OW Staff
Apr 24 2008

Al Wilson, an R&B singer died Monday of kidney failure at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Fontana, Calif.

Wilson began as a spiritual singer at the age of 12. He moved into R&B in the late ‘60s. His hit, “Show and Tell” was a No. 1 Billboard hit in 1973.

Apr 24 2008

Mary Ida Vandross, mother of the late R&B legend Luther Vandross, died last week of natural causes, the industry has learned and reported by Urban Network.vvv

She was 82. Mary Ida outlived all four of her children, as well as her only grandchild. She was prominently features in the promotional campaign for Luther's posthumous music releases and on-hand to accept the number awards, namely for his  grammy-winning project dance with My Father. 

Apr 24 2008

(Family Features) Busy moms everywhere keep an open search for recipes that fit these top qualifications - easy to prepare or make ahead, and a taste the kids will love.

Beefy Mexican Lasagna fits the bill. To prepare, simply brown lean ground beef until no longer pink, add enchilada sauce, beans and corn, layer with corn tortillas, then bake.

Apr 24 2008

Target zones expanded, L.A. Bridges to be discontinued

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has proposed a comprehensive reorganization of how the city of Los Angeles delivers gang reduction and youth services to provide clear lines of oversight, accountability and performance measures.

Apr 17 2008

Former Black Panther honored by UCLA Bunche Center

Each year, a preeminent leader in the African-American community delivers the Thurgood Marshall Lecture and Dinner at UCLA on Law and Human Rights. On Thursday, April 17, Elaine Brown, former Black Panther leader and an advocate for radical reform of the criminal justice system will deliver the 2008 lecture.
The event, which benefits the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA, will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and a program at 7 p.m.

Apr 17 2008

April 17
Discussion Forum.

Radical Women will host a discussion on how feminists can increase their influence at the L.A. Social Forum scheduled in June at USC. Solidarity Hall, 2170 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m. (323) 732-6416.

April 17-20
AKA Regional Conference. The Southern California Cluster of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, will host the 79th Annual Far Western Regional Conference. Pasadena Hilton, Sheraton Hotel and Convention Center. (626) 840-7637 or e-mail staciebolden@yahoo.com.

April 18

Across Black America

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

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.