Many of Philadelphia’s Black leaders voiced support for School Superintendent Arlene Ackerman after she controversially awarded a no-bid contract to a minority-owned company, saying she was making sure African Americans were included in district contracts that are usually monopolized by White-owned firms. “When an administration attempts to right such a grotesque imbalance in spending public dollars they should be applauded and not maligned,” said J. Whyatt Mondesire, president of the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP at a School Reform Commission meeting attended by more than 400 persons wanting to show their support for Ackerman’s decision.

For more African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country see Across Black America.