Morehouse College Retains MWW Group to Advance Collection of MLK
July 2, 2010
MWW Group, one of the nation’s top-ten public relations firms, announced today it has been selected to lead Morehouse College’s effort to advance its 10,000-piece collection of Martin Luther King Jr.’s personal papers.
The collection, which was obtained by Morehouse in June 2006, includes King’s handwritten notes, personal papers and books, and unpublished sermons. King was a 1948 graduate of Morehouse College.
Essence Celebrates 40th Anniversary in 2010: Where Black Women Come First
February 6, 2010
ESSENCE will mark its 40th anniversary in 2010; beginning a year long celebration in honor of African-American women during Black History Month. Specifically, ESSENCE will commemorate its 40th anniversary with initiatives aimed at helping Black women put themselves first, including new ESSENCE magazine features, Essence.com content and a series of special “ESSENCE Presents” events.
“ESSENCE will celebrate its 40th anniversary all year long by touting what Black women have accomplished, and, more importantly, helping her to shape her perspective on the future. With three generations of Black women now represented in the White House, and African-American women making enormous strides both professionally and personally – studies show that African-American women feel more optimistic and powerful than ever before,” said Essence Communications Inc. President Michelle Ebanks. “Because ESSENCE empowers her to put herself first, Black women are poised to be happier, healthier, and more fulfilled – as she strives to reach her full potential.”
EBONY Redefines Black Power in New 150 List
November 15, 2009
Now is undeniably the age of power–individually and collectively–for African-Americans. Like never before, EBONY drills far beneath the surface and offers a thorough examination of those who represent the cream of the crop of extraordinary leaders in an evolving Black America. By deliberately highlighting change agents who have consistently challenged the status quo and carved out new paths to opportunity, the impact of African-Americans is clear.
“In celebrating the many facets and faces of power in the African-American community, we showcased a wide range of intriguing people who will undoubtedly surprise and engage our audience,” said Chairman and CEO Linda Johnson Rice. “Our Power 150 list, featuring eight stunning covers, takes a close look at inspiring leaders who’ve made a remarkable difference on various levels.”
Kandi Burruss statement on the death of Ashley “AJ” Jewell
October 4, 2009
I am devastated by the loss of AJ. His death comes on the heels of the death of my beloved Uncle Ralph and with both of them gone, my heart is heavy with grief. I had spoken to AJ two hours before I got the call that he was in the hospital. Never in a thousand years did I think it was going to be the last time I heard his voice. He was taken way too soon. There are so many things that I should have said to him, wanted to say to him… But now it’s too late.
NAACP Harnesses Cell Phone Power to Launch New High Tech “Rapid Response System”
July 5, 2009
An innovative national program to help fight crime in American cities and towns will be unveiled Monday, July 13th at the NAACP Centennial Convention in New York City.
The initiative includes a bold new online effort, the NAACP Rapid Response System (RRS), a quick, effective way for citizens to report instances of police misconduct, and to help public safety officials move beyond the “tough on crime” policies that have lost their effectiveness.
Black Women Elected Officials and Leaders to Convene in Chicago
June 11, 2009
Over 250 Black women state representatives, senators, judges, commissioners, councilwomen, presidents and executives of organizations and corporations from across the country are expected to take Chicago by storm June 18-21, 2009 as they attend the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL/Women) 24th Annual Legislative Conference: Portraits of Leadership…United in a Time of Change. This year’s conference co-hosted by the Women of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus will be held at the Sofitel Water Tower located in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast.
UNCF’s HBCU Empower Me Tour Visits Dillard University to Inspire Youth to Build Wealth
April 28, 2009
The United Negro College Fund – in partnership with The Wachovia Foundation and the Manifest your Destiny Foundation, hosted activities at Dillard University last Saturday, to motivate and inspire minority students to use education as a tool for achieving their goals and dreams. UNCF’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Empower Me Tour features actor and best-selling author Hill Harper, and offered students advice on how to save and invest money, volunteer their time, talents and resources, and play active roles in their communities. UNCF’s HBCU Empower Me Tour is funded by The Wachovia Foundation.
Hampton University Releases Statement On Shooting Incident
April 27, 2009
PRESS RELEASE: Hampton, VA – There was a shooting incident on the campus of Hampton University at approximately 1 a.m. today. No current students were involved and or injured. The Hampton City Police believe that they have the shooter in custody. A former student, currently residing in New York, allegedly shot a pizza delivery driver and the night manager at Harkness Hall. He then allegedly turned the gun on himself. All three were airlifted to area hospitals. Following university policy, students, faculty and staff were notified via text message and email about the situation. Hampton City police are on the scene and investigating the incident.
Read more
National Black Chamber Urges Congress to Oppose Federal Renewable Energy Standards
April 24, 2009
The National Black Chamber of Commerce today sent a letter to the members of the Congressional Black Caucus urging members to oppose any legislation that would implement federal renewable energy standards. In the letter, Harry Alford, president and CEO of the NBCC, cited the negative effects such legislation will have on African Americans and on black owned businesses. The full text of the letter is as follows:
Dear Member:
The National Black Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to educating, empowering and sustaining African American communities through good policy and entrepreneurship. We are particularly concerned about policies that will have an economic effect on African American families and on African American owned businesses.
J McCoy’s 15th Platinum Birthday Bash
April 16, 2009
Recording Artist / Actor J McCoy will celebrate his 15th birthday with a star-studded event. The celebration will take place at Hollywood Hookah Lounge on Friday, April 17th, 2009 from 8pm-12am and will include special performances by Recording Artist Cheyenne, Video Mixer DJ Do It All, and J McCoy. A Platinum Record will be presented to J McCoy for his first single for the Walt Disney Records movie soundtrack “Jump-In”. Guests will enjoy a venue of themed rooms to include an interactive electronics suite sponsored by Logitech and LiveScribe and a style suite sponsored by Nehita Jewelry. The event will be filmed for J McCoy’s current web series on Yo! Raps. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation.
Read more
New Project to Study and Combat Unconscious Racism
April 14, 2009
The election of President Obama shows how far America has progressed in overcoming the racial divides that for so long scarred this country. But while overt racism is less and less acceptable in America, unconscious racial bias still plays a large role in our politics and society, as a new project launched today by the Institute for America’s Future seeks to explore.
The new project, called “Americans for American Values,” will research the effects of unconscious racial bias on decision making and will develop strategies to support decision-making based on consciously held American values rather than on racial anxiety and stereotypes. The project commences this week with the release of a series of educational videos and a set of research studies.
john powell, the project’s founder and executive director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, said racial equality and fairness are values widely supported by Americans, but hidden biases often undermine these values. *NOTE: john powell’s name is all lowercase.*
“As society tries to move beyond racial discrimination, a better understanding of implicit bias is needed,” said powell. “Our two-fold goal with this study is to help the American public better understand implicit bias and to give them ways to avoid triggering these biases.”
Institute for America’s Future co-director Robert Borosage, whose organization will be the fiscal sponsor for the project, said the first series of studies will examine the impact of undetected racially oriented biases on our democratic process.
“The election of the first African American president has helped us see one another with new eyes,” said Borosage. “Yet, we still struggle both as a society stratified in large part by race, and marked by attitudes that congeal in a society still marked by racial divisions.”
The “Americans for American Values” project will begin with research over the next two years designed to identify all the forms of implicit bias and what triggers them. The studies findings will help make recommendations on how to avoid these biases. The project was made possible by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation was established in 1930. The organization supports children, families and communities as they strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society. Grants are concentrated in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the southern African countries of Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.
BET Shows Fashion Event ‘RIP THE RUNWAY’ and Series Premiere of ‘HARLEM HEIGHTS’
February 27, 2009
Tune into BET on Monday, March 2 at 9:00 p.m.* for the hottest fashions, entertainers and music — all in one incredibly sexy fashion show, RIP THE RUNWAY. This year addressing the “State of the Union in Fashion” will be the beautiful, talented model-turned-actress Joy Bryant and today’s most sought-after actor Derek Luke. RIP THE RUNWAY is guaranteed to deliver the latest fashion trends to our viewers — it’s simply the best dressed hour of television. The show will re-air on Thursday, March 5 at 8:00 p.m.* and Friday, March 6 at 10:00 p.m.*
Premiering on Monday, March 2 at 10:00 p.m.,* HARLEM HEIGHTS will provide a window into the fascinating world of New York’s young, Black and fabulous crowd. Set against the backdrop of the increasingly gentrified neighborhood of Harlem, the series features a diverse cast of eight young adults from different backgrounds who share common goals — making the post-college leap into adulthood and finding love and success in the big city on their own terms.
Obama Pajama Party, Sleeper Hit at Inauguration
January 23, 2009
Three nights of successive parties in Washington have left many celebrants making comparisons between the balls they attended and the ones they wish they had attended. The balls have run the gamut from large, “official” balls with thousands of celebrants to smaller private events with Hollywood celebrities, high-ranking officials, and foreign dignitaries.
Need an Inauguration Hotel? BlackHistoryTours.com has your Room
January 7, 2009
In the days following President Elect Barack Obama’s historic election, the overwhelming demand for accommodation space and transportation options were a much needed, pre-holiday boon for the entire Metro DC area. Now with only two weeks before the Inaugural events, there are still many American families that want to witness history firsthand. BlackHistoryTours has special deals on affordable hotel packages and can assist you in attending the Inauguration in person.
“Hotel rooms are a perishable commodity,” Eric Alboher, Founder & CEO of BlackHistoryTours.com commented. “If there are hotels that have space, they will want to fill those rooms.” Mr. Alboher, a twenty-eight year veteran in the travel/tourism industry, specifically created www.inaugurationroomsavailable.com to help those interested in finding rooms in Washington DC and outlying areas attend the inauguration. The website has several hotel and transportation options. Due to the historic anticipated attendance, large screen televisions will be placed on the National Lawn and many establishments will be hosting Inauguration “Watch Parties.”
BlackHistoryTours has commissioned a fleet of new buses that will serve most major cities from Miami to Charleston for transportation to the inauguration. All BlackHistoryTours Inauguration room packages include: Full American Breakfast, Porterage, All Taxes, Resort and Service Fees and Circulator Ticket or Metro Card. Special deals include accommodations at the world class Gaylord National Resort. Additional room and air packages are available in DC and surrounding areas from Harrisburg, Pa. to Richmond, Va.
Since tickets to official events are restricted, BlackHistoryTours joined forces with The Alvin James Group, to promote the “We the People Celebration” (www.wethepeoplecelebration.com) at FedEx Field (Redskins Stadium). This event is held inside the concourse of the exclusive club level. Revelers will enjoy a luxurious environment in the completely enclosed club level of the stadium which boasts thousands of plush leather chairs and couches, mahogany accents, flat screen televisions and multiple dining experiences. Entertainment is provided by national recording artists, acts, comedians, and DJs on four stages located throughout the concourse. The evening culminates at midnight with the only fireworks show taking place in the area.
“BlackHistoryTours provides multicultural tours that expose everyone to the diversity and fabric of American history. At BlackHistoryTours, we bring history to life,” Alboher said. A portion of all sales is donated to the Open Your Eyes Foundation whose mission is to promote Kingian Nonviolence Youth Leadership infusing travel, cultural exposure and real life experiences to empower America’s youth.
Increasing Diabetes Prevention and Control in Communities
October 30, 2008
The National Diabetes Education Program has developed a curriculum designed to provide program leaders with the tools they need to increase diabetes prevention and control within African American communities.
Power to Prevent: A Family Lifestyle Approach to Diabetes Prevention is a product of the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), a joint effort of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
