Will GOP Fight Fire with Fire? Race for National Republican's Chairman's job includes two Black candidates Page 9 Money in the Black A Look at the World's Billionaires of Color .Page 2 Baltimore Mayor Indicted BALTIMORE Another big city mayor is in deep trouble over their conduct in office. Last week, Baltimore Mayor Sheila A. Dixon was charged by the state prosecutor in a 12-count indictment, becoming the city's first sitting mayor indicted on criminal offenses. SThe Baltimore Sun and other outlets are reporting that Dixon was charged with four counts of perjury and two counts of theft over $500, as well as theft under $500, fraudulent misappropriation by a fiduciary and misconduct in office. The charges stem in part from gifts she received from former boyfriend and developer Ronald H. Lipscomb, who was also charged earlier this week. Dixon, a Democrat, has been the target of a nearly three-year probe by State Prosecutor Robert A. Rohrbaugh into corruption at City Hall, an investigation that has centered on allegations that Dixon has used her office to award lucrative contracts to various people including her sister, her then-boyfriend and her former campaign chairman. In a statement released by her office this afternoon, Dixon said: "I am being unfairly accused. Time will prove that I have done nothing wrong, and I am confident that I will be found innocent of these charges. ... I want to make it clear, though, that I will continue to put all of my ener- gies into running the city during these perilous economic times." First Grandma Moving Into the White House to Care for Girls The presidential transition team has announced that Barack Obama's mother-in-law will move into the White House soon to help her family - particularly her granddaughters settle into a new routine. Marian Robinson, the 71-year-old mother of Michelle Obama, will stay in the White House in what's being described by aides as a trial visit, a chance for Robinson to see if she's ready to trade her classic Chicago bungalow for the nation's most famous mansion. However temporary, the living arrangement is viewed as a plus for sen- ior advocates, who say Robinson will serve as a role model for the grow- ing number of retirees moving in with their children and grandchildren. Advocates say Robinson could show that moving into a grown child's home does not mean surrendering one's independence or usefulness. Robinson, a retired executive secretary, is expected to continue her busy lifestyle, which until a few years ago included both a job and competing in the 100- and 50-yard dashes at the Illinois Senior Olympics. Robinson already has media and special interest groups lining up to speak with her. Generations United, a group that aims to increase inter- action between children and seniors, has asked her to be the keynote speaker at its international conference this summer. Tony Dungy Bids Adieu: First Black Coach to Win a Superbowl Retiring Tony Dungy, the first African-American head coach to win the Super Bowl, walked away from pro football this week, saying he was looking forward to what life has in store away from the NFL. Dungy, who spent seven years with the Colts, said that he and his wife discussed his future felt the time was right to move on. "I think I've got a chance to do some things down the road," he said. I think I've got a responsibility to be home a little more." When the Colts were ousted from Super Bowl contention by the San Diego Chargers last week, it was widely understood that Dungy might announce his retirement. If the coach had had his way, however, the announcement would have come after his team was awarded the Vince Lombardi trophy in Tampa on Feb. 1. He said he does not plan to coach again, but he refused to rule it completely out. The only thing that seems certain right now is that Dungy, who led his teams to playoffs 10 times, will land in the NFL Hall of Fame some day. California D.A. Still Pondering Charges Against Killer Cop As prosecutors in Oakland, Calif., ponder whether to file criminal charges against the 27-year-old White transit cop who shot to death a handcuffed young Black man on New Year's Day, officials for the agency that employed the officer say they're perturbed by his attitude. "Nobody's been able to talk to [Johannes Mehserle]," Linton Johnson, a spokesman for the Bay Area Rapid Transit, said of the BART officer who fired the fatal shot. "We've been trying aggressively to get him to come in, but he hasn't. It's been very frustrating." All the other officers present during the shooting have been interviewed, according to BART Police Chief Gary Gee. Mehserle, a member of the force for the past two years, was captured on a cell phone camera shooting 22-year-old Oscar Grant. When the pub- lic caught sight of the video on national TV news and the Internet last week, it sparked protests in downtown Oakland. Last week, Alameda County prosecutors filed against three protesters on charges of possession of concealed weapons, causing a public distur- bance and misdemeanor vandalism. More than 100 people were arrested during the demonstrations that left some 300 businesses damaged; 70 others were cited and released. Last week, Alameda County District Attorney Tom Orloff said that his office will announce whether to charge Mehserle. flow will yoou celebrate the 9inq holidayy? Check out Communitv Activities for a day on not a day off. Page 5 C U AST QUALITY BLACK K WE 50 Cents Volume 23 No. 16 Jacksonville, Florida January 15 21, 2009 Congressional Black Caucus Anticipates Greater Power by H.T. Edney The 41-member Congressional Black Caucus, which often describes itself as the "conscience of the Congress", is anticipating a power surge next week as one of its former members takes the oath of office as president of the United States. "As I stand here today, I can tell you with certainty that these 41 members of the Congressional Black Caucus recognizes that this is our moment," said U. S. Rep. Barbara Lee, the new chairwoman of the 40-year-old caucus at the group's ceremonial swearing in last week. Recalling the mission of the 13 founding members of the CBC as being "to achieve greater equity for persons of African decent", Lee, of California, told the audience of hundreds in the new Capitol Visitors Center, "As we change the course of our country, and as we confront the economy, and as we continue moving forward, we will continue their legacy in working day and night to make this a better Shown above in attendance are student scholars from Justina Road Elementary School in attendance (L to R): Hamilton Yingling, Fredrick Reed, guest speaker Dr. Mae Jemison, Fritzson Sainthilaire, Brandon Boyd, Princess Roberts, Terrance Thomas, Assata Roberts. FMPowell Photo Trailblazing Astronaut Imparts Wisdom to the First Coast The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce joined by a host of other organizations, held their 22nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast kicking off the bevy of King Holiday festivities in Jacksonville. Serving as the keynote speaker was Dr. Mae Jemison, the worlds first African American woman to travel in space. To the thousands in attendance young and old, Dr. Jemison spoke about paying attention to the world around you. "Be careful of who you hang out with. Who you associate with tells a lot about your character," she said. A physician by profession, she explained everyone needs to have problem solving skills and critical thinking skills. Other highlights of the communi- ty event include greetings by the Breakfast's founder, Willye Dennis and Mayor Peyton, presentation of "Tommorrow's Leaders" by Urban League President Richard Danford, Reflections by NAACP President Isaiah Rumlin and the unveiling of the Race Relations Report by JCCI. Dr. Jemison said as we look for- ward to next week's historic inau- guration, that she has great hope for our future and our nation's ability and willingness to accept change. "We like to think of the world in a zero sum balance," she said, "but I challenge you to be ok with your world being unbalanced and more secure world." Then U. S. Sen. Barack Obama served as a member of the Congressional Black Caucus with a consistent record of 100 percent on- Continued on page 3 Cong. Kendrick Meek Officialy Announces Bid for State Senate Cong. Kendrick Meek With former popular governor Jeb Bush saying he will not run for the coveted seat, Congressman Kendrick Meek has officially announced he would run for the seat to be vacated by Republican Mel Martinez's retirement in 2010. . A win would make him The second generation south Florida politician said his cam- paign platform would include alle- viating current problems such as the increase of foreclosures throughout Florida, rising unem- ployment rates, the loss of senior citizens' retirement funds, ending the war in Iraq, and resolving healthcare inequalities. Meek, 42, who succeeded his mother in Congress in 2002, would be Florida's first black senator if he wins. Past Presidents Anxious and Honored to Dine with Obama WASHINGTON President-elect Barack Obama hailed a rare Oval Office gathering of all U.S. presi- dents as an extraordinary event last week as the current occupant, President George W. Bush, remind- ed his predecessors and successor that the office "transcends the indi- vidual." "I just want to thank the president for hosting us," the president-elect said, flanked by former President George H.W. Bush on one side and his son on the other. Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, both smiling broadly, stood with them. "All the gentlemen here under- stand both the pressures and possi- bilities of this office," Obama said. "For me to have the opportunity to get advice, counsel and fellowship with thems is extraordinary." In a swift photo opportunity, the current president wished Obama well before all five men headed to a private lunch. "I want to thank the president-elect for joining the ex-presidents for lunch," Bush said, even though he's not quite a member of that club yet. "One message that I have and I think we all share is that we want you to succeed. Whether we're Democrat or Republican we care deeply about this country," Bush President George W. Bush meets with former Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter andPreidnt-let Brac .amainthe .va.....o the Whit ous ias we and President-elect Barack Obama said. "All of us who have served in this office understand that the office itself transcends the individual." He added: "We wish you all the very best, and so does the country." Bush and Obama also met private- ly for roughly 30 minutes. That one-on-one meeting, coming just 13 days before Obama's inaugura- tion, likely focused on grim current events, with war in the Gaza Strip and the economy in a recession. It had been an entire generation since the nation last saw the tableau of every U.S. president together at the White House. The presidents have gathered at other locations over the years, most recently for the funeral of President Gerald Ford. Obama suggested holding the gathering when he met Bush at the White House in November. All the presidents were last at the White House in 1981: Richard Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan, who was president then. The three former presidents were there before leaving as part of the U.S. delega- tion to the funeral of Egypt's Anwar Sadat, who had been assassinated. t in the Oval Office of the White House last wee