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Fashion's Persistent Color Problem
Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond explains in a piece for Ebony why models and designers of color continue to struggle even though black personalities top fashion’s “it” list. Michelle Obama is arguably the most important fashion star of the moment. When she wears a designer brand, the endorsement is literally heard around the world with everyone from fashion…
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How Do I Find Famous Haitian Ancestor?
(The Root) – I am fascinated by the history of Haiti, which was the first black-led republic in modern history. That legacy was covered in my PBS documentary series Black in Latin America. I’ve also enjoyed reading about it in two excellent books — Haiti: The Aftershocks of History, by Laurent Dubois, and The Slaves…
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Obama Official on Black HIV Battle
(Special to The Root) — On Thursday, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, I had the pleasure of meeting with leaders who are doing outstanding work to prevent new HIV infections and improve health outcomes for African Americans. We shared stories and discussed the importance of engaging everyone in these efforts, including faith leaders, educators, athletes,…
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These African Americans Made a Difference, and the White House Noticed
(The Root) — The Presidential Citizens Medal is the nation’s second-highest civilian honor. In other words, it’s a really big deal. This year, three African Americans made the list of recipients, thanks to the serious and selfless work they do for their communities — from promoting childhood health to mentoring women and girls to helping…
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Jesse Jackson Jr. Signs Plea Deal
Jesse Jackson Jr., who resigned from Congress three months ago after being accused of using campaign contributions for personal use, has now signed a plea deal with federal authorities, NBC News reports. Under the terms of the deal Jackson signed, he pleads guilty and his fate — as to jail time — would be in…
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15-Year-Old and Disabled Mom: We'd Never Change Anything
Friday on NPR’s StoryCorps, an interview series that aims to “provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share and preserve the stories of our lives,” there’s the story of a mother and daughter’s relationship so touching that even the seasoned host of the program became choked up after hearing it. …
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Jazz Legend Lost: Donald Byrd Dead at 80
Legendary jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd, known as a “pioneer of the trumpet” and an “avid, eternal student of music,” died earlier this week at the age of 80, a family member has confirmed, the Huffington Post reports. It’s still unclear why his nephew alleges that other family members placed an “unnecessary shroud of secrecy” over…
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Trayvon Martin: The Latest, Week 49
Friday, Feb. 8, 8:27 a.m. EST: No apology from firefighter for “pathetic, welfare-dependent” comments: Brian Beckman, a Miami fire official demoted for racially charged comments in the wake of the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, is arguing his case in arbitration and testified this week, “I agree with the entire statement in the context that…
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The Brown Case for Comic Books: A Goddess Named Storm
Writing at the Huffington Post, Clarence Haynes says that while he didn’t give it much thought as a child, the powerful character reflected the possibilities of the women of color he grew up with and those he would go on to know as friends and professionals. … I also had no idea as a kid…
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What I Did When My Child Heard the N-Word
Ebony‘s Shawn Taylor explains how he adjusted the “race talk” with his daughter after she heard someone hurl a racist slur at him. At nearly 5, our daughter is culturally anchored. She’s eaten the food, heard and sang the songs, been with family, traveled, and has been exposed to the languages. She has never been,…
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
