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Posts published in “Adults”

More Blacks Found Jobs in September

By goodblacknews on October 7, 2012
Black Unemployment Rate Declined in September
More people are working and that is reflected in the most recent unemployment numbers released by the Labor Department Friday morning. African-Americans had reason to cheer as their unemployment rate fell to 13.4 percent, down from 14.1 percent in August. Though still extremely high, African-American teen joblessness dropped slightly from 37.9 to 36.7 percent.  The national jobless rate declined to 7.8 percent from 8.1 the previous month.  The unemployment rate is at a 44-month low, and is now the same as when President Obama took office in 2009. This drop could give the president a boost after his disappointing debate performance against Mitt Romney.

Willie McPherson And Christopher Manzi Win Mega Millions Jackpot After Playing Together For 25 Years

By goodblacknews on October 6, 2012

It took persistence, but 25 years of effort paid off big time for two old friends in New York.
Willie McPherson, 74, and Christopher Manzi, 44, won a $14 million jackpot last month playing the Mega Millions lottery, according to the New York Post. The two had been buying lottery tickets together for a quarter of a century after becoming friends while working at Manzi’s print shop in Manhattan.  Despite having spent a sizable amount of cash on their lottery habit over the years, neither McPherson nor Manzi shelled out a dime for the winning ticket. As part of a lottery promotion, they received two Quick Picks for free.
“We won $14 million on a free play ticket,” McPherson told to the New York Daily News. “[It feels] beautiful.”
The pair opted to take the prize in one lump sum, which, after taxes, comes out to about $3.5 million each. Media accounts indicated the two may celebrate in Miami.
Kyu’s Coffee Shop, which gave McPherson the winning ticket, received $10,000 for its hand in the deal, NBC News reported.

Man Wrongly Convicted Can Sue Los Angeles Police Department, Federal Court Panel Rules

By goodblacknews on September 25, 2012
Ex-inmate can sue LAPD, panel rules

Harold C. Hall, a Los Angeles man who spent 19 years in prison for murders he did not commit, will be able to sue the LAPD, a panel of the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled Monday. (Los Angeles Times)

A Los Angeles man who spent 19 years in prison for murders he did not commit will be able to sue the LAPD, a panel of the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled Monday.  Harold C. Hall should be permitted to amend his complaint against the city to allege that officers coerced his confession, which the court said was made as a result of “desperation, fear and fatigue,” in possible violation of the 5th Amendment.

Defy Ventures Helps Ex-Criminals Develop Start-Ups

By goodblacknews on September 24, 2012

Defy Ventures helped Maliki Cottrell, who served time for carrying a gun without a permit, build a trash-hauling business.  (Victor J. Blue for The New York Times)

As a heroin dealer in Rhode Island, Jose Vasquez made $2,000 a day. He said he had a way with his customers. He took his best clients out for dinner and bought them presents on their birthdays.

“Everyone sells drugs, right?” said Mr. Vasquez, who was arrested in 2009. “So you got to find a way to differentiate yourself.”  Since his release last year, Mr. Vasquez, 26, has found that some of his skills as a drug dealer were transferable to a more legitimate pursuit; he opened a personal concierge service, Happy Vida, which runs errands for busy New York professionals.
Mr. Vasquez is a member of the inaugural class of Defy Ventures, a nonprofit organization that offers a one-year entrepreneurial training and mentorship program to people with criminal backgrounds. On Saturday, Defy held its first sales exposition, and Mr. Vasquez and nine of his classmates presented their start-ups. Guests and about 70 Defy students were asked to vote for the best sales pitch. Mr. Vasquez’s business received the most votes and won a $500 prize.

Prime Time Sister Circles Target Middle-Aged Black Women To Improve Their Health And Happiness

By goodblacknews on September 17, 2012

 

Prime Times Sister Circles

Prime Times Sister Circles are helping black women cope with stress and related health issues. © bst2012 – Fotolia.com

When Drs. Marilyn Gaston and Gayle Porter started Prime Time Sister Circles in the Washington, D.C. area, their goal was to create a revolution in health for black women. An extension of their 2001 book, Prime Time: The African American Woman’s Complete Guide to Midlife Health and Wellness, they initiated a series of these three-month programs to encourage healthy eating and stress management in this demographic.

California Resident Ronald Willis Wins $120 Million Lottery

By goodblacknews on September 17, 2012

After six years of playing his lucky numbers, Ronald Willis finally hit the jackpot. But this time, he strayed from his usual spots in Rialto to purchase a ticket in Riverside.

Willis’ fiancée says she was the first to figure out he’d won the $120 million Mega Millions jackpot. When asked if he knew he had the winning numbers, Willis was convinced he’d bought his ticket in Rialto, not Riverside.

Julian Bond, NAACP Chairman Emeritus, Tracks African-American Support For Gay Marriage

By goodblacknews on September 10, 2012


For years, the so-called National Organization for Marriage, the anti-gay group at the helm of many campaigns opposing the freedom to marry, has made it their focus to “drive a wedge between gays and blacks,” a strategy specifically outlined in a series of classified documents that came to light earlier this year. The organization has tried desperately to pit minority group against minority group in its efforts to push its agenda.
But in recent months, we’ve seen time and time again that NOM’s efforts are failing. African-American support for the freedom to marry is at an all-time high, and it continues to increase steadily as we approach the November 6 election. Our first African-American president also became the first sitting president to announce his support for ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage. And the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), a longtime supporter of the LGBT community, adopted an official resolution in favor of the freedom to marry back in May of this year.
Today, Julian Bond, chairman emeritus of the NAACP published an editorial about why the marriage campaign in Maryland matters.

Next Generation of Black Attorneys Honored at “40 Lawyers Under 40”

By goodblacknews on July 22, 2012

The “2012 Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40” were honored by IMPACT and the National Bar Association (the largest network of African-American attorneys and judges) on Sunday.  The event aims to recognize talented individuals (age 40 and under) within the African American legal community who have achieved prominence and distinction, professionally and philanthropically.

Next Generation of Black Attorneys Honored at "40 Lawyers Under 40"

By goodblacknews on July 22, 2012

The “2012 Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40” were honored by IMPACT and the National Bar Association (the largest network of African-American attorneys and judges) on Sunday.  The event aims to recognize talented individuals (age 40 and under) within the African American legal community who have achieved prominence and distinction, professionally and philanthropically.

Women of Color Form "Sisters Tri-ing" To Foster Health and Athleticism!

By goodblacknews on May 21, 2010
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When Ayana Ball-Griffe crossed the finish line of the first triathlon she’d ever run, she noticed an odd phenomenon – she was one of only two women of color running in the marathon.  That revelation left her determined to see changes and get more black women out exercising. She came up with Sisters Tri-ing – as in triathlon.
“The purpose of Sisters Tri-ing is just to really encourage women of color to get healthy and fit” says Ayana.  Weight is a “heavy” issue for African-American women and the Center for Disease Control estimates nearly 80 percent of black women are either overweight or obese.  There can be several factors which may discourage women from putting in time at the gym. Among them are cost, time management and hair…yes, hair.
“You don’t want to get your hair done at the beauty shop and turn around and go sweat it out at the gym!” says Ayana.  Ayana takes that into consideration by offering hair stylists at her non-profit. She also has healthy eating classes and two personal trainers available for the women.  Many of the 90 local members also meet weekly to push each other physically and emotionally.  As one SistersTri-ing member puts it, “For me, it helps to have the encouragement and support and know that somebody is going through the same thing you are.”
article via www.thegrio.com