New York, Monday, December 14, 2009 – The Latino Commission on AIDS mourns the passing of its founder, Dennis de Leon, a tireless advocate for social justice and one of the first openly HIV-positive Latino leaders in the country. He was a pioneer and a visionary, and in his lifetime he sought to curb and eliminate health disparities among marginalized communities. As a lawyer and later a non-profit executive, deLeon believed in bridging cultural differences to effect progressive social change.

For 15 years, de Leon was the President of the Latino Commission on AIDS, a national service and advocacy organization addressing HIV/AIDS and health disparities in the Latino community nationwide. In his capacity as Commission President, de Leon served as the Manhattan delegate on the Civilian Complaint Review Board, which reviewed police misconduct allegations, and on several other boards, including the New York City HIV/AIDS Planning Group, Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Housing Works, and the Federal AIDS Policy Partnership.

Prior to his tenure at the Commission, de Leon served as Chair/Commissioner for the New York City Commission on Human Rights, where he enforced human rights laws and increased cooperation between diverse ethnic and racial communities. From 1988 to 1990, he was appointed Deputy Borough President for Manhattan after six years as the city’s Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel, where he supervised civil rights law enforcement and the representation of uniformed officers.

“Dennis’ impact on the HIV epidemic will be felt for years and generations to come. Throughout his career and as President of the Commission he maintained that all communities of color needed to work together to address not only the disease but injustices that made our communities more vulnerable. His passing is cause for great sadness, but his life and legacy are a cause for celebration, stated Ruben Medina, Latino Commission on AIDS Board Chair.“ “He has touched millions of lives and made a tremendous difference in the world. “

“It will be a challenge to pick up the mantle Dennis has left for us at the Commission. Dennis was a friend, a mentor and an example of what a national leader should be. He is a testament to the human spirit and the power of perseverance. His work and his dedication to our community will not be forgotten, “stated Guillermo Chacon, Latino Commission on AIDS President.

“Dennis was a force to be reckoned with. If there was a social justice issue that needed to be addressed you knew you wanted Dennis on your side. His work and his voice were respected nationwide and there was no greater champion for Latinos living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. He will be greatly missed,” stated Ernesto Loperena, former Latino Commission on AIDS Board Chair.

For information about funeral services and the service for Dennis deLeon, please visit: www.latinoaids.org or call 646-375-4415. A complete bio of Dennis de Leon is available upon request.

Bishop William DeVeaux on FTE from FTE on Vimeo.

ATLANTA, December 08, 2009 – Gifted students across the U.S. and Canada who aspire to be pastoral leaders and professors can get help for their journeys through Fund for Theological Education.

The FTE Fellowships will provide $1.5 million in monetary awards and leadership development opportunities for excellent students from diverse backgrounds. The nationally competitive fellowships support talented students who are preparing for pastoral ministry and doctoral students from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups who plan to teach religion, theology or biblical studies.

 “Despite economic uncertainty and the multiple challenges of pursuing a theological education, we hear from hundreds of gifted young people who long to pursue the call to ministry and teaching,” said Dr. Trace Haythorn, president of The Fund for Theological Education. “They need and deserve our support. And at this pivotal moment of change within and among all Christian denominations, the church needs the intellect and passion they offer to sustain quality leadership across generations.”    

FTE Ministry Fellowships are available for undergraduates who are exploring ministry; students with congregational support who are entering Master of Divinity (M.Div.) programs at accredited theological schools; recent participants in faith-based volunteer service organizations who are enrolling in M. Div. programs; and second-year seminary students who demonstrate exceptional gifts for pastoral leadership. FTE Doctoral Fellowships provide financial stipends and networking support to African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic and Native American students who demonstrate high academic performance, gifts for leadership and a commitment to teach in North American theological schools.   Eligibility requirements, nomination materials and applications are available at www.thefund.org/programs .

Enrollment in the M.Div. programs that prepare students for the profession of ministry have been flat or declining over the past two years and interest in congregational ministry among current seminary students has also diminished. In addition, one-third of North American theological schools do not have a scholar of color on their faculties, even as they serve increasingly diverse students and communities. As a nonprofit, ecumenical advocate for excellence and diversity in pastoral ministry and theological scholarship, FTE seeks to reverse these trends by supporting qualified candidates for both professions.

Join us in celebrating Puerto Rican culture in the Lower East Side! Re-membering Loisaida 2009 is a series of round table discussions centered around all things Puerto Rican in this colorful barrio of Manhattan. Don’t miss out!

On Archiving, on Wednesday, will feature a panel of archivists and cultural critics reinterpreting Loisaida art and culture. Visualizing Loisaida, on Friday, will discuss everyday life and art through visual comparisons.

Both events are GRATIS! and Friday’s will be followed by an after-party.

WHEN:
Wednesday, November 18th at 6:00pm
Friday, November 20th at 6:30pm

WHERE:
Clemente Soto Velez Arts Center
107 Suffolk St
New York, NY 10002

HOOD:
Lower East Side, Manhattan  

By Jeremy Del Rio

A couple of weeks ago, Brooklyn youth pastor asked several of his student leaders why New York City atheists could launch a massive subway ad blitz with nary a public peep from local churches when, as he mused, “God belongs in my city.”

Their response to his dismay was a viral blitz online asking area students to mobilize for prayer. They created a website and a Facebook group and a YouTube video, composed and recorded an anthem, designed a simple T-shirt, and began tweeting that “God Belongs in My City.”

Finally, they organized a silent prayer walk throughout Manhattan that will take place this Saturday, November 14. More than 1,000 teens are expected to participate, wearing T-shirts that proclaim “God Belongs in My City,” and blanketing the borough from 96th Street to the Battery. My eight-year-old son and I will be following their lead.

If you cannot join us, please say a prayer for what God is stirring among New York City’s two million young people this weekend.

In its 12 year of production, Ibermedia has been the supporter and driving force behind some of Latin America’s most epic and acclaimed documentaries and films. Rolling through NYC for only one week, don’t miss this very special film festival with screening each night at the MoMA. Check the link provided for the full film schedule, or take a look at our calender for specific dates.

“For over a decade, Ibermedia has been instrumental in the continued ascent of Latin American, Spanish, and Portuguese films. This intergovernmental organization began with seven member countries; today films from eighteen member countries appear on festival schedules and in cinemas the world over. Ibermedia facilitates and helps to finance coproductions between its Spanish- and Portuguese-language member countries, and grants money for international distribution and promotion once the films are finished. Professional film organizations from the country sponsoring the proposal select the projects to be helped by Ibermedia, thus ensuring each project’s autonomy. With no strings attached, the filmmakers’ personal visions are protected and the projects retain their national and/or personal-historical character. To date, Ibermedia has supported over five hundred films across a wide spectrum of genres and approaches, and provided training for film professionals. As the films in this exhibition make clear, Ibermedia encourages cinematic innovation and supports cinema with something to say. Several filmmakers will be present to introduce their films.”- MoMA