SPEAK UP!SPEAK UP!SPEAK UP!SPEAK UP! FEBRUARY 2011

This issue is sponsored by: Thomas & Betty Stoner

Speak Up Community News promotes the Culture, Health and Well Being of the community. Subscription is free. Articles and remarks are welcomed. Contact: Brothers Who Care, 131 W. North Avenue, Martin Luther King Community Center, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740. Phone 301-393-9290. Download a full-color copy of this news publication at: www.blackmenwhocare.org.

WORD ON THE STREET

Twelve Months of Black History - February officially marks Black History Month, every month can be used to honor black history in ways that celebrate the diversity that lives among all of us. The list below represents significant people and events that have shaped the history and lives of Black Americans.

January 1863 President Abraham Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation. 1864 Marylanders voted to abolish slavery (Washington County voted 2,441 For abolishing slavery versus 1,638 Against) passing Article 24 of the Declaration

of Rights of the Maryland Constitution of 1864. 1865 Congress passes the 13th Amendment, which abolishes slavery in

America. 1948 U.S. Supreme Count rules that Black Americans have the right to study law at state institutions.

February 1909 NAACP founded in New York City. 1965 Malcolm X, militant activist and former leader of the Nation of

Islam, is assassinated in New York. 1990 Nelson Mandela is released from prison in South Africa after 27 years.

March 1857 U.S. Supreme Court issues the Dred Scott Decision – the case of a slave who claimed freedom on the basis

of seven years of residence in a free state. 1870 Fifteenth Amendment ratified – guarantees voting rights to Black

American men. 1965 Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott ends when municipal bus service is desegregated. April 1862

Slavery abolished in the District of Columbia. 1968 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.

Vincent Porter becomes the first Black American certified in plastic surgery. May 1870 Congress passes the first

Enforcement Act, providing stiff penalties for those who deprive others of their civil rights. 1896 In Plessy vs. Ferguson,

Supreme Court upholds the doctrine of “separate but equal” education and public accommodations. 1954 U.S. Supreme

Court declares segregation in public schools unconstitutional in Brown vs. Board of Education decision. June 1864

Fugitive slave laws repealed by Congress. 1865 Blacks in Texas are notified of Emancipation Proclamation, issued in

1863. Juneteenth (Black Liberation Day) is born marking the event. 1941 Franklin D. Roosevelt issues executive order

establishing the Fair Employment Practice Commission. 1963 Medgar W. Evers, civil rights leader, is assassinated in

Jackson, Mississippi. 1967 Thurgood Marshall, first Black American nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court. July 1868

The 14th Amendment granting blacks full citizenship rights becomes part of the Constitution. 1872 Elijah McCoy patents

his first self-lubricating locomotive engine. The quality of his inventions helped coin the phrase “the real McCoy”. 1948

President Harry S. Truman issues Executive Order 9881, ending segregation in the Armed Forces. August 1831 Nat

Turner, abolitionist, leads a slave revolt in Virginia. 1920 The 19th Amendment to the Constitution is ratified giving women

the right to vote. 1926 Carter G. Woodson, historian and author, inaugurates Negro History Week and later produces the

Negro History Bulletin. September 1862 Emancipation Proclamation is announced. 1957 Federal troops enforce

court-ordered integration as nine children integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. 1963 Four Black

American girls are killed in a Birmingham, Alabama, church bombing. 1968 Arthur Ashe Jr. becomes the first Black

American to win the U.S. Open Tennis Championship. October 1887 Granville T. Woods patents telephone system

and apparatus. 1898 The first Black American-owned insurance company, North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance

Company, is founded. 1899 Issac R. Johnson patents the bicycle frame. 1995 The Million-Man March is held in

Washington, D.C. November 1879 Thomas Elkins patents the refrigeration apparatus. 1897 A.J. Beard patents the

“Jenny Coupler” still used today to connect railroad cars. John L. Love patents the pencil sharpener. 1900 James Weldon

Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson compose “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, the Black National Anthem. December 1884

Granville T. Woods patents telephone transmitter 1941 Dorie Miller, U.S. Navy, shoots down four Japanese planes during

an attack on Pearl Harbor 1950 Dr. Ralph J. Bunche becomes the first black awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 1955 Martin Luther King, Jr. organizes Birmingham bus boycott, marking the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement.

The Civil Rights Timeline is marred by a large number of martyrs who died in their commitment to the civil rights movement, some of those killed where bystanders in the path of an emerging freedom which some have of us may have forgotten the cost or appreciation of the liberties that did not exist at one time for all. Listed below are the numbers that should never be forgotten or ignored, “Lest history repeats itself...” 1554 AUG 17, Supreme Court outlaws school segregation in Brown vs. Board of Education 1955 MAY 7, Reverend George Lee is killed for leading a voter registration drive - Belzoni, Mississippi. AUG 13, Lamar Smith is murdered for organizing black voters - Brookhaven, Mississippi. AUG 28, Emmett Louis Till (age 14) is murdered for speaking to a white woman - Money, Mississippi. OCT 22, John Earl Reese is slain by Night-Riders opposed to black school improvements – Mayflower, Texas. DEC 1, Rosa Parks is arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man – Montgomery, Alabama. DEC 5, Montgomery Boycott begins. 1956 NOV 13, Supreme Court bans segregated seating on Montgomery buses 1957 JAN 23, Willie Edwards Jr is killed by Klan – Montgomery, Alabama AUG 29, Congress passes first Civil Rights Act since Reconstruction SEP 24, President Eisenhower orders Federal troops to enforce school desegregation 1959 APR 25, Mack Charles Parker is taken from jail and lynched – Poplarville, Mississippi 1960 FEB 1, Black students stage sit-in at “Whites Only” lunch counter – Greensboro, North Carolina DEC 5, Supreme Court outlaws segregation in bus terminals 1961 MAY 14, Freedom Riders attacked in Alabama while testing compliance with bus desegregation laws SEP 25, Herbert Lee, voter registration worker, is killed by a White legislator 1962 APR 1, Civil Rights groups join forces to launch voter registration drive APR 9, Cpl. Roman Ducksworth Jr is taken from bus and killed by police – Taylorville, Mississippi SEP 30, Riots erupt when James Meredith, a black student, enrolls in Ole Miss SEP 30, Paul Guihard, a European reporter is killed during the Ole Miss riot – Oxford, Mississippi 1963 APR 23, William Lewis Moore is slain during a One-Man march against segregation – Attalla, Alabama MAY 3, Birmingham police attack marching children with dogs and fire hoses JUN 11, Alabama Governor stands in the schoolhouse door to stop university integration JUN 12, Medger Evers, Civil Rights Leader, is assassinated – Jackson, Mississippi AUG 28, – 250,000 Americans March on Washington DC for civil rights. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivers “I Have A Dream” speech. SEP 15, Addie Collin (14), Denise McNair (12), Carole Robertson (14), Cynthia Wesley (14) are the four schoolgirls killed in the bombing of the 16

th Street Baptist Church – Birmingham, Alabama

SEP 15 ,Virgil Ware (14) is killed during a wave of racist violence – Birmingham, Alabama 1964 JAN 23, Poll Tax is outlawed in Federal elections JAN 31, Louis Allen, witness to the murder of a civil rights worker, is assassinated – Liberty, Mississippi APR 7, Rev. Bruce Klunder is killed protesting construction of a segregated school – Cleveland, Ohio MAY 2, Henry Hezekiah Dee and Charles Eddie Moore are killed by Klan – Meadville, Mississippi JUN 20, Freedom Summer brings 1,000 young Civil Rights volunteers to Mississippi JUN 21, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, Civil Rights workers, are abducted and slain by Klan – Philadelphia, Mississippi JUL 2, President Johnson signs Civil Rights Act of 1964 JUL 11, Lt. Col. Lemuel Penn is killed by Klan while driving North – Colbert, Georgia 1965 Feb 26, Jimmie Lee Jackson, civil rights marcher, killed by State Trooper – Marion, Alabama MAR 7, State Troopers beat back marchers at Edmund Pettus Bridge – Selma, Alabama MAR 11, Rev. James Reeb, march volunteer, is beaten to death – Selma, Alabama MAR 25, Civil Rights march from Selma to Montgomery is completed MAR 25, Viola Gregg Liuzzo is killed by Klan while transporting marchers – Selma Highway, Alabama JUN 2, Oneal Moore, black Deputy, killed by Night-Riders – Varnado, Louisiana JUL 9, Congress passes the Voting Rights Act of 1965 JUL 18, Willie Wallace Brewster is killed by Night-Riders – Anniston, Alabama AUG 25, Jonathan Daniels, Seminary student, killed by Deputy – Hayneville, Alabama 1966 JAN 3, Samuel Younge Jr., student Civil Rights activist is killed in dispute over Whites-Only restroom – Tuskeegee, Alabama. JAN 10, Vernon Dahmer, black community leader, killed in Klan bombing – Hattiesburg, Mississippi JUN 10, Ben Chester White is killed by Klan – Natchez, Mississippi JUL 30, Clarence Triggs is slain by Night-Riders – Bogalus, Louisiana 1967 FEB 27, Benjamin Brown, civil rights worker, killed when police fired on protesters – Jackson, Mississippi OCT 2, Thurgood Marshall sworn in as first black Supreme Court Justice 1968 FEB 8, Samuel Hammond Jr., Delano Middleton and Henry Smith, students, killed when highway Patrolmen fired on protesters – Orangeburg, South Carolina APR 4, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr is assassinated – Memphis, Tennessee

POWER TO THE PEOPLE Asbury United Methodist Church embarks on “bold” ministry effort. Asbury UMC in Hagerstown launched a community ministry effort to help those faced with the challenge of rising fuel cost and automobile repairs. The effort will also serve as a fund raising and income building opportunity that the church is now presenting to all those who are interested. Asbury hopes that other church organizations will follow this trend of outreach. Troy Gandy, an Independent Distributor for Syntek Global, shared a powerful presentation for those who gathered, how the Syntek fuel treatment benefited the industrial community and is now available to the public. Our coverage of the presentation revealed that not only is the fuel treatment used for diesel and automobile engines, the product can also be used for home fuel treatment. Syntek Xtreme Fuel Treatment (XFT) helps gas/fuel last longer; prolongs the life of your equipment (engine, generator or furnace) and reduces emissions (pollutants). Xtreme Fuel Treatment is backed by proven results. XFT customers benefit using the product in their gas and fuel tanks, as well as having the opportunity to make money sharing the product with others. Asbury United Methodist Church in Hagerstown will be serving as an Independent Distributor, the ministry will be offering weekly workshops to show how you can too! For more information, call the church at (301) 791-0498 or visit the website: http://gibsonsholygas.goxft.com. And here is a Black History fact: Asbury United Methodist Church is preparing to celebrate its 195

th Anniversary and it is

also the oldest church in Hagerstown's Black community!

Upcoming local Black History events: Contemporary School of the Arts & Gallery will have a “Black History Tribute” on February 6, 2011 from 2pm – 4pm at the Review & Herald Publishing Association located on 55 W. Oak Ridge Drive in Hagerstown, Maryland 21740. The event, hosted by Art Paige, will be featuring The New Joy Fellowship Choir; “The Creation” by James Weldon Johnson presented by Alvin Banks III; Washington Johnson III and Alijah Banks; The Pride Family; Piano solos by Autumn Banks, Alvin Banks III, and Nicole Phillips; The Leisinger Family; Rev. Sinclair Grey III and the Liberation Temple Choir; The Morgan Family; Miranda Brown; an oral history from Brian Robinson; Lori A. Wriston; Daquant Hornbeak, D.D.S. (Kool Smiles Dentistry) and Kerensa Gray This program is FREE and open to all. Contact the Contemporary School of the Arts & Gallery Director Ron Lytle for more information at (301) 791-6191.

Hagerstown YMCA celebrates Black History Month on Sunday, February 20, 2001 at 3pm in the Bridge of Life Church, at 14 S. Potomac Street in Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 with music from Zion Baptist Church (Hagerstown), the Great Commission (Waynesboro, PA); Westview Baptist Church (Hagerstown) and vocalist Melissa Miller (Faith Christian Fellowship). Also featuring the HCC Steppers and YMCA Achievers. Keynote Speaker for the engagement is Mr. John E. Wetzel who was recently appointed as Cabinet Secretary to Pennsylvania Governor Corbett. This event is FREE to all.

Doleman Black Heritage Museum will host its annual “Celebrating Black History Month at the Historic Maryland Theatre” located 21 S. Potomac Street in Hagerstown, Maryland. Performances by the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts and the Morgan State University Choir. Doors open at 3pm for the 4pm show. Tickets are $13 and benefit the Doleman Museum.

Second Annual “Old School Dance”. Sponsored by the Hagerstown YMCA Black Achievers. Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 8pm — 12am in the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center/North Street School Gymnasium located at 131 W. North Avenue in Hagerstown MD 21740. Food Sale to benefit the non-profit group For Our Kid’s Sake. Come enjoy the smooth sounds of the OTB Band, a local Hagerstown music talent playing 70’s, 80’s and 90’s R&B. Tickets are $12 a person ($15 @ door) and $20 per couple ($24 @ door). Contact Deborah (301) 739-3990 ext. 4239 or Darnell (240) 217-9473.

About this Month’s Sponsors of Speak Up

Thomas Stoner & Betty Stoner, the couple are Hagerstown natives who quietly go about responding in ways to help their community. Mrs. Stoner, who works for the public school system, is also a passionate servant at her church, Asbury United Methodist in Hagerstown. Her humble and quiet way is uplifting and she can lift your spirits with a warm smile. Mr. Stoner, a retired factory worker, has served his community in many ways, including providing decent and affordable housing. Mr. Stoner is also one of the original football players that started the annual Turkey Bowl football game on Hagerstown's Wheaton Park over 50 years ago. An anniversary-tribute game is being planned for the 2011 Turkey Bowl. The Speak Up Community News is made possible through the sponsorship of each monthly publication. A $300 minimum contribution is needed to publish a monthly issue. Speak Up promotes the Culture, Health & Success of the community through monthly cultural themes; self-help information and articles from the community that includes our back page Photo Gallery and links to photo stories on our website. You or your organization can sponsor or co-sponsor a monthly issue. Call our office if you are interested in helping (301) 393-9290.

Reminder: the Speak Up Community News winter delivery Door-to-door delivery is limited during the winter months. Call the Brothers Who Care office at (301) 393-9290 for a listing of locations where you can pick up a copy or call for information on how to join our mailing lists.

SPEAK UP PHOTO GALLERY NEWS Crew photos by Brother Andy & John Williams

Art “The Poet” Paige (above left) was the host of the annual Dr. King program held at the Contemporary School of Arts & Gallery (CSAG) in

downtown Hagerstown. The keynote speaker for the event was Mr. Thomas Segar (above right Ast. Vice President of Student Affairs/Director of

Resident Life at Shepherd University). Segar told those gathered “Dr. King's greatest gift to society was his contribution to leadership...which is part

of a leadership model taught today based on Dr. King, Mahatma Gandhi and Malcolm X's influence.” Segar also reminded listeners of a quote by

Dr. King, “Sometimes our silence is a betrayal”. The CSAG will be hosting its annual Black History Month on February 6, (Superbowl Sunday)

.

Community Drumming was an added feature to the Family Friendly Service Fair activities held in Frederick, Maryland as part of the Dr. Martin

Luther King Jr. “King Day of Service” a national observation. Seasoned drummers where joined by those who crafted drums in a workshop set up at

one of the service tables in the Cultural Arts Center in downtown Frederick. The service projects focused on impacting: education, the environment

and the economy including activities such as “lights out” light switch labels; gatherings supplies for the Pregnancy Center; “Adopt Me” pet

bandanas; Valentine’s cards for seniors; Community Supported Agriculture; Book markers for Head Start; Letters to Veterans as well as community

drum circle sessions and hula hooping for health. This Day of Service was organized by Hands On Frederick County, part of the Hands On Network.

Click link to viewNEWS Crew photo story of the King Day of Service event: http://brotherswhocare.org/images/2011DayOfService.wmv.

Troy Gandy, Independent Distributor for Syntek Global, (above left) coaches a new business partner on the dynamics of the Xtreme Fuel Treatment

(XFT) product as other business partners followed along. Local Independent Distributors were joined at Asbury United Methodist Church in

Hagerstown by supportive regional representatives. Asbury is planning on hosting weekly workshops to help expand the distributorship of the

Xtreme Fuel Treatment so that others locally can experience the benefit of using XFT or becoming business partners.

Featured in the group photo from left to right : Pastor Sharon Gibson, Charles Acres, Len Mosby, Willie Gandy, Troy Gandy, Gwen Lopes, Julie

House and Chris Bailey. Asbury UMC invites you to join in the benefit of their community gas ministry. Call (301) 791-0498 or visit the church.

~ Call our office if you wish to order Photos featured in our Photo Gallery. To see more visit: http://brotherswhocare.org/photostories.html ~