Washington Informer

The United Black Fund (UBF) kicks off its 2012 Back-to-School Campaign at 8:30 a.m., Monday, Aug. 27. Parents, teachers, community leaders and elected officials are expected to make the symbolic walk to school with children during the 20th annual event which be held at J.C. Nalle Elementary School, 219 50th Street in Southeast. UBF will also offer $14,500 in cash prizes to D.C. Public Schools.

The "Back to School Campaign" encourages parents and guardians, community leaders and other adults to escort children to school on opening day and to remain active with the school staff throughout the school year. Schools registering the greatest number of parents, or guardians accompanying students, compared to the number of students enrolled at the school on opening day, will receive cash awards.

"Students, parents, educators and strong community support are the ingredients required to make education operate at its best," said UBF President Barry LeNoir. "Part of our proud heritage is that [kids have] to get [their] education, and the Back to School Campaign helps to get the school year off to a great start."

Dr. Marilyn Brown, UBF board member and Education Committee chairwoman, added that research shows that when parents are active in their children's education, it has a direct positive effect on the child's achievement. "But also gives an opportunity to receive money they can use for other positive activity," she said.

A recently-released report from the state of Maryland boasts a significant drop in its infant mortality rate.

According to the report which was announced Aug. 8 at the Anne Arundel Medical Center by Gov. Martin O'Malley and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary Joshua M. Sharfstein, the state's infant mortality rate remains at a record low of 6.7 deaths per 1000 live births in 2011—the lowest rate ever recorded in Maryland for two years in a row. The infant mortality rate is defined as the number of deaths among infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births.

"The bottom line is that our strategies for driving down infant mortality are saving lives," said O'Malley. "Over these past few years we've made great strides. We've been able to expand health care access to young women and parents, build on local public health efforts, and educate new parents on safer sleep practices. But progress is never inevitable – it has to be earned. We have to work for it – and therefore our work continues."

The O'Malley-Brown Administration has made driving down infant mortality by 10 percent one of 15 strategic goals to improve the quality of life in Maryland. Maryland's infant mortality rate has been driven down by 16 percent since 2008, when the rate was 8.0. In 2011, 493 infants lost their lives compared to 617 in 2008.

While many factors have contributed to the decline in recent years in overall infant mortality rates, disparities continued to persist in the African- American community where deaths occurred three times more compared to white infants. However, in 2011, African-American infant mortality fell in Baltimore City and Prince George's County, but increased in other parts of the state. Infant mortality rates have also remained high on the Eastern Shore, compared to other areas of the state.

"Through programs like our innovative Health Enterprise Zones initiative, we are now putting a greater focus on disparities in infant mortality and other diseases in order to continue our public health progress in Maryland," said Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, who leads the administration's health care reform efforts. "We must build on our success and continue working towards a day when every infant born in Maryland, of every race or ethnicity and from every community, has the same chance to survive and live a healthy, happy life."

Radio One last week reported second quarter growth for the company remained strong. CEO Alfred C. Liggins, III reported operating income of approximately $21.5 million for the quarter ending June 30th, compared to operating income of approximately $15.8 million for the same period in 2011. The radio division was up more than 6 percent compared to the second quarter of 2011. The first quarter also saw an increase of more than 6 percent.

"I was pleased with our second quarter core radio revenue growth of 6.5% year over year," said Liggins. "While the timing of the One Love Gospel Cruise and other corporate revenues brought the headline radio revenue growth rate down to 2.7 percent, I believe we strongly outperformed the markets in which we operate. We expect this trend to continue into the third quarter, where we are currently pacing up high single digits, with political revenues likely to strengthen as we move closer to the Presidential election."

The top Radio One markets for Q2 were Baltimore (up 16.5 percent), Raleigh (up 16.3 percent), Atlanta (up 8.5 percent), Washington, D.C. (up 5.9 percent) and Houston (up 2.2 percent).

Radio One also reported that its Internet division had a somewhat weaker than expected second quarter, with a lack of tent-pole events around which to build revenue. However, officials expect the progress towards profitability to resume in the third quarter.

Town Hall Meeting to Focus on Serious Challenges Facing Voters

During a Sept. 20 town hall meeting at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in D.C., the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) will examine the issues of voting rights and new-age discrimination. The meeting, which runs from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., will serve as the centerpiece of the Foundation's 42nd Annual Legislative Conference, scheduled for Sept. 19-22, in the nation's capital.

More than 20 states have changed their requirements for voting, which can affect a disproportionate number of African Americans, the disabled and low income communities. The Foundation will bring together experts, the community and academia to discuss how the new laws passed by several states have made it more difficult to vote. The panel will include:

Panel Moderator - Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry, MSNBC TV Host of the Melissa Harris-Perry Show; Tulane Professor of Political Science

Reps. John Lewis (Ga); Mel Watt (NC); and Marcia Fudge (Ohio) - CBC leads for anti-voter repression campaign

Donna Brazile - DNC Vice Chair of Voter Registration and Participation; Democratic political strategist CNN

Dr. Marc Lamont Hill - CNN Commentator, Host of Our World Black Enterprise; Columbia Professor of Education

Crystal Wright - Conservative Columnist; political commentator

Ron Christie - Founder/President of Christie Strategies; Republican Political Strategist

"Millions of voters will be facing serious challenges as the result of the restrictive voting laws put in place across the country. Panelists discuss the implications of the new measures and offer strategies for ensuring that all have a fair and just opportunity to cast their vote in November," said Menna Demessie, Ph.D., senior research and policy analyst for CBCF.

In addition, the Foundation will distribute a voter guide tool kit on flash drives. These drives will include information on voter registration and identification laws in each state, the latest developments regarding voter identification legislation and opportunities for civic engagement to repeal the voter identification laws. The toolkit will also be available on CBCF's web site – www.cbcfinc.org after Sept. 20.

"We want people to be prepared before the election. It is too important an issue to be left to chance," said Dr. Demissie. "This tool kit is a step-by-step instruction guide to ensure voters are properly registered and ready to vote."

The troubled administration of Mayor Vincent Gray reportedly sought the assistance of a high profile crisis intervention manager after a federal probe that remains ongoing, was launched into his 2010 election campaign.

Judy Smith, who has advised Monica Lewinsky, Wesley Snipes and Michael Vick, and serves as executive producer of the the new TV drama "Scandal," touts herself on her website as "America's No. 1 Crisis Management Expert." Scandal, which is loosely based on Smith, stars Kerry Washington.

Smith was contacted by a member of Gray's staff who introduced her on June 15 to the mayor. The two had a breakfast meeting in July, according to a report that referenced emails as sources. But while a Gray spokesperson confirmed the meeting, he also advised that Smith has not been working for Gray, and that she has neither a paid nor unpaid role in the administration.

Former D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown was forced to resign two months ago in the wake of an investigation into his financial affairs. A week later, Smith was introduced to Christopher Murphy, the mayor's chief of staff, by D.C. Chamber of Commerce President Barbara Lang.

Brown's departure has nothing to do with the cloud of suspicion that has hovered over Gray's administration since easy 2011.

While Gray has adamantly maintained that he has not engaged in any wrongdoing, three top aides involved in the campaign that unseated Adrian Fenty, have been convicted in federal court of misdeeds that include some $650,000 in contributions that were improperly handled.

The mother of Trayvon Martin has started proceedings for a lawsuit against the gated community association where neighborhood watch guard George Zimmerman shot him to death in February.

Sabrina Fulton's filing, which would seek more than $75,000, targets Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America. However, Travelers is challenging the lawsuit, questioning its liability. Trayvon, 17, was walking through The Retreat at Twin Lakes neighborhood when the shooting occurred. Travelers has also asked the court to rule that the company has no duty to defend the modest townhome community.

Meanwhile, Benjamin Crump, attorney for Trayvon's family, believes other entities could also be held financially liable for his death.

Fulton and Trayvon's father, Tracy Martin --who had an insurance policy that paid all but $1,300 toward his son's funeral -- have as already filed a claim for compensation under the Crimes Compensation Trust Fund bin Florida.

The Fund aids families with services that include funeral expenses and counseling. According to a report, Trayvon's parents were approved in late March for benefits from the Fund that allocates up $30,000. So far, they have not received any payments.

Chicago Alderwoman Sandi Jackson, said in a statement this weekend that her husband, Jesse Jackson Jr. who collapsed on June 10, is getting treated for gastrointestinal and mental health issues, and that while he's still "very depressed" he's showing some progress.

Sandi Jackson commented during an interview with a Chicago newspaper after a visit with her husband at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The couple's two children accompanied her.

"What I can tell you is my husband has his good days and bad days, and they are increasing his depression medication to therapeutic levels," Mrs. Jackson said.

She also adamantly denied allegations that the congressman had attempted suicide or was receiving help for alcohol or drug addiction. Mrs. Jackson said that medical experts are still trying to determine whether a weight-loss surgery might have helped trigger her husband's depression.

Wide-spread concern over Jesse Jackson Jr.'s well-being grew after the Illinois congressman -- who is the son of noted activist Jesse Jackson Sr. -- took an abrupt leave of absence from his office on Capitol Hill in May. While an initial report from his staff in July said he was suffering from exhaustion, Jackson's office later issued a statement saying he was undergoing an "extensive inpatient evaluation for depression and gastrointestinal issues" at the upscale medical facility.

Meanwhile, Jackson, 47, who has represented Illinois' 2nd Congressional District since 1995, remains the focus of a House Ethics Committee probe on whether he used public resources — in the form of his Chicago and Washington, D.C., staffs — to vie for the appointment to the Senate seat that was vacated with Barack Obama's 2008 presidential election.

Gabby Douglas made Olympic history this week when she struck gold twice in one week, winning a medal in the women's individual all-around competition – and a gold medal in the team competition.

Gabby, 16, a Virginia Beach, Va., native, is the first African-American all-around champion in Olympic history, which is tagged as of the marquis events of the games – and for which some past winners have been remembered for decades.

Gabby, who was flashing her infectious smile, said in a broadcast interview on Friday that she could barely sleep Thursday night after winning.

"You are saying to yourself to go out and represent as best as you can and it was definitely an amazing feeling," she said. "It's so meaningful to be the first African-American to win the all-around gold medal . . . [and] making the history books is definitely one of the perks."

Among the millions who have lavished praise on Gabby are President Obama –who she said invited her to the White House – and Oprah Winfrey, who posted on Twitter Thursday, "OMG I'm so THRILLED for Gabby. Flowing happy tears!!"

Now that she has become a household name, Gabby has also been targeted for numerous endorsements. They include her image on the front of a Kellogg's Corn Flakes box.