Troy

Okay @nels substantiate your statement: tell me what black Americans are doing to make you say they are following Jay Z and ending you at the bottom as a result. … because he purchased an overpriced house? So what? If you had not posted it here I would not have known about it. none of my friends are discussing it. You seem to be the only one who cares.

Oh Brother here we go again.... I seen fat Al and skinny Al. His body's change dispels this myth of being "big boned." He was just fat and lost a lot of weight. His bones did not change.

You will see an improvement over the original. The numerology will interest @Delano I believe.

@nels Your shade is misdirected. Jay-Z is a product of America. Most of Jay's wealth comes from white people, not "needy black youth" -- they don't have any money to spend. Why this activity interests people beyond a certain stage of development and age and always puzzled me. Gossip is for bored people without lives of their own, so they cast shade, judge, and hate on others -- a sad, pathetic form of amusement. Social media has exploited this base behavior for massive profits brining everyone's inner yenta to the fore.

AALBC is publishing a refreshed version of The Savion Sequence! Yeah @Cynique, it only took me 11 years to get myself together and actually begin publishing books. In the past year I've pubbed three (two new and revised version of this one).

Kassahun Checole Has Been Named Winner of PEN Eritrea’s Freedom of Expression Award 2023! Publisher Kassahun Checole, the founder of the world-known Africa World Press and the Red Sea Press, has been named the winner of PEN Eritrea’s Freedom of Expression Award 2023. This year’s Awards Committee comprised Habtom Weldeyowhaness, Yirgalem Fisseha and Yonatan Tsighe (Dr), received a long list of contestants, and after an in-depth examination of the conditions, the judges selected Kassahun Checole as the winner of the Award. Kassahun’s colossal contribution to Eritrean and African literature requires another volume to give it full justice. Kassahun’s publishing activities, which he began in 1983, have enabled the voices of the subaltern to be heard. He produced books and magazines that inspired and continue to inspire many young, would-be African writers. Kassahun has published over 3,500 titles by thousands of authors in some 20 languages on various themes—African history, indigenous religions, and literature and art. He was one of the organisers of the January 2000 “African Languages and Literatures” conference held in Asmara, rightly named “Against All Odds”. He was also one of those who toiled for the political liberation of post-independence Eritrea— the G-13, a group of Eritrean academics and professionals— signatories of the “Berlin Manifesto”, in which they stated their grave concerns about the overall deteriorating situations and demanded genuine reforms in Eritrea. The Berlin Manifesto was a forerunner of the G-15, a group in Eritrea that opposed the policy of President Isaias Afewerki, his postponing of elections and his failure to implement the constitution. Kassahun has produced thousands of literature and hundreds of books – used as textbooks in various educational settings, in addition to his outstanding services in documentation for educational and research purposes. He has published books by many prominent Eritrean writers such as Abeba Tesfagiorgis, Alemseghed Tesfay, Ghirmai Negash, Bereket Habteslasie, Rev. Ezra Ghebremedhin and many others. Nobel laureates East Timorese José Ramos-Horta and the South African bishop Desmond Tutu, Kenyan writer Ngugi Wa Thiong’, Noam Chomsky, Sonia Sanchez as well as Basil Davidson are among the hundreds of international authors and laureates their works published by Kassahun. He is a strong supporter and activist of the Pan-African movement. Award committee chair Yonatan Tsighe said: “Checole’s efforts and achievements in documenting and researching indigenous knowledge of Eritrea is phenomenal. The Award committee members are honoured to present him with this Award on behalf of all member writers and journalists.” Poetess and journalist Yirgalem Fisseha commented: “Kassahun has devoted his prime and old age to publishing literary works, and his unremitting efforts and productivity stand exemplary to all lovers of literature and art”. The PEN Eritrea Freedom of Expression Award was established in 2019 by PEN Eritrea in Exile to recognise an individual, a group, or an institution with outstanding merits for advancing literature and freedom of expression in an Eritrean context. The Award is announced every year on September 18th to signify the date of the assault on freedom of expression and to champion the courageous journalists, writers and government critics languishing in inhumane conditions in Eritrean prisons since September 2001. The award winner receives a certificate of recognition, a medal and $1,000. Accordingly, the 2023 PEN Eritrea Awards Committee has unanimously decided that the world-class publisher Kassahun Checole will be the winner of the 2023 PEN Eritrea Awards for his contributions to printing and freedom of expression. Kassahun said, “I feel honoured because the award places me within the circle of those Eritreans who have paid and continue to pay a heavy price for acting on their patriotic duty to stand for democracy and freedom in our beloved country and Africa as a whole.” A graduate with distinction from SUNY Binghamton in Sociology and Political Economy, Mr. Checole has taught at Rutgers University and El Colegio de Mexico in Mexico City. He was one of the founders of the first graduate program in African Studies in Latin America. Kassahun will receive the Award at a ceremony hosted by PEN Eritrea on October 8th in Antwerp-Belgium, alongside its annual meeting, which will be held from October 7th to 8th. The event will be live on fb@PENEritrea Former winners of the PEN Eritrea Freedom of Expression Award are Abrar Osman (2022), Ghirmai Negash (2021), Saleh Gadi Johar (2020), Yirgalem Fisseha (2019)

I’m confident there is other intelligent life somewhere else out there. I’m not so sure about these mummies. though, what is Neil Tyson’s take in this?

45 is a leader too. White folks have no shortage of leaders, some are even doing what is in the best interest of their communities, but in most cases, as with Trump, doing what is in his own best. interest. Yes, a leader, much more so than Obama is today.

I'll have the last word here @nels and anyone else: This forum is strictly for sharing, acknowledging, and celebrating Black excellence. If you want to cast shade or question what is going on here, do it in one of the many other forums on the site where that is tolerated.

why? Well you left off half of my sentence: "One would think Obama would have assumed the leadership role, but I'm not surprised he hasn't..." What I was trying to imply is that he could not have assumed the "leadership" role for the reasons you mentioned and too many others for me to get into. Bottom line is that he could not have if he wanted to. Again, whether you like it or not Reverend Al is it.

From the first video Franks shared

Oh I could have gotten you one @Mel Hopkins if I knew. Maybe I still can...

Hey @ProfD you better watch yourself or else I'll have to ban you LOL! Seriously, THIS comment is "racist and hurtful?!" Actually, by definition, it is the Karens who are racist and hurtful! It was probably a Karen that requested that the comment be pulled.

Yes that is the video. I liked the spirt of the video and the variety of rappers presented. Professor Griff and Ice Cube are two completely different animals. Ice Cube is an entertainer, motivated by money. Griff is trying to uplift Black people. East coast riders created a similar video too featuring Ms Melody and KRS1 and others.

So while is can rock James Brown's hairdo he can't match his dance moves, but he was dancing and what is wrong with that? He is the leader of the Black community in so far as we have one today. Again I'm open to entertaining any others you like to suggest who have a bigger platform and larger fallowing.

Here is a list of other Black owned newspapers: https://aalbc.com/newspapers/ Regardless of what you think about the man, Sharpton is the most prominent Black leader of this generation. Yes there are Black leaders in communities across the country, but on a national no one else comes close to Sharpton's prominence. I listened to the 30 minute sermon above and is was delivered in the style of the Baptist ministers on my youth which is interesting because Rev Al is only 7 years older than me but presents as a much older man... I'm not sure if that style appeals to many young people. I'm from NYC and remember Rev Al when is was an obese, perm-sporting, medallion-wearing, jogging suit attired brother. He did not fit the mold of a leaders and was an easy target for ridicule. In his sermon he mention that a reporter told him that he was surprised Al would end up an a State dinner in the white house -- shoot I was surprised too! Of course Brother Al has modified his appearance conforming to the traditional mold -- indeed out dressing pretty much everyone. Obama's embrace of Sharpton over Tavis Smiley and others was deliberate and ultimately divisive to Black leadership. Sharpton roles was apparently to keep the Blacks under control. Others like Cornel West and the Black media were more interested in holding him accountable -- which Obama always avoided. One would think Obama would have assumed the leadership role, but I'm not surprised he hasn't...

Welcome to the forums @petersmths

Just Us Books, Nation's Leading Black Owned Children's Book Publisher, Celebrates 35th Anniversary Cheryl Willis Hudson and Wade Hudson, Founders of Just Us Books (West Orange, NJ) September 22, 2023 ─ The average life-span of a small business is eight and a half years according to The New York Times. As Just Us Books prepares to celebrate 35 years in business, it's not only beating the odds, it's also continuing to blaze a trail, publishing children's books that center and celebrate Black stories, history and culture. "Just Us Books' 35th anniversary is not just a celebration of our company," says Wade Hudson, CEO and co-founder. "It's a recognition of 35 years of children reading, learning, growing, and being affirmed through stories that reflect the richness of Black culture and history, which is especially important in today's climate of banned and challenged books." The company plans to celebrate the milestone throughout its 35th year, which begins October 1, 2023, with special content and events, including a bookfair being planned for spring. "We're reminded every day ─ by teachers, librarians, parents, readers of all ages ─ that our work, our books are needed," says Cheryl Hudson, Editorial Director and co-founder of Just Us Books. "Their support has been such a big part of Just Us Books' journey. So we're looking forward to celebrating this milestone with our extended community throughout the year." The Just Us Books journey began in the early 1980s. Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson, who live in East Orange, NJ, were parents in search of children's books that reflected the diversity of Black history, heritage and experiences. Disappointed by the number they found and their limited availability, the couple embarked upon a mission: to create the kind of positive, Black-interest books that they wanted for their own two children. Combining their experience, Wade's in writing and marketing, Cheryl's in art and publishing, they developed ideas for books that shared universal children's themes from an Afrocentric perspective. The couple presented manuscripts to publishing houses but they were repeatedly turned down ― several publishing professionals even doubting the viability of a market for children's books featuring Black characters. So the Hudsons decided to publish the books themselves. The AFRO-BETS A B C Book was released in 1987 and Just Us Books was incorporated a year later. The success of the small press soon proved doubters wrong. Titles including Book of Black Heroes From A to Z and Bright Eyes, Brown Skin became classroom and library staples. And larger publishing companies followed Just Us Books' lead, publishing and widely distributing more children's books featuring diverse stories and characters. The company's 35-year history has been marked by numerous accomplishments including a production partnership with Crown, an imprint of Random House, which produced the three anthologies including the award-winning We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices; a 1999 marketing partnership with General Mills and the UniverSoul Circus; and the publication of In Praise of Our Fathers and Our Mothers, a book about the Black family that brought together celebrated authors and artists, including Gwendolyn Brooks, Virginia Hamilton, Walter Dean Myers, Jeanne Moutousammy-Ashe, Leo and Diane Dillon, Fred and Patricia McKissack. Its books, including From A Child's Heart, The Secret Olivia Told Me, I'm A Big Sister Now and Kwame Nkrumah's Midnight Speech for Independence, have earned numerous awards. Just Us Books has won multiple honors, including Small Business Pioneer of the Year, the Children's Book Council Diversity Award, and its founders have become recognized leaders in publishing and the push for diversity in children's literature, with the couple being awarded the prestigious Carle Honor for Mentorship in 2022. In 35 years of operation, Just Us Books has become more than a children's book publishing company; it's become an institution. It also remains one of the nation's few Black-owned publishers. And the company continues its mission grounded in the same belief that helped launch the company three and a half decades ago: Good books make a difference. Just Us Books' titles can be purchased wherever books are sold and via its website: justusbooks.com. Connect with the company on social at @JustUsBooks across all platforms.

So my little toddler loves to have books read to her and as you might imagine she has a ton of books. Recently, she indicated she wanted me to read a specific book. So, she hopped off my lap and went to one of several stacks of and struggled to pull one from near the bottom of the stack. The book was Corduroy by Don Freeman. Corduroy was originally published in 1968 and features a young Black girl named Lisa, who has to empty her piggy bank to buy this less than perfect stuff bear. I did not learn about the book until recently, as it was present. I thought the book was well done given the year it was published. I figured more books had to have been made featuring the cute little bear and the adorable young lady Lisa. There were several more Corduroy books published, but Lisa was "disappeared!" Intrigued I had to find out the heck happened to Lisa. I stumbled across Jen Bradbury's Youth Ministry blog when she wrote an article, "Whatever happened to Corduroy's Lisa?" Jen, a white woman, explains: "At this point, I cannot help but wonder if racism is at work here. How else do you explain the complete disappearance of a black family from a beloved children’s series? ... Perhaps you think I’m making a big deal out of nothing. But erasing black people out of a children’s book isn’t nothing. It’s racism." Don Freeman based Lisa on a neighbor's child. Who knows what was going on in the mind of the publisher. The publisher has their own built-in biases which they use to inform their understanding of the market and the books that they produce. This would naturally be informed by racist attitudes of the day. Fortunately, times have changed, and things have improved dramatically when it comes to books featuring Black children. One particularly lovely book, Big by Vashti Harrison was just long listed for a National Book Award!

I just read about the March on an issue of The Afro American. i knew it was a big anniversary but for dinner train it was lost on me that there was an actual March. Not a commemoration, but a continuation. It was organized by the leader of black america, in so far as we have one, Al Sharpton. Editorial in the paper indicated turn it was low. I’m firmly convinced the days of a black leader are gone. We are off doing our own thing. Maybe that is the result of “progress.”

@Pioneer1 I don’t think people who are locked up are factored into the poverty figures. The poverty rate also measures income versus a defined figure fora location as more blacks move out of cities where the threshold for poverty is higher to place where the threshold is lower poverty rates will decline (assuming local rates are being used in the graph above. People were still getting stimulus checks, PPE money, extended unemployment in 2022 right? with inflation, rising the cost of energy from utilities to gasoline. The Increased cost of money I can see gains in 2022 being erased.

that is always the case — the media hypes everything. It is one reason I don’t to listen to “the news.” Funny, when I first read the title of this post I thought it was about the insurrection.

I have think about this one… I like the stop the violence video out of the west coast. Michael Jason videos were like feature films but it is hard to discuss music videos without talking about Hype Williams very talented… here he demonstrates less is more

I was not aware of Vivien Theodore Thomas! The film title sounds vaguely familiar though. This for sharing!

@Dee Miller you should be good now. Again, feel free to delete anything not positive, if i don't get to it first. This will be the only forum moderated with a heavy hand.