Election creates action

Cordell Stokes Patricia Cunningham

By Pamela Glason Thornton
City Editor
Columbus Post

National politics often stem from personal decisions and collective actions to affect the future. Gender and race will be addressed during an African American Women’s Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sat., January 12.
The spotlight will shine on the importance of politics during “Race, Gender and the 2008 Election,” a panel workshop designed to address the need to make informed decisions that relate to the political arena. The panel will feature persons who have backgrounds within national political and employment environments.
Cordell Stokes, son of the late Cleveland Mayor Carl Stokes and nephew of former Ohio Congressman Louis Stokes, has continued his father’s legacy of being an advocate for Affirmative Action and for the civil rights of African Americans as an administrator with the Las Vegas Clark County Urban League. Stokes has led the charge to educate and politically empower African Americans through the Urban League since 2002.
“ Historically, the woman was at home and as time went on, the need for the 2 individuals to go to work to support the household arose,” stated Stokes as he noted that there have been great successes achieved by women who have exceeded society’s requirements. Women have brought attention to the political scene and proven that when it comes to race, gender and politics, almost anything is possible. Noting former politicians’ participation in major decisions that impacted the nation’s political scene during his childhood, Stokes stated, “Carl Stokes, my father, was considered the charismatic politician of his day. He drew women and he was attractive to the people. A lot of time your ability to be elected is about your charisma.”
“ The dynamic has changed. Shirley Chisolm [the first African-American female elected to Congress in 1968] started that process. It is an entity that needs to be addressed and tapped into,” said Stokes.
Politics and civil rights combined frequently during the previous year. In 1967, Thurgood Marshall became the first black to be named to the Supreme Court and Carl Stokes (Cleveland, Ohio) and Richard G. Hatcher (Gary, Indiana) were both elected the first black mayors of major U.S. cities. Stokes will carry on the civil rights’ legacy as the keynote speaker for the anniversary observance of the mayors’ historic election to be held later this month in Gary, Indiana.
Dr. Juanita Fain, who manages enrollment and affects the preparation of undergraduate college students, shaping them before they reach the workplace, regularly contributes to the development of up-and-coming professionals who are destined to lead society. Fain is prepared to participate in the summit that will look at current issues and give insight into societal factors that are likely to become more relevant during the coming months as the November presidential election nears.
A challenge exists for candidates to make college students who are perhaps voting for the first time to make the decision to go to the polls. Young adults also consider the consequences of their actions when participating in the voting process and choosing the person that should be the political leader for society and the nation.
“ In life, education is the key to success. Early preparation and exposure are critical. Students have to feel and believe that they can be successful regardless of their background, said Dr. Fain, Vice President for Planning at The University of Nevada Las Vegas.
Before joining UNLV in 1998, Fain served as Associate Vice President for Administration at Ohio University.
“ The way this world is, you have to have something [skill, training or experience] in order to become viable,” said Stokes who stressed preparation that begins in high school as apprenticeships lead to viable forms of employment for persons who stick with the programs.
“ Many trades pay big dollars. Getting prepared to ascertain a trade, starting an electrical or construction industry program in high school, you can transition even if you are not going to college,” said Stokes.
In addition to education, the presenters agree that role models and mentors who invest in individuals’ outcome are extremely important to the enhancement of personal self-esteem.
“ Providing access and support to attain higher education among under-represented individuals, I believe, will make a significant difference in their lives and in the world,” added Fain.
“ As individuals, each of us has grown and will continue to grow with experience,” said Stokes.
Former Las Vegas City Councilwoman and former Clark County Commissioner Lynette Boggs is also scheduled to serve as a workshop presenter. A graduate of Notre Dame, Boggs has been directly involved in upholding political and ethical issues through her career.
Rounding out presenters, Elle Swan, brings a perspective of complete wellness to the day with a holistic [mind and body health-oriented] presentation. Swan is an author, life coach and motivational speaker.
The summit was conceived and organized by Patricia Cunningham, an African-American Las Vegas, Nevada radio hostess from KCEP Power 88.1 FM Radio. The urban contemporary non-commercial (public radio) station airs R&B, gospel and Hip-Hop music. Cunningham and participants desire to show women around the nation that they should be working toward a common goal everyday. The “Gender vs. Race and the 2008 Election” panel workshop will be broadcast live on “The Patricia Cunningham Show” on the morning of January 12.
“ In the afternoon, a session that focuses on female relationships, “Sister to Sister,” has been scheduled to examine how we interact with each other while dealing with the good, the bad, and the ugly,” said Cunningham.
The day-long summit will address a variety of topics during break-out sessions – Educational Opportunities in Nevada, Grassroots organizing and Political Empowerment, Career Mobility – as well as societal issues including Health Care, The Exploitation of Women in Hip Hop, Self-Esteem, The Changing Role of Women in the Church and other outstanding topics that affect daily life will be addressed in workshops that generate audience feedback and promote individuals and groups to action.
“ What Cunningham is doing is a great thing,” said Stokes.

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