Ronald McDonald House Charities Awards of Excellence Honors Alonzo Mourning
November 20, 2009
In honor of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to improve the lives of children, Ronald McDonald House Charities hosted its 25th Annual Awards of Excellence celebration on Saturday, November 7, in Rosemont, Ill.
The annual event presented three prestigious awards to individuals selected from across the globe, including:
Accused Whistle Blower Fired – Now Volunteers for Flyers’ Rights Organization
November 20, 2009
Accused whistler-blower Dr. Frederick J. Foreman, former Senior Analyst for Metron Aviation Inc. (an aviation consulting company with numerous government contracts), who was fired for allegedly revealing critical information regarding airline passenger safety to Kate Hanni of the Flyers’ Rights coalition, has joined forces with the volunteer organization.
Dr. Foreman, an MIT graduate and former professor at Florida A&M and Florida State Universities, was terminated from his job on September 25th of this year after contacting Kate Hanni regarding excessive surface delays. Foreman maintains that any information he sent Hanni was public data he collected from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Raytheon’s John Harris Named 2010 Black Engineer of the Year
November 18, 2009
Raytheon Company’s John D. Harris II, vice president of Contracts and Supply Chain, is the recipient of the 2010 Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA).
Harris was chosen from 150 other government and business applicants for the coveted honor. BEYA recognizes the achievements of diverse leaders and rewards excellence in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
“A strong business leader and role model, John’s career has been characterized by tremendous achievement and by a determination to inspire others to reach their full potential,” said William H. Swanson, Chairman and CEO of Raytheon Company. “His professional accomplishments are matched by a lifelong commitment to community service.”
Justice Department Obtains Record $2.725 Million Settlement of Housing Discrimination Lawsuit
November 18, 2009
The Justice Department announced today the largest monetary payment ever obtained by the department in the settlement of a case alleging housing discrimination in the rental of apartments. Los Angeles apartment owner Donald T. Sterling has agreed to pay $2.725 million to settle allegations that he discriminated against African-Americans, Hispanics and families with children at apartment buildings he controls in Los Angeles. The settlement must be approved by U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer.
“Housing is a basic human need, and yet decades after passage of the Fair Housing Act, far too many still encounter barriers like discrimination. Particularly in times of economic distress and rising foreclosures, we must remain vigilant to ensure all individuals have equal access to housing,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “The magnitude of this settlement should send a message to all landlords that we will vigorously pursue violations of the Fair Housing Act.”
International Civil Rights Center & Museum Appoints Curator
November 18, 2009
The International Civil Rights Center & Museum (Museum) announced today that it has named Bamidele Demerson as curator and program director. Demerson will be responsible for overseeing the Museum’s exhibits, artifacts and educational programming. The Museum, located in downtown Greensboro, N.C., will open Feb. 1, 2010, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Greensboro sit-ins.
“Bamidele has an extensive leadership background in African-American museums,” said Melvin “Skip” Alston, chairman of the International Civil Rights Center & Museum. “We received interest from candidates across the country, and Bamidele’s proven record for creating relevant and thought-provoking experiences for museum visitors stood out in our selection process. We are delighted to have him on board.”
UNCF HBCU Empower Me Tour Hosted by Randal Pinkett and Friends Kicks Off for 2009-2010
November 18, 2009
UNCF-the United Negro College Fund-the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization, today announced the launch of its 2009-2010 HBCU Empower Me Tour hosted by Randal Pinkett and friends. Targeting more than twenty historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), the tour will inspire and motivate youth to use their education not only to enhance their professional growth opportunities, but to improve the country. UNCF’s HBCU Empower Me Tour will focus on six topics: financial literacy, entrepreneurship, environment sustainability, professional development, health and wellness, and service and philanthropy. Offering students tools and advice on how they can play active roles in their communities, this year’s tour will feature numerous celebrity speakers, entertainers, athletes, business and political leaders in a town hall panel format.
“UNCF’s HBCU Empowerment Tour builds on the long tradition of service to communities and the country as a critical part of an HBCU education,” said Michael L. Lomax Ph. D., UNCF president and CEO. “UNCF is committed to helping President Barack Obama meet his goal for our nation to regain world leadership in the percentage of citizens with college degrees, not only to enhance their professional prospects, but to prepare them to become the next generation of good citizens and effective leaders.”
The second year of UNCF’s HBCU Empower Me Tour, which is produced in partnership with the Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation, kicked off at Johnson C. Smith University on Tuesday, October 27th. The Tour will be hosted by ten additional colleges and universities throughout the country, concluding in April, 2010. Hampton University is the next tour stop on November 10th. Johnson C. Smith University attendees participated in numerous informative workshops and visited The Empower Me Tour Zone- an interactive experience for middle school, high school and college students, providing them an opportunity to meet with corporate recruiters, learn about volunteer and internship opportunities, scholarships and win prizes. Students who have received UNCF scholarships had the opportunity to be featured on “Empower Me TV”, which will be posted on the UNCF Empower Me Tour website. Also, Grammy-nominated R&B singer Ledisi hosted a listening party from her latest CD “Turn Me Loose”.
Earl Martin Phelan, CEO of Reach Out and Read led a special workshop on Social Entrepreneurship as a part of the entrepreneurship track to encourage students to leverage their personal interest into a socially conscious business. Usher’s New Look Foundation hosted a workshop on service and philanthropy with a focus on Usher’s Powered by Service Program, providing direct-youth grants to seed service projects in communities across the country. Nicole Caldwell’s Health & Wellness “I AM GLAM” workshop highlighted self image and how it impacts success and Dee Marshall led a professional development workshop entitled “Soft Skills Savvy.” Additionally, Wachovia, A Wells Fargo Company led a Financial Literacy workshop which highlighted basic savings, budgeting, and personal finance skills as well as careers in financial services while Fed Ex led workshops on “Greening your Life, Green Collar Careers and What that means for your campus.”
A robust panel discussion entitled, “Passion…Purpose…Power” focused on entrepreneurship. The panel was hosted and moderated by Randal Pinkett, winner of NBC’s “The Apprentice,” and included fellow entrepreneurs two-time Grammy Nominee Ledisi, celebrity make-up artist Nicole Caldwell, TV One’s Makeover Manor life coach Dee Marshall, attorney and radio personality Warren Ballentine, and Comedian, and International President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Sheryl Underwood.
“Education is a passport to opportunity,” said Pinkett. “It is important for today’s youth to understand the importance of a college education and how to leverage it not only for self-improvement, but to build stronger communities. An education is one of the most powerful investments we can make.”
Sponsor representatives for the Empower Me Tour Zone and UNCF strategic alliance partners Wachovia A Wells Fargo Company, Fed Ex, Raise The Bar, Just Glam, The Black List Project and UNCF were on hand to share information with students. For more information on the tour and for registration, visit www.empowermetour.org.
Cracker Barrel Hate-Crime Victim Fears Retaliation after Assailant’s Release from Jail
November 15, 2009
Tasha Hill, the African-American victim of a hate-crime beating inside a Morrow, Ga., Cracker Barrel restaurant last month, says she is afraid for the safety of herself and her daughter after her alleged assailant was released from jail.
Troy Dale West Jr., 47, was indicted on charges of aggravated assault, false imprisonment, first degree cruelty to children, two counts of battery and two counts of disorderly conduct. Police say that West beat Hill inside the Morrow Cracker Barrel restaurant in front of her 7-year-old daughter, employees and other customers, while West shouted racial slurs at Hill.
Lenape Valley Regional Board of Education Ordered to Trial for Racial Slurs
November 15, 2009
Lenape Valley Regional Board of Education admitted as part of a federal lawsuit that a bi-racial high school student was subjected to “an inordinate number of incidents [of racial slurs]” during his 13 months at Lenape Valley Regional High School, where he was one of only a small percentage of minority students. High school principal Douglas deMarrais admitted that between November 2004 and January 2006, Leeann and Edward Lee complained of racial slurs made to their son on multiple occasions, many of which the school confirmed. Defendants admitted the Lees complained that during his Freshman year (November 2004 thought June 2005) their son “E.L.” was called the “n” word on the school bus on at least three occasions by three different students, another racial slur by a student on the basketball team, and another racial slur by three girls; and between September 2005 and January 2006, their son was called “ghetto or gangster” by a student who had called him the “n” word the previous year, called the “n” word by a girl who had used the word towards their son the previous year, was told he would be “picking [the] cotton” of a Caucasian student, called the “n” word by that same student a week later, and called the “n” word by another student shortly after.
Former U.S. Senator Edward William Brooke III Receives Congressional Gold Medal
November 15, 2009
President Obama today presented former U.S. Senator Edward William Brooke III with the Congressional Gold Medal for his unprecedented and enduring service to the Nation. The ceremony was held in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
The Congressional Gold Medal, designed and struck by the United States Mint, honors Senator Brooke’s pioneering accomplishments in public service. Senator Brooke broke new ground at a time when few African-Americans held state or Federal office. He was the first African-American elected to the U.S. Senate by popular vote, serving with distinction for two terms, from January 3, 1967, to January 3, 1979. During his first term, Brooke was appointed to the President’s Commission on Civil Disorders, where his work on discrimination in housing served as the basis for the 1968 Civil Rights Act.
Forty-Five Percent of Minority Seniors Earn Full-Tuition College Scholarship
November 15, 2009
Nearly half of the first senior class at The Springfield Renaissance School, an Expeditionary Learning School, has earned a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, Massachusetts’ largest merit-based scholarship. The percentage of Renaissance seniors receiving the scholarship is more than double that of any of Springfield’s five other public high schools.
Statewide, only 10 percent of Adams Scholarship recipients are Black or Hispanic, compared to 46 percent of Renaissance scholarship recipients. Only 15 percent of award recipients statewide are low income, compared to 41 percent of Renaissance recipients.
