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•African American Films The Importance of the Right Imagery and the Message
The quote “a picture is worth a thousand words” is especially true in African American films and their importance in the development of African Americans, males in particular. The imagery portrayed in films today has significantly influenced how African Americans perceive themselves and how they are viewed by the world around them.
“African American films have always had a major impact on how we as Black people see ourselves, our conditions, struggles and survival,” comments Marquis Smalls, an...
•The Gift of Parenting Reflecting on Dad s Day and the Extended Family
Father’s Day is the annual celebration of the males who inspire and motivate their children. Recently, African American males have been repeatedly (and one-sidedly) bashed by the media as “deadbeat,” “absentee” and “abusive.”
Unfortunately, the state of divorces, domestic violence and child abuse have reached epidemic proportions around the world in all cultures. Even sadder is the realization that the reflections for Dad’s day that incorporate images portraying fathers of color, especially...
•African American Architects Saluting Designers of the Past Who Still Shape the Future
Charles McIlwain, a noted math teacher and school administrator died recently after a valiant fight against cancer. The lives that he touched in Roosevelt, N.Y. resonated through the many tributes that were shared during his home going service. McIlwain always inspired his students to strive to be the best they could be.
He focused on students understanding core subjects, especially math and science. Architecture is an area that blends both of these subjects and while this is a lucrative...
•African American Media Moguls Delivering the Messages Despite the Downturns
As the media industry joins the ranks of others that are facing tremendous declines and losing advertising revenue, African Americans in the media have also faced extreme challenges. First, the underrepresentation of African Americans in the media on the covers and in the board rooms is significant.
The inadequate coverage of African Americans due, in large part to the lack of depth in minority media ownership, has provided a unique opportunity in the nation’s current economic conditions. The...
•Off Broadway Plays On Top Their Game in Entertaining
With the musical “FELA” making a successful jump from off Broadway to the “Great White Way” with great reviews and repeat audiences; it is becoming more and more apparent that the quality of off Broadway plays has stepped up tremendously.
New York City is becoming the leading “staycation” spot for American tourists planning domestic travel and a night at the theater is high on their wish lists.
What better location to see quality entertainment at more affordable prices than the aspiring...
•Diversity Amongst National Football League Execs Remains Problem
With African Americans following the principles of the late, legendary coach Vince Lombardi who stated that “winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing” (with two African American coaches recently winning Super Bowls), diversity should be a top priority for the National Football League (NFL).
However, two other professional sports leagues, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Baseball (MLB) are making strong cases for diversity and inclusion. This is especially true on...
•Gifts For Father s Day What do Men Really Want
Although Father’s Day continues to lag behind Mother’s Day in the spirit of giving, it is no less important as an opportunity to celebrate parenthood and the role of fathers. How the celebration has changed in terms of gifts for Father’s Day is a reflection of society’s view of fathers and the dynamics that comprise a family.
Although the structure of the American family has challenged the role of fathers and their place as the head of the household, gifts for Father’s Day continue to...
•Investing and Black Males The Importance of Securing Futures
Saving money is always high on the agenda during an economic crisis for all families struggling to make ends meet when there is less. Unfortunately, with the increase in job losses and business closures, the concept of saving money and income investing to “build a nest egg for the future” has taken a back seat to more practical realities including keeping a roof overhead and food on the table for most families today.
Putting a little aside, which was a long held expression that meant taking...
•Brothers From the Hood Strive as Classical Pianists
Who ever heard of proactive sibling rivalry? Well, until you have spoken to or heard classical pianists Nerva and Robenson Altino you would not believe it existed.
Lacking all the negatives in the phrase, these two classical pianists are brothers, born in the independent nation of Haiti, but raised in South Jamaica, New York, who enjoy and complement each others performance style.
“Our late mother always told us that we only had each other and to be sure to look after and support one another...
•Black Politicians Face Pressure in New York
New York State has a historic track record with the caliber of Black politicians it has launched onto the national platform.
With congressional dynamos including the late Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Rev. Floyd H. Flake and the current Ways and Mean Chair Congressman Charles Rangel. The Empire State celebrated another milestone with the ascent of Lt. Governor David Paterson, a prominent Black politician and former New York State Senator, to the governorship of New York in the wake of a scandal...
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