ERNIE BROWN JR. Minorities continued to make progress in 2003

As 2003 winds down, I'd thought I'd reflect on some of the more positive highlights in the Youngstown-area black and Latino communities this year.
One of the things that immediately stands out is the decline of homicides in the city of Youngstown. There were 33 in 2002. So far this year, there have been fewer than 20.
Most inner-city homicides, unfortunately, involve black people shooting other black people, usually over things such as drugs, women and money.
No one can ever exactly pinpoint why homicide rates drop, but I would like to think police officers are doing a better job, block watches continue to look out for their properties and neighbors, and people have been praying in churches, mosques and synagogues throughout the city for an end to or reduction of violent crime.
Youngstown will never be able to grow and prosper until the perception that the city is unsafe is eliminated. Continuing declines in slayings is a positive step toward destroying that perception.
Politics
Blacks continued to flex their political muscle in 2003. Three of the four people elected to the Youngstown school board are black.
Longtime city Councilman Jim Fortune was elected council president, and the majority of council members are black. Can Youngstown's first black mayor be far behind?
That question will be answered in 2005. The city will elect a new mayor, as Democratic incumbent George McKelvey cannot run again because of term limitations.
Next year, we will see if any blacks desire to run for the city's top elected position. I can remember only four black people ever running for mayor in my lifetime: the late Hugh A. Frost Sr.; community and political activist Ron Daniels; Herman "Pete" Starks, a former councilman; and Edna Pincham, longtime secretary to former Mayor Patrick Ungaro.
The city school board appointed Wendy Webb as the first black woman to serve as superintendent. I've known Wendy for nearly 20 years. She is smart and has a deep love for God and for children. Those attributes alone certainly aren't the only ones needed to run a school district that still has many obstacles to overcome. They are, however, pretty good ones with which to start.
Hispanic events
In the Hispanic community, there were at least three major events this year worth remembering.
The first Hispanic Relay for Life took place in June at Campbell Memorial High School's football stadium track, and it raised thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society to continue research and development.
The event, chaired by Rita Lopez and Virginia Hernandez, helped raise awareness of the rising cancer rates among Latinos and the importance of checkups and regular medical visits. A second relay is planned for June 2004.
Latinas United Networking Association was established this year. LUNA provides networking opportunities through meetings and forums, supports Latin women seeking community leadership roles, provides mentoring opportunities for Latin youth, and demonstrates support and advocacy on social issues affecting Latin women.
The founders are Marilyn Montes, Mirta Reyes-Chapman, Olga Rivera, Wilma Torres and Frances Wilson.
And OCCHA -- Organizacion Civica y Cultural Hispana Americana -- the city's primary Hispanic social service agency, celebrated its 31st anniversary.
More
Finally, here are some upcoming events to mark on your calendars that you may want to attend this month:
UThe fourth annual Jabali African Cultural Celebration will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at Youngstown State University's Kilcawley Center, Chestnut Room. The event features an appearance by some of the top Kenyan marathon athletes and a presentation by keynote speaker Dr. Debora Johnson-Ross, professor of political science and international studies, McDaniel College in Maryland. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students and children. Attire is traditional formal or African garb. For reservations, call the YSU Africana Studies Program at (330) 941-3097.
UThe first East High School Alumni Association dinner-dance, "A Blue and Gold Affair," will be from 6 to 11 p.m. Dec. 27 at Archangel Michael Church Community Center, 401 Twelfth St., Campbell. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased from association members (E-mail me as I have tickets). Proper attire is required.
ebrown@vindy.com