By Rev. Harold E. Bailey
 

On election-day, voters get the opportunity to voice their sentiments by way of choosing candidates they think can best represent their individual ideologies. After casting their vote for the person (s) of their choice, the voter expects – and should expect – that their elected officials would consul with their constituency before making any crucial vote-decision!  When they come back to their district or community they should hold forums or town hall meetings, make telephone calls, or use other means of communicating with the public as to their options – which should honestly be considered.

The politician’s constituency should be made acutely aware of any proposals and any considered vote that would affect their day-to-day lives. The voter (the politician’s boss) deserves to be consulted as to any YES or NO vote decision prior to his/her actions and not after the fact!
 
It appears that African American voters are being disrespected and taken for granted! More often than not, the voter is merely expected to digest any decision made by those sitting in authority … whereas; some politicians ‘across town’ cater to those who sent them to office – as it should be!

Moreover, it seems as though many city, state and national politicians who were ‘elected to serve’ and voice the views of John Doe Public, tend to first serve their own desires, and, from a personal prospective. What’s more, it appears that some political dispositions are often made over coffee and tea – absent the voter!

Rev. Harold E. Bailey: President of The Probation Challenge PCC Internet Broadcast Network, Former member and Chairman of the Chicago/Cook County Board of Corrections, Author of ‘The Criminal Just Us System,’ President of the on-line reading ‘Challenge News Magazine’  Radio and Television Network at: WWW.ProbationChallenge.Org ‘The Truth Network’ 24/7 On-Demand.

Chicago, IL – As the new school year approaches, there is a push to get students to meet their teachers on the first day of school.

State Representative La Shawn K. Ford (D-Chicago) urges the Chicago Police Department (CPD) to work with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS)  and announce the enforcement of the truancy law for the first day of school.

“It is always important to enforce the truancy law on each school day, but leading up to August 8th, the first day of school, this is an ideal opportunity to remind parents and students of the law. I urge the CPD to join the CPS and other organizations as they campaign to encourage families to get their children to school on the first day of attendance,” said Rep. Ford.

“Chicago police can also work to help provide safe passages in neighborhoods for a great start of a new school year,” Rep. Ford added.

For additional information, contact Rep. Ford’s constituent service office at 773-378-5902, or visit www.lashawnford.com.

Landmark Engagement Between National Association Of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) and Wall Street Investors To Provide Capital

Formal announcement will take place during the first NAREB State of Housing in Black America Issues Forum and Press Conference at NAREB’s 64th Annual Convention in New Orleans

New Orleans, LA  — The National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Inc. (NAREB) will announce a historic engagement between the National Association of Real Estate Brokers and Wall Street investors, to launch an $800 Million Homeowner’s Assurance Program (HAP) to address the devastating effects of the mortgage crisis on minority families and their communities. The announcement will be made following the first NAREB State of Housing in Black America Issues Forum, Sunday, August 7, 2011, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., in New Orleans, LA. A press conference will immediately follow the Forum, from 4:00 – 4:30 p.m., where the formal launch and an introduction of the business team and investors will be announced. The Forum is one of several events taking place during NAREB’s 64th Annual Conference at the Ritz Carlton Hotel (921 Canal Street) in New Orleans.

Through the innovative program, NAREB’s partners will provide an infrastructure to acquire, manage, market and dispose of non-performing loans and REOs (properties held by banks), GSEs, security firms, governmental agencies and other entities in urban and rural communities across America. The Wall Street investors have committed to providing the initial capital for the purchase of non-performing loans and REO assets up to $200 million per quarter beginning in third quarter 2011 to launch the program.

According to the NAREB Public Policy Paper, African American and other ethnic minorities, and the communities in which they live have borne a disproportionate share of the damage from foreclosed real estate left in the wake of the country’s severe housing and economic crisis. Unfortunately, the families that are holding on to any last minute solution or those that have survived the foreclosure crisis and are maintaining a home, have not received the attention required to protect them from lenders who have written down the debt and are pressing for foreclosures and follow up evictions. The evictions in return create and expand a new community crisis -vacant and abandoned properties.

This wholesale eviction of families, and dumping of foreclosed or abandoned properties in minority communities without a sustainable solution, is causing a new crisis of undervalued and/or vacant and blighted property. Therefore, says NAREB President-Elect, Julius Cartwright, “An innovative housing assistance program and strategy is needed. Many of the current programs are ineffective – not adequately addressing all of the needs in our nation’s communities, particularly minority communities.”

Prior to the start of the State of Housing in Black America Issues Forum, NAREB members will go on an escorted bus tour to New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward, Pontchartrain Park and Gentilly Woods, where they will be able to see, first hand, the true impact of the housing crisis in the communities that were stricken by a disaster not seen of this scale in the country and the impact of foreclosure and blight due to both events in some of the historical minority communities. “NAREB,” says Cartwright, “has developed a program that is focused on foreclosure mitigation and also deals with disaster recovery as well as the resulting blight caused by both crises hitting concurrently which is what you find in New Orleans. Ultimately, our program is designed to protect the legacy, preserve the history, and restore hope to minority communities all over the country.”

The Issues Forum will feature a panel discussion with a variety of industry professionals and experts discussing the three key issues relating to the mortgage crisis (foreclosure mitigation, disaster recovery and neighborhood blight). Panel participants include: Julius Cartwright (NAREB, President-Elect); Lawrence Batiste (NAREB, Chairman of the Board); Paul R. Taylor, Jr. (SRP Development Management, Managing Member); Cicero Wilson (SRP Development Management, Vice President and Grants Administrator); Maurice Jourdain-Earl (Compliance Tech, Managing Director); Dr. LaVaughn M. Henry (Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Vice President and Senior Regional Officer); Lindsay Jonker (The Salvation Army EnviRenew, Greater New Orleans, Executive Director); and Dr. Benjamin Chavis (Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), Co-Founder, President & CEO and Education Online Services Corporation (EOServe Corp), President).

New Orleans is just one of several cities that will host the State of Housing in Black America Issues Forum over the next year and a half. Other participating cities include: Atlanta, Washington D.C., and Cleveland with a final report of findings presented to members of congress in Washington D.C., in partnership with the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.

The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) was formed in 1947 by African American real estate professionals out of a need to secure the right to equal housing opportunities, regardless of race, creed or color. For more than 60 years, NAREB has participated in meaningful legal challenges and has supported legislative initiatives that ensure the availability of fair and affordable housing for all Americans. NAREB is the oldest minority trade association in America.

The Forum is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.NAREB.com.

Professor at the College of Southern Maryland publishes a new poetry book that is bound to woo readers

Bookcover

Washington, DC (BlackNews.com) — Sharon Clarkson, a professor at the College of Southern Maryland, has released a new poetry book by the name, My Dream. The book is a 70-page book that is filled with poems that are going to move readers spiritually and inspire them in different aspects of their life.

When asked about her book, Ms. Clarkson said, “This is my first book of poetry and it is very special to me. I hope readers will find it appealing. I have done my best to make this book easy to read and easy to understand the message within each poem.”

Everything about the book reflects the tranquility readers will find within the poems. The cover is designed in traditional blue and white; the look is further complemented by a picture of the calm and peaceful waters of the Potomac River. For those who seek a great poetry read, the book is available at $12.00 a copy. Buyers can purchase the book by calling 301-509-4283 , or by sending a money order/travelers check/cashier check to SClarkson, P.O. Box 178, Cheltenham, MD 20623-9998. Autographed copies are available at the readers’ request.

When asked about her future plans, Ms. Clarkson commented that she plans on creating an audio CD version of My Dream – “I want my readers to be able to hear the penetrating voice behind my poems. So, I plan to record each poem in such a way that listeners will reflect back on the words.” In addition, Ms. Clarkson plans on starting a second book with a mixture of similar love poems that are bound to touch readers’ hearts. Readers can expect the second book in the fall of 2011.
About Sharon Clarkson
Sharon Clarkson is a professor at the College of Southern Maryland who currently resides in the Washington D.C. area. Her passion for writing and her own experiences are the reasons behind the release of her first book, My Dream. To read an excerpt from the book, please visit www.sclarksonbooks.com. To get in touch with the author or order the book, call 301-509-4283 or e-mail swclarkson@earthlink.net.

Progressive National Baptist Convention initiates Cross-Denominational Fellowship during 50th Anniversary Celebration August 7-12

Washington, DC – President Barack Obama is the scheduled keynote speaker at a black-tie gala honoring the leaders of more than a dozen African American religious organizations. The August 10th banquet is the highlight event of the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Progressive National Baptist Convention. The gathering also will celebrate a first-of-its-kind fellowship among African American religious denominations.

“I have always had strong personal friendships and fellowships across denominational lines,” said PNBC president, Dr. Carroll A. Baltimore, Sr. “To draw these leaders together in a more formal coalition is a blessing and a dream come true for me. We are honored that these powerful and anointed men of God are taking time from their extraordinarily busy schedules to join us.”

The PNBC, currently including more than 2,000 churches and 2.5 million believers globaly, split from the National Baptist Convention USA in 1961 to provide the denominational home for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other leaders of the Civil Rights Movement.

Some 5,000 delegates are expected to attend the 50th Anniversary Annual Session August 7-12 at the Wardman Park Marriott,  Washington, DC.  The week’s activities include workshops, worship services and a special guest appearance by Gospel Recording Artist Tye Tribbett. The overall theme of the convention, “Securing Our Future Humility: A People of Fellowship”, along with the historic gathering of religious leaders is the first of myriad initiatives expected under Dr. Baltimore’s leadership. He was elected to a four-year term as PNBC’s 19th president in August 2010.

“As we celebrate our own history, we celebrate also the work of other denominations that stood at the forefront of political and social justice issues and that remain the foundation and centerpiece of the African American community ,” Dr. Baltimore said. “What better way to commemorate our presence as part of the rich history and landscape of this country than by coming together in the nation’s capitol where a Black man sits as President of the United States?”

For more information about the PNBC and the 50th Anniversary Annual Session, visit www.pnbc50.org