Newspaper Page Text
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Clark Atlanta
University
PANTHER
Volume II Number XII Atlanta, Georgia April 1,1991
IVOF Tours Northeast
By VERONICA FIELDS
Staff Writer
Sharing the word of God thru song was the object of a spring tour
recently taken by the Clark Atlanta University's Inspriational Voices
of Faith.
While many CAU students were off for Spring Break, the choir
traveled to New York, Philadelphia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.,
March 8 through March 18. This is an annual event of IVOF known as
the Reach Out Ministry.
The choir sang at Family Baptist Church, Bronx, N.Y., Fellowship
Mission, House of Prayer For All People, Community Baptist Church,
Children's Seashore House, North Penn Baptist Church, all in
Philadelphia, Columbia Community Church and Ames United
Methodist Church of Maryland, and By The Way in Washington, D.C.
Rev. Paul Easley, CAU's campus minister, said that the tour took a
lot of planning and internal leadership. He said that although he is the
supervisor of the choir, the members have the freedom to make
decisions and that they made wise ones.
He said that some former students from CAU who were unable to
come back to school for various reasons, attended some of the
performances and received a renewal of faith.
According to Rev. Easley, the choir recruited 17 people who pledged
to come to Clark after hearing the choir perform. "There were some
people who had applied to several schools and were not sure which one
to pick, but after hearing the choir they chose CAU."
Durrell Davis, a member of IVOF, felt that the trip was a blessing and
that they were led by the Holy Spirit. The highlight of the trip for her
was when the choir sang at the Children's Seashore House, which is a
hospital for disabled and handicapped children. "Everyone was
emotional, but it was out of joy and happiness because the children
enjoyed the singing and expressed their joy in their own individual
way." Ms. Davis also felt that many people do not realize how blessed
they are.
According to Ms. Davis, performing concerts every night takes a lot
out of the members. She stressed the importance of staying prayed up
and steadfast.
Parish Williams said that every year the members get to know each
other better during the tour. He said that being together with people on
a trip is different from just seeing each other at choir rehearsal and that
everyone gets closer.
According to Salinu Terrell, the choir did what they set out to
accomplish, saving souls and that was worth the sacrifice.
Sixth District Congressman Newt Gingrich
met with administrative officials at Clark
Atlanta recently to discuss possible federal
grants to the university.
SGA Head Resigns Quietly
By SHERYL M. KENNEDY
Lifestyle Editor
Beneath a cloud of mystery, Mary Lacey, CAU
Student Government Association graduate president,
quietly resigned her post in the middle of the 1990
fall semester.
According to SGA members, Ms. Lacey's
enthusiasm was dampened shortly after her victory
because of "personality conflicts with
administrators" and students. Despite initial
conflicts, Ms. Lacey still made her first formal
appearance at the 1990 fall convocation welcoming
alumni and students. That was the first and last time
she appeared during her term.
Her resignation was never publicly announced
and she was replaced by Vice President, Tyra Boyd.
Ms. Boyd was the elected SGA graduate council vice
president and moved up to the ranks of president
officially at the beginning of January 1991.
With Ms. Lacey's resignation, the SGA was left
with only four members to fill the void of a treasurer
who was never elected and an empty vice president
seat.
Ms. Lacey, a second-year graduate student, was
able to leave her mark at CAU and the AUC despite
her shortened term. She spearheaded a coalition
that sought better-qualified management and more
African American representation on the
management level at the Campus Book Store.
She was also the leader of a group of students
who protested Domino's Pizza Co. because of their
discriminating policy not to delivery to the AUC.
but could make an exception to the rule as they have
done for Georgia Technology Institute and Georgia
State students. She reversed the policy for
delivering at the AUC. She successfully lobbied for
students to be able to write checks for pizza and won
that battle as well.
Though no one can answer the question why this
school leader relinquished her duties, her unexpected
resignation will remain on the minds of CAU faculty
and students.
See Page 6 for student's reaction to the
resignation of CAUSGA Graduate President Mary
Lacey.
EXPO Draws Thousands
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By CYDNEY WILLIAMS
Contributing Writer
Twenty five to 30 thousand people flooded the
World Congress Center the weekend of March 23-24
for the second annual Black Expo U.S.A.
According to Jerry Roebuck, Chairperson of
Black Expo USA, the Black Expo started in 1989 in
one exposition in New York City.
"The basic concept was to help African American
business owners gain access to the vast African
American market," he said. "It (Black Expo) serves
as a means of renewing the commitment to continue
the survival of Black-owned businesses in our
communities."
Hundreds of vendors participated to introduce
display businesses to consumers and to network
with companies that were represented there.
African Americans interested in launching a
career in business found the Black Expo a good
staring ground.
Lesley Styplouis, a partner in his business called
'Nia', said, "This is my second year working at the
Expo. One of the changes that has occurred from last
year is that the emphasis has been taken away from
too much programming, one being facility usage.
This year people had the advantage of attending
special events at different times of the day."
Although there was a record turnout, this year,
Styplouis and other vendors at the Expo noticed that
consumer spending was low this year.
Vending is just one aspect of what the Expo is all
about. This year entertainment was a highlight that
many of the people enjoyed throughout the day. On
March 24, there was a "Gospel Showcase,"
featuring artists such as "Commission". March 23,
Greek organizations presented a step show
competition entitled, "Quest for the Crown.
Perry Green attended the Expo to display his
visual art. "Most people do not realize my work is
true representation of what Blacks have encountered
throughout history.
The purpose of being at the Expo this year Green
explained is to show people the talent God has
blessed him with. "I am self taught and I am doing
the best I can to get the word out here.
The Black Expo displayed diversity in vendors
from all over the world. There were several vendors
there from West Africa.
"Our message at Black Expo USA is simply this,
explained Roebuck, "we are determined to seek out
and champion those things which unite us as a
people, instead of amplifying those minor
differences which split us."
Prof. Named To Olympic Authority
By TONYA LATIMER
News Editor
Clark Atlanta University professor and Atlanta
City Councilman Jabari Simama was recently
appointed to the Metropolitan Atlanta Olympic
Games Authority (MAOGA). ]
As of March 12, Councilmembers Simama and
Debby McCarty, filled two vacancies left by Ginger
Watkins and Barry Phillips, members of to original
organizing committee.
Councilmembers Simama and McCarty were
chosen by the Atlanta City Council; Simama was
the only candidate to be selected without a run-off
vote.
The MAOGA was created in 1989 by the Georgia
General Assembly pursuant to the Metropolitan
Atlanta Olympic Games Authority Act. It (MOAGA)
assumes the responsibilities of the City of Atlanta
for staging the 1996 Olympic Games. It also serves
as a financing vehicle for the games and provides
public oversight for the operation of the event.
According to Councilman Simama, all
communities that will be affected by the Olympic
Games will have a voice.
"All communities will be treated fairly and have
an input," he said. He added that he-will also ensure
fair minority participation.
To help achieve his goals Simama formed the
Olympic Games Community Coalition (OGCC)
aimed at creating communication between members
of the community and the Atlanta Organizing
Committee. He is working to set the OGCC's
structure and schedules, "and to make it a viable
representative of the people."
His appointment will also serve as a source for
the OGCC because he will be knowledgeable of
Olympic activities that will impact the various areas
of the city.
Simama said, "I will look out for the entire City
of Atlanta and make sure that we stage the best
Olympics possible."
He was elected to the council in a 1987 special
election and to a full term in the 1989 election. He
is presently the councilman for the third district