Former Fort Wayne Urban League Leader-Gayle Greer

Christopher Vaugh's article which appeared in Black Enterprise

Gayle Greer, the highest-ranking black woman at a cable company, is a quintessential mentor. She is both office and group vice president, national division, of the second-largest cable system in the country, Denver-based American Telecommunication Corp. (ATC). Greer oversees operations at ATC's 25 cable operators in the Midwest. Her department of more than 350 employees brings in $95 million in revenues annually. The executive has been at ATC for almost 14 years, and says the senior vice president who hired her, proved that mentioning can be valuable for a young executive's career.

"I had a master's degree in social work and was working as executive director of Fort Wayne, Indiana's Urban League, trying to get minorities invilved in cable franchising, when ATC approached me about a job. I knew virtually nothing about the cable industry," she recalls. "The timing was excellent, though. [Cable] was an emerging young industry and lots of folks were being hired at that time. Luckily, David Kinley, the guy who hired me, took an interest in may career and guided me by identifying various political and business relationships that proved key to my develepment."

Even with her degree and Urban League credentials, Greer started at a low-level job, recruiting cable franchises in different cities so that ATC could build its cable operating system. While there were no minority officers at ATC, she realized that the bottom-level training she was getting would teach her how the cable business really operates, and would help her to grow right along with it. There were five other blacks hired with her, and she is the only one of that group left at ATC. "I had the experience of what it's like to work in a 'man's world' while I was working in Indiana. In fact, the first time I became aware of sexism was from my black brothers at the Urban League," she says. "When I got into cable, it was rougher and more intimidating, but it wasn't something totally new. I advise everyone I talk to--especially black women--to make sure you understand what you want from this business and to have a lot of inner strength, or it will chew you up. When I was in franchising, I went into offices and was asked to leave the room because the guy I was scheduled to meet with refused to deal with a black woman."
Harsh realities such as these make Greer determined to help others climb the ladder to cable's corporate boardrooms. "I just brought in two black women to handle marketing and customer service in the Indiana area, and one of them is definitely on her way," Greer says. "There are definitely management opportunities in this business for minorities. Sometimes it helps, rather than hinders, to be black and a woman. It certainly helped me coming in."

After 11 years in purchasing and advertising personnel at Procter & Gamble and four years as an account supervisor at the New York-based Ogilby & Mather advertising agency, LaVida Dowdell-Cammon moved to the cable industry. She began in 1989 as director of trade marketing for Showtime Networks Inc., where she handled advertising programs, advertising support and sales support for the network's affiliates. Today, as Showtime's vice president of advertising and field marketing, she develops consumer and trade advertising and oversees five employees and a seven-figure budget.

As the only black woman at the executive level in the company, Dowdell- Cammon acknowledges that at times she feels "extremely visible." But she says her confidence in her own ability helps her deal with the uncomfortable realities of advancement that may be harder for some to ignore.

"I've felt confindent all along that I could do a good job, and that goes a long way in allowing you to ignore whatever glass ceiling is said to exist. I can understand, though, how a black man's radar goes up quicker than mine when the' glass ceiling' or 'advancement' discussion begins," says the 39-year old Dowdell-Cammon. "I always thish of how something could be done better, and never think that anyone wouldn't want me to have the job or the assignment. I've alwas thought I was qualified for whatever assignment I was up for."

The State of Virginia Apologies for Slavery

In 1619, the first enslaved African-American touched the shores of Virginia. Today, Virginian wakes up to learn that the Virginia General Assembly apologized for its role in the institution of slavery,

Larry O'Dell of the Association Press writes.

The resolution says government-sanctioned slavery "ranks as the most horrendous of all depredations of human rights and violations of our founding ideals in our nation's history, and the abolition of slavery was followed by systematic discrimination, enforced segregation, and other insidious institutions and practices toward Americans of African descent that were rooted in racism, racial bias, and racial misunderstanding. In Virginia, black voter turnout was suppressed with a poll tax and literacy tests before those practices were struck down by federal courts, and state leaders responded to federally ordered school desegregation with a "Massive Resistance" movement in the 1950s and early '60s. Some communities created exclusive whites-only schools.

Virginia is preparing it's state for the 400 year anniversary of Jamestown. Virginia legislators understanding just simply saying African-Americans should just get over slavery is not the appropriate response to a people in which their country committed one of the greatest crime against humanity.


Indiana is still rewriting history as African-American wait for its apology.

African-American Newpapers

Long before Fredrick Douglass started his newspaper the North Star,there were African-American newspapers. Many were short lived. Some Africcan-American newspapers shelf live was limited by finances, death and some were seized and destroyed.

James Williams writes about the "Freedom Journal". The "Freedom Journal" editor was John Russwurm, America's first African-American college graduate. Russwurm words, " We wish to plead our own causes.. Too long have others spoken for us. Too Long has the public been deceived by misrepresentations in things which concern us dearly, through in the estimation of some mere trifles; for though there are many in society who exercise toward us benevolent feelings; still (with sorrow we confess it) there are others who make it their business to enlarge upon the least trifle, which tens to the discredit of any person of colour; and pronounce anathemas and denounce our whole body for the misconduct of the guilty one,", quoted by Williams. Read more click here.

The First Admendment-Expressing an Oppositional Point of View

Fredrick Douglass is well known for being an abolitionist. Douglass escaped slavery and was outspoken about the institution of slavery. Douglass wrote a book called The Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, An American Slave. Douglass started the most prominent newspaper for African-American, to voice his opposition to the institution of slavery. Douglas published an African-American newspaper in 1847 in Rochester New York, called the North Star. The credo expressed by the newspaper: " The object of the North Star will be to attack slavery in all its forms and aspects advocate universal emancipation exact the standard of the colored people; and to hasten the day of freedom to our three million enslaved fellow countryman." according to the Black Press and The First Amendment by James D. Williams. Read more click here.

Readings for African-American History

One day I will make a list of all the books I have throughout the house, but not today on history, especially African-American history and policies. African-American history can be found in lots of writing. It depends on what you are searching for that will guide your reading. Here is a just a few books I found in thrift shops of authors, stories, history and jokes involving the African American community: Read more click here.

Migration patterns of African-Americans create Black History Sites

"SoulOfAmerica.com's 12 Top Travel Destination Guides for Black History" (listed in alphabetical order and including links to their Black cultural sites):

1 Atlanta - In addition to the birthplace, church and tombs of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, Atlanta is home to Auburn Avenue Research Library and APEX Museum. Atlanta Cultural Sites

2 Baltimore - The first wax museum of African-American history, "The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum," the remarkable Reginald Lewis Museum and the new Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Museum are located in Baltimore. Baltimore Cultural Sites Read more click here.

Hopes and Dreams Uncompromised /The Measure of a Man

Hopes and Dreams can be beat out of you by parents. Parents who are trying to protect you from disappointment. Disappointment that may come from some in the world who have little dreams or hope for a different type of life. And some of these disappointment will come from tried and true laws created to limit and restrict your expectation of what it is to live as who you are. In other words man trying to order your steps!

The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier. A friend told me about this book, The Measure of a Man. When a young man was killed in our hometown, I remembered what she said about the measure of a man. I decided to blog about the message embodied in the title to get young folks to man up and recognize the fact that they are not street. Read more click here.


My friend used the phrase again during a conversation and she tells me I need to get the book and read it. The words stuck with me, as a challenge for me to give to other men as a catch phrase to man up. I made a mental note to get the book from my library, soon...

Well, I was finally pushed to get the book because the main library where I spent a lot of time was due to close. So, I needed to get there before the move to the new libary to get the book. I am told because of the moving, I could keep the book for three weeks! Enough time to put it to the side ..to read later. But, my friend calls me and says something like, "guess what book Oprah has selected for her book club?" Well bingo it's "The Measure of a Man". Nope, had the book, but was not compelled to read it.

So, I decide well now it's really time for me to read the book just in case, I am selected to go on the show with my friend who has read the book years ago. I believe in miracles.

I decide to pace myself in reading the book. One chapter a day would allow me to read the book in a week. But that did not happen. I could not get into the book. I was too distracted. So, I could not get into Mr. Poitier, writing style, and I kept having flash backs about Pitier leavig his wife to marry a raced white woman. I had to read for a limited amount of time. I was curious and was wondering if he would address this issue. Besides I loved his movies, Guess who's coming to dinner, Who did not cheer for him in To sir with love, and They call me Mr. Tibbs?

So, I had to fight to find his personality that was on the screen in his writing. it was slow, I found it and once again I connected to him like some of the characters he played in his career. From the writing, I went to my childhood and meager beginnings. Meager beginnings, but surrounded by family, my great grandmother, my grandparents, my mother. The conversational tone used in the writing,like, you hear me, reminded me of a time when folks who cared about you talked to you, in such phrasings. Wise saying with only a few words, brief sentences and not a long lecture, but you found yourself remembering the message, twenty years later with ashes on your face. Poitier called it a language shaped from a scarcity of money. Others, unable to give you guidance with this limited language did so by using anothe method as his mama, a wham here and a wham there in taming this wide eyed optimism in believing you could tame nature.

To read about the recklessness in which as a youth, we take life for granted as we did things that were simply suicidal, ( like myself walking on the railing of the bridge above the train track, often, supported only by beams under my feet, but survived anyway. In the Measure of a Man, Poitier gives several moments of reflections, and it seems to have to do with water! A truly deadly force of nature. But some how you survive in spite of the resistance that family offer to protect you from these outside influences, these dangers in the world. Family.

Poitier speaks of the family. The honor in sharing with family. The fact that one honors their mother and father with your own life work is what touched my heart in this book. It was not enough to read how his father provided for his family. The tears came from reading the diligence of a mother to make a way out of no way. The work of beating a rock into pebbles with a hammer. The determination, the sheer will, and the commitment to do such a task over and over again, fired my spirit into uncontrollable tears. I remembered a time when you must push through to survive.

I found myself quoting some of Mr. Poitier sayings, you hear me! In doing so I embraced the meaning my great grandmother, grandparents and mother in their saying, nobody said the road would be easy, it's on down the road for you, mingled with the new old a leaf changes overnight for my children and grandchildren. Life is tough. But what makes it easier, is having hopes that become a plan in which to set goals in overcoming rules or obstacles that tell you it is hopeless to do things differently.

My grandfather was my measure of a man. He encouraged me when others said who does she think she is to think differently. It was my grandfathers words that motivated me to try and see and envision a different world. It was his words through my mother life that inspired me, as he did not bend or swear when others lied on him. So was it my mother's path. Neither went to that place, when others attacked their right to be exactly who they were. My mother would say, do you think I chose to be born this way? Poitier reminded me of this...My grandfather life lived beat the hopelessness out of me no matter the obstacles that nature throws my way. Hopes and dreams goes beyond a belief system placed upon you by laws created to strict ones ambition for going places where you unwanted. I joined a choir, and at that time, included today, could not carry a note, but my grandfather, made me think I could sing! Most favorable.

Poitier points out you will be rejected for doing such thing, with the question, who are you and where did you come from? And the answer is simply I am the one I choose to be and it helps to have family, friends and sometime enemies to helping me. Poitier learned this early in life, I had forgotten this, thank you Mr. Poitier, as I continue to write over 600 posts on this blog.

I was pleased to read that the measure of a man was how well a father provided for his family. Because, if that was the case, as a mother thatI must be a woman if the measure is how well you take care of your children.

Posted at: Dragon Slayer's Guide to Life

Dowdell's Mob and Family-Alabama

DOWDELL, James Ferguson, a Representative from Alabama; born near Monticello, Jasper County, Ga., November 26, 1818; completed preparatory studies and in 1840 was graduated from Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Va.; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1841 and commenced practice in Greenville, Ga.; moved to Chambers County, Ala., in 1846 and engaged in agricultural pursuits; unsuccessful candidate for election to the State house of representatives in 1849 and 1851; elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth, and Thirty-fifth Congresses (March 4, 1853-March 3, 1859); during the Civil War served as colonel of the Thirty-seventh Regiment, Alabama Volunteer Infantry, under General Price from 1862 until the close of the war; president of the East Alabama College at Auburn 1868-1870; died near Auburn, Lee County, Ala., September 6, 1871; interment in City Cemetery.

from Auburn University.

RICO...Breaking the law

K.E. Casey writes,

When task force investigators realized the scope of the operation, Ellison said, they contacted the Drug Enforcement Agency, which coordinated raids at houses in the 8000 block of Winchester Road, the 3500 block of Indiana Avenue and the 4200 block of Arlington Avenue in Fort Wayne.

Read more click here.

Understanding our past to not repeat it

Indiana Constitution was in violation of the United States Constitution banning African-Americans from its soil after the 13th Amendment, 14th and 15th amendment were passed. But the State of Indiana did not amend its Constitution until 1881. Indiana removed the ban of African-Americans from its soil. Furthermore, Indiana new Constitution would have to allow African-Americans to vote under the United States Constitution the 1870 15th amendment. This would explain why Indiana took so long to amend it Constitution. The 1881 amendment would have to allow African-Americans to vote in Indiana. The right to vote motivated more African-Americans to move to Indiana,doubling in size the African-Americans population during the great migration from the south. Read more click here.

Obama Significant standing on Illinois's Capitol Steps

In 1816, part of the Indiana territory located in the Northwest Territory, population was finally large enough to become a state. According to the governing Northwest Territory Ordiance, the Indiana Constitution was required to have a provision which forbid slavery and indentured servitude. The language did not outlawed slavery, but forbid the growth of slavery in order to become a state.

In essence, the reason for banning slavery was not out of sympathy towards enslaved African-Americans. The ban was to discourage settlers from bringing more African-Americans into the Northwest. George Washington's, the surveyor,dream was for this place where Indians gave him a fit, a place for raced white males to govern without British rule or slave product. Read more click here.

Posted >> gottsegnet

In the words of Michael Jackson, Black or White?

Alexis Herman, former Secretary of Labor for the United States of America

I am a descendant of slaves in a country built on slave labor. Now, to have the responsibility of all labor," she trails off. "Well, let's just say that to be here now is historic, special and humbling.

Yesterday, was such a hit, with Ms Channing, I thought I would once again dispel the myth that many folks, who say they are colorblind, are pretending. African-American history teaches us that many African-Americans were creative thinkers and did not want to settle for living in slave states. They would risk their lives to escape to Indian Territory. This area became the northern states, including Indiana where many Indians were slaughtered after befriending the new colonists.

Indiana became the 19th state with a constitution forbidding slavery, in 1816. This was to control the number of African-Americans who were allowed to live in the new territory. The fear that at the growth of African-Americans would overtake the new territory. So,a new form of slavery was introduced called indentured servitude. African-Americans had to have sponsorship, meaning giving their labor to raced whites folks to remain in the territory. If not these African-Americans would be booted back into slavery in the southern states. Many African-Americans who could passed for raced white settled on the outskirts of the territory and some family members were viewed as slaves based on skin color and were left alone but were really family members. Dr. Johnetta B. Cole called this as part of the psychic of studying the master and attempting to get along.

Efforts to identify with the oppressor and prove oneself worthy are accompanied by self-denial and self-deprecation because it is difficult if not impossible to embrace one image of oneself without letting a conflicting one go. This stripping of oneself takes many and diverse forms, from out-and-out "passing" to disassociating oneself from one's people and aspects of one's cultural heritage.

The northerners were not familiar with African-Americans looking like them who passed for raced white. This was simply looking at skin color. One reason was because Africans had came over to the new territory and were part of the Indian community. Many folks today look simply at color and assume folks belong to a specific group. Many raced white folks were fooled long ago and today many are afraid that if they not segregated that their family may become tainted by others African-Americans who are passing for almost any ethnic group, including raced whites. It is called the Hitler syndrome, hoping to remain pure. Pure meaning no dark skin babies..only in America!

In closing, for some African-Americans who can not pass because of skin color, they try to pass in other ways. Some African-Americans will distance themselves from language,music, religion, food or anything that is viewed as a negative trait by raced whites in relationship to the African-Americans. In doing so, they are seeking the approval of those who hate African-Americans on their own terms, and only will relate to those African-Americans who know their place. And an African-American knowing his or her place is because of sponsorship or approval by raced whites. Is this 1787 thinking? No thinking is current in 2007. James Baldwin, calls it the price of the ticket to belong in America. In the words of the Delaney sisters, I am going to have my say!

Raced White-Carol Channing

Carol Channing, a famous actress played in Gentlemen prefer Blondes and Hello Dolly. Channing is an African-American who never disclosed this fact until she wrote about this fact in her book, Just Lucky, I Guess, that her father was an African American who passed by adapting to living in two worlds, one black and one white.

Her father learned to portray himself one way in public that was different from who he was at home by changing his speaking mannerism. Channing herself, was famous for her mannerism, which more than likely was art imitating life. How fitting.

Channing decided to race herself white to take advantage of raced white privilege. Channing was nominated for many awards and won a Tony Award. Channing taught us that as a society we are not colorblind. Looking at a person color we assume ethnic background, when in fact we are simply guessing based on skin color.

Here is a picture of Carol Channing, an African-American raced white, like many African-Americans who chose to take advantage of white privileged based on skin color. This practice continues today.

Jennifer Hudson-Sense of Self

Ms. Hudson appears on the March issue of Vogue. March is women history month and women are the biggest consumers, how subtle the ad.

Malcolm X

Malcolm X, former leader of the National of Islam. My youngest daughter was in the fourth grade and brought home a book about Malcolm X and wanted to know more about him. Learning about Malcolm X started me on a journey about learning about African-American history. Not only African-American history but other history that was not written in school books.

Malcolm traveled to Mecca and found our their were people who did not look like him but shared his religious belief. This knowledge had a profound impact on way of thinking and transformed his life path. Malcolm taught empowerment and self-educating. Happy Valentine's Day.


Foundation, a local community activist.

Double V for Victory

In 1775, African-Americans in Virginia were declared free, if they were willing to bear arms and join the British Army. This was in totally contrast to indentured servants role that thrust upon African-Americans trying to make it to the new world. George Washington military had no desire for fighting African-Americans who was providing free labor in developing the new world.

However, as many African-Americans began slaying their masters and joined the British lines and at the same time Washington troops were deserting the Army, African-Americans were allowed to participate in patriots battle for independence. Crispus Attack took a shot in declaring his loyalty to the new world signaling the battle for independence included African-Americans.

Just as George Washington troops were battling from Britain oppression, African-Americans were making their demands for freedom in the new world. African-Americans were to learn later that give me liberty or give me death did not include African-Americans after or during the celebration of independence on July 4, 1776.

Nevertheless, African-Americans would continue their battle to end slavery among the conflicting Americans. During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln would have to revisit the issue of whether or not to allow African-Americans to serve in his military. It would be a strategic move by President Lincoln in allowing African-Americans into the military, and destroying the morale of land owners by giving their property to the newly freed African-Americans.



Colin L. Powell, four state General of the United States Army and former Secretary of State of the United States. who was considering running for president of the United States as an independence.

9/11 hero

As I was making my way to class on September 11, 2001, I stopped by the bank. Concerned about the distraught look on my favorite teller face, I asked if anything was wrong. What she shared with me, at the moment, jolted me into total awareness. I was unwilling to process or accept that the World Trade Center Towers had been attacked and the Pentagon. The words were not enough to convince me that unthinkable had occurred. However, Jason Thomas, and ex-marine upon hearing the news made his way to ground zero. Thomas was on a mission to save lives.

The monumental task before him was to help rescue two police officer that were tracked under hundreds of floors of debris. Thomas risked his life as an American willing to give his life to save others.

After spending weeks working in the most unimaginable devastation, Thomas simply walked away knowing that he did what he should have as a former marine.

Rick Stevenson, current Wayne Township Trustee

The Hands

Dr. Ben Carson is a neurosurgeon who challenge students to discover their talents. Dr. Carson was not a great student. Not because he did not have the ability, but because of outside and unknown factors. In spite of of his slow start in school, Dr. Carson went on to become a great doctor. Education would guide Dr. Carson to reaching his goals. Read about Dr. Carson overcome adversity including his own lack of self-discipline.



Dr. Charles Coat, local medical doctor

Obama-Touchdown

Senator Barack Obama will jump in. Obama will make an announcement today in Springfield, IL.

Senator Obama challenge to the people seeking change in Washington is to get him there. Text of his announcement.

Having their say-African-American women in the political arena

“The [African-American] woman has occupied a unique if unenviable position in the United States. Historically she has borne the weight of inferior status ad prejudice derived from her [gender] as well as her color.” Treated as less human, viewed as servant and not woman, yet the breeder of enslaved children, laws were not created to protect her. Although she suffered humiliate right along with the African-American male, she fought to secure his freedom, but was relegated to remain in the male shadow. Not willing to remain behind, the African-American women had to step from the shadows and seek her own protection for her existence within the society that had casted her simply invisible. Read more click here.