Chaka Khan

Juliana D. Norwood  |   OW Staff Writer
Aug 25 2011

Motown and the music world pause

South Carolina native Nick Ashford, of the legendary Motown songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson died of throat cancer at a hospital in New York City on Monday He was 70.

Aug 11 2011

In a hall filled with Soul legends

It’s been nearly 15 years since his self-titled debut album graced the Soul music scene with one of the most distinguishable voices in the industry. Yet, Rahsaan Patterson gave one of the most soulful and vocally pleasant performances of his entire career at a recent Bleuphoria Live concert.

May 26 2011

Master classes from the Prince of performers

Every few years or so an artist emerges in the tradition of musicians who have revolutionized the sound and style of the world. Each generation has laid claim to its own iconic artist, from Ray Charles and Dionne Warwick to James Brown and Diana Ross.

The 1980s and early 1990s provided us with five artists who reshaped the music world and introduced a level of superstardom that has yet to be matched.

Brittney M. Walker  |   OW Staff Writer
Apr 28 2011

Tony Toni Tone and Chaka Khan

PALMDALE, Calif.—Summer is already heating up with the prospect of the Palmdale Summer Sizzle concert series. On Saturday, June 18, music fans will get a chance to enjoy the sultry sounds of Tony Toni Tone, the Whispers and Stephanie Ferrett at the Palmdale Amphitheatre.

The Summer Sizzle will be hosted by actor-comedian Chris Spencer, and will benefit the Boys and Girls Club along with Rivers of Life, a mentorship program that will offer high school and college scholarships. The program serves families and youth within the AV.

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.