Stones of hope for the next generation . . . Page 4 50 Cents
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Vol. 37, No. 36: Section 01
Tallahassee, Florida
Sept. 8 - Sept. 14, 2011
FAMU College of Law achieves largest enrollment in school history with 2011 entering class
Moore to Love
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Pernell balances law and life Person of the Week
Dean LeRoy Pernell By Terrika Mitchell Outlook Staff Writer
Dr. LeRoy Pernell, dean of Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) College of Law, was just the man to prepare the resurrected law school for full American Bar Association (ABA) accreditation in just 18 months and he has the 15-page resume to back that up. “He’s the longest standing African-American dean in America,” said Jeremy Levitt, FAMU’s College of Law associate dean of International Programs and professor of international law. “He has a track record of excellence and he’s just been a major force in diversifying the legal academy.”
Justice E. C. Perry, Florida Supreme Court (left), administers the Oath of Professionalism to FAMU College of Law first-year students during Fall 2011 orientation. Students also participated in the Oath of Professionalism - a tradition which sets the standard for conduct at the FAMU College of Law. The oath was administered by the Honorable James E. C. Perry, Florida Supreme Court
Justice, to students participating in the day program, and by the Honorable Hubert Grimes, 7th Circuit judge, to evening program students. The 2011 entering class brings an academic background
that is as diverse as the FAMU College of Law, which has consistently been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top five Most Diverse Law Schools in the Nation since 2007 – achieving the top rank on three See LAW, Page 2
Edward Waters College: The Tigers’ tale By Terrika Mitchell Outlook Staff Writer
Amid financial distress, fickle leadership and plummeting enrollment, the Edward Waters College (EWC) community is still undefeated in morale. “We have a president now who’s actually doing something,” said Kendra Randall, a fourthyear psychology student at EWC. “It really makes a difference and the school as a whole is happier.” Randall, 21, is referring to the college’s 29th president, Nathaniel Glover Jr. After nine months of serving as interim president, the EWC alumnus accepted the permanent position as president in February 2011. According to an article published on Jacksonville.com, Glover credits his alma mater for providing opportunities he may not have experienced without attending EWC. “It all started with Edward Waters College,” he said. Glover’s statement is fact, in more ways than one. EWC was established in Jacksonville in 1866 as Florida’s first historically black college for emancipated slaves. Today, after being destroyed by a city-wide fire in 1901 and being rebuilt in its present Kings Road site, the college remains grounded in African Methodist Episcopal values. “Edward Waters has been around since 1866, and has al-
Nathaniel Glover Jr. will be inaugurated as EWC’s president this October. ways held strong to its values, traditions and mission to provide a holistic education to its students,” said Glover. “Our first priority is and always will be to further enhance our students’ experiences inside and outside the classroom.” Unfortunately, EWC has experienced a drastic decrease in enrollment as a result of a 2005 accreditation challenge by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). According to collegestats.org, enrollment is just more than 800 students. “News inaccurately spread that our institution lost its ac-
See POW, Page 2
creditation,” Glover said. “As a result, our enrollment dropped significantly, which led to an internal restructuring and a temporarily unstable budget. However, in September 2010, we successfully submitted SACS’ Fifth Year Report and are certain that we will receive favorable feedback as we continue to move forward as a financially and academically stabilized institution.” Graduation and retention rates have declined as well. Tirelessly though, the EWC tigers are “on the rise.” With a balanced budget, community support and a solid course of action, the college is surely on its way to being a collegiate powerhouse. “We recently increased our enrollment standards, which now allows us to acquire a new caliber of student. We are also attentively refining our nine degree programs,” Glover explained. “I believe we have the means and talent to make that goal a reality, but it is going to take a couple of years for our reputation to spread that our forthcoming niche programs are second-to-none.” While attracting students to the college is a top priority for the administration, current students are unmoved in their Tiger pride. Student Government Association President Mikeeta Ephraim said the college’s family atmosphere is one of its key elements. “We all have our differences See EWC, Page 2
Providence neighborhood traces its history By Ashley Hogans Outlook Staff Writer
The Providence neighborhood is close to Florida A&M and Florida State universities and has a rich history. Some of the first homes were built in the late 1940s to early 1950s. During this time period, Providence established its roots as a thriving community and created its ground as a viable economic force. “It’s hard to believe this community has been around for so long,” said Susan Taylor, a resident of Providence. “It just goes to show you that this neighborhood has grown a lot over the years and we are still in the process of growing.” The residents that lived in this southside neighborhood at the peak of its development consisted of carpenters, farmers, teachers and skilled workers. Then, Caucasians populated the neighborhood with some African Americans, but in the late 1980s the neighborhood quickly transitioned to a predominately
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The Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law began the 2011-2012 academic year with the largest enrollment in its history, 721 students. This includes an entering class of 276 full-time day and part-time evening students. Classes began Aug. 15 following a week of orientation activities for the incoming class. During the week of orientation, students had the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the law school environment. Activities included preview classes, introductions to various law school departments, legal writing diagnostics and an introduction to the legal profession during a panel discussion featuring area judges and attorneys. Comparable sessions are held to accommodate the 207 students in the full-time day program and the 69 students in the part-time evening program.
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Providence is surrounded by CSX railroad lines, Iamonia and Hillsborough Streets, Levy Avenue and Hutchinson Street, and Lake Bradford Road and Stuckey Street. African-American community. Providence is surrounded by the CSX railroad lines to the north, Iamonia and Hillsborough Streets to the west, Levy Avenue and Hutchinson Street on the south, and Lake Bradford Road and Stuckey Street to the east. Some of the street names derived from previous residents that lived in the neighborhood several years ago. Stuckey Street, for example, was named in honor of landowner Kate Stuckey, a wellknown resident involved in the community.
Historically, Providence was named Bloxham Heights in honor of William D. Bloxham, who was governor of Florida in 1880. Although the neighborhood was formally named Bloxham Heights, the residents who lived in the area referred to it as “Allen Hill.” The Providence community is very diverse as it relates to age. According to the U.S. Census, 59 percent of residents are children and young adults under the age of 24. Since the neighborhood is close to both universities and FSU’s Alumni Village and Inno-
vation Park, college students account for 33 percent of the neighborhood’s population. Charles Smith, who moved in the neighborhood in 2010, said the location was very convenient. “I was going to FAMU at one point in time, so I was trying to get closer to school,” said Smith, who attends Lively Aviation School. “It’s an alright community and everyone pretty much stays to themselves.” Family households account for only 35 percent of the neighborhood while more than half of those families with children are single-parent households. Today, Mothers In Crisis, Inc., a non-profit corporation that helps individuals facing obstacles including drug and alcohol abuse, is located at one of the oldest homes in the neighborhood known as the Bishop’s house, who was once a well known resident. Ashley Hogans can be contacted at ahogans@capitaloutlook.com.
Inside LOCAL / STATE 3 OPINION / 4 EDUCATION / 5 RELIGION / 6 COMMUNITY NEWS/ 7
Briefs
Merit pay law raises questions for Florida’s specialty teachers The state’s new teacher merit pay law kicks in this school year and the idea behind it sounds simple: the better students perform, the more teachers can earn. But in areas such as art, music and physical education, it’s raising more questions than answers. The law mandates up to half of a teacher’s raise be based on how well students do on standardized tests, but there is no state criteria to evaluate specialty teachers. Districts will have to come up with that this year. Dip in Florida consumer confidence points toward recession Consumer confidence among Floridians decreased to a near record-low in August, according to a new University of Florida survey. This month’s mark of 62 is only three points higher than the record-low 59 set in June 2008. “Although none of the index components were at record lows, the combined decrease in confidence across all five components is remarkable,” said Chris McCarty, director of the Bureau of Economic and Business Research. “If past history of this index is any indication, we are in, or at least very near, a recession. We are not likely to know for certain until after the fourth quarter.” When can an insurer drop you? Floridians who have been ditched by their home insurer often ask whether that’s allowed and if so, how it’s possible. State law allows it in certain situations. Here’s a guide at weblogs. sun-sentinel.com/business/ realestate/housekeys/ blog/2011/08/when_can_your_ insurer_drop_you.html. See also the Florida statutes governing Insurance Rates and Contracts at leg.state.fl.us/statutes/.
This Week’s Word “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 (KJV)
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Filing insurance claims with mobile applications Special to the Outlook If a hurricane ravages your neighborhood, knocking out your power and phone service, how are you going to file an insurance claim? Some national insurers and at least one Floridabased insurer now have mobile applications that allow you to file a claim and send photos of the damage from your smart phone. Security First Insurance in Ormond Beach launched a new iPhone app this week. “There are no other Florida-based homeowner’s insurance companies with mobile apps, which is surprising, since there is a growing number of people who own smart phones and eight in 10 American adults who own some kind of cell phone,” Marissa Buckley, the company’s marketing director, said. She said Security First was the first Florida insurer to launch a mobile app in 2009 but people have mainly been using it to get quotes, find an agent, make payments and track claims. LAW from, Page 1 occasions. The majors range from literature and business administration to philosophy and mechanical engineering. Nearly 50 percent of the majors are in the social sciences, which include criminology, prelaw, public affairs and political science. The following are some quick facts on the students entering this fall. •1,891 applications received; •207 full-time students; •69 part-time students; •22 states represented; •102 colleges represented; •55 percent women; •58 percent minority; •25 median age; •18 percent non-Florida residents.
The new app is focused just on claims and it allows customers to file claims even when they don’t have their policy numbers handy. Several national insurers that are licensed in Florida have apps that allow homeowners to file claims. United Services Automobile Association (USAA), which mainly insures families with military ties, has an app for iPhones and Androids. “More people are choosing to file claims this way; 13 percent of first notices of loss from our members are being filed via mobile and online platforms,” USAA
spokesman Roger Wildermuth said. Farmers Insurance Group has apps that can be used by its subsidiaries in Florida, including the Foremost and 21st Century companies. American Family Insurance, a national licensed property & casualty insurer in Florida, has an iPhone app. Other national insurers, such as Nationwide, Allstate and State Farm, have apps that allow automobile insurance policyholders to file claims. State Farm’s, for instance, allows policyholders to map out accident scenes.
Sept. 8 - Sept. 14, 2011
Women’s outdoor workshop coming to Panama City Special to the Outlook Wanted: Adventurous and outdoorsy women wishing to learn more about Florida’s great outdoors in a comfortable, noncompetitive, hands-on environment. If this could be you, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to participate in the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) mini-workshop in Panama City. The single-day workshop takes place Saturday, Oct. 15 at Gulf Coast State College along the beautiful shores of St. Andrews Bay. The workshop runs 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Although designed with women in mind, the workshop is open to anyone 18 years or older who wants to improve their out-
door skills and enjoy several recreational activities. The program offers a fun and supportive atmosphere for participants wishing to try new things and enjoy the camaraderie of other women wanting to do the same. In two, 3 1/2 hour sessions, the BOW miniworkshop teaches skills associated with fishing, hunting and other forms of outdoor recreation, at all levels of physical activity. “The women will be able to choose two of the following sessions: basic archery skills; introduction to panfishing; kayaking basics; introduction to reading the woods; introduction to shotgun shooting and hunting; basic wilderness survival; and introduction to handgun shooting and hunting,” said BOW state
coordinator Lynne Hawk. The cost for the oneday workshop is $50, and there are discounted slots available for low-income participants, single parents and college students. The workshop is restricted to 100 people on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about BOW or how you can register, visit MyFWC. com/BOW or contact Susan Harrass at (561) 6255122 or Susan.Harrass@ MyFWC.com.
to further impact the issue of civil rights,” he said. “I wanted to be a voice for those who didn’t have a voice. That’s why I specialized in criminal law and started as a public defender in Ohio.” Ironically though, even before completing his under graduate studies at Franklin and Marshall College in 1971, Pernell’s greatest influence could easily be found in his home. As the eldest of four sons, Pernell was the first person in his immediate family to graduate from high school. While neither of his siblings — or three adult children — became lawyers, they all went on to establish professional careers. “One thing all of my children agreed on was that they did not want to be lawyers,” he laughed. “Their interests were more in the arts.” However, Pernell’s wife of 40 years is also a lawyer. Even with a bulk of legal accomplishments under
his belt, Pernell continues to enjoy the arts as well, a value instilled in him early on by his mother. He said he is a collector of music, mainly jazz and blues, and still an adamant reader. “My favorite artists would have to be John Coltrain, Miles Davis — the classics,” he said. “I’m usually reading about five books at a time between fiction and non-fiction — with at least one sci-fi.” As versatile as Pernell’s interests are, his faith is still anchored in the Baptist church. “I have, on occasions, given talks about the roles of the Christian lawyer,” said Pernell, a member of Rejoice in the Lord Ministries in Apopka, Fla. “I try to get across the same lesson I believe Christ tried to teach all of us — servitude. As a lawyer, we have to both serve and lead at the same time.”
POW from, Page 1
The graphic used from video on Security First Insurance’s website. EWC from, Page 1 but when obstacles come, we all come together,” she said. Ephraim admits that processes like registration have discouraged her but she is pleased with her decision to stay at Edward Waters. The senior elementary education student said that people may find flaws at any college. “I plan to keep it real with students,” Ephraim
said. “The grass is not always greener on the other side. Students who leave EWC risk going to a bigger school with greater downfalls or not going back to school at all.” Terrika Mitchell can be contacted at tmitchell@ capitaloutlook.com.
Under Dr. Pernell’s leadership, the FAMU College of Law has consistently been recognized in the U.S. News & World Report as one of the top five “Most Diverse School’s in the Nation.” Refashioning the faces of law seems to be the dean’s niche. “Diversity is critical to me,” Pernell added. “It’s the primary reason I stayed in legal education; I want the doors of opportunity to be opened wide. Getting national recognition for all three schools where I’ve served as dean is one of the top things I’ve accomplished.” Northern Illinois University College of Law was also awarded for its diversity efforts under Pernell’s 10-year deanship. As a law student in Ohio, the Brooklyn native was an instrumental originator of the community law office, a volunteer effort to provide legal guidance. Pernell saw the legal field as a way to continue his service to others. “I saw law as a way
Terrika Mitchell can be contacted at tmitchell@ capitaloutlook.com.
Local/State
Sept. 8 - Sept. 14, 2011
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Florida Healthy Kids Corporation announces new improvements and outreach to help families get Florida KidCare CFO Jeff Atwater, state agencies and community partners launch annual Florida KidCare Back-to-School outreach campaign Special to the Outlook No matter what, Tracie Pitre refuses to let her kids lose their health insurance benefits through the Florida KidCare program. Her two teenage daughters have been in the program since they were in elementary school and when a fire recently destroyed their home, the single mom called the Florida KidCare toll free line to make sure they didn’t lose their coverage. “While I deal with the fact that we’ve lost everything and are trying to return to a normal life, the one thing I don’t have to worry about is getting treatment and medical care for my children,” Pitre said. “My girls both have ongoing health needs. We’ve been with KidCare for nearly a decade and without it they could not get the medicine and treatment they must have to live a full and healthy life.” Pitre shared her story during the annual Florida KidCare Back to School campaign kick-off that was held at the Mary Brogan Museum in downtown Tallahassee. Each year, the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation leads a statewide outreach effort with several state agencies and community groups to promote Florida KidCare, and help families apply for benefits while preparing for the new school year. “The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation continuously strives to improve the delivery of quality
health care to our youngest citizens,” said Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater. “As we mark the beginning of a new school year, we have a great obligation to ensure our children are healthy and ready to grasp all of the opportunities the future holds.” The agencies participating in the outreach campaign include: The Florida Department of Health, the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Florida Department of Children and Families, the Florida Department of Education and the Agency for Workforce Innovation. All promote Florida KidCare yearround; yet participating in community events such as school supply giveaways and immunization clinics provides greater access to thousands of families statewide. “We are excited to collaborate with many other state agencies and partners in the private sector to enhance the lives of Florida’s children,” said Florida State Surgeon General Dr. Frank Farmer. “This time of year offers a special opportunity to help families understand the important connection between good health and school performance. With professionals from our 67 county health departments and 22 Children’s Medical Services area offices hosting and participating in special events such as immunization clinics and back-to-school health fairs, families can learn about KidCare, and if interested, complete an application on
the application process, boost retention and promote the program.
Florida CFO Jeff Atwater and Florida Healthy Kids Board Chair Wendy Link explain why families with uninsured children should apply for Florida KidCare benefits.
Florida Department of Children and Families Press Secretary Pat Smith shares details about the agencies efforts to help families apply for Florida KidCare health insurance benefits.
site.” “The Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) works with millions of Floridians each year, and promoting the health and well-being of children and families is a natural extension of our work,” said Matt Guse, AWI’s acting director of the Office of Early Learning. “AWI is proud to assist with KidCare’s outreach efforts by helping to ensure our Voluntary Prekindergarten and School Readiness families receive information and applications for this vital health care resource.” “Each of the state agency partners has a specific and important role to play in supporting Florida KidCare and the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is pleased to be one of those partners,” said Liz Dudek, AHCA secretary. “Specifically, our 11 area offices
play an important role in providing local assistance for KidCare Medicaid and MediKids providers and beneficiaries.” Approximately 1.9 million children receive low-cost health insurance through Florida KidCare, the state and federallyfunded insurance program for children under the age of 19. Children receive coverage under the program’s four components – MediKids, Children’s Medical Services Network, Healthy Kids and Children’s Medicaid. Many families pay $20 or less per month, but most pay nothing at all. Full-pay options also are available for families with higher income levels. The Healthy Kids Corporation, which administers Florida KidCare, announced details about the following new systems and online resources it’s implementing to help simplify
Online Application and Account Status Updates The My Accounts section of the Healthy Kids website [www.healthykids. org/account] was recently updated so families can check the status of their application, see their monthly premium payment status and review their child’s health plan information. More Payment Options Text Payments – Later this month, families can opt-in to pay their monthly premium via text message through their cell phones. Cash Payments - Families can now make cash payments at any Fidelity Express location in Florida. Pre-populated Account Renewal Applications Families will be provided with pre-populated renewal applications to reduce the amount of time and information - such as income verification needed to complete the form. This is a project the Healthy Kids Corporation is doing with the Florida Department of Revenue and the Agency for Workforce Innovation. Outreach/Promotion KidCareCreative.com KidCare Creative [KidCareCreative.com] is a new online tool that was launched in April that puts new creative
power in the hands of local advocates and communitybased organizations promoting Florida KidCare. The website is an online resource center that allows local organizations to build their own professionally designed materials. Users can select layouts, choose message platforms, upload local pictures, add local partner logos and include local information to produce professionally customized materials to reach eligible families. “In the last 12 months alone, 95,000 previously uninsured children enrolled in Florida KidCare, gaining access to preventative healthcare such as regular doctor visits, immunizations, mental health counseling and dental checkups,” said Healthy Kids Board Chair-designee Wendy Link. “The legislature approved funding to cover an additional 20,000 uninsured children in the program this fiscal year. Through our annual back to school campaign and new administrative changes, we’re going to get kids enrolled.” For more information or if you need to apply for Florida KidCare, visit FloridaKidCare.org. Families can also call 1 (888) 540-5437 to receive an application by mail.
Local NFL teams partner with Florida education Bucs, Jags and Dolphins to offer specially-priced tickets for all public school and district personnel Special to the Outlook The start of the new school year also means it’s time for football, and the Florida Department of Education (DOE) is proud to continue its partnership with all three Florida National Football League (NFL) teams to offer specially-priced tickets for public school and district personnel (pre-kindergarten - 12th grade) across the state. Through this unique partnership, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are offering discounted single-game tickets for purchase for any public education employee. “We continue to look for ways to show our gratitude to educators throughout the state and are thrilled to work with our local NFL teams to offer support for public education,” said DOE Teacher Liaison Kelly Seay. “Florida’s teachers work tremendously hard to encourage a high standard of excellence for their students and we hope they are able to take advantage of these discounted tickets to catch a game or two this year.” For some available games, eligible employees will see as much as 50 percent in savings compared to regular ticket prices. Employees may contact the NFL team representatives directly if interested in purchasing single game tickets for the upcoming football season or visit the Just for Teachers website at fldoe.org/justforteachers/ discounts.asp for the necessary forms. •Jacksonville Jaguars - Matt Ryan; ryanma@nfl. jaguars.com; (904) 633-
4670 •Miami Dolphins - Sarah Gattusa; SGattuso@dolphins.com; (305) 943-6661
•Tampa Bay Buccaneers Stephen Diss; SDiss@Buccaneers.nfl.com; (813) 8702700 (Ext. 2533).
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Sept. 8 - Sept. 14, 2011 Opinion Stones of hope for the next generation
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By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist
Hurricane Irene hit the East Coast with a vengeance, causing inconvenience, interruption, and postponements. Perhaps the most notable postponement was that of the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, which was to take place on Aug. 28, 48 years after Dr. King gave his historic “I Have A Dream” speech. Thus, activities that were to span the week were, instead, concluded with an interfaith prayer service that drew more than 1,000 people. If one adheres to the scripture (Romans 8:28) that “all things work together for good,” it is possible to ruminate about any greater meaning in the postponement of the King celebration. It is interesting that one definition of postpone is, “to put off something until a later time; to defer.” Similarly, the definition of interruption is “to stop or hinder by breaking in.” Hurricane Irene just busted in to stop, to hinder, to defer. And while the beloved Rev. Joseph Lowery said, “With all the things black folk have been through, no little hurricane can come to stop us,” the fact is that Irene did exactly that, if only in the short run. To postpone is to defer. Isn’t that exactly what has happened to Dr. King’s dream? In so many ways it has been deferred, especially for the poorest of Americans, those who would have watched the celebration on television because they had no means to travel to Washington. Maybe they’d watch on televi-
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The monument unveiling was postponed until later this year. ployment. The Annie E. Casey Foundation released this data and more in their annual Kids Count report on Aug. 17. Their most stunning finding –31 million children live in poverty. Using 10 indicators of child well being, they found improvement in areas like infant mortality, the child death rate, the teen death rate and the teen birth rate. But economic indicators showed erosion in the well being of young people. The Casey Foundation advo-
cates a two-generation strategy to both help parents achieve economic stability and to enhance the “social, economic, cognitive and physical” development of children, and has developed a set of strategies that include both maintaining existing programs (which are likely to be cut because of the deals cut with the debt ceiling), and new programs, including asset protection, and programs to promote reading proficiency. Yet the likelihood of any of these programs being implemented hinges on our collective will to be stones of hope for young people. A celebration has been postponed, deferred, much like the hopes and dreams of the 31 million children who live in poverty. While the celebration will almost certainly be rescheduled, action to improve the lives of these young people has yet to be scheduled. The King Memorial is a riveting stone of hope, but who among us will be stones of hope for the next generation? Julianne Malveaux is president of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C.
Former Congressman and Ambassador Andrew Young.
This Labor Day must be more than a holiday By Dr. John E. Warren
Education Editor
sion. With a rise in the number of people who are homeless, there might be no television to watch. While Dr. King chose to identify with the poor, the homeless, the unemployed, many of the African Americans involved in public policy have chosen to ignore them. Former Congressman and Ambassador Andrew Young spoke at the Interfaith Service and invoked Dr. King’s line that “out of a mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” Indeed, the memorial is being described as “a stone of hope.” “You and I must become stones of hope in this world of despair,” said Ambassador Young. In the face of an economic downturn and the marginalization of the poor, stones of hope would organize, mobilize and lobby for laws that promote economic fairness. Instead, we have meekly accepted the extension of Bush tax cuts, meekly accepted rising poverty and high unemployment. I am perplexed that those who are affected by this economy, and those who claim to advocate for them, have not been more effective in protest. Our failures may have the most impact on the next generation, as increased child poverty has a negative impact on a young person’s later life chances. If we claim to be stones of hope for the next generation, then it is incumbent on us to make greater investments in children and their parents. Child poverty is a function of adult poverty and unemployment. Eleven percent of all children live in a household with an unemployed parent; a significant number live in homes where no parent has full-time, full-year em-
Special to the NNPA from The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint
Appropriately 126 years ago, the first Labor Day holiday was established to honor American workers and their place and importance in our society. It was set aside as a time for parades and celebrations. It was a time to honor workers, no matter what area of labor. In the last 60 years, this holiday has also become a time for politicians to kick off their fall campaigns with speeches and appearances at civic events; but now, how things have changed. While the nation’s unemployment rate appears to be stuck at approximately 10 percent, officially, it is more than 16 percent for African-American adults, and nearly 50 percent for AfricanAmerican youth between 16 and 21.
For what may be the first time in this nation, with such high unemployment there is no national policy, legislation or proposed program to create jobs, as of this writing. This lack of a jobs initiative appears to be a part of the Republican plan to cripple and wipe out gains made by organized labor, which represents the last potential threat to the idea of helping this nation’s poor and unemployed at the expense of the wealthy. This is not a time for celebration, when one considers that more than 40 years ago this nation adopted a full-employment policy under the HumphreyHawkins Full Employment Act. No one appears to remember this, including Organized Labor. That policy set triggers for unemployment assistance to areas of high unemployment, since all of the country was not affected equally. The difference between then and now is that 40 years ago America still had a conscience and concern for neighbors and
fellow citizens whether poor or middle class. Today, the Tea Party and its Republican supporters are hiding behind a false concern for this nation’s debt, while seeking to protect the wealth of the rich by fighting tax increases and protecting their tax breaks at all cost—regardless of who is hurt. The greatest fight for Organized Labor is no longer for pay raises, but the keeping of jobs for those who are employed, while fighting not to lose health benefits and future retirement for those younger workers entering the workforce. Labor must educate its new generation of public employees to the struggles and accomplishments of the labor movement during the last 50 years. The struggle now is to obtain collective bargaining under state by state attack by the Tea Party and its Republican legislative advocates. African Americans, in particular, should not forget the struggles of A. Philip Randolph and the Sleeping Car Porters who
had to fight for human dignity in their workplace as well as wages. Today, the so-called “playing field” is still not level when one considers the disparity in wages that continues between men and women and between blacks and whites in particular. While other ethnic groups like Latinos and Asians have entered the picture, disproportionate representation of blacks still exist in the trade and construction industries; imported workers are taking jobs that many Americans refuse to do, even in this period of high unemployment. A number of unemployed people must come to grips with the difference between a job and a position. Yes, this past Labor Day was not one for celebration. Rather, it is a day for reflection, observance and a recommitment to developing strategies that will provide jobs for our own unemployed, before exporting jobs or importing workers for existing technical jobs. Truly, the struggle continues.
The innocent faces of poverty By Rev. Al Sharpton Special to TriceEdneyWire
In the dialogue over fluctuating markets, plummeting Dow numbers and nervous investors, the one group that is impacted, perhaps most directly by everything, is virtually left out of the conversationthe poor. Not only have the most vulnerable among us been ignored and further marginalized, but the very face of poverty has transformed in the most shocking of ways. As parents lose their employment, entire families face eviction and health care is an unimaginable luxury, innocent children are tragically becoming an increasing segment of the destitute. According to a new study, one in five kids in the most powerful nation on earth now live in
poverty. The Annie E. Casey Foundation this week released its findings on child poverty rates from 2000-2009. According to the foundation’s research, 20 percent of our youth live in poverty and child poverty rates increased in 38 states during the years indicated in the study. So in other words, there has been a growth of 2.5 million additional kids now living at or below the poverty line -which, for those who continually want to attack the poor, is only $22,350 a year for a family of four. Sadly, the economic downfall of the past few years has only exacerbated the problem. Almost every single day we hear the impoverished referred to as “welfare recipients” and brandied about as if they were an evil group somehow responsible for our demise. In reality, Wall Street fat cats, predatory lenders and corporations with endless loopholes made a killing and left the rest of us to deal with the debt and mess. There is a great divide in this nation that is growing larger
with each passing day. The New York Times recently ran a cover story stating the rich had no difficulty in spending and as a result, high-end retailers literally have waiting lists for items like $1,500 shoes. While some are living the life of extravagance, many children won’t even have enough clothes to begin the school year - let alone stay warm during the colder months. There was a time when the word homeless would conjure up images of a lone bearded man walking the streets begging for money. Today, the face of poverty is increasingly becoming young boys and girls dealt an unjust hand in life. As the study indicated, children who are raised under dire circumstances find it difficult to obtain an adequate education, employment and housing in the future. A vicious cycle ensues that leaves everyone to bear the consequences. We often see troubling examples of the indigent in many developing countries around the world, but this crisis is happening
right here, right now in our own backyards. In a country with such vast wealth and resources, how can we allow children to go to bed hungry at night, live in shelters or on the street and then turn around and continue to penalize their parents? Instead of actually creating jobs, many elected officials and those vying to be elected, want to reduce unemployment benefits, eliminate food stamps and continually blame the innocent for our current problems. As the 2012 campaign kicks into full-gear, so will the anti-poor hate rhetoric designed to do nothing but get many to vote against their own interests. But before we fall victim to the notion of divide and conquer, let us remember that poverty knows no color and our forgotten children comprise all racial/ethnic backgrounds. And perhaps most importantly, let us remember the lesson of all the world’s greatest religions - stand alongside the weakest amongst you.
www.capitaloutlook.com 5 Education Is it time to fix the ‘No Child Left Behind’ law? Sept. 8 - Sept. 14, 2011
Ronald W. Holmes, Ph.D.
Education Editor/Vice President
On April 23, 1985, The Coca-Cola Company introduced the reformulated new Coke. This was the first time the product had changed in 99 years. Consumers were so angered by this change that they blasted the company, its chairman and employees. Some consumers reacted to the change by hoarding the old Coke product and buying large quantities while others flooded the headquarters with hostile protests and phone calls. Seventynine days after the launch, The Coca-Cola Company acknowledged it had made a huge mistake and brought back the old Coke. The new Coke fiasco is a clear example of the adage that, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” With the pressure of high-stakes tests and the demands of public schools to reach 100 percent proficiency in mathematics and reading by 2014, the questions to be asked are: Is it time to fix the No Child Left Behind Law (NCLB)? What would be a remedy to the NCLB law? How would states show evidence of accountability standards? How are states performing to current accountability standards?
The No Child Left Behind Law was passed in 2002 under President George W. Bush’s administration. The law requires states to reach adequate yearly progress (AYP) according to students’ results on standardized tests and the establishment of annual measurable objectives (AMOs) for all students and subgroups, participation rates, attendance and/ or graduation rates. When schools repeatedly fail to meet AYP, they progress into a corrective action or restructuring stage such as converting to a charter school, closing or being turned over to an educational management organization. With the alarming number of public schools failing to meet federal testing targets, teachers, principals, state superintendents and governors across the US are clamoring for some type of relief. In response, Melody Barnes, director of the Domestic Policy Council and assistant to the president, announced at an Aug 8 White House’s press briefing that President Obama “directed Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to move forward with plans to provide flexibility to states who are looking for greater relief under the NCLB law.” Duncan plans to ex-
Ronald W. Holmes, Ph.D. ercise an executive order signed by President Obama in August 2011 to provide flexibility to states through a waiver policy. After a peer review, the waiver policy is expected to be completed by Duncan and available to states in early or mid September 2011. While at the White House’s press briefing, Duncan cited that the NCLB law “impedes the progress of schools, is four years overdue for being rewritten, is too prescriptive and punitive, lowers standards and narrows the curriculum.” Barnes reports that President Obama has tried repeatedly to get Congress to submit a bill to his office to fix the NCLB law. She contends that the waiver policy is within the law and has been executed in a previous presidential administration. The waiver policy will require state education
agencies to demonstrate higher standards and accountability for students. Under Obama’s Blueprint for Reform of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), state education agencies are encouraged to adopt rigorous goals for student achievement and provide rewards and incentives to schools for accomplishing those goals rather than punishing, labeling, and closing schools if they do not perform well on a single measure such as a standardized test. The blueprint also encourages state education agencies and schools to provide students a worldclass education through a transformation of the curriculum for equal access to a quality of education for all students in an effort to prepare them for college and careers and enable them to compete in a global marketplace. Barnes notes that the application process for a state waiver will not be automatic. She says that every state “can apply but the standard is going to be high.” States that do not comply with the new reform would have to meet the standards of the NCLB law. According to The New York Times, approximately 38,000 of the nation’s 100,000 public
schools did not meet their NCLB testing targets in 2010 and 80,000 public schools were projected to miss their targets in 2011. Additionally, 89 percent of Florida’s public schools did not meet federal testing targets; however, 58 percent of Florida’s public schools performed at an “A” level under its own grading system. In reviewing documents obtained from Montana’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau, 383 out of 831 of Montana’s public schools did not meet federal testing targets. This resulted in Juneau and other state superintendents protesting and refusing to raise their AMOs or testing targets for this year according to the NCLB law. In Juneau’s appeal letter to US Department of Education (USDOE), she argues that, “in the absence of a new bill, USDOE continues to hold states and schools accountable under the current law although the ESEA accountability system does not conform to the USDOE new priorities, particularly around the growth model for student learning.” As a result, the USDOE allowed the state of Montana to change its testing targets and saved 155 of Montana’s public schools from being labeled fail-
ures. Juneau notes that the compromise was doable for her state in setting the 2010 -2011 targets at 70 percent proficiency for mathematics and 84.4 percent proficiency for reading rather than the 84 percent and 92 percent respectively of the federal testing targets. While the old adage reflects that “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” the NCLB law appears to be broken. Duncan says that “we can’t have a law on the books that impedes progress, that has perverse incentives and that leads to a dumbing down of standards.” With an alarming number of public school systems failing to meet federal testing targets, an outpouring of stakeholders across the U.S. are clamoring for flexibility and are in agreement that it is time to fix the law. This action should amend “a one-size-fits-all” federal accountability system and give states more autonomy in setting standards and measuring the effectiveness of their schools. Dr. Ronald W. Holmes is the National Superintendent of Education for the National Save the Family Now Movement, Inc. He is a former teacher, school administrator, and district superintendent and can be reached at rwholmes@capitaloutlook.com.
Graduate degrees surge as FSU focuses on doctoral education Special to the Outlook Tamika Royal-Thomas grew up in a rural and mountainous village in Jamaica in a family that believed in dreams. “My parents always told my brother and sister and me to work hard and achieve and get a good education.” After Royal-Thomas and her husband, Omar Thomas, finished their master’s degrees — she earned hers from the University of the West Indies; he graduated from Cornell University — they applied to doctoral programs at a swath of universities across the United States. Ultimately, both were smitten with Florida State University, particularly Royal-Thomas, who was offered a graduate teaching assistantship in statistics. “That was the incentive- the practical part that helped us put the pieces together and make it work,” said Royal-Thomas, who graduated Aug. 6 with a Ph.D. in biostatistics. Omar Thomas graduated on the same day with a doctorate in civil engineering.
For FSU, this Ph.D.wielding power couple serves as proof that the university’s long-term goal of boosting graduation rates of doctoral students has been realized. Over the past academic year, the number of doctorates awarded by FSU has jumped from 340 to 417, the largest number in its history. Over the past decade, the rise is even more stunning, with a 66 percent spike. Impressive doubledigit increases have occurred over the past academic year in two colleges: The College of Arts and Sciences produced 34 more Ph.D.s — a 24 percent increase — and the College of Education generated 23 more doctorates — a 61 percent increase. Within Arts and Sciences, perhaps the most notable upswing is in the FSU Department of Statistics, which jumped from six to 16 doctoral degrees — a spike of 167 percent. Master’s degrees also are on the upswing with an increase of 41 percent over the past 10 years. The upward trend is no accident.
FSU administrators set a goal about seven years ago to increase graduate enrollment by about two percent annually, according to Nancy Marcus, dean of the FSU Graduate School and the Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of Oceanography. Doctoral degree production is considered “an important metric in ranking of doctoral universities,” especially those in the prestigious Association of American Universities, she said. The recent increase in FSU doctoral degrees awarded could represent the first wave of students recruited as part of the university’s focused efforts in
doctoral education, Marcus said, explaining that the average time to complete a doctorate varies by discipline, but is currently about seven years. Other factors that account for the recent surge include delays in graduation by some students due to the recession. Those students may have recently turned their attention toward completing their dissertations — the last hurdle to degree attainment, Marcus said. Doctoral candidates typically need income and think it will not be a problem to complete a dissertation while they are working and away from campus.
Tamika Royal-Thomas and husband Omar Thomas graduated from FSU on Aug. 6 with their doctorate degrees.
“Unfortunately, this is not the case,” said Marcus, who noted that FSU has made a strong effort to reach out to various academic programs and encourage them to renew contact with such students, establishing “plans and benchmarks” to facilitate the completion of their dissertations. Faye Jones, the 36-year-old former assistant director of FSU’s University Business Administrators Program, chose to pursue her doctorate in educational leadership and policy full time. She had the help of a graduate assistantship as well as funding from a two-year fellowship from the Association for Institutional Research and the National Center for Educational Statistics. “I’m married with an 11-year-old son, so that played into my decision to pursue the degree full time,” said Jones, the daughter of Cuban immigrants, who was raised in Brooksville, Fla., by her Cuban grandparents. She is the first in her family to earn a college degree — much less a Ph.D. So, for
Jones, who considers Spanish her first language, it was particularly meaningful that her mother and grandmother attended her Aug. 6 graduation. “For them, this is the end, it means I’ve made it, I’ve gotten this far,” said Jones, who hopes to use her doctorate to teach at a university. “I definitely wanted to do this for my family.” For Royal-Thomas and Omar Thomas, the graduation ceremony was a “celebration of all the years of studying,” a life passage that brought lots of family from Jamaica and was worthy of the feast of jerk chicken, rice and peas, and fried plantains they shared with family and friends. “We tried to set goals before coming to the U.S. from our homeland, Jamaica,” said Royal-Thomas, who recently interned as a statistician for Sanofi Pasteur, a vaccine pharmaceutical company, and has launched a nationwide job search. “We made sure we were very focused, that we started strong, continued strong and finished strong. We worked morning, noon and night for this.”
Where Every Child is S-H-I-N-I-N-G: Successful, Helpful, Imaginative, Neighborly, Intelligent, Noble, and Good Natured! A Ministry of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Reverend Dr. R. B. Holmes, Jr., Pastor 406 N. Bronough Street · Tallahassee · (850) 222-6605
Scholarship Information www.stepupforstudents.org or Early Learning Coalition 385-0551
Since God’s love extends equally to all people, Bethel Christian Academy welcomes and encourages all His children, regardless of race, color, or nationality, to apply for admission, scholarship, any programs of the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color or nationality in the administration of any program of the school.
PreK (Age 3) - Sixth Grade Small Class Sizes Christian Philosophy Nurturing & Safe Environment Committed & Dedicated Teachers Challenging A Beka Curriculum Computer Technology Music, Health & Physical Education
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in the way Train up a child d when he e should go: an
depart from it. t o n l il w e h , ld is o Proverbs 22:6
Application Information
Go to www.betheltally.org (Under Bethel’s Quicklinks click Bethel’s Schools) or
Call (850) 222-6605
Sept. 8 - Sept. 14, 2011 Religion Women’s Devotional –– “Abundance from Above”
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The Capital Outlook continues its weekly women’s devotionals. This week’s devotion is prayerfully presented by Judith Warren Hawkins. John 10:10 Scripture: “He will be a wild donkey of a man, His hand will be against everyone, And everyone’s hand will be against him. Genesis 16:12 (New American Standard Bible)
“Let’s Just Get Through Today” Judith Warren Hawkins
God both named and foretold Hagar’s son’s future. Ishmael’s future, as revealed to Hagar, probably was not exactly as she had anticipated. Knowing for sure what
the future holds is not necessarily a good thing. The future can be rather dark and bleak, hopeless and seemingly without end. No wonder in Joshua 1, God three times commanded Joshua to “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid.” God promised to be with Joshua wherever Joshua went. That’s an absolute promise, “wherever.” From God’s absolutes we can submit to David’s in-
structions to “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD (Psalms 27:14).” How often we lie to ourselves when we demand God to show us the future? The cares and worries of today are crushing us and we want to know the specifics of the future! Really now! What we are really saying is, “Lord, please confirm that everything will be alright (by my definition
Faith in the fire: Wisdom for life
Reverend Dr. Gardner C. Taylor known as the “poet laureate of American Protestantism” By Kam Williams
God to race to politics to motherhood to family. For example, the author muses about the prospect for a second coming of Christ, suggesting that, upon His return, Jesus, “would be assassinated, lynched, or, if you prefer, crucified as before.” Thought provoking pearls of wisdom from the poet laureate of progressive Protestantism.
Special to the Outlook
“Amazingly, many people of faith and members of the reading public have not heard of the Rev. Dr. Gardner C. Taylor or his accomplishments. In a new book, Dr. Taylor, a retired pastor known nationally as the dean of AfricanAmerican preachers, decries the treatment of President Obama by his critics. Publication of ‘Faith in the Fire’ attempts to rectify this by providing an accessible introduction to Dr. Taylor’s enduring wisdom... In 1948, Taylor became pastor of the Concord Baptist Church of Brooklyn, the church where he earned his reputation as a champion fighter for social justice and community uplift, and received acclaim as one of the great preachers in American history. ‘Faith in the Fire: Wisdom for Life’ adds a unique contribution to Dr. Taylor’s legacy by attempting to gather his philosophical gems and present them in a fashion that readers can easily access.” -Excerpted from the Introduction. Despite being born the grandson of slaves in Baton Rouge, La. on June 18, 1918, Gardner Calvin Taylor earned degrees from Leland College and Oberlin Graduate School of Theology before becoming the legendary pastor of Brooklyn’s Concord Baptist Church at the age of 30. And over the course of his enduring career there, Taylor known as the “poet laureate of American Protestantism,” has been called one of the greatest preachers in America. His use of metaphor, dramatic timing and biblical truths to weave a seamless narrative in his sermons exhibit his mastery of the technical aspects of preaching that have inspired both laymen and clergy alike. Many have
In 1979, Time named him “the dean of the nation’s black preachers,” and in an issue of the Christian Century, he was dubbed the “poet laureate of American Protestantism.” been entranced and transformed by Taylor’s oratorical gift. During the Civil Rights Movement, he also served as a mentor and confidant to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with whom he co-founded the Progressive National Baptist Convention. So, it only makes sense that the wealth of cultural contributions made by this eloquent pioneer for social justice, now 93, should be preserved for posterity. The task of editing six decades worth of sermons and papers fell to the Rev. Edward L. Taylor, no relation, a former resident fellow at Harvard University. The upshot of that effort is
“Faith in the Fire: Wisdom for Life,” an enlightening opus distilling Dr. Taylor’s insights on a variety of subjects ranging from love to
of ‘alright’).” With our limited spiritual eyesight, we look at our lives with microscopes – God uses His omnipotent telescope which takes Him to the end of time. Just shy of her 48th birthday, my sister, Jennifer, died from a rare form of cancer. We were a family of ten; three brothers, five sisters and two parents. Including Jennifer, we each had our own special request of God about her condition.
Our requests competed against each other. But God answered each of our petitions in a wonderful mosaic of events. In her passing, we saw God’s tender compassion which enabled each of us to “be strong and of good courage.” A dark future was brightened by God’s presence. PRAYER: Father, because You are already in the future, I also can confidently go there.
A Matter of Perspective By David C. McCasland Special to the Outlook
A r e you part of the problem or part of the solution? Whether that question is posed during a business meeting, a church council or a family discussion, it often springs from a sense of exasperation in trying to comprehend why someone has acted in a certain way. More often than not, the answer is a matter of perspective. If we had been among the Israelites leaving Egypt after 400 years of slavery, we would likely have seen Pharaoh as part of the problem—and he was. Yet God saw something more. Inexplicably, the Lord told Moses to take the people back toward Egypt and camp with their backs to the Red Sea so Pharaoh would attack them (Ex. 14:1-3). The Israelites thought they were going to die, but God
said that He would gain glory and honor for Himself through Pharaoh and all his army, “and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD” (vv.4,17-18). When we simply cannot understand why God allows circumstances that threaten to overwhelm us, it’s good to remember that He has our good and His glory in mind. If we can say, “Father, please enable me to trust and honor You in this situation,” then we will be in concert with His perspective and plan. Your words of pure, eternal truth Shall yet unshaken stay, When all that man has thought or planned, Like chaff shall pass away. —Anon. Faith helps us to accept what we cannot understand.
Reverend Dr. R. B. Holmes , Jr.
“The Christ Centered Church With a Program of Prayer and Progress ”
Sept. 8 - Sept. 14, 2011
Community News
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Moore and Mitchell wedding Special to the Outlook Crystal Moore and Ryan Mitchell were united in marriage July 2 at Reflections On Spring Creek in Dallas, Texas. The bride is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Michael R. Moore of Tallahassee, Fla. She graduated from Florida A&M University with a master’s in business administration and received her juris doctor degree from the University of Texas Law School in Austin. Crystal Moore is
currently employed at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. The groom is the son of Mr. & Mrs. R. Nathaniel Mitchell. He graduated from FAMU with a bachelor’s in health care management. He received his master’s in management from Faulkner University in Montgomery, Ala. He is currently employed with Bank of America. The maid of honor was the bride’s sister, Whitney Moore. The bridesmaids were Crystal Baskerville, Patrice Broomfield, Kirsten
Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Mitchell were wed on July 2 in Texas. Sickle Cell Foundation, Inc. “Tim Simpkins One Mile Fun Run for All” When: Sept. 10 @7 a.m. Call: 850-222-2355 An Educational Lecture Series “Black Hospitals In
Brew, Afton Cowen, Shaquita Rahming and Twyla Thompson. The best man was Seth Thomas, the groom’s cousin. The groomsmen were McDonald Jean, William Menefield, Roy Mosley Jr., Elvin Price, Exley Warren and Julian White. The flower girls were Khayra and Nadia Muhammad, nieces of the groom. The ring bearer was Henry Price, god son of the groom. The couple will honeymoon in St. Maarten and live in Dallas.
(l to r) Celeste Turner, Henry Turner, Crystal Moore, Ryan Mitchell, Janice Clarke, Lovoria Ofuani.
(l to r) Barbara Austin, Pinkey Modeste, Cynthia Chestnut, Whitney Moore, Michael R. Moore, Crystal Moore, Ryan Mitchell, Juanita Moore, Annie Mae Butler, Gail Butler Hinton, Mary Hall. America: History, Contribution & Demise” Speaker: Nathaniel Wesley Jr. When: Sept. 15 from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Where: Smith-Williams Service Center Annex 2295 Pasco St. Call: 850-942-7288
Email: Nathaniel Wesley Jr. @ nwesley67@comcast.net Visit: www.nathanielwesley.info The Watson Temple Institutional COGIC “Third Annual Missionary Day”
When: Sept. 17 @ 6 p.m. Contact: RSVP Patricia Stallworth @ 850-5759721 Email: pastallworth@ comcast.net National Primitive Baptist Convention, USA Rev. Dr. Ernest Ferrell, president
Guest speaker for: Retirement Banquet Celebration for Elder Brewer Hall Jr. When: Oct. 9 @ Sheraton Music City Hotel Reception: 5:00 p.m. & Banquet: 6:00 p.m. Tickets: $50.00 Contact: Elder Richard Lloyd @ 615-516-2363
Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority provides service beyond the border Special to the Outlook The Chi Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., of Tallahassee, spent time this summer working beyond the borders of Leon County. The chapter was chartered in 2004 with its major thrust to provide service to all mankind, especially in the greater Leon and Jefferson counties. To continue this long-term commitment, Chi Upsilon Omega looks for opportunities to serve these areas. The annual Sisterly Planning Retreat was held July 29-30 at the 1872 John Denham House in Monticello, Fla. During the weekend, members made plans for programs that they would sponsor in 2012 and developed a preliminary budget to support the programs. A homemade dinner and breakfast using locally harvested produce were provided by Pat Tilmon, owner of the 1872 John Denham House, for the more than 30 attendees. Following the closing of the retreat, members went to the Brynwood Nursing Center to play Bingo with the residents. The chapter adopted the center in 2004 and makes frequent visits to interact with the residents. The special Bingo set with large letters and numbers was donated by Chi Upsilon Omega on one of its previous visits. Prizes were provided to the residents who participated and special prizes were awarded to the Bingo winners. Chi Upsilon Omega also partnered with Restoration Glory Church in Monticello by donating a portion of fundraising monies to purchase backpacks and school supplies that were given to students of Jefferson County schools. Volunteers from the
Volunteers from the chapter assisted in the distribution of the backpacks at the church’s annual Wham-Bam-Back-to-School Jam.
Dianne Williams-Cox participated Debora Cozart helps a student choose a backpack. as a volunteer with the giveaway.
chapter were there to assist in the distribution of the backpacks at the church’s annual Wham-Bam-Backto-School Jam held on Aug. 6 at the church. Chi Upsilon Omega adopted a family in Monticello that consisted of a single mom and four children. The chapter bought all the school supplies and daycare supplies needed for each of the children including backpacks so that they would be prepared for a successful school year. Linette Dudley, Chi Upsilon Omega’s president, said, “We develop programs based on the sorority’s international focus with a local flavor for serving our communities. These two recent activities are a mere testament to the fact that we view service as a serious matter.” Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, established in 1908, has dedicated itself to improving life for citizens around the world and promoting world peace. For more information regarding Alpha Kappa Alpha or the Chi Upsilon Omega Chapter visit aka1908.com or chiupsilonomega.com.
Centennial Bank believes in the importance of getting out in the community. More than just financially strong, if you need us, we’ll be there for you. Even after hours. That’s why you can find us while on an afternoon walk. Or wherever you happen to be.
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Classifieds
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Bethel Missionary Baptist Church
CLASSIFIEDS
Employment
THE FOLLOWING POSITION IS “Open Until Filled” Application Development Analyst
LEON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS JOB OPENINGS THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS HAVE A CLOSING DATE OF: September 9, 2011 Library Assistant (Two part-time 20 hours per week positions @ Eastside Branch) Senior Library Assistant (Part-time 20 hours per week position @ Eastside Branch) THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS HAVE A CLOSING DATE OF: September 16, 2011 Information Professional (Part-time position @ Eastside Branch) Equipment Mechanic
Sept. 8 - 14, 2011
Public Information Specialist GIS Database Analyst THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS ARE “OPEN CONTINUOUSLY”
Paramedic (PRN) EMT (PRN) For additional information on these positions and other job openings: • Go to www.leoncountyfl.gov/HR/jobs/joblist.asp • Call our Job Line at (850) 606-2403 • Watch Comcast Channel 16 (Tuesdays 9am-12am) • Visit Human Resources, 315 South Calhoun Street, 5th Floor, Suite #502
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Africare Archives B.E.S.T. (Bethel’s Education Support Team) Bethel Christian Academy Bethel Empowerment Foundation (Steele-Collins Charter Middle School) Bethel Family Counseling Center Bethel Towers Carolina Oaks Housing Development (First Time Home Buyers) Children and Youth Liturgical Dance/Mime Ministry Choirs o Collegiate and Young Adult Choir o Inspirational Choir o Men’s Choir o Children’s Choir o Youth Choir o Steele-Lightsey Choir Culinary Deaconess Deacons Haiti Health Care Homeless Married Couples Media Men’s Ministry Military Pastoral Leadership Support Team Prayer & Evangelism Project Create Promise Retirement Singles and Single Parents Stewardship Substance Abuse Sunday School Transportation Ushers Women Young Adult Ministry Young Mothers Mentoring Youth and Children’s Ministry Youth Musical Orchestra
Reverend Dr. R. B. Holmes, Jr., Pastor
Saturday, September 10, 2011 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Fellowship…Refreshments…Enlightenment All members of Bethel (New Members, College Students, Young Adults, Adults, Children, Parents, Grandparents, EVERYONE) are invited to come and learn more about the mission and ministries of the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Come and learn how you can share your spiritual gifts to glorify the body of Christ. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” St. Matthew 5:16 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
Gymnasium – Bethel Family Life Center 406 N. Bronough Street
Come save where making shopping a pleasure is part of the deal. Even when you’re shopping on a budget, you don’t have to give up the experience you deserve. At Publix, you’ll find hundreds of items on sale every day, while you still enjoy the service you can’t quite put a price on. Go to publix.com/save right now to make plans to save this week.
to save here.