IPMHIIII SCHOOL DAZE Black Entertainment Television reality program looks in on Grambling State University football and band/1 D BATTLING CATS Charlotte Boboats improved despite key injuries /1C Jumaine Jones was key reserve after injuries hit hard. Volume 31 No. 31 $1.00 The Voice of the Black Community 5 2006 Also serving Caban A fix for low-wealth teacher shortage? CMS bonuses for academically-challenging campuses By Hefben L. White herb.whiie&thecharlottepost com Is a $10,000 bonus enough to attract top-flight teachers to Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s academically-challenged high schools? A program launched by the district earher this month would pay top teachers up to $10,000 in one-tLtne bonuses for a three-year commitment to Garinger, West Charlotte and West Mecklenburg starting with the 2006-07 academic year. Candidates must meet criteria for licensing and met high student achievement levels on state End of Course exams in 2004-05. “If we’re going to start get- tir^ the best and bri^test teachers in front of the stu dents who need them most, we have to provide better incentives,” said interim superintendent Frances Haithcock in a statement. ‘3ehind every achievanent •• Please see CMS/SA Farmers: Blacks not treated fairly by USDA Rally to demand government live up to settlements By David Phelps THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NATCHEZ, Miss. - Seven years ago, blade farmer's won a historic settlement finm tire USDA for discriminatory practices. Ever since, they’ve been saying they’re still not getting treated fairly In what has become a yearly occurrence, the disgruntled farm ers, following the, lead of the National Black Farmers Association, will make their way to Washir^ton, D.C., April 26 to voice their displeasure with the Pigford V. Johanns settlement. The plaintiff, Tim Pigford, lives in Riegelwood, N.C., about 20 miles east of \WLmington. “In 1999, black fanners were awarded a settlement finm the USDA for discrimination,” Mississippi Chapter President Leroy Smith said. “USDA agreed to pay the settlement, but a lot of farmers haven’t received it.” Smith was one of those farmers aggrieved by the USDA. He said late approval of crop loans and racism at local Farm Service Agency offices effectively ran him, and thousands of other blacks, out of farming. In 1997, the class action Pigford lawsuit was filed against the USDA- The settlement, reached in 1999 and entered to the court of U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman, called for each farmer who qualified to enter an arbitra tion process- Friedman appointed Randi Roth to oversee the process as the See FARMERS/BA CHARLOTTE YMCA PHOTO/CALVIN FERGUSON Stan Law, community vice president at Dowd and Stratford-Richardson YMCAs, is among a growing number of African Americans in leadership positions in the Charlotte region. Building upon legacy of service African Americans taking on greater leadership roles By Aisha Lide THE CHARLOTTE POST Afiican Americans play a vital role in YMCA leader ship. Stan Law, community vice president of Dowd and Stratford-Richardson YMCAs, has been with the Y 16 j'eai's. He began as a part time after school coun selor in 1986, and left because he needed a full time job. “I had just moved out of my parents’ house, and I did not want to move back in,” said Law. After spending three years in retail Law knew that he should have been at the YMCA. “I believed I was missing what was literally my caU- ing,” he said. The Y has made progress in the last decade in boost ing Afiican American lead ership. Of the 14 YMCAs in Mecklenburg County, six are led by blacks, and Mike Deval as senior vice presi dent for organizational advancement. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the South in terms of black pop ulation, Charlotte’s YMCA reflects that trend. ‘It’s only natural that we would obtain Afiican Americans” as leaders. Please see EXPANDING/2A I actually grew up at the Y U YMCA executive Stan Law, who hung out at the Dowd YMCA as a kid. Kings of the ball: Students earn free formal wear for prom PHOTO/ELLtSON CLARY West Charlotte High School senior Mordecal Scott (second from left) and Berry Academy senior Lewis Young (second from right) earned free tuxedos from and DW Designs co-owners David Washington (left) and LaShanda Millner-Murphy. By Ellison Clary FOR THE CHARLOTTE POST Mordecai Scott of West Charlotte High School and Lewis Youi^ of Phillip O. Berry Academy of Tfechnology earned the right to be especially sharp on prom night. The seniors will wearing styl ish tuxedos they picked out - for firee - as a reward for their academic achievements. Scott and Young were sdected by DW Designs Custom Clothiers co owners LaShanda Mfllner- Murphy and David Washington. “At DW Designs, we hke to give back to the Charlotte- Mecklaiburg Schools because we do a lot of business with stu dents during prom season,” . said Washington. “Making a tux available to a deserving youi^ man is the best way we know to say thank ybu.” Scott and Young were sug gested by teachers and coun selors, said Millnpr-Mnrphy “Mordecai and Lewis are exemplary students with hi^ academic averages, extensive civic involvement and impres sive plans,” she said. DW Designs frovides custom clothing and accessories for men and women. See SCHOLARS’/7A 28216 Sll PI James B. Duke Library 100 Beatties Ford Rd Charlotte NC 28216-6302 Earie gains in House ciout Mecklenburg lawmaker one of N.C.’s most effective in review By Herbert L. Wliite herb.whtle®thecharlorteposi com N.C. Rep. Beverly Earle is getting better at her job. The Charlotte Democi’at is ranked 12th among 120 mem bers of the state House of Representatives for effectiveness, accordii^ to a survey by the N.C. I Center for Pubhc Pohey | Research. The study, conducted every other year, are based on sur veys completed by legis lators, registered lobby ists based in North Carolina and media covei'ing the General Assembly ‘Tm delighted, but not surprised,” Earle said. ‘T guess I enjoy the fact that every time it comes out, I move up. it says to me that my colleagues pay attention to what I’m trying to do.” Please see EARLE/3A the box NI.WS, NOTES & TRENDS Forum on political leadership By Cynthia Dean THE TRIANGLE TRIBUNE RALEIGH- About 500 elected African-American officials across the state have been invited to partici pate in the first Black Srunmit organized by the Alliance of North Carolina Black Officials. The sum mit is set for April Watt 21-22 at the North Raleigh Hilten. Brad Thompson, one of the coor dinators of the event, as well as co-chair of the Southeast Raleigh Assembly said the officials repre sent all levels of. government, induding mayors, sheriffs, state l^slators, dty council members and school board members. ‘Tt’s our intention to initiate an ongoir^ dialogue amor^ North Carolina black elected officials and public policy makers that will create a cooperation among those who represent us,” Thompson said. “Maybe with this effort, we Please see LATE /8A For good or bad, prom night brings back all kinds of memories/1 B INSIDi Life IB Religion 5B Sports 1C Business 7C A&E ID Happenings 6C 0*OE To subsaibe, cat! (704) 376-0496 or FAX (704) 342-2160.© 2006 The Chariotte Post Publishing Co. Please Recycle