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Usher’s New Look: Helps Young People Become Leaders

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UNLF hosted a day-long Powered By Service (PBS) training in September at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. (photo by Jina Wilson)

by Christopher A. Daniel

Black pop megastars (or lack thereof) are frequently targeted in mass media. Their success and fame is often the result of controversy, gossip blogs and misinformation. While the sensational aspects of a pop star’s life are widely circulated, the singers’ contributions to young people often go underreported, especially on the Internet.

Take Usher for example. The Grammy Award-winning, million-selling entertainer’s highly publicized custody battle drama, failed marriage and interview with Oprah Winfrey made virtually every headline in recent weeks. Despite his critics, his nonprofit organization, New Look Foundation (UNLF), hosted a day-long Powered By Service (PBS) Training at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. The first week of October, UNLF, in partnership with the Joseph E. Lowery Institute, hosted a mock debate at Clark Atlanta University’s Multi-Purpose Center.

The kickoff events lead up to UNLF’s annual World Leadership Conference (WLC): consisting of icebreakers, group discussions, spoken word performances, motivational speeches, call-and-response chanting and a wildcard talent show. The peer-to-peer workshops are facilitated by youth counselors, or Moguls in Training (MITs). The guest speakers and MITs are each known by nicknames voted on by the kids. The events allow each child to take ownership in UNLF. “Each child is using whatever talent they bring to the table to guide them on their journey to finding their leadership skills,” says Damon L. Phillips, Morehouse College’s Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. “They’re automatically excited because it’s something they already do.”

Since 1999, UNLF has hosted empowerment charm schools in Vancouver, Hong Kong, London, Nairobi and throughout the U.S. under the pillars of talent, service, education and leadership. “Leaders are not always the one with the loudest voice,” Gavin McGuire, UNLF’s Associate Executive Director, says. “We can’t just provide them with information. They have to activate what info they receive.”

Because of Usher’s status as one of music’s best-selling entertainers, Phillips believes that a male presence like Usher’s can influence and transform behavior. He adds that Usher sets a great example for others to get involved in the community. “It’s time for people in our community to get involved and change what’s happening with our young people,” he says. “We need to look at ourselves and reinvest in where we come from and who we are. It sends a powerful message to young men and also young ladies. We have to assume our place and our role in our communities. They can do more with their lives than just whatever the media says they can do.”

Usher’s influence goes beyond his namesake and brand loyalty. UNLF constantly seeks to strengthen alliances primarily with local schools, youth groups and underserved communities. “It’s amazing to see leadership opportunities available to young people that they’re able to engage with regardless of how well they do in school or how poorly they do in school,” says Katrina Mitchell, Senior Director for Education and Community Engagement for United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta. “Having an opportunity to have someone stay with you at all aspects from that really difficult time all the way through school is critical. Having other young people work with other young people is better than what any adult could ever do for our young people. Adults need to figure out how to do right for kids, get out of their way and make sure we really support them because there are some powerful leaders in there.”

Christopher A. Daniel is a pop cultural critic and contributor to The Burton Wire. He is also a contributing writer for Urban Lux Magazine and Blues & Soul Magazine. Follow Christopher @Journalistorian on Twitter.

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South Africa: 12,000 Striking Platinum Miners Fired

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Anglo American Platinum fires 12,000 striking miners after failing to attend disciplinary hearings. (bbc.co.uk)

The BBC is reporting that Anglo American Platinum, the world’s largest platinum producer, fired 12,000 miners on Friday who were striking over wages. The wave of strikes has instigated pressure on President Jacob Zuma and turmoil between police and protestors. A reported thirty-four miners were killed by police in August over mining strikes. In addition to Amplats, other South African mining firms, like GoldFields, are also facing wage strikes.

According to The BBC:

“Explaining its decision on Friday, Amplats said the miners had failed to attend disciplinary hearings and had therefore been dismissed.

Attendance levels of less than 20% meant four of the company’s mining operations in Rustenburg could not operate properly.

Employees would learn the outcome of disciplinary hearings later on Friday, and would have three days to appeal over their outcome, said the company.

“Approximately 12,000 striking employees chose not to make representations, nor attend the hearings, and have therefore been dismissed in their absence,” it added.

Amplats’ chief executive Chris Griffith said the company was still committed to participating in centralised engagement structures driven by the chamber of mines, “as well as exploring the possibility of bringing forward wage negotiations within our current agreements”.”

Read more about this story on The BBC.

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Nigeria: Massive Flooding Kills Scores of People

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Massive flooding has displaced tens of thousands of Nigerians. (Google Images)

CNN is reporting that ravaging floods killed dozens in Nigeria and displaced tens of thousands of residents as crocodiles, hippos and other water animals washed into homes.

The floods have left 148 people dead and affected 21 of the nation’s three dozens states, according to the local Red Cross.

The author writes, “Torrential downpours in recent weeks have caused widespread destruction and forced many families into makeshift camps,” the aid agency said on its website. “An estimated 134,000 people have now been affected by the floods and concern is growing about the spread of waterborne diseases.”

The floods have affected a series of states, including Benue and Bayelsa, the latter of which is having significant problems due to the swampy terrain (similar to that of Florida in the United States).

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced, yet currently there is no relief because the flooding was unexpected.

Read more at CNN.

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The New Democratic Majority: Too Good to be True?

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Will the new Democratic Majority spell the end of the Republican Party? (Stockfresh)

Opinion

by

Devona Walker

One could argue “the beginning of the end” for Republicans began in 2008 when a visibly aged, baffled and seemingly jaded John McCain picked Sarah “from Alaska” Palin as his running mate.

Then the economy fell apart and there was the subsequent global recession. The beer summit, well that happened. Finally, a newly-elected President Obama got all hemmed up pushing through a divisive health care plan. Consequently, the Democrats had their hats handed to them in the mid-terms. That shut everybody up for a while.

Yet, here we are again. The economy is still struggling. The President is still black, meaning between three and five percent of the electorate will not vote for him regardless. Citizens United is now a political reality, handing Republicans a massive financial advantage.

Nonetheless, we are on the eve of another national presidential election and Obama, the Democrat, is favored in all the polls.

The New Democratic Majority

Despite Mitt Romney’s many oops!, this does not reflect a terminally flawed candidate (see Romney’s performance in the first presidential debate). Nor does it reflect a stellar performance by Obama (see President Obama’s performance in the first presidential debate). It reflects the emergence of a New Democratic Majority. In this attitudinal and ethno-demographic landscape, Democrats are likely to continue to have the advantage for the next generation in national elections. I say that with caveats that I will get into later.

Most political analysts point to key growth areas in the Democratic constituencies, huge swaths of young and Latino Democratic voters while the Republican constituency ages.

You can’t really argue with the numbers. But all this ethnic bean-counting seems like an oversimplification. More simply.

Yes, the voting electorate is becoming less white and decidedly younger. It’s also true that Republicans are incapable of wrangling in their nut jobs. They can’t get over the “illegal” as a noun habit long enough to get through a Telemundo Q&A. And well, when it comes to black folks, let’s just say the “Welfare President meme” isn’t exactly winning hearts and minds.

The emergence of the social progressive

But what is really cool is the convergence of ethno-demographic and attitudinal shifts. Obama tested these waters a few months back in his support of gay marriage.

Black and Latino voters tend to be considerably more religious, but there was no sliding in support of the president, following his support of gay marriage. In fact, there was a noticeable shift for gay marriage among black voters. Obama has seemed to turn it into a civil rights issue and not a religious one. That, my friend, is the basis of strategy for a formidable Democratic alliance.

Defining the fiscally conservative Democrat

Perhaps, the more difficult alliance is amongst progressives and fiscal conservatives.

For lack of a better standard bearer, many associate fiscal conservatism with the Clinton administration.

I know many view the Clinton administration with rose-colored glasses: The impeachment, and the repeal of Glass-Steagall are rarely referenced. But let’s focus on what they remember: a balanced budget, and a growing, opportunity-based economy. Fiscal conservatives seek a government that works with the private sector and one that seeds innovation through investment. And yes, many fiscal conservatives believe it’s unrealistic to expect multinational companies to care from which country their customers or labor originate.

This is not an easy bridge to cross. Yet, if Democrats want to leverage their demographic advantage, they gotta figure it out.

The Emerging Democratic Demography

Between 1988 and 2008, the minority share of voters in presidential elections rose by 11 percentage points, while the share of increasingly progressive white college graduate voters rose by four points. By comparison, the share of white working class voters, who remained conservative, plummeted by 15 points.

The Millennial Generation—those born between 1978 and 2000—gave Obama a 66 percent to 32 percent margin in 2008. This generation is adding 4.5 million adults of voting age every year.

By 2016, many predict that the U.S. will no longer be a majority white Christian nation.

The numbers are real as are the opportunities and challenges. Altruism is a myth, but economic and social justice is worth fighting for.

This may not be the beginning of the end, but it is most definitely the beginning of something.

Devona Walker is politics editor for The Burton Wire. 

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Peacekeepers Ambushed, Killed in Darfur

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Peacekeepers were ambushed late Tuesday night in the western Sudan region of Darfur, just a mile from a UN-African Union Mission regional headquarters. (Google Images)

In Sudan’s western Darfur region—now infamous for its conflict that broke out in 2003—four peacekeepers were killed in an attack late Tuesday night. The BBC and Al Jazeera have reported that in addition to those killed, all of whom were Nigerian, eight others were injured. The attack took place in the Darfur state capital of El-Geneina about one mile from the UN-African Union Mission (UNAMID) regional headquarters.

According to Al Jazeera:

“‘UNAMID personnel, who were heavily fired upon from several directions, returned fire. UNAMID and local authorities are working at the scene of the incident.’

Lieutenant-General Patrick Nyamvumba, UNAMID commander, called on the Sudanese government to hunt down those responsible.

‘The mission condemns in the strongest terms this criminal attack on our peacekeepers who are here in the service of Darfur’s people. I call on the government of Sudan to bring the perpetrators to justice,’ he said.

Al Jazeera’s Harriet Martin, reporting from the capital Khartoum, said: ‘This is one of the deadliest attacks that UNAMID has experienced, bringing to a total 42 peace keepers killed since the mission was set up at the end of 2007.'”

Read more about this story on The BBC and Al Jazeera.

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Jazz Legends Jarreau, Lewis and Marsalis Work to Keep Jazz in Schools

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by

Christopher A. Daniel

Efforts are being made in Southeast American high schools to perpetuate the importance of the arts in education. (Jina Wilson)

Public schools and universities throughout America are cutting their music and arts programs at a rapid pace due to budget deficits. Thankfully, jazz musicians are working to keep jazz music alive in schools, while helping students appreciate the role that music can play in one’s life. Iconic jazz singer Al Jarreau, award-winning composer Ramsey Lewis and Branford Marsalis of the legendary first family of jazz, are working to ensure that youth not only have a sense of music history but also continue to nurture their creativity, despite the cutbacks.

Seven-time Grammy Award-winning artist Al Jarreau hosted a Master Jazz Music Class at Atlanta’s Benjamin E. Mays High School in September. The following evening, Jarreau and three-time Grammy Award-winning pianist and composer Ramsey Lewis, curated the Jazz Roots Series, entitled Jazz & Soul, at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. As part of the venue’s educational outreach initiative ArtsBridge, Jarreau and Lewis treated 100 high school students, from four schools, to a soundcheck and Q&A session. The singer/songwriter, famous for scatting and his ability to vocally resemble musical instruments was impressed by the primarily African American high school’s musical collective.

He expresses his joy for talking with youth and seeing how music education positively influences their lives. “Jazz is this wonderful thing that influenced the world,” he says. “There’s no better place to be than in a classroom and learning. Some of our finest ambassadors were jazz musicians who went to other countries and explained the story of America. Education is still the answer; it’s a good way to learn about life’s importance and spiritual leanings.”

Saxophonist Branford Marsalis is also an acclaimed educator. The Tony-nominated composer, saxophonist and bandleader has held past positions at Michigan State, San Francisco State University and Stanford University. He is currently serving as Artist-In-Residence at North Carolina Central University, where he has received mixed reviews from students and colleagues on his teaching style. His jazz-based platform emphasizes critical thinking and application, which is why he believes that students and faculty perceive him as a challenge. “It’s a completely different way of thinking,” says Marsalis. “Regardless of whether students become a musician or not, they’ll benefit from the expanded way of thinking. Why not just learn something that you never really know and figure out how you can put that to use later in life? Jazz at its highest level teaches you that,” added Marsalis.

Marsalis, a Jazz Master Fellow for the National Endowment for the Arts, launched his tour with his quartet at Emory University the same night as the Jazz Roots Series to promote their new project Four MFs Playin’. Mr. Marsalis expanded his recent musical project by collaborating with symphonies and listening to more classical music — a technique he’s sharing with his students. “Kids have to get used to really hearing complicated songs which is very different for them,” he says. “Students learn a lot of methods instead of just playing music, but in doing so really aren’t able to engage the casual listener. You have to find a way to get people to relate to the sound of this music. The whole idea is to get people who are accustomed to listening to different forms of music to find elements in our music that are easy to detect.” That’s music to the ears of those who support music programs in schools.

Christopher A. Daniel is a pop cultural critic and contributor to The Burton Wire. He is also a contributing writer for Urban Lux Magazine and Blues & Soul Magazine. Follow Christopher @Journalistorian on Twitter.

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Uruguay: Congress Passes Abortion Bill By Slim Margin

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The Uruguayan Congress voted on Tuesday to legalize abortion. The bill is expected to pass both the Senate and President Jose Mujica. (Google Images)

The BBC and The Associated Press are reporting that after a vote by Congress late Tuesday night, Uruguay is well on its way to becoming only the second country in Latin America to legalize abortion for all women. The law must still be approved by both the Senate and President Jose Mujica, but it is expected to pass. Last year the Senate approved a similar version of the law and President Mujica has said he will do the same. Current legislation in Uruguay allows abortion only under circumstances of rape and the safety of the mother.

According to The Associated Press:

“The Chamber of Deputies’ legislation would give women the right to a legal abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and decriminalize later-term abortions when the mother’s life is at risk or when the fetus is so deformed that it wouldn’t survive after birth. In cases of rape, abortions would be legal during the first 14 weeks.

Deputy Pablo Abdala of the opposition National Party vowed Wednesday to promote a popular referendum to overturn the law, if Mujica doesn’t veto it, calling the measure a violation of human rights.

However, polls suggest many more Uruguayans favor abortion rights than oppose them.

A survey this month showed 52 percent of Uruguayans would vote to legalize abortion if the question were put to the people, while 34 percent would vote against it. The survey of 802 people nationwide by the CIFRA consulting firm had a 3.4 percentage point margin of error.”

Read more about this story on The BBC and The Associated Press.

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President Obama Urges Free Speech in New Arab and North African Democracies

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President Barack Obama addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, September 25. (Google Images)

Helene Cooper of The New York Times is reporting that President Barack Obama, during his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, called for freedom of speech as a universal right. His 30-minute speech in front of the General Assembly came in the face of recent anti-American activity, including the killing of the U.S. ambassador to Libya earlier this month. President Obama used his platform to encourage this freedom as a “weapon” against hate speech and violence. Additionally, he maintained that “restrictions on speech can be used to oppress minorities.”

EXCERPT

“‘As president of our country, and commander in chief of our military, I accept that people are going to call me awful things every day,’ Mr. Obama said. ‘And I will defend their right to do so.’ For that, he received cheers in the cavernous hall.

The president worked to explain — before a sometimes skeptical audience that has never completely bought into the American idea that even hateful speech is protected — why the United States values its First Amendment so highly.

‘We do so because in a diverse society, efforts to restrict speech can become a tool to silence critics, or oppress minorities,’ Mr. Obama said. ‘We do so because given the power of faith in our lives, and the passion that religious differences can inflame, the strongest weapon against hateful speech is not repression, it is more speech — the voices of tolerance that rally against bigotry and blasphemy, and lift up the values of understanding and mutual respect.’ He said Americans ‘have fought and died around the globe to protect the right of all people to express their view.'”

In his address to the General Assembly, President Obama also discussed his position on nuclear arms in Iran and the overall state of democracy in Arab nations.

Watch President Obama’s speech and read more about this story at The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times.

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CARICOM Joins Battle Against Cholera in Haiti and DR

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People cover their faces in the Dominican Republic because of the cholera outbreak. (Google Images)

Caribbean 360 is reporting that CARICOM has joined the fight against cholera devastating Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has signed a declaration to become one of the latest partners in a new regional coalition that will focus on shoring up water and sanitation infrastructure for the elimination of cholera in Hispaniola. The hurricane ravaged countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic have battled a massive cholera outbreak since the January 2010 earthquake that devastated the region. The goal of the coalition is to support the governments of Haiti and the Dominican Republic in streamlining international assistance to ensure universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The coalition is made up of  Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), UNICEF, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the Inter-American Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (AIDIS) in addition to the governments of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Read more at Caribbean 360.

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How Sweet the Sound Gospel Festival: Gospel Gives Back

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by

Christopher A. Daniel

Verizon’s How Sweet The Sound (HSTS) Gospel Celebration made its second stop in Atlanta on Monday, September 10. (Erin Kyle)

Genesis 4:9 states, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” So is that true among contemporary gospel acts? Simply put – the answer is yes.

During the Mon., Sept. 10 stop – the second of eight cities – in Atlanta for Verizon’s How Sweet The Sound (HSTS) Gospel Celebration at Philips Arena, a few best-selling, award-winning recording artists – hosts Donald Lawrence and Yolanda Adams along with judges Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Erica Campbell of Mary Mary, Fred Hammond and CeCe Winans – placed heavy emphasis on their individual humanitarian efforts, philanthropic initiatives and community outreach programs. “Most of us on this panel have our own ministries and have our own conferences,” Adams said. “We’re all doing our part to our individual areas, and then we have a chance to come together. We all support one another’s ministries. It’s being done.”

Considering the current generation of black performers and musicians across all genres are often perceived and subjected to scrutiny for their supposed lack of social responsibility, these artists believe their influence should be used to enlighten, inspire, empower, raise morale and enhance all humanity. Adams, who hosts a nationally syndicated faith-based radio show, has ventured into her own line of turkey burgers. The dietary initiative, Adams says, began as an alternative to her developing food allergies. It was through her own research she found that 40 percent of kids are allergic to something. The singer also participated in a health and wellness tour encouraging people to check their heart rate and blood pressure. “I just want to service them,” she said. “Not just with high quality food but nutritious food; they’ll develop and love good food for the rest of their lives. It’s so important when you get a certain age, you can’t do some of the things you used to do or eat some of the things you used to eat.”

Children are a major concern among the gospel community. CeCe Winans’ Always Sisters Forever Brothers, an annual youth conference in Nashville under the singer’s Sharing the Vision Foundation, integrates faith-based motivational speaking and workshops with live entertainment. This program has been in existence since 2005. Along those parallel lines, Mary Mary has a mentorship program with the purpose of being role models for young women. Hammond, the forerunner and architect behind the spiritual subgenre “Urban Praise and Worship” who in fact started his musical career as a bassist for The Winans, hosts jam sessions for young musicians with his support group, Warehouse Worship. Bishop Walker, affiliated with HSTS since its infancy — provides spiritual nurturing and mentoring to various pastors and their temples with his Covenant Keepers International Fellowship.

Lawrence – also a main fixture and spokesperson for HSTS since its 2007 origins who Adams states is always doing something connected to the church — spent three years as a music business professor at Chicago’s Columbia College. He had to sacrifice his faculty position due to his intense travel schedule. “When we get to speak to the choirs and talk to them and give them pointers, that’s a type of mentorship,” he says. “People go to the choir for refuge or some people are going through broken homes. They lean on the choir for that family thing.” Gospel artists are more than performers –they use their fame and fortune to also benefit the community — a story that is rarely told in mainstream media.

Christopher A. Daniel is a pop cultural critic and contributor to The Burton Wire. He is also a contributing writer for Urban Lux Magazine and Blues & Soul Magazine. Follow Christopher @Journalistorian on Twitter.

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