Chavis confronts digital racism and demands reparations at U.N. Forum
By Stacy M Brown BlackPressUSA com Senior National Correspondent
Dr Benjamin Chavis speaks at UN National Newspaper Publishers Association President & CEO
Dr Benjamin F Chavis Jr delivered a forceful address during the fourth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent calling on global leaders to confront algorithmic discrimination, reject media-driven imperialism, and fully recognize the crimes of slavery through official reparatory justice
See U.N. Forum, p. 6
Sen Cory Booker and House Minority Leader Hakeem
Jefferies lead Democrats in sit-in on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to speak against expected GOP budget cuts
By Lauren Burke and Stacy M Brown NNPA Newswire Reporters
Sen Booker and Leader Jeffries conduct sit-in on steps of U S Capitol in Washington, D C
In a show of solidarity against the congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration, dozens of congressional Democratic members of Congress gathered on the steps of the U S House of Representatives from sunrise to sunset Sunday, April 27 to speak out against budget cuts
See Booker & Jeffries, p 6
Young Americans losing faith in the system
By Stacy M Brown BlackPressUSA
com Senior National
Correspondent
Young Americans
A new national survey from the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School finds young Americans facing financial uncertainty, deteriorating mental health, and a growing lack of trust in institutions The 50th edition of the Harvard Youth Poll offers a comprehensive look at the attitudes of Americans aged 18 to 29 particularly young Black individuals who feel increasingly left out of national conversations and underserved by political leadership
See Young Americans, p 6
Could the next Pope be Black?
By Shannon Dawson, Newsone
Pope Francis gives blessing to Cardinal Peter Turkson, from Ghana
On April 21, Vatican officials confirmed the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88 According to CNN, the beloved pontiff died from a stroke and heart failure As tributes pour in from around the world many are mourning a spiritual giant whose legacy will be felt for generations But amid the grief, a pivotal question has begun to surface: Who will follow in his legendary footsteps? And more specifically could the next pope be Black?
See Cardinal Peter Turkson, p 4
Gr eene County celebr ates 20th Year of Black Belt Community Foundation
L to R: CommunityAssociates Geraldine Walton, Mollie Rowe, Nancy Cole, BBCF President Felecia Lucky, BBCF Founder Carol P Zippert, BBCF Community Associates Miriam Leftwich, Darlene Robinson and Johnni Strode-Morning
On Friday April 25
2025 the Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF) Greene County Associates held its 20th year celebration lifting community engagements supported by BBCF Its theme: The Roaring 20’s depicted an era of fashion
and a period of extraordinary community work in Greene County BBCF President Felecia Lucky shared in the celebratory occasion saluting the Associates with the statement Greene County always goes big ” Greetings were also brought by
Eutaw Mayor Latosha Johnson and Greene County Commission Chairperson, Garria Spencer, Associates Coordinator Miriam Leftwich
Nancy Cole Johnni
Strode-Morning and Darlene Robinson Mollie Rowe served as Mistress of
Eutaw Ar ea Chamber of Commer ce holds annual meeting and dinner
The Eutaw Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting and dinner on March 24, 2025, in the newly renovated street level of the original Greene County Courthouse in downtown Eutaw The Chamber serves and promotes the business and community improvement organizations in Eutaw and surrounding areas of Greene County
This gave many business and community leaders a chance to see the results of a renovation grant provided by the State of Alabama to the Greene County Historical Society for the renovation of the street level of the original Greene County Courthouse The upstairs level which was the historic courtroom, still needs to be
renovated to complete work to make the old Courthouse into a welcome center, museum and community space
Carrie Logan Director of the Chamber gave a welcome Rev Julia Lyons gave an invocation, and a catfish dinner was catered from the Southfresh Fish Truck Teresa Atkins, a former classmate of the keynote speaker, introduced Tennyson Smith Jr Director of Student and Community Outreach at Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa and a native of Greene County Tennyson Smith Jr spoke mostly from his PhD dissertation at the University of West Alabama on access by lowincome rural students to higher education
In his talk, Tennyson Smith Jr urged the Chamber of Commerce members to take more interest in supporting K-12 education in Greene County to be able to train and retain a skilled workforce in the county He urged businesses to visit schools, provide internships and mentorships for students and to encourage parental involvement in the schools ”
See Chamber, p 2
No Dumping in Gr eene County
Illegal trash dumping is the improper disposal of waste in locations where it's not permitted, often in public areas or on private property without the owner's consent This includes dumping trash in alleys, dumpsters, vacant lots or open spaces Illegal dumping can have negative impacts on the environment, public health, and property values
To stop littering and illegal dumping focus on preventing it, educating the public, and implementing effective solutions This includes increasing trash and recycling bins, providing convenient waste disposal options, and promoting responsible waste management practices around
Greene County and in the industrial park
The Eutaw Chamber of Commerce and other agencies in the county have organized and hosted annual clean up days to promote awareness through education campaigns to educate the public about the negative impacts of littering and the importance of responsible waste disposal and engage residents in litter prevention efforts
Enforce littering ordinances:
In an effort to enforce existing laws against littering and to deter unwanted behavior, the Greene County IDA has installed cameras on the property
There are signs warning against illegal dumping
The IDA is working in partnership with the Alabama
Law Enfor cement r epor ts thr ee ar r ests and multiple incidents
On April 6, 2025, the Eutaw Police Department arrested Samuel Braggs of Eutaw on warrants with Greene County Sheriff Office
The Greene County Sheriff Department arrested Patrick Robinson, 21, of Union, AL, on April 23, for burglary 3rd degree, criminal mischief 2nd degree theft of property 1st degree, and discharging a gun into an occupied building On April 25, Jerrell Little 39 of Northport
AL, was arrested for failure to appear for possession of marijuana 2nd degree
The Eutaw Police Department reported the following incidents
4/23 - Lynnetta Nesbitt reported identity theft
4/23 - Lashanna Scarbrough reported an incident 4/23 - Daesa Goree reported menacing 4/25 - Cliffton Epps, Sr reported an incident 4/26 -Ashlynee Vaughan reported an incident
4/26 - Johnny Archibald reported an incident
4/26 - Vanessa Hibbler reported an incident
4/27 - Dorothy Beverly reported an incident
4/28 - Derrick Jones reported assault 3rd degree
4/28 - Mi'teria McShan reported fraudulent use of a credit/debit card
The Greene County Sheriff Department reported the following incidents
4/21 - LaMichael Chambley reported a burned vehicle 4/25 - Larry Cochran reported assault 3rd degree and reckless endangerment 4/25 - Larry French reported menacing The Greene County Sheriff Department reported the following bond 4/23 - DeAnthony Noland was released on a bond of $10 000 for receiving stolen property
Order A special recognition was presented to Dr Carol P Zippert as a founding member of BBCF She gave a brief overview of the journey of the foundation
See BBCF, p 2
Tennyson Smith Jr , Keynote Speaker
Carol’s Notes
A Tribute to our Mother on Mother’s Day
Our Mother is no longer on this Earth, but her spirit lives among us
In Kinship with God
Our Mother talked with God Sometimes in strong argument Sometimes just about everyday life Her familiarity with God proclaimed Her vivid faith and close kinship
Our Mother even prayed for God Bonding with God as a true relative (And all your kin need prayer) Mother depended on God Despite her own strong will She accepted things had to be As God said
Our Mother was grateful to God She knew she was blessed She acknowledged God’s gifts As all the joys and trials Of her life
Our Mother loved God And because she loved God She could love herself She could love others She was truly in kinship with God
Carol Prejean Zippert
Community Calendar
May 18- Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church of Pleasant Ridge will host their Pastor and First Lady Kenneth Gilmore 1st Pastor ’s Anniversary at 2:00 p m Rev Matthew Wilson Pastor of Povidence M B C Marion AL will be the guest speaker The public is invited
The Greene County Commission will hold a call meeting, Thursday, May 1 at 5:30
No Dumping Chamber
STATE OF ALABAMA LAW CRIMINAL LITTER
Ala Code 13A-7-29 (1975) The State of Alabama s law on criminal littering is very clear- anyone who knowingly deposits in any manner litter on any public or private property or in any public or private waters without permission to do so It goes on to say that litter bearing the name of a person shall constitute a rebuttal presumption that the person whose name appears on the material knowingly deposited the litter Criminal littering is a class B misdemeanor The fine for the first conviction shall be up to $500 The punishment for the second and any subsequent conviction shall include either a fine of up to $1000 and up to 100 hours of community service and the form of picking up literal along highways, roads, streets, public right away, public sidewalks, public walkways, or public waterways or by a fan of not less than $2000 and not more than $3000
It is the full intent of the Greene County IDA to enforce the state law with the assistance of the Alabama Department of Public Health For purposes of this article, 3 people have been identified as breaking this law in the Crossroads of America Port and Park A thorough investigation is underway to determine the person who knowingly dumped food service trash in the industrial park All three have been contacted by certified first class mail One person has paid the fine The other two parties have received a second notice Their failure to respond to the second notice has forced the IDA to turn this matter over to the legal authorities Thus their fine will be 10 times more than originally assessed
We need to make sure our schools are teaching and exposing our low-income rural children to the skills and mindset they will need to pursue a career in the future,” said Smith, Carre Logan reported on the work of the Chamber during the past year, highlighting a mural on Greene County near the Eutaw City Hall work on the Christmas Parade and other community-wide activities Logan then presented awards Danny Cooper,
BBCF
The Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF) is celebrating its 20th year of serving 12 counties in the Alabama Black Belt Each of the 12 counties, including Greene Sumter Pickens Hale Perry Marengo Choctaw, Dallas, Lowndes, Wilcox, Macon and Bullock is hosting a 20th Year celebratory event Through community grants and other financial and technical resources, BBCF assists local groups engaged in transformational work to lift its community through arts and
former Alabama Power District Manager, Chair of the Greene County Industrial Development Authority and leader of the Eutaw Garden Club as the Chamber ’s “Citizen of the Year” Judy Jarvis was honored as the Chamber ’s “Volunteer of the Year Phillis Belcher, Executive Director of the Greene County Industrial Development Authority was recognized as the Chamber s Business of the Year”
culture, education, health and wellness childcare civic engagement youth leadership, and related projects
Each county has a group of volunteers known as Community Associates who are dedicated to educating the community on the vision and mission of BBCF and assist in raising funds, which earn a percentage match by BBCF, to support local projects Funds raised by Associates in a particular county support grants to groups in that county
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Don’t
Carrie Logan giving Citizens of the Year Award to Danny Cooper
Ala bama football player s visit Gr eene County Nur sing Home r esidents
Friday, April 25, 2025 Residents at Greene County Nursing Home received a visit from some Alabama football players
Residents were decked out in their Alabama gear and had their pom poms ready so they could cheer as the players walked in. The players spent time talking to the residents, taking picture and signing autographs Number 1 Domani Jackson, said being a player means more than just playing football "I mean of course we play football with shoulder pads, helmets, stuff like that, but we are human We like interaction just as much as them," said Jackson "They're fans, we're happy to see them, and they're happy to see us."
Number 28 Kevin Riley said he enjoys events like this because he gets to make their day just a little bit brighter Going from the big screen to in-person, several of the nursing home residents relived the moments they've spent watching the Alabama football team play over the years. One of the residents, Jacqueline Madison, said she has been an Alabama fan all her life. She told us how she was feeling about meeting the players
West Ala bama Wor ks holds Re gional Signing
Congratulations to the GCHS Class of 2025 Seniors that participated in the Regional Signing Day hosted by West Alabama Works and industry partners. Our seniors took a huge step by signing to start a new chapter in their lives by entering the workforce
Happy
Birthday to Mrs.
Alberta Means, Lessia Mae Means on April 23rd and Officer Laporria Kirksey on April 28th
chapter of the Blues Hall of Fame, a website founded in 1999 by Dan Marolt of San Francisco, California to honor blues musicians with an online "eMuseum" and various induction events hosted by local "blues ambassadors" at clubs around the world The Magic City Blues Society has sponsored such events locally
Pope
Fax:
Marc H Morial, President and CEO National Urban League
The freedom to learn is the freedom to live We cannot survive our current political moment or unlock the promise of our future without the tools to understand and make sense of our past And that’s precisely why those opposing democracy and equality are trying to take away our books our concepts and our knowledge Ignorance about our past is the Achilles heel of democracy And we can’t save this democracy without confronting its weakest link That s why we have to fight for the freedom to learn ” Kimberlee Crenshaw
When the deadly COVID-19 pandemic began sweeping across the United States in 2020, President Donald Trump infamously made the mind-boggling assertion, “If we stop testing right now we’d have very few cases if any ”
As the legacy of racism, segregation, and discrimination continues to drive gaps in opportunity achievement and justice under the law, the Trump administration remains committed to solving problems it doesn't want to confront by pretending they don t exist
The administration's frenzied assault on American history outlined in the Orwellian executive order, Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” is a key tactic in its broad agenda to erode democracy, entrench inequities, and reinforce injustice,
As part of the Freedom to Learn coalition the National Urban League is sounding the alarm that the attempted mass erasure of Black history and culture is a key pre-condition for our ongoing anti-democratic
Fr ancis was a humble man of the people
and an advocate for Black America
By Julianne Malveaux (TriceEdneyWire com) -
His Holiness Pope Francis made his transition on the morning after Easter Sunday, after he delivered an Easter blessing from the balcony of St Peter ’s Basilica, and after he toured St Peter s Square in his popemobile His doctors had advised him to take two months of convalescence, but this pope, this man of the people, wanted to be with them until the very end He was of the people and he wanted to reach them, touch them Now he is gone
slide Sunday marks the beginning of the #HandsOffOurHistory / Freedom To Learn National Week of Action a mass mobilization in opposition to the extremist campaign to suppress history and wipe out decades of anti-racist, pro-equality progress
On Wednesday which marks the first 100 days of the second Trump administration I will take part in a virtual event Beyond The First 100 Days: Centering Racial Justice and Black History in Our Fight for Democracy In partnership with the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the conversation will provide an assessment of what the first 100 days has meant for the fight for racial justice, the preservation of Black history and the defense of a multiracial democracy I will be joined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, Co-Founder and President of the African American Policy Forum; Kaye Wise Whitehead founding director of The Karson Institute for Race, Peace and Social Justice; Shavon Arline-Bradley President and CEO of the Nation Council of Negro Women; Barbara Arnwine, President and founder of Transformative Justice Coalition; and Melanie Campbell, President and CEO, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and Convener of the Black Women s Roundtable
The week of action culminates Saturday May 3 in Washington, D C with a demonstration in defense of the National Museum of African American History and Culture
All Americans can join the demonstration by visiting their local museums and libraries seeking out exhibitions and collections that recognize the contributions of Black Americans and sharing photos of their experiences on social media with the hashtag #HandsOffOurHistory
Supporters also can sign the Black History Is American History Affirmation Now is the time to show the public that we must stand up for civil rights for the accurate accounting of history, for our books, our voices and our lives
far as to embrace gay marriage, but his modest step in the right direction caused resistance among other church leaders
This pope was an advocate for social and economic justice frequently addressing the economic gap between developed nations and those still developing He embraced the concept of climate justice releasing an encyclical on climate change, He wrote “Never have we so hurt and mistreated our common home as we have in the last two hundred years ” The encyclical (papal letter) was issued in 2015 and called for urgent action to combat climate change, protect the environment, and promote sustainable development
vocated for their rights
Pope Francis was also a strong proponent of DEI He appointed 163 cardinals since he assumed his papacy in 2013, diversifying the College of Cardinals by including members from countries that had never been represented, including cardinals from Mongolia South Sudan Nigeria Ghana Tanzania and Cote d Ivoire
This diverse set of cardinals will choose the next Pope Will they embrace the Pope Francis approach to inclusion advocacy, and equity, or will they revert to the narrow white approach to the papacy with the majority of leaders being European?
Sacrament, an order dedicated to serving Native American and African American communities
The world will miss this humble Pope a man who eschewed pomp and pageantry, instead embracing piety and populism As a cardinal in Argentina he rode the subway rather than a limo As Pope, he opted for more modest accommodations than the papal palace and dined with Vatican employees He used the word gay –no other Pope had – and insisted that homosexual brothers and sisters had a place in the church, and in heaven He did not go so
Leaders, said the Pope, must hear “both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” Pope Francis was a spokesperson for the least and the left out, visiting prisons wherever he went, and washing the feet of prisoners to emphasize mutual humanity He was an advocate for immigrants, stating in 2024 that those who knowingly and intentionally harm immigrants are creating a grave sin He called for a “global governance based on justice fraternity and solidarity
While countries around the world, the United States among them are closing border and instituting harsh measures against migrants, Pope Francis ad-
African Americans have a distinct, if not large, presence in the Catholic church Just six percent of us are Catholic But the Catholic church has had an impact on Black Americans especially in its role in education Often Catholic schools were not as harshly segregated as public schools and in some case schools that focused on Black students were much better equipped than other schools
For example my mom
Proteone Marie Alexandria
Malveaux attended Our Mother of Sorrows High School in Biloxi, Mississippi The school was administered by the Josephite Fathers, a religious order dedicated to serving African American Catholics The nuns who staffed the school were the Sisters of the Blessed
Partly because of her experience at Our Mother of Sorrows, Mom was a devout Catholic She was impatient with my criticism of the Catholic Church as colonizing oppressors encouraging me to “find the good” in the church, despite its many flaws Pope Francis was radically different from the colonizing popes who encouraged European powers to “civilize” Africans In many instances instead Pope Francis has denounced racism and discrimination, and expressed solidarity with the murdered George Floyd the slaughtered congregants at Mother Emanuel AME church in Charleston, South Carolina and many others In many ways President Francis was an anti-Trump, embracing immigration, climate change DEI and economic justice In making a decision, the Cardinals will decide whether to move forward with a dynamic Pope Francisc agenda or whether they will move backwards to the exclusionary values of the past Black America had an advocate in Pope Francis Will we have another in the next Pope Dr Julianne Malveaux is an economist and author based in Washington, DC Juliannemalveaux com
Too many Black leader s seem to be shucking and
By Pat Bryant
Too many Black leaders seem to be shucking and jiving That is pretending to lead looking good while doing nothing The 14th Amendment
For centuries, the papacy has been predominantly held by Europeans Yet, in recent decades the Church has slowly begun to see figures from around the world step into the coveted position Pope Francis himself shattered centuries of tradition as the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to ascend to the papacy in nearly 1 300 years Now as the world looks to the future, the question of representation is once again front and center Could we be on the brink of witnessing a historic moment, the election of the first Black pope in the modern era?
Cardinal Peter Turkson has a strong chance of becoming the first Black pope in centuries
Cardinal Peter Turkson a leading frontrunner, would make history as the first African pope in centuries if elected According to Newsweek, he currently holds 5:1 odds in betting markets and
“due process protections are at stake when Mr Garcia and 250 other humans were kidnapped and taken to Cecot prison in El Salvador Central America without a hearing in court
Every Black leader worth his or her salt that is not a part of the growing movement to save the Constitution from Trump and his Nazi supporters will live to regret shucking and jiving and doing nothing
When the 14th Amendment is under attack that is our que to stand up and fight back When Hitler and the Nazi attacked Jews in 1932 many leaders did
boasts a strong resume for the role Turkson previously led the Vatican s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development where he was outspoken on key global issues including climate change, poverty, and economic justice
Made Archbishop of Cape Coast (Ghana) in 1993 Turkson rose to high ranks in 2003, when he became the first Ghanaian to become a cardinal-priest following an historic appointment from Pope John Paul II according to The College of Cardinals Report He has also played a major role in shaping the Vatican s stance on social justice environmental issues, and human rights
Retired American Cardinal Wilton D Gregory of Washington D C was the first Black Cardinal appointed in the United States Gregory at age 77 is eligible to vote in the upcoming Conclave and could also be selected as Pope The idea of a Black pope isn’t as far-fetched or unprecedented as it might seem In fact history tells us that there have already been three popes of African descent, albeit in the early centuries of Christianity, according to Pope History These include Pope Victor I (served c 189–199 AD), Pope Miltiades (served 311–314 AD) and Pope Gelasius I (served 492–496 AD)
jiving
not stand up and resist thinking and saying extermination of Jews was not their fight In a couple of years all groups in German civil society had been decimated
Rev Martin Neiimoler said he did not stand up when Nazi’s came for the Jews, Communists, Socialists, Labor Unions and finally when Nazi‘s came to imprison him there was no one to stand for him
Too many Black leaders, a lot of my friends, seem to be shucking and jiving when our community should be standing and fighting with Americans in
Pope Victor I (c 189–199 AD)
Widely recognized as the first African pope Victor I was born in the Roman province of Africa likely in present-day Libya or Tunisia His papacy is best remembered for his decisive leadership during the Quartodeciman controversy, a major dispute over the correct date to celebrate Easter Victor pushed for the uniform observance of Easter on a Sunday, aligning with Roman tradition and moving away from the practice of celebrating it on the 14th of Nisan, a date based on the Jewish calendar Though his firm stance drew criticism from some Eastern bishops it established a precedent for liturgical unity in the Church according to Popal History
Pope Miltiades (311–314 AD)
Born in Africa, Pope Miltiades led the Church during a pivotal transition in its history His papacy began just as the Roman Empire was easing its persecution of Christians In 311 AD, Emperor Galerius issued the Edict of Toleration, ending the systematic oppression of Christians and allowing them to worship freely Miltiades was instrumental in helping the Church navigate this newfound freedom His diplomatic skills and steady leadership laid the groundwork for Christianity s emergence from the shad-
the streets and courts to free Mr Garcia and others Trump and his Nazi sympathizers kidnapped and sent to Salvadoran prisons How long will it take for MAGA or Nazi white supremacists to kidnap Black and Brown people they don’t like and send us to El Salvador s Cecot prison
Pat Bryant is a journalist covering civil and human rights issues in the Southern United States He can be reached at pat46bryant@gmai
ows and into the public square as a legally recognized faith
Pope St Gelasius I (492–496 AD)
Considered one of the most prolific papal writers of the Church’s early centuries, Pope St Gelasius I was born in North Africa during the twilight years of the Western Roman Empire, just before its fall to the Vandals Despite the political chaos of the time, Gelasius powerfully asserted the primacy of the Bishop of Rome over the other major patriarchates of Christendom Constantinople, Antioch, Jerusalem, and Alexandria His most enduring legacy lies in his articulation of the doctrine of the “Two Powers spiritual and temporal establishing the pope’s supremacy in spiritual matters This vision of papal authority would influence Church-state relations for the next thousand years
Could It Happen?
So could there be a Black pope in the future?
Yes it absolutely could happen There is no doctrinal or institutional rule preventing a Black man from becoming pope The increasing diversity of the College of Cardinals and the Church’s growing inclusivity make it a very real possibility in the coming decades
Car dinal Peter Tur kson
A Le gacy of Young Changemaker s
By Marian Wright Edelman
This month marked a Civil Rights Movement anniversary: the founding of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in April 1960
People often forget that children and young people were major frontline soldiers in the Civil Rights Movement Sixyear-old Ruby Bridges in New Orleans, the Little Rock Nine at Central High School in Arkansas, and other Black students desegregated schools across the South often standing up to howling mobs
Many, including Bridges (who later became a Children’s Defense Fund colleague) continue to write books and speak at schools and college campuses across the country sharing their experiences with young people, helping students today understand that none of this is ancient history in our country’s story After Dr Martin Luther King Jr was jailed in Birmingham in April 1963, young people responded with the Birmingham Children s Crusade in May More than 1,000 students walked out from local schools to march, withstanding fire hoses and police dogs to challenge Bull Connor ’s brutal rule and topple segregation in that city College-aged young people coordinated voter registration drives, participated in Freedom Rides testing segregation laws on interstate buses conducted voter education and Freedom Schools during 1964 s Freedom Summer in Mississippi and more They faced pervasive risks of arrest injury, or death My generation was blessed beyond measure to be in the right places at the right times to experience and help bring transforming change to the South and to America, and SNCC was one conduit The path to its founding began two months earlier in February 1960, when four Black freshmen at North Carolina A&T State University Ezell Blair Jr , Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond sat in at the Whites-only lunch counter in the Greensboro, North Carolina Woolworth’s store That
was just the spark I and many other Black youths were waiting for that galvanized us to stand up against the segregation that daily assaulted our dignity and lives with similar actions
At first there was no mechanism in place to connect us all But the visionary Ella Baker, who was working with Dr King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) organized an April meeting at her alma mater Shaw University in Raleigh, N C to bring student activists together I was a senior at Spelman College in Atlanta at the time, and took my first ever plane ride that Easter weekend on a plane chartered by SCLC to join with about 200 other college students for the April 15 convening where SNCC was founded
From the beginning Ella Baker insisted that students find their own voice and form our own organization instead of becoming the youth arm of SCLC or an established civil rights group She became a trusted SNCC advisor and mentor and she and some of the other adults who became colleagues with young people in SNCC and nurtured us were some of the most extraordinary people in the Civil Rights Movement
At the same time the student activism energized the larger movement Many of the student leaders from that time continued to build on the passion and commitment unleashed as teenagers and twenty-year-olds and dedicated their entire adult lives to advocacy and service While SNCC lasted only six years, SNCC alumni carried on, following up on the ideals we believed in and doing our part to make a better world for the next generations
That legacy still matters today All of the children and young people who were part of the Civil Rights Movement are a reminder as Children s Defense Fund Freedom Schools® scholars know, that you are never too young to make a difference in your nation and world
Marian Wright Edelman is Founder and President Emerita of the Children's Defense Fund whose Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities For more information go to childrensdefense org
Senate Sketches #1975.....by Hank Sander s As humble as I know how!
As humble as I know how! The old folks often said in their prayers that they were coming to God “as humble as I know how!” I grew in my appreciation of this special introduction to prayer As humble as I know how!
In my prayers, one of the several parts include this phrase: God of the Universe I come we come as humble as we know how in the hope in the belief in the faith that when we are humble, our spirits reach out and connect with your ever reaching spirit I use this approach in prayer to share my understanding of the power of humbleness in our relationship to God in our relationship to our fellow human beings and in our relationship with ourselves As humble as I know how!
I know the power of pride When I was a child, my self-pride was central in my life As a result I stayed in conflict with others I was in conflict with some of my fellow students I was in conflict with some of my teachers I was in conflict with some of my brothers and sisters I was in an intense conflict with my mother I was in conflict with myself As humble as I know how!
The heart of my pride was the conviction that I was right in what I thought and said There is such a thin line between being righteous and being selfrighteous I eventually realized that my expressions of my pride in my thinking and actions were a source of my many conflicts I decided that I would limit these expressions of my self-pride (self-righteousness) And that limited the number and dimensions of my conflicts with others and with myself But that was not utilizing the full power of humbleness, only the practical power of not speaking my pride As humble as I know how!
Over the years, I noticed that nearly every religion provided symbolic actions to achieve humbleness in our efforts to connect with God Some kneeled Some stood Some closed eyes Some lifted hands Some lifted heads and eyes to the sky Some bowed heads Some prostrated by lying face down on the floor or ground And so on These were symbolic actions to achieve and or manifest humbleness As humble as I know how!
Of course, I realized that some simply go through the motions by assuming physical postures intended to manifest humbleness I am certain that this was true of me at times But I gradually grew in a fuller understanding of the power of humbleness When I was humble, I experienced a different connection with myself When I was humble I experienced a different connection in my connection with others I experienced a different connection with God when I was humble As humble as I know how!
I grew in my understanding of what the old folk meant when they said “I come as humble as I know how ” All of us do not “know how” in the same way We come each
in our own way I believe that God is wise enough to receive each of us in our “know how ” As humble as I know how!
“I come in the hope, in the belief, in the faith” is a part of my prayer I see hopelessness, hope, belief and faith as different points on the same spiritual spectrum Hopelessness immobilizes us Hope allows us to move but without focused direction Belief causes us to move based on what we perceive in the moment Faith causes us to move in spite of what we perceive and or do not perceive Therefore if hope brings about my connection with God that is good If hope does not bring the connection, I hope that “belief” will achieve the desired connection If hope and belief are insufficient, then faith will surely accomplish the connection As humble as I know how!
I sense that when I am not humble my spirit becomes tangled up inside of my being The more prideful I am, the tighter the tangle As I become more humble, my spirit untangles I sense that when I am humble my spirit not only untangles but reaches out A prideful spirit cannot reach out A prideful spirit demands that others reach out to it As pride diminishes, the spirit reaches out It reaches out and connects with the spirit in others It reaches out and connects with the best spirit within ourselves It reaches out and connects with the God spirit As humble as I know how!
I believe that God’s spirit is always reaching out That s why I say in my prayers, In the hope, in the belief in the faith that when I am humble my spirit reaches out and connects your (God) spirit ” I believe that God’s spirit is ever reaching I believe that God is always ready for our spirit to connect with God s spirit I believe that God s spirit is ever reaching because God is spirit As humble as I know how!
There are two other elements of my prayers that assist my striving to be humble In my prayer, I say, God of the Universe, thank you for each and every blessing Thank you for the blessings I see and thank you for the blessings I don’t see in the faith that the blessings I don’t see are far greater than the blessings I do see I believe that being thankful causes us to be humble and vice versa When I am thankful I reinforce the fact that I did not do it by myself and I had help As humble as I know how!
Being thankful helps me to be humble My dear mother used to say, Son, whatever you count is what you will have the most of, so you may as well count your blessings ” I like to say that my cup runneth over Each of us can have our cup runneth over by keeping a small cup Some of our cups never runneth over because we keep getting bigger and bigger cups each time our cups get almost full It’s called greed It’s better to be thankful As humble as I know how! The other element of my
prayer helping forge hum-
bleness has to do with forgiveness In my prayers I say “God of the Universe I come calling on you humbly seeking your forgiveness God, forgive us, for we have fallen short and missed the mark Forgive us, God, because no matter how hard we try, we still fall short And no matter how well we do we still miss the mark So God just forgive us ” I acknowledge my being wrong As humble as I know how!
I also say, God help us to forgive those who have fallen short with us, those who have missed the mark with us for just as you forgive us we must forgive them ” I always remember that West African Proverb that says, “Not forgiving is like drinking from a cup of poison and waiting for the person we refuse to forgive to die Forgiveness helps us to be humble because we truly accept that we also do wrong As humble as I know how!
Now on to the Daily Diary
Saturday, April 19, 2025 – I handled many matters as I worked into the night Among others I communicated with the following: Faya Rose Toure of the Bridge Crossing Jubilee; Dr Carol P Zippert, a key founder of the Black Belt Community Foundation; Julian Smith of Birmingham concerning the transitioning of Former Lieutenant Governor of Alabama George McMillan (Both Julian Smith and George McMillan were also founders of the Black Belt Community Foundation); regular co-host of the Sunday School Lesson Dr Margaret Hardy; and Charles Sanders of Baldwin County
Sunday – This was Resurrection Day, commonly known as Easter I hosted the Sunday School Lesson with Faya Rose Toure on Facebook Live and Z105 3 FM Radio and worked into the night Dr Hardy could not do the Sunday School Lesson this day Among others, I communicated with the following: Sharon Wheeler of Montgomery; Dr Ernest Okeke and Josephine Curtis of Selma; and Gail Townes of Baton Rouge Louisiana
Monday – I walked, handled many matters, traveled to Greene County, returned to Selma and worked into the night Among others I communicated with the following: Greene County School Board members Leo Branch, Veronica Richardson, Carrie Dancy, Robert Davis and Brandon Merriweather; Yolanda Howard of Dallas County; Selma Center for Nonviolence Executive Director Ainka Jackson; Alabama New South Coalition State Coordinator Shelley Fearson; Steve Raby of Huntsville; Greene County School Superintendent Dr Corey Jones; and Latonia Tisdale of Alabama Power
Tuesday – I handled many matters as I worked into the night Among oth-
Announcement
ers, I communicated with the following: Lowndes County School Superintendent Samita Jeter; Former Alabama State Senate President Pro Tem Lowell Barron on his 83rd birthday; Retired Deputy State School Superintendent Dr Daniel Boyd; Marion Mayor Dexter Hinton; ADC (Alabama Democratic Conference) Chairman Dr Joe Reed; Johnny Moore of Montgomery; Annie Lee of Hale County; and Greene County School Superintendent Dr Corey Jones and Chief School Finance Officer Marquita Lennon
Wednesday – I walked, handled many matters, participated in meetings and worked into the night Among others I communicated with the following: Gloria Pompey, Marilyn Cosby, Geraldine Wofford, Karen Jackson, Charlene Williams, Khadijah Ishaq and Junior Oliver of Selma; Coumba Toure Ba of Senegal West Africa; Yvette Patterson of Lowndes County; Former Alabama State Senator Malika Sanders Fortier; Alabama State Representative Phillip Ensley; and Dr Jacquelyn Brooks of Montgomery
Thursday – I handled many matters shared in a special office dinner participated in the Craig Field Airport and Industrial Authority meeting, chaired a Dallas County Alabama New South Coalition meeting and worked into the night Among others I communicated with the following: Brenda Miles Amos Moore, Danny Crenshaw, Queen Jackson, Betty Strong, Minister Mae Richmond, Tameka Sikes and Reverend Michael Bowen of Selma; Pastor Leodis Strong of Brown Chapel AME Church; and Dorothy Hulett and Brenda Wheeler of Lowndes County
Friday – I handled many matters, traveled to Birmingham for the funeral of former Alabama Lieutenant Governor George McMillan and returned to Selma to find the lights knocked out Among others, I communicated with the following: Wallace Community College Selma President Dr James Mitchell; Jason Copeland of Gadsden; and Law Professor Emerita Martha Morgan
EPILOGUE – Various character traits make up each of us human beings I learned the hard way to value humility or humbleness in myself and others I pray that more of us come to know the full power of being humble As humble as I know how
Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Boligee, will celebrate its annual Women’s Day on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 11:00 a m Dr Karen Lewis, Boligee Senior Citizens Program Director, will be the guest speaker The public is invited Rev John C Glass, Jr , Pastor
EarthTalk® From the Editors of EThe Environmental Magazine
Dear EarthTalk: What kind of environmental toll has the Israel-Hamas War taken on Gaza and other embattled zones in the region? -- L M Ross, Summit, NJ
Although Palestine is a relatively small territory, it has historically been an ecologically rich area due to the abundant groundwater dispersed by sand wells throughout Gaza More than 250 species of birds and
Gaza and other areas affected by the IsraelHamas War lie in ruins as the fighting continues Credit: Pexels com
100 species of mammals rely on these sources of water The health of Gazan wildlife ecosystems and freshwater has been in decline for many decades, and has taken a sharper downtown since the war began When native Palestinians who lived in what is now Israel were driven from their homes in 1948, they sought refuge in Gaza But the growing population was
Young Americans
concentrated in such a small area that daily demands for water skyrocketed over the decades and freshwater became more scarce after Israel placed dams on the Wadi Gaza river Water tables fell until saltwater infiltrated the aquifers rendering most of the water undrinkable Further misery arose due to inadequate sanitation systems to manage their waste
Conducted March 14–25 2025 the poll surveyed 2 096 respondents across the country
More than four in 10 say they are barely getting by financially Young Black Americans continue to face deep financial stress, with 45% reporting hardship Many express concern about limited opportunities, stagnant wages, and the rising cost of education and housing Among those struggling, 51% believe President Trump’s policies will worsen their finances in the coming years
Only 15% of all respondents say the country is headed in the right direction Just 16% report doing well financially, while economic hardship is more severe for women, young Hispanics and those without a college degree Nearly half of young women (47%) report limited financial security while 52% of young Hispanics say they are struggling or just getting by Half of respondents without a degree report hardship, compared to 29% of college graduates
Approval ratings among young Americans continue to decline President Trump’s approval stands at 31% virtually unchanged from earlier years Approval of Democrats in Congress has dropped to 23% down from 42% in 2017 Congressional Republicans remain essentially unchanged at 29% Among young Black Americans, Trump s approval has risen to 16% up from just 6% in 2017 but a strong majority still disapprove Social connection has also weakened Only 17% of young people report feeling deeply connected to any community and 18% say they feel no strong sense of belonging For Black youth the sense of isolation intersects with political disengagement and mental health struggles Those without strong community ties are more likely to report symptoms of depression, with 59% saying they felt down or hopeless for several days in the past two weeks
The long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic remain evident Isolation during formative years especially among those who were entering high school or college in 2020 continues to shape mental health outcomes Individuals aged 19 and 23 report the highest levels of lasting social isolation, with 38% and 40%, respectively, saying they lost connection with friends and have not reestablished those relationships Among those who lost friendships and failed to reconnect 55% reported depressive symptoms Views on traditional life milestones are shifting Just 48% say having children is important and 57% say the same about getting married While 86% say financial security is a top goal, only 56% are confident they’ll achieve it
Confidence in reaching life goals is higher among Republicans who are more likely than Democrats to say marriage children and homeownership are important and achievable Distrust in major institutions is widespread Only 19% of young Americans trust the federal government to do the right thing most or all of the time Trust in Congress stands at 18%, the presidency at 23%, and the Supreme Court at 29% The survey also found
U.N. For um
Representing the Black Press of America and media led by people of African descent around the world, Chavis condemned what he called digital racism the growing presence of racial bias embedded in artificial intelligence and across digital platforms He said the same systems that once commodified Black bodies are now being used to control and misrepresent Black voices in the digital space We therefore call on this distinguished gathering of leaders and experts to challenge member states to cite and to prevent the institutionalization of racism in all forms of media, including social media, AI, and any form of digital bias and algorithmic discrimination,” Chavis stated This year ’s forum theme “Africa and people of African descent: United for reparatory justice in the age of artificial intelligence guided a week of sessions and events hosted by the U N and its agencies The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) participated in multiple discussions centered on justice, recognition, and development, with Executive Director Dr Natalia Kanem delivering remarks at the session’s opening
Chavis, a veteran civil rights leader and former NAACP executive director, said one of his key goals was to ensure accurate and direct language around slavery and its legacy He pointed out that for the first time, the Permanent Forum is officially using the term “reparations ” He also called for the U N and its member states to update terminology related to the transatlantic slave trade including recognition of chattel enslavement as a legal framework for understanding the denial of humanity
“We cannot trust nor entertain the notion that former and contemporary enslavers will now use AI and digital transformation to respect our humanity and fundamental rights ” Chavis told the forum He proposed the formation of an international collective of multimedia and digital organizations that are owned and operated by Africans and people of African descent Such a collective, he said, would serve as a necessary counter to the racism and imperialism maintained by so-called mainstream global media corporations and technology companies
Established by the U N General Assembly in 2021, the Permanent Forum serves as a consultative and advisory body to the U N system and the Human Rights Council Its mandate includes providing expert guidance on combating systemic racism contributing to the drafting of a U N declaration on the rights of people of African descent and assessing progress from the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2024) while shaping the next decade (2025–2034) Chavis’s appearance also focused on language deconstruction especially in the Caribbean where sanitized or inaccurate terminology has distorted historical understanding The famed Wilmington Ten leader spoke of the importance of framing slavery as a crime against humanity rooted in the ownership of human beings Our focus is on reparatory justice, digital justice, and the dismantling of algorithmic bias,” Chavis said “Basta the crimes against our humanity Basta Racism Basta Imperialism A Luta Continua Victoria est Cert
All this has caused enough water pollution to make it impossible to irrigate Gazan farmlands Two thirds of those farmlands have been destroyed by Israel s bombardments, as well as more than 80 percent of Gaza’s trees and soils such that the region may face permanent desertification Habitats like the Wadi Gaza Nature Reserve and the Al-Mawasi Sand Dunes have also faced bombings and increased pollution: Some 3 5 million feet of raw sewage and wastewater is flowing daily through Gaza and open-air burning of 40 million tons of rubble and waste caused by the bombings is offgassing hazardous chemicals
Gaza s humanitarian crisis is also greatly exacerbated by the regional effects of climate change The war comes at an estimated cost of 60 million tons of carbon emissions via bombings and
the construction of military structures Temperatures were already extreme in the Middle East compared to most other parts of the world and the loss of Gazan plants, trees and water will further increase the suffering
Many scholars and activists have called on Israel to be held accountable for both their genocidal and climate crimes: As of April 8, 2025 over 52 000 people 50 810 Palestinian and 1,706 Israelis have been reported killed in the Gaza war according to the official figures of the Gaza Health Ministry, as well as 166 media workers, 120 academics and over 224 humanitarian aid workers
Over 30 percent of the victims have been children Although the U N has started preliminary plans for ecorestoration in the Gaza Strip, it will be difficult to know the extent of the damage until the war is over
Regardless it cannot be denied that the environmental devastation and human carnage of the ongoing war will impact many generations in Palestine and other vulnerable communities across the planet
CONTACTS: As War Halts the Environmental Devastation in Gaza Runs Deep, HYPERLINK https://e360 yale edu/feat
ment"https://e360 yale edu/ features/gaza-war-environment EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk See more a
https://emagazine com To donate visit HYPERLINK "https://earthtalk org"https: //earthtalk org Send questions to: HYPERLINK
that young Black Americans are more likely to say they feel excluded from decisions that affect their lives and communities
The debate over Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) remains divisive Just 9% of young Americans say DEI initiatives have helped them personally, while 11% say they have been harmed Among Democrats, 22% report positive experiences with DEI, compared to only 3% of Republicans Conversely, 21% of young Republicans believe DEI harmed them Young people of color are more likely than white youth to view DEI as promoting fairness Foreign policy views also reveal generational differences Young Republicans are less likely to support global alliances than Democrats Only 13% of young Republicans say the U S should maintain current NATO obligations compared to 46% of Democrats When asked about reasons for U S involvement abroad respondents most often cited protecting allies, defending national security, and addressing human rights violations but fewer than one in five supported interventions to promote democracy or counter foreign influence Concerns about immigration have shifted over the past year Forty-two percent of young Americans now say there is a crisis at the Southern border down from 53% in 2024 Among Democrats belief in a border crisis dropped 17 points from 43% to 26%
Democratic respondents are also more likely to say that recent immigration has done more good than harm
President Trump’s policy proposals continue to meet resistance among young Americans None of the eight tested initiatives ranging from tariffs to eliminating federal departments received majority support Tariffs were backed by just 19% overall, and only 5% of Democrats A proposal to create a Department of Government Efficiency received 35% support, the highest among those tested One of the least supported policies redeveloping Gaza by displacing Palestinians was opposed by a majority including 77% of Democrats These findings are a stark reality check said Setti Warren director of the Institute of Politics And leaders across the country would be wise to pay close attention “This is a generation that’s weathered pandemic isolation during formative years, entered an unstable economy, and faced skyrocketing housing and education costs all while being told they’re not resilient enough ” said John Della Volpe director of polling at the Institute of Politics What Gen Z needs isn t another lecture but genuine recognition of their struggles and leaders willing to listen before they speak
“Amid financial hardship and a devastating crisis of community, young Americans are increasingly disillusioned with the world as they struggle to find their place in it ” said Jordan Schwartz student chair of the Harvard Public Opinion Project “This generation doesn t expect politics to solve their problems, but as young Americans continue to lose faith in government institutions, the need for politicians to listen to and learn from young people has never been greater ”
Booker & Jef fries
The budget is a moral document, said New Jersey Senator Cory Booker as he sat wearing a black shirt and pants next to the Democratic leader in the U S House, Brooklyn Congressman Hakeem Jeffries
The two started with only Senator Chris Coons of Delaware at 7:30 am on Sunday As the day moved forward many other members, advocates, and curious onlookers joined them in support of their effort to bring attention to what may be a historic budget in terms of cuts to social programs Throughout the day lawmakers took turns sharing personal stories and reading testimonies from constituents whose lives have been transformed by government assistance But since Trump took office for his second term in January, his focus has been on cutting the federal government and the jobs and programs associated that assist millions of Americans “I was on the steps of the Capitol with Leader Jeffries Sen Booker and many others to make the case for what’s at stake with Trump’s budget Medicaid food assistance and social security It s all on the line A moral moment wrote Senator Amy Klobuchar, who may lead the Democrats as the next Leader of the Party in the U S Senate after the criticism of the leadership of Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and the retirement announcement of Senator Dick Durbin on April 23
Jeffries warned that the proposed cuts would devastate seniors families and vulnerable communities Republicans are crashing the economy in real-time, he said Now, they want to jam a reckless budget down the throats of the American people that will end Medicaid as we know it, destroy Social Security, and rip food from the mouths of children, seniors and veterans As Democrats we’re going to continue to stand on the side of the American people and we will not rest until we bury this reckless Republican budget in the ground
Throughout the day, figures such as American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten civil rights attorney Maya Wiley Rev William Barber II and others joined the sit-in Senators Chris Coons Raphael Warnock Angela Alsobrooks Lisa Blunt Rochester, and Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, Sarah McBride, Mark Takano, Tom Suozzi, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Steven Horsford, Suhas Subramanyam, Emily Randall, Sarah Elfreth, and Delegate Stacey Plaskett also participated
Wiley shared personal stories of Americans who would suffer under the proposed cuts
The cuts when we re talking about cuts people bleed and we should put names behind them, Wiley said You know, Sarah in South Dakota had a son who had seizures one to five times a day and had to quit her job to try to save her son It is Medicaid that helps pay for her health care to do that Or Jasmine in Alabama in Tuscaloosa with two kids who was taking care of other people’s children when she fell and became disabled and it’s Medicaid that was taking care of her Booker said Democrats must move beyond business as usual and find new ways to confront injustice We can t keep doing things like business as usual,” he said “Speaking out and speaking up is how we will convince at least four Republicans in the House and Senate to do the right thing and vote no ”
Gr
County AEA par ticipates in AEA Day at the State
Members of the Greene County Alabama Education Association (AEA) participated in AEA Day at the State House in Montgomery, Alabama This annual event brings together educators, support staff, and retirees from across the state to engage with lawmakers and express appreciation for key legislative wins
A huge thank you to Senator Bobby Singleton for the generous $25,000 donation to our district, which will be shared equally among EPS, RBMS, and GCHS We’re grateful for this support, presented during AEA Day at the State House, and for the continued investment in our students’ success
UA Access V ir tual Lear ning pr esents awar ds
Finest “Buddy” Miles
We are sad to announce that on April 23, 2025, at the age of 86, Finest Miles of Forkland Alabama passed away A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 2nd 2025 at 11:00 AM at the New Green Oak Baptist Church (292 Green Oak Rd Forkland, AL 36740) A burial will be held on Friday May 2nd 2025 at the New Green Oak Baptist Church Cemetery (292 Green Oak Rd, Forkland, AL 36740)
Eleanor Hardy Webb December 17, 1920April 22, 2025 Celebration of life will be
Monday - May 12 2025
Eleanor Hardy Webb passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord in Boston MA surrounded by her loving family Eleanor, the fourth of nine siblings, was born in Mantua Alabama to the late Jeff and Adell Hardy Their parents inculcated upon the strong family prinicples Eleanor was thankful for the guidances and spiritual upbringing in a loving home Faith, fellowship, family and friendship were essential elements of Eleanor's life narrative
Eleanor confessed her faith and was baptized at an early age Her formative years were spend in Alabama In 1962, Eleanor joined Twelfth Baptist Church inBoston She took pride innurturing others Eleanor was a devout Chrisitian who led by example througout her life Eleanor attributed her longevity (104 years) to faith and trusting in God" and affirms If it were t for him, I wouldn't have made it " Her guiding bible verse: Search me O Lord and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting Psalm 139 23-24
Eleanor was united in Holy Matrimony to Eddie Webb in 1942 God blessed them wih four lovely girls: Mattie, Minnie, Betty and
Valencia Eleanor was a kind, compassionate nurturing women who always put the needs others before her own Her happiest times were spent with family and friends Her special moments were laughing with her son-in-law Joe, and granddaughter -in-law
Darcy
At the age of 92, being a strong and independent woman she was a caregiver for three young boys in her home in Mattapan As the matricarch, she gracefully taught those around her with considerable grace how to live laugh and love
Eleanor impacted all who know her Eleanor attended Springhill (Rosenwald School in Greene County She moved to Boston and worked as a paraprofessional in the Boston school district later becoming a crossing guard for the Boston Police Department She also earned her first aid certificate and computer science certificate Eleanor often spoke of the fond memories of her childhood in Alabama countryside At the age of 100 Eleanor wrote and publish her first book, The Red Clay She dedicated her book to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ She thanked God for the blessing insight, wisdom and grace The book could not have been written without it Eleanor traveled extensivey throughout the United State The Queen Mary
Crusie Line was an enjoyable trip with friends For many summers, her favorite get away was Saint Croix, U S Virigin Island Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents Jeff and Adell Hardy; her beloved husband, Eddie Webb her beloved siblings Rosa Lee Nixon Willie Pearl Harris, Lucille Pruitt, Josevell Hardy, Bardy Hardy and Odell Spencer Eleanor leaves to cherish her memory of family love to: her daugthers, Mattie Crouse, Minnie (Joe) Smith Betty Webb and Valencia Webb; four grandchildren, Jacqueline Webb, Christopher (Darcy ) Smith, Forrest Hollins, and Yasmily Crouse; great grandchildren, Justin Green, Jordan White, Jenee White, Jada White, Jayden Smith Smairah Smith; Myles Gredvig Hollins; Yovian Diaz; Siblings; Carrie Stallworth of Pensacola, FL; Ethel (Johnny) Thomas of Eutaw and a host of other relative and friends
I have seen the shadow of valleys and have climbed some mountain tops I’ve challenged myself and felt the brigthness of the sun on my sin My offsprings are trong and have good lives of their own making I have taste life on this revolving earth and have enjoy my spin
We’re bursting with pride as we announce that the UA ACCESS Virtual Learning - ALSDE presented Mrs Marva Smith and Ms Drenda Morton the Champion for Students Award, and Ms Andrea Perry was honored as Administrator of the Year These amazing women go above and beyond for our ACCESS Virtual Learning students, and their dedication is nothing short of inspiring
LEGAL NOTICE
S T Bunn Construction Co , Inc hereby gives Notice of Completion of contract with S T P N U
0 0 0 7 ( 5 5 5 ) Greene County
This notice will appear for three (3) consecutive weeks beginning on April 30, 2025 and ending on May 14 2025 All claims shall be filed at 611 Helen Keller Blvd Tuscaloosa, AL 35404 during this period
S T Bunn Construction Co , Inc 4tcg 4/30, 7,14 21 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
The Greene County Commission is soliciting proposals from qualified firms and individuals interested in providing professional services related to the preparation and implementation of a Community Development Block Grants
PROGRAM ADMINIS-
TRATION: These tasks shall include, but not be limited to preparation of a grant application (s) to be submitted to the Alabama
Carolyn’s Tid Bits...by Carolyn Young
And the day is dark, And we can hear the song Of the thrush or the lark And our hearts are heavy with worry and care And we are lost in the depths of despair
That is the time when faith alone Can lead us of out of the dark unknown, For all we really ever need Is faith as a grain of mustard seed For all God asks
is , ' Do you believe?"
And if you do "ye shall receive!"
"Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world ,
Happy birthday to Alexander Coleman, Caleb Morton Audrey Coleman Omotayo Olukoya, Mattie D Atkins, Donnell Jones, Charity Crawford Mollie M Gaines Willie D
Le gal Notice
Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), and then, if the grants are awarded by ADECA the preparation of an environmental review record; preparation of all necessary documents to remove grant conditions; preparation of requests for state funds to ensure consistency with all Federal and State Accounting procedures; establish and maintain project files; monitor program progress; monitor compliance with all applicable Federal and State requirements; assist with the preparation of bid and contract documents; and preparation of all reports as required by ADECA inclusive of preparation of close-out documents for submission to ADECA upon project completion All applicants must submit their qualifications, list any prior experience with Community Development Projects in the State of Alabama list any experience with other federally funded projects, and list any previous experience within the Greene County Commission All applicants must include a lump sum fee for all services to be provided from project initiation through project close-out
Proposals will be rated according to the following criteria:
Experience with the Community Development Block Grant Program-20 points
Professional qualifications-20 points
Knowledge and familiarity with the community-20 points
Experience with Federally funded projects-20 points
Cost of services to be provided-20 points
These proposals are being requested in accordance with 2 CFR 200 UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS, COST PRINCIPLES, AND AUDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL AWARDS and the modified Common Rule as adopted by the State of Alabama A contract will be awarded to the qualified applicant whose proposal is determined to be the most appropriate The County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, and to waive any irregularities or informalities in the proposal process
Envelopes containing proposals must be sealed
Moore, Daniel Austin, Da Myia McMillian Harold Hodge Jr Kelsey Thronton, Brenda Bester, Sydni Goodson Jason E Bryant, Brandon Sermon, Alfretta C Crawford Justin Taylor Morton, Ilani Newell Sidney Ryans Nikkita Wilcher, Earl Bailey Miya M Hardy Amauri Edwards, Ajay Edwards and Raymond Smith
Happy Anniversary to Rev Eric and Dr Nicole Prewitt
and labeled on the outside as follows: Proposal for Grant Administration Services” Calvin Culliver, Assistant County Engineer Greene County Commission, 501 Prairie Avenue, Eutaw, AL 35462 All proposals shall contain original signatures facsimile copies will not be accepted Proposal must be received no later than 4:00 p m on Thursday May 22 2025 All proposals will be evaluated and an award decision will be made by the Greene County Commission The Greene County Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer Funding for this project will be provided by the U S Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant program and all applicable federal requirements shall be met Minority and women owned business enterprises as well as Section 3 persons and businesses are encouraged to submit proposals
Garria Spencer Chairman Greene County Commission
1tcg 4/30
Rev Richard White, Jr of Boligee, Alabama and a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama entered into eternal rest April 21 2025 at Whitfield Regional Hospital Demopolis, Alabama A private memorial service was held for Rev Richard White Jr Larkin and Scott Mortuary, LLC entrusted with arrangements
Mr Lorenzo Taylor, Sr of Forkland, Alabama
known to family and friends as " Moon" entered into eternal rest April 6, 2025 at Whitfield Regional Hospital Demopolis, Alabama Memorial services for Mr Lorenzo" Moon" Taylor Sr were held Friday April 25 2025 at 12 noon from Larkin and Scott
Mrs Malissia D Knott of Boligee (Tishabee Community) Alabama entered into eternal rest April 5 2025 at UAB Hospital Birmingham, Alabama Funeral services for Mrs Malissia D Knott was held Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 2:30 p m from Mt Pilgrim Baptist Church Boligee, Alabama Interment followed in Taylor Place Cemetery
Eutaw, AL. Deadline for all applications will be May 16th at 4 p m
*CFO needed for the Greene County Commission Must be a CPA and have experience in Governmental application
All interested parties can mail resume to: P.O. Box 656 Eutaw, AL 35462
Attention: Brenda Burke
cialist, call 844-925-3534
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