Waynewood School of Hope Open House – Friday, July 25, 2008
The Waynewood School of Hope, located at 1000 University Avenue in St. Paul will be having their open house on Friday, July 25, 2008 from 3- 7pm. You are encouraged to attend this history making event. The schools Founder and Director, Ms. Beverly Waynewood says, “The staff and I sincerely want to stimulate the hearts and minds on our students to achieve excellence. We want children and their families to become excited about their education and hopeful about the future.”
About the Wanyewood School of Hope:
Their slogan, “Building Young Minds for a Global World” is based on the schools rigorous curriculums, character development, culture, self appreciation and responsibility. The
Waynewood School of Hope program benefits include:
· Small Classes
· Transportation
· Uniform Dress Code
· Nutritious Meals
· Teachers and Staff who value HIGH expectations
· Respect is NUMBER ONE
The Waynewood School of Hope is a Public Charter School for grades 6, 7, 8. Our goal is to support the positive development of your child’s Cultural self-awareness and self-esteem with a commitment to high expectations to give you and your child an inspired vision of the future and the skills to take control of his or her destiny.
The culture of the Waynewood School of Hope will use the two most basic and fundamental principles that are found in many cultures: Respect and Community. Human-to-Human Respect and Community will be used as the vehicles that drive the school staff and fashion student success.
The Waynewood School of Hope is currently accepting students for their 2008-2009 school year. You can register your child by calling (651) 917-3085 or visit Waynewood‘s website at www.waynewoodschoolofhope.org for more information.
A Community Celebration in Honor of Clarence Hightower
Join us Tuesday, July 22, 2008 starting at 6:00 p.m., as we say farewell to a friend. Every once in a while, a person comes along who makes an impact in countless people’s lives.
Clarence Hightower is such a person.
Join the Minneapolis Urban League, Proactive Urban Initiatives and Front Street Public Relations for a Community Appreciation and Celebration for Mr. Clarence Hightower. The event will take place at the Minneapolis Urban League, Glover-Sudduth Center for Urban Affairs and Economic Development located at 2100 Plymouth Avenue North (corners of Penn Avenue and Plymouth Avenue N.), dinner will be provided and you are encouraged to reserve your individual ticket or table of 8 by calling Mr. Todd Barnes at (612) 302-3180. There is no cost to attend this event and community is welcomed to attend.
About Mr. Clarence Hightower:
Hightower, who had indicated his intention to explore his options after completing the agency’s 10-year strategic plan, told his staff and the MUL Board of Directors that he greatly appreciated the opportunity to work for the most important organization he’s ever been a part of and with some of the most dedicated social service professionals in the nonprofit sector. Hightower is proud of his tenure with the Urban League, noting that ten years ago, when first charged with implementing a strategic plan that called for the League to launch the first capital campaign in its history, he was determined to carry it out with distinction. The outcome was the construction of the Glover Sudduth Center for Economic Development and Urban Affairs on the north side, and the Sharon Sayles Belton Community Services Center on the south side. Both new centers have created a better atmosphere for staff, program participants, and the community.
Hightower helped the organization to restructure internally, which created a stronger focus on marketing. As a result, the Urban League is marketed in a way that it had not been before. There is now a higher visibility of the work of the Minneapolis Urban League, and the impact that it continues to have on its constituents and the city as a whole.
Just recently Mr. Hightower worked with the Board of Directors to complete a new Strategic Plan that will chart the course for the Minneapolis Urban League through December 31, 2011. “Although there is no perfect time, transition gives us the opportunity to change and grow. I will be leaving an organization that is sound and has a clear direction for its future,” says Hightower.
Hightower met this morning (June 24, 2008) with the League’s Executive Committee to thank them for their support over the years. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Chair Clayton Tyler offered the following statement: “The Board of Directors is deeply saddened by the resignation of Clarence Hightower. He has been an able steward of the Urban League for the past 10 years and has achieved many great accomplishments, among them an outstandingly successful capital campaign.” Vice Chair Cathy Wassberg stated: “The skills and energy that Clarence Hightower brought to the Minneapolis Urban League have been a tremendous asset and contributed immeasurably to our status as a premier service and advocacy organization. We wish him well in this next chapter of his life.” Tyler added that the Board will look forward to working with Mr. Hightower in the transition as they begin the task of identifying a new President/CEO.
Hightower will leave the Minneapolis Urban League after July 31 to assume the position of Executive Director with the Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties.
“And the Beat Goes On” Friday, July 18, 2008 with the Whispers at Trocaderos Nightclub and Restaurant!
The Whispers “Then & Now“
One of R&B music’s most beloved and consistently popular vocal groups, The Whispers will be performing at Trocaderos Nightclub and Restaurant on Friday, July 18, 2008. Tickets are available at the door or by calling (612) 465-0440. This is a 21+ show and the concert starts at 7pm with Special Guests, Power and Black. Trocaderos Nightclub and Restaurant is located in the historic downtown Minneapolis warehouse district at 107 Third Avenue North.
Trocoderos Nightclub and Restaurant has a full menu of some of the best appetizers and entrées in downtown Minneapolis. Come early, eat food and enjoy the music of the legendary group, The Whispers!
About the Whispers
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Four Decades of Pop and R & B Favorites, Seven Gold Albums, Two Platinum Albums, 12 Top Twenty Singles, 40 Charted Hits Since 1970, American Music Award Nominees, Soul Train Award Nominees, Grammy Award Nominees 2003 Vocal Group Hall of Fame Inductees, 2005 Regional Grammy Governors Award, 2002 NAACP Image Award
The Whispers began their legendary and timeless career in 1963. Twin brothers Walter and Wallace Scott joined with friends Nicholas Caldwell, Marcus Hutson, and Gordy Harmon to form a local singing group. They perfected their tight harmonies on the street corners in the Watts section of Los Angeles and in nightclubs in the in the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area.
They began singing together as “the Eden trio” created by Nicholas Caldwell and Marcus Hutson. Later, they were renamed “The Whispers” by Lou Bedell of Dore Records. The group recorded nine singles for the Dore label between 1964 and 1967. Their fame grew in the Bay Area while performing in a series of what was known as “The Battle of the Bands” where they competed against other local acts for their fans appreciation and affection. In 1969 they released “The Time Will Come” for a small L.A. based label Soul Clock Records, and subsequently recorded their first Top 10 R&B hit, “Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong,” in 1970 when the group switched to Janus Records. By 1971 Gordy Harmon decided to leave the group and was replaced by Leaveil Degree who had previously sung with “The Friends of Distinction”.
Learn about the Whispers!
The Whispers produced a string of hits over the next two decades and emerged as the leading romantic singers of their generation, racking up one gold album after another and charting numerous R&B hits throughout the seventies and eighties. The Whispers were the first artists featured on the newly formed Soul Train label (co- owned by the TV show’s creator and host Don Cornelius and entrepreneur Dick Griffey). They gained national attention with their seventies albums, “One For The Money”, “Open Up Your Love”, and “Headlights” producing two singles that graced Billboard’s Top 20 R&B Charts: “(Let’s Go) All the Way” and “(Olivia) Lost and Turned Out”.
Their first platinum album “The Whispers” (1980) highlighted “A Song for Donny,” a song written by Carrie Lucas in memory of Donny Hathaway, and their biggest hit “And The Beat Goes On.” It was their most successful selling album (double platinum). The neoclassic “Lady,” written by group member Nicholas Caldwell, is still a favorite at concerts. 1987’s “Just Gets Better with Time”, went platinum. It featured the R&B number 1 and US Top 10 pop entry “Rock Steady”, a collaboration with Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds.
Their vocal style harkens back to a more genteel era of crooning, preferring soft pillow talk and songs that speak to heartfelt emotions. They are arguably the most celebrated R&B balladeers of their generation and still make women swoon with their silky yet forceful tenors of twins Walter and Scotty. In the 1990s, The Whispers joined the Capitol Records family releasing more favorites. Expanding their creative horizons, brothers Walter and Scotty cut “My Brother’s Keeper”, a critically acclaimed duet album in 1993, scoring another R&B hit with a cover of the Intruders’ “I Wanna Know Your Name.” “Toast to the Ladies” released in 1995 featured a collection of love songs dedicated to women all over the world. In 1997 the group moved to Interscope Records where they featured the works of Babyface once again with their album, “Songbook, Vol. 1: The Songs of Babyface”.
Marcus stopped performing with the group in 1989 due to ill health, and in 2000, when he passed on, the Whispers vowed never to replace him. In the new millennium the group still performs around the world to thousands of loyal fans. The group has not made any personnel changes and still consists of Walter Scott, Wallace Scott, Nicholas Caldwell, and Leaveil Degree. They have taken Las Vegas by storm, selling out in various casinos and hotels, and they have a tremendous following on the West and East coasts, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area, Southern California, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, St. Louis, Indiana, and Chicago. On September 23, 2003, The Whispers’ four decades of accomplishments were acknowledged when Charlie Thomas of the Drifters inducted them into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. On June 12, 2005, The San Francisco Chapter of the Grammy Awards presented the Whispers with the prestigious Governors Award, the highest honor bestowed by an Academy Chapter. They continue to perform to sell-out crowds all over the world, and their popularity continues to grow among youth whose parents “raised” them on the Whispers’ music.
They are also known for their charitable work with youth that participate in the PAL (Police Athletic League) Reading Program, and their ongoing support to domestic violence organizations and cancer agencies. They are one of only a few “old School” groups that can boast of having over 40 years in the industry with a worldwide fan base, maintaining their vocal dominance and original members. The Whispers waited almost a decade to produce a new CD in 2006. This independent product, the first venture of their newly formed company “Satin Tie Productions”, is a masterpiece entitled “For Your Ears Only”. According to Walter, “This title is a way of saying to our fans that we appreciate everybody’s support that has been with us for many, many years.” Nick’s perspective deals with its essence. He states, “In my opinion, the CD represents the musical DNA and artistic expression of what the Whispers were and have become during their 42 years together. It was conceived to please the ears, hearts and minds of our super- supportive and loyal family of fans. It was a labor of love and I believe a body of work blessed by God.
Barb Davis White to Challenge Keith Ellison for the Minnesota 5th Congressional District!
It’s almost like a dream. You wake up one morning and decide you’ve had enough. You think, “What can I do to assist the community I love so dearly?”
- Barb Davis White on “Why Congress?”
Barb Davis White is running for Congress in Minnesota’s 5th District against Keith Ellison. In July, four months prior to elections, the significance of selecting the next congressperson may not be a priority, but it should be.
In 2006, Martin Sabo (DFL) retired after 26 years in the House. Keith Ellison, also a DFLer, replaced him. Although Ellison was endorsed by the DFL convention, three non-endorsed candidates ran strong campaigns against him in the DFL primary: Mike Erlandson, Ember Reichgott Junge and Paul Ostrow. Ellison won the primary with 41% of the vote. In the general election, he won with 56% of the vote against Jay Pond of the Green Party, Tammy Lee of the Independence Party and Alan Fine of the Republican Party. Ellison is the first Muslim member of the U.S. Congress, representing the 5th Congressional District of Minnesota.
Let’s look deeper into the cities included in the 5th Congressional District, says Davis White.
The families of the 5th congressional district have been the hardest hit by the mortgage foreclosure crisis in our state. Although, ACORN has partnered with the Minneapolis Urban League, (Congressman Ellison’s office is in the Minneapolis Urban League and his campaign headquarters are above the Denny’s on Lake Street near the Light Rail corridor), the crisis grows. If you follow the money trail, you’ll see that the funding or “grants” that should go directly to homeowners, with qualifications of course, is going to “experts” to consult hard working families losing their dreams and hopes for a future. These experts are, in some instances, former mortgage bankers, lending and credit approval personnel and others who have played both sides of the feast and famine of the real estate game.
The families of Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District are in need of some proactive, aggressive change to turn the tables on poverty, homelessness and hopelessness. For example, our veterans from past and present wars are still suffering. On any given night in Minnesota, there are more than 3,000 homeless veterans. The men and women who served the United States and Minnesota in the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines deserve better.
Introducing Barb Davis White
Barb Davis White is the widow of Pastor Kenneth White, and former daughter-in-law to Harry Davis, a Minneapolis civil rights leader, head of Minneapolis School Board and first black candidate for mayor in late ‘60s and early ‘70s. Davis White is determined to make a change in the 5th congressional district. She is
Davis White attended the University of Minnesota for Mortuary Science and Bethel Theological Seminary, where she earned an M.A. in Theology. She attended Logos Bible College, in , and became a licensed, ordained pastor. Her work in the prison community exceeds the expectations and call of duty in the community.
Barb Davis White: A Common Sense Approach to Government
According to the non-partisan Citizens Against Government Waste, Congress rammed 11,160 earmarks totaling $17.2 billion into spending bills during the 2008 fiscal year.
“This year, Congress approved a federal budget with a $685 billion deficit and last year approved a budget with a $450 billion deficit,” said Davis White. “We spend on programs we don’t need, and spend inefficiently on those we do need. My opponent, Congressman Keith Ellison, proposes expanding government on your dime. He advocates a new federal department of peace. Government programs that bloat the system forcing taxpayers work ever longer and harder.”
Recent information from the Heritage Foundation claims that of the $25,117 the US Government redistributes, on average per household, $455 goes to mass transit/highways. “This is grossly inefficient. The dollars flow to Washington, flow back to the states minus administrative costs and with loads of strings attached. Local control and local decision making are side-stepped,” explains Davis White, noting that a common sense approach is to have the state to collect the taxes and determine whether the money should be spend on buses, roads or railways.
Davis White comments that this Congress has witnessed unprecedented hikes in fuel and food prices, and has refused to take action on Social Security. Also this Congress has constructed an incoherent energy policy. Yet Democratic Congressional aspirants threaten to reward this governmental dysfunction by hiking taxes. “We need a different approach: A common sense approach.”
In 2001 and 2003, Congress signed tax cuts which lowered income tax rates, stimulated the economy, aided job creation and increased personal and business investments. These are set to expire if Congress allows. The Death Tax rate, capital gains rate, rate on dividends — all expire. It is unlikely that a congress led by the opposition will approve $1000 tax credit per child, marriage penalty relief, or the tax rate cuts. As a result, Americans will face alarmingly higher taxes at a time when we are also facing high fuel
Barb Davis White is ready to move in the direction of change for your families, wives, husbands, children and grandparents of the 5th congressional district of Minnesota. Her passion, enthusiasm and commitment about changing the course of the current funding streams to help create education, employment, wealth and independence for all people is one that is not new, but sidetracked by the current Democratic machine in the 5th district.
You can contact Barb at www.barbdaviswhiteforcongress.org or call (612) 558-8278.
It’s Offical, Minneapolis Urban League President/CEO is Leaving
Offical Release provided by Lisa Bryant, Director of Communications/PR MUL
MINNEAPOLIS, June 24, 2008 — Ten years after taking over the position of President/CEO of the Minneapolis Urban League, Clarence Hightower today announced his resignation. Hightower will leave the Minneapolis Urban League after July 31 to assume the position of Executive Director with the Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties.
Hightower, who had indicated his intention to explore his options after completing the agency’s 10-year strategic plan, told his staff and the MUL Board of Directors that he greatly appreciated the opportunity to work for the most important organization he’s ever been a part of and with some of the most dedicated social service professionals in the nonprofit sector. Hightower is proud of his tenure with the Urban League, noting that ten years ago, when first charged with implementing a strategic plan that called for the League to launch the first capital campaign in its history, he was determined to carry it out with distinction. The outcome was the construction of the Glover Sudduth Center for Economic Development and Urban Affairs on the north side, and the Sharon Sayles Belton Community Services Center on the south side. Both new centers have created a better atmosphere for staff, program participants, and the community.
Hightower helped the organization to restructure internally, which created a stronger focus on marketing. As a result, the Urban League is marketed in a way that it had not been before. There is now a higher visibility of the work of the Minneapolis Urban League, and the impact that it continues to have on its constituents and the city as a whole.
Just recently Mr. Hightower worked with the Board of Directors to complete a new Strategic Plan that will chart the course for the Minneapolis Urban League through December 31, 2011. “Although there is no perfect time, transition gives us the opportunity to change and grow. I will be leaving an organization that is sound and has a clear direction for its future,” says Hightower.
Hightower met this morning with the League’s Executive Committee to thank them for their support over the years. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Chair Clayton Tyler offered the following statement: “The Board of Directors is deeply saddened by the resignation of Clarence Hightower. He has been an able steward of the Urban League for the past 10 years and has achieved many great accomplishments, among them an outstandingly successful capital campaign.” Vice Chair Cathy Wassberg stated: “The skills and energy that Clarence Hightower brought to the Minneapolis Urban League have been a tremendous asset and contributed immeasurably to our status as a premier service and advocacy organization. We wish him well in this next chapter of his life.” Tyler added that the Board will look forward to working with Mr. Hightower in the transition as they begin the task of identifying a new President/CEO.
