Special Issue Black History Month
BREAKING NEWS? CALL TO REPORT@
REAL TALK, REAL ISSUES, REAL SOLUTIONS
206-426-6715 INSIDE: Pg. 5
Things That Don’t Make Sense About the Economy
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Your Health Alcohol Are you killing yourself?
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How We Can Build the Economy
Pg. 14 Events
PA R K E R ’ S P L A N T O G R OW O U R LOCAL ECONOMY
Unity in Action Magazine is an independent run paper. Views expressed may not be reflective of the publication, advertisers, or others in the publication. All rights reserved. Patent Pending.
P.O. Box 7764 Champaign, IL 61826 contact@ unityinactionmagazine.com
Help Us Raise Our Last
$10,000. If everyone gives, we can do it!
How WE CAN grow our local economy?
VOTE MARCH 18
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Unity Performing Arts & Career Center unitypacc.org Every child should be able to take dance classes. No parent wants to say I can’t afford it. Tanya Parker has dedicated the past 13 years to improving our beautiful, multi-cultural city. She grew up in Garden Hills, attended BT Washington Magnet School, Edison Middle School, Central High School, parent, and the University of Illinois where she was a Fighting Illini Illinette Dance Team Co-Captain. “I decided to stay in the community that I loved the most; to help build better communities. I noticed that there were gaps, so I design programs to fill them” explains Parker. “I accepted the challenge of designing a community development Initiative that cities can use to build strong healthy families and communities.” Parker designed a 5 times award winning plan. Parker’s Plan philosophies were used to design over 100 Million dollars in grant for UC2B, Access Initiative, Summer Construction Program and more. The floor to ceiling community-wide effort has made many positive impacts on our community and the nation. We have a unique opportunity to have the first home for Unity Performing Arts and Career Center in Urbana, IL. We are less than 5 miles from the University of Illinois campus area and across town of Parkland College. Help us raise money to get out doors open. This is a chance for us to try our vision in its full capacity to see how we can continue to improve our community. Thank you in advance, stay in touch: contact@unityinactionmagazine.com.
WHAT THE SPACE HOPES TO OFFER? Dance Studio Banquet Center Job Training/Lecture Room Computer WiiFi Counseling Life Coaching Healthy Food Deli Theater/Music Production Training Video Production Training Seminars Community Resource Space
Unity Performing Arts and Career Center P.O. Box 531 Urbana, IL 61803
: @UPACC : @UnityPACC For questions contact: 217-298-2177
IT’S TIME TO VOTE!
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START EDUCATING YOURSELF TODAY ABOUT WHO IS RUNNING IN YOUR LOCAL ELECTIONS. Stop what you are doing and research who is running. THIS IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT! Ask for help if you need it? Call the County Clerk Office or the library. Know who you are voting for. Don’t get this wrong. SHARE WITH EVERYONE!! They
know everything about you anyway, so vote! People died for the right to vote. You have it freely use it.
MARCH 18th, 2014
https://www.champaigncountyclerk.com/
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PUBLISHER THOUGHTS
“WE HAVE TO TELL OUR STORIES TO HELP Founder and Publisher of Unity in Action CREATE LASTING POSITIVE Magazine, Member of Champaign County Workforce Development Board, CC Youth CHANGE.” Tanya Parker
“I
have been very busy. Recently, I added a Licensed Illinois Insurance Sales Agent and a radKIDS Certified Trainer! GBMS Insurance is a great choice for me. Everyone knows I love to support families. As a licensed Insurance agent, GBMS Insurance Puts Your Family First. We understand how important it is to have good health insurance. We want to help you explore your options. I attended 40 hours of training to become a certified radKIDS instructor. radKIDS is a violence prevention training for youth ages 5-12. We teach kids how to protect themselves against violence. and harm.
COMMITTED TO SERVING OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1925. Proud Sponsor of Unity in Action Magazine 704 N Hickory St Champaign, IL 61820 (217) 398-4227
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Council, Philosopher for UC2B, ACCESS Initiative and CUAccess, Executive Director of Unity Performing Arts and Career Center, first college-grad from hometown University of Illinois, Bachelor of Arts in Economics, former IIlinette.
The political environment brings to the light the negative stereotypes and perceptions of black people that many in power still hold. In regards to history, we have to think about the psychological effect of our past experiences on our lives today. Clearly, racism is still strong in America. It is not just against blacks, but poor too. What we can’t do is continue to ignore that it exists because, WE are all in this together! When someone decides not to hire someone because they are black, that equals to one more unemployed. It is clear the crisis in the justice system, banking industry, media, entertainment, housing, and some members of the House of Representatives and other political posters during the Obama Era have been found to be a racial discrimination cancer on the community. In Regards to the War on DrugsWhere is the funds to rebuild the war torn area that has been impacted by your war? On the streets, the War on Drugs is the biggest trap and lie. We watch celebrities sent to
resorts for rehab, several times; meanwhile we have our fathers going to go to jail for a lesser crime. There are too many tears to ignore. The children are affected the most. The biggest issue today is that it continues to intricate into the daily life for African-American people in America. It is to the point that people live in fear, loose hope, and drive. People are still afraid to speak up. The daily injustices continue, because history has shown us that nothing will be done about it. The stories from the past sound similar to the stories of the present, thus history is standing still on the issue of racism. These stories need to be told, heard, and empathized to create a change. As African-American people we have to start report injustices to the news. WE ARE YOUR NEWS!” SHARE YOUR STORY
Big Boy in CU area: In 2005,
“My mom came to visit me in jail. She is disabled, weighs over 260 lbs. They anal and vagina searched her for drugs, though she was not able to have a contact visit. She never came back to see me. That was hard on me while in jail.”
Things that don’t make sense about the economy.
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By Tanya Parker
Affects of Our History
By Tanya Parker My grandmother lived in the Champaign, IL area for over 60 years.
In her lifetime she experienced from slavery to 2011. She even had to help steal her cousin off a plantation. That was the only law she ever broke. She was a saint. giver, and caretaker for the community.
Things that don’t make sense about the economy have to consider the affects of black history today. It was a national effort just 50 years ago to practice racism. Those people and their stories still live through us.
With the stories continuing and no positive ending, people start to loose trust in the system and start to adapt to the injustice. As a result, we have many extended This is very unhealthy for our families that have worked together to community. Thus, we must help each other through hard times. work to improve the system of We shared stories about daily life. things in our economic process. Eventually, you learn a pattern in the stories.
For example, everyone with a felony that gets hired at a certain business gets fired between 4-6 months after being hired. Why? The business got their tax credit and incentives, then fired the new hire. After a while, you notice the injustices in our systems are wide spread, deliberate and many times racist. Nearly every black community is in same condition. Then you wonder. Did Jim Crow’s plan work?
It should be no suprise that racism is still in our system. We just have to work through it, remembering to “love thy neighbor.”
HOUSING. Paying $600 per month for rent, but getting turned down for a home loan for $300 per month mortgage. Problem: The banking system keeps reminding us that they are not really on our side. As soon as home prices dropped, the credit score requirements went up making it harder for struggling Americans to buy a home. In a college town like Champaign-Urbana rent prices on-campus are rising prices off-campus.
The prices are outrageous. Most of the children that attend the University of Illinois are from other large cities or EMPLOYMENT: Racial from overseas. They can discrimination is more prevelant afford the high rent, but the than gender discrimination hard-working families in the and nothing is being done community can NOT. about it. If you are racially discriminated against at work or on the streets there is one thing UTILITIES: Lights, gas, and water bills are continuing to that experience has taught us. It is interesting to think about how They are going to cover it up, it rise. At the same time wages media plays a role in the negative won’t get properly investigated, aren’t. It is as if having lights perception of blacks. After all, in your house is a luxury. But, and you can’t find a good racism is about perception. Most it is not! blacks do NOT identify with anything attorney in your town that will fight for you. on television, besides Tyler Perry. You have to have lights on in Not even Mary Jane. Where they do PRICES RISE EVERY YEAR, order to keep your kids. That that at? makes it essential. That is, if BUT WAGES DON’T: This We don’t even let our children listen simply don’t make sense. The you are living in a house with to the music on the black radio economy would do better if no lights or running water they stations. Rap and Hip/Hop are filled people had more money to may take your kids to DCFS with negativity. BLACK PEOPLE spend. You have to scratch the saying that you are an unfit DON’T LIKE IT EITHER!! It is no back that scratches yours. parent. secret why media showed up on the list of systems that don’t make sense.
Young blacks have the highest unemployment and highest incarceration rate. It is clear that many boys are selling drugs to make enough money to support their family. We can’t raise minimum wage, instead we need to create more opportunities for people to make more money. How are CEO’S getting millions in bonus money, while other’s in their business network make minimum wages? Instead, give it away like one CEO. Lenovo CEO Yang Yuanqing Shares $3.25 Million Bonus With Employees. NOW THAT is a “Love Thy Neighbor” thang!
CU AREA, Did your know? 400 YOUTH ARE IN FOSTER CARE. 300 HOMELESS CHILDREN IN CHAMPAIGN
unityinactionmagazine.com
Your Health
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217-721-5533
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ARTIST OF YEAR “MISS BRI�
GOES WORLDWIDE Miss Bri has a hold on her DREAM! Breaking through the local music scene, she has fans across America. Her distinguished flow is pure talent. She may be describe as freestyle master, producer, and graphic designer Miss Bri has held on to her dream and is doing the work to make it a REALITY!
Recently signed to Waka Flocka Flame MISS BRI is moving to the top.
@Missbrionline Social Media Links:
facebook.com/missbrionline twitter.com/missbrionline youtube.com/missbrionline reverbnation.com/missbrionline http://bossgameentertainment.com/artists/miss-bri/
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Abduction
As estimated 797.500 children are reported missing each year. In 40 percent of stereotypical kidnapping cases, the child was killed.
Bullying
Last year 10,000 children stayed home from school at least once a month fearing bullies and half the children surveyed were bullied weekly.
Sexual Assault Child Abuse There is one sex offender for every square mile in the United States. A typical molester will abuse 30-60 children before they are arrested.
896,000 children were determined to be victims of child abuse and neglect. That is one child every 35 SECONDS.
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PARKER’S PLAN: “My biggest concern about history, is the story we are writing today. Whether we decide to work together to build America, or let race and politics divide us.“
HOW WE CAN GROW OUR LOCAL ECONOMY? By Tanya Parker GOD provides all the answers. Yes, I believe the answer is in his instruction to “Love Thy Neighbor”. This symbolizes the level of unity, love, and respect we should have of each other. Simple gestures such as giving someone with a felony a chance at a management job. A small business often fails due to lack of resources. We will meet the business where they are and support their growth with a customized approach.
WE WILL GROW THE ECONOMY AND OFFER A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION.
SUPPORT unitypacc.org SOCIAL MARKETING
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BOOKKEEPING
Just dump your receipts on us, we will organize it. Publisher, Tanya Parker BA Economics, University of IllinoisUrbana
EVENT PLANNING
Don’t have time to plan it, but you want it to be inexpensive and amazing...we got you!
PROMOTION SERVICE
We will make sure your flyer gets around town! You have new and small business owners struggling to compete due to limited resources. We can help them, and they can help us train our workforce. You have low-skilled, under-employed workforce of students that need a transitional job opportunity to make money while they learn, build a resume, and achieve an optimal stable employment opportunity. Unity Performing Arts and Career Center wants to help businesses and students reach their goals. “OUR SMALL BUSINESSES NEED SUPPORT. WE ARE HERE TO HELP THEM, IN-EXCHANGE WE CAN HELP TRAIN FUTURE WORKERS!”
GRAPHIC DESIGN SUPPORT Need an attractive flyer?
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APRIL ISSUE CHILD ABUSE Stone may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
Words hurt too.
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EVENTS Champaign-Urbana Area - Submit your event to contact@unityinactionmagazine.com Pg. 14
Friday, February 28 10:00am – 11:00am – Finale: Black History Program: The 2014 State of the Youth Address – An Examination of Successes, Failures, and Future Goals for Our Students at Central High School, 610 W. University, C. in the Decker Theater. 7:00pm – The University of Illinois Academy of African American Arts, where rich creative expression is cultivated and mentored, presents its Spring Performance - A Love Letter in the Lincoln Hall Theater, 702 S. Wright St., U. Tickets: $5.00 Saturday, March 1 8:00am – 1:00pm – 2014 Mega Work-A-Thon Fundraising Event at empty tomb, 301 N. Fourth St., C. where Church volunteers will be repairing homes, delivering furniture, building 25 clothes cupboards, and reading the Gospel of John with children of the community as invited guests. For more information, contact Shannon Cook at coor@emptytomb.org or 217-356-2262 or go to the website at www.emptytomb.org. Sunday, March 2 TBD – U of I Women’s Basketball vs. Iowa at the State Farm Center, 1800 S. First St., C. Last regular season game for Senior Guard Amber Moore! Monday, March 3 FIRST DAY for early voting at the Champaign County Clerk Office, 1776 E. Washington, U. or any location designated for early voting. 5:30pm – City of Champaign Human Relations Commission 6:00pm – 10:00pm – Blues Monday at American Legion Post 559, 704 N. Hickory, C. 7:00pm – Urbana City Council Meeting Tuesday, March 4 7:00pm – 9:00pm - Community Cinema Film Screening and discussion of The Trials of Mu-
hammad Ali at Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory, U. The Trials of Muhammad Ali covers the famed boxer’s toughest bout of all: his battle to overturn the five-year prison sentence he received for refusing U.S. military service. The film explores Ali’s exile years when he was banned from boxing and found himself in the crosshairs of conflicts concerning race, religion, and wartime dissent. 7:00pm – Champaign City Council Meeting 7:30pm – Urbana School Board Meeting Thursday, March 6 – Sunday, March 9 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN. Thursday, March 6 7:0pm – 9:00pm – Speak Café at the Krannert Art Museum, 500 E. Peabody, C. Theme: Ain’t I A Woman. 7:00pm – 9:00pm - Pray the Devil Back to Hell film at the Women’s Resources Center, 703 S. Wright St., C. 2nd floor which chronicles the remarkable story of the courageous Liberian women who came together to end a bloody civil war and bring peace to their shattered country. Thousands of women — ordinary mothers, grandmothers, aunts and daughters, both Christian and Muslim — came together to pray for peace and then staged a silent protest outside of the Presidential Palace. Armed only with white T-shirts and the courage of their convictions, they demanded a resolution to the country’s civil war. Their actions were a critical element in bringing about an agreement during the stalled peace talks. A story of sacrifice, unity and transcendence, Pray the Devil Back to Hell honors the strength and perseverance of the women of Liberia. 7:15pm – 9:00pm Champaign County NAACP Meeting, 200 W. Green St.,C.
Friday, March 7 12noon – Friday Forum at the University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright St., C. TBD with Adolfo Hernandez, Director, Chicago Office of New Americans. Saturday, March 8 10:00am – 11th Annual Finer Womanhood Awards Breakfast, sponsored by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.’s Champaign –Urbana Graduate Chapter where they will award Resilience Scholarships to Champaign County area high school graduates and University of Illinois and surrounding area undergraduate scholars. For more information, contact Mrs. Gayle Jeffries, Resilience Scholarship Chair at 217-398-2109 or at g-jeffries@hotmail.com or Geraldine Peeples, Finer Awards Breakfast Chair and Pearls of Wisdom Committee Chair at 217-351-0868 or at peoples@illinois.edu. Sunday, March 9 – DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS 2:00am – DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS: Turn clock ahead to 3:00am. 5:00pm – Youth Evening Service (Y.E.S.) at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 401 E. Park St., C. Monday, March 10 12noon – North First Street Association Meeting at Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance, 302 N. First St. C. 6:00pm – Champaign School Board Meeting 6:00pm – 10:00pm – Blues Monday at American Legion Post 559, 704 N. Hickory, C. 7:00pm – Urbana City Council Meeting Tuesday, March 11 7:00pm – Champaign City Council Meeting Wednesday, March 12 5:30pm – City of Urbana Human Relations Commission Meeting
Thursday, March 13 LAST DAY for grace period registration and grace period voting at the Champaign County Clerk Office, 1776 E. Washington, U. and the LAST DAY for the county clerk’s office to receive an application for an absentee ballot. Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15 – U of I Engineering Open House at 1308 W. Green St., U. For more information, email eoh@ec.illinois.edu. Friday, March 14 12noon – Friday Forum at the University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright St., C. Domestic Microfinance, Credit Unions, and Payday Loans with a panel featuring Robin Greiner of Accion Chicago. More panel speakers to be announced. Saturday, March 15 LAST DAY for early voting at the Champaign County Clerk Office, 1776 E. Washington, U. or any early voting location. 10:00am – 12noon – St. Luke C.M.E. Church Food Pantry & Computer Lab open at 809 N. Fifth St., Ch. Bring a flash drive if you want to save your work.* Sunday, March 16 3:00pm – Pastoral Installation Service for Rev. Steve Gilbert, new Pastor of the Faith Covenant Tabernacle Baptist Church, 619 N. Walnut, Danville. The installation will be held at New Life Church of Faith, 1419 N. Bowman Ave., Danville. Monday, March 17 6:00pm – 10:00pm – Blues Monday at American Legion Post 559, 704 N. Hickory, C. 7:00pm – Urbana City Council Meeting
Tuesday, March 18 – Remember to Vote!!
NEWS
courtrooms and prisons, giving gay JIMMY CARTER SAYS NO and lesbian spouses the same rights TO DEATH PENALTY. as married couples even in states that don’t recognize such unions. In an interview timed to an American Bar Association Also, IRS tax law changes have symposium on the death penalty helped fight fraud. Your tax preparJimmy Carter says “In complete Changes like a move to shorten pris- er is not being noisy, she is following honesty, when I was governor on sentences of nonviolent criminals, the law. They are catching people [of Georgia] I was not nearly as went after the nation’s largest banks that are carrying other people kids. concerned about the unfairness for fraud, sued states to block laws of the application of the death that would make voting more difficult ARE THE SCHOOLS penalty as I am now. I know much for minorities, and signaled plans to BETTER SINCE THE more now. I was looking at it from bar federal agents from considering CONSENT DECREE a much more parochial point of religion, national origin, gender or view – I didn’t see the injustice of ENDED? sexual orientation in investigations. it as I do now.” Many community residents would disagree. What do you think? Just this month, he called upon states Across the country, especially to scrap laws preventing ex-convicts Share your story. in the South blacks, poor and from voting, and issued a directive 206-426-6715 mentally ill are more likely to expanding government recognition contact@ receive the death penalty. of same-sex marriages to federal unityinactionmagazine.com
ERIC HOLDER, THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN US ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS MORE GOOD LAW CHANGES IN ORDER.
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PETITION FOR SAFE CHICKEN 3 women from Houston, Texas are fighitng to get Congress to KEEP CHINESE CHICKEN OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS AND SUPERMARKETS! Bettina Siegel, Nancy Huehnergarth and Barbara Kowalcyk from Houston, Texas used Change.org to start an online petition. You can read about Chinese chicken processors history of poor food safety standards. According to their petition rats, poison, and more contaminents were found in chicken that was made in America shipped to China. Then shipped back to the United States for consumption in schools and grocery stores. Change.org
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