Ella Fitzgerald

Feb 14 2013

Stands 26 feet high by 88 feet in length

The sun had faded the larger-than-life images on the south-facing wall outside the Capitol Records building in Hollywood, and the famous music company wanted it restored. Artist Richard Wyatt was asked to re-do the mural he first painted in 1990. Rather than repaint the images, only to see them fade again years later, Wyatt re-did the images in tile. The artwork, now much more permanent, was recently unveiled.

Apr 19 2012

One of the oldest African American venues

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Howard Theatre, the historic arts landmark that launched the careers of Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye and The Supremes, re-opened after a $29-million renovation and a 32-year hiatus. The Howard Theatre came back to life with an opening lineup that included Wale, Wanda Sykes, The Roots, Robert Randolph, Taj Mahal, Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def), Meshell Ndegeocello, Bad Brains, Chuck Brown, Chuck Berry, Esperanza Spalding and a weekly Sunday Brunch featuring the Harlem Gospel Choir. The full schedule is available at www.thehowardtheatre.com. 

Apr 21 2011

First lady of song

On April 25, 1917, the world received a young singer who would become known as the first lady of song—Ella Fitzgerald. She was born to a couple in Newport News, Va., who parted ways shortly after her birth. Ella was considered a tomboy in her early years in New York, where she and her mother moved, but she made friends easily and was often seen playing with the local boys in neighborhood games like baseball.

To help with finances at home, she took up odd jobs and worked as a runner for gamblers, picking up and dropping off money for bets.

Juliana D. Norwood  |   OW Staff Writer
Mar 24 2011

The immeasurable contribution of our mothers

We have all heard the saying “Behind every great man there is a great woman.” I believe that the saying is more than true, but I think that we should all take a moment to show appreciation for the great women who stand behind great men, and the great women who stand alone.

So often, women allow themselves to be marginalized, to have their accomplishments compared to those of their male counterparts rather than to just be taken at their own value.

C. Alexander Haywood   |   OW Staff Writer
Dec 16 2010

The life of a Jazz legend

Jazz enthusiasts and musicians throughout the world are mourning the recent passing of one of its greatest, most innovative legends, James Moody, 85, who died in his San Diego home after an extensive battle with pancreatic cancer.

Moody’s clever command of the saxophone and the flute, launched his career and propelled him to the heights of individual achievement and peer respect.

Across Black America

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

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.