Cynthia E. Griffin
Oct 19 2012

Foreign policy on tap for Oct. 22 meeting

Debate No. 2 between President Barack Obama and his Republican rival, Mitt Romney, was far different than their first face-to-face encounter on Oct. 3.

Many felt the president came out on top.

This townhall-style telecast featured about 100 undecided voters—including one African American man who voted for Obama in 2008, but was questioning whether he should do it again. They asked a series of pointed questions that dug in on some key issues that many Americans wanted answered.

Oct 11 2012

With students underperforming academically, revisions are needed

Students, parents, teachers, and community stakeholders at Crenshaw and Dorsey high schools are fighting for the school’s existence and, according to Kokayi Kwa Jitahidi, community activist and co-founder of the Ma’at Institute for Community Change, they are determined that instead of continuing to make and break promises the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is going to step up to the plate and partner with the struggling inner city campuses.

Oct 4 2012

Supervisors to explore inspector general idea

In response to a report by the Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence issued a week ago, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved a motion by Mark Ridley-Thomas directing county c counsel and the chief executive officer (CEO) to assess the viability of establishing an office of inspector general for the sheriff’s department.

Additionally, the board voted to have the county legal department look into the legal ramifications of all the recommendations made by the commission.

Oct 4 2012

Bike riders set to enjoy a day of pedaling and fun

Southern California is famous as the land of the automobile. In fact, the car is so tightly woven into our daily culture that when something happens to disrupt the flow of traffic—Carmegeddon I and II—it takes top billing on news stations and warrants live television coverage throughout.

Now that Carmegeddon II is a memory for most people, there is one more car-less day upcoming.

Sep 27 2012

Rev. Jackson still securing prisoners’ release

Civil Rights icon the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. once again used his diplomatic skills to secure the release of American citizens held captive by foreign governments or entities. This time Jackson successfully talked face to face with the president of The Gambia, Alhaji Yahya Jammeh, Ph.D., and was able to convince the head of state to release men who were serving long sentences for treason.

They traveled by plane to New York with Jackson on Wednesday, Sept. 19.

Sep 20 2012

Budget shortfalls loom large

Darin Brawley has been appointed the new Superintendent of Compton Unified School District at a very tough time.

He replaces interim superintendent Carmella Franco, and is the fifth person to hold the position in the last 10 years.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.

California
San Diego college students and volunteers will carry out their sixth home restoration project on Wednesday, July 10 through Sunday, July 14. as part of the “Healing our Heroes’ Homes” (H3) program created by the nonprofit Embrace. The five-day effort will take place at the home of medically retired Marine Corps Capt. Sarah Bettencourt. Bettencourt served with many different units across the country during the Global War on Terrorism and developed a rare neurological disorder in 2008. With a focus to restore the homes of disabled veteran homeowners, H3 falls in line with Embrace’s mission to mobilize college-student volunteers and community members to serve less fortunate members of civilian and veteran communities. The project for the Bettencourts’ home includes kitchen and bathroom remodeling, building ADA-compliant disability ramps, widening their driveway to ADA standards, widening doorways and landscaping.
 
District of Columbia
The 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival will showcase its five-year community research project on African American identity with the program “The Will to Adorn: African American Diversity, Style, and Identity.” This multicity collaboration examines the history and culture of the aesthetics of African Americans. The festival will be held June 26-30 and July 3-7, outdoors on the National Mall between Seventh and 14th streets. “Whether we realize it or not, we are all dress artists. The way we compose our look is a creative expression of our ideas about who we are and who we aspire to be,” said Diana N’Diaye, program curator. “This program explores the diversity of African American traditions of style, but also teaches young people the importance of documenting their own culture and saving that information for themselves and future generations.”