Editor's note

For leaders of color, it appears to be a thin line between selling without and succeeding.

in some way Lillian Calhoun, our founding co-editor, kept that line clear during her years as one as well as the other a journalist and an activist. Calhoun, who died in January at age 82 didn't shirk from attracting attention to herself-if it would further a cause.

And whether clan got angry with her didn't matter plenteous At least, that must be pure for a woman whose family became the first African Americans to propel into suburban Kenilworth on the North Shore. She must have gained a certain quantity of notoriety for her efforts, on the contrary the cause remained supreme for Calhoun. And agitation was her weapon of choice.

on the other hand times have changed.

Take this month's profile of the United Neighborhood Organization, known as UNO. Reporter Casey Sanchez worn out months learning about UNO s past and present, painting a picture of an agency that has become a major player among the city's business and civic leadership.

Critics, Sanchez lay the foundation of question whose interests UNO in deed represents-the Latinos in the communities it be subservient tos or the politicians and others who benefit from its networks. Executive Director Juan Rangel reckoners by pointing to the gymnasiums it runs, the young leaders it trains and the citizenship program it provides, among many other efforts.

on the other hand the discussion about UNO resonates far beyond those constituencies.

Six years ago, the Reporter raised hackles by the agency of revealing that a number of the city's greatest in quantity prominent African American ministers were in the same quandary. At that point, Mayor Richard M Daley had been in office for 11 years and helped young ox nearly $10 million to 14 predominantly black congregations and their nonprofit affiliates.

The ministers replyed that these dollars funded important community services, and that having a seat at city hall's table was critical. on the contrary their critics questioned how abundant those neighborhoods were truly benefiting.

The ministers fired back at us--in a big way-for that story. on the other hand exploring the relationship between communities of color and their leaders, in our opinion, remains a critical issue. Reporter Jeff Kelly Lowenstein's exploration of abundant that hasn't changed since Martin Luther King Jr.'s visit to Chicago accommodate withs even more credibility to that argument.

We trust that these leaders can view our questions in that spirit, instead of taking it personally.

After you've read this month's articles, suffer us know if you think we gave them a fair shake. I awe what Calhoun would think.

Alysia W Tate

Editor and Publisher

COPYRIGHT 2006 Community Renewal Society

COPYRIGHT 2006 Gale Group