New Analysis Finds African-Americans are More Religious Than Overall U.S. Population
January 31, 2009
On the eve of Black History Month, the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life released a new analysis that paints a detailed religious portrait of African-Americans. The analysis finds that African-Americans are markedly more religious than the U.S. population as a whole on a variety of measures, including reporting a religious affiliation, attendance at religious services, frequency of prayer and the importance of religion in people’s lives.
Compared with other racial and ethnic groups, African-Americans are among the most likely to report a formal religious affiliation, with fully 87% of African-Americans describing themselves as belonging to one religious group or another. The analysis also finds that nearly eight-in-ten African-Americans (79%) say religion is very important in their lives, compared with 56% among all U.S. adults.
These are among many findings of the new Pew Forum analysis detailing the unique nature of religion in the African-American community. Other highlights include:
- A large majority of African-Americans who are unaffiliated with any particular faith (72%) say religion plays at least a somewhat important role in their lives; nearly half (45%) of unaffiliated African-Americans say religion is very important in their lives, roughly three times the percentage who says this among the religiously unaffiliated population overall (16%).
- African-Americans express a high degree of comfort with religion’s role in politics, with roughly six-in-ten saying that houses of worship should express their views on social and political topics and roughly half saying that there has been too little expression of faith and prayer by political leaders. At the same time, most African-Americans support certain restrictions on the mingling of politics and religious institutions, with nearly six-in-ten (58%) saying that churches and other houses of worship should refrain from endorsing political candidates.
- The link between religion and some social and political attitudes in the African-American community is similar to that seen among the population overall. For instance, just as in the general public, African-Americans who are more religiously observant are more likely to oppose abortion and homosexuality and more likely to report higher levels of conservative ideology.
- On a variety of other questions, including political party identification and opinions about the proper role of government in providing services to the citizenry and assistance to the poor, there are few differences in the views of African-Americans across religious groups. Perhaps most strikingly, the partisan leanings of African-Americans from every religious background tilt heavily in the Democratic direction.
The analysis is based on the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, conducted by the Pew Forum in 2007 and released in 2008, as well as other Pew Research Center surveys.
Pepsi Exec Responds to Obama Logo Controversey
January 30, 2009
Has Pepsi aligned its marketing graphics and rhetoric too closely with that of President Obama’s election campaign? That issue’s been richocheting around the blogosphere of late and Pepsi brands chief Frank Cooper officially addressed it as part of the company’s pre-Super Bowl press conference.
Lionsgate’s TYLER PERRY’S THE FAMILY THAT PREYS Captures the Number One Spot on DVD Charts
January 30, 2009
LIONSGATE(R) (NYSE: LGF) and Tyler Perry continue to be an unstoppable force in Hollywood as Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys, starring Academy Award(R) winner Kathy Bates and Academy Award(R) nominee Alfre Woodard, debuted at number one on the DVD charts. Lionsgate also released on DVD Tyler Perry’s The Marriage Counselor: The Play, which debuted #8 on the DVD charts, as well as Tyler Perry’s House of Payne: Volume Three. With six theatrical films in the past four years that have grossed over a quarter of a billion dollars in North America alone, DVD sales of theatrical and catalog titles totaling more than 25 million units and more than 130 episodes of his hit television series “House of Payne” and “Meet The Browns” already delivered, Tyler Perry is one of the most remarkable franchises in the filmed entertainment industry today.
Defeat Diabetes Foundation Announces R & B Singer Howard Hewett as National Spokesperson
January 30, 2009
Defeat Diabetes Foundation (DDF) has announced that Howard Hewett, R & B Artist, former lead singer of the group Shalamar, has signed on to work with DDF to help create awareness about the diabetes epidemic in the U.S.
“We are extremely honored that someone of Howard’s talent and celebrity has committed his time and energy to helping further our work of creating awareness about and preventing diabetes,” said Andrew P. Mandell – Mr. Diabetes(R), Executive Director of Defeat Diabetes Foundation.
Russell Simmons Named Editor-in-Chief of Global Grind
January 30, 2009
Global Grind (www.globalgrind.com), today announced Russell Simmons will serve as its Editor in Chief. Global Grind is a social media platform developed by and for the Hip Hop community. Philanthropist and cultural entrepreneur Simmons, an early investor in the site, served as guest blogger on the site, alongside Reverend Run’s widely anticipated Daily Words of Wisdom, and political commentary by Dr. Benjamin Chavis. The strong response to their blogs led to the creation of the site’s new “Celebrity Blogger” section. A mix of celebrities and influencers within the Hip-Hop Community will blog on a variety of topics including music, lifestyle, culture, politics and sports. The Global Grind Celebrity Blogger initiative allows celebrities to stay in tune with their fan base through a media platform that is linked to media, artist and social networking sites, while allowing users to get fresh content from their favorite celebrities/personalities and opinion leaders.
Ray J Teams Up With VH1 to Find a True Leading Lady
January 30, 2009
Ray J’s success in the entertainment business has brought him fame, fortune, and a never-ending supply of gorgeous girls. After years of hookups and rocky relationships he’s ready to break away from the gold-diggers and groupies and find a unique lady capable of restoring his faith in women. VH1 is teaming up with Ray J in hopes of finding him a true “ride or die chick” among a group of 14 beautiful women from across the country. “For the Love of Ray J” premieres on VH1 on Monday, February 2 at 10:30 PM*
Def Jam Music Forms Strategic Partnership, Launches Mackenzie Blue
January 30, 2009
Tweens everywhere will discover a new heroine this spring with the May 5th appearance of Mackenzie Blue, the first in the series of HarperCollins Children’s Books about the many adventures of seventh-grader and aspiring pop star Mackenzie Blue.
Bow Wow and Jermaine Dupri Celebrate Black History With The Source
January 30, 2009
This month, superstar rapper and actor Bow Wow made his first ever appearance on the cover of the world renowned hip hop culture magazine, The Source. He along with his mentor, music mogul and Grammy Award winning super producer, Jermaine Dupri are featured in the issue, which will be on newsstands everywhere throughout February.
Motown 50 Launches Online Podcast Series
January 23, 2009
The legendary Motown Records celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with a series of promotions and releases from Berry Gordy’s groundbreaking company and Universal Music Enterprises, including a series of online podcasts featuring rare and intimate conversations with the label’s legends, producers, songwriters and singers, which started on Monday, Jan. 12 at www.classic.motown.com. The podcasts are also available on iTunes.
Beanie Babies maker sells Sasha, Malia dolls
January 23, 2009
The company that makes the popular Beanie Babies is hoping for two more big winners with dolls named “Sweet Sasha” and “Marvelous Malia.”
But, no, the names do not refer to President Barack Obama’s daughters, a Ty Inc. spokeswoman says. Honest!
The Oak Brook-based company chose the names because “they are beautiful names,” not because of any resemblance to Malia and Sasha Obama, said spokeswoman Tania Lundeen.
R&B Sensation Ray J Teams Up With Poetry Nightclub
January 23, 2009
Poetry Nightclub announced today that R&B artist Ray J has become a partner in the company. Ray J will work closely with other partners to enhance and elevate the entertainment and talent that come through the club.
With over a million albums sold, coveted roles on hit sitcoms, and his own entertainment company and record label, Knockout Entertainment, Ray J is a contemporary renaissance man, one of today’s hottest entertainers, and a Hollywood ladies’ man.
NBA Star’s Daughter Wins Award for Excellence in Hip Hop
January 23, 2009
Chantel “Chani” Christie, daughter of NBA power couple, Doug and Jackie Christie, received the 2009 Martin Luther King County Jr. Executives Award for Excellence in Hip Hop at the Musica Festival this past weekend. Chani Christie was one of ten finalists nominated for the prestigious award. Upon receiving the award Chani Christie dedicated the award to our 44th President, Barack Obama, for his achievements and inauguration.
Victoria’s Secret PINK Creates Competition Among Selected HBCUs
January 23, 2009
February 22, PINK will track the sales at Victoria’s Secret stores and online of the new HBCU Collegiate product, and the school with the highest sales will win the event. With the help of Tom Joyner and www.blackamericaweb.com, PINK will announce the HBCU each week that has the highest sales. Listeners can tune in every Thursday to the “Tom Joyner Morning Show” starting February 5 – 26 to hear the winner for the previous week’s sales.
This is the largest retail distribution deal ever offered to HBCUs. Richard Dent, chief operating officer of PINK says, “This partnership is symbolic of PINK’s desire to be the most aspirational collegiate brand in America targeted to college age women of ALL ethnicities.” By purchasing HBCU product from the PINK Collegiate Collection, customers will be providing direct support to their favorite HBCU as a portion of proceeds go to the respective university.
Learning What It Takes for African-American and Hispanic Kids to Compete in a Global Economy
January 23, 2009
January 27th the 100 Black Men of DeKalb in collaboration with seminar promotions and professional speaking company CS Inspires Inc. will be hosting the screening of a new documentary entitled “Two Million Minutes.” This film exposes the true facts concerning the widening global education gap between American students and their peers in China and India. The underlining premise of the film raises the question, “Is the American education system adequately preparing our children with the necessary knowledge and skills to compete for jobs within a global economy?”
Uneven Fairways Pays Tribute to Golf’s African-American Pioneers
January 23, 2009
In a first-of-its-kind documentary, GOLF CHANNEL will chronicle an era when honor and fair play took a backseat to segregation, revealing the story of the little-known, but rich history of the African-Americans who had the courage to stand up for their rights and pave the way for future stars of golf.
Uneven Fairways, produced in partnership with Moxie Pictures, will celebrate the golfers who confronted prejudice and endured indignities for the right to play golf at its highest level. The 60-minute documentary will premiere Feb. 11 at 9 p.m. ET.
