COMMISSIONER SMOOT ENDORSED BY NABCO

Shelia was endorsed by the National Association of Black County Officials earlier this month at their annual meeting. Commissioner Smoot was honored to be endorsed by her colleagues.

“Teddy Roosevelt said the credit belongs to those in the arena whose face is marred by dust and sweat and tears. These folks are the men and women in the arena. They understand the fight we face each and everyday. That is why it is a particular honor to be endorsed by these elected officials,“ Smoot said.

NABCO was formed in 1975 to provide an organizational structure for black county officials to review, share and develop responses to local and national issues. NABCO works to improve resources utilization, and to promote the sharing of knowledge and methods to improve government operations.

NABCO is a membership organization governed by an executive committee representing both elected and other county officials who operate in a major policy role within county government.  For example, NABCO played a key role in the Earned Income Tax Credit debate. They also have a number of public/private partnerships including teaming with the Kellogg’s Foundation in a program for “underserved children.”

Commissioner Smoot is the outgoing President of NABCO and has turned over the reigns to Robert Steele of Cook County Illinois. Shelia was disappointed to pass along the gavel but will not soon forget her tenure as President. “I learned a lot, particularly about the problems facing counties around the country. I learned we were not alone in our fight.”

Help Commissioner Smoot continue the fight all the way to Washington D.C.  Please make your donation of $25 dollars or more at this secure link to show Shelia you are behind her all the way!!

Debra Huntley
Campaign  Manager
Smoot for Congress
205-326-9811
www.smootforcongress.com

Is the Lil’ Monkey doll offensive or an honest mistake?

There has been a growing amount of Internet chatter about an African American doll called Lil’ Monkey.  Costco has been pulling thousands of these dolls off the shelf and the creator of the doll, Brass Key, has issued an apology.

The doll sports a cap with the words Lil’ Monkey as well as monkey accessories, a monkey doll and a banana.

When this type of thing happens it is always hard to put your finger on the actual intent.  Since money is the motivation for products and services I would find it hard to believe the creator of this doll intended to have the product pulled and ultimately lose money.  In fact it is more obvious to me that this could be a good example of a company that may lack a diverse staff of decision making executives.  I don’t believe an African American marketing executive or consultant would have given the thumbs up on this doll without letting the company know the possibility of negative press.

Brass Key has other dolls packaged with a “Pretty Panda” featuring African American, Latino and Caucasian dolls.  Packaging an African American doll with the Lil’ Monkey title and accessories is one of those sensitive issues that I do believe an African American executive or decision maker would have flagged as a potential problem.  While many companies push the fact that they have a diverse staff you find that very few if any have African Americans or Latinos within the ranks of executive level leadership.

So the bigger problem in my opinion is not that the doll was produced and put on the shelves but what will it take to get a more diverse staff of decision makers in board rooms around the country to help curb some of these issues?

LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS RECEIVE OPPORTUNITY TO PITCH THEIR BUSINESS IDEA AND OBTAIN OFFICE SPACE AT THE COMMUNITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP INSTITUTE’S NEW URBAN BUSINESS INCUBATOR

Birmingham, AL, August 25, 2009 – The Community Entrepreneurship Institute (CEI) will launch the opening of its new program, the Urban Business Incubator, with an Open House wine and cheese event on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the A.G. Gaston building. Micro, emerging and existing business owners interested in starting and operating a business can attend the Open House where they will have an opportunity to tour the incubator and talk about their business idea with CEI staff.

The founder of CEI, Dr. Karen Starks, created the Urban Business Incubator to provide entrepreneurs with the resources necessary to start and create a sustainable company. Main Street Birmingham will partner with CEI to help provide business advice and technical assistance to entrepreneurs in the incubator.

The incubator offers low cost office space in a supportive, professional environment that will help entrepreneurs grow their business idea into a sustainable enterprise. Those who are interested in starting a business in the incubator are encouraged to complete an application. Applications will be available at the event. There is a $20 non-refundable application fee.

EVENT:    CEI Urban Business Incubator Open House
DATE:    Tuesday, September 1, 2009
TIME:    5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
LOCATION:    A.G. Gaston Building   1527 5th Avenue North   Birmingham, AL 35203
COST:    Free
RSVP:    To register for the event, send an email to intern@relaxitshandled.com

ABOUT CEI:
Community Entrepreneurship Institute, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to advancing social and economic well-being in urban communities through entrepreneurship. CEI, Inc. was developed with the philosophy that sustainable urban districts can best be created when entrepreneurs have a strong commitment to the customers and communities where they operate businesses.  Using this philosophy, CEI, Inc. seeks to train urban teens and residents to create businesses based on the product and service needs of their communities. The establishment of such non-profit and for-profit ventures creates sustainable urban areas with locally owned and operated businesses that provide employment opportunities to community residents.

‘Lion of the Senate’ dead at 77

Editor’s note: Watch a special airing of the HBO documentary “Teddy: In His Own Words” on CNN at 7 tonight ET.

(CNN) — Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, the patriarch of the first family of Democratic politics, died late Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, after a lengthy battle with brain cancer. He was 77.

“We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever,” a family statement said. “We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice.”

President Obama learned about Kennedy’s death at 2 a.m. Wednesday, according to a senior administration official. Obama later called Kennedy’s widow to offer condolences.

Read more…

Medicine for Melancholy, a movie by African American writer/director Barry Jenkins to show in Birmingham

What happens when you meet someone at a party, have a connection, yet don’t utter a word to each other? It’s the next morning, and after having slept together, both of you are wondering what the next step is? Is there a connection beyond physical attraction? ‘Medicine for Melancholy’ explores this and more through the lives of two African Americans, Micah (Wyatt Cenac) and Jo (Tracey Heggins). Set in San Francisco, the movie follows these two as they try to get to know one another.

The film, by African American writer/director Barry Jenkins, has taken the film festival circuit by storm and has received rave reviews from the likes of The New York Times being named a “Critics Pick” and lauded for “Examining Race and a Future Beyond It.” by NYT critic Dennis Lim.

Catch the preview of Medicine for Melancholy, Monday, August 31, 2009 at 7:00 pm at the Rogue Tavern at 2312 2nd Ave North, Birmingham, AL 35203 Admission only $5.00.

Visit www.strikeanywherefilms.com to see a preview of this film.

Brought to you by The Sidewalk Film Festival (Sidewalk Sneak Peaks), Code Red and Urbanham.com.

Election Tuesday … consider the basics!

Birmingham it’s time to go to the polls and we hope that we can count on you to get out and vote for the candidates of choice.

Unless you know the candidates seeking office personally this election could make for some very difficult decisions among voters.  Many people have simply suggested that there is not enough information or face-to-face time with the candidates to make a wise decision. However I think if you just stick to the basics you will not have a problem when you go to the polls.

Here are a couple of simple things to focus on when you go to the polls.

Elected officials are public servants. The key word here is SERVANT.   A “true” servant will jump at the opportunity to “serve” and will always be attentive to solving a problem.   If it seems like the candidate(s) seeking office in your district is unapproachable, self-serving and not paying attention to your primary concerns then that candidate may not be a good choice.  A leader, especially an elected official, should be a person that is willing to roll up his or her sleeves and get in the trenches with the people.

Look at your communities, look at your schools and pay attention to the economic conditions in the area and decide if things are moving in a positive direction.  Remember incumbents and challengers have lived in these communities for years and a person does not need a title to make changes.   There are people in your community that have the best interest of the community in mind and they do what they do without cameras or accolades.   These are simply hard working people with a determined and helpful spirit that know what it means to serve.  Has the candidate seeking election in your community done anything no matter how big or small to help with change in the community?  Consider who has done the most, who has done the least and who may have just showed up to play the game!

Don’t beat up on the incumbents just yet: It’s a tough year for everyone and new problems have certainly surfaced for those incumbents seeking re-election.  Weigh the options and decide if the incumbent in your area has truly done what was promised in previous campaigns but be fair.  I believe change takes time and we are so quick to want a new direction if these age old problems are not fixed immediately.  Experience and keeping the ball rolling could be a factor, especially with the Birmingham School Board.  Placing a new superintendent will be a critical next step for the school board so experience in this process could prove necessary.

Regular organized initiatives to clean up the community, increase participation in schools and motivate citizens is something that can be done on any level.  Most importantly it does not take millions of dollars to do this but a person with compassion that is willing to get involved and make things happen in their district.  Any candidate that has demonstrated leadership abilities which includes “unpaid and unrecognized” service over the years should be at the top of your list!

Get out and vote: Hopefully this back-to-the-basics overview can help many of you make a decision that will make your communities a better place to live.   We look forward to the outcome of the election and hope that you will get out and cast your vote!

Take A Child To The Doctor Day

On September 12, 2009, the City of Birmingham’s Division of Youth Services will be hosting its 2009 Take a Child to the Doctor Day event at Fair Park Arena from 10:00am - 3:00pm. Everything is FREE. Youth up to 18 years old can receive a variety of FREE health screenings from medical professionals.  There will also be FREE healthy snacks and beverages, while they last, along with interactive games for the kids and lots of helpful information.

Color Purple SPECIAL pre-sale ticket offer through Urbanham.com!

The Color Purple finally hits Birmingham and you can get your tickets before they go on-sale to the general public through this exclusive offer from Urbanham.com!

Presale tickets go on sale at 10AM August 21, 2009 and expires on August 27, 2009 at Midnight.

Broadway Across American and Oprah Winfrey presents The Color Purple, the musical about love.

The award winning musical will come to the BJCC Concert Hall on October 20 - 25, 2009.  Tickets start as low as $ 22.00 so make sure you get your seats early and catch this great offer!

From the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, and the moving film by Steven Spielberg, comes a soul-stirring new musical and landmark Broadway event.

THE COLOR PURPLE is an inspiring family saga that tells the unforgettable story of a woman who – through love – finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world. Set to a joyous score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, THE COLOR PURPLE is a story of hope, a testament to the healing power of love and a celebration of life.

Directed by Gary Griffin, THE COLOR PURPLE is adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Marsha Norman, with music and lyrics by Grammy Award winners Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray and choreography by Donald Byrd.

For tickets visit http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/os234h and make sure you use the code URBAN.

Independent Movie Premieres! Presented by Sidewalk and Code RED

CityWide Community Forum w/ Candidates for City Council & Board of Education

In a effort to strengthen the young voter turn-out and give the Candidates a chance to speak on the Issues they represent. The 100 Young Black Men of Birmingham in partnership with Malcolm’s Reading Room will be holding a City-Wide Community Forum on Saturday August 15th beginning promptly @ 3pm inside the 4th Avenue Park Ampitheatre( located across from Green Acres Chicken Downtown).

For more information on this event or if you represent a particular candidate and would like to register please send ALL Contact Information to YBMBirmingham@GMAIL.COM.

The time for Change is Now and what Better way to know what a Candidates plans to do if elected than hear them speak.

We STRONGLY encourage ALL Candidates to participate as this event is designed to educate the voters on your intentions for the betterment of the District you are representing.

The following list of candidates includes all incumbents and those challengers who have formally filed in probate court

District 1
Joel Montgomery (incumbent)
Roderick Jackson
Brandon McCray
Lashunda Scales

District 2
Carol Duncan (incumbent)
Yawntreshia Coleman
Lawrence Conaway
Rolanda Hollis
Rodney Huntley
Kim Rafferty
Alvin Rutledge

District 3
Valerie Abbott (incumbent)
Howard Bayless
Wil Jones

District 4
Maxine Parker (incumbent)
Earnest Lumpkin III
Robert Walker

District 5
Johnathan Austin (incumbent)
Demus Copeland
Brandon Davis
Elias Hendricks (previously served on council, 2001-2005)
Charlie Williams

District 6
Carole Smitherman (incumbent)
Keith Aaron
Samuel Wiggins

District 7
Willie Florence
Chiquita Holloway
Percy McGowan
Jay Roberson
Ernestine Williams
Angela Wells

District 8
Steven Hoyt (incumbent)
Gerri Robinson

District 9
Roderick Royal (incumbent)
Leroy Bandy (previously served on council, 1997-2001)
William Barnes
David Russell
Marcia Starks
James Williams

Board of Education Candidates
District 1
Martha Wixon (incumbent)
Tyrone Belcher
Keith Rice

District 2
Virginia Volker (incumbent)
Robert Carter

District 3
Brian Giattina
Elisa Burns Macon
Bob Friedman
Randall Woodfin

District 4
Carolyn Cobb (incumbent)
Edward Maddox

District 5
Dannetta K. Thornton Owens (incumbent)
Emanuel Ford

District 6
Willie Maye, Jr (incumbent)
Gwendolyn Bell
Ervin Hill
Antwon Womack

District 7
Odessa Ashley (incumbent)
Alana Edwards

District 8
April Williams (incumbent)

District 9
Phyllis Wyne (incumbent)

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