Latest Archives (76)
The Historical Black Press Foundation (HBPF) has rescinded its offer of media coverage for the National Association of Black Journalists'(NABJ) convention in Philadelphia which ends on Aug.7.
The decision, stated in an Aug. 4 letter to the NABJ communications team, was based on HBPF's assertion that the black journalists'organization would allow Arianna Huffington to address a session of its conference in spite of the National Writers Union's (NPU) call for a boycott.
While the letter states that HBPF is standing up for the rights of freelance writers, it also notes that it won't go against the rights and needs of writers, norparticipate in or provide additional coverage of NABJ convention events which began Aug. 3.
"For the record, the Huffington Post's questionable actions and business practices jeopardize the livelihood of thousands of writers," the letter states.
"The 400 media outlets that HBPF works daily to protect depend on freelance writers, editors, photographers and digital content producers. It was would be inappropriate for us to support NABJ's unethical decision to allow Ms. Huffington and/or the Huffington Post to speak before your membership."
HBPF further noted that in the event NABJ rescinds its offer to Harrington, it might reconsider its decision
President Barack Obama will deliver remarks during the Aug. 28 dedication of the memorial that honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The historic event, which includes the formal unveiling of the 30-ft. bronze memorial depiction of King, takes place in D.C. on the northwest shore of the Tidal Basin.
"The dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial has been long-awaited, and people from around the world are coming to experience this historic moment," Harry E. Johnson Sr., president of the King Memorial Foundation, said in an interview. "We are excited to welcome them all."
In addition to the King family, civil rights leaders and other dignitaries like former secretary of state, Colin Powell, and poet Maya Angelou expected to attend, are a slate of celebrities such as Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, both of whom will be performing.
Dedication of the $120 million memorial, which was spearheaded by the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, coincides with the 48th anniversar of King's I Have A Dream Speech that was delivered in 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial.
After the memorial opens at 11 a.m. on Aug. 22 to the public, it will be covered on Aug. 26 in preparation for the formal unveiling two days later.
Other events aligned with five days of celebrations are an invitation-only dinner, a luncheon in honor of past, present and future civil rights leaders, a civil rights concert and i an nterfaith prayer service.
For more information, visit, www.dedicatethedream.org.
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD -- The Prince George's County Liquor Board has unanimously approve regulations surrounding home delivery of alcohol -- including a requirement that stores pay a $250 licensing fee in order to make the deliveries. However, the Aug. 3 measure was passed without public input.
The updated rules which have resulted in more stringent oversight, require stores that deliver alcohol to verify and document identification of customers receiving the liquor to ensure people under age 21 are not requesting or receiving orders.
In addition, home delivery customers would have to sign a form indicating receipt of the liquor. Deliveries would be made by persons no younger than 18 who have a certificate from an alcohol awareness program.
"It's a very sensitive issue, and an issue that the board will be watching closely," chairman Franklin Jackson has said. "The rule itself is going to help bring accountability to [the] practice."
Meanwhile, it has been legal to deliver liquor at homes in the county since the mid 1940 – but only if customers have had permission from the liquor board. Currently, about a handful of businesses deliver to homes.
Sentencing for former Prince George's County executive Jack Johnson has been moved from Sept. 15 to Dec. 6. No reason has been reportedly given for the delay.
Johnson, 62, of Mitchellville, Md., pleaded guilty in May to a string of charges in a pay-to-play scheme that prosecutors said he engaged in for most of the time he was at the helm of county government from 2002 to 2010.
Johnson, who was arrested last November alongside his wife, former District 6 County Council member Leslie Johnson, faces up to 13 years in prison.
The couple was taken into custody following an FBI sting at their home.
Leslie Johnson, 59, pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to commit witness and evidence tampering. She resigned her post on July 31 from the Council after serving just eight months. She faces sentencing in October.
A service organized by the Rev. Willie E. Wilson of Union Temple Baptist Church in D.C. will sanctify and bless the grounds of the Martin Luther King Memorial. The service will take place Aug. 27 – one day before as many as 250,000 people are expected to gather for the formal unveiling of the 30-foot bronze statue.
The consecration is also expected to attract thousands from every sector of the community, and will include members of the clergy and musical artists such as award-winning vocalists Tramaine Hawkins and Sweet Honey in the Rock, as well as multi-talented founder and community based choir, Kevin Terry and Predestined, along with the female trio Heiress.
"It is only appropriate that we consecrate and sanctify the grounds for the new King Memorial," Wilson said in a statement. "Dr. King was first and foremost a Baptist preacher [and] it is therefore fitting that we honor his legacy with a clergy – led gathering and celebration with the various segments of the population who Dr. King marched and protested for, spoke for and ultimately gave his life for."
Prior to the service, the Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network will
convene a one-mile march for jobs, social justice and equality that will begin at the Lincoln Memorial and proceed to the King statue at the Tidal Basin.
Wilson added that because of the black church's historical role as a galvanizing force for justice, organizers are hopeful that the consecration service will also invigorate the black church and clergy as the moral conscience of the nation, while re-emphasizing King's vision for fairness and equality among the masses.
"We are at a critical point in our nation's history where many suffer from the paradox of progress . . . while the majority of the masses of the African-American community remain in poverty," said Wilson. "We need to awaken a newfound consciousness and revitalize the black church."
Waters says VRA remains critical for protecting rights of African Amercians./Courtesy PhotoIn commemoration the 46th anniversary of the enactment of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) said in a statement that while African Americans have made significants strides, they still need the VRA to ensure protections against local or federal laws that could adversely impact minority voting rights.
"I am very pleased to commemorate the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965," Waters,73, said of the historic legislation that was signed into law on Aug. 6,1965 by President Lyndon Johnson. "This landmark legislation was, and remains critical to protecting the democratic participation of African - Americans in the United States."
The Act, which was developed in direct response to the failure of previous federal legislation, was enacted by Congress to ensure that African Americans in the South would have equal access to vote, according to Waters. The Act was also designed to eliminate racial restrictions of the right to vote.
"The right to vote is a fundamental right and is critical to our democracy," Waters continued." "In a post Citizens United political system where powerful corporations and special interests are able to expend exorbitant amounts of money to influence elections, the right to vote remains the great equalizer."
Waters added that at the height of Jim Crow, southern state legislators, who had been resentful of the limited protections that were extended to African - Americans shortly after Reconstruction, began to repeal state civil rights protections.
"As we continue to see the emergence of new state voter suppression laws, the VRA remains relevant,'said Waters. "With only 15 months left before the next presidential election, Republican-led legislatures are rewriting voting laws to require photo identification at the polls, reduce the number of early voting days and enhance voting restrictions against ex-felons and out-of-state students," she said.
Waters said in conclusion, that African Americans must "remain vigilant and on guard against potential policies that may undermine minority participation and diminish African - Americans' political representation."
On Sunday, Aug.14, the Newton White Mansion in Mitchellville, Md., will be filled with media, former athletes, non-profit agencies, a host of entrepreneurs and world
known celebrities. What would bring former Miami Dolphins football player Tyoka Jackson, Motivational Speaker Willie Jolley and Chief of Staff, Calvin Woodland Jr. for Councilman Jim Graham together under one roof?
Class Act Productions™ will launch its production company, while honoring a total of 16 African- American role models. The honorees will be local celebrities and everyday people that have helped shape the D.C. Metropolitan community.
Class Act Productions™ is equally passionate about business and the community. Over the years, Class Act Productions™ has donated funds and time to many causes including Breast Cancer Awareness, American Lung Association, the D.C. Department of Health AIDS Awareness and the American Diabetes Foundation. A representative from the American Lung Association will be in attendance to receive a $2000 donation from Class Act Productions™ in memory of Gregory Jones.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Group tickets and specialty packages are available for the inaugural AT&T Nation's Football Classic™ where Howard University and Morehouse College compete on Sat., Sept. 10 at RFK Stadium.
Fans attending the football game with their family and friends have a range of options from ticket discounts to VIP opportunities. Depending on a group's size (rates begin with groups of 20 or more), groups are eligible for merchandise discounts, parking passes, preferred seating locations, scoreboard recognition and on-field fan experiences.
Pregame VIP tailgating will take place in "The Yard," an exclusive area which features hospitality tents for group purchase. Each tent is equipped with chairs, high-top tables, catering and hospitality services. Fans that purchase a tent inside "The Yard" have convenient access to the NFC Fan Festival (located on the RFK Stadium Festival Grounds/Lot 8), VIP Parking Passes, personalized bartending and catering options. Additionally, there will be a separate cash bar located in the common area of "The Yard".
Once inside RFK Stadium, there are additional group options to enhance the Classic experience, including a group seating section on the Mezzanine level which offers semi-private seating, in-seat wait service and cash bar. The "Champions Club Super Suite" allows for an upscale game day experience. At $100 per ticket, fans will receive a lower bowl seat, catered buffet, unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, and a private cash bar. With a limited capacity, individuals will need to act fast to reserve their spot in the "Champions Club Super Suite."
For additional information on tailgating and ticket prices, visit www.NationsFootballClassic.com. Groups interested in purchasing packages or for more information on suites and exclusive group seating areas, can contact Charles Reynolds at 202-608-1140 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
A commander in the special operations division of the D.C. Metrpolitan Police Department has announced his demotion to the rank of captain.
Hilton Burton, who revealed the demotion on Aug. 8, said he was transferred to the medical division. He added that he was informed of the change during a meeting with Assistant Chief Alfred Durham.
The department cited that it had lost faith in his ability to lead, according to Burton, who testified in June at a City Council hearing about police escorts for celebrities.
Lanier, who has reportedly said she'd never approved escorts for celebrities, issued a statement on Aug. 9 saying that:
"Based on a review of command decisions, including several critical incidents, and a recommendation from Commander Hilton Burton's supervising Assistant Chief, I took action yesterday to relieve Commander Burton of his command responsibilities and reassign him to other duties."
Family and friends mourned the passing of legendary Judge Mathew J. Perry Jr., who died recently at age 89.
Perry, was South Carolina's first African-American federal judge. / Courtesy photo. As a young attorney, he tried several cases that led to the integration of South Carolina beaches, parks, restaurants and public schools, according to online reports.
He used his legal prowess to gain the release of thousands of people arrested in protests during the Civil Rights Movement and in 1963, went on to win the case that forced Clemson University to admit African-American students.
Perry, a Charleston native, was born into segregation. He worked his way through South Carolina State College where he earned a business degree , and S.C. State law school which led to him becoming South Carolina's pre-eminent civil rights attorney.
Credited with helping South Carolina achieve peaceful progress in civil rights, Perry also went to become the first federal judge from the Deep South (in 1975), presiding over the U.S. Military Court of Appeals. He was appointed to the bench first by Republican President Gerald Ford, and later by President Jimmy Carter, a Democrat, who appointed Perry to the federal bench in South Carolina in 1979.
Featured Poll
ADVERTISMENT
ADVERTISMENT
ADVERTISMENT