Video: First Lady Michelle Obama Addresses MomsRising.org's Food Power Conference
New York – MomsRising.org answered First Lady Michelle Obama’s call for parents to get involved in the fight against childhood obesity. The grassroots organization kicked off National Nutrition Month with a “Food Power” conference and film screening to promote healthy eating habits and urge participants to support the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recently released guidelines on school meals.

A video welcome from the First Lady motivated moms, dads, bloggers, and community activists gathered in Brooklyn, NY. “I’m so thrilled to have MomsRising.org and all of your grassroots muscle and passion working right by our side because as we’ve seen again and again through ‘Let’s Move,’ people like you play a vitally important role in helping our kids eat healthier and get the physical activity they need,” Obama said. “If you all are not leading the way in your community then who will?”

African American children suffer disproportionately from obesity. A 2010 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report revealed that African American women were 70% more likely to be obese than Non-Hispanic White women and African American girls were 80% more likely to be overweight than Non-Hispanic White girls. This crisis prompted MomsRising.org, an online and on-the-ground grassroots organization with more than 1.1 million members, to team up with filmmaker Byron Hurt to screen his award winning documentary “Soul Food Junkies” at the “Food Power” gatherings.

“We’re very excited to be working on the same path that Mrs. Obama and Byron Hurt are to improve children’s health,” said MomsRising.org executive director, Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner. “Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. and we all need to work together to reverse this dangerous and deadly trend.”

“Soul Food Junkies” (www.itvs.org/films/soul-food-junkies) offers a sometimes humorous exploration of the Black community’s affinity for foods like fried chicken, fat-flavored collard greens, and fried pork chops, despite the fact that these foods increase risks for diabetes, high blood pressure, stokes, heart disease and obesity. Inspired by the premature death of his father, Hurt traces the origins of soul food back to slavery and encourages healthier approaches to soul food preparation. The film features appearances from activist/comedian, Dick Gregory; poet, Sonia Sanchez; writer, Michaela Angela Davis; and commentator Marc Lamont Hill.

In addition to the film screening, several parents shared personal stories about their battle to get their families to eat healthier meals. A panel of experts discussed practical ways to defeat the epidemic of childhood obesity. As MomsRising.org is focused on taking action, the break-out sessions provided attendees with a choice of three campaigns to sign-on to: How to get junk food out of school, how to stop junk food marketing to children, and breastfeeding, health care and preventing childhood obesity.

“Each of our workshops focused on action and provided participants with the tools to get engaged,” said Monifa Bandele, campaign manager, MomsRising.org. “The attendees left the ‘Food Power’ conference with marching orders to heed First Lady Michelle Obama’s call for the community to act.”

Speakers at the Brooklyn launch event included Karen Showalter, MomsRising.org; Dr. Aletha Maybank, NYC Dept. of Public Health; dream hampton, MomsRising.org; Migdalia Rivera , LatinaOnAMission.com; Tanya Fields, Brown Girl Swagger; Lorraine Gonzalez, Children’s Defense Fund; Jessica Donze Black, Kids Safe and Healthful Foods; and Joy Spencer, Center for Digital Democracy, among others.

MomsRising.org is challenging childhood obesity through improving school meals. The issue of nutrition and the role of schools foods in contributing to childhood obesity are gaining currency. The USDA recently opened up a 60-day comment period on its updated national nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold through vending machines and a la carte lines.

The recent “Food Power” conference is just one of many planned events around the country as MomsRising.org gathers support and gains awareness for its cause. The next event – a film screening and panel discussion – will take place in Detroit, MI at the Fellowship Chapel on Thursday, March 21, 2013 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00.The free event is open to the public.

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About MomsRising.org

MomsRising.org is an online and on-the-ground grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to achieve economic security for all families in the United States. MomsRising is working for paid family leave, flexible work options, affordable childcare, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination that penalizes so many others. MomsRising also advocates for health care for all, toxic-free environments, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families. In 2012, Forbes.com named MomsRising’s web site as one of the Top 100 Websites For Women for the third year in a row. In 2013, Working Mother magazine included MomsRising on its “Best of the Net” list.

Washington, DC – As President Barack Obama reiterated the need to fight climate change during his State of the Union Address Tuesday night, “Green Ambassadors” were already doing their part to tackle climate change by promoting sustainable lifestyles to students and staff at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Selected and trained by UNCF Special Programs (UNCFSP) Building Green Initiative and Toyota Green Initiative, some 52 students on 27 HBCU campuses serve as “Green Ambassadors.” Currently the ambassadors are competing in the 13th annual RecycleMania, a competition to see which college campus can reduce, reuse and recycle the most on-campus waste. The eight-week contest raises awareness about waste reduction programs on over 500 college campuses. Last fall Green Ambassadors participated in the Toyota Campus Prius Tour, a college tour featuring Toyota hybrid vehicle test drives, a simulated recycling center and eco-friendly games and prizes.

“Sustainability is not a new concept for black colleges; efficiency, conservation and innovation have been central to institutional survival,” said Felicia M. Davis, director UNCFSP Building Green Initiative. “Recycling is an important first step on the road to sustainability. RecycleMania is a great way to encourage students and staff to reduce, reuse and recycle while providing exposure to green economy principles and sustainable lifestyles. The cool thing is that there are no losers in this competition, every little bit helps and this is a great way to inspire positive change.”

The UNCFSP Building Green Initiative (buildinggreennetwork.org) has created a diverse network committed to increasing green building, energy efficiency, student engagement, curriculum development, research and campus-wide sustainability for Black, Hispanic-Serving, Tribal and Asian Pacific Islander institutions. The UNCF Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) Green Report surveyed sustainability activity at 52 MSIs. A special HBCU Sustainability Report will be released during a briefing on Earth Day, April 22, 2013.

RecycleMania (www.recyclemania.org) will run through March 30, 2013, with the involvement of more than 4.4 million students and nearly 1 million faculty and staff participating throughout the US and Canada. Schools compete in 11 categories to see which campus can recycle the most paper, cardboard, cans and bottles, and food waste on a per capita basis; which can produce the least amount of waste; and which recycles the largest percentage of their overall waste stream.

ABOUT THE UNCFSP BUILDING GREEN INITIATIVE

Under the leadership of UNCF Special Programs Corporation, the Building Green Initiative provides training, resources and other technical support to help campuses limit emissions and use resources more efficiently. Partners include: Environmental Defense Fund, Second Nature, US Green Building Council, National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Ecology (NWF), Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the Billion Dollar Green Fund and others work with UNCF Special Programs to accelerate the integration of sustainable practices on MSI campuses.

ABOUT RECYCLEMANIA

RecycleMania was launched in 2001 as a friendly challenge between Ohio University and Miami University to increase recycling on their campuses. RecycleMania, now an independent program of RecycleMania, Inc., is made possible with sponsorship support from the Alcoa Foundation, American Forest & Paper Association, The Coca-Cola Company and SCA. Program management is provided by Keep America Beautiful with additional program support from the U.S. EPA’s WasteWise program and the College and University Recycling Coalition (CURC). RecycleMania is proud to partner with UNCF Special Programs, the Campus Conservation Nationals, NWF, and AASHE.

Washington, DC – Filmmaker Jordan Thierry will kick off Black History Month with an insightful perspective on the rising dilemma of fatherless Black families when he debuts his introspective documentary, “The Black Fatherhood Project” in February. Community leaders in the Bay Area will host the film’s premiere Thursday, Jan 31 at The Grand Lake Theater in Oakland, CA and a national premiere will held online the February 1, 2013 at BlackFatherhoodProject.com with free viewing.

The Black Fatherhood Project poignantly reveals a history much more complex and profound than what is often seen on the surface of events. Directed and produced by Thierry, The Black Fatherhood Project unravels the roots of Black absentee parenting through the telling of his own story, interviews with prominent historians, and dialogue among a diverse selection of dads. The discussions include personal experiences, inspirations, and insight on how communities can come together to ensure the power of a father’s love is not lost on America’s Black children.

“The film explores the issues that continue to plague the Black community,” says Thierry. “It digs deep into history to identify how Black families functioned before slavery, how it and subsequent discrimination affected black fathers’ involvement in their families, and its impact today.”

Nationwide, 67 percent of Black children live in single-parent families, predominantly with the mother. This factor alone increases the likelihood of living in poverty, low educational achievement, incarceration and abuse. This ratio has tripled since the 1960s, growing in correlation with drug crimes, prisons, and income inequality to create today’s challenges for the Black family.

The first-time filmmaker adds, “The film also reveals that while the statistics may be discouraging, there is a strong faction of black men that are breaking the cycle of fatherlessness in their families and inspiring others to do the same.”

The online premiere will begin at 9:00 AM Eastern Time on Friday, February 1st and can be viewed at the film’s website BlackFatherhoodProject.com. The website also provides informational resources on fatherhood as well as a list of reputable mentor and advocacy groups.

An activist-filmmaker, Thierry began producing the film in 2006 while attending graduate school for communications at Howard University. His approach to filmmaking is informed by his community involvement to advance social justice and empower young men of color to be successful.

Thierry, who formerly served as national coordinator for The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s Black Youth Vote and taught elementary school in Newark, NJ, founded the nonprofit Better Man Productions, to address the growing demand for movies about issues concerning men of color. Better Man Productions is focused on inspiring a culture of positive fatherhood and masculinity in communities of color through short, shareable online movies.

The premiere screening at the Grand Lake Theater is the kickoff of The Black Fatherhood Project’s grassroots campaign to bring communities together by inviting people to host their own screening events in 2013 and inspire people to action through personal transformation, youth mentorship, and civic engagement. The audience will have a chance to meet and ask questions of the film’s director, Jordan Thierry, after the film. The Black Fatherhood Project will hold a second showing at Oakland-based community organization Youth UpRising for the public on February 4th at 4pm. Other upcoming screening event locations this year include Newark, NJ; Tampa, FL; and Columbus, OH; where the filmmaker will partner with local institutions to spark dialogue and inspire action around fatherhood.

January 31st Event Hosts include: Cedric Brown, Ludovic Blain, Mario Lugay, Chandler Hoffman, Tiffany Price, Dennis Quirin, Asha Wilkerson, Lauren Veasey, Justin Davis, Marc Philpart, Kisasi Brooks, Demond Walker, and the Stanford Black Alumni Association of Northern, CA.

Jordan Thierry is available for interviews. Contact Edrea at edmedia@dogonvillage.com

Washington, DC – A diverse group of women leaders and organizations have joined forces with the Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) to launch a campaign to express their unequivocal support of United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice and to encourage senate and congressional leaders to treat the esteemed public servant with respect. In addition to signing on to an open letter to the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, nearly 100 women from across the country are promoting an online petition in support of Ambassador Rice via personal and organizational networks as well as online social media.

The letter sent to Senate intelligence Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and committee ranking member Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) said Ambassador Rice has been a role model to all women. “She has excelled throughout her career both in the public and private sector. Her commitment to international peace and the equality of all people should be heralded, not summarily dismissed for political gain and expedience. Hence, we urge all U. S. Senators to afford Ambassador Rice the proper respect appropriate for any other Cabinet-level member of a sitting Administration.”

The letter continues, “We feel it necessary to remind the Senate of Ambassador Rice’s impeccable credentials because of the failure of some to respect her role as the United States Ambassador and leader in foreign policy. While some members of the Senate have pushed back on their rush to judgment in the press regarding Ambassador Rice’s prepared remarks on the attack in Benghazi, we feel that the public integrity and reputation of this brilliant woman, who serves our country with great dignity, has been unfairly and unnecessarily attacked.”

The Black Women’s Roundtable comprises an intergenerational membership of Black women civic leaders of international, national, regional and state-based organizations and institutions that works collectively to advance policies and strategic initiatives that help to improve the lives of underserved women and girls.

The range of Women who signed on to the letter include: Melanie L. Campbell, President & CEO and Convener, Black Women’s Roundtable, NCBCP; Rev. Marcia Dyson, Partner, M & M Dyson, LLC; Ingrid Saunders Jones, Chair, National Council of Negro Women; Susan L. Taylor, CEO and Founder, National CARES Mentoring Movement, Susan Scanlan, Chair, National Council of Women’s Organizations & President, Women’s Research & Education Institute; Vivica A. Fox, President, Foxy Brown Productions; and Dr. Natalia A. Francisco, Founder/Executive Director, Women of Worth & Worship, LLC. For a full list go to: www.ncbcp.org/news/releases/susan_rice_letter_copy/.

A full list of women supporting the letter, a copy of the letter to the Senate, a link to the petition, and a widget to post the petition to websites and social media are located at www.ncbcp.org/news/releases/susan_rice and Petition2Congress.com (http://tinyurl.com/c3oazfb). The twitter hashtag is #SUPPORTAMBASSADORRICE.

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Signers to the letter include:

Melanie L. Campbell

President & CEO and Convener

Black Women’s Roundtable, NCBCP

Rev. Marcia Dyson

Partner, M & M Dyson, LLC

Ingrid Saunders Jones

Chair

National Council of Negro Women

Susan L. Taylor

CEO and Founder

National CARES Mentoring Movement

Editor-in-Chief Emerita, Essence Magazine

Susan Scanlan

Chair, National Council of Women’s Organizations & President, Women’s Research & Education Institute

Faye M. Anderson

Founder

Tracking Change

Angela M. Angel, Esq.

Member

Black Women’s Roundtable

Barbara R. Arnwine, Esq.

Convener, Black Women for Justice

Diane Babineaux

Chief of Staff to the Int’l President

International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Works

Arlene Holt Baker

Executive Vice President

AFL-CIO

Monifa Bandele

Campaign Director

MomsRising.org

Cora Masters Barry

Former First Lady Washington DC

CEO/Founder, RWLC

Lisa Fager Bediako

President & CEO Industry Ears

Dr. Lezli Baskerville

President & CEO

NAFEO

Dr. Michelle Battle

Executive Director

MIRA-National Youth Initiative

Salandra Benton

Convener

Florida Coalition on Black Civic Participation

Jillian Blackwell

Founder

My Girlfriends Business

Heather Booth

Democracy Partner

Donna Brazile

Vice Chair, Voter Registration and Participation, DNC

Roslyn Brock

Chairman

NAACP

Clayola Brown

President & CEO

A. Philip Randolph Institute

Jessica Brown

National Black Youth Vote! Coordinator

NCBCP

Latosha Brown

Principal

TruthSpeaks Consulting

Helen Butler

Executive Director

Coalition for the People’s Agenda

Cynthia M. A. Butler McIntyre

National President

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Yvonne V. Cook

Assistant to the Provost

And Vice President for Academic Affairs

Coppin State University

ShaRhonda Dawson

Director

Chicago Coalition on Black Civic Participation

Edrea Davis

Executive Producer

DogonVillage.com

Felicia Davis

Director

UNCF SP Building Green*

LaKimba B. DeSadier

Executive Director

National Black Caucus of State Legislators

Vivica A. Fox

President

Foxy Brown Productions

Sandra Fowler

President & CEO

Brewton Enterprises

Dr. Natalia A. Francisco

Founder/Executive Director

Women of Worth & Worship, LLC

Andrea Gleaves

Chair

WIN (Women’s Information Network)

Patricia Green

Founder & Chief Strategist

IC Linkages, Inc.

Sharon Hanshaw

Executive Director

Coastal Women for Change

Dr. Cynthia Hale

Senior Pastor

Ray of Hope Christian Church

Decatur, GA

Chanelle Hardy

Senior Vice President for Policy

National Urban League

Nancy Harvin

Member

Black Women’s Roundtable

Bonita M. Herring

International Grand Basileus

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority

Dr. Patricia Hobson

Chair

Local Host Summit Committee The Black Women’s Roundtable

Tanya Clay House

Chair, Civil Rights Law

National Bar Association

Eleanor Hinton Hoytt

President & CEO

Black Women’s Health Imperative

Janaye Ingram

DC Bureau Chief

National Action Network

Dorothy R. Jackson, Esq.

Board Member, NCBCP

Letetia Daniels Jackson

President/CEO

Tandeka LLC

Dr. Sabrina Jackson

CEO

Sabrina Jackson Enterprises

Dr. Lorretta Johnson

Secretary-Treasurer

American Federation of Teachers

Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever

Executive Director

National Council of Negro Women

Stephanie Jones

President

Stephanie Jones Strategies

Carol Joyner

National Political Director

Labor Project for Working Families

Julian B. Kiganda

President

African Diaspora for Change

Dr. Bernice A. King

CEO

The King Center

Nicole Lee

President

TransAfrica Forum**

Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks

Executive Director/CEO

National Black Justice Coalition

Dr. Evelyn Gibson Lowery

President, SCLC/W.O.M.E.N. Inc.

Leslie Watson Malachi

Director

African American Ministers in Action

Tamika Mallory

National Executive Director

National Action Network

Dr. Julianne Malveaux

Economist, Scholar & Author

President & CEO, Last Word Productions, Inc.

Barbara Miller

Professor of Anthropology & International Affairs and Director, Institute for Global & International Studies

The Elliott School of International Affairs George Washington University

Dr. Judith C. Moore

Executive Director,

Sisters Saving Ourselves NOW

Pastor, First AME Church-Clairton, PA

Minyon Moore

Former Assistant to the President Bill Clinton and Director of Public Liaison

Karen Mulhauser

President

Mulhauser and Associates

Dr. Claire Nelson

President & CEO

Institute of Caribbean Studies

Sophia A. Nelson, Esq.

Author Black Woman Redefined

Journalist, Speaker

Sima Osdoby

Consulting Democracy, Governance and Civil Society

Terry O’Neill

President

National Organization for Women

Kimberly Otis

Senior Advisor, Center for Partnership Studies, Director, Caring Economy Campaign

Stephanie Parker-Weaver

Founding President and CEO

Rebirth Alliance and Co-Convener, MSCBP

Barbara A. Perkins

President

International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute

Amy Pritchard

Principle Mission Control and

President Democratic GAIN

Rene Redwood

CEO

Redwood Enterprise, LLC

Deidra Reese

State Coordinator

Ohio Unity Coalition

Jena Roscoe

SVP, Government Relations, Public Policy, Operation HOPE

Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner

CEO and Co-Founder

MomsRising.org

Deborah Robinson

Convener, MS Black Women’s Roundtable

Co-Convener, MSCBP

Delisa Saunders, Ph.D.

Former Board Member, NCBCP

Rita Jackson Samuels

Founder

Georgia Coalition of Black Women, Inc.

Carlottia Scott

Board Member, NCBCP

Deborah Scott

Executive Director

Georgia Stand Up!

Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D.

Director

Ronald Walters Leadership & Public Policy Center, Howard University**

Kimberly Scott

President

Conklin Scott

Karen J. See

President

Coalition of Labor Union Women

Traci Siegel

Senior Vice President

GMMB

Dr. Yvonne Scruggs-Leftwich

President & CEO

Center for Community & Economic Justice

Makeda Smith

President

Jazzmyne PR

Carolyn House Stewart, Esq.

International President

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc

Pierrette Talley

Convener

Ohio Unity Coalition

Makani Themba

Executive Director

The Praxis Project

Sheila Tyson

Convener

Alabama Coalition on Black Civic Participation

Tonya Tyson

Member

Black Women’s Roundtable

A. Shuanise Washington

Founder and Principal

Washington Solutions, LLC

Management & Political Consulting Firm

Robin Williams

Associate Director

Civil Rights & Community Action

UFCW

Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner

President

Skinner Leadership Institute

Dr. E. Faye Williams

National Chair

National Congress of Black Women

Thomasina Williams, Esq.

Research Affiliate

MIT Community Innovators Lab

Vanessa Williams

Executive Director

National Conference of Black Mayors

Sharon Zimmerman

Interim Executive Director

Women’s Action for New Directions

[UPDATED SIGN ON as of 11.28.12.2]
**organization referenced for identification purposes only.

State specific PSA’s:

Philadelphia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfJImKCn3xA
Florida: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl1Yd4HqdnU
Alabama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg_bxzRPuXo
Michigan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg3O67Px-3A
Ohio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyoU4lhOdqs
Virginia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2vD7QUt0Dk
Louisiana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewrAtOPMPAg

7 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW TO

PREPARE THE FAMILY TO VOTE IN 2012!

1. VERIFY your Registration Status & Your Poll Location BEFORE Election Day by calling your Board of Elections, 1-866-MYVOTE1 or visit ww.unityvoterempowermentcampaign.org.

2. Be sure to TAKE PROPER ID TO VOTE. Check ID requirements for your state in advance at www.costoffreedom.info.

3. VOTE EARLY or Absentee Ballot if you know you will be out of town on Election Day.

4. DON’T BE AFRAID TO REQUEST HELP from poll workers they are there to help YOU.

5. YOU HAVE A RIGHT to file a complaint if your rights have been violated. For legal assistance call 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

6. STAND YOUR GROUND – if there is a problem at the polls you have a right to cast a provisional ballot if you are certain you are a registered voter.

7. VOLUNTEER to be a poll worker or monitor in your community at www.ncbcp.org.

About The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s (NCBCP) Unity ’12 Campaign

The NCBCP Unity ’12 Campaign, in partnership with A. Philip Randolph Institute and 40 other national and state-based organizations and affiliates, is leading its non-partisan voter empowerment efforts in fourteen states through its Black Youth VoteiThink 2012, Black Women’s Roundtable Power of the Sister Vote and Foot Soldiers for Democracy initiatives.

The Unity Campaign will have coordinators on the ground on Election Day and will also host a command center in Washington DC offering updates on ground operations. States include: AL, FL, GA, IL, IN, LA, MD, MI, MS, NC, OH, PA, VA, WI.

For more information on the Unity ’12 Campaign visit www.unityvoterempowermentcampaign.org or www.ncbcp.org.

To interview state coordinators email: edmedia@dogonvillage.com.

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Jamaal Rose, Florida Black Youth Vote! coordinator with FAMU students Kim Wilson (middle) and Sharon Davis encouraging students to vote early or on Nov. 6.

Washington, DC – Determined to keep the swagger going among their peers, Black Youth Vote! (BYV!), the youth program of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP), is hustling hard as they transition their iThink 2012 Campaign efforts from voter registration to voter education and mobilization for the last days of the 2012 Presidential Election cycle.

BYV! national field coordinator, Jessica Brown, believes that the young adults won’t be easily deterred during this election. “Regardless of what is often reflected in the music and the culture, we are concerned about issues that impact us and we pay attention.”

Virginia BYV! coordinator, Tiara Davis adds, “Because of the voter suppression laws passed to reduce the number of people who can vote, we are getting the message out to vote early and if someone tries to block you from voting, Stand Your Ground and VOTE.”

Active in 14 states and DC, BYV! is making tremendous waves at the grassroots level. The young leaders are dorm knocking, staging vote raids, working with the fraternities and sororities to get their members to the polls, and collecting voter pledge cards. Florida BYV! organizers Lucas Melton and Jamaal Rose even convinced their college president, Florida A&M University (FAMU) interim president Larry Robinson, to sign a BYV! pledge card and cancel classes for a few hours so FAMU students could participate in a march to the polls on the first day of early voting!

“We’re out here on a daily basis getting young people fired up about this election,” said Melton. “In addition to making sure they understand the voter ID requirements, we are reminding them that this election is beyond selecting a president, there are state and local races and referendums that will impact our daily lives.”

Other tactics BYV is using to empower the hip hop nation are debate watch parties; town hall meetings; a digital hit squad getting the message out via social media; and the recruitment of radio DJ’s to play the BYV! theme song, “Vote4Justice”, by Andre “Champ” Hobson. Jeremy Triblett, Wisconsin BYV! , is one of several club DJ’s around the country playing the theme song and urging people to vote while in the nightclubs.

“A major part of our voter registration campaign was to register and educate ex-offenders, so now we’re contacting them to help them identify their poll location and offering rides to the polls to make sure they vote,” adds Portia Tyson, Alabama BYV!.

With the alarming talk of voter suppression efforts and protesters looking to block African-Americans from voting, the organization is working with Common Cause and others to recruit volunteers, called Foot Soldiers for Democracy, to train to work as poll monitors and poll workers. Poll monitors will work outside the polls on Election Day reporting problems via text, mobile apps, and by calling the 1 – 866- OUR VOTE hotline to report problems to lawyers.

Black Youth Vote! iThink2012 partners include, Generational Alliance, BET VOTE 2012, Hip Hop Caucus, Black Men Vote, 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and the Cost of Freedom Project.

“Young people have always been the catalyst behind any movement. They are impacted by issues such as student loans, military enlistment and unemployment,” cites Melanie L. Campbell, president and CEO of NCBCP and co-founder of BYV!. “That’s why Black Youth Vote is such an integral component in our Unity 12 Voter Empowerment Campaign. BYV! also has a special voter empowerment focus on young black males because so many of them are hurt by the unjust voter suppression laws and those who were formerly incarcerated have problems getting their right to vote restored.”

Black Youth Vote! (BYV!) is a national grassroots coalition of organizations and individuals committed to increasing political and civic engagement among black youth and young adults between the ages of 18-35. The iThink2012 Campaign is made possible with support from the Open Society Foundations, Workers Voices, Boule Foundation, The Ford Foundation, Youth Engagement Fund and Tides Foundation-BCEF. Co-convened by NCBCP and A. Philip Randolph Institute, the Unity ’12 Campaign is a national non-partisan effort to turn out Black voters. For more information visit www.ncbcp.org or www.unityvoterempowermentcampaign.org.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Black Youth Vote! will host a post-election media briefing Wed. Nov. 14, 12 – 3 PM at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. National coordinators of Black Youth Vote! are available for interview to discuss their campaign. Contact jazzmynepr@gmail.com or edmedia@dogonvillage.com.

Los Angeles – Pole fitness instructor Selenia Scott is passionate about the subject of breast cancer. She has watched her best friend battle the disease for years. Her non-profit organization, PinkPoleParty.org is a vision born from her passion to help support finding a cure. A creative concept that combines the aspects of fitness, femininity and fun to benefit a good cause, 100% of the proceeds are donated to charities that support a cure for breast cancer. Scott is announcing a special LivingSocial deal for PinkPoleParty.org beginning October 11 for National Breast Cancer Awareness month that will run into November.

PinkPoleParty.org will host exclusive events in Los Angeles for women with the intent to motivate, inspire and rekindle a women’s sensual spirit while raising money for the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Campaign.” LivingSocial, a popular online business that offers daily deals and discounts, will feature PinkPoleParty.org packages as a local weekly deal throughout October and into November. The offer includes the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of pole dancing, the art of flirty floor work and lap dance, with a complimentary pink champagne bar and chocolate covered strawberries during the social part of the mixer.

“Over the last ten years, pole dancing’s perception has grown in leaps and bounds. It is a hugely popular dance and fitness routine that provides a unique form of exercise. Not only does it build physical strength, it also nurtures confidence and self esteem, the two qualities best used in the fight against breast cancer! PinkPoleParty.org is dedicated to inspiring women of all shapes and sizes to come together to dance for the cause so we can donate for the cure!” says Selenia Scott. “I am extremely grateful for the support from LivingSocial as well in this fund raising effort.”

Adds Tracie Kimbrough, event chair for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in the San Fernando Valley, “Nothing can attack your self esteem like a cancer diagnosis. Many women feel less than the beautiful, vibrant, strong women they are. I know I did. Pole dancing empowers. It helps put you in touch with the woman within and it is a great exercise. When used to restore the self confidence and self esteem a cancer diagnosis can take away, it is an amazing and powerful tool. I am glad PinkPoleParty.org partnered with Making Strides and we look forward to teaming up again to dance for a cure.”

PinkPoleParty.org is hoping to build relationships with pole fitness studios around the country in a continued effort to support the fight against breast cancer. To support this cause “LIKE” them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PinkPoleParty.org. For more information go to http://www.PinkPoleParty.org or email them directly at info@pinkpoleparty.com.

Washington, DC – A group of black women called on the spirits of the ancestors to empower them to fight against current efforts to suppress the Black vote during the fourth annual Power of the Sister Vote Intergenerational Policy Forum Series hosted by the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s (NCBCP) Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. With artist Bernard Hoyes’ popular painting “In The Spirit” serving as a backdrop, the women urged the predominately female standing-room only crowd to get to work preparing their family and friends to vote early or on Nov. 6, 2012.

“It’s time for us to lead the way because we voted in greater numbers than any other gender and race group last election, and we have to do the same this year,” said Elsie Scott, president and CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

“We’re confident that Black women are going to the polls,” Melanie L. Campbell, president and CEO NCBCP and convener, Black Women’s Roundtable added. “Our charge to you is to go back into your communities and make sure our brothers, sons and daughters are registered and prepared with proper ID to vote. Urge them to vote early or absentee if possible. There are people who are focused on stopping minorities and the poor from voting but we’re going to Stand Our Ground and make sure our people vote.”

An official session of the 2012 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference, the BWR Power of the Sister Vote Series presented intergenerational discussions addressing the strategies being used to thwart black voting power. In Pennsylvania, for instance, it’s estimated that 758,000 registered voters do not have a PennDOT ID, the most common form of identification.

“While the legal challenges play out in the courts we must help voters get ready,” said Faye Anderson, project manager for the Cost of Freedom Project. “Millions of voters across the country will be in for a shock when they show up on Election Day and find out that for the first time, they must show a photo ID in order to vote.”

The Power of the Sister Vote series also allowed NCBCP state coordinators to discuss their ongoing voter engagement initiatives and share successful tactics to mobilize and protect the Black vote.

In Florida, in addition to hosting several Black Women’s Roundtable discussions across the state, Salandra Benton, convener of the Florida Coalition on Black Civic Participation, is providing the elderly and shut-in with call lists so they can call to educate people about the voter ID laws, early voting dates and help people to verify their registration status.
In Ohio Peete Talley, convener of Ohio Unity Coalition, dispatched a couple of vans filled with volunteers armed with iPads and laptops to travel the state going into low-income and underserved neighborhoods educating people on the voter ID requirements and helping them to verify their registration status. The vans are still touring the state and will offer rides to the polls when early voting starts.

Jessica Brown, national Black Youth Vote! (BYV!) field coordinator said over 20 HBCU’s have signed up to participate in the BYV HBCU Challenge, a vehicle to help prepare students to vote.

Actress, author and activist Sheryl Lee Ralph summed it up for the audience, ““We let this happen. We forgot the fight.” The Black Women’s Roundtable “Power of the Sister Vote Campaign” is a battle cry initiative to re-galvanize the Black community. The campaign is angled by the work of visual master Bernard Hoyes’ dramatic painting “In The Spirit.” Hoyes’ imagery speaks to and boldly upholds the determination of BWR to implement their mission. The “In The Spirit” image will be reprinted on church fans and flyers with “8 Things You Need to Know to Vote” on the back.

BWR is an intergenerational women’s network of the NCBCP (www.ncbcp.org), a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to increasing civic engagement in Black and underserved communities. Get “in the spirit” with them at http://ncbcp.org/programs/bwr/policy/.

Washington, DC – The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) issued the following statement in response to Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson’s decision to postpone the state’s new voter identification requirement:

Melanie L. Campbell, president and CEO of NCBCP and convener, Black Women’s Roundtable said, “I commend Judge Simpson for recognizing the fact that the rigorous Pennsylvania voter identification requirement will likely disenfranchise voters. It is clear that the recent voter ID laws passed across the country are blatant attempts to stop minorities and the poor from exercising their constitutional right to vote. Even though it is temporary, it’s a step in the right direction for this judge to make a decision to go forward, not back to the days of poll taxes and literacy tests.”

“The Pennsylvania law was an obvious attempt to make the electorate less inclusive – eliminating minorities, elderly and poor people from voting,” adds Richard Womack, Jr. NCBCP Pennsylvania coordinator. “In our efforts to help eligible voters secure a state-issued photo ID we encountered long lines and a lot of confusion. deferment Judge Simpson’s decision will allow thousands of citizens to participate in this election.”

“The ruling is a partial victory,” adds Faye Anderson, NCBCP PA co-coordinator and project manager for the Cost of Freedom Project. “While voters will be asked to show a photo ID, they will not be required to present an acceptable form of photo ID in order to cast a regular ballot. But in the run-up to Election Day, the Pennsylvania Department of State will be allowed to continue its “Show it” voter outreach campaign. To minimize voter confusion, DOS should shove the PR campaign and spend resources training poll workers on the new rules.”

Since 1976 the NCBCP has served as an effective convener and facilitator to address the disenfranchisement of underserved and other marginalized communities through civic engagement. Current programs of the National Coalition include Black Youth Vote!, Black Women’s Roundtable and the Unity 2012 Voter Empowerment Campaign. With the 2012 theme “Stand Your Ground” the Unity 2012 campaign works nationally to ensure that black voters register to vote, secure proper ID, verify their voting status, and are allowed to cast a vote that counts on election day. For more visit www.ncbcp.org.

Washington, DC – In their continuing efforts to make Black women’s issues a top priority and remind elected officials and candidates of the voting power of Black women, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s (NCBCP) Black Women’s Roundtable co-hosted nonpartisan round table discussions in conjunction with the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Tampa, FL, and this week at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Charlotte, NC.

At the Charlotte Convention Center Black Women’s Roundtable joined with Higher Heights for America to co-host, “Harnessing Black Women’s Political Power: The Chisholm Effect 40 Years in the Making,” a celebration and discussion about the power of the sister vote.

Hazel Dukes, president of the NAACP New York State Conference, opened the session delivering an electrifying speech outlining the historic run of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and chiding leaders for, 40 years after Chisholm’s run, not properly recognizing the power of the black women’s vote.

Reminding people of the Pew Research findings that the surge in black voter participation in 2008 was driven by increased participation among black women, Melanie L. Campbell, president and CEO of the NCBCP and convener, Black Women’s Roundtable said, “We’re celebrating the phenomenal power of the sister vote. Black women are getting their swagger back in 2012. They’re not just getting themselves prepared to vote, they are making sure their family, friends and neighbors are prepared to cast a ballot that counts in this very important election.”

Campbell adds, “Black women are leaders in turning out our community; our issues should be a top priority for elected officials and we need to see Black women appointed to powerful positions.”

Other participants in the DNC conversation included: Rev. Leah Daughtry, President CEO of On These Thing, LLC and Former CEO of 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee; Clayola Brown, President of A. Philip Randolph Institute; Congresswoman Donna Edwards (D-MD; Dr. E Faye Williams, National Chair of the National Congress of Black Women; and Glynda C. Carr, Co-Founder of Higher Heights for America and co-host of the DNC round table.

Over 30 Florida leaders joined national leaders for a more intimate discussion about the continuing economic crisis, criminal justice reform, and voter suppression tactics, during RNC round table held at St. Petersburg’s Center for Community and Economic Justice. In addition to the conversation, Barbara Arnwine, executive director of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law, provided information and tools like the 866 OUR-VOTE hotline, to help the women educate their constituents, organizations and community members in countering the rampant black voter disenfranchisement in Florida.

The lively discussion was co-convened by Salandra Benton, chair, Florida Coalition for Black Civic Participation; Dr. Yvonne Scruggs-Leftwich, president and CEO, Center for Community and Economic Justice; Gypsy Gallardo, publisher, Power Broker Magazine; and Dr. Elsie Scott, president and CEO, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Participants included: Jessica Brown, national field director, Black Youth Vote; Chloe Choney, district director for Congresswoman Kathy Castor; and Shahra Anderson, regional Director for Senator Bill Nelson.

BWR is an intergenerational women’s network of the NCBCP, a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to increasing civic engagement in Black and underserved communities and developing new leaders. For more information visit www.ncbcp.org.

When the Florida Coalition on Black Civic Participation (FCBCP) originally planned and hosted their 2012 Healthy, Wealth & Wise Mini-Expo and Black Men’s Round Table (BMR) in Miami, FL, the organizers were unsure what to expect. But the gathering of Black men that included NBA Hall of Famer, Isiah Thomas; actor and producer, Charles S. Dutton (“Rock”); Dade County Circuit Judge Daryl Traywick; and Miami Police homicide detective and cast member of “48 Hours,” Detective Ervans Ford, proved to be so powerful that the singular occasion has spawned the announcement of the FCBCP Black Men’s Roundtable Statewide Tour. Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Orlando will be among the first stops.

“Our guest speakers triggered a lot of emotion in the men,” reveals Desmond Meade, chair of FCBCP Black Men’s Round Table, “Charles Dutton and Isiah Thomas spoke to the hearts of these men, relating to them on a universal level of brotherhood. We are simply overwhelmed with the positive feedback and excited for the opportunity to connect with men in other cities and states.”

A springboard of the popular National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) “Black Women’s Roundtable Health Wealthy & Wise National Tour,” BMR will now address and focus on the concerns and issues of Black men. With the goal to uplift, educate and empower Black men and youth, the BMR tour will continue to provide important information related to health and wellness and stimulate honest discussions about issues relevant to Black men all in a mini-expo environment. Due to aggressive voter suppression efforts across the country – with Florida as the poster child – voter education and voter protection are a central component of the event.

“We are just so thankful to the Knight Foundation, as one of our sponsors, for their support to Florida Coalition. It is because of partners like them that we can continue to host these roundtable events, providing men and women a space to talk, commune, learn about their voting rights, and really make a difference in each other’s lives,” offers Salandra Benton, FCBCP Convener.

Moderated by Miami Times senior editor, Kevin McNeir, and attorney Larry Handfield, the panels explored topics like criminal justice and domestic violence; physical, spiritual and mental health; and jobs, wealth and civic participation.

Adds Melanie L. Campbell, president & CEO, The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and convener, Black Women’s Roundtable, “Now more than ever it is crucial that Black men are provided avenues like the Black Men’s Round Table to combat the feelings of disenfranchisement and disempowerment that are so readily evidenced in many of our communities. The Florida Coalition’s Black Men’s Roundtable is aligned with the The National Coalition’s new national focus of engaging black men and boys to live their best lives.”

The Florida Coalition on Black Civic Participation is an affiliate of the The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to increasing civic engagement in Black and underserved communities. The current initiatives of The National Coalition include Black Youth Vote!, Black Women’s Roundtable, and the Unity 2012 Voter Empowerment Campaign. They recently implemented the Black Youth Vote! men and boys civic engagement initiative supported by the Open Society Foundation. With the 2012 theme “Stand Your Ground,” the Unity 2012 campaign works nationally with APRI, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Cost of Freedom Project, and other groups to ensure that black voters register to vote, verify their voting status, obtain proper identification and are allowed to cast a vote that counts on election day. For more information visit www.fcbcp.org or www.ncbcp.org.

‘ll stand for what’s right
I’ll use all my might
I’ll make a difference in this world we live in
I’ll vote for what’s right
I’ll lay down my life
- lyrics from “Vote 4 Justice”

Washington, DC – When Andre Todd Hobson aka “Champ” originally penned the lyrics for The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s Black Youth Vote (BYV!) iThink 2012 campaign, he didn’t know how soon his lyrics would literally become his life. The 19-year-old Richmond, VA native will report to basic training for the U.S. Army on July 31, just a week after hitting the studio to lay his tracks for the song. He can only hope that his recording of “Vote 4 Justice” will move his peers to make a difference in the upcoming presidential election. He will make a difference by serving in the Army to protect the country and our democratic process.

Hobson’s rendition of “Vote 4 Justice” is a stirring rap-laced track that evokes the essence of the times we live in. A gripping call for action, the song is a battle cry to a younger generation, beckoning them to utilize and not squander their power to vote. William Kellibrew IV, deputy director and national victims advocate for the National Coalition, empowers the hook with his compelling vocal ability. The song was produced by Richmond-based producer, “Sowf.”

“Andre did an excellent job of translating our message into hip-hop vernacular,” said Jessica Brown, national field coordinator, BYV!. “We are working hard to educate our young people on the connection between voting and laws like ‘Stand Your Ground.’ Everyone wants justice for Trayvon Martin and others like him, but young people have to realize that those laws were voted in. We have to vote those laws out and keep voting so they don’t pass anymore laws that are not in our interest.”

Melanie L. Campbell, president and CEO of the National Coalition adds, “Many of the laws that disenfranchise voters disproportionately affect Black men so, with the help of funders like Open Society Foundations, we recruited and trained young black men to educate their peers about the new voter ID laws and to work at the polls. I commend Andre for his leadership in using his creative skills to get our message out. We are proud and appreciative of his decision to serve our country. We wish him well.”

BYV’s iThink 2012 campaign is in full gear training, educating, and making sure young adults register to vote, verify their status, obtain proper identification, and vote on Election Day. BYV! programs include the Black Male Initiative, a civic leadership development program; and Foot Soldiers for Democracy co-convened with Common Cause. BYV! Foot Soldiers are a cadre of young people trained to serve as poll workers and monitors in their local communities. BYV! is also partnered with the Cost of Freedom Project to distribute a voter ID App to quickly provide citizens with information on voter ID requirements for all 50 states and how to apply for a photo ID which they must show in order to vote.

BYV! is a national grassroots organization committed to increasing political and civic engagement among black youth and training young leaders. Andre Todd Hobson is a prime example of one such leader. His song, “Vote 4 Justice” will become the legacy of a young man committed to change and willing to pay the “Cost of Freedom”.

Download Vote4Justice at: www.ncbcp.org, follow on Twitter @blackyouthvote, Andre’s Twitter – @championmusicc. For BYV! updates text Vote4Justice to 69302.