8-2-06 - August 06.indd

CV Drum
The
Your Monthly Collector’s Issue
The monthly news beat and photo album of African-American Communities in Northern California’s Mid-Cen tral Valley
Volume 2, Issue 8
www.thecvdrum.info
August 2006
Africa and the Caribbean in the Valley: Part 1
Just look at the vibrant and confident faces of these Liberian
youths to the left. This was taken in Elk Grove at the home of Elwood
and Yatta Jangaba. This beautiful image is not the typical one we get
of Africa (or the Caribbean for that matter).
As an African-American publication, over the past fourteen
months within the pages of the CV Drum, we have also covered
Africa and the Caribbean in a number of grand ways.
We have featured Asaba, Nigeria as being Stockton’s seventh
sister city (PHOTOS COMING IN THE SEPTEMBER CV DRUM). We have honored the memories of Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana), Antone Lembede
(South Africa) and Hamilton Naki (South Africa).
We have provided information to readers about quality
Continental African newspapers in Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria
and Zambia; and Caribbean newspapers in Antigua, the Bahamas,
Barbados, Jamaica and the Virgin Islands.
We have cited the wise words of the social activist (and son
of Jamaica) Harry Belafonte on terrorism.
We have frequently used the principles of Kwanzaa, deeply
influenced by various Continental African traditions.
Last November we featured a “Thanksgiving in Liberia”
essay by Henriette Browne, a native of Liberia, now with ties to the
Central Valley.
We have mentioned the national leadership of Sir Ketumile
Masire (former Botswana head), President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
(Liberia) and Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (Jamaica).
In this issue we further connect the dots between AfricanAmerica, Africa and the Caribbean by bringing these stories closer to
home and making things less abstract.
While the general western media constantly feed us contradicting African and Caribbean images of starvation, sandy beaches,
AIDS, carefreeness, governmental corruption, “no problem,” wars
and religious uncertainties, the CV Drum is prepared to continue
providing a necessary balance. We hope you enjoy and continue to
use the CV Drum as a viable news source.
KOH, Ph.D., CV Drum editor in chief.
“The monthly news album of people you know and need to know”
IN EACH MONTHLY ISSUE
News
Statistics
Race & Racism
Re-empowerment
Community Calendars
INVR/HHEW, 6333 Pacific Ave, # 512, Stockton, CA 95207
Humor
Lots of Photos
Monthly Topics
Building Community
History/Commentary
US Postage
Goes Here
Vital Statistics
...quantitative
...qualitative
Publisher
INVR Standards / HHEW
CV Drum Advisory Board/
Focus Group/Contributors
Necola Adams - Merced
Shani Adams - Stockton
Maya Anderson - Elk Grove/Sacramento
Melyssa Barrett - Tracy
Peter Barrett - Tracy
Wendy Byrd - Modesto
Marsha Carter - Stockton
Jacquelyn Forte - Turlock
Shani Hilton - Stockton
Katie Peters - Stockton
Ellen Powell - Tracy
Damali Robertson - Kingston, Jamaica
Alecia Smith - Westbury, Long Island
Carolyn Walters - Stockton
*100 Greatest Africans according to
NewAfrican magazine (London)...
* In 2004 NewAfrican magazine published a list of 100 Africans, past and present, throughout Africa and the
diaspora. Incidentally, NewAfrican’s sister publication, African Business, ran an article by KOH that listed
the 8 TALO Leadership Theory profiles, guaranteeing that this theory has now reached Africa, Asia and
Europe. Here are the top 10 African men and top 10 African women:
1. Nelson Mandela - South Africa
2. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah - Ghana
3. Robert Mugabe - Zimbabwe
4. Julius Nyerere - Tanzania
5. Marcus Garvey - Jamaica/USA
6. Patrice Lumumba - Congo
7. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - USA
8. Thabo Mbeki - South Africa
9. Malcolm X - Grenada/USA
10. Kofi Annan - Ghana
Editor in Chief
Keith Orlando Hilton, Ph.D.
12. Winnie Mandela - South Africa
28. Maria Mutola - Mozambique
30. Yaa Asantewaa - Ghana
36. The African Woman
37. Rosa Parks - USA
43. Miriam Makeba - South Africa
44. Queen Nzinga - Angola
64. Maya Angelou - USA
73. Venus & Serena Williams - USA
81. Queen Nefertiti - Egypt
CV Drum Editor’s Note: “Yes, there are some real and perceived differences (and even some hostilities in some
cases) between and among African-Americans, Afro-Latinos, Afro-Caribbeans, Afro-Asians and Continental Africans, but these differences and disagreements are no greater than differences between EuroBrits, French, Germans
and Swedes or between Chinese, Japanese, Koreans and Hmong, etc. In fact, the NewAfrican poll also supports
this bridge between Africans worldwide. The keys are to keep honestly talking and talking honestly.”
Contact Us:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (209) 473-INVR (4687)
CV Drum newsletter
c/o INVR Standards/HHEW
6333 Pacific Ave, # 512
Stockton, CA 95207
www.thecvdrum.info
www.invrhhew.info
The CV Drum is $7 per issue - newsstand
Only $5 per issue - 1-year subscription
Our Corrections Policy: Please
contact us immediately if you
see any published inaccuracies.
August CV Drum Contest Question: The first five people to email or call
us by Wednesday, August 23rd, with the correct answer will be eligible for a
drawing that will give a friend (or yourself) a free one-year subscription to the CV
Drum. -- Name this Stocktonian, with deep Nigerian roots, who will be attending
Georgetown University Law School in the fall? (page 9 - June CV Drum)
Previous two months’
contest winners:
June:
Willie MacDaniel - Modesto
July:
Carla Palmer - Stockton
“...quantitative” is researched and provided through The Civic Globe polling and news (a CV Drum sister service).
2
COME JOIN
OUR TEAM!
The City of Tracy currently seeks qualified individuals
to join our team. Current vacancies include:
Communications Operator II (Lateral)
Police Officer Trainee (Academy Sponsorship)
Police Officer (Academy Grads & Laterals)
Excellent career opportunities
await! Earn competitive salaries
and comprehensive benefits.
For more information about the City, these positions,
or to download an official application visit or web site
at: www.ci.tracy.ca.us/jobs, or call our 24-Hour Job
Hotline (209) 831-4151
The City of Stockton is currently accepting applications for the following positions:
THE CITY OF TRACY IS AN
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City considers applicants without regard to race,
color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, marital
status, age, medical condition or disability, or any
other status protected by law. The City seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment
of cultural and ethnic diversity. The City of Tracy
makes reasonable accommodations for the disabled.
Project Manager II/III - Public Works
(Apply by 8/11/06)
Circulation Assistant - Library
(Apply by 8/11/06)
Police Officer Trainee
(Apply by 9/1/06)
Police Officer Academy Graduate/
Recruit/Lateral
(Continuous filing)
Police/ Fire Telecommunicator II Lateral
(Continuous filing)
CV Drum readers are personally invited to
Fairfield (in the Bay Area)
for a community forum & dinner:
VOICES FROM THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN
COMMUNITY: IS ANYONE LISTENING?
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 -- Time: 5 - 9 pm
HOST/MODERATOR
CHERYL MIMS, LCSW, CNM Counseling
Registration required in advance: $40
Visit www.stocktongov.com
and click on “Jobs” for all career
opportunities.
Tickets can be purchased Online @ www.CNMCC.COM (PayPal)
SCHEDULED SPEAKERS:
DR. WADE NOBLES, EVELYN POLK, MFT – FOSTER CHILDREN,
DR. BILLY LEE – HIV/AIDS SPECIALIST, BONNIE ROBINSON – SUBSTANCE
ABUSE SPECIALIST, ANTHONY D. PARNELL, MSW – COMMUNITY/SELFEMPOWERMENT, PAMELA PITTS – POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE, LONNIE HAIRSTON
– DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS, REV. KINWOOD DeVORE – CHURCH VIEWS
LOCATION: Mt. Calvary Baptist Church
1735 Enterprise Dr #3
Fairfield
EOE
::ODMA\GRPWISE\COS.PER.PER_Library:40349.1
For further information contact Cheryl @ (707) 557-8622
3
Featured Patrons
BEASUSD - Black Employees Association of Stockton Unified School District
BEA is a group working for the uplifting and advancement of the African-American community and disseminators of positive information. BEA is a professional group
of hundreds of people working together for children and
their parents.
BEA is an entity of Stockton Unified School District and
one of its most important organizations. Finally, BEA, as
a voice for students, parents, employees and the community, encourages all people who share its vision to become
members. Email: [email protected]
Other CV Drum Patrons featured this month:
Jacquelyn M. Forte’ (Modesto/Turlock, university administrator), Peter & Melyssa Barrett (Tracy - renowned actor and business executive respectively), Sandra K. Davis, Ph.D. (San Joaquin County medical executive), Esquire
Club (Stockton), Ralph White (Stockton, entrepreneur), Judge William Murray, Jr. (San Joaquin County Superior
Court), Foster & Kinship Care Education Program - Merced College (Merced). More patrons featured monthly.
Q: Who are CV Drum Patrons and how can I become one?
A: According to the TALO Leadership Theory©, from the moment Africans left Africa in mass during the Transatlantic slave
trade (1520s - 1860s) and the earlier Arab slave trade (8th - 14th century), our leaders explicitly knew and consistently acted
out the same leadership profiles that most of us today understand from the moment we leave our homes for work, worship,
study or business. Today, patrons are individuals and organizations of all ethnicities who contribute $250 and more to the CV
Drum’s leadership and journalism efforts during one fiscal year. Patrons receive a 14-month subscription and will be listed in
the Drum and/or on our Web site. If you are interested in subscribing, being a patron or advertising in the Drum, please call,
email, write or visit our Web site.
Subscription Postmarked AFTER June 1, 2006
Support the
ALANA media.
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Address ______________________________________
E-Mail Address ________________________________
Please send to:
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INVR/HHEW
6333 Pacific Ave, # 512
Stockton, CA 95207
ALANA stands for
African, Latino, Asian
and Native American.
$56 one-year individual subscription now or ( ___ $64 bill me)
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$300 Couples/Family Patron*
BIRTHDAY INFO (OPTIONAL)
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* Patron status includes 14-month subscription and featured in newsletter (and/or Website)
4
CV Celebrations in the African Tradition:
Births, Birthdays, Engagements, Weddings, Graduations,
Anniversaries, Career Promotions, Retirements ... and more!
Send us your announcements by the 2nd Wed. of the month - [email protected]
August 3 - Mae Hill (Stockton), August 4 - Sharon Gellineau (Stockton), August 4 - Edith
Rasheed (Stockton), August 6 - Beatrice Barnes (Stockton), August 6 - Shaniqua Gorman
(Stockton), August 6 - Lola Hodge (Stockton; 103 YRS OLD), August 6 - Courtney Magee (Stockton), August 7
- Colette Scott (Stockton), August 8 - Brenda Brooks Perry (Stockton), August 8 - Anita Williams (Stockton), August 10 - Lynn Bowens (Lathrop), August 10 - Speedy Duncan (Stockton), August 11 - Kaila Adams (Merced),
August 13 - Christopher Jackson (Stockton), August 14 - Yolanda Raman (Stockton), August 14 - Rejena Williams (Stockton), August 17 - Tama Brisbane (Stockton), August 17 - Donna Page (Stockton), August 18 - D.A.
Downey (Las Vegas, Nevada), August 18 - Brenda Fontenot (Stockton), August 18 - Hailey Adams (Merced),
August 19 - Margie Eaton Forehand (Tracy), August 21 - Gary Jordan, Jr. (Tucson, Arizona), August 21 - Bettye
Moore (Stockton), August 22 - Elliott Chambers (Stockton), August 22 - Sheldon Forehand (Tracy), August 23
- Jacquelyn Forte (Modesto), August 24 - Dolores Maples (Merced), August 27 - Fayette L. Reynolds (Stockton),
August 30 - Necola Adams (Merced), August 30 - Laura Brazelton (Sacramento).
BIRTHDAYS
AUGUST 26: 6TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY, STOCKTON - NAJEE & NA’IMAH ZARIF
Patterson area
leadership...
Necola Adams of Merced
CONGRATS to WIN (Women in the NAACP):
knows how to multi-task!
The Women in the NAACP (WIN), a division of the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP),
recently traveled to Africa to officially open a new grade school
in the Republic of Benin. This is a major effort to build a stronger community and enhance educational opportunities for the
nation’s children.
Thelma T. Daley, NAACP National WIN Director, said: “This
humble effort now allows children in the elementary grades
to attend school within their village and not be endangered by
walking miles each morning to receive a basic fundamental
education.”
Necola from Merced
Dr. Linda BaptisteAhmed (above) is the
new vice president of
the West Side Women in
Action Association in the
Patterson area. The purpose of the group is to
help women network and
start businesses on the
west side of Patterson.
During the visit to Benin last month, Daley along with NAACP
National Director of Education John Jackson and two WIN
members, Sheila Butler and Norma Sermon-Boyd, were distinguished guests for the International Gospel & Roots Festival.
The festival showcased reunions with Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and America, providing an international backdrop that
highlighted the inauguration ceremony for the NAACP school
in the Yawa Village.
League of Women Voters-current president;
National Council of
Negro Women - second
vice president, in charge
of membership; Merced
City Parks and Recreation - newest member
of the commission.
Benin Ambassador Cyrille S. Oguin said: “The school not
only fills a gap which has been there too long, but above all
it appears as the cement of unity and the symbol of reconciliation between the people of Yawa who need it so strongly.
Many thanks to you all.”
5
Stockton
“Mother of the Nation of Islam” visits Stockton
What’s Good...
109 year-old
Mother Ruby
Muhammad
(left in photo
with Sis. Allison Muhammad of
Stockton) recently visited
the Stockton
mosque and
challenged
all of those in
attendance to
be there when
she returns
unannounced.
Mother Ruby, who lives in Sacramento, and was born on March
20, 1897 in Sandersville, Georgia, joined the Nation of Islam in
1946 and was named Mother of the Nation of Islam in 1986 by
Minister Louis Farrakhan.
We list events that will happen for next two months in your area,
so send information to us ASAP. Call, email or mail.
San Joaquin Delta College Small Business
Development Center (SBDC) Program:
Tuesday, August 15 at 5:15 p.m., the Maya Angelou Branch Library will host “Starting Your Own Business.” This workshop will
provide information on legal requirements and regulations, business
feasibility, business planning and financing a small business. The
Maya Angelou Library is located at 2324 Pock Lane in Stockton.
For further information and reservations, contact the Library at (209)
937-8221 (Stockton residents) or 1-866-805-7323 (READ) toll free.
The next general membership meeting of BWOPA (Black
Women Organized for Political Action) is Thursday, August
17. For more information call (209) 601-3994.
SUNDAY SCRIBBLERS AT THE MANTECA LIBRARY
The Sunday Scribblers are scheduled to meet at the Manteca
Branch Library on Sunday, August 20, at 1:00 p.m. This group
of writers and artists gather to share poems, paragraphs, stories
artwork, doodle and musings. Those looking for inspiration are
also welcome. The Sunday Scribblers meet monthly to spark
ideas and network with other artists. The Manteca Branch Library
is located at 320 W. Center St. in Manteca. For more information,
please call (209) 937-8221 or visit: www.stockton.lib.ca.us.
Valerie Scruggs (below), man-
ager, African-American 5-A-Day
Campaign, was the keynote speaker
at the most recent BWOPA meeting. She
discussed
“Childhood Obesity and
Diabetes
in the
AfricanAfri
American
Community.”
STOCKTON BLACK FAMILY DAY 2006, MONDAY, SEPT. 4TH
The Esquire Club of Stockton will host its annual
Scholarship Golf Tournament on September 4th at
Oakmore Golf Club, 3737 Wilson Way, Stockton.
$75 per player, 9:00 a.m. tee off time. For further
information call Lemuel Williams (209) 474-8364.
One Continental African
Reflection on the Valley:
Edie Fungula, salon
owner (from Zaire), “A
lot of our Black people
have never been to
Africa, so my goal is to
bring a touch of Africa
to the Valley. My business tries to also reflect
Africa’s royal colors.”
Congratulations to
everyone for making
Asaba, Nigeria,
Stockton’s seventh
Sister City (recent
celebration photos will
be in the September
CV Drum). In March,
the Board of Directors
of the Stockton Sister
Cities Association first
approved adding Asaba.
Greater Maranatha COGIC’s 6th Annual Women’s Prayer
Breakfast, Saturday, September 9th, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Best
Western Stockton Inn, 4219 Waterloo Road, Stockton. Guest
Speaker is Missionary Rebecca Thurston from Boone Tabernacle
COGIC Kansas City, Missouri. Tickets are $40. For more information call (209) 430-7492; Pastor Terrance & Vanessa Saffold.
Every Thursday – Farmers Market - Downtown Lodi
Freshest fruits and veggies from the region’s top growers. For
more info: Downtown Lodi Business Partners; (209) 369-8052.
6
Elk Grove
What’s Good...
“Give a Child Hope”
We list events that will happen for next two months in your area,
so send information to us ASAP. Call, email or mail.
Yatta and Elwood Jangaba are two Liberians in
Elk Grove committed to World Harvest Christian
ministries. See benefit dinner announcement on left.
U-CAN! message to The CV Drum:
“We are gearing up for our Seventh Annual Black College Recruitment Fair, Monday, September 11 - Sunday,
September 17, in Fresno, San Jose, Fairfield, Sacramento
and Richmond/Oakland (Saturday, September 16 from
9 - noon at Franklin High School in Elk Grove - 6400
Whitelock Pkwy). We have over thirty HBCUs confirmed to attend and we are excited about the opportunities for our young people. Thank you very much for the
service you provide and outlet for our community.”
ALAN H. ROWE, President/CEO
U-CAN! (United College Action Network, Inc.)
Another Continental African
Reflection on the Valley:
Ramatu Kabb, businesswoman (from Sierra Leone):
“Little kids, including young African-Americans, are treasures, however, what are some African-American adults
teaching them about Africa when some walk into our
stores and complain about the smells here? Some need to
do a better job of respecting other people’s customs.”
7
CentralPage...
Monthly Media Message
Some African-American Valley and Bay Area authors
Keith Orlando Hilton, Ph.D.
Let’s be clear for those who might not
know, Africa is a continent thousands of
miles east of the United States. It is so huge
that the entire United States and Europe could
fit into it at least 2-3 times. The Caribbean,
also known as the West Indies or Antilles, is
located south of the United States. The largest
Spanish-speaking nation is Cuba; the largest
English-speaking nation is Jamaica and the
largest French-speaking country is Haiti.
THIS IS PART ONE OF A CV DRUM interview
of authors Paula Edwards and Curtis
Alcutt (photos on this page), who formed
WriteWay2Freedom in July 2005, a
nonprofit writers organization committed to
promoting literary.
CV Drum: What has been your greatest
accomplishment since you started?
WW2F: We have already sparked the
interest of aspiring writers, schools, libraries,
and other literary organizations throughout
California. Just last month, we hosted a
Writer’s Workshop at the Harlem Book
Fair in New York. We consider that to our
greatest accomplishment yet.
CV Drum: What can we expect from
attending one of your Workshops?
WW2F: We believe everyone has a story to
tell. We host workshops that are free to the
public, where we teach the aspiring writer
key elements to writing and having a book
published. We cover everything you need to
know to produce a quality book. In addition,
our services also help disadvantaged kids by
encouraging them to find freedom through
writing, by turning their thoughts into a book
rather than acting them out
in violence or other harmful
activities known to destroy our
youth. (End of Part One)
KOH, Ph.D.,
CV Drum Editor
“Telling
our stories
through
our own
words”
Dr. Winston Johnson (French Camp)
The Toming of American Politics
Claudia Epperson, MSW (Modesto)
The Warrior King
Please support
these authors by
purchasing their
books and telling
others. For more
info contact your
local bookstore
or the CV Drum.
Above is Bennie
Babers Lampkins of
Stockton, Faith Beyond Reason. To the
right is Glen C. Carrington of Modesto,
The Oakland Hills
Vodou Murders.
Above right is Paula
Edwards (Stockton &
Palo Alto), The Last
Bad Decision.
Curtis Alcutt, Oakland (Dyme) and Chandra Adams, Berkeley (Shades of Retribution).
8
...CentralValley
Some of our Caribbean and Continental African brothers and sisters...
Summer message to the CV Drum
from North Carolina Central University
Chancellor James H. Ammons regarding
the Duke University Lacrosse incident:
North Carolina Central University (NCCU)
was thrust into the national spotlight as a result
of the Duke University Lacrosse case. The
media coverage has led to increased curiosity
nationwide about NCCU and has perpetuated a
number of misconceptions about our university.
Now that the Duke lacrosse team has been reinstated, we are again linked to that unfortunate
incident.
As Chancellor of this great university, I want
to address a few concerns that we-the NCCU
family and friends-have about the portrayal of
our university. References in news stories to
North Carolina Central University as “scrappy
and willful” or “a poor cousin to Duke University” create a picture of an institution that is
financially strapped, lacks sophistication, and is
devoid of excellence. Nothing could be farther
from the truth.
Cameron, Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, Panama,
Trinidad & Tobago, Zaire, Sierra Leone, and
St. Vincent are the countries of origin for the
professionals on this page...just a few of thousands near and in the Valley.
9
NCCU has been a part of the Durham community since 1910. For almost a century, this university has helped build the African-American
middle class locally, regionally, and nationally
through its academic and professional programs
in the College of Arts and Sciences, the School
of Business, the School of Law, the School
of Library and Information Sciences, and the
School of Education.
We are the nation’s first public liberal arts
institution founded for African-Americans, and
today, we are a national leader in the recruitment of national achievement scholars. We are
one of the fastest growing institutions in North
Carolina, having grown more than 50 percent
over the last four years to 8,219 students. We
are the ninth largest institution among historically black colleges or universities (HBCUs) in
the nation. We are a key player in a biotechnology initiative that is intended to make the
State of North Carolina number one in the nation in bio-manufacturing. (End of Part One)
Tracy
What’s Good...
TAAA officers sworn in...
We list events that will happen for next two months in your area,
so send information to us ASAP. Call, email or mail.
Photo by Michael White
Tuesday, August 8:
The Golden Agers, in partnership with Sutter Tracy
Community Hospital and the City of Tracy, will present
a program on Diabetes at the Lolly Hansen Senior Center. Kimberly Bailey, R. N., clinical educator with Sutter
Tracy Hospital will be speaking on the affects of diabetes
and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A limited number
of blood testing meters will be available free to attendees.
For more information: (209) 831-4230.
The 2006 rendition of “Tracy, Our Town USA” written
by Tracy City Council member Evelyn Tolbert will open
on Friday, September 15, at the Tracy Community Center. The performances will continue on Saturday, September 16, Sunday Matinee - September 17th, Friday,
September 22, Saturday, September 23, and the closing
matinee will be on Sunday, September 24th.
San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge William Murray
(left) conducted installation of TAAA officers (left-right), Gail
LaGasca, Dr. Clara Rouse, Melyssa Barrett and Nate Terry.
“Tracy, Our Town USA” commemorates Tracy’s history. This year the production will include Black cowboys as they lived in the Tracy area in 1860. Also being
commemorated will be the first Black church in Tracy,
Tracy Temple Church of God In Christ, led by Pastor A.
D. Carter. For sponsor and ticket information contact the
Tracy Performing Arts Foundation, www.tracyperformingartsfoundation.org -- (209) 835-2244.
The Tracy African-American Association
Wayne Nelson Scholarship $1,000 Winners for 2006:
West High School
Krystle Chappell - UC Santa Barbara
Jessica Pugh - Loyola Marymount Univ (Los Angeles)
Ian Lloyd - Fresno State University
Tracy High School
Paul Barrett - Sacramento City College
The Institute for Global Commerce and Government
Danielle Baker - Morgan State Univ (Baltimore, MD)
10
Modesto
What’s Good...
Yosemite College District chancellor resigns
Dr. Jim Williams, chancellor of
the Yosemite Community College
District (Modesto Junior College
and Columbia College) recently
stepped down because of complications from kidney failure.
Dr. Williams has taken
an extended medical leave until
his retirement in January.
According to friends and
published reports, Dr. Williams
said he had been diagnosed with
kidney failure more than a year
ago, and began undergoing dialysis three times a week.
*********
Williams said complications, including low blood pressure and diabetes, made his condition worsen. Williams became
president of Modesto Junior College in January 2002. He was
later named interim chancellor for the entire district in June 2004.
In 2005, Dr. Williams was hired permanently as chancellor.
We list events that will happen for next two months in your area,
so send information to us ASAP. Call, email or mail.
Town Hall Meeting at Modesto Junior College
435 College Avenue, Forum 110; - 7 - 9 p.m.
Tuesday, August 22 - FREE and Open to the Public
“State of the Black Community in Education:
Preparing your Child”
Save the Date - Friday, September 15th
Please join the Modesto/Stanislaus Branch of the NAACP
as we celebrate the kickoff of our newest committee...WIN
(Women in the NAACP) - (209) 549-1991.
“Dinner and Dancing under the Stars” at the Vintage Gardens.
Hotel Accommodations have been supplied by
Holiday Inn Express, 4100 Salida Blvd., Modesto.
The CV Drum wishes Dr. Williams and his wife, Jann, the very
best. We thank him for his support of our pioneering news efforts.
To the Modesto Area Community:
Please spread the word about the Historically Black College Fair in [Elk Grove] on September 16th. Also mark your
calendar for the Historically Black College and National
Hispanic University Recruitment Fair that will take place in
Modesto on January 23, 2007 at Modesto Junior College.
CVBEA will co-sponsor in January by providing a continental breakfast for all the HBCU representatives who will be
in town that day for the fair. Last year we had approximately
600 youth who attended.
Thanks, Wendy Byrd
President, Central Valley Educators Association
Dr. Rich Rose begins presidency at Modesto Junior College
Health Care Industry Scholarships:
Thirty $2,000 scholarships are available for Black graduating high school seniors and college students interested in
pursuing careers in the Health Care Industry. Funded by the
United Health Foundation and PacifiCare Foundation, the
scholarships will be awarded to students with a minimum
grade point average of “3.0” who are entering a community
college, university or accredited technical college. For more
information and to download an application, visit:
www.pacificare.com/aahs.
Rose speaks to Modesto area guests at NAACP, Alpha Phi Alpha
fraternity and Chapman College sponsored community program.
11
Turlock/Merced
What’s Good...
Happy birthdays to Kaila Adams (below left; August 11)
and her sister Hailey Adams (August 18).
Got a birthday? Know
of a breaking
news story in
the Merced
area? Let us
know and we
will cover it in
the CV Drum.
We list events that will happen for next two months in your area,
so send information to us ASAP. Call, email or mail.
Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church of Atwater
presents its
FOURTH ANNUAL GOSPEL CONCERT
Buhach Colony High School Theater
1800 North Buhach Road, Atwater
Saturday, August 26, 5 to 8 p.m. Admission: Free
The Mass Choir of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church
will host this spirit filled extravaganza. Our guest list
consists of choirs from Oakland to Fresno;
* Apostolic Tabernacle Mass Choir, Merced * BUST Singers, Fresno * New Faith Tabernacle Choir, Merced * Saint
Matthew Baptist Church, Merced * Voices of Praise, Oakland * Voices of Progressive, Modesto
The unemployment rate
in Merced County rose
slightly in June, but remained in the single digits
for the second month in a
row. June’s unemployment
rate was at 9.2 percent, up
from 8.9 percent in May.
More jobs at UC Merced
have been credited for
steady increases in the
industry, however hiring
of African-Americans at
UCM remains subpar.
Proceeds will be used to support our building fund. Construction began on our sanctuary in April. Our new site is
located at 559 Broadway, Atwater. Rev. Dr. Rodger D. Tyler
is pastor. For additional information or clarification contact:
Gwendolyn Wall; (209) 358-0107 or
Diane Thompson; (209) 356-0304
Saxophonist
James Moody
(Moody’s Mood for
Love, Polka Dots and
Moonbeams, etc.) will be
performing on Tuesday,
August 8, at 7 p.m. at
CSU, Stanislaus, Turlock
in Snider Hall. Tickets are
$25 per person, and can be
purchased at Gottschalk
Music Center in Modesto;
(209) 523-5326.
August 19
Merced Chapter (NCNW)
National Council of Negro
Women, Annual Garden
Membership Tea; Tickets $10
Contact: Sylvia F. Fuller
(209) 358-3636.
A Continental African
Reflection on the Valley:
Obi Indula, foster care agency
CEO (from Kenya): “I have
been here 14 years. When I first
came here [the Valley] felt like
being out in the country. But
there are reasons why Africans
and African-Americans can be
successful here; 1) less competition than in the larger cities
and 2) because there are less
distractions, if you stay focused
you will prosper.”
A Caribbean Reflection on the Valley:
Dr. Diana Hylton, physician (from Jamaica): “I miss
the availability of Caribbean food in the Valley. I only
know two other Jamaicans here. But overall, I have
enjoyed living in the Central Valley.”
September 16
UC-Merced student goes
to the Motherland
Ebony Socialites of Atwater
Golf Tournament at Rancho
del Rey Golf Club; Tee off at
8 a.m; Fee $65
Contact: Ruby Fagan
(209) 358-4986.
Worth repeating
this issue -- and as
reported last month
23-year-old UC-Merced student
and native, Tiffany Williams,
will begin a new chapter in her
life this summer as she spends
the next two years as a Peace
Corps volunteer in Africa educating people about HIV and AIDS.
Merced Branch NAACP meets the 4th
Monday of each month at 604 W. 8th
Street, Merced, 6:30 p.m. For more information phone (209) 726-3236.
12
Bay Area | Sacramento | Northern California
Caribbean men playing dominos
State government and politics
journalism awards deadline
The Center for California Studies, California State
University, Sacramento is reminding all California
journalists to submit their entries for two annual
awards which recognize excellence in reporting in
state government and politics. Established in 1994,
this year’s awards will be given in two divisions
- daily coverage and enterprise reporting. For more
information about the awards and/or the awards
luncheon, please contact The Center for California
Studies by calling: (916) 278-6906 or visiting: www.
csus.edu/calst or e-mailing: [email protected].
The Sacramento Chapter of Sistaz N Motion will
be holding their monthly meeting on the fourth Saturday of
the month. The August meeting will be held Saturday, August 26, at 1 pm at Point West Gardens, 1851 Heritage Way,
#265 in the Primerica office. Come network with women
business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. For more information, contact President Shannan Johnson at (916) 2715625 or e-mail: [email protected].
The above photo was taken in Oakland Hills at the
annual July 4th cookout sponsored by the Jamaica
Association of Northern California.
Southern California | The Nation | The World
Selected Caribbean Independence Dates:
The California Black Chamber of Commerce and
Foundation is hosting its 11th Annual Statewide Business
Convention on August 16-18 at the picturesque Del Mar Hilton
in Del Mar (San Diego). The kickoff is the Foundation’s Youth
Scholarship Golf Classic at the Maderas Golf Club, Poway.
Antigua and Barbuda - November 1, 1981, The Bahamas - July 10, 1973, Barbados - November 30, 1966,
Belize - September 21, 1981, Dominican Republic
- 1844, 1865 & 1925, Haiti - January 1, 1804, Puerto
Rico (still a U.S. commonwealth state), Trinidad and
Tobago - August 31, 1962.
“This year’s 11th Anniversary speaks specifically to our dedication of engaging economic development, growth and development of small businesses, entrepreneurship and youth business
empowerment,” said chamber president Aubry Stone (below).
Selected African Independence Dates:
Algeria - July 5, 1962, Benin - August 1, 1960, Botswana
- September 30, 1966, Burundi - July 1, 1962, Eritrea
- May 24, 1993, The Gambia - February 18 1965, Ghana
- March 6, 1957, Lesotho - October 4 1966, Mali - September 22, 1960, Namibia - March 21, 1990, Nigeria
- October 1, 1960, Rwanda - July 1, 1962, Zimbabwe
- April 18, 1980.
For more information please contact
the CBCC office at (916) 463-0177 or
register online at - http://www.calbcc.
org/registration.php
CV Drum Editor’s Footnote: “In my opinion, and history supports this, it is no accident that many of the nations in the Caribbean and Africa gained their independence after or during the U.S. Civil Rights movement/Black power movement, because of the major role that African-Americans played in keeping Caribbean and
African issues in the news also. In fact even Ghana (1957) was led by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who was a graduate of a U.S. historically black university.”
13
Joining the Ancestors
Race & Racism
In the spirit of our
Acknowledged African
ancestors, each month we
will honor community and
family members who have
recently passed in the MidCentral Valley (and if space
allows, relatives outside
of the Valley). Space is
limited. Send us your full
announcements with photos
by the second Wednesday of
the month for publication
consideration. This month’s
page is dedicated to the
memories of the National
Heroes of Jamaica, the
largest English speaking
(and patois speaking)
nation in the Caribbean.
Will South Africa (Azania) be next?
(left) President Ellen JohnsonSirleaf of Liberia, West Africa
(right) Prime Minister Portia
Simpson Miller of Jamaica,
West Indies
The buzz in many international political circles; the appointments of Johnson-Sirleaf and Simpson Miller as heads of states.
Will South Africa be next with PRESIDENT PHUMZILE MLAMBONGCUKA or maybe the U.S. with PRESIDENT CONDOLEEZA RICE?
These two leaders are not only seriously dealing with political
and economic issues, but also issues of racism, sexism and
classism. Not to trivialize their power and importance, but if we
keep at the front of our minds the images that Professor Donald
Bogle presented, we and they will better understand their likely
relationships with many of their European male colleagues and
the media -- Bogle noted that there are five consistent black
media images; toms, coons, mulattoes, mammies & bucks.
Jamaica’s Seven National Heroes...
George William Gordon
(below)
Nanny of the Maroons
(right)
Pioneer African-American journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault
(right), now living in South
Africa, is leading the charge for
South Africa to be allowed to
take a lead role in negotiating the
Middle East conflict.
Sam Sharpe
(right)
Marcus Garvey
(right)
Are you/we African?
Few people now question the truth that all humanity came
from Africa, therefore, today, it can also be accurately
said that the world is divided into Acknowledged Africans
(e.g. Black people, Pretos, Pardos, some Latinos, some
“Middle Easterners,” some Asians and some “bi-racial”
individuals, etc.) and Unacknowledged Africans (non-black
people, some people who don’t want to be black and some
who don’t know that they are).
Paul Bogle
(above)
Norman Manley
(left)
Illustrations courtesy of
JAMAL Foundation
Limited (2001)
Sir Alexander Bustamante
(above)
Will the late “Miss Lou”
Louise Bennett-Coverly
(left) or Bob Marley
be next?
CV DRUM IS SEEKING SHORT ARTICLES ON:
1) Haiti, 2) the African Union, 3) CARICUM, 4) Cuba
14
CV Community Conversation
Keeping Company “with” Jamaica
THIS MONTH’S GUEST ESSAYIST
MARY C. JONES, ED.D. (MERCED)
(Dr. Jones, a native of Jamaica,
is also assistant superintendent,
Ceres Unified School District.)
where people
struggle for
economic
growth; it
seeks to stand
hy do I still “keep comon its own
pany with Jamaica?”
two feet. It is
“Keeping Company” in
a small CaribJamaica talk means to be in tune
bean island
with another person. So I’m saying
where resources are limited. As
I’m still in tune with Jamaica although I emigrated from the island many other counties around the
country in 1964; and last visited in world, they depend on imported
petroleum for energy, and the es1992, 14 years ago.
calation of the oil prices have been
I still keep company with
detrimental to the economy.
Jamaica because it is my home. It
Many Jamaicans have imis the place that gives me a warm
migrated to the United States and
intimate feeling when I hear the
other parts of the world in search of
music; or enjoy a curried dish.
economic improvement; but they
But Jamaica is more than
music and good food. Many Jamai- always consider themselves Jamaicans. They are a proud people who
cans resent being seen as only fun
value hard work and education.
loving people. Jamaica is a place
W
To “Advertise” or
become a “Patron”
One of the difficulties of being proud of our Jamaican heritage
is that we become caught between
two worlds, that of the AfricanAmerican and that of the JamaicanAmerican.
There are those who see
these worlds as the same; and there
are those who know they are different. Although we have many of the
same roots, the preceding histories
are different; the experiences are different. There is nothing wrong with
being different. We must recognize
that as Blacks we are a very diverse
people. There is intra-racial diversity among us that must be recognized
and appreciated.
If you are interested in being a guest essayist for CV
Community Conversation, please submit your 300400 word essay on any relevant community or Valley
topic, along with your photo and brief bio.
Some Past Months’ Topics & Themes
May - New Opportunities in Black California Politics
Call: (209) 473-4687
June - African Music Month, Father’s Day & High School Graduations
Email: [email protected]
July - CV Drum Anniversary Edition
(subject line: “Advertise” or “Patron”)
INVR Standards/HHEW
6333 Pacific Avenue, # 512
Stockton, CA 95207
www.thecvdrum.info
Got a photo, story idea, letter or even a poem that you would like published? See
page one or email us for general ideas and topics. Then send it to us for consideration. Remember, we run photos and cover topics important to you. All items
must be submitted by second Wednesdays to be considered for the upcoming
issue. Please include names/information with photos. Materials will remain property of the CV Drum. Submit via mail — 6333 Pacific Avenue, #512, Stockton, CA
95207 — or email — [email protected] (subject line: “CV Submission”).
15
The CV Photo Gallery
HHEW conferences & retreats are about re-empowerment. (209) 473-4687
2006
This year’s June conference -- always open to the public -- was held
at Fitzgeralds Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The annual HHEW
Conference & Retreat, like the CV Drum, is an important component
of INVR Standards/HHEW. Hope to see all of you next year for #4.
2005
2005
2004
Since 2004 conference participants have been
from California,
Nevada, Illinois, Georgia,
Wisconsin, Virginia, Florida,
and as far away
as JAMAICA.
2004