Ceremony Honors Service of African Americans in Korean War

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2011 – African Americans fought against Communism during the Korean War of 1950-53 to protect the rights of individuals, even as their own civil rights were denied at home, the Defense Department’s top equal opportunity official said here yesterday.

Speaking during a Pentagon ceremony to honor African American veterans of the Korean War, Ronald M. Joe, acting director of the Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity, said America now remembers the contributions of African American veterans during the war sometimes called “The Forgotten War” or the “The Forgotten Victory.”

“Yours is a distinguished generation in the history of African American military service,” Joe said to a group of seven Korean War veterans in attendance. “You belong to a legacy older than the Declaration of Independence, one that includes the legendary service of the Massachusetts 54th in our Civil War, the Buffalo Soldiers in the West, the 92nd Division and the Tuskegee Airman of World War II.”

For too long, he said, the service of African Americans during the Korean War was forgotten, “but it should be clear to all of you that you are forgotten no more.”

Mr. Ronald M. Joe, Acting Director of the Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity.

Joe said the armed forces has played a pivotal role in the nation’s pursuit of equity for all Americans, following President Harry S. Truman’s 1948 Executive Order 9981, which called for the end of segregation in the military. The Korean War “interrupted” work to desegregate all-black units, so many of those units went into the conflict. It was when fighting intensified in Korea that the armed forces realized they had “a manpower problem,” Joe said. Increasingly, large numbers of black American draftees and volunteers were in the training pipeline, but no more room existed in the segregated units. Joe said Army studies showed “integration was a more efficient policy than segregation.” The result, he said, was that “Black Americans were individually assigned to units on an as-needed basis, and the Army began working toward true integration.”

The last two years of the Korean War, after all-black units were disbanded and ended segregation in the U.S. military, African Americans had served in command positions, in elite units such as combat aviation, and served in a variety of technical specialties, Joe said.

The military began a social movement, he said, that served as a model or the nation and as a pattern for other military organizations. The armed force has made impressive progress toward equality, but work is yet to be completed, because women and minorities are still under-represented, Joe added.

A number of other speakers made brief remarks at the ceremony, including members of a panel of Korean War veterans; South Korean Defense Attaché Brig. Gen. General Lee, Seo Young; and Frank Martin, producer of “For the Love of Liberty: The story of America’s Black Patriots.” The audience watched a 15-minute segment of Martin’s four-hour documentary.

Today’s Black History Month observance stems from the Department of Defense 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemorative Committee, created by Congress to honor the service and sacrifice of Korean War veterans, their families and those who lost loved ones in the conflict.

American Forces Press Service By Terri Moon Cronk American Forces Press Service

I. India Geronimo Named Director of the Damon J. Keith Law Collection of African American Legal History

DETROIT (Feb. 11, 2011)—I. India Geronimo has been named Director of the Damon J. Keith Law Collection of African American Legal History.

Geronimo previously served as a law clerk to Judge Damon J. Keith of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and more recently clerked for the Constitutional Court of South Africa. Previously, she clerked for the Honorable Robert L. Carter in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and was as an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union Racial Justice Program, where she was the Marvin M. Karpatkin Fellow. She has been involved in litigation and advocacy surrounding a variety of civil rights issues.

“I am pleased to welcome Ms. Geronimo to Wayne Law,” said Wayne Law Dean Robert M. Ackerman. “Her legal expertise combined with her commitment to upholding Judge Keith’s legacy will benefit the Wayne Law immeasurably.” Geronimo will also be working with the Keith Center to develop programming around its “education as a civil right” initiative.

The Keith Collection, which houses exhibits such as Marching Toward Justice and Saluting a Giant, was created to meet the need for a central repository for the nation’s African American legal history.

The collection is dedicated to recording the history of African American lawyers and judges. It was firmly established upon the founding contribution of papers and records by Judge Keith. - ### - Visit the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights at: keithcenter.wayne.edu. Contact: Kristin Copenhaver Wayne Law communications director, with any questions, media inquiries or if you'd like to subscribe to Law School news releases. Or, visit our news and publications page online at law.wayne.edu/about/news for more information.

Author of Black Pain and activist Terrie Williams to lecture Feb. 23 VIDEO

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Northern Kentucky University will host a free public lecture by Terrie Williams, president and founder of the Terrie Williams Agency and the Stay Strong Foundation, on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at noon in the NKU Student Union Ballroom. Following the lecture, which is sponsored by the NKU Office of African American Student Affairs, will be a book signing and reception from 1:30-3 p.m.

Williams' most recent work, titled "Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We're Not Hurting" (Scribner, 2008), reveals her personal struggles with depression and the impact the stigma of this and other mental illnesses have, particularly on the African-American community. That is also the topic of her lecture at NKU.

Williams is a mental health activist, author and advocate for change and empowerment. Named one of Ebony magazine's "Power 150" for activism and Woman's Day magazine's "50 Women on a Mission to Change the World," she has utilized her influence and communications expertise for more than 30 years to educate and engage audiences in causes that affect the community, the nation and the world.

Williams has written four successful books and countless articles. Her first book, "The Personal Touch: What You Really Need to Succeed in Today's Fast-paced Business World" (1994, Warner Books), is a perennial business bestseller.

Her second book, "Stay Strong: Simple Life Lessons for Teens" (Scholastic, Inc. 2001), has been utilized in school curricula and was the catalyst to launch The Stay Strong Foundation, a national non-profit for youth. "A Plentiful Harvest: Creating Balance and Harmony Through the Seven Living Virtues" (Warner Books, 2002), is her undertaking to help others achieve balance in their daily lives. ### NKU ###

For immediate release... Friday - Feb. 11, 2011

Northern Kentucky University, Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099 -

Atlantic City Resident Serving as First African American Editor of Rutgers Law Journal at Rutgers-Camden Law School

CAMDEN -- “Making law review” is an aspiration for ambitious law students who recognize the value of producing journals that showcase cutting-edge legal scholarship and theory.

At the Rutgers School of Law–Camden, Matthew D. Sykes has achieved that goal, and set a milestone in the process: the 24-year-old Atlantic City resident is the first African American to serve as editor-in-chief of the prestigious Rutgers Law Journal.

Currently in his third and final year as a Rutgers–Camden law student, Sykes acknowledges that his editorship at the nationally respected law school offers a positive message. “My position should encourage others not only because of my race, but because of my experiences, which many African Americans share in common,” he explains. “I grew up with a lack of positive role models, ineffective school systems, and a neighborhood where drugs were sold and used at my high school bus stop. I graduated from high school with a C average. Nevertheless, I managed to make it to college and was later admitted to Rutgers School of Law.

“I want to send the message that, if I can do it, anyone can. Moreover, for those who share my background, and those committed to public interest work, my position is significant because it demonstrates that the greatest strength and motivation comes from the desire to help the people that weren’t so lucky, because up to this point that has been my only objective. “ Law reviews are student-run publications that allow scholars (and the occasional jurist or practitioner) to advance discussion about legal theory.

Dating back to the mid-1800s, the practice might seem out of synch in the social media era to some, but not to Sykes. “Law journals provide a forum, other than the classroom, where students can express their ideas and gain recognition based on their original legal scholarship. Likewise, I think law journals are important to the advancement of the study of law specifically because they allow for the exchange of ideas, which is essential to growth and innovation within the legal field.”

At the Rutgers School of Law–Camden, the Rutgers Law Journal publishes online while maintaining a subscription-based print distribution. Rutgers law students review submissions from professors across the nation, and select the articles for publication. Sykes envisions the journal sponsoring symposia featuring top legal scholars as an opportunity to build upon the prestige of the publication.

In addition to setting new standards for the Rutgers Law Journal’s chief editorship, Sykes pursues his passion for public interest law. He has been an active student participant in the Prisoner Reentry Program at the Rutgers School of Law–Camden, whereby law students work closely with attorneys to provide critically needed pro bono services to ex-offenders seeking to forge new roles in society.

Currently, Sykes teaches Camden children and teenagers about their rights and the legal system through the Rutgers–Camden Street Law Program, and helps Camden residents to file their state and federal income tax returns through the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program at the Rutgers–Camden law school.

While helping ex-offenders with such important matters as finding employment and securing new driver’s licenses, Sykes also maintains high marks in the classroom. He is a Dean’s List student at the Rutgers–Camden law school, where he has received numerous scholarships and has been active with the Black Law Students Association. He has been offered a clerkship with the Hon. Dolores Sloviter, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Sykes is a 2008 graduate of Rowan University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science. -30-


For Immediate Release Media Contact: Mike Sepanic (856) 225-6026 E-mail: msepanic@camden.rutgers.edu

Director Kobina Aidoo Asking ‘Who is Black?’ to Speak at Neo-African Americans

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Director Kobina Aidoo will give a showing of his 2009 documentary Neo-African Americans on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 17 in Beckman Auditorium of The Ames Library (1 Ames Plaza East, Bloomington). The event, which is sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs in honor of African-American Heritage Month, is free and open to the public.

Neo-African Americans explores the influx of voluntary immigration to the United States, and how it impacts the traditional interpretation of the term African-American, as well as initiatives like Affirmative Action. According to Aidoo, over the past 25 years, more than 3 million people have immigrated to the U.S. from countries in Africa and the Caribbean.

“It is not simply a matter of white Americans and black Americans confronting a shared past. It is a redefinition of who is white, who is black, who is African-American, and how we should treat each other,” Aidoo said in a 2009 interview.

Along with filmmaking, Aidoo is a consultant for the World Bank in Washington, D.C. Originally from Ghana, he is a self-described African non-American, who studied at Barry University in Miami.

Kobina Aidoo

He has since worked with Warner Bros. Publications, Intel Computer Clubhouse and De Beers. He has also performed economic consulting assignments for governments in the Middle East and Africa. Aidoo holds a master’s degree in public policy with a specialty in international trade and finance from Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where he also served as co-chief editor of the Africa Policy Journal.

For additional information, contact the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at (309) 556-3412.

Illinois Wesleyan Contact: Rachel Hatch, (309) 556-3960

Mayor William A. Bell, Sr. will be the featured speaker for Talladega College’s Black History Month convocation

Talladega, Alabama—The Honorable Mayor William A. Bell, Sr. will be the featured speaker for Talladega College’s Black History Month convocation on Thursday, February 10th. Talladega College will join in the national celebration of accomplishments and the impact of blacks on American history during this commemoration scheduled for 1:00 pm Thursday afternoon in DeForest Chapel on the campus.

Mayor Bell is the 33rd mayor of the city and he’s also ranked as one of the longest serving public officials in Birmingham. During his public service, Bell became the first African-American President of the Birmingham City Council in 1985 while serving his third term. He also served as the City Council President in 1987 and 1997. Then in 1999, he advanced and became the Interim Mayor of Birmingham. Some of Bell’s major accomplishments include: assisting in the funding of a fitness track and a mini-park at Legion Field; and the establishing of the first Hope VI Project in downtown Birmingham that converted a local inner city housing development and made it become an affordable, mixed housing community. Mayor Bell has also acquired over $197 million dollars for Birmingham schools, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) received an excess of $87 million dollars plus for capital improvements during the mayor’s tenure.

He received a Master’s Degree in Psychology and Guidance Counseling from UAB, and he has a doctorate in Jurisprudence from Miles Law School in Birmingham. Mayor Bell is married to Dr. Sharon Carson Bell and they have 2 children who graduated from the Birmingham City School system and from UAB. The public is invited to come hear Mayor Bell on the campus. For more information, please contact the Office of the President at (256) 761-6212. For more upcoming Black History month events at the College, please go to: http://www.talladega.edu/calendar/events.asp.

ABOUT TALLADEGA COLLEGE

Talladega College, founded in 1867, is Alabama's oldest historically black private college and among the oldest liberal arts colleges in the nation. Located in the historic district of the city of Talladega, Alabama, the college offers a range of degrees in four divisions: Business and Administration, Humanities and Fine Arts, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Social Sciences and Education.

Talladega College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees; and the school holds several institutional memberships. For more information visit www.talladega.edu # # #

Talladega College 627 West Battle Street Talladega, AL 35160 256.362.0206 (Main Number) 256-761-6235 (Admissions)

Released On: Monday, February 07, 2011 Nicola Lawler Office of Public Relations 256-761-6207

The Tuskegee Airmen and the Struggle for Civil Rights

by Andrew Billman 65th Air Base Wing Historian

Lajes Field, Azores -- Sleek red-tailed P-51 fighters, the 99th Fighter squadron, the 332nd Fighter Group--valiant men with air-combat prowess and a stellar combat record all come to mind with the mention of Tuskegee Airmen. But the Tuskegee story would be incomplete without addressing the experiences of the B-25 pilots, navigators, and bombardiers that comprised the 477th Bombardment Group (477 BG). While their 332nd brothers-in-arms bravely flew their P-51s to glory in the skies over Europe, the men of the 477th courageously fought another enemy at home - racism and discrimination.

From 1941 through 1946, 994 pilots graduated from Tuskegee Army Airfield and earned the wings they hoped would finally silence the racist critics who thought black men lacked the necessary skills and abilities to fly. At this time even more African-American men broke racial barriers and received training as navigators, bombardiers, gunners, mechanics, and ground crew at various bases spread across America. By the spring of 1945, they would come together at Freeman Field in Seymour, Indiana as the 477 BG under all-white leadership, as they prepared to enter the War in the Pacific. But they would not make history fighting the Japanese in the Pacific--their place in history was reserved for battling the forces of bigotry in the very country they were willing to defend with their lives.

A few of the 162 Tuskegee Airmen under arrest at Freeman Field April 1945. (courtesy photo)

When the 477 BG arrived in Seymour, the African-American members of the group soon felt the sting of discrimination as many of the grocery stores in the community would not allow them to buy goods and only one restaurant in town would serve them. The Seymour Laundry took this treatment a step further as they refused service to black airmen, while, at the same time regularly laundering the clothes and bedding of German prisoners of war confined in the area. This maltreatment continued on base as the group's commanding officer, Col. Robert Selway, issued an order on April 1, 1945, segregating the officers clubs at Freeman Field.

A former dilapidated non-commissioned officers club was designated for the "black training personnel." Col. Selway attempted to circumvent Army regulations that maintained equal access to recreational facilities on post for all officers by categorizing all black officers in the group as "trainees." But the airmen saw this ploy for what it was and dubbed the run-down structure set aside as their officers club, "Uncle Tom's Cabin."

In reaction to this intolerable situation, black officers refused to use "Uncle Tom's Cabin," and they began to formulate a non-violent plan to integrate the officers club on post. Under the leadership of Lt. Coleman A. Young (a future mayor of Detroit), small groups of men attempted to enter the club on the evening of April 5, 1945, only to be refused entry. Before the club had closed at the end of the night, 36 black officers had not only been refused service but had been placed under arrest in quarters. These consequences did not deter more persistent airmen, who, on the next night, attempted entry only to be refused; they joined their compatriots under arrest, now totaling 61 men. Col. Selway could not prove all these men had read the order and eventually had to release 58 men from custody and possible court-martial. Three men remained in custody, pending court-martial, accused of pushing a lieutenant placed at the door of the club to prevent access.

Col. Selway then issued Base Regulation 85-2, defining the segregated facilities and required all officers to sign a statement they had read and acknowledged the new regulation. This time 162 black officers had the courage to refuse their signatures on a document they knew to be unjust, and faced arrest and possible court-martial. These brave men were willing to put "Service before Self" in defense of justice, and in the face of an uncertain and possibly perilous future.

In the end, an Advisory Committee on Special Troop Policies was convened in Washington, D.C., that determined the regulations put into effect at Freeman Field were not in accord with existing Army regulations prohibiting separation of recreational facilities on the basis of race. Col. Selway was relieved of command on July 1, 1945, and Col. Benjamin O. Davis, a Tuskegee Airman, assumed command. Fifty years later, on Aug. 12, 1995, the Air Force vindicated all the courageous men who stood against the unlawful orders at Freeman Field. The Air Force ordered the removal of all letters of reprimand from the personnel records and overturned the one court-martial which resulted from the civil disobedience at Freeman Field. The Air Force also reinstated 2nd Lt. Roger C. Terry to all the rights, privileges, and property he lost as a result of the conviction.

The non-violent quest for civil rights for African-Americans did not begin in December 1955 on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. The origins for civil disobedience and the Civil Rights Movement may be traced 10 years earlier to an Army Air Forces base in Indiana. Freeman Field became the site where Tuskegee Airmen took a firm, peaceful stand against the twin evils of racism and discrimination at home. While the 332nd fighter group brought honor and glory to Tuskegee Airmen as they fought against tyranny and racism in Europe, the Tuskegee Airmen that comprised the 477 BG exhibited the same courage, and became instrumental in the integration that would soon sweep throughout all of the armed forces of the United States. These heroic men provided the non-violent examples which translated years later into the fabric of the Civil Rights Movement and fundamentally changed American society as a whole.

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: The Official Web Site of Lajes Field

Connecticut Recognizes February 7th as National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Blacks in Connecticut found to be disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS.

Hartford – In recognition of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day local organizations throughout the state, funded by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), will provide free HIV testing and educational activities on Monday, February 7, 2011.

“Although Blacks in Connecticut only make up ten percent of the state’s population, they account for nearly one-third of the state’s population living with HIV/AIDS,” said DPH Commissioner Dr. Jewel Mullen. “It’s important that not only Blacks, but people of all races and ethnicities, educate themselves about HIV/AIDS and get tested to know their status.”

According to state health officials, there are 10,574 reported cases of people living with HIV/AIDS in the state. Blacks account for 3,412 reported cases (2009 data).

Monday marks the 11th annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The day is meant to promote education, HIV testing and treatment in an effort to mobilize Black communities nationwide. In 2008, an estimated 18,328 Blacks in the United States received an AIDS diagnosis, a number that has remained relatively stable since 2005. In 2006, Black men accounted for two-thirds of new infections (65%) among all Blacks, with 63% of those being men who have sex with men.

There are several agencies throughout the state that will be offering free HIV testing. For a list of participating agencies, visit www.ct.gov/dph/hivtesting or call (860) 509-7801 to find where to get tested. More information is also available at blackaidsday.org/. Additionally, individuals can speak to their health care provider about HIV testing.

In 2009, the Connecticut General Assembly passed House Bill 6391, An Act Concerning Revisions to the HIV Testing Consent Law. This law, which went into effect July 1, 2009, facilitates routine HIV screening in health care settings by eliminating the requirement for a separate written or oral consent for HIV testing. Testing is voluntary.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health is the state’s leader in public health policy and advocacy with a mission to protect and promote the health and safety of the people of our state. To contact the department, please visit its website at www.ct.gov/dph or call (860) 509-7270. ###

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Activities

Bridgeport – Greater Bridgeport Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program, ASHA Women’s Conference

February 7, 2011, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. - Mount Aery Baptist Church, 73 Frank Street, Bridgeport: HIV testing and free giveaways, to register call 203-870-0761

Hartford – Latinos Community Services

February 7, 2011, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.- Zezzo House, 184 Homestead Avenue, Hartford: HIV testing (event organized by the African-American Caribbean Care Team)

February 8, 2011, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Loaves and Fishes, 360 Farmington Avenue: HIV testing and outreach

New Haven – Cornell Scott Hill Health Center

February 7, 2011, 10:00 a.m – 3:00 p.m. - 428 Columbus Avenue, New Haven: HIV testing and free giveaways

Connecticut Department of Public Health: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2011 Connecticut Department of Public Health Contact: William Gerrish (860) 509-7270

MADISON, WISCONSIN TO HONOR TALLADEGA COLLEGE

Madison, Wisconsin—The City of Madison, Wisconsin will honor Talladega College during their Black History Month festivities. The second largest city of Wisconsin which also ranks 2nd in the nation by Forbes magazine for education, has chosen to focus on the efforts and strides of blacks in the late 1800s.

The Minority Affairs Committee of Madison spearheaded this effort and has produced a booklet entitled, “Celebrate Black History Month, African Americans and the Civil War.” In this publication, they will feature Talladega College and one of our distinguished alums along with native Wisconsin black pioneers.

“We are honored that the City of Madison will highlight the impact of this great institution as a part of American history and the African American experience. We are also proud to have Dr. Hicklin represent the college’s legendary influence upon its graduates,” remarks Talladega College President, Dr. Billy C. Hawkins.

Dr. Fannie Ella Frazier Hicklin will be a featured speaker during the City of Madison’s Black history month program on February 9th at the Monona Terrace Lecture Hall. Dr. Hicklin, a graduate of Talladega College, was born and reared on the campus. After graduating with a B.S. in Foreign Languages, Dr. Hicklin went on to receive a Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dr. Billy C. Hawkins became the 20th President of Talladega College beginning January 1, 2008.

Although she retired from UW, at the precious age of 92, Dr. Hicklin continues to work as a volunteer with various organizations in Madison. During the February 9th program, Ms. Casandra Blassingame, Talladega College Vice President of Institutional Advancement, will also be a speaker. Mr. Seddrick Hill, Talladega College Director of Alumni Affairs will also be in attendance. Pictures, paraphernalia, and recruitment information for Talladega College will be available for public view on the first floor of the Madison Municipal Building at 215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. For more information, please contact: Christie Hill at (608) 267-8634 or visit their website at http://www.cityof madison.com/dcr/index.cfm. ABOUT TALLADEGA COLLEGE Talladega College, founded in 1867, is Alabama's oldest historically black private college and among the oldest liberal arts colleges in the nation.

Located in the historic district of the city of Talladega, Alabama, the college offers a range of degrees in four divisions: Business and Administration, Humanities and Fine Arts, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Social Sciences and Education.

Talladega College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees; and the school holds several institutional memberships. For more information visit www.talladega.edu # # #

Talladega College Released On: Friday, February 04, 2011. Nicola Lawler Office of Public Relations 256-761-6207

CSUS Chancellor Chancellor David G. Carter to Retire

One of the state’s longest-serving higher education leaders, Connecticut State University System (CSUS) Chancellor David G. Carter, informed the CSUS Board of Trustees today that he will be retiring on March 1, 2011. Carter announced last fall that he would be retiring no later than September 1, 2011.

In a letter to CSUS Board Vice Chairman Richard J. Balducci, which was shared with members of the Board via email, Carter said, “I could not then have anticipated that my health, and my increasing desire to spend more time enjoying my grandchildren, would hasten that timetable. Accordingly, I have revised my plans... Please know that taking leave of this work is even more difficult than I had anticipated, and were circumstances otherwise, I surely would have continued.”

Balducci described Carter as a “bold and insightful educator whose impact on students has made a significant and enduring difference in countless lives. David Carter never believed he would attain a college education but others believed in him. That helped make him the man he is – with tremendous respect and affection for what CSUS means to its students, universities that give people of all backgrounds the opportunity to pursue a dream, as he did. Throughout a remarkable career, his passion for education, fundamental belief in treating every person with dignity, and extraordinary commitment to advancing student success were the hallmarks of his leadership.”

Connecticut State University System trustee Karl Krapek (right) adjusts the pure silver medallion symbolic of the office conferred upon Dr. David G. Carter, Sr., as Chancellor of the CSU System

Carter’s career as a professional educator spans 45 years, beginning in Ohio and, since 1977, flourishing in Connecticut. He became the fifth president of Eastern on April 2, 1988 – the first African-American president of a four-year institution of higher education in Connecticut. He served as president for nearly 18 years, leading Eastern from a small university into a thriving academic institution with newly constructed first-rate facilities attracting a dynamic residential population from across the state, now designated as Connecticut’s public liberal arts university. “To say that serving the students and our State of Connecticut has been the joy of my life is to understate the depth of affection that I have for the transformative impact of higher education,” Carter wrote, expressing appreciation for the efforts of trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, and students.

“The transformation of Eastern Connecticut State University and later the substantial progress of the Connecticut State University System, driven by his respect for all who contribute to the vibrancy of an academic community and his devotion to students was always something to behold,” said Balducci, who has served on the CSUS Board since 1995.

“How he was able to know almost every Eastern student, remember virtually every name, and understand how best to motivate each of them still defies explanation. But he did, and students knew he genuinely cared. And still does,” Balducci added.

Carter is widely credited with leading dramatic changes in the physical and academic quality of Eastern and helping save it from potential elimination. Among the facilities that were either begun, built or rebuilt under his tutelage were a new academic classroom building, student services center, library, child and family development resource center, student center and Science Building, as well as student residence halls, and athletic fields.

Prior to assuming the presidency at Eastern, he spent 11 years at the University of Connecticut, serving as associate vice president for academic affairs, associate dean in the School of Education and professor of educational administration. Before joining the faculty at UConn, he was an associate professor in the College of Education at Pennsylvania State University for four years.

As Chancellor of CSUS since February 2006, Dr. Carter has presided over a period of economic challenges while leading the system of four universities to unprecedented accomplishments. Working in concert with the universities during his tenure as Chancellor, CSUS:

* reached all-time records in the number of full-time undergraduate and graduate students,
* increased graduation and retention rates,
* expanded minority population recruitment and retention,
* increased community college students and out-of-state students transferring to CSUS.

In addition, more undergraduate degree recipients are pursuing graduate level education at CSUS, and student satisfaction among graduating seniors system-wide exceeded 90 percent.

Leading CSUS, Carter encouraged the development and implementation of an articulation agreement that had been discussed since 1991 with the Connecticut Community College system; worked in concert with Trustees, the Governor, General Assembly, collective bargaining units and staff of the universities and System Office to achieve the largest financial commitment ever to CSUS: $80 million in bond funds in FY08 followed by a 10-year, $950 million commitment known as the CSUS 2020 capital infrastructure investment plan; and achieved more than $48 million in cost avoidance and system-wide savings since 2007 by working closely with the leadership at the universities in response to the state’s economic conditions.

Carter has long been active in national, state and local organizations and agencies, and is the recipient of numerous awards and recognition. He currently serves as chairman of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, Secretary/Treasurer of the National Association of System Heads, and as a member of the Board of Delegates of the New England Board of Higher Education. He is past chair of the Board of Visitors of the Marine Corps University, past chair of the Board of Directors of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and has served on the Board of Directors of the American Council of Education and chaired its Finance Committee.

“Highly respected by his peers across the country, he brought national recognition to CSUS through his active leadership in national education organizations. We are a better state for his years of service at UConn, Eastern and CSUS,” Balducci said. “While he certainly will be greatly missed, he leaves a legacy of dedication, determination, character, and accomplishment that we can all aspire to.” Born in Dayton, Ohio, David Carter faced and overcame many obstacles. When he was five years old, a fire destroyed his family’s home and business, an uninsured general store. Shortly thereafter, his father passed away, leaving his mother to raise him and his older brother. But through the support of his family and the guidance of two school-teacher sisters who took him under their wings – he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Central State University in Ohio, an M. Ed. degree in curriculum and supervision from Miami (Ohio) University, and a Ph.D. in educational development and educational administration from The Ohio State University.

Previous to his career in higher education, Dr. Carter was an elementary school teacher, vice principal, principal, and unit facilitator responsible for overseeing more than 20,000 students in 24 Ohio schools.

“Education has been my life’s work, in ways I could not possibly have imagined in my youth,” Carter wrote. “You have heard me describe my strong conviction, rooted in my experiences in those early years, that there is nothing more meaningful, more profound nor rewarding than to touch a life and affect its course.”

TEXT CREDIT: Connecticut State University System CSUS System Office 39 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT 06105-2337

IMAGE CREDIT: Central Connecticut State University

Stage production confronts African American stereotypes

Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia African American Cultural Center will present If It Ain’t Got that Swing on Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Morton Theater in Athens. The play utilizes inspiration and laughter to confront age-old stereotypes faced by African Americans.

If It Ain’t Got that Swing is produced by Harmageddo Entertainment, a Philadelphia-based film and theater company that seeks to raise social consciousness through art, principally writing and drama.

The production is being held in conjunction with the50th anniversary commemoration of the desegregation of UGA.

Tickets are $10 for students with valid UGACards who pay activity fees on the Athens campus and $15 for non-students. Tickets are available at the Tate Student Center Cashier Window, open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The African American Cultural Center is an office of the Department of Campus Life/Intercultural Affairs within UGA’s Division of Student Affairs. ##

Writer: Don Reagin, 706/542-7774, dreagin@uga.edu Contact: LaRetha Spain-Shuler, 706/542-8468, lshuler@ugal.edu Feb 3, 2011, 15:01

Minorities More Likely to be Unaware of Having Diabetes or Hypertension

UAlbany economists' study reveals racial/ethnic disparities in awareness of chronic diseases.

ALBANY, N.Y. (February 02, 2011) -- Blacks and Latinos in America are more likely to be unaware they have diabetes than whites, according to a study by University at Albany researchers.

And while a relatively greater number of African-Americans receive treatment for hypertension, those who are untreated still are disproportionately unaware of having the condition, compared to individuals from other racial and ethnic groups.

The study was funded by a $1.1 million grant, part of a $6.8 million award from the National Institutes of Health to the University's Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities to advance research aimed at eliminating health inequalities.

"The incidence of these chronic illnesses is steadily increasing in the U.S., and is more so for minorities. The economic implication of continuing unawareness among all segments of the population, particularly for African-Americans and Hispanics, is truly staggering," said Distinguished Teaching Professor Kajal Lahiri.

Early awareness of having a chronic health condition, say the study's authors, is an aspect of health knowledge that influences an individual's ability to manage the progression of a disease.

According to recent studies, nearly 15 percent of Americans have undiagnosed hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol, and African-Americans are significantly more likely than other ethnic groups to have more than one of these conditions. Currently the direct health costs and indirect costs such as lost production due to diabetes and hypertension exceed $250 billion annually. In "Beware of Unawareness: Racial Ethnic Disparities in Awareness of Chronic Diseases," UAlbany economists Kajal Lahiri and Pinka Chatterji discovered that a larger percentage of minorities with undiagnosed diseases were not aware they have the disease, a condition which ultimately affects not only individuals and families, but also impacts the nation's health care system and economy. The study was funded by a $1.1 million grant, part of a $6.8 million award from the National Institutes of Health to the University's Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities to advance research aimed at eliminating health inequalities.

"The incidence of these chronic illnesses is steadily increasing in the U.S., and is more so for minorities. The economic implication of continuing unawareness among all segments of the population, particularly for African-Americans and Hispanics, is truly staggering," said Distinguished Teaching Professor Kajal Lahiri.

According to recent studies, nearly 15 percent of Americans have undiagnosed hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol, and African-Americans are significantly more likely than other ethnic groups to have more than one of these conditions. Currently the direct health costs and indirect costs such as lost production due to diabetes and hypertension exceed $250 billion annually.

"The large number of minorities being treated for diabetes and hypertension may lead to the conclusion that awareness of chronic illness is high among minorities," said Pinka Chatterji. "However, if we limit our analysis to untreated individuals, we find that significant disparities persist along racial and ethnic lines in awareness of these serious conditions."

Without early preventative intervention, the course of a chronic disease is a continuum from the disease-free state to asymptomatic biological change, clinical illness, and ultimately death. Due to the long latency periods of hypertension and diabetes, early recognition and treatment of chronic illnesses is critical for preventing a rapid progression of the condition to disability.

Early awareness of having a chronic health condition, say the study's authors, is an aspect of health knowledge that influences an individual's ability to manage the progression of a disease. The lack of awareness may contribute to health disparities and, ultimately, greater cost to the health care system.

The research found that minority individuals are in some cases 10 percentage points less likely than non-Latino whites to be aware of having a chronic illness.

The study's data were taken from the national Health and Retirement Survey (HRS), which collects economic and health data on people over 50 years old. The survey, which is conducted every two years, gathers extensive health information, including results from health examinations and blood tests administered during the review. The study focused on 8,051 HRS respondents who were eligible for the health examination and blood tests in 2006 and re-interviewed in 2008.

The study was published as a National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. Working Paper. NBER is widely-disseminated publication series that showcases new findings in applied economics prior to publication in a journal.

Contact: Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150 University at Albany, State University of New York 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222 · Phone (518) 442-3300

Renita J. Weems to speak at Union’s Black History Month program

JACKSON, Tenn. – February 1, 2011– Renita J. Weems, author and vice president of academic affairs at American Baptist College, will be the keynote speaker for Union University’s fourth annual Black History Month program Feb. 14.

Weems, who has a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary, will examine the African American leadership that emerged during and after the Civil War. The theme for the program is “Being the Change: African American Leaders from Civil War to Social Justice.”

“It is our sincere hope that this event will serve as a catalyst for serious debate regarding the necessity for continued and innovative leadership throughout the black community within the context of a Christian worldview,” said Jacqueline Taylor, Union’s assistant dean of students.

In addition to Weems’ address, the event will feature music by pianist Patricia Porter and Union University’s Mosaic Gospel Choir.

A reception will begin at 2:30 p.m. with the program starting at 3 p.m. in the Carl Grant Events Center. The event is open to the community. Seating is limited, so those planning to attend should make reservations by Feb. 7 at noon.

Renita J. Weems will speak at Union's Black History Month program Feb. 14. Union University For more information, or to make reservations, call (731) 661-5421 or (731) 661-5316. Contact: Tim Ellsworth, 731-661-5215.

Baraka Recounts, Instructs, Riffs about King and Black History

January 28, 2011 — Amiri Baraka – poet, playwright, composer, activist and teacher – treated a Thursday night audience of several hundred in the University of Virginia's Culbreth Theatre on to a lively talk about the importance of knowing 20th-century African-American history, peppering his stories, poems and political commentary with excerpts from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s speeches and letters.

The event was the last in January's lineup of the University's Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration, coordinated at U.Va. by Dr. Marcus Martin, interim vice president and chief officer for diversity and equity, and his team.

Events in the two-week commemoration of Martin Luther King featured talks, panel discussions, music and film that related to King's legacy through a range of topics from history to health care.

"This year's Martin Luther King Community Celebration exceeded our expectations," University President Teresa A. Sullivan said. "The celebration brought together members of our community to reflect on King's legacy and to discuss our roles in a diverse society. I'm grateful to Dr. Marcus Martin and to the community organizers who planned such a meaningful schedule of events. I hope the conversations that we started this month will continue in the days ahead."

Amiri Baraka (Photo: Cole Geddy)

The Baraka program also included the Black Voices chorus singing the black national anthem and introductory remarks from Maurice Apprey, dean of African-American Affairs, and education professor Patrice Grimes, interim associate dean of African-American Affairs. Baraka, 76, told of how he first met King, a moment immortalized in a photographer's snapshot. For many years the photograph – of a surprised young black activist greeting King at his front door – hung in the Newark, N.J., city chambers, the city where Baraka was born and still resides.

The youngster was Baraka, whose given name was LeRoi Jones (until he changed it not long after this meeting). King had just finished a march in Newark and stopped by to meet this man he had heard of.

He looked tired and was dressed casually, Baraka said.

A week later he was shot dead in Memphis.

The photo was taken down, an office worker told him, some time after Baraka wrote a poem about Sept. 11 that was critical of white, corporate America. Baraka was asked to give up his post as poet laureate of New Jersey or apologize for the poem, but he refused to do either.

He read "Somebody Blew Up America," while periodically drumming on the podium and interjecting a jazzy tune.

"... Who make the credit cards
Who get the biggest tax cut
Who walked out of the Conference
Against Racism
Who killed Malcolm, Kennedy & his Brother
Who killed Dr. King, Who would want such a thing?"

Baraka said he didn't agree with King's nonviolent tactics at the time of the civil rights leader's unexpected visit in the early 1960s, but has come to appreciate him more in his adult years. King had to fight for basic civil rights for black Southerners. In the North, the struggle was more about opportunities for self-determination, Baraka said. Many of the young activists agreed more with Malcolm X – that you treat people the way they treated you, he said.

For African-Americans, losing King and Malcolm X when they were young – both men were 39 when they were assassinated – was a terrible blow, he said. He encouraged students to study the life of Jesus, as well as the lives of King and Malcolm X, and to look at how and why they pushed for changes that were resisted in their day.

He and his comrades never lost their love and respect for King, even when they disagreed with him, Baraka said.

African-Americans need to show a united front these days, he said, an objective he has worked on for many years. He said people should come together to work on the problems that have persisted under the legacy of slavery and intensified in the recent right-wing backlash since the election of the nation's first black president.

He used Texas as an example, where the State Board of Education considered last year whether or not to remove the word "slavery" from textbooks. (The board ultimately voted to modify use of the term, with some conservatives lobbying to replace it altogether with "Atlantic triangular trade." The term was finally changed to the "trans-Atlantic slave trade.")

Some also wanted to omit the 44th American president – namely Obama.

"The resistance to Obama is connected to the same racism from the past," Baraka said. "Although we have made progress and continue to fight the struggle, we still have a ways to go, and we will be opposed," he said, urging college students to take their education seriously.

He encouraged them to continue King's work on economic injustice and civil rights and be prepared to challenge "Obama's enemies."

"What do you think your parents sent you to college for?" he said. "Get the information and skills you need. It's your turn to help."

Baraka is the author of more than 40 books of essays, poems, drama, and music history and criticism. His reputation as a playwright was established with the 1964 production of "Dutchman," which won an Obie Award for best off-Broadway play and was made into a film. His other awards and honors include the American Academy of Arts & Letters award, the James Weldon Johnson Medal for contributions to the arts and National Endowment for the Arts grants.

Baraka and his wife, Amina Baraka, head up the word-music ensemble, "Blue Ark: The Word Ship," and co-direct "Kimako's Blues People," the art space housed in their theater basement for some 15 years.

Romano Encourages Audience to Reach Across Gaps

Arthur Romano, a Rotary International World Peace Scholar who gave a Jan. 24 presentation on King and nonviolence in the auditorium of the Mary and David Harrison Institute for American History, Literature, and Culture and the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, said communicating and making connections despite differences are keys to building community. He encouraged the audience to stretch beyond the comfort zone, as King did when he worked with everyone from sanitation workers to presidents.

"If we don't exercise communication across differences, the skills atrophy," Romano said. He added to the idea of people having a "comfort zone," saying we each have a stretch zone and a panic zone. It's helpful in building community, he said, to recognize the stretch zone, where a person can learn new cultural meanings and contexts.

He distributed a handout with King's principles and steps of nonviolence as a guide to King's philosophy and as a road map for social change. The first principle says, "Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people."

The end result is redemption and reconciliation, he said.

One Last King Talk Set for Feb. 22

Another talk related to King and his time will be held on Feb. 22: Julian Bond and retired magazine reporter and public activist Arlie Schard will give a presentation on "The Civil Rights Movement and the Media" at 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Mary and David Harrison Institute for American History, Literature and Culture and the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library.

UVA Today: News Releases — By Anne Bromley Contact: Anne E. Bromley Senior Writer, Editor (434) 924-6861 anneb@virginia.edu

African American men say doctor visits are often a bad experience

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—A majority of African American men said they do not go to the doctor because visits are stressful and physicians don't give adequate information on how to make prescribed behavior or lifestyle changes, a new University of Michigan study shows.

When they did go, the majority of the 105 men questioned said they disliked the tone physicians used with them. When those men did visit the doctor, they said it was because they were seeking test results or their family encouraged them to go.

Men often said they knew they needed to lose weight, change eating habits or become more physically active before visiting the doctor. They hoped the doctor would help them figure out how to make those behavioral and lifestyle changes without sacrificing time with spouses and children. The men in the focus groups explained that adopting healthy behaviors was more complex than simple motivation and that doctors didn't understand that a healthier lifestyle meant the men had to give up other meaningful activities.

"That's usually not the story that's told," said Derek Griffith, assistant professor in the U-M School of Public Health and principal investigator of the study. Julie Ober Allen and Katie Gunter of U-M SPH are co-authors.

Derek M. Griffith, Ph.D.

"Too much emphasis is on the things that African American men don't do, rather than exploring why they don't do them. The reality is that many men want to adopt healthier lifestyles but face significant challenges beyond health insurance and the cost of care. They are concerned about their health and are more knowledgeable about the changes they need to make than they are often given credit for," Griffith said. African American men die an average of seven years earlier than men in other ethnic groups, and are more likely to suffer from undiagnosed chronic illnesses. Overall, African American men have shorter lives than whites and men of other ethnic groups, said Griffith. In an attempt to understand why African American men don't visit the doctor more often, Griffith and his colleagues at the Center on Men's Health Disparities, housed at the U-M SPH, conducted 14 focus groups with urban, middle-aged African American men in the Midwest.

The findings highlight the need for physicians to offer practical information, resources and support to help men adhere to medication regimens and make lifestyle changes within the context of their other responsibilities to family and community, Griffith said. The findings also suggest that understanding these needs may increase men's willingness to go to the doctor and follow to medical recommendations.

The University of Michigan School of Public Health has been promoting health and preventing disease since 1941, and is ranked among the top public health schools in the nation. Whether making new discoveries in the lab or researching and educating in the field, our faculty, students, and alumni are deployed around the globe to promote and protect our health.

www.sph.umich.edu/ 412 MAYNARD STREET ANN ARBOR, MI 48109-1399 PHONE: (734)764-7260 FAX: (734) 764-7084

Contact: Laura Bailey Phone: (734) 647-1848

African-Americans and the Civil War: Bruised, Battered, But Not Broken

Black History Month at U of M Will Offer a Variety of Events.

Under the theme “African-Americans and the Civil War: Bruised, Battered, But Not Broken,” the University of Memphis will host a full schedule of programs, theater, music, and lectures during Black History Month.

Many of the events are open the public and free of charge.

Black History Month events include:

Tuesday, Feb. 1 – Opening ceremony and presentation of Authur S. Holman Lifetime Achievement Award to Judge Bernice Donald, 7 p.m., Michael D. Rose Theatre;

Wednesday, Feb. 2 – Storyteller Dylan Pritchett, “African-American Life During the Civil War,” noon, University Center Fountain View Room;

Tuesday, Feb. 8 – Play For Colored Girls, 7 p.m., University Center Theatre;

Wednesday, Feb. 9 – Reading and discussion with Marcus Matthews, author of I Am Not the Father, 6 p.m., Rose Theatre lobby;

Friday, Feb. 11, ­– Talk by Nobel laureate Adolfo Perez Esquivel, 4 p.m., University Center Ballroom; Gospel Explosion featuring Deitrick Haddon, 7 p.m., Rose Theatre; Monday, Feb. 14 – A Night of Romance featuring Lil Rounds of American Idol, 7 p.m., University Center Ballroom; Thursday, Feb. 17 – Igniting Excitement, 2 p.m., University Center River Room;

Friday, Feb. 18 – “Food Fight: How to Bridge the Food Divide Before Things Get Really Ugly” with Chet W. Sisk, noon, University Center Fountain View Room;

Wednesday, Feb. 23 – “An Evening With Soledad O’Brien,” 7 p.m., Rose Theatre;

Thursday, Feb. 24 – “A-Train Express: When Harlem Was King and the Music Was Swing,” panel discussion 10-11:15 a.m., documentary film screening 1-2:15 p.m., lessons 6:30-7:30 p.m., band 7:30-10:30 p.m.; various locations in the University Center;

“What Does It Take to Go to Law School?,” 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., University Center Bluff Room;

Monday, Feb. 28 – Closing ceremony with speaker Edward L. Stanton III, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, 1 p.m., University Center River Room.

Parking is available in the Zach Curlin garage, adjacent to the University Center.

More information is available online at www.memphis.edu/multiculturalaffairs/events or from the U of M Office of Multicultural Affairs at 901-678-2054.

"Cowboy Mike" to discuss black cowboys at Troy University

TROY—“Cowboy Mike” will discuss the legacy of black cowboys in the American West during a presentation on Monday, Feb. 7, as part of Troy University’s Black History Month lecture series.

The event will start at 8 a.m. at the Troy Campus inside the Trojan Center Theatre. Admission is free and open to the public.

“Cowboy Mike” is the persona created by Augusta State University history professor Michael Searles to help audiences better understand the Western experiences of black cowboys. As “Cowboy Mike,” Searles dresses in authentic Western gear and displays his collection of Western artifacts including chaps, spurs, lariat and branding iron.

His presentations explore the rich lore of the West while dispelling many myths.

“As ‘Cowboy Mike,’ Professor Searles is more than a lecturer,” said Dothan Campus Library Director Chris Shaffer. “His performance is truly unique and it leaves the audience spellbound while exploring the important contributions made by African Americans to the history of the American West.”

Searles will also appear as “Cowboy Mike” during a lecture at the Dothan Campus on Sunday, Feb. 6, at 3 p.m. inside the Sony Hall auditorium in the Library/Technology Building. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Shaffer at (334) 983-6556, ext. 1320. Press Release. January 27, 2011 Contact: Tom Davis or Matt Clower Troy Office of University Relations 334/670-3196 mclower@troy.edu

Stories of Delaware’s free and enslaved African Americans highlight February’s events at First State Heritage Park

DOVER (Jan. 25) - On Saturday Feb. 5, the First State Heritage Park presents its monthly First “Saturdays in the First State” in Dover. Special highlights include stories of African Americans during three centuries of Delaware history.

Throughout the day at The Old State House, living history performances reveal aspects of Delaware’s African-American history. Syl Woolford, featured speaker at the Delaware Public Archives at 10:30 a.m., speaks about African-American troops during the Civil War and a walking tour at 2 p.m. features stories of the free and enslaved African Americans who lived and worked on The Green in Dover in the 1700s and 1800s. On this tour, visitors will hear about Richard Allen’s journey from slavery to freedom, of Henry Predeaux and the “Dover Eight,” who staged a dramatic escape from the Dover jail in 1857, and of Delaware’s position as a border state during the Civil War.

First Saturday activities also feature the two capitol buildings in Delaware’s capital city – The Old State House, which served as the seat of Delaware’s General Assembly from 1791 to 1933, and Legislative Hall, which has served this function since 1933. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of both capitol buildings from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and also visit the Governor’s House at Woodburn from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tours and exhibits are also available from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Biggs Museum of American Art and the Johnson Victrola Museum.

Admission to all sites and activities is free. Centrally located free parking is available at the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, located at 121 Duke of York Street. For more information about The First State Heritage Park programs, call 302-739-9194 or visit: www.destateparks.com/heritagepark.

First Saturdays in the First State activities on Saturday, February 5:

The First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
121 Duke of York Street
The Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs presents a new exhibit: USS Delaware: An American Battleship. The story of the USS Delaware (1909 – 1924) is told through objects, photographs and ceremonial silver.

Guided Tours of Legislative Hall – Delaware’s Capitol
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Legislative Hall has been the seat of Delaware’s General Assembly, the supreme lawmaking body in the state, since 1933. Tour the House and Senate Chambers as you learn about the legislature and Delaware history. Photo ID is required for all adults entering the building.

Trilogy: A Celebration of African American History
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Old State House, on The Green
(Special living history programs begin at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.)
Experience three living history performances: A Black Man's Journey, A Judge’s Ruling and End Slavery, Stop the War. These short performances bring to life the attitudes of Delaware citizens during the 18th and 19th centuries.

“… And the Grammy Goes To…”
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New Street
Want to see a Grammy Award? The Grammy Awards are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States for outstanding achievements in the music industry. Find out how a person from Dover determined the award’s shape.

Tours of the Governor’s House at Woodburn
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
151 Kings Highway
Enjoy guided tours of Woodburn, the official residence of Delaware’s Governor since 1965, as well as Hall House, the Governor’s guest house.

Civil War Series: The United States Colored Troops
10:30 a.m.
Delaware Public Archives, 121 Duke of York Street
When the Civil War began, African Americans were not allowed to enlist. After Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, thousands of African Americans joined the fight. This program, presented by Syl Woolford, explores the role of the United States Colored Troops. Hear the story of 1st South Carolina Regiment, as well as the famed 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, which included several Delawareans.

Tales of Slavery and Freedom
2 p.m.
Meet at The Old State House on The Green
The Dover Green was a place where free and enslaved men and women lived out their lives, where national decisions regarding slavery were debated, and where a brave group of runaways known as the Dover Eight made a daring escape from the Dover Jail. Learn about Dover’s complicated positions regarding freedom and slavery, and its role as a border state during the Civil War.

Biggs Kids – Seeds of Friendship
2 – 3:30 p.m.
Biggs Museum of American Art, 406 Federal Street
Valentine’s Day is all about sharing our feelings with the ones we care about the most. Create a card that promises to plant the seeds of friendship. Ages 5 to 10. Reservations are required. Please call (302) 674-2111

Self-Guided Audio Walking Tours
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Free audio wands are available at the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center, located at the Delaware Public Archives, 121 Duke of York Street.

The First State Heritage Park at Dover is Delaware’s first urban “park without boundaries” linking historic and cultural sites in the city that has been the seat of state government since 1777.

The park is a partnership of state agencies, under the leadership of Delaware State Parks, working in collaboration with city and county government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector.

Vol. 41, No. 26

Abbie Wilson, The First State Heritage Park at Dover, 302- 739-9194. abigail.wilson@state.de.us; Necia Beck, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9175, necia.beck@state.de.us

IMAGE CREDIT: The Old State House

Eighth annual Freedom Breakfast featuring Mary Frances Early, the University of Georgia’s first African-American graduate, has been rescheduled

Athens, Ga. – The eighth annual Freedom Breakfast featuring Mary Frances Early, the University of Georgia’s first African-American graduate, has been rescheduled for Feb. 14 at 7:30 a.m. in the Grand Hall of the Tate Student Center.

A reception honoring Early also has been rescheduled and will be held from 1-2:30 p.m. Feb. 14 in the cafeteria of J.J. Harris Elementary Charter School, 2300 Danielsville Road.

Early will deliver the keynote address for the Freedom Breakfast, which will include the presentation of the President’s Fulfilling the Dream Awards. The awards honor community members who have dedicated their time to advancing the ideals of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Previously purchased tickets to the breakfast, originally scheduled for Jan. 14 but postponed because of inclement weather, will be honored. Any questions should be directed to UGA’s Office of Institutional Diversity at 706/583-8195.

The J.J. Harris Elementary School reception, which is open free to the public, is being hosted by UGA’s College of Education and the Institute for African American Studies.

Mary Frances Early has been the recipient of a number of awards and honors, including the STAR Teacher Award, Coan Middle School, 1972; Benjamin E. Mays Black Music Heritage Award, 1995; University of Georgia Outstanding Alumna Award, 2000; and the Foot Soldier for Equal Justice (University of Georgia) Award.

The reception will open with a performance by students of the UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music and the J.J. Harris Elementary School Drum Corps, followed by remarks from UGA Professor of History Robert Pratt entitled “Reflections on Ms. Mary Frances Early.” Early will make brief closing remarks. Early completed her graduate studies in the College of Education where she earned her master’s degree in music education in 1962. She went on to receive a specialist degree in 1971. Early taught music, band and chorus for 37 years in Atlanta public schools. She retired in 1994 and became an adjunct music professor at Spelman and Morehouse colleges. She went on to chair the music department at Clark Atlanta University for eight years before retiring again in 2005. J.J. Harris Elementary Charter School was chosen for the reception because the school is a professional development partnership school with the College of Education. Held annually in conjunction with the national King holiday in January, the breakfast is sponsored by UGA, the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government and the Clarke County School District. This year’s theme is “The Power of the Dream: Celebrating Courage.”

Both events are part of the observance of the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of the University of Georgia. For more information, see desegregation.uga.edu/. ##

YEXT CREDIT: University of Georgia: News & Information: Writer: Matt Weeks, 706/542-8024, mweeks@uga.edu Contact: Vanessa Smith, 706/425-3098, vanwms@uga.edu Jan 24, 2011, 16:38

Broadway musical actress to present "How High: An African American Soprano Retrospective"

Broadway musical actress Cicily Daniels will present "How High: An African American Soprano Retrospective" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 8, in Mitchell Auditorium in the Health Professions Center at the University of Southern Indiana. Daniels will perform a song cycle that illuminates her perspective on the African American experience in the American musical form in the 20th century.

Accompaniment will be provided by USI students under the direction of Daniel Craig, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities. The concert is hosted by the Office of the Provost with assistance from the Department of Performing Arts, and is free and open to the public.

Daniels performed the role of Armelia in New Harmony Theatre's 2010 production of Ain't Misbehavin'. New Harmony Theatre is USI's professional Equity theatre.

More recently, she originated the role of Michelle in the off-Broadway production My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding, which won the New York Times Musical Theatre Festival Award for Most Promising Musical, co-starred in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire, and served as the celebrity spokesperson for Nielsen TV.

Cicily Daniels

A native of Potomac, Maryland, her Broadway credits include Disney's The Little Mermaid, All Shook Up, and Rent. She was in the cast of the national tours for Caroline or Change and Rent. She appeared in the off-Broadway productions Irrationals, Skin of Our Teeth, and Revivalwith Sam Harris. Regional theatre credits include Once on this Island, Little Shop of Horrors, and Into the Woods. On television, she played the role of Zelda on Ugly Betty and has appeared on Saturday Night Live and One Life to Live. Film credits include Across the Universe and American Gangster. She also has performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, appeared in numerous commercials, and recorded voice-overs for companies such as Covergirl, Time Warner Cable, EA Sports Active, Softsheen, and LensCrafters.

Daniels graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts in theatre studies with a concentration in performance. She also studied classical music at the Yale School of Music.

During her visit to USI, Daniels will also meet with students and attend classes in the Department of Performing Arts.

Elliot Wasserman, chair of the Department of Performing Arts and producing artistic director for New Harmony Theatre, said Daniels has a "bring the house down set of pipes." "I guarantee Ms. Daniels will prove to be the real thing," he said.

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: USI » News and Information Contact for more information: Wendy Knipe Bredhold Media Relations Specialist, News & Information Services 812/461-5259 email