Friday, February 4, 2011

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

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

Thursday, February 3, 2011

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.”

Dr. David G. Carter, Sr., as Chancellor of the CSU System

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. ##

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

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

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.

racial disparities in awareness of chronic diseases

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

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

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. WeemsRenita 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.

Monday, January 31, 2011

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

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

Sunday, January 30, 2011

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.

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

Friday, January 28, 2011

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;

African Americans and the Civil WarFriday, 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.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

"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.”

Michael SearlesSearles 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

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

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.

The Old State House DelawareAdmission 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

Monday, January 24, 2011

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

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

Sunday, January 23, 2011

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

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

Friday, January 21, 2011

"Ask Your Mama: Twelve Moods for Jazz" to be Performed at CGCC on January 27

In celebration of Black History Month, Chandler-Gilbert Community College will present The Langston Hughes Project, "Ask Your Mama: Twelve Moods for Jazz," a free multimedia jazz concert based on a poetic masterwork by poet/playwright Langston Hughes, on Thursday, January 27 at 7 p.m. in CGCC's Performing Arts Center on the college's Pecos Campus.

McCurdy and his live jazz quartet will perform Hughes' soulful jazz poem, "Ask Your Mama: Twelve Moods of Jazz," accompanied by video images of the Harlem Renaissance by African-American artists and photographers, including Jacob Lawrence, Gordon Parks, and Romare Bearden.

The poem, "Ask Your Mama" is an 800-line, 12 part epic poem written by Hughes in 1961, which created his vision of the global struggle for artistic and social freedom in the '60s.

Sponsored by CGCC and the Maricopa Community College District, this performance is free and open to the public.

Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes
Ron McCurdy 2011 Jan 21 For Immediate Release Contact: Trish Niemann (480) 732-7030 trish.neimann@cgcmail.maricopa.edu

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Celebrating the International Year for People of African Descent

The General Assemblies of the United Nations and the Organization of American States have declared 2011 the International Year for People of African Descent. During this momentous year, the U.S. Department of State will collaborate bilaterally and regionally to expand our efforts to promote full and equal participation of people of African descent in all aspects of political, economic, social, and cultural life in the countries of the Americas.

It is estimated that one third of the population in the Western Hemisphere is of African descent. They contribute to our culturally rich and racially diverse region. The largest populations are in Brazil, Colombia, and the United States. People of African descent comprise the majority racial group in the Caribbean, and are a large minority in most countries of the region. Yet they suffer deep inequalities and comprise one of the most historically excluded and vulnerable racial groups.

During the United Nations launch of the International Year for People of African Descent on December 10, 2010, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon recognized that although “the international community has affirmed…the transatlantic slave trade [as] an appalling tragedy…even today, Africans and people of African descent continue to suffer the consequences of these acts.” Analyzing the origins of residual racial discrimination against people of African descent is part of our expanded efforts for 2011 and beyond to cultivate more advanced racial and social inclusion practices in the region.

Celebrating the International Year for People of African Descent

Celebrating the International Year for People of African Descent
Recently, Brazilian and United States law enforcement practitioners, members of civil society, and government officials toured the Word, Shout, Song exhibit at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum showcasing African historical, language, and cultural links among Afro-Brazilians and Gullah-Americans (African Americans off the Georgia and South Carolina coast with a strong preservation of their African cultural and historical heritage). The multi-ethnic group of Brazilians and Americans was captivated by the commonalities in the history of people of African descent.
This kind of cross-cultural experience serves to strengthen our commitment to promote racial equality and equal access to justice through the U.S.-Brazil Joint Action Plan to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Discrimination.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton affirmed that "Our nation's quest for freedom, justice, and opportunity must take place simultaneously here at home and around the world. Because our ability to stand for democracy in other countries depends, in part, on how well we fulfill the dream of democracy right here...And as we work to strengthen existing friendships, we have to demonstrate, by word and deed, our commitment to the full diversity of America, because that is one of our strongest strengths.”

In 2011, the Department of State will further explore our shared regional African Diaspora roots; create awareness of and respect for the diverse heritage, culture, and contributions of Afro-descendents; and participate in diverse forums to advance the rights of people of African descent. As we embark on the International Year for People of African Descent, we look forward to partnering with our diverse region to build a foundation for the integration of people of African descent in all political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of society.

About the Author: Julissa Reynoso serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

African American Cultural Center hosts art exhibition based on Brother Man graphic novel series

African American Cultural Center hosts art exhibition based on graphic novel series

Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia African American Cultural Center will host an art exhibition titled Drawing from the Soul by artist Dawud Anyabwile on Jan. 31 from 7-9 p.m. in the Tate Student Center Grand Hall. The exhibition is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

The exhibition will feature pieces from the artist’s graphic novel series Brother Man. According to Anyabwile, the art infuses the energy, rhythms and flavor of African-American culture to give patrons the sense that they are stepping into the comic world that he has created.

The African American Cultural Center is a program of Intercultural Affairs within the UGA Division of Student Affairs Department of Campus Life.

For more information, call 706/542-8468 or see www.uga.edu/aacc.##

News Release Last Updated: Jan 18th, 2011 - 08:27:47

Dawud AnyabwileWriter: Don Reagin, 706/542-7774, dreagin@uga.edu Contact: LaRetha Spain-Shuler, 706/542-8468, lshuler@uga.edu Jan 18, 2011, 08:20

IMAGE CREDIT: Blogger: User Profile: Dawud Anyabwile

Monday, January 17, 2011

James Tolbert Sr. presented MLK Achievement Award at WVU's King Unity Breakfast

The West Virginia University community commemorated the Martin Luther King Jr. Day by honoring the man who, among his many achievements, fought to make the day a state holiday.

James Tolbert Sr., president of the West Virginia State NAACP for more than two decades, pushed the Jefferson County School Board to integrate its schools, worked to withhold federal funding from towns that flouted the Civil Rights Act, and orchestrated celebrations on the nation’s hallowed ground.

At WVU’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast, Tolbert was recognized with the Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award for his life’s work furthering civil rights, humanitarianism and equality in West Virginia. Sherline K. Montoute, a WVU senior, is the recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. scholarship, also presented at the breakfast.

Tolbert, who retired from the U.S. Veterans Administration in 1988, is a native of Charles Town, W.Va., and graduated from West Virginia State College (now University) with a bachelor’s degree in zoology after serving as a dental technician in the U.S. Air Force.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaking as Edward B. Footmon of the National Park Service looks on Civil Rights March on WashingtonFor more than 50 years, he has fought for the rights of African Americans, beginning with the struggle for integration in Jefferson County schools in 1968. He worked so that his alma mater and historically black college, West Virginia State University, received land-grant status and appropriate funding.

He also lobbied for the employment of African Americans in positions that would have been denied them before the Civil Rights Act.
As state NAACP vice president from 1976 to 1986, he lobbied the governor and the legislature on equality and social justice issues and helped to increase the number of minority-owned businesses in the state.

In the late 2000s when it came time to remember the 100th anniversary of the Niagara Movement, a precursor to the NAACP, he requested that Sen. Robert C. Byrd allocate funding. He did the same in 2009, the 150th anniversary of John Brown’s raid on the arsenals at Harpers Ferry.

He is a member of the Jefferson County Black History Preservation Society, the West Virginia Martin Luther King Holiday Commission, the Community Relations Council of the Harpers Ferry Job Corps, the Jefferson County Economic Development Commission and the Marshall-Holly-Mason American Legion Post #102, among others.

For his lifelong work, Tolbert has been recognized with several prestigious awards. The West Virginia State NAACP presented him with its highest award in 1976, the T.G. Nutter Award. He later received the West Virginia Civil Rights Day Award and the Living the Dream Award, both awards for furthering civil rights in West Virginia.

Montoute, who expects to graduate this December with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, is a McNair Scholar, has worked as an undergraduate student researcher, has held a variety of leadership roles at a private school, and participated in mission trips.

-WVU-

dm/01/17/11

CONTACT: Marjorie Fuller, WVU Center for Black Culture and Research 304-293-7029, Marjorie.fuller@mail.wvu.edu

Sunday, January 16, 2011

‘Manning up’ appears to help, not hinder, African-American male’s health

Whether they see themselves as tough or just self-reliant, men are less likely than women to seek routine, preventive medical care, like blood pressure and cholesterol screenings.

However, a new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill suggests that African-American men delay going to the doctor because they do not trust the health-care system, rather than because they feel the need to display their masculinity.

“Men’s concepts of what it means to be a ‘real’ man are generally shaped by traditional masculine role norms, which encourage men to be extremely self-reliant and these norms often affect their health behavior,” said Wizdom Powell Hammond, Ph.D., assistant professor of health behavior and health education at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and a member of UNC’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. “We’ve seen in other studies that men with strong commitment to traditional masculine role norms delay health care because they don’t want to seem weak.

“But this study shows that the opposite may be true for African-American men,” Hammond said. “Their delays in getting routine check-ups are attributable more to medical mistrust. Their beliefs about masculinity may not always have a negative impact on their use of health care.”

Wizdom Powell Hammond, PhD, MPH

Wizdom Powell Hammond, PhD, MPH
Hammond’s study, “Masculinity, Medical Mistrust and Preventive Health Services Delays Among Community-Dwelling African-American Men,” appears in the December 2010 issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

The study was based on surveys of 610 African-American men, aged 20 and older, recruited primarily in barbershops in the North, South, Midwest and West regions of the U.S. The authors adjusted for possible differences in age, education, income, health insurance, health status and access to a regular physician.

Men with a stronger commitment to traditional masculine role norms were 23 percent less likely to delay blood pressure screening and 38 percent less likely to delay getting their cholesterol checked than men with a weaker commitment to such norms, the research found. On the other hand, men who reported being highly mistrustful of the medical system were more than twice as likely to delay routine check-ups and cholesterol screenings and three times more likely to delay having their blood pressure checked by a physician or health-care professional than men who were less mistrustful.

“What we found is that mistrust of the medical system accounts for delays in using health care, especially among older African-American men,” Hammond said. “The survey results indicated that African-American men consider preventive medical services, like getting their blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked, as a demonstration of masculinity, rather than a denial of it.”

Previous studies have shown that, among adults, men are less likely than women to use preventive health services and wait longer after symptom onset before seeking care. This underuse of preventative services coincides with shorter life spans and more preventable deaths among men than women.

Compared to non-Hispanic white men, Hammond said, African-American men go less often for preventive health visits, are less likely to know their cholesterol levels, have poorer blood pressure control and face greater illness and premature death from conditions that usually respond well to treatments if caught in early stages.

“To improve the health of African American men, we should consider addressing why they lack trust in the health-care system and its providers,” Hammond said. “Health-care providers and public health professionals also might consider leveraging traditional masculine self-reliance in interventions and clinical encounters as a way to empower African American men to ‘seize control’ of their health. This gendered, patient-centered approach could shift power balances, perhaps inspiring greater health-care system trust among African-American men.”

Other authors of the study are Giselle Corbie-Smith, Ph.D., associate professor of social medicine and epidemiology in the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and the UNC School of Medicine; Derrick Matthews, Ph.D. candidate, and Amma Agyemang, research associate, both in the public health school’s health behavior and health education department; and Dinushika Mohottige, student in the UNC School of Medicine.

UNC Men’s Health Lab website: www.menshealthlab.org/

Media note: Hammond can be reached at (919) 962-9802 or wizdomp@email.unc.edu.

Gillings School of Global Public Health contact: Ramona DuBose, (919) 966-7467, ramona_dubose@unc.edu Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center contact: Dianne Shaw, (919) 966-5905, dianne_shaw@med.unc.edu News Services contact: Patric Lane, (919) 962-8596, patric_lane@unc.edu

Saturday, January 15, 2011

NIMHD names first African-American scientific director at NIH

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) announced today the appointment of William G. Coleman, Jr., Ph.D., as the NIMHD’s first permanent scientific director and the first African-American scientific director in the history of the NIH Intramural Research Program. The appointment follows an extensive national search. Dr. Coleman is one of 23 scientific directors at the NIH.

Dr. Coleman has had a long career as a scientist in the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Intramural Research Program and has held a number of positions within NIDDK including research microbiologist, staff fellow and senior investigator. Dr. Coleman’s research spans the realms of basic research and health disparities. His recent research emphasis has been on H pylori pathogenesis. H pylori infection is associated with several clinical pathologies including gastritis, ulcers and gastric cancers. About 10 percent of the U.S. population develops peptic ulcer disease during their lifetime, of which 90 percent of cases are related to H pylori infection. In the U.S. population, infection is much more common among Mexican Americans (62 percent) and non-Hispanic blacks (53 percent) than non-Hispanic whites (26 percent). Non Hispanic blacks are also more likely to be infected with virulent H pylori strains.

William G. Coleman Jr., Ph.D."Dr. Coleman brings a wealth of knowledge and notable scientific contributions to meet the challenges of an evolving health disparities environment. His extensive research repertoire and reputation within the science community will make him a great addition to the NIMHD team. Dr. Coleman’s appointment exemplifies one of the major objectives that we seek to achieve through the NIMHD intramural research program, and that is to add to the diversity of individuals and research disciplines in the NIH intramural program," said John Ruffin, Ph.D., NIMHD director.

As scientific director, Dr. Coleman will direct the overall portfolio of trans-disciplinary research conducted by the NIMHD through its newly established Health Disparities Intramural Research Program. The goals of the intramural program are to:

* Conduct state-of-the-art research focusing on the linkage between biological and non-biological determinants of health in health disparity populations
* Create training and mentorship opportunities to increase the number of intramural researchers focusing on health disparities research including those from health disparity populations
* Contribute to a pool of early stage and experienced investigators that would enhance the diversity of the NIH Intramural Research Program in terms of scientists and research disciplines
* Utilize its successful Centers of Excellence and Community Based Participatory Research Program models to expand health disparities intramural research into urban and rural health disparities communities in order to respond to urgent public health needs, examine high-risk/high impact research opportunities, and establish collaborations for long-term complex research efforts

Prior to joining NIH, Dr. Coleman served as a lecturer at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. and biology teacher in Atlanta. He brings over 45 years of experience to NIMHD. Dr. Coleman received his doctorate from Purdue University. He holds a master’s degree from Atlanta University and a bachelor’s degree from Talladega College in Talladega, Ala. He has written nearly 30 journals and publications. In 2005, Dr. Coleman received the Dr. Philip J. Browning Scientific Pioneer Award.

NIMHD is a part of the NIH that promotes minority health, conducts and supports research, training, research infrastructure, fosters emerging programs, disseminates information, and reaches out to minority and other health disparity communities. For more information on the NIMHD, see www.ncmhd.nih.gov.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation's Medical Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

For Immediate Release Friday, January 14, 2011 Contact: Kester Williams 301-402-1366

Thursday, January 13, 2011

King March slated for Monday

Morehead State University will celebrate the life, dream and vision of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 17.

The theme of the celebration is “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” This year’s theme is a continuation of the themes from the 2009 and 2010 MLK Jr. Unity in the Community Service.

The event will begin with the traditional march at 6:30 p.m. at the Little Bell Tower on the MSU campus. After brief remarks, participants will travel to the Morehead United Methodist Church, 227 West Main Street, for the unity service, which is set to begin at 7 p.m. or as soon as group reaches the church. A reception will follow the program.

The program will feature Dorothy B. Wilson as the speaker.

Wilson is an accomplished businesswoman, having worked in major corporate and nonprofit positions for nearly 30 years. She is regional vice president of the largest Goodwill Industries enterprise in the world and is responsible for 400 employees, more than 45,000 program participants and a $25 million division in Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago. All of the organization’s workforce development, vocational training, senior citizens and disability programs are under her supervision.

Dr. Martin Luther King JrShe holds an MBA degree from Clark Atlanta University and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and economics from Benedict College.

A Milwaukee native, Wilson is currently the international first vice president of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the nation’s oldest African-American service sorority for college trained women.

Following the program, MSU President Wayne D. Andrews and Dr. Francene Botts-Butler, director of Multicultural Student Services, will offer closing remarks.

Additional information is available by calling the Office of Multicultural Student Services at (606) 783-2668.

Offices at Morehead State University will be closed on Monday, Jan. 17, in observance of the national holiday in remembrance of Dr. King’s birthday.

Posted: 1-13-11 Morehead State University 150 University Blvd. Morehead, KY 40351 • 1.800.585.6781

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Submarine Group 2 Hosts Black Heritage Month Gospel Concert

GROTON, Conn. - The Commander of Submarine Group 2 and the Black Heritage Committee seek choirs to help “make a joyful noise” and celebrate Black Heritage Month through music during a Black Heritage Month Gospel Music Concert on Feb. 18 at the Shepherd of the Sea Chapel, 231 Gungywamp Rd.

Currently, the committee is seeking choirs to participate. If you are interested, please RSVP not later than Jan. 21 with your church and choir name and/or soloist representative. Also include your musical needs. All choirs are asked to render two selections; all soloists one selection. Points of contact for this event are Joseph M. Brickhouse Sr., office 860-694-4292/3341, cell 201-463-3867 and Eric Rattler, office 860-694-4451/3341.

We have come to understand that from inception to present day, music has been a part of the trials and triumphs in African-American heritage. Moreover, the church and Gospel music have been the backbone for much of African-Americans culture. Therefore, we want to recognize and celebrate the many contributions of African-Americans to the country and the world by lifting our voices in unity through song and fellowship.

Submarine Group 2Thank you for helping us celebrate an important part of our national heritage.

- USN -

1/10/2011 From Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs