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| | | | Is The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) committed to closing one of the best African-centered schools in the America? Yes! Baba Haki and Mama Safisha Madhubuti have fiercely and successfully taught thousands of Black children over the past few decades. CPS, who struggles to successfully educate Black children, wants to put them out of business. 
-------------------------------------------------------- Our Community Needs to Turn Out Ten Thousand Strong to Educate and Protect our Children, and to Save Barbara Ann Sizemore Academy
The appeal to the State Charter School Commission against the decision of CPS to close Barbara Ann Sizemore Academy is going well. The last phase of this process involves a public hearing that will be held at the Sizemore campus on Monday, February 22nd from 5-7 pm. Members of the public can sign up at the school starting at 4 PM and speak for 2 minutes.
Other meetings have been with commission staff and with experts the commission has to review the data submitted.
This public hearing will have 2 members of the commission present. This is an opportunity to speak directly with members of the commission. The commission is made up of some 7 members who will make the final decision regarding CPS closure decision.
So it is essential that the community turns out 10,000 strong at this meeting - as many folks present as possible, parents, children, community members, politicians, etc. - in order to speak directly to commissioners. Please attend this meeting. Bring friends and family. Bring signs! Wear Red, Black and Green. Spread the word to get 10,000 people out to this hearing.
Hearing to Stop the Closure of Barbara Ann Sizemore Academy Monday, February 22, 2016 at Barbara Ann Sizemore Academy 6936 South Hermitage Chicago, Illinois 4:30pm to 7:00pm
Click Here to ask President Barack Obama to take a stand for the successful education of Black children and to support keeping Barbara Ann Sizemore Academy open. Click Here to See and Hear Professor, Dr. Sister, Mother, Teacher Barbara Ann Sizemore |
| Why Don't Some White Parents Want Their Children to See This Social and Historical Cartoon? While the Contents Is Historically Accurate, They Feel that It Will Make their Children Feel Guilty! --------------------------------------------------
 (White) Parents outraged after students shown a "white guilt" cartoon video for Black History Month 
By Peter Holley February 11, 2016
A Virginia school district has banned the use of an educational video about racial inequality after some parents complained that its messaging is racially divisive.
The video contextualizes historic racial disparity in the United States using the metaphor of a race track in which runners face different obstacles depending upon their racial background. It has been shown hundreds of thousands of times at schools and workshops across the country since it was created more than a decade ago, according to the African American Policy Forum, which produced it.
"The video is designed for the general public," said Luke Harris, co-founder of the African American Policy Forum and an associate professor of political science at Vassar College. "We produced something you could show in elementary and secondary schools or in college studies courses."
He added: "We found that the video has a huge impact on the people that we're showing it to. Most of us know very little about the social history of the United States and its contemporary impact. It was designed as a tool to throw light on American history."
But in Glen Allen, about 14 miles north of Richmond, some parents complained, calling it a "white guilt video."
Henrico County Public Schools officials initially defended the video, saying it was "one component of a thoughtful discussion in which all viewpoints were encouraged." But after the story began to spread nationally, school officials switched gears, labeling the video "racially divisive" two days later.
"The Henrico School Board and administration consider this to be a matter of grave concern," School Board Chair Micky Ogburn said in a statement released to The Washington Post. "We are making every effort to respond to our community. It is our goal to prevent the recurrence of this type of event. School leaders have been instructed not to use the video in our schools."
Click Here to See The Trailer of RACE - The Jesse Owens Story |
| Black Student Union at West Springfield High School in Springfield, Virginia told to "Get Over It!" (Black History) "This is Virginia. The confederate capital". | | | Students from The Black Student Union |
By Zara Hill February 10, 2016 I am a 17 year old junior at West Springfield High School in Springfield, Virginia. I am involved in Black Student Union (BSU), a new club here at WSHS. Every year at my school we hold a MANDATORY ATTENDANCE Black History Month assembly in the month of February. In prior years it has been handled by teachers or leadership. This year however due to leadership not wanting to be involved and the creation of the BSU we were allowed the great opportunity to put together this assembly to educate the school community on our history and culture. We have put in many hours during and after school to make this assembly the best it could possibly be under the impression we would have two 30 minutes shows during the school day which the whole school was required to attend. Yesterday, February 9, 2016, we were informed that unlike years before the Black History Month assembly would be one show for an hour that would be OPTIONAL ATTENDANCE for students and teachers. This morning at 7:30 am members of the BSU, including myself, talked to the principal and an admin about why the change was put in place, why were not informed of this change earlier, and to voice our concerns and opinions regarding the sudden change. We all sat in the conference room for about 30 minutes discussing the issue. Though disheartened, annoyed, frustrated, blatantly disrespected we continued to conduct ourselves as young adults to the best of our ability. We had no outbursts of the emotions we were feeling, no one cut the adults off while they were talking, we stayed in order the whole time. Our principal still found reason to believe we were being "hostile" towards him. The majority of our school's race is white. They use the words Nigga, Nigger, and Negro on a regular basis. They ask questions and make comments about our hair, our black features, our backgrounds, that should NEVER even be a thought to come out of their mouths. They have set stereotypes about us that make us seem much less than we are. We are categorized as "them" or when being talked to "you guys" "your kind/type" or "your people". This is what we tried to explain to our principal to get him to understand why this is a necessary educational assembly. Black people are outright disrespected everyday in our school. A kid walked around the school for an entire day with a confederate flag shirt on that read "Redneck Lives Matter". Nothing was done to stop him. We also brought this issue up in the meeting. The answer we got from out principal was "This is Virginia. The confederate capital". The Black History assembly is educational. Our school NEEDS to know who we are and who we are not. We are not all thugs in jail. We are not all ghetto or ratchet. We do graduate and become doctors and lawyers even presidents. We are every bit as important as any other race. Today we were disrespected by our principal and administration.
Call West Springfield Principal Mark Greenfelder at (703) 913-3800 to express your opinion about this issue. |
| My Sister's Keeper of Chicago Lifting As We Climb Conference 
Friday, February 19, 2016
Columbia College, , 8th Floor
1104 South Wabash Avenue
Chicago, Illinois
9:00 am to 3:00 pm |
| University that Graduates the Most Black Students in Illinois in Danger of Closing Because of Budget Mess! --------------------------------------------- Chicago State University students stage walk out and shut down major expressway
| | | Chicago State University students protesting state budget cuts that may close school. Photo by Toussaint Werner |
By Eddy "Precise" Lamarre Photos by Toussaint Werner January 29, 2016
The spirit of discontent continues to linger in the streets of Chicago and the youth continue to rise to the occasion. Students from Chicago State University staged a walk out recently and took their movement to save the school to the streets. They managed to shut down the Dan Ryan Expressway, one of the main arteries into the city for 15 minutes striving to get the attention of the press so that something can be done to save the school.
We spoke with one of the student leaders, Charles Preston, and he provided some insight into how the students feel and how this is affecting the lives of African Americans on the South Side of Chicago.
Charles, it's a pleasure to meet you and I would like to say congratulations on what you and your peers were able to do today. Take a moment and let everyone know who you are. I'm a senior majoring in African American studies and hopefully I will be graduating in December of 2016. | | | Tj Crawford, (left) and Charles Preston (right) Photo by Toussaint Werner |
What are your thoughts about this current situation going on at CSU? I think its frustrating and very maddening. My mother is employed by the university, so while Im out her protesting and trying to organize students I'm also thinking about my mother potentially losing her job. When people talk to us about the school running out of funding I know that means things are going to get tight around the university. This means the loss of services, budget cuts and some have gone as far as to say closure. I hope that doesn't happen. It's really frustrating because we have a governor in Springfield that does not feel it like we feel it. We know what CSU means to the community, students, workers and veterans. A lot of people use the school as a lifeline. The governor and the state legislature don't feel the pain or the grind of this issue. It pisses me off how they do not care about the lives on the South Side of Chicago.
What do you think can be done to save the school? I think everybody should be advocating for Chicago State, and put the pressure on the governor to sign the budget that is not detrimental to CSU, but more conducive to the South Side environment. I don't think any money should be cut. I think all Black leaders should be standing with us and advocating that this budget should be passed. As a community, we need to organize people and organize money so that this does not happen again. I believe in more autonomy in education not necessarily being dependent on the state. | | | Chicago State University students protesting state budget cuts that may close school - Photo by Toussaint Werner |
Tell us what you did today and why the Dan Ryan was a target. I head up a collective of students called #budgetorelse. This Dan Ryan takeover started as a student walkout which was led by Daniel X a member of the Nation Of Islam along with another student by the name of Tj Crawford. They really pushed it. They asked me to be a part of it and I said I would be supportive and vocal about it. Daniel mentioned the goal was really to shut down the Dan Ryan for media attention. I agreed. I felt like we have to put the pressure on these officials and do it by any means necessary. We just take the Dan Ryan for 15 minutes and make a lot of people angry and upset and inconvenience them. We feel like the governor is inconveniencing futures. The response we got from the action is phenomenal.
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Chicago State University Named One of 50 Top Graduate Programs in the United States
 Chicago State University has been ranked as having one of the Top 50 Graduate Schools in America according to an independent study published by the website Grad School Hub. The organization evaluated hundreds of programs and developed a list of the best graduate schools for 2016 based on a number of factors including class size, level of degree awarded, prestige of the faculty, affordability and program rankings.
Chicago State University's School of Graduate and Professional Studies provides students with high-quality instruction and a research-based learning environment. The university takes into account the needs and interests of its students and consistently develops new initiatives that benefit the graduate programs. Faculty members are highly qualified and possess many research and publication credits. Meaningful interaction between faculty and students in multiple settings is common and considered an important part of education at Chicago State. Graduate programs are available in the arts and sciences, education, and health sciences.
Click HERE for the full story and list. |
 Quote of the Day
From The Black Star Learning Center
"Immense power is acquired by assuring yourself in your secret reveries that you were born to control affairs."
- Andrew Carnegie, Industrialist
Quote provided by Black Star Member Stanley Jendresak |
| National Council on Educating Black Children Conference in Baltimore, Maryland April 20 - 23, 2016 
Click Here for details and to register for conference |
"Framing The Narrative For Boys & Young Men of Color" 10 Years of Leadership and The Journey Ahead 
Registration Begins Soon | Save the Date MAY 18-20, 2016 in New York City! Four Good Reasons To Attend #COSEBOC'S Annual Gathering! - GAIN exposure to a national research and education networking community dedicated to accurately framing the narrative for boys and young men of color
- EXPERIENCE some of the country's most prominent leaders driving the charge for educational equity and access
- LEARN about the latest innovations, strategies, and programs relevant to improving outcomes for boys and young men of color
- EXPAND your own community's awareness & value among COSEBOC'S membership, representing every U.S. region and all levels of the educational community
Click Here to learn more about COSEBOC and developing boys of color. |
Men and Women, Do You Want to Earn $42 Per Hour? Do You Want A Career with a Long, Positive Future? Are You Willing to Work Hard and to Learn? Do You Want Wonderful Benefits? If So, Call The Black Star Project to Become A Chicago-Area Electrician You must be interviewed, have a valid driver's license, be drugfree, have proof of citizenship, have a social security card, be at least 17 years old, pass a basic skills and academic test, be in good physical shape, clear a background check, and a have a letter of recommendation. Limited slots available for a April 2016 internship opportunities.
Please call 773.285.9600 today for this limited opportunity. Serious Inquiries Only!
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Chicago State University students stage walk out and shut down major expressway
Chicago State UniversityNamed One of 50 Top Graduate Programs in the United StatesChicago State University has been ranked as having one of the Top 50 Graduate Schools in America according to an independent study published by the website Grad School Hub. The organization evaluated hundreds of programs and developed a list of the best graduate schools for 2016 based on a number of factors including class size, level of degree awarded, prestige of the faculty, affordability and program rankings.Chicago State University's School of Graduate and Professional Studies provides students with high-quality instruction and a research-based learning environment. The university takes into account the needs and interests of its students and consistently develops new initiatives that benefit the graduate programs. Faculty members are highly qualified and possess many research and publication credits. Meaningful interaction between faculty and students in multiple settings is common and considered an important part of education at Chicago State. Graduate programs are available in the arts and sciences, education, and health sciences.Click HERE for the full story and list.
You must be interviewed, have a valid driver's license, be drugfree, have proof of citizenship, have a social security card, be at least 17 years old, pass a basic skills and academic test, be in good physical shape, clear a background check, and a have a letter of recommendation. Limited slots available for a April 2016 internship opportunities.Please call 773.285.9600 today for this limited opportunity.Serious Inquiries Only!
