New Coalition Update

Chicago Defender

Lee Walker, president of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change and a Heartland senior fellow, sits on the editorial board of and is a columnist for the Chicago Defender, the only black daily newspaper in the country. The Defender has recently published several columns by Walker:

• “A Conflict of Vision?” May 27-29, 2005.

• “Black Rednecks and White Liberals,” a review of Thomas Sowell’s latest book, June 2, 2005.

• “The Media, Politics, and Blacks,” June 16, 2005.

• “Liberal Supreme Court Land Decision Not Good for Blacks,” July 11, 2005.

All of Walker’s Defender writings are available on the Web site of The New Coalition at http://www.newcoalition.org.

Other Media

• On May 21, Walker appeared on “UpFront with Jesse Jackson” to discuss judges and Senate filibusters, among other topics.

• Walker has agreed to put together a two-hour panel discussion on black conservatism for Milt Rosenberg’s “Extension 720" program on WGN Radio in Chicago. With listeners from 38 states, it’s one of the most widely listened-to radio programs in the country.

Meetings and Events

In addition to his work as a member of the editorial board of the Chicago Defender, Walker maintains a busy schedule of speaking engagements and meetings. Among his recent and upcoming activities:

On June 2, Walker attended a by-invitation-only meeting to discuss U.S. energy policy, cosponsored by the National Association of Manufacturers, Illinois Manufacturers Association, and Alliance for Energy & Economic Growth.

Also on June 2, Walker participated in a roundtable discussion, “The Great Divide: Improving Coverage of the African-American Community and Issues,” held at Columbia College in downtown Chicago. Columnist Laura Washington moderated the event. Walker was joined on the panel by Cliff Kelley of WVON radio, Sylvia Ewing of WBEZ radio, Roland Martin of the Chicago Defender, and Jerry Thomas, publicist for Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.

On June 3, Walker attended a meeting with J. Kenneth Blackwell, Ohio secretary of state and candidate for governor.

On June 9, Walker participated in a by-invitation-only telephone conference call with Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA), hosted by the Senate Republican Conference’s Leadership team. Among other things, the call addressed Social Security reform, initiatives to reduce the tax burden on small business, and the Senate Republicans’ Poverty Alleviation agenda.

On June 13, Walker attended a planning committee meeting for the United Nations’ Global Compact and the African-American Community. The purpose of the meeting was to strategize, develop, and formulate an agenda for bringing the UN’s “Global Compact” project into the African-American community.

On June 14, Walker attended a special program and reception honoring the memory of Bessie Coleman, held at the DuSable Museum Of African American History. The event was cosponsored by the Chicago Defender and the Bessie Coleman Foundation. Coleman was the first black female licensed pilot in the U.S. and a pioneer in the field of aviation. Rejected by every American aviation school to which she applied, Coleman was encouraged by Robert S. Abbott (founder of the Chicago Defender) to study abroad, and she studied with French and German pilots.

On June 21, Walker met with Edward Palmer from the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois-Chicago.

On June 22, Walker met with Dr. Greg Morris, former head of the Illinois State Medical Board.

On June 26, Walker attended a “summer extravaganza” held at Elmhurst College in suburban Elmhurst, Illinois. The event was sponsored by Friends of the Arts at Elmhurst College and Fifth Third Bank.

On July 28, Walker participated in a meeting of the advisory council of the Gidwitz Center for Urban Policy & Community Development, on which he serves.

On August 2 or 3, Walker will be a dinner speaker at a CBC Retreat hosted by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. The retreat will be held in Boston, Massachusetts and will be attended by roughly 40 people, including 20 chiefs of staff of the Congressional Black Caucus and other executives from the NAACP and National Urban League.

On August 16-20, he will attend the annual meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures in Seattle, Washington.

On September 13, Walker will speak at The Heartland Institute’s 2005 Emerging Issues Forum in Chicago. New Coalition members are invited to attend at Heartland member discounted rates. See http://www.heartland.org/Emerging2005/welcome.cfm for more information.

On September 14, Walker will attend a “Good to Great” event based on management guru Jim Collins’ book of the same title. The event, to be held in Lake Geneva, is aimed at nonprofit and foundation executive leaders.

On October 21-22, Walker will attend “What Will it Take to Move a Proactive Racial Justice Agenda?” a seminar sponsored by the Applied Research Center and Center for Urban Economic Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The seminar will include policy advocates, academics, researchers, organizers, and activists exploring innovative models and strategies for advancing equitable policies on issues such as public education, immigration, public services and benefits, community development, criminal justice, and civil liberties.

Many Thanks!

The following individuals and organizations have provided generous financial support for The New Coalition’s activities this year, and their contributions are greatly appreciated:

Anheuser-Busch Cos.

Ms. Opal Blake

Mr. Willie Carrington

Ceres Foundation

ExxonMobil Corporation

Mr. James G. Fitzgerald

Mr. Carl Ford

M/M Jerry and Marilyn Hayden

Mr. John P. Kayser

Ms. Marcella V. Meyer

Mr. Michael H. Moskow

Proviso Leyden for Community Action, Inc.

Mr. Reginald Reed

Mr. Theodore R. Sherrod

Stuart Family Foundation

Mr. Mark Weber

Also, many thanks to the members and donors who are sending copies of articles on issues they believe The New Coalition should address. This kind of feedback is vitally important to us, and we appreciate the opportunity to act on your suggestions! Walker’s review of Black Rednecks and White Liberals, for example, came about after a suggestion from a Florida supporter.