The Public Record • November 15, 2012
Black men from all walks of life gathered this Tuesday morning in Baltimore, Detroit and Philadelphia as part of BMe — a growing community that encourages Black men to “lift up their voices” and tell others about the positive contributions they make in their communities. In Philadelphia, 20 BMe participants were at the Jackson Elementary School Tuesday morning helping students make water filters as part of BMe’s first “Random Act of Service and Brotherhood”; the project will introduce 3rd th and 4th graders to science and math careers in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). The Jackson School service project was part of the kickoff for a call for African American men to tell the stories about their work in the community and the contributions they make to help others. BMe also hosted a dinner on Tuesday evening to spot-
REACHING OUT TO youngsters at Jackson Elementary School, as part of three city effort by black men were Alex Peay, Gibran Gadsen, Christo- JACKSON SCHOOL principal Lisa Ciaraca Kaplan checks out learning pher Holland, Bruce Marble, and Emmanuel Ghebremariam. how to make dirty water safe to drink which BMe group showed her students. light those stories and to gather partners for the second year of the project. Last year, BMe collected more than 1,000 videos from men in Philadelphia. Teams of videographers are also fanning out across city neighborhoods over the next eight weeks to record their efforts as more than 1,700 men are expected to strengthen their neighborhoods and help others. “BMe is based on a simple truth, that there are thousands of Black men who are assets to their communities — and we must acknowledge and
build upon our assets. No buts, no maybes, no if ands,” said Trabian Shorters, VP of communities for the John S. & James L. Knight Foundation, which founded BMe along with the Open Society Foundations. “They start businesses, mentor people, run projects and help others just because they can and because they care.” Story-sharing is just one aspect of BMe — pronounced “be me” — a growing network of black men committed to making their communities stronger. Through BMe, Black men can also connect with
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1t is the melody which is the charm of music, and it is that which is most difficult to produce. The intention of a fine melody is a work of genius. -- JOSEPH HAYDN "I did not know America -- but I knew her songs." --Marlene Dietrich (In Germany, before her debut in USA), 1972 Concert
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each other, exchange ideas and receive resources to advance the positive work they do in their communities. In addition to Knight and Open Society, the initiative is backed by the Heinz Foundation. After a successful pilot in Detroit and Philadelphia, the
program is expanding this year to Baltimore. Events are being held on Tuesday, Nov. 13, in those three cities to issue a “call for stories” that will be featured on the BMe website. Early next year, participants will be able to apply for grants to support their
community work. In Philadelphia, local organizer Alex Peay is heading up an outreach team to interview men and collect their stories for posting on the BMewebsite. For more information, visit BMeCommunity.org.
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA Sealed proposals will be received by the School Reform Commission at the School Administration Building located at 440 North Broad St., 3rd Floor, Office of Capital Programs, Philadelphia, PA 19130-4015, until 2:00 P.M., on Tuesday, December 4, 2012. A nonrefundable fee for each set of bid documents is as scheduled. The School District will only accept bids from companies that have been placed on its current Pre Qualified Contractors List as shown at psit.org. All School District Project require MBE/WBE participation as shown in the specifications. FEE BUDGET B-002 G of 2012/13 General Service Contract Various Schools $250,000 $25 Piping and Sewer Repairs BUDGET B-031 G of 2012/13 Mechanical Service Contract Various Schools $250,000 ATC service repairs
FEE $25
BUDGET B-049 G of 2012/13 Mechanical Service Contract Various Schools $225,000 Air Conditioning Service
FEE $25
BUDGET Various Schools $250,000
FEE $25
B-054 G of 2012/13 General Service Contract Masonry Structural Repairs
Specifications and/or plans and contract documents may be examined and copies thereof obtained from the School Reform Commission, 440 North Broad Street, 3rd floor, Philadelphia, PA 19130.
--Nicola Argentina, International Musician and Consultant, November 4, 2012
"The loudness of your voice does not determine the depth of your intellect." --Hubert H. Humphrey, Vice President, U. of Pennsylvania, Irvine Auditorium, 1972 —Nicola Argentina (c) 2012 Framer of TEA PARTY MOVEMENT
Information as to contract documents, etc., may be obtained at the above address, or telephone 215-400-4730. Make checks payable to the School District of Philadelphia. The School Reform Commission reserves the right to reject any and all bids and make the awards to the best interests of the School District of Philadelphia.
www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000
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Knight Foundation Aids Efforts To Teach Young