Winter Issue 2009

2009–2010

njpac.org 1-888-go-njpac (1-888-466-5722)

Upcoming events

sat, Feb 20 at 7:30Kenny garrett Bandravi coltrane QuartetSax appeal exclusive to NJPAC

sat, mar 6 at 8:00cassandra Wilsonwith special guest esperanza spaldingAn unforgettable night of Contemporary jazz

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebrationfeaturing Smokie Norfulwith special guest speaker the Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowerythe njpac debut of this grammy®, Dove and stellar award-winning singer-songwriter

thursday, jan 14 at 7:00

Michael Garner Digs Into New Role. . . . . . . . . 1

Getting Your Piece of the Stimulus Pie . . . . . . . . 8

NY/NJ Minority Suppliers Awards Gala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

CONTENTSW i n t e r 2 0 0 9 – 1 0

&also inside

FeaturesCelebrating the MLK Holiday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Vernon Williams: Pastor on Deck. . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Israel Embraces Ethiopian Jewry . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Dr. Marco Mason Honored . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Newark’s Monsignor Nwaorgu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

NBUF: Black Philanthropy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Visiting the White House. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Harlem Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Guest Editorial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9My View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10From the Heart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Single, Satisfied & Saved . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Gospel Train . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51Ask Dr. Palmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58The Fitness Doctor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60The Way Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69The Last Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Special Section

20COVER STORYAndrew Young:Reflections of MLK

Cover L-R: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rev. Ralph Abernathy,and Rev. Andrew Young Photo: Corbis

CAMPUS LOCATIONS■ CNR BROOKLYN CAMPUS

at Restoration Plaza1368 Fulton StreetBrooklyn, NY 11216718.638.2500

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■ CNR NEW ROCHELLE CAMPUS29 Castle PlaceNew Rochelle, NY 10805914.654.5528

■ CNR ROSA PARKS CAMPUS144 West 125th StreetNew York, NY 10027212.662.7500

BROOKLYN I THE BRONX I MANHATTAN I WESTCHESTER

VISIT WWW.CNR.EDU I E-MAIL [email protected]

ACCELERATED BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE PROGRAM FORWORKING ADULTS 21 AND OVER■ Convenient day, evening, and weekend classes

■ Attend two classes per week for full-time status

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Due to the unprecedented success experienced as a

collaboration of churches, in the Borough of churches,

the founding and organizing pastors of Brooklyn

Congregations Together (BCT) have called for a time of

reflection, reevaluation and preparation. Our Lord Himself

did so even with the Apostles. Therefore, the year 2010, we

have chosen to operate on a reduced calendar!

The Martin Luther King observance (Friday, January 15, 2010),

the Palm Sunday Parade and Worship Service (Sunday, March

28, 2010) and our work with 32BJ shall continue. All other

programming will be put on hold!

Our immediate goals are to set schedule for reflection,

reevaluation and preparation, for ourselves, the Men’s

Division, Women’s Division and our Youth.

This is a needed time for prayer, study, self examination and surely

preparation!

We are asking all designated leaders to prepare for the schedul-

ing of such times. The BCT headquarters will be primary site

for these gatherings.

We thank God for all that has been done through us thus

far, and we do not believe that God has brought us this far to

leave us. We will put as much energy and time as necessary

into becoming even better instruments in possession of the

Holy Spirit for the future.

Together in the Spirit of the King,

BCT Pastors

Officers President & Founding Member

Rev. Lawrence Aker Cornerstone Baptist Church

Vice President & Founding

MemberRev. Dr. Daran Mitchell

First AME Zion Church

Servant-Leader & Founding Member Rev. Dr. Johnny R. Youngblood

Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church

Group Counselor/Moderator &

Organizing Member Rev. Dr. Clive Neil Bedford Central Presbyterian Ch

Founding MembersRev. Henry Cabbagestalk III,

Pentecostal House of Prayer

Rev. Frederick Ennette Bedford Central Presbyterian

Bishop Eric Figueroa New Life Tabernacle Rev. Clinton M. Miller Brown Memorial Baptist Church

Organizing MembersRev. Amziah James Brighter Way Baptist Church

Rev. Jesse Sumbry King Emmanuel Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Curtis Whitney

Mt. Sinai Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. David Hampton

Bethany Baptist Church

Rev. David K. Brawley St. Paul Community Baptist Ch.

Rev. Steven Carter Mt. Ararat Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. James Thornton

Salem Missionary Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. James Green Universal Baptist Church

Rev. Melvin Anderson Another Chance Ministries

Rev. Shaun Lee Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church

Rev. G.T.M. Jones Greater Zion Shiloh Baptist Ch

Rev. Anthony L. Trufant

Emmanuel Baptist Church

Mailing Address:Brooklyn Congregations Together

c/o Cornerstone Baptist Church

574 Madison Street Brooklyn, NY 11221

Telephone: 718-636-7628

Email: [email protected]

[email protected]

Website: www.bctinc.org

B r o o k l y n C o n g r e g a t i o n s To g e t h e r

F o u n d e d 2 0 0 6

GREAT TO PROGRESS

T he following clergy organizations, churches, community businesses and institutions have committed to the purchase of at least one hundred

magazines per month at $1.00 each (50% off the cover price) or support this publication through the purchase of advertising for their events,

services or consumer products. THIS IS ONLY A PARTIAL LISTING.

All of the above have embraced a practical community building ideal that encourages self acceptance, self reliance and self

respect.Enroll your church, business, school or organization today. Contact The Positive Community at 973-233-9200 or e-mail

at [email protected]. Building community and economy dollar by dollar. Join the Great Roll Call to Progress

today because a positive community is everybody's business . . . it really pays to care!

C ALLOLLRBlack Ministers Council of NJ

Rev. Reginald T. Jackson, Exec. Director

Beulah B.C., Newark, NJ

Rev. Gerald L. Dickson, Pastor

Bethany B.C., Brooklyn, NY

Rev. Dr. David Hampton, Pastor

Office of Black Ministry

Archdiocese of New York

Brother Tyrone Davis, Exec. Director

General Baptist Convention, NJ

Rev. Dr. Guy Campbell, President

United Black Clergy of Westchester Inc.

Rev. Dr. Franklyn W. Richardson, Pastor

Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Harlem

Rev. Charles A. Curtis, Pastor

Harlem Congregations for

Community Improvement (HCCI)

Lucille McEwen, President & CEO

Manhattan District AME Churches

Rev. Harold Rutherford, Presiding Elder

Greater Zion Hill B.C., Harlem

Rev. Dr. Frank J. Blackshear, Pastor

Greater New Hope Missionary B.C., NYC

Rev. Joan J. Brightharp, Pastor

Calvary Baptist Church, Garfield, N.J.

Rev. Calvin McKinney, Pastor

Salvation & Deliverance Church, Harlem

Apostle William Brown, Pastor

Grace B. C., Mt. Vernon, NY

Rev. Dr. Franklyn W. Richardson, Pastor

Paterson’s Pastor’s Workshop*

Rev. Dr. James Kuykendall, President

Nazarene Congregational Church,

Brooklyn—Rev, Conrad B. Tillard, Pastor

St. Paul Community B. C., Brooklyn

Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, Pastor

Rev. David K. Brawley, Pastor Successor

Childs Memorial COGIC, Harlem

Bishop Norman N. Quick, Pastor

St. John AME Church, Harlem

Rev. James E. Booker Jr., Pastor

The New Hope B. C., Newark

Rev. Joe Carter, Senior Pastor

Greater Allen Cathedral, Queens, NY

Revs. Floyd and Elaine Flake, Co-Pastors

St. Matthew AME Church, Orange, NJ

Rev. Reginald T. Jackson, Pastor

The Cathedral International,

Perth Amboy, NJ

Bishop Donald Hilliard, Pastor

St. James AME Church, Newark, NJ

Rev. William L. Watley, Pastor

Paradise B. C., Newark, NJ

Rev. Jethro James, Pastor

Fellowship Missionary B, C,, Newark, NJ

Rev. E.T. Byrd, Pastor

Community Church of God, Plainfield, NJ

Rev. Dr. Shirley B. Cathie., Pastor Emeritus

Abyssinian B. C., Harlem

Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III, Pastor

Metropolitan B. C., Newark, NJ

Rev. Dr. David Jefferson, Pastor

Masjid Imam Ali K. Muslim, Newark, NJ

Imam Akbar Muhammad

Concord B.C., Brooklyn, NY

Rev. Dr. Gary V. Simpson, Senior Pastor

St Luke B. C., Paterson, NJ

Rev. Kenneth D.R. Clayton, Senior Pastor

First B.C. of Lincoln Gardens,

Somerset, NJ

Rev. Dr. DeForest (Buster) Soaries, Pastor

Christian Love B..C, Irvington, NJ

Rev. Ron Christian, Pastor

Canaan B. C. of Christ, Harlem

Rev. Thomas D. Johnson, Pastor

Berean B. C., Brooklyn

Rev. Arlee Griffin Jr., Pastor

Mt. Neboh Baptist Church, Harlem, NY

Rev. Dr. Johnnie Green Jr., Pastor

Bethany B.C., Newark, NJ.

Rev. Dr. M. William Howard, Senior Pastor

The Bozeman Law Firm

New York Urban League

The United Way of Essex

and West Hudson

University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ

The Sharing Network

The College of New Rochelle

Essex County College, NJ

New York Theological Seminary

Newark School of Theology

City National Bank

125th St. BID

Businesses & Organizations

Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce

Schomburg Center

American Diabetes Association

Birdel's Tapes & Audio, Brooklyn

New Jersey Performing Arts Center

Windows Over Harlem

African American Heritage Parade

Committee, NJ

Razac Products Co., Newark, NJ

Amerigroup New Jersey, Inc.

Davis Chiropractic, NJ

Apel Travel/Alken Tours, Brooklyn

WBGO-88.3FM

WKMB-1070AM

Inner City Broadcasting

African American Muslims for

Interfaith Relationships (AAMIR)

The Committee to Preserve Our

Heritage and Tradition—Harlem,

Muhammad Idris, Chair; Anna

Muhammad, Committee Member

Community Bank of Bergen County,

Garfield, NJ

Mildred Crump, Newark City Council

American Heart Association,

Northern NJ

Medgar Evers College

Carver Federal Savings Bank

New Brunswick Theological Seminary

NAACP, NY State Conference*

NAACP New Jersey*

National Black United Fund*

MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!

THANKS FOR YOUR

SUPPORT!!!

* New to the Roll Call

World Gospel Music Association

Dr. Albert Lewis, Founder, Newark, N.J.

Shiloh B.C., Plainfield, NJ

Rev. Dr. Gerald Lamont Thomas, Pastor

Community B.C., Englewood, NJ

Rev. Dr. Lester Taylor, Senior Pastor

Walker Memorial B.C. Bronx, NY

Rev. Dr. J. Albert Bush Sr., Pastor

Rev. Ben Monroe, St. Albans, NY COGIC*

New Jerusalem B.C., Queens, NY*

Rev. Dr. Calvin Rice, Pastor

New Zion B.C., Elizabeth, NJ

Rev. Kevin James White, Pastor

Mother A.M.E. Zion Church, Harlem

Rev. Dr. Gregory Robeson Smith, Pastor

Thessalonia Worship Center, Bronx, NY

Rev. Dr. Shellie Sampson, Pastor

Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Peekskill, NY*

Rev. Adolphus Lacey, Pastor

Friendship Baptist Church, Harlem, NY*

Rev. James A. Kilgore, Pastor

Newark Dist. of AME Church, Newark, NJ*

Howard Grant, Presiding Elder

First Bethel Baptist Church, Newark, NJ*

H. Grady James III, Pastor

PNC Bank

Celebrating 225 Years of Theological Education Oldest Seminary in North America

www.thepositivecommunity.com Winter 2009–10 The PPoossiittiivvee CCoommmmuunniittyy 9

guesteditorialUnderstanding King’s Dream in the Age of Barack Obama

In his lecture after receiving the Nobel

Peace prize in Winter 2009–10

President Barack Obama attributed his

political success to the leadership, vision

and sacrifice of Martin Luther King, Jr. In

so doing he articulated the deep sentiment

that inspired many people to support his

presidential candidacy and contribute to

the greatest political reversal ever experienced by an oppressed

people. There is no doubt that the election of Barack Obama

is the most dramatic manifestation of Dr. King’s sublime opti-

mism and prophetic gifts. Who else besides King really believed

in 1963 that skin color would ever be an insignificant factor in

America—especially in a presidential election during the life-

time of Kings children? Three of Martin King’s children were

eyewitnesses to this glorious achievement. And the world stood

in awe of a nation whose Supreme Court had once defined the

forebears of Mr. Obama as being only sixty percent human and

now would have a descendant of that legacy appoint its future

members. What a miracle in our lifetime!

But there is a growing undercurrent of frustration with

President Obama among African Americans that is bubbling to

the surface of our discourse. The crass depiction of the conver-

sation is the question “is Obama black enough?” A more analyt-

ical approach to the Obama presidency has begun asking

whether or not we have elected Bush III or a tanned version of

Bush Lite. The questions are generally murmured quietly in

black circles even as pollsters document the bedrock support

that the President has among black voters. So how do we assess

the status of Dr. King’s dream in the light of having elected our

first black President?

First, it is completely possible to celebrate the historic signifi-

cance of President Obama while holding his administration

accountable on issues raised by Dr. King. Remember—Dr. King’s

dream was much larger than the inclusion of individual black

people in historic positions. In fact, the ascendency of individu-

als into positions of influence and power has always been a strat-

egy and not a goal. The color or party affiliation of a political

leader does not matter at all if that leader does not pursue an

agenda that addresses the critical problems of the day.

And for King the prevailing question was one of justice:

When would all Americans have equal access to the rights and

opportunities available in this great nation? And how would this

nation resolve the lingering effects of systemic injustices that

are the cause for the disparities that exist in so many areas

today? In response to these questions, having a black president

is not as important as it is to have a president that will have the

right priorities. And when Mr. Obama’s priorities reflect a com-

mitment to his political interests over his commitment to

answering these questions, the legacy of King compels us to

help him change his priorities just as Dr. King helped

Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.

But what is also important to remember is that Dr. King’s

dream made some assumptions about black people and our

internal values as a people. Dr. King espoused a doctrine of

“revolutionary excellence” where black people would do every-

thing possible to strive and achieve in spite of the injustices

heaped upon us. When he challenged the larger society to see

beyond the prejudiced view imposed upon us by skin color, he

added by inference a challenge to black people to offer as an

alternative the calling card of the content of our character.

King assumed that if we gained the right to vote that we would

vote. That if we gained the right to attend the schools of our

choices that we would have the desire to learn. He never imag-

ined that we would undermine—by our own behavior, lack of

motivation or failure to act—the rights that he fought for us to

have. King never foresaw our enslavement to the consumer cul-

ture and personal debt. Nor did he ever envision a day when we

would be more afraid of violence in our neighborhoods than

we were of violence inflicted by the Ku Klux Klan.

And these are issues that cannot be resolved by a black presi-

dent. These are matters that must be addressed in a manner not

unlike the emergence of the movement that King led—local

efforts responding to similar problems all over the country.

The election of Barack Obama closes one of the ugliest

aspects of one of the most glaring contradictions of our young

democracy. But there are many chapters that remain: Those

that have been written by the United States government—we

should expect and demand leadership from our President and

those that are self imposed—we should expect and demand

leadership from ourselves.

BY DEFOREST B. SOARIES, JR.Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, NJ

MLK: A Profile in Courage

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. possessed the courage to

live and the courage to die. His tenacity to do both

speaks volumes about this great man who could

have, to use the black church vernacular, lived on a flow-

ery bed of ease, but instead chose to fight for his people—

black people, poor people, disenfranchised people. And

we are all the better for having had him in our midst, if

only for 39 years.

I was conversing with a longtime friend and she

recalled having told her three children to exit this world

having made it better than it was when they first entered.

Suffice it to say King did exactly that. His was an upscale

life by anybody’s standards. Yet, he chose the way of the

cross and carried his cross daily as Jesus admonished all

believers to do. His cross was to love when that love was

not reciprocal from many. Sure, many who lived through

those tumultuous times will tell you they were followers of

“The King of Love” as Nina Simone referred to him while

paying tribute in song. But, truth be told, he often was

called disparaging names like, “handkerchief head,”

“Uncle Tom” and “Martin Loser King”—and those were

some of the better things said about him.

He never lost his focus. Amazing. He never lost his pen-

chant to love, not because he was loved back, but because

this was and still is God’s mandate for those who follow

Him. King, I dare say, might be a bit miffed at the apathy

that has reared its ugly head in black America. Black

men—many of them marched to Washington, but some

of those same men have not found their way to march to

the corners of the asphalt jungle and help to put an end

to the slaughter on street corners of Anywhere, USA.

Many of our black sisters have demeaned themselves

for 15 minutes of fame on cable TV and 30 pieces of sil-

ver—all to shake their behinds before a world that already

decided to despise people of color just because of an acci-

dent of birth.

Martin would be pleased about President Obama, I’m

sure, but would he be pleased about some of the stances

our president has or has not taken in some instances?

REV. THERESANANCEMY VIEW

Rev. Nance is pastor of The Church by the Side of theRoad in Passaic, NJ. She is also a radio talk show hostand documentary filmmaker.

LISTEN TO THE POSITIVE COMMUNITY HOURON WKMB 1070 AM HARVEST RADIO, MONDAYS, 1:30–2:30 P.M. WITH HOSTTHERESA NANCE.

10 The Positive Community Winter 2009–10 www.thepositivecommunity.com

What good is it to laud the legacy of this man if we who

remain won’t move forward to go one better? I recall on

“brother” Gil Noble’s Sunday show watching Ambassador

Andrew Young, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth and Rev. C.T.

Vivian openly weep when they remembered what King

gave up because he loved in spite of the struggle and

hatred he faced throughout his short but meaningful life.

I weep, too, but not for the same reason. I weep because

I see my beloved community regressing in so many areas

where we should be at the forefront. But, we press on. We

persevere. We agitate. We march. We demand. We do

those things because King and others like him thought it

not robbery to have their lives shortened so we could have

the privileges they never lived to see.

Dr. Clifford B. Janey, Superintendent“These people reported to the principal’s office on November 13, and made a difference in the life of a Newark Public Schools’ student.”

Abington AvenueDennis Torsiello - Principal

Santiago Paniagua - President - Dominicana News EnterprisesJulia Castro - Dominicana News Enterprises

Academy of Vocational CareersDr. Glen Wilson - Principal

Rory Sparrow - Former New York KnicksLarry Glover - The Glover Group

Alexander StreetJacqueline Blamo-Hawthorne - PrincipalLatina Byrd - Newark Fire Department

American History HighRobert Gregory - Principal

Mayor Cory A. Booker - City of NewarkRev. Dr. Forrest Pritchett - Program Director - Seton Hall University

Ann StreetLinda Richardson - Principal

Eliana Pintor - The Newark Public Schools Advisory Board

Arts HighDr. Norma Fair-Brown - Principal

Divad Sanders - SLAM Global Enterprises

Avon AvenueDenise Cooper - Principal

Gwen Williams - Essex County Courts

Barringer HighDr. Jose Aviles - Principal

Steve Adubato, Sr. - North Ward Center

Barringer 9th Grade AcademyNelson Ruiz - Interim Principal

Dr. Alfred Davis - Davis Chiropractic

Belmont RunyonDorothy Handfield - Principal

Pastor Vincent Rouse - Pleasant Grove Baptist Church

Benjamin FranklinSusan Taylor - Principal

Mary McCraw - One Newark Education CoalitionRaymond Ocasio - LaCasa de Don Pedro

Bragaw AvenueTony Motley - Principal

Richard Uniacke - Community Food Bank

Branch BrookJoseph Cullen - Principal

Lou LaSalle - St. Barnabas Hospital

BroadwayAlejandro Echevarria - Principal

Charlie Rubin - Amelior FoundationSenator Theresa Ruiz - NJ State Senate

Burnett StreetRoy Wilson - Principal

Juan Rivera - The Newark Public Schools Advisory Board

Camden MiddleDr. Shirley Brewton - PrincipalCelia King - Leadership Newark

Marques-Aquil Lewis - The Newark Public Schools Advisory Board

Camden StreetLaVonne Pack - Principal

Patricia Barksdale - Bank of America/Merrill Lynch

Central HighRas Baraka - Principal

Anne Jacobson - Victoria FoundationDr. Antoinette Ellis - NJ City University

Chancellor AvenueEugene Brown - Principal

Anthony D. White - Parental Involvement Exchange

Chancellor Annex Eugene Brown - Principal

Rhonda Auguste - The Wight Foundation

Cleveland StreetZakiyyah Abdul Razzag - Principal

Steve Marshall - Home DepotIrene Cooper-Basch - Victoria Foundation

Dayton StreetRon Karsen - Interim Principal

Ethan Collins - Bank of America/Merrill Lynch

Dr. E. Alma FlaggJames Mitchell - Interim Principal

Gem Tullock - WBGO

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Anita Ziyad - PrincipalSharon Fisher - Emblem

Saundra Rogers - Council for Airport Opportunity

Dr. William H. HortonKimberly Wright-White - PrincipalDarwin Walker - Pennoni Associates

East Side HighDr. Mario Santos - Principal

Lee Jorge - Dale Insurance GroupRebecca Nackson - Audible.com

Eighteenth AvenueBarbara Ervin - Principal

Reggie Thomas - Anheuser BuschZondra Sykes - The Club House

Elliott StreetEva Ortiz - Principal

Paula Baratta - Newark Public Library

Fifteenth AvenueMalcolm Outlaw - PrincipalChris Hilabrant - T-Mobile

First AvenueKathy Duke-Jackson - Principal

Jerome Robinson - Nicholson Foundation

Fourteenth AvenueAlyson Barillari - Principal

Isaiah Mobley - Wakefern Food CorporationBrenda Sherman - McCarter & English

George W. CarverWinston Jackson - Principal

Damian Santamauro - Attorney

Harriett TubmanDeborah Davis-Terrell - Principal

Craig Drinkard - Victoria FoundationSteve Adubato, Sr. North Ward Center

Hawkins StreetJoseph Rendeiro - Principal

Arcelio Aponte - City of Newark

Hawthorne AvenueLaShawn Gibson-Burney - Principal

Issac King - Brantley Brothers

Ivy HillKeith Barton - Principal

Mildred Antenor - Seton Hall University

John F. KennedyDr. Glenda Johnson-Green - PrincipalBrian Feinstein - Payless Shoe Source

Lafayette StreetMaria Merlo - Principal

Anthony Azevedo - Pereira & Azevedo, LLC

LincolnJames Montemurro - Principal

Deborah Jones - Chubb Group of Insurance Companies

Louise A. SpencerKevin Guyton - Principal

Ronald Glover - Newark Police Department

Luis Munoz MarinArmando Cepero - Interim PrincipalBarbara Kukla - Sole Practitioner

Madison AvenueJennifer Carlisle-Peters - Principal

Milton Balkum - United Way of Essex

Malcolm X ShabazzDr. Donna Marable - Principal

Maple AvenueDeneen Washington - Principal

Paula Sabreen - Family Connections

McKinleyCarolyn Granato - Principal

Marie Moore - Cogswell Realty

Miller StreetShakirah Miller - Principal

Etta Denk - Bank of America/Merrill Lynch

Mount VernonBertha Dyer - Principal

Reginald Burch - SLAM Global EnterprisesDesarie Ball - TD Bank

Newark VocationalDeborah Mitchell-DeBerry - Principal

Miles Berger - Robert Treat Hotel

Newton StreetJames V. Carlo - Principal

Courtney Allen - Unitarian Universalist Congregation

NJ Regional DayCharles Manzella - Principal

Adrianne Davis - North Ward Center

Oliver StreetMariana Golden - Principal

Augusta C. DaRocha - Millennium Bank

Park ElementarySylvia Estevez - Principal

Ilicia Watkins - Pepsi Bottling GroupAmy Dietrich - Pepsi Bottling Group

Peshine AvenueWanda Brooks-Long - Principal

Winston Jones - Focus Point Communications

Quitman StreetJacquelyn Hartsfield - Principal

Tharien Arnold - The Newark Public Schools Advisory Board

Rafael HernandezJuan Carlos Ruiz - Principal

Sharon Salvador - SLAM Global Enterprises

Ridge Street/Early ChildhoodEmil Garruto - Principal

Michele Sceppaguerico - North Ward Center

Roberto ClementeYolanda Mendez - Principal

Roseann Isasi - Pepsi Bottling GroupStacey O’Rouke - Pepsi Bottling Group

Roseville AvenueRose Serra - Principal

Dina Fede - Alcatel-Lucent Technologies

Samuel L. BerlinerWilliam Heady - Principal

Alison Bryant - Windsor Gardens Care Center

Science ParkLamont Thomas - Interim Principal

Christian Benedetto, Jr. - Hopkins, Sampson & Brown

South 17th StreetClarence Allen - Principal

Carla L. Thomas - New Jersey State Police

South StreetKaren George-Gray - Principal

Barry Carter - The Newark Star-Ledger

Speedway AvenueGerald Samuels - Principal

Rhonda Wilson-Duncan - TD Bank

Sussex AvenueJoAnn Gilmore - Principal

Felipe Chavana - Newark Legal ServiceEric Friedman - FOCUS

Technology HighMona Dana - Principal

Josh Weston - ADPDr. Monique McRipley Ollie - Johnson & Johnson Pharmacy

Thirteenth AvenueLynn Irby-Jackson - Principal

Awilda Perez - FOCUSWilliam Stephney - Joseph Media, Inc

University HighClaude Bey - Principal

Donyea Hoffman - Clinton Hill Community Resource Ctr.

Weequahic HighJohn Tonero - Principal

Oscar S. James II - City of Newark

West Side HighDr. Kevin West - Interim Principal

Joe Carter - New Hope Baptist ChurchStanley Weeks - City National Bank

West Side 9th Grade AcademyDara Crocker - Vice PrincipalSabur Guy - City of Newark

Wilson AvenueMargarita Hernandez - Principal

Luis Nogueira - Exit Realty Lucky Associates

Thank you to more than 100 influential businessleaders who spent November 13 as a principal for a day in one of Newark’s 75 public schools. They join the more than 500 pioneers who, since 1996, have served as Principal for a Day. And because of their commitment to public school education, the Newarkcommunity now knows what a difference a day makes in the life of a child. To become a Principal for a Day, call (973) 733-7360 or visit www.nps.k12.nj.us.

It might seem presumptuous of me to tell the King

of Kings who created the universe and gave breath-

to my being that I accept His will for my life. But

the losses and pain that will come to me through life’s

trials are OK with me. Others may find it difficult to

understand my attitude, however I know that my

Savior suffers with me when I am in pain and that He

cries with me. In His word He promises to wipe away

our tears (Isaiah 25:8) and to give believers everlasting

joy. Thus far, His words are true—and He has given

me the unspoken desires of my heart.

Because He has promised to never leave me

(Hebrews 13:5), I know He walks beside me forever.

His word warns us that we will have tribulations, but

He tells us to lay our burdens upon Him and He will

give us rest (Matthew 11:30 & John 16:33).

In my despair over her death, I had anticipated that

without my beloved daughter this would be the most

difficult holiday season of my life. But His grace is

healing my heart each day and I have survived the ulti-

mate loss. What was once the most excruciating pain I

could have imagined has evolved into a gentle tug of

the remembrances of the 47 Christmases we had that

make me smile.

So I want to tell him, “It’s OK, Lord. I miss her but

I know she is in glory with you. Thank you for drying

my tears. Thank you for giving her eternal joy. I see

and feel your love and compassion in loved ones with

whom you surround me. Others may not understand

how I can say these things after such a loss, but you

have proven to me the unfathomable depth of your

love. Because you have promised a glorious reunion

for all believers, I realize that my separation from my

daughter will be merely like the wink of an eye com-

pared to the eternity we will spend in the mansion

that you are preparing for us. (John 14:2)

ROSEMARYSINCLAIRFROMTHE HEART

It’s Okay, Lord


IT’S OKAY LORD

© Rosemary Sinclair

Dear Lord, because you walk beside me everyday

I do not fear the trials that you have said will come my way

And when I face the certain losses that will grieve me

My comfort is that you will never leave me

So through my tears I cannot help but say

Sometimes it hurts so much, but Jesus, it’s OK

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SONJAGRACYSAVED, SINGLE &SATISFIED

It’s that time of year again. You can tell by the sights,

sounds and symbols. There are the fa-la-la-la-la’s and

“ho-ho-ho’s,” city sidewalks sprinkled with plump and

skinny Santas, your “Harry & David” catalogs full of

cashew nut gift sets and spiral sliced hams and figures of

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, along with miles of

Christmas wreaths and toy soldiers and images of playful

lovers under thick little sprigs of mistletoe.

Mistletoe. It’s the holiday’s purported love leaf for

lucky couples who’ve made it to December (I’m kid-

ding). I’ve actually only seen real mistletoe once, but as

a single I’m acutely aware of it and the season’s other

symbols that have the power to drive a “feening,” single

female mad.

While loads of single women ache over knowing there

will be no mistletoe moments or girlfriend-boyfriend gift-

swapping for them come Christmas, I can certifiably say

with a wee bit of pride that I checked out of that club sev-

eral seasons ago. I may not have a man to “help to make

the season bright,” but at least I can say this long-time

single’s going to be alright. I “bob and weave” my way

through the season.

I learned a few man-less Christmas’ ago that a wellness

attitude and some well-placed words work wonders for a

season full of house-hopping and old folks “who don’t

mean no harm” with their barrage of “still single?” senti-

ments. I’m sorry; I know I should be better behaved. But

when old-timer Mr. Bud bugs me with his big holiday hug

and a loud “Girl, you still single!!??” I can’t help but

think while suffocating in our mothball-scented squeeze,

“Yes Mr. Bud. And you’re still nosy.” I then give a polite

and playful “Sure am”! before moseying over to the food

table for a couple of green olives and some potato salad.

Some women go bonkers over holiday situations like

these, but not me. I refuse to. You see, I earnestly believe

that there are tons of things worse than being single

around Christmas. A thinly-veiled bad marriage is one of

them. What could be worse than beaming for a

Christmas family photo one minute, then boiling over

unhappy feelings in secret about a marriage that may not

make it past May the next? I’ve seen that happen more

times than I can count, hence my unsinkable spirit

No Mistletoe Woe

around these spirited times. I’ve taught myself to be

buoyant, busy and grateful everyday of the year as a prel-

ude to the year’s grand holiday season finale. An attitude

of gratitude is what I believe is the happy single’s key.

The beautiful thing that keeps me going this blessed

time of year is gratefulness, indeed, and the fact that I’ve

a lot to be thankful for. Family, good friends, and even

folks like the meddlesome “Mr. Bud” all help to make my

holiday seasons memorable in the spirit of the great God

who initiated the holy-day (holiday). Gratitude and the

sheer sublimity behind the time of year we commemo-

rate Christ’s birth is the thing that pulses this single

through the season. Call me what you will, but I’m still

down with the Winans. I can hear Brother Marvin

singing it now, that the “real meaning of Christmas is

Christ.” It’s part of the reason this single sashays, and not

limps, through all this Merry Christmas merriment.

With these principles in mind, I’ll be just fine this

Christmas and I hope my fellow single sisters will too. I

may not get a quick kiss from a cute guy underneath a

cluster of mistletoe this Christmas, but you know what?

That’s okay. I’ve still got a lot to be happy about this spe-

cial time of year. I’ve got God, my family, friends, great

places to go and fun things to do. And I think that all of

those things are the perfect prescription against a dread-

ful case of “single-girl-mistletoe-woe.”

Merry Christmas!

www.thepositivecommunity.com Winter 2009-10 The Positive Community 15

We believe communities are built on the goodwill and energy of the people who belong to them.That’s why we’re proud to support your needs.

When individuals succeed, their community succeeds too.

Please visit us:Arena Branch @ Prudential Center46 Edison PlaceNewark, NJ 07102Phone: 973-596-2625

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Ahead, Inc. (Adventures in Health, Education and Agricultural Devel-opment) is an award-winning volunteer based people-to-people orga-nization that has worked in the most distressed rural areas of Africa since 1985 providing services in rural health centers, mobile health clinics, schools, under trees and anywhere a group can gather. At their recent fundraising/awards dinner at the River Room in Harlem, honorees were television personality Montel Williams; Dr. Brian Harp-er, COO/medical director of Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention; George Hulse, vice president of External Affairs, Health-First, Inc.; Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Rosemond Pierre-Louis and Hon. David N. Dinkins.

L-R: George Hulse, Elvira & Irving Williams, AHEAD founders; Rosemond Pierre-Louis, Montel Williams, Donna Williams, DDS and Dr. Bruce Harper

Forging Ahead

Photo: Wali Am

in Muham

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Join US as the #1 recreational activity enjoyed by all people of all ages returns to HARLEM!!

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16 The Positive Community Winter 2009-10 www.thepositivecommunity.com

Honoree Robert F. Kennedy Jr. & Kenneth Cole

Toni Faye, with NAACP President Ben Jealous & Mistress of Ceremonies Michelle Miller

Elinor Tatum, Publisher New York Amsterdam News

Charles Sessoms & Sybil Chester

Lisa Davis Esq., Mrs. Michelle Paterson, Mrs. Joyce Dinkins

Dan & Alicia Bythewood

Joyce Mullins Jackson & Hon. Bernard Jackson

Kim Cooper & Sheena Wright

Hon. Charles Rangel & Hon. David Dinkins

Photos: Margot Jordan


EmploymEnt opportunity

Become a professional Foster parent

this is more than a job, it’s a calling.

Jeanette, professional Foster parent

rodney, professional Foster parent

200 Robin Road • Paramus, NJ - 07652www.cafsnj.org

Children’s Aid and Family Services has been helping children whose families are unable to care for them since 1899. Our professional foster parents, like Jeanette and rodney, are committed to helping vulnerable adolescents lead independent, fulfilling lives. In fact, their careers are being parents. they live with teen-agers and provide a stable, nurturing home environment.

If you are in a committed relationship, want to be a positive role model to vulnerable teenag-ers and provide them with a loving, stable, family home life, we’d like to hear from you. To learn more, call our recruitment specialist at (973) 762.5887.

Our professional foster parents live in agency-owned homes, receive salaries and generous benefits. Support is provided every step of the way.

The Leaguers Inc., Serving Newark Children and Families for 60 Years.

The Vision Continues

O n October 30, 2009, The Leaguers Incorporated cut the ribbon on their

new 42, 000 square foot head-quarters — a white glazed brick veneer façade with blue tinted glass and multi-colored glass accents at 405-425 University Avenue in downtown Newark.

1948,The Leaguers is the oldest African American non -profit in the state of New Jersey. The organization’s former home, The Leaguers Incorporated Community Center, at 731 Clinton Ave., serves as the after-school program for children ages 5-12, the Youth-In-Partner-ship program for youth ages 13-19, the I AM Interven-tion and Mentoring for youth, and houses the South Ward site for the Mayor’s Office on Aging.

The agency is proud of the quality service they pro-vide to children and families and of the many successful alumni such as Congressman Donald Payne, former As-semblyman William Payne, former Energy Secretary Hazel O’Leary, singer Dionne Warwick, State Senator Ronald Rice and many doctors, educators and other professionals.

L–R: Yvonne Lowen, president Board of Trustees and CEO/Executive Director Veronica Ray cut the ribbon

Dorece Bishop, Assoc. Director, Parent & Community Services

The building is the fulfillment of a long awaited vision of Executive Director/CEO Veronica E. Ray and The Leaguers Board of Trustees and will be an asset to New-ark and complement the many new developments and renovations in the downtown area.

The planning for the new building began in 2000. Construction began in 2008.

Founded by Mary B. Burch and incorporated in

L–R: Veronica Ray, Walter K Frye, CFO; Newark Councilman Donald Payne Jr., Rep. Donald Payne and Yvonne Lowen

Photos: Vincent Bryant

20 The Positive Community Winter 2009–10 www.thepositivecommunity.com www.thepositivecommunity.com Winter 2009–10 The Positive Community 21

According to Ambassador Young, 77, they also shared the same guilt of “being privileged in a world where many were impover-ished. It meant that we shied away from individuals and concen-trated on breaking down those walls and barriers that kept us from being brothers. I remember that Martin would often tell me that he admired the Good Samaritan but he did not want to be one. He said: ‘I do not want to spend my life picking people up from the Jericho Road after they have been robbed and beaten. I want to change the Jericho Road so that they are not beaten and robbed.’”

He went on to say that Dr. King was passionate about break-ing down the dividing walls of hostility, legal walls between whites and blacks in the South. “Much of our effort was devoted to break-ing down those walls that defined our own American system of apartheid. I think we were successful in doing that. It is the reason we know of Dr. King today. It is why he won the Noble Peace Prize. And sadly, it is probably why he was killed,” he added.

A top aide to Dr. King during the Civil Rights Movement, Am-bassador Young is today one of the strongest voices from that era. He subsequently served three terms in the United States Congress and in 1977 was named Ambassador to the United Nations by President Jimmy Carter. He also served two terms as Mayor of At-lanta and was co-chairman of the Centennial Olympic Games in 1996.

As vice-president of the Southern Christian Leadership Confer-ence he embraced Dr. King’s vision for non-violent social change. However, he feels that Dr. King’s true message has been missed. “As a nation we have interpreted Dr. King’s message as one of race. But in fact, his real message was overcoming violence with love,” says Young. “He truly believed that we needed to learn to live together without hatred, fear and violence.”

To the world, Dr. King is an iconic figure who dreamed what—in his time—seemed like the impossible dream. But to Ambassa-dor Young, he was also a teacher from whom many lessons were learned. “The greatest [lesson] I’ve learned from him is never be content with things as they are. He taught us to dream and plan ways to make them what we think they should be in reality. In so doing, he set aside a broad mandate for the SCLC—to redeem the soul of America from the triple evils of racism, violence and poverty.”

Those days on the protest lines were some tough ones for the freedom fighters of the day. According to Dr. Young, even as they sang “We Shall Overcome,” he believed it in his heart but did not see the promise being fulfilled in his lifetime. “I am convinced that as we were walking from Selma to Montgomery, if I had said to Martin that I would be Mayor of Atlanta one day, he would have told me, ‘Boy, you have been in the sun for too long. Go sit un-der a tree and cool off.’ He believed that our grandchildren would have gotten there, and I would have agreed with him,” Dr. Young continued.

And yet, though he believes that the legal walls of racism have been broken through, he says that the full victory is yet to be won.

As chairman of GoodWorks International, a specialty consulting group based in Atlanta, GA, Ambassador Young continues to work to slay the triple headed dragon that still breathes fire in America and the world. “I believe that I have some years still left in me,” he mused. And in his continued fight to end violence and poverty he uses his grandmother’s words and the lyrics of a song to keep the fire burning. “My grandmother would say: ‘Be not anxious for tomorrow. Let today’s own trouble be sufficient unto the day.’ With this advice, I’ve learned to take one day at a time and not to look too far down the road. I use those words to remind me to enjoy the flowers, the sunlight and the friends and most of all to celebrate my spirit each and every day.” And on those dog days when the fires may not burn as brightly, he quietly hums the words of Rev. James Cleveland’s old standard:

I don’t feel no ways tired/ We’ve come too far from where we started from/Nobody told us that the road would be easy/I don’t believe He brought us this far to leave us.

coverstory


A fter 30 years the State of Israel finally recognized Sig’d the Ethiopian Jewish commu-

nity’s major festival at an official cer-emony at the President’s residence in Jeruselem.

"We are delighted to be part of this historic step," said Avi Masfin, deputy director of the Israel Associa-tion for Ethiopian Jews (IAEJ), one of the organizations instrumental in gaining recognition for the ancient Ethiopian Jewish holiday. "After 30 years of aliya (immigration to Israel), this official event is finally a sign of real recognition for the culture and tradition of Ethiopian Jews in Israel."

Taking place 50 days after Yom Kippur, on Heshvan 29 (the second month of the Jewish calendar), Sig'd is traditionally marked by members of the Ethiopian community in a reli-gious ceremony on Jerusalem's Haas Promenade. Spiritual leaders known as Kesim lead the people in a series of prayers in the Ethiopian Jewish language of Gez, calling for a Jewish return to Jerusalem, and individuals are urged to repent for any wrongs done in the past year. This year the holiday falls on November 16.

Two years ago, during the fes-tival the IAEJ called on the state to include Sig'd among the country's national holidays as a mark of recog-nition for the 110,000-strong immi-grant community. In August 2008 it became a national law requiring the state to mark the festival in an official ceremony and giving people the option of observing the day by not working. The national education curriculm must also include lessons about Sig’d and its significance for Ethiopian Jews.

"Sig'd is a good opportunity for us to become familiar with the prac-tices and traditions of the Ethiopian Jewish community and learn about their history," commented a spokes-man for President Shimon Peres.

At Last!State of Israel Honors ethiopian Jewry

"The Beta Israel (Ethiopian) community is a natural and inseparable part of Zionist history and of the culture and people of the State of Israel. We are very proud of the contributions they have made to Israel in sports, science, arts and security," he added.

While recognizing the integration of Ethiopian Jewry into mainstream Is-raeli society, Masfin said it was still important to recognize that the Beta Israel had "its own rich history and tradition."

As well as the opening event at the president's residence on Monday morning, there were workshops and cultural events throughout the entire month of November, including the annual religious and cultural gathering on Jerusalem's Haas Promenade on November 16.

Photos and Story by Irene Fertik

Four prominent Ethiopian Jewish leaders meet with Israeli President Shimon Peres

Ethiopian Jewish Rabbis in the temple Blowing of the traditional Jewish Shofar


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www.thepositivecommunity.com Winter 2009–10 The Positive Community 1

SPECIAL SECTION

Thousands of minority and women owned business en-terprises (M/WBEs) across the metro area expect to hear their cash registers ring loudly in the coming year

as savvy business executive Michael Garner digs into his new role as the first Chief Diversity Officer for the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) in New York.

Garner, a results-oriented advocate for minority business owners with a unique niche marketing strategy and unequiv-ocal track record of success, was tapped by New York State officials to develop a comprehensive program that would en-able area minority business owners to secure lucrative con-tracts with the MTA, one of the largest procurers of vendor

goods and services in New York. Prior to joining the MTA in February, 2009, Garner was senior director of business development for the New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) with more than 15 years of service at the agency.

Under his direction, the SCA Mentor Program actively recruited M/WBEs across the city for a program that guided them through the often arduous and cumbersome process of training, certification, funding and bonding—issues that seemed to plague M/WBEs more than others. The mentor program was so successful that it garnered national praise and various aspects of it are being emulated by other en-tities—larger and smaller—including the city of Chicago. Many expect that Garner will replicate the success of the SCA at the MTA.

However, revamping the M/WBE supplier program at the MTA is a daunting task. For example, in terms of size, the MTA employs more than 71,000 employees, maintains seven various agencies; serves a dozen counties and is cur-rently experiencing an operating budget shortfall estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The SCA em-ploys about 900 employees and has a budget of about $11 billion.

Additionally, the MTA has done some major reorganiza-tion and shifting in its senior executive ranks. Most notably, former London Transit executive Jay Walder took over as CEO/Chairman in October and vowed to make “major and significant” changes at every level of the agency.

New Opportunities for Minority Businesses at MTAMichael Garner digs into his new role as the first Chief Diversity Officer By Glenn Townes

continued on next page


Also, the MTA was criticized for making it extremely dif-ficult for some small business owners to tap into its mul-timillion-dollar coffers. Some entrepreneurs contend that the agency requires them to submit extensive certification paperwork and complete complex and involved training in order to just become registered with the agency—with no guarantee of securing a contract. As a result, many M/WBEs are excluded from vending opportunities on multimillion-dollar projects such as the mega Second Avenue subway, the Fulton Street Transit Center and various bridge and tunnel rehabilitative projects. To that end, the MTA is constantly under scrutiny by the media and grassroots organizations such as Straphangers.org.

Garner, however, seems unfazed by the criticism or chal-lenges and remains squarely focused on the task at hand—significantly increasing the number of minority vendors that do business with the MTA. “The MTA Mentor Program is modeled after the SCA program and is focused on small business development beginning with the creation of an MTA Construction Training and Information Technology Program,” Garner said in a recent interview with The Posi-tive Community. “Legislation is pending that that will allow us to have contracts under $1 million for small businesses to bid on.”

The New York Senate Bill 5987— Bond Waivers for Small Contractors—passed the State Assembly in June 2009. It was ini-tially written and sponsored by Assemblyman Keith Wright and introduced in the Senate by Senator John Sampson.

Under the plan, a small business mentoring program would be established at the MTA, which would partner the businesses with construction managers. Among other things, the agency would be allowed to waive bid, payment and

performance bond requirements for small businesses (M/WBEs) participating in the mentoring program. Gov. David Paterson has indicated that he would support the bill.

Additionally, in November, Garner moderated a panel discussion in conjunction with McGraw-Hill and New York Construction magazine that introduced various other aspects of the new MTA program. “The MTA awarded more than $7.5 billion in total contracts last year—with about $242 million going to M/WBEs including white females,” he said. “That was without even trying. We will exceed that total this year after implementing some of the modules of our small business development program.”

Another initiative Garner highlighted was a new state of the art web-based software system that will enable the MTA to effectively monitor and enforce the agency’s M/WBE goals. The system will accurately track how and where con-tracts are awarded. It is similar to a program introduced last year by New York State officials in Albany that allows poten-tial vendors and others to review the breakdown of awarded state contracts.

To that end, the issue of city contracts not being awarded fairly and consistently to M/WBEs has remained a conten-tious issue for New York City officials over the past several years, with critics—M/WBEs and politicians— alleging that city contracts are still not being awarded to minority-owned businesses. Last October, New York City Comptroller

MTA SPECIAL SECTION

Garner, a results-oriented advocate

for minority business owners with

a unique niche marketing strategy

and unequivocal track record of suc-

cess, was tapped by New York State

officials to develop a comprehensive

program that would enable area

minority business owners to secure

lucrative contracts with the MTA,

one of the largest procurers of ven-

dor goods and services in New York.

MTA SPECIAL SECTION


and former mayoral candidate William Thompson issued a lengthy press release besmirching the New York City agency —Small Business Services (SBS) for continuing to fall em-barrassingly short in implementing policies and procedures regarding the awarding of city contracts to M/WBEs.

Thompson noted that nearly half of the city agencies that are required to submit formal statistical data to his office failed to do so. When the numbers were finally crunched, the number of M/WBEs awarded prime contracts with the City stood at a paltry 14 percent of a projected goal of about $108 million. And two years prior to the most recent castiga-tion of the agency, outgoing New York City Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum called the agency “ineffective when it comes to supporting women and minority owned businesses.” Both Thompson and Gotbaum contend that M/WBEs will find better opportunities for contracts with the state of New York.

Michael Jones-Bey is the executive director of the Empire State Development Corporation Division of Minority and Women’s Development in Albany, NY. Among other things,

MTA SPECIAL SECTION MTA SPECIAL SECTION

Jones-Bey oversees how contracts with the Empire State are awarded—with a focus on how M/WBEs are repre-sented. Under Jones-Bey and Paul Williams, executive director of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), New York significantly increased busi-ness with M/WBE providers from 4 to 22 percent in one year. Jones-Bey was instrumental in bringing Garner to the MTA and noted that he is a proponent of many of the M/WBE initiatives implemented by Gov. Paterson.

“As the MTA’s new Chief Diversity Officer, Mike [Garner] will have a much larger stage to perform [his magic],” Jones-Bey said. “The global economic crisis has hit small, minority and women businesses here in New York particularly hard. Mike [Garner] joining the MTA is like an agent signing a marquee player.”

Finally, Garner said there will continue to be plenty of opportunities for M/WBEs to reach into the deep pockets of the MTA throughout the next several years. “I know we will achieve great results at the largest and best transportation organization in the world—the MTA,” he said.

<<. . . the issue of city contracts not being awarded fairly and con-sistently to M/WBEs has remained a contentious issue for New York City officials over the past several years, with critics—M/WBEs and politicians— alleging that city con-tracts are still not being awarded to minority-owned businesses.>>

111 Broadway, Suite 501, New York, NY 10006 212.563.0280www.LiRo.com

The LiRo Group is proud to participate in the New York City School Construction Authority’s Mentor Program,

developed by Michael Garner.

congratulates the

Metropolitan Transportation Authority and its Operating Companies

on the launch of their

Small Business Development Program under the leadership of

Michael Garner, Chief Diversity Officer

THE LIRO GROUPPROGRAM & CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL ARCHITECTURE


Jamaica BusinessResource Center90-33 160th StreetJamaica, NY 11432

Phone: 718-206-2255Fax: 718-206-3693Web: www.jbrc.org

Your One Stop Shop for Small Business Assistance

Jamaica BusinessResource Center

Queens, Nassau & Suffolk Minority Business Enterprise CenterQueens International Trade CenterDASNY’s New York Technical Assistance Team

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:Business Information CenterBusiness Advisory GroupCapital and Bonding AccessCredit Counseling and RestorationLicenses, Permits, and Other Regulatory MattersUniform Minority and Women Business Certification/BA CertificationContract ProcurementWorkshops and Seminars

Bita, Inc.

150 West End Avenue, Suite 17B

New York, New York 10023

P (212) 316-9000F (212) 380-6300

Woman-Owned BusinessInterior General Contractor

Proudly Supporting“ ”Mentoring MWBE BusinessesMOVING FORWARD AT THE MTA

Ms. Modarres

President

[email protected]

Bita, Inc.

150 West End Avenue, Suite 17B

New York, New York 10023

P (212) 316-9000F (212) 380-6300

Woman-Owned BusinessInterior General Contractor

Proudly Supporting“ ”Mentoring MWBE BusinessesMOVING FORWARD AT THE MTA

Ms. Modarres

President

[email protected]

We support Michael Garner as he continues to blaze a path for small businesses in New York.

Thanks for all

your energy!

“Congratulations and much success to Michael Garner and his team

on the launching of the MTA's new Small Business Development Program.”

Jamlech Construction Co. Inc.194-18 117th Road

St. Albans, NY 11412

718-525-2392John Lewis, President

Building Tomorrow’s Vision Today!

MTA SPECIAL SECTION

MTA SPECIAL SECTION


Construction

Ashnu International, Inc

NY/NJ Minority Supplier Development Council

2009 Partnership Awards

T he New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Devel-opment Council (The

Council) honored outstanding business partnerships between minority entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 companies and government agencies at the Partnership Awards Gala on November 13 at the New York Marriott Marquis.

The “National Corpora-tion of the Year Award” was presented to Turner Construc-tion Corporation. Bank of New York Mellon was honored with the “Regional Corporation of the Year Award.” Susan Hogan, manager, Supplier Diversity, Public Service Enterprise Group Inc (PSEG) received the “Coor-dinator of the Year Award.” The Council’s first “Agency of the Year Award” went to The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. Jonah Cooper, Jr., presi-dent, Worldwide Virtual Acad-emy Inc and director, Business Development, Rutgers Univer-sity, earned the first “Chairman’s Award.”

The “Supplier of the Year” awards went to Beverly White, founder and president, BKW Transformation Group and Ranjini Poddar, co-founder and president, Artech Information Systems – both New Jersey based women-owned companies.

The New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council, the National Minority Supplier Development Council’s 2008 “Council of the Year,” has approximately 200 corporate members and 1,300 certified mi-nority businesses. Its jurisdiction spans from Albany, New York to Trenton, New Jersey.

L–R: Chairman’s Award winner Jonah Cooper, Jr., Worldwide Virtual Acad-emy/Rutgers University with Stephen Jackson, RoaDDoggZ Productions

The Council honored corporate members Turner Construction and PSEG with Partnership Awards(L-R) Joy Crichlow, Con Edison and The Council chairman emeritus; Daniel Sung Park, Eclaro and The Council MBEIC chair; Lynda Ireland, president & CEO, The Council; Hilton O. Smith, Turner Construction and The Council chairman; Susan Hogan, Public Service Enter-prise Group (PSEG) and The Council vice-chair

Photos: Tyrone Rasheed

MTA SPECIAL SECTION

T D X C O N S T R U C T I O N C O R P O R A T I O N

C O N S T R U C T I O N M A N A G E R

3 4 5 S e v e n t h A v e n u e , N e w Yo r k , N Y 1 0 0 0 1 212 279 1981 212 279 1983 FAX

w w w . t d x c o n s t r u c t i o n . c o m

TDX Construction

Corporation is

proud to support

the Metropolitan

Transit Authority’s

Small Business

Development

Program

MTA SPECIAL SECTION


A s contractors and construction professionals con-template economic survival over the next several months, it becomes crucial to develop new business

opportunities. Many of these opportunities will show up in traditional places, but still others will present themselves in places you have not looked before now. Did you know your firm may be eligible for opportunities in the transportation sector under the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program operated by the U.S. Department of Trans-portation?

While emerging businesses have to find niche markets to compete, minority and women owned businesses (M/WBEs) would be well served to investigate potential contract oppor-tunities with state transportation projects in New York and New Jersey that are funded in part with federal dollars and in most cases, funds from the American Recovery and Rein-vest Act of 2009 (ARRA). Firms should also know that while state utilization goals can be as high as 15 percent for MBE’s and 7 percent for WBE’s, DBE participation requires a goal of 20percent on all DOT projects receiving federal dollars or ARRA funds. So as you plan for the recession understand that ARRA or the “Stimulus Package” will pump close to $3 billion of much needed cash into new and existing state transportation infrastructure projects in the NY metropoli-tan area that are expected to be completed by 2012.

Firms who have transportation experience or can merge their services in partnership with other transportation sector businesses stand to gain both ground on their competitors, and perhaps cash—even during this historic recession. Out-lined here is a brief strategy for tapping into the lucrative ARRA-funded transportation sector of the construction in-dustry and insulating your business against recession loses.

Utilizing DBE Certification as a Bullet-Proof Recession Buster

Businesses with owners who can qualify as socially or eco-nomically disadvantaged and maintain at least 51 percent ownership and control of the business can be certified as Dis-

advantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), leading to a poten-tial new pool of projects. Surprisingly, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) defines disadvantaged individuals as 51 percent owners with a personal net worth of less than $750,000, excluding any equity in their primary residence and/or ownership interest of their business. The DOT pre-sumes certain groups are disadvantaged, including women, Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans, Subcontinent Asian-Pacific Ameri-cans, or other minorities found to be disadvantaged by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Furthermore the DOT also enforces size limits for disadvantaged businesses allowing them certification as long as their average (3 year) gross revenues do not exceed $22,410,000.00. These could include a large percentage of all certified firms in the NY and NJ minority business community. If your firm has been searching for new ways to stem the tide of this economic downturn and can qualify based on the criteria set forth, I implore you to either immediately start the DBE certification process, or develop a targeted plan of action for maximizing the potential you currently have as an existing DBE-certified

Getting Your Piece of the $3 Billion “Stimulus-Filled” Transportation PieEven in the recession, NY and NJ transportation projects will still yield over $3 Billion by 2012By William S. Parrish Jr., LEED AP

MTA SPECIAL SECTION

<<While emerging businesses have

to find niche markets to compete,

minority and women owned busi-

nesses (M/WBEs) would be well

served to investigate potential

contract opportunities with state

transportation projects in New York

and New Jersey . . . >>

MTA SPECIAL SECTION


firm. Create a roadmap to drive your firm to new profits, while riding the wave of the ARRA funded infrastructure rebuilding efforts.

Finding the Upside in the Downturn Even in the midst of this recession, the nations’ largest

public works project is underway across the Hudson River from New Jersey. The $8.7 Billion Trans Hudson Tunnel is scheduled for completion in 2017, and is expected to gener-ate 6,000 construction-related jobs and 44,000 to 50,000 new permanent jobs. Over a third of this eight year project is funded by ARRA funds ($3 billion), allowing certified DBE firms entry to a 20 percent requirement pool of opportuni-ties, which could provide a very nice cushion against this rocky economy. Add in New York State’s approved $1.17 bil-lion in ARRA funds with another $1.02 Billion from New Jersey and we have a cash infusion for local projects that could defeat a downturn over the next two years.

Furthermore if your firm is a certified DBE and still holds other certifications such as M/WBE, you may create new business opportunities and further specialization for your firm and employees while assisting larger firms in achieving compliance with their own or government agency diversity initiatives. Competing in the transportation sector of the construction industry carries barriers to entry which can be extremely high, requiring a great deal of specialization and equipment as well as technical capability. DBE firms that can quickly develop, transfer or add these core competencies to their offerings can become willing partners and a great complement to a larger partner that may have been compet-ing exclusively in the transportation sector and could benefit from an emerging business perspective. Another caveat to this strategy is that emerging DBE’s can now lower barri-ers to entry and gain specialty experience, which can create new business models and revenue streams, further protecting those firms from any downturn in the economy. In a period of economic uncertainty, assess the situation and find the upside in the downturn.

Multiply Your Efforts and Gain Momentum through Associations

In addition to value in partnering with larger firms to add a missing perspective or break down barriers to entry, emerging business owners should consider how partnering with firms their size or smaller can multiply their efforts and gain momentum, market share and influence on state DOT projects. Associating your firm with firms offering the same services and in some cases different services when pursuing a large transportation or ARRA funded contract can create competitive advantage for a group or consortium of busi-

nesses. In our firm we often use the term “Co-Opetition” which suggests that the folks you compete against today will, can and in some cases should be the firms you pool resources with and compete with tomorrow. If the largest global competitors in the architectural, engineering and con-struction world can join forces to target multi-billion dollar infrastructure design assignments, why shouldn’t emerging DBE’s build associations that allow them to collectively gain the same edge (Parsons joint-ventured with Tishman Con-struction Corporation and Arup has been awarded a con-tract by NJ Transit to provide engineering services on Phase 1 of the $7 billion Trans-Hudson Express Tunnel, the biggest transportation project in New Jersey in decades—to provide design oversight; make independent cost estimates to vali-date those made by the engineering team; develop a master project schedule for the engineering, permitting, and con-struction phases).

Lastly, these associations can also add value for emerging firms seeking to procure legislative support to gain recogni-tion of critical issues and needs affecting firms on federally funded infrastructure projects.

For local firms, the next several years will prove to be very difficult on the surface, but the challenge will be to dig deep and unlock hidden potential in the massive infrastruc-ture projects currently ongoing or planned for completion by 2012. At the very least there will be over $2 billion in projects started within the year, requiring a DBE workforce for construction and professional services firms of at least $400 million in contracts. If your firm has a plan to stave off extinction during this recession, it must include examina-

MTA SPECIAL SECTION

<<Furthermore if your firm is a certi-

fied DBE and still holds other certi-

fications such as M/WBE, you may

create new business opportunities

and further specialization for your

firm and employees while assisting

larger firms in achieving compliance

with their own or government agen-

cy diversity initiatives.>>

continued on page 11

MTA SPECIAL SECTION


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B eating the Odds: 8 Practical Principals to Material and Spiritual Abundance is a slim volume of a book—but it shines as brightly as a diamond.

Based on the 25th chapter of the book of Matthew, it does a thoroughly wonderful job of breaking down the last three parables Christ taught on his way to Calvary: the stories of the wise and foolish virgins, the Talents and the coming of Christ and the Last Judgment — then relating them to everyday life in the cycle of pre-paredness, positive productivity and giving back.

In his first book, which took about seven months to write, Monsignor Anselm Nwaorgu’s observations will leave you rethinking your actions and what you can do to make your life better. The book came about as a result of his teaching on the parable of the talents. “In my reflec-tion, I found that that particular parable had a lot of rel-evance to how we manage life on earth and also reflected on the journeys of myself and many others I know who have been able to achieve their goals not because it was easy to get there, but because they were able to plan and beat the odds that came along the way,” he said.

The pastor of Blessed Sacrament/St. Charles Bor-romeo Roman Catholic Church, Father Anselm as he is known in Newark’s Clinton Hill community, has led a life dedicated to the Catholic Church. He describes his calling as something that grew from “a childhood fantasy to an adolescent dream that matured into adult reality.” Coming from a large, strong and faithful family of the Ibo tribe in the western part of Nigeria, his extended family included a cousin/godfather who is a priest.

Playing at celebrating mass with other children when he was just six, young Anselm served as an altar boy for several years and attended a junior seminary. When he was in high school, his mother asked him if he still had his heart set on becoming a priest. His answer was immediate and affirmative. Further study in Nigeria earned him a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, and Mas-ter’s degrees in Systematic Theology, Counselor Prep and Pastoral Ministry. He received a Ph.D. in Counsel-ing Psychology from Seton Hall University in 1988.

Pastor Nwaorgu was recruited by the Vocationist Fa-thers to come to America and be trained as a Diocesan priest and ordained, then go back to establish congrega-

tions in Nigeria. Instead he made a home in Newark and worked as a staff psychologist at Eric J. Feldman Child/Family Development Center, Mount Carmel Guild in Newark, and as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall and Jersey State universities. As a licensed counselor, he not only offers guidance to members of his parish, but to Ibo Catholic immigrants from Nigeria.

Pastor of Blessed Sacrament/St. Charles Borromeo since 2001, he was instrumental in combining two sepa-rate caucuses of African Clergy and African Women Reli-gious into the African Conference of Catholic Clergy & Religious in the United States (ACCCRUS) and served as the first president of the organization.

In June, 2009 Father Anslem received news that ren-dered him almost speechless. His Archbishop, the Most Reverend John J. Myers called him to tell him that Pope Benedict XIV had elevated him to the status of Mon-signor. His formal investiture and installation, held at Newark’s Sacred Heart Cathedral September 13, made him the first African-born priest to become Monsignor in the U.S. Catholic Church.

Dieudonné Ndouga, General Secretary of the Nation-al Association of African Catholics in the US (NAACUS) reflects the pride that all African Catholics feel because

The Odds Are on Father AnselmNewark Priest Writes First Book While Revitalizing Parish

by g.r. mattox

Monsignor Anselm Nwaorgu signs a copy of his book for East Orange resident Crystal Jones.

He describes his calling as something

that grew from ‘a childhood fantasy

to an adolescent dream that matured

into adult reality.’

“

”

Phot

o: g

. r.

mat

tox


Serving Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union Counties.

The Catholic Elementary Schools in the Archdiocese of Newark

Opening hearts, minds and doors.

The Catholic Elementary Schools in the Archdioceseof Newark offer a positive, encouraging and safeenvironment where children can grow in body, mindand spirit. Our caring, qualified teachers provide astrong academic foundation – over 97% of Catholicschool graduates advance to college.

The Catholic Elementary Schools in the Archdioceseof Newark are deeply committed to helping studentsdevelop into productive, responsible adults and citizenswith goals and direction in life. And although Catholicfaith-based values are basic to our education, religiousdiversity is an integral part of our classrooms.

Catholic Elementary School is the start of a smartinvestment in your child’s future. To help familiesmange tuition, we offer flexible payment programs.This value-based education is well worth the cost.

Then again, so are your children.

To learn more about the Catholic ElementarySchools in the Archdiocese of Newark,

please call (973) 497-4258.

Para mas informacíon sobre las Escuelas Católicas Elemtales de la Arquidiócesis de

Newark, favor de llamar al (973) 497-4258.

of Father Anselm’s elevation. Describing him as a man of warmth, kindness, easiness and availability, Ndouga said that Father Anselm’s impact among African Ameri-cans and African-born Catholics in the U.S. is notable. “His dedication and attention to the religious and spiri-tual needs of those he comes in contact with daily make his pastoral approach very remarkable,” he said. “His homilies are to the point and usually captivating. We are keen on and hold Msgr. Anselm in high esteem and we have high hope for him.”

At Blessed Sacrament/St. Charles Borromeo, Father Anselm has a personal satisfaction in the renewed hope and revitalization of the parish. Attendance is up, and a youth choir adds new spark to services on fourth Sun-days. The church holds meetings every Friday to address the social, spiritual and biblical needs of parish youth as well as organize community service activities. The com-ing summer promises a massive youth jam combining the eight parishes in the Newark area.

The church has turned from one that was dependent on the Archdiocese to one that has been self-sufficient for the past four years. “We are working to see that this parish need not be in fear of closing,” he said. He hopes to expand his ministry of the Word through prayer breakfasts open to the community, and to expand the hot meal program to twice a month.

Father Anselm is intent on keeping the reason for this season relevant. In planning to do a lot of reflec-tion, making resolutions to become more of what God wants him to become and just being thankful, as well as having revivals to preach in Connecticut, he compares Christmases he celebrated as a boy with the way they are celebrated here: “When I was growing up,” he remem-bered, “I was very happy because I would get a new suit of clothes, but most of the celebration was communal, and the community celebrated for the next eight days. It was a time of rejoicing and reconnecting and re-building, and it was a very precious time because it was when people, no matter where they were, or where they worked, they always came home. It was a time families came back together, the community reconciled and celebrated with one another.

“When I came here I found that the celebration is there, but there is more commercialism. There is a bigger emphasis on buying gifts, and that communal celebration takes a back seat,” he continued. “And by the 26th you would not know there was Christmas. It speaks of how we relate to God and ourselves. The reason for Christmas is to remember who we are in relationship to God.”

The New Year will also find Father Anselm working on a new book, perhaps based on Luke 19, which will be about making U-turns in life to get back to where we need to be when we meet obstacles in life. This, like his other work, is another step in a life of focus and vision and a desire to put people on the right and righteous path.


50 Years of ServiceCornwall College Old Boys Celebrate

T he New York Chapter of the Cornwall College Old Boys’ Association (CCOBANY) chose Saturday, November 21, 2009, as the date to roll out the

red carpet for over 300 ‘Old Boys’, their families and specially invited guests in celebration of the 50th Anni-versary of the establishment of the chapter in the metro New York area.

The reunion dinner dance and awards gala, which climaxed a year-long calendar of celebratory events, was held at Terrace On The Park in Corona Queens cel-ebrating a half century of benevolence of the NY unit to the Cornwall College school community.

Four who have given of their time and resources to the school in Montego Bay, Jamaica and the wider New York City community were recognized during the awards ceremony. Ms. Pat Chin, president of VP Records Distributors and Dennis Hawthorne, President/CEO of Dennis Shipping Company were honored for commu-nity service. CC alums, Winston Jarrett (NYC) received

the Man of the Year award and Gerry Chambers (JAM), president of the Montego Bay chapter received the distinguished service award. Cornwall College ‘Old Boy’ Kingsley Thomas, voted Gleaner Company Man of the Year delivered the keynote address.

Trevor Tomlinson, in his second term as president of the organization is the fifteenth person to head the chapter since the late Vincent Kentish got things started in 1959.

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givingbackThe Collective Spirit of Planned Giving

A series of on-going articles on philanthropyfrom the National Black United Fund

During the holiday season we are

bombarded with images and

messages intended to heighten

our sense of giving. The media turns

its influential attention to organiza-

tions, churches, politicians and

celebrities in an abundant display of human generosity.

The spirit of giving becomes—at least for a moment—

our unifying theme and sense of purpose.

But what if, instead of a seasonal impulse, destined to

peak and then retreat—giving was sustained? What if, a

plan that outlived the commercial stimulus of the mod-

ern day holiday season kept the tide high and helped all

boats rise? Can you imagine this? A plan for us to take

care of our people—ourselves. Can you imagine postal

workers, teachers, city employees, investment bankers,

entertainers, professional athletes, ministers, churches,

mosques, celebrities, grocery store clerks—everyone. All

hands on deck, contributing to a fund that could be

responsibly invested and maintained by our own people.

Imagine a fund so large that the interest alone would pay

for a great education for every child, a home and some-

one to care for all in need; the space for every artist to

create and the support that every black entrepreneur

needs to compete. What if every person in our commu-

nity lived with the assurance of knowing that if they need-

ed help, their sisters and brothers could and would pro-

vide it. Bah humbug you say—black people just don’t

have it like that. And even when we do, that’s not how we

do things. We can’t plan that big, act that big, live that

big or give that big.

Well, a little jaunt back into the not so distant history

reveals a different reality. When “Sistah Sara” believed

that getting to the Promised Land required her personal

sacrifice to help achieve a reward that she knew she was

unlikely to see, she planned to give. What mattered to

“Sistah Sara” and “Brother Joe” was something much

greater than personal attainment or individual recogni-

tion. They embraced a sense of purpose that superseded

their own personal motives and the limitations of the

here and now. They had internalized the notion that the

legendary theologian Howard Thurman so eloquently

expressed in his visionary book, Disciplines of the Spirit:

If, out of a [person’s] fundamental commitment to God, he [she]

is led to work on behalf of a fulfillment so high that its full realiza-

tion is not even in sight, then he [she] must interpret his[her]

share as that of participating in a collective destiny as far removed

from the present as the divine event itself. Instead of looking for-

ward to a rounded fulfillment or achievement of his [her] goal,

he[she] knows that his[her] role is but a part of a larger whole.

A thoughtful study of our shared history illuminates

one fundamental truth. What brought us ALL through as

a people was the knowledge that the sum of the whole is

greater than that of the part. The wiser of us hold fast to

the same audacious ideal as Lyndall, a “seeker after

truth,” says in Olive Schreiner’s Dreams of the Hunter:

Where I lie down worn out, other men [women] will stand,

young and fresh. By the steps that I have cut they will climb; by

the stairs that I have built, they will mount. They will never

know the name of the man [woman] who made them. At the

clumsy work they will laugh; when the stones roll they will curse

me. But they will mount, and on my work; they will climb, and

by my stair! They will find her, and through me!

All of us can do more to create the change that we

know we need. Let this be the year that we collectively get

serious and focused about who we are, what needs to be

done, and how we’ll make it happen. Take another look

at what you can do. It’s not too late to plan to give.

BY WILLIAM T. MERRITPresident/CEO of the National Black United Fund

continued on page 66

The Positive Community Winter 2009–10 www.thepositivecommunity.com


quiet time everyday to find out what is

going through your mind. What do you

want to think? Make a plan and find out

how to create input. It’s called study.

Actions: What actions make up your

habits? Break them down. What actions

make up our good habits?

Habits: Our habits include both good

actions and bad actions. Think about

those you have tried to develop and

failed, as well as, those you have tried to

extinguish and failed.

Character: Who are you? Our character

is both our combined good and bad

traits. Observe the difference between

the opinions about our character of

those who love us and those who don’t.

Destiny: Where are you in your life?

Knowing about the relationships

between thoughts, words, action, charac-

ter and destiny helps us analyze our lives

and implement actions for change. The

ability to adapt and change throughout

the seasons of our lives is one of the most

important tools that we can use to mind

our minds and maintain good mental

health.

Dear Dr. PalmerOver the years, I have come to understandthat good mental health is as important asgood physical health, in fact they go hand inhand. Any suggestions on how the averageperson can maintain good mental health?—Signed, A Beautiful Mind.

Dear Beautiful Mind:Throughout history, wise thinkers have

shared their teachings on how human

beings should pay attention to their

minds and their mental health.

Socrates, Pythagoras, and The Oracle

in the movie The Matrix have encour-

aged us to “Know Thyself.” The founder

of Psychoanalysis, Dr. Sigmund Freud,

told us that “Love and work are the cor-

nerstones of our humanness.”

Siddhattha Gotama, the spiritual teacher

who founded Buddhism told us to “elim-

inate suffering.” The Holy Qur’an,

Chapter 28, Book 32, Number 6311

teaches us that “A strong man is not the

one who wrestles, but controls himself in

a fit of rage.”

Recently, I had the good fortune to

hear one of the wise thinkers of today

speak at a seminar. This wise thinker is

Dr. Freeman H. Hrabowski, the

President of the University of Maryland,

Baltimore County. He graduated from

Hampton at age 19, he received his

Ph.D. at age 24, and he is the co-author

of books about raising academically suc-

cessful African American males and

females. A child leader in the civil rights

movement, Dr. Hrabowski was promi-

nently featured in Spike Lee’s documen-

tary “Four Little Girls.” He is a consult-

ant to the National Science Foundation

Minding Your Mindand the National Institutes of Health and

was named one of America’s Best

Leaders by US News and World Report. Dr.

Hrabowski teaches that:

Thoughts Lead To WordsWords Lead To ActionActions Build HabitsHabits Form CharacterCharacter Is Your DestinyLet us examine this for a moment.

Thoughts are electrical impulses that

activate brain centers to generate images.

Words are the verbalization of thoughts

interpreted into symbols specific to the

ethnicity and culture of the speaker.

Actions are coordinated behaviors to

express beliefs and ideas within formal-

ized socio-cultural structures. Habits are

a series of activities or actions condensed

into routinized patterns to achieve

hoped for results. Character is the endur-

ing habits that we have configured into a

personality style that is superimposed on

all life events to seeking successful out-

comes in disparate situations. Destiny is

the path in life on which we have been

propelled.

Words, thoughts, actions, habits, char-

acter, and destiny are all tools that we can

use to mind our minds and maintain

good mental health.

Words: Listen to your words. Listen to

what comes out of your mouth. How does

it sound? How does it affect people?

What do you want to stop saying? What

do you want to start saying? What do oth-

ers want or not want to hear from you?

Make a plan.

Thoughts: Listen to your thoughts. Find a

JOHN M.PALMERPh.D.ASK DOCTORPALMER

John M. Palmer, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologistwith a practice in New York City and is presently theExecutive Director of Harlem Hospital Center and theRenaissance Health Care Network .

Disclaimer: The information contained in this column is of a

general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a med-

ical professional. Even if a statement made about health is accu-

rate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms. This article

should not be construed as an attempt to offer or render a

medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medi-

cine. Readers are strongly advised to seek the advice of a quali-

fied medical professional.

Have a question for Dr. Palmer?

Write to him c/o The Positive Community magazine,

[email protected].


The Day Harlem Hospital Center Saved the Civil Rights Movement

E very day, thousands of people walk through the doors of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Pavilion at Har-

lem Hospital Center. Patients, staff, and visitors all walk past the elegant bronze plaque mounted in the lobby of the build-ing. The building was named in honor of Dr. King several years after Harlem Hospital Center saved his life, and as a result, saved the Civil Rights Movement. The history of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Civil Rights Movement, and Harlem Hospital Center are bound together in a story of service, strength and survival.

The story bears repeating. On Septem-ber 20, 1958, while signing copies of his book Strive Toward Freedom in Blum-stein’s Department Store on West 125th Street between Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and Frederick Douglas Boulevards, Dr. King was stabbed in the chest with letter opener by Izola Curry, a black woman. He was rushed to Harlem Hospital Center. Where doctors indicated that he narrowly escaped death because the weapon had lodged in his chest near his aorta in such a way that he might have died if he so much as sneezed!

In a letter written from the inpatient unit on the sixth floor of Harlem Hospital Center, Dr. King asked that the crazed woman not be jailed and instead be treated at a mental hospital. She was later diagnosed as criminally deranged.

Dr. Aubrey de Lambert Maynard headed up the medical team who was credited with saving Dr. King’s life. Dr. Maynard was a surgeon who specialized on treating the heart, chest, and abdo-

Phot

os c

ourt

esy

of H

arle

m H

ospi

tal

BY JOHN M. PALMeR, PH.D.exeCuTIVe DIReCTOR, HARLeM HOSPITAL CeNTeR

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with his wife, leaving Harlem Hospital after his near fatal trauma

men. At the time of Dr. King’s stabbing, Dr. Maynard was the Chief of Surgery at Harlem Hospital Center, but he had a long history with the hospital, having joined the staff as a surgeon in 1928. Dr. May-nard’s professional reputation was well known. His innovative work in establishing a division of thoracic surgery and improvement of surgi-cal procedures at the hospital did much to enhance the Hospital’s reputation in the medical community. In an interview with the New York Times in 1996, Dr. Maynard remembered how significant he felt it was for Harlem Hospital that Dr. King had been treated there: “It was a momentous time for Harlem Hospital Center because it was a man of Dr. King’s position who was known all over the world for what

Dr. Emil Naclerio stands beside a sedated Martin Luther King in Harlem Hospital

Continued on page 66


Year after year I watch as my

neighbors put up their

Christmas decorations the

day after Thanksgiving. Although

Christmas is most assuredly on my

mind I can’t say that it occupies the

sense of urgency needed to actually

get me to go into my basement and

maneuver fans, suitcases, and

stored summer clothing to reach

the decorations. In fact we have

made it a tradition to put our tree up on Christmas Eve.

As my youngest children observe the lights and mechan-

ical deer going up around them, they begin a daily litany

of, “Is it Christmas today?” They are waiting, but more

than anything they are anticipating the joys of

Christmas. That is what this season of Advent is about—

anticipation. Advent means the “coming” or the

“arrival.” More than 2,000 years ago the birth of Christ

was long anticipated, because of the promise of hope

that His birth represented. Advent also represents the

anticipation of the second coming of Christ. This antici-

pation is a cornerstone of Christian faith.

Let me ask you a personal question: Are you healthi-

er now than you were in December 2008? Before you

answer, you need to really look at things objectively. I

understand that you may still be a little overweight—

okay, maybe a lot overweight. I realize that your blood

pressure is still elevated six months after the diagnosis,

and I sympathize with you concerning your ongoing bat-

tle with diabetes. But to analyze your goals objectively, a

proper perspective will help you remain focused.

The conversion based upon scale weight was not dra-

matic, but you may have decreased your percentage of

body fat. Your physician is challenged by the fact that

your blood pressure still remains elevated. These are

KAHLILCARMICHAELTHE FITNESSDOCTOR

What Are You Waiting For?

Kahlil Carmichael is the owner of The Fitness Doctor, Inc., a Personal Training, Consulting and Wellness company. To contact Kahlil, call 732-921-3746 or visit his website at www.Thefitnessdoctor.com.

genuine concerns, but I believe with the proper perspec-

tive progress is imminent. You never walked on the tread-

mill prior to 2009. Now as we approach 2010, you have

actually hired a personal trainer or joined a gym. Look at

the progress.

Diabetes concerns persist but you’ve recently changed

your eating habits and can anticipate your best year,

nutritionally speaking. You have reason to be hopeful.

Instead of looking back at what you have not accom-

plished on your journey towards a healthier life, look

ahead—anticipate what you can achieve through the

grace of God and your consistent efforts to participate in

your health and healing. Think about how you’ll look

and feel. Anticipate that new dress or pants—sizes small-

er than last year. As you are waiting to achieve your goals

celebrate your success and continue to believe the prom-

ises of God.

The best way to ensure continued success for meeting

your health and fitness goals are to set up systems that

will keep you accountable. A great system of accountabil-

ity designed to help you maintain an effective and consis-

tent exercise program, is the Fit Care Program offered

through It is Well Living Ministries. This program allows

individuals with hypertension, diabetes and other obesi-

ty related illnesses to receive personal training and fit-

ness programs at very little cost. The ministry covers most

of the cost. To find out if you are eligible for low cost per-

sonal training and fitness programs, please call 732-921-

3746 or visit www.livewellfaith.com.

For more information on how to start a low cost exer-

cise program please call (732) 381-2880 and ask for the

Fit Care program.

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ostracized; they’re already in a difficult situation. You say you’re a child of love; you should be embracing them and trying to share that so-called ‘Jesus’ that you say you worship with these young people who are in the muck and the mire.

“So many of our churches are doing so many things, so many things,” he continued, “but right outside that church door a child is dying. I know a group of preach-ers that would not come out the door of the church to help when two young men were shooting. I know a group of preachers that were approached and were begged to please come out. They would not come out, but they lined up to do the funeral services of a 13-year-old boy. They say that young people have to come into the church, well, the bible that I read says that Jesus went into the highways and byways and He attracted the people. Even groups of preachers rejected Martin Lu-ther King when he had a prophetic word for the people, but now everybody wants to be associated with him.”

Harlem is a safer community than it has been in the past, but gangs, drugs and crime still lurk and leap from dark shadows. Through it all, the P.O.D. makes his mission and message clear to every young person with whom he comes in contact: “I preach hope and I chal-lenge the people to change. I want them to know that there is God.”

P.O.D.Continued from page 28

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he was doing. For him to be brought to Harlem Hospi-tal for a dangerous thing like that, where his life was at stake, it was a challenge. Could Harlem Hospital show that it was up to this task? You see, it was a city hospital, and it was looked down upon. It was up to me to show the world that I could be done there.”

The actual surgery on Dr. King was performed by Dr. John W.V. Cordice and Dr. Emil Naclerio, both attend-ing physicians in the Department of Surgery.

There are many things today that our youth take for granted. Being able to sit down in any restaurant and be served. Being able to purchase property and live in any community, being able to attend any high school, college or university. Before the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. brought national attention to these injustices, the civil rights we so take for granted were not available to African Americans.

If Izola Curry’s plan had worked, there very well might not have been a civil rights movement. Were it not for Harlem Hospital Center, there may not have been a civil rights movement. There might not have been a March on Washington. On September 20, 1958, Harlem Hospital Center saved the civil rights movement.

John M. Palmer, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist with a practice in New York City and is presently the Executive Director of Harlem Hospital Center and the Renaissance Health Care Network .He is a regualr contributing to The Positive Community with a bi-monthly column, “Ask Dr. Palmer.”

HARLEM HOSPITALContinued from page 59

GIVING BACKcontinued from page 54

Consider donating an insurance policy, personal proper-

ty, establishing a charitable remainder trust, or setting up

a fund at a black philanthropic organization. The

National Black United Fund and other respected black

philanthropic organizations can help you create a strate-

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you, your family and the community all at the same time.

As the holiday season comes to an end and a new year

is ushered in, we in the black community should be

reminded of who we are as a people and what our collec-

tive responsibilities are as black Americans. There are

thousands of black people who are attempting to meet

the needs of our communities through their organiza-

tions and programs. They need money to plan, grow and

build for the prosperity of our future as a people and they

should be able to turn to us, their family for help.

This year, may the liberating expectations of Umoja,

Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba and Imani –

consume us all.

The National Black United Fund is a public philanthropic institutionfounded in 1972. Its mission is to create, support, and sustain social,economic, cultural and educational institutions through the enhance-ment of Black philanthropy at the local level. For more informationabout how you can give back to your community, call 973-643-5122 orvisit www.nbuf.org.

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www.thepositivecommunity.com Winter 2009–10 The PPoossiittiivvee CCoommmmuunniittyy 69

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of KingHerod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is theone who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east andhave come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was dis-turbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all thepeople’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where theChrist was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, for this iswhat the prophet has written: “But you, Bethlehem, in the land ofJudah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of youwill come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.”—Matthew 2:1-6 (New International Version)

W hy were Herod and all of Jerusalem disturbed?

First, let’s establish that “all of Jerusalem” did

not mean every Jerusalem resident. It meant

the Jerusalem power structure, which, at Jesus’ birth,

included King Herod, his family, the Roman military

overlords, the Jewish ruling council (Sanhedrin), and

the three powerful Jewish parties from whom the ruling

council was drawn: the Sadducees, Pharisees, and teach-

ers of the law (“scribes” in some translations).

Note further that Herod had not been born king of the

Jews. Born an Idumite, he had been elected “king of the

Jews” by the Roman Senate around 40 B.C. during a strug-

gle for control of Judea involving Romans, Parthians, and

Hasmoneans. After Herod re-conquered Judea for the

Romans in 37 B.C., his power base was delicately balanced

on Roman military might and cooperation with Jewish

institutions and organizations. Thus, toward the end of

Herod’s reign around the time of Christ’s birth, the com-

plex, self-interested Jerusalem power structure viewed as a

threat the mere mention that someone other than Herod’s

sons was “born” king of the Jews.

During the centuries leading up to and including

Christ’s birth, the term “magi” (magus, singular) referred

broadly to castes of learned men, astronomers, astrologers,

interpreters of signs and dreams, magicians, and sorcerers

who originated from areas east or north of Palestine.

Various scholars associate the magi with Medea,

Persia, Chaldea, and Arabia. Magi had political and reli-

gious influence in Persia and perhaps other states not

controlled by Rome. Matthew does not specify how many

magi came to Jerusalem. The Western tradition of three

magi probably stems from the three gifts that they

offered to the infant Messiah: gold, frankincense and

myrrh. A Syrian tradition identifies 12 magi; there may

have been more.

Thus, it is even more understandable that Herod and

his power partners were concerned when folks influen-

tial in states just beyond the Roman Empire’s borders

arrived in Judea’s capital city seeking someone other

than Herod as king.

The magi have also been identified with

Zoroastrianism, a religious system that embraces a

supreme deity opposed by an evil cosmic entity. The

magi who arrived in Jerusalem appear to have been

“God-fearers,” a term historians apply to persons who,

although from pagan cultures, recognized that the God

worshipped in Jerusalem was God, and travelled to that

city to worship Him.

God-fearers were, in a sense, outsiders looking in.

They were not genealogical descendents of Jacob/Israel.

They sought God, not genealogy. Since the Messiah’s

birth, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, the peo-

ple of God are identified by faith (being “born again”)

rather than genealogy (physical birth). “But you are a

chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peo-

ple belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of

him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful

light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the

people of God…”—1 Peter 2:9-10 (NIV)

There came a man of God, more than 1,900 years after

Christ’s ascension, who, though scholarly and wise, and dis-

turbing to the power structure, was not a magus. Rather

than being on the outside looking in, he gazed from inside

“royal priesthood” out toward the world’s social injustice,

poverty, racial oppression, and useless war. To mitigate such

evils, he applied Christ’s teachings by leading non-violent

direct action. He said of himself, “I just want to do God’s

will.” He cited the prophets: “But let justice roll down

like waters, and righteousness like an ever flowing

stream.”—Amos 5:24 (Revised Standard Version)

Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and

hill shall be made low; the uneven ground shall become

level, and the rough places a plain, And the glory of the

Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it togeth-

er…”—Isaiah 40:4-5 (Revised Standard Version)

We happen to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s

birthday during the month after which we commemo-

rate the Messiah’s birth. Let us not deify MLK. But let

us always acknowledge that the King born 2,000 years

ago reigns forever, and the work of his kingdom

is ongoing.

MWANDIKAJI K.MWANAFUNZITHE WAYAHEAD

Of Magi, Messiah and MLK

The Last WordBY R.L. WITTER


Between November and January, four

major holidays are celebrated by the

majority of American people:

Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day

and Martin Luther King Day. In reality, we

should be celebrating five occasions—

especially American people of color.

Much in the same way that the spirit of

Christmas seems largely replaced by com-

mercialism and consumerism, the celebra-

tion of January 1 has been largely reduced

to a day of recovery from over-imbibing

coupled with non-stop football.

But what about that other day of cele-

bration? I know we all rejoiced last January

20 for the inauguration of Barack Obama,

the first African American U.S. presi-

dent—but that’s not the occasion I have in

mind. What about celebrating January 1 as

not only the first day of a new year, but as

the date that marks our freedom from slav-

ery? The Emancipation Proclamation,

which took effect on January 1, 1863 made

it possible for the historic occurrence on

January 20, 2009. Any question of the

sacred nature of the date should be

quelled by the words of Booker T.

Washington, who was a nine-year-old

Virginia boy at the time:

Some man who seemed to be a stranger (a UnitedStates officer, I presume) made a little speech and then read a rather long paper—theEmancipation Proclamation, I think. After thereading we were told that we were all free, andcould go when and where we pleased. My mother,who was standing by my side, leaned over andkissed her children, while tears of joy ran downher cheeks. She explained to us what it all meant,that this was the day for which she had been solong praying, but fearing that she would neverlive to see.The Emancipation Proclamation

changed the lives of thousands of black

people on January 1, 1863 and by July 1865,

it had freed 4 million. Think about that for

a moment—people who went to bed as

slaves on December 31, 1862 awoke as free

people the next morning. Granted, not

everyone exercised their new-found free-

dom, but they had a legal right to do so.

The freedom granted by the

Emancipation Proclamation meant more

than just a potential end to back-breaking

labor and the sting of the whip on the

already-broken back. It meant an end to

families being separated at the whim of a

master with the desire to sell a young boy

just coming of age. It meant black women

having more freedom over their own

bodies and fewer children born of a mas-

ter’s rape.

While the Proclamation freed slaves,

the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S.

Constitution outlawed slavery. That law

benefitted not only Negroes, but

Caucasians from Ireland, Scotland and

Germany among other European immi-

grants who labored as indentured ser-

vants. President Abraham Lincoln risked

his presidency as well as his life so that

Negroes could live as free American peo-

ple and have the right to vote. Our

improved well-being and freedom may not

have been the impetus for his actions, but

they were, in fact, the result.

Much as Lincoln labored for our legal

freedom, Martin Luther King, Jr. labored

for our actual freedom—the freedom to

live and work where we like, shop and eat

where we desire and be recognized as citi-

zens, rather than second-class citizens.

Sadly, just as Lincoln’s beliefs, actions

and dedication precipitated his assassina-

tion, so did Dr. King’s. But for the

Emancipation Proclamation, there would

be no Booker T. Washington, orator, edu-

cator, author and political leader; no civil

rights movement, no MLK Day, no Barack

H. Obama, orator, educator, author and

President of the United States.

Unfortunately, Dr. King never saw his

dream come to fruition and many of us

are still waiting hopefully. This January 1,

after reaching for the aspirin but before

reaching for the remote, I will celebrate

the New Year and my freedom. And

I’ll pray that I live to see the dawning of

the dream.

PublisherAdrian A. Council, Sr.

Editor-in-ChiefJean Nash Wells

Associate EditorR. L. Witter

SalesAngela Ridenour

Adrian Council, Jr.

NGS Communications, Inc.

Satori MPR

Contributing WritersSonja Gracy

Dr. Phillip Bonaparte

Dr. John Palmer

Mwandikaji K. Mwanafunzi

g.r. mattox

Rosemary Sinclair

Patricia Baldwin

Rev. Theresa Nance

Rev. Reginald T. Jackson

Herb Boyd

Glenda Codogan

Toni ParkerHelene Fox

PhotographersBob Gore

Wali A. Muhammad

Seitu Oronde

Rev. Dr. William L. Watkins, Jr.

Darryl Hall

Herb Glenn

Vincent Bryant

Art Direction & LayoutPenguin Design GroupMartin Maishman

The Positive Community Corp.133 Glenridge AvenueMontclair, NJ 07042973-233-9200Fax: 973-233-9201Email: [email protected]: thepositivecommunity.comAll contents © 2009 The Positve Community

Corporation. All Rights Reserved. This publication, in

whole or in part, may not be reproduced, stored in a

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Corporation. Any opinions expressed herein are solely

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The Positive CommunityTM reserves the right to retain

all materials and does not assume reponsibility for

unsolicited materials.

Winter 2009–10

GOOD NEWS FROM THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY

www.thepositivecommunity.com JANUARY 1ST: THE FORGOTTEN DAY OF CELEBRATION

NATE ROBINSON

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The members of the New Jersey Education Association are proud to honor Dr. King’s life and legacy by working to provide every child with a great public school education.

Barbara Keshishian, PresidentWendell Steinhauer, Vice PresidentMarie Blistan, Secretary-TreasurerVincent Giordano, Executive DirectorRichard Gray, Assistant Executive Director/

Research Director

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Winter Issue 2009