Happy President's Day 2011

GLO News: 2010 Black Members of Congress on LGBT Issues

(CBC 40th Legislative Session) in Washington, DC

YOU MUST VOTE!!!

Cast A History-Making (Not A Fear-Based) Vote!

By Maitefa Angaza

My appeal to Black New Yorkers: Don’t waste a vote that our ancestors died for, but summon some of the courage they displayed. We’re not facing dogs or death, only our consciences. Andrew Cuomo will win without our votes because Carl Paladino hasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell of becoming New York’s next governor. (Do some quick research.)

Meanwhile, Cuomo flaunts his disregard for the Black community. For example, he has the authority to call for a special prosecutor in the murder of Danroy Henry, the young Pace University football player killed by police while sitting in his car. (The local police have already circled the wagons and slandered the victim, so the chances of a fair trial are, as usual, not good.) But Cuomo isn’t going to do address the issue because he doesn’t have to work for the Black vote; he figures he’ll get it anyway.

Remember that major media swore Michael Bloomberg would win reelection as mayor by 18 points. Then they pretended they were “Shocked!” when he won by only 4.58 points after spending $21 million. This was in spite of the Democratic party’s racist lack of support for their own candidate (they didn’t put much energy or money behind Thompson until the very last minute). New York City would have a Mayor Bill Thompson right now if more of us had voted. Instead, too many were victims of a vote-suppression campaign. Let’s not fall for it again, thinking, “What’s the difference?”

Although Cuomo is projected to win by a landslide, you can make a huge difference by voting for Charles Barron. If Barron gets enough votes, the Freedom Party will have permanent ballot status, the first Black-and Latino-led party to accomplish this in the nation’s history. Barron needed only 15,000 signatures to get the Freedom Party on the ballot for this election: he got 43,500! He now needs only 50,000 votes to get the party permanent status, let’s make sure he gets them.

The Green Party got started with only 52,000 votes and the Working Families Party squeaked by with 50,000 (by machine recount). The Freedom Party, co-chaired by longtime activist Jitu Weusi, can easily make its mark if we lift even our little finger to help! Barron and his running mates Eva Doyle (lieutenant governor) and Ramon Jimenez (attorney general) are only the first of many candidates the Freedom Party will run in years to come, candidates who don’t need many millions or wealthy backers in order to make it onto a ballot. Your vote will also demonstrate that we can no longer be taken for granted by the Democratic Party, which revealed its true sentiments toward the Black community by its shameful treatment of Governor David Paterson. True respect is earned.

Turn out to vote and let your vote make a difference!

Harlem Firehouse Becomes Hot Spot For Entertainment

By: Cheryl Wills

A decommissioned firehouse in the heart of Harlem is now home to a legendary choreographer who is lighting a fire under a new generation of artists. NY1's Cheryl Wills filed the following report.

The building at 6 Hancock Place in Harlem was once home to firefighters at Hook and Ladder Number 40. For the last decade, though, Tony and Emmy Award-winning dancer and choreographer George Faison has transformed the decommissioned fire house into a field of artistic dreams called the Faison Firehouse Theater.

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Click here: (Watch the Video)

http://www.ny1.com/content/123785/harlem-firehouse-becomes-hot-spot-for-entertainment

These days, the tricked-out firehouse is a haven for young people who take advantage of Faison's classes and workshops. The dancer says it is his way of giving back to the community.

Faison's 40-year career is legendary in the entertainment world. He has danced with the greats, including Alvin Ailey, Katherine Dunham and Louis Johnson, and rose to new heights when he choreographed "The Wiz" on Broadway, which became a national sensation in the mid-1970s.

In 2000, Faison and his business partner, Tad Schnugg, purchased the decrepit firehouse on Hancock Place. After years of work, they started staging productions in the 125-seat not-for-profit theater.

"When I first walked in it, it was home to pigeons and rats and crack addicts," says Faison. "It was madness, I had to fight my way into the joint. 'What is this in here? Come out of there hiding.'"

After millions of dollars in renovations, the old firehouse has become a slice of Hollywood in the Heart of Harlem. It boasts a cabaret theater, a dance studio and Faison's fancy living quarters upstairs.

His many celebrity friends regularly stop by to show their support.

"I am so proud of what he’s done. From the very beginning we were like, 'You’re buying what? An almost abandoned firehouse? Are you crazy?" says actress Lynn Whitfield.

"It’s about community and bringing forth that next generation. It’s just the way he is," says actress Phylicia Rashad.

"I’m very impressed. He’s very creative," says comedian," says Paul Mooney.

"It’s wonderful. I think that’s the way God planned it," says singer Roberta Flack.

"He is a great rung on the ladder," says actress and activist Ruby Dee.

Faison says he is proud of the theater's accomplishments and is dancing into the hearts of the next generation.

"Growing up in this country, you know everything is yours. All you have to do is take ownership. Get the keys, find the keys, open the door, go through it," he says.

To learn more about the firehouse, visit www.faisonfirehouse.org.

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "Remembering the Honorable Percy Ellis Sutton"

Percy Ellis Sutton

1920-2009

former Tuskegee Airman

Media Mogul

Power Broker

Pioneering Civil Rights Attorney

Last week I had the honor of attending the homegoing service for Mr. Percy Ellis Sutton. The service took place at The Riverside Church, located on New York City's upper west side. People came out in droves to pay respect to the legacy Mr. Percy - "Jimmy" (as his family calls him) left to live on.

Reverend Jesse Jackson offered a personal tribute while Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Council Member Inez Dickins, Congressman Charles B. Rangel, to name few honored Mr. Percy's life with fond and exciting memories. Broadway veteran Melba Moore lended her vocal gifts by singing a selection of Amazing Grace, Stevie Wonder beautifully performed an emotionally exhausting but gentle version of his song As (I'll be Loving You Always), and Reverend Al

Sharpton delivered a radically stirring eulogy, which left me feeling even more inspired to continue to live in my personal journey and purpose as an affirming black gay man fighting for honorable love and respect for the human condition.

Attending Mr. Percy's funeral was completely educational for me. The life this man cultivated and the legacy that is living on is greatness. Although I didn't know him personally, I'm thankful for what he offered to the community because humbly I've been awarded with many of his gifts. Future Fans and A.A+W readers I am blessed this day to say: if you didn't know Mr. Percy, you really did!

Below, I'm leaving you with just a few highlights from his amazing life.

• Organizing and founding member of The New York State Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus in the New York State Assembly
• Participant in the southern Freedom Rides, arrested 14 times and imprisoned at the dreaded Parchment Farm Penitentiary in Mississippi.
• Recipient of the 72nd Springarn Medal from the NAACP in 1987
• Organized the successful effort to have the Apollo Theatre receive NYC landmark designation
• Reopens the Apollo Theatre and operates it as a concert venue, television facility and recreates the tradition of the weekly Wednesday Amateur night show.
• Creator and Executive Producer of the nationally syndicated television show, "It's Showtime at the Apollo".
• Cofounder of the Annual HARLEM WEEK Festival.
• Authorized New York state legislation creating SEEK program at New York City Universities.
• Spearheaded the expansion of the Manhattan race to the five-boroughs; thus, creating the New York City Marathon.
• In 1971 with Clarence B. Jones, Wilbert Tatum and John Edmonds acquired ownership of the New York Amsterdam News.
• With his son Pierre M. Sutton founded the weekly newspaper The New York Courier.
• In 1980, created & operated Amistad DOT Venture Capital, Inc., a MESBIC (Minority Enterprise Small business Investment Corporation), with offices in Washington, DC and New York City.
• In 1993 established Apollo Theatre Records, a record label and recording company.
• Created ACTEL, a joint venture satellite telephone company with operations in Africa.

Think you didn't know Mr. Percy...think again. He rewarded us in so many ways.

In a time when it seems the economy has the best of us, or even when we personally feel either inadequate or unmotivated, this was a man who reinvented himself in so many ways, and inspires me to keep keeping on. From the words of Shakti Gawain, "when old dreams die, new

ones are created." Keep moving on and pushing through your dream, create new ones, or start over again and create a different life.

Have an A.A+Wsome Wednesday.

50th Anniversary of MOTOWN

Black ties and gowns filled a ballroom Saturday in a big-bucks salute to Detroit-style royalty — the King of Motown, the Queen of Soul and the Kid of Rock.

Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, along with Aretha Franklin, Kid Rock and Motown's original kid, Stevie Wonder, came to Motown's original hometown for the Motown 50 Golden Gala. The 50th-anniversary event, which fetched $350 and up for a ticket, was a fundraiser for the Motown Historical Museum. The museum was the original home of Motown Records Corp., which Gordy started with an $800 loan.


The event drew about 750 people and many of the big names and behind-the-scenes people from the label, which moved to Los Angeles in 1972. Detroit's output included scores of hits, including "My Girl" by The Temptations, "The Tears of a Clown" by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, and "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye."The pleasure is mine to be here," Gordy said during a pre-concert reception. "I'm thrilled I got the nurturing and all of the things Detroit had to offer me. Motown could not have made it in any other city."

Gordy was joined on the red carpet earlier in the evening by local and national celebrities and dignitaries, including Otis Williams of the Temptations, which was on the bill; Claudette Robinson of the Miracles; the Rev. Jesse Jackson; comedian Sinbad, the event's host; and Detroit Mayor and former Detroit Pistons all-star Dave Bing. The musical mingling of classic Motown artists such as Wonder and The Temptations with non-Motown hometown heroes Franklin and Rock reveals the reverence for and relevance of the label.Kid Rock performed with Wonder on the Motown great's songs "Living For The City" and "Superstition," bringing many of the people in the crowd to their feet. The pair called up others for the finale — a funky, extended version of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours."Before taking the stage, Kid Rock called it a "career milestone." He said his mother, who was out of state, sent him a text message: "Who would have thought when we were partying in our barn, playing all those Motown records when you were a kid that you'd be playing the 50th gala?"

The gala is a regular event for the museum, but it took a higher profile this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the label's founding. Museum CEO Audley Smith said the facility wants to expand to hold thousands of artifacts and memorabilia that can't be displayed because of space, but he stressed the museum will maintain the integrity of the well-known Hitsville USA house on West Grand Boulevard. The gala also included special tributes to Motown alumni who have died, including Michael Jackson. Gordy, at Jackson's memorial service in July, talked about the 10-year-old prodigy he signed, calling him "the greatest entertainer that ever lived."Homecomings are rare these days for Gordy, who lives in California, but bonds remain: His sister, Esther Gordy Edwards, founded the museum now overseen by his great-niece, Robin Terry. He's also a premier sponsor of the gala.

President Barack Obama sent well wishes via videotape. He said Gordy's "music made history" and his record company "captured a truly American sound."Franklin sang a customized birthday ode to Gordy, who turns 80 on Nov. 28."Detroit, we've waited long enough — Berry's come home at last," she sang. Afterward, Franklin ushered Gordy to the stage, saying "he absolutely revolutionized the music industry, single-handedly."

He was presented a crystal plaque, a large cake and a mass serenade of "Happy Birthday."Gordy told the crowd he was inspired by his time spent on a Detroit auto factory floor to make a music company that was like "an assembly line" of talent. "That dream came true." Wonder told The Associated Press after the concert that being a part of Gordy's vision has been a blessing."I'm just very, very happy (for) that dream Berry had — him meeting me, hearing me, seeing me, that he saw fit for me to be a part of that dream that became reality."

Antigua Tourists Share Account of Police Beating

By: Jackie Jones
BlackAmericaWeb.com

Six Brooklyn tourists on trial in Antigua and Barbuda on charges stemming from a dispute with a taxi driver issued a lengthy statement Wednesday outlining their version of events.

Rachel Henry, 27, Shoshannah Henry, 24, Dolores Lalanne, 25, Nancy Lalanne, 22, Joshua Jackson, 25, and Mike Pierre-Paul, 25, were part of a group of a dozen Brooklynites aboard a Carnival Cruise ship docked at Antigua earlier this month. The six negotiated a $50 fare with a cab driver to tour the island, but ended up in a dispute with the cabbie when he demanded double the amount at the end of the ride. When the group refused to pay the new amount, he drove the passengers to the police station.

According to the statement, read at a news conference in Brooklyn on Wednesday, the group agreed to go to the police station, but instead of going to the station near the port where the ship was docked, the cabbie drove the tourists to a police station in an unfamiliar area. It was there, the group said, that they were placed under arrest and beaten by police.

Kevin Powell, a community activist and writer who organized Wednesday’s news conference, told BlackAmericaWeb.com that authorities had dragged out the process. The case Powell was told would only last a day or two is dragging toward its third week.

There were reports that the Rev. Jesse Jackson may traveling to Antigua in an attempt to negotiate a settlement with authorities to gain the tourists' release. Powell said late Wednesday he had not spoken with Jackson, but was glad to see greater attention focused on the situation in the Caribbean nation. On Tuesday, Carnival did not return a call from BlackAmericaWeb.com seeking comment, but the New York Daily News reported a spokeswoman for the cruise line denied reports that it had left the tourists hanging and only recently in touch with their families.

Carnival "has been in frequent contact with these individuals and a variety of assistance has been provided," spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz told The News.

Read the full statement prepared by Dudley Brutus, one of the group of the tourists, which was read at Wednesday's news conference - The Trip from HELL