Here’s a look at African American issues and people making headlines throughout the country.

Alabama
The second annual Summit on Homelessness in Birmingham and Advocacy Training Institute held August 27-28. This year’s event was designed to bring attention to the civil and human rights injustices perpetuated in Birmingham and also to bring attention to the misplaced priorities of the political will of the city with regard to the implementation of the Birmingham Plan to Prevent and End Chronic Homelessness 2007-2017 specifically the building of permanent supportive housing for the chronically homeless was addressed.

California
Hundreds of African American Compton residents attended Project IMPACT and World Vision’s back-to-school celebration at Compton Community College, where children were given backpacks, pens, pencils, scissors, notebooks and binders, and the opportunity to register for tutoring. They were also given community resource information guides and a free health screening. “This is an event that is all about preparing our children for the future,” said Matt Harris, executive director and founder of Project IMPACT. “It’s a collaborative event that says that we’re just not looking to give out backpacks or a service, but we’re introducing them to community.”

District of Columbia
The Prostate Health Education Network Inc. (PHEN) will put a major focus on enhancing partnerships with churches in the fight against prostate cancer, when it hosts its “sixth annual” African American Prostate Cancer Disparity Summit” September 16 and 17, in Washington, D.C. The summit session on Friday, September 17th at the Washington Convention Center, when is part of the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference, will be entirely devoted to PHEN’s outreach efforts working with Black churches nationwide.

Georgia
Mary Pat Hector is not your average 12-year-old. She is founder and president of Youth in Action, a Stone Mountain-based organization committed to solving community problems. The group highlights such issues as child abuse and civil rights, while working to overcome youth and gang violence through peer counseling. On Aug. 28, Hector led two busloads of her peers and community activists to Washington, D.C., to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the historic March on Washington. “A lot of people are forgetting the dream, and I think it’s very important for youth to get out there and honor his dream,” said Hector.