Black History Month 2014

Today marks the second anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s senseless death. The unarmed teenager was gunned down by security guard/wannabe cop George Zimmerman on February 26, 2012 in Sanford, Florida while walking home from a convenience store. Although told to stand down by police after reporting Martin as “suspicious” Zimmerman followed the teen and confrontation ensued. […]

Located in the West Adams district of Los Angeles, The Wilfandel House was built in the 1940’s as a society club for affluent blacks. The house catered to Black who desired an upscale event center but weren’t allowed in the large white-only hotels or country clubs. Run by women who wore white gloves, pearls and […]

His nicknames were as magical as his game. Ozzie Smith, “The Wizard,” or “The Wizard of Oz,” is a retired major league baseball legend who holds the record for career assists (8,375) at shortstop. A 15-time All-Star, 13-time Golden Glove winner and Baseball Hall of Famer, Smith also holds the National League record of 2,511 […]

The 45th Annual NAACP Image Awards are on the way and as usual, some of the biggest stars in the entertainment firmament will be honored.  It airs live on TV One on Saturday, February 22 with red carpet coverage at 8 p.m. and the show at 9 p.m. ET. (The show is tape delayed for […]

E. Russell Smith was a gangster and entrepreneur that carried the club scene of Seattle, Washington during the 1920’s. Nicknamed “Noodles,” Smith was known to keep just enough cash on hand for a bowl of noodles after a long night of gambling. Around 1909, Noodles made his way to the Washington area with $17,000; money […]

African-American dancer Leonard Harper is acknowledged as the father of cabaret. In the 20’s and 30’s, Harper and his dancing Harperettes were an international sensation. Leonard Harper started off performing in medicine shows (shows that included the selling of various medical remedies during intermissions) as a child. As he got older, he started working with […]

It wasn’t enough that party promoters thought using Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s likeness wearing gold chains to advertise a party was cool or that Russell Simmons thought making fun of Harriet Tubman was funny or  that Li’l Wayne thought that comparing rough sex to Emmit Till’s death was okay. Now rapstress Nicki Minaj has gone and […]

When it comes to funk, as illustrated in the new VH1 documentary Finding the Funk airing again on VH1 in March, there are several groups that are well-known. There is Parliament Funkadelic, Sly Stone and Slave as well as current folks like Janelle Monae and others who’ve taken up the mantle. But without the Bar-Kays, […]

Hear the first installment of the Reality Radio with Cathy Hughes’ “Living History” segment, featuring Chaka Fattah here   In the Philadelphia area, Congressman Chaka Fattah is a household name. Elected to the Pennsylvania State House at age 27, Fattah, now 57, has long been known for his support for African-Americans, the working class and […]