The NAACP National Board of Directors has announced the selection of Benjamin T. Jealous as National President & CEO. He is the 17th person chosen to lead the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization in its 99-year history. Benjamin Todd Jealous served as President of the Rosenberg Foundation, a private independent institution that supports advocacy efforts to make significant improvements in the lives of California’s working families and recent immigrants. Also, he was Director of U.S. Human Rights Program at Amnesty International. While there, he led its efforts to pass federal legislation against prison rape, rebuild public consensus against racial profiling in the wake of the September 2001 terrorist attacks, and expose the widespread sentencing of children to life without the possibility of parole. Formerly, Jealous served as Executive Director of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Columbia University and a master’s degree in comparative social research from Oxford University where he was a Rhodes Scholar.
Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church’s Mens Day
Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church (A. M. E.), located at 3500 W. Holmes Road, Lansing, under the leadership of Rev. Nathan Dixon, and the Sons of Allen announces its schedule of activities for this year’s Men’s Day Weekend celebration. The activities begin with a “Spiritual Workshop” facilitated by the distinguished AME Bishop James Levert Davis, the Presiding Prelate of the 19th Episcopal District. This workshop will take place on Saturday May 31 at 9:00 AM at the church. Light refreshments will be served. Later in the day at 6:00 PM, Trinity will present a recognition program, where the members of Trinity will salute selected members of the churches constituent organizations for stellar and steadfast commitment to the church and community. The entire community is invite to this program which will provide an evening of fun, recognition and renewal. Again snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Then, on Sunday, June 1, 2008, beginning at 10:00 A.M., the Men’s Day worship service will be held. Bishop James Levert Davis will be the keynote speaker. As Presiding Prelate of the 19th Episcopal District, he oversees a district which embraces the northern half of the Republic of South Africa with headquarters in Johannesburg. The District comprises five (5) conferences: the Orangia, the Natal, the M M Mokone, the East and the West. Prior to his election as a Bishop, he served as Senior Pastor of Big Bethel A. M. E. Church in Atlanta, Georgia. For twelve years as an innovator, builder, visionary force and Spiritual leader, he is remembered for leading over 1200 souls to Christ and spearheading many dynamic programs and projects to better serve the people of the community. Also featured throughput the service will be the “Mighty Men and Boys Chorus” under the directorship of Dr. John Revis.
The entire Lansing community is invited to join Trinity for these activities. All males are invited to be at Trinity AME Church at 9:45 A.M. for the Sunday morning worship to prepare for the procession into the sanctuary. Contact the church office at (517) 882-5722, if you have any questions about either activity.
Arson Awareness Week in Michigan
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm proclaimed May 4-10, 2008 as Arson Awareness Week in Michigan to increase awareness of the damage arson causes our communities. Deliberately set fires affect the entire community due to the costs of destruction of property creating loss of employment, loss of taxes and the cost of human lives.
During 2006, 31% of our fires are Arson or suspicious fires at a total of $229 million in direct property. The indirect costs to the community climb with increased insurance premiums, Firefighting, Emergency Medical Services and Law Enforcement costs, legal work and medical or mental health costs.
This year’s theme focuses on novelty lighters and the danger these pose to our children. Toy like or novelty lighters have been responsible for injuries, deaths, and accidents across the nation. Children are attracted to novelty lighters because they look like toys, with visual effects, flashing lights, musical sounds, and toy like designs.
The fire service is well aware that most child-playing home fires are started with lighters or matches. Since 1994, the first year of the Consumer Product Safety Council’s child-resistant lighter standard, these fires have consistently declined according to the National Fire Protection Association.
National Fire Incident Reporting for 2006 shows Michigan had 902 fires as the result of children playing. Of the fire service reports submitted, these fires caused injuries to nine citizens, two firefighters and death to three of our citizens.
“It is not enough to warn children of the dangers of these lighters. This legislation is necessary to protect children from the serious consequences of fire” said Andy Neumann, State Fire Marshal.
Additional information to share in your community is available at:
http://www.theideabank.com/psa/NoveltyLightersTV.html
“Picnic on the Lawn” to Be Held June 11
at Women’s Historical Center
LANSING, MI — For the 24th consecutive year, the Friends of the Michigan Women’s Historical Center invites the public to join them at their summer fundraiser, “Picnic on the Lawn,” set for Wednesday, June 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Historical Center.
This year’s program will include comedienne Toni Imhoff, sketch artist Shirley Hazlett, and music by the Second Time Around Band. Guests will also be able to take advantage of free rides in a historic 1905 Curved Dash Olds.
Good Eats Catering has been engaged to cater the event, with Sparrow Health System contributing cookies. Midway through the evening, a raffle will be held. The top three prizes include two nights’ stay for two at Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel; a set of his and hers Sultana Swiss watches from Lansing’s Linn & Owen jewelers; and a recliner chair from La-Z-Boy in Monroe. Other prizes include a year’s supply of bread from Panera, a bottle of wine autographed by Governor Jennifer Granholm, a sunset cruise to Charity Island lighthouse in Saginaw Bay, theatre vouchers, spa certificates, and more. Raffle tickets are priced at $2 each, or three for $5.
Admission tickets to the Picnic on the Lawn are priced at $40 per adult (with $30 tax deductible), $8.50 for children ages 6-18, and are available through the Historical Center office. All profits will help meet the Center’s operating expenses.
The Michigan Women’s Historical Center was established in 1987 by the Michigan Women’s Studies Association, which seeks to improve what is taught and thought about women in schools, colleges, and universities. Inside the Historical Center are changing galleries highlighting women’s history and art as well as the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, commemorating more than 200 Michigan women past and present. Operating hours are from noon to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, noon to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, and 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday. Photographs, biographical sketches, and lesson plans relating to the Hall of Fame honorees may also be viewed at http://hall.michiganwomenshalloffame.org.
