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Historically Speaking
Published
by The Afro-American Historical Association of the
Niagara
Frontier
, P.O. Box
63, Buffalo
NY
14207
Sharon
Holley and Madeline Scott, Editors
Volume 28 Number
1 April
2004
27th
FAMILY HISTORY DINNER
The
Afro-American Historical Association’s 27th Annual Family History
Dinner will be held Friday, May 7th at the New Golden Nugget,
2046 Fillmore Avenue
.
A presentation on the “Buffalonians” will be made by Mrs. Georgia
Burnette. Burnette, a retired
nurse administrator/educator and a free lance writer has spent many months
interviewing the founding members of the Buffalonians.
William
Wells Brown Awards will be presented to Daisy E. Anderson, Rich Newberg,
Mylous Hairston and the Black Progressives of Niagara Falls.
Tickets
for this event are $20 and can be obtained by sending payment to Madeline O.
Scott,
5 Coronation Drive
,
Amherst
,
NY
14226
.
27th
ANNUAL
The
Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier’s 27th
Annual Carter G. Woodson Local History Essay Contest was held on
Saturday,
February 28, 2004
,
at the North Jefferson Branch Library and Center for Local History and
Research. The theme for this
year’s contest was “Striving for Unity: African Americans in
Western
New York
.
The contest coordinator was Mrs. Sharon Holley.
Competition was in three age groups for grades 4-12.
There were cash prizes of $50, $25, and $15 in each age group.
Program participants included a welcome by Mrs. Sandra Bush (Branch
Manager), Mrs. Sharon Holley (Mistress of Ceremonies).
Awards were presented by Mrs. Madeline Scott (President of the
Historical Association). Co-sponsors
of the event included; the Department of Extension Services, BECP
Library, the North Jefferson Branch, the Lit-Mus Study Club, the Buffalo
Branch NAACP ACT-SO Program, and Mr. Carl Ingraham.
The three place finishers in each category and their winning essays are
listed below.
1ST
PLACE
,
GRADES 7-9,
Adrianna Bails,
Academy
for Visual & Performing Arts – grade 9
THE
LINKS, INC.
"The
LINKS, Incorporated are over 10,000 professional women of color.
There are 270 chapters located in 40 states,
Frankfort
Germany
,
Nassau
, the
Bahamas
, and
South Africa
.
They are accomplished, role models, mentors, activists, and volunteers
who work toward the realization of making the name "LINKS" not only
a chain of friendship, but also a chain of purposeful service."
Their
mission statement states: "The LINKS, Inc. is a volunteer service
organization of concerned, committed and talented women who, linked in
friendship, enhance the quality of life in the larger community.
The organization is primarily concerned with enriching, sustaining, and
ensuring the identities, cultures, and economic survival of African-Americans
and persons of African descent. To contribute to the formulation of a
positive, productive, and culturally diverse society.
The LINKS Inc. also focuses on education, cultural enrichment, health
and wellness and civic involvement. This
focus is implemented through strategies such as in public information and
education, economic development and public policy."
The
Erie County Chapter of The LINKS was established in 1983.
It was started by African-American women in WNY, who shared interests
of charity and helping people. There
are currently 42 women in the Erie County Chapter.
Any African-American woman who is dedicated to working and improving
their community can join. The Erie
County Chapter of the LINKS has many programs that help with the goals of
unity, equality, civil and human rights among African-Americans in
Western New York
.
The Erie County Chapter gives away over $45,000 in scholarships and
awards every year.
Each
year they hold some type of community scholarship function to raise money for
the scholarships they give away. These
scholarships go to African-American students for academics and being active in
the community. Every year they
hold an African American Young Artist Talent Search and award monetary prizes.
The 1st place winner receives lessons in their perspective talent.
In addition to competing in the talent search contestants are also
required to help fund raise, and attend workshops for personal development.
The next one will be held at the end of May. A tutorial program, which
is an ongoing project, is held in public schools #65 and #74 for the 3rd and
4th grades. The LINKS themselves
go and help the kids to improve their reading and math skills. A health fair
was held
November 19, 2003
at the Hyatt, sponsored along with
the Health Awareness Association. The
President of the HAA gave a presentation about obesity for youth.
Projects that the LINKS have planned for 2004 include a scholarship
dinner to raise money for scholarships they offer and the African American
Young Artist Talent Search.
In
conclusion, I feel proud that these women represent African American women in
WNY. I know some women that are
LINKS and they have motivated me greatly and inspired me to want to give back
and help my community whenever I can. Alone,
these women can do a small part, but together, they can do great things.
2ND
PLACE
,
GRADES 7-9
LyNasia
Diane Roberts,
Highgate
Heights
#80– grade 8
THE
BOB
LANIER
CENTER
Deputy
speaker Arthur 0. Eve founded the
Bob
Lanier
Center
"project success" in 1989.
Mr. Eve brought the idea back to the youth planning council of the near
Eastside (YCP) for development. The
Bob
Lanier
Center
is funded by many agencies, such as:
N.Y.S. education development,
Liberty
partnership program, and many more.
The
Bob
Lanier
Center
's main office is located at the
administrative office on
157 Hempstead Avenue
Buffalo
, N.Y. 14215.
There are about 60 people working at the
Bob
Lanier
Center
including volunteers.
The mission of the
Bob
Lanier
Center
is to enable all participants to
graduate from high school, be prepared to enter and complete higher education
or access suitable employment; and, become positive, productive, successful,
adults.
Some
of the programs and/or projects are Drill Team, Dance, Basketball, Swimming,
Flag Football, Computers, Cosmetology, Cooking/Sewing, and also Arts and
Crafts. The
Bob
Lanier
Center
is a great example of a collaborative
effort between a community, its school district, business people, and clergy
and youth agencies. It was this
combined effort that created the agency and its is this kind of effort that
continues to sustain its existence.
I
think the organization can help build unity in the community. I believe this
because the programs that they have bring people, and sound together as one,
and to me that is unity. Other
programs teach children how to work in a team and how to work hard for what
they want in life.
I
think the organization is important in the community, because it provides
service in a warm, nurturing, caring, safe environment, using techniques
skills, information and training that will allow for optimum success as they
teach there participants. I also
think the organization is important to the community because the
Bob
Lanier
Center
is a certified SES provider. Some of
their academic components are math, and English language Arts, tutoring, and
enhancement classes Homework, Assistance Pre-Algebra, and Algebra review
classes. Liaison with day schools, Goal Setting, and Personal Plan Development
Reading Clubs.
3RD
PLACE GRADES
7-9
Ryan
C. Hayashi
,
Highgate
Heights
#80 – grade 8
RONALD
H. FLEMING
“GIVING
BACK TO THE COMMUNITY”
Ronald
H. Fleming has been a resident of the Fillmore District for over 30 years.
During that time he has raised a family and operated a business, Fine
Print News.
Ron
Fleming has had many accomplishments in his time.
From 1975-1981 he was producer and host of “Building a Decent
Future” (WKBW-TV—Ch.7), and producer of the “Fleming Report” (WUFO
Radio). From 1988-1997 he produced
“Families Helping Families” and many other programs.
How
does Ron Fleming give back to the community?
He does many things; during the holidays he passed out turkey baskets,
toys for Christmas, and clothing. He
also gives back by helping the sick and shut-ins.
Ron also goes to hospitals to cheer up people who are not well.
He
also gives back to the community by being a member of the Erie County
Sheriff’s Department’s Staff Reserve Division.
He tries to keep his community safe by being president of the Board of
Block Clubs of Buffalo & Erie County, and president of the Fillmore
Councilmatic District Block Club Coalition.
Ron
Fleming was a nominee for the
Buffalo
Branch NAACP Board of Directors.
He ran to be a member of the
Buffalo
Common Council.
He put up a good defense but lost.
He will keep on trying to earn that position until he does.
Ron
Fleming is now seeking the Fillmore Council Seat.
The reason why is because; (1) “We must cut crime in the streets and
keep drugs away from kids, (2) We must protect our neighborhoods by fixing and
restoring playgrounds, pools, and recreational facilities for our seniors and
children, and (3) We could do better for ourselves.”
This
my essay about Ronald H. Fleming. He
is my uncle, and he gives back to the community, city, state, and country.
RUN! RUN! RUN!
1ST
PLACE GRADES 4-6
Brea
Fates
, Elmwood
Franklin
School
– grade 6
Charlie
H. Fisher, III
The
person and organization that is striving for unity among African Americans in
Western New York
is Mr. Charley H. Fisher, III and his
Community Voice Organization. I
have chosen to write about Mr. Fisher because he has started Initiatives that
strives for unity, equality, civil and human rights among African Americans in
this area.
Mr.
Fisher is the founder of the
Leroy Avenue
and Olympic Avenue Block Clubs. He is
the co-founder and incorporating secretary of the Lovejoy Neighborhood
Revitalization Corporation. He was
the National Director of Colleges and Youth of the Southern Christian
Leadership Conference, founded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Mr.
Charley H. Fisher, III is the former Councilmember-At-Large for the City of
Buffalo
and served as President of the Board
of Directors of the Friends to the Elderly Youth and
Family
Center
.
Mr.
Fisher is also the founder of the Community Voice Organization and severed as
the first President from 1995-1998. Mr.
Fisher states that "the goal of Community Voice is to articulate a
consensus on issues, concerns, needs and desires of the community".
The Community Voice Organization helps both families and youth with
concerns such as education, economic development, housing, health, police and
public policy.
The
Community Voice Organization strives for unity among African Americans by
coming together in a convention. Different groups comes in such as the Buffalo
Urban League, NAACP, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Churches,
and community groups.
The
Community Voice Organization also strives for equality among African Americans
by protesting and closing down deli stores that sold outdated food, drugs, and
guns. In addition, according to
the
July 19-25, 1997
edition of the
Buffalo Criterion "The Community Voice Organization announced a protest
rally, and boycott of the Empire II Pawnbrokers."
The protest was called because of the brutal assault of Mr. Taun Jones
by the owner and employees of the pawnshop.
The protest was successful and the pawnshop is closed.
The
Community Voice Organization strives for civil and human rights among African
Americans by fighting for rights under the law. In 1996 a law was proposed to
charge people a garbage user fee. Mr.
Fisher and the community voice organization held a demonstration where Mr.
Fisher laid down in front of a garbage truck to make a point that the rights
of poor African American's in
Buffalo
maybe violated.
In
closing, Mr. Fisher continues to fight for unity, equality, civil and human
rights for African American's in
Western New York
by putting out a calendar to let our
community know when important events are happening like Juneteenth.
After
interviewing Mr. Fisher, I learned that if you want to make a difference go
out and do it!!!!!!!! Your
community will thank you. The End.
2nd
PLACE GRADES 4-6
Kelly
Ann Giglia
, Campus
West
School
– grade 5
MRS.
EVA DOYLE
Mrs.
Eva Doyle is the person who found the African American Curriculum Center in
1994. She located it in the
Campus
West
School
. (#96) Mrs.
Doyle is in charge of the center and her assistant is Brenda Brown.
In the Center there are books, videos, posters, and African artifacts.
Mrs. Doyle is also a teacher in Campus West.
The
work Mrs. Doyle does is that every year she puts on a tribute to Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. in his honor. No matter what Mrs. Doyle always puts on a
tribute. The tributes of Dr. King goes out through the building. Mrs. Doyle
tries to get people to get along and not to talk about people. Mrs. Doyle does
the tribute to Dr. King because she wants everybody to get along and because
everybody could make a difference if they stop talking about people's color.
Everybody
knows Mrs. Doyle because she shows children how to get along and to respect
people. Mrs. Doyle is a great
person and a excellent teacher. Mrs.
Doyle is a good person to trust and always helps people.
Also in the African American Center there is a display of dolls to show
the different clothing. That's why Mrs. Doyle is important because she helps
people and started the African American Curriculum Center.
.
3rd
PLACE GRADES 4-6
Shamia
Newkirk
, Campus
West
School
– grade 5
MRS.
ROSA GIBSON
Rosa
Gibson was educated at
Carver
High School
in
Detroit
,
Michigan
. She earned an Associates Degree
from the
School
of
Nursing
at
Niagara
County
Community College
, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from D’Youville College.
She
turned her
Best Street
home into a crime fighting
headquarters. She organized the
City of
Buffalo
’s first nighttime citizens patrol.
She is the president of the Masten Park Community Block Club No. 1.
She became leader of the club’s crime watch program.
Her organization is responsible for holding
Buffalo
’s first national night out.
The program was such a success that it went city-wide in 1984.
Mrs.
Gibson had the city replace traffic lights and street signs on several area
streets. Mrs. Gibson is the
president and director of the
Community
Action
Information
Center
(CAIC).
She runs a food shelter that picks up food items from various stores
and makes monthly deliveries to senior citizens.
She works closely with the Buffalo Police Department to report any
illegal street activities, including gangs, illegal drugs, and vacant houses.
Mrs.
Gibson also coordinates and supervises senior aid program workers who are
fifty-five years of age and over,
and are referred to work for center supportive services.
Those programs work with young people and help identify community
needs. Mrs. Gibson supervises and
coordinates the Neighborhood Youth
Task Force.
Mrs.
Gibson is currently seeking to promote open dialogue between the Islamic
Society of America and the community. She
is working to inform the public about the purchase and proposed usage of
485 Best Street
, the former Youth Detention Facility.
Mrs.
Gibson coordinates community beautification projects.
CAIC is part of the Victoria Gardens Partnership Project that works to
transform vacant city lots into evergreen forests, fruit orchards, and
butterfly and memorial gardens for the community to share and enjoy.
Mrs.
Gibson is a human rights activist. Her
current memberships include the Prince of Peace Temple Church of God in
Christ, United Neighborhood Advisory Board, Buffalo Public School Space
Utilization Task Force, and Crime Watch Programs.
Mrs.
Gibson has presented programs and started initiatives to strive for unity,
equality, civil and rights among African Americans in the area.
The previous information has described the history of Mrs. Gibson.
It has also given you examples of how her work contributes to building
unity.
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