Chicago Crusader 03/29/14 E-Edition

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Blacks Must Control Their Own Community

To The Unconquerable Host of Africans Who Are Laying Their Sacrifices Upon The Editorial Altar For Their Race AUDITED BY

•C•P•V•S•

VOLUME LXXIII NUMBER 49—SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 2014

PUBLISHED SINCE 1940

25 Cents and worth more

Parents of Hadiya Pendleton ‘Still Mourning’

By Jazelle Hunt NNPA National Correspondent WASHINGTON (NNPA) – After a long day of traveling, then networking on Capitol Hill, Nathaniel and Cleopatra Pendleton returned to their downtown Washington, D.C. hotel and dressed for a dinner in their honor. Later that evening, they shook hands and smiled for photographs as they accepted the 2014 NNPA Newsmaker of the Year Award, an accolade they earned as a result of their work against gun violence in the aftermath of their 15 year-old daughter’s death. They shared the honor with the parents of Jordan Davis, a Black teen killed in Jacksonville, Fla. “We are mourning still. We still wake up every day and have to determine what to do, whether what we’re doing is right for us,” Cleopatra says. “So many people want to see something positive come from this, a lot of people came to us and said we need to do something. They empowered us.”

Not as much as the parents have empowered Black America.

On January 29, 2013 their daughter, Hadiya Pendleton, went to the park with friends to enjoy an unseasonably warm Chicago afternoon after a day of final exams. There, her life was taken by a pair of gang-affiliated young men not much older than she, who fired into the group of teens sheltering from a passing rain after mistaking one of them for a rival gang member.

Hadiya was hit in the back and passed

THE BLACK PRESS departed from its tradition of awarding an individual with its annual Newsmaker of the Year Award and recognized the resiliency and strength of two couples whose children were murdered last year. Lucy McBath and Ron Davis, parents of Jordan Davis; and Cleopatra and Nathaniel Pendleton, parents of Hadiya Pendleton, stop for photos before attending a dinner in their honor. gun laws. away in the arms of two friends.

Homicide is the number-one cause of Hadiya’s death was the last of 44 homi- death for Black males ages 15 to 34, accordFor months afterward, her name was emblazoned in headlines, sometimes with a cides that month in Chicago. ing to 2010 data collected by the Centers In the Black community, gun violence is for Disease Control. Between 2008 and few days-old photo of her performing in President Barack Obama’s second Inaugur- horrifyingly common.

(Continued on page 16) al Parade. Other times, the headlines accompanied a video of her parents, evenly imploring the nation to honor Hadiya and other victims by passing common-sense

Second Black candidate enters 2015 mayoral race

By Wendell Hutson

A WHITNEY YOUNG player is the center of a celebration after the boys team won the Division 3A state championship by squeaking out a victory over Benet Academy last weekend in Peoria.

So far, the 2015 city elections have attracted two Black candidates to challenge Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

On March 3, former 9th Ward alderman Robert Shaw announced his candidacy, and previously, business owner, Amara Enyia, announced her candidacy. But regardless who wins next year, both candidates said as long as Emanuel is not re-elected Chicago voters will come out winners.

“Census data shows that we lost almost a quarter million Chicago residents,” said Enyia. “And as long as we ignore neighborhoods, we will continue to lose residents.”

The Near West Side resident, who plans to move to East Garfield Park next week, added, “Chicago needs new leadership.”

(Continued on page 3)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Amara Enyia

Community hero who stood up for others facing health crisis

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(See story on page 2)

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NEWS

High school student looking out for homeless youths

By Wendell Hutson After learning about how much the city’s homelessness problem affects youths, 16-year-old Anta Njie started a nonprofit organization to help them.

The junior at King College Preparatory High School, 4454 S. Drexel Blvd., said she initially just wanted to provide toilettes and donated clothes for homeless youths during the holidays until she realized the need was greater than she anticipated.

“Right before Thanksgiving break, I left a box of donated goods in the hallways at my school and before you knew it everything was gone,” recalled Njie. “At first I thought students were taking the clothes and throwing them in the garbage until I saw a few of my friends reaching in the box getting items. That’s when I realized homelessness is not a holiday thing but a year-round problem.”

Her organization, Anta’s Promise, operates all year collecting donations and passing them on to needy Chicago Public Schools students, which Njie estimates runs in the thousands.

“In my AP English class we were talking about the homeless problem in Chicago and once I did research, I learned that 100,000 people in Chicago are homeless and about 20,000 are Chicago Public

Schools students,” said Njie, who lives in the West Chatham neighborhood with her parents and two siblings. “I had a sophomore and senior at my school tell me I was their inspiration. And when you are someone’s inspiration you then have a standard to uphold.”

At the end of the 2012 school year, the last year data was available, the nation’s third largest school district had 404,151 students and 44 percent were Latino and 42 percent were Black.

According to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, there were 18,669 homeless CPS students in 2012-13 school year, an 8.2 percent increase from the prior school year. Of this, 98.3 percent were Black and 20 percent had been diagnosed with disabilities or development delays, according to CCH data.

A July 2013 analysis by CCH showed a total of 116,042 Chicagoans were homeless in that same 2013 school year. This is 10 percent more than the 105,338 people who were homeless a year earlier. The total is based, in part, on the rising enrollment of homeless students at CPS, CCH data suggested.

CPS policy defines a student homeless if they are currently living in a shelter or sharing housing with relatives or others due to lack of housing; in a hotel, camping

HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR Anta Njie transformed a classroom lesson into a thriving non-profit organization that works to ensure Chicago Public Schools homeless students have toiletries and clothes.

“Anta is our middle child and we ground, or similar situation due to the world yet people are sleeping lack of alternative, adequate hous- on the streets and sending their have always instilled in our children to give back,” said Karen, a middle ing; at a train or bus station, park, kids to school hungry.”

She added, “There’s no way this school teacher for CPS. “My husor in a car or living in an abandoned building; or if they are be- problem can be fixed without gov- band and I are both teachers so we ing housed temporarily while ernment legislation. But I wanted see the needs of children everyday.”

Anta said it is up to the next genawaiting state foster care place- to do my part and help out any way I can, and that’s when I decided to eration of leaders to make sure that ment. problems like homelessness are Statistics like this upsets Njie, start my organization.”

Her mother, Karen Njie, said she solved. who plans to study African Ameri“Young people stand for change. can History in college, because supports what her daughter is tryWe stand for justice,” she said.

“America is the richest country in ing to do for homeless youths.

Community hero who stood up for others facing health crisis

By J. Coyden Palmer The man who took the city of Chicago all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2010 and won is now fighting for his life at a local hospital. Otis McDonald, who won the landmark decision regarding Second Amendment rights for Chicago citizens, is suf-

OTIS MCDONALD IS battling cancer in a local hospital. A family spokesperson said he is getting better but that the prayers and thoughts from the community are needed and appreciated.

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Saturday, March 29, 2014

fering from metastatic cancer.

McDonald, a longtime resident of the Morgan Park community, was hospitalized earlier this month. A family spokesperson said the community’s thoughts and prayers are welcomed and needed at this time.

“He is getting better and the family is praying for healing and comfort,” said Dr. Frederick Jones, spokesperson for the family. “We know Otis is an inspiration to a lot of people for his accomplishments in life and we truly appreciate all of the comments and well wishes that have come through on his Facebook page.

Initially the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit had upheld a Chicago ordinance banning the possession of handguns as well as other gun regulations affecting rifles and shotguns. McDonald, whose home had been burglarized several times and who was receiving death threats from neighborhood thugs thought it was illegal and immoral for the city to deny him the right to protect himself with a handgun. He came to this conclusion after he went to the Chicago Police Department to report the threats against him and his family and

CHICAGO RESIDENT OTIS MCDONALD talks to the media in June of 2010 after his victory at the U. S. Supreme Court. the officers told him there was dents in filing suit against the city. ated. nothing they could do about it at As a result of McDonald’s victory, Jones said at this time they are the time.

Illinois has since been forced to not releasing where McDonald is A native of Louisiana, who change its laws and issue con- being treated out of respect for the moved to Chicago for employ- cealed carry permits to all who family’s wishes for privacy. He ment opportunities, McDonald meet requirements. In addition said all updates regarding the situwould not back down and teamed the city of Chicago has no say in ation will come through him and up with three other Chicago resi- how gun laws are enforced or cre- Mr. McDonald’s Facebook page.

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

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NEWS

Police looking for naked man who attacked woman in Park Forest At Crusader press time, police in far south suburban Park Forest were still trying to capture possibly two or three men who groped and fondled three females over a 72–hour period.

The incidents involved two high school girls and one 39-year-old woman. According to a press release from Park Forest police, all of the victims were attacked in broad daylight though none of them were injured.

A sketch of the first suspect was disseminated by the Cook County Sherriff’s Department. He is described as a dark-skinned African American male, with a beard, misaligned/yellowed teeth, 28-35 years old, 5’ 8”-5’ 10”, 135 lbs., wearing grey sweat pants, a black hooded sweatshirt (with hood pulled up), and dark sunglasses. He is the person police believe was responsible for the first attack, which occurred on March 18 at about 5:45 p.m. That is when police say the first victim was robbed at knifepoint and the suspect began groping her breasts. The high school aged victim was able to pull away from the suspect and ran away.

In the second incident that happened shortly before 8 a.m. on the

morning of March 20th, a high school-aged victim was confronted by a subject on Westgate Street and Westwood Drive who fondled her through her clothing. The offender in that case was described as a Black male in his 20s, 180-200 pounds, approximately 5’8,” wearing a brown hooded sweatshirt.

Just 40 minutes later, a 39-year-old woman walking near Shabbona Park was approached by a subject who grabbed the victim’s waist from behind and thrust his pelvic area towards her. The offender was described as a Black male approximately 25 to 30 years old, approximately 6’, with a medium build and light skin complexion. He was described as naked but wearing a skull cap.

The incidents have women in the area frightened and the men on alert to protect their female loved ones.

Many parents said they are not allowing their young daughters to walk alone to and from school until the suspect is caught. Officials at Rich East High School say they have alerted students and parents as well.

School District 227 public relations spokesperson Eric Hampton said police have increased patrols

(Continued from page 1) As the founder and CEO of ACE Municipal Partners LLC, a Chicago-based consulting firm, Enyia said she knows the inner workings of government, especially City Hall, where she worked as a fellow from 2009 to 2011 under Mayor Richard M. Daley.

If elected, one thing Enyia said she would change as the city’s first Black female mayor is how Chicago School Board members are chosen.

“I am all for an elected school board. And let me say, CPS (Chicago Public Schools) needs to go in a different direction, and I would not retain Barbara Byrd-Bennett as CEO,” she added.

The single, 31-year-old cites a lack of economic investment, education and public safety as the three biggest challenges facing the city.

“There are many more, but those three need immediate attention, which it would get if I am elected mayor,” explained Enyia. “Restructuring the way Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is doled out is one way to better use tax dollars. TIF money is supposed to help stir economic development in blighted communities, but too much TIF money have gone to big corporations.”

The former community organizer said she aims to ensure the bestequipped schools and the besttrained teachers are available in every neighborhood.

“At a time when schools need more resources targeted strategically to improve performance and enrich our children’s lives, the current mayor di-

minishes the very institution of public education,” she said.

The astute business owner earned a Bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and political science from the University of Illinois at ChampaignUrbana as well as a Master’s in education, a Ph.D. in educational policies and a law degree.

For his part, Emanuel said he welcomes everyone into the race.

“I believe in bringing a level of reform and change every day to deliver better services to the people of Chicago so they can live in a world-class city,” Emanuel told the Crusader.

“Other people may be able to provide their own ideas, but one thing I will guarantee you is that we’re not going back. We’re going to go forward with an agenda of reform and change.”

Shaw, who lives in the Kenwood neighborhood, said he is the “strongest possible Black candidate to challenge Mayor Rahm Emanuel.”

And much like Enyia Shaw would make changes to CPS. “I am dissatisfied with Barbara Byrd-Bennett closing all those schools. My plan is to look at how we can restructure TIF funds to see if it could be used to offset the school’s budget deficit,” explained Shaw.

“And, I definitely would be seeking an elected school board.”

On the issue of crime, Shaw said the jury was still out on Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy.

“Maybe by the time I am elected, he would have solved all the murders in Chicago,” Shaw said. “But, we’ll have to wait and see how things stand a year from now.”

By J. Coyden Palmer

SEXUAL ASSAILANTS CONTINUE to elude Park Forest police. The attackers were bold enough to molest three women in broad daylight. around both Rich East High School Residents said they have seen an in Park Forest and Rich South in uptick in crime in recent years in Richton Park. He said parents are al- Park Forest as more former CHA so urged to have an adult take stu- residents move into the area. But dents to school when possible and many longtime residents say they for those who take the bus, to have can never recall anything like this. someone wait with the child on the “I have a daughter and a son, both bus stop until the bus arrives. teens and one of the reasons we

moved out here from the city 10 years ago was because we believed it was safer,” said Randi Collins. “Now I have to think of moving again. A guy running around naked in the middle of the day bothering females is pretty disturbing.”

Charles Henderson, a father of three, said he or his wife will take their daughter to Rich East in the morning and a neighbor will pick her up.

“You have to do what you have to do to protect your kids,” he said.

“I’m planning on becoming one of the new concealed carryholders and so is my wife, just because of dumb stuff like this.”

It has not been confirmed if these incidents were committed by the same offender, and the Park Forest Police Department Investigations Division continues to investigate.

They urge the public to remain alert and to always immediately call 911 if you see or hear anything suspicious.

Anyone who may have witnessed either incident or who may have information about either incident is urged to call the Park Forest Police Investigations Division at (708) 7481309.

Second Black candidate

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BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Saturday, March 29, 2014

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EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL WHAT’S BEHIND THE ATTACK ON CHARTER SCHOOLS? All over America, and especially in poor urban communities, people are upset about the proliferation of charter schools. They are seen as a tiptoeing of the privatization of public education. This is especially a concern when large corporations are thrown in the mix.

If we look at the charter school movement more closely, we will see that all charter schools are not the same. In fact, it appears that there is a tiered charter school system developing.

On the one hand, you have community based organizations that are attempting to make a real difference in the lives of children. On the other hand, large corporations are creating gargantuan networks of schools. These entities have vast resources and are able to control their fiscal destinies to a very great extent. Herein lies the misperception about charter schools as a whole.

In the economics of nature, that which is not needed will not come into existence, and it certainly won’t remain viable.

Since charter schools exist, therefore, it is evident that they are needed, that they fill an important niche. Some students just do not do well in large public institutions wherein there are hundreds or even thousands of students. Sure, large public schools usually have decent resources, but they still cannot address the needs of those students who would thrive better in a smaller environment with more individual attention.

Charter schools can address these needs.

It must be remembered that charter schools ARE public schools. What they do is provide parents with school choice.

Years ago this buzzword was passed around when the notion of vouchers was on the ascendancy. People decried the idea of vouchers, and rightfully so. Vouchers would not be able to level the playing field, since schools with higher requirements and more costly tuition would be able to discriminate with the tool of economics. For example, parents, under the guise of “choice,” could theoretically send their children to the “best” schools. Vouchers, however, would only be able to pay a portion of the costs in the “better” schools, and parents would have to cough up the remaining balance. This was enough to eliminate people and to maintain the divisions that are apparent between social classes.

Charter schools, on the other hand, cannot legally discriminate. They are charged with accepting any student who applies. The benefits are smaller class sizes, individual attention, and the freedom to innovate. But, as pointed out earlier, this system is developing into tiers. And this seems to be why so many people are threatened by charter schools. They are also probably threatened by the idea that charter schools that operate on a different scale, i.e., that pay their staff more or less than the traditional public schools, will result in the loss of teachers’ jobs. The fact is, though, that teachers are needed in charter schools as well.

Ultimately, all charter schools should not be painted with the same brush. They should be judged on their own merits and seen as a welcome alternative for those students who would benefit from them. Though the specter of privatization does send chills down the spine of many activists, charters should also be seen as an opportunity to try something new. It must be realized, however, that the success of any student will mostly depend upon the actions of concerned parents who are determined to provide the educational nurturance that will enable their offspring to thrive in any educational environment, charter or otherwise. A luta continua.

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Saturday, March 29, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR “LOVE AND CLOUT – A SWEET HEART DEAL” – SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT Dear Editor: Following is a letter to the people, clarifying the March 10, 2014, Chicago Sun-Times article on me, Dr. Benton Cook III, and my wife and my work for the Illinois Violence Prevention Program.

To the People of Chicagoland: I write this letter to address recent articles written by the Chicago Sun-Times related to my work in 2011 and 2012 for the Illinois Violence Prevention – Neighborhood Recovery Initiative Program.

While I appreciated the photo on the front page of the SunTimes of me and my wife, Dorothy Brown-Cook, showing our love and affection for one another, the caption, which read: “Love and Clout,” “a sweetheart deal,” was totally inaccurate and a derisive commentary on my work in my community with the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative.

In 2011, I was invited by my Pastor, Marshall Hatch, to attend a meeting at our West Garfield Park church with him, Mr. David Whitaker and Mr. Howard Lathan of the Chicago Area Project (CAP). Mr. Whitaker and Mr. Lathan expressed that the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative, initi-

ated by Gov. Quinn, needed to be placed in the West Garfield area.

At the meeting, after I shared my thoughts on what a Neighborhood Recovery Initiative program should entail, I was asked by Mr. Whitaker if I would be interested in being the Director of the Program in West Garfield, since it is the community where I was born and chose to come back to serve.

When he found out I have a Ph.D. and have been volunteering for year in my community, he asked me to submit my resume’ to his office for review and consideration.

At the time I was working as a consultant for a national corporation, so when he offered me a job, I thanked him for the interest but I told him no thanks.

However, after a week of consideration and soul-searching, I decided to interview for the position.

I was then given a formal job offer, which I accepted. For full disclosure, I told Mr. Whitaker that I was married to Dorothy Brown, Circuit Court Clerk, and asked him whether that made a difference. Mr. Whitaker said that he was not aware of who my wife was, but it didn’t matter to him.

He said he was hiring me based upon my credentials and my heart for the community. The fact is, during the summer of 2010, there were at least 30 youth murdered in West Garfield, and as an associate minister in our church, I participated in at least 10 of the funeral services.

During the two years that I directed the program, we received awards as the top program in effi-

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

ciency and program development out of the 23 Chicago offices. Also, I was recognized as top director for both years.

As reported to us by Chicago Police officials for our district, the homicide rate dropped during those two years. We were recognized by CPS for creating a community-based program that could be used as a school-based counseling program. In that program we developed an empirical data study that showed that 60 percent of our children suffered from PTSD (Continued on page 17)

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COMMENTARY

President Obama’s War Against Minority College Students Beyond The Rhetoric

By Harry C. Alford NNPA Columnist Last week, the Obama Administration declared war on one million underserved students pursuing higher education throughout the United States. While the President and First Lady launch their campaign to make it easier for low-income minority students to access college, the Department of Education has launched an unprecedented assault on this same community through a new proposal that will cut thousands of college programs that disproportionately serve poor communities, single working mothers, veterans and other at-risk populations. At a time when American employers desperately need an educated, skilled workforce to sustain economic recovery, a confused and conflicted White House is hurting the underserved communities it claims to support.

On March 14, the Department of Education published its new proposed “Gainful Employment” rule.

The rule is a rehashed patchwork of regulations concocted several years ago in an attempt to prevent abuse of the federal financial aid system.

Rejected through legislative process and shot down in federal court only a few years ago, the Administration has nonetheless resurrected the poli-

Harry C. Alford cy and repackaged it in an 841-page proposal that will decimate college programs and career-focused vocational training currently serving one million students.

The proposed regulation, which applies primarily to proprietary (forprofit) colleges and universities, would make academic programs ineligible for federal Title IV financial aid if they fail to meet arbitrary formulas primarily related to student debt and earnings a few years out after graduation. Put more simply, students who don’t command high enough starting salaries relative to their student loans will find their

programs eliminated without any solution for continuing their educational career.

If the rule is enacted as proposed, thousands of vocational training and educational programs will disappear, creating an $8 billion shortage in the higher education market and many aspiring students left out in the cold.

Students pursuing careers in public service, which often pay lower starting salaries, like teachers, social workers, nurses and other allied health careers, will be barred from receiving the same federal aid as their peers seeking high paying jobs.

The same is true for those pursuing their passions in culinary training, design, animation and other careers in the arts. This will hurt employers like hospital systems, hotels, restaurants and food service companies who heavily recruit qualified talent from programs threatened by the rule.

Perhaps the biggest problem with the ill-conceived Gainful Employment rule is the fact that it discriminates against programs that are sought primarily by low-income minorities and other non-traditional students. From poor working families, to single mothers to veterans and other special needs communities, there are millions of Americans who don’t fit the mold or plainly weren’t accepted for a typical college experience. In order to gain the skills, training and credentials need-

ed to secure and maintain a job, many of these individuals enroll in proprietary vocational programs.

President Obama’s Gainful Employment rule penalizes these programs almost exclusively while applying completely different standards for private non-profit schools with the exact same curriculum. At the same time, the schools who serve more affluent populations of traditional suburban teenagers are protected from the President’s biased standards. This is a policy of discrimination.

Not only is the Department of Education proposing an unprecedented program that discriminates against certain types of schools, the Obama Administration has not produced any plan to compensate for the six million students who will be displaced and dejected before the decade is over. No regulation of this type and this complexity has ever been enacted in higher education.

The collateral damage of this proposed rule is great and the risk to these communities and to our fragile economy is very real.

Another reality is the plight of exfelons. Finding full time employment is a very difficult thing to accomplish when you have a record.

The only professional license an exoffender can earn is that of a barber or beauty license. With this a person can find work or even become an entrepreneur by way of owning

his/her own establishment. It can be a lifetime of progress. But no, this rule will end any chance of that happening anymore.

As the United States continues its slow economic recovery, it’s critical that the public and private sectors collaborate closely to provide all individuals with the resources they need to get the education and training required to participate in our modern workforce. As we have seen time and again, aggressive, ambitious policies designed to improve social programs for the underserved should be applied fairly and pursued carefully after thorough due diligence.

The Obama Administration’s current rule will immediately and unfairly targets one million underserved, at-risk college students throughout the nation, and ultimately discriminates against the communities it proposes to serve.

This will hurt employers, vulnerable students and our economy. If the president truly seeks to protect and expand low-income access to college while addressing the issue of student debt, he needs to start by rethinking his misguided Gainful Employment crusade.

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

Website: www.nationalbcc.org Email: halford@nationalbcc.org.

Obama Worse than George W. Bush on SBA Loans

By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist When I interviewed Marie Johns, then the outgoing deputy secretary of the Small Business Administration, a year ago, she said the SBA does not separate figures by race, though it hopes to do so at some point.

Technically, she was correct in saying the SBA does not separate agency-wide figures by race. But the SBA’s 8 (a) program figures can be broken down by race and that’s where she was being disingenuous. I specifically asked her twice about the status of Black businesses under Obama and twice she was less than forthcoming.

Now, I know why: The Obama administration’s record of guaranteeing loans to Black businesses is worse than it was under George W. Bush.

Yes, that was documented recently by the Wall Street Journal in its analysis of data for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30.

“Black borrowers received 1.7 percent of the $23.09 billion in total SBA loans. The percentage is down sharply from 8.2 percent of overall SBA loan volume www.chicagocrusader.com

in fiscal 2008. By number of loans, Black-owned small businesses got 2.3 percent of the federal agency’s roughly 54,000 loans last year, down from 11 percent in 2008,” the newspaper reported.

Major banks are encouraged to make SBA loans to small businesses for up to $5 million, with the federal agency agreeing to cover as much as 85 percent of any loss.

Financial institutions share responsibility for the drop in loans to African Americans.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Bank of America made 1,400 SBA loans in fiscal 2007.

For the latest fiscal year, however, that figure fell to just 247 borrowers. But the total loan amounts remain relatively unchanged, reaching $40.2 million in 2007 to $40.7 million for the last fiscal year.

That’s part of a larger trend by banks coming out of a recession to favor larger deals over smaller ones.

According to the SBA, their average loan is $426,796, more than double the average of $192,919 in 2005. That’s problematic for African Americans because 80 percent of the loans to fund Black business are for $150,000 or less.

The housing market decline has

George E. Curry also had an adverse impact on African Americans.

Of course, everyone acknowledges that the Great Recession was a drag on business, both big and small. Other ethnic groups had a hard time obtaining business loans in a depressed economy, but they are recovering at a faster rate than Blacks.

“This is the fallout from the recession and housing bust,” J. Patrick Kelley, a deputy associate administrator of the SBA, told the Wall Street Journal. “The borrowers hardest hit…are the last to

see a recovery come to them.”

According to the SBA Office of Advocacy, Black business owners made up 49.9 percent of all minority owners in 2012. Asians made up 29.6 percent and Hispanics 10.3 percent. Overall, Blacks own 14.6 percent of U.S. businesses and women own 36 percent.

When it comes to Black businesses, there is good news and bad news.

A Census Bureau press release, dated Feb. 8, 2011 stated: “From 2002 to 2007, the number of Black-owned businesses increased by 60.5 percent to 1.9 million, more than triple the national rate of 18.0 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Business Owners. Over the same period, receipts generated by Black-owned businesses increased 55.1 percent to $137.5 billion. “‘Black-owned businesses continued to be one of the fastest growing segments of our economy, showing rapid growth in both the number of businesses and total sales during this time period,’ said Census Bureau Deputy Director Thomas Mesenbourg.”

Now the bad news: Of the 1.9 million Black-owned businesses, 1.8 million had no paid employees

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

in 2007.

Because 82 percent of business startups, both large and small, require capital beyond the owners’ personal assets, access to capital remains a major concern.

“Minority small business owners are disproportionately denied credit when they apply for it even after controlling for other variables such as business credit scores, personal wealth, and revenues. These findings hold true particularly for Black and Hispanic business owners,” according to an issue brief by the SBA. The variation of home ownership can also be a factor.

“Home ownership may provide an important catalyst to small business growth, but it may also serve as a barrier to entry for prospective entrepreneurs,” the SBA said. “For instance, business growth can bridge the wealth gap between minorities and non-minorities across geneder. Among existing businesses, home ownership significantly decreases the probability of loan denials and can be critical to such growth.”

According to Census data, 78.2 (Continued on page 17) Saturday, March 29, 2014

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COMMENTARY

WE SHOULD NEVER FORGET LU PALMER Dr. Conrad Worrill, Director/Professor, Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies (CCICS) located at 700 East Oakwood Blvd, Chicago, Illinois, 60653, 773-268-7500, Fax: 773-268-3835 E-mail: c-worrill@neiu.edu, Website: www.ccicschicago.org, Twitter: @CCICS_ Chicago.

Dr. Conrad Worrill We should always remember some of our great ancestors. One such ancestor is Lu Palmer.

On Sunday, September 12, 2004, Lu Palmer made his transition to eternity. Lu Palmer was an unquestioned leader, and dedicated soldier in the struggle for Black Liberation and independence. His spirit will

remain among us forever.

As I began to think about the tremendous contributions Brother Lu made, over the years, I found myself traveling down memory lane. I knew Lu for thirty-two years and worked closely with him on innumerable projects. During this period we became very good friends and I considered him as one of my fathers in the movement.

Lutrelle Fleming Palmer, Jr. was born on March 28, 1922 in Newport News, Virginia. To understand something about Lu Palmer, you have to understanding the tremendous influence his family had on him, particularly his father.

Brother Lu was named after his father who was an outstanding Black educator and institution builder.

Lu Palmer, Sr. graduated from Wilberforce University in 1911 and received a second degree from the University of Michigan in 1912. In reading an April 1923 edition of the Alpha Phi Alpha journal, The Sphinx, I ran across a biographical sketch of Lu’s father.

In discussing his role as an educator and Principal of the Huntington High School in Newport News, The Sphinx commented that “A big element in the success that has attended Brother Palmer’s efforts is his rare faculty of securing the united support of his commu-

nity.”

Over the years, Brother Lu Palmer, Jr. secured that same kind of support in Chicago and other places around the country for his dedicated work in the Black Liberation Movement. In this regard, the old adage, “Like father, like son” applies.

After his graduation from high school Lu attended and graduated from Virginia Union University.

Upon completion of his B.A. degree, Lu entered Syracuse University and finished his M.A. degree in journalism. Lu didn’t stop there. He attended the University of Iowa in pursuit of a Ph.D. in communications. Lu finished all of the necessary requirements for this degree except for the writing of his dissertation. Lu told me years ago that he had done extensive research in preparation to write his dissertation, but unfortunately his notes were lost on a train. After that mishap, Lu just kind of gave up on the idea.

From the early 1950s, Lu worked in a variety of positions as a journalist, communicator, writer, and educator. The name Lu Palmer is synonymous with the quest of Black people’s efforts in Chicago and around the country in our fight for self determination and independence.

For over fifty-three years Lu

worked in the field of communications as a journalist, as the Director of the News Bureau, as an editor at Fisk University, as a reporter at the Tri-State Defender, as senior writer at the Chicago Defender, a reporter in the Peace Corps, a reporter at The Chicago American, and as a columnist at the Chicago Daily News.

It was the racism and white supremacy of the Chicago Daily News that caused Lu to resign his lucrative position in 1972 and start his own newspaper called the Black X-Press. Although the life of this newspaper was short-lived, the idea and example that Lu set by taking this bold step was indicative of his character as a true freedom fighter.

Like his father, Lu fought for the dignity, freedom, self determination, and independence of Black people most of his life. Through “Lu’s Notebook,” a radio program that aired on most Black radio stations for some ten years, he articulated many of the key issues that impacted on the heartbeat of the Black Community in Chicago and the United States. You might remember it was Lu who said, “It’s enough to make a Negro turn Black.” Also, for many years Lu served as the host of the popular WVON night time radio show, “On Target.”

Through Lu’s Notebook and forums, he was instrumental in mobilizing and organizing Black people to take action around our own self interests. Perhaps his greatest organizing venture was the establishment of his organization, Chicago Black United Communities (CBUC), which more than any other organization laid the foundation for the election of Chicago’s first Black Mayor, Harold Washington.

If you recall, it was Lu Palmer and CBUC that convened the Citywide Political Conference at Malcolm X College on August 15, 1981, “To examine, to explain, to explore old and new strategies that will enable us to chart new paths toward full political representation and full political empowerment— in Black precincts, in Black wards, in Black congressional districts, in Black state legislative districts, in City Hall and throughout this country.” It was Lu Palmer that declared at this conference, and subsequently popularized the slogan that became a reality, “We Shall See In `83.”

We miss Lu, but his spirit remains with us.

Please support the upcoming CCICS Open House Wednesday, April 10th 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Thursday, April 11th 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

FIRM IN MY FEMINISM

By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist In a world that is dominated by men, especially white men, feminism is, for me, an empowering concept. It is a movement, which in the United States – according to Wiki, is aimed at “defining, establishing and defending equal social, economic and political rights for women.” It is certainly possible to argue that women have come a long way, but while we out-enroll men in college attendance, we don’t out earn them, no matter our level of education. We don’t out-represent them in elected office, or even in the higher echelons of employment, such as the Fortune 500 corporations. Women are doing better than we ever did and we still have a long way to go.

The feminist movement shows up differently in the African American community. Our nation’s antipathy toward Black men suggests that men of African descent are not the same oppressors that white men are, bearing the burden of oppression themselves. At the same 6

Saturday, March 29, 2014

time, who rapes and beats Black women. Dare I say that the oppressors of African American women are likely to be African American men? Do I dare say that sisters need to step up and raise their voices without risking the inevitable backlash that comes from Black men? When African American women embrace the title “feminist” we are somehow seen as attacking Black men. Actually, we are simply standing up for ourselves and for our communities.

African American people can’t fight the war against racism if half of the army is disabled. We can’t fight for our boys and, yes, our girls unless more of us speak up, stand up, and surround our babies with tender loving care. We can’t build whole and healthy communities unless the needs of both women and men are addressed. President Obama has addressed “My Brother’s Keeper, but who will be my sister’s keeper.

When African America women, and especially our young girls, see attention focused on Black men, won’t they wonder, “what about

Dr. Julianne Malveaux me.” All of our young people are under attack, but while Black men explode into riveting headlines, Black women implode eating too much (obesity among us is nearly 50 percent), giving too much, and taking care of self not at all. Who takes care of these women and reminds them that it is ok to stand up for themselves?

That’s why through it all, I stand firm on my feminism. I want women to know that they are enough. I tell young women that men are like icing, and women like cake. You can have cake without icing, but not icing without cake.

Nobody is kicking our brothers to the curb, and women need the affirmation that they are okay, partner or not, child or not. And that we, women, can lean on our sisters, and ourselves when other support is not there.

Of course, we are inextricably intertwined, the women and the men and the children who must support each other and live out our dreams in tandem. These dreams only work in tandem when the dreamers consider themselves equal partners in this game called life.

The same patriarchy that allows white men to oppress women shows up in a twisted form when Black men, with much less power than white men, oppress women.

During this women’s history month, I write in the name of Maria Stewart, a sister who, in the early 19th century, spoke about

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

women’s rights and supported the anti-slavery movement. She was the first American woman who spoke to a mixed audience of men and women (according to Wiki and other internet sources) and the first African American woman to speak about women’s rights. She started her professional life as a maid, and ended it in Washington, DC as a teacher and a matron at Freedman’s hospital. In the middle she shook it up, earning both the respect and the ire of her colleagues.

If you stand on the shoulders of Maria Stewart, you are undergirded by this amazing feminist who took to the stage before the white Grimke sisters did. What price did she pay? How was she affected?

Even as we passionately support Black men we must, in the name of Maria Stewart, embrace and support Black women. WE lift as we climb. Let’s lift us all!

Julianne Malveaux is a DC based economist and author. She is President Emerita of Bennett College for Women. 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!

they think Christian Mitchell, who they claim cut his own mama's pension down when he signed off on the pension bill a while back, is hot stuff. What is also troubling to the 50 Foot Woman, who also works as County Board president, is how come her boy Mitchell lost all de votes in her back yard like the 4th Ward. Now dey say Mitchell got called to a secret house up North and got tuned up and dat he will be prepared to take on the community in two years when they come for dat seat again.

-ImaWEST SIDE PRIDE

DAZ ALL DEY GOT Tongues be wagging at the tens of thousands of dollars de rich, white Republicans put behind that little Christian Mitchell to

Congressman Danny Davis showed folk whose the HNIC on the West Side by having several candidates he supported actually win races where people thought they'd lose. Davis is no push-over and no phony–though people still mad because he got tricked into

Rahm Emanuel to pull it off. Dey say there's some sort of uprising in the Democratic Party and dat this new group is going to be propt up nationally to show other cities how to take on "the machine." Their new mantra is "anybody but Rahm," except they say they will not touch that Shaw Brother and that little half Nigerian girl that come out of no where (like most of Rahm's straw horses), to say she's gone run. We hear big money is about to pour into this group and they have trained "some troops" on how to register 100,000 new voters and get people to the polls. Good luck with that.

-Ima-

happened that some folk say involved the alderman being put in a choke hold–though he denied it got that crazy. "Ima dey had to hold that Negro back lak he was going for a pumpkin head. The Commander kept it cool and was hoping' they turned him loose 'cause he ain't had to whup no ass in a long time." Now we hear the two are almost kissing cousins and dey got some sort of understanding. That means Ervin now understands he got a commander in his ward who don't give two doo doos about who he is.

-Ima-

his game. The people who voted for Hardiman knew Quinn was in no danger of losing the nomination for governor. But few can think past what would make someone like Hardiman seek that office in de first place. Why didn't he run for mayor? Why not alderman? He kept showing up at the same time and at the same place as Bruce "I Will Lower Your Wages" Rauner and nobody seemed to notice how odd that was. The good news is, if he runs for office, he will be a public servant who will have to work in the interests of those who elect him. Okay stop laughing.

TIO WHO

IMA’s MAILBAG

The GOP are good. Dey got over 100,000 people to vote for accused wife beater and Can't Cease Fire Tio Hardiman for gov-

JASON AND JAIL

Christian Mitchell defeat that community leader Jay Travis who was backed by a whole bunch of little people and the teachers union. The rich white folk are angry that little Mitchell came this/close to losing his seat in the Illinois House when they gave him a head start, a pre-made campaign, and all the money he could need to win his $68,000 a year job. Now Negroes have woke up and are now looking closely at who deese people be and why

Danny Davis dropping out de mayor's race. We would be saying Mayor Davis right now if he had stuck to his guns. Now his enemies are rethinking their strategies on how to take down the Paul Robeson of the West Side, now that he's shown his true muscle. First up for plotting is Ald. Emma Mitts, who is said to be on the list of people "who gots to go."

We hear Ald. Jason Ervin and the new police chief on the West Side are all lovie-dovie after the CPD almost had to put this loudmouth alderman in some sort of choke hold. The new police commander of the Harrison District is said to be "a cop's cop" who will do "his job and ask questions later." If you get the hint about a shoe up your ass. We hear Mr. Ervin who is fond of having a stripper's T&A all up in the building where his 28th Ward office is located, thought he had some

Tio Hardiman ernor. Even white folks down state who hate all things of color voted for him. Now people think Tio is not a hack and is now a political golden child. What they ain't looking at is the hidden hand. Some of those votes were to send a message to Pat "Bald Eagle" Quinn that he better step up

Dear Ima: Child, I tried to call you on yestiday, but that nice lady that gets your phonecalls said you went to town for a meeting. So I just made up my mind to right you this note cause I cant take too much more of them mens running for the Govnor and the judge and all dem other thangs they runnin fo. They done near bouts rung my phone off the hook. That darn phone rang and rang so much I had to take me a nerve pill and a drank. And when I wood answer it it was a corded message, tellin me to go out and vote for somebuddy I never heard of. even that big stout woman named Tony done called me. if I gotta go thru this til the winter time im gonna loose my natural mind.

Pleeze let me no how much longer this is gonna go on, cause im bout to have my phone unconnected if this gona keep up. im comin over there tomorrow cause I needs you to let me hold 5 or 6 dollars til my check come. bye Baby, yo friend Lurlene.

-ImaNATIVES BE RESTLESS

Jay Travis www.chicagocrusader.com

Having got a taste for blood, we hear all de private sector unions (except for the CFL) has joined together to develop some sort of political group that plans to run people for mayor and alderman in the coming months. We hear people from New York and D.C. are telling them what to do and how to do it--because they don't trust these people who have no experience in doing something like this

Jason Ervin power when he demanded Commander Evans meet with him right now and right here. Well the Commander showed Jason whose the boss and some sort of scuffle

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Saturday, March 29, 2014

7

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

BLACK WOMEN’S EXPO: State Farm presents the 20th anniversary of the Black Women’s Expo on Friday, March 28 through Sunday, March 30 in Chicago at the McCormick Place North Building. Celebrate strength; the event will be empowering, engaging, and entertaining.

Powerful speakers include Kym Whitley, Lisaraye, Roland Martin, and Dennis Kimbro. Adult tickets are available at Walgreens at half-price. For more information, visit www.TheBlackWomensExpo.com.

BLAIR THOMAS & COMPANY TOURS A PIANO WITH 3 TALES: The acclaimed Blair Thomas & Company delights family audiences with magical puppetry and a live piano recital of masterworks in A Piano with 3 Tales on select Saturdays through May 3 at six Chicago Park District field houses. All performances are admission free and are recommended for children ages 4-12. An upcoming performance is scheduled for Saturday, March 29, 2 p.m., at Austin Town Hall Park, 5610 W. Lake Street.

DHS MIKE DUNN BIRTHDAY PARTY: Calling all house heads – on Saturday, March 29, Let’s Go To Work! Mike Dunn is having a birthday party at the Hebrew Culture Center, 7130 South Chicago Avenue.

It is being hosted by Angie T (ICHOUSEPEOPLE). If you were there last year, then you already know!

Sometimes less is more!

SHEDD OFFERS FIN-TASTIC SPRING BREAK CAMP FOR STUDENTS: Make a splash this Spring Break! Shedd Aquarium is offering a week-long Spring Break Camp, which takes educational explorers between the ages of 8 and 10 years old behind the scenes of the world’s aquarium. During this learning program, participating youth will explore the ins and outs of Shedd, getting up close and personal with different species to learn how Shedd cares for 32,000 animals and the environment. In addition, campers will travel off-site to local habitats to experience what it’s like to be a scientist working in the field. Space is limited. The John G. Shedd Aquarium is located at 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. The cost is $295/child or $325/members.

Registration, for Spring Break Camp is required and available online at: http://www.sheddaquarium.org/children_and_teens.html. See more at Shedd during spring break with extended hours, open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through April 11 and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 12 – 19. From April 20 – 27, the aquarium will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information about Shedd, please visit www.sheddaquarium.org.

CURE VIOLENCE OPENINGS: 8

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Cure Violence, currently listed as the number 9 NGO in the world, is currently looking to hire three very important positions. The closing for the job listings is Monday, March 31.

They are looking for a: 1) National Director of Communications – to develop and drive a national strategic communications campaign that helps change the thinking about violence and how to approach it. This position will also guide the work of media requests, the website and social media; 2) National Director for Health Policies and Programs - to further develop health based interventions and health based coalitions; and 3) Research coordinator - to further develop research, evaluation and monitoring projects and networks. As their national (and international) training and technical assistance center is located in Chicago, this is the preferred site for these hires, however they are open to considering other sites for the first two hires. There is a DC office for Cure Violence. The research position will be located in Chicago. Further information including links to the full job descriptions and information on how to apply are available at: http://cureviolence.org/about/contact-us/employment/.

DAYO OLOPADE AT CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY: In April, the Chicago Public Library hosts several interesting author programs featuring Sister Helen Prejean, Scott Turow, Dayo Olopade and Dr. Lauren Streicher in conversation with Christie Hefner, as part of its monthly Authors @ the Library series. On Thursday, April 3at 6 p.m., NigerianAmerican author Dayo Olopade discusses her new bookThe Bright Continent: Breaking Rules and Making Change in Modern Africa. In this book Ms. Olopade rejects stale and ineffective foreign intervention. She argues that the globalized challenges facing the African continent can be addressed by circumventing dysfunctional bureaucracies and establishing strong informal networks. This event will be held in the Cindy Pritzker Auditorium, lower level, at the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street. For more information, please call 312-747-4050 or visit chicagopubliclibrary.org.

KIDZ KORNA CITY-WIDE SINGING AND YOUTH CHOIR COMPETITION: The next Kidz Korna event is America’s Young Voices Against Abuse Kick Off, a city-wide singing and youth choir scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 17, 2014 at Daley Center under the Picasso. The mission: City-wide choirs and singers will come together to lift up their voices on behalf of young people who cannot speak up for themselves when it comes to child abuse Goal: To bring awareness to the silent cries of Child Abuse during the month of April (Child Abuse Prevention

THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY joins the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Money Smart partners in hosting the Money Smart Week, April 5 – April 12, 2014 at Library branch locations throughout the city. Terry Savage (inset) presented by the Financial Planning Association of Illinois, is a popular author and award-winning financial journalist who will speak on Monday, April 7 at Noon in the Cindy Pritzker Auditorium of the Harold Washington Library located at 400 S. State St. Savage speaks about what everyone should know about financial and retirement planning. Planners from the FPA of Illinois provide one-on-one planning sessions immediately following the presentation by Savage. For a complete listing of Money Smart Week programs, visit the Library’s website at chicagopubliclibrary.org.

Month) and to promote positivity amongst our young people. Call to Action: We are looking for as many youth singers and Choirs to sign up as soon as possible. For more information, visit www.kidzkorna.com orcall 773-957-6422.

MARCH MADNESS AT THE BUREAU BAR: Miller Fortune presents NCAA March Madness at the Bureau Bar, 75 E. 16th Street, Chicago. Watch all of the games live through April 7. For more information, call 312-888-3156.

OUR SOLAR SYSTEM AT THE ADLER PLANETARIUM: In the Adler's ONGOING redesigned exhibition, visitors can experience the solar system in a whole new way.

The gallery incorporates technolo(Continued on page 14)

Extended Coverage ***

The good news: Americans are living longer. The bad news: workers have nearly a 20-percent chance of becoming disabled for at least a year during their working life. *** Fewer and fewer companies are offering disability insurance for their employees; even where they do, it is rarely enough. The benefits are taxable, and Social Security disability payments are generally deducted from group-policy benefits.

Milton E. Moses

Get expert help in choosing the right disability package. Talk to the know-how people 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) 651-6200. You can also reach us via email at: sales@communityinsurance.com or visit the website at www.communityins.com.

*** Smart choice: buy your own disability policy. It costs less than you expect, the benefits are tax-free, and it’s custom-tailored. *** Best bet is a policy that pays if you cannot perform your own occupation; lesser ones may not pay if you can work at anything. Try to replace between 65 and 80 percent of after-tax income. Ideally, you want to upgrade coverage as you earn more. *** Cut costs by lengthening the “elimination period,” the time before benefits kick in, say from 90 to 180 days.

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

www.chicagocrusader.com

BUSINESS

Is now the right time to shake up housing finance?

By Charlene Crowell Bipartisan Senate bill gets mixed reactions; would end affordable housing goals In an unconventional move, legislation designed to reshape the nation’s $10 trillion housing finance market was released on Sunday, March 16. Since then, reactions to proposed broad changes have ranged from strong support to wait-andsee, and outright opposition.

According to the bill’s authors, Senator Tim Johnson, Chair of Senate Banking Committee and Senator Mike Crapo, the committee’s Ranking Member, the rare weekend release was the result of months of effort to accommodate varied input to secure bipartisan support and move the proposal forward – in time for a full Senate vote by November.

In a news release, Chairman Johnson said, “This proposal includes an explicit guarantee in order to add stability to the economy, keep costs reasonable for borrowers and renters, and ensure fair access to the secondary market for all lenders.”

“There is broad support to fix our flawed housing system, and today’s actions are a strong step toward end-

www.chicagocrusader.com

ing the status quo,” added Ranking Member Crapo.

But just how much support there is for the 442-page legislation really depends on who is speaking.

“Housing finance reform was too important to rush a committee deal on, and in my view, it’s also too important to rush a markup on,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren, also a member of the Senate Banking Committee. “We should have a full, open discussion before we decide to set out on a new path, and that means members of the Banking Committee should have real time to dig in and consult with people before a markup.”

While the Senate Banking Committee deliberates the legislation’s proposals, organizations that researched the housing crisis and others representing consumers affected by it are speaking up.

In a recent radio interview, Mike Calhoun, President of the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) said, “It’s a radical surgery proposal; it’s somewhere between a complete tear-down and an extreme gut rehab. The question is does that get us to a better place?”

“And middle and moderate income families might be less served

Charlene Crowell with this approach. The new model could make it harder and more expensive for a lot of people to get mortgages,” added Calhoun.

CRL research shows that the average family would need 14 years to save enough money for a five percent down payment. For Black families, the number of required years would double to 28 for the same 5 percent and 17 years of saving for the average Latino family.

Further, home down payment sav-

ings do not take into account closing costs, which typically are an added three percent of the cost of the mortgage; or mortgage insurance that is required for homes purchased with less than a 20 percent down payment. In CRL’s view, there is no wisdom in requiring these homeownership delays when so many families have successfully paid mortgages made with low down payments such as FHA loans.

Despite these findings, the Johnson-Crapo legislation would still require mandatory down payments: 3.5 percent for first-time borrowers and 5.0 percent for all others. The legislation would also eliminate affordable housing goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs).

The bill would phase out both GSEs and replace them with a new agency.

Instead of affordable housing goals, market-based incentives would be developed to promote business in underserved areas for both homeownership and rental properties.

Speaking on behalf of the National Council of LaRaza, Eric Rodriguez said, “Latinos have still not recovered from the housing crisis, which sent millions of homes into foreclosure and decimated our communi-

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

ty’s wealth. In order to rebuild assets for Hispanic families, this legislation must, above all, ensure access to affordable credit for low-and-middle income families, which will help build stronger neighborhoods and support our national economy.”

Rodriguez’s concerns are also true for millions of Black families who, like many Hispanic ones, were targeted and sold high-cost, predatory mortgages that resulted in foreclosures and lost wealth. Earlier CRL research found that these two communities of color bore the brunt of lost family wealth during the housing crisis.

A new policy brief from the Urban Institute concludes that these racial disparities in mortgage lending are still continuing.

The Urban Institute wrote, “While all borrowers lost household equity in the Great Recession and are now feeling the crunch of tightening credit, minority borrowers may feel it most. Many of these minority borrowers received the kind of predatory mortgages now forbidden under the Dodd-Frank Act... Now, strict credit standards and lowered FICO scores due to missed payments or foreclosure prevent many (Continued on page 17)

Saturday, March 29, 2014

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EDUCATION

Women’s History Month means innovation for ComEd Because the region can benefit from having a more diverse, balanced and competitive workforce, ComEd is encouraging young women and girls to explore opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Women make up 47 percent of the U.S.

leaders who are shaping the future through leadership and innovation in environmental science, health care and technology, including: Nancy Joseph-Ridge, M.D., head of global development, Takeda Pharmaceuticals; Robin Graham, Ph.D., ecologist, deputy associate director, Ar-

tial.

“ComEd has been an ardent advocate for education and an active supporter of STEM-related programs for decades,” said Anne Pramaggiore, president and CEO, ComEd. Empowering the next generation of trailblazers and innovators, including

been part of our DNA,” said Vicki King, vice president of Partnerships, Alliances and Girl Initiatives es, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana. “From offering opportunities for young women to expand their skill sets and introducing them to new experiences in engineer-

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH featured Girls Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana in ComEd’s digital advertising campaign, ComEd president and CEO Anne Pramaggiore, and Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana VP of Partnerships, Alliances and Girl Initiatives, Vicki King. workforce, yet only hold 24 percent gonne National Laboratory; An- women and girls, is just one of the ing programs like LEGO Robotics, of jobs in STEM-related fields ac- drea Sreshta, M.Arch., co-founder, ways that we are partnering with the conservation or financial literacy, we cording to the U.S. Department of LuminAID Lab; and award-win- communities we serve. This effort support STEM experiences relevant ning journalist, Marion Brooks. aligns with ComEd perfectly, as we to everyday life.”

Commerce. are constantly seeking and fostering Accomplished astrophysicist and In honor of Women’s History Brooks moderated the panel.

ComEd also launched a digital ad- innovation to improve our opera- the Adler Planetarium’s first female Month, ComEd and the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest vertising campaign to inspire young tions to help create a stronger, more president and CEO, Michelle B. Larson, Ph.D., added, “Astronomy and Indiana celebrated women in inno- women to unleash their innate tal- sustainable future.”

“Equipping girls with the experi- space science provide a rich arena to vation at the Adler Planetarium re- ents – or “superpowers” in the scicently with prominent Chicago-area ences – and achieve their full poten- ences and tools to excel has always engage students in discovery made

possible by science, technology, engineering and math. From investigating the wonders of our Universe, to designing the instruments that take us there, the Adler aims to engage and inspire the explorer in us all.”

According to research by Penn Schoen and Berland (PSB), nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of teens have never considered a career in engineering.

In another research study by Girl Scouts of America, only 13 percent of female teens say a STEM-related career would be their first choice. PSB found that 74 percent of teens that considered engineering did so only after being explained the economic benefits and impact they can have on the world.

ComEd also introduced the “Icebox Derby Project,” an initiative that will challenge high school students, including young women, to build an electric car from a recycled refrigerator.

With support from ComEd mentors and its community partners, these student teams will work together to demonstrate how they can unleash their talents and powers to transform a common household appliance into a fully operational car.

Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading competitive energy provider, with approximately 6.6 million customers. ComEd provides service to approximately 3.8 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population.

CSU ‘Essence of An Angel’ honorees discuss single parenting Discussion ranges from succeeding against the odds, work-life balance and raising Black boys on Single Parents Day 2014 When four of the 2014 Chicago State University Essence of An Angel honorees came together for a panel discussion on Single Parent’s Day on March 21 the conversation was far ranging, insightful and even elicited

tears from the honorees and attendees. The conversation, with the honorees Brenda Palms Barber, Executive Founder, North Lawndale Employment Network; Cristina Baines, Manager, Chicago State University Creative and Print Services; CSU student Aundrea Holland, and Lisa Haley Huff, Senior Vice President, PNC Bank (Gwendolyn Mackel Rice, Non Profit Consultant, was not able to attend), was fa-

cilitated by past Essence of An Angel honoree Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Dorothy Brown.

The breakfast is a lead up to the Essence of An Angel Luncheon on April 13 on the CSU campus. The award celebrates the talents and dedication of women who exemplify success and achievement in their careers and devote themselves to making their communities healthier, safer and more inspirational places to live

ATTENDING A RECENT CSU breakfast honoring single parents was (l-r) Dorothy Brown, clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County; Cristina Baines, manager of CSU Creative and Print Services; Aundrea Holland, CSU student; Lisa Haley Huff, senior vice president PNC Bank; Barbara Palms Barber, executive founder North Lawndale Employment Network, and Katéy Assem, executive director of the CSU Foundation. Not pictured is Gwendolyn Mackrel Rice, a non-profit consultant.

10

Saturday, March 29, 2014

ESSENCE OF AN ANGEL honoree Barbara Palms Barber (forefront) answers a question from panel moderator Dorothy Brown, clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court (far right) along with other honorees (l-r) Christiana Baines, Aundrea Holland, and Lisa Haley Huff. The panel convened for Single Parent’s Day. while balancing the commitment of dents will receive The “Essence of An being a parent. Most importantly the Angel” scholarships. The luncheon event raises funds to support single will be held in the CSU Academic mothers who attend CSU and are in Library from noon - 3 p.m. on Sunneed of scholarship assistance. day, April 13, 2014. The event is Presently, over 50 percentage of fe- sponsored by Macy’s, UPS and the male students enrolled at CSU are Chicagoland Regional College Prosingle mothers. This year’s honorees gram (CRCP). Tickets are $75 and bring to 20 the number of women sponsorships opportunities are availleaders and CSU students who have able. The emcee for the event will be received this special recognition.

Dr. Garrard McClendon, Emmy As in past years, three CSU stu(Continued on page 15)

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

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BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Saturday, March 29, 2014

11

ENTERTAINMENT

By Elaine Hegwood Bowen, MSJ

By Raymond Ward SOUL SISTER: FINALLY!....Someone has written the story of Chicago music legends Mavis Staples and The Staple Singers.

I’LL TAKE YOU THERE: Mavis Staples, The Staple Singers and The March Up Freedom’s Highway” (Scribner Publishing; $26.00) by Chicago Tribune Music Columnist Greg Kot, is a book of which Kirkus Reviews says, “A biography that will send readers back to the music of Mavis and the Staple Singers with deepened appreciation and a renewed spirit of discovery.”

This is the untold story of living legend Mavis Staples—lead singer of the Staple Singers and a major figure in the music that shaped the Civil Rights era. Now, in her seventies, Mavis has been a fixture in the music

Steppenwolf and honorary Chair Tarell Alvin McCraney host Gala

ONE NIGHT ONLY: Making their Auditorium Theatre debuts’, 20-time Grammy Award-winner Chick Corea and 18 time Grammy Award-winner Bela Fleck come together for one night only on the Auditorium’s landmark stage, April 5, 2014. Pianist and composer Chick Corea Corea and banjo virtuoso Fleck will delight audiences with their own compositions, including music from their Latin Grammy-winning album “The Enchantment.” Spanning musical genres from jazz, bluegrass, rock, flamenco and gospel, Corea and Fleck offer an array of show-stopping tunes perfect for any audience. Tickets which range in price from $25 to $68, are on sale now and available online at ticketmaster.com/auditorium, by calling 1-800-982ARTS(2787) or at the Auditorium Theatre Box Office located at 50 East Congress Parkway in Chicago.

This weekend, hundreds of Chicago’s young arts supporters will gather for a high-energy evening of music, dancing, cocktails, impressive local cuisine and auction at Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council’s 2014 Red or White Ball to be held on Friday, March 28, 2014.

The signature event for the city’s most active young professionals will be hosted at Chicago’s sleek, contemporary Venue One (1044 W. Randolph St.). Proceeds from the Red or White Ball benefit Steppenwolf for Young Adults, the theater’s nationally recognized arts education program, which annually impacts more than 15,000 students, teachers and families.

Tanya Stanfield, one of the cochairs for this year’s Red or White Ball discussed with the Crusader just why the Ball is significant and important to the Chicago arts community.

“Part of what makes Chicago a vibrant city is its theatre. Steppenwolf goes beyond providing entertainment with Steppenwolf for Young Adults, the theatre’s nationally recognized arts education program,” Stanfield said.

And it’s not a stuffy, old ball like some would think.

“It’s a great way to meet new people and a conduit for becoming more philanthropically involved in the city,” Stanfield added. “Our food and drink partners are kindly donating their best concoctions to the event, so attendees are in for a pretty exclusive and special treat. And of course, there’s dancing!”

The ball features many traditional aspects, in that it is a fundraiser, but according to Stanfield other “extras” makes this year’s event even more special. In addition to a silent auction, there will be a live auction, which should be a unique and slightly competitive experience!

But every year, Steppenwolf has an honorary chair who has made a special mark on the theater. This year is no exception, with ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney, playwright of last year’s “Head of Passes,” who recently received a MacArthur Genius Grant and was named a 2013 Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40

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BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Mavis Staples world for decades. One of the most enduring artists of popular music, she and her family fused gospel, soul, folk and rock to transcend racism and oppression through song. Honing her enormous talent on the Southern gospel circuit of the 1950s, Mavis and the Staple Singers went on to sell more than 30 million records, with message-oriented soul music that became a sound track to the civil rights movement—inspiring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., himself.

Critically acclaimed biographer and Chicago Tribune music critic Greg Kot cuts to the heart of Mavis Staple’s music, revealing the intimate stories of her sixty-year career. From her love affair with Bob Dylan, to her creative collaboration with Prince, to her recent revival alongside Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, this definitive account shows Mavis as you’ve never seen her before. I’ll Take You There was written with the complete cooperation of Mavis and her family. Readers will also hear from Prince, Bonnie Raitt, David Byrne, Marty Stuart, Ry Cooder, Steve Cropper, and many other individuals whose lives have been influenced my Mavis’ talent.

Filled with never-before-told stories, this fascinating biography illuminates a legendary singer and group during a historic period of change in America.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

PASCALE BISHOP, Tanya Stanfield and Janelle Shepard at last year’s event. Photo by Mark Campbell. serving in this capacity. “We are makes a working, professional honored that he agreed to be a theatre thrive. They see plays, part of this event – he represents learn how to watch them with a Chicago’s young professional critical eye and interact with Stepcommunity to a ‘T’,” Stanfield penwolf artists. added.

All of these things are something Stanfield is new to the Steppenthat Stanfield, a Milwaukee nawolf Auxiliary Council but is extive, wish she had while growing cited that she has joined. up.

“I would have jumped at the “I joined the Steppenwolf Auxilchance to be a part of it!” iary Council at the urging of a friend in 2013, and it was a great If you would like to learn more experience, and I love our memabout the Red or White Ball bers. They are some of the most and/or the work of Steppenwolf ’s passionate and engaging people Auxiliary Council, call 312-654I’ve ever met.”

5623.

Arts education is important for students, but these programs are always the first ones to be cut. “I am a big believer in a well-rounded, holistic education. Young people are eager to express themselves in various ways and to learn more about the world outside of books and the classroom,” Stanfield said.

“Arts education provides that much-needed outlet.”

Funds raised at the Red or White Ball will provide an opportunity for teens to get up close and personal with everyone who

Scan this QR (quick response) code to be taken to the Chicago Crusader’s web site. www.chicagocrusader.com

ENTERTAINMENT

THE BOOKWORM SEZ ‘The White House for Kids: A History of a Home, Office, and National Symbol’

By Katherine L. House c.2014, Chicago Review Press $16.95 / $18.95 Canada 139 pages Your parents grumble a lot about politics.

They don’t like who’s in charge of certain departments. They’re upset about laws and regulations, and they worry about taxes and the economy. You want to be a good citizen, too, so you remind them to vote.

If you lived in the White House, you’d change those things your parents grumble about. And in the new book, “The White House for Kids” by Katherine L. House, you’ll see what it’s like at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Throughout the 238-year history of the U.S. Presidency, a lot of people have called the White House home – and they usually brought their kids along, too.

Our second President, John Adams, was the first to live at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue when he and his wife Abigail moved into the unfinished building. Later, Thomas Jefferson added East and West wings; John Quincy Adams plant-

ed gardens; central heating was added in the Van Buren era; a telephone was installed during the Hayes administration; and in the late 1940s, the entire White House was renovated down to the ground.

But what’s it like to be a kid in the White House?

It’s interesting, that’s for sure.

One day, when the Cleveland’s nurse took their baby out for fresh air, people crowded around to “kiss and pet Ruth.” Ruth’s mom wasn’t happy, and closed the White House gates. Susan Ford’s senior prom was held in the White House (with permission from Dad, but not with taxpayer dollars). Malia and Sasha Obama have chores to do around the (White) House.

And then there’s the fun!

First Kid Quentin Roosevelt was a mischief-maker, and once shot spitballs at a hallway portrait of Andrew Jackson. Quentin’s father, President Theodore Roosevelt, got Quentin out of bed to clean things up.

Tad Lincoln had a “fort” on the roof of the White House. Alice Roosevelt had a pet snake named Emily Spinach. Charlie Taft’s hand-me-down clothes went to the children of White House employees. Amy Carter had a treehouse that her father designed. And LBJ’s daughter, Lynda Johnson, came up

with a “unique solution to avoid attention”: she wore a disguise!

There’s a lot to like about “The White House for Kids.” But then, there’s much to grit your teeth over, too.

Kids who are interested in our President’s home will learn plenty here. Author Katherine L. House shares tales from many generations

of First Kids, as well as the good and bad of White House life. She offers photos, history of the building, and a broad overview of the important things that happened there.

On the flipside, I found errors in this book, and lengthy sections on government that were too off-topic. I also thought that the “Activi-

ties” here were, to borrow a phrase from its target audience, lame.

And yet, I can’t get over the kidfriendliness of this book, or the plethora of photos, or the abundance of sidebars, and I think children will like it. For curious 10-to15-year-olds, “The White House for Kids” is a book they’ll elect to read.

eta names interim Executive Director Kemati Janice Porter The Board of Directors of eta Creative Arts Foundation recently named Kemati Janice Porter as Interim Executive Director at eta. The appointment follows the resignation of Phillip Thomas who helmed the 43 year old institution for three years. Kemati has been affiliated with eta since 1976, serving under the tutelage of founding members Abena Joan Brown and the late Okoro Harold Johnson.

As Producing Director at eta since 2007, Kemati introduced fresh faces and new creative voices to eta audiences. Credits include works by award-winning playwrights Perri Gaffney (The Resurrection of Alice), Daniel Beatty (Resurrection), Will Power (Flow), Thomas Meloncon (The Tree That Grew Human) and Jackie Alexander (The Legend of Buster Neal) and numerous works by established and emerging playwrights.

“I have been committed to the mission of eta for a very long time,” said Kemati. “And I am honored to www.chicagocrusader.com

continue a legacy of preservation moving forward.”

She serves on the Advisory Committee for the Black Theatre Network.

Kemati earned a B.A. (Honors) in Creative Writing and Advertising from Columbia College Chicago and a MFA, Directing from The Theatre School of DePaul University where she received the Michael Maggio Directing Scholarship. She was awarded an internship and served as Artistic Associate at McCarter Theatre (Princeton, NJ). She returned to McCarter Theatre a year later as the recipient of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG) New Generations Fellowship.

“We are fortunate to have a person of Kemati’s caliber in our midst,” said Mike Lewis, interim board chairman of eta. “Her lengthy and close relationship with eta assures an orderly transition into the future.”

About eta Creative Arts Foundation

She previously served as the Artistic Director of The Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural and Performing Arts Complex in Columbus, OH where she helped develop the Student Theatre Arts Repertory (S.T.A.R.) program.

She served as a lecturer and board member for ArtsLab at Chicago State University where she also taught “Theories in Playwriting.”

Kemati Janice Porter BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

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.

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ARTS AND CULTURE

CMA presents 2014 Black Heritage concert

By Barbara Wright-Pryor Chicago Music Association (CMA), Branch No. 1 of NANM (National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc.), will present the annual Theodore Charles Stone Black Heritage Concert Sunday, March 30, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in the Paul Robeson Theater of South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 South Shore Drive. The concert is dedicated to the memory of longtime CMA members Dorothy Byrd Cressie and Dr. Florence Madison Stith, both of whom died unexpectedly during 2013. Admission is FREE. The 2014 Black Heritage Concert

Thaddeus Tukes will feature Thaddeus Tukes (debut), vibraphone; The Iona Calhoun Ballet; and the Chatham Choral Ensemble (debut), Charles T. Hayes, founder/music director.

CMA members performing on this

year’s concert in addition to conductor/accompanist Hayes are sopranos Ragina Bunton and Dorothy Canady; tenor Kiel Williams (debut); violinists Dolores Diggs (debut) and Lennette Neal (debut); and Robert Fisher, viola; Accompanying the performers are CMA member Stanleigh Jones and Shirley Trissell, pianists.

Thaddeus Tukes, an undergraduate percussion student at the Bienen School of Music of Northwestern University, will play works by Harold Arlen and George Gershwin; The Iona Calhoun Ballet will perform works choreographed by Alvin Ailey and by Iona Calhoun, and The Chatham Choral Ensemble will present works by Black composers/arrangers Moses Hogan, Arnold Sevier, John W. Work, Undine Smith Moore, and Roland Carter.

The annual Black Heritage concerts were begun by Dr. Theodore Charles Stone during his 42-year tenure (1954-1996) as president of CMA. The concerts, by tradition, present works by Black composers, arrangers and choreographers whose works have been historically marginalized and are seldom heard in the music programming presented by classical arts organizations. After Dr. Stone’s death October 17, 1998, the concerts were renamed in his honor.

Chicago Music Association (est.

March 12, 1919) is the founding branch of the National Association

The Chatham Choral Ensemble of Negro Musicians, Inc. (NANM) that was established in Chicago on August 3, 1919 to provide performance venues for classically-trained Black musicians who were traditionally denied access to major concert stages and opera houses nationally.

Today is no exception for musicians of color are yet grossly underrepre-

sented in major orchestras and opera houses throughout the United /States.

Many musicians have been honored at the Black Heritage Concerts including William Warfield, baritone, Etta Moten Barnett, mezzosoprano; and Earl Calloway; tenor

Iona Calhoun Ballet

and music journalist; composers Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, CMA Composer-in-Residence Howard Savage, and Dr. Lena J. McLin; The Asé Trio – Ashley Horne, violin; Elaine Mack, cello; and Stan Ford, piano; music educators Gloria Spencer Brown, Irving Bunton, Dr. Keith Hampton, James (Sid) Hammond, William A. Johnson, Delano O’Banion, Josephine Y. Poelinitz, Janet Fowler Underwood; William B. McClellan; and church musicians Barbara Kelley Griffin, Mark D. Jordan and Mattie L. Robertson. Last year’s honoree was Claudette M. Douglas, CMA Executive Secretary.

All CMA concerts are presented in partnership with the Chicago Park District and the Advisory Council of South Shore Cultural Center. Secured parking is available in the South Shore Cultural Center lots at $1.25 per hour. For more information, call 773-721-3210.

The Hyde Park-Kenwood Chapter of Lyric Opera of Chicago will present Henry Fogel, Dean of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University in “Getting their Start in Chicago” at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at the Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th Street, Room 801. Pre-paid members and students are admitted FREE; Regular members - $15; non-member-$20.

Refreshments will NOT be served.

The Logan Café is open for service near the main entrance. For further information, contact Claude Weil at (773) 248-3954 or email CMWeil@aol.com.

THE PATRICK G. AND SHIRLEY W. RYAN Opera Center 2013-14 ensemble will perform with members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra in works of Adams, Bizet, Copland, Donizetti, Gershwin, Gounod, Händel, Lehár, Massenet, Mozart, Ravel, Stravinsky, and Walton on Saturday, March 29, at 7:30 p.m. in the Civic Opera House. “Rising Stars in Concert” is presented annually in celebration of a successful year of study and performance for the up-andcoming artists. This performance is for subscribers only and is NOT open to the public. The local broadcast of the performance will be aired on 98.7 WFMT at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 30, 2014. WFMT’s chief announcer Peter Van de Graaff and Lyric’s dramaturg Roger Pines will serve as host and commentator respectively.

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Saturday, March 29, 2014

(Continued from page 8) gy and interactive exhibits to bring to life the fascinating stories of the solar system. Visitors can touch actual pieces of the solar system— Mars, the Moon and the asteroids Ceres and Vesta. The Adler is the only place on the planet where you can touch all four under one roof!

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Henry Fogel

An iPad controller allows guests to virtually explore the Sun and its surrounding eight planets. Visitors can get an up-close look at a model of the “Opportunity” Mars Rover and check out updates on current NASA missions. For more information, call 312-922-7827 or visit www.adlerplanetarium.org. www.chicagocrusader.com

SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING

A Moment to Super Size Your Thinking

By Effie Rolfe Balance is essential. Someone stated, “Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” It is crucial you take time for all the important things in your life including you! We spoke about this last year, but here’s another friendly reminder to put aside a portion of each 24 hours precisely for some me time! Broadway actress and singer, Heather Headley recorded a song entitled, Me Time—“I need some me time, Not some you and some I, Just some me time…Just a little bit of free time.” Sometimes it’s ok to be just a bit selfish, especially when it comes to having balance. Because, it’s so easy to spend too much time doing what is right

Effie Rolfe and not enough time doing the right things. God desires that

everyone have a balanced life of prayer, family, friends, rest, exercise, goals and more. In order to do this, you can’t just watch TV, be on Facebook, watching Netflix or talking and texting. An imbalanced schedule equals a lop-sided lifestyle.

Without balance, your focus and foundations are off-center. A balanced life involves taking care of the business in every area of life and not just being busy—which can lead to being unproductive.

Beloved, I wish above all things that you would prosper in health, even as your soul prospers is a good reminder of the Christian life (1 John 1:2). Far too many church folk take pride in being so heavenly minded but not earthly good.

Just as we fail to invite God into our day, too often we forget to

The Crusader Gospel Corner Living Word Christian Center invites business and ministry leaders from across the United States and the world to the 2014 Missions & Marketplace Conference hosted by entrepreneur and global ministry leader Dr. Bill Winston. The conference theme is Leading Through Innovation, and the meeting will be held at Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park on March 26th-28th. More than 1,500 people in business, media, entertainment, education, ministry and government are expected to attend the three-day conference to discuss

ter. This 2014 conference is designed to challenge and provoke leaders and influencers from all spheres of society to think differently about their organizations so that they can lead their companies, churches, and communities to greater productivity, prosperity and social impact.”

The line-up included for Wednesday, March 26th multi-billionaire oil tycoon and businesswoman Folorunso Alakija, named the richest woman in Nigeria by Forbes Magazine in November 2012; Dr. Pat Francis, a multi-millionaire businesswoman, humanitarian, and visionary. Other speakers included Dr. Michele Hoskins, entrepreneur

cert to be one of the greatest of all times. The featured artists includes Stephen Jones, Ade’ Williams, Jerard Woods and Christian Heritage Ensemble, New Beginnings Church of Chicago Praise and Worship Team, Madd Rhythms Tap Dance Company, David L. Davis and more. The celebration will be held at Reva and David Logan Center of the Arts at the University of Chicago, 915 E. 60th Street. Radio personality, Dana Divine will host the event. For more information call 773-504-3448.

Happy Birthday to Arch Bishop Lucius Hall of First Church of Love and Faith who celebrated his special day this past Monday, March 24th at his church. A host of supporters and friends such as Bryant Jones and Chosen, Bernard McKenzie and Anchored Ministries, First Church of Love and Faith Choir and many more stopped by to wish the host of

schedule a few minutes to invest in ourselves. Remember, part of the Golden Rule is to Love thy neighbor as thyself, but I’m convinced the reason we have so many angry and mean people is due to a lack of self-love or no love. It’s impossible to extend love to others when I don’t love myself. The only way I can love you is to love me. Respect for others starts with acknowledging my self worth. Simply put, to have a balanced life is to value the gift of life God has so generously given.

Also, balance means a more productive and healthier lifestyle and habits—eat fruit and veggies instead of donuts and coffee— stay away from carbs, sweets and sugary soft drinks. Reports indicate that walking 15 minutes after a meal can drastically reduce the chance of diabetes as well as control high blood pressure. The good book states that A merry heart does good like a medicine Proverbs 17:22. Recently, a woman testified of being healed of cancer by watching nothing but old episodes of comedy TV shows like ‘I Love Lucy.’ Studies show that some mental illness is

due to narcissism or just plain selfishness. Overall, we must begin to help people be all they can be—we each have a role to help others have a balanced life. As servants in church, if our role is work in the kitchen—instead of fried chicken—let’s bake it instead. This may seem insignificant, but it’s the baby steps that begin the process.

‘Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pains we bear— all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.’ Yes, balance is the key to a healthy life and God’s plan for everyone.

Therefore, we should constantly seek direction from the Holy Spirit whose primary job is to lead and guide into all truth leading to a balanced life. (John 16:13).

Have you taken some ‘me time’ today….your life depends on it? ©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.

CSU ‘Essence of An Angel’ (Continued from page 10) Award winning talk show host, professor, and author. Special guests include R & B singer, Adam Emil, singer Senabella Gill, the Bronzeville Diva and poet Martin Grow.

To purchase tickets, make a donation or become a sponsor please call the CSU Foundation at 773-9953839. Follow the conversation about this event by using the hash tag #essenceofanangel on Twitter, and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChicagoStateUniversityFoundation.

About “Essence of An Angel” Scholarship Luncheon The “Essence of An Angel” Scholarship Luncheon’s purpose is twofold: Celebrate the achievements of women in their professional and personal lives as single mothers, while acknowledging and supporting the impact single mothers have made on CSU and the Chicago community.

Funds raised through the event provide financial support for single mothers attending CSU. Any fulltime CSU student, who is a single mother and meets the grade point average and other criteria, may apply.

Dr. Bill Winston leadership strategies for bringing positive change in their companies, communities and cities based on new ways of thinking about social, economic, and spiritual issues.

“In today’s challenging times, leaders must think differently, believe differently and act differently in order to lead their organizations, companies, ministries and communities to the next level of effectiveness and success. And innovation is the key,” said Dr. Winston. “Someone wrote that innovation is a new way of doing things that results in a positive change and makes life betwww.chicagocrusader.com

Folorunso Alakija and CEO of Michele Foods, Dr. Dennis Kimbro, well-known author and educator whose research documents how successful and wealthy people think differently and Dr. Deena Marie Carr, Author, Economist and TV Host of Finance: According to Your Faith.

Apostle Mary Trout Carr and the Christian Heritage Training Center present their annual musical celebration with a powerful musical experience “Power to Break the Chains.”

The ministry is anticipating the con-

Lucius Hall the Broadcast Ministers Alliance TV Show happy birthday. You can visit Archbishop Hall and First Church of Love and Faith at 2141 W. 79th Street in Chicago. For more information call 773-224-6800.

About the Chicago State University Foundation The Chicago State University Foundation was chartered in 1967 and incorporated in 1968 as an independent, charitable organization with

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

THE HONORABLE DOROTHY BROWN, Clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court and former Essence of an Angel honoree, directs question to the 2014 EOAA honorees on what it means to be a single parent today. The formal luncheon for EOAA will be held on April 13 on the CSU campus from noon - 3:00 p.m. the sole purpose of soliciting, receiving, and administering private gifts to the Chicago State University. The CSU Foundation is committed to “helping one student at a time” by raising funds to support CSU students and programs. www.csu.edu/foundation/

Saturday, March 29, 2014

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HEALTH

Kidney Sundays reaches African American Faith Communities National Kidney Disease Education Program held its Third Annual Nationwide Event

Approximately 6.2 million African American adults in the United States have signs of kidney disease – equal to the population of Tennessee.

African Americans experience the highest rates of kidney failure – rates approximately 3.4 times greater than whites. Two major causes of kidney failure are diabetes and high blood pressure. In fact, 80 percent of new cases of kidney failure among African Americans are due to one of these conditions.

In recognition of National Kidney Month, the National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP), along with the American Diabetes Association’s Live Empowered initiative and Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., a national nursing sorority, hosted the third annual Kidney Sundays event on March 2.

Together with more than 85 AfricanAmerican congregations nationwide, NKDEP and Kidney Sundays sought to: • Help African Americans to gain a better understanding of why kidney disease is a major health concern, • Encourage people at risk to get their kidneys tested, and • Support conversations about kidney disease among families and faith communities.

AFRICAN AMERICAN CONGREGATIONS across the nation participated in “Kidney Sundays” which included kidney health education sessions and blood pressure screening.

“Kidney Sundays goes beyond March 2,” said Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers, Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). “Throughout National Kidney Month, we hope to educate people on the importance of kidney testing and the link between kidney disease and diabetes and high blood pressure. Our goal is to create

healthy, lifelong habits and behavior change, particularly among African Americans.”

Kidney Sundays provides African American congregations with tools and materials, such as an event checklist and health ministry talking points, to help elevate kidney disease as a health issue requiring attention. Congregations will conduct kidney health

education sessions and provide blood pressure screenings.

“We are thrilled to partner with NKDEP on this important initiative,” said Priscilla Murphy, 1st Vice-President of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. “Kidney Sundays is an opportunity for our nurses to directly affect the health of their communities. Through blood pressure screenings and kidney health

presentations, we open the door to a discussion on kidney disease and raise awareness about risk factors.”

NKDEP is a program of the National Institutes of Health. For more information, visit www.nkdep.nih.gov. To download a copy of the image below, visit http://nkdep.nih.gov/pdf/national-kidney-disease-508.pdf.

Parents of Hadiya Pendleton ‘Still Mourning’ (Continued from page 1) 2009, Black teenage boys were eight times as likely to die (and 25 times as likely to be injured) at the barrel of a gun than White teen boys.

Globally, a report released last year by the Institutes of Medicine and the National Research Council finds that the rate of firearm-related homicide is 19.5 times higher than the rates in other industrialized countries.

“Sometimes a person that’s just interested [in reducing gun violence] can be a little more insensitive without knowing they are.

But people who’ve been there— you don’t even have to say certain things,” Nathaniel says.

“—They can look into our eyes and see when we’ve had enough,” Cleopatra adds, finishing his sentence.

Like Ronald Davis and Lucia McBath (Jordan Davis’ parents), and Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton (Trayvon Martin’s parents) before them, the Pendletons join a growing movement of parents who have lost their children in a country that makes it easy for anyone to obtain guns, legally and illegally. The Pendletons are using their still-fresh grief as a platform, telling their story in TIME, The 16

The Newsmaker of the Year Award is awarded to someone who has made significant news in the Black Press during the previous year. Only one person is usually awarded, but an exception was made this year to honor both the Pendletons, and Ronald Davis and Lucia Mcbath for their tireless work on gun control in the wake of their children’s deaths.

And the fight is far from over.

Last April, three key gun control bills—a ban on assault weapons, a ban on high-capacity magazines, and expanded background checks— all died in the Senate, as survivors of re-

cent mass shootings looked on from the Senate gallery. It was perhaps the last opportunity for the Obama administration to legislate gun control. “[Gun control] is a very real issue for us. Hadiya was just a kid in high school hanging out with her buddies,” Cleopatra says of her daughter, a loved older sister, drum majorette, and honors student who was just beginning to think about her future. “It’s not just those in the element being harmed. [Her death] is like a banner that reads ‘Coming to a Porch Near You.’”

NATHANIEL A. PENDLETON, SR., father of Hadiya Pendleton, speaks about about daughter’s death as his wife, Cleopatra, looks on (NNPA Photo by Roy Lewis).

Chicago Tribune, the Associated grow the organization.

“Us trying to reach and help other Press, MSNBC, and more media outlets in the hopes of spurring at-risk young adults is our way of trying to find some sort of forgivechange.

In addition, the family is launch- ness. In the end, you’ve got to have ing the Hadiya Foundation, a non- some sort of closure,” Nathaniel exprofit that hopes to heal Chicago by plains. “I’m learning to understand creating a community of support the younger generation…the best and embracing at-risk youth. Two way to understand is to try to talk to weeks ago, they received the keys for and interact with them. I’ve learned their new office space; currently, a lot of them just need someone to they are seeking funding and skilled talk to, to vent to. A lot of them are individuals to help actualize and raising themselves.”

Saturday, March 29, 2014

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

www.chicagocrusader.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

HOUSES FOR SALE

(Continued from page 4) (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) due to their experiences of street and domestic violence. We were able to assess the children’s needs and provide therapeutic counseling for their life improvement. Unfortunately, the Sun-Times articles has not reported the breakthroughs and successes this program.

I am not sure from where the article derived the $146,000 amount, because my W-2 forms, received from CAP, for those two years, indicate that I was paid far less than that. Although, I was reimbursed for my expenditures, some of which were used to purchase supplies for the NRI office and some used to feed our children in the program.

If I had been given the opportunity to tell the true story in the article, people would know that I was not given the position because of who I married. The article did not state the many times I gave money to children who said they were eating hot dogs for dinner every night; nor does it mention the many times I bought shoes and clothing for children who were being teased at school for wearing ragged and faded clothes. The article does not mention all the time I spent visiting children’s homes asking parents to allow their children to continue in the program; nor does it tell of the times I spent encouraging parents and guardians who were suf-

fering from ill health, depression or social anxiety because they couldn’t provide for their children as they would like.

It is very condescending for the Sun-Times to imply that a person with my education, and years of experience working with young people as a clinical psychologist, is not eminently qualified to work in my community for my people.

The attack by the Sun-Timesis not only vicious but also misdirected at an African-American couple who continue to have the heart, talent and compassion to try to help right the wrongs that continue to plague the Black community.

Dr. Benton Cook III, Ph.D.

Is now the right time to shake up housing finance?

(Continued from page 9) of these same borrows from can-Americans and Hispanic entering the housing market borrowers dropped respectively despite lower prices.” by 76 and 78 percent; Additionally, the Institute • From 2005 to 2012, the found that: drop in loans for African-Amer• After 2005, the number of icans went from over half a milmortgages purchased by Afri- lion loans to 131,470;

Obama Worse than (Continued from page 5) percent of business owners owned homes in 2012. Research shows that 72.6 percent of Whites own homes, 58.7 percent of Asians, 47.2 percent of Hispanics and 43.8 percent of Blacks.

Clearly, a number of factors contribute to whether Blacks own their own businesses.

The SBA must play of stronger role in opening the doors for Blacks, not just “minorities.”

dia coach. Curry can be reached through his website, www.georgecurry.com. You can also follow him at www.twitter.com/currygeorge and George E. Curry Fan Page on Facebook.

HELP WANTED

George E. Curry, former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine, is editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA.) He is a keynote speaker, moderator, and me-

• The decline for Hispanic consumers during these same years dropped from 986,206 to less than 250,000; and • By comparison, loans to non-Hispanic white and Asian borrowers declined by only 56 and 59 percent.

In short, while the overall housing market continues to improve, the consumers hit hardest by the financial decline are still being left out of the recovery.

As CRL’s Calhoun has said, “With a fragile housing market, it does raise questions about whether this is the time to shake the whole thing up.”

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

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SPORTS

Chicago Public League continues basketball dominance at state tournament

By J. Coyden Palmer Even with all the controversy this past season surrounding Public League teams involved in wake of an academic scandal at Curie and others

CPS school, Marshall in 2008. Also this year Orr finished in third place in Class 3A. Morgan Park Coach Nick Irvin said the victories are a testament to the hard work put in by coaches and

The Mac Irvin Fire is known as one of the best in the United States.

“I think in CPS we are blessed with kids who have a lot of natural talent and their passion for the game starts when they are young,” Irvin said. “It’s

MEMBERS OF THE Irvin family pose with the Class 3A state championship trophy this past weekend in Peoria. From (l to r) Byron, Lance, Mike, Nick and McGlother Irvin. disciplined for breaking other IHSA players and the emphasis that is a sport that is played when kids are rules, Morgan Park and Whitney placed on basketball in the city. very young and all of their friends Young still won the Class 3A and 4A “I think Chicago has the best high play. My family and I love the sport as championships this past weekend in school basketball teams in the coun- well, but I really love just working Peoria. For Morgan Park they repeat- try hands down,” Irvin said. “There with the kids. It’s my passion in life as ed as champions with a 59-49 win is a reason why colleges come to our well. The best part for me is being able over Lincoln, while Young was able to city and area to recruit for their to share it all with my brothers, sister, hold on to a 46-44 victory over Benet teams. The culture of high school mom and other family members and Academy. basketball here is known around the continue the legacy of my pops.”

The victories show just how domi- world.”

Over at Young, Tyrone Slaughter nate CPS teams are in basketball.

Irvin knows best as his late father won his second state title. His first tiThree weeks ago Young’s girls basket- McGlother “Mac” Irvin, who passed tle came in 2009 and featured ball team also won the state champi- away in 2012, was nicknamed the Michael Jordan’s son Marcus as the onship making the Dolphins only “Godfather” of Chicago basketball. star player. Since that time Slaughter the third school in history to win the He was responsible for creating what has built one of the best programs in state championship in both boys and are now travel basketball programs, the area. This year’s team features Mcgirls basketball in the same season. which around the country feature the Donald’s All American Jahlil Okafor The last school to do so was another best players from an area on one team. (Duke) along with complementary

WHITNEY YOUNG GIRLS basketball team members and cheerleaders are all smiles their recent Class 4A state championship victory in Normal, Il. The girls’ victory was followed by a boys’ team state victory making the school the first with the boys and girls teams won the state title. www.chicagocrusader.com

players Paul White (Georgetown) and Miles Reynolds (St. Louis). The Dolphins won the city title after Curie was disqualified for using ineligible players.

“I think for us playing in the Public League, where every game is pretty much a dog fight it prepares us for when we have to go downstate,” Slaughter said. “We place so much emphasis on winning the city title a few weeks before state starts, I think it gives us the mentality they need to become successful at the state tournament. We also play in competitive Thanksgiving and Christmas tournaments.”

Since the IHSA went to a four class system in basketball during the 200708 season, the Public League has won the Class 4A title every year except the first year. This was the first year

the Public League won both the 3A and 4A in the same year.

Former CPS Director of Sports and Extracurricular Activities Calvin Davis, now the athletic director at Proviso West, said what the Public League accomplishes in basketball is something the district should be very proud of. He said while he was at CPS some people would focus on how the other sports were non-competitive, mainly how city teams never won a state title in football or baseball. Davis said while that was true, it should never take away the city’s dominance in basketball.

“To accomplish what they have in basketball is truly something that should be recognized and celebrated,” said Davis, who himself starred in basketball at Dunbar.

THE DOLPHINS OF Whitney Young High School compiled a 29-5 record this season, including a 60-44 victory over Rolling Meadows to take the state title.

A WHITNEY YOUNG player, Khaalia Hillsman is overcome with joy as the seconds wind down and she is assured her team is the state champion.

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