Monday, March 31, 2008

THIRTEENTH ANNUAL BLACK WRITERS ON TOUR CONFERENCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2008

CONTACT:
Dr. Rosie Milligan
323-750-3592
drrosie@aol.com


THIRTEENTH ANNUAL BLACK WRITERS ON TOUR CONFERENCE IS LARGER THAN EVER

Bring the Whole Family--There's Something for Everybody

Los Angeles, CA (BlackNews.com) - Dr. Rosie Milligan once again brings the Black Writers On Tour Writers' Conference to Los Angeles on Saturday, April 26th, 2008 -- 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- at the LAX-Crowne Plaza Hotel, 5985 West Century Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90045--and it will be more dynamic than ever, with more than 300 Black authors, agents and editors gathering for a one day event. This year's theme is, Literacy is Everybody's Business--Who Will Tell Our Story? 2008 Literary Award Recipients: A. C. Bilbrew Public Library, Esowon Books, Zahra's Books, Smiley's Books, Shore Books, Word of Life Christian Bookstore, Windsor Hills Christian Bookstore, and Nu Lyfe Books and Art.

The renowned Dr. Claud Anderson, author of PowerNomics, Black Labor White Wealth, and More Dirty Little Secrets, will be the keynote luncheon speaker. Local participants--Dr. Maxine Thompson, Attorney Joe C. Hopkins, Anthony Asadullah Samad, L. C. Green, BernNadette Stanis (Thelma from sitcom "Good Times"), Marion McNair, Bishop L. J. Guillory, Rita Hall, and Parry Brown-Abraham. Out-of-state participants--Erick Henderson, Fred Williams, Contessa Walls, Don Spears, Professor Walter Williams, Andre Eggelletion, David Coleman, Attorney Clara King, Honorable Judge Susan Washington, and others.

This year's highlight: Children Writers and African-American writers age 65 and older in a forum called Let the Elders Speak. We encourage your youth to come and listen at the feet of these elders as they share wisdom and life lessons.

General Admission is free. There is a free writing class for children. Chat with fiction, non-fiction, poetry, children and Christian writers. Attend the Poetry Jam Competition--WIN CASH! There will be open exhibits and authors signing throughout the day.

The conference has been designed to provide writers with the practical information they need to work in the literary industry. Publishers, as well as agents will attend. Nine (9) writer's workshops will be held throughout the day and will cover a variety of topics from: How To Publish and Promote Your Book--How to Write a Best-Selling Novel--a Free Writing Class for Children 10-15 and much more. Authors wishing to gain exposure, attract new readers, and sell books, and for all wishing to participate in the Poetry Jam Competition visit www.blackwritersontour.com or call (323) 750-3592.

Seminar Topics
* How To Write A Best-Selling Novel
* How To Write, Publish, And Sell Your Book
* What You Need To Know When Writing Poetry
* Protecting Your Writing Rights, Trademark and Patent Rights
* Learn What Black Newspapers Can Do For Black Authors And What Black Authors Can Do For Black Newspapers
* I Am Published Now...Now What?--Learn Strategies To Get Noticed, Sell Books, Save Time, and Earn Thousands of Dollars In The Process
* How To Market Via The Internet, Internet-Radio, and Maximize Sales
* Turning Your Book Into A Movie Script
* How To Develop Characters That Leap Off The Page
* Survival Strategies and Success Tools For Today's Teens
* What Parents and Educators Must Do NOW To Make Black Children Feel Good About Themselves
* Health and Wealth Seminar
* Healing Hurting Women

A Fundraiser and Tribute for Mukasa Da Da (Willie Ricks)

48 Years of Struggle for the Liberation of African People!

A Fundraiser and Tribute for Mukasa Da Da (Willie Ricks)

Saturday, April 19, 2008 4-8 p.m.

Cosby Center Auditorium Spelman College

This courageous Pan-African freedom fighter became actively involved in the struggle for human rights as early as 15 years old. During the era of the 60's Brother Mukasa became an organizer for the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Mukasa faced white racist terrorism from the Ku Klux Klan, White citizen's councils and police, when he was sent to rural towns in the South to encourage voting rights and to politically educate the Africans (Black People) concerning their rights as citizens.

"They thought they had found a solution in the idea of black political power. Willie Ricks (Brother Mukasa), another SNCC staffer on the Meredith march, reduced this concept to two words: black power. The two were forcefully expressive and could be used to make a lively chant, as Carmichael (Kwame Ture) and Ricks (Mukasa) soon showed". (Black Awakening in Capitalist America), p.21-22, by Robert L. Allen)

Mukasa and Kwame with SNCC helped raise the freedom cry for Black Power in the Mississippi Delta transforming the call to one of power among African youth in urban cities in the United States, throughout the Americas, Africa, Britain, and the Caribbean.

Brother Mukasa has not stopped giving us revolutionary inspiration and information to fight the forces of oppression and exploitation world-wide. From Alabama to Africa, Brother Mukasa continues to introduce generations after generations to the work of Fannie Lou Hammer, Ella Baker, Martin Luther King, Amy and Marcus Garvey, Mbalia Camara, Kwame Nkrumah, Seku Ture, Kwame Ture, Steve Biko, Yasser Arafat, Fidel Castro and Che Guevara.

Brother Mukasa is receiving medical treatment for cancer. His friends, comrades and family are coming together to help with his medical expenses.

On April 19, 2008 (Saturday) from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Spelman College, Cosby Center Auditorium…Come hear former SNCC members and many comrades and the family of Brother Mukasa. The program is free to the public. Donations will be greatly appreciated.

For More Information Contact 404-561-6309 or 404-394-0800 Email: afrgive@bellsouth.net We encourage everyone to come to the Planning Meeting on April 6, 2008 4 P.M. at ITC (International Theological Center). Take I-20 West to Joseph E. Lowery Blvd turn right on M.L. King and turn right to parking lot at Sunset Ave. (from Austell turn Left on J.E. Lowery Blvd)

Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan

Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan,
Voice of Africa Radio!
94.3 FM
www.voiceofafricaradio.com
MONDAYS 8pm-10pm

Hear weekly discussions and lively debate on all issues affecting the Afrikan community, at home and abroad.

We talk it straight and make it plain!

This week’s show: (31st March 2008)

When the Seventh Day Adventist John Loughborough School was founded as a private school in 1982 with an Afrikan leadership team, it was seen as a beacon of hope in addressing the decades old pattern of underachievement for Afrikan children in British School. In the early years it seemed as if that hope was being fulfilled.

In 1999 the school opted for Local Authority control and gained Voluntary Aided status and in recent years the school has faced a number of challenges. Between 2003 and 2005 was without a permanent head teacher and academic attainment has also fallen short of the expected high standards, although interpretation of recent results has proved to be contentious.

In September 2005 Dr June Alexis, an alumni of the Urban Head teacher Assessment Centre became head teacher and set about implementing her vision of taking the school forward. Her work was praised by Haringey Council’s School Standards and Inclusion in April 2006. The school was inspected by the Office For Standards in Education (Ofsted) in February 2007. Whilst recognising that “The new leadership team are bringing about change that is improving the school” and acknowledging Dr Alexis’ “passion”, “vision”, and “ambitious plans”, the school was given a notice to improve.

Since then Haringey Council’s Director of Children and Young People’s Services (CYPS) Ms Sharon Shoesmith, has agitated for Dr Alexis’ dismissal, despite the support of the Board of Governors, the student body, the parents and most of the staff. Observers say the school is being treated as if it is under special measures rather than a notice to improveand that the Council’s strategy is intended to unsettle the school, stifling it capacity to improve. The Council maintains that it’s actions are designed to bring about the necessary improvements in the school, while the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) regard it as a prelude to closing the school down given that Ms Shoesmith has reportedly said that the school was an “unnecessary expense” on the local budget and that the children could be dispersed throughout the borough. In an attempt clarify the issues the school commissioned leading educational consultant Professor Gus John in December 2007 to conduct an independent investigation, however Haringey Council refused to co-operate with the inquiry.

In February 2008 Haringey Council suspends Dr Alexis outraging parents and students and instigating mass demonstrations that attracts the attention of TV news and local and national press. In march 2008 the council continues its offensive by serving injunctions against three church elders (friends & founders of John Loughborough School) who have been vocal in their support for Dr Alexis, the Chair of the PTA and the PTA Executive Adviser.


What we ask is :

Is Haringey Council Trying To Close an Afrikan-Caribbean School?
Is Haringey Council taking the only necessary steps to improve standards at John Loughborough School?
Is Haringey Council’s treatment of the school consistent with that of schools with lower attainment?
Will taking out injunctions against church and PTA members help to resolve the issues?
Why did Haringey Council refuse to co-operate with the Prof Gus John investigation and what were its findings?
Do Afrikan led schools improve attainment for Afrikan children?
What are the wider implications for the education of Afrikan children in Britain?

0208 497 4643

E-mail: studio@voiceofafricaradio.com

OR TEXT US ON : 07961 573 883

Friday, March 28, 2008

HarlemForum on Obama, Race and Politics April 4 08

Harlem Tenants Council

Critical Thinking Series

Obama: Race, Class, & Politics (Part II)

Obamaminia and Dr. Rev. Jeremiah Wright in a “‘Post race America“; Neoliberalism, War and the Democratic Party Candidates safeguarding the strategic interests of a crumbling and broke empire; What are our alternatives plus more!

Friday, April 4, 2008
6 to 9 PM
Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz
Memorial & Education Center
3940 Broadway at 165th Street

Moderator: Herb Boyd, Award winning Author & Journalist
Panelists:
Amiri Baraka, International Acclaimed Poet &Writer
Malaak Shabazz, UNIFEM & Women for Baraka Obama
Anthony Monteiro, Associate Director
Institute for the Study of Race & Social Thought, Temple University
Others to be announced.

The forum continues our critical dialogue on race and class in US politics from a Black left perspective: the political crimes of the Clintons against Black people; an indepth analysis of Obama ‘s unconventional” presidential bid touted as transcending US racial politics; the role of the Black Left in providing a clear analysis on the dangerous paradigm of post racial politics in America eagerly endorsed and promoted by Senator Barack Obama. How does the Black left seize the “window of opportunity” Obamamania presents to build a Black United Front? How does this happen and what hasn’t it happen? In reality is the Black Left so joined at the hip with the Democratic Party that it has presented Obama as the lesser of the two evils because he is Black and “our moment in history has arrived?“ In the privacy of the voting booth will white America transcend the politics of race? If you are curious about any of these issues join us for this much needed debate.

Co-sponsored by the Harlem Tenants Council and the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial & Education Center

Contact the Harlem Tenants Council at 646-812-5188 or email:Harlem http://us.f531.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=tenants@gmail.com.