This year, we will dedicate stamps in honor of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, artist Romare Bearden and entrepreneur and publisher John H. Johnson.

Barbara Jordan, one of America’s most respected and influential politicians, has been recognized by the U.S. Postal Service as the 34th honoree in the popular Black Heritage stamp series. Jordan received many prestigious honors and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor, in 1994.

Born in Houston, Jordan was the first African-American woman elected to the Texas legislature. She also was the first African-American elected to the Texas State Senate since 1883 and the first African-American woman elected from the South to the U.S. Congress, where she served three terms, sponsoring and supporting numerous pieces of legislation extending federal protection of civil rights. Visit http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2011/pr11_104.htm for the full release.

The artwork of Romare Bearden, one of America’s most prolific artists, is featured on a set of four Forever stamps dedicated by the U.S. Postal Service. The sheet of stamps honors a man who became one of the 20th Century’s most distinguished, important and inventive American artists. Bearden is celebrated for his groundbreaking approach to collage along with his work in watercolors, oils, and other media.

Among Bearden’s early paintings were figural works recalling his childhood roots in the South, done in gouache on brown paper. His paintings of the 1940s also were inspired by literary sources such as the Bible, Federico Garcia Lorca’s poetry, and Homer’s Iliad. Bearden turned to writing lyrics for songs, including the hit “Seabreeze.” Music, in particular jazz and the blues, was a strong influence on Bearden’s art. Bearden’s monumental cityscape, The Block, was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art. His art has also been praised for depicting African-American experience in its full dimensions and is in the permanent collections of major museums across the nation. Considered one of America’s greatest collagists, Bearden was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1987 by then President Reagan. Visit http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2011/pr11_110.htm for the full release.

John H. Johnson was the trailblazing publisher of Ebony, Jet and other magazines as well as an entrepreneur. In 1982, he became the first black person to appear on Forbes magazine’s annual list of the 400 wealthiest people in America. His magazines portrayed black people positively at a time when such representation was rare, and he played an important role in the civil rights movement.

President Clinton awarded Johnson the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996. The stamp, designed by art director Howard Paine, features a color photograph of John H. Johnson taken by Bachrach Studios. The photographer was David McCann. Visit http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2011/pr11_084.htm for the full release.

The awards ceremony honors local African-American citizens and students who have made significant contributions in the local community. Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Allen Purser will be the guest speaker. More details are available at http://www.halifaxcc.edu/saluting/index.htm.

During his military tour of duty, 1962-64, James Felder was selected to head the casket team that bore the body of the late President John F. Kennedy during those “four dark days” in November 1963. He received the Army Commendation Medal for his performance. In August 1994, his book, “I Buried John F. Kennedy” was released.

After graduating from Howard University in 1967, Felder returned to South Carolina to direct the South Carolina Voter Education Project. He has held positions as executive director of Project T-Square and executive vice president of Operation Push. Felder has also served as professor and chairman of the Department of Business & Economics at Allen University. In October 1994, he was named executive director of the South Carolina Conference of NAACP Branches. Today, he is president/CEO of the South Carolina Voter Education Project and president of Lee Associates, Inc.

In November 1970, Felder along with I.S. Leevy Johnson and Herbert Fielding, were the first Blacks to be elected to the South Carolina Legislature since Reconstruction. In 1973, he was appointed the first Black assistant prosecutor in South Carolina. He is the past vice chair of the South Carolina Department of Youth Services.

Felder is the past president of the Columbia Branch NAACP. He served on the Board of Trustees at Allen University and is a member of the National Bar Association, American Business Law Association and South Carolina Black Hall of Fame.

Felder, a native of Sumter, S.C., spent his early adult years in Washington, D.C., and has been living in Columbia since 1967. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Clark Atlanta University and a juris doctorate from the Howard University School of Law. He also earned a master’s degree from the Atlanta Law School.

Visit http://www.salisburypost.com/News/110211-he-buried-JFKw-pix-qcd to read an article about Felder.

Foods from around the world and various cultures will be featured. International attire will also be worn. A panel discussion will kick off the event, featuring HCC employees and students sharing information about their respective cultures. Admission is $2 per plate for the food tasting.

The event is a collaboration of dramatic events, including skits, monologues, dance and songs depicting the journey of African-Americans and their hardships, struggles, determination and courage of transitioning from slavery to present day. The event is important as it depicts the history of the African-American movement.

Following are links to video from previous performances:
• Up From Slavery 2011: Part 1
• Up From Slavery 2011: Part 2
• Up From Slavery 2011: Part 3
• Up From Slavery 2011: Part 4

Murder Mystery Enterprises will present this adult dinner theatre.

The awards ceremony honors local African-American citizens and students who have made significant contributions in the local community. Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Allen Purser will be the guest speaker. More details are available at http://www.halifaxcc.edu/saluting/index.htm.

The conference will feature Valorie Burton as the keynote speaker.

Valorie Burton prayed for nearly two years to know her life's purpose before God revealed it to her in July 1999: To use her gifts of writing and speaking to inspire women to live more fulfilling lives. Three weeks later, she began writing her first book and she has never looked back.

A personal and executive coach who has served hundreds of clients in over 40 states and eight countries, Valorie is the author of five books on personal and spiritual development, including How Did I Get So Busy?, Listen to Your Life, and What’s Really Holding You Back?, and Why Not You? 28 Days to Authentic Confidence. Her next book, Where Will You Go from Here?, about recovering from the setbacks and unexpected turns in life will be released in May 2011. She has experienced the joys of fulfilling her calling and the triumphs of personal and professional success. But she also knows the pain of divorce, family health challenges and dreams deferred. Valorie’s transparency and hard-earned words of wisdom give women practical, biblical solutions to real life challenges.

She has co-hosted two national television shows: The Potter’s Touch with Bishop T.D. Jakes and Aspiring Women, the Emmy-award winning magazine show that airs on Total Living Network. She has appeared in and on CNN, HLN, NPR, The 700 Club, LA Times, Oprah Magazine, Today’s Christian Woman, Woman’s Day and local affiliates of every major network. Over the years, she has served as Editor-at-Large for Heart & Soul Magazine, and as the resident Life Coach for Dallas-Fort Worth’s NBC affiliate, ABC Family Channel’s “Living the Life,” and two syndicated radio shows on the ABC Radio Network. Success Magazine named her book Why Not You? 28 Days to Authentic Confidence one of the “Top 25 must-read success books” and Leadership Excellence Magazine named her one of the top 100 thought leaders in the field of personal development.

She earned a master’s degree in applied positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in journalism from Florida A&M University. Her BA is from Florida State University. She is an avid student of the Bible and lives in Atlanta, GA where she is an active member of Victory World Church.

The event focuses on minority male leadership and includes sessions for students as well as professional educators.

Rhythm in Blue is a highly entertaining and versatile 13-piece ensemble that performs the American musical art forms of jazz, blues and funk. The band features repertoire from great jazz masters such as Oscar Peterson, Miles Davis, Chick Corea, The Yellowjackets, Charlie Parker, Michael Brecker and Herbie Hancock. The ensemble also pays tribute to Big Band leaders of the swing era, such as Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Count Basie and Glenn Miller. In addition, their fabulous vocalist entertains with musical gems from jazz divas such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Diane Schuur. Bringing you great jazz from the USAF Heritage of America Band, led by Master Sergeant John Cisar, we hope you enjoy the musical talent of Rhythm in Blue!

Visit http://www.heritageofamericaband.af.mil/ensembles/BandEnsembleBio.asp?EnsembleID=157 for more information and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecHc7IKX_2s to watch a musical number performed by the ensemble.