Democrats: "We Made a Difference in 2009" | Kobos & Roxanne's Artique's Close / Are Black Organizations Still Relevant?

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December 10 - December 23, 2009

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Democrats: "We Made a Difference in 2009"
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Kobos & Roxanne's Artique's Close
Free Tickets: In the Red and Brown Water - Studio Theatre
BZB Black Gift Show Saturdays Dec 12 and 19
Festive Events
Are Black Organizations Still Relevant?

Democrats: "We Made a Difference in 2009"

In an appeal for funds to compete in the 2010 election, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee provided this list of accomplishments a Democratic president and Congress made in 2009:

- Each job created by the economic stimulus plan. (The stimulus is expected to create or save three to four million jobs over two years.)

- Expanded health insurance for children. The passage of a law - twice vetoed by President Bush – added four million kids to insurance roles.

- With the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, if a worker finds out she has been paid less because of gender, race, religion, age, or disability, she can fight for back pay in the courts.

- Credit card reform. This law requires credit card companies to play fairer.

- The Matthew Shepard Act. This law allows the federal government to step in and protect those targeted for crime because of color, gender, disability or sexual identity.

- The confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic justice to the Supreme Court.

- Progress toward health care reform.

Editorial: As an inclusive, diverse, pan-African publication, we encourage tolerance and is especially proud of the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, The Matthew Shepard Act, all acts that lead to health care being a right not a privilege, and the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor.

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Keep up-to-date on the latest issues, news stories, and events related to this chapter of American history including preservation efforts.

Kobos & Roxanne's Artique's Close

Joining the list of historical culture shops in Washington, D.C. that have recently closed, long-time traditional African clothier Kobos in the Adams-Morgan neighborhood and five-year-old Roxanne's Artiques in Brookland have closed.

"I met a lot of people and the shop gave me the opportunity to expose a lot of artist's works," says former Artique's owner Roxanne Carter. However, the challenging economy has taken its toll. "I didn't get the financial support that I needed and did not have the funds to buy the advertising that I really needed," explained Carter about her decision to close the shop’s doors. Carter hopes to continue offering her goods at special events such as the BZB Black Gift Shows.

Free Tickets: In the Red and Brown Water- Studio Theatre Following the success of The Studio Theatre's 2008 hit comes a new play in The Brothers Size trilogy. In the steamy coming-of-age tale the Louisiana Bayou bubbles out of a gumbo of rhythm and sensuality. With In the Red and Brown Water, Tarell Alvin McCraney returns to a world driven by intense music, enflamed passions and spiritual Yoruban myth. Port of Harlem's Review of the Brothers Size New York Time Review of In the Red and Brown Water We will select one person to win two tickets to In the Red and Brown Water from all the entries we receive by Sunday, December 20, 2009 - midnight. To enter click here.		BZB Black Gift Show Saturdays Dec 12 and 19 The BZB Black Gift Show continued its 19th year Saturday, November 28 and December 5 at Shiloh Baptist Church with varied venders on one floor. "The crowd was steady," says doll maker Ida Clowney. "Oh, man I came and they did not have two levels. I guess I will have to come back," says shopper Damita Coats Wray. "But, at least I get the first choice of items," the Bowie, Maryland resident continued. The last two sale shows will feature vendors on two floors. Lot and street parking, and admission is free for the show at 9th and P Streets, NW. The event opens at 10a and closes at 6p, Saturday December 12 and December 19. Photo: Hand crafted cards and angels by one of the many unique vendors at the BZB Gift Show. Click Here to See a Great 50 Second Video of the BZB Black Gift Show!

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Festive Events Gary, IN Dog Fashion Contest Saturday, Dec 12 1p to 3p Market City 4121 Cleveland Street 219-887-3522, free Harlem, NY Kwanzaa Extravaganza Saturday, December 26, 7:30p The Apollo Theater 253 West 125th Street 212.531.5305, $20 - $60 New Year's Eve Celebration Thursday, December 31 Creole Restaurant 2167 3 Avenue (212) 876-8838 live music, buffet (9p-midnight), $60-$80 Washington, D.C. 21st Anniversary - Shaunte Gates Unveiling Special Guests: Executive Chefs Mark and John Woods will be preparing culinary delights to tempt your eyes and your palate Saturday, December 12, 6p– 11p Attitude Exact Gallery 739 8th Street SE Washington, DC 20003, free 134th Birthday of Dr. Carter G. Woodson Saturday, December 19, 6p The Washington Historical Society 801 K Street, NW at Mt. Vernon Square 202-673-2402, free Chuck Hick's Annual Christmas Toy and Book Party Saturday, December 19, 6p to 9p The home of Dr. Cynthia Worsely 1410 Missouri Avenue, NW food is free, bring unwrapped new toys and or funds for benefit children with HIV/AIDS or who have parents with HIV/AIDS. 202-488-3404.		Are Black Organizations Still Relevant? By Wayne A. Young from the Nov 2009 - April 2010 print issue There was a time when African Americans were openly not welcomed to join White professional, academic, mentoring and other organizations. In response, Blacks created several organizations including the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), and the defunct New Farmers of America (NFA). Today Blacks, such as Marshall Purnell, President of the American Institute of Architects, have not only joined previously all-White groups, but recently begun to lead them. So, with new opportunities to join and even lead majority organizations, we asked leaders of several historically Black groups about their past and current relevancy. Ironically for NAREB, which started in 1947 in Tampa, FL, its Washington chapter was born first, in 1938, says Scott Akers of Ivan Brown Realty and secretary of the NAREB's Washington chapter. Through 59 chapters, NAREB represents real estate agents, mortgage bankers and brokers, lending institutions, developers, insurance companies, appraisers, inspectors and investors. Photo: On his Arkansas farm, Ellis Bell recalls the days when the New Farmers of America (NFA) nurtured him and other Blacks into becoming successful farmers and participants in other segments of the agriculture industry. The historically Black NFA no longer exists and there are now only about 200 African-American farmers in the United States under the age of 25. Click here to read the complete story in the print issue.

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