Seminole County NAACP Celebrates Black History in Sanford Florida

The Seminole County Branch of the NAACP kicked off 2011 with an inspiring celebration of black history and a whole new crop of leaders.

The Annual Black History Celebration took place at the newly renovated Lake Monroe Old South Motel right on the waterfront of Sanford, Florida. Dr. Barbara Kirby-Bentley served as Mistress of Ceremony. Several public officials came out to support the work of the NAACP and celebrate black heritage and progress, including Commissioner Dr. Velma Williams and Interim Sanford Police Chief Steven Harriett.

Guests enjoyed great food and great entertainment. Actually, the experience at this luncheon couldn't simply be described as entertainment. It was more like church. Minister Cubit Malone sang a stirring rendition of "A Change is Going to Come." The featured speaker, Pam Powell, shook the room with her rousing message of hope.

The Seminole County NAACP branch installed its new officers and executive committee. This event provided a perfect catalyst for the important work of the NAACP.

The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the oldest and largest civil rights organization in America. It was formed in 1909 by an interracial group of citizens who were passionate about making America live up to its promise. The NAACP continues its work with more than 500,000 members and 2,200 branches, youth councils and college chapters.

Sheriff Jerry Demings Challenges Black Leaders at the Seminole County Florida NAACP Banquet

The first African American sheriff for Orange County, FL, Jerry L. Demings, challenged black organizations to train the next generation. Sheriff Demings delivered the keynote address for the Seminole County NAACP Annual Freedom Fund & Awards Banquet on June 5.

Sheriff Demings and his wife, Valdez Demings, rose from very humble beginnings to the top of their fields. He is married to the first female police chief in Orlando. They both grew up poor and were the first generation of their families to go to college. Sheriff Demings spoke of his father and mother who were a taxi cab driver and maid. He said when he considers where he is now, it only serves to humble him more and remind him of his responsibility.

During his speech, Sheriff Demings made it his task to remind all of those blacks who have risen to the top to lift others as well. He said that most of us make it in spite of our circumstances. It is our moral responsibility to help someone else. Sheriff Demings warned that with the state of many of our communities, if we don’t reach back to help, we all will regret it. Sheriff Demings cited a few alarming statistics. Three-fourths of those in prison due to drug offenses are people of color. In Orange County, blacks make up 19% of the general population but 54% of the inmate population. “Shame on us. Shame on America,” he said.

He also challenged the NAACP audience to consider the delusion young black males have with professional sports. Many believe a contract with the NFL or NBA is their ticket out. Not only is making it to a team highly unlikely, even those who do make it are not necessarily set for life. Sheriff Demings said Otis Smith, General Manager for the Orlando Magic, shared that 68% of NBA players find themselves broke within five years of retiring. The vast majority of black millionaires are entrepreneurs. Therefore, the logical path to economic advancement and empowerment for black people is business and financial training not an obsessive drive toward athletics.

One of the young people that the NAACP has nurtured and supported came back to show the benefit of the NAACP’s work. Angenique DeJesus received a scholarship from the local branch. She is currently a student at the University of South Florida, pursuing a degree in Bio-Medical Sciences. Her goal is to use her talents to serve.

Not only did the audience hear from current civil servants, they paid tribute to local trailblazers and pioneers of the Civil Rights struggle. The Seminole County NAACP Branch held its very first induction into the Seminole County Civil Rights Hall of Fame. Willie King, Francis Oliver, Edward Blacksheare and Sandra Gaines were all inducted for their contributions to educational and political equality in Seminole County. This ceremony will take place every year. Future inductees can be nominated by contacting the branch at (407) 328-7496.

Dorothy Height "Godmother of the Civil Rights Movement" Dies at 98...Finally Rest for the Weary.

Dorothy Height died at the age of 98 at the Howard University Hospital on April 20, 2010. She marched with King and counseled Roosevelt. She didn't just walk with giants, she was a giant among giants of the Civil Rights Movement.

Though not as celebrated as others, Height gave her entire life to the fight for freedom. President Obama called Height "Godmother of the Civil Rights Movement." He went on to say, "...And even in the final weeks of her life...a time when anyone else would have enjoyed their well-earned rest...Dr. Height continued her fight to make our nation a more open and inclusive place for people of every race, gender, background and faith."

Height had a passion for justice that drove her to fight on despite persecution on two fronts. She was black and a woman in America. Still she kept fighting because she had to.

She was overlooked. Though she was a primary organizer of the March on Washington in 1963 and stood next to Dr. Martin Luther King as he gave his famous "I Have a Dream Speech," Mother Height was never counted among the so-called "Big 6" of the Movement.

She was rejected. Mother Height applied and was accepted to Barnard College. However, as she was preparing to enter, she was told there was a mistake. The college had already filled its quota of two blacks. They did not need a third.

Her life was threatened. While eating in a restaurant in Mississippi during the days of segregation, she watched as all the whites stopped eating and walked out White men in uniform came in and surrounded her and her 2 friends. The black kitchen staff came into the dining area and probably saved them from harm.

Still she kept fighting. Fighting while urging her comrades in the war to stay patient and resist the urge to get bitter. No, Mother Height never got bitter. She used her energy to keep fighting the good fight of faith until the very end.

In her fight, Mother Height served as a social worker, educator, organizer, demonstrator and adviser. She presided over Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. from 1947 until 1956. After that she served at the behest of her mentor, Mary McLeod Bethune, the National Council of Negro Women for more than 50 years. She was President Emeritus of the organization until her death. Mother Height received many honors, including 36 honorary doctorate degrees. She was also recognized by Barnard College as an honorary alumna in 2004.

America owes Mother Height a debt of gratitude. Her name should be placed among the greats and honored among the legends who built, worked, cried, suffered and died to make this country live up to its profession. Thank you Mother Height.

You can read Dorothy Height's memoir, Open Wide the Freedom Gates, to gain further insight. I'm sure you will treasure it as do I.

U.S. Department of Education Announces Civil Rights Investigations

Right now students all across Florida are taking the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). This test determines whether 3rd graders will be promoted, whether seniors will graduate, how much funding a school will get and school grades. I have noticed that schools with the largest minority populations are often the ones that have the most trouble reaching that much desired “A” status. This inequality in schools is taking place all across the country. Why is that? And more importantly what can we do about it?

The Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, seems to think these sorts of unequal outcomes in schools is evidence of civil rights abuses. Duncan took part in a march at the legendary Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama this week. He and other leaders were commemorating the 45th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, when demonstrators were beaten down as they marched peacefully for the right to vote.

Duncan calls unequal education the “civil rights issue of our time.” After the march, he announced there will be a nationwide investigation of civil rights in public schools. Thirty-eight school districts will be reviewed to see if they are in compliance with the U.S. Constitution’s mandate for equal education for all students.

A good education is often a ticket out of poverty. If a child develops a love of learning and the confidence in his or her learning ability, he or she can get a good education, a good job and become a productive member of society. However, at some point in their schooling, many minority and low income students begin to lose hope in what the educational system can do for them. They look for other ways to get by. Often the other ways lead to the criminal justice system. This contributes to a cycle of criminality and poverty in our communities.

In the district where my child attends school (Seminole Co., FL), just like in many districts across the country, the schools that serve minority and low income populations get the most inexperienced teachers. Might this contribute to the reason these schools also end up with “C” ratings and below and students without faith in education? And in the schools with a majority white and higher economic populations, the minority students are often segregated within the schools and put into tracks. Sometimes those tracks don’t even get counted when determining the school grades. So many of the “A” schools are “A” schools minus the minority scores. So just sending your child to an “A” school doesn’t mean they will get an “A” teacher or an “A” education.

The Department of Education is investigating to see which districts are equal access districts. They will be looking at areas such as student access to college preparatory classes, discriminatory discipline and tracking. School districts that are found in violation of students’ civil rights could lose funding or be referred to the Justice Department. How would your district measure up?

Till Victory is Won: Who Will Take the Baton?

When I went to the Seminole County School Board Meeting a couple of weeks ago, I must admit I got a little discouraged. The Board heard and responded to the will of the people. That was good. There was a relatively large turnout. That was good.

My concern was about who turned out (or who didn’t). Though the proposal discussed in this meeting would have affected students living in Seminole County, the majority of attendees were over 50 years old (too old to have children who attend Seminole County Public Schools). Where were all the parents? Where were the students? I know that most young adults work. Many were not able to make it due to work schedules. However, everybody was not at work or preoccupied with some important matter. I know a few more parents could have made that meeting.

I remember when working with the NAACP, I would always get asked, “How do we get the young people involved?” This is such an important question. The Civil Rights Movement generation is getting older. After the meeting, I heard one pioneer say, “They could have at least waited until we were dead to try this.” (I won’t mention her name. But please feel free to elaborate on your comment if you read this). I thought that was such a poignant statement. I’ve been thinking about it ever since the meeting. What is going to happen when those who paved the way have moved on?

Ironically, it has been speculated that one reason young people aren’t civically engaged is because of all the advances the older generation fought to make. Schools are integrated. We have black millionaires. We have a black president for goodness sake. So have enough battles been won? Do we still need freedom fighters?

The NAACP just named Roslyn M. Brock as the chairman of the board. I was encouraged by this announcement. The NAACP is making an effort to reinvigorate the freedom movement. Ms. Brock (44) is an intelligent, accomplished and committed leader (and she's a Florida girl). She has established her agenda to work on improvements in education, the criminal justice system, health care, economic empowerment and civic engagement. She also will work to reestablish the NAACP as a multicultural organization that addresses the needs of all disenfranchised people. Go to www.whoisroslynbrock.com to read about her. Benjamin Jealous, at 37, is the youngest president the organization has ever had. Both of these leaders are too young to have had to experience racial segregation. However, they are fired up about the work. What can we do to motivate other young people?