Your source for news and information since August 1999

March came and went and Spring is here, finally! I'd like to welcome the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley as our newest sponsor to the Lehigh Valley Black News Network!

Also joining us as a network member for the first time is I.B.P.O. Elks of the World Inc Bethal Lodge # 1284 & Lehigh Temple #930. The lodge will be conducting their 57th annual joint Dinner Dance to honor several individuals who have made a tremendous impact on the Lehigh Valleys African American community.

In our Arts & Education section, you can read Malcolm J. Gross's editorial on the NCAA March Madness Basketball tournament and its affect on Black student athletes and the NCAA's 'bottom line'. (I'd like to get your thought on this one, so just send me an email of what you think)

Also next month, Lafayette will host a conference entitled " Paul Robeson: His History and Development as an Intellectual" on campus April 7-9.

Our Business links section has several new interesting links dedicated to providing you with the resources and contacts to help you develop your business. Remember, tell a neighbor, tell a friend and be sure to let them know, you saw it in LV BNN!!

Support the organizations and businesses that support LV BNN. Enjoy this Edition.

Kevin Easterling

Founder & Publisher Lehigh Valley Black News Network

Robeson (1898-1976) - scholar, actor, athlete, concert artist, and political activist -- impacted American life and culture by breaking ground for the Civil Rights and Civil Liberties movements. At the height of his popularity, Robeson was well-loved nationally and internationally. He performed benefits throughout the world for causes of social justice and believed that the famous have a responsibility to speak out equality and peace.

But by the late 1940s, Robeson's activities brought him to the attention of Senator Joseph McCarthy and The House Un-American Activities Committee. His passport was revoked and not reinstated for eight years. Despite efforts to revive his career, ill health forced Robeson to retire from public life and he lived in Philadelphia from 1966 until his death in 1976. His role in the history of civil rights and as spokesperson for those oppressed throughout the world still remains relatively unknown.

Conference keynote speakers include Paul Robeson Jr., who served as a personal aide to his father for more than 20 years, and Randall Robinson, author of numerous books including Quitting America: The Departure of a Black Man from His Native Land and founder of the non-profit organization TransAfrica. Leading scholars from around the nation will speak on topics ranging from Robeson as public intellectual to an exploration of his cultural politics.

Other highlights include performances by spoken- word artist and hip-hop musician Saul Williams, who co-wrote and starred in the 1998 urban drama Slam, and bass baritone Alvy Powell of the U.S. Army Chorus. Powell will sing Negro spirituals and other songs that convey the Robeson story in "A Robeson Portrait," a multimedia production first staged last February in Washington, D.C.

Registration is free and all events are open to the public. contact Lafayette's Department of Government and Law at (610) 330-5390 for more info.

In 2005, the YWCA of Bethlehem will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of its annual Women and Teens of the Year Awards Dinner. Every March, to celebrate Women's History Month, the YWCA of Bethlehem honors local women and teens for their outstanding contributions to our community. The 2005 Women and Teens of the Year Awards Dinner is scheduled for March 30th at 6pm at the Holiday Inn East Gateway Conference Center on 512.

The YWCA of Bethlehem is holding its last session of the 30th Annual Great Decisions Foreign Affairs Lecture Series on March 30th from 11:30am-1pm at Kirkland Village, Bethlehem.

LPGA-USGA Girls Golf of the Lehigh Valley, a program of the YWCA of Bethlehem, will kick off its 2005 Program at 9 am on Saturday, April 2, at the Boys and Girls Club of Bethlehem, 1430 Fritz Drive.

Save the Date and Your Appetite too: April 30th YWCA National Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism 11am-2pm at the YWCA of Bethlehem, 22 West Broad Street. A Study Circles Action Forum will be held to learn more about the Study Circles Program and ways to get involved.

We have gone from ashes to a firm foundation. We would love to share with you the awesome work that God has done. Please join us as we celebrate the restoration of the church and the awesome God we serve.

Rev. Leslie E. Wilson, Pastor and the members of St. James A.M.E. Zion Church cordially invite you to celebrate with us.

We are asking that you please r.s.v.p. so we can prepare enough food for you. Please contact Pam Riddick at depamel@ptd.net or Gayle Tanner at gayletanner00@aol.com

Project Blueprint is a minority volunteer development program coordinated by the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley. It is designed to help nonprofit organizations in the Lehigh Valley become more inclusive, responsive and reflective of the culturally diverse communities that they serve. The goal of the Project Blueprint Program is to accelerate involvement of African American, Asian, Hispanic and Native American volunteers to become policy makers on agency boards and committees.

The upcoming training is scheduled for five Monday evenings starting April 4th from 6:30 - 8:30 PM at the American Red Cross Building. It covers topics which relate to board membership and leadership skills including: the roles and responsibilities of a board member, understanding nonprofit finances and legal issues, analyzing communication styles, and how to choose the right board. Representatives of Lehigh Valley nonprofit agencies will familiarize participants with what is going on in the nonprofit sector in the Valley today and will offer their insights into why they want diversity on their boards.

There is no fee for this program but registration is required. The deadline for registration is March 23, 2005.

Become a Project Blueprint volunteer! Join with others to share your experiences and concerns to make positive change in your community.

For more information or to register, contact the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley at 610-807- 0336 or vc@volunteerlv.org

• Rev. Leslie Wilson- St. James AME Zion Church, Allentown PA
• Rev. Marshall Griffin- St. Paul Baptist Church, Bethlehem PA
• Rev. William Watson- St. John AME Zion Church, Bethlehem PA

For tickets please contact David J. & Irene R. Groves @ 610-797-8602 or Bethal Lodge No. 1284 Thursday after 7:00 PM to Sunday 11:00 PM @ 610-691-9118

Wilfred Stanton, Chairperson Michael O. Young, Sr., Exalted Ruler Deborah M. Watson, Chairperson Willette F. Walker, Daughter Ruler

Announcements: Saturday, March 26-Wednesday, March 30 2005Greater Shiloh Church presents ETERNITY, March 26-30, 2005. Admission is FREE. The doors will open each night at 6:30 p.m. There is also a special Resurrection Sunday morning performance at the 10:00 a.m. service.

"ETERNITY" is an intense dramatic presentation of the Gospel that shows the reality of life after death. Heaven or Hell? This play was birthed out of City Bible Church in Portland, Oregon in 1995 and already more than two million people have seen this play. "ETERNITY" has traveled both nationally and internationally to Australia, South Africa, Mexico, and New Zealand just to name a few. "ETERNITY" comes alive with state of the art sound, staging, and lighting.

Hidden Treasures Stop by and experience Hidden Treasures! Enjoy guilt- free shopping, never-ending sales, and a variety of clothing, accessories, housewares, and much more. Someone will always serve you with a smile. Shop till' you drop at Hidden Treasure Thrift Store. Located at 416 Canal Street in Easton, PA. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Donations welcome. For more information call 610.438.4115.

Once again the officers and members of the Willing Workers will celebrate our Annual Vendors Day. Saturday, April 2, 2005. This event will be held at, St. Paul Baptist Church, 925 E. Goepp Street, Bethlehem, PA Time: 12 Noon - 5:00 P.M.

Come and enjoy the Vendors, food and fellowship with us. We always have a most enjoyable time and look forward to your presence.

If you have additional questions please contact any of the members of the Willing Workers. Joyce Maxwell Brenda Brown Betty Mitchell Mary Johnson Barbara Hilliard Bernice Gustave

We thank you in advance for any attention you give to this matter. Have a blessed day.

Second Baptist Church, Bethlehem is celebrating our 17th Annual Pastoral Anniversary on Sunday, April 24th, 2005.

Leading up to the anniversary celebration, we invite you to participate with us on Saturday, April 23rd for an "Expression of Praise" workshop and concert presented by Pastor Keith O'Neal.

Pastor and Psalmist Keith O'Neal and the "Expression of Praise Chorale" are from Christ Temple Ministries of Muncie, Indiana under the headship of Bishop S. Michael Millben. This gifted Psalmist and Music Director has shared events with CeCe and BeBe Winans, the late Rev. James Moore, Evangelists Darlene Bishop and Jackie McCullough. He also serves as Minister of Music and Worship leader for the Jabula International Network ministry under the direction of Bishop Tudor Bismark & Bishop Hugh D. Smith.

The hands-on workshop begins Saturday morning at 9:00 am and is free to everyone. We will be taught various vocal and breathing exercises, praise and worship songs and much more. We will break after lunch and then invite you to bring a friend back for a 7:00 pm "Expression of Praise Chorale" concert celebration. Our Sunday morning worship service begins at 10:00 am with Pastor Keith O'Neal bring the Rhema Word followed by dinner. Because we are preparing a delightful lunch and dinner for you, please contact us by April 20, 2005 to reserve your seats. You may leave your message for Marcia Villamil at (610) 691- 9783 with a count and/or contact person from your House of Worship.

G.W.C.Y.L. is a Christian support group for recovering alcoholics and addicts. We share our experience, strength and hope with one another to help solve our common problem and to enhance our personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We use God's Word and the Twelve Steps of Recovery, believing that Scripture and the Twelve Steps are important healing tools. If we regularly apply these tools to our lives, we open ourselves to God's healing love and grace.

Monday Nights 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Greater Shiloh Church Shiloh Enrichment Center 548 Canal Street Easton, PA

Thursday Nights 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. St. Paul's Lutheran Church 8th & Walnut Streets Allentown, PA

For more information, call (610) 252-5640 or 610) 653-9494. Announcements:

The Women of Excellence Ministry of Greater Shiloh Church presents a Mother's Day Tea "Exceptional Women of God" Focusing on Spiritual Wellness 12:00 noon at Greater Shiloh Church 220 Brother Thomas Bright Avenue Easton, PA 18042 Tickets are $20 per person

For more information, please call 610.252.5640

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Lehigh Valley Black News Network www.lvbnn.com is an informative eNewsletter designed to inform you about events and information related to the connection and inclusion of Black / African American communities throughout the Lehigh Valley and the State of Pennsylvania.

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