African American Community

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.

California
Recently the Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC) and partner Affordable Housing CDC, Inc. (AHCDC) celebrated the grand opening of Dolores McCoy Villa, a newly constructed 64-unit affordable apartment complex jointly developed by both organizations. McCoy Villa provides supportive services to help homeless families in Watts make a new start. All residents (formerly homeless, or formerly incarcerated and low-income) receive a range of personalized social services, including case management, budget counseling, employment training and placement, academic counseling, access to healthcare and substance-abuse services, and assistance focused on families and independent living skills. The grand opening celebration included a tour of apartment units, recognition of the development partners, and special comments by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congresswoman Laura Richardson, County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, and Councilwoman Janice Hahn.

Connecticut
Carlina White, who was only 2-weeks-old when she kidnapped, was recently reunited with her biological family in the Bronx. She credits the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children with assisting her. White had been stolen and taken to Connecticut shortly after her abduction report was released. As an adult after several failed attempts to find her birth certificate and Social Security card, White began searching for answers to questions about her life on the Internet. She eventually fell upon what seemed to be her profile—which included a picture, family history and abduction date—and later opted for confirmation through DNA testing. According to published reports, the results prompted White to take her investigation to authorities. Days later, Ann Pettway surrendered to state police, and is currently being held without bail. On the afternoon following her arrest, Pettway admitted her role in the abduction in federal court. She also said that her actions, which included an attempt at creating a fake birth certificate for White, were in response to suffering several miscarriages in the months that preceded the kidnapping, citing desperation as her driving force. Pettway is now charged with one count of federal kidnapping and could face 20 years to life in prison as well as a fine of up to $250,000.

Florida
Newly seated Republican Congressman Allen West is facing a controversy following comments he made about the Islamic religion. The Tea Party-backed conservative, in an interview on “The Shalom Show,” told producer Richard Peritz that Islam was the “antithesis” of America’s founding principles and a “very vile and very vicious enemy.” West’s comments are particularly volatile as much of the nation is already uneasy over the mosque being constructed near New York’s Ground Zero monument. West’s latest comments are contradictory to those he made when he was sworn in to the Congressional Black Caucus when he said he would be more accepting of others differences because he believed that all members of Congress wanted what was best for America. “Congressman West’s statements against Islam are profoundly troubling,” said Corey Saylor, government affairs director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations. “I don’t think it reflects well on the office of a member of Congress.”

Georgia
Bishop Eddie Long made an appearance recently during a prayer breakfast for the 2011 Trumpet Awards ceremony. After months of seclusion from the media, the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church pastor offered encouraging words to the media about the Trumpet Award honorees. Long, who is currently fighting allegations of sexual misconduct by several young men in his congregation, did not comment about the pending litigation, but “beamed with confidence,” according to the website Straight from the A.com. “It’s just a wonderful celebration of greatness. It’s a wonderful celebration of a time when our nation needs hope,” he jovially told WSB-Atlanta, an affiliate of CNN. “People need to see people who rise up and are doing great things and are actually making a difference in someone’s life.”

Between the Lines

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.

California
Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez this week announced that he has appointed Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter to serve as assistant majority policy leader for the 2011-2012 session of the California State Assembly. “I am delighted that Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter will be bringing her commitment and skill to the role of assistant majority policy leader,” Pérez said. “Ms. Carter is dedicated to education and job creation, two of the Assembly’s top priorities, and she is a respected legislator whose soft-spoken approach gets results. I am confident that as a part of the Assembly Democrats’ leadership team, she will be very effective in helping shape our policy priorities and oversight activities.” “As assistant majority policy leader, I am hopeful I can use the experience I’ve gained serving in these tough times to help the Assembly’s Democratic majority, especially our new members, set priorities and advance the kind of smart, innovative policy solutions our state needs to create jobs, recover from the recession and prepare our students for the future,” Carter said. “I’m also looking forward to the part of the job that will help ensure that the policies we enact are being implemented to the full benefit of the people of California.” Assemblymember Carter represents the 62nd Assembly District which covers the cities of Rialto and Colton, portions of the cities of Fontana and San Bernardino, as well as the communities of Bloomington and Muscoy.

District of Columbia
In recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, The Justice Movement sponsored the “March for Jobs and Justice” at the nearly-completed Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. From there, the march proceeded to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for a rally in the exact location where King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. The Justice Movement defined their purpose for the rally as a way to fix the broken political system.
“It is no longer able to effectively serve the interests of the American people. American exceptionalism must be employed in the cause of justice for economic security and jobs, for U.S. and global healthcare including an end to HIV/AIDS, for the environment, and for electoral justice, putting an end to political demonization and polarization,” stated the group.

Florida
Many top financial and business experts agree that a recession can be the best time to start or grow a business. This proven concept is the underlying theme in Andrew Morrison’s free three-night Small Business Revival held from January 18-20th at the International Palms Resort in Orlando, FL. According to Small Business Camp founder, Andrew Morrison, there’s never been a better time to grow your business.
“Sometimes it just takes just a nudge to steer us in the right direction, said Morrison. “It’s my hope that my three-night event will be the nudge many small business owners need to help breathe life back into their passion and show them how they can grow their business even during these tough economic times.” This three-night event entitled “Three-Night Small Business Revival” brings Morrison’s highly effective “11 Principles to Turning Your Concept into Cash” seminar to Florida.