Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 18 June 1998 — Page 3

The Muncie Times, June 18,1998, Page 3

Compiled By Andre Scott Kiwanis to build clubs in black communities CHICAGO-WalterG. Sellers, the first African American to head the 83-year old international organization of Kiwanis, says the group will build clubs in minority communities. Sellers says the organization is committed to building clubs in neighborhoods that can benefit by the services offered by Kiwanis. The organizations service projects around the world aim to meet the health, safety and development of children.. Ex-drug addict designs unity flag BEGGS, Okla.-A former drug addict and resident of this city has designed a unity flag. Gary Thompson, designer of the flag, said he was inspired by his treatment at the Northeast Oklahoma Council on Alcoholism and Treatment Program near Miami. The feeling of unity through the program was so strong, according to Thompson, it gave him insight to design the flag. The flag depicts red, yellow, black and white, representing the colors of all races. The unity flag is available to groups and organizations for fund raisers. For further information about the flag call (918) 7844-2377. Chicago report accuses HUD/FHA of promoting hosing bias CHIC AGO-HUD/FHA programs promote racial bias, according to a new study by the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alhance. Not only do they promote such bias, but they also reinforce segregated housing patterns, a

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spokesperson for the Alliance claimed. Bernard Kleina, president of the alliance and executive director of HOPE Fair Housing Center, said tests show that minority families were not only, often steered towards FHA loan products, but were directed to either minority or racially-chang-ing communities for home purchases. Kleina said the report, “The Two Faces of FHA: A Case of Government Supported Minority and Racially Changing Communities,” is based on the Chicago market, but has national implications. Kleina who testified before a U.S. House of Representatives' subcommittee on Banking and Financial Services, said HUD is not only responsible for its own FHA programs, but for enforcing fair housing throughout the U.S. Chicago-area sheriffs allows inmates to watch Chicago Bulls game CHICAGO-A Chicago area sheriff is defending a decision to allow inmates in the Cook County correctional system to watch the Chicago Bulls outside their cells, during the playoffs. Sheriff Michael Sheahan said his decision was humane and was designed to reward inmates for good behavior. Several prison guards in the Chicago area complained after Sheahan allowed the inmates to watch television, after regular lock up time. Bill Cunningham, a spokesperson for Sheahan, said only a handful of the people held in the jail had been convicted of a crime. Others were simply accused. He added that guards who were threatened by this could address their concerns to supervisors. As for the 10 high security inmates who were allowed to watch, Cunningham said they remained hand-cuffed while watching the game.

Pittsburgh Housing Authority gets high marks Pittsburgh has some of the best public housing in the country, according to a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) report. The housing authority scored 88 percent on HUD’s system, which grades public housing nationwide. That figure represents a 25-point increase over last year, when the city scored 63.7 percent. Pittsburgh housing executive director, Stanley Fowe, who is overseeing the turn around, attributes the increase to the work of the authority’s board chairman. Herb Elish. Rangel, Sutton deny Apollo Theater mismanagement charges ' HARFEM N.Y.-Entrepre-neur Percy Sutton told a specially-called community meeting, chaired by the Rev. A1 Sharpton; that recent allegations of financial improprieties by him at the legendary Apollo Theater, are slanderous. Sutton said he has been maligned by New York’s press regarding his role in running the Harlem 'landmark. With financial records in hand, Sutton denied that his Inner City Broadcasting Company (ICBC) has shortchanged the nonprofit Apollo Theater Foundation by as much at $4.4 million over the last several years. He said there have been no wrong doings in ICBC’s handling of the popular “It’s Showtime at the Apollo” TV show. Sutton is not the only one facing attack in the matter. U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, who chairs the Apollo Foundation, was blasted in the New York Daily News for allegedly mismanaging the theater. However, joining Sutton at the hearing, Rangel described the accusations as the latest in a series of hostile

incidents in Harlem. The allegations have prompted an investigation by state Attorney General Dennis Vacco and an Independent audit by the State Development Corp. Black-owned Virginia TV station may be forced to close HAMPTON, Va.-Kenneth and Joan Wright, owners of low power television station, WGBS-TV, serving Hampton, say the black-owned facility is in danger of folding. The Wrights received notice from cable facilitator Cox that they would be dropping the station from their programming line-up as of June 1. This will force the television station into bankruptcy, say Kenneth and Joan Wright. The Wrights have launched a grassroots campaign, with the NAACP and local religious leaders, urging Cox to keep the station in their lineup. The 4-year-old television station has 10 employees and operates 24 hours a day. Bishop says AME church likely to have female bishop soon PORTSMOUTH, Va.Bishop Vinton R. Anderson, prelate of the 2nd Episcopal District, said the African Methodist Episcopal Church may elect its first female bishop by the year 2004. Anderson made his remarks during the annual conference of the 2nd Episcopal District. Anderson said that women have increased their role in the AME Church significantly since the first female minister was ordained in the 1940s. Spike Lee: Hollywood has double standards on black movies

HOFFYWOOD, CalifMovie producer Spike Fee says Hollywood has double standards when it comes to producing black movies. They are still racist, said Spike. According to Spike the movie plots are silly or deal with hard-edged urban themes that do not have wide audience appeal. The opportunities are still lacking for blacks in Hollywood, even with pressures from civil rights organizations. Blacks account for 25 percent of movie ticket sales. Magic Johnson, Janet Jackson get majority interest in bank EOS ANGELES- Janet Jackson, former basket ball star Ervin “Magic” Johnson and Jheryl Busby of the music industry, acquired the majority shares in Founders National Bank of Los Angeles. Johnson, Jackson and Busby formed the JJB partnership and invested $3 million in the bank. The bank operates three branches. The infusion of capital will allow the minority owned bank to increase and expand its business lending. Black legislators rally against parts of proposed African trade bill Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., along with key members of the Congressional Black Caucus and other leaders, wants to modify the African Growth and Opportunity Act of 1998 as it is debated in the Senate. The bill contains many provisions, they argue, that would benefit multinational corporations and large foreign investors, at the expense of true and equitable African development. South African President Nelson Mandela and Deputy

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