February 2009
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Vol 4, Issue 2
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In the Black
Newsletter
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| Greetings! |
This past
weekend, a number of individuals from Fresno joined thousands in Los Angeles
and millions across the country as Tavis Smiley hosted the 10th State of the Black Union. This event
brought together some of the country's brightest minds to continue a
conversation that created The Covenant
with Black America movement. Tavis
Smiley, a well know TV journalist, NY Time Best Seller author and
philanthropist (tavistalks.com) has raised America's consciousness by orchestrating this gathering of black
intellectuals, social innovators and framing the dialog & action
planning pertaining to the vitality of
black America.
Simply put,
the event was spectacular! There were no 'celebrities' or rappers--though Prince
did do a concert benefiting the Tavis Smiley Foundation-- yet people were captivated
by the words from Dr. Michael Eric-Dyson, Dr. Cornell West, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev.
Al Sharpton, Speaker Karen Bass, Dr. Tricia Rose, Les Brown, Van Jones, and Michael
Steele just to name a few.
This year's
theme echoed the title of Smiley's new book, Accountable: Making America as Good as Its Promise that's Book III
of the Covenant trilogy that provides
a roadmap for holding our federal, state and local leaders including ourselves
accountable relating to economics, health, education and criminal justice. Much
of the panel's discussion surrounded the election of President Barack Obama,
our current economic/financial crisis, and the impact of education and the incarnation
of black men and women.
There were
many take-aways from the panel but one that I plan to ask and I hope you will
to-ask our local electorate (city, state and federal representatives) what is
their plan to acquire and use the incoming economic stimulus funds? In
continuing in the vein of personal accountable ask yourself as I ask myself, 'what
do we want our community to benefit from the economic stimulus package and how
are preparing to do so?'
The panel
provided a powerful presentation that I believe needs to be shared and digested
here in Fresno. In the next few days, I would like to announce a setting where
we can view the morning panel discussion (the event was organized that they had
the Morning Session on available for free on USB drives by 4:30 PM) followed by
a brief discussion in the next 7-10 days. If you are interested in
participating or have any recommendations about how to enhance the setting,
please contact me.
Tate Hill
Editor
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'In the Black' Archives
In Fresno County, on average, four jobs are created through every black-owned business
Source: 2002 Economic Census
Annual Black Purchase Power in Fresno County?
$486 Million
Source: 2002 Economic Census |
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Year 2008 in Review
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1. Election of President Barack Obama
This is a no-brainer. The then Senator
Barack Obama stages the biggest upset in the history of US politics marked by
February's Super Tuesday win. With victories that carried from state to state,
Obama won the bid for the Democratic ticket as the first African-American after
four others tried (Chisolm, Jackson, Sharpton, Mosley-Braum) unsuccessfully.
After raising some $700 million, more than any candidate in the world for an election from untraditional means and unlikely contributors, he defeated
Senator John McCain on November 5, 2008 for the US presidency. The night of his
victory, millions around the world, hundreds of thousands in Chicago, and
small groups of friends and family huddled around their televisions, as they celebrated what many
hoped but never dreamt that they would see--the first African-American elected
as the president of the United Stated.
2. Frank H. Ball Controversy
In 2008, In the Black reported on the community's
concern about possible changes at the neighborhood staple, the Frank H. Ball
Park and Recreational Center. The City of Fresno Parks & Recreations
Department (PARCS) had plans in partner with the Police Department to  use the
center to host PAL (Police Activities League) programs including turning the
basketball gym in a boxing gym. As members of the community and past visitors
heard about the plans, they poured out for two community meetings to voice their
concerns. Rev. Floyd Harris facilitated the conversations between Assistant
City Manager Bruce Rudd, PARCS Manager Randy Cooper and members of the
community. Rudd apologized on behalf of the City, stating that they would look
for an alternative location and they would welcome any recommendations on how to
improve the center's conditions based on the concerns the community mentioned.
3. Hinton Community Center
Hinton... Hinton ... Hinton. This center has been under a cloud of
controversy since 2006. Members of the community engaged Councilmember Cynthia
Sterling about concerns of access, the fee schedule, and programs after long
time manager, Johnny Nellum left. At the request of residents, the management
of the center was returned to the community through the ailing Hinton Center
Board. As reported in Fall 2008, the Hinton Center nonprofit and
board ha d been dysfunctional for more than 17 years. After renovations to the
center, it has remained closed most of the time. Again, Council member Sterling
was approached to step in between the board, the community and the City. In a
bold move, Sterling motioned in the June Budget sessions that the City de-fund
the Hinton Center ($4500/mo.) due to a lack of access and services. By the end
of 2008, the City was still negotiating with the Board to re-institute services
and re-opening the center back to the public.
4. Jeremiah Wright
While pastors can be known to buck the
social trends, Rev. Jeremiah Wright became a part of a the national political
and social landscape after his words from a message 'damming America'. Were these
words taken out of content? Was he saying something others haven't said? Or was
the controversy primarily because he had been the pastor and spiritual advisor
to presidential candidate Barack Obama? In the end, Obama was forced to
distance himself from Wright after comments at the National Press Club in
Washington DC. Many, like right-winged radio jock Rush Limbaugh, thought Wright
would be the sticking point that would turn white voters against Obama. Wright
said he would come after and hold Obama to the same standard as he would any
other president. We will see what happens in the years to come.
5. Darling International & Cottonwood Creek: Solidarity to Fight for
Environmental Justice
A broad coalition of community members and
organizations coalesced to oppose two of southwest Fresno's worse odor problems
sitting side by side-- Darling International and Cottonwood Creek. While the concern with Darling
International-a national company that does meat rendering for a number of regional
farms and agricultural operations- has several decades of bad history, the
newest battle started in 2007 when it sought permits to double its'
capacity to 1.5 millions pounds of raw carcasses a day. The campaign was
initialed when Mary Curry, Tate Hill and Keith Kelley approached the San
Joaquin Valley Air Quality Control District Board and then connected a larger group of residents through the Concerned Citizen of West Fresno to the City and the Darling. After much
cooperation with Councilmember Sterling and the Planning Department, Darling
backed off their permit request. The immediate victory prepared the community
when Cottonwood Creek sought to regain its site permit to operation an odorous
milk processing plant adjacent to Darling.
6. Cynthia Sterling Recall
 While some were fighting to get into
office, other were fighting to stay there. In 2008, embattled Councilmember
Cynthia Sterling had to contend with several recall efforts. The Committee for
Fair Representation led by Rev. Floyd Harris, filed the petition in July 2008
and after several attempts, processed the paperwork in November to start
collecting the necessary 4000 signature or 20% of the registered voters in the
district within four months. This is nearly an impossible task as less than
3300 votes were cast in 2006 for Sterling's election. The group has cites
that Sterling sat idling aside in the homeless sweeps and a lack of leadership
on issues ranging from Running Horse and more recently the Hinton and Frank H
Ball community centers as the cause for the recall. The whole recall
process raised some questions as she prepared take role as the first woman and
African-American City Council President.
7. Powers returned to West Fresno Unified School
Board
Five years after the state of California
took over the district in 2003 in the mist of criminal investigation, board
battles and questions about its financial solvency, the district is making
significant progress. In November, the community elected three to the board
that resumed some of the academic and operational responsibilities. In September,
it was announced that the District it had one of the best state Academic
Performance Index improvements (60 points), which garnished them the award of
a $17,000 new computer lab by G-TECH.
8. Edison HS football player grade change scandal
When first reported that a student
athlete's grade had been changed from a 'F' to an ''A", Edison Football coach, Tim McDonald threaten
to resign. Longtime math teacher, Jeff Powell cited that a start football
player's grade had been changed to an A though he missed 75 days of the class.
The accusations that someone other than the teacher had changed the grade raised
a fire storm of questions and a cloud around the top ranked football team. The
community and reporters questioned the quality of education at Edison, teacher-administration
ethics, and the message the District and the adults are sending to students
about academics & athletes. After
months of investigations by the District and the local teacher union, both are
blaming each other with no one taking responsibility.
9. CSU Fresno Associated Student President
disgraced
Mackee Mason, the first African-American
ASI President at CSU Fresno was forced to resign amongst allegations that he
used funds from student fees to buy alcohol for underage students. Mason elected during the Spring 2008 semester was accused of
buying the drinks during a student leadership retreat in July of that year in
Orange County. In his resignation letter, he stated he did no wrong but that
the circumstances have cause him to divert his attention away from what
mattered most-- his education.
10. Trial of Bishop Charles Dickerson
Since 2006, Bishop Charles Dickerson fought criminal charges of sex ual molestation of two stepdaughters in Fresno and one young man in Seattle, WA. Dickerson is the California bishop for the
Full Gospel Baptist denomination under the famed preacher, Bishop Paul Morton.
The girls later recanted their stories but the District Attorney's Office
decided to continue with the case. In January 2008, a jury found the southwest
Fresno pastor of Pearly Grove Full Gospel Baptist Church not guilty on all
counts.
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State of the Black Union: Sight & Words
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 Morning Panel. Saturday, February 28, 2009. Los Angeles, CA
When the rules are clear, the goals are public and the playing field is level-- we winWe're not changing, we're challenging.... white America is maturing.
Rev. Jesse Jackson Founder/President, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition  Urban Renewal equalled Negro Removal
'Represent' what you want rather than what you seeTricia Rose Professor of Africana Studies, Brown University Our work in the community never ends
There is no grant for dignityPeter Harvey, former New Jersay Attorney General We argue small, and settle even smaller... we must read our lawsMarc Morial President & CEO, Urban LeagueWe must be educated, activated and engagedStephanie Robinson  co-author of Accountable: Making America as Good as its Promise
Be accountable for creating your vision
Iyanla Vanzant
Motivational Speaker & Founder, Inner Visions Worldwide Network
Fresnans--Candice Hill and Keith Kelley prepare to hear first panel
Green the Ghetto: give Pookie a job. Help him put down the hand gun and pick-up a chalking gun.
Van Jones
Founder & President, Green For All
Recessions restore resourcefulness
It's necessary to have vision, to study success, collaborate and be a strategic communicator
Les Brown
Author & Motivational Speaker
C-SPAN will re-air the Morning Panel on Friday, March 6 at 8 PM-11:30 PM on C-SPAN 2.
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The Fresno Mayoral Priorities Survey- Independent Police Audit (IPA)
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In November and December 2008, readers of In the Black voiced what they believed incoming Mayor Ashley Swearengin should focus on when she takes office next month. One of the top concerns pertained to the establishment of a independent police audit (# 4 of 10). On Tuesday, February 24, Mayor Swearengin began the public process with a hearing to collect policy recommendations. Here is a summary of the voiced concerns:
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Police need training in dealing with citizen
with mental and behavioral problems
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An independent public citizen as part of the
board
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Reporting directly to the Council with a 2/3
vote by Council for removal
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Investigative powers: records, witnesses,
confidentiality
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Posting of reports with the City Clerk and the
City website for general review
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Cooperation with DA Office with access to case
witnesses
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How would an IPA change behavior and trends of
police? How would it differ from current investigations measures being used?
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Take the IPA decision to the vote of the people
to for position and for budget justification
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Incorporate duties of general public safety
auditor
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The process should be fast; cost equitable or
free to citizen (no burden)
Rev. Jones of the Street Saints :
5-year volunteer of the city graffiti abatement and one of the Magnificent 7.
Son was beaten down by police after allegation of domestic violence with seven
(7) felonies. Something needs to be done.
Fresno NAACP represented by Bishop John Simms:
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Prefer a Citizen Review Committee vs. IPA
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IPA has no way to be independent and incurs a
significant cost.
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The Committee would be cost effective and there
are qualified public citizens
League of
Women Voters: IPA- in favor
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Recommend semiannual reporting
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Educate youth about their rights
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Investigate all police-related shootings
Mai Summer
Vue: Stories of injustice, racial profiling, and discrimination by Hmong refugees Council President Cynthia Sterling recently spoke in favor of an IPA at a press conference (download audio) held by council peer Blong Xiong and herself on February 18, 2009.
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Making Community Connections
Your partner for community engagement & mutli-cultural marketing
tatehill@att.net
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Where is the black perspective in the local media? RADIO!
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 Join Valley Black Talk every Monday on KFCF, 88.1 FM from 8-10 PM for thought provoking dialogue, intriguing questions and passionate perspective on national and local events and issues affecting the black community.
For archived shows or more information about the program, go to www.vbtradio.org
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Wall of Honor- February 26, 2009
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The Wall of
Honor was established at the African-American Historical and Cultural Museum in
1996. The Wall recognizes the contributions of outstanding African-Americans
who have either attended or worked for the State Center Community College
District.
The 2009
inductees:
James Aldredge
Issac (Chief) A. Okin
Dezie Woods-Jones.
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Looking for In the Black Writers
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 Do you have something to say? Are you passionate about a particular subject? Have you said, "they need to write to
about ..."? Well, here's your chance!
In the Black is looking for other Issue writers, opinion editorals, and reviews of local restaurants, shops and entertainment venues from a black prospective.
College students are especially welcomed to inquire.
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The Piano Lesson at CSU Fresno
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Arambula Recognizes Exceptional Youth
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The African-American
Heritage Awards hosted by Assembly member Juan Arambula (D-31) were held on
Friday, February 27 at the State Hughes Building.
This year, the Arambula recognized 10 black youth and one fraternity for their contributions to their schools and
communities.
Robynae
Aaron, Webster Elementary
Kennedy
Crumble, Sunset Elementary
Kayani
Abalos-Hall, West Fresno Elementary
Elizabeth
Young, West Fresno Middle School
Howard
Butler, Sanger High
Danielle
Cobb, Sunnyside High
Mara Mornay
Curry, Fresno High
Deona
Braxton, Roosevelt High
Ashley Reid,
Edison High
Jasmine
Noldo, Fresno City College
Kappa Alpha
Psi- Pi Beta Chapter, CSU Fresno
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Food for Thought:
Civic rights did not write your resume,
but it made sure they read it
Rev. Al Sharpton
State of the Black Union- Los Angeles
February 28, 2009
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| In the Black, a publication of the Urban Knowledge Blog
Disclaimer: This is an editorial publication. The comments above are solely of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views or ideologies of any organization or person outside of Urban Knowledge Blog or In the Black. If there is a numerical or factual error, please inform us and we will publicly rectify it via email. Comments received may be republished for the betterment of other readers, unless you indicate otherwise. Thank You. |
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