Women swimmers make history
It was history pure and simple. Three African-American women swimmers swept the 100-yard freestyle event at the Women’s Division I NCAA Championship held March 19-21 in Greensboro, N.C. Freshman Simone Manuel of Stanford University set an NCAA, American, U.S. Open, Championship and Pool record when she clocked a time of 46.09 seconds, capturing the title.
Churches battling Selma’s ongoing problem — poverty
The world’s eyes were again on this small Alabama city, the epicenter of the voting rights battle 50 years ago. However, the crippling poverty that faith and community leaders grapple with daily was largely overlooked amid the commemoration of the long ago fight to end the exclusion of black people from the ballot box. For those who live here, the big march and the powerful words of President Obama were a passing moment with little impact on conditions. As Pastor Reginald Wells put it in considering the spotlight that Selma has been in, “We’re not benefiting. Oprah (Winfrey) was just here. They just filmed the movie ‘Selma’ here and the world is enjoying Selma” this weekend.
No Justice for Trayvon
WASHINGTON The Justice Department says George Zimmerman will not face federal civil rights charges in the 2012 shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. The department announced its decision Tuesday, saying there was not enough evidence to bring federal civil rights charges, which would have required proof that the killing was motivated by racial animosity. “This young man’s premature death necessitates that we continue the dialogue and be unafraid of confronting the issues and tensions his passing brought to the surface,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement. “We, as a nation, must take concrete steps to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.”
Rest in peace, Ernie Banks
Ernie Banks, Mr. Cub, died at 83. Mr. Banks became the Cubs’ first black player on Sept. 17, 1953, six years after Jackie Robinson broke the modern day color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1977. Mr. Banks played 19 seasons with the Chicago Cubs. He is considered by many to be the greatest power-hitting shortstop of the 20th century. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award from President Obama in 2013.
Bobby Brown maintains constant bedside vigil over Bobbi Kristina
ATLANTA The daughter of late pop star Whitney Houston and singer Bobby Brown was placed in a coma to stop brain swelling after she was found facedown and unresponsive in a bathtub in her Georgia home last weekend, family friend and gospel singer Kim Burrell told “Access Hollywood.”
Charlie Sifford, golf trailblazer, dies at 92
Charlie Sifford, who broke the color barrier in golf as the first African-American PGA Tour member, died Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015, at age 92, the PGA of America announced. Considered the Jackie Robinson of professional golf, Mr. Sifford endured death threats, racial taunts and other harassment as he paved the way for Tiger Woods and other African- American golfers in becoming the first African- American player in a PGA tournament in 1952 at the Phoenix Open.
Wilson resilient after heartbreaking loss in Super Bowl
Less than 36 inches separated former Richmonder Russell Wilson and his Seattle Seahawks teammates from their second consecutiveSuper Bowl title and talk of a dynasty. Anticipation was high that Seahawks coach Pete Carroll would call on bulldozing running back Marshawn Lynch to plow the ball into the end zone on second-and-goal with 26 seconds to play and one timeout left in Super Bowl XLIX. Already, in this game against the New England Patriots, Lynch had logged a total of 102 yards for the game, including an earlier touchdown.
Norfolk State put on probation by accreditors
Norfolk State University is one step away from losing its accreditation.
Justice denied
Ferguson, N.Y. cases expose injustices, spark change
A national movement is underway to address police brutality against African-American men and the criminalization of communities of color.
No charges for Michael Brown’s killer
Michael Brown Jr.’s grieving parents likely will never see the killer of their teenage son face murder charges.
Solange Knowles marries former Richmonder
Sunday’s wedding of Solange Knowles, Beyoncé’s younger sister, and Richmond native Alan G. Ferguson will go down in “The Big Easy” as one for the ages.
Serena claims another title in Singapore
When Serena Williams is healthy, she is still far and away the world’s top tennis player.
Tennis president fined for slurs about sisters Serena, Venus
Tennis champion Serena Williams slammed the Russian Tennis Federation president this week for using “extremely sexist, racist and bullying” comments after he described Serena and sister, Venus, as the “Williams brothers.”
NY Yankees legend Derek Jeter ends stellar career on high note
Derek Jeter stepped to bat for the final time in his magnificent 20-year career Sunday.
First family in danger
Secret Service head resigns amid White House security breaches
The director of the U.S. Secret Service, who faced blistering criticism for her agency’s string of breakdowns jeopardizing the security of President Obama and his family, resigned Wednesday.
Joe Sample, pioneer in jazz funk, dies at 75
Music lovers around the world are mourning the loss of pianist and composer Joe Sample, a founding member of the genre-crossing Jazz Crusaders, who helped pioneer the electronic jazz-funk fusion style.
Drums, dance play greater role in worship services
U.S. congregations are marching to the beat of their own drums now more than ever.
New president elected for National Baptist Convention USA
The Rev. Jerry Young, the convention’s former vice president, emerged from a pack of five candidates to take over from the Rev. Julius Scruggs of Huntsville, Ala.
Queen of tennis 3-peats at U.S. Open
Serena Williams is the undisputed queen of women’s tennis. Now, the world No.1 would like to add another distinction: To win the most grand slam titles ever.
Beyoncé shows out
Jay Z, Blue Ivy present her with award
The leading ladies of pop music, notably Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus, dominated the MTV Video Music Awards.
She's a Little League winner
Chicago squad also a standout
Mo’Ne Davis is taking the sporting world by storm with her pitching in the Little League World Series.
Differing versions of fatal shooting compound problems in Ferguson
Eyewitness accounts broadcast widely have helped keep the pot boiling amid claims that Mr. Brown had his hands up when he was gunned down Aug. 9.
Sharpton urges Ferguson citizens to be ‘disciples of justice’
The Rev. Al Sharpton hopes the Michael Brown case will help change the way police engage the African-American community in this Missouri community and elsewhere.
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