GREETINGS! As we approach one of the most critical deadlines on this project...which is VOLUME I - "Mother Wit...and The Original Mother Wisdom" the African Women's submissions, I am resubmitting the entire package, for your consideration. WE NEED YOUR HELP! (For the many of you, who have communicated with me already, please excuse this cross-posting).

However, the following information outlines the literacy/video documentary project, that we are actively putting together. Several proposals are being submitted to: Sundance, Tribeca, Oxygen, and a host of other festivals and sponsors for underwriting. I would like to attach to the proposal(s) a few more names, as Advisory Board Members and/or as contributors to the book & video documentary project(s).

If you feel the idea is worthy and I believe you will, please forward to me via: UMEPRMGMT@AOL.COM, your bio information. If you have suggestions/ideas please do not hesitate. Also, we are looking for distributors...Angels...Editors...Blessings & Well Wishers...IT'S A HUGE PROJECT, but it is rolling...

Please note the information is pretty lengthy and my deadline is Monday for Sundance...THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YO' LOVE!

One God, One Aim, One Destiny!

Sade UME Public Relations Management 323.759.8081 323.759.8018 fax

“SAVING OUR BABIES...!” AN ANTHOLOGY BY WRITERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY

August 8, 2002

Greetings!!!

I would like to extend a warm and personal invitation to you requesting your support and/or participation in a literary/video project entitled, “Saving Our Babies...An Anthology by Writers in the Twenty -First Century.” Given our current situation in African and African American communities everywhere, this project promises to be “the most important and essential-must-read-survival-guide” of our era. Sounds great doesn't it!

The attached GUIDELINES gives some detail as to the direction, purpose and marketing of this multimedia (book/audio/video) project. The intended audience is, African American women and children of the inner city. However, in reality the issue is so large, that it does have global appeal. Thus far, I have received approximately 110 commitments from around the world: • Charles Burnett, Film Director • Keith Smith, Director of Photography • David Massey, Documentary Film Producer • Donna Mungen, Writer /Professor • Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald • Priscilla Hill-Ardoin, SBC, Sr. Vice President • R.A. Jackson-Woods, MATURE Ministries • Kassandra Auset Lombard, Producer • Nena Parbhoo, Zimbabwean Writer • MC Townsend, President Black Chamber of Commerce, West Valley Chapter • Giacomo Knox, USMC (Ret.) • Sherri Kiara Harris, Director, Communications & Public Affairs Los Angeles Redevelopment Projects • Julianne Malveaux, Ph.D., Economist/Author • Karen Briggs, Mother/Violinist • Phyllis Battle, Mother/Singer • Sandra Rattley, WorldSpace Foundation • Bonnie L. Turnipseed, Mother/Grandmother • Bertha Crayton, Mother/Grandmother • Anitra Ellis, Mother, Teacher • Ella Joyce, Actor • Jamie Walker, Writer/Poet/Publisher • Valerie Evans, Mother/Entrepreneur • Pearl Jr., Mother/Author (Others, like Maya Angelou, Sonia Sanchez, Charles Smith SBC Pres.CEO, Jewel Diamond Taylor, etc. are pending)

I assume nothing more than a favorable response from you towards this concept and project. However, if you also have suggestions, I would love to entertain and research them. Again, I appreciate so much your interest and I look forward to reading your submission very soon.

Respectfully submitted,

C.Sade Turnipseed, Publisher

===========================SYNOPSIS

“SAVING OUR BABIES...!” AN ANTHOLOGY BY WRITERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY

Women are the guardians of a culture. We bear the children. We raise them. We are the frame on which a society rests. We have the power to change society, but, first we must change ourselves... Caroline Simmons

It is with blessings of the Most High, that I begin this spiritual quest to collect a series of writings entitled, “Saving Our Babies...!” All phases of this collection will be prefaced by ancient wisdom and reflected upon with the most profound and insightful messages of hope, healing and observances by s/heroes and visionaries of our day. These are all contemporary writers at different stages of professional life. The anthology, “Saving Our Babies...!” is a multimedia (book/audio/video) project, that will capture the thinking of educators, ministers, politicians, and artists, who are Grandparents, Parents, God-Mothers/Fathers, sisters/brothers, aunts/uncles, girl/boyfriends and daughters/sons.

• Spiritually, it is without question that God gave life to humankind, then made woman the emissary and endowed her with its grace. Therefore, the first series will contain several sections that offer insightful resolution to issues of today, by women. We will all treasure the intellect and relish in the strong articulate voices of “Mother wit...,” by the “Original Mothers,” who are diasporic (and continental) African women. These women, will respond to a host of concerns, that reveal deep thought about the communities we live in today. Mothers with records of success in rearing children will provide instruction regarding the central question, “What do we as a society, (nation/village) need to do to save our babies?”

• The second series is “From the Mouths of Babes.” These writings will reflect the voices of our children answering the question, “What do we (the village) have to do to save you?” Brilliance lay in abundance in our communities. Our children for the most part are experiencing and displaying feelings of disconnect, to say the least...and we wonder why. We believe passionately, that we must go to the source and hear the voices of our children.

• The third series is an “open mike” format. We will listen to the voices in the whirlwind. We will share the collective insight of all our children...the men, the women, the entire village. This collection will express in artistic and scholarly presentations: short stories, essays, quotations, poems, drawings and deeply held inner reflections...answering the question, “what are we going to do NOW, to save our babies?”

The twenty-first century presents a glorious opportunity to begin to end a time of severe dysfunction. The children in most communities (rich and poor) are combating a direct assault of social decadence coming from mainstream and underground influences. It is of this essence, I present the opportunity for you to participate, in what promises to be an essential collection of writings, for the world to treasure. We are all gathering in one accord, to express our intent on healing, and to document the methods that prescribe “our way” to a healthy societal and spiritual re-birth...all, for the sole purpose of, “Saving Our Babies...!”

FOR INFORMATION ON WAYS THAT YOU MAY CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PROJECT, PLEASE CONTACT: C.Sade Turnipseed-Trabi, Publisher UME Public Relations Management • POB 62415 • Los Angeles, CA 90062 • USA • 323.759.8100 • 323.759.8018 fax • umeprmgmt@aol.com • www.savingourbabies.com •

"I HAVE PLANS…TO GIVE YOU THE FUTURE YOU HOPE FOR." Jeremiah 29:11 “BEHOLD I AM THE LORD, THE GOD OF ALL FLESH: IS THERE ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR ME?” Jeremiah 32:27

The “Saving Our Babies...!” project proposal is being circulated for the sole purpose of providing methods that alleviate the pain and suffering, currently being experienced by many children, throughout the world. Please support the project in any constructive way that encourages global participation. No haters...please! © UME PUBLISHING CO. ===========================COVER LETTER “SAVING OUR BABIES...!” AN ANTHOLOGY BY WRITERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY

Greetings!

We here at UME Public Relations Management and Publishing are truly excited about the project, "Saving Our Babies...," because we know that it will serve as a beacon, for too many of our people, who walk, talk, play and dwell in darkness. You can make all the difference with your voice, your contribution, and your love.

Attached are the guidelines for the “SAVING OUR BABIES...!” AN ANTHOLOGY BY WRITERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY, project. Please pay particular attention to the deadlines, as each volume is scheduled for release three months after its deadline date. Now is the time to let our collective little lights shine! We thank you once again...stay blessed!

One God, One Aim, One Destiny!

C.Sade Turnipseed-Trabi

Anthology on SAVING OUR BABIES...!

=========================== GUIDELINES

Universal Media Exchange (UME) is currently developing an anthology of essays, short fiction/nonfiction, poetry, photographs and illustrations focusing on the experiences, issues and problems of children living in the twenty-first century. The idea was conceived by Cassie Sade Turnipseed, and will be edited and published by the UME Public Relations Management team.

DEADLINE:

“Saving Our Babies...! An Anthology by Writers of the 21st Century” VOLUME I “Mother Wit...and the Original Mother Wisdom,” August 31, 2002 VOLUME II “From The Mouths of Babes,” December 12, 2002 VOLUME III “VOICES, In The Whirlwind,” March 12, 2003

PURPOSE:

All phases of this collection will be prefaced by ancient wisdom and reflected upon with the most profound and insightful messages of hope, healing and observations by s/heroes and visionaries of our day. The anthology, “Saving Our Babies...!” is a multimedia (book/audio/video) project, that will capture the collective thinking of visionaries of our day.

The complete set will be a collection of writings and other contributions by the entire village on a variety of subjects all dealing with children, who they are, how they are coping with life's challenges, and how they can live rich, fulfilling lives. We expect some contributors will be experts in the particular subject matter they are addressing; others will write about what they have experienced, observed, felt or thought all with some resolve, answer or prescriptive advice.

VOLUME I “Mother Wit...and the Original Mother Wisdom” We believe children facing life today have shared experiences that have not been given a proper public voice. And, we believe that the resolution to many of the issues faced by society, in reaction to children, also have not been given proper public voice. That voice is what we termed “original” mother wit...the voices of the diasporic and continental African women responding to the central question, “What do we as a society, (nation/village) need to do to save our babies?”

African women have had a unique status in history, that of life giver to humanity. She has provided children of all races and nationalities the nutrient necessary to sustain life, melanin. Lest we forget, time and time again, throughout history it was the instinct of African women that saved the lives of her people. She is the reason we survived as a race of people in America. The legacy, she and only she possesses has equipped her with an instinctual knowing, on issues such as: parenting, health, relationships, drugs, career, spirituality, mortality, finances and the many other life choices children must make when they are approaching adulthood. Yet, she has been silenced, on these issues publicly...WELL, NOT ANY MORE!

Let the old stereotype of the ignorant, non-communicative, (or too loud), ugly, out-of shape, good-for-only-one-thing image be damned.The image of the African woman is being replaced by intent with a more open and responsive woman, more likely to share her wisdom, joy, pain, fear and beauty with the world!

VOLUME II “From The Mouths of Babes” These writings will reflect the voices of our children answering the question, “What do we (the village) have to do to save you?” Our children for the most part are experiencing and displaying feelings of disconnect, to say the least...and we want the children to describe their pain and discuss their joys in life. We believe passionately, that we must consider the source and hear the voices of our children.

VOLUME III “VOICES, In The Whirlwind” We want to hear the voices in the whirlwind. We will share the collective insight of all our children...the men, the women, the entire village. In this collection we want to express the artistic and scholarly presentations in the form of: short stories, essays, quotations, poems, drawings and deeply held inner reflections...answering the question, “What are we going to do NOW, to save our babies?”

Our intent is to spawn a movement to save our children. We are introducing new (though ancient) ways of thinking about the African image. We believe this collection will promote communication, exploration and cohesiveness among African women, as well as among all other family members in this global village.

CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS: The publisher is seeking essays, short fiction, poetry, photographs and illustrations (from everyone) treating the following topics, focusing on resolution (from the good, the bad...), of the issues and problems children face in today’s life.

· Education

· Single Parent / No Parent

· Health issues; coping with disease or disability; how to stay well

· Drugs

· Career / Work

· Relationship

· Physical fitness / Sports

· Spirituality / Mortality

· Assessing life values

· Financial health and security

· Time management issues

· Caring for friends & family

· When loved ones die

· Coping with sex urges

· Reducing stress and enjoying life

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Essays: submissions can be in first or third person, 250-1,500 words. Poetry: in any form, no more that 50 lines. Photographs: 5x7" print format only, color or black and white. Illustrations: original drawings or laser prints (submit photocopies only). Previously published material acceptable (written permission to reprint should accompany submission.)

Include short bio of author (no more than 75 words.) Please do not fax manuscripts. Send email or hard copy with accompanying 3.5" disk in Microsoft Word or as a text file to: UME Public Relations Management, POB 62415 Los Angeles, CA 90062 (The publisher is not responsible for submitted materials.) Send self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) to be assured of a response. Expect reply in eight to twelve weeks.

Payment for contributions will be in copies or a deferred payment plan, based on word count, distribution and sales. Contributors will also be offered a 50% discount on purchased books.

ABOUT THE PUBLISHER: Universal Media Exchange is a small, independent publisher with offices in Los Angeles and Inglewood, California. C.Sade Turnipseed-Trabi, Publisher, brings extensive entrepreneurial and publication experience to the press. Since 1995 she has taught English composition and literature, creative writing, video production and script writing at the high school, college and university levels in Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, as adjunct and full-time faculty, and has created, advised, written and edited numerous academic and commercial publications. Ms. Turnipseed-Trabi is a published journalist and poet and holds a M.A. in Telecommunications and a MBA in International Marketing Management, both from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, California. She founded UME Public Relations Management in 1987.

We believe every “healthy” human is interested in books and other media that examine the safety and well-being of the child experience.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

African Women Public Service Fellowship Nominations

New York University's Wagner Graduate School of Public Service is accepting nominations for their African Women Public Service Fellowship program. If you know of candidates who may be interested, you should have them contact the person below.

As part of their international initiative, the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University has announced the creation of the African Women Public Service Fellowship. The fellowship was established to expand the opportunity for African women to prepare for public service in their home countries. Funded by The Oprah Winfrey Foundation, the fellowship offers African women the opportunity to study in one of the two graduate programs at NYUms Wagner School: the two-year Masters of Public Administration program or the seven-month Masters of Science in Management Program in International Public Service Organizations.

The fellowship awards for these programs will support tuition, housing, travel to and from the United States, and a small stipend to cover books and miscellaneous expenses. Candidates should indicate their interest in the fellowship by outlining in their personal statements how they will use the masters degree to strengthen their public policy and public services in their own country or internationally. In addition, candidates should clearly identify themselves as African Women Fellowships applicants by writing lFellowship Applicantn on the front page of the application form.

For more information, contact:

Katherine Johnson Program Administrator Office of International Programs 269 Mercer Street, Room 205 Tel: 212-998-7411 Fax: 212-995-4165 E-mail: katherine.johnson@nyu.edu