Singer

Stanley O. Williford  |   OW Editor
Jan 20 2012

Gifted singer troubled by her past, men and drugs

Etta James, the big-voiced singer with the rowdy persona, has died after a long battle with leukemia. She was 73.

With her dyed blond hair piled high, eyes cat-shaped by mascara and big hoop earrings, she cultivated a whorish look and a loud, blustery attitude that made her seem tough, but by her own admission she was mushy inside and often confused and fearful.

Dec 15 2011

Singer, 72, performed with Ike & Tina Turner

Singer Earl Hines, 72, a resident at the Lotus Care Center in L.A.’s Crenshaw District, will be leading the Pay It Forward Volunteer Band (a group that performs exclusively for nursing homes all over LosAngeles) when they perform their Nostalgic Christmas Show at the facility on today at 5 p.m.

Stanley O. Williford  |   OW Editor
Jul 21 2011

Welcoming the oldest civil rights organization

It may have been fate that brought the Somerville Hotel into existence just in time to house attendees to the first West Coast convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 1928. The hotel was completed in June of that year. The 19th annual convention was held that same month.

Jun 15 2011

Possession of cocaine base

VAN NUYS, Calif.—Singer Sly Stone pleaded not guilty today to a drug charge stemming from his April 1 arrest in Los Angeles.

The 67-year-old entertainer is charged with one count of possession of cocaine base.

Stone, whose real name is Sylvester Stewart, was arrested about 4:10 a.m. April 1 by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Topanga divsion. He was released later that day on $10,000 bail.

A July 19 pretrial hearing has been set in Van Nuys Superior Court.

Gail Choice  |   OW Contributor
Jun 2 2011

Hollywood by Choice

A friend recently called and asked me if I thought Beyonce’s skin was getting lighter? I remembered seeing a picture of her a couple of weeks ago, and I was surprised that it was Beyonce but I didn’t dwell on it. I understand that camera lighting plays a major part in how photographed images are presented. But, being curious I went online to see if there was any validity in my friend’s question.
 

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
California
Yvette Hollingsworth was recently named chief compliance officer for Wells Fargo & Co. Hollingsworth, who most recently served as managing director and global head of operations compliance and financial crimes compliance & risk management for Barclays Corporate & Investment Bank, will begin her new role on June 1, 2012. Hollingsworth will be based in San Francisco, and will report to Caryl Athanasiu, executive vice president and chief operational risk officer in the corporate risk group. As chief compliance officer, Hollingsworth will be responsible for ensuring that all areas of the company meet compliance management responsibilities and abide by all applicable laws and regulations. Her team will continue to provide independent oversight of business-based compliance management activities.
District of Columbia
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) issued the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm Los Angeles attorney Paul Watford to serve on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals: “It is great news that the Senate has confirmed Paul Watford, an exceptionally talented attorney, to serve on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has a breadth of experience as a former prosecutor and a top appellate litigator and will make an excellent addition to the federal bench. However, I am very disappointed that more of my Republican colleagues did not join us in backing this highly qualified nominee.” When Watford is sworn in, he will be only the second African American serving on the Ninth Circuit.