WSSN Stories

Maria Gordon, before and after

In the United States, alone, 37.9 % of non-Hispanic black and African American men over the age of 20 are obese, and 57.6 % of women who are non-Hispanic black and African American over the age of 20 years are obese (CDC, 2009-2012). However, with the rise in more health awareness campaigns and advocates, more people are seeking the desire to live healthier and longer lives.

Out of those health advocates is Maria Gordon. Gordon struggled with obesity and was later diagnosed with Diabetes in 2010 as a result of her weight battles.

“I know personally the struggles that are faced every day,” Gordon states. “From the challenges of eating properly, the motivation needed to continue and the thoughts that are often not expressed for fear of ridicule”.

In September of 2013 something amazing happened, Gordon decided to get serious with getting her health back on track which included eating clean, increasing her water intake and transitioning into a vegetarian.  As a result she has lost over 100 lbs and has successfully reversed Type 2 Diabetes. Now she is on the quest of assisting others to do the same by providing encouragement and being that positive force of reinforcement to ensure that they succeed in their weight loss journey.

“I’m not a fitness person who doesn’t really understand the challenges. I’m a real person with real results and striving for more results in others as well as myself. This is about being able to connect with people on a personal level, building trust and actually living by example,” Gordon said.

Upon changing her own life, Gordon felt inspired to help others by also teaching them that they do not have to give up and accept the diagnosis, we can FIGHT BACK! She is currently a health and wellness coach working towards certification.

Gordon’s overall goal is not only to raise awareness for Type 2 Diabetes, but to also inspire others to make a lifestyle change and commitment. Success is not only on T.V, its real life…. it’s her life and it can be yours as well. If you would love to speak to Maria Gordon in a more in depth conversation, you may reach out to her at MsMariaG1@gmail.com or visit her website www.ProsperouslyYours.com.

By Lou Coleman

As much as we may resist the idea that we are our brother’s keeper, in God’s eyes we are more than we aren’t. Am I my brother’s keeper questions our degree of responsibility for anyone other than ourselves.  As we read through the pages of Scripture we begin to discover that there is a responsibility that we are entrusted with. Jesus used examples that said if we clothed anyone who was naked, visited anyone in prison, even just give a cup of cool water in His name then it would be as if we had done it directly to Him. When it comes to God’s perspective on your life, you are your brother’s keeper. Acts 11: 12-30.

However, many of us Christians believe that as one person we can’t make a difference. I want you to know that that’s not true! Let me ask you, did Christ? Yes! One person can make a difference. We are told to “bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” In Galatians 6:2, we are commanded to bear the burdens of our brother. The whole idea here is one of self-denial and self-sacrifice. When Jesus went to the cross, He laid aside His rights for us. He denied Himself, suffered in our place and bore our infirmities on the cross. He set the standard that we are all called upon to follow. This verse is a call for us to get our eyes off ourselves and to get them onto those around us so that we can reach out to them in the love of God and make a difference in their lives!

After seeing firsthand what poverty looks like, I am now more dedicated than ever to be a part of their lives. “I have come to the realization that in the grand scheme of things, it’s not about me! How can we complain when others are in much worst conditions than we find ourselves in? We can no longer walk past those in need, because we are called to make a difference. To be effective servants for God, we must put things into perspective and be willing to sacrifice ourselves for the benefit of another. We must have a burning desire to help others to the fullest extent of our being. We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. But what good is salt that no longer seasons, preserves, or purifies? What good is light that no longer emanates, illuminates, and reveals? God does not extend his generosity to us with the intent that we would hoard blessings for our sole benefit. As we are conduits and not repositories for God’s blessings, we must be determined to direct God’s blessings bestowed on us to others. Let us no longer be perceived as Christians by name only. We must not compromise God’s Word. We must strive to be men and women of integrity. And we must allow real, demonstrative truths to emit from our lives, being mindful that God is making His appeal to the world through us.

USA for Africa, “We Are the World,” written by Lionel Richie and the great late Michael Jackson says, “There comes a time when we must heed a certain call, when the world must come together as one, there are people dying, and it’s time to lend a hand to life, the greatest gift of all. We can’t go on pretending day by day, that someone, will soon make a change, we are all a part of God’s great big family, and the truth, you know, love is all we need.”

Perhaps one of the more thought-provoking questions in the Bible is that one asked by Cain: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 4:9) This is a question we would do well to ask ourselves today…. Are we our brother’s keeper? Do we have a responsibility to watch out for and care for one another? {When one turns to the New Testament, it becomes clear that the answer is in the affirmative}. In fact, there are many passages which emphasize…Our responsibilities to one another. We are to “Love One Another” As commanded by Jesus –As taught by Paul – As instructed by Peter – and as stressed by John. But how are we to express such love? We are to “receive one another”; we are to “edify another”; we are to “serve one another”; we are to “bear one another’s burdens”; we are to be “forgiving one another”; we are to be “submitting to one another”; we are to “exhort one another”; we are to “consider one another”; we are to be “hospitable to one another.” {In light of such “one another” passages, is there any doubt that we are to be our brother’s keeper?} But how well are we doing? Do we even consider them? Are we even aware of whom they are? Are we ignorant of their problems? Are we willing to bear their burdens? So as to help them overcome and become stronger; or do we rather not be bothered?

What is involved in being our Brother’s Keeper? Teaching him the gospel (Mark 16:15, 16) Loving him as we love self (Matt 22:39; 1 John 3:17) Restoring him when he falls. (Gal 6:1; James 5:19-20) Sharing his burdens and joys, (Gal. 6:2; Romans 12:15) Doing good to him. (gal. 6:10) Helping him when he is in need (Ephesians 4:28) Treating him the way we want to be treated. (Matthew 7:12). Does one person make a difference? Yes! You can help by donating any amount to the cause. What may seem small to you might just change everything for them.

To donate visit www.gofundme.com/99b30w.

By Sylvia Mathews Burwell, HHS Secretary

?Co-Authored by: USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

Every parent has dreams for their child. We want them to grow up strong and healthy. We tell them to dream big and work hard so that they can be anything they want to be. We want them to take the world by storm.

As parents, we lay the foundation for our children’s future success, but we know that we can’t do it alone. We rely on people like pediatricians, other health care providers, teachers and other school professionals to act as our proxies. We entrust them with the task of helping our kids grow up smart, strong and healthy because, as parents, we believe that they will make decisions in our children’s best interests. And that applies to what our children eat when they are away from home, especially at school.

The updated school meals standards introduced across the country in 2012 are undoubtedly improving the quality of school meals as well as the health and well-being of our children.

A handful of vocal critics will tell you otherwise — that school meals were better in the “old days.” But the old days are no longer acceptable, not when our children are battling an obesity epidemic that impacts the long-term health of the American people and, according to retired U.S. generals, threatens our national security by making almost one in three young adults unfit to serve in our nation’s military.

America has the second highest obesity rate in the world. The cost of treating obesity-related illnesses is a shocking $190.2 billion per year, dragging down our economy and increasing budget deficits. Updating the school meals with more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other healthy foods — and less fat, sugar and sodium — is the right thing to do for our kids. Doctors and other health care providers agree, which is why the healthier school meals were developed based on their recommendations.

The bottom line is that these meal standards were developed by our nation’s best doctors, nurses, dieticians and scientists — not our politicians. These medical and nutrition professionals know better than anyone that healthy options mean healthy kids, and later, healthy adults.

Some predicted that kids would reject healthy food and throw more food away, but a recent Harvard study showed that, thanks to the updated standards, kids are now eating 16% more vegetables and 23% more fruit at lunch. Another study, published earlier this month by the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at the University of Connecticut, reiterated that point, showing that kids are eating more of the healthy food and throwing less food away.

On school meals, parents and kids see eye to eye. A September 2014 survey by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that most parents (72%) support strong national nutrition standards for school meals. Another study, published last July in Childhood Obesity, found that 70% of middle school students and 63% of high school students like the school meals. As these studies show, the new school meals are a success.

Doctors and public health professionals know that healthier people are also better for our economy. Healthy people go to the doctor less and have fewer medical expenses, miss fewer days of school and work, and are more successful in the long run.

Over 90% of schools are meeting the updated guidelines, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is continuing to provide hundreds of millions of dollars, training and other support to help all schools successfully serve healthy food to our children. As Congress is turning its attention toward the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act and some are seeking to modify or even roll back the healthier nutrition standards in schools, it’s worth remembering that these nutrition standards were passed through a bipartisan act of Congress and based on the expert opinions of health scientists and physicians. Any changes to these programs should be based on the science and recommendations of medical experts.

Anything less is just unacceptable.

By McKenzie Jackson/California Black Media

California’s African-American-owned businesses are among a group of corporations that the California Department of Insurance (CID) would like to see have a bigger stake in the Golden State’s $257 billion insurance industry.

During the Diversity Task Force meeting held Monday CID Commissioner Dave Jones said his office is focused on finding ways to increase diversity in procurement and governing boards within the insurance industry.

“I am talking in particular about women-owned businesses, minority-owned businesses, and [disabled] veteran-owned businesses “who typically want a chance to have an opportunity to compete,” he said., To know where those opportunities are, and to have an opportunity to build their businesses for their families, for their communities, and for their employees.”

In an effort to do this, next month the CID will be administering the 2015 Insurer Supplier Diversity Survey, which will require the state’s top premium issuing insurance companies to report their procurement efforts with Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBEs). Two years ago, the bi-annual survey found that in 2012, 207 insurance companies awarded 1,300 contracts worth $930 million to businesses owned by members of those subgroups. Sixty-six of those enterprises were headed by African Americans.

Jones, who has been Insurance Commissioner since 2011, said California, which has the largest insurance market in the country, is home to one-fifth of the nation’s minority-owned businesses and 1.1 million women-owned corporations; the highest numbers tops in America. However, he said, more cooperation is needed between those businesses and insurance giants such Allstate, Farmers Insurance, and Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.

“What a tremendous opportunity that would be to bring these two segments of our economy together,” he said.

During the two hour meeting, Jones and Naveen Habib, one of CID coordinator’s for the Insurance Diversity Initiative, went through a draft of the two-part diversity survey. Jones also introduced the 2015-2016 Insurance Diversity Task Force, a 15-member body composed of economic and legal specialists from across the state. The group is charged with making recommendations for bolstering the number of MBEs, WBEs, and DVBEs that partner with an industry that is vital to how businesses in California operate and how families and communities make sure their health and safety needs are addressed.

Jones said all the committee members share the common goal of striving to create greater diversity in the insurance trade.

“I am confident the wide array of expertise our new Task Force members bring will benefit our work in meeting these goals,” he said.

Task Force members and other businesspersons and insurance reps listened to the meeting by phone and chimed in as Habib went over the survey’s six-point questionnaire and survey chart.

The questionnaire asks insurance companies if they have a supplier diversity policy statement, a supplier diversity program, conduct outreach specifically to diverse businesses, set internal targets or goals in regards to its supplier diversity statement, and the name and contact information for their supplier diversity operations.

The chart features tables that divide the total amount of funds companies reveal they spent on WBEs, MBEs, and DVBEs. The chart also features headings that allow companies to pinpoint exactly what type of minority businesses won contract benefits. The headings include “Advertising/Marketing,” “Financial/Investment Services,” “Claims Services,” “Facilities,” “Human Resources,” “Information Technology,” “Office Supplies,” “Print Services,” “Professional Services,” “Telecom” “Real Estate,” “Travel/Entertainment,” and “Other.”

“We have been working very hard to make improvements on the survey,” said Habib.

Like the 2013 survey, this year’s survey will be sent to insurance companies that wrote premiums of $100 million or more. Two years, ago the survey revealed that out of the $241 million that went towards MBEs, African-American-owned businesses received the third lowest amount. Black businesses finished ahead of Native American-owned businesses and multi-ethnic-owned corporations, but finished below the dollars that went towards businesses categorized as owned by Other/Unknown (63.3 percent), Hispanic (16.6 percent), and Asian Pacific Islander (11.9 percent).

Task Force member Janice Brown, the owner and founder of San Diego-based Brown Law Group, said a number of insurance firms are part of the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) and that they spend funds in legal expenses with many minority or women-ran law groups.

“I do think there is an opportunity to cross reference the people and the organizations that are a part of NAMWOLF with this initiative,” she said. “If corporations and organizations are spending money on outside counsel with diverse and women-owned companies they are known to have strong diversity initiative programs.”

Jones said there is a lot of opportunity for growth due to the huge economic engine the insurance business is in California.

“I think we are making good progress,” he said. “That is going to be the job of the new task force to focus on how we grow from this. We have gotten good feedback from insurance companies.”

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Whether you know it or not there is a tremendous war raging around us in the Spiritual realm. The battle is on-going. It is not on our terms. We don’t decide when we want to fight or when we want to withdraw. The Bible clearly shows that God will ultimately win the war, but until that time the battle will continue to rage. Prepare for battle for we have been called to war­­—one in which the ultimate stakes hang in the balance. There is effort involved—energy must be expended. The reward—eternal life! You must allow nothing—no entanglements or distractions—to avert your attention.  In order to win this war there are three common enemies that we must face before we go into battle. These mighty foes are in league against us. They are crafty, cunning and lurking about, ready to attack at every opportunity. They seek to confuse and overwhelm us and wear us down. Their ultimate goal is to kill us, to take away eternal life. These three enemies are self, society and Satan. Every ounce of energy and effort must be put forth to gain victory over them.

Our first deadly enemy, self. Our carnal human nature with all of its inordinate lusts. As 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 says, “As long as we are in the flesh, we will have to battle our carnal human nature” because our natural mind is a stronghold against God. It does not want to be conquered; it does not want to submit to the will of God. It is the enemy of God and is even against the very knowledge of God. It wants—and will try—to destroy you! The self wants to do its own thing and think its own thoughts. It will cleverly rationalize all it wants to do. It is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked,” and seeks only to bring forth the works of the flesh. It wants us to violate God’s Spiritual law, enticing us to sin. By doing this, it can cut us off from God. Unless we successfully wage and win the war against self—it will destroy us!  We must “[cast] down every imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and [bring] into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” It is an ongoing battle for control of our mind—a battle that we must win at all costs! Our second deadly enemy, this presents evil age. The society that surrounds us. All it has to offer looks very appealing, alluring and glamorous. It brims over with the latest electronic gadgets, trendy clothing, fast cars, pleasures, thrills, excitement, and on and on. This world appears to be wrapped with everything that glitters and is gold, because it is built upon and motivated by the products of human nature—vanity, lust, greed, etc.— in which we are naturally drawn to it and, if not on guard, caught up in it. Yet, this is what our attitude toward society should be: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.” We must carefully examine our ways to see if they conform to God’s ways or the ways of this world. Take this admonishment to heart—your life depends on it! Our third great deadly enemy, Satan the devil. As the “god of this world” and “the prince of the power of the air,” he works in the children of disobedience and injects his attitudes into their unsuspecting minds. What we have to realize and know is that we are not alone in our daily Christian warfare. As a spiritual army, we have the greatest Commander-in-Chief possible—God the Father. He has called us—drafted us—into His army to fight against our three great enemies {self, society, Satan.} He has not left us defenseless, unable to fight against our foes. He has given us the most powerful force in the universe, His Spirit, which is available to us at all times. Our orders come from the “Captain of [our] salvation” and the “Author and Finisher” of our faith—Jesus Christ.  And as our Captain, Christ will lead and help us in battle, and to absolute victory.

Our Armor – like any good battlefield commander, Christ has thoroughly equipped His army with tried and tested battle gear. It is essential that you know what each piece of this armor is and what it is used for, and to never go into battle without it. Neglecting or forgetting any part will leave you exposed and unprotected. Stand therefore, having your loins girded about with Truth. This is a critical piece of the Christians armor. Having our loins “girt” with the truth protects and insulates us from the fiery darts of the devil. Truth must be firmly secured about our waist—attached to it is the breastplate of righteousness and hanging from it is the sword of the Spirit. Losing any part of the truth leaves the breastplate of righteousness loose and allows the sword of the Spirit to fall on the ground. If this happens, we are leaving ourselves exposed to fatal injury. The Breastplate of Righteousness is obedience to God’s commandments which brings automatic blessings and protection from God. The Gospel of Peace is the good news of the soon-coming, world-ruling kingdom of God—to be established when Christ returns as King of kings and Lord of lords, bringing true and lasting peace to a tired, dying and hopeless world. The gospel provides a solid footing, allowing us to dig our heels in and stand our ground against our enemies.  The Shield of Faith is the faith of Jesus Christ and it is this faith that enables us to conquer and overcome. This faith will see us through the many trials and temptations that Satan throws in our path. It is a defensive weapon that grows ever larger and stronger with diligent use, eventually covering our entire body. The Helmet of Salvation is the knowledge of what salvation is, what it involves, how to achieve it, what it is all about—the purpose of human life. Being armed with this helmet guards us against the blows of the enemy. It protects against the feelings of doubt and depression that Satan desperately wants to inject into our minds, in an all-out effort to cause us to give up. Without the helmet of salvation, we will fail to remember why we were born—and we will also forget what we are fighting for! The Sword of the Spirit is the written Word of God. This is the only offensive weapon a Christian has in fighting the devil and his devices. While it may appear to be the same as being girded with the truth, it is slightly different. Hanging from the truth, all of God’s Word—it is drawn from it, cutting the enemies’ strategies and tactics to pieces. Every soldier of Christ must master the use of this weapon, keeping it firmly in hand. After we have put on the armor of God, Paul’s final instruction to us is to “[Pray] always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit… This is the final thing we must do in the battle against all our enemies. We must draw close to God in persevering, fervent prayer, asking for more of His Spirit, His help and His protection—along with the strength, desire and determination needed to fight each and every battle. If we faithfully, diligently adhere to the commander’s orders, we can and will win the war for His glory. God is rooting for us….Call to Arms!

Bishop Mickey and First Lady Minnie Whitehead

By Lou Coleman

Under the leadership of Bishop Mickey R. F. and First Lady Minnie Whitehead, “The Day of Compassion” is structured to be a tool to reach out to those who have lost a loved one to violence, unforeseen tragedy, and loss of life prematurely. As we know, the world cares very little for broken hearts, but the God of the Bible is the God of the broken-hearted. It’s not to the whole and the well, but to the broken and the wounded, that Jesus comes with compassion, the sweetest tenderness {Isaiah 61:1}. He repairs and restores the hurt and ruined life. “The Day of Compassion,” impacting a community with the presence of community participations; City to City and State to State. The purpose is to act on what is known as “The Great Commission” {Matt. 28:18-20} “And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”  Our mission, showing love and compassion on a Godly scale and becoming excellent so that others will see and know how great God is.

About the Founders

Bishop Mickey and First Lady Minnie Whitehead, yes, you read it right…. Mickey & Minnie …. Mickey a “real-life gangster” discovered that playing such a role came with some serious and real consequences. Mickey wanted to be like the gangster Frank “The Enforcer” Nitti. At age 15, he robbed a Savings and Loan Bank and because of it thought that he would spend the rest of his days in prison until he started watching Kenneth Copeland on TV and received a word of encouragement. As a result, he surrendered his life to Jesus, and began a remarkable journey of faith. To God be the Glory! I tell you regardless of who you are God indeed can use you. Sometimes we get the idea that God can only use a certain class of people but it has been my observation that for the most part it is not the high and mighty that is greatly used of God but rather it is an altogether different kind of people. God doesn’t take the majority of His workers from the ranks of the wise, mighty or noble. 1Cor 1:26 says, “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.” – Verse 27 – But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen.” Bishop, Dr. Mickey Robert Whitehead had come out of the streets of Chicago, Illinois and had been a heroin addict for 29 years… But God… Mickey belief in the Lord brought him out of the prison system. He became the Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle of World Wide Compassion at the Lord Jesus Christ Ministry. He was formerly named Director of the Department Evangelism of the Bible Way Churches World Wide by the Presiding Apostle Huie L. Rogers. He was led to the Lord by Kenneth Copeland, and raised up in the Faith under Bishop William C. Latta of Columbus, Ohio. Currently Bishop Mickey Whitehead is a Bishop in the International Bible Way Church of Jesus Christ, Apostle Cornelius Showell, and Presiding Bishop; Also, an Auxiliary Bishop in Clarence C. McClendon Ministries. He is currently conducting his effort to have the Day of Compassion held throughout several communities and states with his lovely wife First Lady Minnie Whitehead. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” May the love, pity, and grace of God ministers sweet blessings of comfort and healing to restore the broken and wounded hearts of His people. The Day of Compassion! For more information please contact us via email at compassionheadquarters@yahoo.com.

What it do with the LUE! Our city is what it Do. The Dark Clouds! Just as a thunderstorm brings forth clouds filled with precipitation which brings forth rain, hail, sleet, and snow, our city is covered with clouds bringing forth HATE, PAIN, VIOLENCE, and MURDER. In the words of legendary R&B singer and song writer Marvin Gaye, “What’s Going On and Mercy Mercy Me”?    “What’s going on in the Inland Empire, what’s going on in San Bernardino, what’s going on in the homes and the schools?”

Was Marvin Gaye a modern day prophet during his time or Nah? Our city has suffered the loss of several lives due to violence. There used to be a time when a good old fashioned one-on-one fist fight would do. Those days are long gone. We’re living in an era where the use of weapons and firearms seem to be the answer. We’re living in an era where it’s nothing to take a person’s life and not blink twice. So much blood is being splattered on the very streets our children walk up and down every day. The young are dying right before our very eyes.

Is this Biblical? Is this the handwriting on the wall? Our ancestors endured much so we can have more. When I say more, I mean more opportunities to a bright future. Please don’t tell me their struggle was in vain. What will it take for us to unite and fight for our future generation to come. I know I’m not alone when I say, “Peace Be still”. Just as Dr. Martin Luther King had a dream, so do I.

I dream that someday, and someday soon, we can see ourselves in each other. That we can walk hand in hand with our own. We need the leaders and when I say leaders, I’m not speaking to those sitting in a suit behind a desk. I’m referring to those street leaders. The ones that really have the influence on the streets, the ones our sons and daughters emulate. We need those individuals to come to the table and HELP HEAL THE LAND.

This Saturday a community forum is being held to understand what’s happening. This forum is a platform for the community to cry out. Please come out to S.O.S., State of San Bernardino. The event is hosted by “United Nations of Consciousness” and sponsored by several other community entities. Let your voice be known! This is ya’ girl LUE and our town is what it do!

WASHINGTON- On Saturday, March 21, 2015, Reverend Willie T. Barrow will be laid to rest, but not without a great celebration of who she was, and certainly not without reflecting on the incredible legacy that she leaves behind.

Reverend Barrow, or “Little Warrior” as she is affectionately referred to for her small stature and great might, is most commonly known for her leadership as a civil rights icon through Operation PUSH, which later became the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Her scope of influence, however, spanned the globe and her activism resonated through numerous social causes. “It’s not that we are divided, we’re just disconnected,” she would always say.

In my eyes, though, Reverend Barrow stood with the giants. I came to know her as a young man growing up on Chicago’s South Side during my years spent as a mentee to Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. She was a matriarch of the civil rights movement, and true to the old adage, “It takes a village to raise a child,” she invested in the potential that she saw in youth. When I was a student struggling at Morehouse College to finish and pay on time, she made sure corporations gave me scholarship money to cover my tuition. I am honored to be one of her children.

What can we learn from Reverend Barrow? We can see, feel, and love as she did, which was not of her own might.  She embraced the One from whom she drew strength from, and the motives of her heart flowed naturally from who she was internally. Just as Jesus never had to struggle to try to be the Son of God, Rev. Barrow’s deeds were an extension of who she was at her core – she simply was a daughter of God, and with confidence and grace, she lived out who she was ordained to be.

ABOUT LAMELL MCMORRIS:

Lamell McMorris is the founder and CEO of the Washington, DC-based group of companies bearing the Perennial name: Perennial Strategy Group and Perennial Sports and Entertainment. As a lifelong advocate for those less fortunate than himself, Mr. McMorris serves on the boards of numerous civil rights organizations and volunteers his time with several youth service and mentoring organizations. For his service, charisma, and dedication, Mr. McMorris is frequently honored by advocacy and nonprofit organizations and invited to speak at a wide range of conferences and events. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Society from Morehouse College and a Master of Divinity in Social Ethics and Public Policy from Princeton Theological Seminary. For more information, please visit: www.perennialsg.com/lamell.html.

Lou Coleman

By Lou  Coleman

Do not be deceived! The fact is you cannot have God and the world too! But Satan will tell you that you can. The Devil is a liar! You cannot have it both ways! {Matt. 6:24}. You will either embrace Jesus or you will embrace the world. Besides, if you are really living for Jesus then your commitment to Jesus will be offensive to the world. On the other hand, if you are committed to the world then your lifestyle is offensive to Jesus.  What am I saying?  If you are saved you need to get as far away from the world as you can! {Isa. 52:11}. I tell you if Israel had believed the Devil’s lies they would have never made it to the Promised Land. If you believe the Devil’s lies then you can forget victory, power and the glory of God in your life. Paul warns us: “Do not give the devil a foothold; don’t make it any easier for him!” This statement teaches us that we must give no ground to the devil. The smallest ground, the tiniest foothold, the briefest opportunity is to be zealously guarded against falling into his hand. We will struggle enough with the devil without willingly placing ourselves within his grasp. And make no mistake about – toeing the line of sin to see how close you can get gives ground to the devil and dramatically increases the chances that you will fall into sin. And if you have the feeling that “It can’t happen to me!” you are in danger of falling today! I tell you we are engaged in a fierce, life-defining battle with Satan. He is our “adversary and he has crafted elaborate “wiles” and “devices” to gain ground and win us to his side. Don’t give the devil even a foothold!

According to Jesus if we have ears it is important for us to hear what the Spirit of God is saying. Jesus told the Sardis to do five things to overcome. Slap yourself awake – “Be Watchful! Strengthen Yourself! Remember! Hold Fast! Repent!” {Revelation 3} Listen; if you are to survive you must get out today. Tomorrow may be too late. Wake up and do it now! Satan is determined to destroy your life. Jesus told Peter that Satan had made a request to have “all” the disciples to test the reality of their faith. Satan wanted to tear the heart of God by proving that there was no reality to the faith of the disciples. Satan believed that he could crush them, sift them and that nothing would be left but a lost heart. He had already done this with Judas, and he believed that he could do it to the rest. I tell you we battle a determined enemy. He wants nothing more than to cut the heart of God by sifting your life and mine. He wants to prove that we are phonies. He wants to show God and the world that there is nothing to our professions of faith. He wants to ruin your testimony. He wants to destroy your home. He wants to wreck your influence. He wants to take away everything of value in your life and leave you with nothing but a devastated shell of what you had {1 Pet. 5:8}.  I tell you, if he can get you to believe a false profession, he will. If he can get your eyes off Jesus, he will. If he can drive a wedge between you and the members of your family, he will. If he can drive a wedge between you and the members of your church, he will. He will do everything he can to cut the heart of God and ruin your life. He will use whatever tactic he deems necessary to get you to fall. Remember Satan came to steal, kill and destroy and he will never stop until you fall or you die! The sad thing about it though is that we are living in a day when radical sold out believers are hard to find.  I tell you if the devil gets his way in your life and you succumb to his attacks remember this: No one sins in a vacuum! Your sin doesn’t just affect you, it affects everyone around you! Adam’s fall touched us all – Rom 5:12! David’s sin with Bathsheba, 2 Sam 11 affected him, Bathsheba, their baby, Bathsheba’s husband, and the house of David for years to come!

My friend, God wants to lead you into a life that is Spirit-filled and blessed. The Devil wants to get you to trade the blessings of God for the rubbish of this world. He will offer you every compromise at his disposal to attempt to lead you astray. Don’t do it! Don’t let Satan sift you like Wheat! The Devil is a liar! The Bible tells a story of two brothers named Jacob and Esau. Esau was the oldest and as such, he was entitled to a double portion of his Father’s estate and he was entitled to take over as the head of the family when his father passed away. One day Esau had been out in the field and when he returned home, he was hungry. His brother Jacob was cooking soup. When Esau asked for a bowl of soup, Jacob said, “Let’s make a deal. You give me your birthright and I will give you a bowl of soup.” Only a fool would have made that deal, but Esau did just that and traded away that which was priceless for a bowl of soup. He despised his birthright and paid a terrible price. I’m afraid that many of us are guilty of doing the very same thing! We have heard the Devil say, “Let’s make a deal.” And, we have traded something precious for something worthless. We have left a big part of ourselves in the world. We have traded our testimony for empty promises and wasted years. Well that can be changed today. If you have made a deal with the Devil and if things are not what they ought to be in your heart and life, you need to get that straightened out today. If you will call on the name of Jesus, He will forgive you and cleanse you. He will restore your life. If you have listened to the lies of Satan and have never been to Jesus for salvation, call Him up and tell Him what you want. Do not fall for Satan’s’ tricks and traps. Call on the name of Jesus and He will let you trade in that which the Devil has given you for something more precious than gold. Now is the most opportune time. Keep what you have received and know that there must be a point of turning – a point where you grab the steering wheel and turn it around – a point where you throw the lever that reverses the engine. Repentance is that point. Make up your mind that you’ll go no further on your present course and throw the lever. Repentance is the act – the determination – to change. Wake up! Strengthen what remains! Repent while there is still time to overcome. If you do not, Jesus says, “If therefore you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you.” I tell you Satan has desired to sift you like Wheat…. Do not let him do it! It’s Just another Trick of the Devil!

By McKenzie Jackson/California Black Media

Over 500 educators, parents, and stakeholders attended the annual California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA) last week in San Diego. The conference aims to convene education experts and stakeholders to help better understand best strategies for African American and other underserved students.

African-American, Hispanic, and low-income or low-language students are assets that must be invested in, said Dr. Kent Paredes Scribner, a commissioner with the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.

“They are not problems to be solved,” he said. “It is good for the California economy to invest in this beautiful human resource of young people. They grow up to be adults so we ought to invest in them today.”

Scribner opened the first session and told an audience of over 200 educators and education advocates that U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan believes the achievement gap between minority and non-minority students is the greatest civil rights issue of today.

“If we are going to have an economy that is vibrant and effective we must invest in the resources we have,” said Scribner, who is also a superintendent with the Phoenix Union School District in Arizona.

Scribner was one of four speakers to take the stage in San Diego as a part of the summit’s opening discussion, which centered on “Accelerating Academic Growth for African American and Other Students of Color.”

The other speakers were Dr. Randy Ward, a superintendent with the San Diego County Office of Education, Dr. Rita Kholi, an assistant professor at the University of California-Riverside, and Corey Jackson, the mentoring chair of the 100 Black Men Inland Empire.

The four are among the over 50 speakers and specialists that presented during the three-day conference, which is geared towards furthering CAAASA’s goal of identifying and addressing critical issues in education through public policy relative to the status and performance of African-American students in the classroom.

In attendance at the event were school superintendents, administrators, teachers, parents, and business partners from across the Golden State.

During the summit attendees took part in workshops, discussion groups, and talks that focus on issues attached to educating black and other minority youths in California including President Barack Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” program, community and family health, school truancy, college readiness, and parent engagement.

In her opening remarks, CAAASA President Dr. Judy White said the 500-member CAAASA is declaring the mantra “Persevere until its here.”

“What? Equity. Where? Every educational institution? When? Now,” she said. “Persevering is not a long race. It is many short races, one after another. This summit is one of those short races.”

Dr. Randy Ward, a superintendent with the San Diego County Office of Education, said far too many African-American students are not achieving academic success like white or Asian students.

“We talk about the achievement gap, but what about the opportunity gap,” he said? “Many kids don’t have the opportunities others do.”

Ward said African-American students need access to the same tools as other students to excel such books with a rich vocabulary, high-quality teachers, technology for educational means, and high expectations from their family and teachers.

“The same thing you expect from one child, you expect from another,” he said. “Our children do not need pity, they need an education.”

During a question and answer session with the panelists, Jackson said African-American students will show respect when given respect.

“When they believe you care about them, when they know you are willing to sacrifice for them,” he said. “Then, they are going to accept your high expectations.”

Ward concluded that students need to have a plan to reach those expectations.

“You have to show them what the filters are to get to that plan,” he said. “Its individual responsibility for students to pick the path, but they have to be shown the path first. That is our responsibility as adults.”

Dwight Bonds, CAAASA’s executive director, said he hopes the summit’s attendees can take what they learn during at the event back to their schools and students.

“We are going to be that much more prepared to work and serve students of color.”