California
Rapper Snoop Lion is searching for a new intern to help out with his non-profit organization, the Snoop Youth Football League. “I need an intern for a day in L.A., who wants to join me? All ya gotta do is help me support the Snoop Youth Football League for inner-city children, and you’ll be entered to win. I’ll fly you and a friend out to my city, the great Los Angeles, and put you up in a nice hotel,” Snoop says. He continues, “Just donate a lil bit and you’ll be entered to win a day as my intern. You’ll get a look inside the Snoop world and help me get some work done—maybe on the set of my news network GGN Hood News, or backstage with me when I’m DJ Snoopadelic.” Those who do donate to his organization, but don’t win the internship position will receive a free campaign T-shirt and a thank-you email card. The Snoop Youth Football League is a 501(c3) non-profit organization that gives inner-city children between ages 5-13 the chance to participate in youth football and cheer. Through sports, children learn the values of team work, good sportsmanship, discipline, self-respect, and the importance of academics. To donate, contact SnoopYFL.net.
Connecticut
After years of struggling to find the right hosiery to compliment her darker complexion, Jocelyn Maminta decided to take matters into her own hands. In 2012, Maminta founded Frangi Pangi, a look-nude hosiery company, with shades customized for women of every color. Frangi Pangi has distinguished itself as the only company in the industry offering 10 skin tones, plus black. Frangi Pangi doesn’t only claim to be run-resistant, it’s guaranteed, no questions asked. In addition to offering longer lasting power, Frangi Pangi hosiery is made entirely in the USA-from the yarn to packaging and everything in between. Beyond offering a new, quality product at a reasonable price, perhaps what is most remarkable about this company is where the profits go. The national foundation Caroline’s Room is the charitable benefactor of Frangi Pangi earnings. Caroline’s Room builds elegant family rooms in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units of hospitals around the country. The Caroline’s Room Fund is part of the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.
District of Columbia
A bullet fired during what was described as a running gun battle recently on the plaza of the African American Civil War Memorial and Museum damaged a panel listing names of Black soldiers who fought for the Union Army. No one was struck by the gunfire, according to D.C. police, but the granite plaza in front of the museum’s Metro station was littered with spent shell casings and two glass panels at the bus stop at U Street and Vermont Avenue in Northwest were shattered. At least one bullet whizzed by a statue depicting riflemen and a sailor — emblazoned with the words “fighting for freedom” and “Civil War to civil rights and beyond”— and struck the Wall of Honor that partially encircles the monument. The wall is lined with 166 stainless steel panels containing the names of 209,145 Black soldiers who fought in the Civil War. No arrest have been made.
Georgia
Acting Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Ricky Maxwell, FBI Atlanta, recently presented the FBI Director’s Award for Community Leadership for 2013 to Orrin Hudson for his exceptional insight and success in reaching disadvantaged youth in the metropolitan Atlanta area through the game of chess. On April 4, 2014, FBI Director James B. Comey will host all of the FBI’s 56 selectees from around the country at a national ceremony to be held at FBI Headquarters with Hudson present as Atlanta FBI’s honoree. Hudson, a motivational speaker and community activist, realized the need to become involved in finding a solution to curb teenage violence within his community. Hudson recounted that, much like today’s youth, he was destined for trouble until a teacher changed his life by introducing him to a chess board. Hudson, who is also a former law enforcement officer with the State of Alabama, believes that prevention is better than detention and, since becoming involved, he has helped more than 20,000 children develop the practical skills and techniques to overcome obstacles in life as illustrated through the best and most intellectual visual aid, the chessboard.
Maryland
The first African American Police Commissioner in the history of the Baltimore Police Department died Monday, a department spokesman said. Bishop L. Robinson died at the age of 86. He served as commissioner from 1984 to 1987 and later served as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services from 1987 to 1997.
Robinson was one of the founding members of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. The Annex Headquarters Building at Fayette and Presidents streets is named in his honor.
New Jersey
The first African American elected to the township council in Cherry Hill lost her battle with cancer last month. Joyce Alexander Walker, an East Orange High School graduate, died on Dec. 28 at 60, according to Philly.com. She was elected to the council in the Camden County township in 1997, serving until 2005. Among her proudest achievements was being selected as a delegate for the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Walker is also credited with helping to create a new branch of the Cherry Hill library. Mayor Chuck Cahn declared Nov. 15 Joyce Alexander Walker Day, according to the Cherry Hill Patch site.
New York
Major League Baseball will partner with the New York Yankees to co-host the 2014 MLB Diversity Business Summit, which will provide attendees with access to human resource and procurement executives from all 30 MLB Clubs, MLB Network, MLB Advanced Media, Minor League Baseball Clubs and MLB’s Central Office, in New York City. Various elements of the third annual MLB Diversity Business Summit will be held on Monday, April 14th and Tuesday, April 15th, which is Jackie Robinson Day throughout Major League Baseball, at the Manhattan Center and the New Yorker Hotel. The summit is a unique sports employment and business opportunity career and trade fair that provides job seekers and entrepreneurs with opportunities to connect directly with decision-makers for employment and business opportunities at Major and Minor League Clubs, as well as well those from MLB media entities. The event will include a keynote speech by Commissioner Bud Selig, league-wide networking, exhibit floor access, workshops and executive roundtable discussions. Additionally, the Yankees will host attendees at Yankee Stadium for the Welcome Reception (April 14th) and the April 15th Jackie Robinson Day Interleague game between the Yankees and the Chicago Cubs. Individuals may now visitMLB.com/diversitysummit to register and learn more about the 2014 MLB Diversity Business Summit.
National
This year, more than $50 billion dollars will be given away in scholarships, and many of these programs have deadlines that are fast-approaching. Scholarships are free monetary gifts that can be used to pay for college tuition, books, and boarding. Most scholarship programs require students to excel in academics, sports, or in an essay competition. The top 10 scholarships for African American students with upcoming deadlines in January 2014 are The Tom Joyner Foundation “Full Ride” Scholarship, The Burger King Scholars program, The Gates Millennium Scholars Program, The Ron Brown Scholar Program, The Discover Card Tribute Award Scholarship Program, The National Black Law Student Association (NBLSA), Ronald McDonald House Charities Scholarships (RMHC), The Talbots Scholarship Program, The Ronald Reagan College Leaders Scholarship Program, and The NASA Aeronautics Scholarship Program. For more information and specific requirements and deadlines for these scholarships, visit www.ScholarshipsOnline.org.
Compiled by Juliana Norwood
