Every Young Black Man Must See Bring Your 'A' Game; In Georgia, Slavery Is Used to Teach Math and Other Lessons; Chicago Defender Challenges Black Men In America to Bold Action; 88 Cities Have Signed On To Mentor Black Boys in January and February 2012

Every Young Black Man and Black Boy in America Must See "Bring Your 'A' Game"!!! Bring Your 'A' Game  Mario Van Peebles directs and narrates Bring Your 'A' Game. By Shawn Mooring (21st Centurty Foundation Program Officer) Twenty-First Century Foundation's (21CF) Black Men and Boys (BMB) Initiative has recently added a new tool to its arsenal, the groundbreaking documentary film "Bring Your 'A' Game" (BYAG). The film focuses a national spotlight on the challenges affecting black men and boys and facilitates 21CF's work in identifying, highlighting, and supporting strategies that address the BMB crisis. The film was produced in partnership with actor/director Mario Van Peebles and producer Karen Williams. 21CF will use screenings of the film and associated community discussions to catalyze transformation in the lives of urban youth. Innovative technologies and a cinematic style influenced by popular culture add flair to BYAG's examination of strategies that have improved the lives of black men and boys. The film underscores the importance of educational achievement and high school graduation to survival and success in today's world. Spike Lee stars in Bring Your 'A' Game. Interviewees include such black male icons as Richard "Dick" Parsons, Chris Rock, Spike Lee, Dr. Cornel West, Ice Cube, Mayor Cory Booker, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Russell Simmons, Kevin Liles, Lupe Fiasco, Hill Harper, Damon Dash, Kevin Powell, Melvin Van Peebles, Geoffrey Canada, Bruce Gordon, Alan Houston, and others. 21CF seeks to be at the forefront of changing the BMB crisis by building a framework for local coalitions, collaborative efforts, and durable partnerships across all sectors of society. The foundation's BMB initiative helps communities work together on the critical issues collectively identified as a paradigm of change for this crisis. Sean "Diddy" Combs stars in Bring Your 'A' Game. Click Here to see the documentary that every young Black man and Black boy must see -- Bring Your 'A' Game! In Connecticut, Black Male Crisis Tied to Lack of Education   Black Males Need Schooling To Stay Out Of Jail    By Stan Simpson January 6, 2012 I ran into "Stormin" Norman Bailey the other day. The one-time UConn basketball standout (in the 1980s) is a state juvenile detention officer. Baily, a man of faith and community-minded, and I usually end up chatting about the plight of urban youth. Too many times he sees the unfinished products as they come out of Juvie. As a journalist and urban school educator, I see them before they get to Bailey. Frankly, it's not hard to pick out the ones headed for beds in C Block. They are the ones with report cards chock full of F's. That's if they choose to attend class at all. For the most part, we are talking about males. And if you really want to cut to the chase - black males. A few years ago, the national dropout rate for African American males was 70 percent. Today, the high school graduation rate for black boys is about 50 percent. Bailey recently emailed me a link to "Bring Your 'A' Game,'' a fast-paced, 23-minute documentary that showcases an array of high-profile and successful African American males speaking about the value of education and establishing a work ethic. Produced by actor-director Mario Van Peebles and Karen Williams, it is a must see for every urban school student in America. In it, high achievers such as entertainers P. Diddy and Ice Cube; corporate leaders Richard Parsons and Bruce Gordon; author-actor Hill Harper and Newark Mayor Corey Booker (the latter two Ivy League-educated), keep it real about the consequences of dropping out of school. "It's all about your intellectual strength," says Booker, adding that physical prowess "can be taken away from you in an instant." Although many African American boys have misguided aspirations of being professional athletes, the could reality is that most won't. Any shot at a college scholarship is lost when, as the college scouts say, they have "no pencil" - the grades to qualify for college. So, college is out, as are the long-shot prospects of being a pro baller. The result is a high school graduate (or dropout) with few options. As Van Peeples cautions: "You still gotta eat. You've still got to make money. You've still gotta pay rent. You still want all the fly lifestyle, the women, the jewelry, all of it. So how do you get it legally? ... You don't." The viability of the multibillion-dollar prison industry is sustained by underperforming urban schools. These dropout factories produce a precious prison commodity: uneducated urban boys. "Failing schools equal successful prisons," the Rev. Alfonso Wyatt of New York says in the film. Connecticut spends about $720 million a year on its prison system. The Department of Correction, despite recent downsizing, has historically been one of the fastest-growing line items in the state budget. The ethnic makeup of Connecticut's prisons provide fodder for conspiracy theorists. Blacks and Latinos make up about 25 percent of the state's population, but they represent 75 percent of the inmate population. Also,75 percent of the inmates come from the large urban centers - Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven. The state has the widest academic achievement gap in America between white students and their black and Latino peers. In our prisons, 75 percent of the inmates do not have a high school diploma. Some say poverty (or even racism) is the primary reason for these alarming racial disparities. To me, it is about illiteracy. Education - let's just start with reading - is the great elixir. It is no urban legend that many for-profit prison systems base their population projections on third- and fourth-grade reading scores. Or, that there are more African American men incarcerated than there are on college campuses. One in three black males, studies show, will spend time in prison. The plight of the black male has long been a crisis. Black men talking to young brothers about handling their business in the classrooms is a powerful tool. But "Bring Your 'A' Game" is not enough. "We have to show up on a consistent basis and demonstrate to our children that we care," said Stanley F. Battle, former interim president at Southern Connecticut State University. "And we have to tell them something that makes sense. We can't wait until they're locked up and in the prisons." Norman Bailey would agree.   Chicago Defender Calls on Black Men Across America to Take Control of their Communities and Stop Youth Violence   Plea to our men: Step up and be visible  Editorial Saturday, January 7, 2012   With the escalating shootings within the last few weeks you'd think this was summertime chicago. With the senseless foolery that's going on -- Church's Chicken shooting that left two boys dead, slain Officer Clifton Lewis and Nicholas Comacho who barely lived to see the second day of the new year -- we need our men to take back the streets of Chicago. We're calling on the men of Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Iota Phi Theta, Masons, etc. We need you visible on the streets alongside the male youths and young adults that are continuing the foolery. Take back the streets. We need for the Black Star Project to get the One Thousand Men of Action (1,000 MOA) mobilized again. According to the BSP, the 1,000 MOA is a well-structured, comprehensive approach to getting fathers and mentors connected to sons and boys, to reducing violence among youth, improving their behavior and academic performance and increasing safety and a culture of calm in Chicago communities. 1,000 MOA will: Recruit, train and develop men who volunteer as mentors and community revitalizers. Promote better parenting and fathering. Promote and support early childhood education. Share information on college enrollment and higher education and development. Share information on skill training, job training and entrepreneurship. Mentor youth one-on-one, in small groups and in school settings. Support recreation centers, sports programs and after-school programs. Provide social, emotional and psychological support to youth in the community. Help youth and men expunge their criminal records. Patrol communities and transportation hubs and interrupt and mediate violence on the streets of Chicago. Clean litter and debris in communities and plant flowers, grass, trees and edible gardens. Accompany youth for spiritual development at faith-based institutions. Support and assist elders in senior-citizen communities. Facilitate marriage, family development and community living classes for young men. Conduct "Rites of Passage" ceremonies for young men Men, please step up, step out and help stomp out the violence! ___________________________________________________________________________________ Please click here to subscribe to one of the oldest and most important African American newspapers in the country or call 312.225.2400 to subscribe or for more information.   In Gwinnett County, Georgia, Black elementary school students are asked to improve math skills by calculating beatings of slaves!   'If Fred Got Two Beatings Per Day...' Homework Asks Jan 7, 2012 Third graders in in Gwinnett County, Ga., were given math homework Wednesday that asked questions about slavery and beatings. Christopher Braxton told ABC News affiliate WSB-TV in Atlanta that he couldn't believe the assignment his 8-year-old son brought home from of Beaver Ridge Elementary school in Norcross. "It kind of blew me away," Braxton said. "Do you see what I see? Do you really see what I see? He's not answering this question." The question read, "Each tree had 56 oranges. If eight slaves pick them equally, then how much would each slave pick?" Another math problem read, "If Frederick got two beatings per day, how many beatings did he get in one week?" Another question asked how many baskets of cotton Frederick filled. "I was furious at that point," Braxton said. "This outrages me because it just lets me know that there's still racists," said Stephanie Jones, whose child is a student at the school. "Something like that shouldn't be imbedded into a kid of the third, fourth, fifth, any grade," parent Terrance Barnett told WSB-TV. "I'm having to explain to my 8-year-old why slavery or slaves or beatings are in a math problem. That hurts." "In this one, the teachers were trying to do a cross-curricular activity," Gwinnett County school district spokeswoman Sloan Roach said. Roach said the teachers were attempting to incorporate social studies into math problems. "We understand that there are concerns about these questions, and we agree that these questions were not appropriate," she said. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Click Here to view story on ABC News.  You may contact Beaver Ridge Principal Jose DeJesus at 770.447.2688 if you have concerns about this use of slavery in their lesson plan. For 2011, crime is down 2% in Chicago but up 40% in some Chicago Black communities like Englewood.   Join us on Monday, January 9, 2012, 6:30 pm at 3509 South King Drive in Chicago to "Pray The Devil Back To Hell!!! If the women of Liberia can end violence by praying and acting, so can we!  We must pray and we must act, now!!! If the Chicago Police Department can't or won't stop crime in Black communities like Englewood, maybe the Original Men In Black can!  Join the Original Men In Black to patrol Chicago communities!   Sax Preacher aka Minister Rahim Aton is looking for brothers that are willing to be members of the "Original Men In Black" and patrol our neighborhoods so that we can become a community again. Help me to build our own community police force. We are an All inclusive Black conscious movement therefore it doesn't matter what your religion is or what community organization you belong to, you can still be a member of the "Original Men In Black" (O.M.I.B.) E-Mail me @ brominrahim365@aol.com  (let's stop talkin and start walkin).   The Original Men in Black are a group of Black brothers from the Temple of Mercy Association and Franklin Lodge # 25 who grew up on the streets of Chicago, and while growing up on those streets many of them were involved in the negative aspects of life. But through divine inspiration from God, these young man have been resurrected from their mental graves and conquered their adversities under the leadership, teachings, and guidance of Bro. Minister Rahim Chesed Aton "Sax Preacher". After going through similar life circumstances, and understanding what God had brought him through, Minister Wilson decided to dedicate his new life in Christ to reformation and the rehabilitation of young black men and women in the community who face similar obstacles. Even though they wore black suits before the movie "Men In Black" came out, kids would often sing the song to the movie whenever the brothers would travel, so they adopted the name "Original Men In Black" (O.M.I.B.), and took an oath to rid our community of the scum of the earth. Since 1991 the Original Men In Black are seen many times riding the Dan Ryan L' Train delivering the word to the public as a part of their street ministry program. Known for being defenders of the youth, On June 7th 1995 the Original Men In Black were featured in the Chicago Defender news paper for confronting the Ever fresh juice company on creating a wine bottle for kids to drink juice from. Understanding the negative images the media were already projecting of our youth, the Original Men In Black protested and visited the Everfresh Juice company headquarters and stores throughout the black community to make sure no more bottles were sold. In another case the Men in Black were pictured in the September 14th issue of the Time magazine for providing security for the 7 & 8 year old boys who were being charged with the rape and murder of the young Ryan Harris. The Men in Black kept the young boys off camera and out of the media's sight. There's no picture of the young men to be shown by the media to date. Not only do the Men in Black protect our little ones but many times the O.M.I.B.'s can be seen supporting Pastor Paul Jakes in his campaign against police brutality. So when ever the question is asked who would help rid the earth of the scum in the universe remember the Original Men In Black are at your service.   Join us for the film - Pray The Devil Back to Hell!   Tears, chaos and impending threats of more violence descend upon a community after a shooting in Chicago during Christmas week.   on Monday, January 9, 2012 Film: 6:30 pm  Discussion and Prayer: 7:30 pm at  The Black Star Project 3509 South King Drive, Suite 2B Chicago, Illinois $5.00 for members - $10:00 for non-members.  Please call 773.285.9600 to RSVP your seat.   Being sick and tired of being sick and tired is not enough!  You must pray and you must act. On Monday, January 9, 2012, the men and women of Chicago will gather to see the powerful movement and documentary of women that brought peace to war torn Liberia, Pray The Devil Back To Hell.  And the men and women of Chicago will work to pray the devil of violence and despair that is in Chicago back to Hell! Join them.  Men and women across America can join this movement to Pray the Devil (of violence) Back to Hell in your city or town by calling 773.285.9600.  Click Here to view a trailer of the documentary.  Those who have attended previous showings of this documentary will be admitted free. Click Here for a story about crime rates in Chicago. The Black Male Achievement Movement needs Black men in 100 cities to mentor Black boys and young Black men in January and February 2012. 88 cities have already signed up. If your city is not on the list, why not?  Join with strong, positive Black men from around the country and the world working for Black Male Achievement. Join the Black Male Achievement Movement  during January and February 2012, as we mentor tens of thousands of Black boys and young men across America.  The only way to get this...(Morehouse Men)    ...is with this!!!   To become one of the the Servant Leaders in your city planning and directing this effort, please call 773.285.9600. We will provide you with an organizing kit that will help you step-by-step to create, manage or support an outstanding mentoring program in your city.  We will also provide technical assistance and ongoing support. Schools, faith-based organizations, fraternities, Masonic organizations, veterans associations, community-based organizations, affinity organizations, military service personnel, social service agencies, companies and corporations will participate in this effort.  Most mentoring events will occur on January 31, 2012.  Please see cities that are expected to participate as of January 9, 2012:      Albany, New York Atlanta Georgia Aurora, Colorado Baltimore, Maryland Baton Rouge, Louisiana Blandensburg, Maryland Boston, Massachusetts Buffalo, New York Carbondale, Illinois  Chicago, Illinois - South Side Chicago, Illinois - West Side  Chicago, Illinois - South Suburbs Cincinnati, Ohio Colorado Springs, Colorado Dallas, Texas Danbury, Connecticut Danville, Illinois Delray Beach, Florida Detroit, Michigan Denver, Colorado Durham, North Carolina East Chicago, Indiana East Orange, New Jersey Englewood, Colorado Flint, Michigan Flossmoor, Illinois Fort Lauderdale, Florida Gary, Indiana Gilbert, Arizona Hammond, Indiana Hartford, Connecticut Harvey, Illinois Hillside, Illinois Houston, Texas Indianapolis, Indiana  Irvington, New Jersey Jackson, Mississippi Kansas City, Missouri Kenesaw, Georgia Lexington, Kentucky Lithonia, Michigan Los Angeles, California Louisville, Kentucky Macon, Georgia Manassas, Virginia Matteson, Illinois Mentor, Ohio Milwaukee, Wisconsin Minneapolis, Minnesota Munster, Indiana  Nashville, Tennessee New Orleans, Louisiana New York City, New York - Manhattan New York City, New York - The Bronx New York City, New York - Brooklyn New York City, New York - Queens New York City, New York - Long Island New York City, New York - Harlem Newark, New Jersey Oakland, California Oak Park, Illinois Omaha, Nebraska Peoria, Illinois  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Phoenix, Arizona Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Richmond, California Richmond, Virginia Riverdale, Illinois San Bernardino, California San Francisco, California Santan Valley, AZ Seattle, Washington Shelbyville, Indiana  Southaven, Mississippi St. Louis, Missouri St. Paul, Minnesota St. Petersburg, Florida Tampa, Florida Toledo, Ohio Tshwane, Botswana Tuscaloosa, Alabama  University Park, Illinois Vicksburg, Mississippi  Washington, D.C. Waukegan, Illinois White Plains, New York Yazoo City, Mississippi     This event was inspired by the life and life principles of Muhammad Ali (Rumble Young Man, Rumble!).  The Black Male Achievement Movement was born in Louisville, Kentucky in September 2011.  Guidance, support and encouragement for this movement is provided by Open Society Foundations' Campaign for Black Male Achievement.  The National CARES Mentoring Movement and Mentoring U.S.A have signed on as national supporters.  For more information, please call 773.285.9600. Black American and African Communities Have Lioness Mothers and Lion Fathers Who Plan, Organize and Fight to Educate their Children. Join Us for a Meeting of "Lioness Mothers and Lion Fathers" There are some Black American, African and Caribbean parents who will do anything to educate and protect their children. Anything! And in fact, they know that this is the only way that their children will ever be successfully educated in America.  We call those Black American, African and Caribbean parents, "Lioness Mothers and Lion Fathers".  They are like Chinese "Tiger Mothers" but they are African American or of African descent.  They believe in hard work, uncompromising excellence and rigor!   Join Lioness Mothers and Lion Fathers  on Saturday, January 14, 2012 1:15 pm   at The Black Star Project 3509 South King Drive, Suite 2B Chicago, Illinois 60653 If you do not believe that you are the most important person in your child's educational life, this meeting is not for you. If you think that your child's school will give a great education to your child without your participation, this meeting is not for you. If you do not understand that your child educational success is related to the educational success of every child around your child, this meeting is not for you. If you believe that government is capable of delivering a high-quality education for your child, this meeting is not for you. If you are not ready to spend substantial time during the day and the evening at your child's school, this meeting is not for you. If you are not ready to learn new skills and information for the sake of educating your child, this meeting is not for you. If you are not ready to put much of the responsibility for your child's education on you, your child, your family and your community, this meeting is not for you. Otherwise, welcome to the meeting!     We will plan strategies and programs to help Black and African children and students become globally competent.  Lion parents do not ask others to educate and protect their cubs/children, nor do they ask for permission to educate their own children.  If they did, their children would be destroyed.  Lions are responsible for educating their children.  No one else!   This is what people should see when they stop Black and African children from being properly educated.   Bring a Chapter of Black Star Lion Parents to your city by calling 773.285.9600. Click Here to learn about Chinese Tiger Mothers. As many/most Black children in American schools are failing academically, the only way to successfully educate them is with the support and actions of their parents, families and communities.  The only question not answered is, "Will Black people take control of the education of their children?" To Open a Saturday University in Your City, please call 773.285.9600.   We have 15 free Saturday Universities operating in and around Chicago.  Please call 773.285.9600 to register your child for free academic enhancement or for more information about Saturday University.