Grant will fund the digitization of a large portion of the Auburn Avenue Library’s collection.

The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a four-year, $2,000,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation. This grant will support the library’s collection processing, digitization, and community outreach engagement activities.

The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History is among five national recipients of this prestigious grant, including the Chicago Public Library, New York Public Library, Howard University, and the College of Charleston.

With this grant, Auburn Avenue Research Library Administrator, Victor E. Simmons, Jr., along with Head Archivist, Derek Mosley, and his team, will enhance the library’s digitization lab, allowing for more efficient processing of over 20 collections. The Andrew J. Young Papers, the Komozi Woodard Amiri Baraka Collection, and the Hollywood Studios for Coloreds Photographic Negative Collection are among the collections that will be digitized with the funds.

The Andrew J. Young Papers span more than 50 years and document the career and family life of the esteemed civil rights leader and diplomat, Andrew J. Young. The collection contains a diverse range of materials, including correspondence, speeches, press releases, calendars, books, minutes, reports, publications, articles, photographs, scrapbooks, artifacts, textiles, trophies and awards, artwork, posters, programs, campaign memorabilia, manuscripts, travel documents, notes, sermons, ephemera, and audio-visual material.

The Komozi Woodard Amiri Baraka Collection is a rare collection of organizational records, print publications, articles, poems, plays, and speeches by Amiri Baraka. Dr. Komozi Woodard generously made the collection available to the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History.

The Hollywood Studios for Coloreds Photographic Negative Collection contains approximately 120,000 photo-negatives documenting African American life in Macon, Georgia, and surrounding areas. The collection includes family and group photographs from 1940-1970, providing an intimate glimpse into the daily lives of African Americans during this time.

“The Fulton County Library System is honored to collaborate with an organization as prestigious as the Mellon Foundation.  We look forward to expanding the reach of these incredibly important collections beyond the four walls of the library,” said Gayle Holloman, Executive Director of the Fulton County Library System in Atlanta.

“We are extremely grateful to the Mellon Foundation for their generous support,” said Victor E. Simmons, Jr., Auburn Avenue Research Library Administrator. “This grant will enable us to greatly expand the reach and impact of our collections, and we are excited to share these resources with the community.”

This grant will not only preserve and make these collections accessible to researchers, students, and residents, but it will also ensure their longevity for future generations. The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History and the Fulton County Library System are thrilled to receive this grant and are committed to continuing to promote scholarship and education on African American culture and history.

The project began in March 2023 and will be completed in March 2027.

About the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History
Anchoring the west end of the Sweet Auburn historic district, the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History (AARL) opened in May 1994 in Atlanta. A special library of the Fulton County Library System, it is the first public library in the Southeast to offer specialized reference and archival collections dedicated to the study and research of African American culture and history and of other peoples of African descent. The mission of The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History is to promote specialized library service, archival resources, and culturally/educationally related activities essential for study and use by the general public, students, and scholars of the culture and history of peoples of African descent. Learn more at www.fulcolibrary.org/auburn-avenue-research-library.

The post Auburn Avenue Research Library and Fulton County Library System Awarded $2 Million Mellon Foundation Grant appeared first on Atlanta Tribune.

This article originally appeared in The Atlanta Tribune.

By Roz Edward | Atlanta Tribune

In the wake of another tragic school shooting, this time at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee killing six people including three nine-year old children have compelled residents to take the battle on gun violence to the steps of the state capital. On Monday, April 3, the Republic led House of Representatives began taking steps to expel three Tennessee House Representatives who participated in the lawful protests on Thursday of last week by using a bullhorn on the House floor to implore their colleagues to do more than pay lip service to the issue of gun violence in schools and take definitive action to protect its most vulnerable citizens.

GOP lawmakers filed three resolutions Monday, one each seeking the expulsion of Reps. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville, Justin Jones of Nashville and Justin Pearson of Memphis, each of whom was already removed from their committee assignments after last week’s demonstrations. The resolutions were filed by Republican Reps. Bud Hulsey, Gino Bulso and Andrew Farmer.

In a series of tweets Monday, Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton called the Democratic lawmakers’ actions “unacceptable,” adding they broke “several rules of decorum and procedure on the House floor.”

Protestors today entered the Tennesee statehouse to disrupt the proceedings against the three legislators and demand that the state focus instead on the six dead killed by a 28-year-old shooter was armed with three guns and fired 152 rounds during the attack.

“If this House decides to expel me for exercising our sacred first amendment right to help elevate the voices in our community who want to see us act to prevent gun violence, then do as you feel you must,” Pearson concluded.

House Democrats expressed solidarity with the trio in a statement Monday, saying the caucus stood “firmly united” with them.

“The Democratic Caucus has unanimously, formally voted to oppose the baseless resolutions for expulsion and will zealously oppose them should they come up for a vote on the House floor,” the statement said.

Efforts to expel the three House members are “morally bankrupt,” the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators said in a statement Tuesday.

“The political retribution is unconstitutional,” caucus chairman and Democratic Rep. Sam McKenzie said in the statement. “We fundamentally object to any effort to expel members for making their voices heard to end gun violence.”

The House speaker should be leading bipartisan discussions to “generate reforms that could stop the next school shooting,” McKenzie added.

“Instead he’s using his power to silence people who are calling for solutions that he opposes,” he said.

The post Nashville Residents Protest Gun Violence; 3 Democratic Lawmakers Faced with Expulsion appeared first on Atlanta Tribune.

Real Times Media’s Adell Henderson caught up with Chicago-based lobbyist and community activist Ashley M. Munson to discuss the current state of politics. The two jumped on camera to have a video conversation following up on some of the key talking points Munson shared with Chicago Defender contributing writer Arika Linton in a post midterm election wrap up article.

The conversation includes:

• Where are we now after the midterm elections
• Concerns with Georgia’s runoff election between Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and GOP challenger Herschel Walker
• Where is Vice-President Kamala Harris?
• Why Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is such a threat to Donald Trump and the Democrats

Real Times Media was established in 2006, but the legacy stretches back over 100 years. They are preservers and purveyors of culture, both past and present. As the parent company to five of the country’s most respected African American-owned news organizations, the Atlanta Daily World, Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine, the Chicago Defender, the Michigan Chronicle, and the New Pittsburgh Courier, it is their job to maintain the heartbeat of the African American voice.

The post Warnock vs Walker, Trump vs DeSantis & What’s at Risk Moving Forward appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

By Dr. Curtis L. Ivery, Chancellor of Wayne County Community College District

“Bottom line, it’s our attitude. At some point we decide that we believe that all people are created equal or that they are not. It’s really that simple and that complex. But that’s where it starts.” – Journeys of Conscience, Curtis L. Ivery

I wish to state my position of advocacy and support for the new birth in freedom and racial justice that is so explosively being expressed on the streets of our cities. I state this position as a father and grandfather, the chancellor of the Wayne County Community College District, and a long-time social and racial justice activist. I have dedicated my life and career—both of which have been impacted by racism and discrimination—to local, state, and national efforts to increase educational and career success for African Americans and other disenfranchised and marginalized groups who have been historically denied full access to higher education and the American dream. My experiences with bias have made me aware of and responsive to the perils we, unfortunately, continue to grapple with today. At the same time, what is happening on the streets of America today renews my faith that this nation is indeed entering a new and hopeful period of civil rights reform.

I see this new birth in freedom and racial justice as a turning point, a fork in the road, in the history of the United States and all its educational, economic, and social institutions. I have renewed faith that America, at long last, will give full expression to the high calling of President Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address: “We here highly revolve that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth in freedom and that the government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth.”

I share with my fellow advocates of racial, social and economic justice a deep sense of despair, outrage, and grief at the recent shocking and senseless murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and other unarmed African Americans who have died as a result of police brutality. I stand with those protesting peacefully in the streets and in a rightful call to end the violence caused by police officers whose duty is to protect us. At the same time, I condemn the violence and destruction of those vandals and/or imposters who infiltrate the peaceful protests around the nation and threaten to hijack the compelling message and intent of this historic racial justice movement. I stand with those who have suffered personal and property losses due to the violence and destruction of the infiltrators. However, it is vital that we maintain a steady, persistent, and accelerated focus on the call to action by the collective force of those diverse advocates on the streets who are determined to abolish the injustices that have prevailed far too long.

Although the deaths of George Floyd and other unarmed African Americans sparked the current rebellion or uprising on the streets and became the symbol for this new birth in freedom and racial justice, these horrific events are by no means isolated incidents. Nor are they a surprise. Human rights violations are not an anomaly in the lives of African Americans, and they did not begin recently. The legacy of systematic repression is one that African Americans have been forced to endure for generations. Black men, women and children have learned to bury their true feelings to create the surface impression that all is well, when in fact, seething beneath the surface is a deep resentment of the disproportionate burdens of discrimination, racial profiling, and the high toll of health, education, and economic disparities. This is a legacy of dreams crushed and democratic ideals unfulfilled.

It is a well-documented fact that the judicial system closed its eyes while Black men were being lynched in record numbers (totaling 3,446 between 1882 and 1968.). It is common knowledge that lawmakers often refused to prosecute Ku Klux Klan members who slaughtered innocent Black people or burned crosses on their lawns. But what has not been widely broadcast is the hidden angst African Americans shoulder every day. The image of strength that has become a cultural hallmark is a carefully cultivated projection of Black faith and fortitude. But smiling faces tell lies. Within their hearts is a penetrating anxiety. Within is a memory of wrongs that were never righted and a belief that their hurts do not matter. This unspoken tension permeates black households, particularly those with a man-child. From the moment he leaves the house in the morning until he returns that night, the average Black mother nurses fear in her heart.

Today’s marching, chanting, and banner-waving racial justice advocates who are flooding the streets are casting a spotlight on problems that have been buried and pain that has been overlooked. They are expressing a rage that has been simmering beneath the surface and placing mounting pressure on a society that has historically refused to honor and respect the dignity of Black life. The recent unjust and appalling death of George Floyd in the hands of the police was more than the last straw. This one event became the tinder that ignited the flames and sparked a new birth in freedom and racial justice.

Two plagues have surfaced – one of the pandemic and the other of bigotry. In both cases, America has failed to protect all citizens and guarantee equal rights. The COVID-19 pandemic and the related economic distress of our citizens has added even greater fuel to the fire. More than 38.6 million Americans are unemployed due to the pandemic and many are unsure if their jobs will ever be restored. Once again, African Americans have been disproportionately impacted. As they struggle to pay for rent and food, they are not oblivious to the fact that their government-issued stimulus checks were no match for the billion-dollar bailouts that went to the wealthy. These same people have looked on in horror as innocent, unarmed Black men have been beaten or shot by the police, falsely arrested or made the target of 911 emergency calls for the simple acts of sitting in Starbucks, standing in the hallway of their own apartment buildings, or bird watching in New York’s Central Park. As these images are flashed by the media only to repeat themselves, again and again, the scabs of injustice are peeled back and long-standing inequities are exposed.

Even in the face of the evils enumerated above, I am hopeful. I believe, as Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The arc of the moral universe is slow, but it bends toward justice.” I am hopeful for a better tomorrow because of a diverse and energized band of racial justice advocates emerging from the streets who do not accept band-aids to cover open wounds. They are seeking immediate solutions. They are demanding collective action. America has been awakened in a way that many thought they would never experience in their lifetime. Like the dismantling of the Berlin Wall and the end of Apartheid in South Africa, this is a historically significant moment in time. The world is watching and, in some instances, joining in as citizens of the United States take a stand for an all-inclusive society.

At Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD), we stand as a unified voice, in cooperation with our community partners, for the reform of the criminal justice system. Through our criminal justice, law enforcement, and corrections programs, we are preparing policing professionals who embody the principles of common humanity, cultural awareness, and ethical conduct. In a larger sense, we reiterate our commitment to what we believe is one of the core ingredients of social equity: education. Ignorance is the source of hatred and prejudice, and education continues to be the path upon which we can travel to a higher level of awareness and engagement. The heart and soul of WCCCD is its open-door philosophy and its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to educational and career success for all students regardless of their socio-economic status, racial, or ethnic groupings. Our special calling is to provide higher education access and success for persons of color and other marginalized populations. WCCCD stands firmly on a foundation of equality and fairness and will continue working and leading by example.

In one of his most impassioned speeches, Martin Luther King, Jr. stated “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” It uplifts me and the staff at WCCCD to know that there is an undeniable and unstoppable groundswell of persons of all races, genders, creeds, and national origins who are powerfully embracing and activating these words.

Curtis L. Ivery

Dr. Curtis L. Ivery is the Chancellor of Wayne County Community College District

The post Dr. Curtis L. Ivery: An Open Letter On Racial Justice appeared first on Atlanta Tribune.

As a “newbie” navigator, Nicole L. Johnson is on a crusade to make a difference in the workplace. She currently serves as a guide for new Diversity Leaders, or organizations who are new to equity and inclusion, in an effort to help them transition through the stages of culture change. Johnson says, “The function of Inclusion and Diversity has evolved significantly over the last 30+ years. We are seeing organizations in a variety of industries, from government and nonprofit to education and corporate put this role into place. As a result, the demand for experienced, knowledgeable, and capable professionals to lead these departments has exploded.”

The Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC)® has also witnessed this explosion. IDC is the credentialing arm of the Society for Diversity, the #1 professional association for Equity and Inclusion leaders. Since IDC was formed nearly 10 years ago, the organization has seen a steady increase in Diversity Certification candidates. Similar to other credentialing programs, Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) certification is an external verification process that assures an employer that leaders have the right mix of knowledge, skills, and experience to impact the workplace. The process helps top companies answer strategic questions such as:

– How can we better align our organizational culture with our brand?
– How can we prepare for the future workplace and marketplace?
– In which markets will we play? How do we customize our products/services to appeal to different markets?
– What’s the best way to capitalize on demographic and industry changes?

Diversity and Inclusion work is also becoming more complex for employers who operate in multiple states or abroad. For example, New York recently passed a law requiring annual, interactive sexual harassment training; California is on the verge of mandating at least one woman to serve on company boards, and more than 11 states currently ban applicant salary history questions. Beyond legislation, companies that operate overseas must navigate through cultural nuances that can make or break partnerships or other business opportunities.

In a world where advanced education and specialized skills reign, IDC establishes a global framework for recognizing knowledgeable and highly skilled professionals. However, some employers have begun to step outside the traditional framework of certifying one Executive toward ensuring that multiple employees within the organization have credentials as a Diversity leader regardless of title. Leah Smiley, workplace inclusion expert, and IDC President says, “Extending the work beyond the Office of Diversity is important. Some companies learned this the hard way because their Diversity Officer terminated, and the momentum for equity and belonging stalled. Alternatively, a few employers successfully galvanized enterprise-wide support for diversity and inclusion through cross-functional collaboration.”

A key component of IDC’s certification program is the acknowledgment that Diversity and Inclusion work has changed. It is no longer driven by Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity, Political Correctness, race relations, or the right thing to do. It is a business strategy that can help organizations make money, save money, and/or achieve organizational goals. Diversity leaders learn how to customize the business case and apply industry best practices in order to achieve expected outcomes. Smiley adds, “IDC updates its curriculum every two years to account for changes in terminology, the latest research, new legislation, and other advancements. It is a huge effort, but it pays off through the work of our designees.”

Of the individuals who finish the certification program, 90 percent report that they feel more productive and effective. Almost 50 percent reported that they successfully introduced a new initiative such as a supplier diversity program, business resource group, training, etc. Half reported that they received more support from senior leadership, built better relationships with internal/external peers, hired new support staff, obtained a promotion or new job, or received a salary increase after completing the program. More than two-thirds of participants said after completing the program, their organizations increased their commitment to inclusion– financially and otherwise. IDC’s successes have resulted in industry recognition of the Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)® and Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)® as qualification credentials for effective Diversity and Inclusion work.

The role of a D&I leader is the most challenging in any organization, as noted in Johnson’s recent article, “D&I Leaders Wear Many Many Many Hats.” As a former chief diversity officer for several Fortune 500 companies and IDC’s Board Chair, Johnson says, “There are hundreds of professions that have accredited certifications such as IT, Engineers, Occupational Therapists and more. These professions recognized that accredited certification was necessary in order to maintain a high caliber of individuals in the profession. This is accomplished by requiring those professionals to demonstrate a sufficient level of knowledge and competency about the various elements of their work. In many cases, employers require that a job candidate have a certification from an accredited institution. As such, the level of importance and value of these roles should be on par with their peers.”

Johnson adds, “Accreditation ensures that designations like the CDP and CDE are based on a rigorous, well researched, legally defensible exam. Obtaining a certification from an accredited organization elevates the value of one’s certification for employers. It also ensures that those who aspire to be D&I leaders are able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform effectively in their roles.”

Smiley is confident that the industry will continue to grow, both in the U.S. and abroad. IDC has thousands of candidates in 35+ states, as well as in Germany, Japan, Poland, Canada, and India. She says, “In recent months, I’ve been contacted by people in the U.K., France, Mexico, Brazil, China, Nigeria, and other markets about the need for IDC to help more global employers explore the value of a comprehensive equity and inclusion strategy. Indeed, forward-thinking companies will experience the best ROI.”

This article originally appeared in The Atlanta Tribune.

By The Atlanta Tribune

The SunTrust Foundation announced the winners of the 2019 Lighting the Way Awards, giving a total of $2.7 million in grants to 36 nonprofit organizations across the South and Midwest, including four in Atlanta. The awards support the work of the organizations to build self-sufficient families and more financially confident communities through financial education, financial counseling, career readiness/workforce development and small business/entrepreneurship. Each nonprofit was awarded a $75,000 grant.

“Every one of these nonprofits has created impactful programs to support specific needs of their communities, and it is a privilege to recognize their efforts,” said Stan Little, president of the SunTrust Foundation. “The Lighting the Way Awards illustrate our commitment to Lighting the Way to Financial Well-Being in partnership with organizations that make a difference in the lives of those who need
help the most.”

The SunTrust Foundation also is committed to helping nonprofits improve their organization’s financial well-being by providing workshops, case studies and training on organizational economic sustainability. Following the Lighting the Way Awards event, winners participated in collaborative sessions about using the power of storytelling to engage their stakeholders better and demonstrate their impact in the community. Speakers included Kate Atwood, founder and CEO, B.Essential, and founder, Kate’s Club; David Eidson, president and CEO of Coxe Curry & Associates; Lucy Hall, founder and CEO of Mary Hall Freedom House and Grant Millsaps, lead consultant, The Frontier Project.

There were four Atlanta nonprofits included among the winners: Start: ME, Trinity Community Ministries, North Fulton Community Charities and Communities In Schools of Georgia.

This article originally appeared in The Atlanta Tribune.