Mandela dances on stage as he delivers his victory address in downtown Johannesburg Photo: AP/David Brauchli On May 2, 1994, Nelson Mandela, became the first Black President in South Africa’s history. The man, known as Madiba,went on to be dubbed ‘the Father of a Nation’, during his life of service….
Black physicians combat health care disparities
Washington, D.C. – Members of the National Medical Association (NMA), the nation’s largest organization of African-American physicians, have developed and refined an aggressive action plan to help reduce the health disparities that plague the African-American community and result in an unnecessary loss of life and an annual cost to the…
This day in black history: Muhammad Ali refuses army induction
Photo: EMPICS/Landov On April 28, 1967, as the United States was at war in Vietnam, boxing champion, Muhammad Ali refused to be inducted into the United States armed forces due to his religious beliefs. On June 20, 1967, Ali was convicted of draft evasion, sentenced to five years in prison, fined $10,000…
This day in black history: George B. Vashon becomes 1st Black admitted to NY State Bar
As a scholar, poet and abolitionist, George B. Vashon broke barriers in the 1800s. He was the first African American to graduate from Oberlin College in Ohio. In 1847, Vashon became the first black attorney in the state of New York when he passed the New York State Bar. In…
The day I forgot to pray: the reality of suicide among Black women
My mind is still reeling and my spirit is still moaning; I am devastated by the apparent suicide of beautiful brown girl Karyn Washington, the 22-year old creator of “For Brown Girls Blog.” Imprisoned by her depression and perhaps also by her work in the black blogosphere that encouraged black…
Studies confirm the dehumanization of black children and the ‘preschool-to-prison pipeline’
Photo: Shuttershock Although African-Americans constitute only 13 percent of all Americans, nearly half of all prison inmates in the U.S. are black. This startling statistic has led the United Nations Human Rights Committee to publicly criticize the U.S. for its treatment of African-Americans. A number of recent studies and reports…
‘Black Coffee’ releases to DVD
Back Coffee releases to DVD and Digital Download on April 8th after a theatrical release in select AMC Theatres. The movie stars, Lamman Rucker (Why Did I Get Married?), Darrin Dewitt Henson (Stomp the Yard), Erica Hubbard (Let’s Stay Together), Gabrielle Dennis (The Game) and Christian Keyes (Let’s Stay Together). “If people want to have a great time with loved…
Black economics—the destruction of the black business
Recently, members of the Atlanta Free Speech staff, along with their relatives and friends, experienced poor, and quite frankly, disturbing customer service. The most upsetting truth about these experiences is that they took place at Black establishments, with the exception of one. Unfortunately, it is this type of treatment that…
You hate me, but you made me America—a black woman’s cry
Recently in the news, we heard about Shanesha Taylor who is a native of Arizona that was arrested for leaving her children in the car while conducting an interview for a job. She is also homeless. Blogs went on to call her a “no good mother” and a “typical black…
You hate me, but you made me America—a black woman’s cry
Recently in the news, we heard about Shanesha Taylor who is a native of Arizona that was arrested for leaving her children in the car while conducting an interview for a job. She is also homeless. Blogs went on to call her a “no good mother” and a “typical black…