Soledad O’Brien Urges Greensboro Audience to Stand for What Is Right

By Kimberly Fields

JOMC Journal Reporter

“The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of great moral crisis maintain their neutrality. “
Such were the words from Soledad O’Brien, an award-winning CNN anchor for the morning show “Starting Point” and a CNN special correspondent, quoted Dante from “Dante’s Inferno” during her speech Friday for the African-American Leadership Speaker Series at The Elm Street Center. O’Brien’s address focused on taking a stand for what is right and being a witness to other people’s stories.

O’Brien referenced her parents , a black Cuban mother and a white Australian father, and other life encounters in her. Her parents, who were discriminated against and spit on in the 1950’s and 60’s, showed her that if you live your life with dignity, eventually, people will follow your lead. They continued to live their life together because they believed that America was better than the racism they experienced.

O’Brien’s parents’ experience of raising six bi-racial children in a majority white neighborhood in Baltimore left her with this message.

“History eventually comes around and you can be part of making that change happen and if you stop at every mean word, if you are derailed every time you are spit upon, literally or metaphorically, then you are probably not going to be in a position to change the world. You are going to be derailed.”

O’Brien attributes her mother to her career. Her mother, who stood as a witness to a 12-year-old African-American boy in a 99 percent white school who was in the hall alone with the principal, vice principal and dean.

Not knowing what was going to happen, she stayed to make sure nothing would happen even when the principal told her he had it under control and she could carry on. She stayed and shifted the control to her, impacting the young boy, who she did not know, and O’Brien, who revealed the significance it made in her life.

“I remembered thinking that the one person in power was the one who would not be shushed away,” Said O’Brien. “It was the person who didn’t say anything, didn’t make a ruckus. She just stayed and she stood for a kid she did not even know, I mean really, a lick about him. It was about being a witness. So I don’t think it is an accident that all these years later I like telling the story of all these people who stories are rarely told, who voices are almost never heard. Who really would never have a microphone in their face if we didn’t run out and find them and help them tell their story.”

When it comes to leadership, O’Brien encouraged the audience to take a stand together in terms of a community, national and international. She says that everyone may not be reached, but it will make a difference to those that can be reached; the more people that will take a stand and be a witness, the more people that can be reached.

Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole and Dr. Edward. B. Fort were the recipients of the awards presented The African America Leadership, a branch of United Way Greensboro that is designed to acknowledge African-Americans who make Cornerstone Society gifts of $1,000 or more annually to United Way Greensboro. African-Americans are encouraged to become leadership givers by dedicating their time and resources to help reinforce the impact of United Way of Greater Greensboro’s partnership and programs. Their mission is to improve lives by mobilizing and uniting the caring power of our community.

Cole, former president of Spelman and Bennett Colleges , was the recipient of the African-American Leadership Founding Award. Cole is the only person to have served as president of these two colleges for women in the United States, the first African-American woman president of Spelman, and the first African-American to serve as the chair of the board of the United Way of America Inc.

Fort, who served as chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University from 1981-1999, received the Gwendolyn and Alvin V. Blount, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award. He has consulted and written for various institutions on multiculturalism, strategic planning, leadership, and policy formulations impacting urban universities and public school districts with diverse student populations.

Fort is currently the chancellor emeritus and serves as the Edward B. Fort Professor of Education at A&T.

Aggies still upbeat after upset
By Uniqua Quillins

JOMC Journal Reporter

Kevin Ware (5) and center Gorgui Dieng (10) as they lay the defense on tough in Lexington, Ky during game two of the NCAA tournament. Photo: James Crisp

After a hard fought road to qualify for the NCAA tournament, the Aggies were not able to pull off an upset against the number one seed, the Louisville Cardinals.

The final score in the match was 48-79, which is a 31-point blow out for the Aggies. The leading scorer of last night’s game was freshman forward Bruce Beckford, who had 12 points and four rebounds that were all defensive. Other contributing players include: junior guard Lamont Middleton who had nine points and four rebounds, senior guard Jean Louisme and senior forward Adrian Powell both scored eight points a piece, and senior forward Austin Witter had three points and three rebounds. The Aggies also utilized their bench towards the end of the game. Bench scorers included freshman Shaun Stewart, junior guard Jeremy Underwood and senior forward Lawrence Smith.

The main element that hurt the Aggies play was Louisville’s tough defense which forced the Aggies to have a total of 25 turnovers.  “We just didn’t execute,” Beckford told ESPN. “Their press caused turnovers and that’s how they won the game.”

Even though the Aggies were not able to advance past the second round in the NCAA tournament, they still hold the 2013 MEAC championship title, and made history winning their first-ever NCAA tournament game  to advance to face the number one seed.

“I’m going to think about the loss because I’m a competitor and I hate losing,” Powell told ESPN. “But at the end of the day, we accomplished something that nobody has done. … Nobody expected us to make it that far in our conference. We shocked everybody and proved everybody wrong.”

Defying the Odds
By Uniqua Quillins
JOMC Journal Reporter

The N.C. A&T men’s basketball team won its first ever NCAA tournament game on March 19. Their opponents were the Liberty Flames, of Lynchburg, VA, which they defeated 73-72.
“I thought our kids persevered,” said A&T head coach Cy Alexander told sportscasters after the game.
The leading scorer of this historic win was junior guard, Jeremy Underwood, who scored 19 points from the bench. Freshman guard, Bruce Beckford, was also a leader as he scored 16 points and had nine rebounds. Lamont Middleton, junior guard, also had a superb performance with 14 points and 5 rebounds.
During the NCAA opener, the Aggies came out with a lot of intensity and confidence. It was the first half where the Aggies were able to gain their highest lead of seven points. In the second half, Liberty tried to toughen their game and was successful in lessening the seven-point lead the Aggies had. However, through much athletic ability and aggressive effort, the Aggies did not allow Liberty to tie the game. Instead the Aggies gained more momentum and were able to obtain their highest lead of 10 points.
The great accomplishment the Aggies had in order to get to this step was winning the MEAC tournament. The tournament took place in Norfolk, Va on March 16. The Aggies first Florida A&M and defeated them 65-54. The second game the Aggies were victorious in was against N.C. Central with a 55-42 victory. The third game the Aggies won 84-78 against Delaware State. Senior forward, Adrian Powell, scared his 1000th career point at the 3:52 mark of the first half during this game. In the final championship game, the Aggies were able to defeat Morgan State 57-54.
This MEAC championship title is the 16th N.C. A&T has won – the most in the MEAC conference. 18 years ago, 1995, was the last time the Aggies were able to pull away with this title. This marks first-year head coach Alexander’s sixth MEAC title, but his first with N.C. A&T.
Next, the Aggies will go on to face the Louisville Cardinals tonight in Lexington, KY.

Jarell Pittman captures the energy and excitement at A&T as the men’s basketball team beats Liberty University and goes up against Louisville tonight. AGGIE PRIDE

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 31,000 people died from firearm-related deaths in 2010 (the latest figures available).  The Chicago Police Department says nearly 500 people died in 2012 from gun violence. Nearly 90 percent of those deaths involved African-American men 18-35. Then there were the Newtown, Conn. (26 deaths), and Aurora, Colo. (12) shooting massacres in 2012

Closer to home, students at North Carolina A&T aren’t immune. In a series of stories, they discuss how gun violence has affected them.

Jordynn Carlisle lost her father to gun violence when she was a child.

Dangerous Spring Break Destinations

 Safety Tips for 2013

By Raven Davis

Jomc Journal Reporter

It’s that time of year, college students are heading south to escape the hectic lives to embrace a tradition known as spring break.

Everyone is prepared with their swim gear, sun block and relaxed outfits packed and ready to go. Even though students are ready for a fun-filled memorable spring break, lets face it. There are people out there ready to take advantage of care-free college students. The good news is that there are ways to avoid event that could  put a damper on your spring break journey.

Farther south is where most students appear eager to go.

Fun in the sun defines spring break. So does safety.

“I will be in Panama City for the first time this spring break and I’m expecting nothing but fun; I hope my friends and I return safely,” says Whitney Bratcher,a  business management sophomore  from Orlando.

The Huffington Post lists the top five places most appealing to college students:

• Cancun, Mexico
• Punta Cana, Mexico
• South Beach, Miami
• Panama City Beach, Florida
• Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

These five hot spots have gained popularity over the years due to the festivities that are hosted specifically for college students. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico’s “Electo Beach Puerto Vallarta,” a music festival, attracts thousands of college students over the course of 42 days. Other activities that cater to college students are beach parties, sports games and performances and appearances by celebrities.

Unfortunately, because of high crime rates that range from violent crimes and robberies, Panama City is among the top five most dangerous spring break destinations, as listed by Life123.

Other dangerous destinations include:

• Acapulco, Mexico
• Cancun, Mexico
• Negril, Jamaica
• South Padre island

Warm climates always attract students from everywhere during spring break.

College students are seeking excitement and a grand time when they arrive at their spring break destination. “I had plans of going to Panama City Beach because there is a lot of fun things to do there for younger people, but I have been researching and I see that it is not that safe of a place. I don’t want anything bad to happen when I’m so far from home” says Kaih Reed, public relations sophomore from Los Angeles.You don’t have to change your plans; follow these tips as mentioned by the Mother Nature Network to ensure your safety:

• Travel in groups at all times, even during the day time;
• Intoxicated people are easy targets. Be sure that everyone in the group is not under the influence;
• Drinking and heat is not a good match. This combination can lead to dehydration, and a  hospital visit;
• Book a hotel near the festivities to avoid any chances of drunk driving;
• Keep cell phones charged for easy contact;
• Do not go off with a stranger no matter how attractive you may find them;
• Do not engage in underage drinking. Law enforcement cracks down on illegal drinking during Spring break;
• Be smart about money. Do not go to ATM’s alone or carry large amounts of cash;
• If you have to carry large amounts of money, do not make it visible in public.

The name speaks for itself. Every first Friday of the month, local merchants and arts organizations showcase their wares and work in downtown Greensboro. Visitors from far and near come out to eat good food, hear good music and see good visual art. The JOMC Journal recently captured on video the heart and soul of First Friday’s participants. Click the following links to see what we found:

Jazzmin Lawrence finds out what First Friday means to the Green Hill Center and what its brings to the March 1 event.

Leigha Cutting profiles African American Atelier, which focuses on African-American art and culture

Kenya Moye talks with Liz Hendricks of Design Archives