Chicago Crusader 08 31 13 E-Edition

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Blacks Must Control Their Own Community

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VOLUME LXXIII NUMBER 19—SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2013

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Commemorating 50th Anniversary Obama says:

Economics our Unfinished Business

By George E. Curry NNPA Editor-in-Chief WASHINGTON (NNPA) – After repeatedly praising Dr. Martin Luther King., Jr., for leading a movement in the 1950s and 1960s that demolished America’s apartheid-like treatment of AfricanAmericans, President Obama told those attending an observance of the 1963 March on Washington Wednesday that making sure Blacks and whites are on the same economic level is America’s “great unfinished business.”

Obama, the nation’s first Black president, spoke candidly on Wednesday about the need to eliminate the last vestiges of racial discrimination.

“And so as we mark this anniversary, we must remind ourselves that the measure

MARCHERS, UNDETERRED BY light rain, marched on Washington Wednesday to renew the dream (NNPA Photo by Freddie Allen).

Latest March on Washington More Diverse

By Freddie Allen NNPA Washington Correspondent President Barack Obama of progress for those who marched 50 years ago was not merely how many Blacks had joined the ranks of millionaires; it was whether this country would admit all people who were willing to work hard, regardless of race, into the ranks of a middle-class life,” President Obama said.

“The test was not and never has been (Continued on page 3)

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – The 50th Anniversary for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom celebrated a more diverse coalition and needs, but the central themes resonated around voting rights, jobs, gun violence and equality in minority communities.

At this year’s march, Blacks, progressive whites and the labor movement were joined by Latino groups and Native Americans, Asian Americans, the Gay and Lesbian community and members of women’s

rights and children’s rights organizations to protect Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder credited Dr. King for bringing about profound changes in the U.S. “Their march is now our march,” he said. “Our focus has broadened to include the cause of women, of Latinos, of AsianAmericans, of lesbians, of gays, of people with disabilities and of countless others across this great country who still yearn for equality, opportunity and fair treatment as we recommit ourselves to the quest for justice.”

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Worrill Honored With Street Naming Ceremony (See story on page 3)

Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network and one of the key organizers of this year’s “National Action to Realize the Dream” said the march was built on activists who stood on the same ground five decades earlier.

“There will be those that miscast this as some great social event but let us remember that 50 years ago some came to Washington having rode on the back of buses, some came to Washington that couldn’t stop and (Continued on page 2)

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NEWS

Latest March on Washington More Diverse (Continued from page 1)

buy a cup of coffee until they got across the Mason-Dixon line, that couldn’t buy a cup of coffee, some came to Washington after sleeping in their cars because they couldn’t rent a motel room, some came to Washington never having had the privilege to vote some came having seen their friends shed blood, but they came to Washington so that we could come today in a different time and a different place and we owe them for what we have today.”

SHARPTON KEYNOTES Saturday’s march (NNPA Photo by Freddie Allen).

Sharpton upbraided those who denigrate past suffering.

“Don’t act like whatever you achieved you achieved because you were that smart, you got there because some unlettered grandmas who never saw the in-

side of a college campus who put their bodies on the line in Alabama and Mississippi and sponsored you up here.”

Fifty years ago, Dr. King said that America gave Blacks a check that bounced in the bank of justice and was returned marked insufficient funds.

Sharpton said that we re-deposited the check, only to have the check bounce again.

This time it was marked ‘stop payment,” he said.

“They had the money to bail out banks, they had the money to bail out major corporations, they have the money to give tax benefits for the rich, they have the money for the 1 percent but when it comes to Head Start, when it comes to municipal workers, when it comes to our teachers they stopped the check,” said Sharpton. “We’re going to make you make the check good or we’re going to close down the banks.”

Sharpton said it was only natural that today’s coalition is broader than it was in 1963.

“As we fight for voters’ rights, as we fight for jobs, as we fight for immigration, as we fight for equality let us not try to limit the coalition,” said Sharpton. “We need all of us together.”

Sharpton said that the bogus arguments about ‘well, they didn’t suffer like us’ or ‘they aren’t as bad as us’ are irrelevant today.

“The most insane thing for sick people to do is lay up in the hospital debating about who is the sickest,” said Sharpton.

AL SHARPTON, ALONG with Marc Morial, Trayvon Martin’s family and lawyer and others prepare to leave Lincoln Memorial (NNPA Photo by Freddie Allen).

Sharpton added: “We all need said “We came to Washington to said. commemorate, but we are going Jesse Jackson, who attended to unite and get well together.” both marches, recalled the time Congressman John Lewis (D- home to agitate.”

Myrlie Evers-Williams, former he spent as an aide to Dr. King.

Ga.), the only surviving speaker “His [King’s] mission was to from the 1963 March on Wash- board chair of the NAACP and ington, echoed Sharpton’s appeal wife of slain civil rights leader disturb the comfortable and Medgar Wiley Evers, implored comfort the disturbed and he to a broader audience.

“All of us, it doesn’t matter if marchers to stand their ground was determined to remain permanently maladjusted until all we’re Black, white, Native Ameri- for justice and equality.

“I ask you today to flip that coin of God’s children had a meal for can, Asian American. It doesn’t matter if we’re straight or gay we and make stand your ground a their bodies, education for their are one family we are one house, positive theme for all of us who minds, and health care for their believe in freedom and justice infirmities,” Jackson said. we all live in the same house.”

Families from across the nation Joseph Lowery, a co-founder of and equality and that we stand SCLC and one of its past presi- firm on the ground that we have attended the march together, the dents, talked about the interven- already made and be sure that tragedy of the shooting death of ing years between 1963 and now. nothing is taken away from us be- Trayvon Martin and the under“Everything has changed and cause there are efforts to turn lying consequences of racial pronothing has changed.” Lowery back the clock of freedom,” she filing heavy on their hearts.

Changes are needed at Cook County Jail

By Wendell Hutson If Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle had her way, she would not find alternative sentences for 70 percent of the inmates currently incarcerated at Cook County Jail. According to Preckwinkle, 70 percent of inmates are locked up for non-violent offenses, such as prostitution, drug use and theft. Thirtypercent are locked up for violent crimes, such as murder, and 10 percent are serving sentences while a 90 percent are still awaiting trial.

“Rather than send offenders to drug treatment or places where they could get mental health treatment, law enforcement’s answer is to simply lock them up,” Preckwinkle said at a recent meeting with the Chatham Business Association.

“But instead, we choose to spend $143 a day to keep them locked up.

Taxpayers dole out $52,000 a year to house an inmate at the jail.”

The county jail has a maximum capacity of 10,000 and Preckwinkle said the jail is already around 97 percent occupied.

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“Cook County Jail borders on racism and poverty because most of the inmates are Black and brown people and cannot afford their bail so they sit there locked up for months before their cases are disposed,” added Preckwinkle.

State Sen. Mattie Hunter (DChicago) agreed.“Black men are overwhelmingly incarcerated and scores of Black families throughout our nation are fatherless.” Hunter said. “Our children need to see Black men supporting the community, helping our youth achieve academic success and show how much education means to the growth and development of our community.”

More than 50 local business owners attended the CBA meeting including self-employed workers like Bob Israel, president of Save Our Community Coalition, a nonprofit organization.“What they (Cook County) need to do is build a new jail. This way it would create thousands of construction jobs and opportunities for Black folks,” he said.

“The process for which the county uses to select Black vendors is bro-

Toni Preckwinkle ken and needs fixing.”

Israel and entrepreneur Edward Gardner (founder of Soft Sheen Products Co.) have been on a personal crusade for more than a year advocating for the city to hire more Black construction workers.“There are too many city projects taking place in Black neighborhoods and too few of us working at the site,” contends Israel. “The city does us (Blacks) wrong and so does the county.”

Melinda Kelly, executive director of the CBA, said the association arranged the meeting between

Preckwinkle and local, small business owners as a way to connect South Side businesses with the county.“There always need to be a connection between government and small business if economic development is to take place,” Kelly said.

However, Karin NoringtonReaves, who heads up the Cook County Workforce Partnership Program, disagreed.“Our training programs we offer put those who participated well above the average pay grade. And many of those completing our job training programs are Black,” Norington-Reaves said.

“We have people coming out of the program earning $15 and up per hour and that includes teenagers.”

And building more jails or expanding the existing jail is not the answer to fighting crime, said Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore (D-4th Dist.), whose district includes Chatham, Roseland and several south suburbs.“Our (Cook County) solution to crime is not to send more people to jail. But if we build more jails that’s the message

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

we would be sending,” Moore said.

“What we need is more alternative programs for offenders to serve that would ease the burden at the jail.”

Due to the jail’s often full capacity an inmate was mistakenly released last week and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said it was because the jail does not have a computerized system.“In this day and age you would think we would be up to speed with 21st Century technology but we’re not. We move 1,500 inmates a day and do so by using a paper file,” Dart said. “We that many inmates moved to courthouses daily using paper files, mistakes like this one are bound to continue popping up.”

Moore said the county jail has used paper files for years by way of a court order in place.“I agree that paper files are outdated but until the law changes there’s not much we (Cook County) can do,” explained Moore. “I do think having a computerized system would make things at the jail run more smoothly, not to mention the millions of dollars it would save taxpayers.” www.chicagocrusader.com

NEWS

Chicago Public Schools wants more charter schools

By Wendell Hutson After initially saying its long-term plans were not to replace neighborhood schools with charter schools, this month Chicago Public Schools posted an Request for Proposals on its website for more charter operators.

This follows the closure of 50 underutilized schools by the nation’s third largest school district, which also slashed many school budgets.

But CPS’ move to increase charter schools is not surprising to the Chicago Teachers Union.

“CPS continues to mislead parents and the public about its revenue stream, school utilization rates and its slow march toward privatization. Clearly, with the new RFP for more charters, CPS is accelerating its plans to gut our public school system,” said Stephanie Gadlin, a spokeswoman for the CTU. “This is a smack in the face to the thousands of school children whose lives have been disrupted by the largest school closings in U.S. history.”

However, CPS officials deny that they are slowly privatizing public education.

“CPS must provide every student in every community access to a highquality education that prepares them for college, career and life. Just as we have worked to address our underutilization crisis, CPS must also address the problem of overcrowding,

as there are several neighborhoods within our district with more students than seats available at their local school,” said Becky Carroll, in a statement. “By issuing this state mandated RFP, as CPS has done for the last 10 years, our goal is to seek out potential proposals to create more high quality school options for parents, and this is merely one step in

that process.”

For the last decade CPS has issued RFPs seeking information from charter operators, school district officials contend.

Among the things the RFP asked applicants is to demonstrate the capacity to run high quality new charter schools.

Last school year there were more than 100 charter campuses within CPS’ portfolio of 681 schools. And non-profit organizations and forprofit companies run most charters.

And while the RFP stops short of identifying how many more charters CPS is seeking, it does seek ideas from applicants wishing to open schools over the next two years.

State law allows each district to make their own process for receiving proposals for charters.

Most of the 50 schools the school district closed were in Black and Hispanic communities on the South and West Sides.

But the RFP specifically requested ideas from applicants about opening schools on the Northwest and

Southwest Sides, although suggestions for other neighborhoods would be considered, according to the RFP. One requirement stated in the RFP is for potential charter operators to demonstrate their ties to communities for which they would like to open a school.

“Applicants must provide evidence of parent and community demand and support,” according to the RFP. Since its inception in 1975 George Corliss High School, 821 E. 103rd St., has stood alone as a neighborhood school until this month when Pullman College Prep High School moved into the building. Now the charter school occupies half the building with nearly 100 freshmen students.

Alderman Anthony Beale (9th) is an alumnus of Corliss and said declining enrollment forced “some creative ways to keep (Corliss) open.”

According to CPS data, Corliss had an enrollment last school year of 558 even though the school could hold up to 2,000 students.

Economics our Unfinished Business

(Continued from page 1)

whether the doors of opportunity are cracked a bit wider for a few. It was whether our economic system provides a fair shot for the many, for the Black custodian and the White steelworker, the immigrant dishwasher and the Native American veteran. To win that battle, to answer that call – this remains our great unfinished business.”

Obama headlined an array of speakers that included two former presidents – Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton; Congressman John Lewis (D-Ga.), the lone surviving speaker of the 1963 March on Washington; civil rights leaders Al Sharpton (National Action Network), Marc Morial (National Urban League), Charles Steele (SCLC), Benjamin Jealous (NAACP); King children Martin III and Bernice King; Top King aides Andrew Young and Joseph Lowery and celebrities Oprah Winfrey and Jamie Foxx.

Like other speakers, President Obama dismissed claims that little progress has been made over the past 50 years, pointing to his election and the rise of Black CEOs of Fortune 500 companies as examples of Black advancement.

“We rightly and best remember Dr. King’s soaring oratory that day, how he gave mighty voice to the quiet hopes of millions, how he offered a salvation path for oppressed and oppressors alike. His words belong to the ages, possessing a power and prophecy unmatched in our time,” Obama said. “But we would do well to recall that day itself also belonged to those ordinary people whose names never appeared in the www.chicagocrusader.com

history books, never got on TV. “Many had gone to segregated schools and sat at segregated lunch counters, had lived in towns where they couldn’t vote, in cities where their votes didn’t matter. There were couples in love who couldn’t marry, soldiers who fought for freedom abroad that they found denied to them at home. They had seen loved ones beaten and children fire-hosed.

And they had every reason to lash out in anger or resign themselves to a bitter fate.

“And yet they chose a different path. In the face of hatred, they prayed for their tormentors. In the face of violence, they stood up and sat in with the moral force of nonviolence. Willingly, they went to jail to protest unjust laws, their cells swelling with the sound of freedom songs. A lifetime of indignities had taught them that no man can take away the dignity and grace that God grants us. They had learned through hard experience what Frederick Douglass once taught: that freedom is not given; it must be won through struggle and discipline, persistence and faith.”

Given such sacrifice, President Obama said, it would be an insult to their memory to minimize the progress that came about as a direct result of the Civil Rights Movement.

“That was the spirit that they carried with them like a torch back to their cities and their neighborhoods, that steady flame of conscience and courage that would sustain them through the campaigns to come, through boycotts and voter registration drives and smaller marches, far from the spotlight, through the loss of four little girls in Birmingham, the

carnage of Edmund Pettus Bridge and the agony of Dallas, California, Memphis. Through setbacks and heartbreaks and gnawing doubt, that flame of justice flickered and never died,” Obama said.

“And because they kept marching, America changed. Because they marched, the civil rights law was passed. Because they marched, the voting rights law was signed. Because they marched, doors of opportunity and education swung open so their daughters and sons could finally imagine a life for themselves beyond washing somebody else’s laundry or shining somebody else’s shoes. Because they marched, city councils changed and state legislatures changed and Congress changed and, yes, eventually the White House changed,” President Obama said as the crowd cheered.

One of those who kept marching was John Lewis, then-chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and, at 23, the youngest person to speak at the march on Aug. 28, 1963. Catholic leaders in the civil rights coalition who had seen a draft of Lewis’ speech threatened to withdraw from the march if he were allowed to deliver it as written.

In the early version, Lewis called a civil rights bill backed by the John F. Kennedy administration “too little, too late” and questioned the administration’s devotion to civil rights.

Lewis had planned to say, “We won’t stop now. All of the forces of Eastland, Barnett and Wallace and Thurmond won’t stop this revolution. The next time we march, we won’t march on Washington, but we will march through the South,

through the Heart of Dixie, the way Sherman did. We shall pursue our own ‘scorched earth’ policy and burn Jim Crow to the ground – nonviolently. We shall fragment the South into a thousand pieces and put them back together in the image of democracy.”

Under heavy pressure from the elder statesmen in the movement, Lewis toned down his language. But on Wednesday, the Georgia congressman was not mincing words.

“Fifty years later we can ride anywhere we want to ride, we can stay where we want to stay,” he said.

“Those signs that said ‘white’ and ‘colored’ are gone. And you won’t see them anymore – except in a museum, in a book, on a video…

“The scars and stains of racism still remain deeply embedded in American society, whether it is stop and frisk in New York or injustice in

Trayvon Martin’s case in Florida, the mass incarceration of millions of Americans, immigrants hiding in fear in the shadow of our society, unemployment, homelessness, poverty, hunger or the renewed struggle for voting rights.”

Bernice King, the slain human rights leader and primary organizer of Wednesday commemorative service on the Mall, said: “We are still chained by economic disparities, class inequalities and conditions of poverty for many of God’s children in this nation and around the world.

If we are going to continue the struggle for freedom and create true community, then we will have to be relentless in exposing, confronting and ridding ourselves of the mindset of pride, and greed, and selfishness, and hate, and lust, and fear, and idleness, and lack of purpose and lack of love as my brother said for our neighbor.’

WORRILL HONORED WITH Street Naming Ceremony — Worrill, Ph.D., director and professor of the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies at Northeastern Illinois University, is an internationally acclaimed activist, organizer and scholar. The street named for Worrill is Langley from Pershing Road to Oakwood Blvd. (See next week’s issue for more photos)

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Saturday, august 31, 2013

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EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL MINIMUM WAGES AND MAXIMUM BENEFITS People all over America are gearing up to celebrate the Labor Day holiday. It has been celebrated for over 100 years on the first Monday in September for the purpose of honoring the social and economic achievements of American workers. This tradition grew out of the labor movement. The first labor day was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882. Labor Day was subsequently celebrated the first Monday in September starting in 1884, and the Central Labor Union encouraged the adoption of this holiday in other cities in the nation.

Recently, people were heard lamenting the quest for a decent increase in minimum wages by fast food workers. The opinion of the observers was that an increase in minimum wages would bode ill for the corporations that hired them, in other words, it would negatively impact the bottom line: profit. The workers were seeking a minimum wage of $15, and observers thought that this was outrageous.

Let’s examine this notion for a minute. The question we would ask is this: where would the corporation be without the workers? The answer is that it could not survive without them!

They are the backbone of the corporation. People forget this, and the reason lies in the irrational notion that service workers, and especially low wage service workers, are somehow less valuable than everyone else. People who think this way tend to forget that everyone in the workplace, from the janitors all the way up to the presidents and CEOs is important. They are all vital cogs in a dynamic economic wheel. And though there may be a stigma placed on jobs wherein the compensation is somewhat mediocre, the overall value of those jobs far outweighs the compensation. For example, how pleasant would it be if all garbage men went on strike? What would be your dining experience if all waitresses across the country walked off the job? Who would frequent hotels where the workers refused to take care of the usual hospitality needs like changing bed linens, room service, and more?

The bottom line is that all work is important, and the arbitrary value that we place on various occupations serves a capitalistic need for stratification; for hierarchical intrigue based on the need to justify the obscene salaries that many heads of corporations make. Some CEOs earn more in bonuses and stock options in one year than the average person makes over many years. So, the issue about an increase in minimum wages for those on the lower rungs of the socioeconomic ladder is actually a non-issue; there is enough to go around. And lest you cite the statistics that point to an economic slump in the U.S., just remember that everyone is not slumping. The fat cats at the top are not losing out on anything. Many of them are getting richer while the other 99% languish near the bottom.

Work can give people a sense of dignity and self-worth, though, in actuality, that should not be the only source of these feelings. But we must learn to appreciate all workers. If you are lost on this concept, just think about the plight of the unemployed. They would change places with many workers in a heartbeat. There is something very special about being able to do honest work for honest pay, which can lead to economic self-sufficiency. And finally, we must remember that getting a job is not the only path in the world of labor; entrepreneurship is a road that many, especially African Americans, should consider on the journey through the economic storms that too often visit the community. With this said, have a safe and happy Labor Day Holiday!

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CPS bonuses? I can’t believe it Dear Editor: I had to read the article three times because I couldn’t believe that about 135 CPS principals got bonuses. Somehow the mayor justifies this action by saying the bonus money came from private sources.

It is a lame rationale because if four rich friends of the mayor can kick in $5 million for principals, why couldn’t Rahm get 100 of his rich buddies to ante up enough dollars to stem some of the firings of some of the hundreds of principals and exceptional teachers? Of that pool of cash, more than $1 million was passed out to principals this year. Personally, it was a classless move.

This is not the first time the mayor has essentially tried to buy loyalty from CPS employees. He pulled off something very similar when he was pushing for a longer school day and the principals who signed on early got bonuses. It was never spoken, but strongly implied they were supposed to do the mayor’s arm-twisting and get other principals (who would not get the bonuses) to go along with the longer day plan.

While the mayor and his minions might want to argue that he was helping morale, if it takes paying $20,000 a piece to boost some employees’ morale, maybe they are in the wrong profession.

Teaching, I always thought was a

calling, and the people going into it realized they were never going to be able to lunch every weekend at the Four Seasons downtown or spend every Christmas break in Aspen.

Does anyone think this will go over well with parents who work hard, are struggling to make ends meet and get one of the city’s $75 parking tickets? What about the city workers who are busting their behinds to keep their jobs and there are no bonuses for them?

I don’t think that we can have a bigger disappointment for mayor than the one who is sitting on the fifth floor of City Hall now.

Duane Spalding

The scam continues with CPS Dear Editor: Of the last several superintendents, or CEOs or whatever you want to call the person in charge of Chicago Public Schools, the only one I have felt comfortable with was Jean-Claude Brizard. Arne Duncan tried to B.S. his way through the job. Ron Huberman was full of tech-talk and now we have Barbara Byrd-Bennett, who obviously is a hand puppet for Mayor Emanuel.

When the mayor and the CPS board foisted this school closing logic on us, the rationale was supposedly sending our students to better schools and right-sized classrooms. Even the doubters of that explanation finally agreed that maybe it made sense. We

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

were led to believe that a lot of thought and planning went into closing 50 schools and firing nearly 4,000 teachers and staffers.

So, if this was such a great plan and we were getting better schools, why does the State of Illinois give CPS $16 million “to ease overcrowding?” It simply does not make sense. We were told there were dozens of “underutilized schools.” Part of the solution was to re-locate the students.

By my way of thinking, the mayor and the CPS higher-ups are (Continued on page 7)

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COMMENTARY

Stop Using Racism to Silence Keystone Supporters

By Harry C. Alford NNPA Columnist Fifty years ago on this August 28, hundreds of thousands of citizens gathered in our nation’s capital to fight for racial equality. The March on Washington proved to be a turning point in one of the most profound moral crises our country has ever faced. But in the half century since, the rhetoric of racial justice has become a tool for scoring cheap political points.

This tactic is quite apparent in the shameless moralizing deployed by opponents of the Keystone XL pipeline. A disturbing number of critics have sought to silence informed debate by comparing the issue to the struggle against racism.

Besides being deeply offensive to anyone who has ever suffered the effects of institutional prejudice, such tactics do a disservice to those who risked their lives to defend the dignity of Black Americans.

If completed, the Keystone XL pipeline would deliver oil from Western Canada to the Gulf Coast of Texas. Whether or not this infrastructure project is a worthwhile investment is a complex issue on which reasonable people can disagree.

According to some environmen-

Harry C. Alford talists however, opposing the pipeline is a moral cause on par with fighting for racial equality.

In a column imploring President Obama to block the final phases of Keystone XL construction, Minnesota-based journalist James P. Lenfestey called the decision “a Rosa Parks moment” for the president. “A small, seemingly inconsequential decision,” he went on, “can influence how the entire world views the oil industry, the way a small, stubborn action on a Montgomery bus changed the nation’s tolerance toward Jim Crow.”

Lenfestey was following the lead of

popular author and environmental activist Bill McKibben. He regularly shames individuals into divesting from energy companies by comparing his cause to the anti-apartheid movement. “Once, in recent corporate history, anger forced an industry to make basic changes,” McKibben wrote last year in Rolling Stone. “That was the campaign in the 1980s demanding divestment from companies doing business in South Africa.”

Not to be outdone, writer Ted Glick has referred to the president’s foot-dragging on the pipeline as “Obama’s Lincoln Moment.” Glick thinks that “there’s a potential analogy between Obama and the 3 ½ years he has left as President and Abraham Lincoln after the Civil War broke out.” He goes on to explain how Lincoln evolved from trying to preserve the union to seeing emancipation as the greater moral cause.

“The world needs to see a similar evolution with Barack Obama when it comes to the climate crisis,” he wrote.

When, exactly, did it become acceptable to equate one’s contentious opinions about energy infrastructure to the fearless acts of Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, and Abraham Lincoln? Parks made a stand against barbaric Jim-Crow-era discrimination at a time when lynchings and cross

burnings were real threats. Nelson Mandela spent decades in jail at the hands of an unjust government to further the cause of human dignity.

And Abraham Lincoln freed America’s slaves, and for that, he paid with his life.

If Lenfestey, McKibben, Glick and the like had any appreciation for the plight of minority groups throughout our country’s history, they wouldn’t be so quick to exploit the legacy of these remarkable figures.

What’s even more disgraceful is that they are evoking these heroes in a way that betrays the ideals of reason and free expression that remain central to the struggle against racism.

The point of their comparisons is to avoid a frank exchange about important issues by smearing their opponents as immoral oppressors.

Jim Crow laws, apartheid, and slavery were indefensible evils. The Keystone XL pipeline, on the other hand, is a strategy for becoming less dependent on oil from foreign governments that are genuinely oppressive, and in some cases, still tacitly condone slavery. The project could support over 500,000 new American jobs by 2035 (according to api.org). And according to an eightvolume State Department study, the pipeline would increase America’s

annual carbon emissions by only one third of one percent.

I remember a very tense moment when my family was driving through Birmingham, AL on our way to a segregated Washington, DC (1964). We pulled into a gas station and my brother decided to use the rest room. He was shouted out of the front office for asking for the door key. My aunt exclaimed “We just passed the Civil Rights Act” and marched up, grabbed the key off the wall and escorted my brother to the door. The employee started towards my aunt. My father jumped out of the car, popped open the trunk where his shotgun was waiting for times like this. The employee backed off and we all sighed with relief. Now, that is a Rosa Parks moment.

When Americans marched on Washington in the summer of 1963, they were raising issues that had been ignored for far too long. To use the legacy of that movement to stymie honest, necessary debate is an insult to the cause of racial justice, its ideals and its heroes.

Mr. Alford is the co-founder, President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®.

Website: www.nationalbcc.org.

Email: halford@nationalbcc.org.

Marching Orders for the Future

By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist Now that we’ve had two events at the Lincoln Memorial to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington, it is important to remember a few things about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. beyond his “I Have a Dream” speech.

The question is always asked: What happens after the marches are over? Demonstrators left Washington, D.C. in 1963 determined to change the American landscape. Consequently, we had passage of the 1965 Civil Rights Act, the 1965 Voting Rights Act and the 1968 Fair Housing Act. Those laws were passed not because of a speech in the nation’s capital, but because of the hard work and dedication of people at the local, state and national level to bring about change.

While the “I Have a Dream” speech might have been Dr. King’s most popular oration, it was not his most substantive one.

In 1963, Dr. King etched a prosaic picture of what America should look like in the future. But a far more important one was his “Mountaintop” speech, delivered in Memphis the night before he was assassinated.

In that speech, Dr. King outwww.chicagocrusader.com

lined a plan for economic empowerment and told us how to strengthen our institutions to accomplish that goal. He reminded us, “Always anchor our external direct action with the power of economic withdrawal.”

Dr. King explained, “We don’t have to argue with anybody. We don’t have to curse and go around acting bad with our words. We don’t need any bricks and bottles, we don’t need any Molotov cocktails. We just need to go around to these stores, and to these massive industries in our country, and say, ‘God sent us by here, to say to you that you’re not treating his children right. And we’ve come by here to ask you to make the first item on your agenda—fair treatment, where God’s children are concerned. Now, if you are not prepared to do that, we do have an agenda that we must follow. And our agenda calls for withdrawing economic support from you.”

He urged us to “strengthen our Black institutions” by patronizing them.

Instead of placing so much emphasis on what Dr. King said in 1963, we should look at what he was doing at the time of his death.

He wasn’t trying to create a special commission or hold conferences on how to strengthen the middle class. He was organizing a Poor

George E. Curry Peoples Campaign, a trek to Washington, D.C. to dramatize the urgent need to help the least among us.

After President Lyndon B. Johnson shifted his focus from the War on Poverty to the war in Vietnam, Dr. King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) launched an effort in 1968 to seek economic justice for poor Blacks, Whites, Latinos and Native Americans. The idea was to have another March on Washington that would force political leaders to address the issue of poverty.

“We ought to come in mule carts,

in old trucks, any kind of transportation people can get their hands on,” King said. “People ought to come to Washington, sit down if necessary in the middle of the street and say, ‘We are here; we are poor; we don’t have any money; you have made us this way… and we’ve come to stay until you do something about it.”

SCLC continued the Poor People’s March after King’s death, erecting a tent city on the Mall. After six weeks, demonstrators were evicted.

Today, the poor are still suffering.

Poverty is defined as a family of four being able to live off of $23,021 a year. Today, a record 46.2 million people –15 percent of the U.S. population – are living in poverty.

One of the goals of the 1963 March on Washington was a minimum wage that could lift a family of four out of poverty. They demanded that the minimum wage of $1.15 an hour be increased to $2 an hour. As a report by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) titled, “The Unfinished March: An Overview,” noted, “The inflationadjusted value of the minimum wage today is about $2.00 less than it was at its peak value in 1968.”

Worse than living on belowpoverty wages is to have no job at all.

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

“Even when the national unemployment rate has been low, the African American unemployment rate has been high,” the EPI report stated. “For example, in 2000, when the national unemployment rate was 4.0 percent, and the non-Hispanic white unemployment rate was 3.1 percent, the unemployment rate of nonHispanic Blacks was still 7.6 percent. Put another way, even when the economy was booming in 2000, the Black unemployment rate was still higher than the national unemployment rate during recessions.”

When he was assassinated, Dr. King was helping organize garbage workers in Memphis. He was not dreaming because he was not asleep. We honor him by continuing his work, not by merely continuing to recite his “I Have a Dream” speech.

George E. Curry, former editorin-chief of Emerge magazine, is editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA.) He is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. Curry can be reached through his Web site, www.georgecurry.com. You can also follow him at www.twitter.com/currygeorge and George E.Curry Fan Page on Facebook.

Saturday, august 31, 2013

5

COMMENTARY

THE TRUTH WILL SET US FREE! (Dr. Conrad Worrill, National Chairman Emeritus of the National Black United Front (NBUF), located at 1809 East 71st Street, Suite 211, Chicago, Illinois, 60649, 773-493-0900, Fax# 773-493-9819, E-mail: nbufchic@sbcglobal.net, Web site: nbufront.org)

Dr. Conrad Worrill

The movement to implement an appropriate African Centered Curriculum in predominately African in America inner city schools is critical to the on–going struggle for the liberation of African people in this country. We must continue to

demand that the truth be taught as we continue to struggle to repair the historical damages inflicted upon African people.

This movement has now become popularly known as the African Centered Education Movement.

Simply stated, it focuses on teaching the truth concerning the contributions of African people to the development of civilization in all subjects. We must heighten the dialogue concerning the importance of this movement, particularly as it relates to the question of reparations.

Throughout the country, Africans in America are now becoming more sensitive to challenging the racist and white supremacist basis of the African public school curriculum.

Through the National Black United Front (NBUF) and its world African Centered Education Plan, more Africans in America are beginning to see the need for massive curriculum change in the public schools of this country and the youth must take leadership in this project.

There is not a day that goes by that someone does not call my office seeking information and help on how to start the process of changing the curriculum in their school. Parents are becoming more and more dissatisfied with what

their children are being taught.

They are also beginning to realize how much isn’t taught.

It is clear that the public school system is the place where African America children receive a significant portion of their view of the world and the history of the world.

And, it also is a place where large numbers of African in America youth are miseducated under the system of white supremacy through the ideas and interpretation of history that is presented to them.

Let’s turn to Carter G. Woodson’s great book, The Mis-Education of the Negro to get some further insights into this problem. Woodson observes “the so–called modern education, with all its defects, however, does others so much more good than it does the Negro, because it has been worked out in conformity to the needs of those who have enslaved and oppressed weaker people.”

For example, Woodson says, “The philosophy and ethics resulting from our educational system have justified slavery, peonage, segregation and lynching. The oppressor has the right to exploit, to handicap, and to kill the oppressed.”

Continuing on Woodson explains that, “No systematic effort toward change had been possible for, taught the same economics, history, philosophy, literature and religion

which have established the present code of morals, the Negro’s mind has been brought under control of his oppressor.”

Concluding on this point Woodson states, “The problem of holding the Negro down, therefore, is easily solved. When you control a man’s thinking you do not have to worry about his actions.”

Therefore, it is inspiring to see so many of our people waking up all over America and seeking the truth concerning the real contributions of African people to the world.

Through study groups, conferences, Black talk radio, information network exchanges, African Americans are coming into a new African consciousness that seeks to reclaim the African mind and spirit.

Through the Portland Model Baseline Essays, the work of the Kemetic Institute, the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations (ASCAC), and other writings and curriculum materials, Africans are becoming much more aware of the following points that must be incorporated into the curriculum.

1. Africa is the home of early man.

2. Africa is the cradle of modern man.

3. Africa is the cradle of civilization.

4. Africa once held a position as world teacher including the teacher

for the western world.

5. There was and there still is a continental wide unity in Africa and in the African communities around the world.

6. The first time Africans left the continent was not on slave ships.

7. Africa and African people all over the world have been under siege for nearly 2,000 years and only recently by European slavery and colonization.

8. There is an African Diaspora all over the world today.

9. African people have resisted domination on the continent and all over the world.

10. Even under slavery, colonization, segregation, apartheid, African people have made monumental contributions to arts, science and politics.

These ten points, and others, have become the basis upon which we can judge the white supremacy public school curriculums content in textbooks and other learning materials.

In other words, these points have become the basis of determining whether the truth is being taught in the public schools of this country.

In seeking the truth about the Reparations Movement, join an organization that is working on this great, just, and mighty issue.

The Truth will set us all free!

AFTER THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON

By Julianne Malveaux The 1963 March on Washington was a pivotal moment for African American people, a day when people joined to fight for jobs, peace and justice. More than 250,000 people traveled to Washington, coming by buses, trains, and occasionally planes. They came despite the scourge of segregation, which meant that many who were driving had to carefully select the places they could stop and eat (actually most brought goodies from home) or relieve themselves. Despite obstacles, a quarter of a million people showed up in Washington, gathering peacefully and with dignity. As a result of the March, the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964, and the Voting Rights Act in 1965 was passed with more than three-quarters of the House and Senate supporting both Acts.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. continued his activity for Jobs, Peace and Justice helping to organize the march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, which resulted in Bloody Sunday. He spoke, in 1965, to Play6

Saturday, august 31, 2013

Julianne Malveaux boy magazine, suggesting that “compensation” (he didn’t use the word reparations) would be the only way to close the economic gap between African Americans and whites. He began connecting poverty with war in his 1967 speech “Beyond Vietnam.” When he died, he was organizing the Poor People’s Campaign, envisioned as a way to bring tens of thousands of people to Washington, DC to demand that each department of the federal government recognize and ameliorate poverty issues in housing, educa-

tion, health, and other areas. The Poor People’s campaign was more muted than expected in the wake of Dr. King’s 1968 assassination, but some of the people came anyway.

Even before the 2013 commemorative march was organized, estimates were that 100,000 would join that March. In 1963, about 1.3 percent of our nation’s 18.9 million African Americans marched. Before the 2013 march (numbers may change as this is being written before the march) the 100,000 estimate represents just two-tenths of one percent of our nation’s 44 million African Americans. Proportionately, the 1963 march drew 5 times as many African Americans as the 2013 March. What does this mean when we look at the status of African Americans then and now?

In 1963, the movement had clear goals. African Americans had been denied employment rights, civil rights, civil liberties, and voting rights. The hundreds of thousands of African Americans who came to Washington were protesting, not only the restoration of these rights, but also a stop to the police brutali-

ty that had killed or crippled thousands of African Americans and our supporters. People were so focused that change was made, and when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, he articulated his vision for our nation. He said: “I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits.” He set out an agenda that was economic, social and political. Fifty years after the March on Washington, we have yet to achieve the metrics that Dr. King offered.

Millions experience “food insecurity,” or have nothing to eat several times a month. The education gap has not been closed, and African American students are treated differently than others in the K-12 education system. Where is the equality? Paraphrasing Dr. King, African Americans have twice the negatives and half the positives in terms of equity. Little freedom has been achieved, especially when trillions are spent on senseless wars, while

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

our national unemployment rate exceeds 7 percent and the unofficial Black unemployment rate is 25 percent.

In the five years after the 1963 March on Washington, there were setbacks, but also the achievement of far-reaching goals. After the commemoration, several events in Washington, DC, parallel events in other cities, and the NAACP’s online march, what will be the results?

Will this generation be as effective as Dr. King and his generation was?

Will we mobilize around Voting Rights after the setback of a Supreme Court decision? Will we push to close the employment gap between African Americans and others?

In 1963, African Americans were desperate to effect change. In 2013, there is neither desperation nor a passionate push for implementation. In five or ten years, when there is another commemorative gathering, how will history judge us?

Julianne Malveaux is an economist and author in Washington, DC www.chicagocrusader.com

GOSSIPTARY

By Ima Gontellit EDITOR'S NOTE: This column is published as political satire, street gossip and humor, and therefore should not be considered as fact but rather as matter of opinion. None of the items therein are collected by the news gathering staff of the Crusader Newspaper Group. Items forwarded to The Chatterbox are kept confidential unless otherwise requested by the author in writing. For submissions please forward to: AChicagoCrusader@aol.com. Original photography and artwork are permitted.

Thank you for reading!

SMELL TEST Ima was ‘bout to tear up a plate of fried gizzards while sitting in the common room of the Great Bye-and-Goodbye Convalescent Home then a plate of holiday chitlins cooked at Capt’n Hard Times. What we trying to say is something ain’t passin’ the smell test. So tell us how is it that a certain community leader turned businessman turned preacher has been under investigation by the FB-I for the past five years and he is still walking around the town like a barnyard rooster? Everybody knows the housing issues he’s working on are crooked and he needs to be up under the jail for stealing all that money. Is he sitting up in the room with De Mayor, De Governor and everybody else ‘cause he’s wearing more wires than a jacked-mouth 10-year-old after getting a pair of braces? How is this man still free and every time some body get to hankering to know what the status of his case is, the feds will only say, “no comment?” Now Ima was personally hoping dis man would wind up in the Great Bye-and-Goodbye Convalescent Home so he can accidentally be found face down in a toilet

full of (curse word that starts with “s”); but it looks like as long as dis businessman/preacher/snitch is doing his dirty work, he won’t be coming there anytime soon.

-ImaNOBODY’S HOME L.C. told me he can’t wait for the Obammy family to return to

get) because so many tourists, po’ folk, preachers, and people who believe they were responsible for putting them in Whitey’s House will be lined up 24/7 just to get two seconds to talk to them.

Well, L.C. and all the rest best save up their frequent flyer miles because you gone have to cover a lot of water in order to see those people.

By Richard B. Muhammad Special to the NNPA from The Final Call WASHINGTON—Conveners of a gathering to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington released a five-point agenda as a first step toward a public policy list for Black America.

The broad areas were unveiled by “Big 4” conveners Marc Morial of the National Urban League, Rev. Al Sharpton of the National Action Network, Benjamin Jealous of the NAACP and Melanie Campbell of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, at an Aug. 23 session at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

The “urgent domestic goals” included efforts to “achieve economic parity for African Americans; promote equity in educational opportunity; protect and defend voting rights; promote a healthier nation by eliminating healthcare disparities and achieve comprehensive criminal justice system reform.”

The “21st Century Agenda for Jobs and Freedom” was the result of meetings last December and in January, said conveners. Participants included nearly 60 leading civil rights, social justice, business and community leaders. Besides face-to-face meetings were numerous conference calls, according to Morial.

“It’s different because, candidly, we have allowed the sometimes inaccurate perception that we cannot unify our voices to get in the way,” he said.

(Continued from page 4)

www.chicagocrusader.com

when all yah’ll cousins and kinfolk are shooting them guns and ain’t got no jobs? The secret service and po-leece department will have to work so much overtime that the city will have to sue the Obammy’s to recuperate all the money its done spent trying to keep Negroes off they porch.

L.C. also said that he would also sell “loose squares” on the corner (or as close to the house he can

Leaders Unveil a Black Agenda

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR telling me they lied to us, and that they were experimenting with our children. What sense does it make to remove students from a building that has too much room for students, to one that has them in cramped conditions? Nothing about these school closings have held up under close scrutiny. This is just the latest in a long list of lies handed out by the city and school district

the South Side in the next 20 something months so he can ring their doorbell every single day and ask them for two dollars. Unfortunately, Ima hate to tell this fool that that cute little family is moving straight to Hawaii after they finish their tour of duty in Whitey’s House. You think those super rich, smart, attractive, and ghetto-disconnected Black folk gone live right off 51st street

leadership.

Besides the $16 million for the “overcrowding” issue, the state handed CPS another $73 million for construction grants, maintenance, and energy efficiency.

Those things are understandable and probably needed. But the overcrowding thing is a pure farce.

Are Chicagoans THAT stupid??

Earle Lloyd

NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE President Marc Morial announces civil rights agenda. From left to right: Al Sharpton, Melanie Campbell, Morial, Ben Jealous and Barbara Arnwine (Photo by Mikal Veale for the Final Call via Choice Imagery).

“We decided instead of joining the chorus of cynics and complainers, that we would create a new course and that would be the course of unity, cooperation and collaboration.”

Fifty years later, there must be a continuation around an agenda not marching or protesting for its own sake, he said.

The agenda offers a foundation and statement of principle that hopefully others will embrace and help craft strategies to accomplish the goals, said the Urban League CEO. The 1963 march had goals, which included fair housing and voting rights, he added.

“Fifty years after the I Have A Dream speech, there is still too much business left for us to do,” said Jealous, president and CEO of the NAACP. He cited a litany of victories in the midst of struggle: passage of a Dream Act for immigrant youth, gun safety, early voting, same day voter registration, marriage equality laws, and ending the death penalty in Maryland. In New York, he continued, the city council overrode a mayoral veto of a bill designed to halt racial profiling by police.

Common ground was found with the GOP in Georgia and Tea Party supporters in Texas to reform prisons and downsize penal institutions, he

said.

There is still the fight against voter ID laws and other changes seen as efforts to suppress voting in places like North Carolina and Florida, said Jealous. Mass incarceration is perhaps the biggest issue, despite problems in education and unemployment, he said. In too many regions Republican governors have been more willing to downsize prisons than Democratic governors, “that needs to change,” said the head of the nation’s oldest civil rights group.

Melanie Campbell said the destruction of voting rights keeps the havenots without and allows for erosion of other liberties. The 5-point agenda provides a focus for what needs to done today and ensure progress 50 years from now, Campbell added.

Fifty years later Blacks are “confronted with some of the same problems and new problems,” observed Rev. Sharpton.

“The reason we have not made the progress we needed is we’ve been too disconnected,” said the MSNBC TV host and Radio One talk show host.

“We’ve been too worried who would get the credit rather than fighting the fight.”

Yet with talk of common ground, new unity, and mutual respect there was a missing voice. A question about his absence came when the day-long

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

session was opened to audience participation.

“One leader that seems to be remotely absent, in the march this year is a leader who has been incredibly effective … and that’s Min Louis Farrakhan,” said Byron Engall from Uptown magazine, when he stepped up to the microphone. There was hush over the crowd and then applause.

“When Minister Farrakhan convened the Million Man March and Millions More Movement, it was seen as operational unity for all perspectives,” said Ron Daniels, president of the Institute for the Black World 21st Century. “I don’t think these leaders make any pretense but that this (gathering) is of a certain historical tendency, it is the King-integrationist tendency.”

Daniels said he didn’t think it was unusual or unexpected that the Nation of Islam minister was not invited, although he disagrees with the decision. He said, We think there is enough room at the table.”

Leonard Dunston, however, former president of the National Association of Black Social Workers, called Minister Farrakhan’s absence offensive.

He explained, “Here’s a man who was able to mobilize 2 million Black men …for him not to be invited is a miscarriage of justice to be perfectly honest with you.”

Saturday, august 31, 2013

7

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

35TH ANNUAL CHICAGO JAZZ FESTIVAL: This Festival is produced by the Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events and programmed by the Jazz Institute of Chicago August 29 to September 1, at the Chicago Cultural Center and Millennium Park.

Known for its artistic creativity, the Chicago Jazz Festival is a favorite Labor Day Weekend tradition. It promotes awareness and appreciation for all forms of jazz through free, quality live musical performance. Since 1979, the festival’s mission is to showcase Chicago’s vast jazz talent alongside national and international artists to encourage and educate a jazz audience of all ages. Artists featured include, but are not limited to, Hamid Drake & Bindu: Reggaeology, Christopher McBride Quartet, Robert Glasper Quartet, Ernie Krivda Quartet, Fat Babies, Mike Smith Quartet, Gregory Porter and much, much more.

MARQUETTE BANK EVENTS: Free Picnic at the Branch – On Saturday, August 31, Marquette Bank will host a free picnic at the Marquette Bank located at 5400 S. Kedzie Avenue in Chicago. Come meet your neighbors and enjoy games, prizes and refreshments between noon and 2 pm. The event is open to the public. For more information, call 773-476-5110 ext.

1476. Free Business Networking Event – On Friday, September 6, Marquette Bank will host a business networking after-hours event at the Marquette Bank located at 15730 W. 127th Street in Lemont.

Enjoy an evening of refreshments, door prizes and networking opportunities. Businesses are welcome to attend from 5 pm until 7 pm. To register, call 630-243-8259.

LEARN FROM NAVY OFFICERS IN TRAINING AT MSI’S U-505 SUBMARINE EXHIBIT: Guests can meet Navy Chief Petty Officer (CPO) selectees in the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago’s (MSI) U-505 Submarine exhibit, Wednesday, September 4 through Sunday, September 8; 9:30 am – 2 pm. These officers in training will serve as docents in the exhibit, answering questions about the U505 as well as the Navy. The Museum and the U-505 exhibit are open from 9:30 am – 4 pm on these days, and the exhibit is included in general admission. Created by the USO of Illinois and through the generous support of the Tawani Foundation and the Pritzker Military Library, the USO U-505 Naval History Program is the first of its kind in the nation, connecting the American public with future U.S. Navy officers.

Training took place at the Museum’s U-505 exhibit in mid August 8

Saturday, august 31, 2013

where this year’s 60 CPO selectees saw rare artifacts and learned the history of the U-505, the only German U-boat captured during World War II. The USO U-505 Naval History Program broadens CPO training by giving selectees the opportunity to learn about the Museum’s U-505 exhibit and its impact on American history. Located in a 35,000-square-foot exhibit at MSI, the submarine is extremely relevant to the U.S. Navy experience and serves as a national war memorial for those who lost their lives in the Battles of the Atlantic during World War I and II. The Museum of Science and Industry is located at 5700 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL. For more information, contact Renee Mailhiot, MSI, 7739473133, renee.mailhiot@msichicago.org, or Beth Boston, MSI, 773947-6003, beth.boston@msichicago .org. You can also visit msichicago.org.

THE PAST IS PRESENT AT THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART DETROIT: The Past is Present opens at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) September 6, 2013 and continues through January 5, 2014. Opening night is September 6, 6 pm, and the suggested donation for admission is $5 (Members Free). Breezee One with Isles of ESP is the opening concert. Inspired by Diego Rivera’s fresco cycle, Detroit Industry (1932-33), MOCAD’s Guest Curator Jens Hoffmann invited 15 artists to conceive new murals based on the history of Detroit. Eighty years after the completion of Rivera’s murals, The Past Is Present commemorates Detroit’s journey. Each artist has created a contemporary work in response to the city’s struggles and successes post-1933, touching on broader themes that are relevant across the nation. Topics include the many industries, ideals, and events that have propelled America forward — from a pivotal yet under-recognized speech in Grosse Pointe, Michigan by Martin Luther King, Jr. to the birth of a new music genre and industry called Motown. The exhibition also explores common symbols of the American dream such as sports stadiums, the automobile, and Lady Liberty. The murals reference the innovative urban responses to enormous losses in population and exalt the fortitude of the city and its people. Featured artists include Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla, Julieta Aranda, Andrea Bowers, Carolina Caycedo, Nicolás Consuegra, Harrell Fletcher and Katherine Ball, Claire Fontaine, Maryam Jafri, William E. Jones, Daniel Joseph Martinez, Pedro Reyes, Martha Rosler, Slanguage, and Hank Willis Thomas. Detroit artists include Jon Anthony,

AS PART OF ITS ONGOING commitment to ensure diversity and inclusion in purchasing goods and services, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) recently hosted a presentation and networking event for minority- and women-owned businesses. MBE/WBE businesses had the opportunity to meet one-on-one and explore potential partnerships with architectural design firms planning to submit proposals for work on the McCormick Place Entertainment District Event Center.

Michael Burdick, Daniel DeMag- museum admission). MOCAD is Zoo’s Zoo Run Run for the Congio, Edward John Charles Foster, located at 4454 Woodward Avenue, servation Fund, a fundraiser that Nick Jask ey, Jesse Kassel, Sunshine Detroit, MI 48201. Call 313-832- supports threatened species and Lee, Sylvia Molina, Chris Morris, 6622 for more information. their environments. The 5K race James Noellert, Lisa Poszywak, Typromises to be a wildly fun time on REGISTER TODAY FOR Sunday, September 22, and regislonn J. Sawyer, Lindy Marie Shewbridge, Vaughn Taormina, Adam BROOKFIELD ZOO’S ZOO tered participants may bring family Thibodeau, and Vince Troia.There RUN RUN FOR THE CON- and friends to cheer them on and will be a Curator Talk: The Past Is SERVATION FUND: Registra- enjoy the zoo afterwards at no adPresent with Jens Hoffmann, on Sat- tion is open now and everyone is ditional charge. There are many urday, September 7, 12:30 pm. Ad- welcome to gallop, scurry, and trot prizes available. For more informamission is Free (with suggested $5 alongside the animals at Brookfield tion, go to CZS.org/ZooRunRun.

Extended Coverage

So Junior or Sis is off to college.

Is all the “stuff ” they brought along covered by insurance? Some of the electronic gear and belongings may be covered by the parents’ homeowners policy, but there may be caps. Check your own policy.

ents’ medical insurance to age 26.

*** And once the student moves out of the dorm and into an offcampus apartment, some insurers consider them independent and not covered. Smart solution: a renter’s policy.

Milton E. Moses

*** Send your youngster to school with the protection he or she needs. Let us help at Community Insurance Center, Inc., 526 E. 87th Street, your insurance headquarters. We have been serving the community since 1962. For more information about the services we provide, call (773) 6516200. You can also reach us via email at: sales@communityinsurance.com or visit the website at www.communityins.com.

*** Some insurers suggest putting expensive items like computers on a “valuables” endorsement which has no deductible. *** Identity theft is often an issue in the open-door atmosphere of college dormitories. There may be theft of financial records from rooms and others opening credit cards in a student’s name. Encourage youngsters to check their credit information often. *** Fortunately, new health-care laws keep most students on their parBLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

www.chicagocrusader.com

BUSINESS

Civil Rights groups call for homeownership to remain available, affordable Preserving low down payment options seen as key to building family wealth

By Charlene Crowell In the midst of varying proposals for housing reform, civil rights leaders are publicly calling for lawmakers to keep mortgage lending affordable and accessible. A recent letter jointly signed by the NAACP, National Urban League, National Council of LaRaza, National Fair Housing Alliance, the Haas Institute’s John Powell, and the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), reminded Capitol Hill lawmakers how low down payment mortgages enabled many lowwealth borrowers to become successful homeowners.

“For decades, low down payment loans have been used with great success to promote sustainable homeownership, particularly for low-tomoderate income families and people of color,” wrote the leaders.

“Furthermore, low down payment loans did not cause the current foreclosure crisis – irresponsible underwriting and toxic loan terms did.”

Nikitra Bailey, executive vice-president with CRL added, “While families and communities struggle to recover from their tremendous lost wealth, no community should be left behind. All Americans deserve to be part of the nation’s financial recovery. . . .Without that access, the nation’s wealth gap will only grow wider.”

Government-mandated down payments of 10 percent or five percent are currently under consideration in Washington. CRL’s research shows that for the average family, it would take 22 years to amass a 10 percent down payment. But for AfricanAmerican families, 34 years of saving would be needed, and 21 years for the typical Latino family.

Even if government would mandate a five percent down payment, the typical African-American family would wait 28 years to become homeowners and 17 years for the average Latino family. Overall, America’s average family would need to save 14 years for a home.

Charlene Crowell These savings fail to take into account the closing costs, which typically are an added three percent of the cost of the mortgage. Further, there seems to be no wisdom in requiring these homeownership delays when so

many families have sustained their low down payment mortgages.

For example, Federal Housing Administration mortgages typically require a minimum of 3.5 percent of the purchase price and can include most of the closing costs and fees in the mortgage payment. According to FHA, 78 percent of 784,000 mortgages made in 2012 were to first-time homebuyers. Similarly in 2012, 86 percent of 88,000 Veterans Administration (VA) mortgage loans went to first-time homebuyers and were acquired with no down payment costs.

A recent joint study by CRL and the Center for Community Capital at the University of North Carolina found that among borrowers who took out a mortgage from 20042008 and were current through February of 2011, 60 percent of successful Black mortgage borrowers would have been excluded if a 10 percent down payment had been required. A five percent down payment would have excluded 33 percent of success-

ful Black borrowers.

These data points become even more disturbing when the nation’s growing diversity is considered. By 2010, an estimated 70 percent of new households are expected to be comprised of people of color.

The irony of these proposals is that government broadened access to homeownership through its post World War II policies. As homeownership grew, so did family wealth.

“What began as a mortgage became the bedrock for family wealth,” observed Bailey. “That is the American Dream we must fight to preserve in 2013. . . . We must wage strategic and focused efforts to force policymakers to enact reforms that benefit low wealth families, not just the wealthy.”

when those now-ubiquitous bar codes (officially known as Universal Product Codes or UPCs) started popping up? Yes, it was Nielsen that introduced the scanning of bar codes in 1977. This revolutionized the way marketers and retailers were able to understand how and why consumers make purchasing decisions every

day. Today, Nielsen measures 400 billion retail product transactions a year in more than 600,000 stores around the world.

As technology has continued to evolve, so have Nielsen’s measuring tools and methods. Today, Nielsen

Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.

Nielsen: Celebrating 90 Years of Innovation der what Mr. Nielsen would say if he could see how technology has evolved today?

The infamous “Nielsen Ratings” as you know it, made its debut in 1950 when the company began measuring TV audiences. National daily TV ratings in the U.S. weren’t offered until 1973. And, who remembers

By Cheryl Pearson-McNeil NNPA Columnist Isn’t it fascinating how a person can have a single idea or dream planted, take root and change the world as we know it? Well, that’s exactly how Nielsen came to be. Last week, Nielsen celebrated its 90th anniversary. So, I’d like to give a sincere kudos to Nielsen on such a momentous, milestone anniversary. On August 24, 1923, in Chicago, a visionary engineer nam- ed Arthur C. Nielsen, Sr. (also known as A.C. Nielsen) first came up with the idea of selling performance surveys. He borrowed $45,000 to start a business to test the quality of conveyor belts and turbine generators. With those first, simple measurements, Mr. Nielsen introduced the concept of market research. Today, 90 years later, Nielsen has evolved and grown to become a global market research company with a presence in more than 100 countries – headquartered in New York and the Netherlands.

Did you know that Nielsen has many “firsts?” And we are most known for our TV ratings, but there is so much more. So, if you don’t mind, how about I share with you a short Nielsen history lesson today?

So here we go. After the engineering surveys, Nielsen began measuring drug and retail store sales in 1933, followed by food and department store sales the next year. Client service teams were assembled in order to make sure the data being collected would be interpreted correctly and so that clients would have a liaison to work with on their day to day operations. And fueled by his passion and curiosity for consumer insights, A.C. www.chicagocrusader.com

(Continued on page 16)

Cheryl Pearson-McNeil Nielsen created the concept of “market share” in 1935.

Folks were listening to radio long before TV came along, so Mr. Nielsen acquired the rights to the first instantaneous Audiometer in 1936.

This device attached to a radio to record when it was on and what station was being listened to. A few years later, in 1942, Nielsen’s radio index was launched in the U.S. Also in the 1940s, the U.S. Chicago headquarters doubled in size and two more international offices in Canada and Australia were opened (the first opened in the United Kingdom in 1939). In addition to radio, the consumer and pharmaceutical indexes were introduced. Mr. Nielsen really stepped out on a limb in 1948 and invested in the first commercial computer, the UNIVAC 1. Now you can imagine this computer was far from today’s PC or even the new portable tablet devices. You know those giant, clunky metal and cable masses you may have seen in old sci-fi movies?

Yes, that’s what it looked like. I wonBLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Saturday, august 31, 2013

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EDUCATION

Charter One sends 500 children back to school Initiative has helped more than 253,000 children across the bank’s footprint since 2003 Charter One is helping 500 students start the school year with new backpacks filled with school supplies through its Gear for Grades program. More than 28,300 pencils, pens, folders, notebooks, glue sticks and index cards were donated by the public in all branches across Chicago. Gear for Grades was organized in partnership with the Louis L. Valentine Boys & Girls Club of Chicago.

According to a National Retail Federation survey, the average American family spent $668 in 2012 on back-to-school expenses.

For many disadvantaged families, the cost of even basic school supplies can be a burden.

“With the rising cost of school supplies, the Gear for Grades program helps to ease the financial strain parents face this time of year as they prepare to send their children back to school,” said Marc Paulhus, President of Charter One and RBS Citizens, Illinois. “We are proud to play a small role in contributing to the academic success of so many local children who return to the classroom ready to learn. We thank our customers and the general public who continue to support this program by donating new

school supplies that make a big difference to the children who receive them. I also want to thank the Louis L. Valentine Boys & Girls Club of Chicago for helping make this program a great success.”

The Gear for Grades program is a part of Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities, the bank’s program for contributing to the economic vitality of communities. Citizens Bank colleagues and community members volunteered to help fill the supplies in logo-free backpacks donated by Citizens Bank Foundation to help ensure children have a positive experience as they return to the classroom.

“We are honored to partner with Charter One to be a part of its annual Gear for Grades program,” said Erin Rochford, Director of the Louis L. Valentine Boys & Girls Club of Chicago. “Helping so many children to be prepared and feel confident and excited about the upcoming school year is truly rewarding. As individuals and as a community, we will benefit from our efforts to educate our youth.”

Backpacks were distributed to more than 38,000 children across RBS Citizens Financial Group’s footprint where it operates as Citizens Bank in New England and the Mid-Atlantic and Charter One in the Midwest. Since 2003, the Gear for Grades program has sent more than 253,000 children back to

500 CHILDREN FROM Chicago’s South Side are being sent back to school prepared with new backpacks and school supplies thanks to Charter One’s Gear for Grades initiative. New school supplies were collected at Charter One branches across Chicago and filled in logo-free backpacks to help ensure children return to school with the tools they need to succeed in the classroom. On Wednesday, August 21, Marc Paulhus, President of Charter One and RBS Citizens, Illinois and Charter One volunteers distributed backpacks filled with new school supplies to children at the Louis L. Valentine Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago. school with tools to help them learn, who otherwise would start the school year without these (basic) supplies.

Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities is part of the bank’s broader Citizens Helping Citizens program addressing five key areas: hunger, housing, eco-

Hunter attends Million Father March State Senator Mattie Hunter along with fathers from around Chicago attended the Black Star Project’s Million Father March recently. This annual event promotes Black male involvement in the educational careers of their children.

On the first day of school each year since the March began in 2004, Black fathers, relatives, men, and significant male caregivers are asked

to take their children to their first day of school across the country and around the world.

“Black men are overwhelmingly incarcerated and scores of Black families throughout our nation are fatherless.” Hunter said. “Our children need to see Black men supporting the community, helping our youth achieve academic success and show how much education

means to the growth and development of our community.”

“Fathers play an important role in their children’s educational success,” Hunter said. “The Million Father March shows the education system that Black men aren’t going to stand by and feed into statistics and stereotypes but rather be involved in their children’s lives so they close the achievement gap.”

nomic development, financial education and volunteerism. Get more

information about Charter One’s community initiatives online.

Metra Partners with NBC 5 to Collect School Supplies for Local School Metra and NBC 5 teamed up for a Back To School Supply Drive with collections at all five downtown Metra stations and its headquarters lobby at 547 West Jackson.

Metra collected thousands of items August 20 -22.

Proceeds will be donated to Telpochcalli Elementary School and Lawndale Elementary Community Academy. Other partners in this effort include: Telemun3do, Comcast and Chicago Police Athletic League.

TWO LOCAL SCHOOLS will receive school supplies thanks to the Back to School Supply Drive made possible through corporate partners like Metra and NBC 5, who set up collection spots at Metra’s five downtown locations. Representatives of Metra and NBC 5 (l-r) Carolyn Tucker, director of external communications and stakeholder management for Metra; Alicia Roman, reporter NBC 5; Don Orseno, deputy CEO Metra and Deborah Farmer, director of station relations, NBC 5.

THE MILLION FATHER MARCH is an opportunity for Black men to show their commitment to the educational lives of their children on the first day of school and throughout the school year. In Chicago, State Senator Mattie Hunter (center) along with fathers from the community participate in the march.

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Saturday, august 31, 2013

STANDING AT ONE of the five downtown Chicago collection spots for the Back To School Supply Drive are (l-r): Carolyn Tucker, director of external communications and stakeholder management for Metra; Alicia Roman, reporter NBC 5; and Don Orseno, deputy CEO Metra.

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

www.chicagocrusader.com

COMMUNITY

Chicago Media Icons honored by African Festival of the Arts Media pioneers celebrated for legacy, support of arts and culture As tradition stands, each year during its African Festival of the Arts Chicago, Africa International House, Inc. recognizes distinguished persons who exemplify honor, passion, and a philanthropic spirit for the arts and culture of the African Diaspora.

They are recognized as the Grand BaBa (male) and Grand Yeye (female); symbolic patriarch and matriarch. This year’s honorees are Richard Steele (Grand BaBa) and Dorothy Leavell (Grand YeYe) who will serve as official ambassadors. An official crowning ceremony will be a part of the culminating AFA programming. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 1, 2013, on the Dee Parmer Woodtor main stage in Washington Park, 5100 S. Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL. 60637.

Both Steele and Leavell have led illustrious careers as trailblazers in their respective careers.

Steele began his distinguished career in broadcasting more than three decades ago with positions spanning from host to program director, including working for WVON, Chicago’s only AfricanAmerican owned radio station. Today Steele remains a relevant icon in broadcasting. Currently he is an award-winning host and correspondent for WBEZ Chicago Public Media, where he contributes interviews and reports to Eight Forty-Eight,The Afternoon Shift, World View, Morning Edition, All Things Considered, wbez.org, vocalo.org and special programming. Steele staunchly supports the arts and music. He devotes much of his air time exploring artists and their crafts.

Leavell is the mother of Black press. She has served as publisher and editor of the successful Crusader, which publishes both the Chicago and Gary Crusader. For more than 25 years, Leavell has served as president, assistant secretary and treasurer of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, a Black newspaper trade organization of which she is a lifetime member. Along with her numerous accolades for contributions in the publishing industry, Leavell’s most impactful legacy is perhaps the work she does as co-founder of Heroes in the Hood, a program that celebrates extraordinary accomplishments of young people who have gone unrecognized in the mainstream media.

We’re social!

Updates, giveaways and live coverage will be posted to our social networks, Facebook and Twitter. Follow official hashtag #AFA2013 for updates and live tweeted-coverage.

The 24th Annual African Festival www.chicagocrusader.com

of the Arts Chicago opens daily Sept. 2-5 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

The tax deductible admission is $10 in advance, $20 at the gate or $30 for a 4-day weekend pass, $5 seniors and children under 13.

Family and group discounts are also available.

The African Festival of the Arts Chicago is presented by Africa International House USA, Inc. and supported by Africa International House, Chicago Park District, WBEZ, WVON, NBC 5, Walgreens, Blue Cross Blue Shield, University of Chicago Medical, BMOA, Yellow Tail, Illinois Lot-

tery, Groupon, American Family Insurance, and Com Ed. About Africa International House USA, Inc.©

Richard Steele

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Dorothy Leavell

The mission of Africa International House USA, Inc. is to serve as a center that exposes and educates all peoples to the individual works and collective contributions of African cultures. Our mission is addressed through our flagship program, The African Festival of the Arts Chicago and our unique brand of cultural programming and activities.

Saturday, august 31, 2013

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ENTERTAINMENT

By Elaine Hegwood Bowen, MSJ

By Raymond Ward SAVE THE DATE 1: With an all-time total of sixteen Grammy Awards between them, multi-platinum superstars Toni Braxton and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds have finally teamed up for their first album of duets together. “Love, Marriage & Divorce,” arrives in record stores on December 2nd, just in time to serve as a perfect holiday gift for friends or yourself. The album celebrates the strong bond that has been in place between the two artists ever since Babyface and Toni’s duet on her smash-hit debut album, “Give U My Heart,” which was co-written and co-produced by Babyface for the film “Boomerang.”

The first single from Toni and Babyface, “Hurt You,” blasts out to radio and is now available on iTunes. “Hurt You” was co-written

by Toni, Babyface, Daryl Simmons and Antonio Dixon and produced

by Babyface, who also played all guitars, drums and keyboards on the track.

For Babyface, “Love, Marriage & Divorce” will be his first new studio album in six years. For Toni Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds it’s her first new studio album in three years.

SAVE THE DATE 2: The self-proclaimed “Southern Belle” of the highly successful, “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” Pheadra Parks can now add the title “author” to her list of accomplishments. Come November, “Secrets Of A Southern Belle: How To Be Nice, Work Hard, Look Pretty, Have Fun and Never Have An Off Moment,” (damn, that’s a long title) will be available at your favorite bookseller.

Parks fills the writer’s chair seamlessly giving fans all access to her secrets on everything that is Atlanta fashion, dating, etiquette, traditional southern cuisine and workplace manners done like a true southern diva.

Best known for gracing the small screen with her Georgia charm on the #1 rated cable series, Bravo’s Real Housewives Of Atlanta, this on-the-gomom has kept busy with the release of her Amazon best-selling DVD fitness series “Phine Body,” a safety conscious and woman friendly stun gun line, maintaining a full time academic schedule to receive her mortician’s license, practicing law and managing her firm The Parks Group, all while maintaining a healthy, happy family.

Before making her way into the living rooms of millions, Parks was encompassed in Georgia’s legal system as “the” entertainment attorney representing some of Atlanta’s most controversial talent.

Now, with the birth of baby number 2 and her growing empire, this busy mom and wife is quickly becoming the “one to watch” being dubbed “reality television’s most successful Black woman.”

SAVE THE DATE 3:The Chicago Festival Association, producer of Chicago’s Thanksgiving celebration, is now recruiting volunteers to assist during the 80th McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade, which marches up State Street from Congress to Randolph on Thursday, November 28th from 8:00 AM until 11:00 AM. Volunteers are an essential part to bringing this FREE family-friendly event to downtown Chicago, to hundreds of thousands of on-street spectators and the millions watching at home.

There are many opportunities available for individuals 12 years of age and older, families and groups to participate in this magical event, including the following roles: Balloon Handler; Banner Carrier; Route Marshals; Disband; Merchandise Street Team; Poo Crew; Tech Crew; Unit Liaisons; VIP/Hospitality and Volunteer Check-In/Command Center.

Applications are currently being accepted until Friday, October 18th. To apply; visit www.chicagofestivals.org/volunteer or call 312-239-0457.

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Saturday, august 31, 2013

Ms. Pinkie, long-time Englewood resident, turns 80

My mother, Pinkie Hegwood, turns 80 years old soon, and family and friends from near and far will join to help celebrate in grand, Gospel style. While Pinkie, affectionately known as Ms. Pinkie, is being feted, a local, all-female Gospel group will provide entertainment, and guests at the event will be invited to shower her with love and salutations.

Ms. Pinkie is a long-time member of Englewood’s Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, and her fellow

and full of the Holy Spirit—she is directed by the Lord.” Jenkins added that Ms. Pinkie is an inspiration for all in the church and the community. “She is a light for us in the church, especially the younger women. She has a ‘fence ministry’ in the neighborhood to all who will listen.” Jenkins said that many people don’t obey God’s instructions but that Ms. Pinkie lets people know what the Lord has for them.

“I thank the Lord for her obedience, because she always lets us

I’VE NEVER HAD a birthday party, per se. This is so much different; this is a blessing. I think it’s going to be really nice. It’s going to be a celebration, and it’s going to be a lot of fun—awesome.

My mission from 80 years to 100+ whatever is to introduce somebody to Jesus Christ, says party honoree Pinkie Hegwood.

and has brought me through many things. When she prays for me, she has the anointing on her.”

My mother serving as a support system was how many others described her: “I met her in 1985, and we have stayed on the phone a long time when talking about the Lord,” said Mary Herron. “She truly loves the Lord.”

Neighbor Brenda Hawkins said: “She is like a second mom to me, and she is really nice and thoughtful.” Hawkins said that because of Ms. Pinkie’s longevity, “She knows what I am going through and she just keeps it real. She is such a sweet lady, and I would do anything for her.”

Another long-time friend and former Trinity member Alice Hargrove had an amusing story about Ms. Pinkie during church services.

“Whenever you are singing and it reaches her, she will beat you in the back like nobody’s business.”

Ms. Pinkie, her husband the late Randolph Hegwood, Sr., and their children moved into the Englewood neighborhood in 1959, and she has been a jewel in the area, earning the respect of all who have come to know her. She has seen the Englewood neighborhood go through many changes, but she is always working to lend a hand and to offer advice to the youth and oth-

PINKIE HEGWOOD, from left, with family members Cristalle Elaine Bowen, granddaughter; and daughters Elaine Hegwood Bowen and Pastor Olivia Johnson. church members are excited to help know what the Lord has on her ers who continue to strive to make the neighborhood better. her celebrate such a long and God- heart for us.”

Others are also excited to join the Happy Birthday, mom, Ms. fearing life.

“She is such a sweet person,” said festivities: “I have been knowing her Pinkie, from your family and Trinity’s First Lady Gloria Jenkins, since I was in the first grade, and she friends. We wish you many more whose husband Jewel is Trinity’s is just like a mother to me,” said years of good health, happiness and pastor. “She is a virtuous woman Sandra Monegan. “She is my rock God’s blessings.

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

www.chicagocrusader.com

ENTERTAINMENT STYLE

The Bookworm Sez “The Butler: A Witness to History”

By Wil Haygood c.2013, Atria (37Ink) $18.00 / $21.00 Canada 97 pages Your boss is a very powerful person.

When things need doing, he makes sure they’re done. She knows people, knows when to act and when to be patient, and how to get the best from her employees. He’s a class act. Everybody wants to work with her.

Yes, your boss is powerful – but Eugene Allen had you beat.

Over the course of thirty-four years, he worked for eight of the most powerful men in the free world. In “The Butler: A Witness to History” by Wil Haygood, you’ll read about Allen’s history-making job.

In the middle of 2008, long before Democratic candidates for office were decided, Wil Haygood says that he “knew” Barack Obama would be the next president – which got him thinking. Haygood decided to find someone for whom all the historical events of the past sixty years had meant something.

He wanted to find a Black man or woman who had worked in the White House.

His search led him to eighty-nineyear-old Eugene Allen.

Born some five decades after the end of slavery, Allen grew up working in a white family’s kit-chen.

There, he learned the fine arts of

Wil Haygood table-setting and dish-washing, which served him well: during the Depression, when jobs were scarce, Allen landed a position at a Washington DC country club.

In 1952, he heard that the White House had openings in pantry work. He “wasn’t… looking for a job,” but applied anyhow. Not long after he was hired, he met his first boss, Harry Truman.

He became good friends with his second boss; Haygood says that the two men golfed together after Dwight Eisenhower left office. In

the aftermath of his third boss’s assassination, Allen held a “party” for White House children because he understood what they couldn’t.

His last boss, Ronald Reagan, invited him to the White House … as a guest.

For thirty-four years, Allen worked his way from pantry to parlor. He met (and kept secrets for) world leaders and influential people. And in 2008, Eugene Allen did what he never before thought possible: he voted for an African American president.

In his foreword to “The Butler,” the story that begat the movie, director Lee Daniels says his movie’s title character is “fictionalized.”

The real Eugene Allen lived nearly a stone’s throw from his former place of employment. Author Wil Haygood got to know the man he frequently calls “the butler” and was obviously fascinated at the backstory to the job Allen did.

“He was both a witness to history and unknown to it,” says Haygood as he puts Allen’s life in perspective for his readers. As that part of this book – and the friendship the men shared – unfolds, it’s hard not to feel a little awe-struck at the history Allen witnessed and his humility for doing it.

At just under 100 pages, it’ll take you about as long to read this book as it will to see the movie – and read

it, you should. That’s because, for movie buffs and historians, “The Butler” is one very powerful book.

Comedian Eddie Griffin to headline stand up Comedy Jam August 31 Sta’ Phocused Productions presents the Labor Day Weekend Comedy Jam at the Arie Crown Theater with headliner Eddie Griffin and stand up favorites Bruh Man, G-Thang and Kym Whitley Sta’ Phocused Productions, Inc. is a Chicago-based company spe-

“The Resurrection of Alice” opens at eta Previews Thursday, September 12 Helen Hayes Award nominated actress, playwright and novelist Perri Gaffney will bring her acclaimed one-woman show “The Resurrection of Alice” to Chicago, opening eta Creative Arts Foundation’s 43rd season Friday, September 13, 2013. Called a “Riveting” “Dazzling” “Tour de Force” performance by Perri Gaffney, The Resurrection of Alice is inspired by the countless forgotten lives of young, Black girls who found themselves in arranged marriages to men that were usually community pillars, financially comfortable and old enough to be their grandfathers.

It is inspired by a true story. www.chicagocrusader.com

Performances of “The Resurrection of Alice” take place at 8 p.m.

Fri & Sat; 3 p.m. Sundays through October 20, at eta Square, 7558 S. South Chicago Ave. There will be a preview performance on Thursday, September 12. General admission is $30, with student, senior and group discounts. Subscriptions to the 2013-14 season are also available for only $75 for five shows. For tickets and information, call 773752-3955 or visit www.etacreativearts.org.

Fifteen-year-old Alice looks forward to graduating from high school (a family first) and attending college on the scholarship she has earned. But her plans are ruined when she learns that she (Continued on page 16)

Eddie Griffin

Kym Whitley

G-Thang

cializing in live events and known for sell out shows presents “Eddie Griffin and Friends” a hilarious line up of comedians for a Labor Day Weekend Comedy Jam. Eddie Griffin & Friends looks forward to providing a engaging, funny and entertaining night of comedy.

Eddie Griffin is a popular comedian turned actor who started his career on-stage as a dare, and who has built an ever-growing fan base since jumping onto the comedy scene in 1990. Featured comics include Bruh Man, an actor turned comedian who is best known as “Bruh man from the fifth flo” in the Fox sitcom Mar-

tin; G-Thang, has been delivering his comic styling and standup to top comedy clubs across the

country; and Kym Whitley is a funny, talented, and driven quadruple-threat actress, producer, director and stand up comedienne.

The show will take place on Saturday, August 31; Showtime 8:00 p.m. (Doors Open at 7:00 p.m.) at the Arie Crown Theater, (2301 S. Lake Shore Dr.), Chicago, Ill. Tickets for this event are available from the Arie Crown Box Office or via TicketMaster at (800) 745-3000.

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Bruh Man

To place an ad in the Chicago Crusader call 773-7500 Saturday, august 31, 2013

13

WORLD OF MUSIC

CMA presents ‘Fantasie Negre: A Celebration of My People’

By M. L. Rantala, guest columnist The Chicago Music Association (CMA) was created in March of 1919 to provide a performance venue for classically trained Black musicians who had traditionally been denied access to major concert halls and opera houses throughout the U.S. In July of the same year, musicians from Washington, D.C. met with members of the newly created CMA in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood and created the National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM). CMA became the first

of My People” in the Paul Robeson Theater of the South Shore Cultural Center. The title was inspired by the great African American composer Florence Price’s solo piano piece entitled “Fantasie Nègre.” This in fact was the first work on the program, with pianist Casey Robards offering a fluid interpretation that was enhanced by the lithe dancing of Daysha Brown, Laura Reese, and Philana Sanders.

Alfreda Burke

Rodrick Dixon branch of NANM. This past Sunday, August 25, 2013, CMA offered a splendid concert entitled “Fantasie Nègre: A Celebration

Virginia Prince and Marilyn Grodrian presented duo-piano arrangements of Scott Joplin’s “Gladiolus Rag” and Andráe Crouch’s, “My Tribute.” The former was a little slow and too smooth, while they found all the sweetness in the latter.

This beautifully varied program also included new music. “Summer

Robert Sims Sketches I and II: Trio for Clarinet, Violin, and Cello” by Dolores White were fresh and airy. In the first case, the music was warm and atmospheric, and in the second, much hotter even though the tempo was slower.

Dileep Gangolli on clarinet, Shawnita Tyus on violin and Victor Soleto cello did fine work, under the direction of the composer.

Baritone Robert Sims was a huge hit with the audience performing two spirituals: “Lit’l Boy” and “Is There Anybody Here Who Loves My Jesus.” This was immediately followed by more crowd-pleasing music offered by tenor Rodrick Dixon (“Somewhere” from “West Side Story”), and soprano Alfreda Burke (“You’ll Never Walk Alone” from “Carousel”). The two of them teamed up for a fascinating account

of “I Will Stand.”

After the intermission there was more dancing, this time from Contemporary Youth Group of the Iona Calhoun School of Ballet. Their “Revelations” — with original choreography by Alvin Ailey, adapted by Iona Calhoun, Kisha Taylor and Hollee Mangrum Willis — was sprightly, beautiful, and thoroughly engaging.

Poetry was also on the program, represented by the work of Wendell Weaver, and read with dramatic flair by his wife Frances Weaver. Tenor Henry Pleas had the perfect approach to “His Eye is on the Sparrow,” singing with restraint and ending with a gossamer lightness.

George Cooper proved his abilities as both composer and pianist with his solo piano composition “Voyage of the Drum.”

Sopranos Jonita Lattimore, Anisha McFarland, and Elizabeth Norman took the stage as TreDiva and wowed the audience with their shimmering voices and easy high notes. Their version of Gershwin’s “Summertime” had lots of surprises and their rendition of “Scandalize my Name” had lots of fun.

There was a Duke Ellington medley and a flashy performance of Richard Smallwood’s “Total Praise.”

And just when you thought there

Barbara Wright-Pryor could not be more punch, the end of the event proved you wrong. With George Cooper at the Steinway grand, mezzo-contralto Barbara Wright-Pryor, also the president of the Chicago Music Association, gave a moving rendition of Duke Ellington’s “Come Sunday.”

The concert closed with a splendidly entertaining “Make Them Hear You” from “Ragtime” brought to life

by TenorsNoir: Sean Harris, Cornelius Johnson and Jeffrey Burish.

Earlier in the concert they served up a gorgeous account of Puccini’s “Nessun dorma” from the opera “Turandot.”

To read more about the Chicago Music Association and to learn about their purposes and music, visit: chgomusicassn.org. (Reprinted from August 28, 2013 issue of The Hyde Park Herald by permission of the author.)

Chicago Sinfonietta’s 2013-14 season-opening concert draws criticism On Saturday, August 17, 2013, the full text of the Chicago Sinfonietta Orchestra’s press release for the opening of its 2013-14 Season was posted online at AfriClassical.com.

“The Chicago Sinfonietta opens its 2013-14 season with “eMotion,” a concert continuing Music Director Mei-Ann Chen’s award-winning experimental programming style, moving toward the creation of a new breed of collaborative performance experiences. The “eMotion” concert features music inspired by dance, including a World Premiere arrangement commissioned by the Sinfonietta. The Sinfonietta performs “eMotion” twice, once in its downtown Chicago home venue of Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Avenue, Saturday, September 14 at 8:00 p.m. and again in the western suburbs at Wentz Concert Hall of North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Avenue, Naperville, Sunday, September 15 at 4:00 pm . . .”

Following the posting of the press release, AfriClassical.com received the following statements from music professionals Dr. Barbara WrightPryor, William J. Zick and Dr. Dominique-Rene de Lerma, with permission for full reprint.

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Saturday, august 31, 2013

******** “As the current President of Chicago Music Association, Br. No. 1, The National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. (Since 1919), the organization that championed the works of its member, composer Florence Price, and underwrote the contract with Frederick Stock and The Chicago Symphony Orchestra for the historical June 15,1933 premiere of Symphony No. 1 in E minor, I am appalled by The Chicago Sinfonietta’s upcoming September 14 and 15, 2013 performances of “eMotion” that will extract Movements 3 and 4 from the symphony to be re-envisioned as accompaniment for hiphop dance.”

“This is disgraceful and reveals a total lack of knowledge or understanding of the significance of the symphonic literature and/or works by Black composers, and disrespect for the legacy of Founding Music Director Paul Freeman and his original mission for the orchestra.”

Barbara Wright-Pryor President, Chicago Music Association, Branch No. 1, National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. (since 1919) ********

Florence B. Price did not have an easy time of gaining recognition for the excellence of her orchestral and symphonic compositions. Lacking other avenues, Price concentrated on competitions. Horace J. Maxile, Jr., Associate Director of Research of The Center for Black Music Research at Columbia College Chicago, wrote the liner notes for the historic recording of Price’s Concerto in One Movement and Symphony in E minor, Albany Records Troy1295 (2011). Maxile writes of Price’s compositional progress and experiences: “This wide range of influences coupled with strong craftmanship has left an indelible legacy which is highlighted by her ground-breaking Symphony in E minor, which was the first prize winner of the 1932 Rodman Wanamaker Music Contest and is considered among the main concert musical achievements of the period.

Premiered in 1933 by Frederick Stock and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the Chicago World’s Fair Century of Progress Exhibition, Price’s Symphony in E minor, her first symphony, is the first work by a Black woman to be performed by a major symphony orchestra in the United States.”

“The Symphony in E minor’s Rod-

William J. Zick Webmaster, AfriClassical.com

Florence B. Price man Wanamaker prize notwithstanding, the premier recording was not made until 2011, some 78 years after the work’s premiere. This composition is to be reduced to Movements III and IV in the “Orchestra Dance Mix.” This “Collaborative Performance” clearly robs the Symphony in E minor of its integrity as a complete work of classical music.

“Similar treatment of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” Suite will not significantly affect the composer’s extremely well-known legacy as a composer.

Florence Price’s symphonies are rarely performed, and are far more vulnerable when used for non-classical purposes.”

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

******** “My association with Paul Freeman began 43 years ago when plans were being formulated in what resulted in the award-winning 9 LP recordings of The Black Composers Series, issued initially by Columbia Records and now available from the College Music Society. The issue of these discs helped confirm the standings of such giants as George Walker, Ulysses Kay, and William Grant Still, and introduce composers as SaintGeorges, José White, and José Maurício Nunes-Garcia. I know it gave valid hope to the younger generation, certainly including Adolphus Hailstork and Talib Hakim, who have then established themselves as gifted and outstanding creators.

“During these years we met often in the United States and in Europe, and I came to know Dr. Freeman as an uncompromising person, unswerving in his reasoned steps toward his goal of service to the very highest standards in Black artistry. I saw him evolve into a jet-set conductor who nonetheless gave his dedication and devotion (Continued on page 16) www.chicagocrusader.com

SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING

A Moment to Super Size Your Thinking their way to assist you—it’s really ok to say ‘thank you.’ Rev. Clay Evans often says, “It’s so nice to be nice and it doesn’t cost nothing.”

Starting today—take a few seconds to express appreciation for someone’s kindness and let the person that favored you with a random act of kindheartedness

By Effie Rolfe Thank you really does make room for more. This is a powerful, simple and thoughtful phrase that is too seldom used. To say ‘thank you’ signifies appreciation for an act of kindness on your behalf. Unfortunately, we take acts of kindness for granted without ever acknowledging them as if people should just bless us while we fail to grace them with even the slightest smile. To be honest, I’ve never seen so many Christians look so mean! Yes, you are blessed—highly favored and the bomb dot com. You should be respected and given only the best life has to offer. However, it comes with the price tag of practicing humility by appreciating those who choose to bless you. If someone opens your door, gives you a compliment, or goes out of

hear or see your appreciation.

Again, thank you is easy and it only costs a few seconds of your time to reciprocate with a responding gesture. So when someone extends a courtesy—just smile, nod your head or say “thank-you” and keep it moving! By doing this, you allow doors of blessings to continuous-

Effie Rolfe

Motown Gospel’s First Release, Greater Than is Tribbett’s Highest Debut Ever Album Receives Rave Reviews

by Top Music Critics

www.chicagocrusader.com

©Effie Rolfe is the author of “Supersize Your Thinking,” a Media Personality and Motivational Speaker. You can visit my website: effierolfe.com or follow me at twitter.com/effiedrolfe.

The Crusader Gospel Corner She’s beautiful, smart and the voice of reason on the hilariously entertaining John Hannah Morning Show heard weekday mornings from 6 to 10 a.m. on Chicago’s #1 gospel station. “The way your day starts is very important. I feel privileged that God would entrust us with his people and their mornings,” said radio personality, Angela Martin. The co-host and member of New Life Covenant has experienced a rather successful run in

Tye Tribbett’s “Greater Than” debuts with top of the chart honors

Motown Gospel’s release of Tye Tribbett’s Greater Than debuts at #1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums Chart, #4 on the Top Digital Albums chart and #9 on Billboard’s Top 200.

Greater Than, Tribbett’s inaugural project with Motown Gospel, is his fifth recording and is the highest album debut in his recording career.

Tribbett’s hit single “If He Did It Before…Same God” moved up to #3 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Song chart and has an accumulative listening audience of over 15 million.

Lauded by music critics across the country, Greater Than has received stellar reviews from two of the nation’s top newspapers. The New York Times declares, “Tribbett is an exceptional gospel artist” (http://nyti. ms/19g8I0W). The Los Angeles Times awards the CD three out of four stars, stating, “Combined with Tribbett’s breathless, exclamatory singing, this frenzied variety demonstrates the breadth of his devotion” (http://lat.ms/16g9tIN).

“The critics and the fans have spoken loudly and clearly,” says Bill Hearn, President & CEO Capitol CMG. “Tye Tribbett is back with his best work to date. The entire team at Motown Gospel is very proud to help connect Tye and these incredible new songs with music fans all over the world. Together we are off to an amazing start.”

“When we announced the launch of the Motown Gospel label in April, we expected big things,” says Barry Weiss, Chairman and CEO UMG East. “And now we’re pleased that the very first project released by Motown

ly open.

Did you take the time to say thanks today...?

Tye Tribbett’ Gospel is Tye Tribbett’s number one album.”

Tribbett’s album release event was held in Detroit, Motown’s birthplace, at the Greater Grace Temple. Motown Gospel sponsored the event, in conjunction with Radio One and the Word Network. As the Motor City continues its economic struggles, Tribbett’s music offers a message of hope and encouragement to its resi-

dents. Over 5,000 people attended the standing room only event, and more than 2,000 people had to be turned away once the church was full to capacity. The Greater Than concert was also streamed live to nearly 250,000 people worldwide through a partnership with Motown Gospel and Yes Lord Radio. In addition to the United States (including Puerto Rico), viewers tuned in from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Central America, and South America.

The Greater Than promotional tour has been very successful, with standing room crowds at concerts across the country, including the historic Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C., New York’s WBLS City Parks Concert in Harlem, NY, Greater Allen Cathedral in Queens, NY, and Radio One’s Praise in the Park in Atlanta, GA, which was attended by over 12,000 people. Motown Gospel will be announcing additional promotional dates in the coming weeks.

Mount Calvary Baptist Church 90th Year Anniversary Mount Calvary Baptist Church is calling all members and friends, past and present to attend their 90th year anniversary. A number of events are planned, including: Fellowship Banquet – Saturday, September 14, 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Matteson, Matteson, IL; Taste of Calvary; Community Day- Saturday, September 21, 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. There will be free food, entertainment and activities for all ages. This event will be held at the church, which is located at 1259 West 111th Street.

Praise and Worship Celebration, Sunday, September 22, 10:45 a.m. in the sancutary at the church.

For more info. Contact them at 773-239-4000, mntclvry1257@aol.com.

Rev. Tyrone Crider is the pastor.

Sixth Grace hosts family and friends day Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church’s Family and Friends Day will feature the Rev. Zachary Mills as the guest preacher on September 15. The service will be at 11 a.m. at the church, 600 E. 35th St. Attendees are also invited to fellowship with church members following the service.

More information is available by calling 312-225-5300

Angela Martin the broadcast industry. “I didn’t ask for radio. I was with my girlfriend, Janet Harris 17 years ago during the Christian Community Gospel hour on WYCA and she begged me to do the announcements—I said no. Then Taft Harris heard me and said whoever that girl is I want her to come in for an interview. It’s not that I sought after it—I just want to do my best for whatever.” After meeting with Harris, Martin worked on several shows including the Spirit of Love and Sky High Praise.

“I came to Clear Channel in January 2000 to co-host the morning show with Richard Steele. Then I co-hosted months later with Lonnie Hunter and John Hannah—the Morning Praise Party. I did traffic for Tom Joyner for about a year and finally for the past 11 years with the John Hannah Morning Show.”

In addition to radio, Martin has a passion for prayer, “It’s a wonderful experience when you are one with God.” Petite in stature, 4’11 Martin is a giant when it comes to accessing the throne of grace. She and hundreds of women unite the first Saturday of the month for Onederful prayer, a movement she started nearly 3 years ago. “On Saturday morning in 2011—I was in prayer and the Lord told me to call women to pray,” said Martin. “The whole premise of the prayer is to get women to connect with God one on one—you pray individually in a corporate setting,” she said. “Once you connect with God everything in life is going to work out. So my main concern is to get women as a daily discipline to connect with God. I am closer to God, I pray daily now and I don’t miss a prayer appointment—a time to pray daily.” Martin shared this advice regarding choosing prayer times. “It

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

depends on your life. I like the morning, but some people are too sleepy.

The whole prayer situation is personal—how you decide to keep your appointment. Women’s lives are so different—it may be midnight or 5 a.m. before the kids get up.” However, she is adamant that it doesn’t matter when you pray as long as you pray. “If you don’t get it in somewhere—you will miss it,” shared Martin. “What blesses me the most, we get emails of financial blessings and healings…but to be honest the most rewarding email is that their prayer life has been sparked again and its daily,” she said. Onederful Prayer is held every first Saturday of each month at the New Zion Upper Room Banquet Hall, 1950 W. 13th Street from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. For more details visit onederfulprayer.com.

Angie Ray Ministries along with Pastor Kimberly Ray and Church on the Rock invites you to the 33rd Annual Prayer Conference 2013 entitled, Prayer & Deliverance Powerful Times of Intercession on Thursday, August 29 through Sunday at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center. Guests include Apostle John Eckhardt, Dr. Carolyn Showell, Evangelist Tanya Ray and Jonathan and Jason Nelson.

Call 708-503-1140 for more information.

The Rose of Sharon Church Outreach Ministry invites you to a special salute to Pastor James Murphy, Sr. for 58 years of service this Sunday, September 1st at 3 p.m. Special Guests are Pastor Bryant Jones and the Samaritan Bible Baptist Church Choir, Elder T.L. Barrett and The Life Center COGIC, Pastor Mitty Collier, Vanessa Brown Dukes, Ron Barrett and more. For information call 773757-3765.

Prayers to the family of Edward Floyd, entertainment promoter, who lost his battle to brain cancer on last Friday. His services will be at Pleasant Green MB Church, 7545 S. Vincennes with visitation 10 a.m - 11 a.m., homegoing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Also, sympathies to the family of Robert Ballinger, gospel musician whose services will be held at St. John De LaSalle, 10200 S. King Drive, Chicago, on Saturday, August 31st Visitation 9 a.m. and Funeral mass 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Lastly, condolences to Bishop Connie Bansa, in loss of her father, Chief Bishop Melvin Crawford.

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Nielsen: Celebrating 90 Years of Innovation (Cont’d from page 9) measures the activity more than half a million online panelists worldwide. Who remembers when there were only a few channels available for television? The famous “Black Box” made its debut in 1987 and used to capture the viewing habits of Nielsen households. Now there are hundreds of networks and channels from which to choose for our viewing pleasure – those premium channels that each have a spe-

cific interested audience and a plethora of program options as well. Talk about coming a long way? In addition to monitoring our viewing here in the U.S., today Nielsen also measures TV viewing audiences in 33 countries.

And with the changing times and how our lives have become so dependent on mobile devices, we can watch our favorite programs on our phones, tablets, computers and game consoles. So as the devices and

gadgets evolved where we watch our favorite shows, so did Nielsen’s measurement services. In 2008, Nielsen began developing reports that detailed media usage across screens – television, internet, and mobile devices.

Nielsen’s history is progressive and delivers a forecast of infinite possibilities in years to come, which I hope inspires you. And, I hope you see and are empowered by your role in Nielsen’s success. Nielsen re-

search, studies, survey results and data provide clients with this information to better engage and reach us and our communities. So here’s to another 90 years of innovation! I know you can’t wait to see what’s in store next.

Cheryl Pearson-McNeil is senior vice president of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Nielsen. For more information and studies go to www.nielsenwire.com

Chicago Sinfonietta’s 2013-14 season-opening concert draws criticism (Cont’d from page 14) to his position in British Columbia and then to his dream of realizing a major non-discriminating ensemble in Chicago, one which had a distinct and well-defined mission from the start regarding minority composers and performers, faithfully presented.

This was an astonishing accomplishment; all similar ef-

forts by others had failed.

Paul’s guidance offered the public an alternate to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, on a basis that was no less lofty.

“In my own work as administrator, I knew that diluted goals and changed directions emasculate the mission. What I have heard taking place with the Chicago Sinfonietta is deplorable, trivializing its very rea-

son for being, in the false expectation that this will encourage audience development, but any attracted to those lowered standards will only be for a continuation of that level, cemented there by the absence of aesthetic values and artistic integrity.

“No less criminal is the shameful abandonment of the noble intents of Dr. Freeman,

so soon after his absence. Following this foolish path will result in the Sinfonietta’s becoming much less than a pops ensemble, no longer faithful to its important distinction, disinterested in its reason to exist, and with no laudable future.”

Dominique-René de Lerma Professor emeritus, Lawrence University Appleton, Wisconsin

“The Resurrection of Alice” opens at eta

(Cont’d from page 13) must honor her parents’ secret marriage arrangements for her to the lonely, old family benefactor who had been eyeing her since she was seven-years-old. Alice’s next twenty years of overcoming trials are a tribute to the power of nurturing and healing that can cause a broken spirit to be reborn.

“This type of arrangement, prevalent throughout many countries and cultures, was once a fairly common practice among African Americans through the mid 1900’s,” says playwright and actress Perri Gaffney. “This piece was inspired by a friend’s mother. When she told me about her mother the idea stayed with me.”

Perri Gaffney made her debut performance in the Washington, DC area at Arena Stage in the world premiere of Polk County by Zora Neal Hurston and Dorothy Wearing. She originated the role of Dicey Long and received a Helen Hayes Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. She last performed The Resurrection of Alice, adapted from her novel of the same name, at the historic Billie Holiday Theatre in Brooklyn, New York. Off Broadway credits include The Waiting Room by Samm-Art Williams and a revival of Lillian Hellman’s Another Part of the Forest.

Other stage credits include The Road Weeps, The Well Runs Dry (Perseverance 16

Theatre), Macbeth, Music Man and Death and the King’s Horsemen at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and The Resurrection of Alice at North Carolina Black Repertory, Main Stage West, H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players (AUDELCO nomination for Best Solo Performance), Southern Illinois University,

Pittsburg Big Read, National Black Theatre Festival and the Oregon Stage Works.

On television she played Nurse Bentley on As the World Turns and has appeared on Law & Order. She has several independent and documentary film credits including the independent feature So Close. Other writing

ADOPTION Considering adoption? Mixed-race Asian single mother with African-American son seeks to adopt a second child. Warm, stable home with laughter and learning. Bilingual Spanish and English. Ask for Suniti's profile at Family Resource Center, (800) 676-2229, (773) 334-2300 or email: adoption@f-r-c.org

LEGAL NOTICE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS WEATHERIZATION CONTRACTOR PROJECT #13-143008 PROPOSAL DUE:

SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 – 10:00A.M

The City of Harvey, Illinois, a grantee of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Urban Weatherization Initiative (UWI), is seeking qualifications from weatherization contractors to provide residential weatherization services to a limited number of homes in the City of Harvey and the City of Markham.

The scope of work will include the installation of a variety of energy conservation measures designed to reduce energy usage in a household. At a minimum, contractors must meet the following requirements to participate in the program: • Must meet contractor licensing requirements for the City of Harvey and the City of Markham.

• Must be able to meet insurance and bonding requirements that will be outlined at the Mandatory Weatherization Contractor’s meeting.

• Must have at least two years experience as a weatherization contractor.

• Must not have been debarred from any public contracts (federal, state or local).

All interested contractors that meet the above minimum requirements MUST attend a MANDATORY MEETING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2013 AT 10:00AM at the City of Harvey, Council Chambers, 15320 Broadway, Harvey, IL 60426. Copies of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will be distributed at this meeting.

credits include How to Manage Artists in Pop Music.

Of Gaffney’s performance in “The Resurrection of Alice,” The DC Theatre Scene declared, “Seamlessly taking on dozens of characters…

(Perri’s) rapid depictions were enough to convince me I was watching a stage full of actors!”

About eta Creative Arts Foundation eta Creative Arts Foundation, Inc. was incorporated in April, 1971 as a non-profit tax exempt organization to provide professional training and work in the performing and technical arts for youth and adults. eta has become widely recognized as Chicago’s leading performing and cultural arts complex in the African American community and one of only a few African American owned and managed facilities of its kind in the city. eta has a commitment to the production of new works and the development of the individual artist.

HOUSES FOR SALE

RFQ should be SEALED AND RECEIVED BEFORE 10:00A.M. ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 in the City Clerk’s Office located at City Hall 15320 Broadway Avenue, Harvey, Illinois 60426. POSTMARKS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. All responses to this RFQ must be clearly marked “WEATHERIZATION CONTRACTOR RFQ,” and shall be delivered during normal business hours Monday through Friday, except holidays, to the City Clerk’s Office. Submit one original and two copies of your RFQ in a sealed envelope. The RFQ respondents understand that all contracts will be negotiated with the City for the aforementioned services. All responses to this RFQ will be reviewed by program staff, and the proposals that best address the project’s needs will continue on for further analysis and negotiation. The City reserves the right, during the selection process, to reject any or all responses to this RFQ or any portion without exception or explanation.

The RFQ respondent is specifically advised that the City of Harvey is a grantee of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Urban Weatherization Initiative, pursuant to an agreement entered into and between the above and the City. Payments to the awarded contract will be made by the City only after it has received funds to make such payments from the DCEO/UWI in accordance with the terms of the aforesaid agreement.

For information, please contact Rhonda Hardemon, Grant Administrator at (708) 210-5385 or email at rhardemon@cityofharvey.org.

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BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

HOUSES FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION HOUSEHOLD FINANCE CORPORATION III Plaintiff, -v.SHEILA E. BOONE AKA SHEILA BOONE Defendants 12 CH 37520 7654 SOUTH HONORE STREET Chicago, IL 60620 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 3, 2013, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on October 4, 2013, at the The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 7654 SOUTH HONORE STREET, Chicago, IL 60620 Property Index No. 20-30-414038-0000. The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $123,443.10. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, or a unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). In accordance with 735 ILCS 5/15-1507(c)(1)(h1) and (h-2), 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(5), and 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1), you are hereby notified that the purchaser of the property, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and legal fees required by subsections (g)(1) and (g)(4) of section 9 and the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of section 18.5 of the Illinois Condominium Property Act. IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. For information, contact Plaintiffʼs attorney: Anthony Porto, FREEDMAN ANSELMO LINDBERG LLC, 1807 W. DIEHL ROAD, SUITE 333, NAPERVILLE, IL 60563, (866) 402-8661 For bidding instructions, visit www.fal-illinois.com.. Please refer to file number F12090250. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 606064650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. FREEDMAN ANSELMO LINDBERG LLC 1807 W. DIEHL ROAD, SUITE 333 NAPERVILLE, IL 60563 (866) 402-8661 E-Mail: foreclosurenotice@fal-illinois.com Attorney File No. F12090250 Attorney ARDC No. 3126232 Attorney Code. 26122 Case Number: 12 CH 37520 TJSC#: 3316323 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiffʼs attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

I551164

www.chicagocrusader.com

HOUSES FOR SALE

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HOUSES FOR SALE

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SPORTS

Wade’s World Foundation Celebrating 10 years of Helping Youth

By J. Coyden Palmer Robbins native and Miami Heat World Champion Dwayne Wade are once again bringing his foundation’s annual gala to Chicago for the weekend of Sept.

6-8. This year’s theme for Wade’s World Foundation is “Live to Dream” and will honor those who work across the country to better the lives of youth. The gala will be held at the Peninsula Hotel located at 108 E Superior Street in downtown Chicago.

This year’s philanthropic honorees will be entertainer Steve Harvey and wife Majoree along with Laura Rickets, one of the owners of the Chicago Cubs. The Friday Sept. 6th event is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

The foundation, now in its 10th year, is maintaining its purpose of promoting the education of youth and focuses on the initiatives of literacy, health and fatherhood.

Though the foundation began in 2003, Wade says the idea for it existed before he was rich and famous. He tells the story of watching a local newscast and seeing celebrities visiting communities.

“You see, at the age of seven I can remember watching a segment of a local Chicago news station where celebrities were cap-

tured visiting school children,” Wade writes on the foundation’s webpage. “The school children were so excited and amazed that a celebrity would actually come to their neighborhood. As the celebrity greeted, encouraged with the children, they became so excited. How life changing that must have been. That day, in that very moment, I decided that if I ever “made it,” I would return to my community, encourage the youth and give back to local organizations in need.”

His sister Tagril Wade has been serving as the Executive Director of Wade’s World Foundation since 2006. During a phone interview earlier this week, she said the foundation has grown and they are now looking to increase their outreach opportunities.

“We’ve extended our reach this year and are introducing our programming where we are in partnership with the young people.

We talk about the gun violence and how can we as young people do better. We’ve taken the opportunity to initiate our own programming that will allow us to really push the young people to make better choices,” said Tagril, earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Chicago State University in 2005 and is a former teacher in Community High School Dis-

Dwayne Wade trict 218. us. I knew this stuff was around She said as a family they looked me but I had to make the choicat how they survived growing up es. So this year we are pushing around 59th and Prairie in the this ‘Live to Dream’ campaign city and later in suburban Robfor these young people to pledge bins where both areas were beto do as the name suggests.” sieged by violence. Tagril said Over the summer they did a pithey realized the drug dealing lot program in which over 100 and shootings have always been kids in the Roseland area particiout there. pated. She said a key to the pro“What was our way to get out gram is showing kids who think of that state? When we looked at they have no other choices but to it, it all came down to choices. participate in gangs and drugs We had the projects all around that there are other avenues.

“They can’t be what they can’t see,” Tagril Wade said. “We introduced the sport of Lacrosse to them, in addition to an aviation program along with sailing and boating in conjunction with a Chicago yacht club. We wanted them to know there are more dreams than basketball.”

Tagril said the foundation will still continue to partner with organizations that focus on art and music programs, especially with the Chicago Public Schools cutting many of those disciplines out. For the last several years, WWF has sponsored “Chicago Has Talent,” a talent show that has specifically focused on Chicago youth. Some have gone on to appear on BET’s “Sunday’s Best” show and others have appeared on the Disney Network or gotten recording contracts.

Tagril Wade said the foundation is starting to see the fruits of its labor. She said some people are coming back to work with the foundation after they participated in many of the events as kids themselves.

She said there are also large contingents who are now going off to college for the first time. She said that makes the entire Wade family proud.

“All of us, myself, Dwayne, my mother and I, just want to make a positive difference.”

Donne. The team’s 20-8 record as of press time was tops in the Eastern Conference. With their success this year on the court, the Sky’s presence on the Chicago sports marketing landscape has grown. They are drawing over 5,000 fans on average and are looking to expand their brand appeal. Earlier this year the Sky played a

pre-season game at Chicago State University, which drew 3,000 youth fans from the community. That type of appeal is what Urban Partnership is looking for.

“The Chicago Sky is a great organization, and their fans are terrific,” said William Farrow, President and CEO of Urban Partnership Bank.

that was established in August of 2010 after Shore Bank folded. Since that time Urban Partnership has remained focused on its original mission; to build vibrant urban neighborhoods, promote economic and environmental sustainability and create long-term success within the community and the bank itself.

Urban Partnership Bank sees Sky as the limit with new business partner

By J. Coyden Palmer The Chicago Sky and Urban Partnership Bank announced last week they are joining forces as marketing partners. The Sky, the city’s WNBA team and Urban Partnership, formerly known as Shore Bank, will help each other promote their businesses and participate in joint community ventures. Under terms of the partnership, the bank will have a visible presence at all Sky home games and be featured during local television broadcasts and webcasts.

In addition, Urban Partnership Bank will host three Chicago Sky basketball clinics throughout the year. These clinics will offer a structured basketball learning experience for young people in the communities the bank serves.

“We are thrilled to welcome Urban Partnership Bank to the Sky family,” explained Adam Fox, Chicago Sky president and CEO. “They’re a great fit with our customers and organization, and their commitment to the community mirrors our own. We look forward to a very productive relationship.”

The Sky last week made history when they qualified for the WNBA playoffs for the first time in their eight-year existence. The team features three All-Star players in Sylvia Fowles, Epiphany Prince and this year’s first round pick Elena Dellewww.chicagocrusader.com

THE BARRETT FAMILY celebrates after the hula-hoop challenge at the Coca-Cola Family Field Day Saturday, August 24, 2013 at Washington Park in Chicago. Coca-Cola sponsored today’s event as part of its “Get the Ball Rolling” challenge to get over 3 million people active this summer.

“Together, we can make an even bigger difference for Chicago’s urban neighborhoods,” Farrow added.

Urban Partnership Bank is an FDIC-insured, full-service community development financial services institution with $1 billion in assets

THE TAYLOR FAMILY takes a time out after their bubble race at the first-ever Coca-Cola Family Field Days at Washington Park in Chicago on Saturday, August 24, 2013.

Thousands of families enjoyed six challenges today, and received free soccer balls and t-shirts for their participation.

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