Black Family Summit Launches Emergency Response to Coronavirus Pandemic

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

Hope all is well with you and that you and your families are safe, well, healthy, happy and thriving in the midst of these challenging and perilous times. 

I recently received a press release from the Institute of the Black World that I'm sharing with you all, knowing that as we are bombarded more and more by the mainstream media, we definitely need to have voices of calm and reason in order to know what is real and what is hype.  Under the understanding that we have been bombarded with a plethora of misinformation and confusion, the NNPA, headed by Dr. Ben Chavis, along with the Institute of the Black World have come together to provide a closer look, analyses, and resources specifically oriented to Black people.   Thus far, no date as to the convening of the summit has been announced, but as soon as it is, I will be apprising you of the information so you can tune in and participate.

I will likewise be posting the info on my blog: ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEWS as well  as information I'm receiving from international sources which have resources that so far have not been accessed by the current incumbent ersatz president.  We have to keep each other informed, we have to develop and be each others resources and recourses in a time of epidemic and beyond.  It's not the first time we've been through crises - and it's because of our love of each other, our ingenuity, creativity, relentlessness,  and intelligence that we've survived 400 

plus years of every challenge ever known to man thrown at us.  

WE will survive this as well.  

Stay Blessed &

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Black Family Summit Launches Emergency Response to Coronavirus Pandemic

https://ibw21.org/press-release/black-family-summit-launches-emergency-response-to-coronavirus-pandemic/

By IBW21

Organizations to Address Myths and Disinformation, Highlight Racial Disparities

According to Dr. Ron Daniels, President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW), they will convene a Black Family Summit, to launch a multifaceted emergency Initiative to address the impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on African Americans and people of African descent in the U.S. 

Leonard Dunston, President Emeritus of the National Association of Black Social Workers and IBW Board Member,  will convene the Summit, which is comprised of twenty-nine socially-conscious Black professional and advocacy groups.  Among  the organizations that focus on the wholistic health and welfare of Black families and communities, are the All Healers Mental Health Alliance, Black Psychiatrists of America, Association of Black Psychologists, Inc., National Association of Black Social Workers, Black Administrators in Child Welfare, National Medical Association, Community Healing Network, Nigerian Social Workers of America and the National Black Nurses Association.  These “healing” organizations are in the forefront of the Emergency Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic as it relates to the impact on Black families and communities.

Because of false information  spread on social media that Black people are immune from the Coronavirus because of a “melanin exemption;”  and rumors that the danger of the Pandemic is being overblown as a scheme to control Black people, along with prevalent disbelief and apathy among many in the Black community as to the validity and seriousness of the Coronavirus Pandemic, the All Healers Mental Health Alliance, convened by Dr. Annelle Primm,  recently discussed these issues on its bi-weekly conference call.   Subsequently,  IBW is  convening an emergency phone meeting of BFS Organizations to develop strategies to counter myths and disinformation about the Pandemic.

To immediately address these urgent concerns the Co-Chairpersons of the FEMA/BFS Emergency Management Task Force, Yusef Muhammad, former President of the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters; and Dr. Lucy  Perez, former President of the National Medical Association, have assembled a Task Team to develop culturally appropriate and effective messages, with accurate medical information and facts, about the Coronavirus Pandemic and its impact on Black families and communities.  The first Fact Sheet has already been developed and is being circulated as an evolving document to be updated as new information and facts emerge about the Pandemic. The National Medical Association, Meharry College and several other organizations have volunteered to contribute to the evolving Fact Sheet.

A Black Media Task Team has been formed, headed by Rev. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, President/CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association and Rev. Mark Thompson, Host of the Make It Plain Podcast and a longtime social justice activist, to assemble experts and messengers who will deliver the  message via print, electronic and social media platforms that the Coronavirus Pandemic is REAL and will disproportionally impact Black families and communities. 

BFS organizations are submitting the names of representatives with expertise on infectious diseases and healthcare disparities for Black people to Dr. Chavis and Rev. Thompson so that a pool of Black-oriented expert voices will be available for interviews on Black and mainstream media.  

Dr. Leon McDougle, President-Elect, National Medical Association, Dr. Patricia Newton, CEO/Medical Director, Black Psychiatrists of America and Dr. Martha Dawson, President, National Association of Black Nurses are the first representatives who have agreed to be credible messengers for this Initiative. 

It is anticipated that many more will follow in short order.

The Emergency Response Initiative is rapidly achieving results.  At Dr. Chavis’ request, the NNPA has established a National Coronavirus Resource Center on its digital platform Black America Press.com; and Dr. Chavis has generously agreed to create a dedicated space for articles and essays from IBW/BFS on the NNPA platform.  

IBW has also established a space for Coronavirus articles and information on its website at www.ibw21.org – which will be linked to the NNPA Resource Center.  

Webinars to disseminate accurate information about the Coronavirus Pandemic are being convened almost daily by organizations affiliated with BFS. 

Seventy-five or more representatives of organizations participated in the most recent Emergency Phone Meeting convened by BFS.  There was great eagerness to contribute to making this Initiative successful.

In commenting on the success of the Emergency Response Initiative, Leonard Dunston, Convener of BFS said, “The outpouring of support for this effort has been simply amazing. It’s in the best tradition of Black folks responding to the needs of our people in times of crisis.  It is also clear that there is a deep yearning  for sharing and healing at a time when people feel isolated from each other.  So, in addition to convening sessions to develop strategies to address the Pandemic, we also plan to convene regular healing sessions to bond and bind our people together as we collectively struggle to get beyond this crisis.”

For further information on the Black Family Summit Emergency Response Initiative contact IBW at: info@ibw21.org or call 718.429.1415. ###

NOW THAT YOU KNOW?

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Stay Blessed &

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria Dulan-Wilson

eclecticallyblacknews@gmail.com

We Need Pro-Active Professional Public Relations for President Barack Obama (Read Black)

by Gloria Dulan-Wilson

I rode down to Baltimore recently, on one of the Chinese Bus lines, to attend a special family reunion with my Uncle, who is nearly 80, and was visiting here from the left coast (a/k/a California).

Normally I do most of my travel at night, because it’s hard to get out of New York - we’re always doing something. So I generally take the last or next to the last bus out. But this time I did something different - and I’m glad I did. I left New York at 7:00 AM (needless to say I did not go to bed, because for me to leave at 7:00 means I had to be up by 5:00, to get out of the house by 6:00 to get there by 7:00 AM in the first place. No self-respecting night owl, such as myself, would ever do that. So, yes, I was up all night. Thank goodness you can do that in New York.)

As we were rolling down I-95, I began to notice miles and miles of heavy equipment and construction equipment. I noticed that certain portions of the turnpike were in various stages of repair (they need to do that in NYC as well, I can point out some pothole heavens that could easily destroy an axle.)

In Jersey, there was construction going on. In Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland -- highways being constructed, repaired, expanded, re-routed. What was up? Was it a coincidence that all the interstate highways seemed to be undergoing some sort of massive construction?

And it suddenly dawned on me -- these are some of the “shovel ready” projects that were being underwritten by President Barack Obama’s Stimulus funds, allocated to jump start a stalled economy. However, you would never know it because it was taking places in different states, and the signage you see when local government is doing the work was conspicuously absent from these projects.

So I want to propose something to help those who flap their gums about what the President hasn’t done, or needs to do: I want his public relations people to immediately construct and erect the same huge billboards with the name of the particular stimulus fund project on it, and the caption: THIS PROJECT OR EVENT OR BUILDING MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE FORESIGHT OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA TO ALLOCATE $hundreds of trillions in stimulus funds for (THE NAME OF YOUR STATE/HIGHWAY HERE). Beside the billboard they must have a beautiful photo of President Obama smiling that wonderful smile of his, and signing the paperwork that got the Stimulus Fund started. And maybe on the other side have him with two thumbs up showing the progress is being made.

Every where there is a project that has benefitted from those funds, we must have signs saying: "Your stimulus dollars at work!!

I guarantee if we construct such a sign for each and every stimulus fund program or project that is benefiting from these funds, not only will the billboard industry benefit from an injection of stimulus dollars, but the ignorance and the lies will die down. Then to further promulgate his accomplishments, let's design little mini-comic books for our youth and those adults who never made it, also depicting his progress. He doesn't necessarily have to wear a super hero costume, but it can be IMPLIED, so that no one overlooks the inferences.

Now, I also propose that President Obama go beyond the White House staffers who routinely write, or synopsize his actions, and reach out to those of us in the media who live here in the communities who can also write good copy about his programs and their positive effect on our community and readership. We love him and we are very CREATIVE, and eager to set the record straight in his behalf (in point of fact, that's exactly what we do constantly and continuously; would be great to be paid for it).

We can call it BLOGGING FOR OBAMA!!!!! We are the frontline antidote for vicious mainstream media that would and often does, constantly and consistently distort, or block his messages.

That stimulus money would not only help us, but will make it possible for us to likewise help others who are interested in working with us in furtherance of speaking the truth to power, and providing essential information to a populace long suffering under decades of lies and propaganda foisted upon them by a media who has tried to be the only show in town.

The other billboard we need should be one that is a constantly updatable one that can be seen from the freeways, as well as on the streets. It should say “THANK YOU PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA FOR THE FOLLOWING:
It would then list his accomplishments, starting with the most recent first, and continuing to list them from the day he took his oath of office to the present date. Each time the President accomplishes something else, the billboard will list it, without eliminating the others that are also part of the accomplishments he’s done in such a short time.

Then, just for fun, let’s have a friendly reminder that appears in the Newspapers and on our blogs on a consistent basis:

THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW: Contrasting under “then” the economic down turn; under the NOW, the things the President has accomplished -- maybe with some animated or cartoon illustrations (we need good political satirists) who can help make this happen.

These are only a handful of things we, writers, speakers, and media specialists can do NOW in behalf of ourselves and our President, to make sure that these miscreants are no longer the strident voices being given the most focus.

You can also pledge to not reprint hostile or derogatory information about President Obama. I have made it plain that not only will I not accept or reprint it, but I will cut the writer off from my list. I am not supporting that so called “objective” crap -- since most of it is motivated by racism. Now of course, our President cannot make such accusations, no matter how true they are -- and the mainstream media is counting on this to be able to maintain a clear field in their nefarious move of character assassination and blatant propaganda.
They also prey on the gullibility factor that far too many Americans are guilty of, coupled with an inborn redneckism that some have hard wired in their dna.

We, on the other hand have a truth filter that will not allow this kind of reprehensible behavior to continue unchallenged. We need both head to head confrontation, hand to hand combat (via headlines and refutations) and guerilla warfare, via our churches, community centers, Sororities and Fraternities and all of our civil rights, civic and social organizations. We have to become and stay OBAMACIZED.

We have to be able to speak truth to power the way our president does, with that same assured smile on our face, but with just a little more oomph! To let the enemy know that we’re not playing.

Just so you know, this letter is definitely going to be posted on my blog; but it is also going to the National Newspaper Publisher Association (NNPA); the NYABJ and the ABJ - association of Black journalists; the National Urban League, the NAACP, CORE, National Black Public Relations Specialists Association (NBPRSA); Association of Black Social Workers; the Black Ministerial Alliance - and all the rest of those who should be standing shoulder to shoulder backing and advancing for President Barack Obama, and for those who are currently running for office or re-election who will be instrumental in making sure he has and maintains the conscientious majority in the Congress he needs to continue to get the job done.

Don’t think that you only have to come out and support President Obama in 2012. This is an ongoing battle. It requires each and every one of us diligently doing our job, taking out our time, taking the principled, hard line stand to back him and the people who support him as well.

By the way, when you see those bogus polls, like the one CBS is currently running, rating the President's performance thus far, make sure you take out time to complete it. But also let them know that we want to see a poll that ranks President Obama's performance in comparison to his predecessor. The poll is only valid when it's comparing appropriate categories. For instance, how Obama is doing in the economy should also be juxtaposed against the economy and how the predecessor had done over the same approximate time. It also helps to know what phase of the economy they're referring to. Bottom line, the more we respond to the so-called surveys, the less likely they are to continue putting that b.s. out there. Of course, we could also run some polls of our own.

There is a primary election here in New York. No doubt there are primaries around the US. We have to expose the devil (I.e. republicans and their so-called Tea Party/Sarah Palin/Bush hang over/Rove charlatans for who and what they are. WE HAVE TO VOTE THEM OUT of office, and make sure we VOTE IN those who walk the walk and talk the talk - OBAMA STYLE.

Unless you got forty more years to wander around in the wilderness waiting for the next great Black break through to come through, this is it -- so let’s make it the best 8 years with the best Black (or any other) President this country or the White House, or the world has ever witnessed.

Though the title says Black Public Relations for President Obama, I'm not closing the doors on our brothers and sisters who admire him from Japan, China, Africa, Latin America,India, Brazil and South America, Austrailia, Great Britain, Ireland, France, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Germany and other parts of the world. We welcome your support as well. As long as it's positive, the message will definitely go forth.

Public relations people the world over, and here in the US, start your spin.
We’ve got a great and mighty work to do!

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Shirley Sherrod: My Response to Commentary on Controversy

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

On Sun, Jul 25, 2010 at 5:33 PM, this message was forwarded to me from one of the BlackList Rise Up Net contributors. He was forwarding to me an email he received on Friday, 7/24/2010 1:16:04 AM Eastern Daylight Savings Time, and his response; to wit:

“In New York City, for example, an average of 20 people for every 100,000 residents in the Upper East Side (a wealthy area where Mayor Bloomberg lives) were arrested for misdemeanor marijuana charges in 2007-2009. In that same period, the arrest rate for the same offense was 3,109 people for every 100,000 residents in Brownsville, Brooklyn, a neighborhood that is 75% African-American.” -jypzzz

“This, dear friends, is the real point. The harsh and swift judgment Mrs Sharrod received (From her own people) is culturally imbedded.   It is what we see every day in our criminal justice system and most prominently in the War on Drugs/Black men!   No white man or women would have been treated so harshly.   "Plausible denial" (the white man's get out of jail free card) is not something that is available to black people!   Not that Mrs. Sharrod had anything to deny, but it wouldn't have mattered. Just a thought to add to a well reasoned essay. mike“ 

Below are my comments on the Shirley Sherrod situation:

DearMcFad3: This is one of those times when I totally agree with you.  A great many of us are prone to rush to judgment when it comes to our own people and a matter of their guilt or innocence.  That is indeed something that we have to deal with - the evil in our own eye when we look at each other. 

I do, however, want to point out, just for the record, that Ms. Sherrod was libeled, slandered.  And in journalism, there are (or were) laws against libel that really should cause Breitbart some serious financial damage.  When he went to all the trouble to take excerpts from Ms. Sherrod's speech, and present it as though it was the sum total of everything she had said, it was libelous and slanderous.  It is the highest (read lowest) form of defamation of character.  It really boils down to an attempt to sully Ms. Sherrod. 

Yes, there may have been a rush to judgment.  However, I daresay, given the presentation in the original format, it would have been difficult to have to come to any other conclusion.  And as duplicitious as the mainstream is when it comes to trying to vilify us, I don't think many of us (including yours truly - who doesn't trust them any further than I can throw them), would have suspected  them of  having the temerity and the gall to present a tape that was so doctored and distorted. 

But that, folks, is what Macchiavelli's "The Prince" called the big lie.  It is a lie so big, and so bold, and so outrageous, that most reasonable, regular people could not imagine someone going to such an extent to do so.  Why would they?  What would they get out of it?  So it must be true? Right?  But we have been victims of the big lie all our lives...you know the ones - we're inferior, Black people are 3/5's human, and so on and so forth.

So when the clip was presented of Ms. Sherrod allegedly making a racist statement, and it's in video, and it's her, it was difficult for someone to say - oh, wait a minute, could this be a doctored tape put together to make us jump down this poor Black woman's throat and show that we don't know how to see through a set up?  We, as usual, are trying to maintain the "golden rule of do unto others."  I.e., if we wanted mainstream to stop discriminating against us, how then could we continue to employ some one at the federal level, who by her own words, appears to be practicing reverse discrimination?  So of course the next logical move was to summarily and dramatically terminate her; making sure the world knows that we, at least, are dealing evenhandedly with wrong doers.

Breitbart must have thought this was a tremendous joke.  President Obama, Ben Jealous, the head of the Department of Agriculture, and a large number of Blacks and whites had all been fooled by his bogus video.  What a lark!!  Of course Ms. Sherrod, who had been doing an excellent job for decades found herself in a maelstrom of controversy.

The positive thing, however, was that when the truth came to light, profuse apologies were offered all around.  The head of the Dept. of Agriculture offered her her position back.  But, as she stated on The View, "I don't know if I want to go back to that department.  I think, given the circumstances, I need to be in another department, maybe even another division of the government."

Now, down to the real nitty-gritty:  What else have we learned from this?  As our Indian relatives have told us for hundreds of years "white man speak with forked tongue."  And in Breitbart's case, this is patently true.  Secondly, no matter how big a stack of Bibles they swear on, we must always do our own due diligence before we accept what they say as true. (So, for those of you who have been following the actions and activities of the "Tea Party" you already know they are bogus, racist, and a throwback to the bad old days).

As a kid in Oklahoma City, it was taught that the more the mainstream media spent vilifying a Black person, the more likely he or she must be doing something right.  I was in the 4th grade at the time.  It is as true now, as it was them.  So when you read hostile headlines about President Obama in the Post, Daily News, New York Times, etc., or Congressman Charlie Rangel, David Paterson, or Kanye West, or whomever, consider the source.  They have yet to prove to me to be the bastion of truth and honesty when it comes to us and our affairs.

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) which represents 220 Black Newspapers nationwide, are dedicated to keeping Black people informed and abreast of issues that directly affect us.   I strongly suggest you maintain a subscription to at least one of them. And of course, thank goodness for The BlackList, and other websites that are devoted to things Black people need to know.

Soooooooo, what have we learned from this, and what will we teach our people?  There is an element of mean-spirited, negative, evil, low-lifes, who will spend every waking minute in the pursuit of racism, racial hatred, and pitting people against each other.  They are not to be trusted. 

You should be able to smell them from far off.  When you read them, when they come on the news and spout stats; when they are on their talk radio shows and, the ersatz religious and news TV shows, going under the guise of legitimacy, while spouting invectives against you, the President, or anyone else who is trying to make sure we have our fair share; you should now be able to point your finger at them, look at them with a wise and knowing eye of wisdom, and say in a loud voice - YOU ARE A LIAR, back up and back off!!! (in church they would say "the devil's a liar"; or "get thee behind me satan" - it works the same way).

Bottom line then is this: WE WON'T BE FOOLED AGAIN - EVER!

STAY BLESSED &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

NNPA III: Motown Mogul Berry Gordy and Cong. Charles Rangel Receive NNPA LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

How do you put top off an already successful conference that is comprised of some of the sharpest Black Newspaper Publishers and writers ever? It’s not easy. Most of them have seen it all - from the bad, the shabby, the tacky, from racists to criminal, through to the most positive, power, erudite and elegant of experiences. So you have to plan carefully, keeping in mind that your audience is comprised of reporters, photographers, editors, advertising and marketing specialists (sometimes all rolled up in one person).

It is safe to say that Danny Bakewell and those who worked with him to plan this event, not only far exceeded expectations, but left them totally “wowed!”

The NNPA wrapped up its historical 2010 summer convention in New York with an awards ceremony dinner and gala which honored Harlem-based Congressman Charles Rangel and Motown founder and mogul Berry Gordy, who is celebrating Motown’s 50th Anniversary this year.

(50 years??????? That’s amazing, when so many of us can remember as kids dancing to Smokey Robinson’s “Really Got a Hold on Me” and “Mickey’s Monkey” -- but I digress).

From beginning to end the evening was one of congeniality and excitement. Berry Gordy is most definitely a celebrity many speak of in whispers and wonder. He is mythic and legendary in his accomplishments during a time when Blacks were still being relegated to the back of the bus.

No one expected him to be as down to earth, pleasant, approachable, as he was when he walked through the crowd of admirers waiting to be seated at their respective tables. Stopping to shake hands with one, be photographed with another, accepting business cards from yet another. Slim, trim, in an elegant evening suit, you look into those soft brown, smiling eyes and think, “Wow! I’m talking to the great Berry Gordy. This is really fantastic!”

Unlike many celebrities who come in through side doors, not wanting to interact with their admirers, Mr. Gordy took time to really converse with several of the NNPA members and guest, leaving them with an even more wonderful impression of him as a person, as well as a giant in the music industry.

It's hard to encompass so much history in such a short time. Even more difficult to convey the camaraderie that permeated the gala, as we viewed a video stream of the member newspapers that make up the NNPA, and their combined historical contributions to Black Culture.

The program began with Congressman Rangel, who succeeded the great Adam Clayton Powell Jr. in Congress, receiving the first award. The Congressman always has a great smile, no matter what’s going on. "He’s served in Congress for 20 terms," stated a voice over that chronicled a pictorial of his accomplishments. It continued: “His irresistible energy, his self deprecating sense of humor, and his distinctive voice are a legend on Capitol Hill. Even after having served 20 terms, his eyes are on new horizons. The next chapter. The next challenge.”

When Chairman Danny Bakewell presented Congressman Rangel with the award for exemplary courage in the time of need to our community and our nation,” Rangel received a well deserved standing ovation.

Rangel, who is part of the legendary “Gang of Four“, consisting of David Dinkins, Basil Paterson (father of Governor David Paterson) and former Mayor David Dinkins, and the late Percy Ellis Sutton, always makes reference to them in his speeches: “To my brother, David Dinkins who believed in me, we believed in each other and what we set out to do. "

Congressman Rangel also spoke of the legacy of those who had gone before him, including Amsterdam News journalist, the late Jimmy Booker; the Hon. Percy Ellis Sutton. “Some of the people that we’re most proud of are no longer here. Yet the dreams and the aspirations live on. The fact that during our lifetime we were able to get an African American elected; or that we’ve been covering the dreams and aspirations of people around the world, doesn’t mean that our kids are guaranteed a better life, education, and better home. There's still much work to be done. I feel so individually proud to receive this award because I receive it on behalf of so many people!”

Before we go forward, let me tell you a little about the symbology of the Legacy of Excellence Award. It was personally designed by NNPA National Board Chair Danny Bakewell. Not only is it one of the most distinctive, beautiful, and eloquent designs ever; is speaks volumes about the mind, heart and intense love and dedication that Danny Bakewell has for Black” people. The care consideration and artistry that went into the execution of this symbol is both majestic and touching; and at the same time motivational. Who wouldn’t want to be worthy of what that symbol stands for such that they likewise such an honor bestowed on them? Who wouldn’t want to have such a beautiful testimony to their accomplishment prominently displayed in a favored spot for friends, family, associates to see? It’s an incentive to do your utmost to be deemed worthy.

Per Bakewell, when he was coming up with the concept: "It was an American Eagle because it had to be a model of excellence. It had roots around a African drum; the roots are like the grapevine. Someone said like Tarzan? I said, no, grapevine, it’s how we Black people communicated. The drum, how we communicated when we were in Mother Africa. The Eagle is holding a newspaper in his talons; the object is that wherever we need the word; it has a pen in its beak. He carries the truth with him everywhere he goes.” This is the award that was bestowed upon Congressman Charles Rangel and Motown Music Mogul Berry Gordy.

Danny Bakewell’s reverence for Berry Gordy was unmistakable In fact, Bakewell and Gordy may well have what is called a mutual admiration society." Per Bakewell: “I want to bring a new perspective to the people who don’t know Berry Gordy. Yes he is the legendary promoter. He is a man of extraordinary means; he is an exquisite producer; but he is a man who has a heart. He is a man who has a profound sense of family; and a profound sense of tenacity and courage which is what this award is about. He is all that we know about him in the media; but he has all the things that we try to teach our children. He has all the things that we try to emulate to be better parents; to be better brothers and sisters.”

Bakewell recounted Gordy’s many accomplishments: “He brought to the world Smokey Robinson and The Miracles; he brought to the world Diana Ross and the Supremes; he brought to the world Mary Wells; Marvin Gaye, The Marvelettes, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Martha and the Vandellas, Chuck Jackson, The Four Tops, Junior Walker and the All Stars; The Spinners; Tina Marie; the Isley Brothers, Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Jackson Five, Ashford and Simpson, Germaine Jackson; Commodores, Ric James, Lionel Ritchie, and the greatest entertainer in the world, Michael Jackson!!!”

After a standing ovation for the memory of King of Pop, who died suddenly a year ago, Bakewell continued: “So if those talents are geniuses, what is Berry Gordy? And he’s still doing the business of setting standards of excellence. And in many instances, despite the fact that he wants to bring us all along with him, he stands as a beacon light for all that we want to become. And as I inscribed in this award, ‘he put through his dreams;’ and that’s what people don’t understand. He puts through his dreams with excellence in mind, refusing to take a substandard; making people around him understand who he is and what he’s trying to do; what he’s trying to get them to understand. Many times people don’t understand what’s in his heart - the passion, the commitment that drives him… Berry Gordy created Motown and the entertainment industry became an entertainment legend. But Motown’s contribution to the world made him and American Icon. And it is for that reason that we love him and we honor him.”

As the voice over narration touted Gordy’s triumphs, image after image of the Motown greats flashed across the screen. “Fortunately for the young people in Detroit who wanted to pursue music Berry Gordy was there and he was the guy who had the dream the struggle could become truth.”

What followed was a musical tribute produced by Bakewell! A fantastic music documentary chronicling all the artists who came through Gordy and achieved greatness in their own right: Diana Ross and the Supremes, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles; Stevie Wonder; the Four Tops, the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Martha and the Vandellas, Gladys Knight and the Pips; Jackie Wilson, and on and on, that had the well dressed audience snapping their fingers and clapping in rhythm with the music.

(I want that DVD !! I would definitely play it over and over. It was both spectacular and nostalgic. Most of us could relate to at least one, if not all of the artists who have come thru Motown).

When Danny Bakewell presented Berry Gordy with NNPA Legacy of Excellence Award “for 50 years in the music industry as the founder of, and inspiration behind Motown and some of the most dynamic covey of Black artists ever” Berry Gordy was visibly moved -- both by the magnitude of the award, and the musical tribute itself.

After accepting the award, and gathering his composure, Gordy spoke very softly and humorously: “Incredible! This is a very important night for me for so many reasons. I hope I can convey them to you. So many things were happening to me sitting at my table, I was like writing stuff, scratching it out, writing stuff, scratching it out. And just when I thought it was really great, he said something about excellence, and I said I can’t have it, I gotta go back. So you put me in a lot of trouble.”

As the audience’s laughter subsided, Gordy continued, “The point is that I’m here tonight, and it really is an important night for me. I’m so thrilled to be here with so many of my friends; my fellow honoree, the great Charlie Rangel. Marc Marial President of the National Urban League, which is celebrating 100 years of excellence), David Dinkins, Xernona Clayton and others. And to receive this award from my dear, dear friend, Danny Bakewell is the icing on the cake.

“Danny Bakewell has been an idol of mine for many, many years for his commitment, and devotion to the many causes that he champions. I have never seen him lose. His leadership in some of the roughest situations that I’ve seen, I’ve never seen him fail when he was dealing with the worst of us, in terms of drug addicts, young kids going the wrong way; and he had a way of dealing with that -- giving them jobs, doing things, moving them into areas; teaching them things that they could do; things that they thought they were beneath, he taught them how to be great waiters, great busboys, great computer techs. All of these things I’ve seen him do over and over again. And I’ve never seen him fail. So he’s been one of my champions!

Then, with the quick wit and humor that has obviously sustained him through fifty years of putting together a musical empire, he switched gears: “Okay, Danny, enough about you! I’m going to talk about me. I was 11 years old when I was first introduced to the Black press. I worked for the Michigan Chronicle in Detroit. I thought of myself as a marketing genius; a distribution executive. My friends thought of me as a paper boy. And that was cool! Because I actually sold more papers than anybody else. So one weekend I took my show on the road, downtown to the white folks. I always felt our similarities were so much more powerful than our differences. And I was right. They loved me and they loved the Michigan Chronicle. I sold out in no time. I was in incredible shape. The next week, I took my brother Robert with me. Loaded with papers - we were going to clean up! We sold nothing. Not one. And it seemed to me, one Black kid was cute, but two were a threat to the neighborhood. That was my first real marketing lesson. Later when I started Motown, I didn’t put Black faces on some of the first album covers -- I wanted people to hear the music first. I worked, and once it did the rest was history.

“For me, our Motown 50th celebration was not about me or the Motown Superstars, it was more about the unsung heroes of Motown. The people behind the scenes who gave us love, support, and kept us going. And I’m here tonight to make sure that all of you know that you are a part of Motown’s great family.

“You, the Black Press, not only Detroit, but all over the country, have no idea how much you meant -- what your love meant, and your support meant to me and all of us at Motown at a time when we needed it most. You were there. And it was such a wonderful feeling.

“And, I’m somewhat sentimental, because Danny Bakewell gave me the opportunity to stand here and tell you that, because I never had a chance before. I know you’re here to honor me, and I appreciate that; but tonight I’m here to honor you. And it’s a big thrill for me just to stand here and look at all of you and see your faces and realize how much you meant to us in those early days, when we knew we could always count on you to bring out the truth, and to help us in whatever we were doing. And I didn’t even know some of the people I met tonight; and I thanked them personally, you know, and, uh, the Black Press of America is just awesome to Motown. I always think of you as part of the Motown family. And thank you again for allowing me this opportunity to say, Thank you, thank you, and again, thank you!”

It goes without saying that so many Black businessmen and women have no idea how much the positions they are currently enjoying are because of the vigilence and diligence of the Black press, who at every turn is countering and reversing race-drenched material cooked up by the mainstream media to disparage them. It was indeed gratifying to hear those words from Berry Gordy, who, even through his triumphs, has definitely been besieged with invectives and inuendos. It is even more gratifying to celebrate 50 years of an organization that took the music industry, stood it on its ear and made it bow to his standards.

The balance of the evening included the great Gerald Levert of the OJAYS, who definitely rocked the house and make the NNPA regret not have set up some space for dancing. The guests, especially we New Yorkers, finding it difficult to sit while Levert and his band were turning out so much soul, found spaces where ever we were, and “boogied” to the music (which of course was our way of communicating our appreciation for a wonderful evening and a job well done).

As stated in the previous section, the Black Press started in America 183 years ago. There are many who try to say it is no longer relevant or necessary because of computers or because we now have diversity. However, diversity never has and never will replace the virtue of having and maintaining your own means of communication.

Will Rogers (a personal hero of mine from Oklahoma) once said: “I don’t know much, all I know is what I read in the newspapers.” Well if the newspapers you get your information from are self affirming, pro Black and culturally aware and supportive, you will end up knowing a great deal.

Congratulations to the NNPA for keeping Black People Informed and involved for 183 years. Here's to 183 more.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

The National Newspaper Publishers NYC Conference Part I

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

The National Newspaper Publisher’s Association (NNPA) recently wound up their national conference in New York City, leaving me with what I call a reporter’s nightmare. Why do I use that phraseology? Because I could elect to just do a sound byte round up of activities, or I could choose to go in depth. And you who know who I am, know that I have to take it deeper than just the activities themselves. I have to talk about what it means to us as Black people and where do we go from here. That’s why I have this Blog, Eclectically Black News, so we can really deal with the relevance. So here we go:

Under the dynamic leadership of Danny Bakewell, Chairman of the Board and now owner/publisher of the Los Angeles Sentinel, the NNPA Conference got off to an impressive start with a stellar reception in Macy’s executive suites, in midtown Manhattan. Bakewell comes from an activist background, as leader of the Brotherhood Crusade, a well respected organization that has for nearly 40 years been making a difference in the lives of Black people in and around California. With Bakewell devoting his time, talent, tenacity and attention to the National Newspaper Publishers Association its future success bodes well for us all, regardless of whether you're a reader or a part of the Black press.

NNPA Board members, Walter Smith, publisher of the New York Beacon (formerly The Big Red News) and Thomas Watkins, publisher of the Daily Challenge, New American and Afro Times (under the Challenge Group umbrella), served as hosts for the three-day event, which started on June 16, 2010 and ended on Juneteenth, Saturday, June 19.

Most people have little to no understanding of what most Black newspaper publishers have to go thru to put out a paper on weekly, daily, or bi-weekly basis. While some make it look easy, have large offices and operations, and a broad based staff of writers and reporters; there are just as many who are “mom and pop” operations, with the work and the publishing being done in a small one-room office. Some publishers are often armed with nothing more than a computer and a camera. (Did I say “computer?” There were days when the tools were typewriters, manual ones at that. But somehow our Black newspapers were still published).

At the end of this article is a comprehensive list of NNPA member papers throughout the US. Some, like the Amsterdam News, Pittsburgh Courier and Chicago Defender, have either crossed or are near the century mark, having stood the test of time. Others, no less significant, have been around now for three quarters of a century, “speaking truth to power”, and find their mission no less important today, than when they were founded in the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s.

Some of these papers represent your home town, or the home towns of your friends and relatives. If they’re not already doing so, please encourage them to subscribe to their local Black newspapers. It’s the conduit to key information we need to succeed in this society and in the world.

As a kid in Oklahoma, I read the Black Dispatch, founded in 1913 by brother Roscoe Dunjee. My family had a subscription (I almost said a prescription, because reading about your own people, written by your own people, is good for what ails you.) I clearly remember there being articles and issues in the Black Dispatch that were not in the Daily Oklahoman and Times (a white paper that seemed not know we existed until the sit ins of the 60’s). Though the photos were somewhat darker than we liked them to be, the information was always accurate and detailed. Not only did we get news about what was happening with Blacks in Oklahoma, but they took a stand, and often called for action from the community. They also reported on Blacks in other parts of the US as well. Unfortunately, it is no longer published.

Historically speaking, the progenitors of our Black Press, which is the collective term for Black newspapers, were three Black “freed”men: Bostin Crummell, Rev. Samuel Cornish, and John B. Russworm, who, over 183 years ago in 1827, right here in New York City, met with other Black Freedmen to deal with racist white publications. As a result, Cornish and Russworm founded Freedom’s Journal, the first Black news publication in the US, because regardless of how many well meaning whites wrote positive articles about the then existing slaves and freedman, they felt it important to speak for themselves. “We wish to plead our own case,” was the raison d’etre for establishing the paper, and remains so today.

183 years ago! You have to ask yourselves who was reading the papers then? In the South probably no one since it was against the law to teach Black people to read. So it meant there were several educated free Black families in New York, Boston and points north sufficient to require and sustain such a publication.

How were they paid? Did they have advertisers or subscribers such that there were sufficient funds to underwrite these publications? Who were the advertisers? And who were the reporters? Who did the actual publishing. Did we have the machinery, equipment and supplies back then to consistently print our paper or did we have to rely upon well meaning whites to get it done? Talking about making a way out of no way!

Publishing is a no joke career. While now college courses and formulas teach publication, I have no doubt that, today, as it was back in the early 1800’s, Black publishers did not get into publishing just for the money. Most responded to a nagging “divine discontent” -- an underlying frustration, laced with a burning passion to get our story straight; get the story out about who Black people are, what we do, and our own tribulations and aspirations.

There is a desire -- no, a need; better yet, a requirement -- to see ourselves through our own lens; not the distorted, racist lens that most white papers use. Most Black publishers, back then and now, were probably originally writers who just wanted to tell the truth, and found that in order to get that truth to the people who needed to hear it, they also had to be concerned with the printing, distribution and continued gathering of information.

They found that getting that truth out cost money to obtain the paper, the print and the distribution. Many of these frustrated writers have morphed into being publishers as well. The passion for the truth also meant controlling the variables as much as possible; making sure that the means and the conduit for that truth were in place; and the people who were best able to write the truth in a compelling manner were engaged so that the ongoing communication with the public was maintained.

Being a publisher is a never ending battle, you know. I applaud the brothers and sisters who take on this task, because the Black press has an overlay the mainstream press does not have: constantly combating character assassination.

While subscription is an important component of Black newspaper publishing revenue, it is what architect Dan Watts, publisher of the Liberation Magazine, called “Necessary, but not sufficient.” Advertising was, and is, as essential as all the other components.

In point of fact, advertising is the life’s blood of the ongoingness (is that even a word?) of publishing and production. And, as it was 183 years ago, it still is a sad fact today that relatively few of the Black businesses and organizations advertise with their local Black publications; while at the same time relying on those very same publications to get the word out about their activities and issues.

Fortunately, there have been some positive powerful alliances forged with such corporate giants as AT&T Communications, Macy’s, and others who realize the value of advertising with the the National Newspaper Publishers Association, whose circulation literally reaches 80% of the African American community nationwide.

If you take all the 220 NNPA member newspapers in the aggregate who try to keep Black people informed, we have a formidable wealth of information on our side.

This must have been what John H. Sengstacke realized when he founded the then National Negro Publishers Association in 1940. According to NNPA history, Sengstacke was heir to the Robert S. Abbot Publishing Co., and called a conference that would give attention to advertising, editorial, and news gathering problems, while also recognizing omnipresent racial issues.

Prior to that efforts to bring Black newspaper publishers together began in 1875 in Cincinnati, Ohio, when former reconstruction era Lieutenant Governor Pinchback, of Louisiana, called publishers of that day together. Sengstacke’s initial meeting only culled 22 Black publications; but these publications came together for “harmonizing our energies in a common purpose for the benefit of Negro journalism.”

They changed the name to National Newspaper Publishers Association in 1956. The NNPA’s monumental history includes such great writers, editors and journalists as: Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. DuBois, Ida B. Wells Barnett, Langston Hughes, Romare Bearden, James Weldon Johnson, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Daisy Bates (Gloria Dulan-Wilson).

Likewise, where Black publications are pitted against mainstream -- often biased -- white publications, you often find that a less well educated population of African Americans read white publications (NY Post, NYTimes, LA Times, Chicago Tribune, as examples), as though they contained all the truth and all the information they needed; while turning their noses up at their own ethnic papers.

When you divide our power to enlighten and educate by the residual slave mentality so many of our people display, our overall effectiveness is seriously reduced. As Michael House, publisher of the Chicago Defender, state: “We still have a long way to go in getting to our people.”

Recently, while riding the subway, I was reading the Amsterdam News when an ignorant (negro) person snarled: “They still publish that paper?” Unfortunately for them, I was definitely the wrong person to say that to. So I retorted: “Are we still Black? As long as there’s a Black person on this planet they will still be publishing Black newspapers. You think you going to get relevant info in that rag (the Post)?”

Then I showed her that I not only had the Amsterdam News, I had the Daily Challenge, The NY Beacon, The Carib News, The Gleaner, Our Times Press, Caribbean Life and the Final Call. It was on a Thursday afternoon, and I usually pick up all the Black publications to make sure I’m up to date with what’s happening with us.

I make it a policy not to read white racist publications that delight in taking snipes at our leaders, or telling half-truths, or a total distortions, without balancing it with our own news. Generally the white press just gives some truncated mention about some event we participated in, when we’ve been doing so much more. When want to know what's really happening I read relevant Black publications. And fortunately in New York we have a broad selection to choose from.

Of course, the rubric that we have to read the mainstream in order to know where they’re coming from still applies; but the idea is not to be manipulated by them, taking an inferior position as a result. You don’t have to be manipulated into thinking they’re some sort of authority. (There are certain publications that have been so hostile to Black people, that I only use their pages to paper train my dog - if you get my drift).

Interestingly enough, when most Black men buy a mainstream newspaper, they immediately start with the Sports section in the back. Perhaps it’s because they know that’s probably the only place in the paper where they’re more likely going to say something positive about Black people. No point in reading the rest of it since most of the terminology used is pejorative and hostile; characterizing us as criminals and miscreants. Check it out sometimes.

Once when I was giving a talk for Black History Month, I did an experiment with Black high school students. I gave them copies of The Daily Challenge News, and watched to see what our youth would do. Most of the girls read the paper from the beginning, while, sure enough, the boys immediately turned to the back page looking for sports. When I informed them that, unlike the mainstream papers, there was plenty of good info the front of the paper as well, they looked totally surprised. I also informed them that they generally won’t find the headlines of a Black newspapers leading off with some perceived crime committed by some one Black.

In fact there are more relevant articles of importance to the Black community, more information about local and national Black figures; more uplifting articles. They don't sugar coat the bad, they just don't make it their only focus. Refreshing after a long day of dealing with a pervasive culture bent on depicting you as unworthy. There's a pledge from the NNPA to state our own case, tell our own story. And they've been fulfilling that pledge for 70 years.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Part II includes highlights of Rev. Al Sharpton's address to the audience.
Part III includes Rev. Berniece Albertine King's address to the audience.
Part IV highlights of the Award presentations to Congressman Charles Rangel and Motown Mogul Berry Gordy.

Below are the current
NNPA Member Papers:
Alabama
Birmingham Times
Birmingham World
Greene County Democrat
Mobile Beacon-Citizen
Montgomery-Tuskegee Times
Speakin' Out News
Arizona
Arizona Informant
California
American News
Bakersfield News Observer
Black Voice News
California Advocate
California Voice
Compton Bulletin
H.G. Star 1 News (Photo News)
Herald Dispatch
L.A. Metropolitan Gazette
L.A. Watts Times Inc.
Los Angeles Sentinel
Oakland Post
Our Weekly
Pasadena Gazette
Pasadena Journal
Precinct Reporter
Sacramento Observer
San Diego Voice & Viewpoint
San Francisco Bay View
San Francisco Sun Reporter
Tri County Sentry
Wave Community Newspapers
Colorado
Denver Weekly News
Connecticut
Hartford Inquirer
Inner-City Newspaper
Umoja News
District of Columbia
Afro-American (Washington)
Capital Spotlight
News Dimensions
Washington Informer
Washington News Observer
Florida
The Bulletin
Capital Outlook
Central Florida Advocate
The Community Voice
Daytona Times
Florida Courier
Florida Dollar Stretcher
Florida Photo News
Florida Sentinel Bulletin
Florida Star News
Florida Sun
Florida Tribune
Jacksonville Advocate
Jacksonville Free Press
The Miami Times
New American Press, The Miami Times
Northeast Florida Advocate
Orlando Times
Out Front South Magazine
Palm Beach Gazette
Pensacola Voice
The Weekly Challenger
Westside Gazette
Georgia
Albany-Southwest Georgian
Atlanta Daily World
Atlanta Inquirer
Atlanta Sun
The Atlanta Voice
Augusta Focus
The Champion Newspaper
Columbus Times
Fort Valley Herald
Freedom's Journal
Georgia Sentinel Bulletin
Macon Courier
Metro Courier
Savannah Herald
Savannah Tribune
Illinois
The African-American Voice Newspaper
Chatham-Southeast Citizen
Chicago Defender
Chicago Independent Bulletin
Chicago New Crusader
Chicago Shoreland News
Chicago Standard Newspaper
Chicago Tri-City Journal
Chicago Weekend
Chicago Westside Journal
East St. Louis Monitor
Final Call
Futures Newspaper
Hyde Park Citizen
Jet Magazine
Muslim Journal
New Metro News
South Suburban Citizen
South Suburban Standard
Southend Citizen
The Times Weekly
Today's Chronicle
The Windy City Word
Indiana
Frost Illustrated
Gary Crusader
Gary Info
Indiana Herald
Indianapolis Recorder
Scoop Magazine
Kentucky
Louisville Defender
Key Newsjournal
Louisiana
Data News Weekly
The Drum
Louisiana Weekly
New Orleans Tribune
Shreveport Sun
Alexandria News Weekly
Maryland
Afro-American Newspapers
The Baltimore Times
Prince George's Post
Massachusetts
Unity First
Michigan
The Blazer Newspaper
Ecorse Telegram
Grand Rapids Times
Michigan Chronicle
Michigan Citizen
Saginaw County Weekly
Take Pride Community

Minnesota
Insight News, Inc.
Minneapolis Spokesman
Mississippi
Jackson Advocate
Mississippi Link
Mississippi Memo Digest
Missouri
Kansas City Call
The Kansas City Globe
St. Louis American
St. Louis Argus
St. Louis Metro Sentinel
Nebraska
Omaha Star
Nevada
Las Vegas Sentinel Voice
New Jersey
City News
The Connection
Twin Visions Weekly Publications
New York
Afro American Times
Buffalo Criterion
Challenge Group
Hudson Valley Press
Jersey City Daily Challenge
New American
New York Amsterdam News
New York Beacon
New York Carib News
New York Daily Challenge
The New York Voice
Westchester County Press
North Carolina
Carolina Peacemaker
The Carolina Times
The Carolinian
Challenger Newspaper
The Charlotte Post
Iredell County News
Wilmington Journal
Winston Salem Chronicle
Ohio
The Buckeye Review
Call & Post (Cleveland)
Call & Post (Columbus)
Cincinnati Herald
Cleveland City News
Columbus Post Newspaper
The Communicator News
The Reporter (Akron)
Toledo Journal
Oklahoma
The Ebony Tribune
The Tulsa Oklahoma Eagle
Oregon
Observer (Portland)
Skanner Group (Portland)
Pennsylvania
New Pittsburgh Courier
The Philadelphia Tribune
Pittsburgh Renaissance News
Philadelphia New Observer
Rhode Island
Providence American
South Carolina
Black News South Carolina
The Charleston Chronicle
Community Times Dispatch
Gullah Sentinel
Pee Dee Times (Community Times)
View South News
Tennessee
Memphis Silver Star News
Metro Forum
Nashville Pride
Tennessee Tribune
Tri-State Defender
Texas
African-American News and Issues
African News Digest
Capital City Argus
Dallas Examiner
Dallas Post Tribune
Dallas Weekly, The
East Texas Review
Houston Defender
Houston Forward Times
Houston Newspages
Houston Style
Houston Sun
Informer & Texas Freeman
La Vida News Dallas
La Vida News Houston
Minority Opportunity News
Nokoa
San Antonio Observer
Smith County Herald
Southwest Digest
Villager, The
US Virgin Islands
Virgin Island Daily News
Virginia
Journal & Guide
Metro Herald
Richmond Free Press
Richmond Voice, The
Washington
Metro Home Maker
Northwest Dispatch
Seattle Medium
Seattle Skanner
Tacoma True Citizen
Thurston County Dispatch
West Virginia
WV Beacon Digest
Wisconsin
Madison Times, The
Milwaukee Community Journal
Milwaukee Courier
Milwaukee Star
Milwaukee Times Weekly
Milwaukee Weekend Edition