage.

North Carolina, with the phrase “Black Lives Don’t Anti-LGBT Matter (sic) and Neither Does Your Votes.” In Washington, D.C., a flier referencing Black Lives Continued on Page 12 11

The Columbus African American The Columbus African American News Journal• •December February 2016 2015

POLITICS Continued from Page 11

where St. David’s Episcopal church was vandalized with a swastika and the phrases “Heil Trump” and “fag church.” In Mason City, Iowa, a sign outside First Congregational United Church of Christ, which reads: “We are a sanctuary for the least, lost, gay & straight, female, Muslim… For all! God’s love wins!” was similarly sprayed red to cover the word “gay.”

Anti-Woman Since the election, the frequency and tone of street harassment of women seems to have changed. Women — about 5% of the total reports — reported that boys and men around the country are parroting the president-elect’s sexist and vulgar comments from the now-notorious 2005 audio tape. In Minneapolis, middle-school boys leaned out of a school bus to yell, “Grab her by the pussy!” to a man walking with a female colleague. A 50 year-old woman from Venice, California, reported that she had not been “catcalled” in over 20 years. The day after the election, three white men in a pickup truck bearing a Trump sticker shouted at her, “Do you want us to grab your pussy?”

In Arlington, Virginia, a woman crossing the street reported that two young white men yelled at her from their car: “You better be ready because with Trump, we can grab you by the pussy even if you don’t want it.” In New York, a girl on her way to school reported that a man on the subway told her he was “allowed to grab my pussy because it’s legal now.”

Since the election, LGBT people have experienced harassment by those who allege that the presidentelect shares their anti-LGBT sentiments. In Brighton, Michigan, a woman was approached by two white men who told her, “Just so you know, we hate fucking dykes and so does our President.” In Russellville, Arkansas, a woman found a note written on a piece A woman in Spokane, Washington, reported that she of trash taped to her door, which read, “Trump says encountered young men who she described as being get back in the closet, fags!” “‘liberated’ from normal behavior since the election.”

In Sarasota, Florida, a 75-year-old gay man was They shouted “We’re going to rape you!” from a Jeep ripped from his car and beaten by an assailant who with the word “TRUMP” emblazoned on its side. told him, “You know my new president says we can And in a Brooklyn, New York, restaurant, a woman kill all you faggots now.” who voiced her support for Hillary Clinton was Harassment of LGBT individuals has been reported across the country, making up 11% of all reported incidents. People in Michigan, Colorado, Indiana, Texas, Washington, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Massachusetts all reported finding homophobic slurs spray-painted or carved onto their front doors, windows, mailboxes and porches. In North Canton, Ohio, a couple reported “DYKE” was scratched into the driver’s door and hood of their car within hours of the election, the first anti-LGBT harassment they’ve experienced in the four years they’ve lived in the neighborhood. Pride flags in Rochester, New York, were set on fire while still attached to people’s homes.

“kike.” While looking for Hanukkah decorations, a parent and her 2-year-old child in Bel Air, Maryland., were called “fucking Jews” by another shopper. In New York, a man drove by a Jewish woman waiting for a cab and yelled “nice nose!” before adding, “Make America great again.” “I have grown up in New York for 25 years and have never been the victim of an anti-Semitic remark,” she reported.

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, a woman caught a stranger trying to take the “I’m With Her” bumper sticker off of her car. When confronted, the perpetrator asked her if she was a Jew because she “looked like one.” “Get ready for your next exodus lady,” they told her, “because we’re about to clean out this country.”

White Nationalism White nationalists have openly embraced Donald Trump, and following his election victory, the language, literature, and symbols of white nationalism have cropped up throughout the country.

A vast number of white nationalist fliers and recruiting materials have appeared in businesses, public parks, on people’s cars, in driveways, and, especially, on college campuses around the country. “Are you sick of anti-white propaganda in college? YOU ARE NOT ALONE,” a widely distributed flier read. “RACE IS REAL. Your professors are lying to you to keep their jobs.”

Many fliers perpetuate long-debunked myths of white racial superiority and contain warnings against miscegenation. A handout found on many college campuses explained “Why White Women Shouldn’t Date Black Men.” Other posters encourage whites people to openly embrace their white identity. “Love who you are,” a flier at an Ohio university read, punched in the face by a male patron. “white people have the right to exist as white people.

BE WHITE.” The distribution of Klu Klux Klan Anti-Semitism recruiting materials has also been reported around In the wake of the election, we recorded 100 antithe country.

Semitic incidents, about 12% of the total recorded.

The figure includes 80 vandalism and graffiti incidents Anti-Trump of swastikas, without specific references to Jews.

Of the 867 hate incidents collected by the SPLC, 23 Swastikas have been scrawled in public spaces, schools, driveways, and on people’s cars and garage doors. Many of these incidents simply feature a swastika and a reference to the president-elect.

were anti-Trump. In the days following the election, there were far fewer reports of anti-Trump harassment and intimidation than there were of the other types of harassment catalogued in this report; however, the Other incidents involving swastikas are more clearly small number of anti-Trump incidents may also reflect anti-Semitic. In Vermont, members of Havurah the fact that Trump supporters may have been unlikely A common refrain in anti-LGBT harassment is the Synagogue found swastikas drawn on the temple’s to report incidents to the SPLC. threat of rescinding the constitutional protections of front door in the week following the election. In Many of the reported anti-Trump incidents were same-sex marriage. In Brighton, Iowa, a couple got Chicago, a man wearing a yarmulke was called a characterized by a connection between the targets this note under their windshield: “So father homo, and the Trump campaign. In Denver, for example, how does it feel to have Trump as your president? At Trump campaign headquarters were vandalized with least he’s got a set of balls. They’ll put marriage back the word “No” the day after the election. Harassers where God wants it and take your’s away. America’s also targeted people holding Trump signs or wearing gonna take care of your faggity ass.” In North Trump campaign paraphernalia, such as “Make Carolina, a couple received a similar note: “Can’t wait America Great Again” hats. In New York, a man until your ‘marriage’ is overturned by a real president. wearing a Trump hat was reportedly grabbed around Gay families = burn in hell. #Trump2016.” the neck while riding the subway, and, in Connecticut, LGBT children have not escaped harassment in the a man was assaulted after a verbal altercation over wake of the election. In upstate New York, students a Trump sign. In Chicago, a white motorist was wrote homophobic slurs and drew a swastika on a assaulted by black teenagers who shouted, “It’s one of teen’s headphones while he was in class. In Cedar them white boy Trump guys!” after a reported traffic Falls, Iowa, a 16-year-old decided to drop out of altercation. school after a series of incidents in which schoolmates Acknowledgments

called her a fag and queer, and threatened to “grab her by the pussy.” The teenager came out four years ago and her parents said, “We never experienced anything like that. All of a sudden, the 9th (of November) hits, and she’s some kind of freak — she’s a target.”

This report was written by Cassie Miller and Alexandra Werner-Winslow and edited by Richard Cohen, Wendy Via, and Alex Amend.

RESEARCHERS

Churches that performed same-sex marriages or had banners advertising inclusivity have been targeted in the wake of the election, as in Beanblossom, Ind., The Columbus African American •News December Journal 2016 • February 2015

Alex Amend, Troy Dabney, Cassie Miller, Angbeen Saleem, Will Tucker, and Alexandra Werner-Winslow 12

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The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

By Tina Pierce, PhD The recent election of Donald Trump has given new energy to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s profound question, where do we go from here: chaos or community? As we approach 2017, we are facing the fact that this election will impact all of us, our families, our communities -- and the future of our country.

This reality has many people feeling discouraged, disappointed, anxious, and angry. These feelings are understandable and reasonable, but we cannot let them keep us from thinking and acting to create social, economic, and political change in our communities. In this time of uncertainty, we must take action to build community and create change.

It is time to continue the work of Dr. King and our ancestors to secure the protection of equal access to liberties, rights, and opportunities for all members of our society by developing community-based action plans. Active and intense community participation is important to our efforts to bring about greater justice and opportunities because there is value in locally tailored solutions. Community participation is also important because we know the history of our communities. We have a deep understanding of the problems our communities face. Active community participation in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of solutions increases the likelihood of successful problem solving.

This call to action and community participation is not new. Throughout history, African Americans have been taking action and leading movements to expand civil rights and social justice. Our participation, is what makes today’s call to action different. As a community, we must work to bring about greater justice and opportunities by: 1. Identifying our perceived and measurable

problems, 2. Prioritizing our problems, 3. Gathering our collective resources, 4. Developing sustainable strategies and actions, 5. Implementing our solutions, and, 6. Measuring and monitoring our progress

In these uncertain times, may the resilience, strength, and intelligence of our ancestors encourage us to do the work that needs to be done. Let us focus on our mission to build community, spread hope, and position ourselves to affect change in the future. Like our ancestors, let us choose to build an active community.

and reflective ways. The principal goals of the academy are to help individuals develop: (1) an increased understanding of democratic concepts, principles, and values that are integral to a civil society, (2) the skills and resources necessary to participate as informed and responsible community members, and, (3) an increased understanding that civic engagement and leadership encompasses community involvement, advocacy, and an awareness of national, state, and local issues.

Building an active community will not be quick, easy, or painless. It will take a gathering of our collective strengths and resources. It will require genuine and honest conversations about where we are, our values, and our vision for the future.

It will take fierce dedication.

Registration for the Civic Education and Leadership Academy begins on December 1st On November 20th, I joined a group of and is limited to 30 participants. Please visit the community facilitators to begin developing a following website to reserve your space, civiccommunity-based action plan by hosting, Stand education-and-leadership-academy.html.

Up Speak Out: A Community Conversation. Our multi-generational dialogue included individuals So where do we go from here, now that from across Franklin County. As a community Donald Trump is our president elect: chaos or we discussed how the recent election outcomes community? Let us resolve to finish the work and political rhetoric has impacted our lives. We of our ancestors. Let us dedicate ourselves then moved to identify some of the current and to building community, where hope is the future problems we face. We ended our dialogue cornerstone of our efforts. For there is nothing by sharing ways we could individually and more powerful than when our community comes collectively begin to make positive changes in together to share experiences, ideas, hope - and our communities. We will continue developing take action! our community-based action plan through a Civic Education and Leadership Academy. This 10week nonpartisan multi-generational academy Dr. Tina Pierce is the founder of WORTH is dedicated to promoting an informed and (Working Through Obstacles Reaching True responsible citizenry, while being committed Heights) and a contributing writer for The to working on social issues in collaborative Columbus African American news journal.

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

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The Columbus African American • December 2016

HOLIDAY SHOPPING

SUPPORT BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES As you prepare to do your holiday shopping, The Columbus African American would like for you to consider supporting African and African American owned businesses. Everyone has been inundated with Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, many of which neglect our communities.We hope that as you continue to shop this holiday season, please support companies that give back to our communities through employment, resources and/or donations. Please use this as a guide to help navigate the marketplace.

RESTAURANTS

SUPER CHEF’S

FAMILY AFFAIR

WHAT THE WAFFLE

Downtown - 199 E. Broad St., 43215 Gahanna - 1344 Cherry Bottom Rd., 43230 Breakfast and More is probably the best way to describe this restaurant. Before you go, please plan to bring your appetite! With selections like the Hulk Breakfast Sandwhich or Pineapple Upsidedown Pancakes, this place is only for super heroes! For more menu options and prices, visit their website at www.MySuperChefs.com

3781 S. Hamilton Road, 43125 There is nothing like having a home-cooked meal!

And if that is what you crave, then head over to Family Affair on State Route 33 and Winchester Pike. Come prepared to eat! With their fall-offthe-bone ribs, cake-like cornbread and delicious sweet tea, you will probably need a nap afterwards!

For more information, visit their website at www.

FamilyAffairCateringCo.com

1117 Oak Street, 43205 After being a business executive for more than two decades, a professional caterer and the owner of a gourmet cookie business, What the Waffle was created with the desire to provide a twist on the traditional made-from-scratch Belgian Waffle. This is definately one breakfast spot to add to your morning commute. For a complete menu and hours, visit www.

WhatTheWaffle.org.

BLACK ART PLUS

SOLE CLASSICS

REPLENISH SPA

43 Parsons Ave, 43215 Looking to make an investment? Well, then look no further than Black Art Plus. Art appreciates and the stores’ owner, Dr. George Miller, will appreciate your business. Aside from paintings and photos, check out his collection of fine African sculptures and so much more. This is one place where you can take your time to puruse and enjoy. For more information and store hours, visit them online at www.BlackArtPlus.com.

846 N. High Street, 43125 Sometimes having a unique pair of shoes is not enough. Custom shoes are about as unique as you can get. If you want to get a really cool gift for a young person who is into designer shoes, then check out Sole Classics in the Short North. This place is a one-stopshop for everything hip! And if you can’t find it in the store, then visit their website at www.SoleClassics. com

124 S. Washington Ave., 43215 Don’t let the holiday stress get you down. Instead, Replenish yourself by taking a yoga class or schedule a deep tissue massage, a facial or perhaps an acupuncture session. It may be cold outside, but this warm, natural environment will not only ease your mind, but also soothe your soul. For more information about their services, visit them online at www.ReplenishWith.us

STORES

BOOKS ISPAT Children’s Books www.Amazon.com Stephanie R. Bridges is a spoken word artist, author and publisher. She has published three children’s books.

“If I Were Part of the Animal Kingdom” is about Khalil who loves animals, but doesn’t like being told what to do; “My Favorite Color is Blue” is about Asha who loves school and the color blue; and, “Fight the Air Guy” is about Jelani who is trying to figure out how he fits in, while simultaneously standing out. These books are perfect for children up to eight years old. “I SPaT” is Stephanie’s poetic autobiographical journey and suitable for adults. All four books are on Amazon.com.

The Columbus African American •News December 2016 Journal • February 2015

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AARP AND FRANK ABAGNALE LAUNCH EFFORT TO END THE TECH SUPPORT SCAM

MICROSOFT SURVEY FINDS TWO-THIRDS OF CONSUMERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE SCAM WASHINGTON, D.C. – With U.S. consumers falling victim to the “technical support scam” in greater numbers than ever before, the AARP Fraud Watch Network today launched an initiative to raise awareness of the scam and educate consumers about how they can protect themselves.

said Abagnale. “The large computer firms never make proactive calls or send email to provide unrequested technical support.”

Executing the scam via telephone, email or even pop-up ads, the scammers inform a targeted person that a virus or some other security problem has been detected on the victim’s computer, and offer to make a repair. Instead, their goal is to gain control of the computer, access personal files and passwords, and obtain credit card information to charge the consumer for the supposed repair or a warranty program -- which proves to be worthless.

A survey released last month by Microsoft found that over the past year two-thirds of consumers have experienced the tech support scam, in which fraudsters pose as technicians from one of the major computer companies. AARP’s effort to educate consumers includes online content, advertising and media appearances featuring The Microsoft survey indicates that 20% of the renowned security expert and Fraud Watch people surveyed around the world continued with a potentially fraudulent interaction after the first Network Ambassador Frank Abagnale. contact. This means that the victim downloaded “If you or someone you know receives a call or harmful software, gave the scammers access an email from someone identifying themselves to their computer, visited a scam website, or as a technician with Microsoft, Google, Apple or provided a credit card or other forms of payment. some other well-known technology company, it is likely to be a scam. Just hang up the phone,” Interestingly, of the victims who continued

interacting with the scammers, half were millennials (ages 18-34). Thirty-four percent were between ages 36-54, and 17% were age 55 or older.

Abagnale advises consumers never to give control of their computer to a third party, nor to provide a credit card number to pay for unsolicited repair services or warranty programs.

For more tips about how keep yourself safe from technical support scammers, visit the new Fraud Watch Network web page at: www.aarp. org/TechScams. The site includes detailed descriptions of how fraudsters execute their scams, video and other content, and a list of recommended “Dos and Don’ts” when dealing with a suspected fraudster. An educational booklet, published by Microsoft and the FWN, can also be downloaded from the site.

Abagnale, who was named AARP Fraud Watch Ambassador in 2015, has been associated with the FBI for more than four decades, and has advised and consulted with hundreds of financial institutions, corporations and government agencies around the world. Abagnale’s story was told in his best-selling book, Catch Me if You Can, and in the 2002 movie of the same name, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network was launched in 2013 as a free resource for people of all ages.

The website provides information about fraud and scams, prevention tips from experts, an interactive Scam-Tracking Map, fun educational quizzes, and video presentations featuring Abagnale. Users may sign up for “Watchdog Alert” emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-9083360 to speak with trained volunteers. ### About AARP AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million that helps people turn their goals and dreams into ‘Real Possibilities’ by changing the way America defines aging. With staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and promote the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare security, financial security and personal fulfillment. AARP also advocates for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world’s largest circulation magazine, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @aarp and our CEO @JoAnn_Jenkins on Twitter.

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

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The Columbus African American • December 2016

COMMUNITY

OPPORTUNITY YOUTH: OPPORTUNITY DEFERRED OR OPPORTUNITY TAKEN

By Robert “Bo” Chilton The future prospects of the nation’s youth are impacted by the growing detachment of young people from societal expectations and the probabilities that increase their value over time.

A report released in January 2012 titled “The Economic Value of Opportunity Youth” provides a clear understanding of problems facing our young people. The report summary states that “in the early adult years, it is important for youth to gain additional skills through further educational, training and work experience. Yet many of America’s youth are neither enrolled in school nor are they participating in the labor market--they are not investing their human capital or earning income.” This disconnection by young people represents a significant loss of economic opportunity for the nation. The report further examines the status of these opportunity youth, who are defined as young people ages 1624 who are neither in school nor are working, and measures the impact of their absence in these areas.

half of all youth in Franklin County (age 16-24) are not working. This figure includes more than 17,000 youth who are actively job searching but cannot find work, which resulted in an unemployment rate of 17 percent (highest among For this particular age group, the report estimates all age categories in Franklin County). that nationwide at least 6.7 million (17 percent) are currently opportunity youth. Opportunity Additionally, this report states that young youth may have dropped out of high school or adults have high rates of poverty (37 percent) college and may have been unable to find work. and low median household incomes ($21,561).

Additionally, these opportunity youth may have Interestingly, the report states that opportunity been involved in the criminal justice system; youth are disproportionately male and from may have mental or health conditions that have minority groups, but substantial rates were found inhibited their activities; or may have care giving for all groups. Also, one in four young adult responsibilities in their families. households earns less than $10,000 per year, including 40 percent of young African American Moreover, studies have revealed that some households. opportunity youth are “chronic,” which means that they have never been in school or work after Both of the aforementioned studies suggest that the age of 16. Similarly, other opportunity youth in order to draw on the potential of opportunity are “under-attached,” which means that despite youth, it is necessary to make cost effective, some schooling and some work experience targeted investments toward youth who are beyond 16, these youth have not progressed on the margin of education and work. In this through college or secured a stable attachment to vein, IMPACT has a new program geared the labor market. to serve opportunity youth. As a part of the future talent recruitment initiative, IMPACT’s Recent studies indicate that after each opportunity REACH Program (Re-engage, Empower, Affirm, youth reaches the age of 25, he or she will Challenge, Honor) seeks to embrace opportunity subsequently impose a future lifetime taxpayer youth and provide a sequential series of activities burden of $170,740 and a social burden of that educate and support behaviors that lead to $529,030. According to the study, the immediate active participation in society. burden is only a fraction of the future loss in potential, that is on average, only one quarter of The REACH program serves opportunity youth the burden is incurred in youth (up to 24); three- ages 16-24 years old who are not currently quarters is incurred afterward (ages 25-65). In enrolled in school and are not employed. These total, a 20 year old opportunity youth will impose young people are provided the opportunity to a full tax payer burden of $235,680 and a full explore careers in Armed Forces, Culinary Arts, social burden of $704,020. These are lump sum Customer Service, Health Care, Hospitality, IT, amounts expressed in 2011 present value dollars. Logistics, Manufacturing, Office Administration In a 2015 report titled “Opportunity Awaits,” and Transportation.

The Columbus Foundation reports that there are 20,500 young adults in Franklin County Through the REACH Program opportunity who are not in school and who are not working. youth receive work readiness instruction, It states that together these youth produce a vocational training, entrepreneurial training and substantial fiscal and social burden that exceeds financial literacy. Through paid certifications $647,100,000 annually in lost productivity, tax and paid internships, career exploration revenue, and higher expenditures in criminal becomes the springboard towards employment, justice, public assistance and health care. entrepreneurship or furthering educational goals.

Moreover, this report states that an estimated The national study suggests that half of all 51,000 Franklin County youth, ages 18-24, do opportunity youth are chronic and that these not have any college experience including 18,000 youth will require a substantial array of social who lack a diploma or GED; and that roughly and economic supports.

The Columbus African American •News December 2016 Journal • February 2015

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IMPACT’s REACH Program utilizes the Comprehensive Case Management Employment Program model. This nationally recognized model provides the framework and matrix of interaction with staff and opportunity youth as partners to strengthen relationships and obtain desired results.

Opportunity youth work with their case manager, career and academic coaches to make informed career, education, entrepreneur or military choices. Once a foundation of trust is established, confidence levels will increase and expectations are raised. Accountability is an expectation.

Opportunity youth need someone to hold them accountable and they also need someone they can count on.

The REACH program is in its second year of operation. Opportunity youth may apply yearround daily from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at IMPACT’s Headquarters at 700 Bryden Road in Columbus.

No appointment is necessary to apply for the REACH program.

The REACH Program is funded by the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio. To learn more about the REACH Program visit www. impactca.org.

Sources: The Columbus Foundation: Opportunity Awaits: Reconnecting Franklin County Young Adults to School and Work: http://columbusfoundation.org/ media/1230/report_opportunity-youth.pdf For The Corporation For National And Community Service and the White House Council For Community Solutions: Clive R. Belfield Queens College, City University of New York, Henry M. Levin William Heard Kilpatrick Professor of Economics and Education Teachers College, Columbia University, Rachel Rosen Teachers College, Columbia University: “The Economic Value of Opportunity Youth.” http:// www.civicenterprises.net/MediaLibrary/Docs/ econ_value_opportunity_youth.pdf Robert “Bo” Chilton is the President/CEO of IMPACT Community Action Agency.

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The Columbus African American 2016 The Columbus African American News Journal• •December February 2015

COVER STORY NED PETTUS, JR., PhD -- SUCCESS IS A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION

By Ray Miller Columbus Safety Director, Dr. Ned Pettus, Jr. is on a mission. The man who arguably holds the second most powerful position in City government, next to the Mayor, is fully committed to improving diversity within the Columbus Police and Fire Departments. He has the full backing of Mayor Andrew Ginther to substantially diversify the safety forces and to do so with a real sense of urgency. The Columbus African American news journal believes that the Mayor has truly selected the right man for this most difficult job.

Ned Pettus is one of the most recognized and respected professionals in his field.

There are not many Safety Directors in America who are as perfectly suited for their position, as is Director Pettus. He served for 10 years as the City’s Fire Chief. He believes strongly in the value of education and has demonstrated such throughout his long and distinguished career. He understands the value of relationships in the safety forces, and he has personally and programatically insured that this factor is communicated effectively to individuals in underrepresented groups who desire to become police officers and firefighters.

It Is Not Where You Come From, But Where You Are Going That Matters Most Ned Pettus is a lifelong resident of the City of Columbus--born November 19, 1951. His parents migrated to Columbus from Huntsville, Alabama where they had been sharecroppers. Pettus said, coming up, I always had a desire for the finer things in life--Italian knit shirts and the like. My mother was 5’ 2” and my dad was not much taller at 5’ 6”. I knew the likelihood of me earning a living as an athlete was not very promising, so I went to work at OSU Hospital as an orderly. The Head Nurse, Laura Dowe, was impressed by my work ethic and strongly encouraged me to make application to join the Columbus Division of Fire.

I was very lucky to have her pushing me at such a young age. Also, as a 14 year old, I met the late Captain William Smith, which gave me the opportunity to see an African American Fireman and have some interaction with him. Those were the seeds that were planted in me to pursue what would become a 35 year career in the Columbus Division of Fire.

The Greatness Of Our Past Is The Key To Our Future Director Pettus reels off the names of the early African American Firefighters and Police Officers

with reverence--Buddy Jones, A.K.White, Police Chief James Jackson, Sgt. Charlie Martin, Harvey Alston, and others. He recalls a time when the Columbus Division of Fire was divided into two separate units--one for Caucasian fire fighters, and the other for African American fire fighters. The Columbus Division of Fire’s African American unit was called the Colored Contingent and All African Americans were assigned to the firehouse, located on Oak Street and Marble Alley. The Colored Contingent remained in force until it was disbanded in 1913. In 1935, 16 African American men were hired to work in the all Black Fire Station #8, which was located on Mt. Vernon Avenue and 20th Street.It took until

The December 2016 The Columbus Columbus African African American American •News Journal • February 2015

the year 1953 until Fire Station #8 was ordered to be desegregated. Even then, only 12 more African Americans were hired into the Division over the next 20 years.

What helped to bring about significant numerical change was the implementation of a Federal Consent Decree enacted to remedy the discriminatory hiring practices of the Columbus Police and Fire Departments, and have minority representation within the both Divisions reflect the minority population of the City. While that goal has not been reached, substantial progress was made. But now we see the ranks being decimated by the retirement of those who helped to bolster the numbers of African Americans, women, and other people of color. This presents a monumental challenge and an even greater opportunity for Director Pettus. His engagement, direct appeals, and educational outreach have been non-stop.

You Don’t Want To Look Back And Know You Could Have Done Better Director Ned Pettus is a disciplined, goaloriented, humble man. Years after graduating from Linden McKinley High School in 1969, Pettus would go on to receive his Bachelor’s degree from Capital University--Summa Cum Laude, a Master of Science degree from Central Michigan University, and a Master of Arts and PhD degree in Human and Organizational Development from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California.

Further solidifying his knowledge in his chosen profession, Pettus wrote a dissertation to “examine how urban fire chiefs understand their role, function, and responsibility in the implementation and management of critical interorganizational collaborations as they faced

Pettus honored on his last day as Fire Chief in 2012.

(Photo by Eric Albrecht/Dispatch)

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COVER STORY disasters and other pervasive service challenges, such as improving organizational diversity and inclusion, and implementing mobile integrated healthcare programs in their urban fire department districts.” The academic research and study bolsters the practical application as Police and Fire Divisions throughout America are addressing implicit racial bias and difficult recruiting barriers just to mention two areas of need.

You Must Be The Change You Want To See In The World Director Pettus understands better than most that tradition and relationships are prime motivators for hiring in the safety forces. It is not unusual to see generations of Caucasian family members who have chosen to become Police Officers or Fire Fighters. This is not the norm with most African American aspirants.

Pettus has broken down this barrier in his own family. Chief Pettus’ son, Ned Jamar, is also a Columbus Fire Fighter. I started grooming him when he was a youngster. He didn’t need a consent decree because of his exposure.

Pettus’ brother Robert, is a retired member of the division and his cousin, Bill Reedus is an investigator with the Division’s Arson Bureau.

Director Pettus and his wife, Lonette, have four children and seven grandchildren.

Again, Pettus’ voice is strong and clear, being a fire fighter is a very good job with high salaries, great benefits and potential for advancement.

“I am passionate about this, he says, not only because I was the first African American Fire Chief, but also because I have seen first hand so many of the disadvantages and barriers that exist for young African Americans today. Simply put, he says, we need so much more diversity within our Police And Fire Divisions. We don’t have a Federally imposed Consent Decree to mandate

North West Elevation Pettus (Far Right) with Mayor Andy Ginther (C), Councilmember Mitchell Brown (L) and Police Chief Kim Jacobs at the press conference on the shooting of Tyre King (Summer 2016).

the hiring of minorities in the safety forces. The recruitment, education, and convincing has to be done by us.”

One of the greatest benefits of being a police officer or firefighter is the wide range of career opportunities that one can pursue or be promoted into--with 100% tuition reimbursement for those who want to further their education in virtually any field, law and healthcare included. In addition, the starting salaries at approximately $50,000, deferred compensation packages, and liberal retirement benefits act as a strong incentive to consider joining the police force or fire division. The average salary for police officers after being on the force for four years is $84,000 and they can retire at the age of 52.

Pettus added, “we must create a pipeline to these opportunities for our young men and women.”

Knowing Is Not Enough; We Must Apply.

Willing Is Not Enough; We Must Do. It is important for all to understand that these

issues and opportunities are in no way unique to the City of Columbus. Virtually every major City in America is facing the same set of issues. The question is how willing are we, as a community, to focus on results and become engaged in improving the situation that we find ourselves in, rather than talk the issue to death.

Director Pettus has a remarkable team of men and women who are seasoned, knowledgeable, and fully committed to substantially improving the diversity within the Police and Fire Divisions.

Let’s do all that we can to help them while also helping to strengthen our community.

Finally, this article would not be complete without recognizing Lieutenant Lawrence Stevens and Firefighter Charles Gilton for their many years of exemplary service to the Columbus Division of Fire, and for their passionate advocacy and results-oriented approach to increasing the number of African American and other minority applicants to join their Division. Their individual lives define what it means to be a “True Public Servant.”

COLUMBUS DIVISION OF FIRE: ANNUAL SALARY CHART

STARTING PAY

$1,883.64 bi-weekly

$48,974.69 annually

STEP B

$1,978.76 bi-weekly

$51,447.94 annually

STEP C

$2,079.03 bi-weekly

$54,054.87 annually

STEP D

$2,480.96 bi-weekly

$64,504.88 annually

STEP E

$2,887.16 bi-weekly

$75,066.30 annually

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The Columbus African American • December 2016

The Columbus African American •News December 2016 Journal • February 2015

22

COMMUNITY

JOIN THE TEAM: BECOME A COLUMBUS FIREFIGHTER Your journey begins here!

You can be a member of the firefighter family.

You can be an integral part of the lifesaving teamwork in action. You can also experience the hands-on feel of the emergency medical aspects of being a service to your community. Take the first step towards the lifestyle and the family that is firefighting. The rewards for this profession are immeasurable!!!

For the entire month of March – from March 1 through March 31, 2017, applications for Columbus Firefighter are being accepted. If you are at least 17½ years of age, have a valid and current driver’s license, and are a current United States citizen, you meet the minimum qualifications for the examination! Note: you must possess a high school diploma or G.E.D. at time of hire.

The Civil Service Commission will accept applications on-line only at,www.columbus.gov/ civilservice or you can visit their office at 750 Piedmont Road, Columbus, Ohio 43224, Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. for assistance if you do not have internet access. The examination has multiple phases, consisting of a multiple choice exam, an oral exam, and a physical capabilities test.

The website contains a great deal of information regarding the testing process, including a study guide to help you prepare for the examination https://www.columbus.gov/civilservice/ uniformed-fire-series/Firefighter/. Prior experience is NOT required, so if you are ready for a rewarding career that will provide life-long

Photo By Kyle Robertson/Dispatch

skills and continue to be a challenge, don’t miss out on this opportunity! For more information on Events and Dates this examination, call our Fire Employment Line at (614) 645-0879.

Firefighter Mile Introduction Session: January 7, 21, and February 25, 2017 The Columbus Division of Fire Recruitment Outreach office are hosting several events and Get Fit and Informed Information Session: providing test taking tips and strategies for free January 11, and February 25, 2017 to applicants.

Get Fire Ready Orientation Event: 1. To register for free upcoming Recruitment February 25, 2017 e v e n t s a n d e m a i l a l e r t s v i s i t : w w w. becomeaCFDfirefighter.eventbrite.com Note: Advanced registration is required to attend Recruitment events. Once registration is 2. To learn more about Recruitment Events or to completed, applicants will receive an email with speak with a Fire Division Recruiter please call: specific event details.

(614)-645-6387

FROM CURTIS STITT, COTA PRESIDENT & CEO Dear Friends, By now you all know that on November 8 the COTA sales tax was renewed by an astonishing 72 percent of the votes cast. I’m thrilled about this level of confidence in COTA the voters of Franklin County demonstrated on election night.

I want to say thank you to everyone who partnered with COTA, worked and contributed in so many ways, large and small, over the past several years and throughout the campaign to position COTA for such a resounding renewal victory.

This renewal will allow us to keep moving this community forward over the next decade. The renewed funding allows COTA to continue to help advance community goals with services such as CBUS, the AirConnect shuttle to the John Glenn Columbus International Airport and recent service to New Albany and Rickenbacker.

The renewal also allows us to continue the

service improvements and expansions that are in On January 1, 2018, the region’s first bus rapid the pipeline. transit, CMAX, will begin operations along the Cleveland Avenue Corridor.

This coming winter, our buses will be equipped with WiFi so that riders can remain connected I am eager to begin working on all these efforts while on the go. in the coming year. But for today, the most important thing is for me to say thank you. COTA On May 1, we will launch our Transit System staff and I consider it an honor to be able to serve Redesign, which will result in more efficient, you, the residents of Columbus and central Ohio, more direct and more frequent connections to over the next 10 years to ensure your vote of destinations throughout central Ohio and reduce confidence in COTA is rewarded. bus congestion downtown on High Street.

Sincerely, Next fall, riders will be able to pay their fares with smart cards and mobile tickets stored on smart phones.

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The Columbus African American The Columbus African American News Journal• •December February 2016 2015

HEALTH

PROTECTING OUR HEALTHCARE

By Charleta B. Tavares The state of Ohio as well as, many other states that have expanded Medicaid along with health care providers, practitioners, insurance companies and most importantly health care consumers are wondering what will happen to the healthcare landscape and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Obamacare after the November election. The November 8th election provided a presidential Electoral College win for Donald Trump. He is the candidate that publicly stated that he wanted to “repeal and replace Obamacare”. The majority of the sixteen members of the Ohio Congressional Delegation (12 out of 16) have also publicly stated that they support the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). How will this possible change in policy words, it reflects the benefits for all people who live in each county in each Congressional direction impact the residents of Ohio?

District, even though the entire county may not NUMBER OF UNINSURED BY be in the Congressional District. 1 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT What can we do to protect our healthcare coverage in light of the 2016 Presidential and According to health care consultant Trey Daly: Congressional election results? What solutions “Overall, the number of uninsured Ohioans fell and strategies can we take to ensure that our by 40.78% from 2013 to 2015 according to U.S. community members maintain healthcare Census data. What has the change been in each coverage and prevent disease and premature Congressional District?” * death?

Although the uninsured are overwhelmingly Caucasian and live in rural, urban and suburban communities across Ohio including all sixteen Congressional Districts, the impact on African Americans and people of color throughout the state is disproportionate. The influence on African Americans is more pronounced in the Congressional Districts which include the seven metropolitan areas of Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo and Youngstown.

VA L U E O F M A R K E T P L A C E A N D EXPANDED MEDICAID ENROLLMENT In addition to the profound impact access to quality, affordable health coverage has on the health of previously uninsured Ohioans, the new health coverage options created by the Affordable Care Act have a significant economic impact.

The chart below illustrates how much federal revenue is coming into each Congressional District as a result of Expanded Medicaid and Marketplace Premium Tax Credits. This data is not available on a congressional district basis, so the chart uses Expanded Medicaid expenditure data from the Ohio Department of Medicaid for each county in each Congressional District and Health and Human Services data on the average premium tax credit for Ohio in 2016. In other

The Columbus African American • December 2016

• Join one of many health care coalitions including but not limited to: UHCAN, Ohio Association of Community Health Workers, Ohio Urban Resource Systems (O.U.R.S), Ohio Association of Community Health Centers, Heart of Ohio Family Health Center, Lower Lights Christian Health Center, PrimaryOne Health and Southeast Healthcare Services.

• Assist community members in enrolling, renewing or changing healthcare plans now through January 31, 2017 in the Marketplace (private insurance) during the “Open Enrollment” period and Medicaid on an ongoing basis. (We can show members of the Ohio Legislature and Congress that this program is valued, wanted and needed by their constituents).

• Share stories about the success of the Affordable Care Act and its benefits to residents, businesses and providers with your state Representative, Senator, Congressperson and your two United States’ Senators (Senator Sherrod Brown and Senator Rob Portman) including the economic benefits outlined in the tables in this article.

to keep residents “healthy and ready to learn and ready to earn®”.

Our community cannot afford to sit back and allow our advancements in healthcare coverage and care to be rolled back. Our health care challenges and disparities from preventable deaths, diseases and illnesses have only just begun to be addressed through coverage. We can do more to insure that we are being proactive and responsible for the health of our families and ourselves by enrolling or renewing our health insurance options available through our place of work, the Marketplace or Medicaid; get involved in advocacy efforts to protect our healthcare coverage options; and educate our legislators on the positive economic and human impact of the ACA. If you need assistance with enrollment in the Marketplace or Medicaid contact Brian Hall at Brian.Hall@primaryonehealth.org or 614.620.8088 with our Certified Application Counselor Team at PrimaryOne Health.

Trey Daly, Community Health Consultant and former director Enroll America trey.daly@gmail. com

1

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.

• Participate in the Ohio budget discussions in 2017 to ensure that Medicaid Expansion and its *View charts on next page. services to Ohioans are maintained and improved

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The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

Number of Uninsured by Congressional District

Do you have a primary care physician that is affordable, convenient, and comprehensive?

Do you have health insurance coverage that fits your and your family’s needs?

Signing up for health insurance can be scary, let PrimaryOne Health help you navigate the Affordable Care Act Marketplace!

Call 614.645.5500 to set up an appointment with one of our Certified Application Counselors TODAY!

primaryonehealth.org • 1800 Watermark Dr, Ste 420 • Columbus, OH 43215 • 614.645.5500

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

25

The Columbus African American • December 2016

HEALTH

MAKE ME OVER IN 2017

By Lisa D. Benton, MD, MPH I was not overly surprised when Donald Trump won the election. As a physician, surgeon and public health consultant, I had heard story after story of how frustrated patients, friends and family were with delays in accessing healthcare.

I heard and how frustrated people were about not being able to see the doctors they wanted or needed to and how expensive prescriptions for even the most uncomplicated illness had become.

Another source of disappointment I heard was about the increase in cost of health care even if they had a full-time job that included health coverage.

We increase our risk for other illnesses, such as depression and other mental health problems, On a personal note, I saw how at least two people obesity and sexually transmitted infections. Often I loved, died due to the errors of the electronic we’re too busy caring for everyone else that we medical record, delay in ability to have medical fail to stop and take care of ourselves. A recent records released to go out of network for a second study by Ohio State University professor Dr. opinion and the lack of insurance carrier support Allard Dembe showing that women who worked for this decision. Even when lack of personal full-time jobs more than 60 hours a week were finances are not the issue, you can still have to doing so many hours of additional work that they navigate around a lot of confusion and other increased their risk for heart disease, cancer and medical system barriers to get to the care you other chronic health problems. need to stay alive.

Many of the extra hours of work done by women, In the midst of going around in circles in the sometimes comparable to doing a second fullhealth care delivery system maze, I couldn’t time job, involved caring for the family and help but recall the now prophetic warning by home. Multitasking at higher levels and higher my sister-in-law Jesteen. Speaking as someone speeds is not necessarily beneficial to our health who only in the past few years got healthcare or productivity, and can in a lot of instances insurance coverage, she said you better use it up nearly kill you. now or you will lose it.

As a Black woman living in America, a reminder In spite of the vague assertions by elected of some of the most encouraging health news officials that parts of the Affordable Care Act or for me came out of some old health survey Obamacare as we know it will remain intact, it is data called NHANES. NHANES stands for equally if not more probable that it can unravel the National Health and Nutrition Educational into not just a mess, but rather “a hot expensive Survey. Started by the National Center for mess.” Thus, it is again time to take action for Health Statistics during the 1960, NHANES is your health and wellness care. a program to ask questions to different group in the population starting from age 2 on up about Usually being one that is willing to consider how they live. wisdom and follow good advice, I am using the days leading up to 2017 to finish 2016 strong By completing questions about diet, activity, by taking an inventory of my spiritual, mental, how and where you live, work and play, getting physical and financial health and jumpstart an exam by a doctor, a dentist and having blood healthy practices for next year now. work checked at regular intervals, scientists get information about our risks of developing One of girlfriends and mentors, Dr. Rhonda diseases and what practices can prevent them.

Gibbs had been doing this as a personal year-end retreat for years. I noticed her life was in balance, For example, information from these surveys so following good advice, I started the year-end helps guide the standards for what are healthy wrap-up too. Remember studies show that it takes blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and 21 days to put a lifestyle change into practice and body weights. It helped to confirm that smoking make it stick. can kill you and not getting enough sleep and exercise puts you at risk for heart attacks, Hearing all the health news for African American depression, diabetes, cancer and a lot of other women is enough to make you want to get away. health problems.

For reminders, Black women appear to have been “double disrespected or dis’ed” by health care, As you can correctly assume, the healthy older and on the short receiving end of disparities for people in the study get more attention from women and for racial and ethnic minorities. examiners and researchers to learn what are their secrets to a long healthy life.

There is no shortage of studies that show we have higher rates of hypertension, breast cancer The good news for Black women and our at young ages, diabetes, stroke, heart disease health—connecting to the source. That source is and lupus. We also seem to be at higher risk of our faith. Studies show that health can be better dying at younger ages because of living under for Black women who attend religious services stress or stress-related illnesses due to conflict in regularly and more than once a week. our relationships, money management, jobs and lifestyle choices.

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Specific research using the data from the NHANES program and other similar community population-based studies showed that attending faith services had a preventative impact against high blood pressure and depression. The benefit of attending was due to more than the fellowship aspect of the gathering, and was that special something that is hard for scientists to measure or explain.

So as you continue to sort through all the news and negative expectations about health care for Black women, be encouraged that by applying your talents to multitask and be caregivers and caretakers for others that you can do just as much if not better for yourself. In this changing healthcare delivery landscape you will have to take control for you and yours.

Rather than giving in to the impulse to run away and tune out when it comes to making decisions and being proactive about your choices for health care and wellness, begin with running to the source.

Learn a little more…

Ask Dr. Rhonda http://drrhonda.org/ Boston University Slone Epidemiology Center Black Women’s Health Study https://www.bu.edu/bwhs/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/about_nhanes. htm Colby’s Cancer Story Watch “Colby’s Story” on Vimeo: https://vimeo. com/179068378?ref=em-share The Interrelationship Between Hypertension and Blood Pressure, Attendance at Religious Services, and Race/Ethnicity by Caryn Bell, et al. J Relig Health. 2012 Jun; 51(2): 310–322. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC3374060/ Women’s long work hours linked to alarming increases in cancer, heart disease https://news.osu.edu/news/2016/06/16/overtimewomen/ Lisa D. Benton, MD, MPH (The Doctor is In) breastsurgeonlb@gmail.com Twitter: @DctrLisa (415) 746-0627

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

HEALTH

CHANGE DOES NOT START IN THE WHITE HOUSE

By Elizabeth Joy, MBA, LSW, LCDC III If you’re like many, you’re appalled by the results of the recent presidential election. You’re concerned about what this means for race relations in the United States. You’re wondering if this will lead to more police brutality. You’re wondering if your health insurance will be affected. Perhaps your concern for African Americans, especially the young, has increased.

I hope it has. It needs to. Not because of who was elected but because regardless of who was elected, and quite frankly, regardless of who our current president is, our people have been and will continue to be hurting. Prior to this election, even while we had an African American president, African Americans were being killed by police, were being mass incarcerated, and were being denied equal education. Prior to this election, even while we had an African American president, we were suffering not only from systematic oppression but from the traumatic life experiences we are exposed to throughout our journey. Childhood experiences of physical, sexual, and verbal abuse have opened the door to low self-esteem, anger, and resentment. Losing loved ones to death and incarceration creates voids in our hearts. Unresolved issues in current and past relationships have sparked insecurities and an inability to trust. Each of these traumas blind us to ways in which our past has become a contaminant in our thinking and behavior.

Yes, our ancestors fought and died for our right to vote and we should certainly exercise it. However, if all we’re doing is complaining about “the system” and voting every four years as our effort to do something about it, and then complaining more when the “system” still doesn’t change, we’re missing it. Regardless of whether the person we voted for wins the election, voting alone is far from the answer. You see, the system is not broken, it was created this way. And when we develop a tunnel vision looking only to system changes to address our problems, we overlook the power we do have. The power that does not require “enough votes,” the power that does not require people who have been oppressing us to experience a change of heart so that the system they created is finally adjusted to reflect equality and fairness.

We have the power RIGHT NOW to be the change we want to see. How? By going back to an African proverb which once served our people quite well…. It takes a village.

It took a village for us to survive slavery. It took a village to abolish slavery. It took a village to beat the odds and gain the right to vote, the right to sit in the front of the bus, and the right to use any restroom we choose to use. It will take a village to address and overcome the longlasting effects slavery has had on our people, to address our high infant mortality rate, to address the untold negative effects of our men suffering

mass incarceration, to address the effects of being denied equal access to quality education, to address the effect of more than 60% of our girls being sexually abused, to address the effects of our children being raised without fathers.

While our current reality certainly calls for marches, boycotts, sit-ins, sit-downs, kneeldowns, fist ups, and other efforts to battle against systematic oppression, we have power within us which is accessible RIGHT NOW, TODAY, to begin to care for ourselves and each other in a way that builds our strength as individuals and as a community.

Our elders must continue to share wisdom and we must seek them out and submit ourselves to their teaching. We must put aside opinions about differences which show themselves in generation gaps and focus on the power which comes from the wisdom gathered from the survival of the civil rights movement and beyond. We have to get past the religiosity that leads to judgement and condemnation and get to a point of walking in the love and acceptance our higher power embodies. We all have to get past our tendency toward judgment begin to embrace one another.

We have sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, cousins, and neighbors who are struggling with addiction, engaged in criminal behavior, suffering from pain and grief due to loss and abuse, and acting out due to unresolved pain from the past and we are sitting back in judgment or simply turning a blind eye yet we are focused on and outraged by election outcomes.

WE HAVE WORK TO DO IN OUR OWN LIVES AND COMMUNITIES!!!... and we can do it NOW. Let’s start by simply showing more love, tolerance, and empathy toward our relatives and neighbors. Let’s seek to understand rather than to judge and find fault.

From there, we can take it a step further by involving ourselves with existing efforts to support our brothers and sisters through volunteerism. Here are just a few opportunities to consider: • Big Brothers Big Sisters pairs mentors with

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mentees who often become life-long supports.

The wait list for those seeking a mentor is months long. There is a significantly higher need for children of color, especially boys, to be paired with a mentor who looks like them. THIS COULD BE YOU! In addition to traditional mentoring programing, Big Brothers Big Sisters also offers the Amachi Ohio program which focuses on children who have an incarcerated parent. Big Brothers Big Sisters also offers training and consulting for those interested in starting their own mentoring program. THIS COULD BE YOU! Call 614-839-2447 for more information.

• CASA of Franklin County (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) offers community members the opportunity to become a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) for abused and neglected children. These volunteers meet with the children and their service providers monthly and appear at court hearings to advocate on behalf of the child.

THIS COULD BE YOU! Contact 614-525-7450 form more information.

• Franklin County Children Services offers mentoring opportunities to support children currently involved in the child welfare system.

The Malaika program focuses on pairing African American women with African American girls while the Simba program pairs African American men with African American boys. THIS COULD BE YOU! Call 614-275-2690 for more information.

We have four years until the next presidential election. In the meantime, let’s be the change we want to see NOW. Elizabeth Joy is founder of Survivors To Alivers, a non-profit organization focused on empowering trauma survivors to overcome challenges and achieve restoration. Her organization offers online support groups and a space for trauma survivors to connect and support one another.

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

The Columbus African American • December 2016

HEALTH

MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE WORLD - PART 1

By Jacqueline Lewis Lyons, Psy.D After this election season, I am so hungry for something positive. I’m sure that many of you are feeling the same way. The clients that I met with the week of the election were clearly in need of something positive to change their focus. It became a bit of a game for me, trying to surprise them with a different challenge to keep them looking for the good in everyday life. And, truly, that is the goal – we must actively look for and find the good things, those positive moments, which bring a smile (no matter how small) to our lips and light up our eyes.

One of the things that I really enjoy is reading uplifting motivational quotes. If you were to scan my office desk or bag, you’d find scraps of paper and index cards on which I have written words that touched my heart or changed the way I perceived something. I often ask my clients to find some quote or phrase that they can memorize to use daily to give themselves a boost. These days, I believe that most of us need a little boost.

And, in the long run, that is not a bad thing.

Being able to identify what you need and how to get it is one factor in being a grownup. I also believe that most of us want to have a role in improving our world. Unfortunately, we spend too much time looking at what we don’t have or can’t do. What would happen if we didn’t let our limitations dictate our actions? Actually, people do it all the time.

I read an article on Forbes.com which discussed how to positively impact the world in simple ways. The article described nine core behaviors found in people who do make an impact. I think you will be surprised to find that anyone can make the choice to improve the world, and themselves. #1 – People who want to make a positive impact dedicate themselves to what gives their life meaning and purpose. Do you know what gets your heart pumping with excitement and joy?

Do you have a clear understanding of your life’s purpose? This will be different for everyone, but each one of us has a life purpose. I often see people who are not working within that mindset who are very unhappy. Many people picked a career based on what the financial payoff would be but later find themselves miserable. Money is necessary, but having a purpose keeps your life on track.

not perfect. However, they work to build up their areas of weakness, whether it is in social skills, Bible knowledge, or an activity. Then, they share what they have learned in order to help someone else. I will always be grateful to the woman who taught me to crochet – it has provided many hours of relaxation and the ability to see something I created bring joy to another.

us focused on how to meet a need or provide a service, rather than looking for what we can get from someone else, working in relationship with others would be very simple and rewarding for all.

These are just a few points to think on as the year comes to a close. I will discuss the other core behaviors next month to prepare us for another #3 – People who make an impact engage with New Year! others in open, mutually beneficial ways. Being Dr. Jacqueline Lewis-Lyons’s office is located in able to interact with other people is a major life north Columbus. Her practice centers on helping skill that I fear our young people are missing out clients with depression and anxiety related on due to their dependence on social media. There disorders. In recent years, after discovering a is power in knowing how to develop and maintain love of running, she expanded her practice to strong relationships. It may be uncomfortable at include servces related to Sports Psychology times for people who are shy or introverts, but for athletes of all ages and levels. To reach her, they usually feel more confident for learning call 614-443-7040 or email her at Jacqui@ how to deal with others face-to-face. If each of DrLewisLyons.com

HIGH STREET - SUITE 102, COLUMBUS, OH 43215

503 S.

#2- People who make an impact commit to continually bettering themselves. Being a lifelong learner does not always mean going to school. We are exposed to many life lessons every day. These people are aware that they are

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The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

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The Columbus African American 2016 The Columbus African American News Journal• •December February 2015

By Ray Miller, MPA Reparation & Reconciliation - The Rise and Fall of Integrated Higher Education

Hidden Figures - The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win The Space Race

By Christi M. Smith Reparation and Reconciliation is the first book to reveal the nineteenth-century struggle for racial integration on U.S. college campuses. As the Civil War ended, the need to heal the scars of slavery, expand the middle class, and reunite the nation engendered a dramatic interest in higher education by policy makers, voluntary associations, and African Americans more broadly. Formed in 1846

by Protestant abolitionists, the American Missionary Association united a network of colleges open to all, designed especially to educate African American and white students together, both male and female.

The AMA and its affiliates envisioned integrated campuses as a training ground to produce a new leadership class for a racially integrated democracy.

By Margot Lee Shetterly Before John Glenn orbited the earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as “human computers” used pencils, slide rules and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets, and astronauts, into space.

Starting in World War II and moving through to the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement and the Space Race, Hidden Figures follows the interwoven accounts of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherin Johnson and Christine Darden, four African American women who participated in some of NASA’s greatest successes. It chronicles their careers over nearly three decades as they faced challenges, forged alliances and used their intellect to change their own lives, and their country’s future.

White Trash - The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America

Dad, I Served - The Autobiography of C.J. McLin, Jr.

By C.J. McLin, Minne F. Johnson

By Nancy Isenberg “When you turn an election into a three-ring circus, there’s always a chance that the dancing bear will win,” says Isenberg of the political climate surrounding Sarah Palin. And we recognize how right she is today. Yet the voters who boosted Trump all the way to the White House have been a permanent part of our American fabric, argues Isenberg.

Poor whites were central to the rise of the Republican Party in the early nineteenth century, and the Civil War itself was fought over class issues nearly as much as it was fought over slavery. Reconstruction pitted poor white trash against newly freed slaves, which factored in the rise of eugenics -- a widely popular movement embraced by Theodore Roosevelt that targeted poor whites for sterilization. With Isenberg’s landmark book, we will have to face the truth about the enduring, malevolent nature of race and class.

Dad, I Served: The Autobiography of C.J. McLin, Jr. is a tribute to the political life of the late Honorable C.J. McLin, Jr. While his sphere of influence grew significantly over a 22 year career in the Ohio General Assembly, C.J. McLin willfully remained in local and state politics: a courageous strategist, a tireless negotiator, and a tough minded idealist who used his regional and national connections not only for his own glory but for the welfare of the least of this constituents. His influence was sought not only by those he served by Democratic presidential and gubernatorial hopefuls alike - Kennedy, Johnson, Carter, Humphrey, Jesse Jackson, governors Gilligan and Celeste, all came by C.J. The title, Dad, I Served, aptly describes C.J.’s satisfaction and pride in having fulfilled the political dreams that escaped his father, both of whom lived and breathed politics. So much so, that as C.J. told his memoirs to Minnie Fells Johnson, his primary focus was politics. She taped his inspiring story before he became seriously ill with cancer until his death in 1988. The book also includes views through his late mother, Rubie McLin and his daughter, former Ohio Senator, Rhine L. McLin.

Tocqueville - Democracy in America

By Alexis de Tocqueville

Strangers In Their Own Land - Anger and Mourning on the American Right

By Arlie Russell Hochschild

Alexis de Tocqueville, a young aristocratic French lawyer, came to the United States in 1831 to study its penitentiary systems. His nine-month visit and subsequent reading and reflection resulted in Democracy in America (1835-40), a landmark masterpiece of political observation and analysis. Tocqueville vividly describes the unprecedented social equality he found in America and explores its implications for European society in the emerging modern era. His book provides enduring insight into the political consequences of widespread property owernership, the potential dangers to liberty inherent in majority rule, the importance of civil institutions in an individualistic culture dominated by the pursuit of material self-interest, and the vital role of religion in American life, while prophetically probing the deep differences between the free and slave states. The clear, fluid, and vigorous translation by Arthur Goldhammer is the first to fully capture Tocqueville’s achievements both as an accomplished literary stylist and as a profound political thinker.

The Columbus African American •News December 2016 Journal • February 2015

In Strangers in Their Own Land, the renowned sociologist Arlie Hochschild embarks on a thought-provoking journey from her liberal hometown of Berkeley, California, deep into Louisiana bayou country - a stronghold of the conservative right.

As she gets to know people who strongly oppose many of the ideas she famously champions, Hochschild nevertheless finds common ground and quickly warms to the people she meets - among them a Tea Party activist whose town has been swallowed by a sinkhole caused by a drilling accident people whose concerns are actually ones that all Americans share: the desire for community, the embrace of family, and the hopes for their children. Along the way she finds answers to one of the crucial questions of contemporary American politics: why do the people who would seem to benefit most from “liberal” government intervention abhor the very idea?

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BUSINESS MONEY 101 - PART IV

By Edward Bell, MBA CHECK IT OUT For the last two months we have talked about your budgeting and budgeting concepts. With all you’ve learned so far about budgeting and online banking, you may think you’re ready to roll with your finances. Not so fast. Now we get to some of the finer points of personal money management – checking and savings accounts. Your checking account is the central hub for your money. You can access it several different ways: checks, ATM, debit card, banks and online banking. Your savings account, which can also be accessed with your ATM card or at your banking center, is a great place to put money away for a rainy day or to save for future expenses, like a car or a big-screen television.

CHECK SAFETY AND SECURITY A reputable check printer offers security features built into the check. Items to look for include a padlock icon, micro printing, security screen and warning boxes that appear on the front and back of the check. These built-in security features are designed to make checks difficult to copy or alter, and they usually become evident only when fraud is attempted. Do not put private information on checks like your Social Security number, your driver’s license number or any unnecessary personal information. If you select duplicate check styles – you have the benefit of a carbon record of the check you write, in case you forget to log into your check register.

GOOD RECORD KEEPING Part of responsible financial management is good record-keeping. Your online account is a great organizational tool, but it’s just as important for you to keep a hard copy of your finances for your own day-to-day records. Earlier in these columns, we talked about using a check register to keep track of your daily expenses – now I’ll show you how to use one to keep track of checks.

Once you get in the habit of tracking expenses, it should be easier to keep our checkbook balanced.

The problem most people run into is overdrawing their account or “bouncing” a check. Every time you bounce a check, you incur a fee from the bank – an insufficient funds fee. The best way to avoid it is to stay on top of your account balance and keep good records. You can also link your checking account to other accounts, such as a savings or credit account. This can be helpful because money can be automatically transferred from you savings or credit account when you don’t have enough money in your checking account. You will, however, pay a fee(s) for this automatic transfer.

GOOD HABITS:

Simple interest is based only on the original • Record deposits, transfers, ATM withdrawals amount. If your account has $100 in it and earns and debit card transactions as soon as you make 5% simple interest per year, it earns $5 interest.

Multiply the dollar amount by the interest rate to them get the return. Although extremely rare, you may • Fill out your check register before you write come across simple interest as you grow older the check and your investments diversify.

• Record any automatic payment debits EXTRA CREDIT: RULE OF 72 FOR A RAINY DAY

Another key element of your financial plan is a savings account as a place where you’ll keep your money long-term and give it a chance to grow. While your checking account is continually fluctuating in size, your savings account should be stable, if not growing, at a steady rate. Earlier in our columns, we mentioned trying to set aside 5% to 10% of your income for savings every time you get paid. This is a worthy goal. As a retiree or on a fixed income, this may be tough. It’s probably more realistic to set aside what you can each month after you’ve done your budgeting.

The good news is, the more you set aside, the more interest you account earns, so you money grows faster.

COMPOUND INTEREST Savings accounts typically earn compound interest. Whenever interest is calculated, it is based not only on the original amount in the account but also any interest that has been added.

The more frequently interest is compounded, the faster the balance grows. The rate that interest is compounded is referred to as the Annual Percentage Yield (APY). The APY measures the total amount of interest paid on an account based on the interest rate and the frequency of compounding. Banks must provide account disclosures for new accounts that reflect the APY. SIMPLE INTEREST

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The Rule of 72 can give you an approximation of how long it will take to double your money at a specified interest rate. If you’re earning 6% interest, divide 72 by 6. That means it will take about 12 years for your original investment to double in value at a 6% interest rate.

FOLLOW UP Over the past three months, I have attempted to provide you with tools to better understand you money and to protect it through budgeting.

Spending money is easy, while saving it is much harder. With a modest amount of discipline and dedication, you will find that preparing a budget and sticking to it will provide you with more money saved and the potential to make even more funds via interest payments on those funds saved.

Edward Bell, MBA, AAMS, CMFC, CSS was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio and graduated with honors in a course, “Writing for Children,” from the Institute of Children’s Literature.

He has served as Contributing Editor of the Autograph Times. Ed won the 1999 award for best screenplay from the PEN American Center in New York and garnered the runner-up award for non-fiction writing in 2000. He earned a Master’s degree, as well as designations as: Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS); Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor (CMFC), and Certified Customer Service Specialist (CSS).

The Columbus African American • December 2016

BUSINESS

USING TECHNOLOGY TO CONNECT (AFTER THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS)

By Cecil Jones, MBA Now is the Time to Connect!

Technology provides great methods to connect to almost any person and any organization. At this time (after the November elections), many of us are analyzing the results, putting together plans and taking actions to move forward. We will see that many strategies, tactics and operations are recommended; however an integral and important resource to use to accomplish these strategies, tactics and day-to-day and week-to-week operations is ‘connective retail technology’. Yes, you heard the term ‘connective retail technology’ here, first. This is just free or inexpensive technology available to all of us (retail) that allows us to connect. There are more expensive connective tools available at larger prices that corporations and large organizations purchase and use (not retail technology).

We are human and need to connect with each other. (Repeat) We are human and need to connect with each other. In times when our candidates don’t win, when candidates with different views are elected, when candidates don’t connect with our community, we need to connect with each other and be ready to share information and act, quickly.

BIGGER PERSPECTIVE

dates/times to meet and allow the users (meeting attendees) to choose the dates/times that are better for them. It allows you to look at the most popular dates/times and choose the one that most of the people can attend.

An example of real-time conversation is located at freeconference.com. If telephone conferences with multiple people are needed, there are tools like free.conference.com that allow many people to dial into a conference call. You are assigned a conference call number (for free). Of course, you use your minutes on your cell phone or home LAN (local area network) as you normally do for any call. There is no cost above that.

My Pastor, Reverend Dr. Howard Washington, Second Baptist Church, reminded us in his sermon on Sunday November 20th, that we have survived and moved forward during turbulent periods. He prompted us to pray and remember that our community has always continued to Other real-time tools include Skype, FaceTime prosper, no matter whom was in office. God is and other tools. the ULTIMATE leader!

Not Real-Time (Not Simultaneous) WHAT TOOLS ARE AVAILABLE? Communication So, how do we do this? How do we connect with each other? We use connective retail technology.

This includes email, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Facebook Live, FaceTime, Doodle, Evite, Instagram, Twitter, blogging, texting, Google Hangout, GroupMe. Skype, Pinterest, What’s App, VSee (Visual See), freeconference. com,, surveymonkey.com, sharing pictures/ video via cellphone apps and let us not forget that important person-to-person telephone call.

There are additional communication technology tools available, also.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH THESE TOOLS? Face to Face and Simultaneous Communication Everyone is busy and it can be difficult to get all of those busy people into a face-to-face meeting.

If a face-to-face meeting is needed, Doodle.com is a good and easy to use tool to provide multiple

The Columbus African American • December 2016

In our busy world, most of the information that we share does not need an immediate, instantaneous reply. Email distribution lists, text group lists, twitter and other tools allow for sharing of information with a later reply.

officials, public policy and community groups communicate via email and often twitter and Facebook.

This is a complex time. We need to make it more simple and direct. These communication vehicles can help with more simple and direct communications. Dig your well before you need water; that is, set up and begin your communications and people networks before that dire issue hits you, your family or the community.

If you anticipate laws, regulations and initiatives to begin that are not friendly to the community, get ready. Ensure that you have the ability to quickly send and receive information, now.

Utilize the free connective retail communication, now.

Face-to-Face real-time personal communications are best for critical situations. Often, that is not possible (distance, timing, etc.). Retail connectivity communications can help.

SET UP YOUR COMMUNICATIONS!

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 WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN? past president of many organizations including We need each other. We need to have quick and BDPA (Technology group), and Columbus easy access to family, friends and others that that Association of Black Journalists. He serves on as a group can influence public policy. If there is the Executive Committee of boards including an issue or injustice that you are concerned about, Chairman of IMPACT Community Action there are others than feel the same way that you Agency. www.AccelerationServices.net do. Contact them. You can be the ‘match’ that lights a lamp in the dark. Often, a lot of people What new technology or process have you are thinking are talking about a community or learned this month? Need advice on how to look neighborhood issue but it just takes that one for that technology position? Are you considering technology education (courses, certificates or email, communication or setting up that first degrees) and need information? Do you have a face-to-face or electronic meeting that provides business, process, project management, personnel the ‘match’. Faith will help continue the effort or technology question? Please let me know. at that point. With retail connective technology, Cecil Jones MBA, ABD, PMP, CCP, SCPM, this is easier than ever. Almost all government FLMI, Lean Professional 32

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

BUSINESS

THE TRUMP OPPORTUNITY

By William McCoy, MPA During the presidential campaign, Donald Trump attempted to woo Black voters by saying, “You live in poverty. Your schools are no good. You have no jobs. What the hell do you have to lose?” Mr. Trump now you have an opportunity to make America great for African-Americans in employment, business development, justice, and other areas.

First, Donald Trump can work to reduce Black unemployment- particularly among youth. One news article said Trump spent time “expressing sympathy for the out-of-work young men he had seen on boarded-up Detroit streets.” Trump reportedly said, “Nothing is more sad than when we sideline young black men with unfulfilled potential, tremendous potential. . . Our whole country loses out without the energy of these folks. We’re one nation. And when anyone hurts, we all hurt together” (American Election 2016 on France 24 (September 4, 2016).

Well, if he really feels that way, Trump can: (1) appoint more African-Americans to significant posts within his administration, than those before him; (2) hire more minorities within the federal government, than his predecessors; (3) demand that Black workers receive a significant share of the jobs resulting from any infrastructure program or other initiative aimed at reducing unemployment; and (4) propose a youth employment program that provides in-school and summer jobs.

Second, Trump can make a huge difference with minority businesses. Minority business enterprise (MBE) could benefit greatly by doing more business with the federal government, which routinely purchases billions of dollars in goods and services from the private sector. Ohio (Republican) Governor John Kasich increased Black business procurement from less than five percent to a record-breaking 19% or $250 million

in a few years, simply, by insisting that state agencies and offices do business with MBEs. If Trump followed Governor Kasich’s example, minority enterprises could prosper and expand their payrolls like never before- without having to fund a new program.

Additionally, Trump can make minority business development a higher priority. The U.S. Economic Development Administration and U.S. Small Business Administration could expand their programming to provide more loans, loan guarantees, equity financing, and technical assistance available to MBEs and other small, economically disadvantaged enterprises.

Funding should also be provided to strengthen small and minority business organizations that provide technical help- such as small business development centers, minority business and contractor assistance programs, et al. There is precedent for this: Republican President Richard Nixon engineered one of the most aggressive minority business development efforts ever.

Third, Trump can use the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) to help African-Americans and other minorities receive better treatment from law enforcement and those who work with crime victims. To that end, Trump can: (1) expand the USDOJ Disproportionate Minority Contact program, which helps communities identify, quantify, diagnose, and fix bias within the juvenile justice system; (2) refocus USDOJ Office for Victims of Crime funding and programming to better serve the most underserved, yet most victimized, group in America- African-American males; (3) remove barriers and restore equity to crime victim compensation; and (4) continue to have the USDOJ aggressively intervene in cases involving police violence and abuse, as well as wholesale misconduct by local law enforcement.

Many people believe Trump is not serious about improving the condition of African-Americans.

Rick McGowan of Detroit said, “He’s never come to our rescue. Why are we supposed to believe him now?” Trump critics have accused him of flirting with racism and embracing 33

positions that caused white nationalists to support him, including former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke. That is one reason Peter Eisler wrote, “Trump won with lowest minority vote in decades, fueling divisions” (Reuters News Service, November 23, 2016).

Conversely, at one campaign stop, Trump said, “We will love one another. We will have one country. We will work together” (Paul Egan and Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, August 19, 2016). Carletta Griffin was at Great Faith Ministries Church when Trump made those remarks. She said his compassion was “genuine, it was authentic, and it was warm.” Time will tell which view is accurate.

In conclusion, Black America- indeed, all of America- is waiting to see the real Donald Trump in action. He has the potential to do more for African-Americans than any president before him. The question is: Is he more interested in placating the KKK and Alt Right or governing with an eye on building bridges, lives, and communities. Denaria Thorn, who also attended the Detroit church service said, “He has a whole lot of making up to do.” Let’s see if he does.

William McCoy is founder and principal consultant for The McCoy Company- a personal services consulting firm specializing in economic development, strategic planning, and training.

Mr. McCoy has directed a city economic development department, local development corporations, and Peace Corps international development programs in Africa. He has been involved with over $1 billion in financing, helped over 100 people go into business or expand their existing business, served on the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Financial Roundtable, convened National Urban Policy Roundtables on capital access and minority business enterprise, and moderated White House Conference on Small Business sessions. Mr. McCoy holds BA degree in economics and a MPA in finance. He is also an American Economic Development Council certified economic/ industrial developer. William McCoy can be reached at (614) 785-8497 or via e-mail at wmccoy2@themccoycompany.com.

The Columbus African American 2016 The Columbus African American News Journal• •December February 2015

BUSINESS

MT. VERNON PLAZA REIMAGINED

By Iris Cooper, DBA C h e f B u t c h e r ’s C re o l e Kitchen expands with full service dining to accomodate growth on the Near East Side.

In 2006, Chef Henry Butcher signed a lease on an empty storefront in Mount Vernon Plaza, the former location of the legendary Marble Gang Restaurant. His aspiration to launch an authentic Creole restaurant emerged from over 30 years of training, experience, and innovation with restaurants of all types, locations, and cuisines.

Chef Butcher prepared for this opportunity throughout his professional career before creating his masterpiece, The Creole Kitchen, as an anchor tenant for Mt. Vernon Plaza.

Never mind the unemployment, poverty and despair surrounding the plaza during the recession. Never mind the mortality statistics for start-up food enterprises, with over 50% failing in the first three years. Never mind the naysayers that doubted the popularity of the cuisine, in the heart of “the hood”. Never mind the bankers that shook their head at the proposal. Chef Butcher envisioned success and refused to surrender until his entrepreneurial dream came to fruition.

Entrepreneurship and economic development were the original goals for the plaza, launched in 1978 as a mixed-use project by the Neighborhood Development Corporation, an African-American controlled private 501C3 nonprofit. The innovative project with townhomes, senior housing, and commercial space as income sources, garnered national attention with President Jimmy Carter attending the ribbon cutting (Black Enterprise, 1978). Over time, the operating and the occupancy models required modifications to improve sustainability against declining economic conditions. The 2016 plaza remains a hub of economic activity due to the resurgence of economic development on the near east side.

Chef Butcher, a Louisiana native, imagined the impact of a quality restaurant on Mt. Vernon

The Creole Kitchen Staff - Ready to serve you!

Ave due to the proximity to downtown, constant foot traffic, and supportive neighborhood stakeholders. In addition to the Franklin County Opportunity Center and Neighborhood House, churches, service providers, and other businesses provided the crucial social capital to support the enterprise. The expansion includes a new dining room with seating for approximately 70 guests.

Chef Butcher, along with his chief executive officer, daughter Antoinette, expect the dining room to attract patrons who appreciate Creole cuisine in an authentic New Orleans style ambience. In addition to full service dining, a private party room will be available, musical entertainment, and special events. Chef Butcher, along with his other two children, Tonya and Henry Jr., are committed to the success of the expansion and project a grand opening in January with food specials, contests, and opportunities for other food entrepreneurs. Total square footage in the plaza increased from 995 to 2300 with the dining room investment.

Following the grand opening, Chef Butcher plans to harness the beauty of the vacant focal point within the plaza. A special event calendar for the spring and summer months will include

Chef Henry Butcher

The Columbus African American • December 2016

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concerts, food festivals, and other community activities, all designed to invest in the plaza and the community. According to the Chef, without God, his family, and community support, the Creole Kitchen would not have survived. He is forever grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community that welcomed and supported his dream of the Creole Kitchen in Mt. Vernon Plaza.

BIO: DR. IRIS ANN COOPER aka “JustAskIris!” (www.justaskiris.com) 1932 Bairsford Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43232 614-394-3716 iris@justaskiris.com Iris Cooper’s career includes leadership positions in financial services, economic development, community service, communication, government, entrepreneurship, and education.

She is the owner of “JustAskIris!” an entrepreneurial coaching firm. Iris founded Glory Foods, Inc., a multi-million dollar food marketing company. Iris is recognized nationally as a business strategy and branding expert, 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 ninth 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 Women for Economic Leadership and Development. In 2016, she obtained her Doctorate in Business Administration from Walden University, majoring in Entrepreneurship.

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

BUSINESS

FINANCES: LET’S TALK ABOUT IT...

By Edward Bell, MBA This month we begin looking at questions from shareholders or potential shareholders about stock ownership and what it really means to be a shareholder.

Question: Eddie, Do I lose my whole investment if a company I own stock in goes bankrupt?

Randy – Upper Arlington Answer: You’ll likely lose a lot, but maybe not everything. Some companies file for bankruptcy protection and turn themselves around, as General Motors and Delta Air Lines did. (Others, such as Enron, don’t.) Even a business that falls can still be worth something. Its assets might be sold off, or another company could just buy it entirely.

When these sales occur, as a common-stock shareholder, you are in line to receive some of the proceeds. Unfortunately, though, you’re last in line. Creditors (banks, bondholders, suppliers, etc.) are paid first, followed by preferred-stock holders and, finally, holders of common stock.

(They often receive nothing). It’s best to keep up with your holdings and their progress so that you’re not surprised when there’s trouble. At a minimum, read quarterly or annual reports.

Question: It turns out I bought a stock near its all-time high. Should I sell? Bernard – Circleville Answer: The price you pay for a stock – your cost basis – matters when you sell it and calculate your gain (or loss) for tax purposes. Most of the time, though, you needn’t think about it. The stock’s current price and your estimate of its true fair price are what matter much more. Imagine that you bought shares of XYZ, Co, for $40.00 each and they’re now trading for $30.00. If you think the shares are worth $40.00 or $50.00 or more, hanging on makes sense. If you think they worth less than $30.00, selling might be best.

Ignore the fact that you’re down $10.00 per share.

Never hang on to a stock in which you’ve lost confidence (and dollars) just to try to recoup the loss. It’s better to move what’s left into a stock where you see a much brighter future.

Question: You wrote about college students

and potential college students and money, and let’s face it, college expenses continue to go up each year. I have hear there are some options for parents to put money away for a young child’s future college. Is there such a thing? Betty – Grove City Answer: Betty, what you are talking about are the individual state’s Qualified Tuition Program otherwise known as a 529 PLAN. These are investment vehicles created under the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 that allows individuals to make tax-deductible contributions to accounts that accumulate taxfree income if used to cover a beneficiary’s qualified educational expenses. College Savings Plans allow contributions up a limit as high as $300,000.00. The Plan’s managers provide a list of investments and funds that can be used at any eligible institution. Prepaid Tuition Programs allow an individual to prepay expenses at a predetermined institution for two semesters at today’s cost, meaning that unlike the College Savings Plan, the program manager bears the risk of the investments. In both cases, contributions may be deductible for state residents. Assuming your child will be a Buckeye, going to The Ohio State University, contact the school’s

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Financial Aid department asking for information concerning their 529 Plan.

Question: I have heard that share ownership actually means you are an owner of the Corporation, is that true? William – Franklinton A n s w e r : Wi l l i a m , I w i s h m o r e p e o p l e would understand that. You are correct. The misconception is that the CEO or President own the company. Let’s not get confused with a sole-proprietorship and an incorporation. In the sole-proprietorship, the owner or owners own all the interest in the company but also bear all of the liability. In the Corporation, shares of the company are exchanged for capital to run the corporation. This exchange gives the shareholder (holder of the stock certificate) a stake in the Corporation that also represents a vote in all company affairs. Ownership of a Corporation represented by shares that are a claim on the Corporation’s earnings and assets. Common Stock usually entitles the shareholder to vote in the election of directors and other matters taken up at shareholder meetings or by proxy. A point of interest, in 1999, Texaco was brought under fire because of inconsistent procedure when it came to the sale of gasoline or other products to African American citizens. Civil Rights Activist and Attorney, Al Sharpton, took up the mantle for the cause, deciding to challenge Texaco head-on. He quickly realized the thousands of attorneys Texaco has under its employ made the task too daunting. Realizing shares in the Corporation provide the shareholder a vote, Mr. Sharpton, purchased a single share of Texaco, thereby granting him ownership. With ownership in hand, Mr. Sharpton was able to attend the shareholder meetings, speak and vote his one share. When he finished making his presentation, enough Texaco shareholders agreed with him and changes were made at one of the world’s most powerful companies. Just think, Mr. Sharpton was able to accomplish this with a single share of the company.

Edward Bell, writes exclusively for the AfricanAmerican New Journal and questions to this column should be addressed to him at: 3222 N. 34th Street, Apt. B, Tampa, Florida 33605 Edward Bell, writes exclusively for the AfricanAmerican News Journal and questions to this column should be addressed to him at: 3222 N. 34th Street, Apt. B, Tampa, Florida 33605

The Columbus African American 2016 The Columbus African American News Journal• •December February 2015

HISTORY

GEORGE WASHINGTON WILLIAMS: POLITICIAN, MUSICIAN, LAWYER, JOURNALIST & HISTORIAN - PART II

By Rodney Q. Blount, M.A. Since the last publication we have had an unparalleled United States presidential election and win for a very unconventional candidate.

Donald Trump, predicted to lose the election to Hillary Clinton by nearly all of the political pundits and polls, won the presidency through the electoral college, but lost the popular vote by over two million votes. The nation is divided down the middle in support and against the president and his new administration. However, this election is not unprecedented. In 1877, two years before George Washington Williams was elected to the Ohio State House of Representatives, Rutherford B. Hayes, the Republican presidential candidate, lost both the popular vote and Electoral College vote to Samuel Tilden, the Democrat presidential candidate. However, Hayes struck a deal with Congressional leaders and the Electoral Commission, a 15-member commission set up

by President Grant to settle the disputed 1876 election of 8 Republicans and 7 Democrats. He promised to remove the remaining federal troops out of the South so that they would not interfere with Southern elections. This compromise stripped protection and voting privileges from countless African Americans. “Tilden mystified and disappointed his supporters by not fighting for the prize or giving any leadership to his advocates.” George Washington Williams, the first African American elected to the Ohio legislature, was cognizant of the national political quagmires and he was not sheltered from difficulties he faced in his own legislature.

George Washington Williams was elected to the Ohio State legislature in 1879 and served one term (1880-1881). He served on many committees and introduced a controversial bill calling for the legalization of interracial marriage.

Union Baptist Church in Cincinnati, where he served as pastor from 1876-1880, provided an interesting account in its history about his time in political office.: “He did encounter racism, and what popularity he did have from African-Americans quickly vanished in 1880 when Williams attempted to pass a bill regarding cemeteries in order to remedy the complaints of several wealthy citizens of Avondale, Ohio. Williams proposed that anyone living within a half- mile from the Colored American Cemetery could petition the Board of Health if they were convinced that the cemetery was a hindrance. In turn they could prohibit any more burials in that particular cemetery. Many people in the black community became enraged that he was assisting the wealthy white community to the detriment of the AfricanAmerican community.”

Williams’ political career ended after having served one year; however, he continued to be very active in the community and as a historian.

He was a very accomplished historian who

demanded thorough research, accuracy and objectivity. In 1883, his first and seminal work The History of the Negro Race from 1619 to 1880: Negroes as Slaves, Soldiers and as Citizens took seven years to write and he had reviewed over 12,000 books for his research. The two volume book was generally well received, including approval in reviews from The New York Times and the Atlantic Monthly. Several people were amazed at both the detail of the work as well as the fact that the author was black. Williams’ biographer and renowned historian John Hope Franklin remarked, “George Washington Williams, at 33 years of age and with no formal training in the field of history, had achieved what no other … person had ever achieved. He had provided a sustained, coherent account of the experiences of the Negro people.”

In 1887, Williams published the History of the Negro Troops in the War of the Rebellion, 18611865 and it received a better reception than his initial work. Williams collected oral histories from African American Civil War veterans as well as collected information from newspapers and other resources. Dr. W.E.B. DuBois, then the editor of the Fisk University newspaper, called History of the Negro Troops a “splendid narrative.”

In 1885, President Chester Arthur appointed Williams to be a U.S. ambassador to Haiti, but he never took the position, because President Grover Cleveland’s administration canceled it. He continued to travel around the world and in one of his trips he became acquainted King Leopold II of Belgium. King Leopold took personal possession of the Congo in Africa several years earlier and employed a private militia to enforce rubber production by the Congolese. Williams developed an interest in the Congo. To the displeasure of King Leopold, Williams visited the Congo in 1890 and

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was horrified to discover the atrocities being committed by King Leopold’s private militia.

The militia enslaved, tortured and killed the local population. Their infamous torture trademarks were to cut hands, feet, and limbs off of their victims. Williams’ wrote about the atrocities in letters and eye witness accounts to King Leopold II, United States president Benjamin Harrison, newspapers, and others in the international community. His most famous letter was Congo: An Open letter to His Serene Majesty Leopold II, King of the Belgians and Sovereign of the Independent State of Congo and A Report Upon the Congo-State and Country to the President of the Republic of the United States. He wanted to not only bring awareness about the inhumane conditions in the Congo, but to also put an end to the corrupt regime in the country.

George Williams was unable to put an end to the problems in the Congo during his lifetime, but his work put a spotlight on the crimes committed by King Leopold and his cronies. In 1891, Williams moved to Blackpool, England and begin writing on a book about Africa.

Unfortunately, he contracted tuberculosis and died on August 2, 1891 at the age of 41. He is buried in Layton Cemetery, Blackpool. George Washington Williams was a phenomenal historian with impeccable attention to detail and accuracy. His work and research has benefitted so many and he set the standard for subsequent historians, especially historians concentrating in African American and African history.

The Honorable Ray Miller, former Ohio state legislator and founder/editor of the Columbus African American News Journal, led the way for the development and dedication of the George Washington Williams memorial room at the Ohio Statehouse, which features images of Williams and photographs of other African-Americans who followed Williams in the legislature. In addition, Dr. John Hope Franklin wrote a fitting biography on Williams. I encourage you take the time to learn more about George Washington Williams, review his books and read his open letter to King Leopold II. Works Cited: http://www.blackpast.org/aah/williams-georgewashington-1849-1891 https://www.britannica.com/biography/GeorgeWashington-Williams Franklin, John Hope. George Washington Williams: A Biography. http://www.encyclopedia.com/education/newswires-white-papers-and-books/williams-georgewashington-1849-1891 http://www.union-baptist.net/site/about-us/ourhistory/pastors/george-washington-williams/ 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.

COMMUNITYEVENTS December 3, 2016 5th Annual Clark Kellogg Basketball Classic Join former NBA star and CBS Sports reporter, Clark Kellogg for his annual high school basketball classic. Come out and watch some of the top teams in Ohio battle it out for the top prize. For more information, tickets, or for a complete schedule of games, visit the website below.

December 8, 2016 12th Annual Statewide Tribute to Rosa Parks Ohio is the first state to enact legislation indentifying December 1 as Rosa Parks Day. Join the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) and Congresswoman Joyce Beatty for this special Community Leaders’ Forum and Panel Discussion. For more information, call 614-308-4387 or visit the website below.

Location: Ohio Dominican University Address: 1216 Sunbury Rd., 43219 Time: Check site for game times.

Admission: Check site for tickets.

Web: www.ClarkKelloggClassic.com

Location: Ohio History Connection Address: 800 E. 17th Ave, 43211 Time: 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM Admission: Free Web: www.COTA.com

December 5, 2016 Reflections: The Life of the Late Congressman Louis Stokes The late Louis Stokes was a giant in Ohio politics and a significant figure in the U.S. Congress. Learn more about his legacy and his many accomplishments in Ohio and at the Congressional level. For tickets or for more information, please call 614-464-1032.

December 9, 2016 Who’s Who In Black Columbus Come out and participate in one of the most important networking events in Columbus. Who’s Who In Black Columbus will release the 2016 edition featuring African Americans who are leaders within the community. To pre-purchase your book or for more information, call 313-961-3100 or visit the website below.

Location: King Arts Complex Address: 867 Mt. Vernon Ave, 43203 Time: 7:00 PM Admission: $25 Web: www.KingArtsComplex.com December 6, 2016 Holiday Art and Soul Paint Party Instructor, Latasha Matthews will guide you through a free flowing paint session allowing you to express your creative self. Sip some tea and create a masterpiece while enjoying holiday music and cheer. This event is part of the monthly series, “First Tuesday Tea.” To register, contact Lyn Logan at 614-645-0676.

Location: King Arts Complex Address: 867 Mt. Vernon Ave, 43203 Time: Noon Admission: Free Web: www.KingArtsComplex.com December 8, 2016 Post Election Racial Healing Summit This is a town-hall event to discuss the impact of race and racism during the recent election cycle and ways the community can heal and move forward. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 614-471-9673.

Location: Rhema Christian Center Address: 2100 Agler Rd., 43224 Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Admission: Free Web: www.RhemaChristianCenter.com

The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

Location: The Ohio Union - The Archie Griffin Ball Room Address: 1739 N. High Street, 43210 Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM Admission: Free Web: www.WhosWhoPublishing.com December 10, 2016 7th Annual Mistletoe Holiday Party Kick off the holiday season by getting your party-on! Join the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Rho Lambda Chapter, as they celebrate the holidays with their annual Mistletoe Holiday Party.

For more information or for tickets, call 614-915-7195 or visit www.

AlphaColumbus.com.

Location: Hyatt Regency Columbus Address: 350 N. High Street, 43215 Time: 9:00 PM - 2:00 AM Admission: $30 or $300 per table of 10 Web: www.AlphaColumbus.com December 29, 2016 The Original Harlem Globetrotters The world famous Harlem Globetrotters, featuring some of the most electrifying athletes on the planet, will play two games at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus. Celebrating their 90th Anniversary, you don’t want to miss this exciting performance. For more information or for tickets, call 614-292-2624.

Location: Jerome Schottenstein Center Address: 555 Borror Drive, 43210 Time: 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM Admission: Call for prices.

Web: www.SchottensteinCenter.com

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The Columbus African American • December 2016

COMMUNITYEVENTS January 12, 2017 25th Annual MLK Mayor’s Breakfast - Canton, OH The Greater Canton Martin Luther King Jr. Commission is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the MLK Mayor’s Breakfast.

This year’s keynote speaker is Ray Miller, Publisher of The Columbus African American. This year’s theme is “United We Serve” For more information or for tickets, call 330-456-8231.

January 16, 2017 32nd Martin Luther King Jr., Breakfast Celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the 32nd Annual Breakfast. This year’s keynote speaker is former Columbus Mayor, Michael B. Coleman. All tickets are sold in advance. To purchase tickets, call 614-252-0868 or visit the website below.

Location: Greater Convention Center - Battelle Hall Address: 400 N. High Street, 43215 Time: 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM Admission: $40 per person, $400 per table of 10 Web: www.MLKJrBreakfast.com

Location: Alex D. Krassass Event Center Address: 251 25th Street NW, 44709 Time: 8:00 AM Admission: Call for prices.

January 12, 2017 The 2017 MLK Annual Awards This annual event sponsored by the Ohio Department of Administrative Services recognizes individuals throughout the state who have emulated the characteristics of Dr. King in their respective fields. This year’s recipients will be announced at a special event held in their honor. For more information, call 614466-8380.

January 16, 2017 MLK Day of Learning - Captial University Celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by attending the “Day of Learning” at Capital University. This annual event presents the community with an entire day of events from a keynote speaker, workshops, jazz-themed luncheon and more. To learn more about this year’s event, call 614-236-6181.

Location: Capital University Address: 1 College and Main, 43209 Time: 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM Admission: Programs are Free - Call for lunch price.

Web: www.Capital.edu/Diversity-and-Inclusion

Location: Downtown Columbus Address: TBD Time: TBD Admission: Call for ticket prices.

Web: www.DAS.Ohio.gov

January 16, 2017 MLK Celebration - Ohio Wesleyn University Join the Office of Diversity and Inclusion as they celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This two-day event has grown over the years to include workshops, a breakfast featuring a well-known keynote speaker and much more. To learn more about this year’s event, call 740-368-3151.

January 14, 2017 30th Annual Labor Salute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Brunch In honor of Dr. King, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists will present awards to several men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving their communities. For more information or for tickets, please call 614-284-7079.

Location: Ohio Wesleyan University Address: 61 S. Sandusky Street, 43015 Time: Call for times.

Admission: Programs are Free - Call for breakfast pice.

Web: www.OWU.edu

Location: King Arts Complex Address: 867 Mt. Vernon Ave, 43203 Time: 10:00 AM Admission: $55 per person, $440 per table of 8 January 15-16, 2017 Civil Rights Weekend In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Ohio History Center will celebrate the accomplshments of African Americans in Ohio who contributed to the Civil Rights Movement. For more information, call 614-297-2300 or visit the website below.

January 31, 2017 45th Annual MLK Celebration - Ohio State Each January, the Hale Center offers a series of events to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In addition to an evening celebration with a featured speaker, students and faculty come together to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King through other community service events. For more information, call

Location: Ohio History Center Address: 800 E. 17th Ave., 43211 Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Sat. & Mon.), Noon - 5:00 PM (Sun.) Admission: $10, Senior - $9, Youth (6-12) - $5 Web: www.OhioHistory.org

Location: The Ohio State University - Mershon Auditorium Address: 1817 N. High Street, 43215 Time: Call for time.

Admission: Free Web: www.ODI.OSU.EDU/hale-black-cultural-center

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 the last Friday of each month.

• December 2016 The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015

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Columbus African American The ColumbusThe African American News Journal • October February2016 2015

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The Columbus African American News Journal • February 2015