the black belt connection may/june

By Kirsten J. BarnesThe Black Belt Connection

T U S C A L O O S A , A l a . – Shakei t taLeatherwood’s smile does not denote the devasta-tion and destruction she lived through one yearago when a mile-wide tornado ripped throughTuscaloosa, leaving dozens dead, hundreds withouthomes and thousands without power.

Yet, despite her personal tragedy, the senior

at Tuscaloosa County High School is excellingacademically and remains optimistic about her futureand her ambition to become a psychologist. Infact, she will take the first step in reaching thisgoal, when she enrolls at the University of Alabamathis fall.

She already has been accepted.The morning of April 27, 2011, began like

most Saturdays for Leatherwood, her mother,LaQuita Nelson, and her then 4-year-old sister,

Skala Logan. The three were home doing thingsaround their apartment on 10th Avenue.

“My mama was in her room cleaning outher closet, and my sister and I were cleaning outour closet,” Leatherwood recalled recently from herfather’s home in Tuscaloosa.

The family removed all their unwanted orunneeded belongings from the closets, and later

TORNADO: PAGE 6

Teenager triumphs over tragedy

TORNADO - ONE YEAR LATER

Photos by Kirsten J. BarnesDEVASTATION: Hargrove Road in Tuscaloosa, betweenMacFarland Boulevard and Bryant Avenue, are seen onApril 28, 2011, one day after the storm. At right,Shakeitta Leatherwood, stands in front of her former10th Avenue apartment complex one year later.

BLACK BELT CONNECTIONs Serving the Alabama Black Belt and Surrounding Communities s

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MAY – JUNE 2012 A Division of Journalism Professionals, LLCVOLUME III Q EDITION IV

BLACK BELT CONNECTION MAY-JUNE 2012

The Black Belt Connection is published monthly by JournalismProfessionals, LLC. It is distributed in Montgomery, Phenix City,Selma, Tuskegee, Union Springs and surrounding cities in Alabama;and Columbus, Ga.

Kirsten J. Barnes is the editor and publisher of The Black BeltConnection. To have your calendar item printed or to submit a sto-ry idea, e-mail her at [email protected].

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From Staff Report s

Coretta Scott King isperhaps best known as thewife of civil rights leaderMartin Luther King Jr., butshe also was an author, anactivist, and a leader in theCivil Rights Movement inher own right.

On April 28 -- the dayafter what would have beenCoretta Scott King’s 85thbirthday – her daughter,B e r n i c e K i n g , v i s i t e dAlabama State University tounveil a newly publishedbook, Desert Rose: The Lifeand Legacy of Coretta ScottKing, written by CorettaScott King’s sister EdytheScott Bagley.

Bernice King helped pub-lish the book and wrote theafterword as a way to carryforth her mother’s legacy andto honor her mother’s onlysister, Edythe Scott Bagley,who died shortly after thebook was completed.

For Bagley, the book hadbecome a lifelong quest – totell the story of her sister’srise from rural Alabama to theheights of American historyas the wife of civil rights leg-end, Martin Luther King Jr.

Bagley had been work-ing on the book on and off

for 45 years, but not untilshe got a boost from BerniceKing did the book finally goto print.

“Aunt Edythe passed awayin June 2011,” Bernice said.“I know that this was some-thing she really wanted to getdone and completed. She urgedme to get it done. I was feel-ing pretty bad, because herhealth was declining.”

Bernice said that thereare a lot of things peopledon’t know about her moth-er. She said she even learneda lot when she first read themanuscripts.

“I learned that my moth-er was once engaged,” Bernicesaid. “I thought my dad wasthe first.That was news tome.”

She said she hopes thebook emphasizes the fact thather mother, more than any-one else, is responsible forthe manner in which weremember the life and legacyof Martin Luther King Jr.

“She was side by sidewith him in keeping the mes-sage of nonviolence alive insociety,” she said. “She madeextraordinary sacrifices.”

For more informationa b o u t t h e b o o k , v i s i thttp://www.coret tascot tk-ing.org/desertrose.

Photo by Kirsten J. BarnesCORETTA SCOTT KING: Bernice King, the daughter ofMartin Luther and Coretta Scott King, spoke to a groupgathered at Alabama State University for a book signing forDesert Rose: The Life and Legacy of Coretta Scott King.

Bernice King signs bookon ASU campus on mom

Black Belt Connection – Journalism Professionals – P.O.

Bullock CountyUnion SpringsBullock County

Community ActionAgency

Bullock County PublicLibrary

Union Springs City Hall

Clarke CountyThomasville

Steppin N Style BeautySalon

Sandwich And MoreBean’s Barbershop

Dallas CountySelma

On Time FashionsMagic Hair Salon

Selma Beauty SupplySt. James Hotel

Rene’s Cafe

Greene CountyUtah

BP Gas Station

Lowndes CountyHayneville

Twinz Beauty Supply

Simply You Beauty SalonDeepwoods BBQ & Grill

Macon CountyTuskegee

Macon County PublicLibrary

Tuskegee UniversityLibrary

Tuskegee U.S. Post OfficeOld Montgomery Road

Calhoun FoodsFamily Foods

Cornbread Fred’s BBQ &Café

Macon CountyCooperative Extension

SystemRetired Senior Volunteer

ProgramMacon-Russell

Community ActionAgency

James Boyd’ State FarmOffice

Law Office of Gray,Langford, Sapp,

McGowen, Gray, Gray,and Nathanson

South Alabama Self-HelpAssociation Inc.

World Conference ofMayors

Montgomery CountyMontgomery

Heritage BarbershopPilgrim Rest Missionary

Baptist ChurchThe Rose Supper Club

Dr. Henry Johnson,M.D., OB/GYN

Russell CountyPhenix City

Pitts Barber ShopMel & Abe’s BarbershopLiberty Hill Missionary

Baptist Church

Wilcox CountyCamden

Jackson Fried ChickenDallas Soul FoodQ’s Beauty Salon

Tuscaloosa CountyRaceway Gas Stations

Shell Gas StationVeteran’s Memorial Parkway

Tuscaloosa PublicLibrary

MAY-JUNE 2012 BLACK BELT CONNECTION PAGE 3

H Upcoming Events!Cullman Strawberry FestWhen: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. May 11-12, 2012Location: Festhalle Market Platz, CullmanPhone: 256-77-7207Website: www.cullmancity.org/festhallemarketAdmission: Free

The finest strawberries and produce foundin North America and a classic car, truckand antique tractor show, craft fair, children’scarnival, food and more.

Buck Creek FestivalWhen: 5-10 p.m. May 11, 2012 and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. May 12, 2012Location: Helena Amphitheater Park, Helena.Phone: 205-296-6153Website: www.buckcreekfestival.comAdmission: Free

Live music, arts and crafts vendors fromthe Southeast, children’s activities, and therubber duck race.

Cardboard Boat Regatta RacesWhen: Noon - 4 p.m. May 12Location: Lake Wedowee, WedoweePhone: 251-357-0101Website: www.randolphshelter.org

You and your crew can build a boat ofyour own design, get inside it, and row itaround a 200-yard course on the river forawards and fame.

Birmingham Rose ShowWhen: 1-6 p.m May 12 - 1-4 p.m. May 13Location: Birmingham Botanical GardensPhone: 205-585-9687Website: www.BirminghamRose.comAdmission: Free

See hundreds of different types of ros-es on display, learn how to grow beautifulroses or enter your favorite rose into thisshow sponsored by Birmingham Rose Society.

Scottsboro Fly-in & Air ShowWhen: 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. May 12, 2012Location: Scottsboro-Word AirportPhone: 256-259-5500Website: www.scottsboro.org

See formation flights by Russian Yak-52s. Aircraft exhibits include P51 WWII Fighter

and an L-39 Jet. Rides in an open cockpitbiplane available. Drawings for free kids’ flights.

George Washington CarverArts & Crafts FestivalWhen: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. May 12, 2012Location: Downtown Tuskegee on SquarePhone: 334-727-6619Website: www.tuskegeeareachamber.orgAdmission: Free

Annual community event celebrating thelife and work of George Washington Carver,Ph.D., with music, arts, crafts and multi-gen-erational activities.

Cotton Patch FestivalWhen: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. May 12Location: Downtown UriahPhone: 251-862-2279Admission: Free

Arts and crafts vendors, food, fun, enter-tainment, antique tractor display, and more.Cash prizes for best four exhibits.

Montgomery Jubilee CityFestWhen: May 18-19, 2012Location: Riverfront Amphitheater, downtown.Phone: 334-834-7220 or 334-261-1114Website: www.jubileecityfest.orgAdmission: Charged

Jubilee CityFest presents Bama’s BigBang, the state’s largest musial show. Activitiesinclude: KidsFest, 8k Run, entertainment, culi-nary contest for Best Fried Chicken and river-boat rides.

Soulstock, DecaturWhen: Noon-10 p.m. May 19Location: Point Mallard ParkPhone: 800-524-6181Website: www.soulstock.comAdmission: Free

Christian music festival.

Alabama Barbecue Hall ofFame & BBQ Sauce ContestWhen: May 25-28, 2012Location: Pepper Place, BirminghamPhone: 334-242-4169

Website: www.alabama.travelBBQ legends from across Alabama will

be on hand for the inaugural AlabamaBarbecue Hall of Fame induction. Regionalwinners from the restaurant BBQ sauce com-petition will compete for the title of Alabama’sBest BBQ Sauce.

Tuskegee Memorial Day Fly-InWhen: May 26, 2012Location: Tuskegee Airman National HistoricSite.Phone: 334-727-3200Website: www.nps.gov/tuai

This is a family-friendly event focusingon aviation.

World’s Widest Yard SaleWhen: May 31-June 2Location: U.S. Highway 80: from the GeorgiaLine to the Mississippi Line Phone: 334-649-3788 or 334-353-5185Website: www.widestyardsale.com

From Phenix City in East Alabama, fol-low U.S. 80 West throughout Alabama’s BlackBelt region for the first-ever “World’s WidestYard Sale,” featuring more than 35- miles ofgreat bargains. Look for an abundance ofantiques, collectibles, one-of-a-kind treasures,arts and crafts, food, and other items fromvendors in designated Black Belt countiesand small towns. Organized by the AlabamaRural Development Office and the AlabamaBlack Belt Commission’s Marketing andTourism Committee, the back roads tour willprovide visitors with three fun-filled days ofadventure, combining their love of treasurehunting with the many historical and cultur-al amenities found along the route.

Mule Day & ChickenfestWhen: 6 p.m May 31- 5 p.m. June 2, 2012Location: Main Street, GordoPhone: 205-364-7111Website: www.gordochamber.com

A celebration of the area’s agriculturalroots, with a carnival for kids, live entertain-ment, arts and craft vendors, assortment offood vendors, 5k race and a parade featur-ing the mule.

Alabama Tourism Department


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From Staff Report sThe Black Belt Connection

MONTGOMERY – Gov. RobertBentley announced a 12.9 million-dollarDisaster Case Management Grant to helpAlabamians continue the long-term recov-ery process from the April 2011 tornadoes.

The grant is fully funded by the FederalEmergency Management Agency. Disastercase management services are available forsurvivors of both the April 15 and April27, 2011, outbreaks.

Survivors in communities across thestate still face a variety of unmet needs.Those needs include rebuilding and con-struction costs that were not fully coveredby insurance, the replacement of certainpossessions, and more. With this grant,

disaster case managers can assess individ-ual needs and work with storm survivorsto outline a goal-oriented plan for theirrecovery.

“I remain encouraged by the strengthand resiliency of the people of Alabama,and this grant will allow us to continueour efforts to help people rebuild theirlives,” Bentley said. “We remain commit-ted to using every resource we have avail-able to help our state rebuild.”

Survivors with unmet, disaster-relatedneeds can access disaster case managementservices, even after receiving state and fed-eral disaster assistance. The program isadministered by the Governor s Office ofFaith-Based and Community Initiatives.

“This grant will allow disaster casemanagement to continue for a longer peri-

od of time in order to meet the needs thatwe still see in so many communities,”said Jon Mason, director of the Governors Office of Faith-Based and CommunityInitiatives.

The services are available to storm sur-vivors whether they have registered withFEMA or not. Three Alabama-based provideragencies have been selected to help coor-dinate the services across 43 counties:ARCH (Alabama Rural Coalition for theHomeless), Community Action Partnershipof North Alabama, and Community ServicesPrograms of West Alabama.

Storm survivors who would like torequest Disaster Case Management servic-es can simply dial 211 to be connectedwith the program. Survivors can also dial,toll free, 1-888-421-1266.

12.9M grant will help tornado victimsREGIONAL NEWS


REGIONAL NEWS


MONTGOMERY— Gov.Robert Bentley signed into lawHouse Bill 2, a measure that pro-hibits texting while driving.

“Signing this bill sends amessage that drivers need tofocus on driving – not on send-ing a text,” Bentley said. “Thereis nothing so urgent that it isworth risking your life, or thelives of others, by sending a textmessage while you are drivingdown the road.”

According to data providedby the National Highway TrafficSafety Administration, textingwhile driving creates a crash riskthat is 23 times greater thanwhen a driver is not distracted.Also, sending or receiving a textmessage takes a driver’s eyesfrom the road for an average of4.6 seconds. For a driver going55 miles-per-hour, t ha t ’s theequivalent of driving the entirelength of a football field.

Alabama’s new law prohibitsusing a wireless device to write,send, or read a text message,

instant message or e-mail whileoperating a motor vehicle. Thefine for violating the law is $25for a first-time offense, $50 fora second offense and $75 for athird or subsequent offense .Also, for each offense, a two-point violation would be placedon the offender’s driving record.

Rep. Jim McClendon was theHouse sponsor of the legislation.

Sen. Jabo Waggoner was theSenate sponsor of the legisla-tion.

The law goes into effect onAugust 1, 2012.

Law prohibits texting while driving in Alabama


MONTGOMERY — Gov. RobertBentley this month returned House Bill360 to the Alabama Legislature withan executive amendment that increas-es flexibility for local school sys-tems.

The executive amendment givesschool systems the choice of optingout of new school calendar guidelinesestablished by HB 360. At the same

time, the amendment allows schoolsto enjoy the flexibility measuresdetailed in the bill.

“I believe local school systemsknow what’s best for the students theyserve, and I believe local school boardsshould be able to establish their ownschool calendars,” Bentley said. “If alocal system determines that the newcalendar guidelines are not in the bestinterest of local students, my amend-ment would give that system the abil-ity to provide notice to the State

Superintendent of Education and opt outof those guidelines.”

Bentley supports flexibility meas-ures that are included in HB 360.Those measures include the ability forlocal school systems to adjust thedays or extend the hours set aside forteaching and instructional time. Suchflexibility could greatly help systemsamend their school calendars in situ-ations such as making up weather days.

“The flexibility component ofthis bill can be very valuable for local

school systems as they meet the needsof the students they serve,” Bentleysaid. “Let me be clear – the intent ofthe bill regarding the school calendaris good, but I also want to make suresystems have the local control theyneed. With approval of my amend-ment, we can emerge with a bill thatgives systems greater flexibility thanthey’ve had before.”

Members of the Legislature willnow consider the amended version ofthe legislation.

Executive order gives school chiefs fexibility

ContributedNO TEXTING: Gov. Robert Bentley signs into lawa measure that prohibits texting while driving, asRep. Jim McClendon, left, and Public Safety DirectorCol. Hugh McCall look on.

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MONTGOMERY — Gov. RobertBentley announced in late April thatAlabama’s March preliminary unem-ployment rate dropped to 7.3 percent,down from February’s revised rate of 7.5percent.

The last time Alabama’s unemploy-ment rate was at 7.3 percent was in

December of 2008. March’s rate repre-sents 157,378 unemployed persons,down from 161,795 last month, and sig-nificantly down from last year’s countof 203,799.

“We are encouraged to see thatAlabama’s unemployment rate hasdropped once again, and we will con-tinue our efforts to see that everyonewho is looking for work is able to findit,” Bentley said. “Fortunately, we are

also continuing to see record numbersof job postings on JobLink. I want tostrongly encourage anyone seeking a jobto go online and register, or go visit alocal Career Center for some assistance.”

Alabama’s online jobs database,www.joblink.alabama.gov registeredmore job postings in March than at anytime since 2008 (with the exception ofspikes due to temporary jobs followingthe Gulf Oil Spill and the 2011 April

tornadoes). Nearly 13,000 jobs wereposted in March.

The counties with the lowestunemployment rates were: ShelbyCounty at 5.1 percent, Coffee Countyat 6.0 percent and Lee County at 6.2percent. The counties with the high-est unemployment rates were WilcoxCounty at 16.1 percent, LowndesCounty at 15.3 percent and DallasCounty at 13.4 percent.

Unemployment rate falls again – 7.3 percent in March


TORNADO: From Page 1

the threesome took the items to theSalvation Army. Little did they know,this simple act of kindness wouldbe returned that very day.

“We got back home, and Mamacooked,” Leatherwood said. “Skalaand I went to sleep.”

The two girls awakened a fewhours later from their naps whentheir mother told them about thestorm and urged them to get intothe closet hours before the funnelcloud would touch down near The

University of Alabama’s campus andblow away their entire apartmentcomplex.

“I told her there wasn’t goingto be any tornado and went intothe living room,” Leatherwood said,recalling how she did not take seri-ously the weather alerts or her moth-er’s warnings. “I was texting myfriend because she was scared. I waslike, ‘Ma, it’s not going to be atornado.’ ”

Even after the power went out

and Ska l a ’s f a t h e r a r r i v e d ,Leatherwood was still unfazed bythe prediction of the deadly stormapproaching. In fact, Leatherwood andSkala’s father, who is also namedSkala Logan, went outside to watchthe storm as it approached.

“You could see it in the dis-tance,” Leatherwood said.

But as the storm approached,the four got into the closet.

“My Daddy was in the hallway,but my Mama was in the closet,”

Skala said. The two girls were in the inte-

rior of the closet, with their moth-er’s body in front of them in theopen doorway. Logan was behindtheir mother in the hallway.

“At first it sounded like a fan,then an airplane and a train,”Leatherwood said, recalling what itwas like to be inside the eye ofthe storm. “All the windows burst,and bricks and poles flew every-where.”

storm, but other children were notas fortunate.

“This one girl had glass all overher,” Leatherwood said. “Kids werestill outside playing.”

“She had lots and lots of glasson her,” Skala added, her memoriesstill vivid.

Both of Skala’s parents’ vehicleswere casualties of the storm, preventingthem from leaving or finding safetyfaster. Her mother’s car was wrappedaround a tree, and her father’s truckhad a beam on top of it.

So, the family, along with theirneighbors, began walking.

“We were just walking down thestreet and we came to a warehouseand asked if we could come inside,

but the man said no and there wasnothing inside his warehouse,”Leatherwood said. “He was just beingmean.”

Although the family had sever-al cellular phones, the signals werejammed. Most landlines were notworking either.

“No phones were calling out.People just showed up with thingsready to help, but not police or offi-cials, just people,” Leatherwood said.

One of her aunts was one ofthose people who just showed up.

“Me, Skala, my mama and ournext door neighbor all rode down(U.S.) 69 to my aunt’s house. She

BLACK BELT CONNECTION PAGE 7

PHIOTOS BY

KIRSTEN J. BARNES

TORNADO: PAGE 11

The insulation from between the walls of their building flew through the air asstrong winds carrying glass and other debris swept through the apartment carrying offtheir belongings and depositing those of others in its path.

Seconds later, it was over. When the winds subsided, Leatherwood said, every-thing inside the apartment that she and her sister had worked to clean justearlier that day was gone.

Apartment 3-C in the Rosedale Housing Complex on 10th Avenuethat she had called home for more than five years was not her home any-more. The closet and the bathroom were all that was left.

There had been 10 apartments in that building and about a dozen build-ings like it on that block, but in a matter of minutes there were onlyscattered exterior walls, closets and bathrooms.

Literally and visibly shaken, the family immediately walkedslowly and carefully outside to survey the damage.

“I didn’t have on any shoes,” said Skala, now 5 yearsold.

Leatherwood also was barefoot.Outside they saw bewildered neighbors and instant-

ly encountered a grieving mother whose baby suc-cumbed to the storm.

“A mama had her dead baby,” said Skala, as ifshe could still see the young mother holding herinfant child. “I saw that dead baby. My mama triedto lay my head down, but I saw that girl bang-ing on the road because her baby died. She wascrying.”

An ambulance came and the family watched asparamedics attempted to resuscitate the woman’s child,but to no avail.

As of May 2012, officials list the death toll as aresult of the storm at 53, including an infant and a 26-year-old woman who lived in their apartment complex.

Leatherwood and her sister were safe inside during the

MAY-JUNE 2012

From Staff Report s

Alabama State Universitydedicated the Barbara WilliamsSoftball Complex on April 27.The new complex, which host-ed it first game in February isnamed in honor of Williams,an Alabama State pioneer inwomen’s collegiate athletics.

Williams was born in St.Petersburg, Fla., and moved toValley, Ala., at an early age.After graduating from RehobertSchool, she attended AlabamaState as an undergraduate from1968-72 at a time when therewere no intercollegiate sportsprograms for women. Upongraduating from ASU Williamsalternated working on her mas-ter’s degree during the summerwhile working as a full-timeadministrative assistant duringthe fall and spring semesters.

Upon receiving her mas-ter’s degree from IndianaUniversity in Bloomington,Ind. , in 1976, Wi l l i amsreturned to ASU as the firstcoordinator of women’s athlet-ics. She took the helm of the

women’s program, crafting andexecuting a strategic plan tocreate athletic opportunities atAlabama State to supplementthe academic experience ofwomen students. Williams alsofought stereotypes against

female athletes, immediatelyproducing competitive teams.

In addition to her role ascoordinator of women’s athlet-ics, Williams also served as thewomen’s head basketball coachand track coach in 1975.During her five seasons as headbasketball coach, the LadyHornets amassed an amazing95-23 record. She also capturedmany honors and awards as thehead track coach. Williams wasthe recipient of the Coach ofthe Year during the 1974-75season as well as the 1982 and1987 seasons.

Also in the 1980 and 1982she received the ASU Coachesaward and then in 1987,Williams received the BlackHeritage Award.

Williams also excelled asa track coach for 25 years, lead-ing her teams to 68 wins and15 second-place finishes. Hergreatest accomplishment wasattending the 1984 OlympicTrails in Los Angeles with thenstudent-athlete Lillian Cole,who competed in the 100 meterhurdles finishing 8th overall.

PAGE 8 BLACK BELT CONNECTION MAY-JUNE 2012

By Marc TorrenceThe Black Belt Connection

As the University of Alabama’s A-Day game drew to a close and the MVPaward for the game was announced, itwasn’t a senior or junior who tookhome the honor. It wasn’t even a soph-omore. No, it was freshman T.J. Yeldonwho was deemed the most valuable play-er in Alabama’s annual spring game.

Yeldon, who would have been sit-ting in a high school classroom hadhe not enrolled at Alabama in January,rushed for 94 yards on 16 carries andcaught five passes for 91 yards and atouchdown, leading the White team toa 24-15 victory over the Crimson team.

The White team featured the first-team defense and the second-teamoffense, while the Crimson team con-sisted of the first-team offense and sec-

ond-teamdefense. The game marked the end ofspring practice for the Crimson Tide,which is looking to repeat as nation-al champions after winning it all in2011 .

“One thing that never happens incollege football is no one ever has abad spring and no one ever has a badspring game,” head coach Nick Sabansaid afterwards. “We didn’t have oneeither. We had a lot of guys who madea lot of improvement this spring.”

Yeldon was one of those guys. Heentered spring practice as a wide-eyedfreshman, straight out of high schooland dropped into Alabama spring prac-tice. But he emerged as everythingcoaches thought he could be when theysigned the consensus number one run-ning back in the country. He culmi-nated his spring practice with the

standout performance at A-Day.“TJ did a good job in all the scrim-

mages,” Saban said. “He was the dif-ference in the game for his team andmade a lot of good plays today, had alot of production, and I think that'simportant for us, because we neededsomeone like that.”

The other star of the day was thedefensive performance from the Whiteteam.

Working against the first-teamoffense, the White team forced fourturnovers, including three interceptionsagainst quarterback AJ McCarron.

The Crimson offense was held tojust 66 yards rushing and 284 totalyards. McCarron, however, was quickto dismiss any talk of the offensivestruggles being a point of concern.

“It's hard to tell. You can only doso much,” he said. “I mean, we ran the

same play one time on one drive ninetimes. It's just hard. Over all it was afun day. I mean, I had fun.”

If A-Day was any evidence,McCarron will have plenty of targetsto throw to next season after losinghis top three wide receivers and toptight end. Christion Jones showed speedand hands, hauling in three receptionsfor 48 yards and a touchdown. FreshmanChris Black added 61 yards and a touch-down.

And Kenny Bell, expected to bethe number one receiver in the fall,caught five passes for 86 yards, includ-ing a 47-yard flea flicker for a touch-down that was almost a mirror imageof a play against Auburn.

“It was satisfying,” Bell said aboutthe performance of the passing game.“That's what we've been working on allseason.”

Spring games foreshawdow fall seasonSPORTS NEWS

Photo by Kirsten J. BarnesD E D I C AT I O N : B a r b a r aWilliams addresses the audienceduring the dedication ceremonyfor the Barbara Wi l l i amsSoftball Complex held April 27at ASU.

By Marc TorrenceThe Black Belt Connection

The following student ath-letes entered the 2012 NFLDraft and were selected.

They are listed in orderby professional team, fol-lowed by their name, posi-tion and school.

3 – Cleveland Browns:Tren t R icha rdson , RB,Alabama

7 – T a m p a B a yBuccaneers: Mark Barron, S,Alabama

1 7 – C i n c i n n a t iBengals: Dre Kirkpatrick,CB, Alabama

25 – New EnglandPatriots: Dont’a Hightower,LB, Alabama

35 – Baltimore Ravens:Courtney Upshaw, OLB,Alabama

39 – St. Louis Rams:Janoris Jenkins, CB, NorthAlabama

136 – Ind ianapo l i sColts: Josh Chapman, DT,Alabama

131 – New York Giants:Brandon Mosley, OT, Auburn

146 – Kansas Ci tyChiefs: De’Quan Menzie –CB, Alabama

162 – New OrleansSaints: Corey White – S,Samford

164 – Atlanta Falcons:Jonathan Massaquoi – DE,Troy

201 – New York Giants:Matt McCants, OT, UAB

2 5 7 – C l e v e l a n dBrowns: Brad Smelley, TE,Alabama

Additionally, AlabamaState University’s Nigel Carr,a defensive linebacker whotransferred to ASU fromFlorida State University fol-lowing the 2009 season, hassigned a free agent contractto play with the BaltimoreRavens.

State has 13 NFL draft picksfrom schools across the state

ASU dedicates complex to Williams


SPORTS NEWS

Annual football clinic seeks sponsors, applicantsBy Kirsten J. Barnes

The Black Belt Connection

Victory Faith Worship Center will sponsor thethird annual Richard Moncrief Quarterback InstituteSymposium & Camp on June 30 in Montgomery,Ala It is open to all high school quarterbacks fromthe River Region and surrounding counties. Thecamp is free to participants, however, sponsorshipsare being sought.

Participants will attend a round-table discus-sion on a variety of topics, including: NCAA eli-gibility requirements, study habits and test-takingskills, as well as character development. In addi-tion, the student athletes will be exposed to infor-mation concerning technique, nutrition, teamwork,discipline, commitment and leadership.

“Our goal is not only to make each student abetter quarterback, but also to make each quarter-back a better person beyond football,” Moncriefsaid. “We hope to instill confidence, build self-esteem and reinforce the importance of making goodlife decisions.”

Moncrief, has coached quarterbacks on the col-legiate level for eight years at Alabama StateUniversi ty and the Universi ty of AlabamaBirmingham, where he coached current Atlanta

Falcons receiver Rodey White.Moncrief, played quarterback for Clemson

University from 1989 to 1993 and was selected theMontgomery Quarterback Club’s Player of the Yearin 1988 when he played quarterback for JeffersonDavis High School in Montgomery.

In addition Moncrief has coached at SidneyLanier High School twice, first as offensive coor-

dinator from 1997-2001 and later as head footballcoach at Lanier from 2003-2006, where he coachedcurrent Seattle Seahawks quarterback TarvarisJackson.

“Since 1997, I’ve worked with Tarvaris in somecapacity related to football,” Moncrief said.

Moncrief started the program because he wantsto help young quarterbacks understand the importanceof leading by example on and off the field. In addi-tion to this clinic, he also privately coaches juniorhigh school football players of any position.

“I learned from my family the importance ofself-discipline and community involvement,”Moncrief said. “Since my collegiate football careerat Clemson University I have remained active inthe community.”

To become a sponsor, make your $250 tax-deductible donation to Victory Through FaithWorship Center by June 15, 2012. Mail to yourcheck or money order to 2186 West Aberdeen Drive,Montgomery, Ala. 36116. Each sponsor will receivea T-shirt and group photo of camp participants; andhave their name (company or individual) displayedat the camp.

For more information concerning sponsorshipor how to attend, contact Moncrief at [email protected], or 334-625-9868.

HOURS:MONDAY-WEDNESDAY: 9 A.M. - 7 P.M.

THURSDAY:8 A.M. - 7 P.M.FRIDAY: 6 A.M. - 7 P.M.

SATURDAY: 5 A.M. - 5 P.M.

APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE - WALK-INS WELCOME

334-834-84941331 CARTER HILL ROAD

MONTGOMERY, ALA. 36106WWW.HERITAGEBARBERSHOP.COM

From Staff Report s

The Lewis Jackson Basketball Camp will beheld 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 11-14 on the campusof Alabama State University at the Dunn-OliverAcadome for campers ages 8-18.

The camp, led by Jackson, ASU's head men'sbasketball coach, will stress five areas of bas-ketball competition: shooting, dribbling, post-play, defense and team play.

Tuition for the camp is $95, which includesa $25 deposit. Housing and meals also are avail-able for an additional $105 and any overnightcampers should prepare to check in between 3-6 p.m. on June 10, 2012. There will be a $50key deposit due at check-in for overnightcampers, with that deposit being returned at theend of the session.

For more information visit www.bamastate-sports.com or call 334-229-4509.

Jackson to host basketball camp in June

From Staff Report s

Alabama State Unviersity will host a Ladies’Football Clinic at 7 p.m. June 13 at the HoustonMarkham Jr. Football Complex.

Participants will learn the fundamentals andstrategies of football form ASU coahces.

For information, call ASU Quarterback Coach

Richard Moncrief at 334-229-7550 or 334-318-1075 to pre-register by June. 1, 2012.

The cost of the event is $20 for those whopre-register and $25 for those who register on-site. The proceeds will benefit the ASUFoundation.

Make all checks payable to the ASUFoundation.

ASU will teach ‘ladies’ about football


BLACK BELT CONNECTION MAY - JUNE 2012

MAY - JUNE 2012 BLACK BELT CONNECTION PAGE 11

TORNADO: From Page 7

didn’t have any power, but shecooked and stuff,” Leatherwood said.“Me and my mama stayed up allnight. We didn’t take nothing withus.”

According to Alabama Powerby 6 p.m. there were more than50,000 residents of Tuscaloosawithout power.

The next day Leatherwood andher mother went back to whatwas left of their former home inan attempt to salvage any per-sonal belongings and memoriesthey could locate. They had hopedto find photos, personal papers,clothing, furniture and other items,but there was not much to behad. Other than a few clothesand one bed, Leatherwood’s fam-ily had lost everything they

owned in a matter of seconds.About a week later, mem-

bers of the Federal

Emergency Management Agencycame out to assess her family’sloss.

“The man recorded everythingthat was lost,” Leatherwood said.“My mother had to find papers andshow what we had, but they replacedmost of it.”

The family now lives in ahouse in Northport.

“It has three bedrooms, twobathrooms and a dining room anda living room,” Leatherwood said.It also has a two-car garage, andfront and back yards.

Despite losing everything,Leatherwood said she always knewshe would be OK.

“I knew we would recover,because I have family,” saidLeatherwood, whose mother andfather are both from the Tuscaloosa-Northport area. “We have a bigfamily.”

Although he was not with his

daughter during the storm,Leatherwood’s father, LamontWilson, knows exactly what hisdaughter is talking about.

“When things like this hap-pen, you find out quick who yourreal friends and family are,” Wilsonsaid.

Today, the 5-feet, 11-inch, 120-pound senior isstronger than she appears.She refused to let the tor-nado affect her grades orher ambition and has tak-en a part-time job atPapa John’s as shebegins planning for hermove to a residencehall at UA.

“I have to passby where we used tolive when I go towork,” Leatherwoodsaid. “It’s flat now,”she said, but a tree that

helps her identify where her old homewas is still there.

The debris has been removed andall the evidence of the families thatlived in the apartment complex builtmore than 50 years ago are gone.

Today, it looks like other now-vacant lots ravaged by the stormscattered throughout the city. Someof the lots have been cleared, butfew demolished businesses or apart-ments have been completely restored.

Some people have returned totheir homes, while others are still

under repair.Leatherwood said the counselors

at her high school were helpful andtold her about places she and herfamily could go to receive additionalassistance.

She was not the only studentat Tuscaloosa County High whosebelongings were taken by the storm.However, she does not know theothers personally. Her graduatingclass is more than 400 strong ina school with more than 1,200 stu-dents.

“One dude needed help to buysome church shoes to go to his dad-dy’s funeral,” she said. “That was sad.”

For Leatherwood, the road torecovery has been an empoweringprocess as she reflects on what shehas gone through, where she is nowand where she wants to be.

Never again will she ignore severeweather warnings or watches.

“Even during a thunderstorm, Ipay attention,” she said.

The tornado also has brought herfamily closer and given her a clos-

er relationship with her sister’s father.“We didn’t used to talk much,”

Leatherwood said. “Now I talk tohim about stuff.”

The teen believes she is doingjust as well, if not better, than shewould have been if the storm hadnever occurred, but she realizes thetragic event has changed her outlookon life.

“Now, you don’t get scared aboutstuff,” Leatherwood said. “I’m notscared of nothing now … I just don’tlike the sound of airplanes.”

Photos by Kirsten J. BarnesREBUILDING: The tornado photos in this story are not of the area where Shakeitta Leatherwood lived. However, they are indicative of the Hargrove Road neigh-borhoods, Leatherwood’s neighborhood and many others affected by the storm. Above, Leatherwood stands in front of a vacant lot where she lived before the storm.She and her family lost everything in the storm.


The Center for Community-Based Partnerships (CCBP) serves as thecoordinator for engaged scholarship and outreach activity at The Universityof Alabama. With our theme of “Engaging Communities and ChangingLives,” we share a common vision of social justice and civic engage-ment with The Black Belt Connection and look forward to a mutuallyrewarding partnership. CCBP is one of the units in the Division ofCommunity Affiars, headed by Dr. Samory Pruitt, Vice President.

CALLING ALL HORNET!Join the Alabama State University National Alumni Association

Membership Dues are only $50.For information contact: ASU Alumni Relations at 334-229-4208

or e-mail [email protected] your membership form at: www.alasu.edu.

Mail your form, along with check or money order to: National Alumni Association, P.O. Box 6078 Montgomery, Ala., 36106

Beatrice Forniss, President National Alumni Association

IT’S A GREAT TIME TO BE A HORNET!

CRIMINAL DEFENSE & PERSONAL INJURY

Joe M. Reed & Associates, LLC 524 South Union Street, Montgomery, Alabama

Phone 334.834.2000

Call the law offices of Joe M. Reed & Associates, LLC, right now at1.866.834.1431.

“We want to hear the details of your urgent legal needs.”


the black belt connection may/june

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