may 2011 issue

May 2011 www.thepositivecommunity.com $2.95

G O O D N E W S F R O M T H E C H U R C H A N D C O M M U N I T Y

Staying Strongin the FightAgainst Lupus

Brenda Blackmon

Special SectionsFocus on HealthNJ AfricanAmerican HeritageParade & Festival

Dr. Robert L. JohnsonFrom Student to Dean

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Best Kept SecretsThe Message is in

the Music

Staying Strongin the FightAgainst Lupus

Brenda Blackmon

Special SectionsFocus on HealthNJ AfricanAmerican HeritageParade & Festival

Dr. Robert L. JohnsonFrom Student to Dean

at UMDNJ

Best Kept SecretsThe Message is in

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Parenting 101. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Gospel Train . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

In the Spirit & Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

The Way Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

The Last Word. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Sections

27COVER STORY: BRENDA BLACKMON ON GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS

HEALTHDepression: What We Teach Our Children. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11From Student to Dean: UMDNJ’s Robert L. Johnson. . . . . . . . 17Dealing with Grief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

SPECIAL ADVERTORIAL SECTIONAfrican American Heritage Parade Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

MONEYWhere Does Our Money Go? . . . . . . . 47Higher Ground: Executives Named . . . 50

EDUCATIONArea Students Compete in NAACP’s ACT-SO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54Morehouse Honors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

CULTUREBKS Teams with YWCA and Uses Music to Fight Domestic Violence . . . . 65Harlem 4 Japan Benefit concert . . . . . 73

GREENThe State of U.S. Air Quality . . . . . . . . 79

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and businesses should subscribe to and advertise in The Positive Community. Please support this magazine, the only one

that features good news about the black community.”—Rev. Buster Soaries, General Baptist Revival, May 20, 2010

C ALLOLLRAbyssinian B.C., Harlem, NYRev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III, Pastor

Antioch Baptist Church., Brooklyn, NYRev. Robert M. Waterman, Pastor

Archdiocese of New YorkBrother Tyrone Davis, Office of Black Ministry

Berean B.C., Brooklyn, NYRev. Arlee Griffin Jr., Pastor

Bethany B.C., Brooklyn, NYRev. Dr. David Hampton, Pastor

Bethany B.C., Newark, NJ.Rev. Dr. M. William Howard, Pastor

Beulah Bible Cathedral Church, Newark, NJGerald Lydell Dickson, Senior Pastor

Black Ministers Council of NJRev. Reginald T. Jackson, Exec. Director

Calvary Baptist Church, Garfield, NJRev. Calvin McKinney, Pastor

Canaan B. C. of Christ, Harlem, NYRev. Thomas D. Johnson, Pastor

Childs Memorial COGIC, Harlem, NYBishop Norman N. Quick, Pastor

Christian Cultural Center, Brooklyn, NYRev. A.R. Barnard, Pastor

Christian Love B.C., Irvington, NJRev. Ron Christian, Pastor

Community B.C., Englewood, NJRev. Dr. Lester Taylor, Pastor

Community Church of God, Plainfield, NJRev. Dr. Shirley B. Cathie., Pastor Emeritus

Concord B.C., Brooklyn, NYRev. Dr. Gary V. Simpson, Pastor

Convent Avenue Baptist Church, NewYork, NYRev. Dr. Jesse T. Willams, Pastor

Empire Missionary B.C., Convention NYRev. Washington Lundy, President

Fellowship Missionary B.C., Newark, NJRev. Kippie C. Brown, Pastor

First AME Zion Church, Brooklyn, NYDr. Darran H. Mitchell, Pastor

First B.C. of Lincoln Gardens, Somerset NJRev. Dr. DeForest (Buster) Soaries, Pastor

First Baptist B.C. of Teaneck, NJRev. Marilyn Monroe Harris, Pastor

First Bethel Baptist Church, Newark, NJH. Grady James III, Pastor

First Park Baptist Church, Plainfield, NJRev. Rufus McClendon, Jr., Pastor

Friendship Baptist Church, Harlem, NYRev. James A. Kilgore, Pastor

General Baptist Convention, NJRev. Dr. Guy Campbell, President

Grace B. C., Mt. Vernon, NYRev. Dr. Franklyn W. Richardson, Pastor

Greater Allen Cathedral, Queens, NYRevs. Floyd and Elaine Flake, Co-Pastors

Greater New Hope Missionary B.C., NYCRev. Joan J. Brightharp, Pastor

Greater Zion Hill B.C., Harlem, NYRev. Dr. Frank J. Blackshear, Pastor

Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI)Lucille McEwen, President & CEO

It Is Well Living Ministries, Clark, NJRev. Kahlil Carmichael, Pastor

Metropolitan B.C., Newark, NJRev. Dr. David Jefferson, Pastor

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Mother A.M.E. Zion Church, HarlemRev. Dr. Gregory Robeson Smith, Pastor

Mt. Calvary United Methodist Church,Harlem, NY

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Mt. Pisgah B.C., Brooklyn, NYRev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, Pastor

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New Hope Baptist Church ofHackensack, Hackensack, NJRev. Dr. Frances Mannin-Fontaine, Pastor

New Life Cathedral, Mt. Holly, NJRev. Eric Wallace, Pastor

New Zion B.C., Elizabeth, NJRev. Kevin James White, Pastor

Paradise B. C., Newark, NJRev. Jethro James, Pastor

Shiloh B.C., Plainfield, NJRev. Dr. Gerald Lamont Thomas, Pastor

St. Luke Baptist Church of Harlem, New York, NYRev. Dr. Johnnie McCann, Pastor

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St. Albans, NY COGICRev. Ben Monroe

St. James AME Church, Newark, NJRev. William L. Watley, Pastor

St. Matthew AME Church, Orange, NJRev. Reginald T. Jackson, Pastor

St. Paul Community B.C., Brooklyn, NYRev. David K. Brawley, Pastor

The Cathedral Int’l., Perth Amboy, NJBishop Donald Hilliard, Pastor

The New Hope B.C., Newark, NJRev. Joe Carter, Senior Pastor

Thessalonia Worship Center, Bronx, NYRev. Dr. Shellie Sampson, Pastor

Union Baptist Temple,, Bridgeton, NJ Rev. Albert L. Morgan, Pastor

Walker Memorial B.C. Bronx, NYRev. Dr. J. Albert Bush Sr., Pastor

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www.thepositivecommunity.com May 201 The Positive Community 91


“Unmask”Yourself to theKids in Your Life:They Are SmarterThan You ThinkBY TERRIE WILLIAMS

As adults, we do a pretty decent job of hiding our

emotions when we are hurting—we wear the mask

to let the world think we are o.k. In reality, for

some, nothing could be further from the truth. It is easy

to hide emotional turmoil from another adult because he

or she will usually have their own issues to deal with—but

kids are smart as whips and know when parents are going

through something. Our kids grow up looking at every-

thing we do, good and bad—and they learn from it. No

matter how much you would like to protect your child

from life’s difficulties, if you are depressed, addicted, not

around a lot or violent—you are creating a direct legacy

of pain.

We always want to be the strong ones, the all-powerful

and perfect ones. We do not want to admit our vulnera-

bility or mistakes to our young. Kids are intuitive and miss

nothing. So when a young person in your life says “Are

you sad? Are you angry? Did you hurt yourself?” And you

say “no”—it is at that point that we are unintentionally

setting them up to hide emotions and suppress their feel-

ings. We are teaching them to lie, wear a

“mask,” not deal with their emotions and to

second guess their intuition—they ask

because they sense something, yet they see

that this most high person in their life just lied

to them.

Lastly and most critically, we are not provid-

ing them with the tools and coping mecha-

nisms that we are supposed to provide them as

the adults in their lives. Who else should they

be getting this information from?

We are supposed to tell our kids what we do

when we falter—we must help them recognize

the signs that we might exhibit if we are going

through something. For example, tell them,

“When I am sad, I may cry; it is a healthy thing

to do because it means that I am releasing pain and/or

disappointment. I may go for a walk or run, write in my

journal, pray and ask God to order my steps, because I

am not sure how I am going to get there and I may talk

to my therapist or take medication to feel better.” And

they will learn to trust you.

Kids really are smarter than we think. Have you ever

taken the time to view shows on Nickelodeon, Disney

Channel, etc.? Show content includes the trials and

tribulations of divorcing parents, manipulation and teen

sex. Children watch these shows; they know if you are

keeping a secret or lying to them.

Anyone can experience depression, regardless of

race, gender or age—there are no barriers. Depression

can rob individuals and their families of the joys of every-

day life. It can even lead to suicide. It is important to rec-

ognize the signs of depression and to know how depres-

sion looks, sounds and feels. Prevention is a cure! Not

recognizing the signs will create pain and confusion and

hinder necessary treatment to enable healing….Healing

starts with us!

Dealing with people the way you really feel at any

given moment—good, bad, or ugly—is not always an

easy thing to do. Hiding and lying about unpleasant

moods might seem like a way to avoid trouble, but it

actually does more damage than simply being honest.

The moment you stop pretending and playing a role

from behind your mask, you open up the door, giving

permission to others to follow suit. If we can get to the

place where we show up as our genuine selves and let

each other see who we really are, the awe-inspiring rip-

ple effect will change the world.

Terrie M. Williams is author of the critically acclaimed

Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting, founder

of The Terrie Williams Agency (est. 1988) and co-founder of

the Stay Strong Foundation. For more information please

visit www.thestaystrongfoundation.com, www.used2beme.net,

and www.youtube.com/used2bemeourstories

GUESTEDITORIAL

Happy Mother’s Day, Ma

My mother was stunning. My mother was smart. My

mother was remarkable. My mother, with

a ninth grade education, studied the stock mar-

ket, and invested in stocks with nothing more

than sheer mother wit and wisdom beyond any academic

setting.

Am I prejudiced? In the immortal words of vice pres-

idential candidate Sarah Palin: “You betcha’!” Why

would I not write for all of the world to see, the

extraordinary gift God Himself gave me when

He placed me in the womb of Marie Lewis,

sired by my father, the late Wilton Lewis.

My mom dragged me off to singing school

when I was kid. And, at six or seven years old, I

was the only African-American youngster

attending that school, feeling very much alone.

It was a prelude of situations to come where I

found myself as the only woman, the only black,

the first black or first female, et al. And, as the

kids say, “It’s all good,” but so very, very lonely.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “All that I am, all that I

REV. THERESANANCEMY VIEW

Rev. Nance is pastor of The Church by the Side of theRoad in Passaic, NJ. She is also a radio talk show hostand documentary filmmaker.

LISTEN TO THE POSITIVE COMMUNITY HOURON WKMB 1070 AM HARVEST RADIO, MONDAYS, 1:30–2:30 P.M. WITH HOSTTHERESA NANCE.

12 The Positive Community May 2011 www.thepositivecommunity.com

hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” I would offer

the same sentiments except to include my wonderful

father in that equation as well. They provided yours

truly, their only child, with a comfortable lifestyle by

anybody’s standards, a Christian foundation, a proud

work ethic, a love for family and an ability to see beyond

color to get what I needed to get in this mean

old world.

I owe her...still. I owe him...still.

When I was about to enroll at Drew

University’s School of Advanced Religious

Studies for my Master’s of Divinity

degree, I was asked to write a composition

about someone I admired. Naturally, I

did mental gymnastics and went through

the usual litany of famous people both

black and white and then came back to

my parents. I said in part, “My mother

and father served God whether everybody

was watching or nobody was watching.” And, that’s the

truth.

And, then they helped tremendously in being an

extended family for my son and daughter. Today, I can

proudly say my son is a detective and my daughter is

a university professor. Like their mama, they owe their

status in life to their grandparents who themselves

paved the way for my kids and me.

My mother was 91 when she died. My dad was 87.

Together, they lived a full life, a productive life, also, as

surrogate parents to my many cousins who had a strug-

gling mother at home and an absent father.

Yeah, I’m down with all the successful women

of today making vast inroads into what was

once virgin territory, but my mother outshines them all

because she accomplished what she did without the

benefit of a digital world, sundry opportunities at her

disposal and a society that welcomed her in.

My mother was 91 when she died. My

dad was 87. Together, they lived a full

life, a productive life, also, as surro-

gate parents to my many cousins who

had a struggling mother at home and

an absent father.

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LIVE WELL • VIVA BIEN


In Mama’s House, There is Still God

ANTOINETTEELLIS WILLIAMSPh.D.INPERSPECTIVE

Antoinette Ellis Williams, Ph.D., is Associate Professor ofWomen’s & Gender Studies at New Jersey City Universityand Assistant Minister in Newark.

If we were to believe popular culture and view the Madea

character or Tasha Mack on The Game as endemic to

black motherhood, we would be left with a loud mammy

who is a negligent, self-absorbed, materialistic, ghetto

woman leading our families. Of course we have glimpses of

positive, loving, hard-working figures peppered in these sto-

ries, but sifting through the chaff of morose buffoonery is

tedious at best and painful, gleaning little sustenance for

our souls. Black communities, particularly churchgoers,

fought hard to preserve and support these images and have

asked us not to “hate” or engage in critical analysis. We are

proud of the ability of Tyler Perry to employ actors and tell

our stories. We are pleased that some of our black stars are

“getting paid,” but at what cost to the rest of our communi-

ty? Capitalism is not the driver I would like to be presenting

black motherhood to this generation.

My grandmother was a single mother in the 1930s; she

was 26 years old upon the birth of her first child. She later

married a man whom I never met, but by all accounts was

an abusive “rolling stone.” So drama is a part of who we are

but it is not the entire story. My grandmother spoke to us

firmly with love, disciplined us without vulgarity, established

clear expectations for us and built a strong hedge of protec-

tion from the ugliness in the world. With the birth of her

children and grandchildren she sacrificed her wants for her

family’s needs. In Mama’s house, there was still God.

Black women as primary heads of households are not

new. Patrick Moynihan in the late 1960s chastised the

African American matriarchal family as “pathological” and

the cause of almost every social anomaly of our community.

Additionally, this domineering woman emasculated African

American men according to many sociologists. Time has

passed and the word “dysfunctional” or even worse has

been attached to our female-headed families. Was

Moynihan correct in his analysis of black families? What has

happened to Mama’s house? Why do we laugh and skin our

teeth at the negative figures? Are we simply escaping the

pain in our lives, unable to face our truth? Perhaps the joke

is on me and Madea and Tasha Mack are the “reality” of our

families? Has God left our homes?

The truth is, I do see mothers (biological, adopted,

single, married, aunties, grandmothers, other mothers

and yes, daddies) who are holding up the “bloodstained

banner,” juggling their incredibly busy lives, (attending

college, working, hosting play dates, after school activi-

ties, etc.) demanding more from their children with ele-

gance and grace—and yes, “there is still God” in their

homes. These women are not marketable and are not

fought for by our “churchgoing” communities to appear

in the media. They humbly and quietly do the most

important business of mothering, without fanfare or

lights.

Return to Mama’s house where God lived, where Sweet

Honey in the Rock sang that “there were no mirrors,”

girls had to walk tall and wear slips. In Mama’s house,

meals were prepared and served at home. Bills were paid

on time and a savings account in everyone’s name was

required to save for college or a house; she counted her

pennies and remained out of debt.

Young men who lived in Mama’s house got up early to

work, find work or work to upkeep the house. Mama may

not have been able to read, but she made you go to the

library to take out a book and read out loud to her. Mama

made sure you knew your Bible, reviewing memory verses

before Sunday school class. She would sing “Blessed

Assurance.” Children had a regular bedtime and came

home when the street lights turned on, they said “yes,

Ma’am” and respected their elders. Mama’s house was

safe and open for strangers; love wafted through the air

like baking cornbread. She did not make you feel bad

when you made a mistake; her grace and kindness

allowed you to know you were free and accepted. Mama’s

house was a safe house along the Underground Railroad,

a place to regroup, escape the vicissitudes of life, rest and

prepare for the journey.

Mama’s house made our families strong, able to with-

stand the assault against our roots. It was a place unwill-

ing to absorb the carnal worldly pursuits of selfish desires

or greed at the cost of the community. For Mother’s Day

find your way to Mama’s house.


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08MAR PosCommun 7-15x4-75 3/26/08 7:27 AM Page 1

Former Moderator Rev. Isaac B. Graham, pastor Macedonia Baptist Church, Harlem, NY; Rev. Chipolito,

missionary from Malawi, South Africa; Rev. Dr. Joe Albert Bush, pastor Walker Memorial Baptist Church, Bronx and

UMBA theme commissioner.

L–R: Rev. Lee A. Arrington, UMBA moderator & pastor of Paradise BC, NY; Rev. Dr. Betty Spencer, president UMBA; Rev. John L. Scott, associate minister, Union Baptist Church, NY, Associate Ministers Division; Rev. Dr. F. Timothy Horne, pastor, First Sharon Baptist Church, NY and vice president UMBA Congress of Christian Education; Lady Sandra Williams, corresponding secretary UMBA Ministers' Wives & Widows Auxiliary & Baptist Church, NYC

L–R: Rev. Dr. Anthony Lowe, pastor Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Bronx, NY and UMBA 2nd vice moderator; Rev. Peter Wilson, pastor Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon, NY and Rev. Lee A. Arrington, pastor Paradise BC NYC UMBA Moderator

T he Second Quarterly Session of the United Missionary Baptist Association officially convened Tuesday, April 12, 2011through Friday, April 15,

2011 at the Union Baptist Church located at 204 W. 145th Street, New York. Reverend Antonio Darnell An-derson was host pastor. The association theme for 2011 is "The Holy Spirit: God's Gift to the Church.”

The quarterly theme was "The Coming of the Holy Spirit.” Reverend Joe Albert Bush, theme commissioner and pastor of the Walker Memorial Baptist Church, Bronx, NY, was the opening (parent body) preacher. The United Missionary Baptist Association is comprised of 125 churches located in Manhattan, the Bronx and Westchester County.

UMBA Quarterly Session

1


Young artist, Leon Tillman and the mural he painted in the church

Worship and PraiseLiturgical dancers, Sweet Feet of Glory

The First AME Zion Inspirational Voices of Praise

L–R: Ray Savage stands next to the honoree, his Aunt Sarah, along with Rev. Dr. Daran H. Mitchell, senior pastor with his wife, First Lady and Associate Pastor Lynn Mitchell

Palm Sunday at First AME Zion

O n Palm Sunday, the historic First AME Zion Church at 54 McDougal Street in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn celebrated Ms.

Sarah Raymond on the occasion of her 106th birthdy. Friends and family gathered to honor the congrega-tion’s oldest member who is still hale and hearty and living every day as one who loves the Lord.

Photos: Wali Am

in Muham

mad

1


HealthPREV ENT IO N, TREATMENT & C U RE

From Student to DeanBy g.r. mattoxDR. ROBERT L. JOHNSON TAKES TOP POST AT UMDNJ

T he Newark-based University of Medicine and

Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) is an institution

of which both the city and the state can be justly

proud. The nation’s largest free-standing public health

sciences university, it currently enrolls over 6,000 stu-

dents attending its three medical schools, operates the

state’s only dental school and accommodates over two

million patient visits at its facilities in five cities.

Last month, the school’s illustrious history began a

new chapter when UNDMJ’s president recommended

and Board of Trustees approved the appointment of

Robert L. Johnson, MD, FAAP as the eighth dean of

UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School (NJMS). An educa-

tor, clinician, researcher and administrator as well as the

first alumnus of UMDNJ medical school to hold the post,

Dr. Johnson was offered the permanent position after a

nationwide search. He was formally welcomed to his new

position earlier this month at a celebratory event which

included remarks by William F. Owen, Jr., MD, president

of UMDNJ, and Clement A. Price, Ph.D., Rutgers

University. Dean Johnson’s address, entitled “A New

Beginning,” unveiled his vision for the future of New

Jersey’s first medical school, describing his plan for the

first 100 days at the helm and emphasizing how faculty,

students and staff play an integral role in advancing the

mission areas of the school.

Johnson, who lives in Orange, NJ with his wife

Maxine, has been a part of NJMS for over 40 years. A

member of Union Baptist Church, he serves as chair of

the Deacon Board. He received his MD degree in 1972,

did his residency at the old Martland Hospital and, after

studying at New York University (NYU) for a couple of

years, joined the faculty as an assistant professor of

Pediatrics in 1976. Johnson rose through the ranks and

for the past five and a half years served as interim dean.

Fellow alumnus and current UMDNJ Board Chairman,

Dr. Kevin M. Barry was one of many who studied under

Dr. Johnson and praised his skills, welcoming him warm-

ly to his new post: “Dean Johnson’s contributions to the

community health and to the science of medicine are

too numerous to mention,” he said in a statement, “New

Jersey and the UMDNJ community are very fortunate to

have him continue his leadership here at NJMS and we

are looking forward to a great future.”

As with many dedicated professionals, Johnson

focused on being a doctor early in life. He recalled being

about nine-years-old in Sunday school when he was

asked what he wanted to be. “It stuck with me the rest of

my life,” he said. After completing his undergraduate

continued on page 81

18 The Positive Community www.thepositivecommunity.com

The AARP New Jersey state office can provide bulk quantities of flyers and brochures for many of the programs described above. Call 1-866-542-8165 to order. AARP is nonpartisan and not-for-profit.

Top State Laws That Could Enhance Your Quality of Life

1Telemarketing Do-Not-Call Law: Thanks to AARP, NJ has the strongest state law in the nation that stops unwanted telemarket-

ing calls. Call 1-888-382-1222 or go to www.donotcall.gov to register.

2 Identity Theft Prevention Act: AARP led the effort to pass the strongest identity theft prevention law in the country. You can

“freeze” your credit files at all three major credit bureaus, the best line of defense against identity theft. Call the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-242-5846 or go to www.aarp.org/nj.

3NJ Prescription Drug Retail Price Registry: The Rx Registry that AARP worked to achieve helps you find the

lowest prescription drug prices in your area. Call the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-242-5846 or go to www.njdrugprices.nj.gov.

4Energy Assistance: Help is available for families experiencing a temporary financial emergency. The Affordable Housing

Alliance can help with grants up to $1,500 for moderate-income families who qualify. Go to www.housingall.org or call 1-732-389-2204. If your service has already been shut off, call NJ SHARES: 1-866-657-4273. For other energy assistance programs, call 1-800-510-3102.

5Independence, Dignity, and Choice in Long-Term Care Act: Championed by AARP, this law provides options for home

and community-based long-term care services. To learn more call your County Office on Aging at 1-877-222-3737.

210887 NJ Top 5 ad resize.indd 1 4/26/11 3:58 PM

The AARP New Jersey state office can provide bulk quantities of flyers and brochures for many of the programs described above. Call 1-866-542-8165 to order. AARP is nonpartisan and not-for-profit.

Top State Laws

Your Quality of Life

1Telemarketing Do-Not-Call Law: Thanks to AARP, NJ has the strongest state law in the nation that stops unwanted telemarket-

ing calls. Call 1-888-382-1222 or go to www.donotcall.gov to register.

2 Identity Theft Prevention Act: AARP led the effort to pass the strongest identity theft prevention law in the country. You can

“freeze” your credit files at all three major credit bureaus, the best line of defense against identity theft. Call the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-242-5846 or go to www.aarp.org/nj.

3NJ Prescription Drug Retail Price Registry: The Rx Registry that AARP worked to achieve helps you find the

lowest prescription drug prices in your area. Call the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-242-5846 or go to www.njdrugprices.nj.gov.

4Energy Assistance: Help is available for families experiencing a temporary financial emergency. The Affordable Housing

Alliance can help with grants up to $1,500 for moderate-income families who qualify. Go to www.housingall.org or call 1-732-389-2204. If your service has already been shut off, call NJ SHARES: 1-866-657-4273. For other energy assistance programs, call 1-800-510-3102.

5Independence, Dignity, and Choice in Long-Term Care Act: Championed by AARP, this law provides options for home

and community-based long-term care services. To learn more call your County Office on Aging at 1-877-222-3737.

210887 NJ Top 5 ad resize.indd 1 4/26/11 3:58 PM

I n 2010, Congress enacted a new health care law which provides several new benefits to all Americans. Many of the benefits and protec-

tions in the new law are particularly critical to African Americans. Some of these changes you will see this year and others phase in over the next several years. By knowing what’s in the law and when the different provisions take effect, you can take advantage of the changes for your-self and your family.

The percentage of African Americans without health insurance is particularly high relative to whites and other ethnic groups according to statistics from the Census Bureau. In fact, in 2009 one out of five African Americans were uninsured.

An important provision in the new health care law provides funding to offer temporary health insurance to many who cannot get health insur-ance through other means. This high-risk pool is officially known as the Pre-existing Condi-tion Insurance Plan (PCIP), a first step to help people with pre-existing health conditions get the insurance coverage they need.

Who is eligible for this coverage? To be eli-gible for the PCIP or the high-risk pool in New Jersey, you must have been uninsured for six months, have a pre-existing condition, and be a United States citizen or national, or be lawfully present in the United States. Individuals will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

There is a lot of information available about this and other benefits of the health care law. AARP’s website can be a great place to start: www.aarp.org/getthefacts

For information about the PCIP and high-risk insurance coverage in New Jersey called NJ Protect, we suggest either going to www.healthcare.gov or calling 1-888-551-2130.

AARP on the New Health Care Law: How it Impacts African Americans

A D V E R T O R I A L

May 2011


NJ Sharing Network Foundation Proudly Presents Our Inaugural Share NJ 5K Walk/Run

SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 2011691 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ

• 5K Walk/Run

• One Mile Fun Run

• Sprout Sprint

It is our hope that you will join us as we walk and run

in honor of those who gave, on behalf of those who received, and with hope

for those who continue to wait.

Get your family, friends, high school, college, hospital, house of worship or company to form and enter a team.

Presented by: Hosted by:

REGISTER NOW! www.ShareNJ5K.org

Comedienne E. Denise Peoples is “Breathin Ezy” at upcoming Share NJ 5K

The simple act of breathing wasn’t always easy for Newark resident E. Denise Peoples.

Comedienne by vocation and accountant by trade, Denise was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis when she was just 38 years old. Determined to keep living, at one point, she performed in front of audiences using an oxygen tank, which she bedazzled with “gems.” Finally, on October 2, 2006, she received the gift of life in the form of a double lung transplant. Denise was one of the lucky ones. For many the gift will never come…18 people die each day waiting for a transplant. With over 1,000 African Americans on the waiting list in New Jersey alone, the need is even greater amongst this population.

Denise continues to put her new set of lungs to good use serving as a Donate Life Ambassador and performing at local comedy clubs. These days she is encouraging her friends and family to come celebrate with her as she participates in the inaugural Share NJ 5K Walk/Run, June 12 in New Providence. Denise formed her team “Breathin Ezy” in honor of the life-saving gift she has received. This race has special meaning for Denise as funds raised directly benefit NJ Sharing Network, the non-profit organization that coordinates donation and transplantation for the nearly 5,000 New Jersey residents in need of a life-saving transplant. For more information or to register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.sharenj.org.

NJ Sharing Network Foundation Proudly Presents Our Inaugural Share NJ 5K Walk/Run

SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 2011691 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ

• 5K Walk/Run

• One Mile Fun Run

• Sprout Sprint

It is our hope that you will join us as we walk and run

in honor of those who gave, on behalf of those who received, and with hope

for those who continue to wait.

Get your family, friends, high school, college, hospital, house of worship or company to form and enter a team.

Presented by: Hosted by:

REGISTER NOW! www.ShareNJ5K.org

Comedienne E. Denise Peoples is “Breathin Ezy” at upcoming Share NJ 5K

The simple act of breathing wasn’t always easy for Newark resident E. Denise Peoples.

Comedienne by vocation and accountant by trade, Denise was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis when she was just 38 years old. Determined to keep living, at one point, she performed in front of audiences using an oxygen tank, which she bedazzled with “gems.” Finally, on October 2, 2006, she received the gift of life in the form of a double lung transplant. Denise was one of the lucky ones. For many the gift will never come…18 people die each day waiting for a transplant. With over 1,000 African Americans on the waiting list in New Jersey alone, the need is even greater amongst this population.

Denise continues to put her new set of lungs to good use serving as a Donate Life Ambassador and performing at local comedy clubs. These days she is encouraging her friends and family to come celebrate with her as she participates in the inaugural Share NJ 5K Walk/Run, June 12 in New Providence. Denise formed her team “Breathin Ezy” in honor of the life-saving gift she has received. This race has special meaning for Denise as funds raised directly benefit NJ Sharing Network, the non-profit organization that coordinates donation and transplantation for the nearly 5,000 New Jersey residents in need of a life-saving transplant. For more information or to register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.sharenj.org.


1


Echoes of Grief

D eath and dying are natural parts of the normal life cycle and inevitably occur in every life. These were the topics addressed at the “Normal-

izing Loss” conference held in April at Essex County College. The conference was sponsored by Echoes, Inc. and the Pathways to Healing Committee, a distinguished group of dedicated professionals who came together in the spirit of caring and compassion to host the impor-tant and informative conference

Grief, death, loss and bereavement are difficult issues to face and often difficult to discuss, if discussed at all. In recent years, parents and families have been forced to come to grips with traumatic losses, particularly of boys and young men, based on circumstances seemingly beyond their control. Unfortunately, our communities as a whole are not healing appropriately from these losses and children especially need focused and intense guidance when faced with these issues. Presenters deal-ing with these subjects were Dr. Robin Eubanks, Rev. Dr. George Blackwell, Bishop Jethro James, Jack Ferrell from UMDNJ and Pamela McCalley of the Essex County Prosecutor’s office.

Conference Deals with Grief and Bereavement

Eric Nixon, social worker, Newark Public School System and Beverly Hendersonexecutive director, Echoes

Rev. Dr. George Blackwell and Dr. Robin Eubanks, UMDNJ

Tyrone Muhammed and assistant from Morticians That Care and Cotton Funeral Service

Rosedale is a non-profit, non-sectarianCemetery located in Montclair, Orange andWest Orange, New Jersey. Burials: We are committed to preservingand enhancing the natural beauty of our grounds. Chapel: Graciously decorated, the Chapel isavailable for a variety of sacred servicespresided over by clergy of any faith.Webcasting: At Rosedale you can streamlive, delayed, or recorded services from ourchapel over the internet.

Crematorium Services: Our modern Crema-torium and Columbarium prove Rosedale’sdedication to provide the finest facilities andservice for every type of memorialization.

Witnessing Room: The room was designedto permit families to privately observe thestart of the cremation process.

Indoor Columbarium: The Columbariumoffers a beautiful, up-lifting setting for theinurnment of cremated remains.

Outdoor Columbarium: This beautifullylandscaped setting offers an attractive open-air alternative to its indoor counterpart.

Scattering Area: Our hilltop scattering area is designed exclusively for cremated remains. It creates a comfortable environ-ment to memorialize and remember deceased loved-ones.

Urn Garden: Designed and cultivated for cremation burials, it is highlighted by warmsun; sculpted rose bushes and handsomebronzed memorial plaques.

Entrance: 408 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ Mailing Address: P.O. Box 728, Orange, NJ 07051Phone: (973) 673-0127 Fax: (973) 673-8338 Web: rosedalecemetery.org

Welcome to Rosedale

1

Phot

os: Jo

e Al

len

Englewood Hospital and Medical Center is a recipient of the 2011 HealthGrades Patient Safety Excellence Award™ – one of only four hospitals in New Jersey and the only Bergen County hospital with this distinction.

“If all hospitals performed at this level of distinction as Englewood Hospital and Medical Center approximately

174,358 patient safety events and 20,688 Medicare deaths could have been avoided…” – HealthGrades

Our unwavering commitment to patient safety and top-quality care are recognized by many independent organizations that evaluate exceptional patient care standards. To learn more, visit “Awards & Accreditations” at englewoodhospital.com.

We’ve been ranked in the top 5% nationwide

for patient safety.


Congressional Ball for Congressman Payne

C ongressman Donald Payne welcomed actor, Danny Glov-er, as his special guest at the

Annual Congressional Ball on Sun-day, March 13, 2011 at the Newark Club. US Senators Frank Laut-enberg and Robert Menendez were honorary chairs of the elegant event. Danny Glover has been a command-ing presence in the entertainment industry for more than 30 years and also serves as UNICEF Ambassador. He has been a community activist and a fighter for student, worker and civil rights throughout his life.

L-R: New Jersey Congressman Donald M. Payne, NJIT President Robert Altenkirch, Rutgers Provost Steve Diner, Danny Glover and former Assemblyman William D. Payne.

L-R: East Orange Mayor Robert Bowser (center) and his wife Mari-lyn (left) join Michellene Davis, Esq., VP Government Relations, St. Barnabas Heathcare System at Congressman Payne's Annual Ball

SCREENINGS

Blood Pressure

Bone Density

Breast Cancer*

Cholesterol

Dental

Blood Donations

*Pre-Registration Required for Prostate Cancer & Breast Cancer Screenings

WORKSHOPS

Navigating Health Care

Food for Life

The Weight is Over

Holistic Wellness

The Workout Plan: Exercise 101

Better Habits, Better Life

Diabetes

Glaucoma

HIV/AIDS

Prostate Cancer*

Kidney Disease

Bone Marrow Drive

Keynote Speaker Dominique

Wilkins NBA Hall of Fame

CBC Health Braintrust

Honorary Co-Hosts: Congressman Donald M. Payne D-NJ Congresswoman Donna Christensen D-VI

in collaboration with

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2011 8:30am - 2:00pm

The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

Oral Health Pavilion 50 12th Avenue

Newark, NJ 07102

To Register Visit www.healthandwellnessexpo.webs.com or Call (973) 645-3213

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 13th, 2011

F R E E A D M I S S I O N LIGHT BREAKFAST AND LUNCH INCLUDED

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Photos: Jean Wells


Health & Clergy Leaders Meet

L eaders in health and clergy met for lunch at the executive offices of Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) in Bergen County, NJ.

The meeting was designed to create an open, ongoing dialogue about health issues and community-building strategies of mutual benefit. HUMC is the County’s larg-est private employer (over 8000).

In addition to his role as president and CEO of HUMC, Robert “Bob” Garrett is a member of the Ameri-can Diabetes Association’s (ADA) national board of di-rectors. He has also served as NJ state chair of the ADA.

Rev. Dr. Lester Taylor is senior pastor of Englewood Community Baptist Church, Englewood, NJ. He is also 2nd vice president of the General Baptist Convention of NJ; and serves as moderator for the 51 church member North Jersey Missionary Baptist Association. In 2010, Dr. Taylor was appointed chairman of the music auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.

Kathleen Raines, administra-tive director, The Center for Health and Healing at HUMC

Dianne Aroh, EVP, chief Nursing and Patient Care office, HUMC

Rev.Lester Taylor and Robert Garrett

1


Q&A with La-Kisa Hines, Health Educator with UnitedHealthcare Community Plan

What does a Health Educator do?

A Health Educator focuses on health promo-tion and disease prevention. A Health Educator’s ultimate responsibility is to educate the community on how to improve their health and live healthier lives. This is done by designing, conducting and evaluating health education seminars throughout the communities we serve.

What health topics do you offer?

At this time, we are offering Asthma, Childhood Obesity, Cyber-bullying, Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Lead Poisoning. I hope to add more to our list in the future.

What is the most requested health topic that you are asked to present and why?

There are 2 topics that are very popular. Many parents are interested in the Childhood Obesity presentation. The number of children diagnosed as obese has grown over the years. I have met many parents that are concerned for their chil-dren. Many of them seek more information and support to combat the problem. The other topic of interest is Cyber-bullying. The schools and youth programs have been very interested in the topic. The school administration has seen an in-crease in the incidents of cyber-bullying. My main point to the children about cyber-bullying is that it hurts people. I often tell them, “You shouldn’t do anything to someone that you wouldn’t want done to you.” The children appear to know that cyber-bullying is wrong but are sometimes over-whelmed by the fear of standing up to the bully.

Where do you typically present your topics?

The presentations are conducted in numerous settings. You can find me throughout New Jersey in schools, daycare centers, community centers, health centers, community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations.

Why does UnitedHealthcare Community Plan provide health education?

Our mission is to help people live healthier lives. We are committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve. Offering free health education workshops is a way to foster healthy communities.

What is UnitedHealthcare Community Plan?

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan is one of the largest Medicaid HMOs in New Jersey. We were previously known as AmeriChoice. Our plan offers both Medicaid and Medicare products. We have over 60 hospitals and over 10,000 physicians in our network. Currently we have approximately 360,000 members that we provide care for.

What is the difference between UnitedHealthcare Community Plan and UnitedHealthcare?


1

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan offers Medicaid and Medicare products. UnitedHealthcare is our commercial plan which offers services to individuals and employers.

Welcome to the Community.AmeriChoice® of New Jersey, Inc. is now UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. But changing our name hasn’t changed all the reasons New Jersey families choose us. You still get the same doctors, the same access to specialists, the same large network of hospitals. Changing our name to UnitedHealthcare Community Plan says you’re part of a bigger community, over 3.3 million members strong, all across the country. So, New Jersey families can be confident they’ll receive the same great care.

Welcome to the Community. Call 1-866-322-1194 (TTY: 711) for information about UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.

is now

uhccommunityplan.com©2011 UnitedHealthcare Community Plan

NJ11-MC006 Pos Community Ad 8.5x11V1.indd 1 5/2/11 2:55 PM


News has been good to Brenda Blackmon

and Brenda Blackmon has been good to

the news. She’s been seen on WWOR-TV

channel 9 in the New York/New Jersey

area for more than twenty years now.

Currently the anchor of the 11 o’clock

news, Blackmon enters millions of homes each night

and informs the public of the latest happenings—some

good, some bad. But Blackmon is always there to lessen

the blow and comfort viewers with her inimitable deliv-

ery and poise.

But what happens when bad news comes calling? How

does the unshakable anchor deal with a personal tragedy

while holding things together both professionally and

personally, for herself and her family? Blackmon walks

in faith; and it was that faith and God’s grace that guid-

ed her on a journey no parent ever wants to take.

Blackmon came out on the other side determined to

help others, and on a spring morning after having

attended sunrise service, shared her story with The

Positive Community to shine a light on lupus and inspire

people worldwide to have hope.

Blackmon recalls an evening with her daughter, Kelly,

as the first time that lupus caught her attention. “We

were watching America’s Next Top Model,” she explained.

“One of the finalists had lupus and I remember telling

Kelly, ‘She’s not going to win because she has that dis-

ease. They’re not going to let her win.’” Later, Blackmon

discovered that a close relative who had passed away

after battling several seemingly different ailments for

many years had suffered with lupus. “No one ever really

talked about it,” she said. That revelation came only

after lupus, an auto-immune disease, struck even closer

to home.

Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that can

affect any part of the body. The immune system attacks

the body’s cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation

and tissue damage. It most often harms the heart, joints,

skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous sys-

tem. The course of the disease is unpredictable, with

Brenda Blackmon on Lupus and Faith that Guides Her Journey By R.L. Witter

Good News,Bad NewsGood News,Bad News Brenda Blackmon

and daughter Kelly


COVERSTORY

periods of illness (called flares) alternating with remis-

sions. The disease occurs nine times more often in

women than in men, especially in women in child-bear-

ing years ages 15 to 35. It is also more common in those

of non-European descent, with lupus being three times

more common in African American women than white

women. In a strange twist of fate, the second woman in

Blackmon’s family to be diagnosed with lupus would be

her daughter, Kelly.

“I was in denial,” Blackmon reflected. “I thought, ‘my

daughter is different, she’ll be okay.’” Blackmon’s

daughter, Kelly, was studying several states away in

Virginia. After multiple incidences of simply not feeling

well with symptoms of fatigue, chronic aches and skin

problems, Kelly’s roommate dialed Blackmon’s phone

number and said, “Miss Brenda, Kelly’s really sick.”

Blackmon dispatched her brother who lived near the

campus to check in on Kelly and see what was going on

with her. “I’m a southern mom so you don’t even send

your child off to school unless you’ve got relatives near-

by,” Blackmon said with a chuckle. After a few visits to

different doctors and some misdiagnoses regarding

Kelly’s skin condition, Blackmon’s motherly instincts

told her it was time for her only child to come home.

“She flew into Newark and came to meet me at my

office,” Blackmon reminisced. “If I had gone to meet her

at the airport I’m not sure I would have recognized my

own daughter… Her skin was dark but she had that typ-

ical butterfly rash across her face.” Within three months,

Kelly was formally diagnosed with lupus. But that was

only the beginning.

It was 2003 when Kelly was first diagnosed. After

reviewing all of her symptoms and putting together the

puzzle that would lead doctors to test for and agree upon

a lupus diagnosis, the Blackmon family felt hopeful and

empowered knowing the enemy they faced. Kelly

returned to school, graduated and even got married;

things were looking up. In 2005, she experienced her

first hospitalization for the disease. “I remained in

denial,” Blackmon admitted. “I looked at it like chicken

pox and the other things kids get and said, ‘it’s no big

deal. See, she was sick and now she’s better—like it was a

really bad cold.’ It wasn’t until ‘the big one’ that reality

set in.” One might say it was a precursor of things to

come, but no one could have predicted or expected

what happened next.

Blackmon returned from a trip abroad in 2007 to a

message from her son-in-law to come to the hospital.

Kelly was in a coma. Lupus was no longer satisfied with

the “flares” it had inflicted upon Kelly thus far. This time,

the chronic disease came back with a vengeance and

attacked Kelly’s organs, including her brain. She was

found unconscious and rushed to the emergency room.

Overnight, she slipped into a coma and was placed on

life support. “No parent should ever have to go through

something like that,” said Blackmon.

As doctors and specialists examined Kelly and

reviewed her condition, the prognosis was bleak. After

52 days in intensive care, the doctors said that it was time

to disconnect the life support. None of them held out

any hope for Kelly, they (the doctors) had all given up

on her. Now Brenda had to face the reality that though

she was Kelly’s mother, legally she must defer to the wish-

es of her son-in-law, Alphonso, and he was adamant.“No

one’s going to take my wife away,” he declared. “I’m

going to take her home and she is going to be okay.” He

didn’t want to entertain any ideas of disconnecting

Kelly’s life support. Meanwhile, the

doctors were stymied and repeated

their somber recommendation.

Blackmon, however, had come up

with a solution. It was actually quite

simple. She did the one thing that

came easily to her, the one thing that

had always seen her through good

times and tough times throughout

her life… She prayed. Blackmon drew

upon a lifetime of faith to see her

through the most harrowing experi-

continued on next page

Lupus is a systemic autoimmune dis-

ease that can affect any part of the

body. The immune system attacks the

body’s cells and tissue, resulting in

inflammation and tissue damage.

Blackmon with Pete Samaha, Ron Bailey and Ronald Mcdonald at McDonald’s Gospelfest 2010


ence of her life. “Faith is the only thing I had to hold

onto and I knew it would be enough to get me through.

I was unable to function but He kept me functioning—

and you don’t know where the strength comes from

except from Him…” She reflected on one of her favorite

short spiritual sayings, “Time alone with God is pre-

cious.” So she put her faith in the Lord and even went a

step further, offering her life for her daughter’s. “I sent

up a prayer and said, ‘Take my life.’ You know, I’ve had a

good life—‘Take my life for hers.’”

Thankfully, Blackmon and her family had also enlist-

ed the prayers of people all over the world, and God

heard those prayers. To the disbelief of more than a

dozen doctors who had written off Kelly’s case as hope-

less, 24 hours after being told that it was time to disable

the life support, Kelly opened her eyes. “She’s my mira-

cle!” exclaimed Blackmon.

While Kelly was no longer in imminent danger, she

still had a long way to go. Upon awakening she could nei-

ther walk nor talk, which made things quite frustrating

for her. She had suffered a traumatic brain injury and

had no memory of being admitted to the hospital. To

this day, she has no recol-

lection of anything until six

months after the coma,

when she awoke in a reha-

bilitation facility. Blackmon

chuckled as she recalled

her daughter’s first words

in rehab, words about a

particular nurse whose

efforts to get Kelly to talk

were unrelenting, “She

said, ‘Who is she and why is

she here?’” No sweeter

words had ever crossed

Blackmon’s ears.

Three years later, Kelly is

in remission and doing well

with minimal medication.

Meanwhile, her mother has

been busy, very busy.

Blackmon still anchors the

news each night and has

founded and heads up The

Kelly Fund for Lupus, Inc.,

a non-profit organization

whose mission is to sup-

port, serve and educate

both people with lupus and the general public. She also

testified in an open Public Hearing of the ACC (Arthritis

Advisory Committee) and told Kelly’s story in support of

a new drug, Benlysta up for FDA approval. Benlysta is the

first drug in 50 years to be approved by the FDA for the

treatment of Lupus; Blackmon can be proud that

whether they know it or not, her testimony will have

helped lupus patients worldwide when they are pre-

scribed the new drug.

Seemingly finding more than 24 hours in each day,

Blackmon has also authored a recently released book, AMom’s Story, which is available at www.brendablackmon-

books.com. She’ll also reprise her role as co-host of

McDonald’s Gospelfest in June and is looking forward to

reconnecting with gospel artist Dr. Bobby Jones, whom

she knew when she lived in Tennessee more than 20

years ago. “The millions of dollars in scholarships

McDonald’s provides for young people through

Gospelfest are truly amazing,” she remarked.

The warmer weather will find Blackmon participating

in walks to raise funds for lupus education and research,

as well as speaking at churches and conferences about

her experience with her daughter’s illness and how

those experiences have changed her life and her path.

In parting she remarked, “It’s become a message bigger

than that; it’s become a message not only about lupus

but also about faith. I think God takes us in directions we

didn’t even know we were traveling in, but He knows

more about our journeys than we do.” Amen, Miss

Brenda and we wish you safe travels on your journey of

education, faith, miracles and hope.

continued from previous pageBRENDA BLACKMON

“Faith is the only thing I had to hold

onto and I knew it would be enough to

get me through. I was unable to func-

tion but He kept me functioning—and

you don’t know where the strength

comes from except from Him…” “Time

alone with God is precious.”

—Brenda Blackmon

COVERSTORY


Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Unveils New Gamma Knife Treatment CenterRWJ now the only hospital in the Central New Jersey Region to offer Gamma Knife Perfexion — the most accurate and advanced generation of the technology

R obert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) announced today that it now offers Gamma Knife Perfexion, a non-invasive tool specifically designed

to treat lesions and tumors in the brain and upper spinal cord , without harming healthy surrounding tissue. RWJUH, in partnership with UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, is the only facility in the Central New Jersey Region to offer Gamma Knife Perfexion, which represents the most advanced and accurate generation of this technology.

“We are extremely excited to be the first in central New Jersey to offer the newest generation of the Gamma Knife,” said David Fernandez, Vice President of the Cancer Hospital and Neuroscience Center at RWJUH. “We chose this technology because it is the gold standard tool to treat diseases of the brain, and it is being used collaboratively among our radiation oncologists and our neurosurgeons. As Gamma Knife surgical technology has evolved over the years, it has become significantly refined with advanced engineering in radiation physics, robotic controls and computerized treatment planning for the most precise and targeted treatments available today.”

The treatment is offered at the new, state-of-the-art Gamma Knife Center at RWJUH, which was completed in early 2011. RWJUH’s Gamma Knife Center team includes a fellowship-trained radiosurgeon, neuro-focused radiation oncologists, a physicist and experienced nursing director. The Center was designed to house the latest Gamma Knife technology, with a special focus on patient convenience and comfort. The facility is located on the hospital campus on the first floor at 10 Plum Street in New Brunswick. Free parking is provided in a parking garage attached to the fa-cility. For more information about the Gamma Knife Center at RWJUH, please visit www.rwjuh.edu. As the principal teaching hospital for UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medi-cal School and flagship hospital for The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, R-W-J is home to the region’s widest range of neurosurgical and cancer treatment options.

About half a million people have undergone Gamma Knife treatment, and it's the only radiation therapy system cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for irra-

“Because Gamma Knife surgery is non-invasive, the procedure is done on an outpatient basis and offers many benefits over traditional surgery such as fewer side effects, no incisions, fewer potential complications, shorter treat-ment times and greater convenience for our patients,” ex-plains Shabbar Danish, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Neurosurgery at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Director of The Gamma Knife Treatment Center and Stereotactic and Functional Neuro-surgery at RWJUH.

Primary and metastatic brain tumors

Acoustic neuromas

Meningiomas

Pituitary adenomas

Arteriovenous malformations (AVM)

Functional and pain disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and trigeminal neuralgia.

Gamma Knife Perfexion can be used to treat a wide range of brain diseases and spinal conditions including:

Deborah thought breast cancer would slow her down. The team at RWJ had different ideas.

Breast cancer runs in Deborah’s family, but it doesn’t run her life. To her it’s a treatable disease, not a life sentence. When faced with having a mastectomy after several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, Deborah looked to her daughter for guidance, her mother for inspiration and the combined academic RWJ cancer team for the right treatment to save her life. Genetic testing identifi ed the biological thread that joined mother to daughter to granddaughter. Yet, despite their familiarity with the disease, Deborah, like other women diagnosed with breast cancer, wondered if she would fi nd the strength to silence her fears about survival. Headed by her oncologist Dr. Michael Nissenblatt, the team at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, part of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, removed the cancer and, at the same time, performed an innovative surgical technique called a TRAM fl ap procedure to reconstruct her breast by harvesting her own tissue. Today, Deborah uses her experience as a cancer survivor to support other women diagnosed with breast cancer to realize that, with the right team by your side, breast cancer isn’t the lonely nightmare they imagine. For her, cancer isn’t an obstacle as much as an opportunity to help others through the challenges of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital is one of America’s best hospitals, where, what others call miracles, we simply call great medicine.

RWJcancer.org1-888-MD-RWJUH

Principal Teaching Hospital for UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School • Flagship Hospital for The Cancer Institute of New JerseyCore Academic Medical Center for the Robert Wood Johnson Health System and Network

The Heart of Academic Medicine

RWJUNH 061 8x10.5_PosComm.indd 1 2/24/11 2:09:29 PM

diating brain metastases. Recent research published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found that Gamma Knife treat-ment proved less harmful to normal brain tissue surround-ing brain tumors than other commonly used treatment options such as Cyberknife and Novalis.














1


A number of foot conditions are called “common” because they can affect anyone at any age. How-ever, people with certain conditions—such as

diabetes and hypertension—are at higher risk of being more severely affected by some of these conditions, or exposed to complications. It is important to be aware of their symptoms, so that you can take the necessary steps to remedy them as soon as they appear.

Fungus: Inside your shoes where it is warm, dark, and moist, fungi can easily grow on your feet. Dry skin, redness, blisters, itching, and peeling can result. Over-the-counter anti-fungal powders or creams can help. If the condition does not improve within 2-4 weeks, see your foot doctor.

Corns and calluses: Caused by pressure when the bony parts of your feet rub against your shoes. Over-the-counter medications are not indicated for people with diabetes or circulation problems. See your doctor.

Warts: Skin growths, they are sometimes painful and may spread if not treated.

Bunions. Develop when the joints in your big toe no longer fit together. They become swollen and tender.

Bunions tend to run in families. If a bunion is not too painful, wearing special comfortable shoes may help. Physical therapy and shoe inserts can also bring relief. Medicines can help with pain, but sometimes surgery is needed to relieve the pressure and repair the toe joint.

Ingrown toenails: Caused by the nail breaking into the skin. If you have trouble bending or cutting your nails, your foot doctor can cut your nails appropriately.

Hammertoe: Caused by A shortening of the tendons that control toe movements. The toe knuckle grows and pulls the toe back. This can affect balance.

Spurs: Calcium bumps that grow on bones of your feet, caused by stress on the feet. Standing for long periods of time, wearing badly fitting shoes, or being overweight can make spurs worse.

Swollen Feet. May be a sign of more serious health prob-lems. If swollen feet and ankles persist, see your doctor.

Keep feet clean and dry, especially between the toes. Change shoes, socks or stockings often. And, most importantly, if you have diabetes or hyperten-sion, see your foot doctor at least once a year, before foot problems appear.

By Dr. Sharon Barlizo, Director, Wound Care Clinic Foot Center of New York

Common Foot ProblemsA D V E R T O R I A L

1

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Most of us are familiar with the now famous

American Dairy Association slogan, “Got Milk?”

with a famous person wearing a milk mustache.

I thought about how ironically, when it comes to our

health we often “wear” something as obvious as a mus-

tache, except instead of milk we are wearing or showing

the health issues that we have. How do we do this? We

are winded when we walk up a flight of stairs. We may

often be sweating profusely from a simple walk from the

parking lot into the supermarket. Or we quite obviously

are struggling with our weight. So many times we have

heard someone write another brother or sister off with

the statement, “He/she’s got issues.” Well let me let you

in on a secret; we all have issues. The question is what are

we going to do about them? How do we deal with the

issues that we have, especially as it pertains to our

health?

I am especially concerned as we celebrate Mother’s

Day this month about the health issues that more and

more women are experiencing. Heart disease is the

number one cause of death for African American

women. Despite the information and advances in tech-

nology that we have access to, these numbers are contin-

uing to increase instead of receding. This is an issue!

What I am challenging each of us to do and I include

myself in this number, is to engage in conversations with

the mothers, wives, aunts, and sisters in our lives to get

serious about their health. You may get some resistance

but don’t back down, remember, their lives depend on

it! Perhaps you can support them by providing them

with the means to be successful such as a personal train-

ing gift certificate, or taking something off their plate.

In addition, here are some guidelines from the

American Heart Association that highlight the areas that

would benefit women and the rest of us most if positive

changes are implemented:

The Simple Seven:Get Active: We’ve heard it before but I will say it again,

you have to move. We should be getting at least 30 min-

utes of exercise daily that includes cardio exercise,

strength training, and stretching. This should be done at

least five times each week.

KAHLILCARMICHAELTHE FITNESSDOCTOR

Got Issues?

Kahlil Carmichael is the Pastor and Founder of It Is Well Living Church located in Central, NewJersey. He is the CEO of the Fitness Doctor Inc., a Fitness Rehabilitation and WellnessConsultation company. To contact Kahlil to become spiritually and physically fit visitwww.livewellfaith.com or call 732-921-3746

Disclaimer: The information contained in this column is of a general nature. You should consult your physician or health care professional before beginning any exercise program or changing your dietary regimen.

Control Cholesterol: Get your numbers checked and then

follow your doctor’s recommendations for making modifi-

cations in these areas.

Eat Better: I know, I know, I know! This is perhaps the

toughest area to manage. But it can be simpler if we look

to eliminate the obvious culprits that sabotage our efforts:

fried and fast foods, white sugar, extra butters and oils.

And one of the biggest saboteurs of all time—calories

from drinks like sodas and smoothies, and that tasty cream

we put in our coffee (Yes, I love it too, French vanilla

thank you). Yikes!

Lose Weight: If you get active and consume less calories

than you are currently consuming, this will automatically

happen—you will lose weight. I encourage each of you to

go the American Heart Association’s website to find out

how to calculate your Body Mass Index, which will be used

to determine how many calories you should be consuming

daily.

Reduce Blood Sugar: The best way to do this is to change

your diet—perhaps completely. If you have not done so

already, see your physician and see if you are in need of

medication to get your numbers where they need to be.

Stop Smoking: Wow, I know for many this seems like a

“mission impossible,” but I have heard countless testi-

monies from people who have been able to stop this habit

for good. I encourage you to get support for your endeav-

or to quit smoking and to believe above all that you can do

this!

If your health issues are something you have repeated-

ly tried dealing with on your own and you don’t see it

going anywhere, I encourage you to get honest and access

your faith. The problem arises when we will not even look

at or make a true assessment of our issues and we contin-

ue on with life making excuses and refusing to humble

ourselves. Don’t wait. Do it now.

One of my favorite scriptures is from Proverbs 4:23

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the

issues of life.” Stay focused, be diligent, keep the faith and

watch the issues of your life dissolve one by one!


When it comes to your well being, you know there is no "one size fits all" approach. Wellness means different things to different people and your personal preferences play a part

in what foods you select to fit your lifestyle.

As a part of our LiveRight with ShopRite® program you will find color coded shelf labels throughoutthe store to identify product choices in several categories: Gluten Free, Low Sodium, Reduced Sodium,

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Look for the Live Right with the ShopRite® name throughout the store to help you find product choices that are Right for you and your family.

Visit shoprite.comfor a ShopRite nearest you and to learn more about

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Secret Recipe Tips — Healthy Baked Stuffed WhitingIngredIents

1 tablespoon unsalted margarine2 medium size yellow onions, chopped fine

1 clove garlic, minced • 1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs ¼ cup minced parsley • 1 tsp. grated lemon rind

Black pepper to taste • 4 whole whiting scaled and cleaned 1/4 cup dry white wine

dIrectIonsPreheat the oven to 400°F.In a heavy skillet, melt the margarine, add the onions and cook, uncovered, until soft (about 5 minutes). Remove from the heat.Transfer half of the onion to a bowl; add the garlic, bread crumbs, parsley, lemon rind, and pepper, and toss lightlyStuff each whiting with 1/4 of the mixture. Fasten with toothpics.Sprinkle half of the remaining onion over a lightly greased 13"x 9"x 2" baking pan Arrange fish on top in a single layer and scatter the rest of the onion on topPour in the wine, then cover the pan snugly with aluminum foil.Bake for 30 minutes or until fish flakes easily

Please call 908.227.9065 about catering your wedding, graduation or family reunion. Log onto our website twofishfiveloaves.com and visit us in Plainfield , Union and Irvington New Jersey.

1


DR. LIZPARENTING101

Success in school is extremely important in fostering

confidence in children and having them develop

healthy attitudes about themselves and the world

around them. As a pediatrician, I am interested in how the

young people who come to me are doing in school because

it is often a reflection of their emotional and mental state.

In my practice, I have found that children who do poor-

ly in school tend to have more of a negative, cynical, and

pessimistic view of life. They are frustrated and have given

up because they think they are “stupid.” They stop trying to

do well because in their mind it won’t make a difference.

They tell themselves things like, “Why should I bother? No

matter how hard I try, it doesn’t make a difference. I will

never get this. I hate school.” As a parent, you are often

unaware of this inner dialogue and become frustrated when

your child seems to have an “I don’t care” attitude about

school and life in general.

If your child is failing and has always had trouble aca-

demically, it’s vital that you talk with your pediatrician and

investigate whether or not he or she has a learning disabili-

ty that needs to be addressed. If there is an issue, the school

is obligated to make adjustments to fit the needs of your

child. You are their best advocate, so you have to communi-

cate often with the school to make sure your child’s needs

are met.

An A student who suddenly starts to get C’s and D’s on

his report card sends up a red flag that something is going

on in his life that needs addressing. Is he being bullied? Is

something going on at home? Is he depressed? Is he hang-

ing around the wrong crowd or experimenting with drugs

and alcohol? Is there a problem with the teacher? The pri-

mary goal of the parents and pediatrician is to get him the

resources to be successful.

Your child may have the ability to do well but not feel

motivated and appear to be doing the bare minimum.

Perhaps she isn’t being challenged enough or has given up

because she doesn’t think she can meet your expectations.

She may feel that she is being compared to older siblings

and isn’t capable of following in their footsteps. There are

a multitude of reasons behind kids’ actions and behavior.

You just have to get at the source using patience, good lis-

tening skills, and a non-judgmental approach.

I have two words for you—GET INVOLVED! The more

involved a parent is in a child’s education, the more success-

ful a child can be in school. As a parent, it’s often difficult

to participate in school activities and stay on top of school-

work, especially if you are working one, maybe even two

jobs. You may have more than one child attending different

schools and be completely exhausted after coming home

from work. How can you do it all?

Developing a partnership with teachers is extremely

important. Attend parent-teacher conferences and let

them know you are committed to your child’s success in the

classroom. If you cannot attend, email the teacher or set up

another time to meet with them. Address your concerns

early rather than waiting for the final grade on the report

card. If your concerns aren’t addressed adequately, don’t

be afraid to speak to the vice principal or principal to get

the issue resolved.

Join the Parent-Teacher Organization/Association so

that you know what’s going on in school and volunteer in

at least one activity so your child can see that you are

involved. Try to attend your child’s school performances or

send a family member or friend. A child becomes more

interested in school when he sees that his loved-ones are

interested.

Success in school helps to foster an overall sense of well

being in children. They spend the greater part of their

childhood in the classroom. Their educational environ-

ment influences who they are and how they view life. Get

involved. Stay involved. Your role is vital in helping them

lead healthy, productive lives.

About Dr. LizDr. Elizabeth Robinson Henry (Dr. Liz) has dedicated her life

to providing youth with the knowledge and confidence to leadhealthy and productive lives. She is the founder of Dr. LizConsulting, a practice focused on making a difference in the livesof adolescents by addressing their physical, emotional, and men-tal needs. Teens, tweens and their parents can find resources onhow to build self-confidence, manage anger and stress, and over-come issues such as bullying, emotions, fitting-in, and obesity atwww.drlizforyouth.com.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is solely for

educational purposes and should not be relied on for a

diagnosis. Always consult your physician for medical advice,

treatment, and/or diagnosis.

Be Involved!

Newark Beth Israel Medical Centerand Children’s Hospital of New Jersey

congratulate

Darrell K. Terry, Sr., MHA, FACHEChief Operating O�cer, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center

and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey

S A I N T B A R N A B A S H E A L T H C A R E S Y S T E M

recipient of the 2011 Khary Orr Leadership Award

�e African American Heritage Parade Committee, Inc.

1-800-The Beth www.NewarkBeth.com

SPECIALAAHPCADVERTORIALSECTION


E ach year the parade takes on a different theme, one that is reflective and demonstrative of civil matters throughout the global and local com-

munities, as well as one that promulgates African cultural awareness, recollection and unity. This year the parade Committee is making a special effort to reach out to or-ganizations and brothers and sisters from Africa and the Caribbean Islands for their participation in the parade. This is the International Year of People of African Descent as declared by the United Nations. We present this year the First Statewide Black Heritage Parade in tribute of our 45th Anniversary Celebration.

Founded and held in the City of Newark in 1966, what began as “The Crispus Attucks Parade” (named in recognition and honor of the historic African American who was first to die at the Boston Massacre in 1770), was later titled “The Attucks-King Parade” in 1970, to commemorate Rev. Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Then in 1979, the title was changed to “The Black Heritage Day Parade,” with varying themes focused on remaining cognizant of the many evolutionary social concerns of the day, but also committed to preserving the traditions of past parades. From 1993 until today, this magnani-mous cultural extravaganza has been presented as “The African American Heritage Statewide Parade,” having grown into an annual four-day observance with hundreds of thousands attendees, and participants from throughout the State of New Jersey, the United States of America, Africa and other countries around

the world. We are dedicating this year’s 45th Anniver-sary Celebration to the Crispus Attucks Society.

Umoja means to strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race. We are eternally grateful to our premier sponsor, NJEA and anchor sponsor, Investor’s Savings Bank for believing in the importance of our celebration. Without these two major sponsors this year’s celebration would not have happened. We also salute Saint Barnabas Health-care System, Wachovia, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Fedway Associates and Optimum. Communication is key and without our media partners we could not be successful. For carrying our message we thank Cablevision, WBLS, Kiss, Hot 97, The Positive Community and Reflections.

Times are hard and the existence of celebrations like ours is threatened. It is imperative that we hold onto those things which instill pride, serve to inspire and unite us. We salute our 2011 Grand Marshalls Dr. Rosalind Jeffries and Rev. Dr. William D. Watley for dedicated service to Mother Africa, all people of color and our arts, culture and the African American Heritage Parade and for their sacrifice, wisdom and persever-ance in motivating our people to reclaim the knowl-edge of our lost black heritage and walk with pride in the world.

To God be the Glory.

Message from the Chairman

Peace and Godspeed,Donald Bernard, Sr. Chairman, African American Heritage Parade Committee, Inc.

Board of TrusTees

Donald Bernard, Sr. Diane Lewis Carol BoydWill J. Heard Khary Orr* Shawii JohnsonHoward J. Scott Bridgette Turner Yolanda Van Fleet

Technical advisors

Linda W. Brashear Dianthe Dawn MartinezKaren Waters Carl Sharif

*posthumous

1



When families and schools work together... our children are the winners!

Barbara Keshishian, PresidentWendell Steinhauer, Vice PresidentMarie Blistan, Secretary-Treasurer

Vincent Giordano, Executive DirectorRichard Gray, Assistant Executive Director/

Research Director

NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

When families and schools work together... our children are the winners!

Barbara Keshishian, PresidentWendell Steinhauer, Vice PresidentMarie Blistan, Secretary-Treasurer

Vincent Giordano, Executive DirectorRichard Gray, Assistant Executive Director/

Research Director

NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

1



R osalind Robinson Jeffries is a powerful speaker specializing in art history, the cultural determin-

ers of behavior, and the course of events in history. She analyzes paintings, sculpture, and the visual arts of peoples around the world, but especially Africans and also Af-ricans in the global diaspora. She is a mu-seum curator, educator, lecturer, and an inspirational God-conscious presenter who works to uplift the oppressed, give new in-sights to the intellectual, and spark community zeal.

Dr. Jeffries earned a Ph. D. From Yale University and at

R ev. William D. Watley, Ph. D. is the beloved Senior Pastor of the his-toric St. James African Methodist

Episcopal Church in Newark, NJ. Under his leadership, St. James has grown spiritually, numerically, and financially. Membership has tripled, the number of weekly worship services has doubled, and the annual church income has increased by 700%.

Dr. Watley’s ministry is characterized by a multifaceted approach that aims to pro-vide holistic care to those he serves. To this end, he es-tablished the St. James Social Services Corporation which oversees a daily feeding program and food pantry that dispenses over 89,000 meals annually, a clothes closet that distributes over 20,000 articles of clothing per year, an Intergenerational After School Care Program and Safe Haven Summer Peace Camp for children, as well as vari-ous emergency service, mentoring, literacy and employ-ment training programs for adults. Dr. Watley is the chairperson of the Board of Trustees for Visions Academy Charter High School in Newark, NJ, as well as the Board of Directors for the 220 unit St. James Towers.

A preacher par excellence, Dr. Watley’s homiletical ability is both nationally and internationally recognized.

present she is on the teaching faculty of the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Last year she was awarded a one year Arthur Schomburg faculty position at Ramapo College, teaching faculty and students in African American His-tory, studies in racism, and involvement in arts and cultural exhibitions. About fifteen years ago she was employed at the Metropolitan Mu-seum of Art in New York City, the Brooklyn Mu-seum, and the Center for African Art. She lived and researched in Africa in 1965 and 1966. As a

co-leader she lectured and traveled throughout Africa, Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and Asia.

He has the distinction of being the Confer-ence Preacher for the Hampton University Minister’s Conference for two consecutive years as well as a Conference Lecturer. At the invitation of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., Dr. Watley preached to over 20,000 people at their annual International Holy Convocation. He was a lecturer for the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church’s Pas-tor’s Conference held at Philips School of Theology. Dr. Watley has preached at the

Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, as well as Bishop T.D. Jakes’ Men Are Builders Conference. Moreover, Dr. Wat-ley has preached on the continents of Africa, Asia, Austra-lia, Europe, and South America in addition to the island nations of Cuba, Barbados, Bermuda, and Trinidad.

Dr. Watley received his Bachelor of Arts in Theol-ogy from St. Louis University and a Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center. He received a Master of Philosophy and his Doctor of Phi-losophy in Ethics from Columbia University. He holds a Doctor of Divinity from Payne Theological Seminary, and in addition, completed post-doctoral work at the Ec-umenical Institute in Celigny, Switzerland and Harvard’s Institute for Education Management.

Dr. rOSALIND r. JEFFrIES

rEv. WILLIAM D. WATLEY, PH. D.

AfricAn AmericAn HeritAge PArAde committee SAluteS

tHe 2011 grAnd mArSHAllS

1



H istorians know little about Crispus Attucks, and they have constructed accounts of his life more from speculation than facts. Most documents

described his ancestry as African and American Indian. His father, Prince Yonger, is thought to have been a slave brought to America from Africa and that his mother, Nancy Attucks, was a Natick Indian. The family, which may have included an older sister named Phebe, lived in Framingham, Massachusetts.

Apparently, young Attucks developed a longing for freedom at an early age. According to The Black Presence in the Era of the American Revolution, historians believe that an advertisement placed in the Boston Gazette on October 2, 1750, referred to him:

“Ran away from his Master William Brown from Fram-ingham, on the 30th of Sept. last, a Molatto Fellow, about 27 Years of age, named Crispas, 6 Feet two Inches high, short curl’d Hair, his Knees nearer together than common: had on a light colour’d Bearskin Coat.”

The owner offered a reward of ten pounds for the return of the slave and warned ship captains against giving him refuge. Biographers believe that Attucks escaped to Nantucket, Massachusetts, and sailed as a harpooner on a whaling ship. Some writers proposed that he was using the name Michael Johnson.

Attucks’ occupation made him particularly vulner-able to the presence of the British. As a seaman, he felt the ever-present danger of impressment into the British navy. As a laborer, he felt the competition from British troops, who often took part-time jobs during their off-duty

hours and worked for lower wages. Historians definitely place Attucks in Boston in March of 1770.

Five Americans were killed and six were wounded in what came to be called the Boston Massacre. Attucks was the first one killed; he took two bullets in the chest. Rope maker Samuel Gray and sailor James Caldwell also died in the incident. Samuel Maverick, a 17-year-old joiner’s apprentice, died the next day. Irish leather worker Patrick Carr died nine days later. Attucks’ body was carried to Faneuil Hall, where it lay in state until Thursday, March 8, when he and the other victims were buried together..

He is one of the most important figures in African-American history, not for what he did for his own race but for what he did for all oppressed people everywhere. He is a reminder that the African-American heritage is not only African but American and it is a heritage that begins with the beginning of America.

Crispus Attucks became the first casualty of the Ameri-can Revolution when he was shot and killed. Although Attucks was credited as the leader and instigator of the event, debate raged for over a century as to whether he was a hero and a patriot, or a rabble-rousing villain. The debate notwithstanding, Attucks, immortalized as “the first to defy, the first to die,” has been lauded as a true martyr, “the first to pour out his blood as a precious libation on the altar of a people’s rights.”

The Year aims at strengthening national actions and regional and international cooperation for the benefit of people of African descent in relation to their full enjoyment of economic, social, civil and political rights, their participation and integration in all political, economic, social and cultural aspects of society, and the promotion of a greater knowledge

On December 18, 2009, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the year beginning on January 1, 2011 the International Year for People of African Descent

of and respect for their diverse heritage and culture.The General Assembly encourages Member States, the

specialized agencies of the United Nations system, within their respective mandates and existing resources, and civil society to make preparations for and identify possible initiatives that can contribute to the success of the Year.

2011 Statewide Parade Dedicated to Crispus Attucks Society

International Year for People of African Descent

(Unity):Umoja

2011:

To Strive For and to Maintain Unity in the Family, Community, Nation and Race.

1

Festival Site



Show Your Solidarity... Wear Green, Red or Black on Parade Day



Sanford Branch • 973.372.1706Cynthia Crenshaw, Branch Manager • 829 Sanford Avenue • Newark, NJ

isbnj.com

Member FDIC

is proud to support the

African American Heritage

Statewide Parade & Festival

Investors Savings Bank is an independent, full-service community bank operating over 80 branches. With $9.8 billion in assets, we have the size, scope and talent to deliver a full range of banking products and services.

Investors serves a wide range of consumer, business, commercial real estate, nonprofit and local government customers. In addition, our Charitable Foundation supports local and statewide organizations that enrich the quality of life in the communities we serve.

Through its extensive branch network, Investors is able to offer a financial product line that is competitive with those of larger financial institutions. This strength is combined with a highly experienced, locally based management team and a clear focus on the needs of New Jersey residents, businesses and communities.

Sanford Branch • 973.372.1706Cynthia Crenshaw, Branch Manager • 829 Sanford Avenue • Newark, NJ

isbnj.com

Member FDIC

is proud to support the

African American Heritage

Statewide Parade & Festival

Investors Savings Bank is an independent, full-service community bank operating over 80 branches. With $9.8 billion in assets, we have the size, scope and talent to deliver a full range of banking products and services.

Investors serves a wide range of consumer, business, commercial real estate, nonprofit and local government customers. In addition, our Charitable Foundation supports local and statewide organizations that enrich the quality of life in the communities we serve.

Through its extensive branch network, Investors is able to offer a financial product line that is competitive with those of larger financial institutions. This strength is combined with a highly experienced, locally based management team and a clear focus on the needs of New Jersey residents, businesses and communities.


MoneyB U S I N E S S , M O N E Y & W O r k

Where Does Our Money Go?BY JEAN NASH WELLS

Prudential releases Study on Finances of African Americans

Loyalty and Trust of Financial Institutions Needed

A ccording to a study, The African American Financial Experience, released re-

cently by Prudential Financial Inc., African Americans say they are optimistic about achieving their financial goals, many of which re-flect a strong focus on the well-be-ing of the family and community. On the other hand, there are many barriers to achieving those goals.

The study was released at a press conference on April 13, followed by a panel discussion facilitated by Prudential’s Head of Human Re-sources, Vice President Ronald K. Andrews. Participating as panelists were Kelvin Boston, author, personal finance expert, executive producer and host, PBS Moneywise TV; Mark Hug, vice president and chief mar-keting officer, Prudential Insurance Company of America; Wilhelmina A. Leigh, Ph.D., senior research associ-ate of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a think tank based in Washington, D.C.; and Rev.

L-R: Rev. Dr. DeForest “Buster” Soaries, Wilhelmina A. Leigh, Ph.D.; Mark Hug and Kelvin Boston

Ronald K. Andrews

Photos: Wali Amin Muhammad

Continued on page 52

1

Workshops Include:• Business Planning and Management for Construction• Construction Accounting and Financial Management• Banking and Financing for Contractors• Bonding and Insurance for New and Emerging Contractors• Marketing, Estimating and Bidding• Project Management and Field Operations• Claims and Dispute Resolution• Managing Growth

Ideal Candidates Should Possess the Following:• Minimum of 2 years business experience• Financial records covering Profit and Loss• History of successful project experience• Commitment to complete the program

This project is funded by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA’s funding should not be construed as an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services. All SBA funded projects are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested two weeks in advance. Contact Deborah E. Collins, Esq., Director, Small Business Development and Affirmative Action, Hall of Records, Room 449A, 465 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Newark NJ 07102. Telephone: (973) 621-2010.

The Essex County Office of Small Business Development and Affirmative Action is committed to promoting business opportunities for small, women and minority-owned vendors. Essex County’s Bonding Readiness Program is the first-ever multiple county bonding program geared to helping SBE, DBE, MBE and WBE businesses gain the necessary credentials to apply for government contracts. We encourage you to sign up for this FREE program.

- Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.

Essex County Bonding Readiness ProgramFree Development Course for Small Businesses

Session Begins Apr. 14, 2011The program is FREE but registration is required.

Contact us for more information and to RSVP - 973.621.5420

[email protected]

Presented by Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., Essex County Executive, The Board of Chosen Freeholders

and the Essex County Office of Small Business Development and Affirmative Action

The County of Essex has partnered with The Surety & Fidelity Association of America to provide a Bonding Readiness Program to SBE, DBE, MBE and WBE vendors in New Jersey.

“We invite all small, women and minority business owners andprospective entrepreneurs to visit our new Small BusinessDevelopment Resource Center and Reference Library. It willprovide entrepreneurs with information to transform their ideasinto new businesses and help current vendors to expand theircompanies. This is another opportunity we are offering toempower small, women and minority vendors and help themsucceed in today’s competitive market.”

Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.

Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., Essex County ExecutiveThe Board of Chosen Freeholders

And the Office of Small Business Development and Affirmative Actionand Affirmative Action

Essex County Small BusinessResource Center & Reference Library

Essex County Hall of RecordsFourth Floor, Room 447

465 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.Newark, NJ 07102Newark, NJ 07102

RESOURCE CENTER HIGHLIGHTS:•Specialized 500-Book Business Library

•Computer/Internet Access•Daily Newspapers & Business-Related Periodicals

OPEN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAYBYAPPOINTMENT ONLY

Call 973-621-2011 to schedule yours today!This project is funded by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA’s funding should not be construed as an endorsement of anyproducts, opinions, or services. All SBA-funded projects are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for personswith disabilities will be made, if requested two weeks in advance. Contact Deborah E. Collins, Esq., Director, Small Business Development and AffirmativeAction, Hall of Records, Room 449A, 465 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Newark NJ 07102. Telephone: (973) 621-2010.


P hilip Banks Jr., president of the One Hundred Black Men, Inc. of New York City, recently ap-pointed Steven Board, 50, as the new Executive

Director of the organization, effective March 16, 2011.Board previously managed citywide health &

wellness initiatives, golf outings, award dinners as well as volunteer and donor events for the New Jersey-based company, Isles, Inc.

He is the founder of FXO Event Marketing Group and was formerly VP of Event Marketing for Bates USA in New York and the east coast regional sports market-ing manager for Nike in charge of all sports marketing efforts for the brands.

Board has a bachelor of Science Degree in Sports & Recreation Administration from Lincoln University, a Master of Science Degree in Event Management from Lehman College and a certificate in Sports & Entertain-ment Marketing from New York University.

“The founding chapter of One Hundred Black Men is pleased to welcome Steven to the organization. He is a highly creative, goal-oriented professional with more

veteran Marketing Executive Laurel richie Named President of WNBA

Ceylon Frett Promoted to vice President at NobleStrategy

C eylon Frett has been promoted from director of Business Development to vice president of NobleStrategy, a construction management and

training firm with offices in Harlem, Long Island City and Newark. “Ceylon has been a tremendous asset to NobleStrategy and has been instrumental in our com-pany’s success even during difficult economic times,” said William S. Parrish Jr., president/CEO of NobleStrategy. “In addition to business development, Ceylon now serves as a company executive directly responsible for all daily operations, client services and project management.”

With over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing and technology consulting, Frett has managed con-struction management and training services for many of NobleStrategy’s clients, including the New York City School Construction Authority, Merrill Lynch, New York City Charter School Center and the Brick City Develop-ment Corporation, the primary economic development catalyst for the City of Newark.

Frett graduated from Morgan State University with a B.S. in Marketing and the Fundamentals of Construc-

R ichie will be responsible for the day-to-day op-erations of the world's

premier women's sports league, which tips off its historic 15th season this summer. Richie served most recently as senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Girl Scouts of the USA. She was responsible for the organization's brand, communi-cations, publishing, marketing and web-based initiatives, and was the driving force behind the recent Girl Scouts brand revitalization.

“Laurel combines extraordinary skills with a tremen-dous enthusiasm to help evolve young women into lead-ers,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “She joins the WNBA at such an exciting time in its history and we know her expertise will be key to continuing the growth and success of the league.”

New Executive Director Named at the One Hundred Black Men, Inc.

Prior to Girl Scouts of the USA, Richie worked at Leo Burnett Worldwide and Ogilvy and Mather, where she spent more than two decades building brands for blue chip clients including American Express, Pepperidge Farm and Unilever, among others. She continues to work with Ogilvy as a founding member of its Diversity Advisory Board, supporting efforts to attract and retain top talent.

Richie, a graduate of Dartmouth College with a B.A. in Policy Studies, received the YMCA Black Achiever's Award and Ebony magazine's Outstanding Women in Marketing and Communications, and was named one of the 25 Influential Black Women in Business by The Network Journal.

“I am fortunate to have worked with an organization as inspiring as Girl Scouts, and I'm thrilled to have the oppor-tunity to build upon the successes of the WNBA and help grow this league into a world-class business.” said Richie.

HIGHER GROUND



HOW TO LIVE UNITED. JOIN HANDS. OPEN YOUR HEART. LEND YOUR MUSCLE. FIND YOUR VOICE. GIVE 10%. GIVE 100%.

GIVE 110% GIVE AN HOUR. GIVE A SATURDAY. THINK OF WE BEFORE ME. REACH OUT A HAND TO ONE AND

INFLUENCE THE CONDITION OF ALL.

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. LIVE UNITED

www.unitedwayessex.org

















A February 2011 briefing of Harlem business leaders and media by AT&T Northeast

Regional President Steve Hodges hosted by the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce sparked the interest of Jeanne Parnell, Harlem resident and popular host of “City Lights” on WHCR-FM. Jeanne invited John Jefferson, regional, vice president, AT&T External Affairs, to be a guest the program. The inter-view led them to a discussion about products and plans for seniors who would prefer larger keypads, brighter

face plates, and affordable rate plans. So Jefferson invited Jeanne and a few of her friends to come to an AT&T retail store for a tutorial on devices for sophisticated consumers.

At the West 125th Street store, Tammy Tindley, AT&T area man-ager and store manager Clement Ezeanii and his staff demonstrated various devices—smartphones, iPads and e-readers—to Jeanne’s guests, Ahsaki Benion-Habersham, Martha Buckner, Victoria Horsford, Mi-chelle Stent, and George Williams and several others who listen to her

program on WHCR. They received a hands-on presentation about easy-to-use handheld devices from a simple phone to an iPad as well as tips on getting the most from mobile and broadband. According to Jeanne, she was surprised to learn that se-niors are not the only ones who have difficulty using some of the new devices. “Younger people who wear eyeglasses and have dexterity prob-lems have difficulty, too, as some of the younger people there pointed out. It was a revelation,” she said.

Jefferson reiterated AT&T’s com-mitment to Harlem through their “AT&T in Your Neighborhood” initia-tive and because this gathering was so informative to both Jeanne and her friends and to AT&T they intend to hold more such events to help them learn about ways to meet the commu-nications needs across New York City.

L–R: John Jefferson, regional vice president, AT&T External Affairs; Tammy Tindley, AT&T area manager; Jeanne Parnell, host/producer of “City Lights” on WHCR-FM; Store Manager Clement Ezeanii and Assistant Manager Justin Wasserman.

Talk Show Host Learns that Smartphones are for Adults too!

Dr. DeForest “Buster” Soaries, author and senior pastor, First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, NJ. Dr. Soaries’ book, dfree Breaking Free from Financial Slavery, published by Zondervan earlier this year, puts forth a strategy that teaches people how to become and stay debt free.

One critical issue that came out of the study is that African Americans do not use financial products and lack relationships with financial professionals. Not the least of reasons for that, say 78 percent of those surveyed, is that financial services companies have not effectively engaged the African American community.

“Where are the financial advisers?”asked Rev. Soar-ies, rhetorically. “What financial services company is going to let an adviser come to work each day with $50,000 on their books? No one wants 200 clients with $2,000 in an IRA,” he said.

When it comes to doing business with a financial services firm, 94% said trust is critical or very impor-tant and few financial institutions meet that criterion. Although the majority say they want financial advice, concerns about finding a “qualified professional they can trust and relate to” prevent them from hiring an advisor. Mark Hug seemed to be surprised. “I thought the industry was doing a better job than that,” he said,

and put forth the idea that the industry should take a three-pronged approach to earn trust, which would include having higher ethical standards; have a broad cultural understanding, which the industry lacks and as an industry do a better job of local community support. Results of the study show that emphasis on community support in order to gain trust permeates all income groups, and is highest in the $100,000 plus income group who actually use financial advisors at the same level as the general population.

Along with the support of the black community and its charities, promoting financial literacy to young people, investing in or making loans to small minor-ity businesses and instituting diverse hiring practices, were the actions that respondents felt would be most helpful in boosting interest and trust in financial ser-vices companies in the African American community. Opening branches in the community, advertising in black media, and “portraying people like me” in mar-keting materials and ads were also important factors to more than 50 percent of those studied.

For more information and to see the complete study visit www.thepositivecommunity.com or www.prudential.com/view/page/public

MONEYContinued from page 47

1


EducationT E A C H I N G , L E A r N I N G , M A k I N G A D I F F E r E N C EBritanny Robinson

NewBrunswick medalist

Shaun Adams, New Brunswick Advisor and Adele Taylor, gold medalist for business

A t a time when the system is challenged and more demands are put on our children to suc-ceed, ACT-SO, the Academic, Cultural, Tech-

nological, & Scientific Olympics is one of the best kept secrets in education.

In 1977 Vernon Jarrett of Chicago, a renowned author, civil rights activist and journalist, initiated the idea of a program that would promote and re-ward young academic achievers the same way sports heroes are honored. The first national ACT-SO Olympics of the Mind, competition was held in 1978 in Portland Oregon.

ACT-SO is a youth program under the administrative aegis of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). A year-long enrichment program designed to encourage high academic and cultural achievement among underserved minority high school students, the program relies on community volunteers and business leaders to serve as mentors and coaches in promoting academic and artistic excellence among African-American and Hispanic students. By

ACT-SO Medalists ready for National Competition

providing an arena where students strive to excel in the sciences, arts and humanities, ACT-SO equips its partici-pants with the skills to live meaningful lives.

On an early, rainy Saturday morning in April, in New York and New Jersey, nearly two hundred students in each location, weighed down with instruments, science boards and dramatic props, trooped to their designated location for the annual Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) com-petition, judged by professionals who volunteered their services for the day.

With the first level of competition completed, gold medal winners will go on to the national level to repre-sent their home state. The 31st annual national ACT-SO competition sponsored by the NAACP will be held July 20-24 in Los Angeles, CA where medals are awarded, along with cash scholarships.

The new season will start again in September. The program is open to students in grades 9-12. For more information for New Jersey ACT-SO visit the website, www.actsonewjersey.org or for New York go to www.actso.org

Myriah Martin11th Grade.

Performing Arts - Dance.Manhattan Center for

Science & Math

Amber Spencer-Knowles 11th Grade. Visual Arts - Photography.Brooklyn High School for Music & Theatre

1

www.thepositivecommunity.com The Positive Community 55

Abigail Shallow 9th Grade

Visual Arts - Painting.

Bedford Academy High School, Brooklyn

Charnika Webster 12th GradeHumanities - Short StoryBrooklyn Community Arts & Media High School

Gloucester Students

You Are Invited ToThe Newark School of Theology Summer Semester Open House Saturday, May 21, 201010 am to 12 Noon

Join Us At The SchoolFor An Informative Informal Gathering• One-on-oneassistancewithyourques-

tions• Meetsomeofthefaculty• Reviewourcurrentcourses• Learnabout thenewcoursebeing

introduced • Receiveprintedinformation

* Light Refreshments Will Be Served * * Gift For All In Attendance *

Mark Your Calendar Now R.S.V.P. On or Before May 17, 2010 973-297-0505

The Newark School of TheologyTwo Park PlaceP.O. Box 831Newark, New Jersey 07101 973-297-0505 www.newarkschooloftheology.org

Empowering yourself with knowledge en-ables you to grow in God, your church, your workplace and your community.

Looking forward to meeting with friends ..

old and new. Sincerely,Rev. Douglas Bendall, Ph.D.President

Jude Appiah10th GradeScience/Math.Queens High School for the Sciences, Queens

Malik Williams - 12th Grade, Brooklyn Technical High School with judge Anaelechi Owunwanne, architect

NY Photos: Gerald Peart

www.thepositivecommunity.com The Positive Community 55

Abigail Shallow 9th Grade

Visual Arts - Painting.

Bedford Academy High School, Brooklyn

Charnika Webster 12th GradeHumanities - Short StoryBrooklyn Community Arts & Media High School

Gloucester Students

You Are Invited ToThe Newark School of Theology Summer Semester Open House Saturday, May 21, 201010 am to 12 Noon

Join Us At The SchoolFor An Informative Informal Gathering• One-on-oneassistancewithyourques-

tions• Meetsomeofthefaculty• Reviewourcurrentcourses• Learnabout thenewcoursebeing

introduced • Receiveprintedinformation

* Light Refreshments Will Be Served * * Gift For All In Attendance *

Mark Your Calendar Now R.S.V.P. On or Before May 17, 2010 973-297-0505

The Newark School of TheologyTwo Park PlaceP.O. Box 831Newark, New Jersey 07101 973-297-0505 www.newarkschooloftheology.org

Empowering yourself with knowledge en-ables you to grow in God, your church, your workplace and your community.

Looking forward to meeting with friends ..

old and new. Sincerely,Rev. Douglas Bendall, Ph.D.President

Jude Appiah10th GradeScience/Math.Queens High School for the Sciences, Queens

Malik Williams - 12th Grade, Brooklyn Technical High School with judge Anaelechi Owunwanne, architect

You Are Invited ToThe Newark School of Theology

Summer Semester

Open House

Saturday, May 21, 201010 am to 12 Noon

Join Us At The School

For An Informative Informal Gathering

• One-on-one assistance with your questions

• Meet some of the faculty

• Review our current courses

• Learn about the new course being introduced

• Receive printed information

* Light Refreshments Will Be Served *

* Gift For All In Attendance *

Mark Your Calendar NowR.S.V.P. On or Before May 17, 2010

973-297-0505

The Newark School of TheologyTwo Park Place

P.O. Box 831

Newark, New Jersey 07101

973-297-0505

www.newarkschooloftheology.org

Empowering yourself with knowledge enables you to grow in God, your church, your workplace and your

community.

Looking forward to meeting with friends .. old and new.

Sincerely,

Rev. Douglas Bendall, Ph.D.

President


Summer Semester

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P.O. Box 831


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President

May 2011


NAACPAdvertorial

1

THE NEW YORK BRANCH of the

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT

OF COLORED PEOPLE

On June 3, 2011, the New York Branch NAACP will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Organized January 27, 1911, the New York Branch became the first branch chartered by the national organization and was housed in the village of Harlem. Today the New York Branch has more than 6,000 members, making it one of the largest branches in the country. The branch continues to maintain an aggressive community-oriented program under the volunteer leadership of its unprecedented 17-term President, Dr. Annie B. Martin, and an active, dedicated Executive Board, conducting voter registration drives, education seminars, health fairs, a Saturday prep school, forums and meetings that focus on civil and human rights and the overall quality of life in the community. Founded in 1909 the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has been one of the world’s leading and most effective civil rights organizations, continuously fighting for justice, equal opportunity and the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as promised to all Americans by the Constitution of the United States. The NAACP has a national membership of more than 600,000 in its 1,700 branches. As Frederick Douglass said … “without struggle there can be no progress.” And, as the national banner of the NAACP proclaims, “The Struggle Continues.”

The United Federation of Teachers is proud to sharein the history of the New York Branch NAACP

Happy 100th New York Branch NAACP

52 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 p: 212.777.7500 www.uft.org

Officers: Michael Mulgrew President • Michael Mendel Secretary • Mel Aaronson TreasurerRobert Astrowsky Assistant Secretary • Mona Romain Assistant Treasurer

Vice Presidents: Karen Alford • Carmen Alvarez • Leo Casey • Richard Farkas Aminda Gentile • Sterling Roberson

gh09664_NAACP 100 ad_Layout 1 5/3/11 4:55 PM Page 1


Area Men Honored at Morehouse College

T hree distinguished gentlemen from our area were among those honored recently at Morehouse Col-lege during the college’s 2011 Science and Spiritual

Awareness Week in Atlanta, Georgia. The induction cer-emony took place at The Martin Luther King Jr. Interna-tional Chapel on the campus of Dr. King's alma mater.

New Yorker Jeff Burns, Jr., vice chair of Howard University's School of Communications (BOV) was inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers and Laity.

Dr. Anthony Van Jones, distinguished visiting fel-

Phot

os: M

argo

t Jo

rdan

Pictured with Jeff Burns Jr. (c) are his aunt Dorothy Russell of Atlanta and Morehouse College President Robert Michael Franklin, Ph.D.

L-R: Dr. Anthony Van Jones, Rev. June Juliet Gatlin, Agape Spiritual Center Los Angeles, CA and The Rev. Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter Sr., Dean of The Chapel, Professor of Religion and College Curator; Morehouse College.

L-R: President Robert Michael Franklin, PhD presents award to Reverend Dr. Harry Starks Wright Sr

In his charge to the new inductees President Franklin said in part:

“Because the crises of character education and character values in America require more ethically and spiritually-oriented role models and moral examples, I am pleased to induct you into the Morehouse College prophetic religious tradition, the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers, Board of Sponsors, and Collegium of Scholars, and do hereby charge and challenge you to be affirmative and appreciative, coherently critical examples for this generation of students, always remem-bering that our vision is the creation of a global society in which the full development of each individual’s potential is the central goal.

I charge you to be servant scholar leaders, guaran-

low, Centre for African American Studies and The Program in Science, Technology & Environmental Policy, Princeton University, was the guest speaker at the event and was inducted into the Morehouse Col-legium of Scholars.

The Reverend Dr. Harry Starks Wright Sr. (Morehouse Class of ’53), senior pastor emeritus of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY was inducted into the Morehouse College Board of Preachers. A cadre of Cornerstone con-gregation members flew to Atlanta to witness their beloved former pastor receive the prestigious honor.

tors of continuity, celebrators of change, negotiators of structure, and facilitators of meaning with the hope that we can right age-old wrongs that continue to haunt the American people and the world.

Lastly, I charge you to use your time, talent, tender and technology to help usher in an age of peace and nonviolence for the children of the world, to raise an-other generation of morally inspired leaders committed to building the beloved world community, in token of which you are now given these citations which list twenty global ethical options by which Dr. King, and many Hin-dus, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Christians and scientists lived their lives and transform the world.”

1


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or visit www.sonyma.org

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amount or up to $15,000);• No points;• No financing add ons.

The State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) offers first-time homebuyers:

SONYMA makes homeownership affordable in these difficult times.

Let Us Break Bread TogetherHCCI Hosts Benefit Gala At Panache In Harlem

T he Honorable David N. Dinkins received the Canon Frederick Boyd Williams (CFBW) Commu-nity Service Award at the Harlem Congregations

for Community Improvement, Inc. (HCCI) 25h Anni-versary “Let Us Break Bread Together” Awards Gala on Thursday, April 14, 2010 at Harlem’s Panache Supper Club in New York City. For the second time, after years of taking this wonderful event downtown, HCCI has af-firmed its commitment developing the Harlem economy by hosting the event in Harlem.

Hosted by Rev. Walter C. Barton, Jr., honors also went to: Bruce S. Dale, SVP of Community Preservation Cor-poration; James Allen founder of Addicts Rehabilitation Center (ARC); Rev. Dr. William James, pastor emeritus of Metropolitan United Methodist Church and chair of Housing Urban Development Corporation; and Stepha-nie B. Weldon, local business woman and board mem-ber of Greenhope Services for Women.

Ronald Wright Norman received HCCI’s fourth an-nual CFBW Scholarship award established through an endowment by the Rockefeller Foundation. A resident of HCCI’s housing for youth who have aged out of foster

care, Norman secured a full scholarship to Syracuse University from JP Morgan Chase with assistance from HCCI. The $1000 CFBW scholarship will assist him with books and incidentals during his first year.

The celebration included performances by Saint James, Tres Voce and ARC Choir member Deborah Alexander, who sang in tribute to James Allen.

Lucille McEwen, HCCI president, noted, “For 25 years, HCCI has helped to rebuild the Harlem commu-nity and to transform the lives of its residents. Tonight we celebrate the resilience of this community and the future of an institution that has dedicated itself to build-ing maintaining this neighborhood’s great legacy.”

Proceeds from this event will benefit HCCI, a diverse, interfaith consortium of more than 90 congregations established to revitalize the physical, economic, cultural, and spiritual conditions of the Harlem community. HCCI has made a substantial impact on the social and living conditions in Harlem by developing low to mod-erate income housing; creating supportive health and human service facilities and programs; providing com-mercial development opportunities to local businesses; and expanding cultural programs.

Honoree - Stephanie Weldon's family and guests; Dr. Ann Elliott; Lucille L. McEwen; Dr. Charles A. Curtis.

L–R: Dr. Charles Curtis; Honoree - Mayor David Dinkins; Dr. Muriel Petioni; Mrs. Joyce Dinkins.

L–R: Dr. Dedrick Blue; Lucille McEwen; C. Virginia Fields; Honoree - Bruce Dale.

1


L–R: Mayor Clinton Young of Mt. Vernon, New York; 2011 Urban Angel Honoree, Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, pastor Grace Baptist Church and NYTS President, Dr. Dale T. Irvin

L–R: Jacqueline McLeod and Rev. Alfonso Wyatt, NYTS alum and D. Min candidat

Maria Estevez and Atty. Paul Martin

L–R: Dr. Joseph Crockett, co-pastor, St. Marks Episcopal Church in Harlem and Renee Guy Crockett

Emcee for the evening, NBC personality, DeMarco Morgan

L–R: 2011 Urban Angel honoree, Rossana Rosado, CEO

and publisher of El Diario La Prensa and Julio Medina, CEO of Exodus

Transitional Community

L–R: Dr. Eleanor Moody-Shepherd, vice president for Academic Affairs and Academic dean; 2011 Urban Angel honoree Marie Michel, Esq.; NYTS President Dr. Dale T. Irvin

NYTS Honors Urban Angels

O n April 5th New York Theological Seminary hosted its 2011 Urban Angel Awards Gala at Gotham Hall in midtown Manhattan. This

year’s distinguished honorees: Rossana Rosado, publisher & CEO, El Diario La Prensa; Rev. Dr. Franklyn Richardson, senior pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Mt.Vernon, New York; BiBi Russell, UNES-CO special envoy and artist for peace, founder, Bibi Productions; Rev. Dr. Paul C. Chang, senior pastor, Korean Methodist Church and Institute, New York; Marie Michel, Esq., public interest lawyer and Fam-ily Equality Council, advancing social and legal equality for LGBT families.

Co-chairs for the event were Dr. William Lee and Ms. Susan K. Reed. Past honorees include, among others, the Hon. Hazel Dukes, NAACP New York

State Conference and Maria Elena Girone, Puerto Rican Family Institute.

Ronneak M. Lee

Photos: Bob G

ore

1


JuneBusiness, Industry

& Financeto Advertise call:

973-233-9200or email:

[email protected] rates & deadlines

Upcoming specialIssue! Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III

Builds An Education PipelineRev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III

Builds An Education Pipeline

April 2011

www.thepositivecommunity.com $2.95

G O O D N E W S F R O M T H E C H U R C H A N D C O M M U N I T Y

Rocka Your Soul!

Alvin Ailey Dance

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Work RevelationsTurns 50

Pastor & President

“I may not know about tomorrow, but I know who holds tomorrow.”

How ToPreserve

Church HistoryPart II

Hackensack’s New

Hope B.C. Offers

Hope for Membersin Debt

Eddie & Sylvia Brown

Take Black Philanthropy

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Rocka Your Soul!

Alvin Ailey Dance

Theater Signature

Work RevelationsTurns 50

Pastor & President

“I may not know about tomorrow, but I know who holds tomorrow.”

How ToPreserve

Church HistoryPart II

Hackensack’s New

Hope B.C. Offers

Hope for Membersin Debt

Eddie & Sylvia Brown

Take Black Philanthropy

to the Next Level

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1

Barbara Keshishian, PresidentWendell Steinhauer, Vice PresidentMarie Blistan, Secretary-TreasurerVincent Giordano, Executive DirectorRichard Gray, Assistant Executive Director/Research Director

Education is an Investment“ Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human mind is a fundamental resource.”

-John F. Kennedy

Strong schools make strong communities. NJEA is proud to advocate for an excellent education for every child.


Phot

os:

Joe

Alle

n

St. James' Liturgical Dancers

L–R: Rev. Shanda Short,

Rev. Shirley Roberts

Rev. Dennis E. Hughes

Rev. Stanley Gordon Smith, Bethel AME Church, Copiague LI, NY and Adrian Council

St. Matthew Praise Team - Chris Tann, Veronica Morton, Jason Gathright, Catherine Ingram, Davinia Stewart, Rev. Marian Sykes Johnson

Bishop Richard Franklin Norris

L–R: Bishop Cummings and Bishop Norris

St. James Conference Staff

Rev. Reginald T. Jackson

L–R: Rev. Kenneth Saunders, Rev. William Watley

NJ District A.M.E. Conference

T he NJ District of the AME Church held its 139th Annual Conference March, 21-27 2011 at the Shera-ton Newark Airport Hotel, NJ. Daily business sessions

were held at 8:00 AM with daily noon time "Power Hours" featuring ministers and congregations from within the denomination.

Nightly Worship Services were held at St. James A.M.E. Church in Newark. The host Pastor was Rev. William Wat-ley. Host presiding elder was Howard Grant and presiding bishop of the NJ District is Richard Franklin Norris.

In addition to pastor reassignments, five new ministers were ordained.

1

Her eyes were dark,

her skin bore cut

marks and her

voice was nothing more

than a whisper. And these

were only the external

wounds. Sadly, the emo-

tional scars that were not

visible to the eye were

equally deep and even

more painful. To some, she is just a statistic—one of the

three million women who are abused by their husbands

or boyfriends every year. But to many others she is a

mother, a sister, an aunt or a best friend, and though

these statistics may be grim, this story is one with a mes-

sage of hope. It is about a ray of sunlight in the dark

world of domestic violence. The statement comes in the

form of a music compilation CD that tells the three

women who are likely to be killed each day by a current

or former intimate partner: Rise up because there is a

reason to live.

The recently released CD compilation, Rise Up AgainstDomestic Violence, is a joint partnership between Best Kept

Secrets (BKS) Entertainment LLC and selected regions

of the YWCA. It uses the power of music as a vehicle of

healing and is aimed at not just bringing a greater aware-

ness to the scourge that is domestic violence but provid-

ing solutions as well.

Artie Smallwood, who is the co-founder of BKS, spear-

headed the project from conception to completion. Rise UpAgainst Domestic Violence is a holistic compilation that takes

listeners through a range of emotions, but also provides

solutions to women who are directly affected,” Smallwood

tells The Positive Community. “So in addition to inspiring


CultureM U S I C , A R T & L I T E R A T U R E

The Message is in the MusicBKS TEAMS WITH WYCA TO STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

music, the CD also includes the contact information for the

YWCA national domestic violence hotline.”

According to Smallwood, he visualizes the day when

someone listening to the CD is touched to the point of

reflecting on their relationship and then taking correc-

tive actions. “And the same goes for other issues as well,”

he says adding, “though there are several songs speaking

directly to the issue of domestic violence, there are many

other tracks that simply carry a positive message of

empowerment.”

Designed to support the YWCA Domestic Violence

Initiative, the compilation featuring 16 original tracks

launched on May 10 and is available through all popular

online retailers including: iTunes, Rhapsody and

AmazonMP3.

According to Smallwood, the CD came about as a

result of a conversation with his friend and colleague,

Theresa Austin who is on the board of the YWCA in

Union County NJ. “It was in exploring ways that BKS

could support the YWCA that I found out how far-reach-

ing the problem of domestic violence is in society in gen-

eral,” he says. “That’s when we decided to team up our

efforts to bring greater awareness to this issue. After I

started talking to people about the project, I was amazed

by how many women revealed to me that they were in

similar situations of being either emotionally or physical-

ly abused.”

Under the partnership agreement, BKS and the

YWCA will jointly promote the Rise Up compilation. A

percentage of all proceeds from sales will then go toward

the YWCA Domestic Violence Initiative.

The participating YWCA regions to date include: The

Great Lakes Alliance, Northeast Region, New England,

By Glenda Cadogan

continued on next page


Southwest/Delta and the Mid-Atlantic.

Rise Up Against Domestic Violence includes GrammyTM

Award Winning artist Lalah Hathaway, Latonya Blige fea-

turing Mary J. Blige, Native American recording

artist/songwriter Jana Mashonee and New Jersey native,

Rashanna Harmon.

The songs share inspiring, uplifting and courageous

messages via various genres including R&B, Pop, Rock,

Inspirational and Hip-Hop. One of the most popular and

compelling tracks on the albums is called “A Reason to

Live.” Written by Norman Bradley, CEO of BKS and sung

by Rashanna Harmon, the song offers hope to women in

broken relationships in particular and people seeing

hard times in general. “When I sing that song I am

reminded of the countless times in my life when things

were tough and I needed to find the strength by being

thankful for life,” says Harmon. “And that’s what this

song is about—it’s about being grateful even for the lit-

tle things in life. Sometimes we take the simple things for

granted, but it’s important to always remember that

there is hope in your life no matter how bad things may

seem. “A Reason to Live” is a song that reminds us to

never give up.”

Launched about two years ago, BKS has a mission to

create socially responsible content that will be primarily

available online. With, Rise Up Against Domestic Violencebeing its first release, the recording company is not only

fulfilling its mission but helping the one in three girls

who—according to National Coalition Against Domestic

Violence statistics—will be sexually abused before she

turns 18.

“We know that domestic violence affects every age

group,” Smallwood says. “But we particularly wanted to

reach the younger people of the iTunes generation and

music has always been a way to speak to them without lec-

turing. To us, it’s important that they know that it is not

acceptable to mistreat women.”

According to National Network to End Domestic

Violence, every year nearly 2.2 million people call a

domestic violence crisis center or hotline to escape crisis

situations or seek advice. The message of Rise up AgainstDomestic Violence is available to them as well—“It’s a beau-

tiful day to take a ride/There is still hope for you/Just

believe that there is a reason to live.

Message in the Musiccontinued from previous page

than 25 years of cross-disciplinary, integrated planning, management and program development experi-ence. We know that he will be a tremendous asset to our chapter,” said Mr. Banks.

tion Management Certification Program at New York City College of Technology. He is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., chair-man of the Newark Public Schools School-to-Career & College Initia-tives Technology Advisory Board and a board member of the Rutgers University Small Business Develop-ment Center.

“I look forward to working close-ly with Bill Parrish as we advance not only the interests of NobleStrategy, but those of minority-owned busi-nesses throughout the New York metropolitan region,” said Frett.

HIGHER GROUNDContinued from page 50

CEYLON FETT:

PHILIP BANKS:


BY PATRICIA BALDWIN

Grace & Peace!

The celebration of Mother’s Day

would not be the same if it wasn’t

for the power of birth. We enter

into this world from the womb of a

mother! It is the love of a mother that

gives her the patience and endurance

to even go through the pain and pres-

sure of labor, and it’s that same com-

bination helps to raise up a child in

the way he/she should go so when

they are old, it will not depart. So

when any good thing happens in a child’s life, you can

rest assured that mother will get the credit for believing

in them and Momma is gonna teach them that all the

glory and honor belongs to God.

There are great mothers who have been examples for

their sons and daughters in this gospel industry. Mothers

who don’t often get acknowledged for their sacrifices

and investments. A beautiful spirit and welcoming smile

are immediately noticeable in Delores “Mom” Winans. A

woman of faith, saved at the age of 16 and married at 17,

without God she would not have been able to be a good

wife and mother. With ten children, 13 grandchildren

(who make up groups like The Winans, Bebe & Cece

Winans, Angie & Debbie Winans, Winans Phase2, etc.)

and her own Grammy award that she and her late hus-

band, David, received in 1989, she has never allowed the

fame to overtake what God has called her to do. “God

saved me when I was 16 and has kept me until now,” she

once said. “God is faithful, and when you adhere to

God’s word and live for Him, He will not fail you.” Still

declaring the gospel of Jesus along with living the life

she’s been singing about, Mom Winans is still going

strong.

I want to take this opportunity to honor my mother,

Elder Lillie Baldwin, who not only loves God, but loves

gospel music as well. My mother was in a quartet, along

with my grandmother, her god-sister and my dad, called

“The Divine Gospel Singers.” I remember their joy in

singing and just being at every program or concert there

was in Brooklyn and like a good mother, where she went,

her children were right behind her. She learned from

her mother how to harmonize, teach and write music

and she loved the piano—yup she played, too. You had

to include where you were from in your name because

there other groups that had the same name, so they

changed theirs to Divine Gospel Messengers of

Brooklyn, NY and made a record. Remember those black

vinyl things? My mother was featured on the lead on the

A-side “There Are Times” and on the B-side, “I’m In

Love With My God.” I remember my sister and I being

excited and in shock because we couldn’t believe it was

Mom, although we heard her do it live all the time.

My mother found herself in radio for a couple of years

as host on a local Harlem-based gospel music show,

which lead her to be a part of the Gospel Music

Workshop of America. She served for several years in the

National Gospel Announcers Guild, a voluntary associa-

tion of religious announcers who came together to

address their common needs as professional broadcast-

ers. Eventually, she was given the opportunity to write for

The Positive Community and originated this very column.

A good mother will somehow lead you to walk in her

footsteps even though you are trying to define yourself as

your own person. She has enough unconditional love to

chastise you when needed and pray you out of whatever

you got yourself into. Most of all, although she gave you

life and even if you didn’t come from her womb, she will

introduce you to the one who gives you new life.

We celebrate the gospel, we celebrate you!

THE GOSPEL OF MOM

Elder Lillie Baldwin

There are great mothers who have been

examples for their sons and daughters

in this gospel industry. Mothers who

don’t often get acknowledged for their

sacrifices and investments.

Visit TELECHARGE.COM or call 212-239-6200BabyItsYouOnBroadway.com • BROADHURST THEATRE

PHOT

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© B

ROAD

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The B E S T T I M E � B R O A D WAY this S P R I N G !

YOU LOVE.The S� gs

YOU NEVER KNEW.The St� y


HARLEM WEEK 2011from July 31st - August 31st

For companies or businesses interested in sponsorship, marketing, sales or corporate exhibit information on:The Health Village please contact Ms. Ricketts at (212) 862 7200 or email [email protected] The Children’s Festival please contact Mr. Majette at (212) 862 8477 or email [email protected] Family Health Walk-A-Thon & Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Runplease contact Mr. Causey at (212) 862 8477 or [email protected]

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20th & SUNDAY, AUGUST 21st

“ The 2 Day Children’s Festival”

MAJOR EVENTSPONSORS,PARTNERSHIPS& CORPORATE EXHIBITORS

Don’t miss a great opportunity to sponsor or partner inthe North East’s largest public summer festival:Some of the Key Events Include:

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27th The New York Family Health Walk-A-Thon& The Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Run

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21st • on HARLEM DAY“New York Health Village”

HARLEM WEEK_2011_PC_half_Layout 1 3/7/11 5:38 PM Page 1

www.statetheatrenj.org or 732.246.7469

Tickets also available at Heads Together(1330 W. 7th St., Piscataway • 908.226.9545) Produced by

UnderCover Entertainment

1


DC37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts

Jim Brown, Reverend Al Sharpton and Spike Lee

Keynote speaker,Bill Cosby

L–R: Vivian Frazier-Edwards, former Governor David

Paterson and Minister Charlene

Griffen,

Congressman Charles Rangel

President Obama Speaks at NAN Gala

P resident Barack Obama was the featured speaker at the “Keeper’s of the Dream” annual fundrais-ing gala of Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action

Network (NAN). Obama’s appearance at the event, which was held at the New York Sheraton Sheraton Ho-tel & Towers, marked his second appearance at a NAN event. The first was in 2007 as a candidate for president. At the time he promised that regardless of the outcome he would come back.

Other convention highlights included MSNBC's Ed Schultz and noted columnist George Curry, Spike Lee and football great Jim Brown. Sharpton also unveiled a $20 million dollar building fund and announced that he had finalized his debts and tax liens a year earlier than agreed.

President Obama delivered a rousing speech, and in closing stated:

I’m not asking you to think about what we’ve already done so you can be satisfied with our progress. I know this isn’t the National Satisfaction Network. This is the National Action Network. (Laughter and applause.) But I am asking you to draw inspiration from the fact that we know change is possible. I am living testament that change is possible. (Applause.) We know we have the ability to put our shoulders to the wheel of history and steer America towards the promise of a better day. We know that we stand on other shoulders and step by step, inch by inch, we make progress.

That’s what we’ve been doing. And if you’re as com-mitted as I am to continuing to change this country for the better, if you feel the same determination that I do to tackle the problems that haven’t yet met, if you’re still willing to believe in what we can do together, I am absolutely confident we will do what you’ve been doing for the last 20 years. We will build an America where the ideals of justice and equality and opportunity are alive and well, and we will reclaim the American Dream in our time. So thank you. God bless you. God bless the United States of America. Thank you.

R–L: Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III

“

”1

Photos: Risasi Dais & Wali Amin Muhammad


L–R: New York City Comptroller John Lie,

Councilmembers Helen D. Foster and

Robert Jackson

Zulu Zimmerman, Reverend Conrad Tillard and Akil Rose Stevie Wonder and Japanese Gospel Choir

Producer Vy Higgensen, Councilmember Inez Dickens, Knolle Higginsen-Wydro and Lu Willard

Knolle Higginsen-Wydro, Imhotep Gary Byrd, Vy Higgensen, Stevie Wonder

Jim Brown, Reverend Al Sharpton, ??? and Spike Lee

Photos: risasi D

ais & W

ali Amin M

uhamm

ad

1

L–R: Paulette Washington, Latanya Jackson and Roland Martin

Stevie Wonder and Japanese Gospel Choir

L–R: Lee A. Saunders, AFSCME/AFL-CIO

Lillian Roberts, DC37and Norman Seabrook,

NY Correction Officers Union


A NEW MUSICAL

TEARINGDOWNWALLSTHE

Artw

ork

by B

ryan

Col

lier

SOULFUL MUSIC. IMPASSIONED SPOKEN WORD. LAUGH-OUT-LOUD HUMOR.

Book, lyrics and direction by

Daniel BeatyMusic by Daniel Beaty, Jamal Joseph and Charles Mack

Up-ended and pushed to the limit, the residents of a Harlem neighborhood find hope in the most unusual places.

The Riverside Theatre, Voza Rivers/New Heritage Theatre Group, and Walk Tall Girl Productions present

Previews ........................................ $15Regular .......................................... $25Groups (10) .................................... $20Opening Night ............................... $50

Includes Special Opening Night Reception and Bryan Collier art exhibition

Call 212 926 2550 for additional information

The Riverside Theatre91 Claremont Avenue, New York, NY

(One block west of Broadway between 120th & 122nd Street)

Box Office Tel 212.870.6784 www.theriversidetheatre.org

Previews May 6-10

Performances May 6 - May 29

Opening Night May 12

GOSPEL TOP TEN• KIRK FRANKLIN- SMILE

• MARY MARY- WALKING

• VASHAWN MITCHELL- NO BODY GREATER

• DEITRICK HADDON- WELL DONE

• MARVIN SAP- BEST IN ME

• WILLIAM MCDOWELL- I GIVE MYSELF AWAY

• TROY SNEED- MY HEART SAYS YES

• JAMES FORTUNE- I BELIEVE

• WES MORGAN- I CHOOSE WORSHIP

• FOREVER JONES – HE WANTS IT ALL

1


Benefit Concert

Harlem4Japan

An Historic Evening

O n Tuesday, April 19th, an extraordinary gath-ering of Harlemites came out to support the benefit concert, Harlem 4 Japan, held at Aaron

Davis Hall on the campus of The City College of New York. The evening opened with a special message from Lloyd Williams, president and CEO of the Greater Har-lem Chamber of Commerce and City College President Lisa Staiano Coico. They both shared their enthusiastic support for the benefit concert and spoke of Harlem's relationship and support of the Japanese people fol-lowing the recent earthquake, tsunami, and poisonous gasses leaked by the nuclear reactor explosion.

The evening's entertainment began with the Soh Daiko drummers, the first Japanese taiko drummers on the East coast, followed by a stellar line-up of art-ists who donated their time and talents. Rhythm and Blues legend and Grammy nominee Chuck Jackson, Yuichiro Oda, Yuko Darjeeling, Toya, Onaje Al-lan Gumbs, Alyson Williams, The New York African Chorus Ensemble, the Jason Marshall Trio, Oscar and Grammy nominated IMPACT Repertory The-atre, jazz trumpeter Joey Morant, saxophonist Lon-nie "the Prince of Harlem" Youngblood, 15-year-old

guitarist Solomon Hicks, 15-year-old vocalist Tiffany Obi, 10-year-old organist Matthew Whitaker, vocalists Claude Jay, Janice Marie Robinson, Lady Cantrese, Annette St. John, Lee Olive Tucker, Queen Esther; winner of the 2008 Jazzmobile vocal competition, Tevin Thomas; Harlemwood Records recording artist Lainie Cooke, choreographer Obediah Wright and the Balance Dance Company, pianist Christian Sands from the Manhattan School of Music, the New Am-sterdam Musical Association and Keith "The Captain" Gamble, to name but a few of the many musicians, singers, and dancers who took part.

Thousands of dollars were raised during the evening and contributions were made to the Japan Chamber of Commerce, The Japan Society and The Consulate General of Japan.

The concert was supported by The City College of New York, the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, Community Works, Harlem Arts Alliance, the Dwyer Cultural Center, International Artists for Peace and World Harmony, Council Member Inez E. Dickens, The Office of State Assemblyman Keith Wright, Voza Rivers/New Heritage Theatre Group and Katsuya Abe.

Jeff Redd

Queen Esther

Alyson Williams

1


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Love, Fellowship, Praise and Worshiprev. Brightharp Anniversary Celebration

R ev. Joan J. Brightharp recently celebrated 19 years as pastor of Greater New Hope Mission-

ary Baptist Church of NYC. It was an outpouring of love, fellowship, praise and worship as congregation mem-bers, family and friends gathered to honor Rev. Brightharp for her years of leadership in ministry!

Photos: Wali Amin Muhammad

L–R: Rev. Brightharp with Sis. Lee Alexander,

president of Pastor’s Aide League.

Rev. Brightharp’ s granddaughter, Monique Bush (gray and pink outfit) stands before her grand-mother for group photo.

Songs of praise

L–R: Sis Natalie Wright presents flowers to pastor and her husband, Min. Cornelius Dargan

Bishop Edna Isaac, guest preacher from Testament

BC, Baltimore, MD

1


FLO WILEYIN THE SPIRIT & IMAGE

This month’s arts news takes us on quite a journey. We start

at The Riverside Church for a brand new musical from an

acclaimed genius, to Columbia University for a talk about

Harlem and religion, dance at Mount Moriah AME, music at

Grace Baptist and a call to step up in faith for HIV/AIDS.

Tearing Down the Walls at The Riverside Theater atRiverside Church, Reverend Stephen H. Phelps, InterimSenior Pastor

The Riverside Theater, Voza Rivers/New Heritage Theatre

Group and Walk Tall Girl Productions

present a new musical with direction,

book and lyrics by Obie™ Award winner,

Daniel Beaty (Through the Night), and

music by Beaty and the Oscar-and

Grammy-nominated songwriting team of

Jamal Joseph and Charles Mack. Infused

with soulful music, impassioned spoken

word and laugh-out-loud humor, it’s

about residents of a tight-knit Harlem

community upended and pushed to the limit by life’s chal-

lenges, who find hope in the most unusual places. The cast

includes Dietrice Bolden, Umi Shakti, Adrienne C. Moore,

Rumando Kelley, Jevon McFerrin and Kelechi Ezie. The

Riverside Theatre, 91 Claremont Avenue, New York NY (1

block west of Broadway between 120th & 122nd Streets), 212

870 6784, $20 General Admission; closes May 29

Jazz and the Spirit: The Art of Harlem in the AmericanReligious Imagination

Since the beginning of our musical expression, religion has

occupied a place of privilege in the black musical canon. A dis-

tinguished panel comprised of Professor Marcellus Blount;

composer, pianist, arranger

Courtney Bryan; Reverend Dr.

Calvin O. Butts III (Abyssinian

Baptist Church) and historian

Josef Sorett will talk about the way

this has and continues to work.

This panel, presented by

Columbia University, is part of

the Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival 2011, a partnership of

Jazzmobile, The Apollo Theater, Columbia University and

Harlem Stage. Miller Theatre at Columbia University, 2960

Broadway at 116th Street, NYC. Free and open to the public.

No tickets or reservations required. Saturday, May 14, 2:00pm

Stop the Noise! Can You Hear the Heartbeat? TheMelody above the Noise presented by Mount MoriahAME Church, Reverend Robert R. Lowe, senior pastor

Under the direction of dancer Gia Hall, the AbunDance

Liturgical Dance Ministry celebrates its Annual Day in a con-

cert featuring liturgical dance and the spoken word of per-

formance artist Ortavia “Wisdom” Jackson at the

Queensborough Community College Performing Arts

Center, 222-05 56th Avenue, Bayside NY. Tickets are $20 and

available at the church on Sundays, by calling the church

office (718) 276 1908 and at the concert if available. Friday,

May 20, 8:00pm

Spring Recital of the Grace School of Music with WesleyReynoso presented by Grace Baptist Church, ReverendW. Franklyn Richardson, Senior Pastor

Focused on creating the next generation of exceptional

musicians, this school provides instruction in many instru-

ments as well as voice and music theory classes for children,

teens and adults. Wesley David Reynoso, who currently serves

as the organist for Grace Baptist Church, has collaborated and

performed with Grammy artists and nominees such as Earl

Klugh, Dave Valentin, Antonio Sanchez and Diane Schuur.

Grace Baptist Church is located at 52 South Sixth Avenue in

Mount Vernon New York. For more information call 914 668

2806. The twelve-week Spring Trimester that began March 21

will present Recital Week from June 6th through 11th.

National Black HIV/AIDS Theater InitiativeAll interested parties are welcome to participate this sum-

mer in a roundtable discussion. Calling all black theaters and

theater artists to join in the movement to bring a play about

HIV/AIDS to a theatre near you! This roundtable is being pre-

sented as part of the 2011 Stepping up in Faith for HIV/AIDS

and will be held on Monday, July 11, 2011 from 6:00 – 9:00pm

at Dwyer Cultural Center, 258 St. Nicholas Avenue, Harlem,

NY. 2011 Stepping up in Faith for HIV/AIDS has free events

happening borough-wide in New York City from July 10 – 16,

2011. For more information contact New York City Faith in

Action, www.nycfia.org

Please let me know about the arts and cultural events taking place at yourchurch: [email protected]

Daniel Beaty

Courtney Bryan


Have a WonderfulMother's

Day!

1


Carolina Flower Shop, a landmark in the Harlem community since 1939

has returned in a big way!

Carolina Flower Shop Too (1952 7th Avenue between 117th & 118th Street) is celebrating 81 years in the community in our new location in the Village of Harlem.

www.carolinaflowershoptoo.com • Telephone: 212-662-0641 Store Hours – Monday –Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 8am-3pm

WE’RE BACK!

"Transforms Floral Design Into A Symphony of Personal Harmony"

Flower Shop Too

Philip Young Photo: Bill Moore

APR. 8 • MAY 13 • JUNE 10Friday, 5:00 pm – 12:00 am

Terrace BallroomScrumptious Dinners Available All Evening

Line Dance Lessons with Kenny J: 5:00 - 7:00 pmLadies and Gentlemen Free Admission Before 7pm ($10 After 7pm)

Raffl e Prizes ● $5 Wine ● $5 Beer ● $3 Drink SpecialsTickets can be purchased at the Newark Symphony Hall Box Offi ce located at 1030 Broad St. Newark, NJ

For information call: (973) 643-8014 or www.newarksymphonyhall.org

ELECTRIC SLIDECHA CHA SLIDE

MISSISSIPPI SLIDE CUPID SLIDE • STEPPIN’

PHASE 10 • WII SPORTSSPADES • BID WHIST

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JAN. 14 • FEB. 11 • MARCH 11APR. 8 • MAY 13 • JUNE 10APR. 8 • MAY 13 • JUNE 10

Friday, 5:00 pm – 12:00 amTerrace Ballroom

Scrumptious Dinners Available All EveningLine Dance Lessons with Kenny J: 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Ladies and Gentlemen Free Admission Before 7pm ($10 After 7pm)Raffl e Prizes ● $5 Wine ● $5 Beer ● $3 Drink Specials

Tickets can be purchased at the Newark Symphony Hall Box Offi ce located at 1030 Broad St. Newark, NJ





PINOCHLE

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1


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Questions about Medicaid or Medicare?

As we and our parents and loved ones age, more and more we need to understand the entitlements, requirements and limitations of both Medicare and Medicaid.

Our office has focused on these areas over the past years as a part of our Trust and Estates and Elder Law practices. As a result we have developed seasoned staff conversant in the eligibility require-ments for these very vital programs.

In addition to myself, Attorney Carla Lewis Burnett, a registered nurse and an experienced attorney, Renee Woodard, MSW, an experienced and capable nursing home social worker and administra-tor, and Alice Nicholson, Esq., of Counsel to our Firm, who focuses on Social Security Disability entitlements, all are available to our clients for consultations, assistance with Medicaid and disability applications and, when necessary, Medicaid and Disability Fair Hearings.

We also handle Guardianship hearings and proceedings and Sandra Miller is available for accountings and assistance in com-plying with reporting requirements for Article 81 and other forms of Guardianships and Probate and Estate filing requirements.

A consultation now may save you time, money and disappointment in the long term as you contemplate your future living and health needs and those of your elderly loved ones.

The Bozeman Law Firm can help…

Bruce L. BozemanAttorney at Law

Bruce L. BozemanAttorney at Law

914-668-4600914-668-4600

6 Gramatan AvenueMount Vernon, NY 10050

1


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GoGreenS A V I N G O U R P L A N E T — S T E P B Y S T E P

GREEN ENERGY GUIDENo Cost and Low Cost Ways to Save Money and Energy

There is no excuse not to do your part. It doesn’t take a great deal of time or money to pitch in and help

keep our planet beautiful and more importantly, functional for ourselves and the generations to come.

Check out these easy no cost or low cost tips to make your life and the entire world a greener place.

• Turn off everything not in use: lights, TVs, computers, etc. • Check furnace or air conditioners (AC) filters monthly, and clean

or replace as needed. Dirty filters block air flow through yourheating and cooling systems, increasing your energy bill andshortening the equipment’s life.

• During hot months, keep window coverings closed on the south,east, and west windows. In winter, let the sun in.

• Glass fireplace doors help stop heat from being lost up the chim-ney. Close the fireplace dampers when not in use.

• Activate “sleep” features on computers and office equipmentthat power down when not in use. Turn off equipment during longperiods of non-use.

• When cooking, keep the lids on pots. Better yet, use a microwaveoven instead.

• Dress appropriately for the weather, and set your thermostat tothe lowest possible comfortable setting. On winter nights, put anextra blanket on the bed and turn down your thermostat more.

• In summer, use fans whenever possible instead of AC.• Take five-minute showers instead of baths. Do only full loads

when using the clothes washer or dishwasher.• Switch to cold water in top loading energy-inefficient washing

machines to save energy and up to $63 a year—detergents for-mulated for cold water get clothes just as clean.

•Lower the temperature on your water heater. It should be set at“warm,” so that a thermometer held under running water reads nomore than 130 degrees.

• Only heat or cool the rooms you need—close vents and doors ofunused rooms.

• Install low-flow showerheads and sink aerators to reduce hot water use.

• Seal and weatherstrip windows and doors to keep heat or air conditioning from escaping.

• A water tank insulation wrap costs about $20 and helps hold theheat inside. Add pre-cut pipe insulation to exposed pipes goinginto your water heater—it is cheap and easy to install. If you’restarting with an uninsulated tank, the energy savings should payfor the improvements in just a few months.

• Use mastic (a gooey substance applied with a paintbrush) not ducttape to seal all exposed ductwork joints in areas such as the attic,crawlspace, or basement. Insulate ducts to improve your heatingsystem’s efficiency and your own comfort.

• Storm windows can reduce heat loss by 25–50 percent during thewinter. Plastic sheeting installed on the inside also helps.

• Look for the ENERGY STAR label, found on more than 40 differentproducts such as TVs, furnaces, cell phones, refrigerators, air conditioners and more.

Incandescent light bulbs are outdated; 95 percent of the energyused goes to heating the bulb, adding unwanted heat to your homein the summer. Replace your five most used light bulbs with ENERGYSTAR compact fluorescent bulbs to save $60 each year in energycosts. These light bulbs use two-thirds less energy and last up to 10times longer. Use dimmers, timers, and motion detectors on indoorand outdoor lighting. Consider safer, more efficient ENERGY STARtorchiere lamps rather than halogen torchieres, which can causefires. Halogen bulbs are expensive to use.

NO COST LOW COST

www.thepositivecommunity.com June 2009 The Positive Community NA

GoGreenS A V I N G O U R P L A N E T — S T E P B Y S T E P

GREEN ENERGY GUIDENo Cost and Low Cost Ways to Save Money and Energy

There is no excuse not to do your part. It doesn’t take a great deal of time or money to pitch in and help

keep our planet beautiful and more importantly, functional for ourselves and the generations to come.

Check out these easy no cost or low cost tips to make your life and the entire world a greener place.

• Turn off everything not in use: lights, TVs, computers, etc. • Check furnace or air conditioners (AC) filters monthly, and clean

or replace as needed. Dirty filters block air flow through yourheating and cooling systems, increasing your energy bill andshortening the equipment’s life.

• During hot months, keep window coverings closed on the south,east, and west windows. In winter, let the sun in.

• Glass fireplace doors help stop heat from being lost up the chim-ney. Close the fireplace dampers when not in use.

• Activate “sleep” features on computers and office equipmentthat power down when not in use. Turn off equipment during longperiods of non-use.

• When cooking, keep the lids on pots. Better yet, use a microwaveoven instead.

• Dress appropriately for the weather, and set your thermostat tothe lowest possible comfortable setting. On winter nights, put anextra blanket on the bed and turn down your thermostat more.

• In summer, use fans whenever possible instead of AC.• Take five-minute showers instead of baths. Do only full loads

when using the clothes washer or dishwasher.• Switch to cold water in top loading energy-inefficient washing

machines to save energy and up to $63 a year—detergents for-mulated for cold water get clothes just as clean.

•Lower the temperature on your water heater. It should be set at“warm,” so that a thermometer held under running water reads nomore than 130 degrees.

• Only heat or cool the rooms you need—close vents and doors ofunused rooms.

• Install low-flow showerheads and sink aerators to reduce hot water use.

• Seal and weatherstrip windows and doors to keep heat or air conditioning from escaping.

• A water tank insulation wrap costs about $20 and helps hold theheat inside. Add pre-cut pipe insulation to exposed pipes goinginto your water heater—it is cheap and easy to install. If you’restarting with an uninsulated tank, the energy savings should payfor the improvements in just a few months.

• Use mastic (a gooey substance applied with a paintbrush) not ducttape to seal all exposed ductwork joints in areas such as the attic,crawlspace, or basement. Insulate ducts to improve your heatingsystem’s efficiency and your own comfort.

• Storm windows can reduce heat loss by 25–50 percent during thewinter. Plastic sheeting installed on the inside also helps.

• Look for the ENERGY STAR label, found on more than 40 differentproducts such as TVs, furnaces, cell phones, refrigerators, air conditioners and more.

Incandescent light bulbs are outdated; 95 percent of the energyused goes to heating the bulb, adding unwanted heat to your homein the summer. Replace your five most used light bulbs with ENERGYSTAR compact fluorescent bulbs to save $60 each year in energycosts. These light bulbs use two-thirds less energy and last up to 10times longer. Use dimmers, timers, and motion detectors on indoorand outdoor lighting. Consider safer, more efficient ENERGY STARtorchiere lamps rather than halogen torchieres, which can causefires. Halogen bulbs are expensive to use.

NO COST LOW COST

Is Air Quality in The United States Improving or Getting Worse?

A ir quality across the United States has improved dramatically since 1970 when Congress passed the Clean Air Act in response to growing pol-

lution problems and fouled air from coast to coast. According to data from the U.S. Environmental Protec-tion Agency (EPA), levels of all major air pollution con-taminants (ozone, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter and lead) are down significantly since 1970; carbon monoxide levels alone dropped by more than 70 percent.

And that’s good news for everyone. A 2009 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that efforts to reduce fine particle pollution from auto-mobiles, diesel engines, steel mills and coal-fired power plants have added between four and eight months to the average American’s life expectancy in recent years. Over-all, Americans are living some two and three-quarter years longer than during the 1980s. Changes in smoking habits and improved socioeconomic conditions are the biggest reasons why, but cleaner air is also a big factor. “It’s stun-ning that the air pollution effect seems to be as robust as it is,” Arden Pope, the Brigham Young University epide-miologist who led the study, told reporters.

Pope and his team analyzed life expectancy, economic, demographic and pollution data from 51 metropolitan areas, and found that when fine-particle air pollution dropped by 10 micrograms per cubic meter, life expec-tancy rose by 31 weeks—such as in Akron, Ohio and Philadelphia. Where fine particle counts dropped even more—by 13 to 14 micrograms, such as in New York City, Buffalo and Pittsburgh—people lived some 43 weeks longer on average.

But according to the American Lung Association (ALA), even though air quality around the country is improving overall, some 175 million Americans—58 per-cent of the population—still live in places where pollu-

tion levels can cause breathing difficulties or worse. The group’s “State of the Air: 2010” report looks at levels of ozone and particle pollution found in monitoring sites across the United States in 2006, 2007, and 2008, and compares them to previous periods.

The biggest improvement was found in year-round (annual) particulate levels, which the ALA attributes to recent efforts to clean up major industrial air pollu-tion sources. “However, the continuing problem dem-onstrates that more remains to be done, especially in cleaning up coal-fired power plants and existing diesel engines.” the group reports. ALA also found, by overlay-ing census data with pollution maps, that Americans with the lowest incomes face higher risks of harm from air pollution, underscoring what environmental justice advocates have been saying for years.

As for how to protect ourselves from still problematic air pollution, ALA recommends checking air quality forecasts and avoiding exercising or working outdoors when unhealthy air is present. The federal government’s AirNow website provides daily air quality updates for more than 300 cities across the U.S., as well as links to more detailed state and local air quality web sites. And if air quality problems in your area continue to be bothersome, consider picking up and moving. Fargo, North Dakota or Lincoln, Nebraska, anyone? Accord-ing to ALA’s “State of the Air: 2010” report, these two cities rank among the cleanest in all of the air pollution categories studied.

EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E - The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com).

Send questions to: [email protected]. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.

1


Ivoted for Barack Obama in 2008, have supported most

of his administration’s initiatives, and expect to vote for

him in 2012. But I have serious doubts concerning

United States and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty

Organization) military intervention in the Libyan civil war.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons ofGod.”− Matthew 5:9 (New International Version)

President Obama’s peacemaking efforts prior to

bombing Libya had been commendable. Early in his

term, he made peace overtures to the Muslim world

through a speech delivered in Cairo, Egypt. His adminis-

tration also established an exit strategy for U.S. troops in

Iraq, and focused U.S. military action in Afghanistan

toward dismantling al-Qaeda, with a view toward eventu-

al U.S. disengagement.

“…I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the leastof these brothers of mine, you did for me.”− Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

Domestically, President Obama’s economic stimulus

initiatives helped mitigate the “Great Recession,” which

he inherited from former President George W. Bush and

which caused people to lose jobs and homes. President

Obama also pressed passage of the 2010 Health Care

Law, which, when fully implemented, should help people

least able to help themselves get quality medical care.

Regarding Libya, if the stated reason for the

U.S./NATO intervention—to prevent a massacre of

innocent civilians— is true (and I hope it is), then that

military action may also be covered by Christ’s encour-

agement to help folks in need.

But is that official reason the whole truth? If so, why

did not NATO and the U.S. militarily intervene in the

Cote d’Ivoire civil war that endangered civilians and was

occurring at the same time? And why had not NATO and

the U.S. intervened militarily to stop the massacres of

civilians in Darfur and the Congo?

“You cannot serve God and wealth.”− Matthew 6:24 (New American Standard Bible)

Was the Obama administration influenced, as past

administrations have been, by that permanent “invisible

government” that promotes the interests of major U.S.

and British oil companies? Libya contained 39.13 billion

barrels of proved oil reserves as of January 1, 2009,

ranked ninth in the world and first in Africa, according

to the CIA World Factbook. Congo’s oil reserves were

only 1.506 billion barrels, ranked 35th in the world, and

Cote d’Ivoire’s reserves were a mere one million barrels,

ranked 70th in the world. Although Sudan contained 6.4

billion barrels, ranked 20th in the world and fourth in

Africa, those reserves were not all in Darfur.

Past presidential administrations have uttered high-

sounding excuses for U.S. attacks on other countries.

Remember President George W. Bush’s famous

“weapons of mass destruction”? Those “WMDs” were

never found in Iraq. But the 2009 CIA World Factbook

indicated Iraq’s 115 billion barrels of oil reserves ranked

it fourth in the world after Saudi Arabia, Canada, and

Iran.

NATO was organized after World War II as a self-

defense alliance against Soviet armies then stationed in

eastern and central Europe. I do not believe that NATO

has suddenly metamorphosed into a philanthropic

organization focused on protecting people outside of its

borders.

With the Soviet bloc now weakened, and NATO

strengthened by several permanent seats on the United

Nations Security Council, NATO appears to have

expanded its mission to include imperialist interests out-

side of Europe.

Key NATO members Great Britain and France were

colonial powers that “owned” vast territory in Africa

(France colonized Libya) from the late 19th century

MWANDIKAJI K.MWANAFUNZITHE WAYAHEAD

NATO, the U.S. and the Libyan Civil War

continued on page 81


work at Alfred University in upstate New York and being

accepted to several medical schools, he chose the College

of Medicine and Dentistry, where he was the only African

American in his class. “I was interested in several things

that I studied,” he remembered, but although his

strongest interest was in pediatrics, he found that the

patients “aged out” of the specialty at around 12 or 13-

years-old. “I had some experiences with older children

and it crystallized an interest in teenagers,” he said; “In

those days the study of adolescent medicine was a new

field and there were very few training programs.” NYU

was one school with such a program and while a there,

Johnson co-founded The Door, a multi-service center for

adolescents in Manhattan, which is a nationally and inter-

nationally acknowledged model for integrated youth

services. He is also noted for being one of the first to get

involved in HIV/AIDS care during his New York study.

When he came back to NJMS it was with the desire to

start similar programs that took into consideration

issues involving teenagers in New Jersey and the Newark

community. “My own practice has a great focus on

behavior,” Johnson, explained. This included the under-

lying causes of teenage pregnancy, why teens get arrest-

ed, develop drug problems and contract sexually trans-

mitted disease. He notes that working with both the par-

ent and the child is a key point because a lot of this

behavior results from teenagers and parents who have

issues with each other that begin when the teen is a

child. “If a child has been brought to me because of

some misbehavior, and I don’t actually look at the par-

ent and what they may be doing to help the child work

through the problem, it just doesn’t work well.” He

encapsulates his experience and expertise in one of his

two published works, Strength for Their Journey, a guide

for parents of African American teens. Johnson also

started a strong Adolescent Division which includes the

successful Young Fathers Program at UMDNJ which

started in the 80’s as a response to what was then an epi-

demic of teenage pregnancy. “We noted that teenage

pregnancy was a major cause of school dropout among

both young women and men. In our discussions with

the young men, we found that many wanted to be

involved with their children but they just didn’t know

how to do it because they had no role models at home.”

Johnson has served on numerous boards, committees

and task forces nationwide, statewide and locally. He

plans to continue holding his faculty appointment as pro-

fessor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at NJMS. He also con-

tinues a regular schedule of seeing and treating patients.

He says his work with teenagers will most certainly contin-

ue. “It’s the one thing for me that is the most rewarding;

I didn’t know what was going to happen when this all

started,” Dr. Johnson says of his work with adolescents,

“but it is something that pleases me the most.”

STUDENT TO DEANcontinued from page 17

through the mid-20th century. After the overturn of overt

colonization, France in particular has frequently engaged in

neocolonialism, through which it influences outcomes in its

former colonies’ affairs without actually “owning” them.

Selective military action is a tool of neocolonialism.

May is African Liberation Month, and it is interesting

that in April, leadership of the African Union (AU) con-

demned NATO’s bombing of Libya. Whenever former

colonial powers take military action in Africa, the specter

of potential re-colonization emerges. The AU includes

virtually all of Africa’s nation-states and unsuccessfully

attempted to broker a ceasefire in Libya.

For the record, I do not support Gaddafi. My problems

with him extend back to Libya’s role in the 1970s/1980’s

civil war in Chad, and his orchestration of the 1998 ter-

rorist bombing of Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.

Nor do I support al-Qaeda, which U.S. intelligence

sources have indicated may be part of the Libyan opposi-

tion.

But God knows the heart, including the true motiva-

tion for the NATO/U.S. leadership’s bombing of Libya.

All I can do is analyze perceivable facts, remembering

that God judges nations as well as individuals.

I by no means plan to join the domestic forces seeking

to overturn President Obama. Instead, I encourage those

who, like me, generally support the President but have

doubts concerning U.S. military intervention in the Libyan

civil war, to write to Mr. Obama, praising his positive

accomplishments but questioning his Libya decision.

continued from page 80THE WAY AHEAD

PublisherAdrian A. Council, Sr.

Editor-in-ChiefJean Nash Wells

Associate EditorR. L. Witter

SalesAngela RidenourAdrian Council, Jr.NGS Communications, Inc.Satori MPR

Church/Community Affairs CoordinatorFaith Jackson

Contributing WritersSonja GracyDr. Phillip BonaparteDr. John PalmerMwandikaji K. Mwanafunzig.r. mattoxRosemary SinclairPatricia BaldwinRev. Theresa NanceRev. Reginald T. JacksonHerb BoydGlenda CadoganToni ParkerHelene FoxRev. Dr. Joanne NoelRev. Dr. Johnny Ray YoungbloodWilliam ParrishJeanne Parnell

PhotographersBob GoreWali A. MuhammadSeitu OrondeRev. Dr. William L. Watkins, Jr.Darryl HallVincent BryantDonovan GopieLinda PaceHubert Williams

Art Direction & LayoutPenguin Design GroupMartin Maishman

The Positive Community Corp.133 Glenridge AvenueMontclair, NJ 07042973-233-9200Fax: 973-233-9201Email: [email protected]: thepositivecommunity.comAll contents © 2010 The Positve Community Corporation.All Rights Reserved. This publication, in whole or in part,may not be reproduced, stored in a computerized or otherretrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by anymeans whatsoever without the prior written permission ofThe Positive Community Corporation. Any opinionsexpressed herein are solely the opinions of the writer(s)and not necessarily those of The Positive CommunityTM,its management or staff. The Positive CommunityTMreserves the right to retain all materials and does notassume reponsibility for unsolicited materials.

May 2011 Vol. 11, No. 5

GOOD NEWS FROM THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY

www.thepositivecommunity.com

It’s May and instinctively our

thoughts turn to Mother’s Day—

flowers, cards, brunch and candies

(well maybe not the candies). As I

think of the women in my life who so

elegantly and diligently represent what

I believe to be idyllic incarnations of

motherhood, there is one particular

woman who makes my list despite my

never having met her.

You can keep June Cleaver and

Carol Brady. While I have nothing

against them and plenty of fond child-

hood memories of those t.v. moms,

they simply don’t look or sound like

my mother and I would find quite sus-

pect any of their attempts at corn pud-

ding and candied yams. Sure, there

was Claire Huxtable, the beautiful

legal eagle who was a power attorney

by day and wife and mother to her hus-

band and children by night… she ‘s

close but no cigar because, well—she

isn’t real and exists only in my memo-

ries of the 80s and on those nights

when I catch her on Nick at Nite.

There is another woman who lights

up the screen when she appears. She is

tall, brown-skinned, intelligent and

beautiful. Her fashion choices set

trends and the definition of her arms

sends women flocking to the gym to try

to duplicate her healthy and sensuous

physique. She is, in fact, an Ivy League-

educated attorney and now works day

and night as not only a wife and moth-

er, but a role model, fashion icon,

spokesperson, and trusted presidential

confidante and advisor—everything

that one could hope and pray for in a

wife and mother, indeed.

She is also a woman of faith. During

her husband’s presidential campaign

she remarked on Tom Joyner’s radio

show, “… it means the world to us to

know that there are prayer circles out

there and people who want to keep the

spirits clean around us.” She spoke at

the National Baptist Convention USA

Annual Session saying, “I came here

today as a Christian, as a person of

faith who believes we have all have

been called to serve our fellow men

and women and to honor God’s

creation.”

And serve she did and does, from

being on the board of her daughters’

former school in Chicago and fighting

to maintain diversity, to advocating on

behalf of military families. Her

“Joining Forces” program aims to

assist military families with education,

employment and wellness; it harkens

back to a time when mother’s took

care of the neighborhood and com-

munity collectively, looking out for

others—especially those less fortunate

and who made sacrifices for the well-

being of the masses. She is currently

laboring to fight childhood obesity.

“And how about getting your church

or place of worship involved? That’s

what we’re doing through ‘Let’s

Move!’ Faith and Communities, we’re

supporting faith leaders who want to

build healthier congregations,” she

said in a recent trip to an Atlanta area

mega-church.

She has planted a vegetable garden

at the White House and placed salad

bars in schools; and yet she is still hip

and down-to-earth enough to make

sure there are ribs at the White House

Superbowl party and do “the Dougie”

to a Beyoncé song with hundreds of

children while cameras capture her

every move. And at the end of the day,

she makes sure that her daughters

have cleaned their rooms and cleared

their own dishes from the table

because as she says, “they don’t need

their lives to be easy. They’re kids.”

Beauty, brains, style, substance, wit,

wisdom and the ability to vacation on

the Vineyard or bust a move to

Beyoncé— She’s a bad mamma

jamma!

Happy Mother’s Day, FLOTUS!

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PRESENTS

THE MIGHTY MEN OF VALOUR



may 2011 issue

Documents

healthfirst nj member

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