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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 Issue

www.thecvdrum.infoVolume 2, Issue 8 August 2006

“The monthly news album of people you know and need to know”

Africa and the Caribbean in the Valley: Part 1 Just look at the vibrant and confi dent faces of these Liberian youths to the left. This was taken in Elk Grove at the home of Elwood and Yatta Jangaba. This beautiful image is not the typical one we get of Africa (or the Caribbean for that matter). As an African-American publication, over the past fourteen months within the pages of the CV Drum, we have also covered Africa and the Caribbean in a number of grand ways. We have featured Asaba, Nigeria as being Stockton’s seventh sister city (PHOTOS COMING IN THE SEPTEMBER CV DRUM). We have hon-ored the memories of Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana), Antone Lembede (South Africa) and Hamilton Naki (South Africa). We have provided information to readers about quality Continental African newspapers in Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria and Zambia; and Caribbean newspapers in Antigua, the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica and the Virgin Islands. We have cited the wise words of the social activist (and son of Jamaica) Harry Belafonte on terrorism. We have frequently used the principles of Kwanzaa, deeply infl uenced by various Continental African traditions. Last November we featured a “Thanksgiving in Liberia” essay by Henriette Browne, a native of Liberia, now with ties to the Central Valley. We have mentioned the national leadership of Sir Ketumile Masire (former Botswana head), President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (Liberia) and Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (Jamaica). In this issue we further connect the dots between African-America, Africa and the Caribbean by bringing these stories closer to home and making things less abstract. While the general western media constantly feed us contra-dicting African and Caribbean images of starvation, sandy beaches, AIDS, carefreeness, governmental corruption, “no problem,” wars and religious uncertainties, the CV Drum is prepared to continue providing a necessary balance. We hope you enjoy and continue to use the CV Drum as a viable news source.

KOH, Ph.D., CV Drum editor in chief.

...qualitativeVital Statistics

Contact Us:

Email: cvdrumnews@gmail.com

Phone: (209) 473-INVR (4687)

CV Drum newsletterc/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 - StocktonMaya Anderson - Elk Grove/SacramentoMelyssa Barrett - TracyPeter Barrett - TracyWendy Byrd - ModestoMarsha Carter - StocktonJacquelyn Forte - TurlockShani Hilton - StocktonKatie Peters - StocktonEllen Powell - TracyDamali Robertson - Kingston, JamaicaAlecia Smith - Westbury, Long IslandCarolyn Walters - Stockton

Editor in ChiefKeith Orlando Hilton, Ph.D.

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*100 Greatest Africans according toNewAfrican magazine (London)...

* In 2004 NewAfrican magazine published a list of 100 Africans, past and present, throughout Africa and the diaspora. Incidentally, NewAfrican’s sister publication, African Business, ran an article by KOH that listed the 8 TALO Leadership Theory profi les, guaranteeing that this theory has now reached Africa, Asia and Europe. Here are the top 10 African men and top 10 African women:

1. Nelson Mandela - South Africa2. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah - Ghana3. Robert Mugabe - Zimbabwe4. Julius Nyerere - Tanzania5. Marcus Garvey - Jamaica/USA6. Patrice Lumumba - Congo7. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - USA8. Thabo Mbeki - South Africa9. Malcolm X - Grenada/USA10. Kofi Annan - Ghana 12. Winnie Mandela - South Africa

28. Maria Mutola - Mozambique30. Yaa Asantewaa - Ghana36. The African Woman37. Rosa Parks - USA43. Miriam Makeba - South Africa44. Queen Nzinga - Angola64. Maya Angelou - USA73. Venus & Serena Williams - USA81. Queen Nefertiti - Egypt

August CV Drum Contest Question: The fi rst fi ve people to email or call us by Wednesday, August 23rd, with the correct answer will be eligible for a drawing that will give a friend (or yourself) a free one-year subscription to the CV Drum. -- Name this Stocktonian, with deep Nigerian roots, who will be attending Georgetown University Law School in the fall? (page 9 - June CV Drum)

Previous two months’ contest winners:

June:Willie MacDaniel - Modesto

July:Carla Palmer - Stockton

CV Drum Editor’s Note: “Yes, there are some real and perceived differences (and even some hostilities in some cases) between and among African-Americans, Afro-Latinos, Afro-Caribbeans, Afro-Asians and Continental Af-ricans, but these differences and disagreements are no greater than differences between EuroBrits, French, Germans and Swedes or between Chinese, Japanese, Koreans and Hmong, etc. In fact, the NewAfrican poll also supports

this bridge between Africans worldwide. The keys are to keep honestly talking and talking honestly.”

CV Drum readers are personally invited to Fairfield (in the Bay Area)

for a community forum & dinner:

VOICES FROM THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY: IS ANYONE LISTENING?

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 -- Time: 5 - 9 pm

HOST/MODERATORCHERYL MIMS, LCSW, CNM Counseling

Registration required in advance: $40Tickets can be purchased Online @ www.CNMCC.COM (PayPal)

SCHEDULED SPEAKERS:DR. WADE NOBLES, EVELYN POLK, MFT – FOSTER CHILDREN,

DR. BILLY LEE – HIV/AIDS SPECIALIST, BONNIE ROBINSON – SUBSTANCE ABUSE SPECIALIST, ANTHONY D. PARNELL, MSW – COMMUNITY/SELF-

EMPOWERMENT, PAMELA PITTS – POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE, LONNIE HAIRSTON – DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS, REV. KINWOOD DeVORE – CHURCH VIEWS

LOCATION: Mt. Calvary Baptist Church1735 Enterprise Dr #3

Fairfield

For further information contact Cheryl @ (707) 557-8622

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COME JOIN OUR TEAM!

The City of Tracy currently seeks qualifi ed individuals to join our team. Current vacancies include:

Communications Operator II (Lateral)Police Offi cer Trainee (Academy Sponsorship)Police Offi cer (Academy Grads & Laterals)

For more information about the City, these positions, or to download an offi cial application visit or web site at: www.ci.tracy.ca.us/jobs, or call our 24-Hour Job Hotline (209) 831-4151

THE CITY OF TRACY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City considers applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, marital status, age, medical condition or disability, or any other status protected by law. The City seeks candi-dates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. The City of Tracy makes reasonable accommodations for the disabled.

Excellent career opportunities await! Earn competitive salaries

and comprehensive benefi ts.

The City of Stockton is currently ac-cepting applications for the follow-

ing positions: Project Manager II/III - Public Works (Apply by 8/11/06) Circulation Assistant - Library (Apply by 8/11/06) Police Offi cer Trainee (Apply by 9/1/06) Police Offi cer Academy Graduate/Recruit/Lateral (Continuous fi ling) Police/ Fire Telecommunicator II - Lateral (Continuous fi ling)

Visit www.stocktongov.com and click on “Jobs” for all career opportunities.

EOE ::ODMA\GRPWISE\COS.PER.PER_Library:40349.1

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:

______ $56 one-year individual subscription now or ( ___ $64 bill me)______ $96 two-year individual subscription now or ( ___ $104 bill me)______ $250 CV Drum Individual Patron*______ $300 Couples/Family Patron*______ $400 Non-Profit Group Patron*______ $500 For-Profit Group Patron*______ Well-wisher __________ ($ amount)

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

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

Subscription Postmarked AFTER June 1, 2006

BEASUSD - Black Employees Association of Stockton Unified School District

Other CV Drum Patrons featured this month: Jacquelyn M. Forte’ (Modesto/Turlock, university administrator), Peter & Melyssa Barrett (Tracy - renowned ac-tor and business executive respectively), Sandra K. Davis, Ph.D. (San Joaquin County medical executive), Esquire Club (Stockton), Ralph White (Stockton, entrepreneur), Judge William Murray, Jr. (San Joaquin County Superior Court), Foster & Kinship Care Education Program - Merced College (Merced). More patrons featured monthly.

Support the ALANA media. ALANA stands for

African, Latino, Asian and Native American.

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BEA is a group working for the uplifting and advance-ment of the African-American community and dissemina-tors of positive information. BEA is a professional group of hundreds of people working together for children and their parents.

BEA is an entity of Stockton Unified School District and one of its most important organizations. Finally, BEA, as a voice for students, parents, employees and the commu-nity, encourages all people who share its vision to become members. Email: namaste48@comcast.net

BIRTHDAY INFO (OPTIONAL)

Month ___________Day of Mth _______

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

August 3 - Mae Hill (Stockton), August 4 - Sharon Gellineau (Stockton), August 4 - Edith Rasheed (Stockton), August 6 - Beatrice Barnes (Stockton), August 6 - Shaniqua Gorman

(Stockton), August 6 - Lola Hodge (Stockton; 103 YRS OLD), August 6 - Courtney Magee (Stockton), August 7- Colette Scott (Stockton), August 8 - Brenda Brooks Perry (Stockton), August 8 - Anita Williams (Stockton), Au-gust 10 - Lynn Bowens (Lathrop), August 10 - Speedy Duncan (Stockton), August 11 - Kaila Adams (Merced), August 13 - Christopher Jackson (Stockton), August 14 - Yolanda Raman (Stockton), August 14 - Rejena Wil-liams (Stockton), August 17 - Tama Brisbane (Stockton), August 17 - Donna Page (Stockton), August 18 - D.A. Downey (Las Vegas, Nevada), August 18 - Brenda Fontenot (Stockton), August 18 - Hailey Adams (Merced), August 19 - Margie Eaton Forehand (Tracy), August 21 - Gary Jordan, Jr. (Tucson, Arizona), August 21 - Bettye Moore (Stockton), August 22 - Elliott Chambers (Stockton), August 22 - Sheldon Forehand (Tracy), August 23 - Jacquelyn Forte (Modesto), August 24 - Dolores Maples (Merced), August 27 - Fayette L. Reynolds (Stockton), August 30 - Necola Adams (Merced), August 30 - Laura Brazelton (Sacramento).

AUGUST 26: 6TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY, STOCKTON - NAJEE & NA’IMAH ZARIF

BIRTHDAYS

5

CONGRATS to WIN (Women in the NAACP):

The Women in the NAACP (WIN), a division of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), recently traveled to Africa to offi cially open a new grade school in the Republic of Benin. This is a major effort to build a stron-ger community and enhance educational opportunities for the nation’s children.

Thelma T. Daley, NAACP National WIN Director, said: “This humble effort now allows children in the elementary grades to attend school within their village and not be endangered by walking miles each morning to receive a basic fundamental education.”

During the visit to Benin last month, Daley along with NAACP National Director of Education John Jackson and two WIN members, Sheila Butler and Norma Sermon-Boyd, were distin-guished guests for the International Gospel & Roots Festival. The festival showcased reunions with Africa, Europe, the Ca-ribbean and America, providing an international backdrop that highlighted the inauguration ceremony for the NAACP school in the Yawa Village.

Benin Ambassador Cyrille S. Oguin said: “The school not only fi lls a gap which has been there too long, but above all it appears as the cement of unity and the symbol of reconcili-ation between the people of Yawa who need it so strongly. Many thanks to you all.”

Necola from Merced

League of Women Vot-ers-current president; National Council of Negro Women - second vice president, in charge of membership; Merced City Parks and Recre-ation - newest member of the commission.

Patterson area leadership...

Necola Adams of Merced knows how to multi-task!

Necola from Merced

Dr. Linda Baptiste-Ahmed (above) is the new vice president of the West Side Women in Action Association in the Patterson area. The pur-pose of the group is to help women network and start businesses on the west side of Patterson.

StocktonWhat’s Good...

The Esquire Club of Stockton will host its annual Scholarship Golf Tournament on September 4th at Oakmore Golf Club, 3737 Wilson Way, Stockton. $75 per player, 9:00 a.m. tee off time. For further

information call Lemuel Williams (209) 474-8364.

San Joaquin Delta College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Program:

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

6

Tuesday, August 15 at 5:15 p.m., the Maya Angelou Branch Li-brary will host “Starting Your Own Business.” This workshop will provide information on legal requirements and regulations, business feasibility, business planning and fi nancing a small business. The Maya Angelou Library is located at 2324 Pock Lane in Stockton. For further information and reservations, contact the Library at (209) 937-8221 (Stockton residents) or 1-866-805-7323 (READ) toll free.

SUNDAY SCRIBBLERS AT THE MANTECA LIBRARY

The Sunday Scribblers are scheduled to meet at the Manteca Branch Library on Sunday, August 20, at 1:00 p.m. This group of writers and artists gather to share poems, paragraphs, stories artwork, doodle and musings. Those looking for inspiration are also welcome. The Sunday Scribblers meet monthly to spark ideas and network with other artists. The Manteca Branch Library is located at 320 W. Center St. in Manteca. For more information, please call (209) 937-8221 or visit: www.stockton.lib.ca.us.

Valerie Scruggs (below), man-ager, African-American 5-A-Day Campaign, was the keynote speaker at the most recent BWOPA meet-

ing. She discussed “Child-hood Obe-sity and Diabetes in the African-American Commu-nity.”

“Mother of the Nation of Islam” visits Stockton

Every Thursday – Farmers Market - Downtown Lodi

Freshest fruits and veggies from the region’s top growers. For more info: Downtown Lodi Business Partners; (209) 369-8052.

Greater Maranatha COGIC’s 6th Annual Women’s Prayer Breakfast, Saturday, September 9th, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Best Western Stockton Inn, 4219 Waterloo Road, Stockton. Guest Speaker is Missionary Rebecca Thurston from Boone Tabernacle COGIC Kansas City, Missouri. Tickets are $40. For more infor-mation call (209) 430-7492; Pastor Terrance & Vanessa Saffold.

Congratulations to everyone for making Asaba, Nigeria, Stockton’s seventh Sister City (recent celebration photos will be in the September CV Drum). In March, the Board of Directors of the Stockton Sister Cities Association fi rst approved adding Asaba.

discussed “Child-hood Obe-sity and Diabetes in the AfriAmerican Commu-nity.”

109 year-old Mother Ruby Muhammad (left in photo with Sis. Al-lison Mu-hammad of Stockton) re-cently visited the Stockton mosque and challenged all of those in attendance to be there when she returns unannounced. Mother Ruby, who lives in Sacramento, and was born on March 20, 1897 in Sandersville, Georgia, joined the Nation of Islam in 1946 and was named Mother of the Nation of Islam in 1986 by Minister Louis Farrakhan.

The next general membership meeting of BWOPA (Black Women Organized for Political Action) is Thursday, August 17. For more information call (209) 601-3994.

One Continental African Refl ection on the Valley:

Edie Fungula, salon owner (from Zaire), “A lot of our Black people have never been to Africa, so my goal is to bring a touch of Africa to the Valley. My busi-ness tries to also refl ect Africa’s royal colors.”

STOCKTON BLACK FAMILY DAY 2006, MONDAY, SEPT. 4TH

Elk GroveWhat’s Good... “Give a Child Hope”

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

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Another Continental African Refl ection on the Valley:

Ramatu Kabb, businesswoman (from Sierra Leone): “Little kids, including young African-Americans, are trea-sures, however, what are some African-American adults teaching them about Africa when some walk into our stores and complain about the smells here? Some need to do a better job of respecting other people’s customs.”

Yatta and Elwood Jangaba are two Liberians in Elk Grove committed to World Harvest Christian

ministries. See benefi t dinner announcement on left.

U-CAN! message to The CV Drum:“We are gearing up for our Seventh Annual Black Col-lege Recruitment Fair, Monday, September 11 - Sunday, September 17, in Fresno, San Jose, Fairfi eld, Sacramento and Richmond/Oakland (Saturday, September 16 from 9 - noon at Franklin High School in Elk Grove - 6400 Whitelock Pkwy). We have over thirty HBCUs con-fi rmed to attend and we are excited about the opportuni-ties for our young people. Thank you very much for the service you provide and outlet for our community.”

ALAN H. ROWE, President/CEOU-CAN! (United College Action Network, Inc.)

CentralPage...

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Some African-American Valley and Bay Area authors

Please support these authors by purchasing their books and telling others. For more info contact your local bookstore

or the CV Drum.

Dr. Winston Johnson (French Camp)The Toming of American Politics

Above is Bennie Babers Lampkins of Stockton, Faith Be-yond Reason. To the right is Glen C. Car-rington of Modesto, The Oakland Hills Vodou Murders.

Above right is Paula Edwards (Stockton & Palo Alto), The Last Bad Decision.

Curtis Alcutt, Oakland (Dyme) and Chandra Adams, Berkeley (Shades of Retribution).

THIS IS PART ONE OF A CV DRUM interview of authors Paula Edwards and Curtis Alcutt (photos on this page), who formed WriteWay2Freedom in July 2005, a nonprofit writers organization committed to promoting literary. CV Drum: What has been your greatest accomplishment since you started?WW2F: We have already sparked the interest of aspiring writers, schools, libraries, and other literary organizations throughout California. Just last month, we hosted a Writer’s Workshop at the Harlem Book Fair in New York. We consider that to our greatest accomplishment yet. CV Drum: What can we expect from attending one of your Workshops?WW2F: We believe everyone has a story to tell. We host workshops that are free to the public, where we teach the aspiring writer key elements to writing and having a book published. We cover everything you need to know to produce a quality book. In addition, our services also help disadvantaged kids by encouraging them to find freedom through writing, by turning their thoughts into a book

rather than acting them out in violence or other harmful activities known to destroy our youth. (End of Part One)

KOH, Ph.D., CV Drum Editor

Claudia Epperson, MSW (Modesto)The Warrior King

Let’s be clear for those who might not know, Africa is a continent thousands of miles east of the United States. It is so huge that the entire United States and Europe could fit into it at least 2-3 times. The Caribbean, also known as the West Indies or Antilles, is located south of the United States. The largest Spanish-speaking nation is Cuba; the largest English-speaking nation is Jamaica and the largest French-speaking country is Haiti.

Monthly Media Message

Keith Orlando Hilton, Ph.D. “Telling our stories

through our own words”

...CentralValley

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Summer message to the CV Drum from North Carolina Central University Chancellor James H. Ammons regarding the Duke University Lacrosse incident:

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) was thrust into the national spotlight as a result of the Duke University Lacrosse case. The media coverage has led to increased curiosity nationwide about NCCU and has perpetuated a number of misconceptions about our university. Now that the Duke lacrosse team has been re-instated, we are again linked to that unfortunate incident.

As Chancellor of this great university, I want to address a few concerns that we-the NCCU family and friends-have about the portrayal of our university. References in news stories to North Carolina Central University as “scrappy and willful” or “a poor cousin to Duke Uni-versity” create a picture of an institution that is fi nancially strapped, lacks sophistication, and is devoid of excellence. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

NCCU has been a part of the Durham commu-nity since 1910. For almost a century, this uni-versity has helped build the African-American middle class locally, regionally, and nationally through its academic and professional programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, the School of Law, the School of Library and Information Sciences, and the School of Education.

We are the nation’s fi rst public liberal arts institution founded for African-Americans, and today, we are a national leader in the recruit-ment of national achievement scholars. We are one of the fastest growing institutions in North Carolina, having grown more than 50 percent over the last four years to 8,219 students. We are the ninth largest institution among histori-cally black colleges or universities (HBCUs) in the nation. We are a key player in a biotechnol-ogy initiative that is intended to make theState of North Carolina number one in the na-tion in bio-manufacturing. (End of Part One)

Some of our Caribbean and Continental African brothers and sisters...

Cameron, Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, Zaire, Sierra Leone, and St. Vincent are the countries of origin for the professionals on this page...just a few of thou-sands near and in the Valley.

TracyWhat’s Good...

The Tracy African-American AssociationWayne Nelson Scholarship $1,000 Winners for 2006:

West High SchoolKrystle Chappell - UC Santa Barbara

Jessica Pugh - Loyola Marymount Univ (Los Angeles)Ian Lloyd - Fresno State University

Tracy High SchoolPaul Barrett - Sacramento City College

The Institute for Global Commerce and GovernmentDanielle Baker - Morgan State Univ (Baltimore, MD)

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

10

TAAA offi cers sworn in...

Tuesday, August 8:

The Golden Agers, in partnership with Sutter Tracy Community Hospital and the City of Tracy, will present a program on Diabetes at the Lolly Hansen Senior Cen-ter. Kimberly Bailey, R. N., clinical educator with Sutter Tracy Hospital will be speaking on the affects of diabetes and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A limited number of blood testing meters will be available free to attendees. For more information: (209) 831-4230.

The 2006 rendition of “Tracy, Our Town USA” written by Tracy City Council member Evelyn Tolbert will open on Friday, September 15, at the Tracy Community Cen-ter. The performances will continue on Saturday, Sep-tember 16, Sunday Matinee - September 17th, Friday, September 22, Saturday, September 23, and the closing matinee will be on Sunday, September 24th.

“Tracy, Our Town USA” commemorates Tracy’s his-tory. This year the production will include Black cow-boys as they lived in the Tracy area in 1860. Also being commemorated will be the fi rst Black church in Tracy, Tracy Temple Church of God In Christ, led by Pastor A. D. Carter. For sponsor and ticket information contact the Tracy Performing Arts Foundation, www.tracyperformin-gartsfoundation.org -- (209) 835-2244.

Photo by Michael W

hite

San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge William Murray (left) conducted installation of TAAA offi cers (left-right), Gail LaGasca, Dr. Clara Rouse, Melyssa Barrett and Nate Terry.

ModestoWhat’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.

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Save the Date - Friday, September 15th

Please join the Modesto/Stanislaus Branch of the NAACP as we celebrate the kickoff of our newest committee...WIN (Women in the NAACP) - (209) 549-1991.

“Dinner and Dancing under the Stars” at the Vintage Gardens.Hotel Accommodations have been supplied by Holiday Inn Express, 4100 Salida Blvd., Modesto.

Yosemite College District chancellor resigns

Dr. Rich Rose begins presidency at Modesto Junior College

Dr. Jim Williams, chancellor of the Yosemite Community College District (Modesto Junior College and Columbia College) recently stepped down because of compli-cations from kidney failure. Dr. Williams has taken an extended medical leave until his retirement in January. According to friends and published reports, Dr. Williams said he had been diagnosed with kidney failure more than a year ago, and began undergoing dialy-sis three times a week. ********* Williams said complications, including low blood pres-sure and diabetes, made his condition worsen. Williams became president of Modesto Junior College in January 2002. He was later named interim chancellor for the entire district in June 2004. In 2005, Dr. Williams was hired permanently as chancellor.

Health Care Industry Scholarships:

Thirty $2,000 scholarships are available for Black graduat-ing high school seniors and college students interested in pursuing careers in the Health Care Industry. Funded by the United Health Foundation and Pacifi Care Foundation, the scholarships will be awarded to students with a minimum grade point average of “3.0” who are entering a community college, university or accredited technical college. For more information and to download an application, visit: www.pacifi care.com/aahs.

Rose speaks to Modesto area guests at NAACP, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and Chapman College sponsored community program.

The CV Drum wishes Dr. Williams and his wife, Jann, the very best. We thank him for his support of our pioneering news efforts.To the Modesto Area Community:

Please spread the word about the Historically Black Col-lege Fair in [Elk Grove] on September 16th. Also mark your calendar for the Historically Black College and National Hispanic University Recruitment Fair that will take place in Modesto on January 23, 2007 at Modesto Junior College. CVBEA will co-sponsor in January by providing a continen-tal breakfast for all the HBCU representatives who will be in town that day for the fair. Last year we had approximately 600 youth who attended. Thanks, Wendy Byrd President, Central Valley Educators Association

Town Hall Meeting at Modesto Junior College435 College Avenue, Forum 110; - 7 - 9 p.m.

Tuesday, August 22 - FREE and Open to the Public

“State of the Black Community in Education: Preparing your Child”

Turlock/MercedWhat’s Good...

23-year-old UC-Merced student and native, Tiffany Williams, will begin a new chapter in her life this summer as she spends the next two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa educat-ing people about HIV and AIDS.

UC-Merced student goes to the Motherland

12

Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church of Atwater presents its

FOURTH ANNUAL GOSPEL CONCERT

Buhach Colony High School Theater 1800 North Buhach Road, Atwater

Saturday, August 26, 5 to 8 p.m. Admission: Free

The Mass Choir of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church will host this spirit fi lled extravaganza. Our guest list

consists of choirs from Oakland to Fresno;* Apostolic Tabernacle Mass Choir, Merced * BUST Sing-ers, Fresno * New Faith Tabernacle Choir, Merced * Saint Matthew Baptist Church, Merced * Voices of Praise, Oak-

land * Voices of Progressive, Modesto

Proceeds will be used to support our building fund. Con-struction began on our sanctuary in April. Our new site is

located at 559 Broadway, Atwater. Rev. Dr. Rodger D. Tyler is pastor. For additional information or clarifi cation contact:

Gwendolyn Wall; (209) 358-0107 or Diane Thompson; (209) 356-0304

A Continental African Refl ection on the Valley:

Obi Indula, foster care agency CEO (from Kenya): “I have been here 14 years. When I fi rst came here [the Valley] felt like being out in the country. But there are reasons why Africans and African-Americans can be successful here; 1) less compe-tition than in the larger cities and 2) because there are less distractions, if you stay focused you will prosper.”

Worth repeating this issue -- and as reported last month

The unemployment rate in Merced County rose slightly in June, but re-mained in the single digits for the second month in a row. June’s unemployment rate was at 9.2 percent, up from 8.9 percent in May. More jobs at UC Merced have been credited for steady increases in the industry, however hiring of African-Americans at UCM remains subpar.

Merced Branch NAACP meets the 4th Monday of each month at 604 W. 8th Street, Merced, 6:30 p.m. For more infor-mation phone (209) 726-3236.

August 19Merced Chapter (NCNW) National Council of Negro Women, Annual Garden Membership Tea; Tickets $10Contact: Sylvia F. Fuller (209) 358-3636.

September 16 Ebony Socialites of Atwater Golf Tournament at Rancho del Rey Golf Club; Tee off at 8 a.m; Fee $65Contact: Ruby Fagan (209) 358-4986.

Saxophonist James Moody (Moody’s Mood for Love, Polka Dots and Moonbeams, etc.) will be performing on Tuesday, August 8, at 7 p.m. at CSU, Stanislaus, Turlock in Snider Hall. Tickets are $25 per person, and can be purchased at Gottschalk Music Center in Modesto; (209) 523-5326.

Happy birthdays to Kaila Adams (below left; August 11) and her sister Hailey Adams (August 18).

Got a birth-day? Know of a breaking news story in the Merced area? Let us know and we will cover it in the CV Drum.

A Caribbean Refl ection on the Valley:

Dr. Diana Hylton, physician (from Jamaica): “I miss the availability of Caribbean food in the Valley. I only know two other Jamaicans here. But overall, I have enjoyed living in the Central Valley.”

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

Bay Area | Sacramento | Northern California

Southern California | The Nation | The World

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State government and politics journalism awards deadline

The Center for California Studies, California State University, Sacramento is reminding all California journalists to submit their entries for two annual awards which recognize excellence in reporting in state government and politics. Established in 1994, this year’s awards will be given in two divisions - daily coverage and enterprise reporting. For more information about the awards and/or the awards luncheon, please contact The Center for California Studies by calling: (916) 278-6906 or visiting: www.csus.edu/calst or e-mailing: calstudies@csus.edu.

Selected Caribbean Independence Dates:Antigua and Barbuda - November 1, 1981, The Baha-mas - July 10, 1973, Barbados - November 30, 1966, Belize - September 21, 1981, Dominican Republic - 1844, 1865 & 1925, Haiti - January 1, 1804, Puerto Rico (still a U.S. commonwealth state), Trinidad and Tobago - August 31, 1962.

Selected African Independence Dates:

The above photo was taken in Oakland Hills at the annual July 4th cookout sponsored by the Jamaica Association of Northern California.

The Sacramento Chapter of Sistaz N Motion will be holding their monthly meeting on the fourth Saturday of the month. The August meeting will be held Saturday, Au-gust 26, at 1 pm at Point West Gardens, 1851 Heritage Way, #265 in the Primerica offi ce. Come network with women business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. For more infor-mation, contact President Shannan Johnson at (916) 271-5625 or e-mail: sistaznmotion@yahoo.com.

Algeria - July 5, 1962, Benin - August 1, 1960, Botswana - September 30, 1966, Burundi - July 1, 1962, Eritrea - May 24, 1993, The Gambia - February 18 1965, Ghana - March 6, 1957, Lesotho - October 4 1966, Mali - Sep-tember 22, 1960, Namibia - March 21, 1990, Nigeria - October 1, 1960, Rwanda - July 1, 1962, Zimbabwe - April 18, 1980.

CV Drum Editor’s Footnote: “In my opinion, and history supports this, it is no accident that many of the nations in the Caribbean and Africa gained their inde-pendence after or during the U.S. Civil Rights movement/Black power movement, because of the major role that African-Americans played in keeping Caribbean and

African issues in the news also. In fact even Ghana (1957) was led by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who was a graduate of a U.S. historically black university.”

Caribbean men playing dominos

The California Black Chamber of Commerce and Foundation is hosting its 11th Annual Statewide Business Convention on August 16-18 at the picturesque Del Mar Hilton in Del Mar (San Diego). The kickoff is the Foundation’s Youth Scholarship Golf Classic at the Maderas Golf Club, Poway.

“This year’s 11th Anniversary speaks specifi cally to our dedica-tion of engaging economic development, growth and develop-ment of small businesses, entrepreneurship and youth business empowerment,” said chamber president Aubry Stone (below).

For more information please contact the CBCC offi ce at (916) 463-0177 or register online at - http://www.calbcc.org/registration.php

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 the memories of the National Heroes of Jamaica, the largest English speaking (and patois speaking) nation in the Caribbean.

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Will South Africa (Azania) be next?

Jamaica’s Seven National Heroes...

Pioneer African-American jour-nalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault (right), now living in South Africa, is leading the charge for South Africa to be allowed to take a lead role in negotiating the Middle East confl ict.

(left) President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia, West Africa

(right) Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller of Jamaica, West Indies

The buzz in many international political circles; the appoint-ments of Johnson-Sirleaf and Simpson Miller as heads of states. Will South Africa be next with PRESIDENT PHUMZILE MLAMBO-NGCUKA or maybe the U.S. with PRESIDENT CONDOLEEZA RICE? These two leaders are not only seriously dealing with political and economic issues, but also issues of racism, sexism and classism. Not to trivialize their power and importance, but if we keep at the front of our minds the images that Professor Donald Bogle presented, we and they will better understand their likely relationships with many of their European male colleagues and the media -- Bogle noted that there are fi ve consistent black media images; toms, coons, mulattoes, mammies & bucks.

Few people now question the truth that all humanity came from Africa, therefore, today, it can also be accurately said that the world is divided into Acknowledged Africans (e.g. Black people, Pretos, Pardos, some Latinos, some “Middle Easterners,” some Asians and some “bi-racial” individuals, etc.) and Unacknowledged Africans (non-black people, some people who don’t want to be black and some who don’t know that they are).

Are you/we African?

Jamaica’s Seven National Heroes...

Will the late “Miss Lou” Louise Bennett-Coverly

(left) or Bob Marley be next?

Sam Sharpe(right)

Nanny of the Maroons (right)

George William Gordon (below)

Paul Bogle (above)

Marcus Garvey(right)

Norman Manley (left)

Sir Alexander Bustamante (above)

Illustrations courtesy of JAMAL Foundation Limited (2001)

CV DRUM IS SEEKING SHORT ARTICLES ON:

1) Haiti, 2) the African Union, 3) CARICUM, 4) Cuba

Some Past Months’ Topics & Themes 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

May - New Opportunities in Black California Politics

June - African Music Month, Father’s Day & High School Graduations

July - CV Drum Anniversary Edition

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 consid-eration. Remember, we run photos 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 prop-erty of the CV Drum. Submit via mail — 6333 Pacific Avenue, #512, Stockton, CA 95207 — or email — cvdrumnews@gmail.com (subject line: “CV Submission”).

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(Dr. Jones, a native of Jamaica, is also assistant superintendent, Ceres Unifi ed School District.)

Why do I still “keep com-pany with Jamaica?” “Keeping Company” in

Jamaica talk means to be in tune with another person. So I’m saying I’m still in tune with Jamaica al-though I emigrated from the island country in 1964; and last visited in 1992, 14 years ago. I still keep company with Jamaica because it is my home. It is the place that gives me a warm intimate feeling when I hear the music; or enjoy a curried dish. But Jamaica is more than music and good food. Many Jamai-cans resent being seen as only fun loving people. Jamaica is a place

where people struggle for economic growth; it seeks to stand on its own two feet. It is a small Carib-bean island

where resources are limited. As many other counties around the world, they depend on imported petroleum for energy, and the es-calation of the oil prices have been detrimental to the economy. Many Jamaicans have im-migrated to the United States and other parts of the world in search of economic improvement; but they always consider themselves Jamai-cans. They are a proud people who value hard work and education.

One of the diffi culties of be-ing proud of our Jamaican heritage is that we become caught between two worlds, that of the African-American and that of the Jamaican-American. There are those who see these worlds as the same; and there are those who know they are differ-ent. Although we have many of the same roots, the preceding histories are different; the experiences are dif-ferent. There is nothing wrong with being different. We must recognize that as Blacks we are a very diverse people. There is intra-racial diversi-ty among us that must be recognized and appreciated.

Keeping Company “with” Jamaica

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.

THIS MONTH’S GUEST ESSAYIST

MARY C. JONES, ED.D. (MERCED)

The CV Photo GalleryHHEW conferences & retreats are about re-empowerment. (209) 473-4687 This year’s June conference -- always open to the public -- was held

at Fitzgeralds Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The annual HHEW Conference & Retreat, like the CV Drum, is an important component of INVR Standards/HHEW. Hope to see all of you next year for #4.

Since 2004 con-ference partici-pants have been from California, Nevada, Il-linois, Georgia, Wisconsin, Vir-ginia, Florida, and as far away as JAMAICA.

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