Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 13 December 2002 — Page 1

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VOLUME 107 ■ NUMBER 50 ■ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2002 ■ PHONE 317/924-5143 ■ www.lndlanapoll8recortler.com ■ 75t|

NBCSL addresses minority achievement gap in American schools

By JOSHUA COHEN Staff Writer

Kannath “Babyfaca” Edmonds (cantar) spoka to Indiana high school studants at tha NBCSL Youth Confaranca aarllar this waak. Also picturad ara Confaranca Chair Rap. Bill Crawford (laft) and Charlas Williams, prasidant of tha Indiana Black Expo. (Photo/C. Cuynn)

The 26th Annual National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) Legislative Conference made its way to Indianapolis this week. This year, one of the main focuses of the caucus was the recently passed No Child Left Behind Act which addresses the gap in education that exists across the country. The purpose was stated as follows, “An Act: To close the achievement gap with accountability, flexibility and choice so that no child is left behind.” Of special concern was the, “Unacceptable, unbelievable, gap between the majority of the

population and minority children,” said the first African American U.S. Secretary ofEducation, Roderick Paige during a recent press conference held at

IUPUI.

The Act not only provides more funding for schools in America, but also establishes accountability when a child is not meeting standards. “The difference in children, does not lie in their DNA,” insisted Paige. “The schools can make the difference and we should not take any excuses.” Paige used an example from a high school in one of the lowest income congressional districts in America. He explained that 85 percent of those students went on to college this year and

the remaining 15 percent had technical training sufficient to get themselves jobs. “The gap in education is systemic across America,” said Ohio State Sen. C. J. Prentiss. According to Prentiss, limited financial resources, large class sizes and an insufficient number of qualified teachers are the three biggest problems in education. “The NBCSL supports the higher standards movement as well as prevention intervention in the schools, however, without qualified teachers, none of the above is available,” declared

Prentiss.

Can all this be achieved with- ► Sm NBCSL, Pag# AS

NBCSL PrtsMtiit Jamas L.

Thomas listens Intently during conference.

Brothers Darrell (left) end Calvin Marble have been providing Indiana residents with gourmet -style sandwiches far over a decade. Turn towage D1 and read about the recent opening of

Cristan's Super Sandwich Shoppe, located at 2440 Lafayette Rd. Jingle Bell Rock spreads Christmas cheer On Dec. 14 at 8 p.m., Jingle Bell Rock will begin at the Pike Performing Arts Center, 6901 Zionsville Road. Jingle Bell Rock is a holiday oldies music concert featuring the hits of the artists with some holiday spirit. The Drifters, Eddie Holman, Lou Christie, The Happenings, Archie Bell and the Drells and Dr. Elmo will give performances. Admission is $25, and tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, or charge by phone at: (317) 239-5151. For more information about Jingle Bell Rock, call (219) 9389001. Extended hours for Post Office Several Indianapolis Post Offices will extend their business hours for the 2002 holiday mailing season. The extended hours are in effect for Saturday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 21. The extended holiday hours are as follows: Brightwood Station, 2830 North Sherman Drive, wiH be open until 3p.m.; Castleton Branch, 8710 Bash Street, wB be open until 4 p.m.; New Augusta Branch, 8401 MoHer Road, will be open until 3 p.m.; Oaidandon Branch, 12125 East 65th Street, will be open until 3 p.m. and Southport Branch, 1701 East Edgewood Avenue, will be open until 4 p.m.

Exchange opens doors for minority business

By SHANNON WILLIAMS Recorder Editor

Thg Indianapolis Interpaticmal Airport held its d^AlfnffSllTivmfSity Business Exchange, organized by BAA Indianapolis LLC this week at die Convention Center. Susan L. Taylor, editorial director of Essence Magazine, served as the keynote speaker of this year’s event Tile purpose of die event is to serve as an opportunity for representatives from minorityowned businesses and women owned-businesses (MBE/WBE) to learn how to conduct business with the airport. The exchange also presents those businesses with the opportunity to develop relationships with top Indiana companies. So why exactly is it so hard for MBE/WBEs to establish productive relationships with major companies? Well, according to J ames Duke, diversity manager of BAA, the main reasons are lack of commitments and MBE/WBEs going for the wrong businesses. “One thing is with major companies making a true commitment to do business with minority and women owned companies - that’s really not coming internally with them actually making a commitment. (So), it’s difficult for minority companies to get involved with having a relationship with larger companies,” said Duke. “On the other side,” he continued,, “the minority and women owned companies really (need) to make sure that they are targeting the rig^it area of a company that is going to be most beneficial for them.” Taylor is a fourth generation entrepreneur, who before joining the Essence team, founded her own company, Nequai Cosmetics. Taylor shares with readers how she jump-started her

Channel 13 personality Angela Cain delivers uplifting news to Indy

Susan L. Taylor, editorial dlractor of Essonco Magazine (Photo/C. Guynn) tw-'&.'f business. “I actually, saved my own money,” she sum in a calm and deliberate voice. “I started wnh a tiny investment that people, told me was too little to launch a business and turn an immediate profit. So the challenge was really balancing it all with a young child and a new business and a marriage that was falling apart” ■ Although Taylor used net own money to fimdNequai Cosmetics, she doesnT discourage obtaining loans. “I think that (what) we should do as African Americans is hold banking institutions to a higher standard. We have to punish those who take our money and don’t do business with us when we come calling.” ► Sae EXCHANGE, Paga AS

Breakfast With Santa

Kernan says no to 2004 race By AMOS BBOWN III

Lt. Gov. Joseph Kernan’s decision not to run for governor has thrown Indiana’s Democratic Party into utter chaos and made the 2004 race for governor the most wide open in a generation. Tuesday, flanked by his wife Maggie, family members. First Lady Judy O’Bannon, staff members and top Democratic leaders, Kernan simply said that “upon completion of my term as Indiana’s lieutenant governor, I will return to private life.”

By BRANDON A. PERRY Staff Writer Television viewers in Indianapolis who watch Channel 13 on a consistent basis have become pleasantly familiar with Angela Cain, a veteran broadcast joumshst whose passion for helping othen and strong desire to accentuate the positive aspects of this city radiates from her work. i “I have always had a heart for helping people,” said Cain, who has served as Channel 13’s director of community affairs for over five months. “Being a news anchor in the past led me into tins current position, which has allowed me to do a job I enjoy and help people simultaneously.” "I believe it’s for the greater good of everyone that we help each other,” she added. This philosophy and Cain’s strong emphasis on faith, family and community seems to fit perfectly with Channel 13’s mission statement: "Working to make Central Indiana a better place to live.”

Angela Cain "God has matched me with the right station; one that maintains tiie same vision I have. As far as community outreach is concerned, Channel 13 is the most active station in the city and probably one of the most active in the nation. This station is serious about giving bade to the community, and I wanted to work at a station which fells under that category.” ► SM ANGELA, PRg«A4

Local artists attend White House reception

Indianapolis artists Carol White and Rod Trabue were among more than 200 artists from across the country to attend a recent White

the hanging of their unique ornaments on the official White House Christmas tree. The theme for the tree was "All Creatures Big and Small.” Trabne and White were selected along with six other Indiana artists by Indiana First Lady Judy O’Bannon to design an ornament to represent the state of Indiana. White designed a bine heron and Trabne created a red cardinal, the state bird. Creations were submitted in October and were hung by the White House display staff on the official tree in the White House Blue Room. White said the reception "was a fantastic experience in a fantastic place and the

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