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Jesse Jackson Sr.
Al Sharpton
Melanie L. Campbell
Captain Dave Harris
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Business World Index
---Democratic National Convention Committee Unity Breakfast---
The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) unveiled plans for a unity breakfast to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the March on Washington on Thursday, August 28 during the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. Martin Luther King III will join with civil rights leaders including Rev. Al Sharpton and faith leaders including Rabbi Jack Moline and Sister Simone Campbell to honor Martin Luther King Jr., the message of his "I Have a Dream" speech and the movement behind the March on Washington. "Forty-five years ago, hundreds of thousands of Americans traveled from all across the country and risked threats of violence to converge on Washington, uniting behind a belief that 'all men are created equal,'" said Governor Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. "During the Democratic Convention in Denver, civil rights and faith leaders will come together to commemorate the anniversary of that historic March that created a tipping point for change in this country and to reaffirm Democrats' dedication to Dr. King's dream."
---Comments from the Rev. Jesse Jackson---
Civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson responds for the first time since footage of him making controversial off-air comments about Barack Obama caused a media firestorm. The remarks, in which Jackson accused Obama of "talking down to Black people," sparked backlash and strong criticism from the media, African-American community and even his own son, Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. In a candid interview with Essence.com Jackson shares his views on Obama, the state of the Black community and being relevant in this generation. On Remarks About Obama: Jackson says, "It should not have happened. What was private talk became public controversy, and I am embarrassed by that. There is no virtue in that kind of talk, and it should always be discouraged. My appeal even then was that responsibility is a significant message, but our needs require real government intervention and private sector incentives to address the issues of unemployment, building affordable housing and making education more affordable, which really was my point. It was a very painful period for me to have gone through that." For the full article, "Jesse Jackson, On the Road" log on to http://www.essence.com.
---Melanie L. Campbell receives award from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority---
In recognition of her outstanding work as a civic leader, public administrator, and civil rights activist, Melanie L. Campbell was presented the Althea T. L. Simmons Social Action Award during Delta Sigma Theta Sorority's 49th National Convention held recently in Orlando, Florida. With over 20 years of experience, Campbell is a nationally recognized expert in Black voter participation, election reform, and voting rights. The award was presented by Dr. Louise A. Rice, national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and Marcia L. Fudge, Esq., co-chair of the sorority's Social Action Commission. "I never had the opportunity to meet Althea Simmons, but I am aware of her great accomplishments, especially lobbying for the extension of the Voting Rights Act," said Campbell, executive director and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (www.ncbcp.org). "I am honored to accept this award from my sorors and hope that I live up to the example set by Ms. Simmons and others whose shoulders I stand on."
---Census update---
The nation will be more racially and ethnically diverse, as well as much older, by mid-century, according to projections released by the U.S. Census Bureau.
-- Minorities, now roughly one-third of the U.S. population, are expected to become the majority in 2042, with the nation projected to be 54 percent 'minority' in 2050.
-- By 2023, 'minorities' will comprise more than half of all children.
-- In 2030, when all of the baby boomers will be 65 and older, nearly one in five U.S. residents is expected to be 65 and older. This age group is projected to increase to 88.5 million in 2050, more than doubling the number in 2008 (38.7 million). Similarly, the 85 and older population is expected to more than triple, from 5.4 million to 19 million between 2008 and 2050.
-- By 2050, the minority population — everyone except for non-Hispanic, single-race whites — is projected to be 235.7 million out of a total U.S. population of 439 million. The nation is projected to reach the 400 million population milestone in 2039.
-- The non-Hispanic, single-race white population is projected to be only slightly larger in 2050 (203.3 million) than in 2008 (199.8 million). In fact, this group is projected to lose population in the 2030s and 2040s and comprise 46 percent of the total population in 2050, down from 66 percent in 2008.
-- Meanwhile, the Hispanic population is projected to nearly triple, from 46.7 million to 132.8 million during the 2008-2050 period. Its share of the nation’s total population is projected to double, from 15 percent to 30 percent. Thus, nearly one in three U.S. residents would be Hispanic.
-- The Black population is projected to increase from 41.1 million, or 14 percent of the population in 2008, to 65.7 million, or 15 percent in 2050.
-- The Asian population is projected to climb from 15.5 million to 40.6 million. Its share of the nation’s population is expected to rise from 5.1 percent to 9.2 percent.
---First Black Pilot to be honored---
American Airlines will serve as the title sponsor of the Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP) 32nd Annual Convention, where retired Captain Dave Harris will be honored for being the first African American to fly for a commercial airline. Harris, 73, retired from American Airlines in 1994 after more 30 years of service. After rejections from several other major airlines at the time, Harris wanted to avoid any misunderstanding down the road. Following his interview with American, Harris recalls, "I felt compelled to tell [the interviewer] I was Black." The chief pilot who conducted the interview responded, "This is American Airlines and we don't care if you're Black, White or chartreuse, we only want to know, can you fly the plane?" Harris began training with American Airlines on Dec. 3, 1964, preparing to pilot the airline's DC-6 aircraft. American Airlines today has one of the most diverse flight crew rosters in the industry. American and its regional affiliate American Eagle Airlines together employ 163 African-American pilots, some of whom are also female pilots.
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