Project 21
Media Report

January 28-February 24, 1997

Prepared by Project 21 Coordinator Arturo Silva



Project 21 on Television

On February 5, Don Butler of the Regional News Network's "Civil Discourse" was given former Republican presidential candidate Alan Keyes' phone number.

On February 6, Project 21 gave Peter Zorich of the Fox News Channel contact information for several Project 21 members for a show he was doing on attacks against black conservatives.

On February 14, Project 21 Chairman Edmund Peterson discussed the State of Black America on PBS's "This is America," hosted by Dennis Wholey. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) and former USA Today columnist Barbara Reynolds were among the other panelists.

On February 19, Laura Fried of C-SPAN's "Close-Up" requested the names of Project 21 members in the Washington, D.C. area who could speak to high school students on the show from a conservative perspective on important issues. She was given at least ten names.

A friend of Project 21 and resident of South Africa, Mark Heaton, informed us that he saw Edmund Peterson on television there discussing the breakdown of the black family.

On February 24, Melissa Halperin of ABC News called Project 21 regarding a piece "Good Morning America" plans to run on Sunday on the growing tide of black conservatives throughout the country. She was referred to us by The Center for New Black Leadership. Project 21 Coordinator Arturo Silva gave her about 15 names of black conservatives she should call.

Project 21 on Radio

On January 30, Project 21 member and President of the Cerritos Republican Club (Cerritos, CA) Zenoa Henderson discussed the voting patterns of black Americans on WXLW's "Stan Solomon Show" (Indianapolis, IN).

On January 31, Project 21 member and Tampa Tribune editorial writer Joseph Brown discussed crime on Radio America with host Earl Jackson.

On February 6, Project 21 member Claude Allen, Counsel to the Virginia Attorney General, discussed J.C. Watts's comments on the "Stan Solomon Show."

On February 7, Project 21 member and BOND President Jesse Peterson discussed J.C. Watts's comments on the "Michael Reagan Show," which is broadcast on over 150 stations nationwide.

On February 7, Project 21 member Reginald Jones talked to Rush Limbaugh on his radio show for at least 30 minutes. Jones defended Rep. J.C. Watts vigorously for his criticism of some black liberal leaders. His discussion with Rush generated at least 75 calls to Project 21 offices. Since Reginald's last name was only mentioned once during his conversation with Rush, countless others called the Rush Limbaugh show for information on how to contact him. Reginald Jones reported that the phones at his personal office also rang off the hook.

On February 11, Project 21 gave Project 21 member Star Parker's phone number to Don Markwell of WACV (Montgomery, AL) upon his request to interview Star about her new book.

On February 13, KCMO (Kansas City, MO) host Wes Minter requested and received the names of numerous Project 21 members to discuss black Americans and the criminal justice system.

On February 13, Reginald Jones discussed attacks on black conservatives on WMIX (Charlotte, NC).

On February 13, Project 21 member August Scott discussed the Black Conservative Unity Summit on the "Stan Solomon Show."

On February 20, Project 21 member Walter Bowie Jr., Pastor of Koinonia Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi, discussed the Confederate Flag controversy and other issues on the "Stan Solomon Show."

On February 25, Reginald Jones discussed J.C. Watts's comments on a weekly radio show hosted by Jack McLamb on WHRI (South Bend, IN).

Project 21 Print Interviews/Requests

On January 9, a statement by Project 21 member James Coleman questioning the legitimacy of Kwaanza ran in the Black Voice News (Riverside, CA).

On January 14, Project 21 member Roxanne Petteway was quoted in a Los Angeles Times article criticizing Ebonics.

On February 6, David Becker of the Religion and Politics Digest requested Project 21's press release defending Rep. J.C. Watts.

On February 18, Project 21 was mentioned in an article in The Washington Times on the Black Conservative Unity Summit.

On February 18, Karen Masterson, a reporter for the Capitol News Service, asked for and received information on Project 21.

Project 21 in Print

C. Mason Weaver's op/ed on political versus economic power ran in the January 16 edition of the Westchester County Press (Rye, NY), January 23 edition of the Chicago Independent Bulletin, January 24 edition of the Philadelphia Tribune, January 29 edition of the Hudson Valley Black Press (Newburgh, NY), and the February 8 edition of the New Pittsburgh Courier.

On January 29, Project 21 member Peter Kirsanow's op/ed on school choice ran in the Portland Skanner.

Camille Harper's op/ed on the need for a better education system ran in the February 6 edition of the Chicago Independent Bulletin.*