YSU's

The Final Taskforce Report on Diversity on campus will be presented to the Executive Council at the beginning of the spring semester, and later on brought to the general assembly. By the end of January, we should be able to circulate copies to the relevant authorities.

I am looking forward to the spring semester with excitement because of new opportunities for the visibility of BFSA. One of them will involve a conference on Black Political Leadership in the Mahoning Valley. This actually is a follow-up of a lecture and promise which was made by then candidate for mayor of Youngstown, Jay Williams last year. The difference this year would be that the format and scope would bring together other Black religious, community and political leaders. I deliberately excluded this event from African American History Month programming to give BFSA exclusive control and maximum exposure.

Finally, I requested permission from the Interim Director of Human Resources, Ron Chordas, to give our members permission to attend the Martin Luther King Breakfast on January 18th in the Chestnut Room, KILC, 8:00-10:00 AM. He asked me to forward a list of of our members, which I did, thanks to our Vice President Brenda Scarborough for her updated list. Ron seemed to understood the need for such an official approval, and I expect him to make it easy for our members to attend.

I am also happy to announce the revival of the publication of the Africana Studies Newsletter, The Ogele, which by coincidence contains considerable coverage on BFSA. You are encouraged to get a copy from the Africana Studies Program or Editor-in-Chief, Lae'l Hughes-Watkins.

Thank you again for your active participation in BFSA, and I hope and wish that those of you who have not be as involved before, can make room in their schedule to be active members of BFSA.

Victor Wan-Tatah President