Wyclef Jean to Receive RFK Center for Justice & Human Rights’ Ripple of Hope Award
November 20, 2009
The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights today announced that Bono and Wyclef Jean will receive the organization’s 2009 Ripple of Hope Award. The award, which will be presented at the Center’s annual dinner on November 18th, recognizes the bold leadership demonstrated by the two honorees on humanitarian issues.
“As champions of justice, Bono and Wyclef have brought the national spotlight to human rights violations, empowered local activists, and transformed the lives of millions of people living in poverty from Port-Au-Prince to Darfur,” said Kerry Kennedy, founder of the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights. “Their efforts evoke the spirit of my father and we are honored to recognize them.”
Dr. Maya Angelou Honored For Lifetime Achievement by Glamour Magazine
November 18, 2009
Glamour magazine announces its annual Women of the Year tribute with 11 extraordinary and inspirational winners and one special-recognition honoree. Glamour’s honorees have made unprecedented contributions to the worlds of entertainment, business, sports, fashion, science and politics. L’Oreal Paris is the title sponsor of the celebration at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Colin Powell: Calling All African-American fathers
November 15, 2009
When we write about love and marriage, we love looking at the romance side. Too often these days we have looked at the cheating side. Perhaps that is the reason we are attracted to celebrity baby bumps — we tell ourselves, this is love and marriage in action, creating a foundation for family.
But Colin Powell reminded us today that growing up as an African-American often means too few role models and too few intact families.
With the rise in single parenting, many children will grow up in homes in which the concept of love and marriage simply does not exist.
Pictured: Former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell (ret.) speaks during a taping of ‘Meet the Press’ at NBC October 19, 2008 in Washington, DC. Secretary Powell spoke about his endorsement of Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL). (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images for Meet The Press)
Being Black or Brown in America is Still Tough for Kids Despite Obama Era
November 15, 2009
The media is touting new films about image and the African American experience — Chris Rock’s “Good Hair,” Oprah’s “Precious,” CNN’s Black in America, Disney’s Princess and the Frog and Tyler Perry’s films — but talking about self-image is a mission for Sandy Holman, director of The Culture CO-OP, Davis, California. Holman has dedicated the last twenty years of her career to boosting the body-image and self-esteem of the nation’s youth. Her focus is on diversity and children who are disproportionately affected by negative messages such as African Americans and Latinos.
Michelle Obama To Mentor Washington Girls
November 15, 2009
First lady Michelle Obama — and some of her Chicago “sisters” in the White House — on Monday will launch a first-of-its-kind mentoring program with about 20 high school girls from greater Washington. As the first anniversary of President Barack Obama’s election nears, it’s the first lady who is making history now. Call this chapter “Girl Power.”
Observers say her leadership and mentoring initiative has not been done by a first lady before. It will see Obama — and White House staffers including Valerie Jarrett, Tina Tchen, Susan Sher and Desiree Rogers, Chicagoans all — act as mentors to high school juniors and sophomores.
Obama honors 1st African-American elected to US Senate, Edward Brooke
November 15, 2009
US President Barack Obama paid tribute on Wednesday to fellow political trailblazer Edward Brooke, who in 1966 became the first African-American elected to the Senate by popular vote. In the US Capitol rotunda, Obama presented Brooke, 90, with the Congressional gold medal, the highest civilian award given by the government’s legislative branch.
“Today’s honor bears a unique significance: bestowed by this body of which he was an esteemed member; presented in this place where he moved the arc of history; surrounded by so many — myself included — who have followed the trail that he blazed,” said Obama as he stood next to the former senator from Massachusetts.
Pictured: Former Senator Edward William Brooke (R) is presented with the Congressional Gold Medal as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (L), D-CA, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid(2nd-L), D-NV, and US President Barack Obama look on October 28, 2009 in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Brooke was the first African American to be elected to the Senate by popular vote. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Black AIDS Institute Receives Long-Term Funding from CDC for African American HIV University
November 15, 2009
Leaders from the Black AIDS Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) met recently to finalize the details of a four and one-half year grant to fund the Institute’s African American HIV University (AAHU) Community Mobilization College.
The AAHU Community Mobilization College is a comprehensive training and internship fellowship program aimed at strengthening organizational and individual capacity to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Black communities. The program is designed to decrease stigma and misperception and increase the engagement of the Black community in HIV prevention and treatment services. This is achieved through leadership development and information transfer among key stakeholders.
Hip-Hop Group Audio Push Hit the Road With Chris Brown and Release Their Soundcheck Mixtape
November 10, 2009
Roz Music/Geffen recording artists Audio Push has it all under control. Having gained recognition through their song and video for “Teach Me How To Jerk,” the young (18 & 19 yrs old) group has been given a platform to show that they are more than just a jerk group. They rap, dance, sing, and write all their material. Hailing from the Inland Empire, these two emcees may be young-guns in the hip hop game, but they are approaching their career and success with ease and confidence. Their video for “Teach Me How To Jerk” won the Freshmen contest on MTVU and was later added into rotation. You can also catch the video on MTV Jams and BET. Read more
Cicely L. Tyson Community School Of Performing & Fine Arts Grand Unveiling
November 4, 2009
With the red carpet, celebrities and photographers, it could have been a Hollywood movie premiere, but this was the opening of a performing arts school in East Orange.
The celebrities, along with elected officials and other invited guests, came out for the official celebration of the new home for the Cicely Tyson School of the Performing and Fine Arts in East Orange.
The $143-million state-of-the-art facility opened its doors to more than 1,000 students last month, but yesterday was its formal unveiling.
Pictured: Soledad O’Brien, Reginald Van Lee and Cicely Tyson attend the Cicely L. Tyson Community School of Performing & Fine Arts grand unveiling on October 24, 2009 in East Orange, New Jersey. (Photo by Brian Killian/Getty Images)
Partners In Weight Loss Success May Help African-Americans Shed More Pounds
November 4, 2009
Enrolling in a weight loss program with a family member or friend appears to enhance weight loss among African Americans, but only if the involved partner attends sessions frequently or also loses weight, according to a report in the October 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Obesity and its cardiovascular complications affect many African Americans, according to background information in the article. Standard behavioral treatments for obesity appear to be less successful in African Americans than in whites. Cultural modifications to these standard programs — such as the inclusion of family members and support networks — may enhance their effectiveness.
Pictured: A female boxer trains in Miguel’s Gym in Brixton on August 13, 2009 (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
