The Nuns Who Saved ObamaCare

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My friend Betty Jones, a 1960’s SCLC civil rights activist, sent me this link. The Parking Lot God was looking out for me. This message is so timely because yesterday I attended my second meeting of the Men’s Book Group. This is a group of retired Whitworth University (Presbyterian) faculty and friends. The topic of discussion was the Time Man of the Year article on Pope Francis. We were discussing the tension between church activists at a community level with that of the hierarchy. The meeting ended after a great discussion but there was a question mark. Now that the hierarchy has heard the voice of the people and has provided cover for progressive social justice activities, no one has an excuse for their lack of activism. Enjoy this story of Sister Simone Campbell, the nun who saved ObamaCare.

Click here to listen to the podcast on iTunes—and if you like it, subscribe and post a review!

Mandela was building the community that he wanted to live in –

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Build the Community You Want to Live In

Eighteen Ugandans showed up on my doorstep needing a place to stay. Vince Lemus and his daughter said they would take half. Vince was there helping me to build the community we wanted to live in.  He was building that community at the Fairchild Air Force Base, the Spokane Human Rights Commission, Workforce Diversity, Spokane School District and the GLTB community.

Now I am asking you to help build the community we all want to live in. Take a few minutes to read this letter and to respond as you feel appropriate.

Hi Bob! As you may know, our granddaughter, Marleigh Elise (5 years old), is struggling and heartbreakingly, losing her 14 month long, fight against Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). She is currently under Hospice care. My wife and I sat with Becca and Marleigh yesterday. Marleigh proudly showed us her “pain pump.” It delivers pain meds, intravenously, every three hours. As we sat there, we saw the deep seeded pain and anguish in our sweet daughter’s eyes and voice as the cancer slowly continues to consume her baby’s fragile body.
It’s always a horrendous challenge when a family member, especially a child, is sick; however, the emotional challenge is made tougher in the holiday season, knowing it is probably your last, together. Yes, a FB message is quick, convenient and appreciated. As random as it may seem, I am asking, if you have the time and inclination to do so, please mail a short letter, a card, postcard with a few words or something of that nature, to Becca, her husband Matt, and Marleigh. Please send some written words that reflect compassion, encouragement and or empathy in this difficult time. Your act of kindness definitely won’t make the pain go away; however, it will let them know their burden is lighter with your alms of prayer, chants, warm thoughts and understanding. Please let the time you take and words you write, be your gift to this family in this season.
Feel free to send this to friends and family members, even though they may not know Marleigh or her plight. We would like an outpouring of love and support for this family, this season. Until then, let the blessings be.
Sincerely,
Vince and Teri Lemus
Address: Matt and Rebecca Erdahl 2518 W. Broad St. Spokane WA 99205

Nelson Mandela 1918 – 2013

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 We will long remember Mandela

Nelson Mandela 4com…..

“I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment”

 

Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua’s Big Break

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Standard Digital November 29, 2013

Spokane graduate’s big breaks lead to large accomplishments

He grew up in Nairobi’s Kibera slums, living inside a Timber house. He dropped out of school in form two since his parents could not afford the fees. However, he was lucky as his pastor paid for his education. He later became Kenya’s first government spokesman and now has an ambitious dream for his county.
Dr. Alfred Mutua graduated from Whitworth University and attended Eastern Washington University. He was the editor of the Spokane African American Voice.
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See video interview

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What has Dr. Mutua’s big break lead to? He started by planting 5 acres of trees in Mahakos County, hiring local women to water them and donating property so the community could build a sub police station.

See what he is bringing to Machakos only 8 years later…..

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Don’t Soak The Brother

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Lonnie Johnson

Johnson Research and Development Co. founder Lonnie Johnson has been in a royalty dispute with Hasbro since February, when the company filed a claim against the giant toy company. According to King & Spalding, which along with the A. Leigh Baier P.C. law firm represented Johnson, Hasbro underpaid royalties for the Nerf line toys from 2007 to 2012. From ajc.com

Super Soaker Creator Gets a Whopping $73 Million Dollar Settlement!

 “In the arbitration we got everything we asked for,” said Atlanta attorney Leigh Baier. “The arbitrator ruled totally in Lonnie’s favor.” The attorney also said Johnson “is very pleased” with the outcome.

Who is Lonnie Johnson, African American born October 6, 1949 in Mobile, Alabama?

At Tuskegee he was elected into the Pi Tau Sigma National Engineering Honor Society and graduated with distinction in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation? ON and UP. Read bio at The Black Inventor.

See what making toys can do. Let us stop playing with toys when we can make them!

Spokane Helps the Development of the African Continent

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Spokane  also has its share of those who are part of the African Diaspora, including Ugandans, Kenyans and South Africans. Quoting the article below “… many of her nationals went overseas to earn an education or seek greener pastures. Today, all these Ugandan sons and daughters are mockingly referred to as “Nkuba Kyeeyo”or Kyeyoists” crudely translated as “menial workers cleaning foreign streets for a living after leaving Uganda.” The author makes the point that this is not true. Some may have begun at such menial levels but many have taken advantage of every opportunity and become pharmacists, bankers, politicians, ambassadors, health administrators and media producers. They certainly are not “Nkuba Kyeeyo”!

SEE ARTICLE

Anthony Boccaccio EXHIBIT AT INTERPLAYERS THEATER

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Chris Crisostomo

INTERPLAYERS THEATRE  174 S. HOWARD ST. SPOKANE WA
Featuring internationally acclaimed photographer, artist and adventurer Anthony Boccaccio. Anthony began his photographic career with National Geographic Magazine in 1971. He has recently published a photographic book about the search for gold in the Amazonian Jungle.

Folks,
The opening of Tony’s exhibition was superb in so many ways. Tony, always
volubile and socially engaging, was in top form, greeting the numerous attendees and sharing anecdotes about the images and their creation. The images are wonderful, it is especially encouraging to view this exhibit here in Spokane. Chris Crisostomo, who modeled for several of the images, is a personable fellow who is exceptionally graceful in his movements and gestures… just a treat to see him at various times in the evening. No wonder Tony asked him to model.

If you missed the opening, please be aware that you can view the images any time during the day when the Interplayers box office is open… it is free and open to the public.
Amazing visions, excellently executed, you owe it to yourself to take the time…
Running, at least, through November.

Jay Cousins

 

Shiosaki Family Arrives in Spokane

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By Patricia Bayonne-Johnson

Kisaburo Shiosaki

Railroad and mine companies in the West had a severe shortage of laborers in the 1880s and 1890s so they reached across the Pacific to Japan to solve their problem. Thousands of healthy, strong, young Japanese laborers were recruited.  Kisaburo Shiosaki was of the laborers who came to America and eventually ended up in Spokane.

Click here for full story of Kisaburo Shiosaki.

Alfred Mutua Starts MachaWood

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Spokane African American Voice’s editor and graduate of Whitworth and Eastern Washington University, Governor of Machakos County, Kenya, Dr. Alfred Mutua jump starts Entertainment Centre for Film, Media, Music and the Arts:   Full Story

Don’t Vote Alone – Encourage Your Friends to Vote

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This Is My Vote 2012-05-25

Voting is the essence of democracy. Voting in the United States is voluntary. Some people vote in person at the polls, while others vote by mail days or weeks before the actual election date. Regardless of how you do it, it’s important that all U.S. citizens who qualify participate in the democratic process of electing public officials.

For information to assist you in locating and contacting your government officials visit the Speak Up and Out to Government page.