Obama: Offers Plan for New Orleans (with Clip)

The Chicago Tribune reports:

Democrat Barack Obama said Sunday that the country cannot fail New Orleans
again and that as president, he would keep the city in mind every day.

"The words 'never again' cannot be another empty phrase," he said in front
of one of the few rebuilt houses he saw on a brief tour of the city's Gentilly
Woods section. "It cannot become another broken promise."

Obama is the first of several presidential candidates from both parties who
are set to visit New Orleans in connection with the second anniversary of
Hurricane Katrina on Wednesday. President Bush also is expected to mark the
occasion with a trip to the Gulf Coast.

[See the Obama video at Chicago Tribune]

As many presidential candidates convene in the city today for a summit spearheaded by U.S. Sen. Landrieu, the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landing in New Orleans is providing an opportunity for people to try to gauge how the country's next leader will handle the fallout from disasters past and future.

Being the first on the ground gave the Senator an opportunity to discuss his plan for rebuilding, which included: Incentives such as loan forgiveness to attract students and needed professionals back to the region; national catastrophic insurance reserve; and funding for community policing operations, among others.

Followup report on event at NOLALive

ALSO

In THE BLACK COLLEGIAN / Black College Wire interview with Obama last year, the Senator had stressed the importance of students' volunteerism to help rebuild communities like New Orleans', and to address racial inequities and issues of poverty.

As part of on weeklong series of Katrina anniversary superevents in New Orleans, a coalition of organizations from around the nation have called for Tuesday AUGUST 28 to be a UNITY Day of Community Service, urging volunteers from across the country to assist in environmental cleaning up of damaged neighborhoods, schools and churches in New Orleans and we will visit the sick and elderly in the few nursing homes that have reopened including Guste Home Senior Citizens Highrise. "Volunteers will help to paint, pressure wash and repair play grounds in a local public school and remove contaminated top soil from communities. Our goal is to personally touch as many survivors as physically possible to let the people of the Gulf know that we will not let the country forget the devastation that still exists in the Gulf." Main local organizers include Deep South Center for Environmental Justice at Dillard University, Mount Zion United Methodist Church, AALP, Urban League of Greater New Orleans, Rainbow PUSH New Orleans, Millions More Movement and LA Unity Coalition.

TO VOLUNTEER CONTACT: RosariaBeasley@bellsouth.net or call the Urban League of Greater New Orleans at 504-620-2332

Video: Picking Up the Pieces

August 29, 2005 forever changed the face of America. Katrina affected not only the landscape and industry of the Gulf Coast, but it affected the people. While New Orleans was not the only area destroyed, none can deny the long term damage done specifically to the Crescent City tearing it down to its core. Now it is time for the youth in America to get involved and Upgrade New Orleans.

Picking up the pieces: college life after Katrina, is the documentary that birthed this movement of youth civic engagement. Designed to prepare other academic communities in the event of a federally declared disaster the documentary chronicles the lives of several students who's lives were forever changed.

Upgrade New Orleans is a model, but we want for the youth in other cities to join the effort to be apart of the solution to problems that are in their respective cities. The movement will include pressuring our elected officials, providing support for various organization and projects and raising resources, both financial and human for the purpose of uplifting New Orleans.

We spend so much time upgrading our meals, our cars, and even our mates...join us as we Upgrade something much more important; OUR COMMUNITIES.

Call for a Day of Service in the Gulf: August 28

Full day of community service events planned the day before massive demonstration in New Orleans

In an effort to trigger a new wave of volunteerism in the Gulf Coast region, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) is making an urgent call for local and national groups to join them Tuesday, August 28, for A Day of Service to help rebuild hurricane damaged communities in New Orleans.

"We're calling on all able-bodied citizens to join forces with other national and local organizations, celebrities, and individuals to help with rebuilding and clean up efforts in New Orleans," says Melanie L. Campbell, executive director and CEO of the NCBCP. "While it is imperative that we send a message to the government that they need to act immediately to help survivors of the hurricane, we also want to underscore the need for every individual to do their part as well."

A Day of Service precedes "8/29, A Day of Presence," a massive demonstration that will be held on the second anniversary of Katrina intended to force the government to create a Marshall Plan to restore New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region.

On A Day of Service, the NCBCP will join the Louisiana Unity Coalition, National Urban League, AFL-CIO, NAFEO, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, International Association of Black Firefighters, The Peoples' Agenda, The Advancement Project, The Praxis Project, Saving Our Selves Coalition and volunteers from across the country to: conduct an environmental clean-up and remove contaminated top soil from damaged communities; help to paint and pressure wash buildings; repair the playground in a local public school; and help in the restoration of a historic African American church. Volunteers will also visit the sick and elderly in the few nursing homes that have reopened.

"The people of the Gulf want immediate action from the government," says Vincent Sylvain, Convener, LA Unity Coalition and Katrina survivor. "But, the world needs to know that the folks in the Gulf Coast have not been sitting and waiting for the government. We're all doing our part to clean up the city and could not do it without the help of the generous volunteers from across the country."

Campbell adds, "If you can't make it to help rebuild a Gulf Coast community, volunteer where you are. There are 'lower ninth wards' across the country. 'A Day of Service' is to highlight community service and self empowerment."

The evening of August 28, from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM, the NCBCP's Black Women's Roundtable will host "Celebrating Our Sisters of the Gulf Coast Dialogue & Recognition Ceremony," honoring women from the region who have worked tirelessly to assist hurricane survivors and advocate for comprehensive recovery and rebuilding of the Gulf Coast. The event will include dinner, music, poetry, comedy, and the presentation of certificates of recognition. Speakers include, Susan Taylor, editorial director, Essence magazine, and Iyanla Vanzant, author, radio host and spiritual leader.

A Day of Service is being organized by LA Unity Coalition, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice at Dillard University, Mount Zion United Methodist Church, African American Leadership Project, Urban League of Greater New Orleans, Rainbow PUSH New Orleans and Millions More Movement. To volunteer contact RosariaBeasley [at] bellsouth.net or call the Urban League of Greater New Orleans at (504) 620-2332.

Report: Building a Better New Orleans: Hope Needs Help

BUILDING A BETTER NEW ORLEANS: HOPE NEEDS HELP

New report shows that, despite some successes, Katrina’s most vulnerable victims still need help

(Via BLACK PR WIRE) ( August 24, 2007) Two years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is coming back – but not for everyone. Though nonprofits and community groups have helped some poor and vulnerable residents succeed, many of the city’s entrenched racial and economic inequalities are coming back in full force, according to a new report by PolicyLink, a national public policy organization.

The report, “Building a Better New Orleans: Hope Needs Help,” highlights the tremendous strides made by some of the city’s most vulnerable people and showcases the folks who helped make that progress possible. But the report also calls on the federal government, the private sector, and the public to do more to get New Orleans the help it needs to create a truly vibrant and equitable city.

“The people of New Orleans have spent two years doing all they can to reclaim their city,” said Angela Glover Blackwell, founder and CEO of PolicyLink. “But the scale of the disaster is so immense that a true recovery is not possible without the resources, expertise, and leadership of the federal government.”

In the vital arenas of housing, jobs, and schools, there are some visible signs of recovery:

• The city’s population has returned to nearly two-thirds of its pre-Katrina size. The city’s labor force has reached 78 percent of pre-storm size.
• More than 60,000 residential building permits have been issued.
• Twenty-five new public charter schools have opened in New Orleans, and an additional 11 are expected to open this fall.

But the recovery has not reached everyone.

• Little has been done to assist low-income renters. Government subsidies will only help rebuild about 25 percent of the city’s stock of affordable rental housing.
• African-American evacuees were nearly five times more likely to be unemployed than white evacuees in 2006.
• Only 40 percent of students have returned to New Orleans public schools, with 76 percent of those students in free or reduced-cost lunch programs.
• More than 40,000 New Orleans families remain displaced outside of Louisiana.

New Orleanians need safe, affordable homes to live in, good schools to educate their children, and well-paying jobs to support their families. The city is teeming with hope and inspiration. But hope needs help.

The full report is available at www.policylink.org/HopeNeedsHelp or downloadable in PDF format

Also See Video: New Orleans: A Labor of Love

New 8/29 Day of Presence Coalition Site, Schedule Details

New ADayofPresence.com website launches, announces official schedule of events for A Day of Presence and Remembrance for 2nd anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, 8/29/07

8:30a.m.: Unveiling of Katrina Memorial and groundbreaking

Location: Katrina Memorial Site, Canal Street / City Park Cemetery @ Head of Canal Street

Clergy, Community leaders, and elected officials will come together to pray for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Katrina Memorial Site will be unveiled at this time.

9:38 a.m.: Ceremonial Bell Ringing and Wreath Laying

Location: Katrina Memorial Site, Canal Street / City Park Cemetery @ Head of Canal Street

Mayor Nagin and Mrs. Nagin will be joined by local, state and national elected officials, community leaders, and citizens at 9:38 a.m. at the Katrina Memorial Site to ring ceremonial bells signifying the series of levee breaches that occurred throughout the city. Bells will ring for two minutes. (9:38 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.)Simultaneously, members of the New Orleans City Council will lay wreaths on levees throughout the city.

Note: One New Orleans Mass Choir will sing prior to the bell ringing

10 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Great Flood Commemoration March

Location: Beginning at the Industrial Canal in the Lower 9th Ward and ending in Congo Square

People’s Hurricane Relief Fund event (link to their website at: http://www.peopleshurricane.org/)

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Commemoration Rally

Location: Congo Square

People’s Hurricane Relief Fund event (link to their website at: http://www.peopleshurricane.org/)

2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: 8/29: A DAY OF PRESENCE AND REMEMBRANCE
Location: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Outside of Hall D

The people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region are still suffering. There must be a
national outcry, a day of outrage, a day of protest, pray and possibility that the media
cannot ignore; a day during which we demand that our national decision makers redirect our
tax dollars away from war and war profiteering to create a regional Marshall Plan that
restores New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

We all and must take action on August 29, the second anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and
Rita. This is the call: On 8/29 the tens of thousands who can travel to New Orleans will
gather for the massive demonstration being planned in New Orleans.

Program: An electrifying program declaring the people's outcry for change to end the suffering will include international, national and local officials, celebrities, activists, and citizens. Some announced guests include Essence magazine editorial director Susan Taylor, recording artist Angie Stone, actress Lyn Whitfield, Judge Mablean Ephram, actress/author Victoria Rowell, scholar Michael Eric Dyson and author Iyania Vanzant. For more information, see ADayofPresence.com, contact NCBCP National Headquarters, or call Cheryl Duncan at (201) 332-8338 or Edrea Davis at (770) 961-6200.

5 p.m. – 7 p.m.: International Tribunal on Katrina and Rita

Location: Pan American Conference Center, 601 Poydras Street, 11th Floor, New Orleans, LA
70130

People’s Hurricane Relief Fund event (link to their website at: http://www.peopleshurricane.org/)


7:30 p.m. Candlelight March

Location: From Canal Street and Convention Center Blvd. to Jackson Square for the vigil.

Questions? Email us at admin@adayofpresence.com or call us at (504) 304-7947.

A Day of Presence Event Producers:

• Vincent Sylvain, Sylvain Solutions, TheNewOrleansAgenda.com
• Gina Charbonnet, GeChar, GeChar.com

Media/PR

• Terrie Williams, The Terrie Williams Agency
• Cheryl Duncan, The Terrie Williams Agency (ph: 201-332-8338 / email: cheryl_duncan@earthlink.net )
• Edrea Davis, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (ph: 770-961-6200 author@snitchcraft.com)

Also See

• Call for "A Day of Presence" in New Orleans
  By Susan Taylor of Essence
  

• African-American Leadership Project (AALP) Announces Schedule of Activities to Commemorate Hurricane Katrina
  The New Orleans Agenda Newsletter
  "Hands Around The Dome" ceremony to serve as crowning event of the 2nd
  Katrina Anniversary Observance and Commemoration

• Events on Other Days

Video: New Orleans: A Labor of Love

>


New Orleans: A Labor of Love, is a documentary that follows 18 Los Angeles Valley College students during their Spring Break volunteering experience. The film is a component of the New Orleans: A Labor of Love public awareness campaign to get 5,000 student volunteers to rebuild in the Gulf Coast during 2008. The grassroots, web-based project is housed at www.nolaboroflove.com, where it also operates as a clearinghouse to connect volunteers for the Gulf Coast relief effort with volunteer opportunities and resources.


"I am one private citizen who has been so moved by the neglect and abuse of poor people in the Gulf Coast that I must do something. I’m pooling my skillsets in filmmaking, photography, multi-media and public relations to form a committed public awareness campaign that will keep this issue on our hearts and minds until our work in the Gulf Coast is done."
- Katina Parker, visual artist

8/27-9/1 Katrina-Rita Anniversary Actions Schedule

The following is a listing of New Orleans events, ranging from mass demonstrations and vigils to to policy roundtables and prayer breakfasts, compiled from a few sources and organizing bodies including the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, the African-American Leadership Project, and TheNewOrleansAgenda.com -- all fine, dedicated organizations that are working in a broader coalition to organize a meaningful national commemoration of the second anniversaries of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. These are tentative schedules that were posted as of today, and we encouraged those interested in participating to consult the source websites for schedule updates.

If you know of events/actions not listed here, please leave us a comment and let us know! If you want to receive alerts when we post updates, you can subscribe to our feed -- either the main one or using the "katrina" category.

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Scheduled activities during the Second Anniversary
of Katrina-Rita National Call to Action

August 27-29, 2007

On the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina the National Coalition on Black Civic participation’s women’s initiative, Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR), hosted a Gulf Coast
Hear Me Now Listening Sessions Bus Tour of regions hit by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The seven-city tour set out to learn how women directly impacted by the storms were surviving one year after enduring the life-altering affects of Katrina and Rita. The tour revealed that the storms exacerbated the already fragile social and economic existence of many African American women in the Gulf Coast region in three of the most
economically depressed states in the nation—Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

After listening to our sister’s voices about their experiences in the rebuilding process, the barriers they encountered and how they were affected by this natural disaster, the National Coalition was able to identify the most pressing issues thwarting recovery and rebuilding efforts in the Gulf Coast region----affordable housing, education, and mental/physical health topped the list.

As we approach the second anniversary of the worst storm in America’s history, sluggish rebuilding efforts have increased despair, frustration, and stress among people already emotionally traumatized. The never-ending struggle to secure a sense of dignity and stability has aggravated the severe mental stress and physical health problems survivors of these storms are facing on a daily basis in rural and urban communities in the Gulf Coast and all across the country where displaced survivors are attempting to rebuild their lives.

In 2006 the women of Black Women’s Roundtable heard the voices of our beloved sisters in the Gulf Coast. Further, to build upon what we learned from our Gulf Coast recovery & rebuilding work and from the women of the gulf coast over the past year, NCBCP will utilize the Black Women’s Roundtable Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Initiative to assist the women of the Gulf with their civic engagement and provide vehicles for their voices to be heard by policy and opinion makers across the country.

NCBCP will incorporate the mission of BWR – to promote healthy families – as we return to New Orleans to commemorate the second anniversary of Katrina through our 2007 BWR Celebrate Our Sisters of the Gulf Coast Wellness Journey. The journey will include a full day focused on health and wellness through exercise, volunteerism, pampering, dialogue, entertainment, spiritual upliftment, recognition, and information gathering. NCBCP will host a regional organizing briefing and conduct a scientific survey/poll of survivors to evaluate their recovery/rebuilding experiences over the past year, document their stories of success and the
barriers Katrina-Rita survivors continue to encounter as well as stand in solidarity with the people of the Gulf Coast for a national call to action on August 27-29, 2007 in New Orleans, LA.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

[Check for Updates at
http://www.ncbcp.org/bwr/index.html]

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2007

7 A.M. – 5 P.M.

UNITY Day of Community Service

LOCATION: Various locations around New Orleans

DESCRIPTION:

NCBCP, National Urban League, AFL-CIO, NAFEO, The Advancement Project, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, American Federation of Teachers, A. Philip Randolph Institute,
Black Leadership Forum, Blacks In Government, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, International Association of Black Firefighters, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, The People’s Agenda, The Praxis Project and Saving Our Selves Coalition, and volunteers will join volunteers from across the country for a Day of Service assisting in environmental cleaning up of damaged neighborhoods, schools and churches in New Orleans and we will visit the sick and elderly in
the few nursing homes that have reopened including Guste Home Senior Citizens
Highrise. Volunteers will help to paint, pressure wash and repair play grounds
in a local public school and remove contaminated top soil from communities. Our
goal is to personally touch as many survivors as physically possible to let the
people of the Gulf know that we will not let the country forget the devastation
that still exists in the Gulf. Day of Service organized by Deep South Center for Environmental Justice at Dillard University, Mount Zion United Methodist Church, AALP, Urban League of Greater New Orleans, Rainbow PUSH New Orleans, Millions More Movement and LA Unity Coalition.

TO VOLUNTEER CONTACT: RosariaBeasley@bellsouth.net or call the Urban League of Greater New Orleans at 504-620-2332

1:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.

Public Policy Forum

Hosted by Gulf Coast Collaborative
Recovery & Renewal

Louisiana Justice Institute

LOCATION: Dillard University in Lawless Memorial Chapel

The August 28th session will feature two two-hour town hall meetings with Gulf Coast residents discussing recovery and renewal efforts ranging from housing and economic development to education and the environment. One session will begin at 1:00 a.m. and a second session will start at 4:00 p.m. Expected to participate are national policymakers, including Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee (Texas), Representative William Jefferson (Louisiana), Representative Bennie Thompson (Mississippi) and Representative Maxine Waters (California). Dillard University is located in the storm racked Gentilly section of New Orleans.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracie Washington at www.louisianainstitute.org

6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
BWR Celebrate Our Sisters of the Gulf Coast
Dialogue & Recognition Ceremony
LOCATION: Loew’s Hotel

DESCRIPTION: NCBCP Black Women’s Roundtable hosts “Celebrating Our Sisters of the Gulf Coast” Dialogue & Recognition Ceremony. NCBCP, Louisiana Unity Coalition and Saving Our Selves Coalition will recognize women from the region who have worked tirelessly to assist hurricane survivors and advocate for comprehensive recovery and rebuilding of the Gulf Coast. The evening will include dinner, music, poetry, comedy, and the presentation of certificates of recognition. Each roundtable will consist of people from different regions, elected officials, and celebrity guests dispersed throughout the crowd to allow the women to share their successes and challenges on a more personal level.

Speakers include: Susan Taylor, Editorial Director, Essence Magazine and Iyanla Vanzant, author, radio host and spiritual leader.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Latosha Brown at latoshab@truthspeaks.info or Ruby Pulliam at events@ncbcp.org.

6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
BWR Celebrate Our Sisters of the Gulf Coast
Dialogue & Recognition Ceremony

LOCATION: Loew’s Hotel

DESCRIPTION: NCBCP Black Women’s Roundtable hosts “Celebrating Our Sisters of the Gulf Coast” Dialogue & Recognition Ceremony. NCBCP, Louisiana Unity Coalition and Saving Our
Selves Coalition will recognize women from the region who have worked tirelessly to assist hurricane survivors and advocate for comprehensive recovery and rebuilding of the Gulf Coast. The evening will include dinner, music, poetry, comedy, and the presentation of certificates of recognition. Each roundtable will consist of people from different regions, elected officials, and celebrity guests dispersed throughout the crowd to allow the women to share their successes and challenges on a more personal level. Speakers include: Susan Taylor, Editorial Director, Essence Magazine and Iyanla Vanzant, author, radio host and spiritual leader. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Latosha Brown at latoshab@truthspeaks.info or Ruby Pulliam at events@ncbcp.org.

9:30 PM – 10:00 PM
BWR Old-School Dance Therapy
LOCATION: Loew’s Hotel

DESCRIPTION: To make sure our appetizing dinner is thoroughly digested and prepare for the long day ahead of us, we’ll have a 30-minute boogie session to end the night, hosted by LA Unity Coalition.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2007

A DAY OF PRESENCE – A NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION!

7:30 am – 9:00 am
Unity Prayer Breakfast
LOCATION: Loew’s

DESCRIPTION: Our journey to wellness will address our spiritual health with a morning Unity Prayer Breakfast co-hosted by Marc Morial, President & CEO of the National Urban League and Melanie Campbell, ED & CEO, NCBCP.

2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Day of Presence National Call to Action
(Rally & Call to Action)
LOCATION: Across from Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

A Day of Presence is a national Call to Action co-convened by national, regional and locally-based organizations and leaders to demand justice NOW with and for the people of the Gulf Coast Region. National and regional co-conveners include: NCBCP, National Urban League, Children’s Defense Fund, Louisiana Unity Coalition, LA Justice Institute, AALP, Millions More Movement, NAACP, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, National Action Network, The Praxis Project, The Advancement Project, Greater New Orleans Urban League, New Orleans Rainbow PUSH, Saving Our Selves Coalition, Alabama Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Mississippi Coalition on Black Civic Participation and many others, (there will be additional national and local groups joining as co-conveners as the organizing progresses).

For more information, contact NCBCP National Headquarters.

------------

ADDITIONAL EVENTS

[Check for Updates at http://www.aalp.org/]

THURSDAY AUGUST 30th

KATRINA LECTURE SERIES

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

A Lecture series that raises questions that situates Katrina in the broader context of the historic struggle for Black liberation and human justice.

LOCATION - DILLARD UNIVERSITY, COOK THEATRE

FRIDAY, AUG 31st

NATIONAL DIALOGUE - "State of Recovery"

6:00 pm - 9:30 pm

A two part panel that examines the "State of the Recovery" and disaster readiness and rebuilding of Cities as new national priorities.

6:00 pm - 7:20 pm

"State of the Recovery" a conversation with Dr. Ed Blakely and alternative/community media.

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

"Getting ready for hurricanes and rebuilding cities as new emerging national priorities" - A panel of nationally distinguished practitioners, organizers, advocates, citizens and policy planners.

LOCATION - MCDONOUGH 35 HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1st

"HANDS AROUND THE DOME CEREMONY"

12:30 pm

Program participants gather and process from City Council chambers.

1:00 pm

Program and cultural events at the Superdome.

3:30 pm

Circling of the Dome.

LOCATION - LA. SUPERDOME PLAZA LEVEL (free parking)

We urge citizens to consult the master calendar and support ALL events of their choice, especially the Great Flood Commemorative March, The Day of Presence, the Bell ringing /Wreath laying ceremony, and the Public Housing residents memorial service , all on the 29th. Finalization of program participants is in process and will be posted on http://www.aalp.org/ and http://www.theneworleansagenda.com/ once complete.

Call for August 29 - DAY OF PRESENCE for the Gulf

In a private summit with New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, concerned scholars and professionals from around the country brainstormed how to address "the deplorable and shameful conditions that the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region are still suffering under, the obstacles the mayor has faced in trying to marshal resources for the recovery and the actions we all can and must take on August 29, the second anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita."

A release posted on IMDiversity.com authored by ESSENCE Editorial Director, Susan L. Taylor, calls for "a national outcry, a day of outrage, a day of protest, and prayer that the media cannot ignore; a day during which we demand that our national decision makers redirect our tax dollars away from war and war profiteering to create a ... Marshall Plan that restores" the region.

The movement specifically calls for A DAY OF PRESENCE on August 29, 2007, summoning "the tens of thousands who can travel to New Orleans to gather for the massive demonstration being planned there." For those who can get to New Orleans, The Louisiana Justice Institute, Mississippi Economic Policy Center and a broad coalition of other regional organizations will convene a policy forum, Recovery and Renewal for Gulf Coast Working Families, on August 28 before the main rally.

But organizers are counting on the millions more outside of New Orleans to also make their PRESENCE known virtual, showing their support through contacting their government representatives. The release urges "the millions of Black people, our White, Latino, Native and Asian brothers and sisters, all who are committed to social and economic justice ... to call their congressional and state representatives and the White House to demand the restoration and betterment of New Orleans, Gulf Port, Biloxi and the entire Gulf Coast region." And it provides contact information and message formatting instructions to do so. For more detail, see A DAY OF PRESENCE RELEASE.

Planning is underway for other activities commemorating Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, ranging from scholarly panels to participatory mega-events like Hands Around the Dome, as reported by the on-the-ground resource, The New Orleans Agenda.

Additional details and events will be added as they come in.

Related Features @ THE BLACK COLLEGIAN

• Hurricane Katrina: Views From Students In The Disaster
  with Black College Wire
  First Semester Super Issue 2005
• After Katrina - Starting Over In New Orleans
  with Black College Wire
  Second Semester Super Issue 2006
• Do You Know What It Means To Lose New Orleans?
  By Anne Rice
  from our 35th Anniversary Special Issue 2006
• Special: New Orleans' HBCUs One Year After Katrina
  with Black College Wire
  First Semester (October) 2006 Special Issue
  
  
  

Finally, an appropriate music video from YouTube: R. Kelly Katrina Video

From The Professional Edge with Kim R Wells

First, for those readers of last semester's Career Channel blog who are just heading back to campus, we're pleased to let you know that featured columnist and blogger Kim R. Wells, Director of Howard University's Career Services, moved this summer to his own dedicated blog on THE BLACK COLLEGIAN, The Professional Edge with Kim R Wells. Readers can now subcribe directly for issues, tips and straight-talk from an insider’s view.

Second, for those who've been following, the editors want to call attention to Wells' latest post, continuing the controversial discussion of a workplace bogeyman that many people don't like to talk about, but is encountered in the "real world" of work all the time: Learning to Work with Your "Peoples".

More specifically, the post revisits the nagging issue from an earlier entry about how "the inability of some African-American business and professional people to work together and value their 'own' has caused many of us to miss out on excellent career and business opportunities."

What happens when Black professionals in the workplace go out of their way to avoid each other, or bend over backwards to not appear to show favoritism? Well, as a scholar and and friend of Wells' at Howard said: "If you can't work with your own as a Black professional it will one day catch up and ruin your career."

If you've encountered hostility, standoffishness, or jealousy from other African Americans at work, you know how insidious and undermining this sort of dynamic can be. We invite you to to contact us or comment about it, telling us how it manifested itself and how you dealt with it.

Take THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Feed with You

New Spring Widget lets you customize and paste your feeds from THE BLACK COLLEGIAN, Professional Edge with Kim Wells or Elevate U with Al Duncan. Check it out here.

Aerospace Corp. Selects Dr. Wanda M. Austin New President and CEO

Aerospace Corp. Selects Dr. Wanda M. Austin New President and CEO
To succeed Dr. William F. Ballhaus Jr. upon his retirement on January 1

Dr. Austin currently serves as the senior vice president of The Aerospace Corporation’s National Systems Group in Chantilly, VA. She has been with the company since 1979, and has served in positions of increasing responsibility, including general manager of the MILSATCOM (Military Satellite Communications) Division and senior vice president of the Engineering and Technology Group. Austin will be succeeded by Dr. Manuel De Ponte, currently general manager of the MILSATCOM Division...

Dr. Austin has received numerous awards and citations, including the Air Force Scroll of Achievement, the National Reconnaissance Office Gold Medal, the U.S. Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, the Air Force Space and Missile System Center’s Martin Luther King Spirit of the Dream Award, the Society of Women Engineers Upward Mobility Award, and the Women in Aerospace Outstanding Achievement Award.

The Aerospace Corporation (www.aero.org), one of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN's long-time major sponsors, is an independent, nonprofit company that provides objective technical analyses and assessments for national security space programs and selected civil and commercial space programs in the national interest.

We congratulate Dr. Austin on her momentous achievement! Read more at our sister site, tthe IMDiversity.com African American Village...

Release: Raytheon Honored by Women in Engineering Programs & Advocates Network

http://womensvillage.blogspot.com/: "Release: Raytheon Honored by Women in Engineering Programs & Advocates Network


Release: Raytheon Honored by Women in Engineering Programs & Advocates Network

A June 12, 2007 release reports that the Waltham, Massachusetts-based Raytheon Company has received the Breakthrough Award at the 2007 Women in Engineering Programs & Advocates Network (WEPAN) annual conference in Orlando, June 10-13.

The Breakthrough Award "honors an employer for creating a work environment that enhances the career success of women engineers of all ethnicities. Raytheon was selected for its institutional structures and programs that help foster diversity, especially for its women employees."

Raytheon has been a long-time supporter of IMDiversity and THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine. Jobs with Raytheon appear routinely on the IMDiversity.com Career Center, including but not limited to a wide array of engineering opportunities at all levels, and in the U.S. and abroad. Raytheon was also named among the TOP 100 DIVERSITY EMPLOYERS 2006 in the Universum IDEAL Employer Survey — Diversity Edition for 2006, published in THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine.

We congratulate them on this recognition by WEPAN.

Women in Engineering Programs & Advocates Network (WEPAN.org) is a national not-for-profit organization with over 600 members from nearly 200 engineering schools, small businesses to Fortune 500 corporations, and non-profit organizations.

New Column on Transitioning from College to the "Real World"

THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online is pleased to introduce a new column, "Now What?" by special columnist Chaz Kyser, of special interest this time of year for all those newly minted college grads who are experiencing "culture shock".

Geared to helping recent graduates making the transition from school to the world of work, the column is dedicated to the idea that "the real world—the working world—is not to be feared, put off or ignored; it should be embraced."

By the author of the book, Embracing the Real World: The Black Woman’s Guide to Life After College, the column has origins in Kyser's determination to share practical guidance especially -- but not exclusively -- to young African-American women. However, the expanded online column contains valuable tips and reminders for those of all ages, genders and backgrounds who are already working, and are concerned with such nuts-and-bolts topics such as the pros and cons of a second job, meeting and exceeding a new employer’s expectations, fitting in at a new workplace, and evaluating whether or not to go back to school.

"X-tra Curricular" Restored on THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online

After a quiet May on the blog, the editors have a couple of announcements and tidbits we'll be adding this month. But for now, a head's up to our long-time readers who have been wondering "what happened to X-tra Curricular?"

We took it down temporarily last year while we were working on redesigning other departments on the site, but last week launched it full force again with a host of goodies. One of the more exciting developments in the X-tra Curricular department is the addition of regular film, DVD and book reviews, as well as the occasional celebrity interview and profile, by syndicated arts & culture writer Lloyd "Kam" Williams. Sharp, prolific and able to watch for movies, listen to more CDs, and read more books on a regular basis than just about anyone we know, Williams brings a unique lens to his reviews of what's going on in pop culture. In addition to a BA in Black Studies from Cornell, he has an MA in English from Brown, an MBA from The Wharton School, and a JD from Boston University, and this diverse range of interests is reflected in his reviews, which may range from light summer fare like the latest Shrek to heavy reading on serious social topics such as The Revolution Will Not Be Funded: Beyond the Non-Profit Industrial Complex. Some of Kam's interviews we're starting with include actress Brooklyn Sudano (Rain), and Johnny Depp (The Pirates of the Caribbean 3).

Stop by a check out the reviews in the new section by Kam and other sources all throughout the summer!

Congrats to Winner of Micro Vault Flash Drive Contest

THE BLACK COLLEGIAN & SONY would like to CONGRATULATE the winner of our SONY Micro Vault Tiny USB 2.0 Flash Drive Contest, Chizobam Okeke of California State University, San Bernardino.

Refreshed: Summer Gigs: Internships, Coop and Entry-Level Opportunities for Students and New College Grads

Okay, we know that for most students, the semester's really winding down. As we've advised in the past, it's always best to apply for internships early. But, we also know that the doesn't always happen, so every year our sister-site at IMDiversity.com runs a springtime feature, Summer Gigs: Internships, Coop and Entry-Level Opportunities for Students and New College Grads.

The editors have refreshed the section of featured internships -- from undergrad to MBA, paid and unpaid -- three times this season. We posted our last refresh of the season today.

If you're looking for a summer gig, or just looking to get a jump-start for next semester, take a look.

Also, if you're about to graduate, congratulations! We've added a link to our Entry-level / New College Grad Hires section there as well.

Good luck, all!

SONY Micro Vault Tiny USB 2.0 Flash Drive Contest

THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online is hosting a SONY Micro Vault Tiny USB 2.0 Flash Drive Contest -- think of it as a graduation present to our readers!

You know and we know, no matter how big your hard drive is, you can always find a seemingly endless supply of stuff to fill it up almost as soon as you can get. We got some samples at the office while preparing this contest and we love these things -- not only the colors and design, but most importantly the big storage space in the teeny, tiny, really small package.

We'll be running the promotion through May 1, so drop by and try your hand at the contest.

THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Special Graduation Super Issue Released

The editors are pleased to announce the release of a special third edition of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine this month.

The Special Graduation Super Issue is being distributed for students through college campuses nationwide, and contains a number of features on the theme of preparing new college graduates for hitting the ground running as they enter the post-grad job market or start their new careers. The new-grad section includes advice from experts on topics ranging from acing the on-site job interview to what to do if you don't have a job by graduation.

Another special careers section focuses on Career Opportunities in Media, New Media and Mass Communications, with additional resources and articles to be added to the extended online addition at our website. The feature, initially planned in discussions with our friends at Black College Wire, attempts to analyze from multiple angles how "traditional media" industries and occupations are being transformed or even replaced by new forms and technologies, and further explore what opportunities are available to enterprising college students interested in media careers. Yes, the section of readings acknowledges that while this era of convergence, consolidation and layoffs certainly spells trouble for those in traditional media industries and companies, such as newspaper publishing and radio broadcasting. However, the bad news in mainstream media does not mean that aspiring media professionals should give up their dreams, or that degrees in journalism, design, PR, and other mass communication areas are worthless.

The appearance of the special magazine section also happens to coincide with the launch of the new Jobs and Readings QuickSearch: Media, New Media and Mass Communications section of our sister-site, IMDiversity.com.

Other cool features include an advice piece, Secrets to Becoming a Successful Campus CEO, by The Apprentice winner Randal Pinkett, who we also profiled last year; and a Q&A with Roderick West - President & CEO, Entergy New Orleans.

NPR : CBS Radio Fires Don Imus in Fallout over Remarks

NPR : CBS Radio Fires Don Imus in Fallout over Remarks:
"CBS Radio Fires Don Imus in Fallout over Remarks"

Background readings from the AP in a supplement, Rutgers v. Imus, this weekend at IMDiversity.com, plus commentaries by Earl Ofari Hutchinson, Kam Williams, more at new Media, New Media and Communications Jobs & Readings section

ASNE Report Finds Percentage of Minorities in Newsrooms Declining

This week on the IMDiversity.com Career Center Home Page:

According to the American Newspaper Editors Association 2007 survey on the representation of minorities in U.S. news media, the percentages of minority and women journalists working in America’s newsrooms both declined in the past year. According to ASNE, it is only the second time since the survey started in 1978 that the percentage of minorities has declined.

In a year marked by news organization layoffs that were headlines in themselves, ASNE’s annual “census” found that the percentage of minorities fell to 13.62 percent, down from 13.87 last year. The percentage of women also dropped from 37.70 to 37.56 percent.

The percentage of minorities in supervisory roles at daily newspapers dropped to 10.9 percent, equal to the percentage from two years ago. The downward trend holds true for student and entry-level employment as well. According to ASNE’s release, the percentage of minority interns stands at nearly 27 percent, “a number that has continued to fall as newspapers cut back” on internships.

The one silver lining in the report seemed to come from online media. ASNE’s census of daily newspapers for the first time counted full-time staffers who work entirely at online publishing activities by their companies. Among online media staffs, the percentage of minorities on staff was an estimated 16 percent, which helped make the drop in overall employment numbers seem less severe than they might have been.

See a fuller report at IMDiversity, ASNE Report Finds Percentage of Minorities in Newsrooms Declining, or view detailed data tables from the census at the ASNE website.