Black Communities

Karen Bass  |   OW Guest Columnist
Jan 10 2013

Uninterrupted Scholars Act

Even under the best circumstances African American students often have challenges resulting in lower graduation rates and test scores than their White counterparts. When you factor in a child in the foster care system, in particular an African American child, the statistics become even worse.

Jan 3 2013

Sequestration is the major concern

With both the House and Senate having passed legislation—American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (H.R. 8)—that will keep the American economy from plunging over the so-called fiscal cliff, and President Barack Obama poised to sign the bill any day, there are still lingering concerns that must be addressed. This is particularly true about the remaining sequestration (automatic cut) requirements.

Jan 3 2013

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


California
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) welcomed Carla Peterman as Commissioner following her appointment by Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. Peterman comes to the CPUC from her role as a commissioner at the California Energy Commission, to which she was appointed by Brown in 2011. Peterman has conducted research at the University of California Energy Institute and also served on the board of directors for the Utility Reform Network from 2008 to 2011. Peterman will complete her doctoral studies this year in energy and resources at the University of California, Berkeley. She earned a master of science degree in environmental change and management and a master of business administration degree from Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes Scholar.
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The California African American Museum (CAAM) hosted a Day of Learning II, a curated tour of Exposition Park venues for more than 1,100 children. From select Boys and Girls Clubs in Los Angeles and Orange County, as well as various schools and organizations from L.A. City Council Districts 8 and 9, the children toured CAAM, the California Science Center, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Welcomed by the sounds of the Children’s International Choir of Long Beach, the children started the morning off with learning about civilian space travel from Will Pomerantz, vice president, special projects, Virgin Galactica. Also there to greet the children were Charmaine Jefferson, CAAM executive director; Elex Michaelson, KABC7 reporter and host for the opening ceremonies; Councilwoman Jan Perry, who presented several commendations from her office and the office of Councilman Bernard Parks; State Senator Curren Price; Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and sponsors. Representatives from the Los Angeles city and county firefighters were present and accepted awards for their contributions to the “Spark of Love” campaign.

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

Gail Choice  |   OW Contributor
Jan 3 2013

Hollywood by Choice

There is an uproar brewing because of use of the n-word in Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained,” reportedly 110 times. “Django Unchained” is a movie about slavery in America and a freed slave named Django (Jamie Foxx) going after and saving the love of his life, his wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington).

Juliana D. Norwood  |   OW Staff Writer
Dec 20 2012

Sports nonprofit teaches new school kids old values

The Falcons Youth and Family Service organization (FYFS) is a natural progression of the Southern California Falcons Youth Football and Cheer Program. In the spring of 2005 Keith and Karen Johnson formed the Southern California Falcons a youth football and cheer organization. The goal of the program was to use sports as a vehicle to introduce and reinforce the concept of strong character, positive values, personal responsibility, social responsibility and academic excellence.

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.”