Rick Taylor - Courier - City's young learn media's importance

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Published in the Courier News, Thursday, May 11, 2006

[Speaking Out]
City's young learn media's importance

In an unanticipated standing room only crowd at Blackberry's Catering and Family Restaurant, 500 Watchung Ave., Plainfield, the festive, ebullient audience was recently treated to a trio of nationally recognized black men of excellence as they clearly explained their individual exploits in their chosen fields of endeavor: State senator and Newark Mayor Sharpe James, New York civil rights attorney Alton Henry Maddox Jr. and the former New Jersey secretary of state, the Rev. DeForest "Buster" Soaries. Each gave a tremendous lecture on the positive and important need for the black community to support quality education and the continued development of black entrepreneurial spirit in our urban cities, where the bulk of our community lives and works.

In a wide-ranging talk, this trio of public servants captured the essence of why we need a communication vehicle flourishing within our community. Each speaker took time to explain the importance of having a member of the Fourth Estate operating on a daily basis as a news organ, providing information to alert our constituency about the issues that confront our respective communities. Like the proverbial "drum" of African vintage, black radio throughout the civil rights movement has been the major vehicle of communication throughout our history of struggle to fight racism and injustice.

Each speaker took deliberate pain to extol the many virtues of the Plainfield-based radio station, WKMB, (known affectionately as "Harvest Radio") 1070 on the AM dial.

They also lauded the accomplishment of the founder, president and chief executive officer, the Rev. Gary Kirkwood Sr., and his willingness to appoint a young woman of great intellect, Ms. Melissa Prayer, who serves as the general station manager. But the Rev. Soaries said it best: "We must continue to visibly and economically support our worthwhile black institutions of color so that they can maintain their viability in statue within the dominant culture."

In addition, the audience was treated to an outstanding a cappella performance by Ms. Twanda Porterfield-Muslin.

Also, young Miss Aliea Janelle Lawson Gilbert gave a child's version of the day's festivities. Ms. Taraka Gilbert, a Plainfield High School and Temple University graduate, gave a soul-searching and sterling tribute to Maddox while three sisters -- Kayliah, Kylaih and Kenya Barnette -- expresssed their profound gratitude for Maddox visiting the Woodland Elementary School recently. Finally, Plainfield Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs gave several mayoral mementos to the three distinguished gentlemen for their long-suffering struggle in the movement.

The afternoon was concluded with closing remarks from the Rev. Shannon Wright, who serves as the reigning Mrs. New Jersey and co-host of the celebrated radio program known as "Know Your Community."

In conclusion, as principal host of the program, I thanked members of the audience for their support and attendance, and I promised that this type of program would continue to take place in the future because our goal is to educate our youngsters about the vital importance of the communications system.

The Rev. Rick Taylor
Plainfield

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