Page 20 The Portland Observer Black History Month February 27, 2013 Black History Tribute T he V ancouver N A A C P and the Y W C A invite the c o m m u nity to a B lack H istory M onth tribute event honoring the late local lead er Val Joshua. Joshua, w ho led the N A A C P ch ap ter for 29 years, d ied in D ecem b er at the age o f 92. T he tribute takes place on T hursday, Feb. 28 from 10 a.m . to noon at the Y W C A C lark C ounty C om m unity R oom , 3609 M ain St. in V ancouver. T he Y W C A is d edicated to elim inating racism and e m p o w e rin g w o m e n . T h e N A A C P w orks to ensure the political, educational, social, and econom ic THE LAW OFFICES OF Patrick John Sweeney, P.C Patrick John Sweeney Washington State University professor David Leonard, the author o f ‘Screens Fade to Black, ’ a book about African-American cinema Attorney at Law Val Joshua 1549 SE Ladd Portland, Oregon Portland: Hillsoboro: Facsimile: Email: equality o f rights o f all persons and to elim in ate race-b ased discrim ination. To RSV P, c o n ta c t eventrsvp@ywcaclarkcounty.oig. F o r m o re in fo rm atio n , call M ich elle H u rd le-B rad fo rd at 360-906-9129. (503) 244-2080 (503) 244-2081 (503) 244-2084 Sweeney @ PDXLawyer.com We’re in the business of providing hope, access and potential. Join us. H om e Forw ard (formerly the Housing Authority of Portland) provides shelter and support for our neighbors in need. Because with the essentials of a home, individuals can move forward in life. Today, we are more committed than ever to serving our community of Multnomah County by providing hope, access, and the potential fo r a b e tte r tom orrow . information or to learn about specific opportunities, or for inform ation technical assistance, and workforce hiring and training programs. for minority, women-owned and emerging small businesses- in the following areas: • Social Services For more Cinna’Mon W illiam« Cnno. c r n uc* in fo rm a tio n , Assistant M rseto r for Contracting • Equity contact: 503 803 8833 Ctrmamon.WiMamsOhomatorward.org from page 6 Supporting Actress for her portrayal as Scarlett O ’Hara’s mammy, a "no blacks” rule at an Atlanta, Ga. venue kept her from attending the film ’s extravagant premiere. And then, on Oscar night in 1940, a tucked-away table at Los A ngeles’ Coconut Grove kept her apart from the big gest movie stars of the time. Accepting the award at the po dium, she told the audience and newsreel cameras, "I sincerely hope I shall always be a credit to my race.” The door may have squeaked open, but only a crack. It would be 50 more years before the next black w om an re c eiv e d an O scar - Goldberg for her role as a psychic in "Ghost.” "What the Oscar didn’t win Hattie and other blacks that night was equality,” said Leonard. Today, with prom inent African A m erican stars such as H alle Berry, Denzel W ashington, Danny G lover and W ill Smith, things in Tinsel Town have changed, he said. Yet, change in the film in dustry lags, especially com pared to blacks’ opportunities in music and sports. "Hollywood still has a tendency to equate blackness with have-nots, crim inals and dom estic h elp ,” Leonard said. "The day they are depicted not as symbols but as blacks being themselves, we can look back at Hattie on Oscar night and say, ‘OK, it took a long time, but we finally got there.’” Oregon) Outreach about resources such as free training, partners. We frequently have contract opportunities-particularly • Construction Services continued Contact Home Forward for more To achieve our goals, however, requires the help of our business • Professional Services First African- American Oscar <5n2> homeforward hope, access, potential. 9th through 12th Grade Diploma Track Fully Accredited 503 281-9597 Advertise with diversity in Ham rawlt Qebretaadik Equity Coordinator 803-803-8431 Mamrswtt.Oatoratsmlii.ehomatorward.org Now Enrolling McCoy Academy T,k' Portland Observer hom eforward.org C all 503-288-0033 ads@portlandob server.com