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CAHD Funds Black Student Project

Diocesan Press Service. July 21, 1975 [75250]

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Orientation for "Summer '75 " was held recently in Epes, Alabama, at the headquarters of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives. The week long orientation marked the beginning of an eight-week summer work experience for a group of 17 Black students at Cornell University, who are working in conjunction with the Federation of Southern Cooperatives and the Universal Negro Improvement Association (U.N.I.A.), founded by Marcus Gravey.

Major support in the amount of $11, 000 has been received from the Community Action and Human Development program of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, represented by Howard Quander, director.

During the orientation week, the students were introduced to the principles and operating practices of both organizations, comprehensively covering past and present political and economic conditions of the southern communities where they will be working, and reviewing many of the ongoing projects of the Federation and U.N.I.A. The students also visited some of the cooperatives and received their specific summer assignments.

The program was initiated by the Cornell Black Agriculturalists and has received some support from several facets of the University system, including the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and COSEP (Committee on Special Educational Projects), in addition to the Episcopal Church's grant.

"Summer '75 " promises to be a unique, dynamic summer work experience focusing on agricultural and community development. The students will provide technical services and research assistance in rural communities in the south, where these organizations are active. According to program officials, "Summer '75" is a potential trend setter that represents a concrete model of student/community cooperation in action. Students will work with various aspects of the ongoing programs of these organizations, depending on their experience and interests, according to Makaza Kumanyika, Coordinator and also a student. The project is composed of young Black men and women of varying ages and backgrounds, some as young as 18 and a few over 30. They are graduates and undergraduates, representing a variety of fields, such as animal science, pre-med, human ecology, engineering and urban planning, in addition to agriculture. The unifying bond is their common desire to channel their skills and abilities into meaningful use by the communities where they will be located.

Nine students will be working with the Federation of Souther Cooperatives (a resource, service and advocate organization) on projects such as farming, the development of greenhouses; with the Black Belt Community Health Center; and research on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Project and the development of a community recreation program.

Seven students will be working with the Raleigh Chapter of the U.N.I.A. on programs on modern farming and food preservation methods, sickle cell anemia and blood pressure testing, tutorial programs, African Culture and other projects dealing with special community problems.

Through "Summer '75" Black students are returning to the south to learn and assist under the guidance of community organizations. The students will be developing an awareness of the values of urban living in relation to southern values. Operating from this perspective, leaders hope to spark a revitalization of the fervor once radiant among students in the 60's and thus encourage them to develop a commitment to work toward the creation and operation of institutions which will better meet the needs of poor and developing communities, the spokesman continued.