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Dr. Na'im Akbar Lecture at ASU Discusses Black Identity in Modern Day Society

Submitted by DaVaun Sanders

The African American Men of Arizona State University (AAMASU) hosted Dr. Na'im Akbar on Feb. 23 for the Carter G. Woodson Lecture series. This will mark the fifth annual offering of an event which is fast becoming a Black History Month staple for ASU students as well as the metro Phoenix community.

Each year AAMASU invites a national speaker to engage the community in a talk aimed “to connect African and African American history to contemporary issues.” Dr. Akbar certainly fulfilled the rich and very necessary tradition the student group is establishing, with his poignant and engaging discussion on the nuances of Black identity in modern day society.

“The people here under 20 represent the first generation of African Americans in America who have a choice not to be Black,” Akbar proclaimed to those in attendance.

One of the premier clinical psychologists in the country, Akbar's extensive body of work is often quoted and used for coursework across the country. His published works include Black empowerment classics such as “Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery” and “Visions for Black Men.”

In Tuesday evening's talk he chronicled Black identity from slavery through Jim Crow, all the way to present day denial of Black identity through assimilation and materialism. He explained how Black identity in contemporary culture is considered as negative, and for many prominent Blacks — such as Tiger Woods — the behavior that goes along with that denial is ultimately self-destructive.

Akbar's discussion employed several telling images to emphasize one of his key points about the creation of “media monsters.” He explained how some Blacks don materialistic uniforms (i.e. pimp, playa or hustler) to escape the Black identity, some prominent examples being Flava Flav and Lil Kim.

He also blasted basketball star LeBron James' infamous appearance with supermodel Gisele Bundchen on the cover of Vogue.

“He was victimized to let himself be portrayed as a brute,” Akbar said. “To let himself be portrayed like King Kong in the 21st century — and no one's making him choose that - it is not increasing his value.”

Despite the numerous examples of Black identity gone awry cited during the talk, Dr. Akbar's message proved to be one of empowerment and continued awareness. He stressed to the audience that “your identity should empower you.”

Akbar defines power as “the ability to influence the environment in a way consistent with a people's self interest.” He explained how Blacks must discover their legacy to live a life of full potential, and exhorted students to embrace “an awareness and appreciate for the challenges that have been endured, and the resilience of your identity.”

“Your being here and using this scholarship or this opportunity is a charge for responsibility,” he bade the students.

Dr. Akbar's honest critique and examination of the elements shaping Black identity allowed those present to engage in a true accounting of the factors shaping the Black community. Well received among the crowd of ASU students and community members, the Carter G. Woodson Lecture Series is the sort of programming guaranteed to ensure Black history is remembered, cherished, and acted upon by future generations.

The Tax Guy: New IRS Documentation Requirements for Homebuyer Credit

The Tax Guy

According to the IRS, thousands of individuals claiming the first-time homebuyer’s $8,000 tax credit may be trying to scam the system. Claims for the tax credit are being filed by those who were not first-time buyers, those who hadn’t yet bought houses, and those who were under age 18, according to an inspector general’s report. More than $500 million in claimed credits are currently being questioned by the Internal Revenue Service.

In addition the IRS has opened 115 criminal investigations, has frozen more than 110,000 refunds pending further examination and is stepping up audits of questionable claims. Recently, a tax preparer was sentenced to federal prison for filing fraudulent returns — the first in connection with housing tax credit fraud.

In light of these developments the IRS has come up with new documentation requirements for taxpayers who claim a homebuyer credit on their 2009 original or amended return. Taxpayers must now attach a copy of their settlement statements/agreements. Generally, this would be a properly executed Form HUD-1, or for newly constructed homes, with no executed settlement statement, a copy of their certificate of occupancy showing the taxpayers name, property address, and the date of the certificate.

Taxpayers looking to claim the Long-time resident’s credit must show proof that they had the same principle residence for at least 5 consecutive years during the 8 year period ending on the purchase date of the new home. Documentation showing you met this test would include Form 1098s, Property tax records, or Homeowner’s insurance records from prior years.

Because of these new documentation rules, Form 5405 Homebuyer Credit, must be filed by paper and can not be e-filed. Also processing for amended returns will take longer (approx. 12-16 weeks) longer than normal.

Jermaine A. Southern a.k.a. "The Tax Guy" is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) living in Phoenix, Arizona. He received his B.A. in Accounting from Morehouse College, and graduated from Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School of Business with a Masters of Taxation. He has been in public practice for more than nine years along the way working at both international (Deloitte & Touche LLP) and regional (Clifton Gunderson LLP) firms. He is now principal of his own private practice. The Tax Guy's articles do not necessarily reflect the views of PhxSoul.com. Please visit southerncpafirm.com to reach Jermaine for additional questions with regard to this article or other tax assistance.

Hill Harper Inspires Audience at ASU With His Energy, Reflections on the Past, Framework for the Future

Story and Photos Submitted by DaVaun Sanders

Actor and author Hill Harper gave a rousing talk to assembled students and members of the community in a packed lecture hall at Arizona State University on Feb. 20. Sponsors for the event included the Canon Leadership Program, the Black and African Coalition, Undergraduate Student Government, and Multicultural Student Serves at ASU.

Harper's session exhorted listeners to examine their lives critically for areas of improvement, and heed their passions while striving for success in their goals and friendships.

“If you get into the habit of doing well and excelling, that excellence will begin to replicate itself,” Harper said.

He shared personal stories throughout his talk, from hoops with Barack Obama while both were studying at Harvard Law, to the lessons he learned on the set of CSI:NY and celebrity Jeopardy.

Harper instantly engaged those present, striding energetically up and down the rows of Murdock 201 to ask questions while standing among the audience. He shared four essential elements for continued success, first insisting that a detailed blueprint of the future is critical for anyone's success.

“Even when you choose to do nothing, that is making an active choice,” Harper said. He noted that while a blueprint requires a high degree of skill, when it comes to life we do not expect that same level of detail. “You must be the active architect of your own life.”

Harper also stressed the importance of affirmations, and positive self talk when searching out life's passions.

“Whatever you dream about, double or triple it,” he encouraged, explaining that most of our aspirations can be tempered by our environment without our even realizing it. “Most of us are used to making something that already exists a little better. People rarely think of something that is brand new.”

A summary of his points include:

• Create a detailed blueprint for your life's success.
• Build a foundation strong enough to hold up those goals.
• The framework for life is your choices. It is incumbent upon us to make choices that are in line with our visions and core.
• Create a door for your house to let the right people in and the wrong people out.

Harper made clear that the people we choose to surround ourselves with should be our “own personal board of directors” and help us stay focused.
 
“We are all tied together in a garment of mutual destiny,” he quoted from Martin Luther King, Jr. “If I'm doing well, and you're not doing well, then we aren't doing well. We are connected.”

“This room, Murdock Hall, can change the world—but not if we leave it as individuals.”

Harper received a standing ovation at the close of his lecture, and followed with a book signing which stretched a line all the way around the room for autographed copies of MANifest Your Destiny, Letters to a Young Brother and his most recent release, The Conversation: How Black Men and Women Can Build Loving, Trusting Relationships.

Harper's high level of energy continued throughout the day despite a tight schedule. The actor's genuine commitment to young men also shined through, as he made time before his main talk to address a smaller gathering of approximately 30 Black male students at ASU.

“If you are here in this country and you are Black, your parents did a lot more than just survive for you to be here,” he said, admonishing the group to raise the bar.

Harper's candor and honesty with the group proved both refreshing and valuable. He shared about how his early dreams to play Pac-10 football gave way to theater and politics during his undergraduate studies at Brown, as he continuously pursued his passions.

He cautioned against a 'lotto mentality', where people waste energy on shortcuts instead of just putting in the work. He also stressed that large goals will require skill-sets and alliances that one cannot achieve alone.

“No one around you should not have a plan.”

The inspiring presence of this actor and author in the Valley offered a definite burst of energy for the students and members of the community who chose to attend his lecture at ASU. While Black History Month typically offers the community sober reflections about the past, Hill Harper also provided an opportunity—and the tools—to continue actively shaping our future.

To our PhxSoul.com readers—if you missed Harper, check out his books for a serious dose of motivation for your success in 2010! He also invites you to follow him @HillHarper on Twitter.

Contemporary Civil Rights Debate in Phoenix Speaks to a Variety of Agendas, Issues

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Submitted by DaVaun Sanders

The Contemporary Civil Rights debate on Feb. 17 at Phoenix Civic Space Park featured quality insight from some of the Valley's leaders in education and politics. As part of Arizona State University's Black History Month programming, the event provided participants an opportunity to engage in dialogue about some of the most pervasive civil rights topics affecting the community today.

The predominantly African-American audience included a spread of ages from community elders to ASU students. One noticeable trend for Black History Month programming is that the same faces continue to be present for such educational and progressive offerings, and the Civil Rights debate audience held true to that pattern.

Despite those observations, the event provided an opportunity for civil rights to be looked at critically from a multitude of viewpoints, and not solely an African American perspective despite the backdrop of BHM Month. Moderated by Kesha A. Hodge, a practicing Arizona attorney, the four-person panel explored the inner workings of many essential topics.

“In a country this rich, it makes no sense for a person to be without health care,” said Dr. La Verne Parker Diggs, the Executive Director of Human Resources for the City of Scottsdale. The affirming nods of audience members reflected a shared sentiment for her remarks.

“I would take it a step further and address preventative care,” added Nicholas Walker, the Program Coordinator for the African American Men of Arizona State University (AAMASU). “We need to begin changing our diets, taking bad food out of our schools that now contributes to childhood obesity.”

Panelist Kyrsten Sinema is the current State Representative to District 15, which covers most of central Phoenix. Sinema was selected for President Obama's White House Health Reform Task Force, and shared a story about a woman she encountered while serving in that role.

The woman suffered from rheumatoid arthritis that required $1,000 weekly shots, and she could not afford a full year's supply. She took drops at a time to stretch out her medication for when the pain became too great. Her shots ran out in July, at which point she needed to be carried from room to room in her home.

“This is America,” Sinema said. “No one should have to make a decision like that.”

Gabriel Escontrias Jr. is an ASU liaison for staff and faculty policies, and is currently completing a doctorate in postsecondary education. He emphasized that the community needs to step back and ask how privileged they really are when considering issues that may not affect them personally. Hodge also observed that industries such as health care which deal in human capital should be more tightly regulated.

The panel allotted equal time for several pertinent civil rights issues, including education, LGBT rights, the prison system, and immigration. They also highlighted the importance of increasing mainstream white awareness on these issues, and that recognizing the privilege that demographic has enjoyed is a key step in creating equal civil rights for all.

The discussion concluded with a Q&A session, where the audience of 85 was given the opportunity to address the panel. A persistent theme among the questions related to the 'hierarchy of oppression,' where maligned groups will pursue one civil rights agenda to the exclusion of all else.

“Where are the people?” asked LaShawn Jenkins during the Q&A session. He is the current chair of the City of Phoenix Human Relations Commission, and owner of Jenkins Law Firm. “What can we do to rally the forces?”

Dialogue sessions that explore civil rights can sometimes be discouraging for action oriented attendees, but the Civil Rights Debate panelists provided immediate suggestions for action:

Walker: “This generation is not angry. Stop being distracted with media—watch world news and events. TV is censored, and (media) decides what we see.”

Sinema: “We are motivated by the issues that affect us. Now (we can) create our own media, and alternative communication.”

Diggs: “We need to network. Stay connected with the people you see.”

PhxSoul.com is dedicated to providing the awareness and resources that will continue to strengthen our beautiful city and country. To our readers: Can you add any action steps to help further the civil rights cause in the Valley? Please leave your Comments below!

Legislative and Leadership Conference Gives Arizona African Americans Opportunities to Make Our Voices Heard

Submitted by DaVaun Sanders

The Arizona African American Legislative and Leadership Conference recently held its Eighth Annual offering on Feb. 11-12, with a theme of “Passing the Torch to the Next Generation.” The Conference provided opportunities for the community to interface with local leaders in government and business, as well as to sit in on workshops exploring key issues relevant to the African American community.

The conference kicked off Thursday morning kicked with a prayer breakfast that included remarks by Governor Jan Brewer, Senator Leah-Landrum Taylor and Representative Cloves Campbell, Jr. Participants used the meeting to highlight key issues of concern to the African-American community to the Governor, who emphasized the difficulties of presenting a balanced budget with a current $3 billion state shortfall.

“Times are tough, and I'm tough,” Governor Brewer said. “We need to be problem solvers.”

Brewer also identified Arizona initiatives where faith organizations and nonprofits can be better utilized to fulfill needs within the community where the state may fall short. One tool she highlighted is ArizonaSERVES, which is currently accepting applications for a task force convened specifically to marshal community resources.

“Our voices have to be heard loud, and our voices have to be heard strong,” said Representative Campbell. “This is your day to be a lobbyist. This is an opportunity for us to come together. We have some of the brightest minds in the African-American community here today. The programs getting cut affect African-American (issues) disproportionately in the state, such as sickle cell and diabetes.”

Senator Landrum-Taylor also educated conference attendees about Senate Bill 1174, which would permanently establish a state African-American affairs commission and annual African-American Legislative Day event. The current commission exists only through a temporary executive order by former Governor Napolitano.

Upon the conclusion of the prayer breakfast, conference attendees headed to the Senate Floor for opening ceremonies and The State of the African-American Community Address by Janita Gordon, Senior Advancement Officer of the Arizona Community Foundation.

“If you thought you would hear some dismal state of African-American affairs, I'm sorry to disappoint you,” Gordon said. “We vote, we have jobs, we create jobs.”

She cited several examples of community progress from the comprehensive publication, “The State of Black Arizona, Vol II,” distributed to attending legislators, and available online at www.stateofblackaz.org.

Pastor Shawn Buchanan from St. Paul Baptist Church in Sierra Vista provided a rousing plea to onlookers and politicians in his closing remarks from the Senate floor.

“I'm an African-American, but if you pull back my skin and remove my color, I am just like you,” he said. “Every culture in our state provides a resource.”

Thursday’s programming concluded with a luncheon on the House lawn and a Community Awards Dinner later in the evening at the George Washington Carver Museum in downtown Phoenix.

On Friday morning, conference organizers dedicated Legislative Leadership Workshops on six identified pillars: Justice, Youth, Health, Economic Development, Education, and Environment. The Youth Workshop provided a particularly engaging session which explored the ramifications of the 'N'-Word and its continued use in our community. Co-facilitated by Dr. Camilla Westenberg of Phoenix College, the event sought a dialogue on the slur's pervasiveness by inviting area spoken word poets and rappers to talk about their experiences with the word and explore ways to move past it.

The conference concluded with another luncheon featuring Keynote Speaker Judge Cody Williams. As Arizona's budgeting crisis deepens, these African-American leaders' efforts towards “Passing the Torch to the Next Generation” will undoubtedly prove critical to the community's continued success this decade and beyond.

PhxSoul.com's DaVaun Sanders Wins New America Media Fellowship

PhxSoul.com is proud to announce that our talented writer - DaVaun Sanders - has been awarded a 2010 New America Media Fellowship, "Ethnic Elders Today and Tomorrow," which was underwritten by a grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies.

In order to receive the fellowship which includes a stipend, Sanders had to submit a proposal outlining a major article or series of stories, that he would research and write, as well as a signed agreement by PhxSoul.com to run his stories.

Sanders will be writing a three-part series on assimilation challenges for Somali and other African immigrants in Arizona, struggles of African Americans, and how African immigrants and African Americans relate to one another. 
 
Sanders will participate in a two-day workshop on key social, politics and policy issues, hosted by New America Media in Washington, D.C., in late February 2010, where he will meet with national policy-makers, leading journalists, policy advocates and researchers. New America Media will disseminate stories produced by the fellows to ethnic and mainstream media partners and nonprofit collaborators through our news wire.

PhxSoul.com is proud of DaVaun Sanders and we look forward to publishing his three-part series!!

Live It Change It Supports Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" Campaign Targeting Childhood Obesity

In honor of President’s Day, we want to focus on First Lady Michelle Obama’s new "Let's Move" campaign, targeting childhood obesity, which was rolled out earlier this month. 

Obama outlined an approach that targets parents, urging them to get more informed about nutrition and exercise in order to pass this information down to their children. Live It Change It has a similar goal! You already know that what you eat is important. It impacts how you feel, how you look and it what kind of life you’ll live when you’re older. 

That’s why, as African-Americans, we need to live healthier lifestyles and share this information with our families so that future generations live a healthier, happier and longer life.

Our community is important to us. We want what's best for each other. That includes our children, our grandbabies and our younger brothers and sisters. It's time to find out what you can do to make a change in your life and the lives of your children and future generations.

Visit www.LiveItChangeIt.com to find out ways you can live a healthier lifestyle and share this information with family and friends. Teach them how to take charge of their own lives and help spread the movement throughout our community.  We are a people of hope.  We are a people of change and together, we can positively impact future generations.

Visit www.LiveItChangeIt.com to join the Live It Change It movement and help spread the word throughout our community.

The Tax Guy: Haitian Donations Given Early Eligibility

The Tax Guy

If you are donating to charities to help with the earthquake relief in Haiti, you may be able to claim those donations on your current 2009 tax return. Listed below are the IRS guidelines for this special provision.

1. The contributions must be made specifically for the relief of victims in areas affected by the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti.
2. To be eligible for a deduction on the 2009 tax return, donations must be made after Jan. 11, 2010 and before March 1, 2010.
3. In order to be deductible, contributions must be made to qualified charities and cannot be designated for the benefit of specific individuals or families.
4. The new law applies only to cash contributions. Cash contributions can be made by text message, check, credit card or debit card.
5. You must itemize your deductions in order to claim these donations on your tax return.
6. You have the option of deducting these contributions on either your 2009 or 2010 tax return, but not both.
7. Contributions made to foreign organizations generally are not deductible. You can find out more about organizations helping Haitian earthquake victims from agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (usaid.gov).
8.  Federal law requires that you keep a record of any deductible donations you make. For donations by text message, a telephone bill will meet the record-keeping requirement if it shows the name of the organization receiving your donation, the date of the contribution, and the amount given. For cash contributions made by other means, be sure to keep a bank record, such as a cancelled check or a receipt from the charity. Receipts should show the name of the charity, the date and amount of the contribution.

Also See
• IR-2010-12, Haiti Relief Donations Qualify For Immediate Tax Relief
• IRS Publication 526

Jermaine A. Southern a.k.a. "The Tax Guy" is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) living in Phoenix, Arizona. He received his B.A. in Accounting from Morehouse College, and graduated from Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School of Business with a Masters of Taxation. He has been in public practice for more than 10 years along the way working at both international (Deloitte & Touche LLP) and regional (Clifton Gunderson LLP) firms. He is now principal of his own private practice. The Tax Guy's articles do not necessarily reflect the views of PhxSoul.com. Please visit southerncpafirm.com to reach Jermaine for additional questions with regard to this article or other tax assistance.

Live It Change It Campaign Promoting Healthier Lifestyles For African Americans

Live It Change It is creating awareness among Black men and women in Arizona who are at greater risk for health issues and who could potentially pass those issues down to the next generation.

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, the infant-mortality rate among Arizona’s African-American population is an alarming 17 to every 1,000 live births—almost three times the national average!

We need to make a change to create healthier lifestyles that will impact future generations. Simple things like eating healthier, exercising more and visiting a doctor regularly will improve your quality of life, and we hope that you will pass this information along to others so they can make a positive change. All of the campaign materials can be previewed at www.liveitchangeit.com.  

We, as African-Americans, must address these issues in order to make a positive impact on baby outcomes, including, diabetes, heart disease, obesity and hypertension, as well as issues of teen pregnancy and drug abuse. View an inspirational two-minute video available at www.liveitchangeit.com and join the movement to receive email updates regarding Live It Change It.