State Senator Royce West Town Hall Meeting

 

 

 

State Senator Royce West

(District 23)
invites you to attend
Uptown Dallas Town Hall Meeting
Join your neighbors and Senator West for coffee and lively discussion about issues facing our community and how the Texas 80th Legislative Session impacts you and your family.
Wednesday, August 22
7:00 P.M.

Borders – West Village

(corner of Lemmon and McKinney)

Don’t miss out on this fun and informative event!

For more information, please contact: Lauren Doss at 214.467.0123 or lauren.doss@senate.state.tx.us

National Black And Brown Re-Entry Summit Agenda

THE NATIONAL BLACK-BROWN SUMMIT ON RE-ENTRY & RECIDIVISM
AUGUST 19-22, 2007
THE ADAMS MARK HOTEL
DALLAS, TEXAS.
________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday, August 19

4:00 – 7:00 pm On-site Registration
6:00 – 8:00 pm Opening Reception

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Monday, August 20

7:30 am – 8:30 am Continental Breakfast

8:00 am Continued Registration (all day)

9:00 am – 10:30 am Opening Plenary

Presiding: Carmelita Pope Freeman, Regional Director, U.S. Department of Justice, Community Relations Service

Richard H. Jacques/ CEO, Second Chance Education Development.

Invocation: Bishop Charles Bledsoe, CEO National Church Empowerment Consortium

Greetings: Richard Roper, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas

Welcome:

Dr. Elba Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem

Dr. Wright Lassiter Jr., Chancellor
Dallas County Community College District

Rosa Rosales, LULAC President

Dennis Hayes, President and CEO, NAACP

Keynote Speaker: The Honorable Danny K. Davis, U.S.
Congressman from Chicago; Author, Second Chance
Act of 2007

10:30 am – 12:00 pm CONCURRENT PANELS

1. The Second Chance Act: Its Impact on Federal, State & Local Agencies

Moderator:

Richard H. Jacques/Second Chance Education-Development

Panelists:

David Robison, Proactive Approaches to Community Supervision, CROSS

Gary Bledsoe, Attorney and Member of NAACP National Board; Former Texas NAACP President (Invited)

Congressman Danny K. Davis, 7th District Illinois, Second Chance Act

2. Re-entry: Homelessness, Housing Assistance & Other Support Services

Moderator:

Roman Palomares, Chairman, Homeward Bound; Former LULAC Chief of Staff; and, LULAC National Housing Commission Member

Panelists:

Tina Naidoo, Program Director of Texas Offenders Re-entry Initiative
Crystal City Representative

David Robison, The Ex-Offender Mortgage Program (TEMP)

3. Juvenile & the Re-entry Process: Issues & Concerns

Moderator:

Durrand Hill, Chief Prosecutor – Juvenile, Dallas County District Attorney’s Office

Panelists:

Israel Pena, Phoenix Project, Gang Intervention

Mike Griffiths, Director, Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center

4. Ensuring Success for Male Students at Cedar Valley and Mountain
View College

Moderator:

Leonard Garrett, Ph.D., Vice President of Student Support Services and Enrollment Management, Mountain View College, DCCCD

Panelist:

Jonas Young, Director of Testing Serices at Cedar Valley College, DCCCD

Joel Riley, Counselor and Professor of Human Development at Cedar Valley College, DCCCD

Raymond Lee, Director of ASSET Program, Mountain View College, DCCCD

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm LUNCH

Presiding: Rene Martinez, Dallas Independent School District

Invocation: Pastor Larry Gardner, Potters House

Greetings: Roberto Alonzo, State Representative

Vicki Hallman, Regional Director, Dallas Parole Division,
Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Rafael Anchia, State Representative

Introduction to Speaker: Dianne Gibson, Community Courts Program Manager, Office of the City Attorney Dallas Community Courts
Keynote Speaker: Craig Watkins, Dallas County District Attorney

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm CONCURRENT PANELS

5. Black/Brown Issues for Re-entry, Similarities/Differences, Community

Moderator:

Hector Flores, Immediate Past President, LULAC; Head of Minority Recruitment, Dallas Independent School District

Panelists:

Adelfa Callejo, Attorney; Chairwoman, Dallas Hispanic Coalition

Gary Bledsoe, Attorney and Member of NAACP National Board; Former Texas NAACP President (Invited)

Will Harrell, Chief Ombudsman, Texas Youth Commission; Former Director of Texas ACLU

Michael Lee, CEO Operation Oasis/CROSS

6. Overcoming the Barriers for the Returning Felon: Education & Employment

Moderator:

Edward Elizondo, LULAC District III Civil Rights Committee Chair; EEOC Outreach Program Manager, Retired

Panelist:

Charles Dillon, Program Director Operation Oasis/CROSS

Katrina Eddins, Project Rio, Texas Worksource

Joan Sanger, Career Edge Systems

7. Life Guide America, Making Good Choices

Moderator:

Treva McDaniel, Program Director, North Central Texas Urban League

Panelist:

Robert Pitre, CEO Life Guide America

8. Best Practices: Getting Offenders Back on Track- The Prosecutors Role In Re-entry

Moderator:

Chikita Tatum, Director Mercy Inc.

Panelist:

Lateefah Simon, Director-San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, Re-entry Unit

Paul Henderson, Assistant District Attorney, San Francisco District Attorney’s Office

9. El Centro/ Bill J. Priest –Employment, Education, Enrichment for the Offender Population

Moderator:

Clifton White, Parole Supervisor, Dallas Parole Division, Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Panelist:

Leslie Shelby, Ed.D., Dean of Instruction, Bill J. Priest Institute

Chuck Waldrop, Director Center for Government Contracting-SBDC
Bill J. Priest Institute

Roderick Caples, Community Job Developer
City of Dallas Offender Re-entry Initiative

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Tour A –
Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Day Resource Center
1010 Cadiz, Dallas, Texas 75215

Community Resource One-Stop System (CROSS) Re-entry Program
1402 Corinth Street, Dallas, Texas 75215

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Tuesday, August 21

7:30 am – 8:30 am Continental Breakfast

8:00 am Continued Registration (all day)

9:00 am – 10:30 am Opening Plenary

Presiding: Richard Sambrano, LULAC TX Civil Rights Committee Chair

Invocation: Bishop Charles Bledsoe, CEO National Church Empowerment Consortium

Greetings: Lupe Valdez, Dallas County Sheriff

David Kunkle, Chief, Dallas Police Department

Terri Hodge, Texas State Representative

Speaker: Gerardo Maldonado, Regional Director, U.S. Bureau of Prisons

Speaker: Madeline Ortiz, Director for Rehabilitation and Re-entry Programs Division, Texas Department of Criminal Justice

10:30 am – 12:00 pm CONCURRENT PANELS

10. Basic Civil Rights & the Returning Felons

Moderator:

Richard Sambrano, Texas State LULAC Civil Rights Committee Chair; Retired Mediator from the U.S. Department of Justice, Community Relations Service

Panelists:

Will Harrell, Chief Ombudsman, Texas Youth Commission; Former Director of Texas ACLU

Jeff Blackburn, Innocence Project Attorney, Amarillo, Texas (Invited)

John Walker, Desegregation and Civil Rights Attorney, Little Rock, Arkansas (Invited)

11. Re-entry Program: Addressing the Underlying Issues – Substance Abuse & Mental Illness

Moderator:

Shalonda Richardson-Grant, Specialized Parole Officer, Texas Youth Commission

Panelists:

The Honorable Jerry Cruzotte, Judge

The Honorable Robert Frances, Judge

Michael Laughlin, Senior U.S. Probation/Pretrial Services Officer/Offender Workforce Development Specialist, U.S. Probation/Pretrial Services Office of the Northern District of Texas

12. Influence of Gangs on the Returning Felon to the Community

Moderator:

Heath Harris, Chief Prosecutor – Gang Violence, Dallas County District Attorney’s Office

Panelists:

Ernesto Chaplin, Director Ernesto Lucio Ministries

Cornelius Moore, Unit Supervisor, Dallas Parole Division, Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Amy Allen, Dallas Gang Initiative, City Attorney Office, City of Dallas

13. Best Practices: Prison Fellowship

Moderator:

David Robison, CROSS Representative

Panelist:

William Anderson, Arizona State Director Prison Fellowship, Operation SOAR

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm LUNCH

Presiding: Gloria Campos, Channel 8 Anchor

Invocation: Pastor Larry Gardner, Potters House

Speakers: The Honorable Lena Levario, Judge Criminal District Court

Royce West, Texas Senator from Dallas

Introduction of Speaker: Michael Lee, CEO Operation Oasis/CROSS

Keynote Speaker: Mark Early, President and CEO of Prison Fellowship Ministries, Former State Senator and Attorney General for State of Virginia

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm CONCURRENT PANELS

14. Women and the Re-entry Process: F 3-Females, First & Foremost

Moderator:

Ana Yanez Correa, Director of the Texas Criminal Justice Policy Coalition

Panelists:

Evelyn Schaffer, Assistant Regional Director, Parole Division, Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Andrenett Hayes-Jones, Parole Supervisor, Parole Division, Texas Department of Criminal Justice

15. Criminal Justice Sentencing & Supervision & Their Role in Recidivism

Moderator:

Gaylord Thomas, Manager, City of Dallas Offender Re-entry Initiative

Panelists:

The Honorable Lena Levario, Judge District Court 104

Jeff Blackburn, Innocence Project Attorney, Amarillo, Texas (Invited)

Gwen Broadnax, Dallas Probation – Outreach Coordinator

16. CROSS/Homeward Bound/City of Dallas Offender Re-entry Initiative/Dallas County Community College District Re-entry Program

Moderator:

Roman Palomares, Chairman, Homeward Bound; Former LULAC Chief of Staff; and, LULAC National Housing Commission Member

Panelists:

David Robison, CROSS Representative

Richard H. Jacques, CEO Second Chance Education Development

Gaylord Thomas, Manager, City of Dallas Re-entry Initiative

17. Best Practices: Washington, D.C. Re-entry Initiative

Moderator:

Fred Jones, Victory 2000

Panelist:

Rahim Jenkins, Director, Washington, D.C. Re-entry Initiative

18. The Job Lead Generator-Workforce Re-entry Initiative

Moderator:

Chris Pipkin, Operation Oasis/CROSS

Panelist:

Victor Pratt, Director Job Lead Generator

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Tour B (if needed)

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Wednesday, August 22

8:00 am – 10:00 am LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST

Moderator:

Ana Yanez Correa, Director of Texas Criminal Justice Policy Coalition

Speakers:

Jerry Madden, Texas State Representative

Terri Hodge, Texas State Representative

Yvonne Davis, Texas State Representative

10:00 am – 12:00 pm Summit Summary & Analysis

Presiding: Carmelita Pope Freeman, Regional Director, U.S. Department of Justice, Community Relations Service

NAACP Joins GSN Project Based On New Series ‘Without Prejudice?’

Poll, program combine to create provocative approach to opening discussion on raceJuly 25, 2007

The NAACP is excited and proud to be part of a groundbreaking new broadcast and social experiment aimed at helping Americans overcome issues of social prejudice in all its forms. A new Zogby poll underscores the need for that exercise to begin in earnest.

Most Americans believe they don’t make race based decisions…but think their neighbors do, according to a landmark poll by Zogby International commissioned by GSN. The survey is a powerful follow-up to the July 17 premiere of Without Prejudice?, a TV game show that gives people across the country an opportunity to participate in a thoughtful, productive conversation about prejudice. The NAACP, through its Hollywood Bureau, is a consultant for the program that airs Tuesdays at 9 pm (EST) on GSN.

“This is an opportunity for the NAACP to more fully engage in a discussion of prejudice and bigotry and to explain to a wider audience the bases for these ills and how we can rid society of them,” said NAACP National Board of Directors Chairman Julian Bond. “We look forward to our participation and the success of this innovative series.”

The NAACP and GSN will host an upcoming town hall meeting on race, diversity and prejudice.

The survey of more than 10,000 Americans, one of the most comprehensive ever conducted on prejudice according to Zogby, explores attitudes about race, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical appearance and politics. This “Report Card on American Prejudice” is part of a wide-ranging effort by GSN to spur a national dialogue on intolerance and bigotry.

“Our network is proud to sponsor the Without Prejudice Project,” said Dena Kaplan, GSN’s Sr. Vice President for Marketing. “This pioneering effort – which includes the poll and the broadcast of our new game show – will help provoke a national conversation about our inner-most feelings toward race, religion and other issues that define the way we, as Americans, treat one another. GSN hopes the initiative will raise the awareness of prejudice in our nation and create an agenda for positive change.”

Using distinguished pollster, Zogby International, GSN commissioned a poll designed to explore Americans’ preferences and biases. The poll findings will serve as a barometer of the country’s tolerance and a platform for honest discussion. Among the poll�s findings are:

On Race: While 67% of respondents claimed to have no preference themselves between a white, black or Arab clerk in a convenience store, 71% said, “most Americans” would seek out the white clerk; 73% said in the event of a shooting, most Americans would expect African Americans to be involved; 55% said in the event of a drug bust, most Americans would expect African Americans to be involved; 53% said in the event of identity theft, most Americans would expect whites to be involved;

On Political Affiliation: When asked which political party most Americans believe to be responsible for many of the gravest problems facing the world:

• War: 62% blamed Republican vs. 14% Democrat

• Global Warming: 56% blamed Republican vs. 10% Democrat

• Prejudice: 52% blamed GOP vs. 22% for Democrat

• Poverty: 49% held Republicans accountable; 29% Democrats

• Crime: On this issue, respondents reversed the trend, with 42% blaming Democrats vs. 23% for Republicans

On Religion: By a wide margin, those polled felt Muslims are the most likely to engage in terrorism (83%) and are far more likely to cause a war (42%); 37% believe Catholics are most likely to be involved in sexual abuse – far more than any other religious group; 15% believe Protestants are most likely to commit domestic violence, followed by Muslims (13%); the poll turned up virtually no negative views toward Jews.

On Sexual Orientation: On gay marriage, 62% said they believe Americans oppose it. Yet 58% would elect a gay person for President – about the same as an Arab-American (57%).

On Disability: When asked to choose whom they believed most Americans would least want to work with, 26% of respondents said someone who is morbidly obese. Twenty-two percent said someone with facial disfigurement. Respondents thought Americans would object much less to deaf and blind co-workers.

Every episode of Without Prejudice? features five contestants under the collective microscope of five strangers charged with deciding which contestant they feel is most deserving of a $25,000 cash award.

To stimulate further conversation, GSN will launch a comprehensive outreach effort including Public Service Announcements, an online forum (featuring snap polls, blogs, discussion guides and community building resources from our partners) and print, TV and online media.

GSN is also partnering with other leading advocacy groups on the Without Prejudice Project, including YWCA, GLAAD, NCLR, and CAIR. To learn more, please visit www.gsn.com/withoutprejudice. For the entire Zogby/GSN poll, visit www.zogby.com. More on the NAACP can be found at: www.naacp.org.

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

About the Without Prejudice Project
GSN created the Without Prejudice Project to provide an opportunity for people across the country to participate in a thoughtful, productive conversation about prejudice. Using distinguished pollster, Zogby International, GSN commissioned a poll designed to explore Americans’ preferences and biases. The poll findings will serve as a barometer of the country�s tolerance and a platform for honest discussion. To stimulate the conversation, GSN will launch a comprehensive project including PSAs, an online forum (featuring snap polls, blogs, discussion guides and community building resources from our partners), a PR effort, and print, TV and online media. GSN is partnering with leading advocacy groups on the Without Prejudice Project, including NAACP, YWCA, GLAAD, CAIR and NCLR. To learn more, please visit http://www.gsn.com/withoutprejudice/.

Million Father March – “Fathers Take Your Children to School Day”

200 Cities Could Participate in the Largest, Organized
Back-to-School Effort in U.S. History

The Million Father March has grown out of recognition of the power of male involvement in the education of Black students. A father who actively participates in the educational and social development life of a child is invaluable and irreplaceable. A 2004 summary study by The Parent Institute showed that at schools where teachers reported high levels of outreach to parents, reading scores grew at a rate 50 percent higher, and math tests scores 40 percent higher, than in schools where teachers reported low levels of outreach. Statistics from the National Fatherhood Initiative support these findings and show that when fathers and men are regularly and substantially involved in the education and social development of children, children have higher standardized test scores, higher grade point averages, higher attendance rates and higher graduation rates from high school. Additionally, they have lower rates of suspension, expulsion, arrest, fewer incidents of violent behavior, and they are less likely to use drugs, alcohol or engage in premature sex.

While there is no magic bullet to solving all of the problems that we face in education, getting fathers involved is a large step in the right direction. When fathers speak with and listen to their children regularly and are active in their lives, they make up part of a good parent team and are critical to strong family structures. Strong family structures produce more centered, academically proficient and socially developed children who are a valuable asset to their communities. Better parents produce better communities, better schools and better students!

The Million Father March is an opportunity for Black men to show their commitment to the educational lives of their children on the first day of school and throughout the school year. On the first day of school each year since the March began in 2004, Black fathers, relatives, men, and significant male caregivers are asked to take their children to their first day of school across the country and around the world. Fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, stepfathers, uncles, cousins, big brothers, significant male caregivers and friends of the family will participate in the event. While this event was created for Black men, men and women of all races, nationalities and faith backgrounds are also encouraged to take children to school on this first day. The BlackêStar Project also asks elementary and high schools; school districts and school boards; colleges and universities; pre-schools, nursery schools, and Headstarts; public, private, parochial and religious schools; urban, suburban and rural schools to participate in this event. Additionally, we recruit the support of local school councils, community organizations, parent associations, faith-based organizations, government agencies, elected officials, chambers of commerce and businesses should support and participate in the Million Father March.

The Black Star Project’s Million Father March takes place from the homes of children to their schools with fathers and men accompanying their children and aims to post Black men near the front door at schools with sizeable Black student populations to create an honor guard of strong, positive men supporting all children at that school. The Million Father March is the beginning of a year-long commitment of men to children educationally, socially, financially, emotionally and spiritually. For this reason, the Million Father March is a seminal event for communities across the world. While we coordinate the March and our Chicago office serves as its headquarters, the March takes place across the country, with city coordinators overseeing the event in each participating city.

In 2005, with the generous support of the Schott Foundation for Public Education, the second annual Million Father March recruited the support of eighty-three cities nationwide, including one international city: Auckland, New Zealand. This participation of these nearly 100 cities led to an estimated participation of 200,000 men, women and children in the March to the first day of school to show their commitment to the education of our children. In addition, all 167 school districts in Connecticut were informed about the “Fathers Take Your Children to School Day” as an extension of the Million Father March and on September 29, 2005, many schools in Connecticut reported significant numbers of fathers and men who brought their children to school. In Chicago alone, between 25,000 and 35,000 fathers participated in the Million Father March 2005 and contributed to a record 92% first day attendance for Chicago Public Schools. Attention to this figure, which determines the amount of funding received by CPS from the federal government for the school year, is important in securing the funding and programming necessary for students most affected by the racial academic achievement gap. Since the Million Father March was established in 2004, the first day attendance has increased 3%, providing a total of nearly $100,000,000 in additional funding over two school years for the Chicago Public Schools.

Most recently, we coordinated the Million Father March 2006 in 125 cities nationwide as well as in two international cities: Tamale, Ghana and London, England. The March included the participation of nearly 315,000 men, women and children, including between 30,000 and 40,000 in Chicago alone.

NAACP Discussion Questions for Dr. Michael Hinojosa, Superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District

National Association of Colored People (NAACP)

Discussion Questions for Dr. Michael Hinojosa, Superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District – Monday, August 7, 2007
______________________

Student Achievement:

Question 1.

How do you plan to involve the parents and community in improving student achievement to grade level and above proficiency, particularly in low performing schools that are in low income neighborhoods?

Question 2.

Do you plan to support and / or expand In-District Charter Schools as a strategy for improving student achievement ? If so, how and when? If not, why not? This seems to be an effective way of holding campus instructional teams accountable for teaching and learning. Principal and teachers tend to take ownership, support and implement strategies they select or create.

Question 3.

Do you plan restructuring of major programs such as Curriculum & Instruction; Training/Development; Sub-District configurations in an effort to improve student achievement?

A. Do you plan to add any new programs or strategies to increase student achievement in low performing schools? If so, what?

B. Do you plan to reduce or streamline any programs to support other low performing schools? If so what?

Page 2. Questions for Superintendent

Question 4.

In order to improve student achievement, do you plan to assign some of the most successful teachers and principals to low performing schools to assure equity in teaching and learning across the entire district.

A. If so, when and how will we be informed of the efforts?

B. If so, what will be done to ensure a smooth transition?

Question 5.

How do you plan to ensure that professional development is implemented for each campus- based needs identified by teachers and principals?

Questions 6.

Are you familiar with the commitments the DISD’s Board of Education made with regards to the Desegregation Court Ordered program strategies that were successful in improving student achievement, such as Early Childhood Education (Prek-Grade 3)?

A. What are your plans for supporting the Board in their efforts to keep their commitment?

B. Do you plan to hold staff accountable for the commitments?

Page 3. Questions for Superintendent

Communications/Community Relations/Partnerships:

Question 7.

How do you plan to keep parents and community informed regarding on-going program progress, needs, changes and successes?

Question 8.

Can parents and community count on you to be visible in the schools and the community?

A. To what extent will you hold community forums for parents and community?

B. Will you be open and receptive regarding constructive criticism and feedback and/or opposing views?

Dallas Achieves:

Questions 9.

What is Dallas Achieves? What can we do as an organization to help
you achieve your bottom line of becoming the number one urban
school district in the nation by the year 2010?

Question 10.

Is Parental Involvement/Engagement a component of Dallas Achieves? If so, the NAACP is going to launch a Parental Involvement program at three DISD schools this fall. Would you support an initiative such as this to improve student achievement?

Page 4. Questions for Superintendent

Question 11.

How is Dallas Achieves funded? Did you have to cut any positions
and/or programs to implement and execute Dallas Achieves? If so, what
positions and programs were cut and what new programs have been
implemented?

Hiring Practices/Selections & Retention of Quality & Effective AA Personnel

Question 12.

Are you a supporter of diversity and inclusion both in the classroom as well as staffing? If so, please explain some of the recent decisions that have been made with regard to your hiring practices.

A. Are there any African-American employees in the new office you created, Office of Professional Responsibility? If so, what position do they hold? If not, why?

B. Your new organizational structure calls for Executive Directors instead of Associate Superintendents. How many Executive Directors are over the elementary and high schools and how many African Americans occupy these positions?

C. Is it true that the Athletic Director, Chief of Staff and Human Resource Director (all African Americans) have all been replaced by two Whites and one Hispanic? If so, did you interview and/or consider other qualified African-Americans for these positions?

D. What plan do you have in place to retain effective, tenured teachers and administrators who do not speak Spanish?

E. What is your plan to fill the (15) principal vacancies prior to the start of the 2007-2008 school year?

African American Homeowner Website Offering Hope to Struggling Homeowner

Roy Primm, Publisher

Long Beach, CA (BlackNews.com) – Blackhomeownernews.com continues to provide unique solutions to thousands of African American homeowners the main stream media often overlook, ignore and neglect. As the largest source of information for African American homeowners on the Internet, Blackhomeownernews.com fills an information niche many African American homeowners find refreshing and encouraging.

What do thousands of African American homeowners find refreshing and encouraging? The answers, ideas and solutions speak to the specific needs of African homeowners and work to spark positive action.

Inspired by the shoddy treatment African American homeowners received following Hurricane Katrina; publisher Roy Primm created the real estate information website. Updated daily, the hard-hitting website speaks to the unmet and underserved needs of the African American homeowner in today’s turbulent housing market.

Created in January of 2007, the information website has quickly blossomed into the largest source of information for African American homeowners on the Internet.

“African Americans continue to lead the list when it comes to predatory lending, home improvement and home purchasing schemes. In fact, most home related scam artist practice and perfect their techniques on African American homeowners before moving on to other communities. When I saw that statistic it made me hotter than fish grease, I knew I had to stop feeling mad and do something,” states Primm.

“The African American homeowner continues as the leading target of loan schemes and home improvement scams year after year, why? Because we are the least informed,” says the fiery publisher.

Blackhomeownersnews.com offers free information ranging from the latest home repair schemes targeting African American homeowners to the best places to find home loans if you’re an African American. The home management website has recently added state-of -the art educational videos. Now African American homeowners can watch free homeowner educational videos on-demand. The growing list of titles include:

* Predatory Lending Warnings.
* How to Choose a Contractor.
* Home Decorating on a Budget.
* How to Get a Home Improvement Grant.
* Current First Time Homebuyer Programs. And more.

As a further service to readers, BlackHomeowenernews.com offers a free weekly newsletter stuffed with current information specific to African American homeowners. For example:

* Shocking facts most African American homeowners ignore.
* Tips to selling a home in a high crime neighborhood for top dollar.
* Protecting home and family from the “New School” home burglars.
* The top 5 home improvement scams African American homeowner fall for.
* Security lighting home burglars hate the most.
* The best and worst times to refinance.

“With today’s real estate and home loan market, the day of simply buying a home and living happily ever after without staying informed and updated is gone forever. In fact, it’s dangerous and risky not knowing the latest home management information. Why? Because solutions and answers can change overnight for today’s homeowner, yesterdays news can hurt,” warns publisher Roy Primm. For more information go to www.BlackHomeOwnerNews.com

CONTACT:
Roy Primm
Black Homeowner News, Inc.
562-422-8133
publisher@blackhomeownernews.com

African American, Black, Race, Real Estate, Home Ownership,

Mayor Tom Leppert to Recognize Million Father March 2007

THOMAS C. LEPPERT
MAYOR

CITY OF DALLAS

MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release:
Mayor’s Office: 214.670.4054
August 14, 2007

Mayor Leppert to Recognize
Million Father March 2007

Dallas Area Fathers Marching for Educational Excellence and Stressing Importance of Father’s Role in Children’s Lives

WHAT: Special Recognition

WHEN: Wednesday, August 15th at 9:00 A.M.

WHERE: Council Briefing Room (6ES), Dallas City Hall
1500 Marilla St., Dallas TX 75201

WHO: Mayor Tom Leppert
Honorable Members of Dallas City Council
Joe Tave, Organizer of Dallas/FW Million Father March

MORE: See attached press release.

For Immediate Release
Contact: DFW Million Father March
August 14, 2007
Joe Tave, Organizer
214-339-4799, 469-951-8013
JoeLTave@prodigy.net

Ft. Worth Million Father March
Johnny Muhammad, Coordinator
817-773-3121

One Million Black Fathers Expected to Lead the 2007 March for Excellence in Education for American Schools

200 Cities Could Participate in the Largest, Organized
Back-to-School Effort in U.S. History

(Dallas, TX) – Like an army on its way to battle, hundreds of thousands of Black men will wake their children, make them breakfast, check their book bags, and then take them to school on the first day of school this fall school year. This scene will be played out at thousands of schools across America and other parts of the world. Last year, about 300,000 men from 127 cities participated in the Million Father March 2006. This year, an estimated 500,000 men from 200 cities are expected to participate. The Million Father March 2007 provides an escort of safety, support and encouragement to children of all ages.

“Research shows that children whose fathers take an active role in their educational lives earn better grades, get better test scores, enjoy school more / and are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college,” says Phillip Jackson, executive director of The Black Star Project, a Chicago-based non-profit leading the yearly Million Father March initiative.

Additionally, children have fewer behavior problems when fathers listen to and talk with them regularly and are active in their lives. A good father is part of a good parent team and is critical to creating a strong family structure. Strong family structures produce children who are more academically proficient, socially developed and self-assured. Such children become adults who are valuable assets to their communities.

“This is an exciting, productive and beneficial project for children, families, schools and the DFW region,” says Joe Tave, organizer of the DFW March. “Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert wholeheartedly supports the project which is in line with his focus on better schools and education platform.”

“Better parents produce better communities, better schools, and better students with higher academic achievements,” says Jackson.

Participants in the event include fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, stepfathers, uncles, cousins, big brothers, significant male caregivers and friends of the family. Although this event is sponsored by Black men, women and men of all races are also encouraged to take their children to school on their first day.

Last year, from New Haven, Connecticut, to Hilo, Hawaii, fathers stepped up to take part in the Million Father March 2006. Each city tailored the March to meet their needs. Elected officials, dignitaries, celebrities, and print and radio media reps turned out in support of fathers on the first day of school.

“The Board of Directors of the National Council on Educating Black Children enthusiastically supports the yearly Million Father’s March, and encourages every school district superintendent and school board member to play a significant role in the success of this March,” says Diana Daniels, president. “It takes a whole village to raise a child,” Daniels says.

Since schools across America and the world start the year on different days and months, the March will be a rolling event that takes place on the first day of this school year in cities, villages, and towns between August 7, 2007, and October 13, 2007. Dallas ISD and all Texas Public schools begin classes on Monday, August 27, 2007.

The 2007 Million Father March is sponsored in part by The Black Star Project and the DFW Million Father March Project. For more information, visit http://www.blackstarproject.org.

2007 Million Father March
Facts and Effectiveness

* A father who actively participates in the educational and social development life of a child is invaluable and irreplaceable.

* Research shows that children whose fathers take active roles in their educational lives earn better grades, get better test scores, enjoy school more and are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college.

* Children have fewer behavior problems when fathers listen to and speak with them regularly and are active in their lives.

* A good father is part of a good parent team and is critical to strong family structures.

* Strong family structures produce children who are more centered, academically proficient and socially developed and are a valuable asset to their communities.

* Better parents produce better communities, better schools and better students.

* Fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, step-fathers, uncles, cousins, big brothers, significant male caregivers and friends of the family can participate in the Million Father March.

* While this event is sponsored by Black men, women and men of all races and faith backgrounds are encouraged to take children to school on their first day of school.

* More then 200 cities are expected to participate in the Million Father March 2007.

* 2007 is the fourth year for the Million Father March.

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National Urban League Opportunity Compact – 2007 – Blueprint for Economic Equality

The Opportunity Compact is the culmination of extensive research and policy analysis by the National Urban League Policy Institute and is based upon the input of dozens of policy experts from academia, public policy think tanks, nonprofit service and advocacy organizations, the business sector and the Urban League movement.

The foundation for the resulting plan includes the following, which are accompanied by a list of 10 priorities and recommendations for change:

I. The Opportunity to Thrive (Children);

II. The Opportunity to Earn (Jobs);

III. The Opportunity to Own (Housing); and

IV. The Opportunity to Prosper (Entrepreneurship).

Opportunity to thrive (children)
— Every child in America deserves to live a life free of poverty that includes a safe home environment, adequate nutrition, and affordable quality health care.

•Action 1: Commit to mandatory early childhood education beginning at age 3 as well as guarantee access to college for all.

•Action 2: Close the gaps in the health insurance system to ensure universal health care for all children.

— Every child in America deserves a quality education that will prepare them to compete in an increasingly global marketplace.

•Action 3: Establish policies that provide tools for working families to become economically self-sufficient.

Opportunity to earn (jobs)
—Every willing adult in America should have a job that allows them to earn a decent wage and provide a reasonable standard of living for themselves and their families.

•Action 4: Create an urban infrastructure bank to fund reinvestment in urban communities (parks, schools, roads).

•Action 5: Increase economic self-sufficiency by indexing the minimum wage to the rate of inflation and expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit to benefit more working families.

—Every adult in America should have equal access to the resources that enhance employability and job mobility, including postsecondary education and other investments in human capital.

•Action 6: Expand “second chance” programs for high school dropouts, ex-offenders and at-risk youth to secure GED’s, job training and employment.

Opportunity to own (housing)
— Every adult in America should have access to the financial security that comes from owning a home.

•Action 7: Adopt the “Homebuyer’s Bill of Rights” as recommended by the National Urban League.

•Action 8: Reform public housing to assure continuing national commitment to low-income families.

Opportunity to prosper (entrepreneurship)
— Every individual in America who possesses entrepreneurial vision, ingenuity, drive and desire should have access to the resources needed to establish and grow a viable business enterprise.

•Action 9: Strongly enforce federal minority business opportunity goals to ensure greater minority participation in government contracting.

•Action 10: Build capacity of minority business through expansion of micro-financing, equity financing and the development of strategic alliances with major corporations.

This Compact was developed by the president CEO of the National Urban League. Established in 1910, The Urban League is the nation’s oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream.

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The Pan-African Connection Bookstore and Resource Center Celebrates the Birthday of Marcus Garvey and 18 years of Service to the Dallas Community

On Saturday August 18, at 5 p.m., the Pan-African Connection Bookstore and Resource Center, located at 612 E. Jefferson Blvd., will celebrate 18 years of service and the birthday of the Honorable Marcus Garvey, leader of the largest mass movement of in the history of African people.

“We thank the people for supporting us and allowing us to do what we love. Using African culture and art to teach young and old the dignity and humanity of Africa and African people, “ says Akwete Tyehimba bookstore co-owner.

We will pay tribute to one of our greatest organizers in our history, Marcus Garvey. Proclaiming a “ Back to Africa”, self-determination, and self-pride message Garvey organized over a million African people in the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), with branches throughout America, Canada, the Caribbean and Africa.

This year’s activities will focus on Garvey’s message of ‘Mass Organization’ and organizing everyone around the issue of ‘Free National Healthcare in America’.

Beginning at 5 p.m., invited guests organizing for ‘Free National Healthcare’ include: Jobs With Justice, Nurses Organizing Committee, Project Healthcare Organization, Union organizers, The All-African People’s Revolutionary Party and a Medical student enrolled in the Latin American Medical School in Cuba.

“Creating ‘Free National Healthcare’ in America is a call to action for everyone,” says Bandele Tyehimba, bookstore owner. “ It is also the beginning of the storm for a new humanity”, he continues.

Beginning at 7p.m., Civil Rights activist and grassroots organizer Mukasa Dada (Willie Ricks) will speak on theme: ‘ Today There is Only One Road to Effective Acton: The Organization of the Masses: Bro. Mukasa won the support of thousands of poor working class African People worldwide when he chanted, “Black Power, Black Power” during a 1966 march across Mississippi, with the late Kwame Ture (Stokely Carmichael) and other organizers of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).

Cultural entertainment will be provided by the, Young Pioneers Institute (YPI), and Singer, Storyteller (Afi) Melody Bell.

All activities are free and open to the public. Children’s activities will be provided during the programs.

For more information contact

Bandele Tyehimba at 214-943-8262.

The Congressional Black Caucus Celebrates Passage Of State Children’s Health Insurance Plan Covering 11 Million Children

For Immediate Release

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Contact Information

Keiana Barrett (202) 226-8119

(BLACK PR WIRE) WASHINGTON, DC – “Our children are our most precious jewel. As a proud mother and grandmother, I believe every child, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or socioeconomic status, deserves access to the best health care our country has to offer,” said Congresswoman Carolyn C. Kilpatrick (D-MI), Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus. “In addition to aligning vulnerable and uninsured children with health, mental and dental care, the CHAMP Act will ensure that senior citizens receive affordable health benefits.”The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and Medicare will significantly reduce the number of uninsured children, namely racial and ethnic minorities and economically disadvantaged children. Medicare and SCHIP also will help children obtain vital screening and prevention services that help children stay healthy and mature into healthy and productive adults. “The CHAMP Act makes an important investment in the health of America,” said Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel (D-NY). “We have made a critical investment in Medicare to ensure the long-term solvency of the program by addressing physician reimbursement rates so that seniors maintain access to the doctors of their choice; expand low-income subsidies; and strengthen safety net provisions in rural areas.” The CHAMP Act was passed in the House by a vote of 225 to 204. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus voted 100% in support of this bill. “Democrats believe we have an unequivocal moral responsibility to provide for the health and well-being of our children and our elders,” remarked House Majority Whip James Clyburn. “As a grandfather whose grandson was born 90 days premature and received top-notch healthcare coverage as he struggled to survive his first days on Earth, I believe all of America’s children should have access to the same coverage. I am proud of the work of this body today. The CHAMP Act will provide vital healthcare coverage for the greatest generation and the next generation.” “The CHAMP Act will play an integral role in expanding health coverage for children and will help take this nation one step closer to reducing the racial and ethnic disparities in children’s health that leave far too many children without access to health care and in poorer health,” said Congresswoman Donna Christensen (D-VI). “The CHAMP Act also takes proactive steps to protect the health and well being of our low-income seniors, people with ESRD and other Americans whose health care needs exceed their means.” “I am proud of this Democratic led 110th session of Congress. Collectively, we are working to build stronger and healthier families and re-enforcing our commitment to America. We have strengthened the tenants of our nation’s food stamp program; provided additional resources to Historically Black Colleges and Universities; secured overdue assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers; and now we have dismantled barriers in our health care system,” remarked Chairwoman Kilpatrick.

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