Page 4, Portland Observer, December 1,1988 >! a i! Scripture o f the Week: Luke: Chapter 6 RELIGION Ullysses Is Back Ten Year Plan Is Realized t i-- • .M r- Ye. ¿5 • .7 ► V J, by Mattie Ann Callier-Spears This story is the result of an exclusive interview with Mr. Ul­ lysses Tucker, Jr. Mr. Tucker is the new Public Affairs Director at KATU. Ullysses Tucker, Jr. is a 33 year old, African American male who has assessed life’s ramifications and has made a POSITIVE choice as to what direction he would rather choose to move towards. "Some people look at me as an accomplished individual; but, actu­ ally I’m just me. They think of me as a well refined person, middle class, and from an ideal family setting. All that means is - that you have ac­ quired certain values ... and values can be learned" commented Ul­ lysses. As he continued... “They say yr don’t act like those kinds-of people (referring to other blacks). You’re nice, you have a nice car and nice dreams. That couldn’t possibly have come from negative circum- ctqnppc ’* “ That’s WRONG!", he ex­ claimed. “I am one of seven children born to Ullysses Tucker, Sr. and Gloria Jean Tucker; but, I was raised by my grandmother. Some of my brothers are either incarcerated or on drugs. My sisters had children out-of-the-wedlock and until I made a decision about education - 1 was nothing more than a transient kid on the streets of Washington, D.C." Sometime during the summer months, a question arose. What­ ever happened to Ullysses Tucker? I ne answer and the curiosity to locate Mr. Tucker was shelved. Then, the question came up again in the early fall. One day, while dis­ cussing copy and format, the phone rang. And, who do you think was calling? The long awaited Ullysses Tucker, Jr. was on the other end of the line., checking on the where­ abouts of old friends and acquain­ tances. When Ullysses came into the office, I told him I didn't think we’d ever see him again...because he was gone so long. He replied, “ I always Knew I was coming back. Everything was geared around the plan to return to Portland." “ It began at the time that I gradu­ ated from the University of Portland. As an undergraduate, I had a 10 year plan to work in every area of communication. Since then, I’ve found that television was the most comfortable Everyone of the expe­ riences was helpful in assisting me in the decision I had to make. KATU was able to work something out.” Ullysses says, “The thing that I want to reinforce is that even though I desired to return; if I didn’t have creditability in the community, it would not have been possible." Ullysses worked long and hard to achieve the success and the recog­ nition - he now reaps the benefits of. In May of 1977, he earned an Asso­ ciates of Arts Degree in Journalism from Southeast Community College in Fairbury, Nebraska; in 1979, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Radio and Television from the University of Portland and in May of 1982, he earned his Masters of Arts Degree in Communications from the Univer­ sity of Portland. He has received extensive sales training and has attended many workshops that would enhance his knowledge and sharpen his many skills. Ullysses began his climb to suc­ cess at an early age. He was a young man possessed Basketball became only one of the vehicles that would assist Ul­ lysses in attaining his goal. Accord­ ing to story about Ullysses written by Adrienne Keith in the Portland Downtowner, Tucker grew up as a street-wise kind in Washington, D C., after his parents died when he was 15 years old. “ I have a Ph D. in street knowl­ edge, but I didn’t get any credit for it," Tucker told Keith. Ullysses has made many posi­ tive impressions on other fabric of the Portland Community, such as: Producer and host of KPTV’s "Dia­ logue", National Basketball Asso­ ciation reporter and photographer for the Portland Observer Newspa­ per, intern with a top radio station - KXC-AM 1431, Station Manager of Portland radio station KDUP-AM 8600 and his willing participation with many community outreach programs. Yes! He does have creditability in the Portland Community. He earned it wisely and earnestly. Ullysses stated that he came to Portland, this year, on Memorial Day and had several interviews. He, later on, narrowed it down to his August trip - when he, at that time, considered KATU to be the best. the Rick Meyers Show 'Sunday Northwest'. This position does not restrict my participation in other projects." I asked him how he felt his posi­ tion at KATU would impact on the community? And his response was, “ I feel that the impact will be felt simply because - I’m there." “ My predecessor, Anita Noble, did a great job of balance and as far as getting the information out into the community. KATU has a non­ verbal, standing commitment to the community of Portland - regardless of race, color or creed." Ullysses' Plans In Position: “I plan to act on the local issues and get the information out into the community much faster. I feel that this can be accomplished very eas­ ily. Because that's what I'm there for." His response was confident as he stated, "Any time they (speaking Tucker’s Views On Oregon: "People speak negatively about Oregon; but, what they don’t know is that Oregon is one of the best kept secrets in the nation. Have you ever considered how many well known artists have come to Oregon to complete their best works? It’s the serenity, the beauty, the calm (if you will), and the wholesomeness about the citizens and the countryside." He went on to say that, “ Oregonians don’t want just anybody coming up hereto inhabit their State. And, they are not too particular about sharing, either." “As far as education and crime is concertied, you should go back east and there you would see what crime is all about. I'm still sold on the fact that Oregon is a good place to raise children." “ Oregonians should get away and see what life is like in Boston, St. Louis or Minneapolis; but, as for me, I am sold on Oregon. When I was making preparations to come to Oregon, I bought myself a trench coat and an umbrella. Why get upset about it? That’s Oregon!” Ullysses went on to say that he feels like he never left; because the people remember him for the posi­ tive things that he did. “ right now, I am the Public Affairs Producer for CORNER STONE COMMUNITY COGIC 2216 N.E. Killingsworth • Portland, OR 97211 of the people in the community) need me, I can help them." Ullysses stated that KATU has a serious commitment to the commu­ nity and when they hired him - they proved their commitment. “There is no way you can come back to a town this small if you have burned your bridges", he stated candidly. “ I wasn’t into the social responsibility of television but I have grown tremendously in the past six (6) years. There is literally no substi­ tute for maturity." The Com m unity Has Respon­ s ib ilitie s : “ The people in this community would be very foolish it they didn’t make good use of me being at KATU. As opposed to complaining all the time, call Ul­ lysses. Other communities use my services There are other vehicles that people can use from the station, also. When you call, demand what In his closing comments, he stated, “ Remember! The commu­ nity can serve as a 'watch dog'.'' you need, such as: Children’s pro­ grams and etc." "Suppose there is a void and it is recognized out in the community; write to the station and ask that a meeting be held to address the fact that there is a lack of programming No one will be aware of the problem until it is brought to their attention." From the staff at the Portland Observer, the staff (faculty) and students at the University of Port­ land and the entire City of Portland, we all say “ WELCOME HOME ULLYSSES". Je su s L o v e s You! A llen Temple CM E Church 4236 N.E. Eighth Avenue (comer of 8th & Skidmore) I Portland, Oregon 97211 I (503) 287-0261 I k P>u7/tp S. Nelson. Pastor Psalm 34:3 5^2 Oregon Jurisdiction No. #1 Headquarters Church 1705 N.E. Dekum - Portland, OR (503) 283-1524 Y lS THE STATEMENT OF FAITH e believe the Bible to be the inspired and only infallible written Word of God. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in Three Persons; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. e believe in theBlessed Hope, which is the rapture of the Church of God, which is in Christ, at His return. e believe that the only means of being cleansed from sin, is through repentence, faith in the precious Blood of Jesus Christ and being baptized in water. We believe that regeneration by the Holy Ghost is absolutely essentia, for personal salvation. © believe that the redemptive w ork of Christ on the cross provides healing fo r the human body in answer to believing prayer. -e believe that the baptism in the Holy Ghost, according to Acts 2:4 is given to believers who ask fo r it. fe believe in the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, by Wfiose indwelling, the Christian is enabled to live a holy and separated life in this present w orld; Amen. ***Greater Solid Rock Church.... Youth Dept.... Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Saturday Prayer 8:00-9:00 a.m. M orning W orship 11:30 a.m. Broadcast 1480 KBMS Evening W orship 7:00 p.m. Sunday 10:30-11:00 a.m. Tuesday Prayer 10:00 a.m.-12 Noon Tuesday Prayer & Bible Study 7 p.m. T hursday Pastor Speaks 7:00 p.m. **♦ Sponsoring It's "1st Annual Pew Rally it Friday December 16th, 1988 281-4587 Pastor: Supt. B.E. Johnson 7:30 PM YOU ARE WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT 84 N.E. Killingsworth • 281-0499 Bide Band 7 30p n “To the Glory o f G od” Char Betears.il 7 00pr The Ark of Safety Church of God in Christ Sunday School A warm spirit of fellowship always“ hOUNDEH I re Holiness Preacher Bishop U V Peterson O.O. Builder-Pastor a Z$F the Bible s a y s ... Follow peace with all men & holiness without which no man shall see the Host Elder: Guest Speaker: Victor Norris Evang. Bernard Ings 9 15a Mornmq Worstno State Street Church of God 11 15a 6 30p ypw w Evangelistic 8 00p Worship T Noon Day Payer The Pista Speaks Bishop A.R. Hopkins 7 30p r SaUrtay Mornidg Prayer 9 00 a i Oregon Jurisdiction #1 Church of God In Christ Lord HEBREWS 1 2 14 ................................................................................ ' <=>! - ................. —