Torrance, California— Toyota Green Initiative (TGI), an environmental stewardship platform designed to empower the African American community to adopt a sustainable lifestyle, is pleased to announce that student Corban Bell of Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana is the grand prize winner of TGI's third annual Green Campus Contest. With nearly 1,300 votes on http://www.ToyotaGreen.com, Bell's plan and establishment of a permanent, campus-wide recycling program at his school earned him a 2012 Toyota Prius and $5,000 toward the purchase of trees for his Grambling State University campus. He also receives membership to the TGI Coalition, a collective of environmental experts and celebrities who speak on sustainability within the African American community and relevant ways to go green.

First prize winner and runner-up Domenio Smith of Howard University in Washington, D.C., will also receive $2,500 toward the purchase of trees for his school. The trees for both Howard University and Grambling State University will be planted during the fall 2013 TGI Mobile Tour.

"We received so many phenomenal Green Campus Contest submissions from students concerned about the environment," said Jim Colon, vice president of product communications for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and TGI Coalition member. "In the end, Corban Bell's plan to establish a recycling program and lead additional initiatives, such as hosting a sustainability awareness week and expanding Grambling's compost program impressed the TGI program as well as voters."

"I'm so excited to be selected as this year's Green Campus Contest winner," said Bell. "TGI is a great environmental resource for the African American community, and I'm honored to represent the program in my efforts to improve the green culture at Grambling."

The TGI Green Campus Contest is an environmental competition where students at select Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) can submit plans on conserving resources within their campus and/or community. After an initial selection round, each of the 10 semifinalists is provided with a $500 budget to help implement his or her respective campus program. The results of their efforts are reviewed by the TGI Coalition and the two finalists' essays are posted on ToyotaGreen.com where visitors can vote for their favorites.

To learn more about the Toyota Green Initiative and the Green Campus Contest, visit http://www.ToyotaGreen.com.

Annapolis— Annapolis Mayor Joshua J. Cohen welcomes Joe Budge as the newest City Alderman, representing Ward One. Budge was selected by the Annapolis Democratic Central Committee on Tuesday, April 30, 2013.

“Joe is eminently qualified to serve as Ward One Alderman,” Mayor Cohen said. “Ward One has a unique set of challenges, with residential, commercial, maritime, governmental and historic uses all nestled cheek to jowl in a small area. And Joe has been a leader in addressing almost every major issue the ward has faced in recent years, serving on task forces and committees focused on City Dock planning, liquor licenses and Hillman Garage reconstruction, not to mention leading the Ward One Residents Association.

”Dick Israel leaves large shoes to fill, but Joe will be able to hit the ground running and continue Dick's legacy of thoughtful and collaborative leadership for Ward One and the City.”

 Previous Ward One Alderman Dick Israel stepped down on April 8, 2013, at the conclusion of the City Council meeting. He explained that he will be moving out of his Shaw Street home, into the Ginger Cove Community, which is not located in the ward he was elected to represent. The alderman said his resignation was effective in April, rather then when he moves in May, so his appointed successor would be able to participate in budget deliberations.

According to City Code, when an alderperson resigns within 15 months of the next regular City election, the Central Committee of the political party to which the alderperson belongs shall appoint the replacement.

Mayor Cohen will administer the oath of office to Budge at the beginning of the May 13 City Council meeting.

If you have at least a master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree or certified technical expertise, consider sharing your skills and knowledge with students at Anne Arundel Community College.

AACC is seeking both credit and noncredit part-time faculty who want to help our students achieve their academic, professional and personal enrichment goals. You can attend one of two Adjunct Faculty Recruitment Fairs:

Wednesday, May 8, 2013, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the AACC Center for Cyber and Professional Training (CCPT), 7556 Teague Road, Hanover, across from Arundel Mills. Check-in at the CCPT Café – 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Overview of the college – 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Break-out rooms for departments – 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 11, 2013 from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Center for Applied Learning and Technology (CALT) Lobby (outside of lecture hall), West Campus, 101 College Parkway, Arnold campus.

Check-in – 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Overview of the college – 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (CALT 107 lecture hall)

Break-out rooms for departments – 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (2nd floor)

Adjunct faculty members are needed for credit courses in such fields as accounting, biology and environmental science, business administration, computer technologies, economics, engineering, English and communications, health and wellness, health professions and technology, math, nursing, physical sciences, social sciences and world languages. The college also is seeking adjunct faculty to teach lifelong learning courses, continuing and professional studies and business training through the Center for Workforce Solutions.

Bring your resume to the fair and meet with representatives from various disciplines. Prior to attending, download and complete a faculty application at http://www.aacc.edu/employment/PTFacHome.cfm. For directions and campus maps, visit http://www.aacc.edu/locationsandmaps/default.cfm.

Human rights activist Jesse L. Jackson has been presented the Companions of O.R. Tambo Award, the highest award a non-South African can receive, for his extensive efforts to held end apartheid in the country.

Jackson, founder and president of the Chicago-based RainbowPUSH Coalition, accepted the award recently from President Jacob Zuma at the Presidential Guesthouse here. Jackson’s wife, Jacqueline and two of his children, Santita and Yusef, accompanied him to the capital city to accept the prestigious honor.

The former aide to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was cited “for dedicating his life to challenge societies and governments to recognize that all people are born equal, and that everyone is in equal measure entitled to life, liberty, prosperity and human rights.” He was honored “For his excellent contribution to the fight against apartheid.”

The award was named after Oliver Reginald Tambo, the former chairman of the African National Congress (ANC) who helped end white minority rule in South Africa 19 years ago. The award is presented annually to “eminent foreign nationals for friendship shown to South Africa.” The official description of the award says recipients are “concerned primarily with matters of peace, cooperation, international solidarity and support and is integral to the execution of South Africa’s international and multinational relations.”

The official program notes, “Jackson first visited South Africa in 1979 following the deatJejsseh of Steve Biko. He attracted huge crowds at his rallies in Soweto, where he denounced South Africa’s oppressive system of apartheid. Upon his return to the United States, Jackson intensified efforts to mobilize opposition to the ‘terrorist state’ of South Africa and reshape U.S. policy on the country.

“From the outset, Jackson strongly opposed President Ronald Reagan’s policy of constructive engagement with the apartheid regime. He worked tirelessly to mobilize public opposition to the USA’s stance. Jackson entered the 1984 Presidential race with the anti-apartheid struggle at the center of his foreign policy agenda.”

The program recounted Jackson’s 1985 meeting with Pope John Paul II in which he invited the Pontiff to visit South Africa to help bring about majority rule. He also lobbied Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev to cut diplomatic ties to South Africa. In addition, Jackson urged the U.S. government to fund resisters.

“He also called on Harvard and other universities to divest from South Africa,” the program stated. “In 1986, at the invitation of several African governments, Jackson led a delegation of activists, business representatives and academics to eight African countries, including the southern African ‘frontline states.’ The focus of the trip was to mobilize opposition to the apartheid regime.”

A frequent traveler to the continent, Jackson was in South Africa on February 11, 1990 when Nelson Mandela emerged from prison after a 27-year confinement. Mandela would play a key role in the peaceful transition from minority rule to a democracy, becoming the first Black African elected president of South Africa. In speeches here at universities, the U.S. Embassy and a Black church, Jackson talked about his front-row seat to history and warned that although Black South Africans have finally won their political freedom, the next goal should be eliminating economic inequity, considered the worst in the world.

Also presented with a Tambo Award was Percival Patterson, former Prime Minister and ex-chairman of the People’s National Party (PNP) in Jamaica. Patterson was cited “For his support of the ANC and exceptional contribution to the struggle for liberation and a democratic South Africa.”

The official program noted, “A passionate opponent of apartheid, he was an ardent supporter of South Africa’s liberation movement. In 1987, during the time Patterson was the chairman of the PNP and Michael Manley was its President, the ANC was invited to attend the PNP’s Founder’s Day banquet celebrating the 15th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence. Then president of the ANC, Oliver Tambo, addressed the occasion in Kingston, Jamaica on 4 July 1987.”

When Patterson was serving as Prime Minister, Nelson and Minnie Mandela visited Jamaica, where they received strong backing.

Other Tambo award winners were: Dina Forti, who helped start an anti-apartheid movement in Italy and Enuga Reedy, former head of the United Nation’s Center Against Apartheid.

Winners— who were not allowed to give acceptance speeches— were presented a neck badge, a lapel rosette, a miniature medallion and a wooden ceremonial walking stick carved in the image of a mole snake. According to African mythology, the mole snake, called a majola, visits babies in the spirit of benevolence, protecting them from harm and preparing them for success in life.

Jackson said in an interview, “I am overwhelmed with honor and appreciation. It represents momentum for our African-American struggle merging with the Free South Africa struggle. Both struggles were parallel.”