Our Voice

Nii-Quartelai Quartey  |   OW Guest Columnist
Nov 24 2011

Initiative to move city money gains new life

Angelenos have had enough.

After receiving billions in taxpayer bailouts—money that was intended to free up capital and get banks lending again—the large corporate banks sat on their hands and their wallets.

Joshua Dumas  |   OW Contributor
Oct 26 2011

We can control our destiny and turn negatives in positives

When I was in high school, an old man told me, “The way out of trouble is never as easy as the way in.”

Oct 12 2011

A prophet of the streets

 My kids don’t believe that Tupac Shakur wasn’t always a thug.

They’ve been blindsided by his immortalization on T-shirts, documentaries, handbags and compilations. They see a one-sided Tupac, which mass commercialism has fed them over the past 15 years, but for many of us, we know there was a multifaceted genius beneath the tattoos and head rags.

In many ways, I grew up a child of Tupac.

Cynthia E. Griffin  |   OW Managing Editor
Sep 21 2011

Now, females seem to enjoy exposing their bras

This is ridiculous. Can it be said any louder? I do not want to see people’s underwear! Especially while they are wearing them.

Yes, I’m talking about young males and their sagging pants. The practice is rude, disrespectful and downright disgusting for me and others who are forcibly subjected to this sight in public. It should be labeled as indecent exposure if it’s not already, and perpetrators should be ticketed.

Sep 7 2011

Standing Alone

I can see the flower, upon which my life grows,
Blooming into a rose.
See the hope and courage in the strength of the petals.
As long as I am, I will be.
The flower will never wilt or die.
As my life grows back, I shall become strong.
I shall become only dependent on one.
That one will be me.
I will rise with my petals high.
My life as a flower will bloom and prosper as I grow.
I may not be the pick of the patch,
but I am just as beautiful as the rest.
I will stand as one, but not a lonely soul.

Across Black America

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

Arkansas
Walmart Stores Inc. recently announced the promotion of Rosalind G. Brewer, 49, to president and CEO of Sam’s Club. She will replace current Sam’s Club President and CEO Brian Cornell, who informed the company that he would move back to the Northeast for family reasons. Brewer was most recently president of the Walmart U.S. east business unit, where she was responsible for more than $100 billion in annual revenue, representing almost 1,600 stores and more than 500,000 associates. Brewer was also the first chairperson of the Walmart President’s Council of Global Women Leaders. “Roz came to us with an outstanding background in consumer packaged goods more than five years ago,” said Mike Duke, Walmart president and CEO. “During that time I have seen her develop into a talented merchant and retailer. She has strong strategic, analytical and operational skills and has successfully managed a large and complex business. I’ve also been struck by Roz’s servant leadership when I have visited stores with her. She always lets her team do the talking, with her focus being on how to better support their needs.”
 

California
Essence magazine recently announced the fifth annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon honoring the industry’s most exciting African American talent, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes in Hollywood. The event will take place on Feb. 23 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Essence will celebrate five extraordinary women who have left an indelible impression with their work within the film and television industries: Kerry Washington (Vanguard Award), Octavia Spencer (Breakthrough Performance), Pam Grier (Legend Award), Paula Patton (Shining Star Award) and Shonda Rhimes (Visionary Award). This star-studded event commemorates Essence magazine’s annual Hollywood issue and in honor of the fifth anniversary, Essence.com is giving fans exclusive access to all the red-carpet interviews via live stream from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and re-airing that evening at 9 p.m. EST.