Restoring The Family Dothan Al. Thanksgiving weekened

Anita Dawkins, Rev. AL Rev. Al, Mayor Vickie Moore Daris, Rev. Al, Pas. Glasgow

This is Restoring the Family
Rev. Al Sharpton Jr.,
Pastor Kenneth Glasgow,
and Dr. Joy
Brothers and sister who haven't been together in 20 years.

Fantasy Ball Dec. 12, 2009 Dothan Al.

T.O.P.S. Fantasy Ball

For Our Shining Stars


The Ordinary People Society Youth Dept. is in need of old, new, and/or used Prom & Pageant Gowns. SHOES!

We also need Tuxedos and Suits for young males.

A Christmas Moment to Remember.

We are asking all Churches, Schools, Organizations, and Businesses to please help

DONATE for this event.

This Event will take place two weeks before Christmas on Saturday Dec. 12th at Evergreen Plaza @ 7.00p.m. until

We would like to be prepared before that time.

Some of our youth cannot experience this type of Fantasy and Glamour, so as the National Youth Coordinator of T.O.P.S. I'm reaching out to the public to help donate and sponsor!

For all our surrounding youth!

Let's give them something to Remember!

All sizes are needed!!!
National Youth Coordinator Daris Johnson

334-791-2433

Restoring The Family Birmingham Ala.

The Ordinary People’s Society (TOPS) and
The International Justice Coalition presents
RESTORING THE FAMILY Guest speakers
Rev. Al Sharpton Sr., Dr. Kenneth Glasgow, Terry Lewis Sharpton,
Anthony Sharpton, Momma Tina Glasgow & Alan Sharpton
International Updates by Shelia Chughtai, Nisa Shabazz Aqtifa
Hosted by DJ Beware and Daris Johnson
Live Entertainment by The Bashaar Family, Zed/Stability, Blackfire,
Calvin X, Michael Richardson, Bonez, Mr. Fields and other’s.
Special math presentation by Karaam Ellis, Founder & CEO of the KALU Akademy
Economical updates by Bro. Maurice
Educational Updates by James Muhammad
Special award presentation to the Sharpton and Glasgow Families!
OCTOBER 24, 2009 — 4PM - 8PM
JCCEO CENTER, 300 8th Avenue West, Birmingham, AL 35204
*** Admission Free ***
Special thanks to Tops, Drug Policy Alliance & Equal Justice Initiative, International Justice
Coalition, Jabari Sekou Entertainment, The JCCEO Center,
Unlimited Joy, Khufu Nefertem and Clarence Muhammad.
For Info. or Vending Call 678-799-6460, 205-370-0597 & 334-791-2433
www.wearetops.org, revkennethglasgow.blogspot.com, wearetops.blogspot.com
Redeeming the Soul of America by Restoring The Family, Redeeming and Reconnecting
The Prodigal Children - Dr. Kenneth Glasgow
Hotep Wa Ahshug, Peace and Love Nisa 678-480-6555 / 404-798-5607 Thank You So Much!

Restoring The Family Tour Birmingham Al.

RESTORING THE FAMILY TOUR

The Restoring the Family Tour starts this weekened at the Capitol in Atlanta.

REDEEMING THE SOUL OF AMERICA

BY RESTORING THE FAMILY

AND RECEIVING OUR PRODIGAL CHILDREN!!!!!

Building Cohesiveness

We want to publicly ask the Sherriff of Houston County Alabama to reconsider some of the new rules that prevent family members from visiting other family members in the county jail because they have previous convictions.
It has been nationally proven that family support and formerly incarcerated ran and led programs ( experts by experience ) have reduced recidivism, crime, and taxpayer's dollars.
( Crime has dropped 25% nationwide because of these type programs ) while increasing re-entry, harm reduction, productive citizens, and public safety.
We also ask that all Clergy be treated the same regardless of ideologies, religious doctrine, and practices that do not violate any rules or laws.
Our neighboring counties have even hired ex-felons on as staff and along with the nation, former sherriff's, active sherriff's, Elected Officials, Many Clergy, and concerned citizens we ask that these rules be reconsidered so that we move forward with the rest of the nation and neighboring counties, and not appear to be moving backward in Houston County.
We want to build a cohesiveness with our Law Enforcement and our Communities by helping our prodigal children, and building Public Safety for all.

National Justice Coalition

The Ordinary People Society

National Convener Pastor Kenneth Glasgow - 334-791-2433 - Dothan Ala.
National Convener Assist. Mitch Jamerson - 352-680-1605 - Ocala Fla.
National Coordinator Nisa Shabazz - 678-480-6555 - Atlanta Ga.
National Coordinator Assist. Cynthia Carr - 352-553-5899 - Ocala Fl.
National Administrator - Sis Shielia Chughtai - 678-799-6460 - Atlanta Ga.
National Chairman of Economics - Maurice Spivey - 901-406-9053 - Memphis Tenn.
National Chairman of Education - James Muhammad – 904-318-1684 - Jacksonville Fla.
National Director of Investigations- Britt Mosley Sr. - 601-848-7447
( James Harvey & Jimmy Fancher Investigating Team )

With all of the injustice that is taking place in our country, you now have a coalition that will assist and fight for justice. We address several issues across the country and have made policy and legislative changes through- out the country.

Our topics/points that we focus on are:

The New Bottom Line National Criminal Justice Coalition - This Coalition consist of those who are working in different states on the criminal justice system and its effect on people in society.

There are 7 different points that we focus on, and they are:

1) Restoration; restoring people's lives with voting rights and treatment instead of incarceration for example.
2) Police Brutality - Injustice/Racial Profiling
3) Criminal Justice Reinvestment- prison reform, sentencing reform, drug policy reform.
4) School to Prison Pipeline - Juvenile Justice
5) Mentoring Program - bringing in our youth
6) Discrimination / Disparity
7) Harm Reduction

Our National Partners are: Drug Policy Alliance and Equal Justice Initiative.

We've grown from 5 states in the southern region to 15 states in the past 30 days and have a weekly conference call that keeps us informed of activities throughout the U.S.



For any National injustice, please contact:

Pastor Kenneth Glasgow
Founder, Executive Director
The Ordinary People Society (TOPS)
403 West Powell St.
Dothan, AL 36303
Office / Fax: 334-671-2882
Cell: 334-791-2433

For all others, contact the representative for your city.

Web addresses: http://www.wearetops.org/ or http://www.revkennethglasgow.blogspot.com/ or http://www.wearetops.blogspot.com/

A TRULY BLESSED DAY

TRULY A BLESSED DAY


As for me and my family, we haven't had a joyous occasion in 1 year, 3 months and 18 days. However because of Gods grace on Saturday July 18, 2009; we had the opportunity to be in the midst of some very caring people from all walks of life. We were not limited to our church family. We are the parents of Teona Sterling. On March 28, 2008; she was accused of crimes she didn't commit. Someone had the intentions of ending our daughters life, that same someone had the intentions of doing harm to anyone in the path. The only thing my family and I have wanted since that day was a listening ear. Well this past Saturday was Truly A Blessed Day ! After lots of praying and guidance from an extraordinary society (T.O.P.S) Founder Pastor Kenneth Glasgow, we were able to bring for the second time, a Group of National Leaders to Dothan, Al. It was a very peaceful, spiritually grounded rally for my daughter Teona Sterling. There were prayers said, great speakers from the different organizations, live music and good food. I finally felt as if someone cared and we were being heard. They felt the pain that my family and I have had to endure for so long. Our family was embraced by so many people on Saturday, as well as the calls we recieve daily, offering their support and prayers. Thank You !! I am grateful to God that my daughter is alive, I am also grateful to God that the two Police Officers are alive. One of the many things that went wrong with this story is " Where was the JUSTICE (The quality of being fair) for my daughter Teona Sterling ? when she so desteratly needed help. We as a people must be very careful, we must NOT be so quick to judge. The scripture says: "Judge Not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again". (St. Matthew 7:1,2) the scripture also says "Let us go to Dothan" (Genesis 37:17)

Again thank you for your prayers and continued support of our Daughter, Sister, Granddaughter, and Niece,
Truly Grateful , the Family of Teona Sterling

Community Day

WE WANT TO SUPPORT TEONA STERLING
JOHN TURNER
TOMMOROW BUSH, AND OFFICER KEARNEY

THANK YOU T.O.P.S.

Would you please be sure that this makes the paper in Pastor Glasgow’s town? If there is anything else that we need to do, please call me and let me know.

Thanks Cynthia and Mitch


“The Community of Orange Lake, Florida would like to thank Pastor Glasgow and TOPS Organization for their support of our 40th Annual Homecoming event. In particular there were two incidents which proved to be an attack against the park and the event in which the allegations were false and fabricated, and TOPS and Pastor Glasgow made a personal appearance, assisted in addressing the issues and was the driving force for a mutual agreement. There is no doubt that without the assistance of Pastor Glasgow and TOPS, we would still be working towards a solution to clear the fabricated allegations.”
Sincerely,
Mitch Jamerson, President- Orange Lake Community Club
Cynthia Carr, Administrative Coordinator-Orange Lake Community Club

Founders Day/Unity Banquet

2009- T.O.P.S. Founders/Unity Day Celebration Banquet
“A Great Awakening”

“A truly spiritual event”, was the quote mentioned by one attendee in describing the banquet. The banquet was attended by national, state, city, and community leaders from across the nation. Guests were treated to an outstanding evening of musical entertainment capped off with a soul stirring rendition of “Jesus Loves the Little Children” sung by Bryan Williams.

Dr. Earl Jones led the way for a cadre of speakers who provided the audience with tons of golden nuggets of information highlighting the struggles being faced within our communities.

Cheryl Sable brought forth an eye opening report on the dismal dropout rate effecting today’s young people, especially in the African American community. She outlined the fact how this trend feeds the school to prison pipeline.

Sen. Harrie Ann Smith spoke of the importance of caring for our children and that all of us are responsible for nurturing these young citizens. She emphasized that we must work together across social barriers especially those of race, ethnicity, faith, and economic that cause us as a nation to lose the potential gifts and talents of our young people.

Gabriel Sayegh of the Drug Policy Alliance hit hard on the lack of justice for people caught up in the nation’s justice system. He illustrated how the so called “War on Drugs” has devastated communities of color and filled prisons with disproportionate numbers of black men, the majority of which are serving long sentences on drug charges. Mr. Sayegh presented a historical trend line of how soon after the abolition of slavery many states in the Deep South developed a justice system to imprison large numbers of black men and use them for free labor. His message asks all of us to make an effort to push for treatment and rehabilitation instead of incarceration for those around us suffering from drug addiction.

Dr. Bryon Clay, National President S C. L. C. spoke of the importance that the S. C. L. C. return to its legacy and work more closely with T. O. P. S. and other grassroot organizations. He identified key issues impacting young people including poor educational opportunities and dilapidated schools in African American communities. Dr. Clay noted that we must build strong relationships within our communities and become good neighbors towards one another. The S. C. L. C. President made it clear that strong neighborhoods can nurture our young people and wield political clout to make a change in policies that have negative impacts on the future of our children.

Rev. Al Sharpton was the capstone speaker and he spoke to the issue of healing old wounds and for unity. His words were both from a personal family perspective and to all us as people. For, example every family, every individual, and every community has its disagreements and fair share of pain and heartache. Rev. Sharpton emphasized that the only way to overcome such setbacks was “not to stay down when knocked down” but instead get up and do something to make a change. He challenged all to reconcile their differences, to forgive those that had hurt them, and to come together for the common good. Rev. Sharpton acknowledged and encouraged his brother Pastor Kenneth Glasgow to continue the great work of T.O.P.S. and its partners.

T.O.P.S. & E.J.I. in the Wiregrass

Today it was made official that Equal Justice Initiative and The Ordinary People Society ( T.O.P.S. ) who have been partnering for the past five (5) years came together to strategize how they will address alot of different criminal justice issues in the wiregrass area.
Pastor Glasgow and Daris Johnson have been certified paralegals for the past year with Equal Justice Initiative and today the Executive Director of EJI Bryan Stevenson met with them and some of the citizens of Dothan to discuss future meetings to address alot of issues in the area.
Not only continuing thier partnering efforts abroad, but EJI actually joining T.O.P.S. locally with a daily presence!
Bryan Stevenson came the day before the big event with T.O.P.S. FOUNDERS/UNITY DAY and all of the National figures coming, to commend T.O.P.S. work and straegize the future efforts starting to take place as soon as the second week in May!

MAY 23RD BIG RALLY AND FILM SHOWING BY EJI!!!

805 NORTH LENA ST. EVERGREEN PLAZA ( T.O.P.S. )

1.00P.M. UNTIL-----------BE THERE

LEGAL ISSUES, ADVICE, MENTORING, HELP!!!

T.O.P.S. FOUNDERS / UNITY DAY

LAST FEW DAYS TO GET YOUR TICKETS AND ADS IN, CALL 334 671-2882
Rooms at Holiday Inn $79.95 a night, just say reserving for T.O.P.S. event, call 334-794-8711May 2ND AND PERFORMANCE BY BRYAN WILLIAMS


334-671-2882
May 2nd 12:00 Kinney Park for gathering and Bar-B-Que
UNITY DAY/FOUNDER'S DAY

PASTOR Kenneth Glasgow

On May 2, 2009 @7P.M. Tickets $50.00( Dinner)

Dothan Holiday Inn Saving Our Children
2195 Ross Clark Circle S.E. Dothan, AL Through Unity and togetherness

Special Guest Speaker Rev. Al Sharpton Jr.

Momma Tina’s Mission House , Prodigal Child Project
Rev. Al Sharpton Sr., Dr. Byron Clay- National President of S.C.L.C.,

Gabriel Sayegh-State Organizing & Policy Project Director for Drug Policy Alliance

Bryan Stevenson- Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative – May 1st touring the Empowerment Ctr.

Senator Harrie Anne Smith

Dr. Earl Jones- ADC Second Congressional District Chairman

Rev. Robert Jones St. Mary’s District Moderator- North Highland Baptist Church

Ralph Hendrix- T.A.S.C.

John Beebe WMCA1560am- Jesus Brings Hope

NAACP Alabama State President Ed Vaughn

Project South- Stephanie Guilliam and Emery Wright,

Young People Society, National Criminal Justice Coalition, National Exhoodus Council, The New Bottom Line Coalition

National, State, County, City Elected Officials, Pastors, and Leaders

Entertainment of the Night

Selmount Church Choir of Selma Alabama –Pastor Perry

Bryan Williams of the Williams Bros of the Mississippi Mass Choir

Kenyetta Rich Glasgow aka K.Y. -Zeus Entertainment, Lil Glass

Endorsed by Congressman Danny K Davis

Special Thank you to Ron Wilson and the Dothan Convention Center

JUSTICE: If We All Come Together, We Can Change It Forever
1st Time In History to have National and Local Leaders Together In Dothan Ala.

SUNDAY: T.O.P.S. Church May 3rd 11.30 a.m.@ 805 N. Lena st. Evergreen Plaza Dr. Byron Clay, Brian Williams, Church service and Gospel Fest.


334-671-2882

Make Checks Payable to T.O.P.S- Paypal@ www.wearetops,blogspot.com

Felons' voting rights back on agenda

Felons' voting rights back on agenda
By Markeshia Ricks • March 2, 2009

Two bills currently in the state Legislature could clear up the decades-old debate about whether felons should be allowed to vote, but advocates for felons' voting rights say the bills would be worse than the existing law.

The Rev. Kenneth Glasgow, founder of The Ordinary People Society, which is based in
Dothan, said the bills would roll back gains made under the current law that gives felons who haven't committed crimes of "moral turpitude" a chance to vote. Last year Glasgow, with the backing of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, sued the state Department of Corrections so he could provide voter registration information to incarcerated people who were eligible to vote.

"Until 2003 when Dr. Yvonne Kennedy brought up the restoration bill no one ever wanted to pay this issue any attention," said Glasgow, a felon who had his voting rights restored in 2004. "For 105 years it wasn't even noted, quoted or talked about and now that we have a president who wants to bring about equality and change some people in the Alabama Legislature want to set us back in time."

"It appalls me now that at this particular time in history, after we have crossed so many barriers that anyone would want to put up anything that would cause another human being to have rights taken away."

The House Constitution and Election Committee advanced a bill during the second week of the session that would define moral turpitude and which crimes involve it.

The proposed bill would increase the number of crimes that involve moral turpitude from about 15 to more than 70 and revoke the voting rights of people who commit those crimes. The same committee also will decide the fate of a bill on Attorney General Troy King's agenda that would go even further than the moral turpitude bill, revoking the voting rights of anyone who commits a felony.

State Rep. Randy Wood, R-Anniston, the House sponsor for the King bill, said it would eliminate much of the confusion over moral turpitude by returning things to the way
they were before the state Legislature changed the law in 2003. Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, is the Senate sponsor of the bill.

Wood said felons who would lose their right to vote under the King bill would truly show that they are interested in being a part of society by applying to the state Pardons and Parole Board to have their rights restored.

"I'm not saying I don't want people to have the right to vote, but losing the right to vote is part of the punishment," he said. "This way, if you serve your time and paid your debts to society, you can apply to have your voting rights restored and go vote."

Though both bills would make the question of who loses their voting rights clearer, the bills could make it more difficult for felons to vote than it is for them under existing law.
The bills likely will face stiff opposition from members of the Black Caucus and others.
State Rep. Yvonne Kennedy, D-Mobile, sponsored the legislation that made it easier for certain felons to get their voting rights back. She said she would adamantly oppose any bill that would roll back the rights that the existing law now provides.

"I think the legislation that we worked on to give ex-felons the right to vote should stand," she said.

Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, was the Senate sponsor of the 2003 Kennedy bill and said he was unaware of legislation introduced this session that would change the law. He said he is drafting a bill that would do exactly the opposite of the King bill by giving felons who have completed their sentences automatic voter restoration.

He said he would be more inclined to support the bill that would define crimes of moral turpitude and a bill in the Senate that would specify that a felon only had to pay restitution associated with the disenfranchising crime to be eligible to have his or her rights restored. Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, is sponsoring the Senate versions of both of the bills Singleton mentioned.

"I haven't seen the bill so I can't offer a lot of comment, but based on what I've heard about the attorney general's bill I can't say that I would support it," he said. "But I'd be glad to get to the table with him and work on a compromise."

Though historians have claimed that the moral turpitude clause was used to disenfranchise poor whites and blacks in the 1901 Constitution, Glasgow is an advocate of the 21st century interpretations that do not revoke the voting rights of many felons and provides an avenue of restoration for others.

Glasgow said civic participation is a part of rehabilitation and if the state wants to reduce recidivism and overcrowding in prisons, it could start by allowing felons to vote. A bill that treats all felons equally by taking voting rights away is a step in the wrong direction, he added.

"Once they have their rights as a citizen they can start acting like a citizen," Glasgow said. "If the state would adhere to giving people their rights back, they would become productive citizens."

44TH Re-enactment Selma Ala. ( please RSVP )

I want all of you to participate on Friday March 6th at our press conference and meeting/ rally ( see schedule )We also have two of T.O.P.S. members Daris Johnson and Kenyetta Rich who will be receiving awards at the banquet on Sat. March 7th at the Freedom Flame Awards.SEE SCHEDULE BELOW!!!
2009 Jubilee Schedule



Thursday, March 5, 2009

Saturday March 7, 2009




Welcome Reception

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Selma Performing Arts Center

Special Guest: SCLC President Byron Clay

4th Annual Jubilee Golf Tournament
Breakfast and Registration: 6:30 a.m.
Sponsored by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Contact: Dr. Leroy Maxwell or Aubrey Larkin, Sr. at 334-872-2321.
Location: Valley Grande Golf Course


Mass Meeting
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Keynote speaker: Dr. Jeremiah Wright

The Original Freedom Singers will be in attendance

Tabernacle Baptist Church

Foot Soldier's Breakfast
8 a.m.- 10 a..m.
C.H.A.T. Academy






Jubilee Parade
Departing from Selma High School
9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.
Selma Ave to Edmund Pettus Bridge




Induction into Hall of Resistance
10:30 am

Location: Slavery and Civil Rights Museum



Battle of the Bands
10:45 – 11:00

Location: School of Discovery Parking Lot




Miss Jubilee Pageant

Fee: $5

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Selma Performing Arts Center

Jubilee Festival
Gospel Stage- Headliner: TBA/Local Talent

Blues Stage - Marvin Sease

Hip Hop Stage- Mike Jones

11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Fee $10 (advance) / $15 gate

Location: Water Avenue




Economic Empowerment Summit
12:00 noon – 2:00 pm
Confirmed guests: Dr. Farrah Gray(Millionare before age of 25) /Dr. Ron Daniels/ T.I. and many more

Location- Performing Arts Center





Intergenerational Hip Hop Summit
Professor Griff of Public Enemy, Latosha Brown, T.I. and other various music artists – TBA

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Location: School of Discovery




Friday March 6, 2007
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

FILM FESTIVAL
3:00 p.m.- 9 p.m.
Films: TBA

Location: Slavery and Civil War Museum




Invisible Giants Conference
Class of 64-65

9:00 am – 11:00am

Selma Performing Arts Center

Freedom Flame Award Dinner
Sponsored by the Selma Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Special Guest: Host Johnathon Slocumb

Honoring: Dr. Joseph Lowery

Location: Selma Convention Center

Tickets: $50.00



PLAY Presentation:
If Martin Luther King Jr. was alive today...What would he say?
by: Robert Haynes

12:00 noon -2:00 p.m.
Selma Performing Arts Center

Late Night Pow-Wow
Slavery Museum

10:00 pm – 12:00 am

Children’s Sojourn ($7)
Various Speakers and Presentations
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Slavery Civil War Museum, Shiloh, Pickard Auditorium
Sunday, March 8, 2009
PRESS CONFERENCE:
American Slavery in the 20th Century: The Untold Story
11:00 a.m.
Dr. Ryan Walters-Director of African American Institute in Maryland
Antoinette Harrell-Geneologist/Peonage Reasearcher
Location: Slavery and Civil War Museum MLK Jr. & Corretta S. King Unity Breakfast - $25
Sponsored by the Selma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Wallace Community College

7:30am – 9:30 am

Special Guest: Attorney General Eric Holder

PRESS CONFERENCE:
Ex-Felons Voting Rights/Reinstatement
12:00 noon

Rev. Kenneth Glasgow, T.I., Lady Freedom
T.O.P.S. Society

The New Bottom Line Coalition

Prodigal Child Project

Location: Freedom Park/Edmund Pettus Bridge
Sunday Morning Services:

10:00 am – 1:00 pm



Attorney General Eric Holder-Brown Chapel AME Church

Rev. Al Sharpton- Tabernacle Baptist Church

Shiloh Baptist Speaker: TBA

Various Movement Speakers

Various Movement Churches

Educational Symposium

Education, The Civil Rights Issue of the 21st Century-Our Challenges and Responsibilities

12:15 pm – 2:45 pm

Panelists Include:

State Superintendent Dr. Joseph Morton

Senator Hank Sanders

Dr. Adelaide Sanford- Former President of NY BOR

Dr. Iva Carruthers-Gen. Secretary for SDP Conference

LOCATION: School Of Discovery


Pre-March Rally

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Guest Speakers: TBA

Brown Chapel A. M. E. Church

410 Martin Luther King Street

Criminal Justice Summit
1:00 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.
T.O.P.S. Society/The New Bottom Line Coalition/ Prodigal Child Project
"From Second Class Citizens to Second Chance Citizens"
Location: Wallace College Hank Sanders Technology Center-Meeting Room 105


Bridge Crossing Re-Enactment
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Edmund Pettus Bridge



Revealing of Bloody Sunday Exhibit

Mock Trial
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Placing Education on Trial

Presiding Judge: TBA

Dallas County Court House
Museum Hall of Fame Inductions

Bridge Crossing Speakers
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Civil Rights Memorial Park

A Public Conversation
Confirmed Guest: Rev. Al Sharpton

Other guest co-hosts to attend: TBA

Wallace College Gymnasium

7:15 pm – 9:00 pm
YES WE DID! -
Z105.3 Commemoration Banquet
5:00 p.m.

Selma Convention Center

$15

"Stomp out to Vote" Step Show($10)

Special Guest: T.I.

7:00 p.m. - 9:00

Location: Pickard Auditorium



Monday, March 9, 2009


Slow Ride from Selma to Montgomery
9:00 am - 1pm
Foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge

Montgomery Re-Enactment Rally
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Montgomery, AL

Lobby Day March 3rd 2009 Alabama StateHouse

We are having our Lobby Day at the Alabama State House on March 3rd starting about 10.00am until. We will be going there to talk to our Legislatures about our 3 bills which are: Treatment instead of Incarceration, Probation and Parole, and our Restoration of Voting Rights Bill.Please RSVP so we can have a count and set up appointments with Legislatures in your areas. We also need a count for food!!!

T.O.P.S. Empowerment Center ( thanks Ron Wilson )

William Singer, left, is interviewed by Pastor Maurice Graham, right, Wednesday afternoon at the TOPS Community Empowerment Center in Dothan.
By Lance Griffin

Published: January 28, 2009

Debra Thomas walked Kenneth Glasgow from room to room in the old Evergreen Plaza on North Lena Street, breaking down a big vision into chunks of attainable goals.“OK, this is where the computer lab is going to be,” Thomas said, pointing into a room consisting of a few computer parts on carts.She continues pointing and walking.“Now, we’re going to have computers in the classroom, but I want the lab available for people who need to come in during the day and use the computers, or learn computer skills.”Not much has taken place at the old office buildings since WAGF Radio moved out several years ago. But Glasgow wants to change the mostly vacant structure into “an oasis of learning,” complete with GED training, life skills classes, spiritual counseling, mentoring, job skills training and a recording studio lab of sorts.He shakes his head in agreement as Thomas continues to walk down the hall, assigning purposes for every room.“Yes. Yes. Yes,” said Glasgow, founder of a local social activist group known as The Ordinary People Society (TOPS). “I want to have something going on day and night.”Glasgow said the place will be known as the TOPS Community Empowerment Center, a place where people can come to better themselves emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.GED training classes are already being held at the center, and a GED pre-test is scheduled for next week. But Thomas said it’s just the beginning.“There are good things going on in the community and we want to build on that,” said Thomas, the center’s development director. “We have the soup kitchens in town and that is a good thing, but what we want to do is teach people to feed themselves.”Wallace College is also exploring the possibility of offering adult education classes at the center, Wallace spokesperson Sally Buchanan said.Along with the plans for counseling, classes and mentoring, Glasgow said one of the offices could be turned into a recording studio to allow interested residents to explore recording, as well as the marketing side of the recording business.People interested in taking advantage of the services offered can come to the center and fill out an assessment form that will determine the person’s needs.Thomas said she is seeking donations of equipment such as computers and school desks as well as volunteers with electrical and plumbing experience.
THANKS TO RON WILSON WE CAN EMPOWER OUR PEOPLE!!!

ALOT MORE WORK TO BE DONE

There’s more to be done!

Letters to the Editor
Published: November 19, 2008I don’t want anyone to get confused into thinking that since Barack Obama is the president-elect, everything is going to be all right. We have a lot of work to do, now more than ever. The racism and bias has and will become more prevalent. I just went through an ordeal yesterday continuing to fight for our voting rights. For some strange reason, even though a lot of us ex-felons voted, contributed and participated in gaining this monumental victory, we are still not treated or seated in a state of equality. I’m truly becoming convinced that our moral ethics and values have taken a dive in the wrong direction. We have no regard for fellow human beings and their rights. It’s amazing to me how we embrace a system that should’ve been set up to protect us and yet it has become our worst enemy. What have we become, and where do we go from here? Where are we when we have these progressive organizations that fight for human rights and ex-felons, but yet there’s not one of us who they supposedly represent on their boards to help in the decision making? They will hire us and give us a position, but not an equal seat at the table. Have we gotten to the point where we have become co-conspirators of our own oppression, or are we really ready to do what needs to be done? If so, then look at your own reservations and apprehensions when it comes to others. Look at your organizations or groups and see if they are really diverse. Look at your war chest and ask yourself have you really contributed all that you can to the issues you claim you’re fighting. Have you given all you can give to society and humanity? Most of all, have you been all that you can be in society, and allowed or given opportunity to others as much as you can so they can do the same? Because then and only then have you truly become a “humane being.” Kenneth Glasgow
Dothan

November 19, 2008 11:31 PM

Coming Together in the Wiregrass

Maybe it's just me, but have anyone else noticed that the Wiregrass was always looked over or looked upon differently when it came to State issues and Funds. Now with issues that we've been pushing like ex-felon voting rights and Ron Gilley with Country Crossing, Dothan and the Wiregrass are being looked upon in a different light. When just approximately a year and a half ago we had to literally fight to get funds for Enterprise High School and had become the new Katrina ( on a small scale ).
It might just be time for all of us to use this opportunity to form some cohesiveness amongst ourselves and come together like we did for Enterprise and the children on Christmas Eve and realize that there's no big car dealerships and major corporations here like other places in Alabama.
So Country Crossing will open up doors of opportunity for ECONOMIC stability that I've never seen in the Wiregrass, how about you?
I met Ron Gilley some years ago when Katrina hit and him and his crew were helping the people down there while we were feeding folks. Then again when Enterprise got hit real hard and the poorest neighborhood was hurt. He rebuilded the houses and helped the people like the story of the Good Samaritan in the Bible. It did'nt matter that it was a Samaritan or how he got the money ( legally ) did it? The act of doing for God's people was enough for God to make sure we know the story!

So let's take note Wiregrass, because of some of these issues and others like mostly all the African Americans voting THE SAME WAY for Bobby Bright ( that's the first time that's ever happened also, Thanks Dr. Earl Jones ). We now have a Convention Center, and Empowerment Center to go along with our Civic Center and other help agencies ( thank you to Ron Wilson ), so it's only befitting that we have Country Crossing which would bring alot of Tourist, Celeberties, Opportunities, and Revenue to the Wiregrass who's been looked over and passed by for years. Then we can buy our cars from our new Mayor, Mike Schmitz and be like everyone else in Alabama.
Question: Could that be why it's being fought against by those outside the Wiregrass Hmm! but they did go against Sen. Smith so I'm not surprised.
Let's Come Together Wiregrass!

Pastor Kenneth Glasgow

Founder, Executive Director

The Ordinary People Society (TOPS)

403 West Powell St.

Dothan, AL 36303

Office / Fax: 334-671-2882