Robert R. Taylor Network, Inc. Newsletter
LAIV* Network Wire 
 
Volume 1 Issue 6 - September 2010
We, at the Robert R. Taylor Network, are proud to bring this e-publication to your desktop.  This is the sixth issue of LAIV Network Wire, a monthly compilation of what is new in the world of black culture in architecture, science, technology, engineering and mathematics. (ASTEM)
 
*Leadership, Archives, Institute, Ventures and Network.  These are the programmatic headings under which RRTN develops its projects. 
September 27, 2010
Robert R. Taylor Network LAIV Network Wire
 
A monthly compilation of articles on black culture in ASTEM.
 
1. On the National Museum of African American History and Culture: A little green around the edges
2. Architect taps African-American partner
3. NMSDC Salutes Top Regional Minority Suppliers
4. Innovation Crisis in Black America, Pt. 1
5. Innovation Crisis in Black America Pt. 2:  Where are Black Entrepreneurs and Angels?
6. Mass. makes strides in SAT scores
7. Performance, participation up on AP tests
8. Oakland makes pledge to 'go beyond' for young black men - Allen Temple sets stage for national tour
9. Willie Simmons, Responsible Design Engineer, Northrop Grumman
10. Summit focuses on digital equity
 

 

1. On the National Museum of African American History and Culture: A little green around the edges
By Philip Kennicott
The Washington Post
September 22, 2010
David Adjaye, part of the team designing the new home for the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, appeared before the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts last week to discuss his revised plans. There was much more detail about the new profile of the building, generally smaller and more retiring, with less impact on some views of the Washington Monument. But particularly distressing was the Commission's negative reaction to Kathryn Gustafson's initial designs for water features. Commissioner Witold Rybczynski was skeptical, saying that big water features are "like waving a flag." He added, "I find it troubling to see so much water introduced where nobody else does it."  Read More: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/arts-post/2010/09/a_little_green_around_the_edge.html 

 

2. Architect taps African-American partner
David Carpenter becomes one of two partners at Meltzer/Mandl Architects; will focus on drumming up new business at a difficult time for the industry.
By Marine Cole 
crain's new york business.com
September 21, 2010 9:27 AM
Meltzer/Mandl Architects has a new partner.

Last month David Carpenter became one of very few African Americans to achieve that rank within a New York architectural firm. In fact, he's one of only 1,775 licensed African-American architects-about 1% of the total-in the entire nation, according to the directory of African-American architects. Read More:
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100921/REAL_ESTATE/100929979/0/REAL_ESTATE#  

 
 
3.  NMSDC Salutes Top Regional Minority Suppliers

Top of Form 
Wed Sep 22, 5:42 pm ET
NEW YORK, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. ® (NMSDC ® ) today announced its 2010 Regional Minority Supplier of the Year winners. The 15 outstanding minority-owned businesses were selected from nearly 70 nominees from across the country. They represent a broad range of industries: architecture and engineering, electronic security, frozen food manufacturing, janitorial and building maintenance, marketing, safety products and armed and unarmed security personnel. NMSDC will present awards to each regional winner on Wednesday, October 27, at the 2010 NMSDC Conference and Business Opportunity Fair in Miami Beach, Florida.  Read More: Link to Article 
 
 

4. Innovation Crisis in Black America, Pt. 1
September 2, 2010
By Mike Green
The Huffington Post
There is a crisis occurring in 12.3% of the American population, otherwise known as Black America.
The crumbling economic infrastructure of the nation has impacted every industry, media included. As a former journalist who voluntarily resigned a position as Web editor of an award-winning daily newspaper (owned by Dow Jones Local Media Group and News Corporation) to pursue my own Internet startup, I am considered among many pioneers who are voluntarily or involuntarily transitioning from long-held careers to entrepreneurship and creative opportunities made available by the Digital Age. Read More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-green/innovation-crisis-in-blac_b_703936.html 

 

5. Innovation Crisis in Black America Pt. 2:  Where are Black Entrepreneurs and Angels?
September 13, 2010 02:56 PM
Republished from The Huffington Post
by Mike Green
There's an economic crisis of monumental proportions occurring in Black America. The challenges stretch across a vast spectrum of education, unemployment, entrepreneurship, investment and innovation. But you won't hear much about this crisis from any of the so-called "mainstream" media.  Read More:  http://atlantapost.com/2010/09/13/innovation-crisis-in-black-america-pt-2-where-are-black-entrepreneurs-and-angels/ 
 

 
6. Mass. makes strides in SAT scores

Boston Globe
September 13, 2010
MALDEN, Mass.-Massachusetts education officials say the state's black public high school students are outperforming their peers nationwide when it comes to the SAT. 
Black students made strong gains in all three subjects in 2010 when compared with 2009, including an eight-point gain in critical reading, a nine-point gain in mathematics, and a seven-point gain in writing.  Read More: http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2010/09/13/mass_makes_strides_in_sat_scores/
 

7. Performance, participation up on AP tests
Success for black students also rose sharply on the exam that's worth college credit.
By ANTHONY LONETREE, Star Tribune
Last update: September 13, 2010 - 11:04 PM
For a fifth consecutive year, Minnesota schools saw increases in both the number of students taking Advanced Placement tests and the number achieving scores worthy of college credit.
Test performance and participation were up significantly, too, for black students during the 2009-10 school year, according to data released Monday by the state Department of Education.  Read More:  http://www.startribune.com/local/102827424.html
 
 

8. Oakland makes pledge to 'go beyond' for young black men - Allen Temple sets stage for national tour
Oakland Local edition Thu, 23 Sep at 6:11am
While the origins of this African Proverb remain a mystery, its message remains a relevant and undeniable truth to the success of a community, particularly its youth. 

With this in mind, Harlem-based Washington-Koen Media Productions - WKMP - is proud to announce Oakland as the second stop for its nationally acclaimed Beyond the Bricks Community Engagement Tour on Oct. 2 at Allen Temple Baptist Church.  Read More: http://oaklandlocal.com/blogs/2010/09/oakland-makes-pledge-%E2%80%98go-beyond%E2%80%99-young-black-men-allen-temple-sets-stage-national-tour 
  


9. Willie Simmons, Responsible Design Engineer, Northrop Grumman
By USBE Online
Sep 22, 2010, 15:21
Black Engineer.com
Willie Ofe Simmons Jr.
Senior Member of Technical Staff
Responsible Design Engineer, Advanced Technologies Department
Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems Corp.
Space Technology

Willie Simmons was born in the Philippines. His family moved to the United States when he was only three months old, but his parents separated by the time he turned five. Although his mother never excelled in math and science, she enrolled Willie and his sister in a STEM magnet school across town.  Read More: http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_1224.shtml 

 

10. Summit focuses on digital equity
Forum looks to address bridging broadband gaps
The Charlotte Post
Published Thursday, September 23, 2010 12:38 pm
by Herbert L. White

Digital equity is the focus of a Charlotte forum.

The Alliance for Digital Equality is hosting the inaugural Digital Empowerment Summit Oct. 1 at Johnson C. Smith University's  Grimes Lounge from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.  The forum will bring together panelists from the technology, nonprofit and academic sectors to address disparities in digital technology in vulnerable communities. Historically, ethnic minorities, the poor and rural residents are less likely to have access to the Internet.  Read More: http://www.thecharlottepost.com/index.php?src=news&srctype=detail&category=News&refno=2988
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