Dear Friends,

We are moving into 2009 in a very energetic and positive way!

On January 27, I delivered my State of the City Address at the Richmond City Council meeting. Please take a few moment to read the text and see how far we've come and how far we will be going....

You can access the State of the City Address through the link below:

http://ci.richmond.ca.us/index.asp?nid=293

Also, please check out the media section to read about many issues, events and accomplishments over the past year: http://gaylemclaughlin.net/press-index.htm

AND it is with great pleasure that I want to announce that February is Black History Month and we are honoring 3 great African-American individuals (one individiual will be honored at each council meeting in February).

Please come join us at the Richmond City Council Chambers (450 Civic Center Plaza - enter in rear of building) at 7 pm on the following evenings:

February 3 (tonight) Proclamation Honoring and Recognizing the Life and Contributions of Mr. Bobby Seale, co-founder of the Youth Jobs North Richmond Tutorial Program (1964) and of the Black Panther Party (1966).

February 17 Proclamation Honoring and Recognizing the Life and Contributions of Mrs. Betty Reid-Soskin, long-time Black social activist and National Park Ranger in the City of Richmond.

February 24 Proclamation Honoring and Recognizing the Life and Contributions of Mr. George L Livingston, former councilmember, Vice Mayor and first elected African American Mayor of the City of Richmond.

Hope to see you at one or all of these upcoming city council meetings to honor these remarkable individuals!

Sincerley,

Mayor McLaughlin

WOMEN IN SOLIDARITY: Honoring Self, Honoring Community

MUJERES EN SOLIDARIDAD: Honrando Su Persona, Honrando Su Comunidad

Saturday, March 7, 2009 - 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Lovonya DeJean Middle School, 3400 Macdonald Ave., Richmond

Keynote speaker:

ELAINE BROWN
former Black Panther leader and criminal justice reform advocate

Featuring:
DANZA AZTECA dance troupe - JACKIE THOMPSON, performance poet ROSA ACOSTA and JORGE VILCHEZ, Peruvian folkloric dance LAS BOMBERAS DE LA BAHIA, Afro-Puerto Rican drumming, dancing, singing JACQUELINE McBRIDE, gospel singer JOVANKA BECKLES, M.C. Round-table discussions with co-sponsoring organizations

Free admission! Lunch and childcare will be provided.

Please call 510-620-6502 to pre-register.

Para asistencia y registracion llame 510-620-6527.

Co-sponsors: Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, Black Alliance for Just Immigration, Black Women Organized for Political Action, Communities United Restoring Mother Earth, Community Violence Solutions, Girls Inc., Haiti Action Committee, Health Conductors, Int’l Committee for the Freedom of the Cuban Five, Journeys Above and Beyond, Morada de Mujeres del Milenio, Mothers Against Senseless Killing, Opportunity West, Richmond Progressive Alliance, Richmond Regla Sister City Committee, Rosie the Riveter WWII Homefront National Historic Park, RYSE Center, STAND! Against Domestic Violence, Tent City Peace Movement, The Latina Center, Verde Partnership Garden, Youth Enrichment Strategies, Youth Together, and more…