Memphis, TN (BlackNews.com) — The Church of God in Christ 104th Holy Convocation will convene October 31 – November 9, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be the biggest convention of 2011 in St. Louis, says the St. Louis Business Journal.

The St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission says the 2010 convocation attracted 35,000 attendees that spent upwards of $35 million during the eight-day convention. This year’s convocation attendance is already expected to increase in size and economic impact to the region. This “places the convocation squarely on top of the St. Louis Business Journal’s list of the city’s largest 2011 conventions and group meetings” says the journal.

Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. explains that this convention will be an opportunity for the members of COGIC to “set down our buckets to receive the latter rain of inspiration, instruction and the work of ministry.” The convocation is a time for the delegates to experience great speakers and some of the greatest gospel music singers in the nation.

The official Holy Convocation website has just launched and includes up-to-date information about the 104th Holy Convocation, including a list of events, speakers and musical artists for the week.

The informative site also includes an online Press Room with fast, easy navigation, ensuring a user-friendly experience for visitors, while providing user-friendly functionalities. Please visit www.cogic.org and click on the Holy Convocation banner for additional information.

About the Church of God in Christ:
The Church of God in Christ is the fifth largest Protestant religious denomination in the United States, with churches in 60 countries worldwide and an estimated membership of nearly 6.5 million members.

Gift to Support Community and University Student Training at WMU’s College of Aviation

Battle Creek, MI (BlackNews.com) — FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, has joined forces with the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals to present a Boeing 727-200 freighter to Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation to support outreach efforts and training for aviation students.

The aircraft was presented in a formal ceremony today after it was flown in and landed at WMU’s W.K. Kellogg Airport facility. In addition to the FedEx and OBAP officials who presented the aircraft to WMU, attendees at the event included community, university and airport officials, OBAP and FedEx representatives, and WMU students, faculty, and staff.

“As we retire this 727 from our fleet, we are proud to give back to the aviation community,” said David Sutton, managing director of Aircraft Acquisition and Sales for FedEx. “The donation of this aircraft is just one example of the many ways FedEx supports educational endeavors, reflecting the community spirit shared by all FedEx employees in the communities where we live and work.”

He noted the “hands-on training value” the large freighter will provide to the university’s aviation program students.

Since 2000, FedEx has donated more than 47 of its Boeing 727 aircraft to various organizations for educational purposes. Before its final flight, aircraft 727-200 TAIL NUMBER N258FE provided FedEx with 20 years service transporting packages to destinations throughout the United States.

“FedEx has been an ardent supporter and champion of OBAP programs for over 31 years, and this donation continues that support of Project Aerospace with Western Michigan University, an OBAP partner since 1998,” said OBAP Chairman Albert Glenn, who is a captain with FedEx Express. “We see this as an incredible gift to the Michigan community and to the Historically Black Colleges and University Aviation Consortium. As with other FedEx/OBAP community service programs there are numerous success stories resulting from our partnership. Our programs support building an aerospace workforce and as a result we have individuals that have been mentored through programs under Project Aerospace at FedEx and from Western Michigan working in sales, information technology, engineering, aircraft maintenance and as pilots,” Glenn continued. “On behalf of myself and the other 700 OBAP aerospace professionals, thank you for your continued trust and faith in OBAP’s mission to serve our communities .”

“This is a wonderful gift and the mark of a collaboration that truly is aimed at enhancing the education and credentials of future aviation professionals,” said Dr. John M. Dunn, president of Western Michigan University. “We’re delighted to be part of a new partnership with FedEx and to continue our long relationship with the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. Our students will benefit from having this 727 as an educational resource, and the airline industry will reap the benefits of the lessons our students learn.”

About FedEx Express
FedEx Express is the world’s largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date with a money-back guarantee.

About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $39 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 290,000 employees and contractors to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit http://news.fedex.com.

About OBAP
OBAP is a nonprofit organization founded in 1976 to enhance, advance, and promote educational opportunities in aviation. From the outset OBAP has focused its greatest emphasis on preparing young people to realize a successful future and highlight the exciting potential available in aviation. To be certain of an aviation oriented group representing African-American and Minority concerns was neither new nor unique. Years earlier the Tuskegee Airmen Inc. and Black Wings in Aviation had been formed with similar goals and both continue to be very active today. OBAP’s unique approach to the concept was to build on the progress made in the military and general aviation arenas by expanding the cause within the airline industry.

About the WMU College of Aviation
The College of Aviation boasts enrollment of nearly 700 students in three programs – aviation maintenance technology, aviation science and administration, and aviation flight science. The college’s mission is to prepare leaders who are sought after by the aerospace industry and to engage in meaningful research that advances the knowledge base. The college’s vision is to serve as the premier aerospace education and research institution in a diverse global society. Founded in 1939, the college has operated since 1997 from the W.K. Kellogg Airfield in Battle Creek.

Photo Caption: (Left to right) WMU President John M. Dunn, FedEx Express VP for Flight Standards and Training James Gorman, FedEx Express Managing Director of Aircraft Acquisitions & Sales, and FedEx Express Capt. Albert Glenn, chairman of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals

Water experts, Simon will work to reduce flood damages, other potential threats

East Alton, IL – Illinois Lt. Governor Sheila Simon announced the re-launch of the Science Advisory Committee at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) field station located along the banks of the Mississippi River. The expert panel will assist Simon in her efforts to protect Illinois’ rivers from potential threats and reduce flood damages.

The Science Advisory Committee’s volunteer membership brings together experts working in academia and the private sector from across the state, at no cost to the taxpayer. The seven-member panel includes a chair and four members appointed by Simon and two from the NGRREC, which will house the Science Advisory Committee and is part of Lewis and Clark Community College. Additional support will be provided by the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois.

“I am excited to begin working with the best and brightest minds in river research,” Simon said. “The Science Advisory Committee will be a wonderful asset in the fight to reduce flood damages, protect river ecosystems, and keep our water safe for the citizens who live, work and play along our rivers.”

First established in 1999, the Science Advisory Committee serves as the scientific arm of the Illinois, Mississippi, and Ohio/Wabash River Coordinating Councils chaired by Simon. The committee will work with Simon to advance scientific research that will guide policies impacting river use and development such as reducing flood damages. This spring Simon worked with state and federal emergency response personnel to coordinate response efforts to devastating flooding along the Mississippi.

The committee previously published research illustrating the importance of preventing Asian carp and other invasive species from moving between the Great Lakes and Illinois River. The work helped secure full federal funding for two electric barriers in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, which serve as a barricade between the Mississippi River and Lake Michigan.

Housing the Science Advisory Committee at the NGRREC Jerry F. Costello Confluence Field Station will provide Lewis and Clark students and faculty the opportunity to work with experts from various universities and organizations, and will provide the statewith scientific research that will inform policy and save tax dollars. The NGRREC will also assist the committee in its efforts to advance research on large river ecosystems.   

“The combined efforts of NGRREC and the SAC will increase grant opportunities for research, and serve as another example of the significant role NGRREC continues to play as an authority of river research,” Lewis and Clark President and NGRREC Chairman Dr. Dale Chapman said. “We are pleased to have been selected to house the SAC and look forward to working with its membership and Lt. Governor Simon to provide sustainable solutions for Illinois’ rivers.” 

University of Illinois scientist emeritus Dr. Nani Bhowmik serves as chair of the Science Advisory Committee and joins Simon appointees Dr. George Czapar of Champaign, Dr. Steven Kraft of Carbondale, Allen LaPointe of Chicago and Darren Olson of Rosemont. The NGRREC members are Dr. John Chick, aquatic ecologist, and Dr. Lyle Guyon, terrestrial ecologist. 

“I look forward to working with the appointed members and integrating my longstanding history and expertise with the broad array of scientists at the NGRREC to focus on Illinois’ rivers,” said Bhowmik.

Simon Appointees

Dr. George Czapar, of Champaign, is the director of the Center for Watershed Science at the Illinois State Water Survey and is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois. Czapar teaches in the campus honors program and his research focuses on reducing the impacts of agriculture on water quality.   

 Dr Steven Kraft, of Carbondale, is a visiting professor at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and the director of the Professional Science Masters in Advanced Energy and Fuels Management at SIUC. Kraft specializes in farm management, natural resources policy, watershed management and planning, farm policy and ecosystem services.

Allen LaPointe, of Chicago, is the Vice President of Environmental Quality at the Shedd Aquarium, where he has worked for over 14 years. LaPointe has conducted various water quality seminars and trainings for zoological organizations, has taught various courses in water chemistry, and teaches a five day seminar on aquarium environmental quality at the Shedd.

Darren Olson, of Rosemont, is a section head in the Water Resources Department at Christopher B. Burke Engineering with over 15 years of experience in civil and water resources engineering. Olsen also serves as the president of the Illinois Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

 By Juanita Bratcher

Troy Davis is scheduled to be executed on September 21, 2011, in the state of Georgia. There is a picture of Troy Davis with big lettering inscribed: ‘Too Much Doubt…Stop the Execution.’ Davis’ fate now rests in the hands of the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Although Davis has steadfastly maintained his innocence and seven of the nine witnesses have recanted their testimony, he will die on September 21^st if the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles does not stop this execution.

“Guilt beyond a reasonable doubt…it’s the foundation of our justice system, built to serve and protect the wrongly accused. But in the case of Troy Davis, it’s a principle that has been defied, ignored and trampled on” – Benjamin Todd Jealous, President & CEO, NAACP.

“Where is the ‘Hidden Hand’, asked Rev. Harold Bailey, Founder & President of Probation Challenge and the PCC Internet Broadcast Network: WWW.ProbationChallenge.Org. “It is quite clear to me that if Troy Davis, convicted in August, 1989 for murder in Georgia was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, he would have been executed many years ago.”

Bailey, former Chairman of the Cook County Board of Corrections and a former Adult Probation Officer, said in his 49-plus-years of “laboring in the ‘Criminal Just Us System’, it seems that the Troy Davis story is yet another chapter to be filed away. Where is the hidden hand?

“Now, there appears to be a powerful ‘hidden-hand’ that perhaps stems from the justice system. But nonetheless, the record reflects recantations by seven of the nine trial witnesses and other contradictions by those who were involved. In the sake of justice, all matters should be put on hold until proven beyond a reasonable doubt has been established. That’s what fair, honest and God-fearing people would consider.”

Bailey said the “Hidden Hand” was there again in July 2008. “Davis’ attorney filed a petition for a writ of certiorari in the US Supreme Court, appealing the Georgia Supreme Court decision and arguing that the Eighth Amendment creates a substantive right of the innocent not to be executed.  However, an execution date was scheduled for September 23, 2008, before the United States Supreme Court decided whether to take up Davis’ case.”

In a statement, Jealous said the execution should be stopped, that “there is simply too much doubt in his (Troy) case for us to allow this to happen.

“A week from today, on Monday, September 19th, Troy has his final hearing in front of the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles. They have the power to halt the scheduled execution and commute Troy’s sentence, permanently preventing what could be a wrongful execution.

”It is now up to us to make sure the Board hears our voices loud and clear,” Jealous added. “Send a letter to the Board asking them to grant clemency for Troy Davis, and make sure it’s something from the heart.” http://action.naacp.org/write-the-board

Earlier this month, Jealous said he visited the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification State Prison, where Troy Davis awaits his fate.

”Troy spoke to me about the pain of life on death row: his uncertain future, the isolation from his family, and the frustration that comes from being unable to tell his side of the story.

”It is hard to fathom that our justice system would sentence a man to death when there is so much doubt. Consider this:

• Seven of the nine original witnesses in Troy’s case have recanted or changed their story;
• One eyewitness testified for the first time in 2010 that he saw his relative, not Davis, shoot Officer MacPhail;  and
• At least 10 individuals have implicated the alternative suspect as the actual perpetrator.

“Right now we have two options. We can admit defeat and accept that some things are too big to change. Or we can stand behind our brother, like the NAACP has done for generations, and demand justice.

”I, for one, cannot sit idly by as a justice system that is supposed to protect the most vulnerable among us imprisons and executes a man like Troy Davis. And as part of the organization that has led every major civil rights battle for generations, I know you feel the same.

”Now is our chance to speak out and save Troy’s life. The members of the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles have the power to do this. Write to them and ask for clemency now: http://action.naacp.org/write-the-board

”Together we can save a life,” said Jealous.

Said Bailey: “One should not consider sending a person to meet the Creator without first considering that many other people, who by reason of DNA, have been found ‘not guilty’ and sent home. They also were but one step away from death’s door.  I have only to ask the complexion of Troy A. Davis to understand that less thought is being played here than if the defendant were White.”

On a final note, Bailey said: “The Georgia Supreme Court refused to grant a stay of execution and the Board of Pardons and Paroles denied clemency without giving a reason for their decision.”

As reported in www.copylinemagazine,com, September 13, 2011, Davis was convicted for the alleged murder of Savannah, Georgia Police Officer Mark MacPhail in 1989.

Since his tenure on Death Row, a long list of prominent individuals has asked for clemency for Davis, noting doubts, contradictions in testimony and recantations by seven of the nine witnesses.

Prominent names and organizations that either asked for a new trial, evidentiary hearing, urged a stay of execution and/or fairness and accuracy or suggesting that Davis’ life be spared, include Former President Jimmy Carter, Rev. Al Sharpton, U.S. Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former Georgia Congressman and Presidential candidate Bob Barr, former FBI Director William Sessions, U.S. Congressman Sheila Jackson Lee, Singer Harry Belafonte, Actor Mike Farrell, Author Helen Prejean (Dead Man Walking), the NAACP and Amnesty International, among others.

Over the years, there were letter writing campaigns to Georgia and the Federal Court, although neutral to Davis’ guilt or innocence.

www.copylinemagazine.com  also reported details of the case as listed in Wikipedia. According to Wikipedia, at the trial in August 1991, the district attorney sought the death penalty. According to the prosecution, Davis had shot Michael Cooper, then met up with Redd Coles at a pool hall, pistol-whipped the homeless man Larry Young, and then killed Mark MacPhail.^[16] Trial witnesses Harriet Murray, Redd Coles, Dorothy Ferrell and Antoine Williams testified that Davis, wearing a white shirt, had struck Young and then shot MacPhail.^[28][29][30] Coles admitted arguing with Young but stated that Davis had hit him with a pistol.^[31] On cross-examination, Coles admitted that he also had a .38 pistol, but stated that he had given it to another man earlier that night.^[28] A neighbor of the Davis family, Jeffrey Sapp, testified that soon after the murder Davis had confessed to him.^[31] Kevin McQueen, a former fellow prisoner, testified that Davis had confessed to shooting MacPhail as he feared that the officer would connect him to the shooting of Cooper earlier in the evening.^[32] Cooper testified that he was inebriated when shot and said that Davis “don’t know me well enough to shoot me”.

You can get more details on Troy Davis’ years on Death Row at www.wikipedia.org.

2011-12 Illinois Teacher of the Year to be announced Oct. 22

Springfield, IL –The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced nine finalists for the 2011-12 Illinois Teacher of the Year. The finalists represent schools across the state and are selected from nominees through ISBE’s Those Who Excel educator recognition program.

“Everyday these nine teachers encourage, support and engage students in learning,” said Illinois State Board of Education Chairman Gery J. Chico. “Illinois is fortunate to have many, many outstanding teachers who are committed to helping students achieve and succeed. The teachers who have been chosen as finalists represent the best of the best, and this program enables us to publicly recognize them for their dedication to education.”

Approximately 175 nominations were reviewed this year by a selection committee comprised of administrators, teachers and representatives from educational service personnel, student support personnel and past Illinois Teacher of the Year winners.

Each nomination is individually reviewed and scored three times. Nominations are scored based on personal background information, the nominating recommendation and letters of support from colleagues, parents and students. In addition, nominees must respond to questions focusing on student success, collaboration, continuous learning and leadership. Scores are compiled and averaged to determine the level of recognition nominees will receive (Excellence, Merit or Recognition).

Teachers earning an Award of Excellence are finalists for Illinois Teacher of the Year.

The 2011-12 Illinois Teacher of the Year will be announced during the Those Who Excel banquet Oct. 22, 2011 at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Normal. The Teacher of the Year will represent Illinois at NASA Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala., and in the Council of Chief State School Officers’ National Teacher of the Year Program.

Annice Brave is the 2010-11 Illinois Teacher of the Year. Annice is an English and journalism teacher at Alton High School in Alton Community Unit School District 11. She was one of four finalists for National Teacher of the Year this past spring.

Here are this year’s finalists:

· Carol Bivins is a Title 1 Reading first grade teacher at P.H. Miller Elementary School in Plano Community Unit School District 88.

· Sandra Curran teaches social studies and language arts to sixth-graders at Lincoln Middle School in Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7.

· Melissa Byrne teaches eighth grade language arts at Haines Middle School in Community Unit District 303 (St. Charles).

· Julie Knutson is a career and technical education teacher at O’Fallon Township High School in O’Fallon Township High School District 203.

· Jeffrey Lehman teaches choral music at Freeport High School in Freeport School District 145.

· Carol Mertes is a first grade teacher at Clifford Johnson School in East Aurora School District 131.

· Josh Stumpenhorst teaches language arts and social science to sixth-graders at Lincoln Junior High School in Naperville Community School District 203.

· Rebecca Wattleworth is a math and science teacher at Warrensburg-Latham High School in Warrensburg-Latham Community Unit District 11.

                * Nancy Wojtanowski teaches Functional/Living Skills to students in K-5 at

                   Parkside Elementary School in McLean County Unit District 5.