NAACP Community Calendar

Jun 6, 2009

Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad Speaks About Seminar Addressing the Use of the "N" Word



The Language Matters seminar took place June 6, 2009 on the DMACC Urban Campus with about 50 people from across the state in attendance. The workshop was developed as a result of an incident where State Senator Jack Hatch used the "n" word in a conversation with the State Representative to describe how he felt other legislators were treating them with regards to a particular bill. The Senator has since apologized and both have participated in organizing of this workshop.

Language Matters Moderator Dr. Eric Johnson Shares Objective

Overview: Language Matters Seminar Addresses the Use of the "N" Word


State Senator Jack Hatch looks on during the seminar

Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones: And Names Can Hurt Me!

Quick Brief


Moderator: Dr. Eric Johnson
Panelists: Jessica Avant, Napoleon Douglas, Leonard Bell, Nancy Bobo, Marlana Schnell and Paulette Wiley

Thoughts, discussion, suggestions
• Conversation comes before solutions
• People need to pass on the history of the word
• There still seems to be confusion among the African American community about the use of word
• The White community is even more confused about use
• Education is key – a lot of young people don’t understand – cause they haven’t grown up with it
• Mentors for youth
• The “N” word is a symptom, not the cause
• We need to educate in the following areas:
o Influence of hate language and how it grants permission for violence
o Psychological impact of the word
o Historical relevance of the word
o Cultural competency
• Defining who African American are with/ without the word
• Power of Burial event
• If the “N” word is going to be bad - it is not OK for some to use, not in music or anywhere else
• This conversation is about hate and the reason we are speaking about this is that the “N” word represents the epidemy of hate “White people cant tell me what’s offensive to me”
• We need to have honest conversations

Suggested Next Steps

• Adults need to speak to young people about the word
• Having honest conversation
• Convening Blacks about the subject Multi-generational – education, political
• Be a Stop Sign – address the word when you here it
• Start a series of classes
• Whites need to teach the whites
• Directed curriculum – teaching about the power of words
• We’re not going to be afraid to be uncomfortable
• Inviting Educators to develop a curriculum outside the school district – how to counter this word – Homer Hill is committing himself
• Stop being the silent majority
• Multi-media campaign (Website, Radio & TV)
• Taking this to other cities in the State Conference – Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Burlington, Lincoln
• Abolish the “N” word contract – created by Rudy Simms
• Targeting a more diverse crowd – most of the room was African American: the reason we are here this event was planed was because a White Senator used the word in a conversation with a Black State Representative
• Next convening is pending

Click here for a contract of commitment from the www.Abolishthenword.com
http://abolishthenword.com/contract.htm


“Some say hate language is the beginning of violence. I suggest that is violence...” Dr. Eric Johnson

Jun 5, 2009

ACT-SO Showcase June 21, 2009



Jun 4, 2009

Language Matters Seminar June 6, 2009

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People


DES MOINES BRANCH NAACP

IOWA/NEBRASKA NAACP STATE CONFERENCE

BLACK MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE OF DES MOINES

DES MOINES HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

Joint Press Release

LANGUAGE MATTERS – SENSITIVITY SEMINARS

CONTACT: LINDA CARTER-LEWIS, PHONE: (515)283-1271 OR (515) 556-4491

DES MOINES, IA, ...THE DES MOINES BRANCH NAACP JOINS FORCES TO CO-SPONSOR A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL STATEWIDE SEMINARS ON "THE LANGUAGE OF HATE AND INSENSITIVITY". THE NEED ARISES AS A RESULT OF AN INCIDENT AT THE IOWA STATE CAPITAL BUILDING EARLIER THIS SPRING.

THE FIRST SEMINAR ENTITLED "STICKS AND STONES MAY BREAK MY BONES BUT NAMES WILL HURT ME", WILL BE HELD IN DES MOINES. DURING A SUBSEQUENT NEWS CONFERENCE SEVERAL CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS SPEARHEADED BY THE LOCAL NAACP DES MOINES BRANCH PLEDGED TO OFFER PROGRAMMING TO EFFECTIVELY ELIMINATE HATE WORDS AND ETHNIC INSENSITIVITY.

TO ACCOMPLISH THIS OBJECTIVE, THE NAACP WILL HOST SEVERAL STATEWIDE SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS TO EDUCATE AND DISCUSS THE LANGUAGE OF HATE AND TO FOSTER POSITIVE RACE RELATIONS.

LOCATION: DMACC URBAN CAMPUS – BUILDING 1, ROOMS 124 – 126

DATE: JUNE 6, 2009 TIME: 8:30AM – NOON.

FREE MEALS: CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROVIDED

REGISTRATION: ON-SITE

CEU CREDIT: THE SEMINAR IS CEU APPROVED FOR DMACC CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT. THE COST OF THE CREDIT IS $5.00

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CEU CREDIT CONTACT: DR. MARY L. CHAPMAN, VICE PRESIDENT, DMACC URBAN CAMPUS PHONE: 515-697-7701/515-697-7720 FAX MLCHAPMAN@DMACC.EDU

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April 2009: Whats Going on With Des Moines Youth Works


April 14, 2009
By Mrs. Gretchen Woods, Youth Works Advisor


What’s going on with the NAACP Des Moines Youth and College Division? The NAACP Youth and College Division involves both the Des Moines Youth Council and the Drake University College Chapter. The NAACP Des Moines College Chapter continues its membership drive. Currently, with more than 30 members, it has elected officers and submitted its application for reactivation to State Conference President, Rev. Keith A. Ratliff, Sr. and the national office. College students from all greater metro colleges and universities are welcome to join and become involved in our nation’s oldest civil rights organization.

Officers elected are: Jessica Avant, President. Jessica is a freshman at Des Moines Area Community College. Arnold Woods, III, Vice President is a junior at Iowa State University, Eric Hall, Secretary is a freshman at Drake University, and Ria Thompson, treasurer is a senior at DMACC. Ms Sokish Sands, DMACC is their advisor.

The College Chapter officers attended the state conference mandatory leadership training held March 7th and conducted by Rev. Gil Ford, Director Unit Capacity Building, NAACP. The College Chapter is developing its programming that will increase membership, address relevant issues, and impact change in our community.

The NAACP Des Moines Youth Council continues to implement strong programming in the community. Middle and high school students from Des Moines, Southeast Polk, Urbandale, and Valley have joined together for a common purpose to give a voice to youth issues and to take a leadership role in impacting change. Programs and events like the Martin Luther King Legacy program and the Black History Banquet celebrate the history and heritage of the African American community. The Teen Summit and College Prep Day provide information and educational opportunities for all high school students.

On Friday, April 3rd, Youth Council presented the ACT-SO awarding winning play ‘The “N” Word, written by Jessica Avant and directed by Kenneth Matt Martin. Kenneth is a freshman from Little Rock, AR. Cast included both Youth Council and College Chapter members. The production was an opportunity to kick off the local ACT-SO program, celebrate Jessica’s national 3rd place win, and expand the opportunities of participating in the ACT-SO program.

Although ACT-SO is an educational program under the NAACP adult branch, many Youth Council members compete in this program. ACT-SO competitors also receive a Youth Council membership. The 2009 local ACT-SO competition was held on Saturday, April 4th. Twenty students competed in 15 categories of competition. Winners advancing to the national competition are: Ambreyana Jones (East High School) Music Composition, Aaron Williams (Roosevelt High School) Original Essay, Napoleon Douglas (Roosevelt High School) Dance and Oratory, Kamillah Camp-Bey (Roosevelt High School) Dramatics, Sharane Calister (Roosevelt High School) Vocal Music Contemporary, Sarah Oyibo (Urbandale High School) Instrumental Music Classical, Drawing, and Painting, Tamera Peake (Urbandale High School) Sculpture and Royannah Marbale (East High School) Business. The National ACT-SO competition will be held July 8-12th in New York. ACT-SO celebrates 31 years as the national organization will celebrate its centennial year.

Other award winners include: Jasmyn Richardson, Kerri Ashworth, Britney Cameron, Darien Traywick, Faith Gachii, Jasmine Johnson, Kandace Klacik, and Rachel Avant. The 2009 ACT-SO Showcase will be held on Sunday, June 21st 3:30 p.m. at the Mercy Medical Conference Center, East auditorium. The Showcase will be a brief competition review and awards ceremony. ACT-SO is sponsored by the NAACP Des Moines Adult Branch Mrs. Linda M. Carter-Lewis President.

As the NAACP prepares for its annual convention and to celebrate its centennial year, the Adult Branch, College Chapter and Youth Council are preparing to send delegates to the convention. A major responsibilities of the delegates is to represent the Des Moines units, participate as voters as the NAACP establishes its national policies, and return to Des Moines ready to contribute to quality and institute change where appropriate in the areas of education, health, economic empowerment, civic engagement, criminal justice, and increasing membership.

Youth Council is doing a tremendous work in the community and has developed programs and community collaborations such as College Prep Day with Drake University, Iowa College Student Aid Commission, Iowa College Access Network and ASK Resource. Youth Council collaborates with Jack and Jill of America, Inc. teens in presenting the Teen Summit. Youth Council has helped develop youth leaders such as, Eric Hall the 2009 I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa Youth Heritage Legacy Award, Kameron Middlebrook, Region IV Youth Representative to the NAACP National Board of Directors, Quinnetta Claytor, an honors student at University of Iowa, Arnold Woods, III an honors student at Iowa State University, Aisha Newsome an honors student at Morgan State University, Courtney Petty a 2007 graduate from Spellman College and currently a Drake University Law student, and many others.

The Des Moines Youth Council is the strongest and most recognized NAACP youth unit in the Iowa/Nebraska State Conference. The Drake College Chapter is the only college chapter in Iowa. (Creighton University has an active college chapter. Carissa Smith, a former Des Moines Youth Council Vice President and a freshman at Creighton has become very active and involved in the Creighton chapter.)

So, what’s going on? Membership engagement is constant. During the next two months, Youth Council will be fundraising to help with the expense of traveling to the national convention. Your support will be greatly appreciated. Fliers are being distributed throughout the community. Please help support our youth leadership. For more information about NAACP Youth Council, contact Napoleon Douglas, membership chair 480-4813 or call Mrs. Gretchen Woods, Youth Council Advisor 515-254-1947 or gretchenahw@peoplepc.com.

2007 News: Youth Works Report on 98th National Convention

Des Moines NAACP Adult Branch and Youth Council returned from the 98th Annual NAACP National Convention held, July 6th – 12th in Detroit, MI. Twenty-four delegates made up the Des Moines NAACP contingency. Des Moines representatives included eleven adult delegates and alternates; ten youth council delegates and alternates; and three members from the newly formed College Chapter.

Convention delegates, alternates and observers attended the nationally covered mock funeral for the “N” word, leadership training session on education, health, and juvenile justice. Some of the national resolutions that Des Moines delegates voted on included: eliminating racist, misogynistic, violent words and images from the airways and other public media, reparations for unpaid labor rendered by enslaved persons of African descent, a resolution for comprehensive election reform, a resolution for the automatic restoration of voting, civic engagement and employment rights for ex-offenders, and the support of full voting rights for the citizens of the District of Columbia.

The national ACT-SO competition is held the first three days of the national convention. Six students competed at the national ACT-SO level representing the Des Moines Branch.

Kiah Aikoriegie, a 2007 graduate from Roosevelt High competed in Instrumental Music Classical. She is the daughter of Denise Aikoriegie and attends Cornerstone Family Church. Kiah is enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa this fall. Jessica Avant, a senior attending East High, competed in Playwriting and Drawing. Jessica is the daughter of Anna Avant. Marcus Johnson, a sophomore attending Urbandale High, competed in Painting. He is the son of Michael and Regina Johnson. Makea Sanders, a 2007 graduate from Johnston High competed in Poetry and Vocal Music Contemporary. Makea is the daughter of Andrea Sanders and attends Union Baptist Church. She will be attending Hampton Institute this fall. Chayla Stanton-Robinson, a senior attending Roosevelt High, competed in Vocal Music Classical. She is the daughter of Beverly Robinson. Arnold Woods, III, a 2007 graduate from Hoover High, competed in Photography. He is the son of Arnold Woods, Jr. and Gretchen Haynes Woods. He attends Shiloh Baptist Church and plays the drums for the mass choir. Arnold will be attending Iowa State University this fall.

The Des Moines students presented a tremendously positive representation for us. Although our students did not receive national competition recognition, there is no doubt that the quality of their performances and presentations was comparable and definitely equal to national level competition.

There were five students who traveled to the national competition as observers. These students will make up the initial group of students who will participate in the 2008 ACT-SO program. Those students were: Eric Hall, Jasmine Hayes, Mathew Knight, McKenzie McCracken, and Lavinia Rumbly. The students said it was a tremendous opportunity to see how ACT-SO works first hand. It is also very inspiring to see the outstanding talent and to meet so many wonderful students from across the country.

The ACT-SO program for 2008 begins by registering on October 1, 2007. Information regarding the ACT-SO categories, category description, competition workshop schedules and committee contact information can be found on the local NAACP website (www.naacpdesmoines.org) Go to the programs menu, click on youth and select ACT-SO or Youth Council for information regarding tremendous community program opportunities.

The Des Moines Youth Council unit was a media magnet. Eric Hall, Youth Council President, was interviewed by Fox News on Monday during the march to the funeral of the “N” word. Kiah Aikoriegie, Keryna Thompson-Banks and Carissa Smith were interviewed by National Public Radio, Cierra Cason was interviewed by the New York Times and Arnold Woods, III was interviewed by the Detroit Free Press. Arnold, Eric and Darron Haygood were captured in photo by the Detroit News as they listened during the democratic candidates’ debate on Thursday morning, July 12th. All of our students represented the Des Moines Youth Council and the Des Moines community with poise and tremendous leadership authority.

Des Moines Youth Council leadership was also demonstrated as Kameron Middlebrooks served as the chair of the National Convention Region IV youth meeting. This is the second year that position was held by a Des Moines Youth Council delegate. Arnold Woods, III was elected to that position last year.

Kameron Middlebrooks was nominated for the youth seat representing Region IV on the NAACP National Board of Directors. This is a two (or three?) year appointment to the National Board representing the youth interest. If elected, Kameron will serve on the NAACP Image Awards Planning Committee, the NAACP National Convention Planning Committee, and the National ACT-SO Planning Committee. Kameron reports that, if elected, he has been asked by Mr. Hillary Shelton, the NAACP Washington Bureau Chief, to serve on the Political Action Committee. Kameron is a 2007 graduate of Roosevelt High. He will be attending the University of South Dakota this fall, with an undecided major. Kameron is the son of Kimberly Middlebrooks and attends Union Baptist Church.

Arnold Woods, III was elected to the NAACP national nominating committee as the youth representative from Region IV. He will be on the committee that serves to nominate youth to the at-large seats on the National Board. Also, Arnold was awarded the Medgar Evers Youth Leadership Award. Arnold served as president of the Des Moines Youth Council last year. Under his leadership, the Youth Council partnered with Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated Teens Division to plan and implement the first annual Teen Summit. The Teen Summit was an event of the Iowa Juneteenth Observance.

The Des Moines NAACP is doing a tremendous work in educating and training the next generation of youth leaders and youth advocates. The youth delegates were able to attend the national convention due to the support of the adult branch and the community, those who participate in the annual Youth Council Black History banquet.

Membership is the key ingredient to the productivity of the organization. Both the adult branch and the youth unit have a strong presence in the Des Moines community. Our leadership is recognized at the state, regional and national levels.

The need for civil rights advocacy is as strong today as it ever was. The NAACP continues to be an ever present force in this community and has a strong commitment to training youth leadership to follow in the footsteps of great leaders such as Robert Wright, Sr., Larry Carter, and Rev. Keith A. Ratliff. We expect an even stronger presence when you get involved.

Your involvement begins with a membership. If you want to be involved, contact our membership chair, Mrs. Michelle Taylor-Frazier by calling 727-5223 or 243-8700. Let her know what your interests are. If you have a passion for helping to empower youth and train our next generation, contact Mrs. Gretchen Woods, by calling at 515.254-1947 or email: gretchenahw@peoplepc.com.

Membership is power! When you support the NAACP by purchasing an Adult, Youth or Life Membership, you add to the power and strength of the organization locally and nationally. As the NAACP approaches 100 years, its goal is to be one million members strong speaking for justice and equality in health, education, criminal justice and economic empowerment.

2008 News: Jessica Avant Wins Bronze in ACT-SO


Jessica Avant, 18 wins the bronze for playwriting
As the greater Des Moines metro, State of Iowa and the whole world focuses on the Olympics in Bejing, the high school a student representing the NAACP Des Moines Branch has returned on August 5 th from Orlando, FL competing in the Afro-Academic Cultural, Scientific, Olympics (ACT-SO) National Competition with a bronze medal in the Humanities category.

Jessica Avant, 18 won the 3 rd place bronze medal for playwriting. Jessica wrote a one act social political satire about using the “N” word. In the spring, Jessica's play will be presented by the Des Moines NAACP Youth Council and directed by Mr. Matthew McIver. Jessica has participated in the ACT-SO program for four years and has represented Des Moines at the national level all four years. Jessica is a 2008 graduate from Des Moines East High School and is the daughter of Anna Avant.

Eight students represented the Des Moines Branch: Jessica Avant, 18, 2008 graduate from East High School competed in Playwriting and Drawing. Britney Cameron 16, Junior attending Roosevelt High School competed in Vocal Music Contemporary. Eric Hall, 18 2008 graduate from Roosevelt High School competed in Business, Entrepreneurship. Ambreyanna Jones 15, Sophomore attending East High School competed in Music Composition and Poetry. McKenzie McCracken, 17, senior attending Roosevelt High School competed in Dance. Sarah Oyibo , 17 senior attending Urbandale High School competed in Painting. Bryce Shabazz, 18 a 2008 graduate from East High School competed in Oratory. Aaron Williams 16, junior attending Roosevelt High School competed in Mathematics.

In Orlando, ACT-SO celebrated its 30 th Anniversary with a spectacular display of academic and artistic excellence from students from across the nation. ACT-SO using the theme, The Fabric of the Future held a five day event including competition, workshops facilitated by some of the country's most renowned professionals in the specific competition categories. Music competitors participated in workshops presented by the Berkley School of Music, the Grammy Foundation, BET, and INFLX Entertainment. Entrepreneurship competitors participated in a business leadership workshop at the Epcot Center. Competitors auditioned for Darla Hayward, Walt Disney World Casting Director and Marsha Jackson-Randolph, Walt Disney World Show Director. Visual Arts competitors participated in workshops facilitated by Disney Imagineering. Science competitors participated in workshops presented by Dr. Christopher Kuhar, Research Manager, Education & Science at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

ACT-SO is a program for African American high school students who are looking for a venue to accelerate their passion for academic and fine arts. More than 700 students from NAACP branches competed in the Sciences, Humanities, Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Business. The ACT-SO students competed and celebrated in the mist of Walt Disney's World of Dreams. ACT-SO competitors served as Grand Marshall during the Saturday, August 2 nd afternoon parade down the Main Street of the Magic Kingdom.

The ACT-SO Awards ceremony was hosted by actress Tichina Arnold and Terry Lewis from the hit Fox show, Everyone Hates Chris. Jessica's medal was presented to her by Keke Palmer, star of the 2006 hit movie Akeelah and the Bee. The awards ceremony was recorded and will be televised on the Disney Channel at a later date.

The ACT-SO program is designed to enrich the academic and artistic skills of African American high school students to the level of professionalism that helps then earn college scholarships, internships and transition into professional careers. In the 30 year history of this national program, Des Moines has participated annual for more than 25 years. Des Moines is the only NAACP branch in the State of Iowa that hosts and annual ACT-SO local program and participates at the national level.

ACT-SO is possible because of its national advisory committee made up of representatives from some of the America's major corporations. Companies representing in Orlando included UPS, Dow Chemical, Wal Mart and the Ford Foundation.

The Des Moines ACT-SO program is a year-long community based program that provides training and support for local and national competition through mentoring . Competition registration is held in September. Students prepare for local competition between September and March. During the year, students participate in workshops and prepare for competition by participating in community events showcasing their specific competition presentations.

The local competition will be held April 4, 2009 and students who score 95 points or better will represent the Des Moines Branch at the national competition next year in July. The 2009 national ACT-SO competition will be held in New York.

Preparations for the local 2009 competition are underway. Students interested in participating in the 2009 program should attend the orientation meeting on Friday September 19 th 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Mickle Center 1620 Pleasant St. For additional information to help support the program, contact Gretchen Woods at 515-254-1947 or gretchenahw@peoplepc.com . To register to participate, contact Steve Fields at 515-313-7727. If you would like to be a mentor, please contact Sonya Collier at 515-778-0845. If you would like to be an ACT-SO judge, please call Annis Woods at 515-262-8345.

FROM NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS: Don't let them kill Troy Davis


Tue, 5/19/09, Ben Jealous, NAACP <naacp@mail.democracyinaction.org> wrote:

From: Ben Jealous, NAACP <naacp@mail.democracyinaction.org>
Subject: Don't let them kill Troy Davis
Despite a strong claim of innocence, Troy Davis, an African-American man from Georgia, faces execution for purportedly killing a police officer.

Seven out of nine witnesses have recanted or contradicted their testimony, no murder weapon was found, and no physical evidence links Davis to the crime. The Georgia Board of Pardon and Paroles has voted to deny clemency, yet Governor Sonny Perdue can still exercise leadership to ensure that Troy Davis's death sentence is commuted.

Please sign the petition asking him to support clemency for Davis.  The Georgia State Conference of the NAACP, which has been a leader in the fight for Troy Davis, will deliver the petition to the governor to ensure your voice is heard.

The case of Troy Davis highlights the need for criminal justice reform in the United States. The NAACP, with its long and accomplished history of promoting civil rights, is on the forefront of a movement to revolutionize the criminal justice system.

More than 60% of the people in prison are people of color. For Black males in their twenties, 1 in every 8 is in prison or jail on any given day. These trends have been intensified by the disproportionate impact of the "war on drugs," in which three-fourths of all persons in prison for drug offenses are people of color. The most extreme end of the criminal justice system, the implementation of the death penalty, is no exception: currently, more than 41% of those on death row are Black. We must fight for change.

Please help us fight for the rights -- and life -- of Troy Davis today.

Here are some facts about Davis's case:

Davis was sentenced to death for the murder of Police Officer Mark Allen MacPhail at a Burger King in Savannah, Georgia, a murder he maintains he did not commit. There was no physical evidence against him and the weapon used in the crime was never found. The case against him consisted entirely of witness testimony which contained inconsistencies even at the time of the trial. Since then, all but two of the state's non-police witnesses from the trial have recanted or contradicted their testimony. Many of these witnesses have stated in sworn affidavits that they were pressured or coerced by police into testifying or signing statements against Troy Davis.

One of the two witnesses who has not recanted his testimony is Sylvester "Red" Coles -- the principle alternative suspect, according to the defense, against whom there is new evidence implicating him as the gunman. Nine individuals have signed affidavits implicating Sylvester Coles.

Please urge Georgia Gov. Perdue to commute Davis's sentence and bring justice to this case by signing our petition today.

Ben Jealous
Benjamin Todd Jealous
President and CEO
NAACP
 

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