WELCOME

Dear Friends:
This month we celebrate the birthday of one of America's favorite sons, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In his memory, I am not going to talk to you about programs, politics or policies. Rather, I want to talk about possibilities. I want us to work toward a Kentucky community that is bigger than any one of us, but includes all of us. A place we call home and people we call family.

From the coalfields to the farmlands to the cities of the commonwealth, our state is great because of its people, all of its people. And it is people that make the Bluegrass a dream come true. Our commonwealth is a part of the dream Dr. King envisioned. Kentucky is a place where people can achieve whatever they set out to accomplish and where peace and possibility are not simply ideas, but a way of life.

And though we have much to be proud of in Kentucky, we still have a long road to travel. Our journey is not complete. We still have to work to ensure words like justice, economic opportunity, academic excellence, quality health care and safe streets have the exact same meaning for every Kentuckian in every county and in every community.

As a family, we are all in this together. And it won't be easy. As history has taught us, there is always a battle before a victory. But we cannot wait to begin. As Dr. King once said, "The time is always right to do what is right." We must, each and every one of us, stay focused on the journey ahead. This is the holiday we decide we are going to help one another. This is the holiday we recognize the needs of our neighbors are precisely our purpose. MLK Day is not a day off, it's a day on. It's a day we must use to make Dr. King's dream a reality throughout the commonwealth.

Dr. King once said "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, "What are you doing for others?" What will we do this holiday to truly honor the man that gave absolutely everything he had to give - his life- for us? If it weren't for Dr. King, we probably would not be the family we are today. We owe every Kentuckian the possibility of a brighter tomorrow. We must continue to make Kentucky a home where everyone is family and all are welcome.



Sincerely,
Ernie Fletcher
Governor
www.governor.ky.gov


Greetings! We are in need of your assistance in our outreach to minority students who have graduated from high school or those who are at least 18 years of age to fill seasonal/interim employment opportunities at our various state parks and other state agencies, including the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife; Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington and the Fairgrounds in Louisville. A complete directory of all states parks can be found at http://parks.ky.gov.

All interested applicants must complete a state application. Interested applicants must indicate the position(s) they are seeking (ex. Apprentice I & II, Clerk II, Lifeguard, Park Laborer, Park Worker I). State applications and job descriptions of these positions can be found at: http://personnel.ky.gov/employment/meritsystem.htm Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The applicant must also indicate the county(s) where they are seeking to be employed. If the applicant desires only to be considered for a specific park/agency, then the county of that park/agency should be listed. (Note: This may not be the same county in which the applicant resides). If the applicant is very flexible, a statewide notation will give the candidate the opportunity to yield the greatest amount of job opportunities.

The application deadline for employment is March 3, 2006. Completed applications can be mailed to the Governor's Office of Minority Empowerment, 700 Capitol Avenue, Ste. 132, Frankfort, KY 40601, or faxed to 502-564-0437. **Additional consideration is given to applicants applying in person at their park(s) of choice**

Please Note:
* All applicants must provide their own transportation.
* Interim positions offer no benefits, other than the accumulation of sick and annual leave depending on the number of hours worked per month.
* Interim employees are at will and can be terminated without cause.
* Interim positions are termed positions and range from 2 to 8.5 months.
* Although interim employees are seasonal, we expect that interim employees follow all policies and procedures of the park and report to work on time when scheduled.
* Please remember that all applicants must be either 18 years of age or a high school graduate.
* All lifeguards must have the appropriate certification to be considered for lifeguard positions. Proof of certification must be submitted and verified before hiring.

Please feel free to contact the Governor's Office of Minority Empowerment at 502-564-2611 or Andrae Hicks, Department of Parks, at 502-564-8110 with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
Tierra Kavanaugh Turner
Executive Director of Minority Empowerment
Office of the Governor
www.ome.ky.gov


COMING SOON


UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTS

Bill Watch
Janaury - March 27, 2006; April 10-11, 2006
 A free legislative tracking service in partnership with the Kentucky Legislature and The Legislative Research Commission, Kentucky.gov has created Bill Watch. This free service enables Kentucky.gov registered users unlimited tracking of legislation during the Kentucky Legislative Session. Specifically, Kentucky.gov registered users can:

  • Create their own profiles that organizes bills by subject or topical area by using search parameters (keywords, sponsors, committees, subject or bill number) that return a list from which you may select bills to add to your profiles.
  • Receive email notification to their registered email and mobile email account when new bills are offered or changed (from Agenda to Committee to Interim actions) based on the criteria you set up.
  • Bill Tracking is provided online and changes initiate email alert notifications.
  • Search and view online each bill's common title, sponsor(s), committee assignment, and most recent action via search, profile.
  • View online bill summary, amendments, history and full text details, committee assignment, and most recent action.
  • Register for Bill Watch at: https://secure.kentucky.gov/portal/registration.aspx.

BusinessWorks(tm) Construction Workshop Series
January 11, 2006 - April 7, 2006
Join the Louisville(tm) Enterprise Group, Louisville Real Estate Development Company and KMBC for the 2nd Annual BusinessWorks(tm) Construction Workshop Series. Click brochure for more information.

MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY'S INSCAPE ANNOUNCES A CALL FOR ARTISTS
 Deadline: January 15, 2006
Inscape is an annual Morehead State University publication with a long history of cutting edge visual and literary art. Media and genres of work range from prose, poetry, short story, long narrative, nonfiction and creative essays to photography, printmaking, painting, design & digital art. Inscape is currently accepting submissions from a national pool of artists to have their visual art work juried into the interior of its Spring 2006 publication. Notification will be made by the end of February. All selected artists will receive a copy of the publication in mid-May 2006. For complete details and submission guidelines please contact Jennifer Reis at j.reis@morehead-st.edu.

Winter Roundtable Registration:
Christy Brown, CEO, Louisville Stoneware
Thursday, January 19th
Arlington House, Richmond
$25 ($70 for January, February & March)

Joel Pett, Cartoonist, Lexington Herald-Leader
Tuesday, January 24th
Sal's Chophouse, Lexington
$35 ($100 for January, February & March)

Register today to reserve your seat: www.womenleadingky.com. It is requested that restaurant reservations be made at least one week in advance of the event.

Homeownership Education Workshop
The Governor's Office of Minority Empowerment along with the Kentucky Housing Corporation announces the Come Home to Your Home, Yes You Can...Own a Home, Homeownership Education Workshops. The workshops are held around the state throughout the year.

If you need answers to your credit questions (no credit, credit problems, etc.), help with a down payment or closing costs, details about the home buying process, loan prequalification information, or home maintenance guidance and information, this workshop is for you. We can help! Register to attend our workshop when it's in your area by calling the Governor's Office of Minority Empowerment, 502-564-2611 ext. 370 or send an e-mail to kyome@ky.gov.

Don't pass up this opportunity to learn how to become a successful homeowner.

The Come Home to Your Home workshops are currently scheduled for:
January 21, 2006:
9-11 am: 1st Baptist Church, 300 Francis St., Richmond, KY 40475 (This will be a Budget/Credit Class only)
2-4 pm: Consolidated Baptist Church, 1625 Russell Cave Road, Lexington, KY 40505 (This will be a Budget/Credit Class only)
March 27, 2006, 9 am - 2 pm: Boyle County area
May 20, 2006:
9-11 am: Franklin KY area (This will be a Budget/Credit Class only)
2-4 pm: Shelbyville, KY area (This will be a Budget/Credit Class only)
July 22, 2006, 9 am - 2 pm: Christian County area
August 19, 2006, 9 am - 2 pm: McCracken County area
September 23, 2006, 9 am - 2 pm: Hardin County area
November 18, 2006, 9 am - 2 pm: Jefferson County area

12th Annual International Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Conference Announces Call for Proposals
Deadline: January 23, 2006
Conference: May 18-21, 2006
The 12th Annual International Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Conference brings together a community of people committed to liberatory education and social justice. Featured speakers and workshops will focus on many aspects of critical pedagogy and theater for change. They invite you to submit your proposal for a conference session now. PTO Conference attendees represent a range of experience in their community work and critical praxis, including theorists, educators, theater workers, artists and others committed to transformative pedagogy and social equity. The theme, Engaging Community: Creating Critical Praxis, challenges us to reflect deeply and critically on our own assumptions, our ways of thinking and knowing, and our actions and their impact on local and global communities. Visit the PTO website at http://www.ptoweb.org for more information and online proposal submission. The conference will take place at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Pre-conference workshops by Augusto Boal: May 15 -18 and post-conference workshop by Michael Rohd: May 21 - 22. Other featured guests include Dr. Geneva Gay, Dr. Lilia Bartoleme, Linda Parris-Bailey and Marquez Rhyne of Carpetbag Theatre, and company members of Sojourn Theater.

Governor's Volunteer Awards
Deadline: January 25, 2006
Nominations are being accepted for the annual Governor's Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service. These prestigious awards have recognized and celebrated the contributions of Kentucky volunteers for more than a decade. A special category has been added to the awards program this year to recognize outstanding volunteer expression of the Unbridled Spirit of Kentucky in service to our neighbors to the south affected by the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes. With the exception of those for Director of Volunteers and Lifetime Achievement awards, nominations must focus on service activities that occurred between July 1, 2004, and Dec. 31, 2005. Nomination forms can be picked up at all public libraries and are available online from the KCCVS Web site at www.chfs.ky.gov/dhss/kccvs/govawards/2005/. Photocopies of nomination forms will be accepted and completed forms can be mailed to KCCVS, 275 East Main Street, Mail Stop 3W-F, Frankfort, KY 40621. Individuals and groups may be nominated in only one category and self-nominations are accepted. Both a youth and adult award will be given in three categories: Impact, Innovation and Challenge. All nominees will receive a certificate of appreciation from the Governor. Award winners from the previous five years are ineligible for the 2005 awards. A panel of judges with experience in volunteerism and community service will carefully review every application and score nominees on a 100-point scale. Staff reserves the right to reassign a nomination to another award category if appropriate. The 2005 Governor's Awards will be presented at a ceremony in Frankfort during National Volunteer Week, April 23-29. For more information, contact the KCCVS office by calling toll free (800) 239-7404 or by e-mail at kccvs@ky.gov.

The Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation Offers Free Studio Spaces
in New York City
Postmark Deadline: January 31, 2006
Visual artists 21 and over are invited to submit proposals for FREE Studio Spaces. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. Residents, and not in school at the time of residency. Emerging, mid-career and older artists are encouraged to apply. The 14 studios are non-living spaces for the making of new works of art. There is no stipend or equipment provided. Juried by a panel of artists. Studios are available beginning Sept. 1, 2006, for periods of up to one year. Artists who presently have a studio larger than 400 sq. ft. in New York City are not eligible. Proposals should include (there is no application form):

  1. 8 slides (35mm) of recent work (on slides write: slide number, name and show top of work with arrow), CD of 8 images (maximum height or width 1240 pixels, file format must be .jpg or .gif, 300 dpi resolution, file size should be no larger than 1.2 MB), or, if needed to portray art work (installations), a video/DVD (3 minutes or less).
  2. An annotated list: image number, title, size, medium, date of work or, for video/DVD, a brief paragraph describing work, include date of work.
  3. A resumé. Please include a phone number, e-mail address and date of birth.
  4. A concise statement (no more than 1 page) indicating why studio space is needed.
  5. Specify desired starting date (after Sept. 1, 2006) and length of stay (up to one year).
  6. A self-addressed, stamped envelope for returning slides, CD, DVD or video.

All applications will be notified by the end of April, 2006. Send Proposals to: The Space Program, The Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation, 830 North Tejon Street, Suite 120, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903; (719) 635-3220; www.sharpeartfdn.org.

Children’s Day at the Capitol
February 8, 2006, 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Join child advocates from around the state for a special Children’s Day at the Capitol event! Children’s Day at the Capitol provides an opportunity for those interested in children’s issues to gather and show our legislators that Kentucky cares about its children. The day’s events include a rally for children’s issues at the Capitol rotunda and an opportunity to gather information on children’s issues likely to come up during the session. Children’s Day at the Capitol also allows time for speaking with your legislators and meeting with other people from across the state that share your commitment to children. If you would like more information, want to download the flyer, or would like to RSVP, please contact Lacey McNary at either 502-895-8167 or lmcnary@kyyouth.org. You can also find more information and RSVP online at www.kyyouth.org.

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Annual Scholarship
Deadline: February 15, 2006
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) have implemented a $50,000 annual scholarship program for students aspiring degrees in law enforcement or the biological sciences at Kentucky State University. The scholarship program provides recipients up to $15,000 for non-residential students and $10,000 for in-state students, annually, for tuition, room and board, supplies, books, and fees. In exchange, graduates agree to become KDFWR employees. Applicants must have already completed 30 semester hours with an accumulated grade point average of at least 2.8. All applicants must submit an official transcript, three (3) letters of recommendations and undergo a criminal background check. Scholarships shall not exceed six consecutive semesters.

Successful applicants must maintain full-time student status, a 2.6 GPA and a curriculum major in criminal justice or biology. Additionally, a contractual agreement must be signed, immediately upon graduation, to work for the department for a period of time equaling one year work/service for each year of funded scholarship. If the student violates the contract the student will be required to reimburse the total amount of the scholarship to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Deadline for the spring 2006 semester is February 15, 2006. For additional information, please contact Chantel Depp at 800.858.1549 ext 311 or via email at Chantel.Depp@ky.gov. To access more information regarding the Kentucky Department Fish and Wildlife Resources, please log on to www.fw.ky.gov.

Lexington Central Kentucky Section of the National Council of Negro Women's Second Annual Leadership Summit
March 4, 2006
Just click here to register.

Town Hall Meetings
Governor Ernie Fletcher will be hosting a series of town hall meetings across the commonwealth to discuss his legislative agenda. Meetings have been scheduled for the following:

* Feb. 10 – Taylor County
* Feb. 20 – Warren County
* Feb. 21 – Christian County

For more specific information regarding place, time, etc. please check our Special Events page of our website (www.ome.ky.gov) regularly.



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PLACES OF INTEREST

Kentucky's Historical African American Parks

African-American Family History Resources

African-American Trail Map Lexington

Paris-Bourbon County Tour of African American Sites

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The mission of the Commonwealth’s Personnel Cabinet is to take care of state government employees, as well as, those seeking employment with the state. Thus, we invite you to peruse their website at http://personnel.ky.gov/employment/meritsystem.htm We are confident you will find the information beneficial.

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission
Filing Deadline: February 3, 2006

INVESTIGATOR I: Beginning Salary Range: $25,140.77 - $34,669.79; Duties: Performs routine investigation involving discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations pursuant to Federal, State and Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Ordinances 199-94 and 201-99 under the supervision and direction of the Supervising Investigator and Executive Director. This is an entry-level position. Minimum Requirements: 1. Bachelor degree in Business, Psychology, Personnel, Labor Relations, Social Work or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Basic keyboarding and word processing skills also desired. 2. Possession of a valid driver’s license or have the ability to provide your own transportation. Examination will be a pass/fail oral and written examination.

INVESTIGATOR I (BI-LINGUAL): Beginning Salary Range: $25,140.77 - $34,669.79; Duties: Performs routine investigations involving discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations pursuant to Federal, State and Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Ordinances 199-94 and 201-99 under the supervision and direction of the Supervising Investigator and Executive Director. This is an entry-level position. Minimum Requirements: 1. Bachelor degree in Business, Psychology, Personnel, Labor Relations, Social Work or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Basic keyboarding and word processing skills also desired. 2. Possession of a valid driver’s license or have the ability to provide your own transportation. Examination will be a pass/fail oral and written English/Spanish proficiency examination.

Applications may be downloaded from the Commission's website at www.lfuchrc.org. For more information about the position please contact William D. Wharton, Executive Director, 162 East Main Street, Suite 226, Lexington, Kentucky 40507, telephone number 859-252-4931, ext. 222, Fax: 859-252-7057, e-mail at wwharton@lfuchrc.org.

Kentucky State Police
Applications are now being accepted. Find out how you can become a Kentucky State Trooper.

Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources:
* Communications Dispatcher I
* Conservation Education Program Leader I
* Fisheries Biologist I
* Wildlife and Boating Law Enforcement Officer Recruit

To learn more about these jobs and how to apply, please click KDFWR to view their website.

Call for Bilingual and Multilingual Persons! (ASL, All Languages)
Kentucky Domestic Violence Association (KDVA) is searching for individuals willing to participate in a state-wide pilot program to provide contract interpretation and translation services to member agencies. Please contact Isela Arras via email at iarras@kdva.org or call 502-209-5382 ext. 21 with resumes, messages, and letters of interest or for details about the project.

Kentucky Educational Television (KET)
Please click here to see KET Internships available.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER M/F/D

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BUSINESS

Interested in doing business with the Commonwealth? One must be registered to do so. All potential vendors seeking a contract with the Commonwealth and/or wanting to be notified of opportunities to do business with the Commonwealth should be registered. Registration allows vendors the opportunity to identify products and services they wish to offer to the Commonwealth. In addition, vendor registration makes it easier for agencies to find your company. Vendors may register and review current bid opportunities on the eProcurement website: https://eprocurement.ky.gov/. A vendor registering for the first time may go to the New Vendor Registration section on the eProcurement page and provide the requested information.

On January 9, 2006, Governor Ernie Fletcher delivered his State of the Commonwealth Address. View his complete speech here.

View Governor Ernie Fletcher's Administration Midterm Report

HURRICANE CONTRACTING INFORMATION CENTER: On October 11, 2005, Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez unveiled the Hurricane Contracting Information Center (HCIC) to assist U.S. businesses, especially small, minority and women-owned businesses, in participating in the Gulf Coast rebuilding efforts. It is important to note that the HCIC will not award contracts. It will provide a clearinghouse of information for businesses who want to become involved in Gulf Coast reconstruction. The mission of the HCIC is to provide a one-stop portal for businesses to successfully participate in Gulf Coast contracting, subcontracting, and reconstruction efforts. HCIC can be contacted by visiting www.RebuildingTheGulfCoast.gov or by dialing 1-888-4USADOC. If you require further information on the HCIC, please contact Nat Wienecke, Acting Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, at 202-482-3663.

ATTENTION NEW CONTRACTORS! If you are interested in viewing the Transportation Cabinets' "Notice to Contractors," please visit their web page at: http://transportation.ky.gov/contract/. This is a listing of all upcoming projects to be bid upon during the upcoming letting. If you have any questions, please contact the Transportation Cabinet at 502-564-3500.

 

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NEWS OF INTEREST

Black Women Hold a Large Lead Over Black Men in Doctoral Awards
As is the case in almost every measure of African-American higher education, black women have come to hold a large lead in doctoral awards. As recently as 1977 black women earned only 38.7 percent of all doctorates awarded to African Americans. By 2000 black women earned 65.7 percent of all doctorates awarded to African Americans. This is the highest percentage of African-American doctoral awards earned by women in U.S. history. Black men narrowed the gap in both 2001 and 2002. But in 2003 and 2004 black women upped their percentage of all doctorates earned by African Americans. In 2004, 65.2 percent of all African-American doctorates were earned by women, just short of the all-time high.

Since 1990 African-American women have increased their number of Ph.D. awards from 550 to 1,224. This is an increase of 123 percent. In contrast, the number of Ph.D. awards to African-American men increased from 351 in 1990 to 645. This is a rise of 83.8 percent. (Source: © 2005 The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education)

Resolve to Be Ready In 2006 - Kentucky Office of Homeland Security Urges Kentuckians to Make Emergency Preparedness Their New Year's Resolution

On December 31, 2005 nearly half of all adults in this country will make at least one New Year's resolution. Today, the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security encourages Kentuckians to make a resolution that is both important and easy to keep, preparing for emergencies.

"As 2006 approaches, we continue to look for innovative ways to empower families and businesses to prepare for emergencies," said (Ret) Maj. Alecia Webb-Edgington, Director of the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security. "In this time when Kentuckians are making resolutions to better their lives, the message of preparedness is truly fitting. Making an emergency plan for their home or business is just one of the simple steps individuals can take to help ensure that they are as prepared as possible if an emergency occurs."

In a recent national survey conducted by The Ad Council, 80 percent of Americans agreed that taking some simple steps to prepare could help protect themselves and their families in the event of an emergency. However, only 58 percent had made an emergency supply kit, developed a family emergency plan or learned more about potential threats, the three steps recommended by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Ready campaign. A survey of small businesses found more than 90 percent recognized the importance of business emergency preparedness. But, less than 40 percent said their company had an emergency plan in place.

By visiting www.homelandsecurity.ky.gov or www.ready.gov, individuals and businesses can learn how to prepare their families and workplaces for emergencies including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. Materials, including family communication plan templates and sample business continuity plans, are available on the website providing all Kentuckians with the resources needed to make New Year's resolutions that will bring piece of mind.




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HEALTH NEWS

January is National Blood Donor Month. Click on the below logo to learn more and to see how you can help.

Higher Health Risk for Hispanic Women Increases Need for Folic Acid Awareness
Kentucky joins the National Council on Folic Acid (NCFA) in an effort to increase awareness among Hispanic women and other minority populations about the benefits of folic acid consumption during National Folic Acid Awareness Week, January 9-15, 2006. Folic acid helps prevent birth defects.

Folic acid is a B vitamin that is necessary for proper cell growth. The Kentucky Department for Public Health encourages all women of childbearing age to take a multivitamin containing 400 micrograms of folic acid, even if they are not planning on becoming pregnant since half of the pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, and folic acid improves overall health. However, research indicates that consumption of folic acid in women of childbearing age is a critical preventive measure to lower the rate of serious birth defects of the brain and the spine. Spina bifida, the most common defect prevented by folic acid, is the leading cause of childhood paralysis and presents lifelong challenges for affected families. Folic acid also improves overall health, and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, and colon, cervical and breast cancer.

Increasing Folic Acid use among Kentucky women has been a project of the statewide Kentucky Folic Acid Partnership (KFAP). The group represents 74 agencies/organizations and 82 individuals dedicated to the fight against serious birth defects. [For more information on the KFAP, visit their website at: www.kfap.org] Since the Partnership has been working, awareness that folic acid prevents birth defects has increased to over 50% of Kentucky women surveyed. At the time of the last survey (2004), numbers on Hispanic women were too small to report, but African American women had an awareness level of only 40%, much lower than non-Hispanic whites. The disparity was even greater among women who were actually taking Folic Acid: 47% of non-Hispanic white women were taking vitamins with folic acid, but only 25.2% of African-American women took a multivitamin containing folic acid daily. This puts African-American women more at risk to have babies with birth defects. Nation-wide Hispanic women also have a 1.5 to 2 times higher risk of delivering babies with neural tube defects (defects of the brain and spine) than non-Hispanic white women. In Kentucky, with more women of childbearing age taking folic acid, birth defects of the spine and brain have decreased over the last 4 years. Folic acid awareness among minority populations is essential in further reducing these birth defects of the brain and spine.

Remind any woman you know to take a multivitamin with folic acid daily-it will improve her health and reduce the incidence of birth defects of the brain and spine - a simple task with a real positive outcome!!!

For more information about folic acid and National Folic Acid Awareness Week, visit the Web site of the National Council on Folic Acid, www.folicacidinfo.org.

Minority Health Resources: The Office of Minority Health (OMH) works closely with state, tribal and local governments, as well as nonprofit organizations to improve health status and eliminate health disparities among Americans of all racial and ethnic groups. The combined resources of CDC/ATSDR and its partners provide the vital link between policy and practice.

Minority Health Disparities: Learn more about what the Cabinet for Health & Family Services is doing.

 View the Cabinet for Health & Family Services (CFHS) Wellness Website

CHFS Focus on Wellness monthly newsletter

National Women's Health Indicators Database - National, regional, state and county data are available by gender, race, ethnicity and age at the National Women's Health Indicators Database. The website allows users to customize tables, graphs and maps.

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PEOPLE OF INTEREST

Jonah Jones
Trumpeter
1908-2000

Jonah Jones, one of the nation's foremost trumpet men played an integral part in the history of jazz, gave to the world a long list of recorded jazz. Dizzy Gillespie once recalled that Jonah told the history of jazz better than anyone, not only because he lived it, but because "when Jonah tells a story, he makes everybody sound so good!"

Jonah Jones was born Robert Elliott Jones in Louisville, Kentucky in 1908. He was infected with the music "itch" at the age of 11. He watched the Booker T. Washington Community Center Band march through town as a boy and the flashy trombones impressed him. The band's organizer gave him his chance, but soon determined that Jones' arms were too short for trombone. "The Booker T. Washington Band was where a lot of young kids learned to read music. Jonah received his nickname from the conductor Lockwood Lewis one day when they were playing a march and Jonah kept hitting the wrong note and Lewis, who was known for stammering when he got excited, stammered and said, "Ja-ja-ja-ja-...Jonah, don't you see that's the wrong note?"

As a teen, Jonah led swinging jazz combos playing his stylish muted trumpet. He soon received his first professional job aboard a stern-wheeler riverboat on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers between Cincinnati and New Orleans. In 1928, he joined the Horace Henderson Band and two years later worked with Jimmie Lunceford.

In 1932, Jonah joined Stuff Smith, a swing violinist. It was this group of musicians that pioneered the turning of 52nd Street in New York into "Swing Street." "Stuff was a great teacher," recalled Jonah, "He showed most of Swing Street how to swing!" While working on 52nd Street, Jonah also worked with Lil Armstrong, McKinney's Cotton Pickers and Benny Carter. Jonah exuberantly recalled that "these bands played all over New York, but we never sounded better than when we played on 52nd Street!"

Cab Calloway recruited Jonah in 1941 and remained with him for eleven years. In 1943, the band recorded "Jonah Joins The Cab" which featured a terrific solo by Jonah. When Cab signed to play in "Porgy and Bess" he asked Jonah to play lead trumpet in the pit orchestra. He also did a bit part in the play.

Jonah worked extensively with a multitude of other note worthy personalities during the early 1950s after Cab Calloway disbanded, including Earl Hines, Joe Bushkin (1952) and Lional Hampton ("Drum Stomp" among others). In 1955 he formed a quartet which played at the Embers in New York. The quartet was asked to record a number of LP albums, including "On The Street Where You Live," "Baubles, Bangles and Beads." His modern jazz style led to top bookings and fast selling albums throughout most of the 50s. At the end of that decade he was awarded The Grammy for his album "I Dig Chicks" which was judged the best jazz group performance of 1958.

Jonah has appeared on TV including a special with Fred Astaire - "An Evening With Fred Astaire." This show was classed by many as one of the best in television history.

Playing for Royalty is nothing new for Jonah. He was invited to a Command Performance for Prince Ranier and Princess Grace in Monaco and so impressed the Prince he was persuaded to stay for two weeks to entertain at special events in the Monarchy. He has also entertained at the request of the King of Thailand for the opening of the Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok.

The 1960s, 70s and 80s were spent touring much of the world. Jonah Jones married his childhood sweetheart, Elizabeth Bowles, an accomplished musician in trumpet, clarinet, and baritone horn. They had four children and moved to Greenwich Village, New York in the 1950s. Elizabeth died in 1993. Jonah remained a close friend to the creators of the database, offering wonderful stories until his death at the age of 91 in 2000. (Source: http://www.cabcalloway.cc/jonah_jones.htm)

Master Chief Petty Officer Carl Brashear, MDV, USN, Ret.
Master Diver
1931 -

Carl Brashear was the first African American Master Diver in the U.S. Navy, despite a crippling injury. He was born in Tonneyville, Kentucky on January 19, 1931 to a sharecropper family and raised in Sonora, Kentucky. Master Chief Brashear joined the Navy in February 1948 at the age of 17.

Confined to the galley, like most Blacks and Filipinos of the era, Master Chief Brashear decided to make deep-sea diving his profession which was unheard of for a Black American sailor at the time.

He was admitted to the Navy Dive School and overcame a seventh grade education to have a notable career as a navy diver. In 1966, he was badly injured in an accident during the recovery of a nuclear warhead in the Mediterranean. Surgeons had to amputate his left leg below his knee. Master Chief Brashear refused to submit to medical survey boards in an attempt to retire him as unfit for duty. He demonstrated that he could still dive and perform other duties. In 1970, Master Chief Carl Brashear qualified as the first Black master diver in the history of the U.S. Navy. In 1998, he became one of only seven enlisted men to be enshrined in the naval archives. (Source: http://www.africanamericans.com/CarlBrashear.htm)

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