When histories collide
Progeny of pioneers
Kenneth B. Morris—the great-great-great grandson of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and the great-great grandson of Booker T. Washington was the special guest speaker at the Southern California Edison ninth annual Black history celebration entitled “Connecting the Evolution of Electricity to Black History.” African American history is composed of many interwoven stories, but not many are as compelling as that of a descendant of two eminent human-rights leaders of the 19th century.
During his presentation, Morris shared memories of family stories, while explaining his lineage.
Morris acknowledged his roots and realizes the significance of being the product of a celebrated civil rights leader and one this country’s foremost Black educators. He recalled how the bloodlines came together. Frederick Douglass III met Nettie Hancock Washington at Tuskegee College in 1940 while walking across campus. They married three months later. Morris, who is president of the Frederick Douglass Family Foundation, admits whenever he tells this story no one ever believes him.
Throughout his speech, Morris dwelled on the importance of education and challenged young people, in particular, to do more with their lives. He also talked about the issue of human trafficking and added that those most vulnerable to this modern-day slavery are young inner-city girls.
John Bryson, who got into three minor traffic crashes in San Gabriel and Rosemead earlier this month, when he blacked out because of what he says was a seizure, has resigned as U.S. Secretary of Commerce, President Barack Obama announced today, June 21.
“I want to extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to John for his service over the past months, and wish him and his family the very best,” the president said in a statement, adding that he accepted Bryson’s resignation Wednesday night.
CHICAGO, Ill.—Celebrated matrimonial attorney and historian Jeffery M. Leving will be donating an original 1855 first edition of My Bondage and My Freedom by Frederick Douglass to Chicago State University Foundation at Chicago’s Union League Club on May 19. Frederick Douglass’ great great grandson Gordon Bell will be in attendance for the book donation.
COMPTON, Calif. — A fire broke out today in a commercial building in Compton, possibly compromising power lines, county fire officials said.
The blaze was reported at 3:24 p.m. in the 5000 block of Compton Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The structure was engulfed in flames and continued to burn as of 4 p.m., fire officials said.
There may be power lines down behind the burning building, fire officials said. Southern California Edison were dispatched to the scene.
Candice Glover could barely remember her own name after she was crowned the new “American Idol” on Thursday.
“I’m still trying to process the whole thing, I don’t even know what’s happening,” she told the press backstage. “It feels amazing though that I finally got to this point; I’ve been working for so long.”
The National Regulatory Research Institute’s October 2012 report, “The Role of Natural Gas in California’s Climate Policy,” stated: “As California transitions its energy infrastructure to one that is more environmentally friendly, natural gas holds promise as a fuel that can complement the state’s cap-and-trade program, energy-efficiency measures, and transition to renewables.”
