Alpha Phi Alpha passes on Cincinnati convention
08/08/2002 12:34 AM EDT
CINCINNATI (AP) - A nationwide black fraternity says it will not consider Cincinnati for a 2005 convention because the organization's leaders believe the city isn't making progress in race relations.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. convened its national convention in Cincinnati in the 1960s and had a regional convention in 2000. But the fraternity said Tuesday that Cincinnati has not improved race relations since riots in April 2001 after a white police officer shot a fleeing unarmed black man.
``We just could not see supporting the city with our dollars, knowing the types of problems that African-Americans face there,'' fraternity spokesman Darryl Jones said.
The 2005 convention would have brought between 3,000 and 5,000 people downtown and generated about $3 million for city businesses, tourism officials projected.
``It is unfortunate to no longer be under consideration from a group like this,'' said Julie Harrison Calvert, spokeswoman for the Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Black entertainers including Bill Cosby, Smokey Robinson and Wynton Marsalis have canceled Cincinnati appearances since activists began an economic boycott of downtown last year.
City officials say race relations have improved over the year. A newly appointed commission is starting programs to improve education and job opportunities for blacks and the city is increasing black representation in executive ranks, including the city manager, Mayor Charlie Luken has noted.
www.BlackAmericaWeb.com
08/08/2002 12:34 AM EDT
CINCINNATI (AP) - A nationwide black fraternity says it will not consider Cincinnati for a 2005 convention because the organization's leaders believe the city isn't making progress in race relations.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. convened its national convention in Cincinnati in the 1960s and had a regional convention in 2000. But the fraternity said Tuesday that Cincinnati has not improved race relations since riots in April 2001 after a white police officer shot a fleeing unarmed black man.
``We just could not see supporting the city with our dollars, knowing the types of problems that African-Americans face there,'' fraternity spokesman Darryl Jones said.
The 2005 convention would have brought between 3,000 and 5,000 people downtown and generated about $3 million for city businesses, tourism officials projected.
``It is unfortunate to no longer be under consideration from a group like this,'' said Julie Harrison Calvert, spokeswoman for the Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Black entertainers including Bill Cosby, Smokey Robinson and Wynton Marsalis have canceled Cincinnati appearances since activists began an economic boycott of downtown last year.
City officials say race relations have improved over the year. A newly appointed commission is starting programs to improve education and job opportunities for blacks and the city is increasing black representation in executive ranks, including the city manager, Mayor Charlie Luken has noted.
www.BlackAmericaWeb.com
