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Announcements May 2011

ANNOUNCEMENTS for May 3, 2011:

 

Terry Ellington, executive director of the Carolinas CARE Partnership, announced the group's third annual Home Run 5K run and walk to benefit the work of the regional HIV/AIDS prevention program. The event is Saturday, June 18 at McAlpine Creek Greenway. Registration at www.carolinascare.org.
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Terry Ellington also introduced Antoine Mitchell, prevention coordinator of the Carolinas CARE Partnership. Mitchell can be reached at [email protected] or 704-531-2467 extension 24 or cell 704-953-1004.
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Robert Dawkins sent in an announcement of a peaceful protest outside the Duke Energy annual stockholder meeting on Thursday, May 5, assembling at 9 a.m. at 526 S. Church St. The protest aimed at "telling Duke we want climate protection and clean energy, not more nuclear and fossil-fueled power." Info: E-mail [email protected].
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Mary Covington sent in an announcement of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP's 2011 Women on the Move Reception to be held Thursday, May 12 from 6-8:30 p.m. at First United Presbyterian Church, 406 N. College St. Speaker is Michelle A. Laws, sociology professor at N.C. Central University and president of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP. Information: Covington at 704-502-7410 or [email protected]. Tickets online at http://www.charlottenaacp.com/Events.html.
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Maddy Baer sent in an announcement that a smart phone app and a Public Library card will give teens with certain smart phones free access to Tutor.com, a service of one-on-one help in math, science, social studies and English from 4-10 p.m. Baer quoted the library's newsletter as saying that "Beyond the 'cool' factor of mobile technology, it's also a lifeline for lower income teens. According to the Pew Research Center, 41% of teens in the lowest household income category are using their mobile phone to go online. This is their primary source of access to the Internet and all the information they require to fully participate in an advanced, technologically savvy world. " The app is here. Create the connection via the library by using your library card number here.
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Announcements for May 10, 2011:
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David C. Belton sent in an invitation to all Forum participants to attend Tuesday's free private screening of the HBO film "Thurgood" next Tuesday at Spirit Square as part of a commemoration of the May 17, 1954 Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. Reception is 5:30-6:30 at the Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. 7th St. A block-long "Walk of Courage" to Spirit Square at 345 N. St. is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with the screening at 7 p.m. at Spirit Square. To attend, RSVP to [email protected] by Sunday, May 15.

On Tuesday morning at the Forum, a panel will discuss the Brown case and the first of its five component lawsuit, Briggs v. Elliott, which was filed in South Carolina. Panelists will include Dr. Tom Hanchett of the Levine Museum of the New South, and Joseph A. DeLaine Jr. and Brumit B. DeLaine, sons of the Congressional Gold Medalist the Rev. Joseph Delaine, who is credited with leadership in the Briggs case.
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Cathy Sheafor sent in the following announcement from the Charlotte Community School for Girls:
"I write with heartfelt gratitude for your support of the Charlotte Community School for Girls and its mission to educate young female scholars from low-income families to dream, plan, and transform dreams into realities. Given your important commitment to CCSG, and as we approach the end of the school year, I wanted to update you on some of the exciting happenings at CCSG. 
  
"But first, a confession that hints at the news I have to share.
  
"Recently, I have taken comfort in reflecting on the "unremarkable" aspects of the career of Abraham Lincoln. We all know the remarkable successes of this extraordinary president, but his path to greatness was paved with many challenges. Yes, he went on to alter significantly the course of American history after being elected president in 1860. However, his resume before then was hardly distinguished. Six times he was unsuccessful in runs for political office, and he lost jobs and failed in business. Call it stubbornness or perhaps determination, the story of Abraham Lincoln inspires all of us, no matter the scale of our ambitions, to persevere in the face of setbacks.
 
"I take this comfort in the breadth of Lincoln's career because we have come to a crossroads with the Charlotte Community School for Girls. The path I imagined for our unique approach to education has not been as straight and narrow as we had hoped. While we have seen tremendous academic and social growth from our scholars, faced with challenges to maintain the necessary operational resources, we will close the doors at the end of this school year.
 
"The decision has not been easy, but I am grateful for the wonderful support of our Board as we took a sobering look at our situation.  At the heart of our efforts are many remarkable young girls whose lives we hope have been touched in a way that will have a lasting and transformative impact. Please take comfort in the realization that you have played an important part in the process.
 
"Every ending is a beginning, and I am determined to persevere in pursuit of the ambitions that have united us all to break the cycle of poverty that plagues our nation's cities. While I cannot say what comes next, I do know that the lessons learned have been invaluable.
 
"I look forward not only to crossing paths again, but doing so as part of a shared journey to close the global achievement gap. Thank you for your commitment to these important and vital efforts, and to the Charlotte Community School for Girls...."

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Michael Sexton forwarded an announcement of the 18th annual Career & Healhcare Fair on Wednesday, May 18 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Carole A. Hoefner Community Center, 610 E. 7th St. Event features employers, healt screenings, free background checks, resume and interviewing assistance workshops, free giveaways and door prizes and information/resource stations. Sponsors include the Charlotte Area Fund, Bethelehem Center, Job Finder, Jacob's Ladder Job Center, Divine Health Academy, Charlotte Housing Authority, the Employment Networking Roundtable and the Charlotte Enterprise Community. Info: Terry Howard at Charlotte Area Fund, 704-372-3010 ext. 214 or [email protected].
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Mary Covington sent in an announcement of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP's 2011 Women on the Move Reception to be held Thursday, May 12 from 6-8:30 p.m. at First United Presbyterian Church, 406 N. College St. Speaker is Michelle A. Laws, sociology professor at N.C. Central University and president of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP. Information: Covington at 704-502-7410 or [email protected]. Tickets online at http://www.charlottenaacp.com/Events.html.

 

 

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ANNOUNCEMENTS for May 17, 2011:
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Queen Thompson announced that she had just completed an article for the Harrisburg paper about civil rights heroes and "the painful lessons of the past."
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Queen Thompson sought information about the Abraham family whose Shamrock Drive house was bombed during the civil rights movement.
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Robert Dawkins announced that Senate Bill 657 was introduced last week that would eliminate same-day voter registration, cut early voting from 18 days to 11 days, and eliminates pre-registration of 16- and 17-year-olds. He asked that people contact him if their pastors do not receive enough copies of a flyer on the subject for distribution during church services. "We have to have the governor veto these bad bills because we don't have enough Democrats to stop Republicans from passing the bills."
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Robert Dawkins announced that he was willing to acquire a 15-passenger van to transport people to Raleigh on May 24 to join an NAACP protest in the lobby of the Legislative Building over limitations on early voting and cancellation of the Racial Justice Act. For more information, see Dawkins or reach him at [email protected].
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Willie Ratchford said "there are too many situations in which folk are not talking to one another." He asked if the Forum would be interested in meeting with Don Reid's Thursday breakfast group, which Ratchford described as having "a little more conservative bent than you do." Sarah Stevenson said several people had asked her about doing so. "We'll talk about it."
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Deborah Whitfield suggested a Forum session on the rights of special education students and on school discipline.
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Malachi Greene suggested further reading on Briggs v. Elliot by searching for the names Charles Hamilton Houston and Harold Boulware.
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Claire Fallon sent in an announcement that the Northeast Coalition will meet with Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx and Manager Curt Walton on Saturday, May 21 at 2 p.m. at the University City Regional Library, 301 E. WT Harris Blvd. All are welcome.
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Patrick Chang sent in an announcement that the North Carolina Mental Health Association Collaborative and Charlotte AHEC will host the Annual North Carolina Mental Health Association Collaborative Conference on Wednesday, May 18 from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Conference Center, 3400 Beatties Ford Rd. Speaker for the statewide conference is Mariel Hemingway. Info: Chang at 704-365-3454.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS for May 24, 2011:
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Gyasi Foluke announced that the Kushite Institute for Wholistic Development expects to sponsor a two-year series of monthly meetings beginning in July "to address major community problems or challenges, across ethnic lines, but with a special comprehensive focus on African American issues. More specifically, we will confront 'Seven Levels or Dimensions of Freedom' � Mental or education, economic, spiritual (within and beyond 'religion'), physical (including jails, prisons and juvenile justice systems), political (both electoral and group pressure politics) cultural and emotional. General Theme: 'Truths My Teacher Never Told Me � From Mis-education to Education.'" To participate in planning of the series, call Kenneth Simmons at 704-549-8273 or Foluke at 704-391-5582.
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Brenda Slade announced that Shannon Park Neighborhood Association and Greater Bethel AME Church will co-sponsor their first annual Spring Festival this Saturday, May 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the church, 5232 The Plaza. One summer camp scholarship will be given away each hour of the event.
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John Autry announced that the African American Caucus of the Mecklenburg Democratic Party would hold a Memorial Day Picnic and cookout on Saturday, May 28 from noon to 4 p.m. at Independence Park at Seventh Street and Hawthorne Lane. Contributions of $5 are suggested but not required. Bring folding chairs as seating is limited, and bring a dish to share. Info: [email protected].
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Thomas Moore announced that the Tuned In Choir practices Tuesday evenings from 6-7 p.m. at McCreesh Place at 25th and Davidson Sts.
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DeShauna McLamb announced that a group of parents would meet Thursday, May 26 at 6 p.m. at Bruns Recreation Center, 440 Tuckaseegee Rd., to go to the Bishop Spaugh/Camp Greene neighborhood to survey parents and have a workshop on mobilizing parents.
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Malachi Greene suggested perusing www.ncpolicywatch.com. "Much of the things you guys have been talking about," he said, has been the subject of research that is posted on that site.
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Ken Simmons suggested a future Forum discussion of CMS pay-for-performance plans. "This thing could be a monster if we let it loose. Testing testing testing is going to drive our kids absolutely crazy."
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Ken Koontz announced that WGIV, now on both 1370 AM and 103.3 FM, continues to broadcast the BJ Murphy Show from 6-9 a.m. on Wednesdays live from Rudean's Restaurant, 2228 Beatties Ford Rd. at Keller Avenue.
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Hans Plotseneder sent in a copy of his press release announcing that the District Attorney had dismissed trespassing charges filed against him after he was arrested at an Oct. 12, 2010 school board meeting (Announcements, April 23). "This dismissal will contribute to reducing the fear of CMS teachers to exercise their free-speech rights. And, hopefully, it will make erroneous arrests by the CMS Police less likely," he wrote.
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Michael Sexton sent in an invitation to men to sit at his table June 1 for the 14th annual Men for Change breakfast and silent auction at Bank of America Stadium at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, June 1. RSVP: 704-432-1568 or [email protected].

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ANNOUNCEMENTS for May 31, 2011:
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Joyce Waddell announced that the school board would meet next week on Monday, June 6, rather than during its usual Tuesday evening slot.
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Henk Jonker announced that he would gather people to meet outside the Government Center Wednesday afternoon at 5 p.m. as the Board of County Commissioners meets inside, to voice support for $40 million in additional county spending on public schools as "an absolute minimum."
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Richard McElrath suggested writing Judge Howard Manning, the N.C. Superior Court judge overseeing the ongoing Leandro school finance case, to encourage the judge to insist that N.C. legislators adequately fund public schools. "Get behind Judge Manning, and we might be able to get something done." Manning's address: 316 Fayetteville St., Raleigh, NC 27601-1755.
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Sam Spencer announced that Young Democrats would hold a Lobby Day in Raleigh on Thursday, June 2. For more information, see Spencer or e-mail [email protected].
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Sam Spencer announced that District 12 Democrats would send four males and four females to the Democrats' N.C. convention. Affirmative action goals for the N.C. delegation to the 2012 national convention include parity among men and women and 60 African Americans among the 136 N.C. delegates. "These goals are a ceiling, not a floor."
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Michael Sexton sent in an announcement that the Charlotte Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta will host a free public screening of "Terror at Home: Domestic Violence in America" on Sunday, June 5 at 2 p.m. at the Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. 7th St. Panelists after the screening include survivors of domestic violence and representatives from the Police Department's Domestic Violence Unit. RSVP to [email protected].
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Tori Bell-Miller sent in an announcement that Meck Ed is offering an online survey "to learn more about the community's opinions regarding Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and the quality of local public education." The survey is here. <http://www.mecked.org/index.php/get-involved/mecked-survey/ > "We want to use the results to better understand the community's feelings regarding local public education so we can better carry out our mission to advocate for quality public education for all children and educate, inform and engage the community about the issues facing local public education."
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The Committee to Elect Charlotte City Council member David Howard sent in an invitation to a re-election kick-off on Tuesday, June 7 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Burgess residence, 1333 Carlton Ave. Suggested donation at the door $50. RSVP to [email protected].
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Maurice Jones sent in an announcement that he had begun an online petition to N.C. legislators and Gov. Perdue to increase the high school dropout age from 16 to 18, to reduce the state's high dropout rate. The petition is here. 
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Richard McElrath sent in a schedule of high school graduations in District 2. Dates and times for all CMS high schools are below. Venues are Blake Hotel, 555 S. McDowell St.; Bojangles� Coliseum, 2700 E. Independence Blvd.; CPCC Central Campus Halton Theater, 1201 Elizabeth Ave.; Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd.; Time Warner Arena, 333 E. Trade St.; UNCC Dale Halton Arena.

Ardrey Kell, Monday, June 13, 7:30 p.m., Time Warner.
Phillip O. Berry Academy, Saturday, June 11, 4 p.m., Coliseum.
Butler, Tuesday, June 14, 8:30 a.m., Coliseum.
Cato Middle College, Tuesday, May 24, 1 p.m., CPCC.
Marie G. Davis Military & Global Leadership Academy, at the school, Friday, June 10, 7 p.m.
East Meck, Tuesday, June 14, 3:30 p.m. Coliseum.
Garinger�s five schools, Tuesday, June 14, 4 p.m., Time Warner.
Hopewell, Sunday, June 12, 2 p.m., Coliseum.
Harding, Monday, June 13, 4 p.m., Time Warner.
Hawthorne High, Monday, June 13, 9 a.m., Ovens.
Independence, Monday, June 13, 3:30 p.m., Coliseum.
Mallard Creek, Saturday, June 11, 12:30 p.m., UNCC.
Morgan, Monday, June 13, 9 a.m., Ovens.
Myers Park, Saturday, June 11, 7:30 p.m., Coliseum.
North Meck, Saturday, June 11, 4 p.m., UNCC.
Olympic�s five schools, Monday, June 13, 7 p.m., Coliseum.
Performance Learning Center, Monday, June 13, noon, Ovens.
Providence, Sunday, June 12, 5:30 p.m., Coliseum.
South Meck, Monday, June 13, noon, Coliseum.
Vance, Saturday, June 11, 7:30 p.m., UNCC.
E.E. Waddell, Monday, June 13 8:30 a.m., Coliseum.
West Charlotte, Tuesday, June 14, noon, Coliseum.
West Meck, Saturday, June 11, 12:30 p.m., Coliseum.
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The Forum meets Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. at the West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2401 Kendall Drive, just down the hill from West Charlotte High School. The phone number is 704-393-1560. For Wi-Fi password, see Steve Johnston or Recreation Center staff.

 

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The Forum welcomes all persons to its meetings beginning at 8:30 a.m. most Tuesdays of the year
at the West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2401 Kendall Drive, Charlotte, NC
down the hill from West Charlotte High School.