NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE CELEBRATES ITS CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE (100 YEARS) 2010 IN WASHINGTON D.C.

BY Gloria Dulan-Wilson

The National Urban League, under the leadership of former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, just celebrated its 100th Anniversary via its Educate and Elevate! Centennial Conference 2010 in grand style in Washington, DC, from July 27 through July 31

Their theme, I AM EMPOWERED, echoed throughout the entire event, as they literally took DC by storm. They had a Women’s Empowerment Day, a Volunteer Empowerment Day, and focus on job opportunities, not only for recent college grads, but for seniors who were still looking for viable opportunities in their fields.

Empowerment, indeed, is definitely what is needed now, when so many African Americans are at a crossroads, individually and collectively. And the Urban League enunciated its meaning in a way that no organization has ever done before. I came away from that event truly inspired. And, Yes, I took the “I Am Empowered” pledge. It was an act of genius on their part. The goal is to get two million African Americans to take the pledge to BE EMPOWERED, throughout the US. And they are well on their way to doing so.

The venerable organization, which was founded September 29, 1910 in New York, has had a lifetime of service to the Black community. Few realize that the NUL was actually the consolidation of three organizations that, individually, experienced only marginal success, but collectively, became a force to be reckoned with. The Committee on Urban Conditions Among Negroes, the National League for the Protection of Colored Women, and the Committee for Improving the Industrial Conditions of Negroes in New York merged into the National Urban League. 

One can only imagine what it took to persuade the three to unite, instead of operating on the kind of ego-trips we generally witness today among our organization, businesses, and even some of our churches. Thank goodness these visionaries had the insight, and infinite wisdom to make it happen,

These visionaries, whom Morial called the original “odd couple”, were a Black man, George Edmund Haynes, and a white woman, Ruth Standish Baldwin. Now, despite the fact that they were in New York, where rules were somewhat more relaxed, Baldwin and Haynes were taking a big risk. It was during this era that Black people were fleeing the south to escape pervasive oppression, poverty, lynchings, KKK, and all that made the South a dangerous and undesirable place to live.

Black people who came to New York found out there were no jobs, housing conditions were abysmal, they didn’t have the requisite job skills for an industrialized society. Haynes and Baldwin formed an alliance to do something about it. That’s what Empowerment is all about.

For the entire week the National Urban League (NUL) focused on issues of concern to African Americans facing an economic downturn that has resulted in double digit unemployment for us nationally (the rate for Blacks is 23% or more, compared to the national average of 10%).

These challenges are nothing new for them. For 100 years they have focused on and advocated for equal employment, job and career training, equality in the workplace. In fact, per Morial, “In our first century, we beat back the Klan. We stopped the lynchings. We turned a climate of fear into a climate of hope. We helped a rural people transition to the industrial jobs of the north. In our first century, we began to tear down many of the ugly walls of segregation, injustice and inequality.

Every conference has their signature “giveaways”, usually a bag with their logo, and some gadgets that other organizations and corporations have donated. But the National Urban League’s 100 Anniversary bag included UPLIFT: Past Present and Future Magazine, “The Woodson Review: the Association for the Study of African American Life and History” (founded by Carter G. Woodson); Empower Magazine; as well as a complimentary copy of “MY PEOPLE” a pictoral collection by Charles R. Smith,Jr. based on a poem by Langston Huges.

The interesting part for me was the frame of reference in maintaining continuity between those who have paved the way, and our contemporary leaders. Naming the merchant’s pavilion after Ron Brown, the first African American to head the powerful US Department of Commerce, was a stroke of genius.

Bringing together Hugh Price, John Jacobs, Vernon Jordan (past NUL Presidents), the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Ben Jealous, John Mack, Danny Bakewell, Xernona Clayton -- it was like having the pantheon of Black leadership all in one place. It was like being on hallowed ground.

Their honorees, which included the great Maya Angelou Poet, Writer, Intellect, Actress, Speaker, you name it, she is it and she deserves every accolade there is; Levar Burton, who, in addition to Reading Rainbow, Roots, and Star Trek, is a director, producer and writer (Levar Burton is a personal favorite of mine because of Reading Rainbow and Roots); Earvin “Magic” Johnson legendary basketball great, turned businessman, and founder of Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE); Alfre Woodard, 16 time Emmy-Award winning actress, and founder of Artists For a New South Africa.

In addition to the forementioned, additional honorees included Angela Bassett, Laila Ali (daughter of Muhammad Ali), UN Ambassador Susan E. Rice. Two of my favorite speakers, New York’s enigmatic Dennis Rahim Watson, and the iconic Sonia Sanchez , whose accolades are more than this article can encompass. Needless to say that her impact on the Urban League‘s Youth Town Hall was inspiring (where ever she went people were running up to her to thank her for her words of wisdom). TD Jakes, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Ed Gordon (who announced that he was returning to BET), Congresswoman Barbara Lee, (D. California), Cornell West, Geoffry Canada (of Harlem Children’s Zone), among others.

The NUL truly tapped into unsung heroes and sheroes who have made major contributions to our life and culture, but have been largely overlooked by the mainstream media.

What was most stunning, and inspiring, as the week zoomed ahead to culmination, was that there was truly something for everyone. Whether it was the Town Hall on Education; the Economic Development Forum, The Professional Employment Sessions (where for once they didn’t tell you to go on line, but actually took the time to interface with you); The Affordable Housing and Foreclosure Prevention Workshop (which was occurring at the same time that NACA was also there doing their 24/7 Save The Dream Foreclosure Prevention Program on the lower level), they were truly on point, and had their fingers on the pulse of their members.

The highpoint of the Conference was President Barack Obama’s appearance at the National Urban League. So, while he appeared on “The View,” fielding questions from the 5 female cohosts, covering everything from soup to nuts; the next day he covered issues concerning the paucity in education, and the moral necessity for developing a uniform standard to which all states must aspire. So while the front pages of most papers show President Obama on The View (where, by the way, he did a wonderful job), he covered issues of substance in D.C. at the National Urban League’s Centennial Conference. That, likewise should have made the front pages as well.

These following are excerpts from his speech. A more detailed account can be seen on my blog, ww.gloriadulanwilson.blogspot.com:

President Obama highlighted the steps his Administration has taken over the past eighteen months to improve the education system in America via Race to the Top and other programs. 

Per the President, education reform is a top priority for his Administration because: “The status quo is morally inexcusable, it’s economically indefensible, and all of us are going to have to roll up our sleeves to change it. I know some argue that as we emerge from a recession, my administration should focus solely on economic issues.  They said that during health care, as if health care had nothing to do with economics. They said it during financial reform, as if financial reform had nothing to do with economics. And now they're saying it as we work on education issues.  But education is an economic issue -- if not “the” economic issue of our time.  It’s an economic issue when the unemployment rate for folks, who’ve never gone to college, is almost double what it is for those who have gone to college.  It’s an economic issue when eight in ten new jobs will require workforce training, or a higher education by the end of this decade.  It’s an economic issue when countries that out-educate us today are going to out-compete us tomorrow.”

President Obama noted that the 21st century jobs will require higher education degrees. He noted that while obtaining a higher education is more expensive than ever, but is still an essential requirement for our progress. He cited the fact that the US has fallen from number one in education to number twelve. He also noted that “our Black youth have fallen tragically below most third world countries, and well below their own white counterparts here in the US.”

He continued: “Now, because a higher education has never been more important –- or more expensive -– it’s absolutely essential that we put a college degree within reach for anyone who wants it.  And that’s why we’re making higher education more affordable, so we can meet the goals I’ve set of producing a higher share of college graduates than any other nation by 2020.  I want us to be back at number one instead of number twelve. “

The President has eliminated taxpayer subsidies to banks that had served as the middleman, savings tens of billions of dollars and has used those savings to provide additional financial aid door for college to millions more students [Wish he had been president when I was struggling to put my three through college]. 

He further stated, “This is something that a lot of you may not be aware of, but we have added tens of billions of dollars that were going to bank middlemen, so that that money is now going to students -- millions more students who are getting scholarships to go to college.  That’s already been done.”

The Race to the Top program was designed to encourage states to reform their education laws and policies in order to compete for additional federal grand dollars. He made sure to make the distinction between Race to the Top and No Child Left Behind (which left millions of children behind):

Race to the Top provides real incentives. According to the President: “In an effort to compete for this extra money, 32 states reformed their education laws before we even spent a dime (as you will recall, for some inane reason, initially, New York was not one of them, until the communities and teachers read them the riot act-GDW). The competition leveraged change at the state level.  And because the standards we set were high, only a couple of states actually won the grant in the first round, which meant that the states that didn’t get the money, they’ve now strengthened their applications, made additional reforms.  Now 36 have applied in the second round, and 18 states plus the District of Columbia are in the running to get a second grant.”  

The President noted that some civil rights organizations had criticized the Race to the Top as not doing enough for Black students. There was also some controversy as to why, when he cited the need for increased parental responsibility, it appeared he was directing it at Black families. With his usual aplomb, he adroitly addressed those topics:

We can’t continue with the status quo. “Let me tell you, what’s not working for black kids and Hispanic kids and Native American kids across this country is the status quo.  That's what’s not working. What’s not working is what we’ve been doing for decades now. So the charge that Race to the Top isn’t targeted at those young people most in need is absolutely false because lifting up quality for all our children -- black, white, Hispanic -- that is the central premise of Race to the Top.  And you can’t win one of these grants unless you’ve got a plan to deal with those schools that are failing and those young people who aren’t doing well.  Every state and every school district is directly incentivized to deal with schools that have been forgotten, been given up on.” 

In terms of teachers, he noted that due to budgetary conditions, many quality teachers had dug into their on pockets to get the money for supplies to help their students. “… teachers are the single most important factor in a child’s education from the moment they step into the classroom.  So I want teachers to have higher salaries.  I want them to have more support.  I want them to be trained like the professionals they are –- with rigorous residencies like the ones that doctors go through.   I want to give them a career ladder so they’ve opportunities to advance, and earn real financial security.  I don't want talented young people to say I’d love to teach but I can’t afford it.”

The President stated he wanted to see some teaching superstars just like there are sports superstars. To see teachers on the front covers of magazines the way many athletes now are.

“So even as we applaud teachers for their hard work, we’ve got to make sure we’re seeing results in the classroom.  If we’re not seeing results in the classroom, then let’s work with teachers to help them become more effective.  If that doesn’t work, let’s find the right teacher for that classroom.“

In reference to the parental responsibility issue, he stated, “Michelle and I happen to be Black parents, who have the responsibility for our children’s education. So when I speak to other Black parents about their responsibility, I may put a little more oomph behind it.”

He humorously mentioned that having come from the South Side of Chicago, and having seen some of everything, he was well aware of the challenges Black parents face. They may need social services themselves, may need jobs, my need housing or have substance abuse issues, but education is not just a club for prosperity, it’s for all of us…“Our children have to understand that no one is going to hand you a future. No one is going to tip your head over and pour it (an education) in. You have to want it and you have to take it. I know life is tough in this country; I come from the South Side of Chicago, I know what you’re going through. Our kids have to wrestle with things no kids should have to go through. But as parents, when our kids say “no we can’t” it’s up to us as parents to say “yes you can.”

Finally, the President addressed the issue of raising standards for students, teachers and schools to help achieve better outcomes:
“So here’s what Race to the Top says:  Instead of Washington imposing standards from the top down, let’s challenge states to adopt common standards voluntarily, from the bottom up.  That doesn’t mean more standards; it means higher standards. I do not want to see young people get a diploma but they can’t read that diploma.” Thus far 30 states have come together to develop higher standards. Under No Child Left Behind, several states lowered their standards so that school districts wouldn’t be penalized when their students fell short.  Per the President: “And what’s happened now is, at least two states -– Illinois and Oklahoma –- that lowered standards in response to No Child Behind -- No Child Left Behind -- are now raising those standards back up, partly in response to Race to the Top.”

The President announced that 5,000 schools throughout the US that are functioning below average are now being assisted by Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, with a budget of $5 billion, to turn them around. They may or may not become charter schools, but the decisions are being made at the community level, bringing together teachers, administrators, parents to have an impact on their improvement. The President stated that he was not necessarily saying that he supported charter schools over public schools, but that he definitely was in favor of whatever it takes to make the schools more productive and effective for the youth.

He closed by pledging to keep fighting for nationwide educational standards and education reform; and to fight along side the National Urban League so that people can reach the American Dream. He left the audience totally in awe.

Urban League President, Marc Morial stated,

Marc Morial stated, “As we approach the 21st century, we are one Urban League and we are empowered. We are one Urban League and we are inspired. We are one Urban League and we are powerful, magnificent, courageous, and ready. We are one Urban League and we are servants. We are one Urban League and let the word go forth that we name and claim the leadership role in the 21st century. As our second century begins, some ask whether the National Urban League is still relevant. I say to them, as long as there are people out of work, as long as there are people in need of better schools, as long as there's a need for safe, decent and wholesome afterschool programs, as long as there are people who long to become homeowners and are looking for somewhere to turn, this National Urban League and Urban League Movement is not only relevant, but we are here to stay!”

Interestingly enough, there are many of our youth who are questioning the continued relevance of the Urban League and the NAACP, but have at the same time failed to come up with organizations or solutions to the violence that seems to plague their generation. It’s apparent that we have not done what we should to keep the history alive in our homes, schools, churches and institutions. Many of our youth don’t realize that, were it not for these organizations, as well as SNCC and SCLC, their ability to attend institutes of higher learning, have their own recording and production companies, even walk around with their pants hanging off their behinds (as reprehensible as it is to us) would not have happened. They would still be totin’ that barge and liftin’ that bale. (if there are any youth reading this and don’t know what means, ask your grandparents, they can bring you up to speed.)

We may have prematurely assumed that we had won the fight in the 70’s and 80’s, and so moved on to more mundane matters, such as job development and community building, thinking that we had delivered on our promises to our people; but we realized that 400 years of deprivation was not so easily mitigated. There are still many of our brothers and sisters in need of the leadership and intervention The National Urban League and NAACP have provided over the last century. This does not preclude the formation of other organizations, but it does speak volumes for the fact that they have rolled up their sleeves and have begun to retool to make sure that there none of us are left behind.

These organizations have long been in the forefront of arming themselves against racist whites KKK, Jim Crow, etc., nolw face the task of confronting their own youth in the streets. This is quite a challenge. These venerable organizations have endured for a century only to find themselves confronted with an element of self hatred on the part of some of our youth that are turning on each other in violence, instead of turning to each other to work together. The challenge is how do they bridge that gap?

I can say without hesitation that NUL’s Be Empowered Movement is making a considerable difference in their approach to the challenges of bringing our youth back into the fold. In the weeks and months to come, it will begin to make a considerable difference, moving our kids from the streets to the schools, to the heads of business and community development.
But it was NUL President Marc Morial’s final address and charge to the Urban Leaguers that was truly inspirational. In point of fact, it was more of a charge, a call to action, than a speech. It left us inspired and ready to roll up our sleeves to do more:

“Wake up! Wake up! Urban League, we’ve got work to do. Wake up America, the time to change top priorities is now. Wake up Urban League, wake up America, the time to lead is now. It is time to stand on the shoulders of Baldwin and Haynes, Jones and Grainger, Young and Jordan, Jacobs and Price (referring to the founders and the subsequent presidents of the National Urban League).

“Wake up Urban League, we stand tonight upon the shoulders of Martin Luther King, and Fanny Lou Hamer, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Baynes Johnson, Shirley Chisolm, Barbara Jordon, Molly Moon, Dorothy Height; and we stand on the shoulders of Benjamin Hooks, Roy Wilkins, Thurgood Marshall, Charles Hamilton Hughes, Constance Baker Motley. We stand on their shoulders of Ted Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey, Adam Clayton Powell, Ralph Metcalfe, Branch Rickey & Jackie Robinson.

And we stand on the shoulders of all of our mothers and fathers; all of our grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts and uncles. We stand on the shoulders of all who have struggled; who sweat, who bled, who yearned, who sacrificed, who have given; who toiled in the hot sun of Mississippi and Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia, who traveled to New York, Detroit and Chicago, and Cleveland, OHio almost 100 years ago looking for opportunity, we stand on their shoulders. And we stand on their shoulders because they shared our vision of one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty, justice, and economic opportunity for all. Urban League, we are empowered! We are empowered to embrace our second century. We are empowered to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. Go back, go back to Los Angeles, Louisville, Kentucky, Stanford, San Francisco, Macon, Minneapolis and Milwaukee because we are empowered. Go back and serve those in need. Go back and touch the children, the weak, the disadvantage, the dispossessed. We must be inspired to lead in the 21st century.

As our second century begins, some ask whether the National Urban League is still relevant.  I say to them, as long as there are people out of work, as long as there are people in need of better schools, as long as there's a need for safe, decent and wholesome afterschool programs, as long as there are people who long to become homeowners and are looking for somewhere to turn, this National Urban League and Urban League Movement is not only relevant, but we are here to stay. We are one Urban League, and we are empowered.  We are empowered to embrace our second century. By the power vested in me, let the second century of the Urban League begin.
Thank you.  God bless you.  God bless America.  And God bless the National Urban League. “

In 1995, the Honorable Louis Farrakhan put together the Million Man March, which converged on Washington, DC. He called for one million, and two million showed up. In his closing speech, he urged the men to return home and become part of one of the traditional organizations that have worked to make a difference in the lives of Black people, citing the work of the National Urban League as well as the NAACP, CORE and others.

I am going to issue the same charge. And though I don’t have the charisma that Brother Farrakhan had, I think it is as important today as it was 15 years ago, that we support the organizations that have spent a lifetime supporting and fighting for us. For more info on the National Urban League, you can log on to www.nul.org. For the New York Urban League, log on to www.nyul.org. Next year the Urban League will be in Boston, Massachusetts.

The New York Urban League’s annual Whitney M. Young National Urban League Classics takes place Saturday, September 25, at the New Meadowlands Stadium in Rutherford, NJ. This year Howard University vs. Morgan State University. Tailgate party time!

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

PS: I would be totally remiss if I didn't mention the spectacular fundraising concert held at the gorgeous Warner Theatre, featuring Fantasia and Ronnie Isley. Needless to say it was a packed house. It was my first time seeing Fantasia, and I have to say, it won't be the last. Fantasia, my sister, you rock! You put on a show that ten sisters couldn't master.
And for brother Ronnie Isley, thanks for the wonderful trip through Isley Brothers land. I have and will always love you and your brothers music. GDW

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