Washington Informer

American rock icon, known as the Queen of Rock & Roll, has become the oldest ever cover star for the international fashion magazine Vogue in a new shoot by Swiss photographers Claudia Knoepfel and Stefan Indlekofer for their German edition. At 73, Turner makes a stylish "cover girl" in a blue gown by Armani, and styling by Nicola Knels.

Until now, Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep held the record as the oldest ever Vogue magazine cover star, at 62, when she graced the cover of the US Vogue's January 2012 issue.

Born Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tenn., Turner began a successful musical career with her guitarist ex-husband Ike Turner. As a solo artist she went on to win eight Grammy awards and has sold over 200 million albums and singles worldwide.

An NAACP delegation led by Roslyn M. Brock, chairperson of the organization's national Board of Directors, recently met with Haitian President Michel Martelly to discuss key civil rights issues, including education, health care, and economic sustainability.

The NAACP's delegation which included Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley, chair NAACP International Affairs Committee, Kamilia Landrum, NAACP youth representative, and leaders from partner organization the Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti, were also joined in the meeting by Haitian cabinet members, including Paul Altidor, Haitian Ambassador to the United States and Bernice Fidélia, Minister of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE). Sophia Martelly, Haiti's first lady also participated in the meeting.

"This visit is an important step toward enhancing and expanding the long-standing relationship between the NAACP and our brothers and sisters in Haiti," said Brock. "The NAACP has a rich history and association with Haiti. W.E.B. Du Bois, one of the Association's founders was Haitian American. In 1920, the NAACP sent James Weldon Johnson on a fact finding trip to Haiti in response to reports of the mistreatment of Haitians and suppression of self rule during the war years," she said, adding that following his 1920 visit to Haiti, Johnson published a series of articles recounting the adverse impact of US occupation of Haiti. "The NAACP's efforts contributed to the evacuation of troops from Haiti," Brock said.

Dr. Goatley assured the NAACP's commitment to advocate for the people of Haiti.

"The work of the NAACP has a beacon of hope for many people in many countries around the world. Haiti is no exception," he said. "During our visit, we heard frequently how the NAACP has offered inspiration and instruction globally for those who are committed to human rights and social justice. By deploying this delegation, the NAACP continues a journey for partnership with our Haitian siblings as they seek a safe, strong, and secure future."

During their visit, delegation members traveled through Port-au Prince to view the progress of NAACP-funded humanitarian efforts after the 2010 Earthquake that killed an estimated 220,000 people and displaced millions.

The group visited the Santo community – a Habitat for Humanity project that received a $50,000 grant from the NAACP. The NAACP funded three additional civil society projects, including an orphanage. A criterion for the project grantees was Haitian leadership. Overall, the NAACP donated $200K to Haitian civil society projects.

Landrum said her Youth Work Committee acknowledges the importance of educational empowerment for Haitian students.

"Advancing quality public education is a top priority for the NAACP," she said. "It is important that we look into how we can advocate for the Haitian students to get the best education possible."

The NAACP will use the information gleaned from government officials, civil society leaders and partners.

(Source: NAACP.org)

Details about rapper Lil Wayne's illness remain vague after he was removed this week from the intensive care unit of a Los Angeles hospital.

Lil Wayne, 30, whose real name is Wayne Michael Carter, was reported to be in a stabilized condition at Cedar- Sinai Hospital , eating and walking on own, with the expectation of being released soon.

Lil Wayne, also known as "Weezy," thanked fans for their concern after reports that he'd suffered multiple seizures in recent weeks. An entertainment website had also reported that he had been near death and in a medically-induced coma.

Speculation had surfaced that the rapper's latest round of seizures were the result of a "sizzurp" binge and subsequent codeine overdose.

(Source: The Hollywood Reporter)

The nation's oldest civil rights organization is celebrating the recent repeal of the state of Maryland's death penalty.

In a statement released late last week, Ben Jealous, NAACP president and CEO, said a major milestone for which the Maryland NAACP had worked toward for more than a century, had been accomplished.

"Thank you Gov. [Martin] O'Malley, Lt. Governor [Anthony] Brown, and the bill sponsors and supporters in the House and Senate that showed the backbone and moral clarity to end this injustice,' Jealous said of the March 15 bill passage. "Tomorrow we will wake up in a state where we will never again have to worry if someone is put to death because of their color, class or in spite of their innocence."

Gerald Stansbury, president of the Maryland State Conference NAACP, added that the state had joined 17 other states and most of the Western world in banning the death penalty.

"Thanks to the hard work of the Maryland CASE, Family Victims, and all the other organizations that joined the NAACP in making this historic day possible," Stansbury said. "This decision will make our justice system fairer and more effective. I hope it will inspire leaders in other states to follow suit."

The repeal bill passed by a vote of 82 to 56. The Maryland Senate has already passed the bill. With Maryland, six states have repealed the death penalty in the last six years and Maryland becomes the first state under the Mason-Dixon line to repeal the death penalty.

The NAACP is also working in Colorado and Delaware where legislation to repeal the death penalty was introduced a week ago.

(Source: NAACP.org)

Karyn Buxman and the Honorable Barbara Kennelly will be among the lineup of speakers for the "March on Washington | Private Duty Home Care Integrated Conference & Exposition." The event is being held through March 20 at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in downtown D.C.

Buxman, president of HUMORx, a humor based stress management and communications company, will speak on Monday during the general session from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. She is also the author of "This Won't Hurt a Bit! And other Fractured Truths in Healthcare," a 96-page collection of stories, quotes, jokes and cartoons for those on the giving and receiving end of healthcare.

Kennelly, a former Democratic member of Congress from Connecticut, will speak on Wednesday during the session from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. Kennelly spent much of her recent career in the Social Security and health fields, participating in critical healthcare policy debates, especially involving Medicare. She has also helped shape legislative initiatives that advanced the multiple interests of consumer groups, the health insurance industry, hospitals, practitioners, nursing homes and others.

The conference which began on March 17, features educational sessions, addresses by leading home care and hospice advocates, and insights from political pundits.

Tap Festival and All-Star Concert March 23

Chloé & Maud Productions bring to D.C., Emmy and Grammy winners, Tony nominees, Broadway and Vaudeville stars, and the hottest tap dancers from across the country, and around the globe for the 5th annual DC Tap Festival and All-Star Concert Weekend. The event will be held March 21-24 at the DC Dance Collective and Duke Ellington Theater.

DC Tap Festival III's All-Star Concert takes place at 8 p.m., March 23 at the Ellington Theater and presents an extravaganza of tap stars and special guest, Grammy Award winning singer, Mya.

Also appearing will be EMMY Award winner Jason Samuels Smith and Luke Spring, the 7-year-old tap dancing prodigy seen on The Ellen Degeneres Show.

For tickets and other informatiion, please visit: www.dctapfestival.com.

The highly-revered 10-part mini-series, "The Bible," narrated by Emmy Award-winning actor Keith David, airs on The History Channel through March 31.

The 10 episodes which began on March 3 and are also airing on Lifetime, tell the major stories of The Bible from Genesis to Revelations.

On April 5, "The Bible" will be available on DVD, Blu-Ray and on DVD. The four-disc DVD and Blu-Ray will include special behind-the-scenes content including the making of the mini-series in the Morrocan desert, features about how "The Bible" was cast and more information on how the project was conceived and developed.

"The Bible" was co-produced by "Touched By An Angel" star Roma Downey, who portrays Mother Mary in the widely-watched film which took more than two years to make.