Character Education: Black History Month 2010, Week 4

8/14/2019 Character Education: Black History Month 2010, Week 4

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Afro-American Newspapers February 27, 2010 Character Education/Black History Month 1


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2 Character Education/Black History Month February 27, 2010 Afro-American Newspapers

A publication of the

Afro-American Newspapers

The Baltimore

Afro-American Newspaper

2519 N. Charles Street

Baltimore, MD 21218

(410) 554-8200

The Washington

Afro-American Newspaper

1917 Benning Road NE

Washington, DC 20002

(202) 332-0080

John J. Oliver Jr.

Chairman/Publisher

Character Education Project Manager

Diane Hocker

Character Education Coordinator

Takiea Hinton

Project Editors

Talibah Chikwendu

Tiffany Ginyard

Kristin Gray

Zenitha Prince

Electronic Editor

Melissa Jones

Graphic Designer

Denise Dorsey

Character EducationBlack History Month

Black Economic

Empowerment5

Character Education Profle: BGE

6 The Evolution of the Black Church

8Character Education Prole: College Savings Plans of MD10Character Education Prole: Legg Mason11Character Education Prole: Legg Mason

12 Military Enlistment Paved Way to Self-Determination

14 HBCUs Remain Economically Viable in New Decade15 Character Education Prole: McDonalds16 Character Education Prole: T. Rowe Price17 Character Education Prole: T. Rowe Price20 Character Education Prole: Verizon21 Character Education Prole: Verizon22 Black Economy Scheduled for Bounce Back

Table of Contents


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The Aro-AmericanNewspapers CharacterEducation program is

designed to promote positive charactertraits in our public school students. Eachyear, several corporate proessionals andbusiness leaders join our eort and sharestories that illustrate how the building

o their character not only helps thempersonally but also in the workplace.During Black History Month, theAFRO is delivered to public middleschools across the region includingAnne Arundel County, Baltimore Cityand Baltimore County, Howard County,Montgomery County, Prince GeorgesCounty and Washington, D.C. Eachpublication contains the testimonies oour corporate partners.

How does it work?During the AFROs Black History

Month series Te Aro-AmericanNewspapers most active and soughtater series each year we eature

a Black History and CharacterEducation publication that proflesdiverse corporate proessionals, theirsuccess stories and helpul strategies orplanning a successul career. Each week,eighth-graders rom Anne ArundelCounty, Baltimore City and Baltimore

County, Howard County, MontgomeryCounty, Prince Georges County andWashington, D.C. Public Schoolsreceive the publication at no cost. Tegoal is or students to read the eaturedprofles and Black history content andsubmit an essay connecting what theyvelearned rom a particular profle to

the importance o character building.Winners o the essay contest areawarded valuable prizes to urther theireducation and an opportunity to meetthe corporate proessional they chose towrite about.

Why eighth-graders?Our research shows that by the

eighth grade, most students have startedto seriously think about their careergoals and and are more receptive tothe inormation shared by the businesscommunity.

How can the schools help? Allow the AFROto deliver

Character Education to your school ona weekly basis throughout the month oFebruary. In addition, provide the Aro-American Newspapers in your schoolsmedia center or library on a weekly basisor the current calendar year.

Assist in coordinating the

distribution o the publication withinparticipating school districts.

Identiy a liaison to advise us oninormation concerning charactereducation that can be included in eachedition.

Encourage teachers and students toparticipate in the essay contest.

How do schools beneft?

Te AFROencourages sta andstudents o participating schools tosubmit stories, columns, photos, etc.,about the importance o education andgood character.

During February, all participatingschools receive the Character Educationpublication to assist students in theirlearning o Black history and to urtherpromote literacy.

Partnership opportunityCorporations, nonprofts and other

organizations are invited to becomestrategic partners with this campaign.

By becoming a partner, your companywill help provide the AFROas aneducational tool to eighth-gradersthroughout the region. In addition, yourcompany will illustrate its support orproessional development among todaysyouth.

Character Education 2010


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W

hen African Americans were freed from slavery, they were

released with only the clothing on their backs. Largely having

been kept from educational opportunities, not being able to

own anything, being up to that point chattel themselves and

surrounded by racism, freedom while valiantly earned probably seemed like a

hardship. Te newly freed citizens needed a way to survive and thrive in this land ofopportunity. Tey needed money.

Against the odds, African Americans found ways to earn money, starting

businesses putting the skills and trades learned as slaves to work. From blacksmiths

to seamstresses, African Americans provided services and began to earn. With their

money they bought land, started communities, educated their children and thrived.

As things in the South slowed and jobs especially in manufacturing becamemore plentiful in the North, people migrated across the country, looking for better

opportunities. Some of these people were successful in achieving economic success,

others were not.

Over the years, many organizations have been founded to help people of color

achieve economic empowerment. Many businesses have also been started with that

mission.

For week four of Black History Month, we look at the institutions that have

fostered Black economic empowerment historically Black colleges and universities,

the Black church and the military and discuss the hopes for Black progress when

America recovers from the current recession.


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Everyone has the potential to be a good leader if theyre committed to

excellence. It takes hard work, determination and preparation. But you dont

have to be rich or famous to become a good leader. As a matter of fact, many

great leaders came from very humble beginnings. As the senior vice president ofcustomer relations and account services for BGE, I can tell you from experience that

becoming a good leader starts on the inside.

I am the youngest of four girls, but taking charge of important situations has

always come naturally. I probably inherited this trait from my mother a strong

woman who raised my sisters and me on her own. She wasnt a wealthy woman, but

she taught me the importance of things that money cant buy - integrity, optimism

and self-condence. She was also a strong advocate for a good education.

As a teen growing up in Baltimore City, I witnessed many of my peers make bad

decisions that would have long term consequences. Some misbehaved in school or

cut class; others dropped out of school entirely. Despite these negative inuences,

I knew a strong education would increase my chance for success and that thedecisions I made even as a teenager could have lasting, positive impact. Instead

of following these teens, I pushed myself to excel and chose friends who were like

me - focused on achievement and success. While some students wasted their time

getting into trouble, my friends and I worked hard in class and encouraged each other

to succeed. It wasnt easy, but today, I can proudly say we have all earned college

degrees, have successful careers, and most importantly, are still close friends.

The lessons I learned during my adolescent years are still relevant today. Making

the right choices about people, and doing the right thing are still rules by which I

live.

As an executive leader at BGE, I manage a team with the ultimate goal of

improving customer satisfaction. I push myself and my team to be visionary thinkerswho never settle for the easy way out. With more than one million customers relying

on the decisions that our company makes, it is crucial that my team and I work

together to provide our customers with the best possible service. To do this, we must

carefully plan and effectively execute business strategies to ensure that our customers

have condence in our ability to safely and reliably deliver natural gas and electricity

to their homes and businesses.

My advice to anyone who wants to become a good leader is to remember that

leaders dont simply tell others what to do. They work in partnership with others,

encouraging and supporting them in order to bring out the best in each individual. They treat people

with respect and work as hard as the members of their team. Not only will this type of leadership

help you achieve your goals, but your team will trust you and your decisions more if they feel you are

charting a course that will benet everyone.

Another thing to remember is that no matter what resources you have or lack, education is the

great equalizer. A person with a good education is almost always more qualied to lead than

someone without it. Even after earning a Bachelors degree in electrical engineering and a Masters

of Business Administration, I still challenge myself to learn as much as I can. Whether Im reading

books, attending seminars or listening to an educational CD, Im always learning and improving.

So whether your goal is to lead your student government, your community or even your country, by

working hard and being respectful of others, you are off to a great start. Always remember to maintain

your integrity and never stop learning. Keeping education as a top priority and never letting negative

inuences get the best of you will position you well for success in the future.

Your Power to Lead is Within

Jeannette M. MillsSenior Vice PresidentCustomer Relations and Account Services

Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. (BGE)


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Te most valuable player throughout the Blackliberation struggle ironically began as a means ojustiying the Arican slave trade. Arican Americanstied their hope to the strength o the church duringslavery, the Reconstruction era and throughout

the Civil Rights Movement. Church leaders suchas the Revs. Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph

Abernathy led Blacks to seats in the ront o the bus,at lunch counters and into better classrooms. And,the Black Church was among the frst institutionsowned wholly by Blacks.oday, pastors and scholarsacknowledge that the role o the Black church has

evolved with the times but agree it remains the hearto the Black community.

Speciying that the church is the people asopposed to just the pastor, the Rev. Dr. BowyerFreeman said the Black church was consistentlycalled upon as a means o massive resistance andhas the potential to remain in that capacity as long as

individuals engage in its purpose.Te Arican American church has been central

The Evolution of the Black ChurchBy Melanie R. HolmesAFRO Staf Writer


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to everything that has emerged in the lie

o the Arican-American community,said Freeman, pastor o New St. MarkBaptist Church. Te church is still themost ree agency within the Arican-American community to speak itscollective mind to the powers that be.Its a place where people come and workout their stu. It empowers them to gohigher, do more, dream and act.

One major reason Freeman says the

Continued on Page 9

Regrettably, the preachers who are themost prominent are the most silent on theissues that matter to our community.

Rev. Dr. JamalBryant, pastor ofEmpowerment

Temple, says thatalthough the AfricanAmerican church ismuch larger thanit once was, it hasfailed to addressmany problemswithin the Blackcommunity.

church holds so much weight inthe Black community is becauseBlack pastors have historicallybeen able to speak on behal otheir constituents without ear oreprisal.

However, the Rev. Dr. JamalBryant believes that current churchleaders are no longer utilizing that

power.Te Arican-American church

is larger and more powerul than ithas ever been, the Empowermentemple pastor said, but is not usingits infuence to champion the causeo Black America.

I dont think its as vocal or asactive, Bryant said. Regrettably,the preachers who are the most

prominent are the most silenton the issues that matter to ourcommunity.

Despite the countless issuesBlack Americans ace regularly,Bryant says the church has notchosen a single concern to rallyaround and eels a revival o sorts is

Courtesy Photo


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M

aryland Secretary of Higher Education James E. Lyons, Sr., embodies character

with tremendous goodwill, a wry sense of humor and extraordinary leadership. A

tireless worker, dedicated and loving family man, and a person of strong faith, Dr.

Lyons balances each obligation with strong conviction and humility.

From growing up in the projects of New Haven, CT -- a stones throw away from Yale

-- to his work with the Peace Corps in Ecuador to three stints as a college president at

three different institutions to his current position leading an agency during the worst

economic downturn since the Great Depression, Dr. Lyons considerable character is

tested every day.

Dr. James Earl Lyons, Sr., grew up the son of a single mother who never went to

high school and made her living as a domestic. She mandated that all three of her

children graduate from high school. Through a little bit of fortune, Secretary Lyons

received an offer from the woman for whom his mother had worked for 20 years to pay

for his rst year of college at the University of Connecticut.While Dr. Lyons never seriously thought about college when he was young, he saw

how his wealthier friends neighbors were living and decided life in the projects was

not for him. So, through hard work and dedication, Secretary Lyons went on to receive

his bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees!

Dr. Lyons is humble sometimes to a fault. While always ambitious, he approached

new career advancement with caution. When college presidency was the next step, he

wasnt sure if he was willing to take on such a major endeavor. The connes of a vice

president of Delaware State College (now University) seemed comfortable. However,

he knew he could offer his considerable talents as a compassionate educator at a higher

professional level.That meant Dr. Lyons needed to call on his steely will, courage and willingness to

face the possibility of failure. Sure I was ambitious, Secretary Lyons said. But I

told myself and my family that if I ever did become president, I would never betray my

values and Im pretty proud of the fact that I dont believe I ever have.

It takes courage to make a decision on a series of important administrative matters.

Tackling budgets and trying to meet faculty, staff and students needs while still

demanding excellence is not easy, but Dr. Lyons succeeded with great distinction in

all three of his presidencies. He developed a reputation as a man of such integrity and

effectiveness that Governor OMalley selected him as Marylands Secretary of Higher

Education.It is a testament to his character that Secretary Lyons chose the position of Secretary

of Higher Education rather than retire or pursue other career options. Dr. Lyons felt that

Governor OMalleys policy agenda supported education and that Governor OMalleys

cabinet members will need to provide support for his initiatives. This appointment

was a great opportunity for Dr. Lyons to continue his work in an area where he

had dedicated himself. This governor is a major supporter of higher education,

Dr. Lyons said. He understands that every Marylander who wants to pursue a

postsecondary degree should be able to attain one. Thats what I ght for every day

and he has my back, especially in these difcult economic times.

Leading with conviction, courageand humility

James E. Lyons Sr.Maryland Secretary ofHigher Education


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The Evolution of the Black ChurchContinued from Page 7

necessary to spark a church awakening.We lead in HIV, theres no cry around that. We

lead in oreclosures, theres no cry on that. BlackEntertainment elevision now is highlighting andmarketing ignorance, theres no cry on that, he said.Its not like weve picked one issue over another issue.We have no issue.

University o Massachusetts history proessorMaurice Hobson suggests that some o the postcivil rights generation believes Blacks have arrivedat the ultimate goal o equality and there is nothinglet to fght or. He also said the Black communityhas become less reliant upon pastors or guidance asliteracy rates improve.

Tats how the church has changed, Hobsonsaid, but it remains the cornerstone o the Blackcommunity. For so long, so much o the culture oArican American community has been built withinand on top o churches. [Without the Black church],it would leave aspects o the Black communityhollow.


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In the movie Gladiator, General Maximus tells his army to

Imagine where you will be, and it will be so! Why does the

General offer his soldiers, many who are about to die in battle,

such advice? Are the soldiers supposed to think of themselves

home with their wives, or at the market shopping for food? Is the

mere thought of where one would like to be a guarantee of getting

there? Certainly not, and to assume the answer is yes to any of

the previous questions would be foolish. The General understood

that in order to achieve in life, goals must be set. A person thinksabout what he or she wants, plans how to obtain it, and then

follows the plan. The Generals advice was a reminder to the

soldiers that they should be looking towards their future goals,

and in battle, ghting with the knowledge that only by winning

the ght and surviving would they be able to attain their goals.

Throughout life, a person sets goals. In school, a person

studies in order to earn an A on a test. Over the summer,

an athlete lifts weights in order to perform better during the

upcoming football season. Later in life, people attend college sothey can learn what is needed to take on the responsibility of a

career. Where someone ends up in life has a lot to do with where

they have imagined they will be in the future, and what goals he

or she set along the way.

As an assistant controller for Legg Mason, the decisions I make

affect people throughout the rm. I work with many committees,

prepare numerous reports, and supervise the work of various

employees. My department is responsible for ensuring that the

company follows the law and that the interests of people whoinvest money with Legg Mason are protected.

Because I attended college and graduate school, I was prepared

for the responsibilities of my job. If you can envision yourself

being somewhere, or doing something, you have the ability to

plan and make your future happen. Your goals and your planning

will make you the person that, right now, you can only imagine.

Imagine where you will be, and itwill be so!

Calvin BlandSenior Accountant,

Global Fund Accounting

Legg Mason


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Military Enlistment Paved Wayto Self-Determination

By Dorothy Rowley

AFRO Staf Writer

The illustrious history of Blacks in themilitary traces back to the arrival of slavesin the United States. In fact, there has

been no war fought involving this country in whichAfrican-American soldiers did not participate.

Black soldiers seen here in the Pacifc Theater during World War II.

AFRO File Photo/U.S. Army Signal Corps


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But their trek inservice beginning withCrispus Attucks, whowas the frst American todie in the RevolutionaryWar to a country thathad largely rownedupon their abilities andpotential, has been miredin stark racism. As a

result, recognition overtheir achievements andmoving up in rank hasbeen, or many, a slow andtedious journey.

Retired Army Gen.Colin Powell once recalledin a magazine interviewthat Black people servedtheir nation even when

the nation had not servedthem.

Tey chose a way toshow their commitmentto the nation, and thatwas to shed the samered blood that theirWhite ellow citizenshad shed, Powell said.Tey did it time ater

time, through every one oour wars. And they did itknowing that while in themilitary they would bediscriminated against.

Tough the armedorces are collectively

Continued on Page 23

AFROFilePhoto/U.S.

ArmySignalCorps

Brigadier Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, right, one of many

African Americans who have distinguished themselvesin military service over the decades, received the Dis-tinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritoriousservice to the government. He is seen here talking dur-ing an inspection tour of U.S. Army units in Belgium inFebruary 1945.


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HBCUs Remain EconomicallyViable in New Decade By Kristin Gray

AFRO Managing Editor

Te saga of todays historically Blackcolleges and universities (HBCUs)was birthed in an era teeming with

disparity, fear and oftentimes, hostility.Before the Civil War in 1863, educatinga person of color was punishable bylaw in most southern states and onlythe Institute for Colored Youth nowCheyney University in Pennsylvania and Wilberforce University in Ohioserved the educational needs of AfricanAmericans.

It was with these two storiedinstitutions that the legacy of Black

Continued on Page 18

the totaleconomic impact

of the nationsHBCUs was $10.2billion in 2001.


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If I had to point to an event that was the turning point of my

childhood, it would be my move to Maryland as a teenager. Iwent from just getting through school and not focusing on my

lessons at all, to focusing very hard and positioning myself for the

future that I have today.

After what was already an eventful childhood, when I was 13

years old my younger sister and I came to Maryland to visit our

grandmother for a summer vacation. To come to Glen Burnie, Md.,

from California seemed bad enough for me at 13, but it felt even

worse when I found out wed be attending school in Maryland the

following school year.This was my turning pointthe point at which I discovered that I

was capable of more than I had delivered in the past in terms of my

education. Prior to the move to Maryland, I was just going through

the motions at school. Moving to Maryland I came under the direct

inuence of my grandmother, who instilled the importance of

education. She encouraged us to pursue our education and do well in

school; her view was that people can deny you certain opportunities,

but an education is something that no one can take from you.

As I am sure youve learned for yourself, life can take some twists

and turns. No matter your age, things dont always happen as you

want them to and most of us are impacted not just by our actions,

but by the actions of those around us. Pick up the positive; leave the

negative alone. No matter what your situation, you are in control of

the decisions you make and your attitude while you go through the

circumstances youre in. As I look back on the circumstances of my

life, I can see that God was weaving what is becoming a beautiful

tapestry and its still a work in progress.

I have found that the following character traits can take you a long way no

matter what lessons life throws your way:

Integrity dont give anyone a reason to question your motives, ethics, or

morals.

Personal responsibility you may not control the situation, but you do

control how you deal with it.

Resilience the ability to bounce back no matter what circumstances come

your way.

Choices at Turning Points

Karen MagnessT. Rowe Price


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Iam Art Varnado, Manager of Strategic Initiatives in the FixedIncome Department at T. Rowe Price in Baltimore. My

responsibilities include product development and strategy,

managing special projects to grow our business, and representing

the Fixed Income Department on rm-wide initiatives. My position

at T. Rowe Price requires that I utilize a variety of skills and adapt

to a variety of situations and people every day.

Growing up, I learned to adapt to change by necessity, having

lived in ve different cities before age 18. I have also learned to

adapt to circumstances beyond my controlthings dont always

work out as plannedand you need to make the best of them. Being

able to adapt and to be exible are important ingredients for success.

Adapting, however, doesnt mean selling out or compromising

yourself or your values. In fact, it is a test of your moral strength

and character. It requires strong moral values, good judgment, and

solid communication skills in order to step into a new environment,

demonstrate your worth, and add value.

My participation in sports while growing up, especially running

track, helped me build skills that supplemented my classroom

learning. Track and team sports allowed me to develop a strongcompetitive spirit, a desire to achieve, and the ability to persevere.

There were many times when I didnt feel like completing a track

workout (or even showing up!) but I knew I had to keep the longer-

term goal in mindto succeed and win!

With an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering and

a masters in business administration from Stanford University,

together with the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, my

educational background prepared me for a wide variety of career options. In my current position, it has provided me with

the versatility I need to be a key contributor in a number of areas. Whether in understanding the investment aspects of

the job, in communicating effectivelyboth orally and writtenor in managingproject teams, I rely on my solid educational foundation.

Lastly, I believe in staying connected both as a mentor or role model to others

who are striving to achieve and as a mentee as I open my mind to learn from

other successful people. Young people today have many opportunities to make a

meaningful difference in our fast-paced, ever-changing world. My advice on being

successful is to learn to adapt to change, develop diverse skills so that you are

prepared to step up and be a contributor no matter what the situation, and position

yourself as a signicant link in the chain of achievers.

Adapt to Change, Develop Versatility,and Stay Connected

Art VarnadoManager

Strategic Initiatives

T. Rowe Price


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into perspective, it is interesting to note that in terms o output[revenues], the collective economic impact o HBCUs would rank232 on the Forbes Fortune 500 list o the United States largestcompanies.

Locally, Morgan State University in Baltimore and HowardUniversity in the District were among the top 10 public andprivate institutions with the greatest revenue. Morgan Statepumped $252 million into Baltimores economy while HowardUniversity produced a staggering $1.2 billion that year, making itthe leading private HBCU.

Te signicance o historically Black institutions has not been

lost on the American government, whose White House Initiativeon Historically Black Colleges and Universities works to increasethe schools visibility among ederal organizations and agencies.

In a February interview with Roland Martin on WatchWashington, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan saidPresident Barack Obama has proposed an additional $98 milliontoward HBCU unding and a $4 million increase in Pell Grantsor students attending these institutions in scal year 2011.

Dr. Joyce N. Payne, ounder o the Turgood Marshall College

Fund, a program that provides scholarships or 47 HBCUs,praised Obamas budget provisions, but noted that the presidentsagenda must include paths or students to secure employmentater college.

Securing jobs is the bottom-line or our graduates, said Paynein a statement. With the potential impact o government policyin higher education; our students need jobs, but jobs that willcomplement and broaden their skill-sets acquired in their highereducation ormal training.

HBCU graduates have ared well in a plethora o vocations,including mathematics, engineering and science, sectors thatproduce some o the nations highest-grossing careers. And despite adecreasing number o Black male enrollments at all American schools, astudy entitled Te Wage Earning Impact o Historically Black Colleges andUniversities ound that Black men who attend HBCUs experience greatereconomic advantages than those who attend historically White institutions(HWIs).

Our study shows that Black males have no initial advantage rom

HBCU attendance but that their wages increase 1.4 percent to 1.6 percentaster per year ater attending HBCUs compared to Black males whoattended other colleges and universities, said Dr. Bradord F. Mills, thestudys leaders, in an interview with the Southern Economic Journal.

Te study ollowed HBCU graduates o both genders between 1979and 2004, but ound that while Black male HBCU graduates experiencedincreased lietime earnings, Black womens income was comparableregardless o their collegiate afliation.

Stephan Nahm received aB.S. in Electrical Engineer-ing from the University ofthe District of Columbia in2009.

AFROF

ilePhoto


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My name is Virgilia Tish Campbell-Whitter, and I have a successful career with Verizon as a Tech

Manager for Information Security in the Information Technology department.

As a child, I was raised by positive and loving parents and they made sure they surrounded my

two brothers and me with very positive people. One important place that gave me opportunities to establish

good character was the Langley Park Boys and Girls Club in Hyattsville, Maryland. There I played basketball,

softball and became a cheerleader. Each sport, each person, each coach and each leader had a positive impact

on my life.

There may have been times I lost a game and cried or I may have encountered some set back at work thatleft me with some self doubt about my talents and or my capabilities. Through it all it has been my tenacity and

positive attitude that was instilled in me at an early age that has kept me ahead of the game.

A positive attitude is very important as you go through lifes tasks. When your attitude is positive, it leaves no

room for error or doubt. It is what faith is based on and integrity is woven into. I may not have liked everything

that came my way, but with a positive attitude my challenges became accomplishments and my trials became

my successes. As a result, I was able to earn my under graduate degree from North Carolina Central in Durham,

North Carolina and my Master of Science degree from Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland, and to become

successful in my career with Verizon.

Today, I am a volunteer at the same Boys and Girls Club and I hope to instill positive characteristics within

the young boys and girls of our future.

A Positive Attitude Turns Challengesinto Accomplishment

Virgilia Tish

Campbell-WhitterTechnology ManagerInformation SecurityVerizon


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Leadership is Condence andConcern for Others

Leadership is one of the vital qualities of a successfulmanager. A successful manager will exercise effective

leadership in an organization. As a Local Manager

for Verizon, I oversee the installation and maintenance of

broadband, communications and entertainment services

over our state-of-the-art network. I am responsible for the

development of 21 service technicians. I feel that effective

and fair leadership is showing skills to guide team members,

to encourage them towards attainment of the organizations

goals and making the right decisions in critical times. It is

important for any successful manager to have condence in

his/her abilities, and embrace change. They also must show

a concern for employees by encouraging, reinforcing, and

showing appreciation for their efforts. Following these key

traits has helped me to be successful in my various roles

throughout Verizon.

On a daily basis I must ensure that each technician meets

our daily productivity objectives. I also must perform

monthly quality and safety inspections in order to identify

any coaching or training opportunities for improvement.

I started with Verizon in May of 1999 as a summer

Clerk and was promoted in 2001 to a Customer Response

Supervisor. Since that time, I have held seven different

supervisory positions throughout

three organizations. When I am

not working I attend college

part-time and am an activemember in the PTA. As a proud

single parent of 5 and 10 year

old sons, I also devote my time

to team mom duties through

various sports activities they are

involved in.

Gemlyne MoeLocal Manager

Installation & Maintenance

Verizon


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Black EconomyScheduled forBounce BackBy Stephen D. Riley

AFRO Staf Writer

While ocial statistics arent scheduled to bereleased until early 2011, a survey o minorityowners isnt needed to reveal just how bad thingshave gotten or Black business owners over thepast ew years. Whether its a major corporationor a small time mom and pop shop, mostbusinesses have had a dicult time eluding theeconomic monster that has fat lined sales across

the nation.Just a decade ago, Census Bureau

statistics pointed to Black-ownedbusinesses as the astest

growing segment o new businesses, growing 45

percent between1997-2002.Tirty-eight percent o Black-owned

businesses were ran by women and i locationwas key, then Black company owners certainlyknew where to set up shop as New York,Caliornia, Florida and exas hosted the mostBlack-owned businesses.

Although times have changed, the questiono whether Blacks can be successul businessowners has already been answered. Statistics

have proven that both Black men and womencan not only run their own businesses but

have great success in doing so. World Wideechnology last topped the June 2007issue oBlack Enterprise Magazine as the

nations top-grossing Black-owned business.Companies like Maryland Heights, a resellero I products and services and CAMACInternational Corp., a crude oil, gas exploration,production and trading company both reported

sales o over $1.6 billion in 2007.But success stories or Black owners have

been ew over the last years o an economicstruggle. While certain companies haveremained afoat, a large number o smallerbusinesses such as the ones owned by AricanAmericans have taken a knockout punch.

Most small businesses have been hit hard bythe recession and that would be especially true


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credited with being among the rst U.S. institutionsto pave the way toward integration, it wasnt until1948 that the military was ully desegregated. By thattime, although many Blacks had enlisted out o loyaltyto their country, others viewed enlistment as a means

o attaining greater socio-economic stability.According to retired Cmdr. Gregory Black, a

ormer Navy diver and ounder o a military-orientedWeb site, Blacks in the military looked at themilitary as a source o opportunity, a source o sel-

improvement, and most importantly as a source oeconomics.

However, rom the past to the present, thatplatorm has changed, and Lt. Col. Nathan Banksbelieves its or the better.

Because nowadays, the same opportunitiespresent themselves to any job or position in themilitary, Banks said.Arican Americans are just asequal when applying or getting [top-level] jobs.

He noted or example, We recently

[acknowledged] one o our our-star generals KipWard who came rom an historically Black schoolwhich was Morgan State University, Banks said. Sothe opportunities have presented themselves, andweve been giving the opportunity to do them.

odays military is alsosupportive o proessional

development which spillsover into the educationalrealm.

But its up to theindividual soldier to take

advantage o the militarys oerings, Banks said.I had the opportunity to get my masters degree

at Georgetown University through the military, hesaid. Its implied that i you want to go or it, theeducational benets are there.

or those serving the Arican-American community,Executive Director o the Consumer Federation oAmerica, Stephen Brobeck, said. No one is oering tobail them out as the government has oered to bail outthe banks and general motors.

But struggle oten leads to success. While long-running conglomerates such as Chrysler and CircuitCity have olded, small business owners have turned tonew and more innovative ways on how to be successulduring down times. Online giants like Facebook,Youube and MySpace have laid the blueprint orowners looking to capitalize o relatively inexpensivecommercial businesses while grossing in millions odollars.

As more small company owners nd alternativeroutes to be successul, its only a matter o time beorethe Black economy bounces back.

Teres bad news but light at the end o a long

tunnel, Brobeck said. Te economic situation is direor many Arican-American amilies. In general,things are not getting worse and most expertsare cautiously optimistic there will be slowbut steady improvement over the next twoto three years.Although the recession has fexed itsmuscles against even the mightiest oBlack-owned companies, the Blackeconomy has witnessed worse times.From the induction o slavery to thedeath o Dr. Martin Luther King,Arican Americans have always ound away to bounce back.While most economists have orecasted ahealthy bounce back or a weakened market,as history has proven, the economy isnt theonly one slated or resurgence.

Military EnlistmentContinued from Page 13

Blacks in the military looked at the military as a source ofopportunity, a source of self-improvement, and most importantlyas a source of economics.


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Afro-American NewspapersCharacter Education Essay Contest

The Aro-American Newspapers Character Education

Contest was launched 13 years ago to promote positive

character development among the nations leaders o

tomorrow -- our youth.

We believe good character has to be taught and modeled, whichis why we have chosen to prole local corporate proessionals and

business leaders in our publication.

Te eatured individuals, time and time again, incorporate positive

character traits -- such as honesty, respect, responsibility, courage

and perseverance -- in their everyday lives, proving to be positive role

models in their community.

For the contest, students are asked to read the eatured prolesand choose the one that inspires them most to incorporate positive

character traits in their own lives. Students should then write an essay

that best explains why they chose the article and how they plan to use

what theyve learned to shape their uture.

Essays should be between two and our pages in length (double-

spaced) and must be typed. Essays will be judged on neatness, grammar, punctuation and the

students ability to give insight on what they learned rom the prole.

Judges are impartial volunteers and may include teachers, staf rom

local colleges and universities and the editorial staf at the AFRO.

For more information concerning the Afro-American Newspapers

Character Education Contest, please contact: Diane Hocker, 410-554-8243.

Deadline: April 9, 2010Mail typed essays to:

Diane Hocker Afro-American Newspapers

2519 N. Charles Street Baltimore, Md. 21218

or email them to:

[email protected]

No faxes will be accepted

Cash prizes to be awarded

Eighth-Graders Only

Documents

Character Education: Black History Month 2010, Week 4