Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American issues and people making headlines throughout the country. South Carolina Members of the Hiram E. Mann Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen are scheduled to serve as grand marshal of Beaufort Memorial Day Parade in honor of those buried at the National Cemetery in Beaufort, South Carolina. The organization was also honored to be the grand marshal for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade in Charleston, South Carolina and then the 2010 Rice Festival Parade in Walterboro, South Carolina. Texas Author Sir. Churchill Williams’ first non-fiction novel, “Inside the Business of Choices U Make,” is a book on the importance of sexual responsibility and the consequences of irresponsibility, especially in cases of unplanned pregnancy. The book discusses how to prevent those situations and, in many cases, how to handle them, when the problem is past the prevention stage. Virginia The fourth annual Virginia Black Expo will highlight new technology, film, and music as the focus of the event. The event is sponsored by McCants Communications Group, Inc., Black Pages USA, and The Port of Virginia, and actors Nia Long and Lamman Rucker will host. Attendees can also expect musical performances by Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers; a book signing by best-selling author Omar Tyree; and collaborative activities with the Mid Atlantic Black Film Festival.

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

North Carolina The Mecklenberg Veterans Services Office is in danger of being shut down due to budget issues, and many veterans are worried because this is the agency that provides their benefits. The Mecklenburg County Veterans Council will sponsor a rally at Marshall Park May 18, followed by a march to the Government Center where County Manager Harry Jones is scheduled to make his budget recommendations to county commissioners.

Ohio Legendary soul music artist Diana Ross is traveling on her “More Today Than Yesterday” tour and will perform the Playhouse Square in Northeast Ohio on May 28.

Oregon
Oregon is one of the first states to expand health coverage for young adults that will enable them to stay on their parent’s insurance and is effective earlier than legislative impact of President Barack Obama’s new health care law. The seven largest health care providers in the state have agreed to comply.

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

Indiana
Katie Washington, a biological science major from Gary, will make history next month as the first Black valedictorian at the University of Notre Dame. Washington will present the valedictory address during commencement exercises May 16 in Notre Dame Stadium. Rochelle Valsaint, Chairwoman of the Black Alumni at Notre Dame, said that as far as she has been able to determine, Washington is the first Black student to be named valedictorian at the South Bend campus. While Notre Dame officials said they do not keep records of valedictorians’ race, university spokeswoman Julie Flory said, “I personally don’t recall us having a Black valedictorian before.”

New Hampshire
The Republican National Committee (RNC) in New Hampshire is under scrutiny after complaints about its lavish spending practices. One activist actually resigned from the group complaining about its “out-of-touch, free-spending culture of Washington.” Much of the blame is surrounding RNC Chairman Michael Steele, whose top aide, top outside adviser, and his committeeman Sean Mahoney have also resigned this week after tabs surfaced for over $2000 spent at a sex-themed nightclub and another $1000 at a winery, that the group attempted to write off as “office supplies.”