Thursday, September 09, 2004

Sept. 9, 2004

WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Upperman African American Cultural Center at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington will sponsor a public panel focusing on issues in African American communities at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9 in Cameron Auditorium, Room 105.

The panel will discuss issues that have a negative impact on people’s survival, growth, progress and safety and will identify some solutions that will help make a better life for all people in the area.

The event is free; however, tickets, available at the information desk at UNCW’s University Union until Wednesday, Oct. 6, will be needed because of limited seating. No tickets will be available at the door. To check availability, call 910/962-3841.

Panelists will represent a cross section of professionals from law enforcement, education, counseling, religion, social agencies and local families. Included are Caroline Barnes, mental health counselor; Twanna Batts, substitute teacher; Rev. Joseph Brown, St. Luke AME Zion Church; Tiffany Crawford, UNCW student; Dorothy DeShields, retired educator; Judge James Faison; Rev. Perry Griffin, Chestnut Street PCUSA; Leithia Hankins, city councilperson; LaVaughn Nesmith, New Hanover County Department of Social Services; Linda Pearce, Elderhaus; Reta Shiver, Pender County Department of Social Services; and Benjamin Quattlebaum, Wilmington Housing Authority. The panel moderators are DeShields and Faison. The audience will have an opportunity to participate in a question and answer segment.