Tulisoma! we read - literacy and arts

Once again the African American Museum in Fair Park was the weekend headquarters for the 7th Annual South Dallas Book Fair and Arts Festival --  "Tulisoma!"   The word is  Swahili for "we read," and  Tulisoma had something for everyone who reads or wants to read.

A Heart and Soul Tour of Sunny South Dallas kicked off the Free Book Fair and acquainted out-of-town visitors and long-time residents alike with  sites and landmarks that make up the colorful and noteworthy history of this geographical treasure of Dallas.

Festivities began at Friday night's reception, featuring Max Rodriguez, founder of the Harlem Book Fair.   Special guest, award winning author and public speaker Sonia Sanchez gave a rousing testimony to reading while asking us to look upon all children as our children and do what we can to help them read, learn and live.  

Thanks to Tulisoma for your special tribute to the 10 year anniversary of the African American Read-In and to the Dallas County Community College District for presenting this community literacy project.  We were pleased to join with the South Dallas Book Fair to encourage reading and learning.  

Activities on Saturday were met with the delight of  children of all ages.  Authors  and vendors presented workshops, discussions, and performances to celebrate literacy and the arts.   The Book Fair ended on Sunday with an inspirational Gospel Brunch.

There was fun and learning for the entire family, all ages and all groups at this outstanding week-end event.

Tulisoma! We Read!  

Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program Recognizes Students

Dallas Arboretum provided the perfect environment as we celebrated the growth and flowering of students in the 2009 class of the Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program.

Founded by State Senator Royce West, the program provides leadership development training through a variety of ways, including summer internship-work experiences, cultural and educational field trips and high-profile networking sessions.

Former NASA astronaut Dr. Mary Ellen Weber, now at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, was keynote speaker. Her message offered a valuable tip -- going on an adventure or trying something new and different can spark a significant and positive turning point for one's career and life. That's how she became an astronaut.

A ballroom full of smiling parents, sponsors, and internship supervisors watched as students received scholarships and recognitions. Their accomplishments and service made us proud.

Along with Mrs. Eleanor Conrad, Mrs. Carolyn West and program director Lajuana Barton, several alumni were there to help, give guidance and share their experiences.

Congratulations and best wishes for a successful freshman year to all students in the 2009 Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program.

Thanks to Senator Royce West for continuing this outstanding student leadership program.

Congratulations to Associate Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor

After having been sworn in this morning,  new Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor raises the expectations of many that she will administer justice "fairly and impartially" - especially in important educational cases.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aug 8, 11:22 AM EDT

By MARK SHERMAN 
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- It's Justice Sotomayor now. Sonia Sotomayor has been sworn in as the Supreme Court's first Hispanic justice. She's only the third female justice in the court's 220-year history.

Sotomayor took the second of two oaths of office Saturday from Chief Justice John Roberts in an ornate conference room at the high court, beneath a portrait of the legendary Chief Justice John Marshall. She swore a first oath in a private ceremony minutes earlier.

Sotomayor's mother, brother, other relatives and friends joined her for the occasion.

In one oath, she promised to support and defend the Constitution. In the second, she pledged to "administer justice" fairly and impartially.

Non-Renewal on Monday - Demotion on Friday

On last Friday morning, I was asked to meet with the Chancellor of Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) at 1:00 P.M. for a discussion.

When I arrived, I learned that the discussion would include two additional parties, the Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources and the Executive Vice Chancellor of Business Services.  I did not know others would be present.

I had hoped this would be a private discussion with the Chancellor where I could finally get an understanding of why this was happening.

Instead, I was offered a radical demotion as follows:

---Two bands beneath my present level of District Director of Educational Partnerships

---Transfer to Business Services in Mesquite from Educational Partnerships at downtown Lamar

---Start over at Coordinator position

---Major Salary cut

---Report to a new supervisor in the Business Services Division in Mesquite - the new supervisor holds the same position title I currently hold.

---The African American Read-In removed from my supervision - the very successful program I fought to establish ten years ago with nothing but hope and a dream.                                                

In essence, I was offered the "opportunity" to start over from scratch at the very end of a 20-year career with the District.

Something is very wrong with this picture.

I believe this was in response to the questions that have been raised by others about my dismissal.  

Apparently, it is intended to provide an answer when asked why my contract is not being renewed - 'We have offered her another position.' 

What has been presented is the choice to leave the district or take a transfer and demotion.

The demotion also might make it very difficult to continue serving on the school board.  

On Monday I was offered nothing.  On Friday I was offered an unjust demotion.

From Monday to Friday - a week of dismay, disappointment and disbelief.

The whole thing appears to make no sense - except for the smell of politics.

A curt 'No Thank You' after 20 years of service

On Monday, May 18, 2009, I was handed this note.  There was no prior discussion or any indication of any problem.   

          

To:       Carla Ranger, District Director of Educational Partnership

From:   W.G. Garland, Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs     

CC:        Luis Camacho, Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources           

             Dr. Andrew Jones, Executive Vice Chancellor of Educational Affairs

Date:     May 15, 2009

Re:        Reorganization of Educational Partnerships

_____________________________________________________________

Mrs. Ranger,

As a result of budget constraints and the reorganization of the Educational Affairs Division, it has become necessary to eliminate the position of the District Director of Educational Partnerships.  Regretfully, this means that your contract will not be renewed for the upcoming fiscal year and your last day with the District will be effective on August 31st 2009.

Should you have any questions or need to seek clarification related to your benefits, etc.  Please contact the District Human Resources office.

Hand Delivered - Monday, May 18, 2009

_____________________________________________________________

Comment

I was pleased to have followed in the footsteps of Dr. Mamie McKnight into this position upon her retirement.  She was widely admired as a trailblazer in the District.

I believe I served the District well.

North Lake College Hosts “A Frank Discussion of Race in Black and White”

5/15/09

Members of a local interracial panel will present “A Frank Discussion of Race in Black and White” at North Lake College on Tues., May 19, at 6 p.m. in the North Lake College performance hall, located at 5001 McArthur Blvd. in Irving.

The free event will be moderated by Bob Ray Sanders, columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram; the general public and members of the news media are invited to attend.

Panelists are: Steve Blow, columnist for the Dallas Morning News; Dr. Juanita Simmons, assistant professor of educational leadership and policy analysis at the University of Missouri; Herbert Gears, mayor of the city of Irving; and Dr. Ray Winbush, director of the Institute for Urban Research at Morgan State University, located in Baltimore, Md.

A reception at 5:45 p.m. will kick off the event, which is sponsored by the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce; the Dallas County Community College District’s African American Read-In; Africans and African Americans for Enslavement Reparations; and the Ali Luqman Dawah Committee.

The discussion will commemorate the birthday of Malcolm X, Nation of Islam leader and racial commentator who was born May 19, 1925 and who later took the name of el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz. Panelists will consider recent controversies that have appeared in national news and address those issues.

Participants should arrive early because seating is limited. For details, call the office for DCCCD’s African American Read-In at (214) 378-1723. 

Non-Renewal of my contract at Dallas County Community College District

Yesterday I was informed that my contract as District Director of Educational Partnerships at Dallas County Community College District will not be renewed - effective August 31, 2009.

It appears someone has ordered my removal.  There is also something about it that smells of politics.

This was sudden, unexpected and with no prior warning or reason to be concerned.  I have been an employee of DCCCD for 20 years and looked forward to retirement there in the years ahead. My record has been exemplary.

This is difficult and hard to share.  But when I think of all the challenges so many others must face in this life, I am encouraged.

While I do not fully understand it, I am reminded that somewhere in the good book it suggests that "Good soldiers must sometimes endure hard things."

If anyone knows of an opportunity for a career veteran like me, please let me know.

LIFE IS...

by Mother Theresa

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.

Unity Read-In at The Bridge brings tears and smiles

We were honored to greet and host more than 200 citizens from the homeless population of Dallas at a Unity Read-in on Saturday, 3-5 PM. at The Bridge, Dallas' largest city shelter for the homeless.

On the pavilion at The Bridge, participants read stories, poems and essays. Some told personal anecdotes or gave prayers, words or thoughts which helped them to get by. We sang together and patted our feet to spirited music. There was laughter and there were tears--all emerging through smiles of enjoyment.

Some guests remembered "once upon a time" when daily reading and books were natural parts of their past lives with family and friends. There were others who lamented they had never learned to read and still yearn to do so.

Abundant appreciation to The Bridge director, staff and clients. Thunderous thanks to the community drummers for answering and sounding the call. Gigantic gratitude to all readers, speakers and musicians.

Special acknowledgment to the Sai Center for caring and for your acts to help all to listen and learn.

Our theme for Saturday's multicultural, international Unity Read-In event at The Bridge makes it clear, "We are one community."

PIONEERS A Conversation

PIONEERS A Conversation and An Evening with Louis Gossett, Jr., Ruby Dee and Della Reese

Saturday, April 4, 7:30 p.m.

Naomi Bruton Main Stage, Dallas Convention Theater Complex

Corner of Canton and Akard Steets, Dallas, Texas

  

The Black Academy of Arts and Letters

Address: 650 S Griffin St, Dallas, TX‎ - (214) 743-2440

Thousands of Language Arts Teachers at 98th NCTE Conference

We had a productive time attending the NCTE convention.

More teachers than beautiful tiny lights along the Riverwalk were turned on recently in historic San Antonio. They gathered for the annual meeting of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), in association with the Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts.

From as far away as Europe and Asia and as close as surrounding Texas towns, participants came to reflect on, discuss, question and create ways to arm students with 21st century literacy skills. NCTE, 50,000 members worldwide, is dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of English and the language arts at all levels of education.

The keynote, focusing on developing the literacy skills of young learners, featured a popular, world-wide authority who stood out. His color had a lot to do with it.

It was Grover the Muppet-- adorable friend of children and (yes, I proudly confess) mothers alike. Grover gave wisdom and tips, spiced with humor and care. There were hundreds of speakers and presenters, generous with professional and instructional insight and materials.

Dr. Jerrie Scott, The University of Memphis, and I were co-presenters and facilitators of the interactive session, Shifting Literacies in the Making of a Tradition: Lessons From 20 Years of African American Read-In Events. There, a diverse group of teachers, along with public school and college administrators, signed up to be part of the 2009 read-in chain and literacy events.

NCTE educators were happy to connect and make new acquaintances, but the absence of laughter and conversations of colleagues no longer with us made us sad. The NCTE "In Memoriam" for members who passed during the last year is copied below.

In Memoriam
(12/1/2007--0/29/2008)

Most teachers pass away as they have lived, quietly, but with deep effect upon those to whom they are closest. They are mourned and celebrated by their families and students, privately, often without public announcement of their loss. The profession and the world feel the loss of every individual who has spent so much of a life's energy giving, to students, to the future, whether or not we can list them by name. ... We will miss them.

Mercedes Bonner and Delores Straker, we miss you.

Next year NCTE members and affiliates will meet in Philadelphia.