Bringing home the meaning of “Yes, We Can!” in the African-American Community

By Cheryl D’Mello

CSU Professor Wright with Christopher Williams, a student from East Tech High School.

“We should cast down our buckets, right here, right now…” said Johnathan M. Holifield, President and CEO, Urban League of Greater Cleveland, quoting from Booker T. Washington, as a response to the challenges in Cleveland and the world. “We should contribute our full potential to create the community and world we want it to be,” Holifield added in his opening speech at the 13th Annual Urban Community Forum, “Yes, We Can! What This Means to the African-American Community.” The Forum was held Saturday, April 4, 2009 at the CSU Cole Center for Continuing Education. Community members, faculty, staff and students shared experiences and networked with people and groups who are engaged in making a difference in Cleveland.

Bolaji Orimoloye, President CSU Student Government Association introduced Holifield. The Forum, which was sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs (ODAMA), drew about 175 students, faculty, and community members. The event also commemorated the 41st anniversary of the assassination and death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Donna M. Whyte, Director of ODAMA welcomed the audience, followed by Prester Pickett, M.F.A., Coordinator, Howard A. Mims African-American Cultural Center who presented a rousing speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mariama Whyte, a singer, songwriter and actress gave a beautiful rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

The keynote speaker was Elaine R. Jones, President and Director-Counsel Emeritus of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) from Washington, D.C. She was introduced by Stanley Miller, Executive Director, Cleveland Branch NAACP, the nation’s oldest organization fighting for equal rights and justice for people of color, women, and the poor.

Jones, who met Dr. King when she was a student at Howard University, spoke about the lesson that he taught us about service, activism, and civic engagement. “He gave it all for us. He would have been 80 today,” she said. “Civic engagement requires an informed citizenry…It starts with you…You can’t get comfortable with what you’ve accomplished because there’s so much more to do.”

Referring to President Barack Obama, Jones said, “Obama cast his bucket down…He is President of the United States, not the President of African Americans. We have to do as much organizing as we have done in the past.” She encouraged people to be “selfless, to give back” and to be “ever vigilant…It is ultimately about contributing your best selves,” she said.

Jones joined in discussions with two panels consisting of members of the greater Cleveland community. They were introduced by Abdul Ameen, SGA Vice President. The first panel, “Civic Engagement: Giving Back/Being Involved,” was moderated by Dr. Regennia Williams, Associate Professor of History and included Marvelous Baker of the Cleveland Foundation, Kevin Heard of the Call & Post, Marcellus Jones, a Success Tech High School student, Stanley Miller of the NAACP and Mary Wilson from Young Democrats of Cuyahoga County.

Dr. Dwayne Wright, Assistant Professor of Education moderated the second panel discussion entitled “Educating Our Community.” Panelists included Dr. Sanza Clark of Mali Yetu, Mickey Brown, Governor Strickland’s Closing the Achievement Gap Initiative, Christopher Scott, East Technical High School student, Basheer Jones of WERE Radio-One, and Fatima Wright, Principal, SLC Technology Institute at East Technical High School.

“Our children have issues we can’t even comprehend,” said Mickey Brown, referring to gang threats that schoolchildren have to live with. “It’s not about being so smart as being motivated,” said Basheer Jones who spoke about growing up in Cleveland.

During lunch, the audience enjoyed spoken word by Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s All-City Poets and a tribute to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bobby Womack by local vocalist Robert Coleman.

The event, which ran from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., was free and open to the public.

Article originally appeared in The Cauldron on April 13, 2009.