Wilkerson: When the migration began in 1915, 90 percent of all African Americans were living in the South. By the end of the Great Migration in 1970, 47 percent — nearly half — were living outside the South. Captions by Joel Dreyfuss Wilkerson: The migration began because Northern industry needed labor during World War I.…

Allen West, a Florida Republican newly elected to the House of Representatives, is a vet of the Iraq War who believes wholeheartedly in the campaign in which he fought. Captions by Lauren Williams Charlie Rangel, a decorated Korean War veteran, has long proposed bringing back the draft, saying in 2006 that President George W. Bush…

Oh, thank you for calling it fabulous! Since you threw in that compliment, it’s now totally fine to call what appears to be a natural head of curly hair “ghetto.” To the Kohl’s costume buyer who chose this one: Your “Ignorant Awesome” costume is on its way. (To the retailer’s credit, it has now pulled the wig…

Iba N’Diaye (1928-2008), Le Poet. N’Diaye was a French-Senegalese artist who worked mostly in Paris. Opposed to the primitivist art movement that newly independent African nations favored, he became one of the pioneers of contemporary African art.  For more on his work, go here. Captions by Joel Dreyfuss Diagne Chanel, La Fin d’un Primitif, 1997. Chanel, who was born in…

Now in her third season, thanks to a loving nudge from Andre Leon Talley, Laura Smalls shines with beautiful clothing for elegant women. One of her little white dresses (a trend for spring season) includes a fit-and-flare bodice and a delicate hood. Captions by Harriette Cole Evening wear is a Laura Smalls specialty. This bronze…

When Obama stepped into office on Jan. 20, 2009, it had to be one of the most exciting moments of his life. And undoubtedly the most daunting. America was on the verge of economic collapse, involved in two wars and in the middle of a host of other urgent issues. Ninety-nine problems in his lap…

Although her former boss, Anne Mulcahy, has been mentioned as a candidate, Burns should be considered for the position of chief economic adviser on her own record. Raised in New York by a single mother, Burns earned two degrees in engineering, then spent her entire career at Xerox. She played a key role in Mulcahy’s…

Clyburn is often described as the most respected member of the Congressional Black Caucus. He is arguably the most powerful as well in his capacity as the House majority whip. Payne is the chair of the Annual Legislative Conference, which means he is largely responsible for orchestrating what everyone else knows as Black Caucus Weekend.…

Launched in 1989 by Time Inc. and later purchased by BET, Emerge earned widespread respect for capturing black life and culture. The articles, which spanned the globe and won awards like Amnesty International USA’s Media Spotlight Award, never ran away from controversial topics. BET turned over publishing control to Vanguarde Media in 2000, and the…