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NABJ Joins the Facebook Journalism Project Scholarship Program
The National Association of Black Journalists is excited and proud to announce its partnership with Facebook on its recently launched The Facebook Journalism Project Scholarship. The scholarship program was created to support the next generation of journalists, and to strengthen the pipeline of diversity in journalism and media.
A Tribe Called Identity...Finding Your Wakanda
AfricanAncestry.com Educates on African Tribes as Part of its 15th Year Celebration in 2018
African Ancestry, Inc. (AfricanAncestry.com), the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for people of African descent, commemorates its 15th year by bringing focus on the importance of African ethnic groups, commonly referred to as Tribes. Along with helping people find out where they’re from in Africa, AfricanAncestry.com is the only DNA service that also pinpoints Tribes as a part of its results package.
Dauphin County Man Accused of Pimping His Wife On Craigslist
A Dauphin County couple is facing prostitution charges after police say the man placed an ad on Craigslist offering sexual intercourse with his wife in exchange for money.
FedEx Hires First African-American Woman Pilot
Tahirah Lamont Brown, a prior FedEx Airbus captain and line check airman, has been hired as the first African-American woman pilot for FedEx.
Houston ISD Middle Placed On Lockdown After Threatening Social Media Posts
Stevenson Middle School was placed on lockdown this morning after a student made threats on social media.
Harris County Public Health Confirms Flu-Related Pediatric Death
Residents Encouraged to Protect Themselves from the Flu
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is confirming a flu-related death of a child in Harris County. This is the first pediatric death in Harris County this flu season (starting October 1, 2017). Due to confidentiality issues and out of respect for the privacy of the family during this difficult time, no further information on the child will be released.
Midtown Houston Hosts “Lounge on the Lawn:” An All Day Celebration at Midtown Park
On Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Midtown Houston will host Lounge on the Lawn in Midtown Park, the first all-day event for residents, Houstonians and visitors to the Bayou City. Lounge on the Lawn will feature diverse cuisine, live entertainment and family-friendly fun on the lush 30,000 square foot lawn. Midtown Park is centrally located at 2811 Travis St., adjacent to the McGowen METRORail Station and easily accessible by bike, foot or vehicle.
Downtown District Hosts Saint Patrick's Day Concert & Lepre-Con Pub Crawl at Market Square Park
Get lucky this Saint Patrick’s Day weekend with a ton of Irish fun at Market Square Park on Saturday, March 17. Following the Houston St. Patrick’s Parade — one of the largest in the U.S. — make your way to Downtown’s Historic Market Square neighborhood where you’re sure to find your fair share of green beer at our official Lepre-Con Pub Crawl.
Columbine Survivor, House Minority Leader Patrick Neville Introduces Legislation Allowing Concealed Carry in Schools
Former Columbine student and current House Minority Leader Patrick Neville, R-Castle Rock, is introducing legislation that would allow law-abiding concealed handgun permit holders the right to carry firearms in K-12 schools. House Bill 1037 will be heard in House State Veteran and Military Affairs this Tuesday, February 20.
Deadline Extended for Public Input on Changes to Chapter 19
City Council Member Dave Martin appreciates the comments received by many District E residents, and is happy to announce that Mayor Sylvester Turner has changed the deadline for public input on changes to City of Houston Chapter 19 to Monday, March 5 at 5:00 p.m. After the proposed changes were presented to Council during a Joint Transportation, Technology, and Infrastructure/Regulation and Neighborhood Affairs Committee Meeting last Monday, February, 12, Council Member Martin provided strong feedback to Mayor Turner, demanding residents be given more time to participate in the process.
Flooding Will Be the Focus of Rice U.’s inaugural Houston-Centered Policy Challenge Feb. 22
Flooding in Meyerland will be the focus of Rice University’s inaugural Houston-Centered Policy (HCP) Challenge, in which teams of students submit policy proposals designed for the real-time challenges faced by Houston communities. Following weeks of workshops and panels with community leaders and Rice professors, these proposals will be judged by a panel of experts Thursday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. in the university's Fondren Library, Kyle Morrow Room, 6100 Main St.
BP to Present ‘Energy Outlook 2018’ at Rice’s Baker Institute March 2
BP will present its "Energy Outlook 2018" at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy March 2.
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Model Ebonee Davis On Why She Embraced Her Natural Hair
Sports Illustrated launched their annual swimsuit edition with a little #BlackGirlMagic!
How an 8-year-old Autistic Boy Inspired #WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe
Black Panther, the biggest, Blackest movie of the year, just dropped this weekend, and it’s been brekaing records and inspiring fans worldwide.
New Beverly Crawford CD in Walmart Stores Everywhere!
Debuting on Billboard this week, Beverly Crawford's brand new CD "THE ESSENTIAL BEVERLY CRAWFORD - VOL. 2" takes us straight to church like only Beverly can with her blazing new remake of her all-time classic - "Jesus Precious King 2.0 (PRAISE BREAK VERSION)".
National Inventors Hall of Fame Seeks Nominations of Black Inventors for Class of 2019
In conjunction with Black History Month, the National Inventors Hall of Fame®, in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), is seeking nominations of African-American inventors for its 2019 Class of Inductees.
Charges Dropped Against Two Black Men Who Say Police Beat Them and Made Them Falsely Confess to a Murder
Corey Batchelor and Kevin Bailey, both 48 years old, have been acquitted of murdering the wife of a retired Chicago police officer. They were claiming that they only falsely confessed because they were beaten by police.
African-American Entrepreneur Launches Innovative Mobile Tax Refund Loan App to Revolutionize the Tax Industry
MKG Enterprises Corp. has launched a futuristic mobile tax refund loan app which will redefine tax industry for better and make tax returns simpler for American taxpayers.
Good news for Americans struggling with income tax returns given the recent changes in the tax laws with the enactment of The PATH ACT. A visionary African-American entrepreneur, Marshawn Govan, has come up with an innovative mobile tax refund loan app that is all set to revolutionize the tax industry and make tax returns simpler for Americans.
New App Helps Unarmed African Americans Easily Facebook Live Their Encounters With Police Officers
The app, Solomon’s Shield, developed by an African American attorney, also enables users to instantly send a quick text to up to 5 friends and relatives with their GPS location, and let’s them know th
Solomon’s Shield, a new app for managing emergency and non-emergency law enforcement encounters has quickly reached over 30,000 downloads. The app, which is essentially in its beta release, has gained traction globally with no marketing. Solomon’s Shield exists to help prevent escalations before, during, and after police and law enforcement interactions. The app is free and encourages people who are likely targeted by police officers to know the full extent of their rights and how to navigate these situations.
Weekend Box Office: 'Black Panther' Bounds to Record-Shattering $218 Million-Plus Opening
The movie scores one of the top openings of all time in North America; overseas, it amasses $169 million for a $387 million global debut.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Statement Regarding Indictment of 13 Russians on Charges of Conspiracy to Defraud the U.S. by Interfering in 2016 Presidential Election with Intent of Harming Hillary
Jackson Lee: “The indictments announced today put the lie to the President’s disingenuous claim that the Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential election was a hoax invented by Democrats. That claim now lies in ruins. The only remaining question outstanding is whether members of the Trump campaign team joined in, or aided and abetted the massive conspiracy documented in the indictments. Congress must investigate this matter immediately and also pass H.R. 3654, legislation that will protect the independence and integrity of Special Counsel Mueller’s Russia investigation.”
The Second Amendment and White Anxiety
There has been yet another school shooting in America. The multiple murders at the Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida mark the 18th school shooting in this nation since the beginning of the year. And once again the only response by elected officials has been to offer "thoughts and prayers" for the victims and their families.
NAACP Announces Key Partnerships During Annual Board Meeting
Voter Mobilization for 2018 Midterm Elections among Important Issues Groups Unite on
New York—during its annual public board meeting in New York City, the NAACP announced several key partnerships designed to expand the reach, impact and effectiveness of the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organizations.
3 Presidents Who Shaped Our Food System and the Role of African Americans In It
Many of our past presidents were farmers or ranchers at some point in their lives, but a handful of them significantly changed how we grow our food and eat it. We can’t examine that history, however, without also acknowledging the legacy of slavery. This Presidents Day, let’s consider how three presidents shaped our food system—and how their interventions impacted African Americans:
Governor Abbott Sets Date For HD-13 Special Election
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today issued a proclamation announcing May 5, 2018 as the special election date to fill the House District 13 seat recently vacated by Representative Leighton Schubert.
Continuing the Work: Rep. Thierry Brings Maternal Mortality Film to Houston
On Tuesday evening, February 20, 2018, State Rep. Shawn Thierry will host and moderate a discussion on the documentary screening of “Death By Delivery”, in partnership with Legacy Community Health, and Texas Southern University to address the maternal mortality crisis in Texas and nationwide.
Houston Black McDonald’s Give 200 Bikes to Local Children
Two hundred local children received new bicycles courtesy of the Black McDonald’s Owner/Operators Association of Greater Houston (BMOA). The children and their families took pictures with Birdie, Hamburglar, and Grimace, and got an up-close look at the Ronald McDonald Shoe Car with the chance to pose in front of it for a photo.
Houston Winery Creates Selena Inspired Wine Bottle
Need a refreshing idea for Valentine’s Day? Why not indulged in a bottle of wine with a label inspired by the late tejano singer Selena tribute artist, Amanda Solis.
Dr. David Blackwell, UC Berkeley’s 1st Tenured Black Scholar, Has a Building Named in His Honor
The University of California Berkeley is naming its newest residence hall in honor of David Blackwell. Dr. Blackwell, an accomplished statistician, was the first African American to be grant tenured at the university. He joined the mathematics department at Berkeley in 1954 and stayed on the faculty there until retiring in 1988. Dr. Blackwell died in 2010.
Senator Miles Hosts Town Hall on Fort Bend Oil Well Blowout
In December 2017, an oil well blew out in Fort Bend County and emitted a foul odor that permeated throughout local neighborhoods. Senator Miles is hosting a Town Hall to discuss the oil well blowout and has personally invited Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton and TCEQ staff to provide the community an update, explain the health impacts, the status of the clean-up and discuss how we move forward to reduce the chances of this event from ever occurring again.
NABJ Remembers Journalist and Historian Lerone Bennett, Jr.
The National Association of Black Journalists recognizes the exceptional life of journalist and historian Lerone Bennett, Jr. who transitioned on Wednesday. Bennett was a former editor for Ebony and Jet magazines, and spent decades exemplifying excellence in journalism.
AFT President Randi Weingarten on Senate Immigration Votes
Statement of AFT President Randi Weingarten on the Senate immigration votes:
Mayor Announces New Grants for Artists Pushing the Boundaries at the Grassroots Level
Mayor Sylvester Turner announces the first grants by Let Creativity Happen!, which supports innovative ideas that redefine artistic boundaries and can provide new ways for Houstonians to experience art.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Condemns Senate Failure to Advance Legislation Resolving the Trump-Made Crisis That Now Threatens 800,000 Dreamers with Deportation
Jackson Lee: “It is unconscionable that the Senate today blocked adoption of two bipartisan proposals that would have provided relief to the 800,000 Dreamers who are desperately awaiting action before the March 5 deadline to end the crisis created by President’s unnecessary, irresponsible, and callous rescission of DACA.”
Yara Shahidi on What It Means "To Be a Black Girl"
To be a black girl is to be one of the reasons the universe thrives. Our lineage has taught me that I am integral, that we are important, even when society dismisses us, hiding the wonder of our presence, a trail set for and before us by generations of powerful and empowered Black women.
To My Brilliant Black Daughters, Nobody Can Take Away Your History
To my beautiful, brilliant Black daughters: I have so many hopes and dreams for you, that if I tried to say them all, they would run longer than the entire Harry Potter series!
NFL Announced as Presenting Sponsor for the 2018 HBCU Battle of the Brains™ "hackathon"
The National Football League Sponsorship Supports Judging, $50,000+ in College Scholarships
The HBCU Battle of the Brains, LLC in partnership with the National Black MBA Association – Austin Chapter is pleased to announce the National Football League (NFL) as its presenting sponsor for the 2nd Annual HBCU Battle of the Brains (HBCUBOTBrains) competition to be held Friday, March 9 – Saturday, March 10, 2018.
New Statistics Released on Youth Suicide
In January 2018, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released new statistics for the 2016 year. For the State of Texas, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24.
Flood Risk Reduction Grant Programs
Federal grants can be used to fund the buyout, elevation or reconstruction of eligible residential properties. The City applies directly to the State for funding on the community's behalf. There are different flood risk reduction grants depending on:
Governor Abbott Extends Disaster Declaration For Texas Counties Impacted By Hurricane Harvey
Governor Greg Abbott today issued a proclamation extending the State Disaster Declaration for Texas counties affected by Hurricane Harvey. This proclamation will ensure that all Texas counties declared disaster areas will continue to be eligible for assistance as they recover and rebuild after Hurricane Harvey. There are currently 60 counties included in the state disaster declaration.
Houston NAACP Celebrates Its 100th Year by Giving “100 Homes for Christmas”
The Houston chapter of the NAACP turns 100 this year. As part of the celebration, the chapter is launching a program with the goal of providing 100 African-American families their own piece of the American dream: home ownership.
Travis Scott Receives the Key to His Hometown, Missouri City, Texas
Travis Scott is having a wonderful month. On February 1, his daughter Stormi with Kylie Jenner was born. Just a few weeks later he received the key to his hometown. The mayor of Missouri City, Texas, Allen Owen presented the Elkins High School graduate with the key to the city at Missouri City’s annual Black History Month Celebration of Culture and Music.
First Black Woman to Owned a Billion-Dollar Company
Janet Bryant Howroyd is a 65-year-old entrepreneur, businesswoman, author, and educator. Howroyd is also the founder and CEO of Act 1 Group.
Macy's Pop-Up Move Is Pivotal -- Potentially
Macy’s has launched a new pop-up concept that gives brands and other companies a venue to sell their products and services on the ground floor of the retailer’s stores.
Efforts Post Harvey Exceed $12 Billion But Black Businesses Still Rebounding
It has been six months since Hurricane Harvey hit and devastated the lives of hundreds of thousands of Houston-area residents. But new information shows that survivors—including African American families—have received more than $12 billion to help them recover from the catastrophic storm in August.
Comcast May Make Another Bid for 21st Century Fox (Report)
Comcast is considering pursuing 21st Century Fox yet again, according to a report published Sunday night by the Wall Street Journal. Comcast’s initial bid was rejected by Fox, which instead struck a deal with Disney in December — a $52.4 billion, all-stock deal to acquire 20th Century Fox movie and TV studio, international pay TV properties, and other entertainment and sports assets from Rupert Murdoch’s empire.
Bud Light Heads "Brewed Deep in the Heart" to Celebrate Texan Roots in New Regional Campaign
Texas' Favorite Light Lager Partners with Josh Abbott Band and Siggno to Honor 30 Plus Years of Brewing in the Lonestar State
Today, Bud Light announced a new campaign aimed at going big in Texas in 2018 with multi-faceted programming across the Lonestar state. After launching a successful regional program in 2017, the brand will take its "Brewed Deep in the Heart" campaign to the next level with an ongoing music partnership with Texas-native musicians Siggno and Josh Abbott Band.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Launches Service Projects As It Prepares for Biennial Conference in Houston, July 6-12, 2018
As part of its international program theme, “Launching New Dimensions of Service,” Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® will sponsor “29 Moments of Service” worldwide, ahead of its biennial conference in Houston where more than 25,000 members are expected to converge this summer.
Grief and Anger as Florida Prepares to Bury Victims of School Massacre
As families prepared on Friday to bury victims of another U.S. mass shooting, grief mixed with anger amid signs of possible lapses in school security and indications that law enforcement may have missed clues about the suspected gunman’s plans.
Target Adds Melissa Butler’s Black-owned and Vegan Beauty Brand, The Lip Bar, to its Shelves
According to Allure, Target has partnered with the Black-owned beauty brand, The Lip Bar, and will launch their line of vegan and cruelty-free products this spring. Melissa Butler, a former Wall Street financial analyst, is the founder of the brand after spending years frustrated and dissatisfied with the lack of representation for black women in the beauty industry.