Oprah Winfrey and Denzel Washington are out and
about promoting their new film "The Great Debaters".
The film, which is produced by Oprah and stars
Denzel, is a drama based on the true story of a
Black professor at Wiley College who inspired
students.
Photo Credit: Bossip
In Grand Rapids, two local groups, Alpha
Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Incorporated Theta Chi
Omega Chapter and the Kent County Black Elected
Officials (KCBEO) are sponsoring a special screening
of the movie, "The Great Debaters" at Studio 28.
By Richard Pulliam
The Grand Rapids Times
December 14, 2007
A beacon is anything that warns or guides. It takes a
special person to step forward with enough love in their
hearts to be a beacon of hope for this so called lost
generation.
It is no secret that the city of Grand Rapids, along with
many other cities in the United States, has been plagued
with undesirable gang behavior among youth.
What can be done to help steer them in the right direction?
Ask Corey Banks.
His story is as interesting as it is inspirational.
The Grand Rapids Times
12-14-2007 Then:
In the late 1950’s and early 60’s the Kleiman Rockets played as the
first black softball team to join the city league. They won the
championship in the first season.
Organized by Alfred Charleston and sponsored by Kleiman’s Men’s Wear
Store, the team played in the West Michigan region including
Kalamazoo and Muskegon.
“It was something to do for fun,” said Robert Tett who joined the
team after it was formed. “We played at Rumsey Park and would
practice at Franklin Park.”
The team dissolved as members took on additional roles and
responsibilities for their families or at their jobs.
Shown above are members of the original team: Seated, l. to r.: Isaac
Freeman (deceased), Roosevelt Charleston (deceased), Curtis Hall
(Deceased), Tommy Phillips (deceased) , Lee Virgins, Allen Harris,
Robert Tett and Joe Blakely (deceased). Standing, l to r: Nate
Wilson, Leon Charleston, Ernest Applewhite (deceased), Isaiah
Norris, Kenneth De Allen, George Colvin, Bobby De Allen (deceased),
Willie Lockhart and Alfred Charleston.
Washington (AP) — The U.S. Sentencing Commission voted unanimously
Tuesday to allow some 19,500 federal prison inmates, most of them
black, to seek reductions in their crack cocaine sentences.
The commission, which sets guidelines for federal prison sentences,
decided to make retroactive its recent easing of recommended
sentences for crack offenses.
Grand Rapids — In planning for the future, should the Grand Rapids
Public School District update the existing high schools into
state-of the art facilities through new construction and or
renovation?
Should there be three comprehensive high schools and two thematic
high schools?
Should the district plan for a totally new concept and create
smaller career focused high schools in partnership with other
organizations, such as a Health/Science high school in conjunction
with a hospital?
Or should the option be two comprehensive high schools and four
thematic schools?
The Grand Rapids Urban League, in cooperation with
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Iota Pi Chapter; North Star Lodge No. 5,
El Karnek Temple No. 86, participated in the 4th annual
pre-Thanksgiving food give away. More than 20 volunteers
participated in the event, including Evan Hamilton of Brown
Hutcherson Ministries Youth Group. Pictured are Kenyatta Brame,
Jason Paulateer, each a past Basileus of Iota Pi and Noble James
Carey of El Karnek Temple.
The Grand Rapids Times - 2016
Eastern SE - Grand Rapids, Ml 49507 or P.O. Box 7258 - Grand Rapids MI
49510
Phone: (616) 245-8737 - FAX (616) 245-1026 - e-mail:
staff@grtimes.com BACK TO HOME
Then:
In the late 1950’s and early 60’s the Kleiman Rockets played as the
first black softball team to join the city league. They won the
championship in the first season.
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