LATEST NEWS 2005

LATEST NEWS From May 2005

Decenber 31, 2005
HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE TO HARRY BELAFONTE, HIS FAMILY, ALL HIS FANS, AND BEI.

KRT WIRE 12 /29 /05 The first time around . . .

Senator Obama's freshman year

( Lot of talk about Sen. Obama's potential
campaign for the Presidency in 2008. . .)

Harry Belafonte, the entertainer and civil rights activist, corresponds with Obama by telephone and e-mail. It is far too early, he believes, for Obama to be thinking of higher office.

" Because I do see in him something so terribly precious and I see in him such a remarkable potential, I would rather think of him as a work in progress ," Belafonte said in an interview. " We are prone to push people beyond their time. We are so eager to devour our young . I think Sen. Obama is a force, and I think he needs to see a lot about this nation and he needs to go a lot of places.
We've seen so many others who have come to high places and have failed so miserably, " he continued. " I think he could be our exception to the rule.'


Buffalo News - Tree Toppers
Friday, December 16, 2005

" If the new suff doesn't grab you, here are 3 all-time favorite holiday records:

. Harry Belafonte, " To Wish You a Merry Christmas " ( RCA ): Even if you're an agnostic who believes in nothing you can't bang your head against, Belafonte singing " Jehova, the Lord Will Provide " will have you crying in your eggnog.

. Jethro Tull, " The Jethro Tull Christmas Album " ( Fuel 2000 ),......

. George Frederick Handel, " The Messiah ", London Philarmonic Choir and Philarmonic Orchestra, ( Sparrow/EMD ).....
( Note: head pictures of all 3 musicians; Harry Belafonte's fairly recent photo is the best looking. )

International HERALD TRIBUNE
TUESDAY,DECEMBER 6,2005

LOS ANGELES
Site of a slaying - and just in time, a film

...Emilio Estevez has been plotting for many years to make an ndependant film he has written about the day Rbert F. Kennedy was shot.
" Bobby " is being made for between $5 million and $10 million and it does not have a domestic distributor yet, but Estevez has assembled a roster of stars worthy of " The Towering Inferno ." Along with Martin Sheen (his father ,) Estevez, the cast includes Anthony Hopkins,Demi Moore, Harry Belafonte, Sharon Stone, Laurence Fishburne.....none of whom is receiving anything like a normal fee.
....The Kennedy clan is aware of " Bobby ": Belafonte, a member of the RFK
Foundation's board, and Martin Sheen said they have assured the Kennedy family that the movie was intended as a homage. But Belafonte said to Ethel Kennedy that he would not vouch for it
" until I've seen the edit."
.....Estevez's film first has to find an audence: before that, it has to find a distributor, and before that, it has to be finished.
....For now, Estevez plans to depict the chaos of the kitchen-pantry shooting and its aftermath as Robert F. Kennedy's voice is heard responding to the killing of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. two months earlier: " What has violence ever accomplished ? "





BOSTON GLOBE, December 05,2005

Belafonte Sees Strength in Diversity

Notwhistanding what he calls America's
legacy of " brutality, alienation and conquest, " Harry Belafonte told Emerson students and staff that the county's diversity will someday be its strength. The musician activist threw a rare bone to the media during his talk the other day at The Cutler Majectic Theatre,crediting the TV coverage of Hurricane Katrina for exposing racism and poverty in the United States." The choices are yours to make, " he told the crowd, which included arts patron extraordinaire and Emerson trustee Ted Cund his wife Joan.

BOSTON GLOBE, Sat. Dec.3,2005
NAMES
Singing Legend Harry Belafonte visited Emerson ( University ) yesterday.
Belafonte, a noted humanitarian, was here to deliver an address titled :" The Imperative for Equality and Inclusion in Arts and Communications in the 21st Century."

ET's TOP 25 STORIES Preview ET 25 years history

WE ARE THE WORLD's in 1985.
HARRY BELAFONTE initiated an idea for a fundraising effort: record a song that would help a continent. MICHAEL JACKSON and LIONEL RICHIE wrote :" We Are The World " and it was recorded the night of The American Music Awards. That single sold more than 7.5 million copies and raised about $ 50 million for famine relief in Africa, . .
In conjunction with the 20th anniversary DVD, we chronicle the gathering and reco of the famous song and the worlwide impact it made.

St LOUIS

Marylin Mann, co-founder of OASIS, is in New York this week-end to pick up yet another award for her work on behalf of active aging. Mann, 66, is one of 10 AARP 2006 Impact Award winners. She will share the stage Monday afternoon with Michael Fox, Naomi Judd, Harry Belafonte, Jane Kackzmarek and Gov. Mike Hackebee of Arkansas. Paula Zann is to be the emcee.



PLAYBILL
Baranski, Prince, Belafonte and Martins Set for VOICES OF THE ARTS Series

November 28,2005

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has announced this season's
participants in The Voices of the Arts Series. Voices of the Arts features
one-on-one conversations with diverse artists, all hosted by Kennedy Center President Michael M. Kaiser.
....Singer-actor Harry Belafonte, May 15.
Tickets for The Voices of The Arts conversations, priced at $10 each are now on sale by calling (202) 467-4600.
Visit www.kennedy-center.org for more information.

November 27,2005

CHICAGO SUN TIMES
Stars come out for gang founder on Death Row
Los Angeles
Mike Farrell gathered signatures from more than 100 religious leaders law-makers and others of prominence
for a clemency request that went to Gov. Schwartznegger last Monday.
Among thos whos manes are attached: Julian Bond,NAACP Chairman,U.S. Sen. Harkins,( D. Iowa) ,actor Harry Belafonte and actor Russell Crowe.
"Wilams can do more for society alive than dead."
Dec. 13 is date for execution by lethal injection.

Belafonte will speak at Duke

The Herald Sun Nov.21, 2005
DURHAM- - Entertainer-activist Harry Belafonte will speak at Duke Chapel on Jan. 15 as part of the university's commemoration of the life of Martin Luther King Jr.

Washington,DC November 19, 2005

RFK Memorial Reception in the Capitol,Wednesday , November 16, will be shown to-night at 9:00 pm, EDT on C-SPAN.
(NOTE:Harry was not at the reception, he had to leave, but he was at the morning Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award, presented to New Orleans activist Stephen Bradberry.
I was at the reception with 2 of my students who admire Harry. We were disappointed that he was not there as announced ( even on The Hill journal the next day,,,,) but it was an exhilarating event and I met te Kennedy family .)

Dallas, TX, Nov.17, 05

Mountain View College 35th Aniversary
HARRY BELAFONTE TO ATTEND 35th ANNIVERSARY

Renowned entertainer and Civil Rights actiivist Harry Belafonte will join in the celebration at Mountain View College's 35th Anniverary Gala and Auction on Nov. 18, at the Ruthe Jackson Center, at 7:00pm.
* Mr. Belafonte will speak but will not perform.

THE COMMUNICATIONS UNIT OF THE
ST KITTS PRIME MINISTER

Basse-Terre, St Kitts , Nov. 6. 2005

St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, the Hon. Dr Danzil L. Douglas will be among the speakers during the opening ceremony of the 10th Annual Caribbean Multi-National Business Conference in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, Nov. 10-13.
Dr. Douglas will also partipate at a Community Outreach Programme at the Charlotte Amalie High School Auditorium along with Harry Belafonte and other high-ranking officials, on the impact of health on the Caribbean economies, investment and infrastructural development.

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

CIVIL RIGHTS ICON ROSA PARKS DIES

The " Mother of the Civil Rights Movement " by her one small act of defiance ( refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man in Montgomery, Ala.,in 1955 ,) galvanized a generation of activists , including a young Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Several people remember seeing her in the front row of his church, in the middle of civil rights activits, Dr King, Harry Belafonte,( I'll have to o back to check the other names)
......" She also attended King's funeral in Atlanta, having been picked up in a private jet by Harry Belafonte."
(AJC.com)

Phily.com
Sun. Oct, 23,2005

The Marian Anderson Award

The 2005 Marian Anderson Award will be presented to-morrow to actress Ruby Dee and her late husband Ossie Davis.
Dee will be feted with a gala at the Kimmel Center featuring the Philadelphia Orchestra,..... Harry Belafonte will present the award to her.
Belafonte won the first Marian Anderson Award, named for the Philadelphia contralto in 1998.

( Note: Nov. 8, 2005 I was fortunate to be there, 3 seats from Harry Belafonte,2 steps higher than my front side row,but on the same line (?), and 5 seats from Ruby Dee , radiant and beautiful, until they went on stage at the end of the programme for the presentation of the award to Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis by Harry Belafonte, introduced by the Mayor of Philadelphia.
It was a glorious evening , in spite of torrential rain. )


COURANT NEWS, Oct.25,2005

Education
Harry Belafonte will be the next Chubb Fellow to speak at Yale University on November 12, at 3:30 pm in Bartlett Chapel in New Haven.
His talk is free and open to the public;
The Chubb Fellowship encourages Yale students to be interested in government,culture and public service;
An Emmy and Tony (and Grammy ) Award winner, Belafonte has also won the Dag Hammerskjold Peace Medal and the Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Prize.

Wednesday, October 19,2005

NY, NY
Subdued hues highlight men's Fall Fashions
....Bark colored leather messenger and duffel bags highlighted Cole's collection although a surprise appearance by singer Harry Belafonte walking down the runway was an elegant touch.

The Washington Post, Oct. 19
The Reliable Source
" Hey, Isn't That...? "
....Harry Belafonte dining on lamb chops at Morton's on Connecticut Avenue Saturday (no date )
(Note; it is true that people who have not seen Harry Belafonte lately would not recognize him from afar, due to his new hairstyle....)

Saturday October 15,2005

As Harry Belafonte is speaking to the Indiana Supreme Court or on his way to The Millons More Movement in Washington, DC, which he supports, I am listening to his newest release, "The Essential Harry Belafonte " which I received late yesterday. I am enthralled by this compilation, every track chosen by Harry himself, recordings from 1952 to 1977,from studios to Live and TV shows. I ordered it mostly for one of my many favorite songs, not on CD until now," The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face ", in duet with Lena Horne.
So, is it the musical autobiography announced at shows in 2002 ? I hope many of you will buy it, it's well worth the price.

Los Angeles Oct.13,2005

Nearly a dozen classic black movies will be released on DVDs for the first time early next year as studios look for this year's fourth quarter and prepare pomotions for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on January 16 and Black History Month in February.
.....20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is bowing on DVD 3 classic Black films
under its " Studio Classics "marquee, all
arriving in stores on January 10,06:
"Stormy Weather", 1943 musical,
"Pinky", 1949 drama,
"Island in the Sun" (1957) explores interracial tensions on a Caribbean island and stars Joan Fontaine, Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte.

October 6,2005

The Indianapolis Star

Belafonte will speak during diversity summit

National civil rights leader and entertainer Harry Belafonte will speak at the first Indiana Supreme Court Commission on Race and Gender Fairness Diversity Summit on Oct. 14-15, Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard announced Wednesday. Belafonte will speak from 12:45 pm to 1:45 pm,Oct.15 at the Madame Walker Theatre. 617 Indiana Ave. Tickets are $25 and can be obtained by calling (317)232-2542.

Wednesday, October 5, 2005

MTV announced the release of " The Essential Harry Belafonte "by Harry Belafonte on Tuesday.
Is this the promissed album by RCA that Harry announced at his 2002 concerts
or the one with with Bono, Carlos Santana and others, talked about years ago, I wondered. Probably the former as Harry told me 2 years ago :" No" when I asked him about the latter. Anyway I spent about 2 hours yesterday searching for that title: I found it at Oldies.com. It's already on its way, a 2 discs 37 songs,
including one of my very favorite, never released on CD! Label SonyBMG/Legacy,released Oct.4,2005. I can't wait to get it as my early Christmas gift to myself !

I will return to=morrow to tell about the very busy past week ( political ) of Harry Belafonte.
(Note: on October 15, i have not have time yet to review too many reports ( mostly critical ) of Harry Belafonte, Hillary Clinton and Charles Rangel's remarks at the Congressional Black Caucus Convention last month. But Harry Belafonte was the target of the conservative press and blogs, as usual.)

September 27.06

PBS presents: " Get Up, Stand Up: The Story of Pop and Protest," Wednesday Sept. 28 at 9:00pm. Harry Belafonte is among the critics, singers and songwriters who discuss the history of protest music and trends that emerged throughout the past century.


U . S. Newswire
9/20/05 2:04:00 AM

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
News Advisory:
-- Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator Barak Obama, Kofi Annan, Donna Brazille, Harry Belafonte, Alfre Woodard, Diddy, Vivica A. Foxx and Bob Johnson are a Few Luminaries Appearing at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation 35th Annual Legislative Conference, in Washington, DC. on September 21-24, 2005.
...........
Thursday's Town Hall Meeting to address eradicating poverty............will be moderated by Harry Belafonte and Dr.Charles Ogletree.
.......
The final evening ,Saturday, September 24, will be topped off with a major charity gala with proceeds going toward the relief efforts in the aftermath of Katrina.

Washington Post
Saturday, August 27, 2005

Civil Rights Walk of Fame Inducts 11

ATLANTA-- Ted Turner, Henry Aaron and the late former Mayor Maynard Jackson Jr. were among 11 people inducted to the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.
Members of the diverse group stood at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site with a plaque containing their footprints and had their shoes preserved in display cases.
......This year's other inductees were comedian Dick Gregory, late newspaper editor and columnist Ralph McGill, U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D_ Mich. singer Nancy Wilson, singer Harry Belafonte, activist Addie. L, Wyatt of Chicago, late chief judge of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Elbert Tuttle Sr., and the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth of Cincinnati.
Shuttlesworth , who endured beatings, imprisonment and the bombing of his home, and Belafonte, who befriended King in the early 1950s, did not attend the ceremony.
.....the gallery will have a more international flavor in the future with the addition of Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu and former South African President Nelson Mandela.
.............

I forgot to mention that Harry Belafonte, the first recipient of the Marian Anderson Award, will present this year's Award to actress Ruby Dee and, posthumously, to her late husband Ossie Davis, at a gala in Philadelphia Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, on October 24, 2005.


Sunday, August 20, 2005

It is with great sadness that I confirm to-day what the Forbes.com announced a few weeks ago.

Manhattan news

Singer Harry Belafonte Bids Adieu to Home Had for 50 years.

I can't write any of the other reports since last week, but, because of the title of this report, I will now put the poem I wrote last year at his selling his St Martin's villa, in my chapter "Poems".

Miami Herald

Posted Friday, August 5,2005
NAACP
500 from Fla to rally for Civil Rights in Atlanta Saturday

2007 Expiration of Civil Rights Act of 1965 when Congress is scheduled to vote on whether to reauthorize.
...The National NAACP is partnering with the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition to urge members of Congress to renew the protections in the Act.
Featured speakers and performers on Saturday include Steve Wonder, Harry Beladonte, the Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr and Bruce Gordon, president of the National NAACP.
Members of Congressional Black Caucus will also attend to show their support for the renewal of The Voting Rights Act.

Thursday, August 4, 2005
FORBES.com

Belafonte Tallies Some Big Real Estate Bananas

Singer Harry Belafonte is selling the Manhattan co-op he bought in the 1960s. Or, to be more specific. he's selling his residence in the co-op building he bought in the 1950s, after the landlord turned him down for an apartment.................
He has lived there ever since.
(description of the apartment)
This is not Belafonte's only current real estate listing. He recently put his oceanfront estate in St Martin on the market, according to the New York Post. ( Note: Villa Belafonte has been sold. I may include the poem I wrote about that last year on this site, but not on a poetry site, at least not for now, I feel too sad about it.
I hesitated about putting these sad news on this site, but since they are on the web, I think his fans will be interested, and I did not include the askng prices.)

Note:There have been several other news,but I have not been able to keep up.I will try to-morrow for an upcomng gala.

July 19, 2005

NAACP Convention
The call goes out: Do more
JSOnline
Posted july 12, 2005

..."as the moral and spiritual ' conscience of the nation ' the NAACP must remain steadfast to its historic mission to be an
agitator and keep the waters troubled on these present day civil and social justice issues." said NAACP vice-chairman Roslyn M. Brock , who issued a special challenge to younger generations to become active participants.

BELAFONTE HONORED

During the session, legendary entertainer, social activist and humanitarian Harry Belafonte received the NAACP Chairman's Livin Legend Award, one of the group's most prestigious award.
" You have been an outstanding advocate for human rights here and abroad," said Chairman Julian Bond ,who presented Belafonte with the award.
Bond highlighted many of Belafonte's efforts including his role as a counselor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his assistance in the successful effort to free former South African President, Nelson Mandela.

" It is with a deep feeling of reverence that I accept this award," said Belafonte ,who briefly serenaded the crowd with "The Banana Boat Song ":" Day-o, Day-o,Daylight come and we want go home ," before plunging into more serious topics dring his acceptance speech,
(Note: some transcribed earlier) " It's blasphemy when they evoke the work of God and say the war in Irak is a just war.They have failed their flock. Let us not be confused, their God is not the God we serve . The American people have repeatedly been lied to," he said.
Belafonte implored the incoming NAACP president and CEO Bruce D. Gordon to re-instate the groups' "radicalness."
" Lead us this way and I and millions of others will happily follow you," he said.



July 12, 2005 , 4:30pm
I accidetally erased everything I reported this morning, so I will have to come back to what I cannot access now later, and go to the most important for this site for now.

July 11,2005

Washington Post

NAACP Releases Business Diversity report
........Also at the convention, US Sen. Barak Obama, an Illinois Democrat, called for re-authorization of the Voting Rights Act, which expires in 2007, and actor Harry Belafonte received an award in recognition of his social justice work.

NAACP 's Bond denounces Bush

Milwaukee___NAACP Chairman Julian Bond bashed President Bush and other conservatives yesterday, warning they have tried to seduce African-American clergy,created "fraudulent" civil rights organizations and backed judicial nominees who come from a " dim and gloomy legal netherworld where few Americans wish to dwell,"
Officially kicking off the NAACP's 99th annual convention, its first in Milwaukee, a fiery Mr. Bond told delegates they have won great accomplishments but must continue to fight widespread discrimination.
He also presented the Chairman's Living Legend Award to performer,civil rights activist and humanitarian Harry Belafonte.

BET Nightly News, July 11,2005, 11:00pm

Reporting on the NAACP convention, the news showed extracts of Julian Bond's , the newly elected NAACP President's and Harry Belafonte's speeches .
It is that extraordinary speech that I typed and lost this morning, and I can's find notes, which I believe my cleaning lady put in the trash whenI I lost it. I will have to go back to my taped TV speech to report it verbatim. I'll have to do that later.

5:40pm I watched BET again and wrote what Harry Belafonte said, in a very forceful, deliberate manner, in a clearer voice than I've heard in the past few years, perfect elocution becoming the stage actor who studied at the Dramatic Workshop of The New School of Social Studies. I quote, in capital letters, to try to transmit the quiet fire in which those words were delivered, under tremendous applause :
"GEORGE W.BUSH, OUR PRESIDENT, THE CAESAR OF FAITH_BASED OPPRESSION, WHO, FOR THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, HAS CORRUPTED SO MANY OF OUR BLACK CHURCH LEADERS....'
BET commented about the fiery rhetoric and contrasted it with the mild one of the newly elected NAACP President, former CEO of Verizon, who promised a fresh start and said: " I'm a forward looking kind of guy...", and BET returned to Harry Belafonte's : "THESE AMERICAN LEADERS HAVE NOW BECOME THE NEW ARCHITECTS OF AN UNFOLDING HORROR.'
BET mentioned that the new president would not talk to the whole convention until Thursday,and concluded: " But already, others have set the tone."
At this time, I have not seen any coments about Harry Belafonte's speech, but they will surely come !

Milwaaukee Journal Sentinel

Posted July 9, 2005

City Prepares to impress
NAACP Conferene starts today

The national spotlight will shine on Milwaukee as political leaders and entertainers descend on the city. Prominent leaders such as Sen. Barak Obama (D_Ill) and NAACP Chairman Julian Bond are expected to speak at the event.Legendary
performer and director Harry Belafonte will be presented with The Living Legend Award and comedians Dick Gregory and Chris Tucker will perform.
...Mayor Tom Barett said Milwaukee might surprise people with its diversity.
Barrett will host a reception for the convention from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday .(Note: as I'm typing this and listening to his first song " Recognition ", which I first heard on the radio in 1949....! wish I were there ! )

EURWEB, July 5,2005

" Dress For Success " sponsors " April in Paris" and raises $700,000; Harry Belafonte and Richard Srednickil honored

New York, NewYork-- The Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis Hotel was turned into a wickedly spectacular Parisian paradise replete with decadent cuisine, glimmering lights and a fancy decor for the annual Dress For Success benefit themed
" April in Paris ." The nonprofit organization helps economically disadvantaged women acquire jobs, retain their new positions and succeed in the workplace.
...During the luminous black tie event, Dress for Success paid tribute to Harry Belafonte, recipient of the stalwart organization coveted Humanitarian Award, and Richard Srednickil, CEO of Chase Credit Cards, and
recipient of the well-deserved Corporate Citizenship Award. (Note: that makes me feel good about having a Chase credit card!)
PS There is a very nice picture of Harry Belafonte holding his award,but I cannot enter it, unfortunately)


Hardbeat News, Washington, D.C, Monday June 20,2005

Caribbean-Americans Could Soon Get Month Of Their Own

H. Con. Res. 71, introduced in February this year...was passed by unanimous consent in the House Government Reform Committee on Friday morning, June 17.
.....A bi-partisan letter will also be sent tp President Bush requesting an executive order to declare June as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
......".From 1820 to 2002, millions of people emigrated from the Caribbean to the United States. Caribbean-Americans have influenced every aspect of Amerian culture, society and government. Their history is interwoven with our own "
.........Others,the bill points out, include Colin Powell, the first African-American Secretary of State, Sidney Poitier, the first African-American to receive the Academy Award for best actor in a leading role, Harry Belafonte , a musician, actor and activist, Marion Jones , an Olympic Gold medalist, Roberto Clemente, the first Latino inducted in the baseball Hall of Fame, and Al Roker, a meteorologist and television personality.

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Happy Father's Day, Harry !

New York Daily News

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Tribue to dads

Famous fathers and father figures-such as actor-activist Harry Belafonte, Transit Workers Union Local 100 head Roger Toussaint and veteran calypsonians Leroy (Stalin ) Caliste and Slinger ( Might Sparrow ) Francisco - are among the nominees for The Distinguished Caribbean Fatherhood Tibute. whichtakes place to-day in Brooklin.
Presented by the Instiute for Global Caribbean Representation Womn-a-Work component, the iaugural event will be held at Crystal Manor, beginning at 8 pm.

New York Daily News City News
June 19, 2005

Daily News announces annual Prostate Cancer sceening program

The Daily News prostate cancer screening program has been serving the city for the past four years,allowing men over 40 to obtain a free test at a local hospital or medical center . The program has been backed by, among others, Harry Belafonte and Yankee manager Joe Torre.



Rainbow/PUSH Coaltion, Chicago
(Started Saturday June 11, 2005, with full schedule of events, until Thursday June 16 )

Tuesday, June 14
Men's Luncheon: Healthy Men / Healthy Communiies
12:30pm-2:30pm Chicago Ballrom
Program Tract: Faith Based / Poltical / Health/ Education / Men
This luncheon will inspire men to accept greater responsability in eliminating the proliferaton of infectious diseases, incarceration, school drop out rates ,
and single parent households
Keynote speakers: Rev.Jesse L.Jackson, Minister Louis Farrakhan, Harry Belafonte, Danny Glover, Rev. Major Jemson, John Stroger.
M.C.: Warne Sanders, Ar Noman (NBC--5 )
Moderator : r. Charles Ogletree
Honores: Dr. Quinten Young, Dr. Prim, Harry Belafonte , Philip P. Burgess, Dr, Richard Payne


The New York Times, Sunday June 2,2005

June 10, 205

Um, Harry ? We Just Work Here

Oh,was it stifling hot Wednesday night at the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy's annual benefit. The party, which included AL FRANKEN and PHIL DONAHUE among the guests, was at the Cherkasky --Davis Conference Center,a penthouse 33 floors above Midtown. But was it hot!.......

The benefit honored HARRY BELAFONTE and ARIANNA HUFFINGTON for "speaking truth to power ." We recalled that Mr.Belafonte, looking dapper in a cream suit and black shirt, certainly spoke something to power in a 2002 radio interview, when he compared COLIN POWELL to a house slave. Such talk tends to stick in one's craw, so we asked if he had ever heard back from Mr. Powell.
" He has not reached out to me," said Mr. Belafonte, who did not appear contrite in the least. A few minutes earlier, he had brought up CONDOLEEZA RICE, so we asked about her, too.
"Well, she hardly will ever talk to me," said Mr. Belafonte." It's highly unlikely. I'm just a nuisance for her," he said, gong on to describe " her arrogance." and then, pointing his finger in our Boldface correspondent's face, he added: " But we'll get her,we'll get her."
We are not up for honors here at Boldface, so given the least suggestion of conflict,we'll surrender and drop the politics.

(Note: Boldface correspondent obviously misinterpreted Harry Belafonte's "pointing his finger in his face ..." {? Probably waving his finger...} and threatening Condoleeza Rice! Everybody SHOULD know, after five decades of public notoriety, that Harry Belafonte,even though controversial for many people and never afraid of "speaking truth ," is a humanitarian, AGAINST VIOLENCE... Perhaps, being an optimist, he hopes that Condoleeza Rice will finally see the truth and join her cousin, himself, Danny Glover and others who have the courage to face the facts of poverty, disease and lack of health care,of education, of hope, for millions of people, not only in Africa, but in these USA, and do something about it. I have no such hope: the look in Condoleeza Rice's eyes scares me, in spite of her efforts in looking more " feminine ", since being Secretary of State and meeting all Heads of States and " charming " them....)



The Sentinel, Carlisle, PA, June 1, 2005

Job " just takes longer " from wheelchair

The Pensylvania Industries for the Blind and the Handicapped has named Danny Malcolm " Disabled Worker of the Year. "
Confined to a wheelchair for the past several years, Malcolm, 56 , works as a part-time rest area attendant on Interstate 81 southbound in the Newville area.
...It bothered him that he couldn't find employment until he applied at The Keystone Blind Association.

...He was nominated for PIBH's Nettie Mann Achievement Award, named for a woman who died in a 1993 car crash just weeks after being named " Pensylvania's Handicapped Worker of the Year."

Malcom will be honored at a dinner Tuesday (June 8 ) at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel and Convention Center.
Keynote speaker will be singer/actor Harry Belafonte.

Boston Globe, May 30, 2005

Davenport is rising off the clay

...The brown eyes of Davenport reflected surprise and joy as though the ball was a yellow bird flying for her entertainment. Maybe like that yellow bird that Harry Belafonte used to sing about........

HARDBEATNEWS.COM
Daily Caribbean Diaspora News
May 27, 2005

Harry Belafonte to Keynote Caribbean NYC Event

Legendary singer,actor and activist Jamaican-American Harry Belafonte is set to address the delegates at next week's presentation of Caribbean NYC: " The Future is Today ." at 1:00 pm.
The event is stated for Friday, June 3, from 8 am to 3 pm at the Hutchinson Metro Center ,1200 Waters Place at The Bronx.

CHICAGO SUN TIMES
Thursday ,May 26, 2005

ANOTHER SCOOP: Politicos Bill Clinton and former White House hopefuls John Kerry and John Edwards have just been added to the stellar list of dignitaries speaking at The Rainbow/Push Coalition and Citizenship Education Fund's 34th annual conference June11-16 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. This year's theme is " A More Perfect Union: Building on the Legacy of Dr. Maritn Luther King Jr. and Lyndon B> Johnson. "

Other dynamic speakers already aboard include US Senators Barack Obama and Harry Reid, US Representatives Maxine Waters. Jesse Jackson Jr. and Danny Davis, TV One exec Cathy Hughes and entertainer Harry Belafonte, to name a few.


New York Post, Monday May 16, 2005

MANDELA SAYS LAST THANKS TO NEW YORKERS
..."We will be 87 in July," said Mandela who appeared with his second wife, Graca Machel, at Riverside Church on the Upper West Side. " People our age should not be traveling over oceans."
......
Actor and singer Harry Belafonte introduced the South Afican leader.
" Fifty milllion people are dead in Africa from handguns,machine guns and land mines," said Belafonte. " In Africa, poverty, ignorance and illiteracy are the real weapons of mass destruction.
Global indifference ia also the greatest weapon against Africa, but through it all, the 21st century will be Africa's century. "
......
Mandela is touring the country to help launch the Nelson Mandela Legacy Fund, a charity to help support hi foundations in Africa. He is scheduled to have lunch with former President Bill Clinton this week and meet with President Bush on Tuesday.

THE NEW YORK TIMES

May 15,2005

Madela in New York: A Hello, Again and a Goodbye

( Long article about The Riverside Church)
....Repeatedly the audience was told that Mr. Mandela was on his way. He wa praised by Fikile Magubane, the South African Consul General in New York, and Representative Charles B. Rangel, who spoke in paralleles in the lieves of works of Mr. Mandela and Christ.
Then David Dinkins, the former mayor , spoke a half sentence before he was interrupted by thunderous applause as Mr. Mandela shuffled through a side entrance.
Dressed in a bright yellow shirt, his face gaunt and his hair white, he sat on the same level as the audience, not attempting the stairs to the altar.
" As I was saying," Mr. Dinkins continued, before giving a recitation of Mr. Mandela's career. The Boys Choir of Harlem sang at Mr. Mandela's request.

Then Harry Belafonte, the Harlem-born singer and civil rights advocate, gave an impassioned introduction of Mr. Mandela, cut with indictmenta of America, Europe, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, all of which he chastised for neglect and worse against Africa.
Mr. Mandela was introduced at 12:15 pm, and after applause, began his remarks at 12:17 pm.
" Without your solidarity and support, we would have stood alone for much longer, and our country would have sunk deeper and deeper," Mr. Mandela said during a brief speech.
....During a short speech Mr. Mandela spoke of more work to do, but said that " we are in Harlem today not to ask of you.
We thank you , and may God bless us all." he said. Then he added in Zulu: " God bless America."
The audience members remained in their pews as Mr. Mandela made his exit at 12:32 pm.


May 14,3:40 pm EDT

wnbc.com,8:20 am

Mandela Set To Thank New Yorkers

Key Figures To Attend Gala

NEW YORK___ Former Souh African President Nelson Mandela will be welcomed back to New York Saturday;

The event at the Riverside Church will give Mandela the opportunity to thank the New York community for their support over the years.

US Rep. Charles Rangel, former Mayor David Jenkins, and singer Harry Belafonte are expected to attend. Mandela first came to New York in 1990 after his release from a Souh African prison.


EUB web May 12,05

Ruby Dee Feted

The top of the week (??) saw a wondrous salute to the honorable thespian Ruby Dee at New York's posh Waldorf Astoria by the Harlem School of the Arts. The legendary stage and screen actress was honored with the Dorothy Maynor Artistic Achievement Award, " named in the honor of the Arts-in-Education Institution's late founder , the famed African-American opera singer.
CNN anchor Soledad O'Bien and Lynn Whitfield, served as honorary co-chairs, along with entertainment legend and actist Harry Belafonte, who delivered the award to Ms.Dee. Early Show Host Harry Smith served as master of ceremony at the $500 a plate event.


WorldScreen.com

May 9, 2005

U.K. Shows Lead Rose d'Or Winners

LUCERNE, May 9: Programming from the UK domnated last night's Rose d'Or Awards, taking the best comedy, best siitom and best variety categories, among others.

....Also at the event yesterday, Sir Bob Geldorf was presented with the Rose d'Or Charity Award to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Live Aid and to honor his years of political activism and humanitarianism. The Award was presented
by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and human rights campaigner, Harry Belafonte. The Honorary Rose d'Or Award was given to Herb Granath, chairman Emeritus of ESPN, by Herbert Kloiber, the chairman and CEO of Telemunchen.

NOTE: There have been many other articles about the Rose d'Or Festival, and I'll come back to some of them another day

VARIETY.COM

May 6,2005

Charity Will Buzz In.

Celeb editions of " Millionaire " to aid UNICEF

International celebrity editions of " Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? " will raise money in a new initiative of children's charity UNICEF.
...Many of the charity's goodwill ambassadors, including Nicole Kidman, will take part in the shows.
The specials will be broadcast worldwide.

The shows were announced Thursday at The Rose d'Or Festival in Lucerne, Switzerland , by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Harry Belafonte and Wolfgang Womhard, proxy of UNICEF, as Switzerland Fest kicked off Thursday.

ROSE D'OR FESTIVAL 2005
Swiss News
Thursday, May 5,2005
Golden Roses Adorn Stars of the Small Screen
British comedy group Monty Python and fundraiser Bob Geldorf are to be honoured at this year's Golden Rose television awards in Lucerne.
The 6 -day event was opened by Swiss Communication Minister Mauritz Lauenberger and adventurer Bertrand Piccard.
The Humanitarian Golden Rose Award will be given to Bob Geldorf, the messenger and tireless fundraiser for Africa . The Charity Award is being presented in memory of Peter Ustinov. The actor, raconteur, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and long time Swiss resident was due to receive the honour last year, but he died just 2 months before the festival.
Also gracing the red carpet will be singer and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Harry Belafonte , who will present the Award to Bob Geldorf, and actors Christoher Lee and Zoe Wannamaker.


NBC.COM, May 3, 2005

June 11-16, 2005 , the Rainbow Push Coalition and Citizenship Education Fund present " A More Perfect Union ", their 34th annual conference,
The conference intends to build on the "
"legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and President Lyndon Johnson."
It will be held at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers.
Scheduled guests include Sen. Harry Reid (D.-Nev.),Barak Obama (D.-IL), Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D._CA), Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakan, activist and entertainer Harry Belafonte, and prominent business executives Cathy Hughes and Earl Graves.