Foothill College The Griot Online

Soulful Christian Theatre, Gospel Festival Committee, Voices with a Made Up Mind, and Dance for His Glory Planning Committee are collaborating to produce a Praise Dance Revival and Gospel Festival to be held at Bell Street Park in East Palo Alto Aug. 5.

Marilynn Rison, a part-time speech instructor at Foothill College, is the director and principal artist of Soulful Christian Theatre. Marilyn is recruiting beginning and experienced praise dancers to perform at the event. Rehearsals are Saturday mornings from 8:30 -10:30 AM at the Bell Street Recreation Gym, 550 Bell Street, East Palo Alto. For additional information, contact Marilynn at (408) 229-8877 or email: soulful.ct@eathlink.net.

Caritha Anderson has returned from a yearlong sabbatical. During the leave, she worked toward completing her Master’s degree and raising her son. Caritha is now working to complete her thesis and will have her master’s completed by the end of summer. She plans on using her degree to join faculty this fall as a counselorand instructor of guidance courses. Good luck Caritha,and we wish you well in achieving your goals.

Four members of the African American Network presented a paper at the 13th Annual National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education NCORE 2000 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. John Bostic, Juanita Croft, Donald Dorsey and Melanie Pla- Richard exchanged ideas with workshop participants and shared their perspectives about the value of the African American Network for students of African ancestry. Their presentation, "And Still We Rise: Empowering Students of African Ancestry on Predominantly White Campuses through the Development of Ethnic Specific Organizations and Support Structures", was enthusiastically received by conference participants.

Joyce Henderson, Foothill College Communications Operator-Receptionist is dedicated to serving her community along with other members of the Big Six Charity Club. This charity organization sponsors fundraisers for the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula, East Palo Alto.Bill White is the club president and grandfather of Foothill student Deaidre White. He is also the former mayor of Menlo Park. Below, members of the organization appear during their 15year Anniversary Christmas Dance.

On Saturday, October 7 our annual fall social will be held at the home of Bill Dillon, Department Head and Instructor, Foothill College Aviation. Our second kickoff to the new millennium will be from 1 to 4PM with great food, rhythm and soul. Reserve the date now and prepare for a grand time. For further information contact Joyce Henderson at (650) 949-7600.

Foothill College President Bernadine Chuck Fong congratulated Pass the Torch faculty and staff in a written correspondence to members of the Foothill community.

"The efforts of the Pass the Torch faculty and staff in improving student performance has resulted in a three – year, $500,000 dissemination grant from the Fund for Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE). The purpose of the grant is to disseminate the Pass the Torch model to four-year and research universities! It is highly unusual for a community college program to be taken to the four-year level. It is a fantastic testimony to the success of Pass the Torch! The dissemination will be through the University of California," Dr. Fong wrote.

The Academic Senate of Foothill College also nominated Dr. Jean Thomas for the 2000 Hayward Award for Excellence in Education.



Harambee 2000 Community Web Habari Gani AAN Faculty & Staff News Students Awarded Internships New Afrocentric Student Club What Black History Month Means to me Unsung Heros A Tribute to my Aunt Inez Tatum. A Sojourner for a Family My Hero by Jamal Oakley Black Student Union Reflections of the Year Foothill Nigerian Student Faces Racism in Los Altos Cofounder San Jose-SF Freedom Train Inspired by Mom Diversity Watch 2000 Foothill Student Receives Lewis Latimer Award The Celebration of African History Month George Washington Carver Award Given East Bay Artist Donates Art to Foothill College Students, Faculty and Staff March on Foothill
	African American Network Members Attend Education Conference Reception/Dinner Nine members of the African American Network and two Foothill students attended a reception and dinner at the Coalition of California Black School Board Members 26th Annual Education Conference on April 14. The conference theme was A New Millennium, A New Beginning: Rededicating Ourselves to Achievement. The featured keynote speaker was the renowned Dr. Na’im Akbar who has been acclaimed by Essence magazine as "one of the world’s preeminent psychologists and a pioneer in the development of an African-centered approach to modern psychology." Foothill African American Network members who attended included John Bostic, Juanita Croft, Don Dorsey, Todd Gilbert, Warren Hurd, Melanie Pla-Richard, Harry Saterfield, Davida Vance-Lee and Marilyn Williams. Gloria Walton and Anthony Suber represented our student ranks at this event with much enthusiasm. African American Network Co-Sponsors Children of Uganda Performance at Foothill The African American Network was among seven Foothill College groups and programs to sponsor the Children of Uganda Tour of Light 2000 performance on campus April 18. Donald Dorsey, Community Liaison for the African American Network, was the prime mover for bringing this talented group of children to our campus. Each Tour of Light produced by the Ugandan Children’s Charity Foundation has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide education, food, clothing and housing for more than 600 children within and outside of the Daughters of Charity Orphanage. Additional Foothill College program sponsors for this event included Foothill Music Department, Associated Students of Foothill College, Black Student Union, Student Activities Office, Health Services and Disabled Student Services. African American Network Members and Foothill Colleagues Attend Carver Scholar Program Recognition Banquet Foothill College faculty, staff and students attended the 1st Annual Intel Carver Scholars Banquet at the Santa Clara Convention Center January 5. Event sponsors were the Intel Carver Scholars Program, Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators and Healing Institute. Through the dedicated effort of these sponsors, African American students throughout Santa Clara County are discovering the wonders of science, math, engineering and technology. Attending from Foothill College were Rose Myers, vice president of student development; Don Dorsey, director of student activities; Melanie Pla-Richard, counselor, psychological services; Victoria Taketa, counselor, Angel Sierra, counselor/instructor, Juanita Croft, computer technology laboratory supervisor; Melinda Hughes, MESA Counselor; Joseph Francis, student; and Dr. Jarvis and Sonja Sulcer, Engineering. Rose Myers and Robin Moore Promoted In November, the African American Network celebrated the achievement of their sisters, Rose Myers and Robin Moore, on their promotions within the Foothill – De Anza Community College District. Ms. Myers was promoted to vice president for student development and instruction at Foothill College. Ms. Moore was promoted to director, legal affairs, compliance and training for the district office. A soulful reception was held in their honor at Jose’s Caribbean Restaurant in Palo Alto. Melinda Hughes, Counselor Moves to De Anza College Melinda Hughes, Foothill MESA counselor has taken a position at De Anza College where she will assist students in achieving their educational objectives. During her assignment at Foothill College, she was effective in working with under represented student groups. Melinda stimulated student interest in the fields of science, math and engineering through the use of creative programming; outreach and student travel opportunities. Her background in the sciences will be an asset to students from all backgrounds wherever she goes. Melinda, we wish you the very best in all of your professional endeavors.	Dancing in the Street 2000: Praise Dance Revival Recruiting Praise Dancers Soulful Christian Theatre, Gospel Festival Committee, Voices with a Made Up Mind, and Dance for His Glory Planning Committee are collaborating to produce a Praise Dance Revival and Gospel Festival to be held at Bell Street Park in East Palo Alto Aug. 5. Marilynn Rison, a part-time speech instructor at Foothill College, is the director and principal artist of Soulful Christian Theatre. Marilyn is recruiting beginning and experienced praise dancers to perform at the event. Rehearsals are Saturday mornings from 8:30 -10:30 AM at the Bell Street Recreation Gym, 550 Bell Street, East Palo Alto. For additional information, contact Marilynn at (408) 229-8877 or email: soulful.ct@eathlink.net. Cartiha Anderson Returns from Sabbatical Caritha Anderson has returned from a yearlong sabbatical. During the leave, she worked toward completing her Master’s degree and raising her son. Caritha is now working to complete her thesis and will have her master’s completed by the end of summer. She plans on using her degree to join faculty this fall as a counselorand instructor of guidance courses. Good luck Caritha,and we wish you well in achieving your goals. African American Network Members Present at National Conference Four members of the African American Network presented a paper at the 13th Annual National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education NCORE 2000 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. John Bostic, Juanita Croft, Donald Dorsey and Melanie Pla- Richard exchanged ideas with workshop participants and shared their perspectives about the value of the African American Network for students of African ancestry. Their presentation, "And Still We Rise: Empowering Students of African Ancestry on Predominantly White Campuses through the Development of Ethnic Specific Organizations and Support Structures", was enthusiastically received by conference participants. Charity Organization Fundraiser for Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula, East Palo Alto Joyce Henderson, Foothill College Communications Operator-Receptionist is dedicated to serving her community along with other members of the Big Six Charity Club. This charity organization sponsors fundraisers for the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula, East Palo Alto.Bill White is the club president and grandfather of Foothill student Deaidre White. He is also the former mayor of Menlo Park. Below, members of the organization appear during their 15year Anniversary Christmas Dance. African American Network Fall Social 2000: Y’all Get Ready Now! On Saturday, October 7 our annual fall social will be held at the home of Bill Dillon, Department Head and Instructor, Foothill College Aviation. Our second kickoff to the new millennium will be from 1 to 4PM with great food, rhythm and soul. Reserve the date now and prepare for a grand time. For further information contact Joyce Henderson at (650) 949-7600. Jean Thomas and the Pass the Torch Faculty & Staff Congratulated Foothill College President Bernadine Chuck Fong congratulated Pass the Torch faculty and staff in a written correspondence to members of the Foothill community. "The efforts of the Pass the Torch faculty and staff in improving student performance has resulted in a three – year, $500,000 dissemination grant from the Fund for Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE). The purpose of the grant is to disseminate the Pass the Torch model to four-year and research universities! It is highly unusual for a community college program to be taken to the four-year level. It is a fantastic testimony to the success of Pass the Torch! The dissemination will be through the University of California," Dr. Fong wrote. The Academic Senate of Foothill College also nominated Dr. Jean Thomas for the 2000 Hayward Award for Excellence in Education.