Branch VP Lavonta Williams elected Vice-Mayor of the City of Wichita!!!

This morning, Lavonta Williams, who currently serves as the City Councilwoman for Wichita District 1, the Vice President of the Wichita Branch NAACP, the Secretary for the Kansas State Conference of the NAACP, and a host of other positions, was elected to her newest post. By a unanimous 7-0 vote, Lavonta Williams was elected to serve as the Vice Mayor for the City of Wichita! Her election was historic; already the first African American Woman elected to the City Council, she is now the first African American Woman to serve as Vice Mayor for the City. What's next for Vice Mayor Williams??? We'll keep you posted!

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Join us April 4th for the "We Are One... Standing in solidarity with Labor" rally

On April 4th, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis Tennessee, where he had gone to stand with sanitation workers who were standing up and demanding fair treatment and the right to bargain collectively for a voice at work and a better life.

Today, that same demand is electrifying people across America. It's the demand of all people - Black, White, Latino,  and Asian American: The right to join together to fight for our common dreams.

On Monday, April 4th, Join the Wichita Branch and Kansas NAACP, the Wichita/Hutchison Labor Federation, and the Kansas Chapter of the National Organization for Women as we STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH LABOR.

What: The "WE ARE ONE" Rally
When: April 4th at 7:00pm
Where: Interfaith Ministries  (829 N Market St)

The event is free and open to the public

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Let your Legislators Hear Your Voice by calling 352 BE HEARD

Have you ever wanted to sound off and let your legislators know exactly how you felt about an issue? Have you ever really wanted an opportunity to weigh in on an issue, but you were unable to make it to a specific hearing or forum?

352 BE HEARD is an initiative designed to afford you the opportunity to speak directly to your elected representatives and to have them hear your opinions in your own voice. Simply dial 352 BE HEARD (352-234-3274) from your phone and sound off on the issue of the day. Messages are then converted into MP3 format and complied on interactive documents which are then sent electronically to Legislators, elected officials and the press.

Selected messages may even be made available through the blog or other interactive media so that we can all hear the real voices of the General Public live and unfiltered.

As the Kansas Legislature prepares to cut more than 50 MILLION dollars from our schools, leading to furloughs and increased class sizes, as they debate rolling back human and civil rights protections that we all take for granted, as they consider a push to eliminate get-out the vote type registration drives and door-to-door canvassing through a vacuous Voter ID Bill, and as they prepare to vote on yet ANOTHER Tax Cut bill - this time to phase out ALL Corporate Income taxes over the next 5 years Despite the fact we are already facing a $550 million dollar Revenue shortfall, YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER.

Please call 352 BE HEARD - and let YOUR voice Be Heard!

352 BE HEARD (352-234-3274) is a service jointly provided by the Wichita Branch and Kansas State Conference of the NAACP.

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The Wichita NAACP Partners with Sedgwick County to host Tonya Lewis Lee in Wichita to fight Infant Mortality

The Wichita Branch NAACP to partner with the Sedgwick County Health Department's Healthy Babies Program to host award-winning TV Producer, Tonya Lewis Lee, as she travels through Wichita on a three city tour throughout the State of Kansas. Ms. Lee’s visit is part of a statewide education campaign coordinated by the Kansas Blue Ribbon Panel on Infant Mortality in April, National Minority Health Awareness Month.

Researchers and health experts have sought unsuccessfully for years to determine why African American women suffer significantly higher infant mortality rates than their white counterparts. As the gap between black and white infant deaths continues to expand, it is time to address this paradox with new approaches. Over the past decade, the infant mortality rate for Kansas has remained relatively unchanged while the U.S. rate continued to decline. In 2008, Kansas’ rate of 7.25 infant deaths per 1,000 live births was higher than the national rate of 6.59 per 1,000 live births. (The national rate is based on preliminary death data published by the National Center for Vital Statistics).

According to the most recent annual summary published by the National Center for Vital Statistics (2007 data), Kansas ranked first (worst) among other states for black infant mortality. Reports from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Bureaus of Epidemiology and Public Health Informatics indicate the following: From 2000 – 2009, a 33 percent increase in the infant mortality rate was observed for non-Hispanic black infants. The non-Hispanic black infant mortality rate in 2009 was 2.6 times higher than the rate for non-Hispanic white infants. In 2009, Non-Hispanic black babies represent 6.8 percent of births and 15.2 percent of deaths.

While the root causes of these disparities in infant mortality rates is not thoroughly understood, the operating theory has been that the high incidence of infant deaths among African Americans is attributed to higher teen pregnancy rates, single motherhood, lower education levels, poverty, stress, and–most recently suggested–genetic causes.

Clearly, however, the need for new approaches to understanding this phenomenon is underscored by research disclosing that high levels of infant mortality persist, even when most of these factors are controlled. Also consider that African Americans have higher infant mortality rates in every age category. Furthermore, the genetic theory is weakened by research that shows better birth outcomes among foreign–born black women. It seems that regardless of their socioeconomic status, native–born African American women fare worse in birth outcomes compared to white women at every income and education level.

Wichita, KS – Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Host Organization: Sedgwick County Health Department, Healthy Babies Program
Contact: Susan Wilson, Program Director – sewilson@sedgwick.gov

Topeka, KS – Thursday, April 21, 2011
Host Organization: The Kansas African American Affairs Commission
Contact: Mildred Edwards, Executive Director – mildred.edwards@ks.gov

Kansas City, KS – Friday, April 22, 2011
Host Organization: Mother & Child Health Coalition
Contact: Susan McLoughlin, Executive Director – smcloughlin@mchc.net



FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATE OF KANSAS THREE-CITY TOUR, PLEASE CONTACT:

Aiko Allen, MS, Director
Center for Health Disparities
KDHE Division of Health
Email: AiAllen@kdheks.gov
Phone: 785-296-0781

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The Wichita NAACP Youth Forensics team presents "Black History is American History"

On February 15th, The Wichita NAACP Youth Forensics team will be making a presentation on the campus of Wichita State University entitled "Black History is American History". The presentation consists of several original oratorical pieces written by the youth themselves dealing with history and the failure of the educational system to truly integrate the accomplishments and achievements of African Americans into the American narrative.

This event is free and open to the public...

What: Black History is American History
When: February 15th at 6:30PM
Where: Rhatigan Student Center, room 203

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The Kansas African American Museum unveils new exhibit to promote Prematurity Awareness

The Wichita Branch NAACP, The Kansas African American Museum, The March of Dimes and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc and other collaborating organizations are working together to promote Prematurity Awareness.

Pre-term birth/low birth weight is one of the leading causes of infant deaths in Kansas. Across all races and ethnicities, infant deaths occur most often for young mothers under the age of 20, who are single parents, and who have less than a high school level of education.

According to the March of Dimes, “While the national infant mortality rate continues to decline, the Kansas rate is nearly 20 percent higher. While many states have made progress in closing the gap between white and black infant mortality, Kansas has not. Kansas ranks highest in the nation for black infant mortality.”

By coming together, we hope to ensure that every woman has a healthy pregnancy, gets early prenatal care and support services, learns about safe sleep, and makes choices that promote healthy lifestyles for a lifetime.

The Kansas African American Museum is now hosting a display entitled “Prematurity: A visual perspective”. An open house will be held tonight (November 29th) from 6-7pm, refreshments will be provided. Please join us in our efforts to address this important public health issue. For more information about the event please go contact J’Vonnah Maryman at 316-706-7776.


Every pregnant woman should be considered at risk of preterm birth. Around the 20th week of pregnancy, all pregnant women should learn the signs and symptoms of preterm labor and what they can do if they occur. To help prevent preterm birth, women should:

• Know the warning signs of preterm labor.
• Get regular prenatal checkups.
• Reduce stress.
• Quit smoking, drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs.
• Avoid secondhand smoke.
• Call a healthcare provider if she feels burning or pain when urinating (possible sign of an infection that can increase the risk of preterm birth).

To learn more please visit:
http://www.marchofdimes.com/kansas/
www.datacounts.net/infant_mortality/
www.kdheks.gov/bcyf/infant_mortality_campaign.htm

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The Wichita NAACP Youth Council meets with City Leaders to address Police response to violence

On November 21st, the Kappa Leadership League sponsored a party on the campus of Wichita State University. The party was intended to be a "coming-out" event for the newest inductees into the Leadership Organization. Around two hundred 14 through 17 year olds were in attendance.

At one point, a fight broke out within th building which was quickly stopped. However, as the youth who were involved were exiting the building, they began to fight again in the stairwell. At this point, campus police decided to shut the party down and send everyone home. Police started moving all of the students into the parking lot.

At one point, gunshots were heard coming from the parking lot. WSU Police are now investigating an officer who reportedly fired their weapon at a vehicle from which additional shots may have also been fired.

Once the shooting began, the frightened crowd of 14 through 17 year olds began running back towards the building, trying to get away from the gunfire in the parking lot. But the Campus Police were still posted at the building forcing the High School students out into the Parking lot.

Because these were High school students, most of them did not have cars and had no way to get home. The party was stopped an hour before it was scheduled to end so most of the students had to wait for rides, but virtually none felt safe waiting around in a parking lot where they've just heard gunshots and so many left to wander through the neighborhoods at 11pm while waiting for family members.

Last Tuesday, members of the Wichita NAACP Youth Council met with City Manager Bob Layton and Deputy Police Chief Tom Stoltz. Representing the youth were Kyron Cox (President of the Wichita NAACP Council and President of the Kappa Leadership League), Isaiah Myles (First Vice President of the Wichita NAACP Youth Council), Kendall Graham (NAACP Youth Council Secretary), Jowonia Bowen, Kelsie Graham, and Amani Myles (President of the Kansas State NAACP Youth Conference).

The Youth stressed the fact that they were not seeking to excuse bad behavior and that they understood that the ultimate responsibility for the events that evening was with the bad actors at the party. But they also wanted to express their concerns about policy; namely the fact that children, without cars or a way to exit, were being pushed into a parking lot where gunshots were being fired. The youth also sought to explore ways in which event organizers and the City can better coordinate to avoid these types of incidents in the future.

The investigation into the incident is still ongoing and the youth will continue to meet with the other involved agencies. And they will also begin working to create a dialogue within the community and among their peers about stopping the violence.

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The Forgotten Four - forgotten no more...

In the year 2000, Wichita experienced two unspeakable horrors within a matter of days. Two quadruple homicides on opposite sides of town; both senseless, both equally tragic. But the first of these savage attacks, the murders of Jermaine Levy, Dessa Laquita Ford, Quincy Williams, and Raeshawndra Wheaton (all aged 17), passed quickly from the media spotlight. The latter case, which came to be known as the Wichita Massacre, garnered national media attention. The former seemed all but forgotten, victims of our desensitized acquiescence to violence...

Two of these children, Quincy Williams and Dessa Ford, spent 10 years in unmarked graves. The family struggled to try and raise the funds needed to purchase headstones but had repeatedly fallen short. A cousin of Quincy and Dessa, Ms. Candace Reed, worked tirelessly to ensure that these children were remembered, and that we as a community would wake up to recognize the horrors and atrocities taking place on our streets, and that we would be inspired to act.

On June 26th, immediately following the "Restoring our Community" March, we held a community meeting in Tabernacle Bible Church. At that meeting, we asked the members of the community, to reach into their pockets and provide the $3,000 needed to purchase and place these headstones. Several people offered cash right on the spot and many more offered pledges until we'd finally reached the desired amount.

And now, the pledges have all been received, the bills have been payed in full, and it is my honor and pleasure to report to you that as of this morning, the headstones have been placed on the graves... The Forgotten Four are forgotten no more...

Ms. Reed went on to host a play that she wrote and produced about the tragedy that befell these children at St. Mark United Methodist Church. The play was well attended and Ms. Reed inspired us all, not only with her tenacity in keeping their memory alive, but also in her willingness to come forward with her personal testimony about violence and loss, and her heartfelt call to the community to make a change. Additional monies were raised that evening and in keeping with the vision of Ms. Reed, those monies will be used to establish a community trust fund for the families of the victims of violence, to ensure that no more families have to endure the tragedy of loss compounded by an inability to pay for proper services.

God id good...

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The Wichita NAACP to host a "Know Your Rights" summit - Saturday October 16th

Join us for an educational summit to help you understand your rights pertaining to: Employment, Legislation, Religion, Crime, Gangs, Education, Prison Reform, Taxes and the Economy, Laws and Youth Empowerment

When: Saturday October 16, 2010, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Where: McAdams Recreation Center, 1329 E. 16th St

Participants will include: State Legislators, District Representatives, WSU Economics Representative, Church Leaders, Legal Services Representatives, Gang/Drugs-Intervention-Prevention Representative, Young Ladies At Risk Counselor, Prison Reform Advocate, Department of Corrections Representative, Youth Groups, Wichita Crime Commission Representative, Educators, Judges, Law Enforcement Officers, Urban League, and Wichita Work Release Staff, and more...

Light refreshments and lunch provided

For more information contact:
Dr. Charles Coleman/NAACP Legal Redress Chair @ 390-0181
Mary Dean/NAACP Legal Redress Investigator @ 371-2253
BJ Mosley/NAACP Prison Reform Investigator @ 409-0513
Kevin Myles/NAACP President @ 219-6996

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Your input is needed - Wichita Public Rec Center Meetings Start Today!

Tonight is the kickoff of several open meetings which will help to determine which programs and services will be maintained in Wichita's public recreation facilities.

The Department of Park and Recreation is seeking feedback and public comment regarding future services in light of a one million dollar reduction to its recreation center budget.

All are encouraged to attend the meetings, which are listed below. The meetings will be held from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. today, Tuesday and Oct. 14. Childcare will be provided.

The meetings will provide background information on each recreation facility and roundtable discussions about which recreation center services should be offered. Topics will include classes, building usage, fees, facility hours and new services. Organizers include officials from Wichita State University’s Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs.

 The scheduled meetings follow:

Thursday, Oct. 7 - 6:30-8:30 p.m.
McAdams Recreation Center
1329 E. 17th

Osage Recreation Center
2121 W. 31st South

Linwood Recreation Center
1901 S. Kansas


Monday, Oct. 11 - 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Atwater/Lynette Woodard Neighborhood City Hall
2755 E. 19th North

Aley/Stanley Recreation Center
1749 S. Martinson

Colvin Recreation Center
2820 S. Roosevelt

Evergreen Recreation Center
2700 N. Woodland


Thursday, Oct. 14 - 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Edgemoor Recreation Center
5815 E. 9th

Boston Recreation Center
6655 E. Zimmerly

Orchard Recreation Center
4808 W. 9th

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Bishop Long as a metaphor: Why together we must break the silence on abuse...

I have struggled for a couple weeks with how I would approach this subject... You see, I have strongly felt a check in my spirit, a calling to speak out on a crisis within our community, but I just hadn't found the words. But now I have... This is not about Bishop Eddie Long - This is about us, and all the bishop long's we've tolerated in an indefensible silence.

Now with regard to Bishop Eddie Long, I don't know if he is guilty or innocent. Truthfully, I didn't know anything about him prior to these recent accusations so my point here is not to cast aspersions upon him. The justice system will ferret that out... But we've been too silent for too long about the sexual victimization of young girls and boys within our community. And I for one, will not remain silent any longer.

Rather than deal with Bishop Long the Reverend, I'd like to take a look at Bishop Long as a metaphor. Consider a man held in high esteem. Well regarded, and well known. A man holding a position of influence and one who used that influence to serve as a mentor to youth within our community... But even as he made his positive offerings to the community, he was victimizing the very children he purported to mentor.

This is not an isolated incident. This is not an uncommon anecdote. Too many children within our community are subject to acts of sexual molestation or abuse and we as a community need to speak out about it.

Through our work and my contact with youth, I am alarmed by the vast number of children who harbor terrible stories about the times their trust was betrayed and their innocence attacked. I have been equally pained to learn of the men, most of well repute, who selfishly scar the lives of our youth. These stories are scattered all around us; unchecked, unchallenged, they are our collective secret...

But no more.

Now I certainly realize, that this is a complicated psychological issue, and certainly not one that could be easily solved with a public awareness campaign. But I also know that the first real step to making a change is that Somebody has to stand up and say "Enough". We need to stand up for the safety and well-being of our children. No more young girls should have to endure this. No more young men either... Our Juvenile detention facilities and jails are filled with former victims of abuse: people who've struggled unsuccessfully to process and deal with their victimization. Our relationships are suffering, our family units are in free fall, and the monsters remain among us.

Now I don't know how this fits into the work of the NAACP. Our mandate is very clear and our mission is unambiguous. We are an organization that is dedicated to protecting people from the effects of bigotry, prejudice, and discrimination. I am as proud to be a part of that work today as I have ever been. But I also recognize a greater mandate. That we are ALL called to stand up and be protectors of our children and of those who can not protect themselves. And on this count, we are falling short.

I am a Civil Rights Warrior. But we can not be so concerned with defending our civil rights that we neglect to stand up for our children's Human Rights.

That is why a couple weeks ago I sat down with Pastors Reuben Eckels, Micheal Tyson, and Kevin Graham, along with NAACP Youth Director Kenya Cox, and TKAAM Executive Director Prisca Barnes, to have a conversation about how we could begin a community dialogue around the issue of ending the abuse. I don't know what form the campaign will eventually take - but I know its time to say "Enough".

If you have suggestions, ideas, or just want to be a part of the change - please drop me a line either by email or on Facebook, and let's end the silence...

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The Restoring our Community Movement to develop a collaborative multi-organizational outreach for at-risk youth

After the "Restoring our Community" March on June 26th, the participating organizations were asked to subscribe to an eight point agenda. Within them being that each group would contribute one new initiative to reaching our most at-risk youth, and that each organization would commit to reconvening after a couple months so we could begin working towards some long term collaborative efforts.

On Saturday, September 4th, the "Restoring our Community" Movement reconvened during the Wichita Black Arts Festival. The turnout was WONDERFUL as each of the 35 organizations who came together during the June 26th march were represented in the work session and we were also joined by a couple new ones as well. We took time to go around the room so that each organization who had rolled out a new program or initiative had an opportunity to describe the excellent work they're doing in the community and that we could each familiarize ourselves with and appreciate the efforts of the various Organizations. We learned about new efforts and initiatives from the Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta, the Gentlemen of Alpha Phi Alpha, the Peace and Social Justice Center, the African American Coalition, 316TRZ, Justice Keepers, the Wichita NAACP, and many others...

We then turned our discussions towards building a multi-organizational collaborative effort. We proposed the creation of a large scale, long-term, rites of passage type program specifically targeted towards at-risk youth in our community. The program would be designed to help move them, via several steps and phases, away from negative behaviors and a negative social outlook into a pro-social and pro-educational outlook.

The plan would not require the creation of any new initiatives, organizations, or programs... Rather, it would "synchronize" the great efforts of our existing organizations, linking them together in a sequence that the youth would "pass through", allowing them to receive the best of the programs our community already has to offer. And while some of our existing programs seem inaccessible to many of our At-Risk youth who may not currently understand their relevance, the programs would be sequenced so that the benefits and lessons of each would open the doors to understanding the necessity of the next one, and the next one, and so on...

The outreach and recruitment would be managed by the Organizations currently doing Gang Intervention work (such as "do you want to live or die", 316TRZ, Justice Keepers, Sisterhood of Queens, etc). The youth would then go through their curriculum. This stage corresponds to the "Separation" stage in a tradition Rites of Passage program.

Next would be a curricular segment on "History and Context" which would not only address history, but would specifically deal with the context of struggle and sacrifice, and would impart an understanding and appreciation of Civic Responsibility. This segment will be provided by the Social and Civic Organizations who are currently doing this work.

Followed by a Curricular segment dealing with reconnecting the threads of family and community. This "rebuilding the village" phase would be provided by the many Churches and Religious organizations who are a part of this effort.

That would be followed by a curricular segment designed to broaden the youth's perspective beyond the narrow confines of the neighborhood. This segment will deal with diversity and cross-cultural issues, and will be provided by various cultural and interest group Organizations.

The final segment will deal with educational issues; from basic educational needs, to skill development, to reintroducing the idea of College and higher education as being a passport to a different and brighter future. This segment would be provided by the many educational and Greek Letter organizations participating in this effort.

And the thread that will tie all of these pieces together, is that when youth enter into the Rites of Passage program, each child will be assigned a Mentor from the groups who are currently providing Mentoring services to youth. This Mentor among other positive services, will also keep the child accountable for participating through all stages and will provide the necessary reinforcement and reaffirmation as needed.

There are still numerous issues to be resolved and questions to be answered, but the important thing is, we elected to move forward; to create work groups, and to begin meeting on a monthly basis to put this project together and get it off the ground! The first meeting will be in October!

Don't ever let anyone say that we 'can't' come together or work together. We most certainly can and the "Restoring our Community" movement is proving it! ~ I'll keep you all posted as new developments occur...

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More Educational success stories: The "Ready to Impact" Program

The Ready to Impact program was implemented as a pilot, here in Wichita, at Southeast High School in November 2006. The project has since expanded to include Heights High and West High schools. It's purpose is to provide targeted services to students to help get them on track for graduation and post-secondary options. In 2008-2009, the program served students at Southeast, Heights, and West High schools and successfully graduated 86% of the Seniors involved, who would not have graduated without the assistance this program provided. In 2009-2010, of the 73 students served, 86.6% successfully graduated with West high graduating 12 out of 12 for a 100% success rate.

The program is led by Ms. Rhonda Hicks (pictured above); a truly dynamic and committed educator. USD259 has since entered into an contract with Ms. Hicks to expand her program to reach even more of the District's at-risk youth.

We would like to offer our sincere appreciation and our congratulations to Rhonda Hicks. Yours is an excellent program, and we thanks you for all that you do to improve the educational outcomes for children.

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Save the Date: NAACP Chair Roslyn Brock to address the Wichita NAACP Legacy Awards Banquet 10-30-10

On October 30th, NAACP National Chairman Roslyn McCallister Brock will address the Wichita Branch NAACP's 90th Anniversary Legacy Awards Banquet. This is the first time a sitting NAACP Chairman has visited our city in the 90 year history of the Branch.

Roslyn M. Brock made history in February 2010 when she became the youngest ever and fourth woman to serve as Chairman of the National Board of Directors.

Over the past twenty five years, Brock has served the NAACP in several leadership roles. She is a Diamond Life Member of NAACP and joined the Association as a freshman at Virginia Union University where she was elected President of the Youth and College Division from the Commonwealth of Virginia. One year later, she was elected as a Youth Board Member from Region 7 - representing the District of Columbia, Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia. During her tenure as a Youth Board Member and Vice Chairman of the NAACP Board Health Committee, Brock led the policy debate to recognize access to quality health care as a civil rights issue that resulted in the National Board's ratification and inclusion of a Health Committee as a Standing Committee in its Constitution.

In 1989, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Benjamin Lawson Hooks, Brock wrote her Master's Thesis on "Developing a NAACP Health Outreach Program for Minorities." Brock is a skilled grant writer and has secured more than $2.7 million dollars in grants since 1991 for NAACP programs that initiated the Health Symposiums held annually at NAACP National Conventions; publication of more than 200,000 copies of "HIV/AIDS and You" educational materials distributed to NAACP Units; research and media work associated with documenting the history of the NAACP; support for ACT-SO and the NAACP Law Fellows programs; and commissioned the 2007 NAACP Perceptions Survey just to name a few.

In 1999, Brock was appointed Chair of the Board Convention Planning Committee. In this role, she led the Committee to institute fiscal policies that resulted in the Convention becoming a profit center for the Association with average net revenues of $1 million dollars a year.

In 2005, Brock created the Leadership 500 Summit with several other young adult members of the NAACP. The Summit's goal is to recruit, train and retain a new generation of civil rights leaders aged 30 - 50 to the NAACP. Since its inception, Leadership 500 has contributed more than $650,000 to the NAACP National Treasury to support 2009 Centennial activities.

As Chairman of the Board Centennial Committee, Brock provides oversight for publication of Centennial calendars and paraphernalia; commission of Centennial artwork; and creation of the Centennial logo and theme for marketing and public relations.

Brock is member of the Board of Trustees for the Catholic Health Association of the United States of America and the NAACP Special Contributions Fund Board of Trustees. She's served on the boards of community mental health; family and children's services; senior services and faith based community ministries. She's also a member of several professional and civic organizations including the American Public Health Association; American College of Health Services Executives; American Hospital Association's Disparities in Healthcare Task group; Association of Healthcare Philanthropy; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and The LINKS, Inc.

A recipient of numerous healthcare, community service and leadership awards, Brock's leadership skills have been recognized by several national publications and organizations. In April 2008, Brock participated in the United States Department of Defense's 75th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC) reserved for American leaders interested in expanding their knowledge of the military and national defense. She toured U.S. Southern Command, responsible for providing contingency planning, operations and security cooperation for Central and South America, the Caribbean, Cuba and the Bahamas, and their territorial waters.

She was a guest lecturer on "Alleviating Global Poverty" in Rome, Italy at the 2007 Martin Luther King, Jr. Conflict Resolution Conference co-sponsored by the Lott Carey Foreign Missions and the Baptist Union of Italy.

From 2003-2005, Brock served as a Young Leaders Fellow for the National Committee on U.S. - China Relations to build cross-cultural understanding and professional networks with young Chinese leaders while exploring substantive issues and developing enduring friendships.

Other highlights include: Wrote the Foreword for the 2008 Edition of Who's Who Among African-Americans Directory; Featured in December 2007 Forbes Magazine article on Diversity and Economic Parity for African Americans; Recipient of the Network Journal's "40 Under Forty Achievement Award"; Martin Luther King, Jr. Medal for Human Rights, the George Washington University; Outstanding Alumna, Virginia Union University; Honorary Chairperson, National Black Family Summit; Ebony magazine's "Future Leader Award"; and Good Housekeeping's "100 Young Women of Promise."

Brock is employed as Vice President, Advocacy and Government Relations for Bon Secours Health System, Inc., in Marriottsville, Maryland. Prior to working at Bon Secours, Brock worked 10 years in Health Programs at the W. K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek, Michigan.

She graduated magna cum laude from Virginia Union University; earned a master's degree in health services administration from George Washington University, an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Master of Divinity degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Theology at Virginia Union University.

Brock's goal in life is embodied in an African proverb "Care more than others think is wise, Risk more than others think is safe, Dream more than others think is practical and Expect more than others think is possible."

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Ok, so we've marched... Now what?

On April 14th, our community was hit by a senseless act of violence. A drive-by shooting occurred near 18th and Volutsia, in the middle of the day, taking the life of yet another one of our young people. The crime was especially tragic because there were a number of small children who were outside playing at the time, who not only witnessed the crime, but were also potential victims. This wasn't the first such crime of the year, and certainly wouldn't be the last. And all indications were, that as a city, we were in for a long hot summer...

The Restoring our Community March was held on June 26th through the heart of the Wichita African American Community. The march united 34 Civic and Social organizations to focus increased attention and effort on addressing at-risk youth within our community. Fraternities, Sororities, Churches, Politicians, City Leaders, Social Groups, Community Activists, families of homicide victims, and concerned citizens all came together and marched, 4 miles, at 12 noon, in 98 degree weather, to call for an end top the violence. We marched right through our own community. And as we marched, we passed the bullhorn from Pastor to Pastor and we prayed, loudly and collectively for peace in our neighborhoods. We talked to the people we encountered along the route. We called out to the people still in their homes. And we challenged everyone, ourselves included, to do more...

Each of the organizations who participated in the march were asked to contribute a new initiative specifically designed to address the needs and issues surrounding our at-risk youth. We asked each organization to find new ways to reach out to youth beyond the pool of the best and brightest who many of our efforts often serve.

Yesterday, the front page of the Wichita Eagle featured a story on the drop in crime our city has recently experienced. And while the city-wide drop has been only 1.5%, the story says that the drop has been spurred by a more precipitous drop in the 'core of the city'. And while there are certainly any number of inter-related factors that contributed to this drop in crime and violence, I think it worthy of note that when we as a community come together we absolutely CAN make a difference!

Next Steps:
After the march, we also asked each of the organizations to commit to coming together again to talk about some specific ways that we can increase and strengthen our collaborative efforts. That meeting will take place on Saturday, September 4th, at 2:00pm in the McAdams Center (in McAdams Park). Immediately following the Black Arts Festival Parade, we  would like to have representatives from each of the participating organizations gather in the McAdams Rec Center for a brief meeting during which we will discuss each of the Organizations efforts to reach at-risk youth, and discuss some specific long-term projects that we could collaborate on that would really increase our collective efficacy.

So please, join us as we move into phase II of the 'Restoring our Community' Movement

The Restoring our Community Movement
Phase II: "Bridging the Gaps through strategic collaborations"

Saturday September 4th @ 2:00pm
(following the Black Arts Festival Parade)
McAdams Recreation Center

Participating Organizations
The Wichita Ministerial League, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the Urban League of Kansas, the Peace and Social Justice Center, Sunflower Community Action, the African American Coalition, Real Men Inc, the Council of Elders, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Zeta Phi Beta Sororities, Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Iota Phi Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternities, The Wichita Chapter of the National Organization for Women, the Wichita Black Nurses Association, the Center for Heath and Wellness, the Universalist Unitarian Church, the Kansas African American Museum, 316 the Rescue Zone, "Do you want to Live or Die" , Woman to Woman, the Justice Keepers, the Advocacy Coalition of Kansas, Bigelow Bethea, Rice Services, the Boys and Girls Club, Real Men Real Heroes, the Kappa Leadership League, the Optimist Club, and the City of Wichita.  - AND YOU!!


If you would like to be a part of this effort, just plan to be in attendance on September 4th!!!

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Black, Brown, and Beyond...

Last night, the Wichita NAACP and Sunflower Community Action hosted a forum to discuss commonalities between racial and cultural lines. The purpose of the event was to gain a better understanding and sense of community particularly between black and brown communities. There are many issues that face both communities for example, gang violence, discrimination and unsafe neighborhoods just to name a few. The goal was show that if we have a better understanding of one another then we can start to break down the barriers that keep us from moving forward together to address these issues.

I spoke to the mostly Latino and African American audience about how race and racism are used as mechanisms of control. I talked about how we are all manipulated by a system designed to ensure that the wealthy and powerful are able to safeguard their wealth and influence. While laws are being rewritten, banks are being bailed out, homes are being foreclosed, jobs are being lost, prisons are being filled, schools are being underfunded, history is being altered, promised reforms are being gutted, and the rich are getting richer, we the people are being fed a steady stream of divisiveness and distractions.

The situation is best summarized by perhaps my favorite quote from Chris Palahniuk who said,

"Old George Orwell got it backward. Big Brother isn't watching. He's singing and dancing. He's pulling rabbits out of a hat. Big Brother's busy holding your attention every moment you're awake. He's making sure you're always distracted. He's making sure you're fully absorbed.

He's making sure your imagination withers. Until it's as useful as your appendix. He's making sure your attention is always filled.

And this being fed, it's worse than being watched. With the world always filling you, no one has to worry about what's in your mind. With everyone's imagination atrophied, no one will ever be a threat to the world."

Last night’s meeting was the first in a three part series to unite communities of color and to make it clear that we are all in this together. Stay tuned for more information on the next two sessions...

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The "Restoring our Community" March - 6/26/10

The weather man said it was 98 degrees out there... But still we marched. Not a short walk, not downhill, and not even down shaded streets. We marched 4 miles, at 12 noon, in the blazing sun, for nearly 2 hours, right through the heart of our community. We marched to send a message; that we are ready to make a change. That we are ready to be the change we want to see... Young folks and seniors, walking together, praying together, singing together as we called for an end to the violence that has plagued our community for too long.

It was beautiful...

I would like to personally thank the Wichita Ministerial League, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the Urban League of Kansas, the Peace and Social Justice Center, Sunflower Community Action, the African American Coalition, Real Men Inc, the Council of Elders, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Zeta Phi Beta Sororities, Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Iota Phi Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternities, The Wichita Chapter of the National Organization for Women, the Wichita Black Nurses Association, the Center for Heath and Wellness, the Universalist Unitarian Church, the Kansas African American Museum, 316 the Rescue Zone, "Do you want to Live or Die" , Woman to Woman, the Justice Keepers, the Advocacy Coalition of Kansas, Bigelow Bethea, Rice Services, the Boys and Girls Club, Real Men Real Heroes, the Kappa Leadership League, the Optimist Club, and the City of Wichita.

I would also like to offer a special word of thanks to David and Lynne Gilkey, Pastor Reuben Eckels, Pastor Lincoln Montgomery, Pastor Cynthia Wolford, Carl Kirkendal, Cindi Donaldson, Prisca Barnes, Leah George, Frankie Brown, Reverend Peggy Elliott, Pastor Titus James, and the Reverend Michael Tyson for helping to carry the vision...

Thanks to Reverends Wade, Steele, and Sims, who offered up their Church buses and vans to make sure that those who were tired or who needed a rest could get on the bus for a while and continue on the path. Thank you to Fire Chief Blackwell for analyzing the route and having the fire department open several of the hydrants as we approached to provide a cooling mist as we marched by. Thank you to McDonalds and Youthville for providing water and ice. And thank you to Maaskelah Thomas for being my sounding board...

I'd like to also recognize those who sacrificed to be a part of this event. Folks such as Wanda Hunt who came just after a home-going celebration, Lanora Nolan who 'literally' walked until her feet bled, Superintendent Mark Gilkey who had an event going on at his own church but still found a moment to slip away and march with us, Mayor Carl Brewer whose schedule was full but found a way to make it over and join in the march and stayed through the program to speak to the community as well.

And last but certainly not least, my heartfelt thanks to my "team". Elaine Guillory, Kenya Cox, Kenyal Lattimore, Lavonta Williams, VJ Sessions, Sandra Rankins, Mary Dean, Charles Coleman... you guys helped take the "pictures" in my head and formulate the vision... I know I sometimes work y'all to death, but I love you all for letting me...

And another very special thanks to the Wichita NAACP Youth Council. You guys created the facebook and my space pages, sent out over 2,000 personal notices and invitations, stayed down at the office until 10pm making signs, carried the banners, and did everything we could ask, and things we didn't even know to ask... So to Amani, Kyron, Jesyka, Isaiah, AJ, Ronnell, Andrew, Carl Jr, Kendall, Jowonia, Aaron, Shelby, Mya, Jordon, Sharell, and all of the rest of you, thank you from the bottom of my heart...

And lastly a special word of thanks to Candice Reed who helped keep us focused on why this is so very important...

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That said, this was only the beginning. The march and meeting were the "kick-off" events for what will be a long but rewarding process of transformation. Be clear, we will make some mis-steps, there will be a few gaffes and disappointments along the way, but if we stay focused and stay committed, we can do something that will serve as an example for cities across this Country.

The next step will be a facilitated session in August (we're still finalizing the venue). At that meeting we will work to design some multi-faceted and multi-disciplined collaborative initiatives that will maximize the shared resources and talents of the Organizations that have come to the table... How much more could we accomplish if we all strategically worked together? - In August, we'll see if we can't answer that question...

...but in the interim, yesterday we talked about 7 points that we can implement right now to begin the process of community restoration and transformation.

1. BELIEVE IT - The first thing we must do to begin the process of transforming our community is we must BELIEVE that we can. There are a Million detractors out there who will offer us reasons why we can't. We even have a million voices inside our own heads that will tell us that we're too flawed, too broken, or to self-centered to ever truly come together.. But conquering the haters and our doubts is the first step in this effort. It is a pre-requisite for the other steps. Believe that we CAN rebuild our community and SPEAK it to all those who will listen.

2. PRACTICE FORGIVENESS - We must all take the difficult step of forgiving one another. Within our community we have held on to far too many old grievances, hurts and disappointments. We too often listen to one another, not to hear the message we're trying to convey, but rather to validate our distrusts and disdains. By holding on to our grudges we deprive our youth of the opportunity to experience the healthy and nurturing communities we knew as children. If we as a community are to become like a shining city upon a hill, it will not begin with bricks and mortar, it will not begin with a summer jobs initiative, or a great new grant funded program. It will begin with us... It will begin with us FORGIVING one another and deciding that we are willing to leave our hurts and anger and mistrust in the past; Stand with one another (flaws and all) and TRY AGAIN.

3.TAKE THE PLEDGE - We must each pledge to place the interests of our Community above those of our respective organizations. This one is difficult... Those of you who know me, know that I love the NAACP. And my love is not passive; I will travel any distance and go to any length for my organization because I believe in its mission its purpose and its history. But I know that I was a member of our community before I'd ever heard of the NAACP, and I will remain a member of our community long after my NAACP days have ended... So my first loyalty MUST be to the community that nurtured me and that will serve as the home and foundation for my children and grandchildren. But the reality is that Grant Funding combined with Generations of "Willie Lynch" like conditioning have served to make natural colleagues into fierce competitors; willing to publicly tear each other down at a net-loss for the community. So we must pledge: If another Organization offers a service or program of greater benefit than what I can offer, I pledge that I will not compete with them. Rather, I will offer my services and talents to try and help them. I will make referrals as necessary and will offer my unqualified support, because in all our efforts the COMMUNITY must come first.

4. COMMIT to rolling out at least one new initiative specifically targeted to the at-risk youth in our community. We have no shortage of youth groups in our community and most of them are OUTSTANDING. We have any number of Excellent programs with great leadership and wonderful curriculums. But, if we are honest, many of our programs are serving the best and brightest. We take the great and make them excellent. But those of our children who have made poor choices, who have gotten into some trouble, or who are heading down the wrong paths, don't benefit from our programming. Once they're "out there" we tend to leave them "out there" and we rationalize it by saying that they have to 'want' to change... But we must not forget that they are children, and as children, how will they know the right way unless they are shown? These children on the margins have the same potential for excellence and their own unique gifts and abilities... often times they just need our attention, our concern, and our guidance. So we ask that each participating organization roll out one new initiative designed to reach these children and help them shine as well.

5. FULLY COMMIT the resources of your organization to support at least one effort or initiative of a different organization. We can't just talk about collaborating and working together, we have to make it happen.. After the March we distributed resource guides with contact information and a snapshot of the work of all of the participating organizations. We will continue to build that resource guide as we bring more and more organizations into this effort and as we edit, we will make the guide available online. Find something that you can support and lets start amplifying each others efforts!

6. COMMUNICATE - We are asking that each participating organization send a copy of your organizational calendar to the Community Voice Newspaper so that they can publish a Community Calendar. This will be a resource to help us support each others efforts and it will also help us to avoid scheduling competing events on the same days.

7. COMMIT to staying at the table. Our next event will be held in late August (details will be posted online).

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"What's in in for you?": WSU to host a public panel discussion on the Affordable Care Act

The new Health Care Legislation is complex. Come and gain a new understanding of how it affects you, your family and your medical care!

When: Saturday, May 22, 2010 2pm-4pm
Where: Rhatighan Student Center (formerly the CAC) Room 203 on the WSU Campus

The panelists:

• Dr. Richard Skibba, M.D., Retired, Board Certified Gastroenterologist and Clinical Associate Professor of Internal Medicine
• Monica Flask, Director of Project Access, Central Plains Regional Health Care Foundation
• David Wilson, President of Kansas AARP
• Bev White, President and CEO the Center for Health and Wellness

Admission is FREE

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Get out your Walking shoes -- It's time to MARCH

It's time...
For too long we've dealt with the issues of violence, crime, under-achievement, and low expectations. For too long our community and organizations have been plagued by divisions and mistrust. For too long we've waited for solutions to come from the outside, when we have to power to change our reality right now if we would only come together...

It's time...
On June 26th, at 12:00 noon, the NAACP and the Ministerial League along with other community minded organizations, concerned citizens, families, and youth, will STAND TOGETHER. We will March through our neighborhood, walking past the sites where our young men and women have lost their lives to senseless violence. We are going to March, and sing, and Pray, and recall that spirit of the Community we Used to be... We are going to March together, arm-in-arm, and work together to bring about the Rebirth of our Community Spirit. We are going to March together, and teach our Young People about the beautiful People and Community that God intended us to be.

It's time...
We are going to stand together and say Goodbye to the Ego's, Goodbye to the Silo's, and Goodbye to the divisions that have kept us apart. We are going to stand together and say Goodbye to the violence, Goodbye to the crime, and Goodbye to the low expectations that have afflicted our community.

It's time...
We're going to Reclaim our community by reclaiming our Youth. We are not going to cast these young men aside -- We are going to reclaim them. These are our children - We are going to let them know that we love them, and we are going to bring them back into the fold. We're not going to lecture them about the way it was 'back in the day'... We going to talk to them about the way its 'going to be Tomorrow', and we're going to fight to bring our prodigal sons back home. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

It's time everybody... So get out your old walking shoes. And JOIN US on June 26th... More details will follow shortly through the blog, email, radio, newspaper, text, twitter, facebook, and flyers...

Be ready everybody - Start talking it up - Start praying and Stretching - because on June 26th, we're going to stand together and rebuild our community...

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Wichita NAACP Statement on the recent drive by shooting death near 18th and Chatauqua

A few moments ago, I received a call from City Councilwoman and NAACP Vice President Lavonta Williams, informing me of a drive by shooting that took place yesterday near 18th and Chatauqua. I am currently out of town but I felt it was important that we not wait, but rather that we speak to this tragic issue and to those who have been affected.

I speak on behalf of the Wichita Branch NAACP as an organization and myself personally when I say that we mourn the loss of life, and offer our prayers to the family. But we most also condemn, in the strongest terms possible, the senseless and reckless cycle of violence that has plagued our community for too long and has yet claimed another life. Equally tragic as the shooting itself was that fact that the act was witnessed by a group of small children who were outside playing in the neighborhood.

As an activist, and someone who volunteers between 25 and 30 hours per week to serve this community which I deeply love, I find myself racked with anger at those whose selfishness and disregard for human life threatens to destroy the very fabric of our community. You are robbing the childhood away from our children.

To my young brothers: There is no excuse for what you're doing. I know you tell me, "man, you don't understand..."; but that's simply not true. I do understand... it's you who seemingly do not. You don't seem to understand that in a world of infinite possibilities, failure is a choice. Each of you has a god-given potential that  is too often wasted on get rich quick schemes, "hustling", drugs, excuses, and violence... It is shameful and indefensible and it must stop...

When I get back to Wichita, I plan to sit down with brother David Gilkey, Pastor Michael Tyson, and others who are committed to ending this cycle of violence to develop some new strategies for reaching these youth. If you are interested in joining in this effort, we'll be posting updates and meeting info on our Facebook page... You can join the Wichita NAACP Facebook group by clicking the applet in the upper right section of this page...

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