Re: ?Black History Month

[WILLIE J MACKEY <wjmackey@NETCOM.COM>]

On Tue, 7 Feb 1995, Bonnielynn Kreiser wrote:

> I have two questions I am having trouble finding information on:
> 1.  Does anyone have any info on the African American Flag.  I have
> searched my one flag book, encyclopedias, Newsbank products, and InfoTrac
> and have found only cursory info.

From Willie J. Mackey, Black Data Processing Associates:
-------------------------------------------------------
I recently saw a presentation on an African-American Flag...
don't know if it is the same project that you are referring to.

It was presented by:    Dr. Vera Strong-Anderson
                        Founder & President
                        ASI An-Strong Symbols, Inc.
                        PO Box 2725
                        Richmond, CA 94802
                        1 (510) 524-5770
                        1 (510) 357-6852
                        no e-mail address was provided

The brochures distributed include the following information:

The African-American Flag Design
--------------------------------
- The outlines of Africa and America represent our dual cultures
  and ethnic origins.
- The circle represents unity between us as a people and our country.
- The fifty two starts represent the fifty two countries of Africa.
- The color blue represents our unwavering loyalty to our country
  and its purpose.
- The color red represents the blood shed leaving Africa as well as
  fighting for the preservation of American and its ideologies.
- The color gold represents the vast wealth we left behind in Africa
  as well as our priceless value to America.
- The color green represents our growth as a people, uprooted and
  deculturalized, yet triumphant in our perseverance for justice and
  equality.
- The colors black and brown represent our African ancestry and heritage.

The African-American Flag
-------------------------
A Symbol of a People's Contributions and Achievements

African-American Pledge
-----------------------
I promise to live my life fully, with honor, dignity, courage and
  self-respect...
With respect for my family, my community and my country...
To show compassion for those less fortunate than I...
For this is the very spirit and soul of the African-American...
Therefore, on this day, in this place and at this time,
  I make this solemn pledge. (c)

There is a little more information listed in the brochures.
If interested, let me know whether to post it over the LM-Net list or
to e-mail it to you privately ... or contact ASI directly.

> 2.  Can anyone suggest an ice-breaking activity for a multicultural
> program celebrating Black History Month for high school age students.
> It will involve approx. 50 students, grades 9-12.
> Thanks in advance.
> Bonnielynn Kreiseer
> Glenbard East High School
> 1014 S. Main St.
> Lombard, IL 60108
> g-barde@dupagels.lib.il.us

If you don't mind, I can cross-post your requests over BDPANet, the
nationwide network of Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) dial-up
bulletin board systems + some Afrocentric internet mailing lists,
and solicit some suggestions.

Willie J. Mackey
Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA)
Silicon Valley Chapter
wjmackey@netcom.com
1 408 280-7624 (voice/fax)
1 408 654-8911 (bbs)

************************************************************
The BDPA Youth Mini-Conference isn't just about computers.

Students present projects during a science fair, and meet
with corporate representatives involved w/our career fair
and technology expo.  Youth seminars and presentations at
the August '94 National Conference included:

- Historically Black Colleges / Financial Aid
- Business Image - What do your clothes and appearance say
                   about you?  What message do you want to
                   sent to perspective employers?
- Multi-media / Hip-Hop Applications
- Neural Networks: The Problem Solver
- How to Build a Science Fair Project: An Expert System
- Genetic Algorithms
- Virtual Reality
- A Robot Simulator
- An Evolution Simulation Using Simearth
- Toy Universes
- What's Love Got to Do With IT? - A performance for teens,
  by a teen acting troupe, which explores violence in
  family, dating and peer relationships.

Too heavy duty for teenagers?  At first thought maybe,
except that most of these seminars are presented by the
youth attending, for a youth-only audience!  They write
the abstracts and present the technical papers.

It takes time to prepare youth for this type of event.
It also takes a strong, long term commitment from adults!
The BDPA National Conference, Youth Mini-Conference &
Science Fair, and National High School Computer Competition
is in August 1995, in Philadelphia.

If interested in any aspect of this event (student/adult
presenters or adult/corporate/academic sponsors), let me
know.  I'll put you in touch with the nearest BDPA chapter
or BDPA National Headquarters.

------------------------------------------------------------

      The mission of BDPA is to sustain a network of
           information technology professionals
            that is a positive influence in the
             information processing industry;
                    a network which
                  shares information
                  provides education
                         and
              performs community service.

    50+ Chapters / 20+ Dial-up BBS Nodes / 1600+ Members

                   !!! Nationwide !!!

   IT Professionals/Educators/Students/Vendor Reps/Others

               Annual National Conference
         Technology & Professional Career Expos
          Youth Mini-Conference & Science Fair
        National High School Computer Competition

        August 1994 - Cleveland
        August 1995 - Philadelphia (20 year anniversary)
        August 1996 - Atlanta
        August 1997 - Houston

For info:   1 800 727-BDPA  1 202 775-4301  info@bdpabac.com
************************************************************