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September 23 - 29, 2010 COMMUNITY


New day for WIN program may be right on time


by Karanja A. Ajanaku kajanaku@tri-statedefender.com


Jr. and a crew of administers, board members and supporters of the Workforce Investment Net- work (WIN) on hand for the pro- grams “re-launch” last week. When Wharton became City of


program help build a 21st century workforce. Yes, said Mayor A C Wharton


Can a once-troubled agency With class


Tri-State Defender


Memphis mayor last year, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development had already shown its displeasure with the program, virtually shutting down the operation charged with overseeing job training and work force development in Shelby and Fayette counties. Last week, WIN secured state


the program that oversees the Summer Youth Jobs Program, and Whartonmade it clear that the city needs it to be that and much more, particularly in the current econo- my where it is necessary to “be able to adapt quickly relative to the workforce and opportunity.” And while the program has got-


unbelievable. WIN, he said, “fits right in with what we are trying to do here in Memphis when it comes to economic development, putting a better face on ourselves when it comes to our workforce.” Many know WIN primarily as


support of its strategic plan from theWorkforce Board and the Ten- nessee Department of Labor has released all of WIN’s grants, in- cluding those for management of IncumbentWorker Training. Wharton called the turnaround


ten its financial house in order, tight state and federal budgets have program administrators posi- tioning to find money in new places. Wharton said monies might be available through Sec- ond ChanceAct funding, and from the Energy Department to deal with solar panel installation for retrofitting houses. “There are just any number of


frontiers out there that we haven’t tapped.When we get into electro- auto charging stations, there is money there….The doors are wide open,” he said. “We had to show that first we


Stepping into a new year…


Students, faculty and administrators were of one accord at The LeMoyne-Owen College during theAnnual Fall Convocation and In- duction Ceremonies onWednesday. (Photos by Earl Stanback)


are going to be good stewards of the money that they have given us out of this pocket before we start looking in other pockets.” Wharton heaped praised on new


WIN program executive director Desi Franklin for steering the pro- gram into a healthy position to go after new opportunities. He also thanked the City Council for giv- ing him the authority to make per- sonnel changes within a tight time frame. Franklin, noting the contribu-


tions of new staff members, said one of the things building confi- dence in the program is that “we know where our money is, how much we have, and where we are spending our money.” DexterMuller of the Chamber of


importance,Muller said the cham- ber’smission of recruiting compa- nies to the city is impossible with- out a properly trained workforce.


Convocation address…


President Johnnie B. Watson of The LeMoyne-Owen College delivers on the theme “Where There Is No Vision”.


Commerce and Marsh Campbell, WIN board chairman, spoke of Franklin’s passion for the mission. And emphasizing the program’s


Tradition…


Phillip Dotson, a professor of art, manned the task of ringing the College Bell, on the campus of The LeMoyne-Owen College duringWednesday’s ceremonies.


BRIEFS & THINGS


Now playing at Hattiloo Theatre


Come and Gone” runs Sept. 23 through Oct. 17 at the Hattiloo The- atre at 656 Marshall. The play is di- rected by Hattiloo founder Ekundayo Bandele. Set in a Pittsburgh boarding house


August Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s


Expanding Your Horizons sets one-day conference


one-day conference will be held Sat- urday (Sept. 25) at the University of Memphis Herff College of Engineer- ing. The conference runs from 8 a.m.


http://www.brownpapertickets.com/e vent/126744.


Election process set for Memphis NAACP


will elect officers and at-large mem- bers of its executive committee dur- ing a process that will unfold during General Membership meetings Sep- tember through November. On Sunday (Sept. 26), therewill be an election of the Nominating Com-


The NAACP Memphis Branch


mittee at 4 p.m. On Oct. 24, there will be a report of the Nominating Committee, receipt of nominations by petition, and election of the Elec- tion Supervisory Committee. Both sessions will be held at Mt. Olive CME Cathedral Church at Linden


and Lauderdale. On Nov. 20, the election of officers


and at-large members of the Execu- tive Committee will take place at the Jesse H. Turner Sr. Freedom House, 588 VanceAve. Polls will open from noon to 4:00 p.m.


in 1911, the play tells the story of Herald Loomis, a man illegally en- slaved on a chain gang, as he search- es for his wife. Herald, troubled by his past, becomes increasingly unsta- ble, causing problems at the boarding house. A local traveling salesman helps Herald find his wife.When she tries to renewhis faith in Jesus, he re- fuses angrily and performs a violent and personal act that sets him free. For information about tickets, visit


The Expanding Your Horizons


WilliamTucker took first place at the varsity level, while the Kingsbury High team of Ishmael Desalegne and Chasity Gowdy led the junior varsity teams. Top varsity speaker was Jessica


Medders of Craigmont High School. Dawnisha Joiner of Whitehaven


until 3 p.m. and will engage over 100 girls (6th through 9th graders) in over 15 workshops designed to increase awareness of career op- portunities in S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). The Network is a non-profit mem-


The Local Committee of One NationWorking Together, chaired by Deidre Malone, held a news conference at the Memphis Branch of the NAACP to discuss the upcomingMarch onWashington and the local participation goal. The Local Committee is taking a bus of 50 people and asking individuals to make a contribution of $80 to in- vest in an unemployed person being able to attend the event. For additional


dmalone@cmgpr.com. (Photo by Tyrone P. Easley) information, call 901-278.0881 or


www.memphisdebate.org. The next Memphis Urban Debate


bership organization of educators, scientists, mathematicians, parents, community leaders, and government and corporate representatives. For more information, visit http://www.memphis.edu/herff/eyh.


email


baters competed through four rounds, Middle College High School and Kingsbury High School took top honors at the Allstate Insurance Company/East High School Invita- tional Debate this week. The Middle College High School


Memphis Urban Debate League tournament results After a record number of 168 de-


Auditions upcoming for TheatreWorks show


will be held Monday (Sept. 27) at TheatreWorks, 2085Monroe, at 6:30 p.m. A rich and spoiled young woman


Auditions for “Holiday Judgment”


commits a crime and has no remorse, so she receives a sentence that may change the course of her life and the lives of others in this holiday treat.A Ruby O’Gray play directed by Dusty Walsh. Needed: A multicultural cast of


list of the winners, visit


High School was named top speaker in the junior varsity division. For a full


League tournament will be October 15-16 at Kingsbury High School.


debate team of Danny Shields and Works in December.


about 20-30,males and females, ages eight to 90. Kids prepare one song- acapella. Prepare to be involved in an improvisation. The show will run at Theatre-


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