Butts to keynote Greensboro Four anniversary events SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE N.C. Agricultural and Technical State University will sponsor its annual Sit-in Breakfast to pay tribute to the four A&T freshmen who initi ated the chain of events that changed the destiny of minori ties in this country. The 46th Sit-In Anniversary Celebration will kick off with a breakfast Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 6:30 a.m. in Williams Cafeteria. The theme is "Reconnecting the Past... Establishing the Present... Shaping the Future." On Feb. 1,1960, founders of Abyssinian Development Corp., a compre hensive community-based organization, responsible for more than $500 million in housing and commercial development in Harlem, and continues to help guide and support the daily operation of the not-for-Drofit organization. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Thurgood Marshall Academy for Learning and Social Change - a public lower, intermediate and high school, under the direction of the corooration . Butts Ezell Blair (now Jibreel Khazan), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil and the late David Richmond requested service at the seg regated lunch counter of the F.W. Woolworth store in downtown Greensboro. Their courageous act against the existing laws and social mores sparked the Civil Rights Movement and resulted in pro visions that enhanced the qual ity of life for minorities in this country. The A&T Four (Greensboro Four) will make "remarks atrthe event. The keynote speaker for the celebration will be the Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III. Butts is pastor of the nationally renowned Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York and pres ident of SUNY College at Old Westbury. He was one of the Butts has spearheaded boy cotts against several New York institutions for their racist policies and employment dis crimination. He led a nation ally acclaimed and most effec tive campaign in eliminating negative billboard advertising in Central Harlem and many communities around New York City. Immediately after the breakfast, a memorial wreath will be placed at the February One Monument. At 3 p.m. a Sit-In round table discussion with the A&T Four will take place in the Memorial Student Union - Stallings Ballroom. The activities for the 46th Anniversary Sit-In Celebration are free and open to the public. For more information, call (336) 334-7791. Watson from page A4 Watson also has plans to give back through the ERA Piedmont's headquarters. If all goes accordingly, the office will serve as a real estate school for future agents to get the nec essary tools to pass the state exam and flourish in the indus try. The office will also feature a construction department. She and ERA are also offer ing a settle plan, stating that if they don't sell your home once it's up on the market in 180 days, the ERA will purchase the property. "It's an awesome pro gram," Watson added. Contact Tammy Watson at (336) 499-0945 or tammy. wat sonl@era.com. Look out for the new site erapiedmontreal ty.com or stop by the new office at 505 High St. NBJC from pagt^2 After his speech, Sharpton told reporters that it is every church's obligation to help end the "poisoned atmos phere" surrounding accept ance of homosexuals. "The church should have a front seat in the car leading tnwarrl Hialnonp leading toward tol erance," Sharpton said. In 2004, a pre dominantly black Atlanta-area church where Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter Bernice serves as an elder held a mor^K pallinn fr\r a 4 marriage a civil rights issue and denounced proposed amendments to ban it. "History has shown that every time a church has gone on the side of exclusion, they have been wrong," said Pat Hussein, a local activist and summit participant. "Hopefully there can be things made right." The Rev. Kenneth Samuel, pastor of Victory Baptist Church 'in the Atlanta suburb of Stone Mountain, said he hopes for mutual respect through the discussions about homosexuality. He received a standing ovation at the sum mit when he called Bishop Long iiiaivu wailing i v;i u national ban on gay marriage. The march's organizer. Bishop Eddie Long, said his followers "did not come in a march of hatred." Regardless, the event - which started with Bernice King lighting a torch at her father's tomb t didn't sit well with gay rights groups. King's widow, Coretta Scott King, has called gay for equality for ail people, regardless of their sexual orientation, and an end to hate crimes targeting homosexuals. "These are heart-wrench ing issues," Samuel said. "Anytime we talk to people about identity or sense of val ues, we have to address them with passion and intellect along with their spirituality." i cMldrais ^museum W m ? fin rint?nH<>nt Harmon decision confirms that the office was not acting on pro cedure in maijy instances. Otho Tucker, who served as director of the Office of Charter Schools during EWPS' revocation process, is* no longer "With the office. Many of those who worked under Tucker have also left the agency. would read these findings of the Administrative Court and really digest it and see how we can better serve our students," said Parmon. Parmon says she had con cerns about the state education system long before she was elected to the General Assembly. Her own charter school, LIFT Academy, had its charter revoked six years ago. She also fought the decision in court. Parmon said her own personal experiences with LIFT have never clouded her duties as a legislator, but her concerns persist. She says she has received complaints from schools across the state that have had their charters yanked by the state. Womble says that it appears that African American charter schools are getting (heir charters revoked more frequently than other schools. He wants the state, when possible, to do a better job of working with schools on issues that could lead to revocation. '*1 don't think that revoca tion should be the first line of defense," he said. A spokesperson for the N.C. Department of Justice, which argued the case for the state, said the department cbuld not comment on the decision. A representative from the State Board of Education could not be reached before press time. ANNOUNCEMENT c Medical Practice Closing! Wishing all a happy and healthy new year from Dr. Harvey H. Allen Jr. M.D. I have closed my practice as of January 1st 2006. Please call the practice at (336) 995-2491 with regards to your records. Thank you for your years of support and allowing us to service your medical needs 2 0 0 6 Women 'S Business Expo & Symposium Mi ?HI ? "Empowering Yourself" wmi\ PSPB PATE W-; ? W Event Details 4 ? - ? 8am - 9am Continental Breakfast & Registration 9am - 4pm Empowering Yourself Seminars and Workshops Cathy Seaver - "Understanding Personal Leadership" Abby Donnelly - "Learn Effective Way to Sell Ideas & Visions" Lea Strickland - "The Strategic Road to Innovation and Business Growth" Jackie Stanely - Tools and Strategics You Con Us* to Energize Your Career and Life' L Reach Your Goals" ...And Marry Others Lucy Welmaker - "Redoim Your Power & Reach Your Goals" SPONSORED By 1 2pm Special Luncheon Keynote Speaker Or. Jatmnetta B. Cole President Bennett Colleg* for Women Special Guest Speaker Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole President, Bennett College for Women JANUARY 31, 2006 Emerald Event Center 2000 E Wendover Ave Greensboro, NC 27405 8am - 4:30pm Presented by ISftrtA CtrtdLui j ngraNttWQEk' AAada yutf WAOHOVU ?TIME WARNER CABLE the rowci of voir The National Organization lor Diversity in Sales A Marketing