THURSDAY, April 15 (Tax Day)
There’s still time…so fill out and mail back your census form TODAY!
After the 2000 Census, the Census Bureau was able to return $305 million in savings to the federal Treasury because mail rates exceeded expectations — a move the Census Bureau would like to repeat in 2010...
Mail back your 2010 Census form and help save taxpayer money:
For every 1 percent increase in the national participation rate by mail, the Census Bureau can save taxpayers $85 million by not having to send census takers door to door to households that failed to return their census forms.
If every household in the United States completed and mailed back their census form, taxpayers could reduce the cost of taking the census by $1.5 billion. It costs $.42 for people to mail back their form, compared to $57 for census takers to visit each home.
Let's get our fair share!!!
Go to www.census2010.gov for more information
You may also visit the Unity Diaspora Coalition Census 2010 website to see what we are doing across the country.
Go to http://unitydiaspora.ning.com/
April 15, 2010
April 07, 2010
WhiteHouse.gov Blog - "Working to Make Our Recovery More Inclusive"
Please see the blog below on White House.gov on “Working to Make Our Recovery More Inclusive”
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/04/06/working-make-our-recovery-more-inclusive
Also, here is a great story in the Atlanta Journal Constitution by Cynthia Tucker – please read & share both
http://blogs.ajc.com/cynthia-tucker/2010/04/07/8187/
Obama’s American agenda benefits black America, too
7:30 am April 7, 2010, by ctucker
WASHINGTON — President Obama’s historic status as the nation’s first black president hasn’t spared him criticism from some black commentators and members of Congress, who claim that the president ought to have a bona fide “black agenda.”
Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus have chastised Obama for, they claim, doing little to address the unemployment rate among black workers, some six to seven points higher than the overall rate of just under ten percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Last month, talk show host Tavis Smiley’s annual “Black Agenda” conference included a panel which heavily criticized Obama for failing to directly address a range of difficult social problems which still plague black America. Indeed, Smiley has become a consistent critic.
Smiley has every right to score the president’s accomplishments and failures as he sees fit. But it is naive for him to expect that the nation’s first black president will champion an exclusively black “agenda,” any more than John F. Kennedy, the nation’s first Catholic president, issued a “Catholic agenda.” Obama was not elected the president of black America. He’s the president of the entire country.
Still, Obama hasn’t ignored those detractors. Perhaps that’s why he met with a group of black preachers, including Atlanta’s T. DeWitt Smith, head of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, on Tuesday. Here’s hoping he took the opportunity to point out that his policies benefit black Americans, too.
According to Families USA, a health care advocacy group, 40 percent of blacks reported being uninsured during a some portion of 2007-2008, compared to about 26 percent of whites. Black or white, they will be able to afford health insurance as a result of the new law, which Obama made a priority.
The president also battled entrenched interests to change the student-loan program, which freed up money to give a slight funding increase to Pell grants. Many black students will benefit from the boost in tuition assistance, just as many white and brown students will.
But the most significant assistance that Obama is providing to black students — to all students, actually — lies in his promising reform plan for elementary and secondary education. The new emphasis on charter schools and merit pay has the potential for bringing the best and brightest teachers into public school classrooms, while weeding out the incompetent and uninspired.
There are few things that the federal government can do that have a more significant effect on children than helping them to get a good education. For black kids, that’s crucial. The difference between those black Americans who have achieved mainstream success and those mired in poverty lies, for the most party, in the difference in acadmic achievement.
For black boys, who have fallen behind black girls in educational attainment, a “black agenda” could be constructed around this issue alone. Black women now graduate from college at twice the rate of black men.
It’s true that college-educated black workers have a higher unemployment rate than college-educated white workers — a commentary on a “post-racial” America. But it’s also true that college-educated black men and women will fare much better than their less-educated counterparts.
So far, few black opinion-makers have zeroed in on Obama’s education reform plans. That reticence may stem from an ambivalence — or hostility — toward the reforms from a mainstay of the black middle-class: teachers. Teachers’ groups have not exactly rallied in support of Obama’s plans.
(Georgia may have lost out in Round 1 of Race to the Top because it didn’t get state-wide buy-in from teachers’ groups. Some teachers remain especially critical of merit pay.)
Still, his emphasis on teacher accountability has the potential for doing more to shake up public education than any reforms of the last two decades. Obama may not have a plan for reducing the black-on-black homicide rate (who does?) or shoring up black marriage (other than serving as a good role model), but, if he can boost educational achievement for all children — including those who are poor and black — that would certainly qualify as progress. Let’s call that an American agenda.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/04/06/working-make-our-recovery-more-inclusive
Also, here is a great story in the Atlanta Journal Constitution by Cynthia Tucker – please read & share both
http://blogs.ajc.com/cynthia-tucker/2010/04/07/8187/
Obama’s American agenda benefits black America, too
7:30 am April 7, 2010, by ctucker
WASHINGTON — President Obama’s historic status as the nation’s first black president hasn’t spared him criticism from some black commentators and members of Congress, who claim that the president ought to have a bona fide “black agenda.”
Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus have chastised Obama for, they claim, doing little to address the unemployment rate among black workers, some six to seven points higher than the overall rate of just under ten percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Last month, talk show host Tavis Smiley’s annual “Black Agenda” conference included a panel which heavily criticized Obama for failing to directly address a range of difficult social problems which still plague black America. Indeed, Smiley has become a consistent critic.
Smiley has every right to score the president’s accomplishments and failures as he sees fit. But it is naive for him to expect that the nation’s first black president will champion an exclusively black “agenda,” any more than John F. Kennedy, the nation’s first Catholic president, issued a “Catholic agenda.” Obama was not elected the president of black America. He’s the president of the entire country.
Still, Obama hasn’t ignored those detractors. Perhaps that’s why he met with a group of black preachers, including Atlanta’s T. DeWitt Smith, head of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, on Tuesday. Here’s hoping he took the opportunity to point out that his policies benefit black Americans, too.
According to Families USA, a health care advocacy group, 40 percent of blacks reported being uninsured during a some portion of 2007-2008, compared to about 26 percent of whites. Black or white, they will be able to afford health insurance as a result of the new law, which Obama made a priority.
The president also battled entrenched interests to change the student-loan program, which freed up money to give a slight funding increase to Pell grants. Many black students will benefit from the boost in tuition assistance, just as many white and brown students will.
But the most significant assistance that Obama is providing to black students — to all students, actually — lies in his promising reform plan for elementary and secondary education. The new emphasis on charter schools and merit pay has the potential for bringing the best and brightest teachers into public school classrooms, while weeding out the incompetent and uninspired.
There are few things that the federal government can do that have a more significant effect on children than helping them to get a good education. For black kids, that’s crucial. The difference between those black Americans who have achieved mainstream success and those mired in poverty lies, for the most party, in the difference in acadmic achievement.
For black boys, who have fallen behind black girls in educational attainment, a “black agenda” could be constructed around this issue alone. Black women now graduate from college at twice the rate of black men.
It’s true that college-educated black workers have a higher unemployment rate than college-educated white workers — a commentary on a “post-racial” America. But it’s also true that college-educated black men and women will fare much better than their less-educated counterparts.
So far, few black opinion-makers have zeroed in on Obama’s education reform plans. That reticence may stem from an ambivalence — or hostility — toward the reforms from a mainstay of the black middle-class: teachers. Teachers’ groups have not exactly rallied in support of Obama’s plans.
(Georgia may have lost out in Round 1 of Race to the Top because it didn’t get state-wide buy-in from teachers’ groups. Some teachers remain especially critical of merit pay.)
Still, his emphasis on teacher accountability has the potential for doing more to shake up public education than any reforms of the last two decades. Obama may not have a plan for reducing the black-on-black homicide rate (who does?) or shoring up black marriage (other than serving as a good role model), but, if he can boost educational achievement for all children — including those who are poor and black — that would certainly qualify as progress. Let’s call that an American agenda.
August 13, 2009
Black Youth Makes Medical Breakthrough
By BET.com and staff
http://www.bet.com/News/News_Health_Boy_Makes_Medical_Breakthrough
Tony Hansberry II, a 14-year-old, African-American high school freshman, has developed a surgical stitching technique that can ease post-surgery complications and lessen the chance of errors among physicians, Black America Web reports.
Tony Hansberry has been working with Bruce Nappi, the administrative director at the University of Florida's Center for Simulation Education and Safety Research, on a new technique for sewing up hysterectomy patients.
"I've always had a passion for medicine," he told reporter Jackie Jones in a recent interview. "The project I did was, basically, the comparison of novel laparoscopic instruments in doing a hysterectomy repair.”
The youth presented his findings in April at a medical conference at the University of Florida before an audience of doctors and board-certified surgeons.
"I just want to help people and be respected, knowing that I can save lives," said Hansberry, who attends Darnell-Cookman, a special medical magnet school that allows him to take advanced classes in medicine. He hopes to become a neurosurgeon some day.
One of his teachers at Darnell-Cookman Angela TenBroeck said, "He's an outstanding young man, and I'm proud to have him representing us."
Hansberry was an intern at the University of Florida's Center for Simulation Education and Safety Research at Shands Hospital in Jacksonville when he came up with the concept. At the time, he was responding to a challenge to improve on an “endo-stitch” procedure used in hysterectomies.
“It took me a day or two to come up with the concept,” Hansberry said. His discovery earned him second place at the regional science fair in February 2009.
Tony's mom is a nurse and his dad pastors an African Methodist Episcopal church.
http://www.bet.com/News/News_Health_Boy_Makes_Medical_Breakthrough
Tony Hansberry II, a 14-year-old, African-American high school freshman, has developed a surgical stitching technique that can ease post-surgery complications and lessen the chance of errors among physicians, Black America Web reports.
Tony Hansberry has been working with Bruce Nappi, the administrative director at the University of Florida's Center for Simulation Education and Safety Research, on a new technique for sewing up hysterectomy patients.
"I've always had a passion for medicine," he told reporter Jackie Jones in a recent interview. "The project I did was, basically, the comparison of novel laparoscopic instruments in doing a hysterectomy repair.”
The youth presented his findings in April at a medical conference at the University of Florida before an audience of doctors and board-certified surgeons.
"I just want to help people and be respected, knowing that I can save lives," said Hansberry, who attends Darnell-Cookman, a special medical magnet school that allows him to take advanced classes in medicine. He hopes to become a neurosurgeon some day.
One of his teachers at Darnell-Cookman Angela TenBroeck said, "He's an outstanding young man, and I'm proud to have him representing us."
Hansberry was an intern at the University of Florida's Center for Simulation Education and Safety Research at Shands Hospital in Jacksonville when he came up with the concept. At the time, he was responding to a challenge to improve on an “endo-stitch” procedure used in hysterectomies.
“It took me a day or two to come up with the concept,” Hansberry said. His discovery earned him second place at the regional science fair in February 2009.
Tony's mom is a nurse and his dad pastors an African Methodist Episcopal church.
March 31, 2009
Violence Rips Through North Carolina and Massachusetts
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brandon Wallace 202.271.7409
Email: wallace.motley@gmail.com
March 31, 2009
Motley Management LLC.
Make Moves, Make Memories, Make a Difference.
VIOLENCE SURVIVORS UNITE TO SUPPORT VICTIMS OF THE CARTHAGE, NORTH CAROLINA NURSING HOME MASSACRE AND THE BRUTAL MURDERS IN MILTON, MASSACHUSETTS
The William Kellibrew Foundation and ROOT Inc. (Reaching Out to Others Together), on behalf of all victims of crime nation-wide, would like to send condolences to the people of Carthage, North Carolina and Milton, Massachusetts.
The gruesome killing of eight innocent victims in this North Carolina nursing home is incomprehensible. The brutal murder of a five-year-old child and a seventeen-year-old makes plain the notion that no one is immune to violence.
William Kellibrew IV, National Coordinator for Black Youth Vote for the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation said, “These senseless acts of violence take a toll on our community, but with resolve, we can work to ensure that victims receive adequate attention to get through these tough times.”
Kenneth E. Barnes, Sr., MS, founder and CEO of ROOT Inc, an organization
committed to helping communities take a proactive approach to reducing gun
violence, stated, "Deplorable assaults on our safety are taking place far too often in America. We must work steadfastly to ensure the eventual cessation of these preventable, unspeakable crimes."
These are immensely challenging atrocities having overwhelming ramifications that will resonate through devastated communities. Violence can occur in homes, businesses and even religious institutions.
A stronger more steadfast commitment to the prevention of crime through parole regulations, offender rehabilitation and violence prevention education is critical to bringing an end to the senseless violence that plagues all Americans and citizens around the world. We stand in unity and in full support of the people of Carthage and Milton; but specifically for the family members who lost loved ones in Carthage and the grieving family that will bury three of its closest members in Milton.
# # #
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brandon Wallace 202.271.7409
Email: wallace.motley@gmail.com
March 31, 2009
Motley Management LLC.
Make Moves, Make Memories, Make a Difference.
VIOLENCE SURVIVORS UNITE TO SUPPORT VICTIMS OF THE CARTHAGE, NORTH CAROLINA NURSING HOME MASSACRE AND THE BRUTAL MURDERS IN MILTON, MASSACHUSETTS
The William Kellibrew Foundation and ROOT Inc. (Reaching Out to Others Together), on behalf of all victims of crime nation-wide, would like to send condolences to the people of Carthage, North Carolina and Milton, Massachusetts.
The gruesome killing of eight innocent victims in this North Carolina nursing home is incomprehensible. The brutal murder of a five-year-old child and a seventeen-year-old makes plain the notion that no one is immune to violence.
William Kellibrew IV, National Coordinator for Black Youth Vote for the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation said, “These senseless acts of violence take a toll on our community, but with resolve, we can work to ensure that victims receive adequate attention to get through these tough times.”
Kenneth E. Barnes, Sr., MS, founder and CEO of ROOT Inc, an organization
committed to helping communities take a proactive approach to reducing gun
violence, stated, "Deplorable assaults on our safety are taking place far too often in America. We must work steadfastly to ensure the eventual cessation of these preventable, unspeakable crimes."
These are immensely challenging atrocities having overwhelming ramifications that will resonate through devastated communities. Violence can occur in homes, businesses and even religious institutions.
A stronger more steadfast commitment to the prevention of crime through parole regulations, offender rehabilitation and violence prevention education is critical to bringing an end to the senseless violence that plagues all Americans and citizens around the world. We stand in unity and in full support of the people of Carthage and Milton; but specifically for the family members who lost loved ones in Carthage and the grieving family that will bury three of its closest members in Milton.
# # #
March 17, 2009
TOMORROW - House to Vote on Legislation to Expand Service and Volunteer Opportunities for Students
News ● U.S. House of Representatives
EDUCATION & LABOR COMMITTEE
Congressman George Miller, Chairman
Advisory for Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Press Office, 202-226-0853
NATIONAL SERVICE NEWS
TOMORROW – House to Vote on Legislation to Expand Service and Volunteer Opportunities for Students
Legislation Answers President Obama’s call for Americans to Serve
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tomorrow, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on legislation that provides the most significant expansion of national service and volunteer opportunities for college students in generations. The bill, titled the GIVE Act, will help our nation get through the economic crisis by making Americans of all ages a part of the solution to the many challenges we face.
The legislation comes as nearly 65,000 college students prepare to volunteer and serve on alternative Spring Breaks this year – up 11 percent over last year. Young Americans are serving in record numbers – and facing a difficult job market in today’s economy. Of the 1.2 million jobs lost last year, 60 percent were held by workers under the age of 25.
National and community service and volunteerism among college students is especially high. From September 2001 to 2006, the overall percent of college students who volunteer has increased to over 30 percent, exceeding the volunteer rate for adults. According to a 2006 report by the Corporation for National and Community Service, college students are twice as likely to volunteer as Americans of the same age who are not enrolled in an institution of higher education.
Specifically, the bill (H.R. 1388) will more than triple the number of volunteer opportunities for Americans, from 75,000 to 250,000, in key areas like education, clean energy, health care, and assistance for veterans. The bill will also increase the education reward they receive from $4,725 to $5,350 for next year, the same as the maximum Pell Grant scholarship award. The education award will be linked to match future boosts in the Pell Grant scholarship in order to keep up with rising college costs.
Last President Obama called for Congress to take quick action on legislation to strengthen service. This bill answers his call. It is expected to be passed with bipartisan support in the next month in both the House and Senate – putting it on track to be one of the next major initiatives President Obama signs into law. For more information on the bill, click here.
EDUCATION & LABOR COMMITTEE
Congressman George Miller, Chairman
Advisory for Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Press Office, 202-226-0853
NATIONAL SERVICE NEWS
TOMORROW – House to Vote on Legislation to Expand Service and Volunteer Opportunities for Students
Legislation Answers President Obama’s call for Americans to Serve
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tomorrow, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on legislation that provides the most significant expansion of national service and volunteer opportunities for college students in generations. The bill, titled the GIVE Act, will help our nation get through the economic crisis by making Americans of all ages a part of the solution to the many challenges we face.
The legislation comes as nearly 65,000 college students prepare to volunteer and serve on alternative Spring Breaks this year – up 11 percent over last year. Young Americans are serving in record numbers – and facing a difficult job market in today’s economy. Of the 1.2 million jobs lost last year, 60 percent were held by workers under the age of 25.
National and community service and volunteerism among college students is especially high. From September 2001 to 2006, the overall percent of college students who volunteer has increased to over 30 percent, exceeding the volunteer rate for adults. According to a 2006 report by the Corporation for National and Community Service, college students are twice as likely to volunteer as Americans of the same age who are not enrolled in an institution of higher education.
Specifically, the bill (H.R. 1388) will more than triple the number of volunteer opportunities for Americans, from 75,000 to 250,000, in key areas like education, clean energy, health care, and assistance for veterans. The bill will also increase the education reward they receive from $4,725 to $5,350 for next year, the same as the maximum Pell Grant scholarship award. The education award will be linked to match future boosts in the Pell Grant scholarship in order to keep up with rising college costs.
Last President Obama called for Congress to take quick action on legislation to strengthen service. This bill answers his call. It is expected to be passed with bipartisan support in the next month in both the House and Senate – putting it on track to be one of the next major initiatives President Obama signs into law. For more information on the bill, click here.
December 11, 2008
Winding Down Only to Wind Back Up
Things are certainly winding down here at Black Youth Vote, but that is only the beginning. After the Black Youth Vote Civic Leadership Training Conference held in November, participants helped to give direction to the future of the program as well as enlist themselves in the preparation of preparing recommendations to the Obama transition team/administration and the 11th Congress. We are currently working on that plan now. You will hear more soon.
If you are interested in helping to draft this very important document, do not hesitate to contact me at blackyouthvote@ncbcp.org.
Also, we are planning a Pre-Inaugural Black Youth Vote Mixer, if you will. We still haven't formally named the event, but it is sure to be a "not missed" opportunity to meet a few important people and be important yourself.
I look forward to seeing you there.
William
If you are interested in helping to draft this very important document, do not hesitate to contact me at blackyouthvote@ncbcp.org.
Also, we are planning a Pre-Inaugural Black Youth Vote Mixer, if you will. We still haven't formally named the event, but it is sure to be a "not missed" opportunity to meet a few important people and be important yourself.
I look forward to seeing you there.
William
December 03, 2008
Sleeping Out for Victims and Survivors for Peace
Last night was the most amazing night of my life. After 24 years of trying to make sense of my mother and brother's deaths, I finally came to the conclusion that their deaths meant peace for the entire world starting with peace in my own local community.
The entire day of Tuesday, December 2, I simply could not wait until 8:00 p.m. when I was to start the "Victims and Survivors for Peace Sleep Out". I was not sure who would show up, but I knew I was. I arrived at 7:00 p.m. with my good friend and brother Tommy from Scotland. I laid my blanket down and propped my pillow on the wall, directly in front of a sign indicating that it was the John Wilson building. You may not know, but Wilson committed suicide during Sharon Pratt Dixon's term as mayor of the city. I knew this going into this movement and wanted to correlate Wilson's death with what is transpiring today and the need for bringing attention to violence, not just domestic violence.
I dialed into the Bev Smith Show and was elated to speak to such a dynamic person. She vowed her support for peace throughout our world and pledged that she would called Congressman Conyers this morning encouraging and requesting a hearing in Congress to show the impact of violence. She also mentioned that she would sit with me while testifying. I am forever grateful for her love and support.
There were more news trucks than I can count coming throughout the night to capture our movement. I was thrilled about getting the word out, but I cannot forget why we were there. When all of the crowds and cameras are gone, we are still here with our pain and grief. But, we have to turn this into resolve and that is what we are doing by holding sleep outs.
I am really thankful for all those who showed up to sleep out, who reached out, and the media for putting our story out there. Thank you to all.
Today, I report that there were no murders last night in the District of Columbia. This is certainly a good start to our peace movement.
The entire day of Tuesday, December 2, I simply could not wait until 8:00 p.m. when I was to start the "Victims and Survivors for Peace Sleep Out". I was not sure who would show up, but I knew I was. I arrived at 7:00 p.m. with my good friend and brother Tommy from Scotland. I laid my blanket down and propped my pillow on the wall, directly in front of a sign indicating that it was the John Wilson building. You may not know, but Wilson committed suicide during Sharon Pratt Dixon's term as mayor of the city. I knew this going into this movement and wanted to correlate Wilson's death with what is transpiring today and the need for bringing attention to violence, not just domestic violence.
I dialed into the Bev Smith Show and was elated to speak to such a dynamic person. She vowed her support for peace throughout our world and pledged that she would called Congressman Conyers this morning encouraging and requesting a hearing in Congress to show the impact of violence. She also mentioned that she would sit with me while testifying. I am forever grateful for her love and support.
There were more news trucks than I can count coming throughout the night to capture our movement. I was thrilled about getting the word out, but I cannot forget why we were there. When all of the crowds and cameras are gone, we are still here with our pain and grief. But, we have to turn this into resolve and that is what we are doing by holding sleep outs.
I am really thankful for all those who showed up to sleep out, who reached out, and the media for putting our story out there. Thank you to all.
Today, I report that there were no murders last night in the District of Columbia. This is certainly a good start to our peace movement.
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