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IN EACH MONTHLY ISSUE

The monthly news beat and photo album of African-American Communities in Northern California’s Mid-Central Valley

INVR/HHEW, 6333 Pacific Ave, # 512, Stockton, CA 95207

The

US PostageGoes Here

DrumYour Monthly Collector’s Episode

www.thecvdrum.info

“CV Drum News: A fresh antidote to San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland”

Volume 4, Episode 5 May/June AT 2008

Yes, you WILL go to college!

“With more than 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States, it can be diffi cult to choose the right one for you. Just remember that choosing a college reveals not only what you want to be, but also who you want to be,” KOH, Ph.D.

Pictured above are; Roland Lewis of Stillman College, admissions (Alabama), Alan Rowe, president of U-CAN! (Sacramento/Elk Grove) and Jeremy Wilson of Tuskegee University, admissions (Alabama) recruiting in Stockton.

Howard HarvardHamptonPrinceton

Clark AtlantaColumbiaMorgan

UC-MercedTuskegee

Tufts

See back page (page 16) for this month’s HHEW Conference & Retreat scheduled highlights

...qualitativeVital Statistics

Contact Us:

Email: cvdrumnews@gmail.com

Phone: (209) 473-4687 (INVR)

CV Drum Newsc/o INVR Standards / HHEW6333 Pacific Ave, # 512Stockton, CA 95207

www.thecvdrum.infowww.invrhhew.info

The CV Drum is $7 per issue - newsstandOnly $5 per issue - 1-year subscription

Our Corrections Policy: Please contact us immediately if you

see any published inaccuracies.

...quantitative

“...quantitative” is researched and provided through The Civic Globe polling and news (a CV Drum sister service).

PublisherINVR Standards / HHEW

CV Drum Advisory Board/Focus Group/ContributorsNecola Adams - MercedShani Adams - StocktonMelyssa Barrett - TracyPeter Barrett - TracyWendy Byrd - ModestoDevon M. Copeland - Columbia, S.C.Rev. Willie Douglas - StocktonJacquelyn Forte - TurlockSylvia Fuller - AtwaterShani O. Hilton - Princeton, New JerseyShayla Hilton - Greensboro, N.C.Ebony Humphrey - ModestoHiliary Johnson - Atlanta, GeorgiaDenise McCoy - Elk Grove/SacramentoDamali Robertson - HaywardAlecia Smith - Valley Stream, Long Island

Editor in ChiefKeith Orlando Hilton, Ph.D.

2

Introducing the CV Drum News’ SAT (Student Ambassadors Team) Program

Today hundreds of colleges and universities have programs designed to identify their brightest African-American students, however, many of these programs primarily focus on; 1) these students’ academic prowess, ignoring their social responsibilities to their communities, 2) marketing images that verify that the in-stitutions are “diverse” and 3) interpretations of overt and covert evidence that imply that these students are smarter, therefore, different and more adjusted than their peers!

This is not the case of our SAT Program!SAT operates with the belief that outstanding African-American students are positioned to; 1) actively break negative cycles occurring within African-American and ALANA commu-nities nationally (ALANA stands for African, Latino, Asian and Native American); 2) speak positively about the mid-Central Valley; 3) speak positively about the growing advocacy role of the Black Press of America (in particu-lar, the CV Drum News); 4) arrange for the TALO Leadership Theory to be discussed intelligently at their campuses annu-ally; 5) serve as student leaders on the CV Drum News advi-sory board; 6) attend and assist in the execution of one or more HHEW Leaders Conferences; 7) report semi-annually within the CV Drum News about academic and campus successes they are

having in college; and 8) periodically contribute to the journalistic mission of the CV Drum News.

Currently there are nine SAT members, all from the Central Valley; these members include Lakea Youngblood of Stockton (UCLA), Summer Wimberly (above right) of Ceres (Princ-eton), Jamari Perry (left) of Stockton (UC-Berkeley), Jamel Seagraves of Galt (Stanford), Matthew Miller (Stanford) and Ashley Hampton of Manteca (Fisk). If you know of other stu-dents who might be interested or qualified, please contact us ASAP so that we can continue building this distinct program.

3

It is now of-fi cial;

each time you are

featured or mentioned in the CV

Drum News, over 1/2 mil-lion people

have access to

your story.

June is Caribbean-American Month!

The fi rst issue/epi-sode of the July issue/

episode was July 2005

June is Black Music Month!

Q: Who are CV Drum Patrons and how can I become one?A: According to the TALO Leadership Theory©, from the moment Africans left Africa in mass during the Transatlantic slave trade (1520s - 1860s) and the earlier Arab slave trade (8th - 14th century), our leaders explicitly knew and consistently acted out the same leadership profiles that most of us today understand from the moment we leave our homes for work, worship, study or business. Today, patrons are individuals and organizations of all ethnicities who contribute $250 and more to the CV Drum’s leadership and journalism efforts during one fiscal year. Patrons receive a 14-month subscription and will be listed in the Drum and/or on our Web site. If you are interested in subscribing, being a patron or advertising in the Drum, please call, email, write or visit our Web site.

Featured Patrons

Name / Title ___________________________________Address ______________________________________Address ______________________________________E-Mail Address ________________________________

Please send to:

______ only $56 one-year individual subscription or ( ___ $64 bill me)______ only $96 two-year individual subscription or ( ___ $104 bill me)______ only $275 CV Drum Individual Patron*______ $350 Couples/Family Patron*______ $525 Non-Profit Group Patron*______ $825 For-Profit Group Patron*______ Well-wisher __________ ($ amount)

* Patron status includes 14-month subscription and featured in newsletter (and/or Website)

INVR / HHEW6333 Pacific Ave, # 512Stockton, CA 95207

Subscriptions Begin Within 3 Weeks

4

BIRTHDAY INFO (OPTIONAL)

Month ___________Day of Mth _______

(Patricia Lloyd Scholarship Concert Association)Based in Stockton, PLSCA is a California 501c(3) corporation and is the brainchild of Patricia Lloyd (left) who originated the idea and held her first concert at San Joaquin Delta College in September 1990. From the beginning the purpose of PLSCA has been to raise funds to assist students who go away to colleges or universities. Since its inception PLSCA has assisted students who went to and graduated from schools such as Regent University, Texas Southern, UC-Riverside, several Cal State campuses, Langston, Hampton, Clark-Atlanta, and Fresno City College. PLSCA has funded its scholarship program through quarterly musicals and an annual concert usually held in September. This year PLSCA celebrates its eigh-teenth anniversary.

http://www.plsca.net/ -- http://www.plsca.net/

HUMOR: What new job ads really mean

Competitive salary:We remain competitive by paying you less

than our competition.

Join our fast-paced company:We have no time to train you.

Some overtime required: Some every night and some

every weekend.

Duties will vary:Anyone in the office can boss you around.

Other CV Drum Patrons featured this month: Moses D. Elam, M.D. (Physician-in-Chief of The Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, Central Valley), Manteca Unified School District, Tama Brisbane (CEO, WOW - Stockton), Barbara Lenoir (banking industry, Los Angeles), Atwater Ebony Socialites. More patrons featured monthly.

CV Celebrations in the African Tradition:Births, Birthdays, Engagements, Weddings, Graduations,

Anniversaries, Career Promotions, Retirements ... and more!Send us your announcements by the 2nd Wed. of the month - cvcelebrations@gmail.com

BIRTHDAYS

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June 5 - Nicole Muhammad (Stockton), Ortence Barrow (Stockton), June 8 - Jacky Mc-Fadden (Manteca), June 13 - Estella R. Dunn (Merced), June 13 - James Gorman II (Stockton), June 15 - Renee Mimms (Stockton), June 16 - May Ola Thompson (Stockton),

June 19 - Larcene Dixon (Stockton), June 23 - Dina McAlister (Tracy), June 26 - Tony Blueford (Merced), June 26 - Willis Lilly (Stockton), June 27 - Jacie Fontenot (Stockton), July 1 - Na’eel Zarif (Stockton) July 2 - Teressa Kennedy (Tracy), July 3 - Cheryl Mims (Vallejo), July 3 - Linda Patrick (Stockton), July 5 - Pamela Barrow (Stockton), July 6 - Mary Kennedy Bracken (Tracy), July 6 - Keith A. Young (Tracy), July 7 - Virginia Magee (Stockton), July 8 - Millard Hampton (Stockton),

July 9 - Ben Reddish (Stockton), July 9 - Constance Smith (Stockton), July 10 - Ruby J. Mc- Crady (Merced), July 10 - Katie Peters, Ed.D. (Stockton), July 10 - Rondy Scippio (Stockton), July 11 - Vincent Per- rault (Stockton), July 11 - Shirley Washington (Stockton), July 12 - Dwaine McFadden (Manteca), July 13 - Devon Mar- row Copeland (Colum-bia, SC), July 13 - Linda Ward (Stockton), July 14 - Gale Howard (Highland Park, MI), July 14 - Na’imah Zarif

(Stockton), July 16 - Winifred Braxton (Stockton), July 16 - Jack Forte, Jr. (Modesto), July 17 - Mona Washington (Stockton), July 21 - Marilynn Todd (Tur- lock), July 23 - Barbara Ann Dockery (Atwa-

ter), July 24 - Shanice Gorman (Stockton), July 26 - LaVenna Gray (Stockton), July 31 - Myrtle Neal (Stockton).

Larcene DixonStockton

Cheryl MimmsVallejo

Devon M. CopelandColumbia, SC

University of the Pacific’s growing nationwide African-American

alumni network!While you are reminiscing about the old times during the weekend of June 20th, don’t forget that you also have the power to; 1) move the CIP program back to its original mission, 2) determine the university’s next president and 3) help make the CV Drum News the premier news source for African-American alumni na-tionwide interested in Central Valley updates.

Safietou “Fifi” Sambou (right), from Senegal, West Africa, is currently a student at Delta College (Stockton). She aspires to become a jourmalist. Fifi, the CV Drum News is the perfect place to start, so call us today!

Headed to So Cal this summer with your help!

Finnisse Caldwell, a junior at Edi-son High School in Stockton, was selected to be a member of the 2008 class of the California State Summer School for the Arts-InnerSpark. The program is being held at the Califor-nia Institute of the Arts in Valencia. Like many summer programs, students need additional financial support and supplies, so if organiza-tions or individuals are interested in assisting her at this time, please email her: alibass9@sbcglobal.net.

Shani O. Hilton of Stockton, Publications as-sistant/archivist at Princ-eton University, was elected Historian for the Princeto-nians of Color Network (PCN), an organization of university faculty and staff.

Stockton AreaWhat’s Good...

We list events that will happen for next two months in your area, so send information to us ASAP. Call, email or mail.

6

The Troke Branch Library temporary site will open its doors on Monday, June 16, at 10 a.m. The 6,000 sq. ft. temporary site, located in the Weberstown Mall at 4950 Pacifi c Avenue, Suite 445, will be outfi tted with 13 public computers; select adult, teen, and children’s books; audio/video materials; and magazine/newspaper collections. In addition to a book collec-tion, Troke Branch Library will also continue its programming which includes the Catch the Reading Bug Summer Reading Club and preschool and toddler storytimes. The temporary site will remain open while the permanent Troke Branch building undergoes structural repairs which are expected to be com-plete by the end of this year. Troke temporary site hours of service: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10-8 p.m.; Wednes-day 12-8 p.m.; Friday 12-5 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sundays 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

CV Drum News SAT (Student Ambassadors Team) Member

Lakea YoungbloodUCLA ‘11

Jamari R. Perry (UC-Berkeley), 2007 CV Drum Essayist:Congratulations to all of this year’s class of student essayists. I would like to wish you all the very best and would like to encourage you to stay committed to service and leadership. I am currently a second year student at the University of Cali-fornia Berkeley. I am studying Mass Communications and Film Studies in hopes of establishing a career in production and television broadcasting. I am also the External Relations Director, Onyx Express, Events Coordinator, National Coun-cil of Negro Women, and a Black Campus Ministries Leader.

I chose to attend UCLA for multiple reasons. The main fac-tors were location, the availability of my desired major,

the amount of fi nancial aid I received, and the strength of the African-American community on campus. UCLA offered the best in all these areas and as a result won me over. I wanted to major in mass communications/media and being that LA is one of the media capitals of the world, I knew UCLA would offer a host of opportunities. Not only did it provide great opportunities in my fi eld, but it also provided a magnifi cent fi nancial aid package. When deciding between UCLA and UC Berkeley, my scholarship and grant packed fi nancial aid package from UCLA put up a strong fi ght against the loan-fi lled one that I received from UC Berkeley. The last factor that certifi ed my attendance to UCLA was its black community. Though the percentage of African-Americans at UCLA is only 4.7%, I found their presence to be strong, supportive, and resource-ful. This small community provided a strong family atmo-sphere and made the diffi cult transition from high school to college smoother. All of these factors all pointed to the same conclusion, which would be my enrollment at UCLA. Upon entering college I received scholarships from UCLA, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the University Black Alumni Association, and BEASUSD. Scholarships added with grants allowed me to afford a great education at one of the most prestigious schools, and most applied to university, in the nation. My family is my backbone and motivation, and con-tinues to help me strive for excellence. My mother is my role model, not only because she is my mother, but because of valuable lessons she has taught me. The most important les-son she has taught me is how to always achieve what you set out for. If I could send a message to other African-Americans it would be to constantly look for ways to achieve your goals and never let your dreams be deferred because the road looks rough or tough.

www.bbsummit.orgSAVE THE DATE - Aug 1 - 3!

California Black-Brown Summit on Reentry Recidivism, Where: Stockton, UOP; email black-brown2@sbcglobal.net

Elk Grove AreaWhat’s Good...

We list events that will happen for next two months in your area, so send information to us ASAP. Call, email or mail.

7

Purchase the CV Drum at Carol’s Bookstore, Sacramento, 1913 Del Paso Blvd

(916) 646-6525

The City of Elk Grove will be bringing neighborhoods to-gether on June 30 to share ideas, create solutions and discuss resources available at City Hall. The City’s fi rst Neighbor-hood Leaders Solutions Summit will be held on Monday, June 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 8400 Laguna Palms Way. “There is power in our communities when we join together,” said Mayor Gary Davis. “The Neighbor-hood Leaders Solutions Summit provides a chance for our residents to unify and exchange ideas, share resources, and continue building neighborhood pride throughout our great City.” City leaders will be presenting on topics that impact the community, and discuss how Elk Grove neighborhoods can be part of the solution. Three breakout sessions will cover the topics of foreclosures, safety, and a best practice presentation from the Franklin Reserve Neighborhood Association. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Teresa Evans at (916) 478-2201 or tevans@elkgrovecity.org.

Jamel Christian Seagraves (Stanford) 2007 CV Drum Essayist:I would like to express my congratulations to the class of 2008. You have all overcome a long and diffi cult road only to fi nd yourselves facing yet an even larger challenge. Hold onto your strength of will, character, and spirit; it will help you achieve your goals in life. As for myself, I am currently taking another round of courses at Stanford University, on my way to becoming a marine biologist/mechanical engineer. I was also recently hired to work for the Center For Interna-tional Security and Cooperation.

CV Drum News SAT (Student Ambassadors Team) Member

Black Enterprise listed Morehouse College as the number one college in the nation for educating Afri-

can-Americans. Morehouse is also were I will be attend-ing college this year. I always wanted to have the black college ex-perience. Also, I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my parents, who both attended Hampton University, which is another historically black college. I wanted to attend an institution were there would be other black students, like myself, that wanted to be successful in their lifetime. I did not want to be at a college or university where there was only a two-to-three percent population of African-Americans. The last thing that drew me towards More-house was the location. I visited Atlanta every summer as a child and lived there for middle school, so it will be a great experience to go back there for college. This fall I plan to be a part of the Morehouse Choir, were I will hopefully receive a scholarship for my singing abilities. At Morehouse College I plan to major in business with a minor in music. I will later use my degree to enter the music industry. Without my family I would not be where I am today. My parents have been divorced ever since I can remember, but that has not hindered my success. If anything, it made me a better person. My mother made me grow up and learn from my mistakes. Spending those summers in Atlanta, my father taught me life lessons and the importance of getting things done effi ciently. Also, he taught me the importance of, “paying attention to detail.” Together my parents have raised me to be independent and a man of God. I owe my success to not only my family...I owe my success to my Lord and Savior Christ.

Thurson LopesMorehouse ‘12

CentralPage...

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The Great Howard University

Ironically Howard University, considered the premier Acknowledged African

institution of higher learning in the world, refers to itself as the “Mecca” of black higher education, when it seems that it would or should be more intellectually and culturally bold to speak of itself as the “Timbuktu” of all contemporary world higher education scholarship. This would send a much more powerful message in a more succinct manner, especially because of the intellectual importance of the legendary University of Sankore in Timbuktu, Mali.

There is a West African proverb that states that “salt comes from the north, gold from the south, and silver from the country of the white men, but the word of God and the treasures of wisdom are only to be found in Timbuktu.” Timbuktu was considered one of the most superb scientific centers of the time period corresponding to the European

Medieval and Renaissance eras. How does this relate to Howard University? It is rare if ever that one hears Mecca, Saudia Arabia, identified as the “Harlem of Saudia Arabia” or Oxford University as the “Howard University of Europe.”

KOH, Ph.D., CV Drum Editor

Monthly Media Message

Keith Orlando Hilton, Ph.D.

Sidney A. Ribeau, Ph.D. (right), was recently appointed president of Howard University, Washington, District of Columbia.

Sometimes student support comes at UCMerced from within a club

Sometimes support comes from a high school counselor in Merced or a mother in Modesto

Sometimes in Elk Grove through BSU mentors and advisers

...CentralValley

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There are only eight Ivy League universities:

Harvard University Yale University

Princeton UniversityColumbia UniversityCornell University

University of PennsylvaniaBrown University

Dartmouth College

High school graduates honored in StocktonThe following San Joa-quin County high schools participated in the 18th Annual Black Graduates’ Recognition Program; Stagg, McNair, Bear Creek, Manteca, Ben Holt College Prep, New Vision, One, Brookside Christian, Plaza Robles, Chavez, Sierra, Middle College, St. Mary’s, Edison, Tokay, East Union, Weber, Franklin, West High, Lincoln and Weston Ranch.

Over $45,000 in scholarships -- over 200 student participants; full house of family, friends and supporters at McNair H.S.;

sponsored by the Black Employees Association of Stockton Unified

Tracy AreaWhat’s Good...

We list events that will happen for next two months in your area, so send information to us ASAP. Call, email or mail.

10

Buy the CV Drum at Dick’s News Stand, TracyDick’s News Stand is located at 1037 Central Avenue.

CITY OF TRACY

EVELYN TOLBERTCouncil Member

Email: evelyntolbertfortracy@comcast.netWebsite: www:tolbertfortracy.com

Voice Mail: (209) 820-6213

Tracy City Council meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the fi rst and third Tuesdays of each month. Special meetings are scheduled on an as-needed basis by the City Council. Meet-ings are held at the Council Chambers at City Hall, 333 Civic Center Plaza. Regular meeting agendas are published at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Special meeting agendas are published at least 24 hours in advance. Current agendas are available online. Agendas of all Council meet-ings are also available for public viewing at:

* Tracy Public Library, 20 East Eaton Avenue * City Hall, 333 Civic Center Plaza

CV Drum News SAT (Student Ambassadors Team) Member

Matthew MillerStanford ‘12

I can see it now; my grandma Mamo arriving with my fi ve siblings and me to pick up my grandpa from his janitorial job near the

Stanford Hospital while parked in the redwood tree shaded lots, listening to gospel tapes and watching us run about crunching the olive brown, Pringles chip-looking leaves. She called Stanford a place for “smart people,” distantly gazing with a Shakespearean “pale cast of thought” that no song could reconcile. It was her, my parents’, and my family’s deepest hope that somebody becomes the phoenix of success who rises from generational poverty and secondary education. Stanford University is my school of choice, not only because it holds sentimental value with my family and me, not just because it is the highest-ranked national university on the West Coast, but because it was where my fi ery dream sparked. I also have greater belief in one’s ability to achieve something unimagi-nable and unprecedented partly because of the monies donated to my cause: the Chevron Concord Percy Abram Scholarship, Tracy Elks Lodge Scholarship, California-Hawaii Elks Association Award, Tracy Rotary Club Scholarship, Delta Sigma Theta Soror-ity Scholarship, Tracy African American Association Scholarship, and the Stanford Fund Scholarship (which covers my tuition and room/board). Currently, I am deciding between majoring in Political Sci-ence, International Relations, or Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity but I am certain I will minor in African & African Ameri-can Studies. As the fi rst person in my immediate family to attend a four-year college, I know the importance of having a support sys-tem to solidify your aspirations and although mine could not direct my steps in bringing my vision to fruition, their moral lessons and emphasis in balance have helped me stay well-rounded. Regardless of whether I had them rooting me on or not, I still would pursue my goal of becoming a lawyer and perhaps holding political offi ce. When I cannot muster inspiration from family, I turn to my teachers, my advisors icons like Barack Obama and TD Jakes, or Jesus for motivation. This encapsulates the message I have for my fellow African-Americans: actively pursue excellence by using your obstacles as your pedestals.

The fi rst issue/episode of the CV Drum News was July 2005

Modesto AreaWhat’s Good...

We list events that will happen for next two months in your area, so send information to us ASAP. Call, email or mail.

11

CV Drum News SAT (Student Ambassadors Team) Member

Ashley GordonUC-Merced ‘12

Summer Wimberly (Princeton) 2007 CV Drum Essayist:First off, congratulations on being this year’s essayists! I remember last year at this time I too was ending my fi rst year of college; carefree, happy to go home and see my friends and family, grateful for the long break from school. Now as I end my sophomore year I’m still carefree, happy and grateful, but also a bit nostalgic as I look back and realize how much I’ve experienced and grown, yet remained the same over these past two years. In like fashion I hope that as you all continue on, you too discover the craziness that is to be you college experi-ence and appreciate all of its topsy-turvy fun. This is your life. Enjoy!! Summer W., Princeton, 2010.

The college I initially went to was Hampton Univer-sity in Hampton, Virginia. While it was a Histori-

cally Black College/University, I still found myself alone, and battling with the issues of whether or not I was black enough. Although I would never discredit Hampton for its superb academic standing, and the great one-on-one response I got from all of my professors, I couldn’t help but feel I was disconnected from the real world. So I came back home and decided that the Uni-versity of California Merced would be the better choice for me. It’s a relatively new school, great environment, and might I add it’s not too far from home. I am current-ly in the process of transferring from San Joaquin Delta College to UC-Merced, and because of this, I currently do not hold any scholarships. They do, however, have a great deferred payment plan, which is so easy to get involved in, that they are pretty much giving you a great education, for a cost per month. While our sister school is UCDavis, you can bet that this school has the potential to grow, and exceed everyone’s expectations. I’m excited that I can start up clubs, or even put in my 2 cents to start a class course here. Because UC-Merced is new, you can research and prepare the curriculum then submit it to the school, to start a new major!! How awesome is that?!? My planned major is Social Psychology in the hopes of becoming a marriage counselor, and without the help of my family I know for a fact I wouldn’t be sitting in this room right now! I know that every step of the way, or should I say stumble, they have been right there to help and aid me in all that I do! My word of advice; sometimes it is better to hop stone by stone then to jump over one great one. In other words, keep trying. I’m a living testament that everything passes in due season!

Ten of the Top 4-Year Mid-Central Valley

Colleges and Universities1. University of California - Davis

2. University of California - Merced3. Chapman University - Modesto

4. University of the Pacifi c - Stockton5. Fresno State University

6. Sacramento State University7. Fresno Pacifi c University

8. National University9. University of Phoenix

10. Stanislaus State - Turlock

Happy Father’s Month 2008!

Merced AreaWhat’s Good...

12

We list events that will happen for next two months in your area, so send information to us ASAP. Call, email or mail.

ST. MATTHEW BAPTIST CHURCH

Services:Sunday Worship:

10 am

Bible Study:Wednesday: 7 pm

Location:1057 N Street

Merced

Phone:(209) 722-2581

Dr. Jerry C. Huey, Pastor

St. Matthew Baptist Church is a proud patron of the CV Drum.

My name is Arayle Freels. I am 18 years old, and wor-ship at Mt. Pisgah AME Zion Church. In the fall I will

be attending Howard University in Washington, D.C. I chose Howard for a number of reasons. I have always had an interest in attending a historically black university because I believe it is important that I spend my college years surrounded by people who look like me and are positive, intelligent and mo-tivated. You have to know where you’ve come from to know where you’re going and I am convinced that Howard Univer-sity will help me gain further insight to the past, current and future struggles of the African-American community, while at the same time providing an education that will allow me to address and ultimately aid in fi xing these problems. I initially planned to major in psychology and become a psychologist but upon further research and discussion, I decided to major in biology which would allow me to enter medical school and become a psychiatrist. I chose this major because it seems there are not enough African-American psychiatrists or doctors in general and I feel by increasing our representation in this fi eld we can truly begin to address the problems that affect our community. My interest in psychol-ogy is deeply intertwined in my belief that family is one of the most signifi cant components of a person’s life. Growing up in a family who suffered the loss of a father has defi nitely af-fected my perception and has made me stronger. My mother’s strength, intelligence, and empathetic nature has taught me to fi ght through struggles, think on my feet and be a comfort for others in their time of need. Finally, having a brother with whom I’m very close to has taught me respect for others. Family is not just about immediate family, it is about community. I can’t begin to name the people who have been mentors to me; the ladies of NCNW, Ebony Socialites and Delta Sigma Theta Soror-ity as well as my teachers from Merced High School, Tenaya Middle School and Burbank Elementary, my church members and all who have helped me along the way.

CV Drum News SAT (Student Ambassadors Team) Member

Arayle FreelsHoward ‘12

Bay Area | Sacramento | Northern California

Southern California | The Nation | The World

13

PGE_Gen_CFL_8X5_25_BW_Ad.indd 2 5/7/08 6:13:48 PM

Race & Racism Joining the AncestorsIn the spirit of our Acknowledged African ancestors, each month we will honor community and family members who have recently passed in the Mid-Central Valley (and if space allows, relatives outside of the Valley). Space is limited. Send us your full announcements with photos by the second Wednesday of the month for publication consideration. This month’s page is dedicated to: Thompson Memorial Chapel, Stockton; www.thompsonmemorialchapel.com

14

The CV Drum News welcomes letters, pro and con, to essays and information in this, and every episode. CVDrumnews@gmail.com

The CV Drum is the only African-American owned (and the only) publication period that covers our communities from Merced south to Elk Grove north.

Shasta Coalition of African Americans for Community Health, Education and Empowerment (in Shasta County)

Courtesy of:

http://ybpguide.com/2008/06/04/barack-and-mi-

chelle-dap-it-up/

Yes, Sen. Obama’s candidacy (positives and negatives) will be discussed at the HHEW Conference & Retreat - page 16.

Got a photo, story idea or poem? To “Advertise” or

become a “Patron”

Call: (209) 473-4687

Email: cvdrumnews@gmail.com (subject line: “Advertise” or “Patron”)

INVR Standards/HHEW6333 Pacific Avenue, # 512

Stockton, CA 95207

www.thecvdrum.info

CV Community Conversation

15

THIS MONTH’S GUEST ESSAYIST

James Thrasher, Ed.D. (Elk Grove), California Teachers Association

If you are interested in being a guest essayist for CV Community Conversation,

please submit your 300-400 word essay on any relevant community or Valley topic, along with your photo and brief bio.

Still in the pursuit of quality education

Nearly 51 years ago, nine black students bravely walked through the doors of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in the pursuit of quality education.

Today, we are still in the pursuit of quality education for our African-American children in the Central Valley and across the U.S. The progress we were making in the 1970s and ‘80s declined into a substantial achievement gap between black and white students by the 1990s. It is a gap that is going to take some focused energy and resources to close. Thankfully, the work has started. With its sponsored legislation, CTA took the lead in establishing the Quality Education Investment Act, which will bring $3 billion in funding to 488 low-performing schools, including 30 right here in Sacramento and San Joaquin counties. Over the next seven years, more than $6 million will go to these 30 schools to reduce class sizes, im-prove teacher and principal training, hire more school counselors, and give local school districts the fl exibility to support programs that best fi t their students. These are the reforms we need – not the punitive sanctions we have in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). California educators have supported ESEA since its inception in 1965, as part of the War on Poverty. But when the law was reauthorized in 2002 as President Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act, its one-size-fi ts-all approach to learning provided sanctions rather than assistance to public schools, students and teachers. We must stop punishing our schools and our students and move ahead on the reforms we know will work. Take the time to contact your Congressional representative. You can fi nd more information on CTA’s website at: www.cta.org.

Got a photo, story idea, letter or even a poem that you would like published? See page one or email us for general ideas and topics. Then send it to us for consideration. Remember, we run pho-tos and cover topics important to you. All items must be submitted by second Wednesdays to be considered for the upcoming issue. Please include names/information with photos. Materials will remain property of the CV Drum. Sub-mit via mail — 6333 Pacific Avenue, #512, Stockton, CA 95207 — or email — cvdrumnews@gmail.com (subject line: “CV Submission”). - KOH, Ph.D.

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5th Annual HHEW Conference & RetreatFitzgeralds Casino & Hotel - 301 E. Fremont Street – Las Vegas

(downtown near the Fremont Experience) Thursday, June 26 – Sunday, June 29, 2008

2008 Theme: “Leadership and the Politics of our Future”SELECTED WORKSHOPS AND PANELS

“The Secrets of the TALO Leadership Theory”– An interactive workshop (open to the general public)

Keith Orlando Hilton, Ph.D. (HHEW ‘01) - Stockton, CA

CENTRAL VALLEY PIVs SPEAK: INTRODUCTIONS, VIEWPOINTS & OUTLOOKS

HBCU GRADS’ HHEW CONFERENCES REFLECTIONS & EXPECTATIONSShani Adams, J.D. – St. Paul’s College (HHEW ‘04) – Stockton, CA

Bruce Cobbs – St. Paul’s College (HHEW ‘01) – Atlanta, GAShani O. Hilton – Howard University (HHEW ‘06) – Princeton, NJ

Derrick Woodson, MPA - St. Paul’s College (HHEW ‘03) – Miami, FL

CAREERS & JOBS; CAREERS vs. JOBSJoe E. Carter, Vice President, United Educators – Chevy Chase, MD

A. Richard Love (HHEW ‘01) – Long Beach, CALinda Kelly, M.S. (HHEW ‘02) – Chicago, IL

Benardo Richardson (HHEW ‘07) – Mt. Pleasant, SC

GRASSROOTS/DEEP ROOTS ACTIVISM/AFRICAN ROOTSThomas Abdul-Salaam – Stockton, CAPeter Barrett (HHEW ‘07) – Tracy, CA

David D. Hurst, Ph.D. (HHEW ‘05) – Cucamonga, CARoy L. Williams, J.D. (HHEW ‘02) – Milwaukee, WI

FINANCIAL PLANNING TIPS w/ Benardo RichardsonCULTURAL ARTS EXHIBITION & DISCUSSIONS w/ B.G. Eleazer

1ST ANNUAL CV DRUM NEWS TRIVIAL BOWL – “How well do you know the Central Valley?”

FINANCES & ECONOMICS Melyssa Barrett (HHEW ‘07) – Tracy, CA

Aubry L. Stone, President/CEO, California Black Chamber of Commerce - SacramentoHenry W. Taylor (HHEW ‘01) – Hayward, CA

CENTRAL VALLEY EDUCATION ROUNDTABLE (“Reshaping our destiny in the Valley”)Melda Gaskins, Ed.D. - Modesto, Mary Jones, Ed.D. - Merced, Aisha Kareem, Ph.D. - Stockton, Clara Rouse, Ph.D. – Tracy, Summer Wimberly – Ceres (Student, Princeton

University ‘10), Matthew Miller – Tracy (Student, Stanford University ‘12)

EXPANDING THE EDUCATION LANDSCAPEJohn Ervin – Administrator, Modesto (CA) City Schools

Jacquelyn Forte (HHEW ‘07) – Turlock, CADamali Robertson, M.S. (HHEW ‘01) – Hayward, CA

Henry W. Taylor (HHEW ‘01) - Hayward, CA

COMMUNITY SERVICE IDEAS & 2009 CONFERENCE PLANS Shani Adams. J.D. (HHEW ‘04) – Stockton, CA

Bruce Cobbs (HHEW ‘01) – Atlanta, GALinda Kelly, M.S. (HHEW ‘02) – Chicago, IL

Damali Robertson, M.S. (HHEW ‘01) – Hayward, CA

Keynote speaker, Damali Robertson (above), Haas Center, Stanford Univ.

“Personal Refl ections on Jamaica, Zimbabwe, Kenya,

and African-America”Special performance by the Jali, Peter Barrett (below).