-
Simone Biles and Mr. T Will Join Next Dancing With the Stars Cast
The latest cast of characters for ABC’s Dancing With the Stars will include an Olympic gold medalist and a man known for wearing lots of gold. Gymnast Simone Biles and actor Mr. T are slated to perform on the 24th season of the dance competition, though ABC has not officially confirmed. Biles, who dazzled as…
-
5-Year-Old Dresses Up as Iconic Black Women for Each Day of Black History Month
A kindergartner from Washington state has the privilege of becoming 28 pioneering and accomplished black women for every day of Black History Month. Each day in February, Cristi Smith-Jones of Kent, Wash., puts a photo on Twitter to show off 5-year-old daughter Lola. The precocious girl pie has already transformed into Rosa Parks, Mae Jemison,…
-
Chicago Pol Introduces ‘Laquan McDonald Camera Act’
Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) introduced a bill in Congress this week that would restrict federal funding to agencies that fail to enforce police body camera and dashcam policies. The bill is named for 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, whose 2014 killing by a Chicago police officer stunned the country and toppled Chicago’s district attorney and top police…
-
Retrial of Disgraced Los Angeles Sheriff Alleges Conspiracy to Cover Up Abuse
Ex-Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca is being retried on charges that he conspired to prevent the FBI from investigating abusive deputies in his jails, among other charges. Baca’s first trial late last year ended in a mistrial when jurors voted 11-1 for the ex-sheriff’s acquittal. The Los Angeles Times reports that prosecutors are emphasizing…
-
Over 5.5 Million South Sudanese at Risk for Starvation: Report
More than 5 million South Sudanese men, women and children are at risk for starvation, according to reports from the country itself and the United Nations. The South Sudanese government has declared famine in two counties of the country, according to an announcement by the South Sudan government and three U.N. agencies. The catastrophe is…
-
Jefferson’s Monticello Makes Room for Sally Hemings
As the country slowly, surely comes to grips with its slaveholding past, one of its most iconic buildings is set to do the same. Monticello, the estate where President Thomas Jefferson lived (immortalized on the back of our nickel), will now give the enslaved young woman and alleged “mistress” of Jefferson “a room of her…
-
Trump’s Exorbitant Travel Costs Will Far Surpass Obama’s
President Donald Trump had a lot to say about President Barack Obama’s vacations and his costs to American taxpayers. Yet a new report confirms that Trump’s travel costs—made more exorbitant because of his refusal to stay in the White House on weekends—is on track to far surpass those of Obama. The Washington Post estimates that…
-
Where Will Your ‘Not My Presidents Day’ Rally Be Held Today?
The protests against President Donald Trump show no signs of slowing. In fact, even on this day off for most, anti-Trump activists are using the federal holiday to participate in actions that give outlet to their frustration with the executive branch. Regular folks-turned-protest leaders around the country have organized marches in cities such as Los…
-
Michelle Obama Is Back for the Kids
After a much-needed respite from the public eye, former first lady Michelle Obama will soon be back in our lives. According to the Washington Times, Obama will appear as a guest judge on the fifth season of MasterChef Junior in late February. She will join chefs Gordon Ramsay and Christina Tosi to judge children between…
-
Tidal Releases Visual Protest EP, 17, to Honor Trayvon Martin, Others Felled by Racial Violence
Jay Z’s music-streaming service Tidal has partnered with social justice organization Sankofa.org to exclusively premiere 17, a 17-minute visual EP inspired by the men, women and children who have fallen victim to racial and police violence, including Trayvon Martin, who died at the age of 17 nearly five years ago. The EP, which debuted Friday,…
