. . . . . . . . On Saturday-September 8, and Sunday September 9, 2007, a host of organizations are coming together with the support of Community Advocate Tony Herbert, Congressman Ed Towns, NYS Assemblyman Darryl Towns, Citiworks, Inc, The Phenomenal Women Group and AMAG Awareness Magazine, to present the first ever, Central Brooklyn Youth Summit and Information Expo at Long Island University's - Brooklyn Campus . This event will play host to well over 2,000 young people from Central Brooklyn along with close to 200 vendors that will afford the attendees an opportunity to gain access to a plethora resources and information that will allow them to become responsible and productive citizens. These vendors will be disseminating information with regards but not limited to, after school sports and music programs, study/tutorial groups, scholarships, employment opportunities, internships, community out reach, higher education, health and wellness info, employment education , e tc.... etc....... In addition. we will have 3 breakout roundtable sessions that will deal with "Police, Community and Youth Relations", "Financial Literacy" and most importantly "Organizational Networking for Access". The Facts: "The number of murders in North Brooklyn spiked 34 percent in the first half of the year while just about every other command center saw declines. There were 59 homicides in the Brooklyn North Command (which includes precincts 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 84, 88, 90, and 94) through June 10 this year, versus 44 in the same period in 2006 and 36 in 2005. The main cause? According to John Jay College's Richard Curtis, it's a rise in "disrespect shootings" by teens, which includes such death-worthy offenses as looking at someone's girlfriend the wrong way, as someone did around the corner from our house last year. Of course, all parts of North Brooklyn are not created equal. While murders in Bushwick's 83rd Precinct rose from 2 to 6 in the first half of 2007, Brooklyn Heights and Boerum Hill have none for the second year running. Street crime in those tony nabes has risen considerably though: Robbery is up 21 percent, assault 12 percent and grand larceny 4 percent this year. None of this is exactly news for real estate brokers to play up." Despite efforts by the Mayor and Police, gangs and their crimes are a routine part of news headlines. Recently 18 members of The Mexican Boys gang were arrested for carrying knives and guns on their way to a party of a rival gang in Brooklyn. The Albany County jail had the highest rate of violence in its history this year, with many of the incidents occurring between New York City and upstate gangs. And last month, three teenagers were arrested in connection with the shooting death of a man in Central Park, the first homicide there in two years. The teens claimed affiliation with both the Bloods and the Crips. Clearly, gangs still hold some appeal. Please, if you are a professional who works for and/or are a member of any professional or community organization and/or corporation that works with or wish to work with, or even host programs for Youth, we need your help.!!!!!! We stand strong with the commitment that ."It Takes A Village To Raise A Child". If you would like to get involved and really want to positively affect and shape the minds of our young folks for a better tomorrow, then join us today. This Expo will be the largest of its kind in the history of Brooklyn for Youth. We need you to call us today. All information and resource booths and participation is FREE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (There will be no selling of any goods, just distribution of information) For details and more information on how to get involved, please do not hesitate to contact us at brenda@winningbeginnings.com Thank you very much. Brenda Jeanne Wyche The Phenomenal Women Group and The Professionals Network Organization Brenda J. Wyche Winning Strategies & Associates Bringing Great Ideas To Life www.winningbeginnings.com

Since landing on this soil, people of color have used silence as a form of civil disobedience when dealing with the police. It is obvious this tactic has not worked to stop violence and injustice on the part of law enforcement officers and special citizens who bear arms against them. The proposal here is dramatic and bold to demand whites to change their ways when dealing with other Americans; to demand the structural power- holders to amend the constitution to fully accommodate the re-education of all citizens. To place the burden of change on white Americans is the only practical and adaptive solution. The manner, in which our nation collectively attacks problems facing the black community and microwaves solutions, is the virulent strand which does not exist in a vacuum but a chain of systematic bodies. Voices from mainstream media are notorious for scoping problems facing communities of color as inane. What is absolutely a cause for protest are propagandas assigning these problems as seemingly independent of the American way of life. Extra, Extra Read All About It! The problems of the black community, The present state of black leadership, Violence in the black community, Rap music negates women, Blacks and their usage of the 'N' word, The debilitation of the black economy, New Orleans hurricane victims still await rescue, Another attack on the black church, First to fire, Last to Fire- Extra, Extra Read All About It And Scream: ENOUGH! The constant demand for blacks to change to accommodate and suit the needs of whites must immediately cease for genuine changes and their implementation to occur. That in itself constitutes a majority of destabilization and self- destruction. Let's prepare this generation to adopt viable changes to contribute towards the betterment of present situations. Either black people are left to control black affairs and nationhood through the consistent and accountable adaptation of separate and equal state OR blacks be considered legitimate children of the united States with American problems deserving of American economic, political, and social support towards the development of all.

My name is Vanessa Lake. I am a young lady that believes in love, faith, peace, respect, and happiness. There is an old saying, I'm sure you've heard of it, if you haven't hopefully you will. The saying is, "If you believe it you can achieve it". The saying comes into existence by thinking and believing. Thinking and believing enables you to plant a seed within your mind, body, soul and the ether; meaning universe that will manifest into achievement, better known as reality. Remember when I wrote the word mind? Well let's magnify that word for a minute. The mind is the last thing to go when one dies; that in it self should tell you just how magnificent we are as human beings, or should I say can be if we think and believe we are. The mind is a terrible thing to waste. Use the gift that was given to you, don't abuse it. Another word I want to put emphasis on is love. Think and believe you are loved and love will come to you. You don't have to go looking for it. Just plant the seed. I interviewed a man by the name of Stanley Bennett Clay, who has written a booked called, "Looker." Mr. Clay seems to understand exactly what I'm talking about when I say think and believe. He has not only thought and believed but he has also achieved. In his life thus far, he has achieved becoming at one time or another, a Novelist, Play Writer, Composer, Director, Journalist, Actor and Film Maker as well as a man who is loved and appreciated. I hope you enjoy my interview with Stanly Bennett Clay. I sure did. He seems to have a very positive spirit which I for one can appreciate. He was quoted as saying, "Life is wonderful and love is even better." Vanessa: What inspired you to write your book? Mr. Clay: "I wanted to write a book about a character people don't hear or see very often. A typical young black gay man, who is well adjusted in society extremely successful, good looking, well built with no drama in his life. He's looking for real passion." What kind of feedback did you receive after you wrote the book? "The feedback that I received was greater than I expected. People seemed pleased. Many have said it was a wonderful love story. It kept them interested until the very end. I'm appreciative of their kind words." What effect do you think your book will have on people who read it? "People who read my book will hopefully feel that love is an important part of life. You must embrace love and romance, don't be afraid to experience true happiness or to pursue it." Do you like to write or is it something that you felt you had to do you? "Oh, I looovvvve to write, I am addicted, ever since I was a child I would write on anything and everything I could get my hands on, even napkins. I would write all the time." Would you ever consider turning your book into a movie? "I would love too!" How long did it take you to write your book? "I really can't answer that question. Honestly, the only thing I can say is that it wasn't too long. I lost track because I enjoy writing. It is a pleasure as well as a gift." Mr. Clay it was a pleasure interviewing you. I wish you the best in your future endeavors. "Thank you, I wish you the best as well."

.

Stephen Earley Jordan II's sophomore collection of creative nonfiction, essays, and poetry, "Cold, Black, and Hungry", follows and surpasses his "Beyond Bougie" with the same raw, real, and unremorseful literary attack on society. It is an even more refined challenge to modern thought on social norms and progressivism. "Cold, Black, and Hungry" dares the reader with Jordan's "what if" approach in "Karmic Trilogy," which comprises three selections questioning fate by alluding to actions of high-profile individuals as Johnnie Cochran and JonBenet Ramsey. Jordan opens the envelopes of unheard voices in a series of "Unsent Letters", reflecting the readers' own psychoses and self actualization processes. Jordan distressingly and poetically chronicles the hard-knock New York City life in poems "A Poem for Latisha Binn," "The Mitchel Houses", and "Words for Sean Bell." Meanwhile, he contrasts New York City life with Appalachia in "The Tarot Card" and "Black Vignettes: Leaving to Live". "My personal mission in writing "Cold, Black, and Hungry" is to bring forth our damaged goods-our souls," said Stephen Earley Jordan II. "Race, class, or gender aside, we're all healing humans who tend to live naively inside our stained-glass windows hoping that everything will be okay and that the people with whom we choose to associate are genuinely kind." Whether Stephen Earley Jordan II is writing about internet predators or family members who prey on children, his encounters with the NYC homeless, or his attempt to search for a new James Baldwin, Jordan's vision in this collection is unswervingly honest. This electrifying voice delivers judgment on human existence in an animalistic, compelling, and clear-sighted perspective. .

(photo Courtesy of Standford.edu) A loss for words for a great loss for many spoken word artists and musicians Has loss a historical leader and figure For a loss for words Can not seem to flow and say much Though his words and music Will still exist within our souls Though his spirit will still move through many of us Our prayers to his family and friends For a loss for words Are transformed through means Sharing the beats of Mother Africa Tunes of the keys For a loss of words Can not seem to enter the minds of millions Whom were inspired by such a dynamic and profound Spoken word artist and musician Sekou Sundiata may the peace be with you As you now join our ancestors~ A loss for words © 2007 All Rights Reserved by Afrika Midnight Asha Abney

.

.