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Black Faces in High Places
African American leaders summit in D.C.
“We need to come together as a
people and set common agendas,” is a sentiment that has become somewhat of a
lamentation in 21st century Black America, but on April 27-28, 2004--
wishful thinking became reality when a large contingent of the nation’s most
prominent, high achieving, political savvy, made in America Africans, i.e.,
Black faces in high places, did, indeed, congregate at the Renaissance Hotel
in Washington, D. C. to set a common agenda at the 2nd Annual African
American Leadership Conference.
“We talked mostly about two things,” Roy Douglas Malonson, founder and CEO
of Malonson Company, Inc./chairman of the Acres Citizens Chamber of Commerce
and publisher of African American News & Issues (Texas’ widest circulated
and read newspaper with a Black perspective). “We focused on economics and
education.” And, according to Malonson and his wife Shirley Ann Malonson—who
were treated like royalty by the Republican Senator from Texas, Kay Bailey
Hutchinson-- Dr. Rod Paige, the U. S. Secretary of Education, made
Houstonians proud when he spoke very passionate about the economics of
education that is not only leaving many a child behind, but is causing under
budgeted states throughout the nation to cry foul.
Dr. Paige, who was the Summit’s Honorary co-chair (along with Summit Senate
Co-chairs, Senator Hutchinson and Senator Rick Santorum), delivered a
blistering speech on the subject of “Education: Raising American
Achievement,” that came very close to indicting his boss, Pres. George W.
Bush, for not practicing what he preached about leaving no child behind
during his 2000 campaign for the presidency. “I was pleasantly surprised to
hear Paige speak so candidly about the problems the nation’s schools are
facing(see We Must Understand for related topic) , because of the war in
Iraq and the persisting economic downturn,” Malonson, mused tongue-in-cheek,
nevertheless sincerely. “If I didn’t know better, I would have sworn that he
was reading articles from our newspaper.
The Malonsons and his wife were among a Texas delegation that includedrobert:
Dr. Priscilla Slade - Houston ,Willie Beard- Dallas , Gerald Borders-Dallas,
Dwight A. Boykins-Houston, Bryan Brown-Houston, Raymond Bryant-Austin, Kirk
A. Calhoun-Tyler, Judy Chambers-Mexiaa, Walter Diggles-Jasper, Larry L.
Earvin-Austin ,Ph.D., Dwight J. Fennell-Houston, George Hanks-Houston,
Adrain Harris-Dallas, Beverly L. Hatcher-Beaumont, Lisa Hembry-Dallas, Tommy
T. Hudson-Midland, Brenda Jackson-Dallas, Cynthia Jenkins-Irving, Harold
Jenkins - Irving, Harry Johnson-Houston, Dianne Jones-Dallas,Reginald
LaFlore-Dallas, Sterling Lands-Austin, Odysseus Lanier-Houston, Torrence
Robinson-Dallas, Norma Roby-Fort Worth, Janice Sam-Duncanville, Joseph
Sam-Duncanville, Berl Shorter-Houston, Don Sneed-Dallas, Louis Sturns-Arlington,
Robert Thomas-Austin, Joahanne Thomas-Smith-Prairie View, James A.Washington-Dallas,
Carolyn Wright-Dallas.
“Since we’re in the finishing stage of preparing to open the Beulah Shepard
Acres Home Center for Business & Economic Development and our 12th Annual
Juneteenth Business Expo / Zydeco / Rhythm & Blues Festival 2004, I almost
didn’t accept the invitation, because I thought it would be the same kind of
“dog and pony” shows that usually turns me off,” Malonson explained. “But,
to my surprise, it was a very enlightening experience that proved to be time
well spent. There were some real heavy hitters there and, of course, Sheila
(18 Congressional District’s Jackson Lee), really made it a pleasant
experiences for us.” Some of the “heavy hitters” that Malonson alluded to
were: Ed Dorn, Dean of Texas University’s LBJ School of Public Affairs; Dr.
Ernest Holloway, President of Langston University and the HBCU Advisory
Board.
Both “heavy hitters” were panelist discussing Dr. Paige’s speech. Karen
Johnson Street, Associate Deputy Administrator of the Office of Entrep
Development & U. S. Small Business Administration, was also a “heavy hitter,
who were on the panel discussing “Economic Development: Creating Jobs and
Wealth,” with Rep. Johnny Ford, the first African American to become a mayor
in the state of Alabama and Jim Washington, Publisher of the Dallas Weekly.
Dr. L. Natalie Carroll, M. D., President of the National Medical
Association, a panelist. Addressing “Health Care: Ensuring Affording Access
& Quality,” also got the Malonson’s attention. The overall purpose for the
gathering in the nation’s capitol was best covered in Sen. Hutchinson’s
welcome address.
“Welcome to the Second Annual African American Leadership Summit. You are
joining more than 500 other outstanding African Americans from across the
nation to discuss the important challenges that our families and our country
are facing. We are pleased to host you and other community leaders from 40
states and the District of Columbia - including business owners, attorneys,
college presidents, pastors, doctors, and elected officials. The Summit is
designed to update you on pressing national issues and to generate your
input on the most effective policies. Our program aims to enhance your
involvement in the leadership of your community and our country. The
contributions of African Americans like you continue to make our nation
stronger and better than ever, and we appreciate your participation at this
event.
“Thank you for joining us and for your commitment. We look forward to
meeting each of you,” Sen. Hutchinson said. The two-day conference provided
a forum for more than 500 African American participants from across the
country to continue the dialogue on a range of policy issues with senior
members of the United States Congress and the Bush Administration. "We want
to continue to build bridges between African American leaders and federal
officials. This important event fosters an exchange of ideas that will help
Congress and the Administration address the most pressing issues affecting
all of our families and communities," said Hutchison. "The Summit continues
to allow us to have a meaningful dialogue about creating well -paying jobs,
improving education and health care, encouraging faith-based initiatives,
and strengthening state and community leadership," said Pennsylvania Senator
Rick Santorum, Summit co-chair.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee opened the plenary session
and updated attendees on the Congressional agenda, while Vice President
Richard Cheney offered the White House perspective during his keynote
address. Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander, Maryland Lieutenant Governor
Michael Steele, and Howard University President Patrick Swygert discussed
education; and Franklin Raines, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Fannie Mae led the economic development panel. The conference participants
were nominated to attend by their members of Congress. In case one has cause
to pause and ponder why the Malonson, who are avowed “independent
Democrats,” were treated so royalty by the Republicans, you’ll have to go
back to 2001 for the answer.
If you remember, the Acres Home Chamber of Commerce made history when its
chairman Malonson prevailed upon on Senator Hutchinson to be the keynote
speaker for the organization’s 13th Annual Awards Banquet (see
African-American News & Issues’ archives www.aframnews.com), which was held
in the heart of the Acres Home community. Although the historic event was
totally ignored by the mainstream media.
Malonson said at the time, “If it isn’t newsworthy for a White, female
Republican Senator to come into a predominately African American community
to speak to mostly grassroots citizens, either our so-call mainstream media
don’t know what news is, or just don’t have a sense of history….
But that’s why it’s so important for African Americans to support their own
newspapers. And that’s also why African-American News & Issues editorializes
strictly from an uncompromised Black perspective.”
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