Moving Past NY-23, Virginia and New Jersey, Republicans and Democrats Need To Stop Fighting And Do This!

Pastor John J. Hunter of First AME Church in Los Angeles On The Importance of Education

Education has been and continues to be the key instrument to move from poverty to prosperity. It remains the ladder to success that all children, particularly low income children of color have been able to climb but the climb is becoming increasingly difficult even with public schools.

The drastic billion dollar budget cuts made by the State of California have had a devastating impact on our public school system with a disproportionate impact on low-income families who cannot afford education alternatives such as private schools.

Budget cuts have forced California school districts to lay off thousands of teachers, increase class size, close schools, eliminate bus service, cancel summer school programs, and possibly shorten the academic year.

Education Week reported that, “California ranks 47th in the nation in spending per student when accounting for regional cost differences, spending $1,900 less per student than the national average. Teachers have been laid off, class sizes have increased and summer school was eliminated for many young people in Los Angeles.

When the option for obtaining a quality education is snatched from our youth, the alternatives are often detrimental, costly and even lethal to society. But when public education is not available, it creates a whole new dilemma. Who would have thought public education would not be readily available for our youth?

For many, the public school system has been the only training ground to become marketable, competitive adults. Without this option, many of us would never have realized the American dream or made positive contributions to our families and communities.

As our children and college-aged students struggle with an uncertain future, what support systems can we provide them? Clearly in these tough economic times we cannot rely solely on government to educate our children so we must take personal responsibility for the youth in our community.

This summer in response to budget cuts and the elimination of many summer school programs by the Los Angeles Unified School District, First AME Church developed and organized our own six week summer school program for youth from South Los Angeles.

Church staff and volunteers created the program, donated the money, organized field trips and recruited youth from the community. The six week program served over 100 young people ages 6 to 12 from South Los Angeles and it was free to all participants.

Each day we focused on the educational basics of reading, writing and math but we also discussed life skills and potential career opportunities for the children. Further, we provided recreational opportunities and opportunities for cultural enrichment.

When we first heard about the possibility of summer school being eliminated for many children in our community we felt an obligation to do something but were uncertain if it could be accomplished in such a short period of time. Lots of prayer, some luck and good old fashion hard work made it possible and at the end of the six week program we made a significant difference in the lives of over 100 young people from South Los Angeles.

If we want to value education and academic excellence as much as we value excellence in sports, we need to change the culture in the community. That change starts in the home but the church can provide valuable leadership as we learned over the past six weeks.

Our summer school experience was rewarding but eye opening at the same time. We discovered firsthand the challenges many youth face getting to and from school in certain neighborhoods and the lack of available educational resources in our community due to, you guessed it budget cuts!

Perhaps President Barack Obama’s election has provided the best example for our youth who can see that an educated mind, combined with hard work and vision, will lead to enormous success. While it is critical that we focus on rebuilding in this economic crisis, we cannot lose sight of our responsibility to protect and preserve California’s most valuable resource – our children.

This may be an opportunity for the faith community to play a leadership role but getting some leadership from Sacramento would certainly be helpful for our youth.


Rev John J. Hunter is the Senior Pastor of First AME Church. With their motto "First to Serve", the oldest Black church in Los Angeles is hosting a Back-to-School giveaway Saturday September 12, and awarding academic scholarships at its Education Sunday Worship Sunday September 13.

With A Black President, Would You Care If After 35 Years, The Next Atlanta Mayor Were White?

The city that became a post-civil rights movement emblem of the political power held by African-Americans could have a white mayor for the first time in a generation — a possibility that has some in the black community scrambling to hold on to City Hall.

Atlanta Councilwoman Mary Norwood, who is white, is one of the front-runners for the Nov. 3 election, along with City Council President Lisa Borders and state Sen. Kasim Reed, both of whom are black.

All three have bristled at a racially charged e-mail circulated by a black leadership group calling for Norwood's defeat before a possible runoff. If the black candidates split the African-American vote, Norwood may find herself in a runoff, where she could benefit.

Atlanta, which has billed itself as "the city too busy to hate," elected Maynard Jackson as its first black mayor in 1973. Blacks who had won the right to vote less than a decade earlier rallied behind Jackson, who forced the city's white business elite to open their doors to minorities and adopted strict affirmative action policies.

His election solidified the voting power of urban blacks, and the city has elected black mayors since. And while blacks have been the majority population and voting bloc in the city for decades, the demographics have changed in recent years.

A large voting bloc — residents in the city's public housing — was erased as Atlanta's crumbling projects were demolished over the past decade. And young professionals, black and white, have flocked to opportunity in the city.

In 2000, Atlanta was 33 percent white and 61 percent black. In 2007, the numbers were 38 percent white and 57 percent black, according to the U.S. Census.

A group of black community leaders is urging black voters to rally behind Borders, whose grandfather desegregated the city's police force and who was recently endorsed by the city's black clergy, to prevent a runoff that could hand Norwood a victory.

In late August, an incendiary and widely circulated e-mail specifically noting Norwood's race began circulating among black Atlantans, encouraging them to back Borders.

"Time is of the essence because in order to defeat a Norwood (white) mayoral candidacy we have to get out now and work in a manner to defeat her without a runoff, and the key is a significant Black turnout in the general election," the message sent by the Black Leadership Forum reads.

Borders is seen as the more formidable challenger to Norwood, but Reed, an Atlanta attorney who ran current Mayor Shirley Franklin's two successful campaigns, was recently endorsed by civil rights icon and former Mayor Andrew Young and enjoys support from the city's young, black professional community.

They and Norwood, a former radio executive who also heads an automated telephone call business, are among 13 mayoral candidates — at least four of them white. Norwood, who so far has not been embraced by any prominent black Atlantans, would be the first white woman to run the city. For eight years, the petite, scrappy 57-year-old has held a citywide post on the 16-member Atlanta council, where she is one of five white members.

Cities with large black populations like Gary, Ind., Philadelphia, Baltimore and St. Louis have all had white mayors in recent years.

By ERRIN HAINES (AP)

Where Does Art & History Intersect? In Florida As The Kinsey Collection Debuts In Tallahassee

"The Kinsey Collection: Shared Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey," is a breathtaking exhibition drawn from the artistic and historical treasures collected by celebrated philanthropists Bernard and Shirley Kinsey. The exhibit is something you have to experience firsthand, as Black culture takes center stage at The Mary Brogan Museum of Art & Science.

At more than ninety rare pieces, the extensive exhibit spans four centuries; cohesively preserving African American history, while also delving into contemporary African American Art through rare books, sculptures, paintings, documents, manuscripts and vintage photographs.

“One of the most impactful elements of this exhibit is the educational aspects,” Bernard Kinsey declares, “We hope that by viewing this exhibit people will leave motivated, educated and inspired.”

The Kinsey Collection was sited as a strong factor for The Norton Museum of Art being a recent recipient of the highest award possible for a Museum, the National Medal for Museum and Library Service for Community outreach and Education.


It will be on display at The Brogan Museum beginning September 11. Don't miss it!

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From Black Report

Michael Jackson's Children, His Music And Now The Real Drama Unfolds!!!

(Click the photo of Michael Jackson to hear the chilling 911 Emergency Call)

Kevin Ross of 3BAAS Media Group paid tribute today to Michael Jackson on his eponymous Internet radio show that featured Lee Bailey of EUR Web and Blogtalkradio CEO Alan Levy. In between the legendary singer's memorable tunes, guests turned nostalgic when talking about The King of Pop's legacy and the future of music overall.

Reggie Calloway, formerly of the group Midnight Star, was one of several callers who paid tribute to the controversial superstar know as well for his sometimes wacky behavior as for a music career spanning five decades and 19 Grammys.

Twice inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Jackson is believed to have sold close to half a billion records with such chart-topping hits such as Beat It, Billie Jean, Black or White, and of course Thriller. On his radio show, Ross erred in stating the Jackson's record sales were at 1 billion.

Speculation remains as to whether former wife and mother to two of the children Debbie Rowe will raised Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11, and Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., 12, after giving up all custody rights in exchange for money.

As to the MJ's youngest, 6 year-old Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. (affectionately referred to as "Blanket"), no word on that child's mother or the role she may want to play in the child's life at this point.

In the meantime, the autopsy on Michael Jackson's body could take up to eight weeks before conclusive results are announced. In the meantime, speculation grows over the circumstances surrounding the death of the Black man who altered his appearance to the point of being unrecognizable.

Police are looking for Jackson's doctor who administered a dose of the drug Demoral that may have caused Jackson to go into cardiac arrest.

Stay tuned folks, this is only the beginning of the circus that without question is about to unleash.

Urban New Media Comes To USC's Annenberg School of Communication