Ruddy Cane to Head MD Legislative Black Caucus
Maryland State Delegate Rudolph C. Cane (D, 38A) was recently elected to head the 43-member State Legislative Black Caucus. The Hebron resident will serve a two-year term in the powerful post lobbying the caucus' legislative agenda. Their agenda usually includes legislation being sought by the MD State Conference of NAACP Branches.
Cane became the first African American to represent The Shore in 1998 and was re-elected in 2002. He represents the western part of Wicomico County and Eastern part of Dorcester County. He is a former Wicomico county Councilman
Easton council OK's erection of the Frederick Douglass statute
In a controversial move, the Talbot County council joined the Easton City council on March 16th in approving the building of a statue honoring Fredrick Douglass. The effort to get the approval was led by the Fredrick Douglass Project of the Talbot County Historical Society.
Talbot County, MD is the birthplace of Frederick Douglass, whom many see as this state's most famous native son. Although most agreed that the former slave, abolitionist, newspaper publisher, orator and writer deserved a statue in his honor, its placement was an issue which divided residents of Talbot County.
Harriet Tubman Day observed in Cambridge, MD
The African American Tourism Council of Maryland held its 4th Annual Harriet Tubman Day Tribute at the Hyatt Regency Hotel & Resort in Cambridge on March 10, 2004. The celebration included workshops, a luncheon, and a tour of Tubman's birthplace. This was a statewide event started in 2000 when the State Legislature designated March 10th as Harriet Tubman Day.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Rachel Hall Brown of Cambridge during the Luncheon. A retired schoolteacher, she was honored for her 43 years of service to public education in the Dorchester County area.
Juneteenth celebration is planned for Salisbury
A Juneteenth African American Heritage Festival is being organized under the leadership of Delta Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in Salisbury. The fest will be on Saturday, June 19, 2004 in Billy Gene Jackson, Sr. Park in Salisbury, MD.
This family event will highlight the many contributions that African Americans have made to the area. After an opening ceremony, there will be gospel, rhythm & blues, and jazz musical entertainment, concessions, vendors, and crafts.
Four Women Educators are honored by the local AAUW Jackie Jones is appointed a MDOT program chief
Transportation Secretary Robert L. Flanagan recently announced the appoint-ment of Jacqueline B. Jones of Fruitland, MD as Chief of the Small Business Preference Program for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). She is responsible for implementing the program that is an economic stimulus tool to help small businesses win contracts with MDOT.
Ms. Jones is the first African American to receive a Master of Business Administration degree from Salisbury University. She has owned a small publishing and writing business since 1989 and is a former columnist with the Salisbury Daily Times and taught at UMES. Jones is a member of the Wicomico County Republican Club where she served as first vice president, member of the Wicomico County Republican Central Committee, and a board member of the Maryland Federation of Republican Women. She attended the 2000 Republican National Convention.
Tri-State Elks hold 38th Debutante Cotillion
The Tri-State Association of the Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World held its 38th Debutante Cotillion at the Sheraton-Dover Hotel in Dover, Delaware last March 27th. The Cotillion is a prestigious annual affair that introduces young women into Society from Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia.
The 2004 Debutantes are: Lindsay Ann Askins; Tanisha Lenee Baker; Shante' Rene' & Shantel Rene' Bowie; Kimberly Brewton; Danielle Renee' Brown & La'Shona Nicole Coleman D; Le'Tina Ja're Deedon; Lasheka Shinelle Dennis; Falon O Desselle; Danielle Rayshina Ennels; Eshawn L. Greenhill; Tatiana Nastashia Jackson; Charnita Lee Johnson and LaToya L. Johnson; E'Tiffany Jones; Eboni Latoya Kilgoe; Joclyn Renee' Lamkin; Rebekka Leoni Logan; Vanessa Lestin Michel & LaSina Janine Nichols; Lacie Shelby Owens; Taren Louise Parker; Lauren Brodie Sampson & Tychelle Nicole Staten; and Mechelle Ariana Tolson.
UMES Places 2nd in national Honda finals
The UMES Honda Campus All-Star Challenge team finished second in a field of 64 after an impressive showing against Morehouse College in this year's finals at the national academic competition for historically Black colleges and universities. The team won a prize of $25,000 in grant money for the university and senior team captain Matthew Lang won $1,000 for being the 2nd highest individual scorer in the tourney.
The five-member team included: senior Matthew Lang from Prince George's County, MD; senior Mumbi Thandie-Kamiru from Elkridge, MD; junior Earl Holland from Snow Hill, MD; and freshmen Quinnisha Smith of Delmar and Janiece Blackmon of New York. The team coach is Dr. Jackie Thomas and the assistant coach is Elden Hawkes, a former team captain.
Student Housing Project acquired in Princess Anne
The Centre townhouses in Princess Anne were acquired re-cently by JEMAR Real Estate Investment Group of Salisbury. The townhouses were built last year on Somerset Avenue, near the campus of UMES, and include 30 units of student housing. It is the only Black-owned housing development of the many new student housing projects there. The Black investment group is managed by Joe Morse. Call: 410-543-2926.
Former UMES president to take post in Tennessee
Former interim UMES president Dr. Jackie Thomas has accepted the position of Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Middle Tennessee State University. He will start the new job on June 14th. Middle Tennessee State University, founded in 1909, has 800 faculty members and 21,000 students. It is located in Murfreesboro, TN near Nashville.
