Lumberton gets first African-American female mayor

SOURCE: WLBT

The new mayor of Lumberton says her administration will be transparent and more accountable to the citizens of that Lamar County town.

Mayor Miriam Holder was sworn-in to office Friday night by Circuit Judge Prentiss Harrell.

Holder defeated Mayor Larry Strahan and challenger Albert Young in last month’s election.

Holder is the first African-American woman to hold the top job in Lumberton. She says residents will see a positive change in city government.

“They can expect Lumberton to definitely move forward. We are going to complete projects that we have not completed and we are going to bring in everything that we can that will benefit the citizens of Lumberton,” Mayor Holder said.

Four new aldermen and one incumbent alderman were also sworn-in Friday night. Their first board meeting will be next Tuesday.

New group aims to help black youth

by Jim Gaines, Bowling Green Daily News

Nick Brown, 10, and Denzel White, 11, sat side by side Friday evening watching the Bowling Green Hot Rods play the Asheville (N.C.) Tourists. They were glad to be at the game, amid a crowd of their friends from the Housing Authority of Bowling Green’s Learning Center, but neither was quite sure why they were all out for a free evening of fun.

The answers sat behind and among them in section 117: more than 30 African American men, mostly in red shirts – a new group called Black Men United.

“I guess they just wanted to do something nice for us,” Brown said.

Strong women leaders

By JAMES CRAVEN, The Herald

In a world and time of instant gratification and “me-generation” politics, four local women of color have bucked the odds to become leaders, role models and examples of what can be done if one has the desire and the will.

The women, Shirley Black, Paulette Fox, Elizabeth Nkonoki-Ward and Doris Kurtz come from disparate backgrounds and have diverse political viewpoints. Their educational backgrounds cross the spectrum from some college to a doctorate in education and their politics range from right-of -center Republican to Democratic liberalism.

‘Sistas’ spread message about HIV/AIDS awareness

By Eloísa Ruano González, Orlando Sentinel

The “sistas” brought out pompons, sang and danced Saturday to celebrate their one year together. The focus of their festivities might have been taboo and grim for outsiders. After all, they were talking about HIV and AIDS.

But for the Sistas Organizing to Survive — SOS — the rally was a chance to break down myths and educate black women about the realities of HIV and AIDS in their community. More than 50 women who attended the event at the Plaza Theatre in Orlando were urged to get tested and help prevent spread of the disease, which has been a leading cause of death for black women ages 25 to 44 in the state for the past 15 years.

Men commit to teaching boys how to become good people

by Erin Andersen, Journal Star

When Derrick Anderson decided to become a doctor, few believed he could do it. Not because of his grades. But because he is black. Nationally, only 50 percent of African Americans graduate from high school. Of those, half will go to college, but only 40 percent of those will graduate with a degree after six years.

So for Anderson, 40, to become a medical doctor … his professors and LaVista high school guidance counselors were skeptical.

But not his parents.

They raised Derrick and his siblings to chase their dreams and believe that with work, commitment and determination, they could accomplish anything they set their minds to.

She finally has a home: Harvard

by Esmerelda Burmudez, Los Angeles Times

Khadijah Williams stepped into chemistry class and instantly tuned out the commotion.

She walked past students laughing, gossiping, napping and combing one another’s hair. Past a cellphone blaring rap songs. And past a substitute teacher sitting in a near-daze.

Quietly, the 18-year-old settled into an empty table, flipped open her physics book and focused. Nothing mattered now except homework.

“No wonder you’re going to Harvard,” a girl teased her.

Around here, Khadijah is known as “Harvard girl,” the “smart girl” and the girl with the contagious smile who landed at Jefferson High School only 18 months ago.

Black Women Elected Officials and Leaders to Convene in Chicago

SOURCE: Urban Mecca

Over 250 Black women state representatives, senators, judges, commissioners, councilwomen, presidents and executives of organizations and corporations from across the country are expected to take Chicago by storm June 18-21, 2009 as they attend the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL/Women) 24^th Annual Legislative Conference: Portraits of Leadership…United in a Time of Change. This year’s conference co-hosted by the Women of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus will be held at the Sofitel Water Tower located in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast.

The Conference officially kicks off on Friday, June 19^th with a key note address from former Ambassador and US Senator Carol Moseley Braun. As a former state legislator in Illinois and the first African American women to serve in the US Senate her portrait of leadership serves as an inspiration to all women. Her presence and passion will ignite a discussion on women in leadership and propel NOBEL/Women’s national initiative “Leadership 2012” a movement to join with national organizations to change the face of leadership in statehouses and the US Congress by increasing the overall representation of Black women in elected office and electing the 2^nd Black female to the US Senate.

Additional highlights of the conference include the taping of “NOBEL/Women Live” a talk-show format discussion of the issues facing Black America, Launching of the NOBEL.Women Technology Initiative, unveiling of the NOBEL/Women and Campaign & Elections Internship, Leadership Institute Class of 2009 graduation and the announcement of the NOBEL/Women’s highest honor for excellence and exceptional leadership… the Shining Star Award.

A who’s who of political leaders and experts from diverse organizations will engage in roles from welcoming to leading the exceptional dialogue of key workshops covering such topics as Finance & Economics, Education, Law & Justice, Health, Technology, Governing, Entrepreneurship and Leadership.

Big Brothers Big Sisters joining with fraternities

SOURCE: Associated Press

Three of the country’s largest black fraternities are joining forces with Big Brothers Big Sisters to help woo black men into the mentoring program. Big Brothers Big Sisters President and CEO Judy Vredenburgh says the nonprofit has struggled to attract minorities to pair with a growing list of black youths from mostly single-parent homes who are signing up in droves. The fraternities will urge their 250,000 active members to become mentors, as well as hold recruitment drives for Big Brothers Big Sisters at everything from to college campuses to barbershops. Spokeswoman Kelly Williams says Big Brothers Big Sisters has a list of about 8,500 black boys who are waiting for mentors, which represents 40 percent of the boys waiting to be matched.

On the Net: * Big Brothers Big Sisters: http://www.bbbs.org/

Governor’s School grad wins starring role in stage musical

by Ann Hicks, Greenville Online

It took a yearlong global search to find the new Deloris Van Cartier to fill the role made famous by comedienne Whoopi Goldberg in her 1992 blockbuster movie, “Sister Act.”

 Now, reincarnated as a new musical and co-produced by Goldberg, “Sister Act” is bound for glory with score by eight-time Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken and helmed by acclaimed director, Peter Schneider. “Sister Act, the Musical” opens June 2 at one of England’s best known West End venues, the London Palladium. 

 To no one’s surprise at the S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, that global search ended when Goldberg chose Patina Miller, the 24-year-old performer whose acting and vocal talents were incubated and nurtured at the Greenville-based institution. 

Naval Warriors for Diversity at the Top

by Courtland Milloy, Washington Post

It seems appropriate on this Memorial Day to burnish two new red-letter dates in U.S. Naval history:

May 16: The USS Gravely is christened at the Northrop Grumman shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. The state-of-the-art guided missile destroyer is named for Samuel L. Gravely Jr. of Richmond, who became the Navy’s first black admiral in 1971. It is the 10th ship named for an African American.

May 22: The nation’s first black commander in chief delivers his first military commencement address at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. Of the 1,036 graduates in the Class of 2009, 89 are Hispanic, 68 Asian American, 45 African American and 21 Native American. There are 203 women.

African-American romance writers come into their own

by Patrick Hueguen, NY Daily News

Another beach-read season is upon us, but this summer’s book list reflects changes in the publishing industry. Over the past year, new efforts have been made to identify and promote the most popular – and steamiest – page-turners by African-American authors.

Until recently, mass-market books with romantic or sexual content by black writers have been lumped together under the label “African-American romance.” A look at the titles under that heading on Amazon.com reveals everything from suspense to erotica to family drama.

But as works under the “black romance” umbrella gain popularity, the book world has become more interested in collecting accurate sales data by subgenre, and promoting the works and writers that can bring in the bucks.

Tuskegee Airmen Embrace Their Past

By Anne Barnard, New York Times

When Julius Freeman, 82, parks one of his vintage cars at an automobile show, he turns it into a kind of personal mobile museum, laying out his favorite memorabilia on the hood. In the center, he lines up the traces of his career as a Tuskegee airman: medals; citations; a three-foot-long photograph of his comrades, rows of black faces under military caps.

It was not always this way. Until two years ago, Mr. Freeman’s experience in the country’s first black aviation combat unit — whose successes in World War II helped pave the way for the desegregation of the military — was a part of his life that he thought had been packed away forever.

Jaguars’ Nelson hosts breast cancer awareness event

by Josh Salman, Florida Times Union

Reggie Nelson’s mother never got to see him play in a Jaguars uniform. She never saw his national championship game at the University of Florida.

Now every time Nelson makes a game-changing tackle, forces a fumble or comes up with an interception, he looks up to his mother knowing she’s the foremost reason he accomplished what he has today.

Mary Lakes died of breast cancer in 2006 at age 47.

African-American Female Comics to Host New TV Shows

SOURCE: Stage Time Magazine

Despite the cancellation of television shows such as Chocolate News (Comedy Central) and D.L. Hughley Breaks the News (CNN), three African-American female comedians are set to host their own shows on major broadcast and cable networks during the 2009-10 television season.

FOX announced today that comedian Wanda Sykes will host the Saturday late-night series, The Wanda Sykes Show (working title). The one-hour show will feature biting commentary on topical issues and heated panel discussions with recurring personalities. The series’ unique format will highlight Sykes’ outspoken comedic perspective on current events and will also allow her to leave the studio to shoot segments in the field.

Earlier this month, ABC announced that Aisha Tyler will host a “hybrid” daytime talk show TV pilot that includes political commentary, comedy segments and Internet interaction with fans via Facebook and Twitter. According to ABC sources, the pilot is being developed for syndication.

We previously reported that Mo’Nique will host the nightly talk/variety series, The Mo’Nique Show, scheduled to premiere late 2009 on BET.

In addition, The View co-host Sherri Shepherd will star in the Lifetime Television comedy pilot, Sherri, loosely based on her personal family experiences.BC

Dallas Black Dance Theatre to salute its longtime venue

By Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News

As she gives an informal tour of Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s new Arts District headquarters, founder Ann M. Williams points out the geometric designs on the floor. The shapes echo dance movements, which she felt would benefit her company members as they walked around the building.

That kind of attention to detail has kept the troupe going for 32 years, the city’s oldest continuously operating professional dance company. Last year, after renovations were completed on the old Moorland YMCA, the company moved in a few blocks from where it will begin performing this fall, the new Wyly Theatre at the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts.

Profile: Dr. Raynard S. Kington

Raynard S. Kington, M.D., Ph.D. was named Acting NIH Director of the National Institutes of Health on October 31, 2008, following the departure of Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D. Since February 9, 2003, when Dr. Kington was appointed Deputy Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), he shared in the overall leadership, policy direction, and coordination of NIH biomedical research and research training programs of NIH’s 27 Institutes and Centers with a budget of almost $29 billion and 18,000 employees.

Prior to this appointment, he had been Associate Director of NIH for Behavioral and Social Sciences Research since September, 2000. In addition to this role, from January, 2002 to November, 2002, he served as Acting Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Prior to coming to NIH, Dr. Kington was Director of the Division of Health Examination Statistics at the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As Division Director, he also served as Director of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), one of the nation’s largest studies to assess the health of the American people. Prior to coming to NCHS, he was a Senior Scientist in the Health Program at the RAND Corporation. While at RAND, Dr. Kington was a Co-Director of the Drew/RAND Center on Health and Aging, a National Institute on Aging Exploratory Minority Aging Center.

Young Becomes Philadelphia MS First Black Mayor

by Jim Prince and Debbie Myers, The Neshoba Democrat

James A. Young defeated incumbent Mayor Rayburn Waddell, 1,021-975, certified results from Tuesday’s Democrat primary runoff election show.

Forty-four affidavit ballots were examined by the Democrat Executive Committee Wednesday starting at about 5 p.m., and only 15 were accepted.

Young, a former four-term county supervisor, Pentecostal minister and paramedic who led the county ambulance service for nearly two decades, unseated Waddell to become Philadelphia’s first African-American mayor Tuesday with 51.15 percent of the vote.

Cullen Jones: Saving lives one stroke at a time

By Jerome Solomon, Houston Chronicle

His strokes appear effortless. Smooth. Strong. Athletic.

You would think he was born to swim. That is hardly the case.

Cullen Jones is a world-class athlete, thanks to thousands of hours of hard work in the swimming pool. Years ago, however, the Olympic gold medalist nearly became a sad statistic because he was in the water and didn’t know how to swim.

Jones was 5 when he went cascading down a slide at a water park, clinging for dear life to an inner tube. The next thing he knew, he was asking his parents which ride he could go on next.

F-M’s first African-American school board member believes in engaging residents

by Elizabeth Doran, The Post Standard

Marissa Mims knew she was the underdog in the race for a seat on the Fayetteville-Manlius Board of Education, and that made her even more determined to win.

“I knew I was the odd one out,” she said. “I don’t fit your typical mold of anything. It’s been that way ever since I was 8 years old and became a black Republican when my parents were both Democrats.”

Ursula Burns to head Xerox, will be first black woman to be CEO of Fortune 500 company

By Heidi  Evans , NY Daily News

The new head of Xerox Corp. is a native New Yorker who grew up in a lower East Side housing project.

Xerox will be the first Fortune 500 company headed by a black woman when Ursula Burns, 50, takes the reigns this summer.

Bolden Is Tapped to Run NASA

 By Andy Pasztor and T.W. Farnam, Wall Street Journal

President Barack Obama picked former astronaut and retired Marine Corps Gen. Charles Bolden Jr. to head the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, but controversy over his background and NASA’s future direction could complicate his job.

Gen. Bolden’s nomination caps months of political maneuvering, which has left some major agency decisions in limbo. It also has become a flash point for a broad debate over how NASA should conduct future human space-exploration programs.

Honors at last for black veterans

By JAMES MERRIWEATHER • The News Journal

Hans Reigle is a Civil War history buff with a particular interest in cemeteries.

His research has taken him as far as Georgia’s Andersonville National Cemetery, burial site for 13,000 Union soldiers who were among 45,000 imprisoned at Fort Sumter during the Civil War.

But it was a discovery he made just a few stone’s throws from his Wyoming home that has been most gratifying.

About 18 months ago, Reigle’s children had just finished playing soccer at Fred Fifer Middle School in Camden. The fields there back up to Zion AME Church, which was started in 1845 by a group of free blacks. Reigle decided to take a look at the cemetery, established three years after the church was founded.

Michelle Obama tells California graduates to remember who helped them

by William Douglas and Danielle Gaines, McClatchy Newspapers

“First” was the operative word Saturday as Michelle Obama delivered her first commencement address as the nation’s first African-American first lady to the first full graduating class of the fledgling University of California at Merced.

She spoke of the obligations of being first, noting that many of the 500 graduates – just like her – were probably the first in their families to earn a college degree.

“As you know, being the first is often a big responsibility, particularly in a community that, like many others around our country at the moment, is struggling to cope with record high unemployment and foreclosure rates; a community where families are a single paycheck or an emergency room visit from homelessness,” she said. “And with jobs scarce, many of you may be considering leaving town with your diploma in hand, and it wouldn’t be unreasonable.”

African-American director takes Harlem to Cannes

SOURCE: Google

African-American director Lee Daniels, whose tale of the struggles of a black Harlem girl got a triumphant welcome at Cannes, said he was thrilled to see his films could “touch the world”.

Set in the 1980s, Daniels’ hard-hitting film is about how an obese, barely literate teenager, pregnant with her second child and numbed by a lifetime of physical and emotional abuse, musters the strength to escape her dead-end life.

“I would say this is a story of triumph. It’s a movie of overcoming obstacles under the most severe adversity,” Daniels told AFP in an interview the day after a red-carpet screening that earned him a standing ovation.

First African American Admiral honored at christening

By Sylvia Hall, WLOX ABC 13

Breaking a bottle over a new ship is a simple tradition, but in this instance, it has extraordinary significance for the U.S. Navy.

The U.S.S. Gravely will soon be the most technologically advanced warship on the seas.  Northrop Grumman shipbuilders have spent years creating the vessel, and now, it bears the name of the first African American to ever be called Admiral.  His name was Samuel L. Gravely.

“She’s beautiful,” said Gravely’s widow Alma, while looking up at the majestic destroyer.  “She’s just beautiful. My husband would love her.”