SUDANese CommUNITY Center
Opens in Illinois
By: Saharra Jovan White
Say It Loud! Publisher
Early this month the state of Illinois opened their first Sudanese Commu¬nity Center. The center, which opened on Tuesday, Septem¬ber 9th in Naperville, opened to service the large Sudanese community in Illinois. In the Chicago area there are 800-1000 Sudan refugees and their families.
A number of refu¬gees have left Darfur to flee from the genocide and came to America and Illinois. The genocide has killed between 200,000-450,000 people and displaced 2.5 million. A num¬ber of refugees came to Illi¬nois as members of the group the Lost Boys of Sudan. The group, 27,000 boy refugees walked miles to flee the Sec¬ond Sudanese Civil War that occurred from 1983-2003.
During the opening ceremony for the center Ma¬nute Bol an NBA legend and Bob “Butterbean” Love, as well as elected officials and leaders from the Darfuri and Sudanese community came out. Bol is a native from the Sudan was the NBA’s tallest basketball player. Love the current Director of Commu¬nity Relations for the Chicago Bulls is a former Bulls all-star.
Elected officials that came out to the event in¬clude State Senator Randall Hultgreen, State Representa¬tive Mike Fortner, members of the DuPage County Board, and members of the Naperville City Council.
The center will pro¬vide a number of services for the Sudanese community. The center was “a chance to open a center in Illinois serving the Sudanese and their fami¬lies and to help refer them to needed social services and to also make sure there is one central hub for Sudan/Darfur advocacy in Illinois,” said Sean Tenner, Save Darfur Co¬alition.
Besides social ser¬vices the center will also of¬fer classes to the community. Classes being held at the cen¬ter include women’s empow¬erment and credit & financial education courses as well as many others.
The Sudanese Com¬munity Center is located at 131 W. Jefferson Ave. Naper¬ville, IL.
ACTOR GLYNN TURMAN EARNS 1ST EMMY WIN
Honor Highlights Fifty Year Stage and Screen Career
From his portrayal of the iconic role of ‘Preach’ in Cooley High to the stern but lovable ‘Colonel Taylor’ on the hit series A Different World, for five decades Glynn Turman has helped bring to life some of film and television’s most memorable characters. However, it is his recent effort as ‘Alex Sr.’ on the HBO series In Treatment that earned the veteran actor his first Emmy® Award.
In a category that included Robin Williams, Stanley Tucci, Charles Durning, Robert Morse and Oliver Pratt, Turman’s performance impressed television Academy voters and earned him the Emmy® for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.
While this is Turman’s first Emmy® nod, the veteran actor, producer, director is no stranger to accolades. He turned in critically-acclaimed performances as Mayor Royce on the HBO series The Wire, which earned him a 2007 ‘Best Supporting Actor’ NAACP Image Award nomination, while his role in the indie feature “Kings of the Evening” won ‘Best Supporting Actor’ honors earlier this year at the San Diego Black Film Festival.
Currently, Turman is filming the upcoming Screen Gems feature, “Bone Deep,” with Matt Dillon (Crash), Idris Elba (Daddy’s Little Girls), Tip “T.I.” Harris (American Gangster) and Chris Brown (Stomp the Yard). Next, he will return to the stage appearing in August Wilson’s Two Trains Running, opposite Earl Billings (Thank You For Smoking), Russell Hornsby (Lincoln Heights) and Felton Perry (The West Wing). The play opens October 10 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Theatre in Los Angeles and runs through November 9.
In a category that included Robin Williams, Stanley Tucci, Charles Durning, Robert Morse and Oliver Pratt, Turman’s performance impressed television Academy voters and earned him the Emmy® for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.
While this is Turman’s first Emmy® nod, the veteran actor, producer, director is no stranger to accolades. He turned in critically-acclaimed performances as Mayor Royce on the HBO series The Wire, which earned him a 2007 ‘Best Supporting Actor’ NAACP Image Award nomination, while his role in the indie feature “Kings of the Evening” won ‘Best Supporting Actor’ honors earlier this year at the San Diego Black Film Festival.
Currently, Turman is filming the upcoming Screen Gems feature, “Bone Deep,” with Matt Dillon (Crash), Idris Elba (Daddy’s Little Girls), Tip “T.I.” Harris (American Gangster) and Chris Brown (Stomp the Yard). Next, he will return to the stage appearing in August Wilson’s Two Trains Running, opposite Earl Billings (Thank You For Smoking), Russell Hornsby (Lincoln Heights) and Felton Perry (The West Wing). The play opens October 10 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Theatre in Los Angeles and runs through November 9.
RUNNING WITH INTEGRITY:
First Indian Republican Candidate Pledges To Be A True Public
Servant, To The 27th District
First Indian Republican Candidate Pledges To Be A True Public
Servant, To The 27th District
By: Ricki Morris
Say It Loud! Staff
Say It Loud! Staff
Elections are approaching, and the opportunity to create change is just a pen punch away. Currently taxes, gas prices, health care and the cost of living are soaring and unfortunately, the job market isn’t able to assist those searching for income earning opportunities. There are many passionate individuals running for office, to be public servants to their country; Republican candidate, Navraj Singh, 61, is one of those individuals.
Singh was born in Armistar India, and raised in New Delhi. Before he became a U.S. citizen, he served as a military captain in the Indian Army, in the 1971 war against Pakistan sited on IndiaPost.com. His political hero’s are Martin Luther King Jr. and President Kennedy.
“We are in trouble, if we don’t try to take care of it now, these problems are going to be here for our children. I’m not going to let that happen. I love this country passionately,” professed Singh. He has been a resident of the United States, for 34 years, and he says he wants nothing more than to serve the people of his district.
Singh moved to US from India, and he says he has noticed a constant downfall in the economic support from the government. He also adds, that he noticed the size of the government increase, and the decision making quality decrease.
“They’re doing less and less, and anything that they do, they mess it up,” said Singh. To support his statement, Singh mentions the current housing crisis. “I blame the government, because they were supposed to regulate our housing industry.” The regulation he informs was to make sure that those receiving loans have sufficient means for repayment.
Singh says that the lack of regulation, has in turn made the need for repayment overbearing, and now its on the taxpayers shoulders to fit the bill.
The current U.S. housing account deficit has widened to $183.1 billion, during its second quarter, which is 5.1% of the gross domestic product (GDP), reported the Commerce Departments in an article for Marketwatch.com.
Congressman Brad Sherman has currently been working for the 27th district, for 6 terms totaling 12 years, and Navraj Singh would like the opportunity to fill his position. “Our current congressman he doesn’t do anything, and when he does something, he accepts money from the lobbyist he’s totally corrupt,” said Singh.
Singh also adds that he’s gone door to door, and has spoken to many of Sherman’s constituents, and they have expressed a disappointment with the lack of accessibility, to their current congressman. Singh says that is completely unacceptable.
If elected, Singh has a couple standards he plans to stand by; that he feels makes him a better candidate than his opponent.
“First and foremost, if I am [to be] elected, I’m going to make sure that my constituents of the 27th district, have unlimited accesses to me anytime. I will make myself available, whatever they want, 24 hours 7 days a week,” said Singh. He also says that he wants to be a public servant, to his constituents, for the sake of public service. Singh will not be accepting any of the incentives that come along with being a member of congress. “I will not be accepting the federal salary [while] defending our country,” pledged Singh. He believes that many congressmen lose sight of their responsibilities as public servants, once they begin accepting money to fund their campaigns. “They get corrupted by the system.”
As an owner of several restaurants, Singh has created his own economic stability. When Singh arrived to the states, he had very little, and now he’s able to support himself sufficiently. “I’ve been very blessed, I came with seven dollars to this country, and this country has been so good to me, that I opened 18 to 19 restaurants, in the last 25 to 30 years.” Singh plans to continue to live off of the revenue of his current businesses. “I think that I can support myself, and I don’t need a lot of money to support myself, I live very modestly,” admits Singh.
The 2008 General Elections will be held, Tuesday, November 4th. To register to vote, go to www.calvoter.org. If you would like more information on Navraj Singh, go to www.singforcongress.com.
Singh was born in Armistar India, and raised in New Delhi. Before he became a U.S. citizen, he served as a military captain in the Indian Army, in the 1971 war against Pakistan sited on IndiaPost.com. His political hero’s are Martin Luther King Jr. and President Kennedy.
“We are in trouble, if we don’t try to take care of it now, these problems are going to be here for our children. I’m not going to let that happen. I love this country passionately,” professed Singh. He has been a resident of the United States, for 34 years, and he says he wants nothing more than to serve the people of his district.
Singh moved to US from India, and he says he has noticed a constant downfall in the economic support from the government. He also adds, that he noticed the size of the government increase, and the decision making quality decrease.
“They’re doing less and less, and anything that they do, they mess it up,” said Singh. To support his statement, Singh mentions the current housing crisis. “I blame the government, because they were supposed to regulate our housing industry.” The regulation he informs was to make sure that those receiving loans have sufficient means for repayment.
Singh says that the lack of regulation, has in turn made the need for repayment overbearing, and now its on the taxpayers shoulders to fit the bill.
The current U.S. housing account deficit has widened to $183.1 billion, during its second quarter, which is 5.1% of the gross domestic product (GDP), reported the Commerce Departments in an article for Marketwatch.com.
Congressman Brad Sherman has currently been working for the 27th district, for 6 terms totaling 12 years, and Navraj Singh would like the opportunity to fill his position. “Our current congressman he doesn’t do anything, and when he does something, he accepts money from the lobbyist he’s totally corrupt,” said Singh.
Singh also adds that he’s gone door to door, and has spoken to many of Sherman’s constituents, and they have expressed a disappointment with the lack of accessibility, to their current congressman. Singh says that is completely unacceptable.
If elected, Singh has a couple standards he plans to stand by; that he feels makes him a better candidate than his opponent.
“First and foremost, if I am [to be] elected, I’m going to make sure that my constituents of the 27th district, have unlimited accesses to me anytime. I will make myself available, whatever they want, 24 hours 7 days a week,” said Singh. He also says that he wants to be a public servant, to his constituents, for the sake of public service. Singh will not be accepting any of the incentives that come along with being a member of congress. “I will not be accepting the federal salary [while] defending our country,” pledged Singh. He believes that many congressmen lose sight of their responsibilities as public servants, once they begin accepting money to fund their campaigns. “They get corrupted by the system.”
As an owner of several restaurants, Singh has created his own economic stability. When Singh arrived to the states, he had very little, and now he’s able to support himself sufficiently. “I’ve been very blessed, I came with seven dollars to this country, and this country has been so good to me, that I opened 18 to 19 restaurants, in the last 25 to 30 years.” Singh plans to continue to live off of the revenue of his current businesses. “I think that I can support myself, and I don’t need a lot of money to support myself, I live very modestly,” admits Singh.
The 2008 General Elections will be held, Tuesday, November 4th. To register to vote, go to www.calvoter.org. If you would like more information on Navraj Singh, go to www.singforcongress.com.
CBCF to Address National Foreclosure Crisis at ALC ‘08 Town Hall Meeting
Onsite Representatives Will Be Available to Help
Homeowners With Financial Concerns
Homeowners With Financial Concerns
WASHINGTON -- The Congressional Black Caucus
Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) will focus on the nation’s housing foreclosure crisis and possible solutions - - and match housing and financial representatives with affected homeowners - - at a national town hall meeting scheduled during its 38th Annual Legislative
Conference at the Walter
E. Washington Convention Center.
Titled “Foreclosure Crisis: Repercussions, Reasons
and Real Solutions” the two-part town hall meeting will be held from 9 to 11:45 a.m., Thursday, September 25, and focus on the mortgage crisis,
its causes, recommended next steps and providing resources
to those in need. Marc Morial, president and chief executive
officer of the National Urban League, will moderate both parts.
The first panel will look at the effects of the Neighborhood Stabilization Bill on mortgages and foreclosures.
U.S. Reps. Elijah E. Cummings of Maryland, Barney
Frank of Massachusetts, Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas and Maxine Waters of California
will join Morial in the discussion.
Other panelists will include Franklin D. Raines, the former chairman and chief executive officer of Fannie Mae, and officials from Citi, the Federal Home Loan Bank and NeighborWorks America.
The second panel will include Mayors Cedric B. Glover of Shreveport, La.; William Bell of Durham, N.C., and Wayne Hall of Hempstead, N.Y., who along with a host of community leaders will share solutions that have worked in their areas. This interactive session will give the audience the opportunity to address policy
from the regional and local perspectives.
“This housing crisis
has a trickle-down effect that is affecting millions of Americans every day,” said Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of CBCF. “We will be hearing very personal, very real stories of what is going on beyond Washington. That is why we will have critical breakout and call-for-action sessions in the convention center following the town hall meeting.”
The town hall meeting
will then segment into two breakout sessions: “Save or Sell” and “Credit Management After the Crisis.” Participants will learn specific information regarding credit management, mistakes to avoid and how to decide whether to hold onto or sell a home.
On September 25-26, CBCF will host a call-for-action during which time national mortgage institutions, nonprofit housing agencies, community organizations and real estate professionals will help homeowners repackage their mortgages, manage and repair their credit and rebuild after losing their homes. Homeowners
seeking help should bring two of their most recent pay stubs, their most recent mortgage statement and their mortgage closing documents.
“What is going on in America right now is a shame and frightening,” Scott said. “Many families are struggling to hold onto their homes and many times, if they had just made a call to their creditors and mortgage companies, they would not have to lose everything.
The Congressional Black Caucus and the Foundation are bringing together resources to help people keep the homes that they have worked so hard to buy. Our hope is to maintain and grow the American dream of homeownership.”
Overall, more than 18,000 people focusing on issues
impacting African Americans
and the African diaspora attend ALC each year. The four-day conference features dozens of policy forums, general sessions, exhibits, a job fair, book signings and networking opportunities. It ends with a star-studded awards dinner and after-dinner gala. Registrants include elected officials, business and industry
leaders, celebrities, media, emerging leaders and everyday Americans.
Headlining ALC will once again be the 42 members of the CBC. They will lead forums on education, health care, the environment, economic development,
criminal justice, housing, transportation and international affairs throughout the conference.
On Saturday, September 27, thousands of people will join the CBC and CBCF in honoring the contributions of outstanding individuals
for their contributions to the community and the nation at the awards dinner. Actress Holly Robinson Peete and former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete will co-host the dinner.
Other ALC ‘08 highlights will include:
* Celebration of Leadership for the Visual and Performing Arts. The CBC Spouses will honor “King of the Blues” legend B.B. King; Howard Bingham, Muhammad
Ali’s longtime photographer, and visual artist Betye Saar at the National Museum of Women in the Arts on Wednesday, September
24. The next morning, the CBC Spouses and CBC members will provide food, clothing and health services at a homeless shelter
in Northwest Washington.
* “Realizing the Vision: CBC Leadership in the Environmental
Justice Movement.” CBCF’s award-winning online library, Avoice: African Americans in Congress (www.avoiceonline.org), will launch a new exhibit on environmental justice at an invitation-
only luncheon on Friday, September 26. Luncheon speakers
will discuss the past, present and future of African-American environmental activism.
* Presidential Debate Watch. CBCF will host what may be the largest-ever gathering of people to view a general-election presidential
debate in a convention center ballroom on Friday, September 26. The debate will feature Senators
Barack Obama (D-Illinois) and John McCain (R-Arizona) discussing foreign affairs from the University of Mississippi.
* Annual Prayer Breakfast. The Rev. Dr. Floyd H. Flake - pastor of Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York, president of Wilberforce
University in Ohio, and a former congressman -will deliver an inspirational message on Saturday,
September 27. Acclaimed gospel singer Maurette Brown Clark, winner of Stellar Awards in 2000 and 2008, will lead the audience
in musical praise.
* Black Health Empowerment Project (BHEP). CBCF will present
the final stop of its national health initiative tour on Saturday, September 27 in the ALC ‘08 Exhibit
Showcase. International fitness
celebrity Donna Richardson Joyner, creator of “Sweating in the Spirit” exercise videos, and her husband, Tom Joyner, host of the “Tom Joyner Morning Show,” are among the headliners set to appear at BHEP, which is free and open to the public.
For more information
on ALC, please visit www.alc2008.org.
Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) will focus on the nation’s housing foreclosure crisis and possible solutions - - and match housing and financial representatives with affected homeowners - - at a national town hall meeting scheduled during its 38th Annual Legislative
Conference at the Walter
E. Washington Convention Center.
Titled “Foreclosure Crisis: Repercussions, Reasons
and Real Solutions” the two-part town hall meeting will be held from 9 to 11:45 a.m., Thursday, September 25, and focus on the mortgage crisis,
its causes, recommended next steps and providing resources
to those in need. Marc Morial, president and chief executive
officer of the National Urban League, will moderate both parts.
The first panel will look at the effects of the Neighborhood Stabilization Bill on mortgages and foreclosures.
U.S. Reps. Elijah E. Cummings of Maryland, Barney
Frank of Massachusetts, Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas and Maxine Waters of California
will join Morial in the discussion.
Other panelists will include Franklin D. Raines, the former chairman and chief executive officer of Fannie Mae, and officials from Citi, the Federal Home Loan Bank and NeighborWorks America.
The second panel will include Mayors Cedric B. Glover of Shreveport, La.; William Bell of Durham, N.C., and Wayne Hall of Hempstead, N.Y., who along with a host of community leaders will share solutions that have worked in their areas. This interactive session will give the audience the opportunity to address policy
from the regional and local perspectives.
“This housing crisis
has a trickle-down effect that is affecting millions of Americans every day,” said Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of CBCF. “We will be hearing very personal, very real stories of what is going on beyond Washington. That is why we will have critical breakout and call-for-action sessions in the convention center following the town hall meeting.”
The town hall meeting
will then segment into two breakout sessions: “Save or Sell” and “Credit Management After the Crisis.” Participants will learn specific information regarding credit management, mistakes to avoid and how to decide whether to hold onto or sell a home.
On September 25-26, CBCF will host a call-for-action during which time national mortgage institutions, nonprofit housing agencies, community organizations and real estate professionals will help homeowners repackage their mortgages, manage and repair their credit and rebuild after losing their homes. Homeowners
seeking help should bring two of their most recent pay stubs, their most recent mortgage statement and their mortgage closing documents.
“What is going on in America right now is a shame and frightening,” Scott said. “Many families are struggling to hold onto their homes and many times, if they had just made a call to their creditors and mortgage companies, they would not have to lose everything.
The Congressional Black Caucus and the Foundation are bringing together resources to help people keep the homes that they have worked so hard to buy. Our hope is to maintain and grow the American dream of homeownership.”
Overall, more than 18,000 people focusing on issues
impacting African Americans
and the African diaspora attend ALC each year. The four-day conference features dozens of policy forums, general sessions, exhibits, a job fair, book signings and networking opportunities. It ends with a star-studded awards dinner and after-dinner gala. Registrants include elected officials, business and industry
leaders, celebrities, media, emerging leaders and everyday Americans.
Headlining ALC will once again be the 42 members of the CBC. They will lead forums on education, health care, the environment, economic development,
criminal justice, housing, transportation and international affairs throughout the conference.
On Saturday, September 27, thousands of people will join the CBC and CBCF in honoring the contributions of outstanding individuals
for their contributions to the community and the nation at the awards dinner. Actress Holly Robinson Peete and former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete will co-host the dinner.
Other ALC ‘08 highlights will include:
* Celebration of Leadership for the Visual and Performing Arts. The CBC Spouses will honor “King of the Blues” legend B.B. King; Howard Bingham, Muhammad
Ali’s longtime photographer, and visual artist Betye Saar at the National Museum of Women in the Arts on Wednesday, September
24. The next morning, the CBC Spouses and CBC members will provide food, clothing and health services at a homeless shelter
in Northwest Washington.
* “Realizing the Vision: CBC Leadership in the Environmental
Justice Movement.” CBCF’s award-winning online library, Avoice: African Americans in Congress (www.avoiceonline.org), will launch a new exhibit on environmental justice at an invitation-
only luncheon on Friday, September 26. Luncheon speakers
will discuss the past, present and future of African-American environmental activism.
* Presidential Debate Watch. CBCF will host what may be the largest-ever gathering of people to view a general-election presidential
debate in a convention center ballroom on Friday, September 26. The debate will feature Senators
Barack Obama (D-Illinois) and John McCain (R-Arizona) discussing foreign affairs from the University of Mississippi.
* Annual Prayer Breakfast. The Rev. Dr. Floyd H. Flake - pastor of Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York, president of Wilberforce
University in Ohio, and a former congressman -will deliver an inspirational message on Saturday,
September 27. Acclaimed gospel singer Maurette Brown Clark, winner of Stellar Awards in 2000 and 2008, will lead the audience
in musical praise.
* Black Health Empowerment Project (BHEP). CBCF will present
the final stop of its national health initiative tour on Saturday, September 27 in the ALC ‘08 Exhibit
Showcase. International fitness
celebrity Donna Richardson Joyner, creator of “Sweating in the Spirit” exercise videos, and her husband, Tom Joyner, host of the “Tom Joyner Morning Show,” are among the headliners set to appear at BHEP, which is free and open to the public.
For more information
on ALC, please visit www.alc2008.org.