Washington Informer

Washington - In celebration of the re-election of President Barack Obama, Positive Business Women (PBW), a District-area non-profit, is hosting the Victory Inaugural Ball that will feature several iconic performers that Maxwell, Musiq Soulchild and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, and Bryan Mills and Secret Society, a prominent fixture on the D.C. jazz scene.

The ball, which will be held Jan. 21 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park, is expected to attract more than 3,000 people, making it one of the largest inaugural celebrations taking place in the nation's capital. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the attire is black tie.

"We are excited about the opportunity to celebrate the re-election of President Barack Obama and it is our hope that this event will not only be a commemoration of one of the most historic moments in our nation's history, but will also benefit the programs that support the many young ladies that we serve" said Mary Bailey, PBW executive director.

The mission of PBW is to successfully prepare young girls and women with their self-confidence through mentorship, college and career readiness, leadership development, and lifestyle enhancement.

Charitable donations from this event will directly benefit PBW's various initiatives and will subsequently enrich the lives of the next generation of young business women.

Tickets, ranging from $200 to $1,500, are available to the general public and can be purchased at barackyourock.org.

South Africa is reportedly sending more troops to support government forces in the Central African Republic (CAR), where rebels are threatening the capital.

An estimated 200 South African troops are already in training , under a defense agreement, with officials reporting that 400 troops would be deployed in total.

While the Sekela rebels - who have halted their offensive on the CAR capital Bangui – were poised to hold talks with the government, a foreign ministry spokesman in Pretoria said the additional troops would protect members of the South African military already training government forces in the CAR.

(Source: Wire Reports)

Falling asleep at the wheel is clearly dangerous, but being sleepy affects your ability to drive safely even if you don't fall asleep. Drowsiness:

•Makes drivers less attentive

•Slows reaction time

•Affects a driver's ability to make decisions

The Scope of the Problem

Although it may be difficult to attribute a fatal vehicle crash to drowsy driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 2.5% of fatal crashes and 2% of injury crashes involve drowsy driving. These estimates are probably conservative, though, and up to 5,000 or 6,000 fatal crashes each year may be caused by drowsy drivers.

Who's More Likely to Drive Drowsy?

•Commercial drivers

•Shift workers (work the night shift or long shifts)

•Drivers with untreated sleep disorders such as sleep apnea

•Drivers who use sedating medications

•Drivers who do not get adequate sleep

How Often do Americans Fall Asleep While Driving?

Among nearly 150,000 adults aged at least 18 years or older in 19 states and the District of Columbia, 4.2% reported that they had fallen asleep while driving at least once in the previous 30 days. Individuals who snored or usually slept 6 or fewer hours per day were more likely to report this behavior.

The Washington Inter Alumni Council and the United Negro College Fund will host 30th annual breakfast celebration for Martin Luther King Day on Monday, Jan. 21 at Martin's Crosswinds, 7400 Greenway Center Drive, Greenbelt, Md.

Michael Sorrell, the energetic president of Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas, credited with steering the 146-acre historically black college from the brink of closing after taking the helm in 2007, will be the keynote speaker.

The breakfast, which is expected to attract some 1,000 leaders from the public and private sectors is also hosted by a group of Historically Black College & University (HBCU) alumni who serve as front line ambassadors in promoting the continued relevance and value of HBCUs. Event sponsors in the past have included Chevron; Exxon Mobile; Segue Technologies and the Washington Teacher's Union.

Dress is business attire.

For information please contact Meta Williams (202) 820-0332 or Henry Thompson (301) 829-5484 or (301) 910-2612

Programs include Cultural Discussions, Film and Music

LARGO, Md. — The public is invited to learn about the influence of black culture during a series of educational and entertaining programs at Prince George's Community College during February. Unless otherwise noted, the events are free of charge and include:

The Psycho-Academic Holocaust: The Special Education & ADHD Wars Against Black Boys, February 5, 1–3 p.m., Largo Student Center, Conference Room 2. Join a book discussion that examines the attack on young black men through special education programs and pharmaceutical drugs led by author and certified school psychologist Umar Johnson.

Continuing Carter G. Woodson's Dream, February 14, 1–3 p.m., Largo Student Center, Conference Room 2. Examine the role of culture in curriculum with renowned speaker Kaba Hiawatha Kamene (aka Booker T. Coleman). Listen to a proactive approach toward African-centered education.

All That Jazz, February 20, noon–1pm, Largo Student Center Dining Hall. Enjoy great jazz music with and rich history of African-American artists during the noon lunch hour.

Lincoln, February 20, 1 p.m., Largo Student Center. Experience the Civil War through the eyes of President Abraham Lincoln in the critically acclaimed film by legendary Hollywood director Steven Spielberg.

Racism as a System, February 21, 1–3 p.m., Largo Student Center, Conference Room 2. Explore the history of racism and decide if it still exists today through a thought-provoking discussion led by Frances Cress Welsing, psychiatrist and author of the Isis Papers.

Where Literacy Begins, February 27–March 20, Wednesday evenings 7–9 p.m. Largo Campus. Learn how to nurture young children's development during a four-session workshop for parents and caregivers of children ages birth to three. Topics include baby basics, building early language skills, pre-reading skills and baby music. Co-sponsored by Prince George's Community College and WETA Television, the series costs $20 for eight hours of training, and students must register ahead of time. For more information about the program, contact Erin Olsen at 301-386-7545.

For more information on campus events, contact the Office of College Life Services at 301- 322-0853.

The Rev. Louie Giglio, who was to deliver the benediction at President Barack Obama's inauguration on Jan. 21, has dropped out of the ceremony because of criticism over anti-gay comments he made in the 1990s.

Giglio is the pastor at Passion City Church in Roswell, Ga. He stepped away from participation in the inauguration over a sermon in which he called for gay people to undergo therapy and urged his congregation to reject the "homosexual lifestyle."

Addie Whisenant, a spokeswoman for the inaugural committee, said organizers weren't aware of Giglio's comments at the time of his selection.

(Source:MSN)

Beyonce will sing the National Anthem during President Barack Obama's inauguration on Jan. 21.

Also slated to perform in the ceremony that takes place on the steps of the U. S. Capitol, are Kelly Clarkson who will perform "My Country 'Tis of Thee," and James Taylor who will sing "America the Beautiful." Reports state that Obama personally selected the performers.

In addition, Richard Blanco -- the son of Cuban exiles -- has been selected as the 2013 inaugural poet.

Blanco's works explore his family's exile from their native country and "the intersection of his cultural identities as a Cuban-American gay man," according to the inaugural committee. At age 44, Blanco will be the youngest-ever inaugural poet and the first Hispanic or gay to recite a poem at the ceremonial swearing-in.