Black Issues Forum 2005 -2006 | UNC-TV

Minister Louis Farrakhan, spiritual leader of the African American Muslim group, the Nation of Islam, created some ten years ago what we have come to know as the million man march. He called it a day of atonement for African American men. What did that event really accomplish? And now ten years later, what will yet a second million-something event do? Natalie Bullock Brown moderates this discussion.

According to a report by the Governor's Commission on Crime, the number of gangs in 1999 survey was listed as 332 with over five thousand identified gang members. In a 2004 survey, there were 387 gangs and more than eight thousand, five hundred gang members. Do these numbers reflect a gang problem in North Carolina? If so, what can be done about it? A detective with the Durham County Sheriff's office--which has a unit dedicated to monitoring and controlling gangs in Durham--has published a book for parents, teachers, and others to help educate them on how to recognize gang symbols and protect their children and themselves. Find out what he and others say you need to know about gangs in your community, no matter where you live. Natalie Bullock Brown moderates.

There's a change taking place in our industrial landscape that's creating not only concern in the business community but also opportunities for those considering employment or a transition in job occupation. When you think of maintenance men, perhaps it’s those honorable people who collect garbage or are charged with cleaning schools who come to mind. Well, think again. We'll talk about what lies in store within the maintenance industry in the 21st century. Natalie Bullock Brown moderates.

The Marine Corps was the last military service in the United States to accept black volunteers. In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt by executive order 8802, called for an end to discriminatory practices based on color, race creed, or national origin within the armed forces. It wasn't until 1942 that the US Marines complied, and when they did, African American volunteers did not at the traditional boot camps of Parris Island, South Carolina or San Diego, California. African American Marines were trained at a segregated facility in New River, North Carolina near Camp Lejeune. This first group of African American Marines came to be known as the Montford Point Marines. In this edition, producer Deborah Holt talks to a Montford Point Marine and to a retired marine officer who is not only a product of the valor of the men at Montford Point but is also one of only 13 African Americans who have earned the rank of General in the United States Marine Corps.

It’s one thing to receive good end-of-life care, it’s another to understand the value of culturally appropriate end of life care. A discussion on how this concept is spreading to medical professionals concerned about administering better healthcare to African American patients.

For the past nine years, Melvin “Skip” Alston has quietly led the North Carolina National Association of the Advancement of Color People (NAACP) as president, fighting important civil right issues throughout the state. At the 62nd Annual State NAACP Conference held in Greensboro, in October 2005, the organization voted to replace Alston with the very vocal and innovative Reverend William Barber II, from Goldsboro. Join Host, Mitchell Lewis, as he interviews the organization's new president to find out what civil right issues he deems most vital and pressing and what his vision is to take the NAACP to the next level during his tenure.

It’s the fastest growing crime in North Carolina, and African Americans are not exempt. In fact, identity theft is reported at slightly higher rates nationally by nonwhites than by whites, according to the Federal Trade Commission. In today’s fast-paced, information driven environment, education and preventative strategy may be your best offense and defense against this crime. Hear the riveting story of a local victim of ID theft, and learn what you can do to reduce your risk for becoming a target

There were eleven beautiful and very talent young ladies from various parts of the state competing to be crowned as Miss Black North Carolina USA. Next on Black Issues Forum, well meet the winner of this year’s competition and hear how she hopes to compete and win the national Miss Black USA Pageant. Young African American women from around the state competed for the second year in the Miss Black North Carolina USA Scholarship Pageant. Produced and organized by Noire Productions, Inc., this contest was created to provide personal and professional opportunities for African American women and to promote their voices in culture, politics and the community. Meet this year's winner and learn more about the event with host Mitchell Lewis.

This is the first in a four part series financial literacy series. Learn about the Pan Hellenic Financial Fortitude Challenge, a joint effort spearheaded by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and created to educate African-Americans about ways to create personal wealth and build financial security. Hosted by Natalie Bullock Brown.

Eleven-time Grammy Award-winning artist Shirley Caesar is investing faith in a new initiative to help more North Carolinians realize their dream of homeownership. Mitchell Lewis talks to Pastor Caesar, the pastor of a Durham Church, and a representative of Genworth Financial about their partnership on this project.

North Carolina has one of the fastest growing populations of Hispanics in the nation. The growth has sparked much debate about immigration, what it's costing America, and what should be done. How is this growing minority population impacting African Americans, and what do African Americans think? Natalie Bullock Brown explores these questions with the co-author of a new study about the impact of Hispanics on North Carolina and other guests.

It’s estimated that one out of every ten North Carolinians suffers from some form of addiction. People who abuse drugs cross all ethnic, societal and economic barriers. Addicts can be loving parents, lawyers, nurses, students or next door neighbors and the diseases of alcoholism and drug dependence can have a devastating impact on individuals, families, employees and communities.