African American Communities

Karen Bass  |   OW Guest Columnist
Jan 10 2013

Uninterrupted Scholars Act

Even under the best circumstances African American students often have challenges resulting in lower graduation rates and test scores than their White counterparts. When you factor in a child in the foster care system, in particular an African American child, the statistics become even worse.

Jan 3 2013

Sequestration is the major concern

With both the House and Senate having passed legislation—American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (H.R. 8)—that will keep the American economy from plunging over the so-called fiscal cliff, and President Barack Obama poised to sign the bill any day, there are still lingering concerns that must be addressed. This is particularly true about the remaining sequestration (automatic cut) requirements.

Jan 3 2013

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


California
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) welcomed Carla Peterman as Commissioner following her appointment by Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. Peterman comes to the CPUC from her role as a commissioner at the California Energy Commission, to which she was appointed by Brown in 2011. Peterman has conducted research at the University of California Energy Institute and also served on the board of directors for the Utility Reform Network from 2008 to 2011. Peterman will complete her doctoral studies this year in energy and resources at the University of California, Berkeley. She earned a master of science degree in environmental change and management and a master of business administration degree from Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes Scholar.
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The California African American Museum (CAAM) hosted a Day of Learning II, a curated tour of Exposition Park venues for more than 1,100 children. From select Boys and Girls Clubs in Los Angeles and Orange County, as well as various schools and organizations from L.A. City Council Districts 8 and 9, the children toured CAAM, the California Science Center, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Welcomed by the sounds of the Children’s International Choir of Long Beach, the children started the morning off with learning about civilian space travel from Will Pomerantz, vice president, special projects, Virgin Galactica. Also there to greet the children were Charmaine Jefferson, CAAM executive director; Elex Michaelson, KABC7 reporter and host for the opening ceremonies; Councilwoman Jan Perry, who presented several commendations from her office and the office of Councilman Bernard Parks; State Senator Curren Price; Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and sponsors. Representatives from the Los Angeles city and county firefighters were present and accepted awards for their contributions to the “Spark of Love” campaign.

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

Gail Choice  |   OW Contributor
Jan 3 2013

Hollywood by Choice

There is an uproar brewing because of use of the n-word in Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained,” reportedly 110 times. “Django Unchained” is a movie about slavery in America and a freed slave named Django (Jamie Foxx) going after and saving the love of his life, his wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington).

Juliana D. Norwood  |   OW Staff Writer
Dec 20 2012

Sports nonprofit teaches new school kids old values

The Falcons Youth and Family Service organization (FYFS) is a natural progression of the Southern California Falcons Youth Football and Cheer Program. In the spring of 2005 Keith and Karen Johnson formed the Southern California Falcons a youth football and cheer organization. The goal of the program was to use sports as a vehicle to introduce and reinforce the concept of strong character, positive values, personal responsibility, social responsibility and academic excellence.

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.