Across Black America

Aug 25 2011

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

California

State Attorney General Kamala D. Harris has filed a brief in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit District supporting the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and urging the court to affirm the states’ rights to protect the health and safety of their citizens. According to the brief, the healthcare law solves a national problem in a way that gives greater power to states by building on a successful model of cooperative federalism. Further, the brief states that the framework established by the law “empowers states to create enduring solutions to those problems, and to do so with federal support.” The attorney general also argued that the minimum coverage provision is a constitutional and integral element of Congress’ interstate solution to the healthcare crisis.

District of Columbia

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. the world’s oldest intercollegiate fraternity founded by African American men, will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during a celebration of his life and the historic monument that will be unveiled on the National Mall on Aug. 28, in Washington, D.C. “Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. has served as the initiator, the catalyst, and the driving force to preserve the legacy and memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a citizen of the world, who belongs to the ages, and whose example will inspire generations to come through the Washington, D.C., National Memorial,” said Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity 33rd General President Herman “Skip” Mason Jr. “I have been committed to making the dedication of the King Memorial an historic and unforgettable occasion to mark the greatest undertaking to date for the Fraternity.” One highlight of the celebration is the invitation-only, white-tie, gold carpet affair at the DAR Constitution Hall on Aug. 26. The star-studded event is expected to draw attendees from the civic, entertainment, corporate, and high society communities.

Hyundai Motor America recently announced a $1 million donation in support of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation. The donation was granted to support the Foundation’s mission of making the dream of a permanent memorial to Dr. King in the nation’s capital a reality. The MLK Memorial is the first on the National Mall to honor an African American. President Barack Obama is scheduled to officiate at the dedication ceremony. The memorial will be permanently installed at the intersection of West Basin Drive SW and Independence Avenue SW in Washington, DC.

Florida

Committed to ending joblessness in Black communities, Baptist Health South Florida, the region’s largest private, not-for-profit healthcare organization, was a key participant at the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Job Fair this week in Miami. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson of the 17th District of Florida hosted the event. “We [were] delighted to partner with the Congresswoman and take part in this critically important initiative,” stated Corey Heller, corporate vice president and chief human resources officer for Baptist Health. At present, Baptist Health has 322 external postings throughout their organization. This includes 251 clinical postings and 71 non-clinical postings. Baptist Health had four employment booths and personnel on site for the CBC Job Fair, to engage and initiate viable employment opportunities.

Georgia

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) recently announced the recipients of the 2011 Regional Minority Enterprise Development Week award. The winners from five different regions-Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco and New York-will make up the pool of eligible candidates for the National Minority Business of the Year Award ceremony on Sept. 30. The award is given to the nation’s top firms across a number of different categories. The regional awards are designed to celebrate minority firms achieving outstanding success in the construction, manufacturing, retail, energy, global technology and supplier distribution industries. Other categories of recognition include an advocate award, media award, distinguished supplier award, and an access to capital award. “Minority businesses are a phenomenal asset to the United States economy in a variety of sectors, from manufacturing to hospitality services and everything in between,” said MBDA National Director David Hinson. “These firms create good-paying jobs and boost economic growth in America’s communities. The businesses recognized through the MED Week awards program represent just a few of our nation’s brightest and most innovative minority enterprises.”

Nevada

According to a national study on child well-being published recently by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, child poverty increased in 38 states between 2000 and 2009. As a result, 14.7 million children (20 percent) were poor in 2009. That represents a 2.5 million increase from 2000, when 17 percent of the nation’s youth lived in low-income families. In the foundation’s first examination of the impact of the recession on the nation’s youth, the researchers concluded that low-income children will likely suffer academically, economically and socially long after their parents have recovered.

The research also found that Nevada had the highest rate of children whose parents are unemployed and underemployed. The state is also home to the most children affected by foreclosures-13 percent of Nevada youth have been kicked out of their homes because of an unpaid mortgage, the study found. At least 34 percent of Nevada’s children were living in families with both parents not working full-time in 2009, the largest increase in the nation, according to the survey. Nevada also saw the largest rates of children living with at least one unemployed parent, followed by Rhode Island, Oregon and Kentucky; and Black children were 39 percent more likely to be living with an unemployed parent, than their White counterparts.

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

California

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Across Black America

Aug 18 2011

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country. California Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones and Dick Smith have been picked to receive honorary Oscars. Winfrey will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which recognizes philanthropic and humanitarian contributions. The 57-year-old media mogul supports various charitable and educational causes, including her own namesake foundations and Academy for Girls in South Africa. Eighty-year-old Jones has appeared in more than 50 films and was nominated for an Academy Award in 1971 for “The Great White Hope.” Smith was NBC’s first makeup man when he started his career in 1945. He won an Oscar in 1984 for his work on “Amadeus.” The three will receive their awards on Nov. 12 at the third annual Governors Awards dinner in Hollywood. District of Columbia Eight leading veterans’ groups sent letters to President Barack Obama and to members of Congress Monday, urging them to continue their commitments to veterans and their families during negotiations over the federal deficit by opposing any effort to reduce benefits by adopting the consumer price index (CPI) formula to determine cost of living adjustments (COLAs) for recipients. The letters from the American GI Forum, AMVETS, Blinded Veterans Association, National Military Family Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, VetsFirst, Vietnam Veterans of America, and VoteVets.org identified significant cuts that would occur to 9 million veterans receiving Social Security retirement benefits, 3.2 million receiving Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation Benefits, and 310,000 receiving Veterans Affairs Pension Benefits, if the CPI was used to calculate the annual COLA. Georgia Atlanta’s Cascade United Methodist Church recently presented a $500,000 check to Morris Brown College enabling the college to pay its debt due to the federal government by its Aug. 24. deadline. This repayment allows the historically Black university to remain open and provide vital educational services to its students. The announcement was made to a standing ovation during services last Sunday as university president Stanley Pritchett accepted the check. “We are truly, truly blessed that you have embraced us in this campaign,” Pritchett told the congregation. The check helps us to ensure that the future is stable for Morris Brown Colored College and all of our HBCU institutions.” Florida Florida pastor Zachery Tims was recently found dead in a New York City hotel room. New York City police released a report that 42-year-old Orlando pastor Zachery Tims was found dead on the floor of a room at the W Hotel in Times Square late Friday afternoon. There was no criminal activity suspected and the medical examiner has not yet determined the cause of death. The body was discovered by hotel employees. Tims was the senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka, Fla., which is one of the largest congregations in Central Florida. He also hosted and appeared on Christian television and radio programs.

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

California

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Across Black America

Aug 4 2011

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

California
Tavis Smiley, rapper Lupe Fiasco, professor Cornel West, actress Camille Winbush and leaders of the Freedom Riders recently discussed leadership, advocacy, civic engagement and community service with middle and high school students at the Tavis Smiley Foundation’s Leadership Institute. The conference was held on the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles and about 160 students, ages 13-18, representing 16 states were selected to participate in the program. Combined, the students completed more than 3,000 hours of community service this year. The purpose of the leadership institute is to train young people for leadership and service through action-oriented workshops, interactive activities and a community service project.

Florida
Four out of five African American women are overweight or obese—the highest obesity rate compared to all other groups in the United States. This crisis was the topic of discussion at the National Black Women’s Health and Beauty Conference recently. Thomas Ken Taylor, an award-winning OB/GYN specialist, headlined a panel of African American experts on the topic of “Weight Loss, Obesity and Healthy Lifestyle in the African American Community.” Taylor has established a reputation for exposing the disconnect and bridging the divides that keep women and men living at a fraction of their physical, emotional and sexual wellness. The conference was hosted by the Black Health Medical Research Foundation, Big Bend Area Health Education Center of Florida and Black Health Magazine.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black children remain the most likely group to have fatal swimming accidents. The drowning rate of African American children is three times that of White children due to the fact that 70 percent of Black children cannot swim. Aimed at reducing these numbers, Camp LifeSavers, a Florida nonprofit, is taking on the challenge of teaching Black children to be at home in the water. “The Earth is 70 percent water; our bodies are 70 percent water; water is clearly meant to be a vital part of our lives,” shared Shunda Wilkin, president and CEO of Camp LifeSavers. “Blacks have such a long history of being fearful of water and never learning to swim that generation after generation grows up with this fear implanted in their heads. My goal is to stop the cycle enabling our people to connect with water as they should.” Founded in 2009, Camp LifeSavers operates the “I Can Swim” program designed to introduce water safety and swimming habits in a safe, encouraging environment. To date, the program, coupled with Wilkin’s for-profit Sunny Days Swim School, has graduated more than 550 students.

Illinois
The Chicago Police Department recently released a report stating crime was down 4.2 percent last month compared with a year ago, making it the 30th consecutive month that most categories of crime have dropped in the Windy City. Preliminary data released Sunday shows that homicides fell by 14.4 percent last month compared with June 2010. There were 31 fewer killings. Aggravated batteries dropped by 14.2 percent and robbery was down nearly 4 percent. Overall property crime was down nearly 3 percent. But there were increases in three categories: burglary, arson and motor vehicle theft, the latter of which was up more than 17 percent. Chicago police say they’re working aggressively to combat the increases in property crime categories.

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

California

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Across Black America

Jul 14 2011

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

California
People are criticizing the White House in response to possible cuts that may be made to Social Security and Medicare. The White House is reportedly considering a proposal to change how Social Security payments are calculated by connecting payments from the program to the Consumer Price Index. The move might help decrease the national debt, but would also likely reduce benefits for millions of retirees, critics warn. Ernie Powell, advocacy director with AARP California, says its members oppose any deficit-reduction proposal that would make harmful cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits. “Social Security has not caused the deficit, has nothing to do with the deficit, and is a program that is solvent and pays for itself. It’s a program that AARP members and their families and more than 50 million Americans depend on.” Powell says Social Security is a safety net that keeps millions of Americans out of poverty.

District of Columbia
Officials at the newly constructed African America Civil War Museum—which has been finished on the brink of the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War and the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement—will hold a three-day celebration beginning Monday. The theme is “Civil War to Civil Rights, Pathway to Racial Healing.” For more than 10 years, the African American Civil War Monument and the old museum have stood as a testament to the struggle of African Americans and others to rid this nation of the scourge of slavery and racial bias. This new and permanent site will join the ranks of educational, historically accurate and interactive museums, and features $5 million in exhibitions and technology such as touch screen displays. The new location at 1925 Vermont Ave. NW, is directly across from the African American Civil War Memorial, which highlights the story of the 209,145 African American soldiers who served during the American Civil War.

Georgia
The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) once again partnered with the National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) to bring two days of award-winning Pan African films to Atlanta this week. All films were screened at the beautiful Realto Center for the Arts. “This year, we showcased the ‘cream of the crop’ during our Atlanta presentation. The 2011 film lineup included movies that have won numerous international awards and many point to new directions in Pan African filmmaking,” said Ayuko Babu, executive director of the Pan African Film Festival. Based in Los Angeles, PAFF is the largest and most prestigious Black film festival in the United States. Coming up on its 20th Anniversary, PAFF screens more than 150 new films every February at its flagship event in Los Angeles. It has partnered with the NBAF for the past 11 years to bring Atlanta audiences some of the best films made by and about people of African descent from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, the South Pacific, Europe and Canada.

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

California

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Across Black America

Jun 30 2011

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

California
Colorful patchwork quilts known as kawandi made only by craftswomen living in the little-known Siddi communities of Africans in India will be on display at the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) as part of its exploration of how traditional practices are adapted over decades throughout the African Diaspora. The exhibition presents more than 30 quilts of a variety of styles and techniques as well as the story of the Siddis, descendants of East African slaves. Siddi quilts are being seen outside India for the first time, and are coming to San Francisco. “Soulful Stitching: Patchwork Quilts by Africans (Siddis) in India” opened at the Museum of African Diaspora this week and will be on view until Sept. 18.

Georgia
The American College will host the sixth annual Conference for African American Financial Professionals in partnership with MetLife and Northwestern Mutual. Leading companies from across the financial services industry will come together to help promote the education and advancement of African American financial professionals during the event. Cory A. Booker, mayor of Newark, will present this year’s keynote address. Recently named one of “The World’s 100 Most Influential People” by Time magazine, Mayor Booker brings his passion for social change to the podium, drawing from a deep belief in service and social justice. Byron Pitts, CBS chief national correspondent and “60 Minutes” contributor, will also serve as a keynote speaker. Pitts is the author of “Step Out on Nothing,” an inspirational autobiography chronicling his rise from a disadvantaged youth.

Louisiana
McDonald’s will recognize five prominent African Americans who influence and inspire greatness through outstanding community service at the 2011 365Black Awards. This year’s ceremony will be co-hosted by radio personality Tom Joyner and actress Angela Bassett and will be held July 1 in New Orleans, La., at the start of the Essence Music Festival weekend. The 2011 365Black Awards honorees are multi-platinum recording artist Mary J. Blige, Grammy Award winning actress Ruby Dee, Radio One network founder Cathy Hughes, NAACP president and CEO Benjamin Jealous, and civil rights activist and McDonald’s owner/operator Henry “Hank” Thomas. Co-host Tom Joyner was one of the first recipients of the 365Black Awards, which exemplify outstanding community service.

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

California

More>>>

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.

This Week in LA

Walk-a-Thon

June 1, 2013

Across Black America