Keepingitreal

African-American Series

Toussaint L'Ouverture Toussaint L'Ouverture THE NEGRO OF WHOM NAPOLEON WAS JEALOUS (1743-1803) IN 1743, IN A SLAVE HUT on the plantation of Count de Breda in St. Domingue, or Haiti, was born a male child whose civil status was that of an ox. For the next forty-eight years he remained thus, almost untaught; then, at a time when others... Nat Turner Nat Turner LEADER OF AMERICA'S GREATEST SLAVE REVOLT (1800-1831) NAT TURNER was the leader of a revolt that put more terror into the hearts of the oppressors of the black man than any other event since American slavery had begun. And he started out with only seven followers, six fewer than John Brown in his...
Marian Anderson Marian Anderson " THE VOICE OF THE CENTURY" (1908-1993) MARIAN ANDERSON, the famous contralto, was born of poor parents in Philadelphia. Her father, a peddler of coal and ice, died when she was twelve and her mother, a former schoolteacher, took in washing to support the family. Marian was born with a love of...Joe Louis Joe Louis THE SUPERMAN OF THE PRIZE RING (1914-1981) JOE LOUIS is phenomenal in the history of the prize ring. After he became a professional fighter he did not have an opponent against whom he really had to extend himself, as say, Corbett had to against Peter Jackson, Sullivan against Corbett. Dempsey against...Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr 1929-1968 Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on Tuesday, January 15, 1929, at the family home, 501 Auburn Avenue, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Charles Johnson was the attending physician. Martin Luther King, Jr., was the first son and second child born to the Reverend Martin Luther...Paul Robeson Paul Robeson INTELLECTUAL, MUSICAL, AND HISTRIONIC PRODIGY (1898-1976} PAUL BUSTILL ROBESON was so remarkably gifted, physically and mentally', that development of any one of his talents would have been sufficient It) bring him fame. He was an athlete, orator, and linguist, as well ax one of the world's foremost...Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass EX-SLAVE WHO ROSE TO BE A MIGHTY CHAMPION OF FREEDOM (1817-I895) FREDERICK DOUGLASS was not only one of the greatest Americans, colored or white, but he was one of the most inspiring figures in the entire history of the human race. Plutarch contains no figure of more heroic proportions. None...Dessalines Dessalines "The Ferocious" LIBERATOR OF HAITI AND ITS FIRST EMPEROR (1758-1806) BYRON, in his tribute to Bonnivard, a Swiss patriot who died miserably in a dungeon, wrote: Eternal Spirit of the chainless Mind! Brightest in dungeons, Liberty! thou art For there, thy habitation is the heart- The...Chevalier de St. Georges Chevalier de St. Georges DAZZLING BLACK NOBLEMAN OF VERSAILLES (1745-1799) THE ADVENTURES of Chevalier de St. Georges were so astonishing, his talents so superlatively brilliant, that an account of his life reads like an incredibly romantic novel with a perfect hero. He was the most dazzling and fascinating ...Abraham Hannibal Abraham Hannibal RUSSIAN GENERAL AND COMRADE OF PETER THE GREAT (d. 1782) HISTORY CONTAINS FEW FIGURES more extraordinary than Abraham Hannibal. Stolen from his parents in Africa and sold into slavery, he became general-in-chief of one of the leading white empires of his day. His great-grandson became one of the...Benedict the Moor Benedict the Moor SAINT OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH (1524-1589) BENEDICT THE MOOR was born in Sicily. In an age when devout Christians took pride in seeing how humble and self-denying they could be, he excelled. In the matter of chastity, it is said that beautiful women, some of them of high nobility, tempted him in...Alexander Pétion Alexander Pétion HAITI'S FIRST AND NOBLEST PRESIDENT (1770-1816) GENERAL ALEXANDER PÉTION was Haiti's first president and her best beloved ruler. At a time when war, bloodshed, and massacres were the order of the day, Pétion distinguished himself by a humanity and forbearance rare in history. The devastating...

A Novel by C-Murder: Death Around the Corner

A Chapter from C-Murder's "Death Around the Corner"
By C-Murder DEATH AROUND THE CORNER

“If I cry, his blood will be my tears.”
The next day, Daquan awoke with a throbbing headache, and he couldn’t unknot his stomach. Even the smell of Grandma Mama’s gumbo didn’t give him an appetite for anything other than blood. He showered and dressed quickly, then tip toed out the door, because he didn’t want to see Grandma Mama’s face, knowing what he had in his heart. Daquan went straight over to Nut’s and found him sitting on the front stoop, smoking a cigarette. They nodded a silent greeting, then Daquan picked up Nut’s Camels and lit one up. “How we gonna do this?” Nut asked solemnly, like there was no question it was getting done. Daquan blew a stream of smoke out, and replied, “Get us a fiend’s car, you know, grab them thangs and lay on the n***uh till we can creep ’im.”
Nut looked over at him. “You know where he stay?” MORE ON THIS STORY

Gerald Levert 1966 - 2006

Love and Consequences
Gerald Levert July 13, 1966 - November 10, 2006
"Gonna Sing It to you Time and Time Again"
Official Website

One Chance

Is anyone up on Usher's new group One Chance? That's the foursome that Usher recently signed to his label, US Records. I mean c'mon, how can you lose with Usher backing you? If you don't make noise then you did something wrong. Usher says that he see's reflections of himself in the group. "As an artist, I know what it takes to be successful,” Usher says. “I know what it takes to make a mark and have longevity. As a label owner, I want my artists to possess those same qualities. One Chance does. I have no doubt that these guys have what it takes to not only live up to the great R&B legends of the past, but to have the same kind of respect and longevity that many of those greats still enjoy today." MORE ON THIS STORY

Derek Alton Walcott The Real Def Poetry

Derek Alton Walcott (born January 23, 1930) is a West-Indian poet, playwright, writer and visual artist who writes in English. Born in Castries, St. Lucia, he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1992. His work, which developed independently of the schools of magic realism emerging in both South America and Europe at around the time of his birth, is intensely related to the symbolism of myth and its relationship to culture. He is best known for his epic poem Omeros, a reworking of Homeric story and tradition into a journey around the Caribbean and beyond to the American West and London.Walcott founded the Trinidad Theatre Workshop in 1959, which has produced his plays (and others) since that time, and remains active with its Board of Directors. He also has an appointment at Boston University where he previously instructed such poets as Glyn Maxwell.

Almost Famous

He has impressed on stage, then in minor movie roles and now his compelling performance in Stephen Frears's brilliant new film confirms him as one of Britain's finest young actors. But Chiwetel Ejiofor isn't fazed by fame It doesn't happen very often. Perhaps once every few years. Maybe less. Along comes a young British actor with talent to take your breath away. There are plenty of good actors but few truly great ones. Even fewer whose magic works on both stage and screen. Regular London theatregoers may well be familiar with 25-year-old Chiwetel Ejiofor, may have seen him in Romeo and Juliet at the National or in Blue/Orange in the West End alongside This Life's Andrew Lincoln. Some might have heard the comparisons: 'Samuel L Jackson without the violence.' Others will quite simply be wondering how to pronounce his name. MORE ON THIS STORY

BLAKJAK ARTIST ON THE VERGE

Recently, seen an article in the January issue of Vibe, indicating Blakjak an "Artist on the Verge". A new player on the block, in the world of Rap, so to speak. Judge for yourself if this artist is indeed on the verge. Check out his myspace page and rate the artist. CHECK OUT BLAKJAK: http://www.myspace.com/blakjak

Elisabeth Withers

Be With You more jazz It all starts with the voice. A soulful instrument that is both powerful yet strikingly vulnerable; an engaging gift that transcends musical genres and industry trends. For acclaimed singer/performer Elisabeth Withers, that voice and a fierce spirit garnered her a prestigious Tony Award nomination for her role as the seductive scene-stealer Shug Avery in the Broadway mega-hit The Color Purple. Now ..more CHECK OUT HER VIDEO

Meltdown of the Year

Pursuit of Happyness

Bigups to Will Smith, this was a feel good movie to coin a phrase, the movie made me feel emotional. The bigger side of this movie is that it was so inspirational and should be a motivator for people. You should always remember you can do anything that you set out to do and do not accept no for an answer. The failure is in by not doing.

Air Jordans

Blog Buzz End of Year

Domestic violence incidents plummet / Rate drop reflects overall national decline since '90s

By Faye Fiore

In a sweeping study of crime in U.S. households, the Justice Department reported Thursday that domestic violence, one of the most common offenses against women, has fallen by more than half since 1993. Assaults, rapes, homicides and robberies against a...

Brown's last appearance at Apollo

The body of James Brown is displayed for public viewing Thursday at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. "He changed the beat of music all over the world," the Rev. Al Sharpton (directly left) said of the Godfather of Soul.See story on Page... HEALTH CARE: LOOKING FOR ANSWERS / States lead latest charge in effort to solve crisis over medical coverage By Victoria Colliver The effort to fix the nation's broken health care system is receiving more attention than at any time since the Clinton administration in the early 1990s. Since last spring, when Massachusetts' Republican governor signed a law to cover the state's... Ice Mass Snaps Free From Canada's Arctic By By ROB GILLIES, Associated Press Writer A giant ice shelf has snapped free from an island south of the North Pole, scientists said Thursday, citing climate change as a "major" reason for the event. The Ayles Ice Shelf _ all 41 square miles of it _ broke clear 16 months ago from the coast of... Trump-O'Donnell Verbal Mud Fight Goes On By By ERIN CARLSON, Associated Press Writer The bitter battle of words between Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell isn't over. "Rosie's a loser. She's been a loser always," the real estate mogul and host of NBC's "The Apprentice," said Thursday in a phone interview with The Associated Press. "Her show... Bar Files Complaint Against Duke D.A. By By AARON BEARD, Associated Press Writer The North Carolina bar filed an ethics complaint Thursday against the prosecutor in the Duke lacrosse case, accusing him of breaking four rules of professional conduct when speaking to the reporters about the sensational case. The punishment for ethics...

U.S. toll in Iraq

As of Thursday, at least 2,991 members of the U.S. military had died in Iraq since the beginning of the war, according to an Associated Press count. The latest identifications reported by the military: - Marine Cpl. Joshua M. Schmitz, 21, Spencer, Wis. Ethiopian and Somali forces take Mogadishu / Islamic alliance falls without a shot -- warlords seek power, looting erupts By Edmund Sanders, Abukar Albadri Somalia's beleaguered capital fell this morning to Ethiopian and Somali government troops who marched quietly into the city before dawn Thursday and took control without firing a shot. An Islamic alliance that had controlled Mogadishu and much of the... The Best Movies of 2006 TIME's two film critics, Richard Corliss and Richard Schickel, each made a 10 Best list this year -- and not a single film appears on both. Plus: the year's best songs, websites, celebrity breakups, underreported stories, sports moments and more Stars at Their Worst 2006 By TMZ Staff on WoodyHarlson Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Paparazzi Video, Paparazzi Photo, Wacky and Weird, Celebrity Feuds TMZ.com: Year one for TMZ has been, well, unbelievable. It started with a bang (a hit and run with Paris' bf at the wheel), and ended with a bang (i.e., Miss Nevada). In between, there's been a reservoir of vodka, too few child restraint seats, and depending... Read more Nick Cannon Takes Pants Off -- Delivery Car By TMZ Staff on NickCannon Filed under: Wacky and Weird TMZ.com: Nick Cannon's got a side gig.The actor was spotted at PNB Nation clothing store on Melrose Avenue last night ... working. As a new shipment of denim arrived at the store -- Cannon, who's a part-owner of the high-end label, grabbed some jeans and... Read more Study finds preschoolers are too fat; Hispanics at highest risk Far too many kids are fat by preschool, and Hispanic youngsters are most at risk, says new research that's among the first ... 2007: What's In and Out Stylephile: Features: What's in and what's out for 2007 -- A list of what is undeniably passé and conversely, the looks to embrace in 2007.

'Buying Power' report shows black consumers spending more on home life

As the American economy continues to move sluggishly, African-American households are curtailing their spending in many categories, including food, clothing and basic household items, while investing more in home repair, home entertainment and consumer electronics. Although they are trimming back, black consumers are still spending more than their white counterparts on most of these products.
Story and statistics continued

Gabrielle Union's Hot New Year's Date: Herself

Bring It On star Gabrielle Union just finished filming a movie called The Perfect Christmas, but right now her mind is on New Year's Eve. Her idea of the perfect celebration? "The way we're doing it this year," Union, 34, told PEOPLE at Mansion nightclub in South Beach on Wednesday. "Out of the country, hot and half naked." Specifically, she's heading to the Dominican Republic with a group of male friends – but don't expect the action to be that hot: "They're all going to be cruising for chicks and I'm going to be home reading The Iliad," she says. In fact, Union, who split from husband Chris Howard last year, isn't even looking for someone to kiss when the clock strikes midnight. "I'm in a threesome this year with me, myself and I," she jokes. "We're pretty hot and heavy." MORE INFO ON THIS POSTING

On a more serious note, she says, "I had to learn – since I'm divorced now and everyone is like, 'Oh my God, you're single, what's going on?' – that if I don't like to spend time with myself, how can I ask someone else to enjoy spending time with me? I'm getting to learn how to enjoy my solitude and have a good time."

Lifestyles - Music Buzz

Clay Aiken = Snotty Diva?

In Gossip It seems fame's gone to Clay Aiken's ginger head. After winning a singing contest, 15-year old Joshua Willard got the change to sing with North Carolina's Greensboro Symphony during Aiken's holiday concert. Poor Willard's dreams were shattered, however, when the singer deemed his chosen song (Stevie Wonder's Superstitious) inappropriate for the festive occasion. As if that's not enough to make you sharpen your pitchforks, Aiken didn't win any hearts with his once-signature sweetness. Gossip-mongering TMZ reports: Willard says Aiken was rude to audience members and told several people to sit down and cover their mouth. Clay even showed a raunchier side by pretending he had flatulence every time feedback came through the speakers.

Retrospective 2006

2006 Comes To An End

By Keith Boykin

Wow. What a year! It started with the excitement of the Winter Olympics and ended with the drama of the Iraq War. In between, we saw the Democrats win control of Congress, the first black governor elected in Massachusetts, and the prospect of a popular black senator running for president. We lost Coretta Scott King, James Brown, Gordon Parks, Ed Bradley, and two Geralds -- Levert and Ford. On a personal note, 2006 brought many blessings and changes. I participated in my first Carnival in Brazil, started hosting a new TV show on BET, attended the Black AIDS Institute retreat...

Urban Culture, Political, Education, World News

At Least 260 Dead In Nigeria Pipeline Fire

A ruptured gasoline pipeline burst into flames as scavengers collected the fuel in a poor neighborhood in Nigeria's largest city, killing at least 260 people. It's the latest oil-industry disaster to hit Africa's biggest petroleum producer.

Early College High Schools

Early colleges, high schools located on college campuses, eliminate redundancies in course work and before students know, they not only get a high school diploma, but an Associates Degree also -- all by the time they're 18.

John Edwards Kicks Off 2008 Bid

Former vice presidential nominee John Edwards said he is a candidate for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, promising "a grass roots, ground-up campaign where we ask people to take action." Edwards made the announcement in New Orleans.

U.S.: Saddam Likely To Die By Sunday A U.S. military officer says Saddam Hussein will be turned over to the Iraqis within the next 36 hours and he expects that the Iraqis will execute him before the start of the Muslim celebration of Eid on Sunday, reports David Martin.

LA Lakers

Kobe, Lakers Pull Away From Magic

Kobe Bryant scored 27 points and Smush Parker added a season-high 20, sending the Los Angeles Lakers to a 106-93 win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.

James Brown Interactive

James Brown's Music Biggest Download on Amazon

James Brown's Music Biggest Download on Amazon The world of digital downloads reacted instantly to the death of the "Godfather of Soul." Less than 24 hours after the announcement of his passing, Amazon.com saw James Brown's recordings become the company's fastest-selling downloads in the country. Breaking! See James Brown Off Into The Afterlife In James Brown - A reader just told us that WCBSTV.com is running a live feed of the James Brown body viewing at the Apollo. Their streaming seems to be Mac-unfriendly, but any PC users out there wanting to pay the Godfather some last respects--now's your chance! Fans Await the "Godfather of Soul" at the Apollo Fans Await the "Godfather of Soul" at the ApolloFans of the late James Brown began lining up outside Harlem's Apollo Theater early Thursday morning (Dec. 28) to pay their last respects to the "Godfather of Soul." The Apollo Welcomes the Godfather of Soul The Apollo Welcomes the Godfather of Soul The hardest working man in show business rests in peace today - on the most famous stage in show business. A public viewing for the legandary James Brown is underway at the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem. VIBE.com reporters are at the Apollo right now, covering today's events and getting reaction to the passing of this legend. Check back with VIBE.com (just click this story's headline, above) throughout the day for photos, video and news from today's events. James Brown On The Screen By Keith Boykin I don't know how long these will be up on YouTube, but I thought I'd take this opportunity to replay some of James Brown's classic moments in film. The first clip (above) shows James Brown as Rev. Cleophus James in The Blues Brothers movie....

Tribute to James Brown

Audio: After James Brown (1933–2006)

SYNOPSIS: In which we pay homage to the Godfather of Soul and by extension the caravan of made men and women who venerate and abominate him in their own pretty and diverse ways. His musical legacy is such that even when assaulted by skinny white guys from Sheffield (or some such locale), armed with cheap synthesizers and drum machines, his own personal genius of love shines right through, utterly undiminished. Anthemically speaking, we love . . . read more (By LD Beghtol)