Mentoring Brothers in Action: Historically Black Fraternities Elevate Partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters to Change the Odds for African-American Boys

Popular Nationally Syndicated Urban Radio Host Michael Baisden Challenges Other Radio Hosts, Celebrities, Corporations and Influencers to Step Up

Atlanta launch event scheduled February 10

In observance of National Mentoring Month and the Martin Luther King Day of Service, Big Brothers Big Sisters and its African American Fraternity Partnership launched Mentoring Brothers in Action, the second phase of their two-year collaborative partnership. According to the press release, the goal of the program is to engage more African American men in fraternal, social, faith-based and professional organizations to get involved in one-to-one mentoring to change the odds for African American boys. Supporting this initiative is popular nationally syndicated urban radio host, Michael Baisden.

“Like so many of our young men, my father also abandoned me so I understand the importance of mentoring. I was fortunate to have uncles and other men in my community to set the right example and to correct me when I was out of line,” said Baisden. “If we want to see different results in our young people we have to invest more into them and show them what is possible. I became a successful writer because I saw successful writers; I became a successful radio personality because I saw successful radio personalities, and so on. If we want to create more successful children we need them to see an example of success and integrity. Success is not an accident, it's something you practice every day in the way you live your life and the way you treat people. Become a mentor today and be that example!”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Co-Chief Executive Officer Max Miller states, “with Mentoring Brothers in Action, we are working with our fraternity partners, bolstered by the support of Michael Baisden -- one of the most prominent and passionate proponents of mentoring -- to bring together our best resources to tackle one of the nation’s most urgent crises. Our goal is to have a positive impact on high school graduation, juvenile justice and economic equity.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters expects Mentoring Brothers in Action to create new and broader pathways to provide mentors for African American boys who disproportionately represent children waiting to be matched with Big Brothers. Participating fraternities include Kappa Alpha Psi, Alpha Phi Alpha and Omega Psi Phi.

Among the initiative’s 2012 activities:

The launch of MentoringBrothers.org, a unique website and social media effort that will enable African American men to be the impetus for dramatically changing the odds for African American boys across the nation. Initially developed by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America as an African American male mentor recruiting tool, the revamped MentoringBrothers.org will serve as the nation’s central source for in-depth, interactive mentoring resources.

The Mentoring Brothers in Action National Summit: Michael Baisden will headline this Big Brothers Big Sisters summit February 10 in Atlanta, where invited guests include education and mentoring experts; mentors, mentees and supporters. For more information and to RSVP, visit here.

Additional activities include fraternity chapters partnering with local Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies to host “friend raisers,” barbershop recruiting drives, Bowl for Kids Sake fundraisers, and other efforts to engage more African American men in mentoring; and supporting fraternity partners in demonstrating measurable outcomes for children who participate in their unique service initiatives and programs, such as Kappa Alpha Psi’s Guide Right, Omega Psi Phi’s Operation Lamp Light and Alpha Phi Alpha’s Project Alpha.

“Mentoring Brothers in Action takes our two-year partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters to the next level. In a powerful demonstration of unity and a deep collective concern for our communities, we are taking accountability for ensuring that African American boys achieve in school and succeed in life. MentoringBrothers.org utilizes the strength of technology and social media, powered by Big Brothers Big Sisters and its longstanding proven mentoring success, to engage African American men across the country to take the lead in changing the odds for our boys,” said Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. President Dr. Andrew A. Ray.

To learn more about the African American Fraternity Partnership and its progress to date, visit http://www.mentoringbrothers.org/ and http://www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org/.

Apollo Theater Celebrates Black History Month with Wide-Ranging Programs in February 2012

Apollo Amateur Night 2012 Season Opens with “Dream” Guest Star Jennifer Holliday

Apollo Open House Weekend with Free Community Sing Event Led by 10-time Grammy Winners Take 6

New York, NY— This February, the world famous Apollo Theater will host a series of wide-ranging artistic and community programming to celebrate Black History Month. Throughout its history, the Apollo has consistently been a model of innovation and excellence, and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the nation. This year’s Black History Month programming includes the return of the Apollo’s signature show, Amateur Night, with a new digital twist; the popular emerging artist concert series Music Café; an Open House Weekend; representing the range and vibrancy of the Theater’s offerings.

Highlights of the Apollo’s February programming include:

Apollo Amateur Night 2012 Opening Night - The 2012 season of the Apollo Theater’s signature weekly live show, Amateur Night, kicks off with several surprises marking the Theater’s 78th birthday, as well as a “dream” special guest performance by the original Dreamgirl– Jennifer Holliday. Wednesday, February 1st, 7:30pm

Amateur Night Digital – The Apollo Theater launches a digital extension of its signature show, giving global audiences the opportunity to vote on their favorite Amateur Night contestants. Wednesday, February 1. http://www.apollotheater.org/

FREE Open House Weekend - The Apollo Theater will open its doors to give members of the Harlem community, New York City residents and tourists alike a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the Apollo’s rich history, as well as the non-profit Theater’s current activities. The weekend activities highlight: upcoming Apollo performances events and cultural program of other local organizations, film clips and shorts on Apollo history, self-guided tour of the historic theatre, exhibition panels on Apollo theatre history, health screenings and cultural fair and information booths with cultural and community partners. Billy Mitchell, the Apollo Theater Ambassador is on hand throughout the weekend sharing Apollo history. Friday’s events to feature a special Community Sing with 10-time Grammy Award winning a cappella sextet Take 6, presented in collaboration with Carnegie Hall’s Neighborhood Concert Series. Friday, February 3rd through Sunday, February 6th

NOTE: Tickets to Community Sing are free but RSVP is required. RSVP at http://www.apollotheater.org/take6 or at the Apollo Theater Box Office. 4 tickets per individual or 12 tickets per organization. (Organizations will need to bring an official letter to the box office when picking up tickets.)

Apollo Music Café - Set in a club-like atmosphere on the Apollo Theater’s intimate, newly renovated Soundstage, Apollo Music Café is a showcase for emerging artists. The 2012 season’s opening weekend features up-and-coming innovators including: Left of Acoustic, Right of Soul featuring Candice Anitra and Jeremy Jones, and culminates with Hip-Hop Revolutionized featuring Bugnana sand MC Invincible. Friday, February 10th & Saturday, February 11th. Both shows begin at 10 pm (doors at 9pm).

For more information on these events and the Apollo Theater, visit http://www.apollotheater.org/.

Corporate sponsors include Target, Aetna and Heineken. The Apollo's annual season is made possible by lead support from The Coca-Cola Company, The Parsons Family Foundation, the Ronald O. Perelman Family Foundation, the Edward and Leslye Phillips Family Foundation, the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, Reginald Van Lee, the Ford Foundation, Bloomberg, and the Neuberger Berman Foundation.

Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum Hosts 27th Annual MLK Program in Washington, DC

The Omicron Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. pose for a photograph with Smithsonian Assistant Secretary for Education and Access Claudine K. Brown, Anacostia Community Museum Director Camille Akeju, keynote speaker Harry E. Johnson, Sr., BlackGivesBack.com founder Tracey Webb, and others during the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum's 27th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Program.

On Friday, January 13th, the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum held its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Program to a standing room only crowd at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. The featured speaker for the program was Harry E. Johnson Sr., president and CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation. I had the honor of serving as the moderator for the Q&A discussion following his keynote, and I’d like to thank the wonderful staff of the museum, Maria N. Smith and Jenelle Cooper Tolson for the invitation!

The program began with a rousing step performance from the Omicron Eta Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the fraternity to which King belonged. Johnson began his engaging keynote by sharing that the vision for the memorial was birthed from five Alpha fraternity brothers while sitting at a kitchen table. A few highlights from his keynote included the challenges he initially encountered in raising the funds needed to build the memorial, the controversy surrounding the choice of a Chinese sculptor, and the acknowledgment of Robert Stanton in the audience, who was the first African American director of the National Park Service. (Listen to Johnson’s keynote here).Under Johnson's leadership, the foundation raised the $120 million needed to complete the memorial, which garnered support from all living Presidents, Congress, corporate and nonprofit communities and celebrities.



The Omicron Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.




During the Q&A session, one of the questions I asked Mr. Johnson was among the major contributors, who were the prominent African American donors? In addition to the generous gift from philanthropist Sheila Johnson, he mentioned Victor MacFarlane, a real estate investor who donated $1 million through his investment company, MacFarlane Partners.  Johnson shared that it didn’t worry him about who didn’t donate to the memorial, for it was “all of the people who donated $5 and $10 that made a million.”

The Anacostia Community Museum was opened in southeast Washington in 1967 as the nation's first federally funded neighborhood museum. Renamed in 2006, it has expanded its focus beyond African American culture to documenting, interpreting and collecting objects related to the impact of historical and contemporary social issues on communities. Visit the website for information on upcoming programs and exhibitions at anacostia.si.edu.  Photos courtesy of Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum

The Washington Post Examines Black Women’s Experiences and Perspectives

Series to Include a Community Forum on February 29th, New Poll Results, and Multimedia

WASHINGTON, DC — Black women are far more likely than white women to place importance on career success and are less inclined to focus on having children or being in a romantic relationship, according to a new, nationwide survey by The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation. This is the first story in a series looking at black women's experiences and perspectives and can be read HERE.

Here are highlights of the latest poll findings:

• About two-thirds of the black women who participated in the survey consider being successful in their careers very important
• About three in four value living a religious life and worry about having enough money to pay their bills
• 67% describe themselves as having high self esteem
• 46% see the nation's economic system as stacked against blacks

The next story in the series will be published Tuesday, January 24 and captures how First Lady Michelle Obama's impact on black women and looks at how she has changed overall impressions of black women in America. In the coming weeks and months, The Post will also explore how black women assess their self-image and the impact of the economic recession on their finances.

In addition, The Post will host a panel discussion in partnership with Howard University’s Women as Change Agents titled “Through the Looking Glass: Black Women in America.” The event will take place on Wednesday, February 29 at Howard University’s Blackburn Center beginning at 6:30pm. The discussion will be led by Michelle Singletary, nationally syndicated Personal Finance Columnist for The Washington Post. To RSVP or to submit a question for the panel, please e-mail behindtheheadlines@washpost.com.  Photo:  The Washington Post

Young Voters Hit D.C. for 2nd Annual State of the Union Online Watch Party, #BarackTalk

The League of Young Voters Partners with Rock the Vote and AllHipHop.com for Viewing Party and Panel Discussion

Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, January 24th, national non-profit organization the League Of Young Voters Education Fund (LYVEF), AllHipHop.com and Rock The Vote will host their second annual #BarackTalk, a State of the Union round table discussion and watch party. The event will broadcast live from Busboys and Poets, one of our capitol’s cultural hotspots, at 5th and K in Washington, D.C. at 7:30 p.m. EST. #BarackTalk will livestream on YoungVoterLive.com for viewers to watch and engage in conversation with the panelists.

#BarackTalk will kick off with a series of panel discussions about the biggest issues facing Millennials before the 2012 presidential election. The party begins when President Barack Obama starts his fourth State of the Union address, and will conclude with analysis and discussion by some of the best and brightest minds in entertainment and politics.

The panelists include Goldie Taylor, leading news correspondent (TheGrio.com, MSNBC); Chuck Creekmur, influential urban entertainment journalist and co-founder of AllHipHop.com; Michael Skolnick of GlobalGrind.com; Andreas Hale of TheWellVersed; rapper Dee-1 and many more. Each speaker was selected because of his/her proven ability to engage with young people and spark conversations that resonate.

During the #BarackTalk discussions, participants can directly engage with panelists to ask questions via Ustream at http://www.youngvoterlive.com/ and LYVEF’s Twitter handle, @TheLeague99. Viewers asking questions on Twitter are encouraged to use the hashtag #BarackTalk.

In 2011, the first #BarackTalk State of the Union Event went viral, with the #BarackTalk Twitter hashtag trending locally in Washington, D.C. and New Orleans, LA.

As an ongoing mission, the League of Young Voters Education Fund and AllHipHop.com will be partnering to promote civic engagement among low-income youth of color throughout the 2012 presidential election.

For more information on the State of the Union viewing event and details surrounding the President’s address, please visit http://www.youngvoterlive.com/.

Jeep and Atlanta Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen provide historic background to "Red Tails" premiere in Atlanta

Tuskegee Airmen attend the “Red Tails” premiere on January 10, 2012 in New York City. Photo: Coppola/Getty

By Lisa Brathwaite
Atlanta Contributor

On Thursday, January 12, 2012, the Atlanta Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., with Jeep sponsorship hosted an advance screening of "Red Tails," the George Lucas film that tells the story of the first Black pilots and their supporting ground crew in the U.S. military.

Held at the AMC Southlake 24 in the metro Atlanta suburb of Morrow, the event was a fundraiser for the Atlanta Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, as well as a viewing for "key influencers" who were encouraged to promote opening weekend attendance when the film hits screens nationwide today, January 20th.

Among the esteemed guests in attendance were Tuskegee Airmen, descendants of Tuskegee Airmen, and two original Red Tails. Bob Friend, a Red Tail who enlisted in 1942, was among those men who received a standing ovation of reverence for their service. “Red Tails” was the nickname taken on by the pilots who chose to be identified by the bold color they painted the backs of their fighter planes.

The movie stars Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Atlanta’s own Ne-Yo, and features a cast of familiar and new faces. Jeep also figures prominently in the film, sharing the screen at times with the handsome ensemble. In 1941, leading up to U.S. involvement in World War II, a call went out from the Army to American automakers to build a fast, agile and versatile transport vehicle. Jeep answered the call and produced more than 630,000 Jeep vehicles that were used by U.S. military and their allies. Jeeps kept them moving forward on land while above the Tuskegee Airmen changed the outcome of virtually every battle in which they participated.

Atlanta Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen president Zellie Orr addressed the crowd before the film’s start, imploring, “This is an awesome film. Please tell at least four people to go out and see it.”

Watch the trailer, be inspired and please make plans to see the film this weekend. The funding to bring such stories from our experience to the screen tomorrow hinges on your support demonstrated for films like this today.

Photos of the Day

The Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. honored Dr. King’s birthday by laying a wreath at the foot of the Stone of Hope at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall, January 16th.

Since its opening, over 2 million visitors from around the globe have been able to witness firsthand the message of hope, justice, democracy and love that resonates from the crescent-shaped walls of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, which proudly sits between two Presidents.

The free program featured remarks from Harry E. Johnson, president and CEO of The Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation; the Rev. Al Sharpton, president of National Action Network and host of MSNBC's PoliticsNation and Robert G. Stanton, senior advisor to the Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. Source: Press release




Hempstead, NY- On December 19, 2011, 100 Black Men of Long Island, Inc., Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. and the Jewish Relations Council of Long Island collaborated by holding a joint press conference to raise awareness and combat health care issues that are prevalent on Long Island. Announced was the formation of an ongoing partnership to improve the quality of health for Long Islanders and encourage early prevention, education and health care initiatives. Immediately following the press conference, 100 Black Men held its annual holiday party that featured a toy and canned food drive.  Photo courtesy of 100 Black Men of Long Island 



Oprah Winfrey celebrates with the first graduating class of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa on January 14th, 2012.



Musical guest Janelle Monáe and special guest Hill Harper at President Barack Obama's Victory 2012 Concert, January 11th at UIC in Chicago. Photo by Christopher Dilts for Obama for America.

The Insider: Jackie Jenkins-Scott, President of Wheelock College

Our latest Insider, Jackie Jenkins-Scott, is on a mission to improve the lives of children and families as the President of Wheelock College, a private institution in Boston that has grown to become a national and world leader in higher education, preparing early childhood educators.

Since her appointment as president in 2004, Jenkins-Scott has strengthened the College's core undergraduate and graduate academic programs, enhanced the undergraduate experience, and expanded the College’s reach internationally. She has been a passionate advocate in fulfilling the unique and compelling mission of the College.

Jenkins-Scott’s strong belief in international engagement and civic involvement led to the establishment of the highly successful International Visiting Scholars program which brings to campus scholars from all over the world, and the International Service Learning Program which provides Wheelock Students with opportunities for short-term international service experiences. A new civic engagement focus created a ten-year commitment to rebuilding New Orleans that includes twice annual trips of students and faculty to the city.

In November 2011, the College announced an 80 million dollar capital campaign, the largest capital fundraiser in the school’s history.

Jenkins-Scott has served on many professional, civic, and community boards. She currently serves on the board of directors of The Boston Foundation, The Kennedy Library Foundation and Museum, Schott Foundation, Tufts Health Plan, and Century Bank.

Read on to learn more about the College’s capital campaign, how Wheelock College supports Boston youth and first-generation college students and her greatest career lesson.

Hometown: Damascus, Arkansas

Education:  BS, Eastern Michigan University; Masters of Social Work, Boston University School of Social Work; and completed a Post Graduate Research Fellowship at Radcliffe College. Received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Education from Wheelock College in 2003 and holds Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Suffolk University, Northeastern University, Bentley College, and Mount Ida College.

Last year you announced Wheelock College's 80 million capital campaign, the largest capital fundraising initiative in the school's history. What are your plans to achieve this milestone?

Our goal for this comprehensive campaign is to increase our annual giving and receive special gifts. We also plan to expand our funding from foundations and corporations.

With the campaign, we are introducing the Five Transformational Firsts: the first scholarship endowment; the first endowed professorships to support ongoing development of our professors; the first endowed fund for innovation; the first endowed fund for technology enhancement and innovation, and the first fund for facilities and a sustainable campus environment. To date we have raised $53 million toward our capital campaign.

It is impossible for any institution to remain competitive without technology. We are doing the things that an institution, in a very competitive Boston environment, needs to do to remain in the forefront.

Your website states that 51% of the class of 2013 is the first in their families to attend college. What special support do you provide these students to ensure they complete their education?

Students come with complex issues. We continually assess how we are utilizing all of our resources to advance our students both academically and socially. With the awareness that the first two years of college are critical to a student’s success, we track the GPA’s of our freshmen. This helps us identify potentially at risk students. They attend a one-on-one academic counseling meeting to help us identify areas where they may need additional support. We offer a bridge program, essentially a nine-week academic boot camp that provides assistance in the areas where the student may be struggling. The program has been so successful that we have extended it to second year college students as well. We are seeing great results with the high rate of graduating students.



Jenkins-Scott (center) with Harvard Law School Professor Charles J. Ogletree, Jr. and actor and author Hill Harper at a Wheelock College Youth Symposium, October 2010.

Please share more about Wheelock College’s Youth Symposium for middle and high school age youth. Why is it important to host this event?

The Youth Symposium represents a natural complement to Wheelock's core mission “to improve the lives of children and families.” Several years ago, as a part of that mission, we established an office of Pre-Collegiate and College Access Programs to assist urban youth with achieving college access and success. Our work is part of a national movement toward widening college access, and more importantly, ensuring that students who enter college also graduate - prepared for both further study and fulfilling careers.

Wheelock College presented its first Youth Symposium in 2007. The symposium featured Bishop Desmond Tutu, and focused on Forgiveness and Reconciliation. After the event, a number of participants started a group called SPARK the Truth, dedicated to nonviolent, peaceful coexistence for young people in Boston. With the help of that group and the Pre-Collegiate Office, nearly 5000 young people have attended subsequent events on the Wheelock campus focused on leadership development, mentoring, social justice, academic support, coursework and college success planning.

What are the biggest lessons you've learned in your career?

I have to say that the most important lesson I have learned throughout my career is to surround myself with the best talent I can possibly find and trust my instincts.

Anything else you'd like to share?

More than a century ago, Lucy Wheelock dared to open a new school in Boston in 1888 to prepare young women to teach kindergarten – a revolutionary educational idea at the time. She believed that the best way to improve the lives of children and families was through education. As Wheelock College approaches its 125th anniversary in 2013, we have many accomplishments to celebrate.

We offer a strong human services and child life program, juvenile justice, and policy – in all 18,000 graduates dedicated to making a difference in the world. All of our programs are based around the lens of impact to children and families including our new communications and global political science program.

What makes Wheelock special is that everyone who comes here is committed to the mission of improving the lives of children and families. The mission is very clear throughout the institution. Students come here committed to change. While the mission is specific, it is also very broad as to where the students’ passions will lead them. We help them uncover their true passions. Their passion can take them to be leaders of nonprofit organizations, being involved in social work, social justice, policy work, etc. Whatever they choose, they leave this College on a professional track.

Visit the Wheelock College website at http://www.wheelock.edu/.

Photo credits:  Boston.com; Wikipedia

Hip Hop Artist Common Hosts 2012 AT&T 28 Day Speaker Series

Hip hop artist, actor and author Common, returns as the host of AT&T's 28 Day Speaker Series.  He is pictured with Cookie Johnson, wife of Magic Johnson.

Annual Black History Month campaign adds four new cities to series lineup

Launched in 2009, AT&T 28 Day Speaker Series returns in 2012 with a seven-city speaker series tour that aims to motivate consumers to activate their voices, share their vision and move into action this February and throughout the year.

“We are now in the fourth year of AT&T 28 Days and we continue to recognize past achievements while engaging and challenging consumers to make their own history today,” said Jennifer Jones, vice president of Diverse Markets, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “We want to connect with consumers, especially youth, in relevant ways and extend the AT&T 28 Days live experience into new markets.”

The speaker series, which kicked off on January 16th in Dallas, includes a few of today’s influential and respectful leaders offering their views on how consumers can shape their future.

Speakers on the tour include: Holly Robinson Peete, actress, author and activist; Wednesday, Feb. 1 in Oakland (streamed live); Kevin Powell, political activist and author of Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan, and The Ghost of Dr. King; Wednesday, Feb. 8 in Raleigh, N.C.; Mario Armstrong, tech commentator and digital lifestyle expert; Wednesday, Feb. 15 in Washington, D.C. (streamed live); Jeff Johnson, social activist and political commentator; Monday, Feb. 20 in Cleveland, Ohio; Desiree Rogers, innovative leader and bold visionary; Thursday, Feb. 23 in Chicago (streamed live); and Michael Eric Dyson, author, scholar and cultural critic; Wednesday, Feb. 29 in Detroit.

“I am glad to return as host of the AT&T 28 Days speaker series. AT&T 28 Days is a movement, and it feels good to be a part of something that has the potential to shape our future and move us forward as a people,” said Common.

The AT&T 28 Days is just one of the ways AT&T continues its commitment to empowering the diverse communities it serves. Events are free and open to the public. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about AT&T 28 Days, AT&T's Black History Month programs and to reserve tickets, visit www.att.com/28days.

Source: Press release