Your source for news and information since August 1999

I'd like to welcome Touchstone Theatre as our newest member to the Network. You can check out their exciting Lehigh Valley History project underway.

This edition of Lehigh Valley Black News Network is brought to you in part by Ethnic Expressions. See their ad info below.

I'd also like to welcome the return of past network members, Moravian College Music Department, The Crayola Factory and the State Theatre Center for the Arts.

..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

Susan L. Taylor has been the driving force behind one of the most celebrated African-American owned business success stories of the past three decades. She is the senior editorial executive Essence Magazine and writes the popular ?In the Spirit? column each month.

Taylor's presentation will offer the tools for crafting a vision for one's life and leadership style that is energizing and inspiring. She will demonstrate how passionate and effective leadership begins from within?with self-awareness. She shows how identifying and articulating one's own personal path in life are critical steps in successfully leading others and being authentically respectful of their feelings,

A fourth-generation entrepreneur, Taylor was the founder of her own company, Nequai Cosmetics, before becoming Essence's fashion and beauty editor and, in 1981, its editor-in-chief. She is the author of three books: In the Spirit: The Inspirational Writings of Susan L. Taylor, Lessons in Living and Confirmation: The Spiritual Wisdom That Has Shaped Our Lives , the latter coauthored with her husband, Khephra

Using their remarkable voices to bring inspiration for civil rights and social change, Kim and Reggie Harris will perform in concert from 11a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22, at Northampton Community College's Lipkin Theatre. Kim and Reggie's interactive, engaging, and thought-provoking show offers audiences a chance to sing, laugh and reflect. The concert, offered in conjunction with the "Promoting andSupporting Early Literacy through the Arts" (PASELA) project, is appropriate for all ages, even preschoolers.

Kim and Reggie Harris have been entertaining and inspiring audiences across the US and throughout the world for over 25 years. Their vast musical repertoire encompasses everything from traditional songs and spirituals to adult contemporary originals.

Their release "Steal Away: Songs of the Underground Railroad" is an acclaimed resource in musical, historical and cultural circles.

The concert is free, and reservations are not required. For more information, visit www.northampton.edu or call 610-861-5300.

I'm sure you've have had one of those days when you just wanted to see your heritage reflected in your home or office. Or perhaps you've always wanted to purchase beautiful artwork for family and friends to enrich their lives.

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?James Baldwin: Down From the Mountaintop? Tony Award nominee Calvin Levels depicts the rich and impassioned life of the esteemed novelist, playwright, essayist and civil rights activist James Baldwin.

The critically acclaimed solo play traces the fervent life of this American writer recognized for his novels on racial, sexual, and personal identity, along with his works of non-fiction, plays, and essays on human rights. Mr. Level's play insightfully captures the spirit and essence of James Baldwin, powerfully communicating Baldwin's main messages of love, equality and social justice. A discussion with Mr. Levels will follow the play.

Sponsored by the Office of Intercultural Development, Lafayette will celebrate Black History Month through the theme ?The Souls of Black Folk: Unveiling Identity? Jan. 31-Feb. 23.

Events will delve into the essence of collective and personal identity, discuss social complexities of race and self-perception, and celebrate the soul of the African Diaspora.

Using W.E.B. Du Bois? The Souls of Black Folk as a catalyst, the month?s events will look at black identity through a variety of lenses.

The Presidential Speaker Series on Diversity will present Cheryl Wall, professor of English at Rutgers University, who will deliver the keynote address entitled ?From The Souls of Black Folk: An Ethic for the Twenty-First Century.? Her lecture will use Du Bois? text as a springboard for discussion on the moral values and intellectual principles required for collective survival in the 21st century.

How do I send information once I join or purchase a spot in LV BNN?

Non-Profit ad membership Policy

Submit your ad info in time for the next issue of LV BNN (2/28/07)! Ads for March, April and May should be submitted this week for best exposure!

With our unique Travel Affinity Program. Let us show you how this exceptional product can bring a dramatic boost to your fundraising program. Our Travel Affinity Program provides your organization with its own "private label,? online travel website (customized with your logo), which can generate thousands of dollars for your organization, when members, supporters, and groups book their personal or business travel through your travel website 24/7. The website is similar to Expedia� and has all the selections and features of the other online booking websites and more.

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On behalf of Touchstone Theatre and the Leadership Committee of the Lehigh Valley Black African Heritage History Project,please consider joining us at our next story-gathering session.

The Lehigh Valley Black African Heritage Project is a collaborative project of Muhlenberg College, the Lehigh County Senior Center, the Lehigh County Historical Society, Kutztown University, and Touchstone Theatre.

Help us continue Phase III of the project as we collect material for a play to be produced by Touchstone Theatre of South Bethlehem.
Come to a gathering to swap stories, memories, and pictures or just to satisfy your curiosity!

SAVE THE DATE FOR FUTURE STORY-GATHERING SESSIONS:

Saturday, March 24, 2007, 1-4pm, location to be announced
Saturday, April 28, 2007, 1-4pm, location to be announced
Saturday, June 23, 2007, 1-4pm, location to be announced
Saturday, June 30, 2007, 1-4pm, location to be announced

Come see for yourself what ALL the HYPE is about regarding The "Chocolate Hedo GetAway" @ Hedo II in Negril, Jamaica from Wednesday June 20th - Sunday June 24th. You can take advantage of both sides of this 4 Star Complex @ Hedonism II, which also includes "Free Your Mind" (Au Naturel) Resort for those who CHOOSE to Free the Mind and let your Body follow!

Hedonism II: Sooner or later, it's gonna happen. The primal urge to just, let ALL go & Unwind! You're not alone. Hedonism II, on world famous Negril Beach, is a PLAYGROUND for your inner SPIRIT, nourishment for the Mind, Body and Soul. Pleasure comes in many forms. Choose one, Or two, Or more. With absolutely everything included in ONE upfront price you never have to think about money. Not even tips. Just what to do next and how!

Chocolate Hedonism GetAway has been adopted by singles and couples to replace The Cancun Jazz Festival as the "Baby Boomers" PLYAGROUND GetAway. If you are 32 to 55 years old, then you probably hung out at the Cancun Jazz Festival in Cancun , Mexico between 1992 -1999 before the younger people took over. You now have the perfect "GetAway" for a Valentines Gift, Fathers Day, Mothers Day, or Anniversary present for your Spouse, Friend or treat yourself. So, come and "Experience HEAVEN On Earth" !

This Super Inclusive Chocolate GetAway includes Unlimited Drinks, ALL Meals & Entertainment for no EXTRA cost!

The Punany Poets & The Head Doctor June 20th - 24th, 2007 Chocolate Hedo GetAway www.ChocolateHedonismGetAway.com Book today @ 800-339-0218

With a combination of experience and knowledge, I provide clients with appropriate advice and personalized service. Using my firm's global resources and research capabilities, I am able to help individuals and institutions pursue their long- term goals.

I contact my clients on a regular basis in order to stay informed of their ever-changing situations, objectives and needs. By developing disciplined plans based on each client's specific goals, I offer appropriate and timely choices.

Escape with us as we celebrate the special exhibition Ch�shingura: Loyalty and Revenge in 18th-Century Japan. Members of the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden will demonstrate ceremonial drumming while a koto player fills the air with the sweet sounds of this traditional string instrument. Wrap yourself up in a kimono dressing demonstration and learn how to make sushi watching the chefs of Bethlehem?s

Cocktails, music and performance, interactive activities, demonstrations, art talks, and much more await visitors on the second Thursday of every other month when the Museum stays open after hours for a fun-filled social evening of art and culture. Reinvent your Thursday nights and plan to join the party! Complimentary hors d?oeuvres, cash bar.

Employment
Lehigh University

Business

Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley VITA Tax Program.

Raquel Phelps Warm Spirit

Different News,Views, Blog's and Editorials

Klan growing, fed by anti-immigrant feelings, report says


17 year old follow-up to African-American psychologist Kenneth Clark?s famous study using black and white dolls. (You gotta see this)

Arts & Culture

The History of Black History Month
YWCA of Bethlehem Upcoming Events

Faith- based Community

Planned Giving in the Black Church

God Will Change Your Life Recovery Ministry

2006 Organization Members
The Afro American Community Project
The Crayola FACTORY
Lafayette College Office of Intercultural Development
St Paul Community Service Center
Allentown Art Museum
Virginia E Holland #86
Moravian College Music Department
Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority
Union Baptist Church Allentown PA.
Living Stone Fellowship Church
Private Industry Council of Lehigh Valley, Inc.
SouthSide Film Institute
Allentown School district
YWCA of Bethlehem
Art Quest
Coalition for Appropriate Transportation
Communities In Schools of the Lehigh Valley
Community Action Development Corporation Allentown
Greater Shiloh Church
God will Change Your Life Recovery Ministries
Lehigh County Senior Center
Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority
NAACP Allentown Chapter
Bridgeworks Enterprise Center
Rejoice Foster Care and Adoption Agency
Second Baptist Church of Bethlehem PA
State Theatre Center of the Arts
Teen Summit Program
Theatre Outlet
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley
Williams Center for the Arts Lafayette College
Ways to Work Family Loan Program
Northampton Community College
Lehigh University Human Resource Department
Northampton Community College

I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races - that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of making voters or jurors of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality. And in as much as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race.

Lehigh Valley Black News Network 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.

LV BNN is distributed twice a month to over 3000 responsive email readers from the Lehigh Valley Region, parts of Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Reading Pennsylvania. For Sponsorship and advertising rates please call (610) 799-1250 or email kevineasterling@lvbnn.com

Copyright � 2007 Mnet of PA. All rights reserved. You may reproduce information from this e-letter by including LV BNN as its source and, if you are reproducing electronically, please include a li_k to www.lvbnn.com in your e-letter or on your web site. An MNET of PA Production