Your source for news and information since August 1999

I'd like to welcome the One World Theatre group to the LV BNN community. You can read about their upcoming play auditions on April 16th.

This month the Lehigh Valley will commence what is sure to be a hot and very important political election season. Please be sure to cast your vote on Tuesday April 5th. This Special Election will fill the vacancy that occurred when Charlie Dent was elected to Congress from the 15th Congressional District.

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

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

This election is about our families and our communities. Pat Browne has voted to improve the education our children receive.

Pat Browne has voted to provide healthcare services for working families And, Pat Browne will work to freeze the property taxes we pay. Pat Browne. A Strong Leader for Senator. Vote Tuesday, April 5th.

Paid for by Citizens for Browne

One World Theatre, a new theatre group in the Lehigh Valley dedicated to creating greater diversity in the performing arts, will be holding OPEN AUDITIONS for its production of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible", April 16th 2005, 1-5pm at The Banana Factory in Bethlehem, PA.

Looking for ages 18-50 Male & Female, non-Equity. ALL ethnicities are strongly encouraged to audition as this will be a multi-ethnic cast in line with the group's mission.

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Possible deferred payment. MUST be available for tech Sept. 15th & Sept. 16th from 2- 9pm.

Performances will take place Sept. 16th thru Sept. 18th, 2005 (and possibly Sept. 23rd) at The Ice House in Bethlehem, PA. To schedule an appointment, or for more information contact Pratima (founder) at oneworldtheatre@gmail.com.

For further information about the "The Crucible" production or One World Theatre, visit us on the web at www.oneworldtheatre.us

• 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: Sunday, June 12, 2005 You are cordially invited to the installation of Pastor Phillip Davis as Senior Pastor of Greater Shiloh Church on Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. Bishop Thomas Weeks III and Prophetess Juanita Bynum Weeks will be officiating. For more information, please call 610.252.5640.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Talk→ Listen → Action → Change. Want to learn how? Join a Study Circle? A Study Circle is a small, diverse group of 8 to 12 individuals who share individual experiences, stories and perspectives about race relations. Each Study Circle is led by a facilitator whose role is to get people listening to one another, to enhance awareness and to create efforts for action.

Intercultural Reading Circle will start on April 7th at 6pm at the YWCA of Bethlehem: A book club that gives community members an opportunity to participate in intellectual dialogue, where people of all racial and ethnical backgrounds sit down together to discuss selected books on race-related topics. The reading circle also helps to create new friendships and offers an intimate way for individuals of diverse backgrounds to better understand each other. Possible Books Include: My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok, Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington,The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle

To learn more about these programs and events call the YWCA of Bethlehem at 610-867-4669 or email at flordelisa@ywcabethlehem.org.

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

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

Ed Pawlowski, candidate for Mayor of Allentown, will hold a meeting at his campaign office on Thursday April 7th to listen and discuss Black community issues and comments.

Those Allentown residence interested in attending this meeting should call the Campaign office at (610) 434-4531

Paid for by Friends of Ed Pawlowski

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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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