Trayvon Martin: Do We Look Suspicious? | Panel Discussion

Creative Media & Marketing in collaboration with VSU NAACP will be hosting "TRAYVON MARTIN: Do We Look Suspicious?" Panel Discussion on Thursday, April 19th at 7pm in the Student Union Theater. The tragic event that happened in Sanford, FL back in February has left our nation and young people confused and enraged about what happened to Trayvon Martin. Dozens of students on this very campus have reached out to our organizations seeking that we cover this issue on campus and we want to make sure that we do that and have a educational conversation that goes beyond Trayvon Martin. The goal of this panel discussion is to cover human rights, racial profiling, criminal justice, and gun laws. We believe this event will shed light on the facts and what we can take from this tragic event. The panel will consist of professors and students from the History, Sociology/Anthropology and Criminal Justice departments.

Dr. William McKinney named new President of Valdosta State University

ATLANTA – (April 13) – The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has appointed Dr. William J. McKinney as the next president of Valdosta State University. He will assume this new position beginning July 1, 2012.

“This was an excellent search and, speaking on behalf of the Board, we were delighted to identify such a strong candidate for this important position,” said USG Chancellor Hank Huckaby. “The response to Dr. McKinney’s candidacy at both Valdosta State and by the regents was overwhelmingly positive. We look forward to outstanding leadership by Dr. McKinney.”

McKinney, named two weeks ago by the Board as the finalist for the VSU presidency, is currently vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW), a position he has held since 2008. In this post, McKinney oversees an annual $70 million budget and is responsible for more than 400 full time and almost 400 part-time faculty.

He also has overseen a 33 percent increase in sponsored research grants and contracts during his tenure, fueled in part by McKinney’s creation of new positions for research, community engagement, and sponsored programs.

Prior to his work at IPFW, McKinney was dean of the College of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts at Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pa. (2001-2008) and chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Mo. (1997-2001). He has taught at these three institutions, as well as the University of Kentucky, Lexington.

As a result of his work in the area of academics and university management, in 2009 McKinney was picked as one of 25 members of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ (AASCU) national “Red Balloon Project.” The group was charged with developing a new approach to undergraduate education that is responsive to public demands for greater accountability in higher education results in a new era of reduced state funding.

McKinney has been active in the work of Phi Kappa Phi honor society, serving on the national board of directors and in various volunteer roles. He also has been a member and held leadership positions in a range of local, state and national organizations, including Leadership Fort Wayne, Northeast Indiana Aging and In-Home Services, and the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce.

He earned a bachelor of arts in history and a bachelor of science in chemical engineering from Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pa. Both of his advanced degrees were earned at Indiana University in Bloomington: a master’s degree in history and the philosophy of science and a doctorate in the philosophy of science.

A national search was launched to replace VSU president Dr. Patrick Schloss, who stepped down on June 30, 2011. Dr. Louis Levy has served as interim president since Schloss stepped down.

Trayvon Martin: 45 Days Later

TRAYVON MARTIN TIMELINE
MSNBC
Feb. 26, 2012: Fatal shooting Trayvon Martin, 17, is shot and killed while walking through a Sanford, Fla., community where he is visiting family. Neighbors call police to report hearing a scuffle and a gunshot. Martin is found dead by police. George Zimmerman, neighborhood watch captain, is taken to the Sanford Police Department for questioning about the shooting, which he says was in self-defense. No charges are filed and he is not arrested.

March 19: Investigation launched March 16: 911 tapes released Martin’s parents gain access to 911 calls made to police on the evening of the shooting and portions of those tapes are made public. One recording indicates that Zimmerman says he is following Martin and a dispatcher tells him that's not necessary. In another, there are audible cries for help in the background. Martin's family demands an arrest and petitions calling for the same gain tens of thousands of signatures within a matter of hours.

The U.S. Justice Department announces it has launched an investigation into the shooting.

March 21: Million hoodie march Martin’s parents join hundreds of protesters in New York City demanding justice in what is dubbed the "Million Hoodie March," a tribute to Martin, who was wearing a hooded sweatshirt at the time of his death. It is the first of what will become large protests across the country.

March 22: Police chief steps aside Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee announces he will step down "temporarily" amid accusations that he has mishandled the Martin case and after a vote of no confidence by city commissioners. Thousands of people join a rally in Sanford organized by the Rev. Al Sharpton demanding Zimmerman’s arrest. (Sharpton is a host on the msnbc cable television show Politics Nation.)

March 23: White House mention President Barack Obama raises the Martin case at the end of a White House press conference in which he names Jim Yong Kim as his nominee for the World Bank president. In response to a reporter's question about the case, Obama says: "If I had a son, he would look like Trayvon."

March 24: Threats against Zimmerman At a protest in Florida, leader of the New Black Panther Party Mikhail Muhammad announces a $10,000 bounty for the capture of Zimmerman, who is in hiding.

April 10: Lawyers quit Craig Sonner and Hal Uhrig, lawyers for Zimmerman, announce they will no longer represent him because he has stopped communicating with them.

April 11: Charges pending A law enforcement official tells NBC that the Florida prosecutor will file criminal charges against Zimmerman. Less than an hour before those charges are made public, George Zimmerman is reported to be in police custody.

________________________________________________________________

Benjamin Todd Jealous, President & CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of 

Colored People

Benjamin Todd Jealous, President & CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People issued the following statement on the charges filed against George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin:

“Forty five days after Trayvon Martin’s life came to a violent end, the wheels of justice have finally begun to turn. This is an important first step toward bringing justice for Trayvon and his family.

As we have seen, the system does not always work perfectly. But we have shown that when we stand together as a nation we can compel it to work. For the NAACP, this case has always been about the rule of law. We are encouraged by today’s charges, but we know that this is just the beginning. We anticipate and expect a thorough federal investigation of the Sanford Police Department and their role in exacerbating this tragedy.

Trayvon’s case moved the nation because it underscored the twin tragedies that affect so many of our young people: Trayvon was profiled because of his race—looked upon as a threat rather than the loving son he was. And then, once he became a victim, he was neglected by the very police department tasked with protecting our communities and families. As a nation, we’ve got to address the issues of racial profiling and the valuation of black men's lives by law enforcement. In the months ahead the NAACP and our allies in the civil rights community will continue to take these issues on as well as the urgent need to repeal stand your ground laws.

Tonight our thoughts and prayers are with Trayvon’s family. We are grateful for the courage and tenacity of Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin that continue to help shape a national movement for justice for their son and for all of America’s children.”

BSL presents "An Evening with the Queen"

VSU for Trayvon Martin

Last night at the "Rally for Change" our Political Action Committee Chair, Amber Worthty announced that our chapter will be taking the lead on the discussion of the Trayvon Martin incident in Sanford, Florida with our "Do I Look Suspicious?" campaign in the wake of a national outrage and concern for how the Trayvon Martin incident is being handled. The "Do I Look Suspicious?" campaign will be an organized, committed and responsible effort to educate the campus about Trayvon Martin and why we should all be concerned whether you are Black, Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian or what ever you consider your ethnicity or background to be. As Amber said last night "We want justice!... Not only because of the concern of racial profiling but because a 17 year old boy has been murdered and no arrest has been made". The VSU NAACP along with millions around the nation are demanding justice for Trayvon Martin. Our "Do I Look Suspicious?" campaign on VSU campus starts now! 

VSU Diversity Seminar

Thursday, March 29th at 7pm at Pound Hall Auditorium (North Campus) Beta Alpha Psi will be hosting a "Diversity Seminar" which will include a panel discussion on diversity and how important it is on campus. Our President will be a part of the panel along with reps from the Black Student League, Gay Straight Alliance, an the American Sign Language Club.

VSU NAACP at the 2012 Southeast Regional Convention

March 23rd through March 26th VSU NAACP traveled to Raleigh, NC along with Clayton State University, Columbus State University, Georgia State University, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, and Washington County Youth units to the 2012 Southeast Regional Convention where we attended workshops, meetings, and networked among the 100's of youth that attended. 


Also at this convention our state was awarded the Alethea R. Bonello State Youth And College Division Of The Year Award and our chapter was awarded Best New Youth/College Unit. We want thank all of members and supporters for their outstanding commitment. Fired up, ready to go!

Justice For Trayvon Martin Rally

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

VSU NAACP MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS, Please read below:

The Valdosta-Lowndes County chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference will hold a rally at the Courthouse in downtown Valdosta Thursday evening, March 22, at 6:30. P.M.

Thousands of people of all races are outraged at the murder of 17 year old Trayvon Martin. He was killed on February 26 in Sandford by a self-appointed neighborhood wartchman, named George Zimmerman.  Hundreds of Valdostans are expected to assemble at the Courthouse to express their outrage and support for Trayvon and his family. The rally will co-incide with rallies and marches across the United States. We will also call for an instenfied search for the killer(s) of Staphon Edgerton (Juan Gatti).

We're asking the public to join us at 6:30pm tomorrow evening.

Floyd Rose
President

SCLC

... With that said, we need every available student to come out and support this rally for Trayvon Martin. Any of us could have been Trayvon. Please reply to this message if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks,

Valdosta State University

NAACP College Chapter

1500 North Patterson Street

Student Union – 2^nd Floor 2121

Valdosta, GA 31698

vsunaacp@gmail.com

www.VSUNAACP.blogspot.com

 

The Honorable Lt. Col. Leo R. Gray of the Tuskegee Airmen

March 16, 2012

Malynda Dorsey Communications Specialist

Tuskegee Airman Visits Valdosta State University

VALDOSTA -- “The Tuskegee Airmen legacy is one that is best told by the airmen themselves,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Marsha L. Aleem, commander of AFROTC Detachment 172 at Valdosta State University. “Movies have been made about them but only they can convey the struggles they faced fighting for a country that saw them as second-class citizens.”

With this in mind, AFROTC, Detachment 172 at VSU will welcome retired Lt. Col. Leo R. Gray, one of only 40 surviving black pilots who fought in World War II, to tour VSU and the Valdosta community on Wednesday, March 21 and Thursday, March 22.

On Wednesday, Gray will meet with the university’s administration, students in the African American Studies program and airmen at Moody Air Force Base. He will end his day with a special visit to the Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta. The next day he will spend time with cadets from AFROTC Det. 172 at VSU, AFJROTC cadets from Lowndes High School and students from Valdosta High School.

A special viewing of the Tuskegee Airmen documentary, In their Own Words: The Tuskegee Airmen, will be held Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in Jennett Lecture Hall. The documentary will be followed by a question and answer session with Gray. The event is open to the campus and community. Gray will be available for pictures and autographs after the program.

The first black military pilots to serve the United States, the Tuskegee Airmen played a significant role in World War II contrary to the military’s belief that an all-black air unit could not be successful.

“They endured the battle in the air against the Germans as well as a battle within the U.S. Army Air Corps to shatter the belief that Negroes were not fit to fly,” said Aleem. “They turned this adversity into victory with a successful record defending bomber aircraft. Lt. Col. Gray’s visit to Valdosta, a town rich in military history, is important because it gives the community an opportunity to get to meet him and hear his personal accounts first hand.”

Gray joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and began his aviation cadet training in 1943. He graduated from the Tuskegee Army Air Field a year later as a second lieutenant, single engine pilot.

While stationed in Italy as a fighter pilot, Gray flew 15 combat missions, with a total of 750 hours of flying time. He left active duty in 1946 and served in U.S. Air Force Reserves until 1984. During his 41-year service, Gray earned a Coveted Air Medal with one Oak Leaf cluster and a Presidential Unit Citation.

Gray holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts and a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska. He worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 30 years serving in many capacities including technical assistant, agricultural economist, economist and director of program planning. He has also served as an economic consultant to the USDA in West Africa.

Gray is a past president, vice president and treasurer of the East Coast Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., founder and past president of the Forum on Blacks in Agriculture, past president of Good Hope East Civic Association and a former member of the Richmond, California Model Neighborhood Citizens Board.

Other memberships include the Air Force Association, the Retired Officers Association and the NAACP. Gray has also done extensive travel around the world. He is a widower and has six children and ten grandchildren.

For questions, please contact VSU’s AFROTC Detachment at 229-259-2032 or send an email to afrotcadmin@valdosta.edu.

KNOWLEDGE > IGNORANCE Campaign

Too many times in our communities it has not been the opposition or forces of nature but yet us who have allowed ourselves to be be marginalized and excluded from the political and economical process which has left our communities prone to poverty and misinformation. This is why we have launched the "Knowledge > Ignorance" campaign which will  be a campaign dedicated to equipping you with information and tools that will help you be independent! CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!