THE HOUSE OF UMOJA, INC. AND THE NATIONAL 2007 MILLION FATHER MARCH INSPIRE FATHERS TO REDEFINE THEIR ROLES, ENERGIZE A PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND REKINDLE COMMUNITY SPIRIT
BY: D.A. Sears
Philadelphia. It is considered by many to be The Next Great American City. Nestled between New York and Washington, D.C. along the Northeast Corridor of the United States, it is the nation’s fifth largest city and its fourth largest media market. When one thinks of Philadelphia – The Next Great American City -- visions of Kelly Drive, Fairmount Park, Penns Landing, Boathouse Row, museums, world-class universities and unique cuisine in the form of soft pretzels and cheese steaks immediately come to mind. Some of the world’s greatest talents and thinkers were born and educated in Philadelphia – The Next Great American City.
On Monday, 10 September 2007 -- Philadelphia – The Next Great American City -- demonstrated to the world that it clearly understood that children are our bridge to the future and that Fathers have an essential role to play in building the bridge to our future by becoming one of 228 cities in the United States to participate in the 2007 Million Father March. The Million Father March was created in 2003 and is the brainchild of Mr. Phillip Jackson, the Founder and Executive Director of a Chicago, Illinois-based organization – The Black Star Project (www.blackstarproject.org). In 2007, The Million Father March has become an international event with the participation of Fathers in Berlin, Germany and Barcelona, Spain.
Through the Million Father March, Mr. Jackson encourages Fathers to take a proactive role in the academic affairs of their children by, among other things, taking their children to school on the first day of the academic year.
Mr. Jackson, on 2 July 2007, selected the House of Umoja, Inc. (www.houseofumoja.org), a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based organization with a 39-year successful track record for violence prevention and peace promotion activities to lead and organize the 2007 Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia. Created in 1968 by Queen Mother Falaka Fattah and her husband Mr. David Fattah, the House of Umoja, Inc. brought to an end bloody and rampant gang violence which plagued the City of Philadelphia by successfully negotiating a peace pact with gang leaders who agreed not to engage in acts of violence.
Mr. David Fattah, the Co-Founder of and Director of Community Outreach at the House of Umoja, Inc. served as the Coordinator for the 2007 Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia. Mr. Fattah and Queen Mother Falaka Fattah immediately went about the business of bringing the 2007 Million Father March to Philadelphia – The Next Great American City –, inspiring Fathers to rethink, reshape and redefine their parental roles and responsibilities, and energinzing a public school system. Fathers participating in the 2007 Million Father March in Philadelphia – The Next Great American City – were asked to (a) wear green ribbons which was a symbolic remembrance of the children who were lost to violence, (b) take their children to school on the first day of the 2007-2008 academic year. (c) obtain a copy of their child’s roster and the Calendar of Academic Events at their child’s school, encourage their children to sign the Imani Pledge, and (d) continue to play a proactive role in the academic affairs of their child throughout the 2007-2008 academic year.
Obtaining the endorsement of the 2007 Million Father March from the School District of Philadelphia became the first order of business for the House of Umoja, Inc. Once the endorsement of the School District of Philadelphia for the 2007 Million Father March had been obtained, the House of Umoja, Inc. created and implemented a strategy which not only brought the 2007 Million Father March to the people of the City of Philadelphia – The Next Great American City – but spawned strategic alliances and partnerships with the media, the religious community, the business community, the Fatherhood community, the creative community, grassroots community organizations, and unions.
Organizing Committees
In an effort to “get the word out” about the Million Father March and “bring the March to the people,” Organizing Meetings were convened by Mr. David Fattah, the Coordinator for the Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia and the Co-Founder and Director of Community Outreach for the House of Umoja, Inc. in four geographic areas of the City of Philadelphia. At each Organizing Meeting, Mr. Fattah was accompanied by members of the House of Umoja, Inc.’s Faith Of Our Fathers Peace Campaign Steering Committee. The Organizing Meetings spawned an Organizing Committee which worked in tangent with the House of Umoja, Inc.’s Faith Of Our Fathers Peace Campaign Steering Committee to bring the 2007 Million Father March to fruition in the City of Philadelphia on Monday, 10 September 2007.
The Organizing Meetings were held on Saturday, 11 August 2007 at Ruffin-Nichols AME Church at 11th and Mount Vernon Streets in North Philadelphia; Saturday, 18 August 2007 at St. Matthew AME Church at 57th and Summer Streets in West Philadelphia; Saturday, 25 August 2007 at the Church of the Redeemer at 24th and Dickinson Streets; and Saturday, 1 September 2007 at Janes Memorial United Methodist Church at 47 East Haines Street in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Organizing Meetings were attended by members of the community as well as members of the House of Umoja, Inc.’s Faith of Our Fathers Peace Campaign Steering Committee.
At each Million Father March Organizing Meeting, Mr. Fattah explained the mission and purpose of the 2007 Million Father March and advised that the Million Father March would take place on Monday, 10 September 2007 – the first day of the 2007-2008 academic year in the City of Philadelphia. Individuals interested in participating in the 2007 Million Father March were encouraged to complete a “Million Father March Sign In” Sheet onto which names and contact information of prospective participants in the Million Father March were recorded. Mr. Fattah asked Fathers to (a) wear a green ribbon which symbolizes a remembrance of the children who have been lost due to violence; (b) obtain a copy of their children’s roster and the Calendar of Academic Events for their children’s school(s); (c) to become proactive in their children’s education throughout the academic year; and (d) have their children sign the Imani Pledge which is a commitment not to engage in violence
An Anthem For The 2007 Million Father March In The City Of Philadelphia: Philadelphia’s Creative Community Embraces The 2007 Million Father March
The Creative Community in the City of Philadelphia formed a partnership with the House of Umoja, Inc. and assisted it – through lyrics and hip beats – in mobilizing interest and participation in the 2007 Million Father March.
Lyricist and Songstress Ms. Yvonne Dabney whose stage name is “Bonnie D” penned, recorded and performed live – “Calling All Fathers” – which became the anthem for the 2007 Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia. Hip-Hop Artist Shorty Roc, courtesy of WalkDown Entertainment penned, recorded and performed live, “Put The Guns Down: What We Want Is Peace”.
City of Philadelphia’s News Media Embraces The 2007 Million Father March
On Tuesday, 17 July 2007, Mr. David Fattah, Coordinator for the 2007 Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia and Co-Founder of and Director of Community Outreach at the House of Umoja, Inc. was interviewed by KYW Radio News 1060 AM Reporter Ms. Karin Phillips concerning the 2007 Million Father March taking place in the City of Philadelphia. The interview was aired on KYW News Radio 1060 throughout the afternoon and into the evening hours of Tuesday, 17 July 2007. Additionally, the full text of the interview was posted on KYW News Radio 1060’s website. The Philadelphia Tribune, on Sunday, 22 July 2007, published an article concerning the City of Philadelphia’s participation in the 2007 Million Father March which included excerpts of an interview conducted with Mr. David Fattah which was conducted by a Philadelphia Tribune Staff Reporter earlier in the week. Mr. David Fattah was a guest on WURD Radio 900 AM, a popular radio talk station during which he was interviewed concerning the 2007 Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia on Tuesday, 24 July 2007.
In its Friday, 31 August 2007 edition, The Philadelphia Daily News provided readers with a brief synopsis of the Thursday, 30 August 2007 Press Conference at the Administrative Offices of the School District of Philadelphia at which a formal announcement was made concerning the fact that the 2007 Million Father March would take place on Monday, 10 September 2007 in the City of Philadelphia. Philadelphia Daily News Reporter Damon C. William’s interview with Mr. David Fattah about the 2007 Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia was published in the publication’s 4 September 2007 issue in the form of an article entitled, “Seeking Dads To Walk The Walk.” The Philadelphia Daily News, in a surprise move, followed-up the publication of Mr. Williams’ interview with Mr. Fattah concerning the 2007 Million Father March, with an editorial endorsement of the 2007 Million March which was published on Friday, September 2007.
On 11 September 2007, both The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Philadelphia Daily News published articles concerning the 2007 Million Father March along and photographs of participants in the March.
Press Conference at the Administrative Offices of the School District of Philadelphia
On Thursday, 30 August 2007, reporters jotted down notes and conducted interviews, print media photographers snapped pictures, and camera crews from a number of television stations which included NBC 10/WCAU-TV, WTXF-TV/Channel 29, and WPVI-TV/Channel 6 shot film footage during a Press Conference held at the School District of Philadelphia at which time the Interim Acting Chief Executive Officer for the School District of Philadelphia Mr. Tom Brady publicly announced that the School District of Philadelphia was in full support of the 2007 Million Father March scheduled for Monday, 10 September 2007 – the first day of the 2007-2008 academic year in the City of Philadelphia. Mr. David Fattah, the Coordinator of the 2007 Million Father March for the City of Philadelphia and the Co-Founder of and Community Outreach Director for the House of Umoja, Inc. discussed the history of the Million Father March and the mission of the 2007 Million Father March. Mr. Fattah advised the attendees of the press conference that all Fathers throughout the City of Philadelphia were being encouraged to participate in the 2007 Million Father March. In addition to taking their children to school on the first day of school – Monday, 10 September 2007--Fathers were being asked to (a) wear a green ribbon which symbolizes a remembrance of the children who have been lost due to violence; (b) obtain a copy of their children’s roster and the Calendar of Academic Events for their children’s school(s); (c) to become proactive in their children’s education throughout the academic year; and (d) have their children sign the Imani Pledge which is a commitment not to engage in violence.
The Fatherhood Community
Individuals and organizations from Philadelphia’s Fatherhood Community rallied around the House of Umoja, Inc. and assisted it in getting the message about the 2007 Million Father March to Fathers in the Philadelphia – The Next Great American City.
The Business Community
A number of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based businesses served as distribution centers for information concerning the 2007 Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia. These businesses either displayed flyers and posters about the 2007 Million Father March in their establishments or circulated flyers, posters and announcements concerning the 2007 Million Father March to their e-mail distribution list and by posting flyers and announcements concerning the 2007 Million Father March on their websites or blogs. In addition, several businesses based in the City of Philadelphia became corporate sponsors for the 2007 Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia.
Churches
Meetings with Mr. David Fattah and leaders of churches in the City of Philadelphia, resulted in a number of churches throughout the City of Philadelphia voicing their support for the 2007 Million Father March and assisting the House of Umoja, Inc. with its organizing efforts.
The House of Umoja, Inc. asked Places of Worship throughout the City of Philadelphia to speak to their congregations on the subject of fatherhood, family and participating in the 2007 Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia on Monday, 10 September 2007 – the first day of the 2007-2008 academic year.
Prayer Weekend
The weekend of 7-9 September 2007 was designated as “Prayer Weekend” by the House of Umoja, Inc. Churches throughout the City of Philadelphia were asked by the House of Umoja, Inc. to pray for the safety of the children in the City of Philadelphia and for a successful school year for them and for a successful 2007 Million Father March.
Community Grassroots Organizations, Community Activists And Unions
A series of meetings and telephone conferences with Mr. David Fattah and a number of community grassroots organizations, community activists and unions in the City of Philadelphia resulted in the House of Umoja, Inc. receiving their assistance with organizing efforts for the 2007 Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia.
2007 Million Father March Community Rally
On Saturday, 8 September 2007 – two days before the 2007 Million Father March, a Communty Rally which was a “kick off” event for the 2007 Million Father March which occurred on Monday, 10 September 2007 was held at the Administrative Offices of the School District of Philadelphia. The Community Rally was attended by Fathers, community activists, the news media, officials from the School District of Philadelphia, grassroots community organizations, clergy, the Organizing Committee for the 2007 Million Father March and members of the House of Umoja, Inc. Steering Committee Meeting.
The 2007 Million Father March
On Monday, 10 September 2007 – the first day of the 2007-2008 Academic Year in Philadelphia - The Next Great American City – the annual bell ringing ceremony, which heralds the beginning of the academic year, occurred at a newly constructed school located at G and Hunting Park. Camera crews, photographers and reporters from the electronic and print media were on hand at the newly constructed school at G and Hunting Park and at various other schools throughout the City of Philadelphia where thousands of Fathers participated in the Million Father March.
“The Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia was successful. We reached approximately 3.5 million people concerning information about the Million Father March. Energizing the public school system and rekindling community spirit in the City of Philadelphia was the goal. The School District is energized. Our objectives have been met,” Mr. Fattah observed.
So, what’s next for the House of Umoja, Inc.?
Stay tuned …..
THE MEDIA BLITZ
A relentless media blitz -- beginning on Sunday, 16 July 2007 and ending on Sunday, 9 September 2007 -- was unleashed by the House of Umoja, Inc. in an effort to publicize the 2007 Million Father March and stimulate the general public’s awareness of and interest and participation in the 2007 Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia on the first day of the 2007-2008 academic year – Monday, 10 September 2007.
Sunday, 16 July 2007 – The 2007 Million Father March Press Release entitled, “1,000,000 Black Fathers Expected To Lead 2007 March For Educational Excellence In American Schools”; 2007 Million Father March Fact Sheet; and the Imani Pledge were distributed by the House of Umoja, Inc. to the following media entities via facsimile and/or e-mail for airing/publishing:
Electronic Media
1. WABC Radio (New York, NY)
2. WOR AM Radio (New York, NY)
3. WMAL AM 630 (Washington, DC)
4. KCOH AM 1430 (Houston, TX)
5. BBC TV (London, United Kingdom)
6. BBC News 24 (London, United Kingdom)
7. BBC Radio Five Live (London, United Kingdom)
8. CNN (Atlanta, GA)
9. Sunday Morning – CBS News (New York, NY)
10. NBC Nightly News (New York, NY)
11. WBZ-TV/Channel 4 (Boston, MA)
12. WGBH-TV/Channel 2 (Boston, MA)
13. WENH TV/Channel 11 (Durham, NH)
14. WHDH TV/Channel 7 (Boston, MA)
15. WLVI-TV/Channel 56 (Boston, MA)
16. KFNN AM (Phoenix, AZ)
17. NBC 10/WCAU-TV (Philadelphia, PA)
18. WPVI-TV/Channel 6– ABC Affiliate (Philadelphia, PA)
19. WANA AM Radio (Birmingham, AL)
20. WEAA FM Radio (Baltimore, MD)
21. WRNB-FM Radio (Philadelphia, PA)
22. WCIN-AM Radio (Cincinnati, OH)
23. WOL AM Radio (Lanham, MD)
24. WBLS FM Radio (New York, NY)
25. NPR: The Diane Rehm Show (Washington, DC)
26. NPR: Morning Edition (Washington, DC)
27. WBUR Radio (Boston, MA)
28. The Tavis Smiley Show (California)
29. KYW News Radio 1060 AM (Philadelphia, PA)
30. KYW-TV/Channel 3 (Philadelphia, PA)
31. Associated Press Wire Service – Philadelphia Bureau (Philadelphia, PA)
32. CNN Headline News – New York Bureau – (New York, NY)
33. Black Men In America.com (www.blackmeninamerica.com) - Temple Hills, MD
34. NBC 10/WCAU-TV (Philadelphia, PA)
35. WPVI-TV/Channel 6 (Philadelphia, PA)
36. WURD Radio 900 AM (Philadelphia, PA)
37. WHAT AM Radio (Philadelphia, PA)
38. WPHL-TV/Channel 17 (Philadelphia, PA)
39. WTXF-TV/Channel 29 (Philadelphia, PA)
40. WDAS AM/FM (Philadelphia, PA)
Print Media
1. The Philadelphia Tribune (Philadelphia, PA)
2. The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA)
3. The Philadelphia Sunday Sun (Philadelphia, PA)
4. Al Dia (Hispanic Newspaper) (Philadelphia, PA)
5. The New York Times – Washington Bureau (Washington, DC)
6. The Chicago Sun Times (Chicago, IL)
7. The Boston Globe (Boston, MA)
8. The Boston Herald (Boston, MA)
9. The Chicago Defender (Chicago, IL)
10. Washington Post (Washington, DC)
11. San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, CA)
12. Christian Science Monitor – Washington Bureau (Washington, DC)
13. The Philadelphia Daily News (Philadelphia, PA)
14. The Reporter (Akron, OH)
15. Albany Southwest Georgian (Albany, GA)
16. Atlanta Daily World (Atlanta, GA)
17. Atlanta Voice (Atlanta, GA)
18. Augusta Focus (Augusta, GA)
19. City Tribune Weekly (Augusta, GA)
20. The Metro Courier (Augusta, GA)
21. The Observer (Austin, TX)
22. The Villager (Austin, TX)
23. The Observer Group Newspapers (Bakersfield, CA)
24. Afro American Newspapers (Baltimore, MD)
25. The Baltimore Times (Baltimore, MD)
26. Schneps Publications Inc. (New York, NY)
27. Beloit Chronicle (Madison, WI)
28. Birmingham Times (Birmingham, AL)
29. Bay State Banner (Boston, MA)
30. West African News (New York, NY0
31. Canarsie Times (New York, NY)
32. Christian Times (New York, NY)
33. Our Times Press (New York, NY)
34. The Challenge Group (New York, NY)
35. Daily Challenger (New York, NY)
36. Buffalo Challenger (Buffalo, NY)
37. The Buffalo Criterion (Buffalo, NY)
38. Charleston Chronicle (Charleston, SC)
39. The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, NC)
Wire Services
1. Associated Press – New York Bureau (New York, NY)
2. Associated Press – Philadelphia Bureau (Philadelphia, PA)
3. Reuters Wire Service – Washington Bureau (Washington, DC)
The Internet – Blogs and E-Zines (Online Magazines)
1. Black Men In America.Com (www.bmia.com) (Temple Hills, MD)
2. Pan African News Wire Blog
City of Philadelphia’s News Media Embraces The 2007 Million Father March
Tuesday, 17 July 2007 – Mr. David Fattah, Coordinator for the 2007 Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia and Co-Founder of and Director of Community Outreach at the House of Umoja, Inc. was interviewed by KYW Radio News 1060 AM Reporter Ms. Karin Phillips concerning the 2007 Million Father March taking place in the City of Philadelphia. The interview was aired on KYW News Radio 1060 throughout the afternoon and into the evening hours. Additionally, the full text of the interview was posted on KYW News Radio 1060’s website.
Sunday, 22 July 2007 – The Philadelphia Tribune published an article concerning the City of Philadelphia’s participation in the 2007 Million Father March which included excerpts of an interview conducted with Mr. David Fattah which was conducted by a Philadelphia Tribune Staff Reporter earlier in the week.
Tuesday, 24 July 2007 – Mr. David Fattah was a guest on WURD Radio 900 AM, a popular African-American radio station during which he was interviewed concerning the 2007 Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia.
Thursday, 30 August 2007 Press Conference at the Administrative Offices of the School District of Philadelphia -- Reporters jotted down notes and conducted interviews, print media photographers snapped pictures, and camera crews from a number of television stations which included NBC 10/WCAU-TV, WTXF-TV/Channel 29, and WPVI-TV/Channel 6 shot film footage during a Press Conference held at the School District of Philadelphia at which time the Interim Acting Chief Executive Officer for the School District of Philadelphia Mr. Tom Brady publicly announced that the School District of Philadelphia was in full support of the 2007 Million Father March scheduled for Monday, 10 September 2007 – the first day of the 2007-2008 academic year in the City of Philadelphia. Mr. David Fattah, the Coordinator of the 2007 Million Father March for the City of Philadelphia and the Co-Founder of and Community Outreach Director for the House of Umoja, Inc. discussed the history of the Million Father March and the mission of the 2007 Million Father March. Mr. Fattah advised the attendees of the press conference that all Fathers throughout the City of Philadelphia were being encouraged to participate in the 2007 Million Father March. In addition to taking their children to school on the first day of school – Monday, 10 September 2007 --, Fathers were being asked to (a) wear a green ribbon which symbolizes a remembrance of the children who have been lost due to violence; (b) obtain a copy of their children’s roster and the Calendar of Academic Events for their children’s school(s); (c) to become proactive in their children’s education throughout the academic year; and (d) have their children sign the Imani Pledge which is a commitment not to engage in violence.
31 August 2007 – The Philadelphia Daily News provided readers with a brief synopsis of the Thursday, 30 August 2007 Press Conference at the Administrative Offices of the School District of Philadelphia at which a formal announcement was made concerning the fact that the 2007 Million Father March would take place on Monday, 10 September 2007 in the City of Philadelphia.
7 September 2007 – WXTF-TV/Channel 29 – Fox News interviewed Mr. David Fattah concerning the 2007 Million Father March.
4 September 2007 – Philadelphia Daily News Reporter Damon C. William’s interview with Mr. David Fattah about the 2007 Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia was published in the publication’s 4 September 2007 issue in the form of an article entitled, “Seeking Dads To Walk The Walk”
6 September 2007 – Philadelphia Daily News published editorial endorsing the 2007 Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia in its Friday, 7 September 2007 edition.
11 September 2007 -- The Philadelphia Inquirer published an article concerning the 2007 Million Father March which took place in the City of Philadelphia on Saturday, 10 September 2007 entitled, “Fathers Step Up To Lead March To School”. The article noted that at least approximately 5,000 Fathers in the City of Philadelphia participated in the 2007 Million Father March.
On 17 August 2007, the House of Umoja, Inc. issued and distributed a press release entitled, “A Call To Action” in connection with the 2007 Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia. On 6 September 2007, the House Of Umoja, Inc. issued and distributed an announcement which provided information concerning (a) Prayer Weekend 7-9 September 2007 throughout the City of Philadelphia; (b) 2007 Million Father March Community Rally on 8 September 2007 at the School District of Philadelphia’s Administrative Offices; and (c) the 10 September 2007 Million Father March. The press release and announcement were distributed to the following entities:
Business, Fatherhood and Community Grassroots Organizations
1. Concerned Black Men (Philadelphia, PA; Los Angeles, CA; Baltimore, MD)
2. Daddy Universe City, Inc. (Philadelphia, PA)
3. Mothers In Charge (Philadelphia, PA)
4. Millions More Movement (Philadelphia, PA)
5. Million Dad March Media Network (Kansas City, KS)
6. Philadelphia Fatherhood Practitioners Network (Philadelphia, PA)
7. 100 Black Men (Atlanta, GA; Phoenix, AZ; London, England)
8. Arizona Fathers and Families Coalition, Inc. (Phoenix, AZ)
9. Urban Leadership Institute LLC (Towson, MD)
10. Dare To Be King (Towson, MD)
11. Ladybug Marketing Consultants Group (Philadelphia, PA)
12. Achieve-Ability, Inc. (Philadelphia, PA)
13. 60th Street Business Association (Philadelphia, PA)
14. 52nd Street Business Association (Philadelphia, PA)
15. 40th Street Business Association (Philadelphia, PA)
16. Barristers Association (Philadelphia, PA)
17. Black Data Processing Associates – Information Technology Thought Leaders – Philadelphia Chapter (Philadelphia, PA)
18. Gumbo For The Soul Literacy Project (Oakland, CA)
19. Sohaja Publishing Company (San Antonio, TX)
20. Metropole Communications, Inc. (Washington, DC)
Electronic Media
1. WABC Radio (New York, NY)
2. WOR AM Radio (New York, NY)
3. WMAL AM 630 (Washington, DC)
4. KCOH AM 1430 (Houston, TX)
5. BBC TV (London, United Kingdom)
6. BBC News 24 (London, United Kingdom)
7. BBC Radio Five Live (London, United Kingdom)
8. CNN (Atlanta, GA)
9. Sunday Morning – CBS News (New York, NY)
10. NBC Nightly News (New York, NY)
11. WBZ-TV/Channel 4 (Boston, MA)
12. WGBH-TV/Channel 2 (Boston, MA)
13. WENH TV/Channel 11 (Durham, NH)
14. WHDH TV/Channel 7 (Boston, MA)
15. WLVI-TV/Channel 56 (Boston, MA)
16. KFNN AM (Phoenix, AZ)
17. NBC 10/WCAU-TV (Philadelphia, PA)
18. WPVI-TV/Channel 6– ABC Affiliate (Philadelphia, PA)
19. WANA AM Radio (Birmingham, AL)
20. WEAA FM Radio (Baltimore, MD)
21. WRNB-FM Radio (Philadelphia, PA)
22. WCIN-AM Radio (Cincinnati, OH)
23. WOL AM Radio (Lanham, MD)
24. WBLS FM Radio (New York, NY)
25. NPR: The Diane Rehm Show (Washington, DC)
26. NPR: Morning Edition (Washington, DC)
27. WBUR Radio (Boston, MA)
28. The Tavis Smiley Show (California)
29. KYW News Radio 1060 AM (Philadelphia, PA)
30. KYW-TV/Channel 3 (Philadelphia, PA)
31. Associated Press Wire Service – Philadelphia Bureau (Philadelphia, PA)
32. CNN Headline News – New York Bureau – (New York, NY)
33. Black Men In America.com (www.blackmeninamerica.com) - Temple Hills, MD
34. NBC 10/WCAU-TV (Philadelphia, PA)
35. WPVI-TV/Channel 6 (Philadelphia, PA)
36. WURD Radio 900 AM (Philadelphia, PA)
37. WHAT AM Radio (Philadelphia, PA)
38. WPHL-TV/Chanel 17 (Philadelphia, PA)
39. WTXF-TV/Channel 29 (Philadelphia, PA)
40. WDAS AM/FM (Philadelphia, PA)
Print Media
1. The Philadelphia Tribune (Philadelphia, PA)
2. The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA)
3. The Philadelphia Sunday Sun (Philadelphia, PA)
4. Al Dia (Hispanic Newspaper) (Philadelphia, PA)
5. The New York Times – Washington Bureau (Washington, DC)
6. The Chicago Sun Times (Chicago, IL)
7. The Boston Globe (Boston, MA)
8. The Boston Herald (Boston, MA)
9. The Chicago Defender (Chicago, IL)
10. Washington Post (Washington, DC)
11. San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, CA)
12. Christian Science Monitor – Washington Bureau (Washington, DC)
13. The Philadelphia Daily News (Philadelphia, PA)
14. The Reporter (Akron, OH)
15. Albany Southwest Georgian (Albany, GA)
16. Atlanta Daily World (Atlanta, GA)
17. Atlanta Voice (Atlanta, GA)
18. Augusta Focus (Augusta, GA)
19. City Tribune Weekly (Augusta, GA)
20. The Metro Courier (Augusta, GA)
21. The Observer (Austin, TX)
22. The Villager (Austin, TX)
23. The Observer Group Newspapers (Bakersfield, CA)
24. Afro American Newspapers (Baltimore, MD)
25. The Baltimore Times (Baltimore, MD)
26. Schneps Publications Inc. (New York, NY)
27. Beloit Chronicle (Madison, WI)
28. Birmingham Times (Birmingham, AL)
29. Bay State Banner (Boston, MA)
30. West African News (New York, NY0
31. Canarsie Times (New York, NY)
32. Christian Times (New York, NY)
33. Our Times Press (New York, NY)
34. The Challenge Group (New York, NY)
35. Daily Challenger (New York, NY)
36. Buffalo Challenger (Buffalo, NY)
37. The Buffalo Criterion (Buffalo, NY)
38. Charleston Chronicle (Charleston, SC)
39. The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, NC)
Wire Services
1. Associated Press – New York Bureau (New York, NY)
2. Associated Press – Philadelphia Bureau (Philadelphia, PA)
3. Reuters Wire Service – Washington Bureau (Washington, DC)
The Internet – Blogs and E-Zines (Online Magazines)
1. Black Men In America.Com (www.bmia.com) (Temple Hills, MD)
2. Pan African News Wire Blog
Additionally, on 6 September 2007, the House Of Umoja, Inc. arranged for pre-recorded messages to be electronically conveyed to the telephone voice mailboxes of individuals who had signed up for the 2007 Million Father March which reminded them to participate in the 10 September 2007 Million Father March and to attend the 8 September 2007 Community Rally at the Administrative Offices of the School District of Philadelphia.
GOOGLE Embraces the 2007 Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia
A GOOGLE ALERT was established for the House of Umoja, Inc. in an effort to gauge the effectiveness of its media blitz. The GOOGLE ALERT sent out e-mail announcements which identified the blogs, websites and news media entities which carried press releases, announcements and news stories about the 2007 Million Father March and the House of Umoja, Inc.’s leadership role and organizing efforts for it in the City of Philadelphia.
Through GOOGLE ALERTS, the House of Umoja, Inc. learned that press releases, announcements and news stories about the 2007 Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia were posted on the following blogs and websites: Historically Black Colleges and Universities Connect Blog; Scoop USA; KYW News Radio 1060 AM at www.kywnews.com; The Philadelphia Daily News (www.phillynews.com); The Philadelphia Inquirer (www.phillynews.com); Welcome To Philadelphia At Home.com; IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD® at http://globalfatherhooddialogue.blogspot.com; Philadelphia Independent Media Center, Worldnews.com; Forum – Black Business Space; and Pan African News Wire Blog.
Camera crews, news photographers and reporters from the electronic and print media were on hand on Monday, 10 September 2007 – the day of the 2007 Millon Father March in the City of Philadelphia for the annual bell ringing ceremony which marks the beginning of the academic year which was held at a newly constructed school located at G and Hunting Park in the City of Philadelphia. There was also a strong media presence at various schools throughout the City of Philadelphia. Images of thousands of Fathers participating in the 2007 Million Father March in the City of Philadephia were captured by the print and electronic media.
And the bell ringing ceremony which occurred on 10 September 2007 ushered in not only the first day of the 2007-2008 academic year in the City of Philadelphia, but a new day for the City of Philadelphia.
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