Museum of African American Art

Francesca Murray  |   OW Contributor
Feb 14 2013

Honors iconic photographer Gordon Parks

African American History month is in full swing with events happening all over town. On Feb. 9, Macy’s and the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) took its part in celebrating by hosting “In Conversation,” a panel discussion honoring the 100th birthday of Gordon Parks.

Dec 6 2012

Hosts exhibit highlighting 90 people of note

In 1921, Los Angeles was a young city trying to carve out its place in a world that was rapidly industrializing. It was also a mecca for people of different races, ethnicities and visions.

That included African Americans who left the South in droves seeking a life free of segregation, racism and bigotry. Unfortunately, some of the Whites who perpetuated those ideas and practices also moved West, and Blacks formed organizations in order to fight for their rights.

Cynthia E. Griffin-  |   OW Managing Editor
Oct 20 2011

Still, PST may start the clock ticking on Black arts growth

If nothing else, the regionwide arts effort called Pacific Standard Time (PST) has turned the spotlight back on the African American art scene in Los Angeles and is stirring conversations.

Some of those conversations are fueled by anger, some prodded by indignation, while others involve discussions about using PST as a jumping-off point to strengthen the foundation for growing the market for Black art.

Juliana D. Norwood  |   OW Staff Writer
Mar 24 2011

Nine years in the making

Marriage activists in hundreds of communities around the country will highlight the benefits of married life and offer celebrations to strengthen and promote the institution in the Black community.

Cynthia E. Griffin-  |   OW Managing Editor
Nov 11 2010

Best-selling author looks deep within

At this point in her life, Iyanla Vanzant is not particularly concerned about jumping back into the rat race that was her existence in 2002. And her newest book “Peace from Broken Pieces: How to Get Through What You’re Going Through” is a result of the battles, and war the New York Times best-selling author, Yoruba priestess, mother and grandmother went through to reach that realization.

It all began in 2002, when by mutual agreement Vanzant passed on renewing her $1 million television contract.

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.