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Posts published in “Community”

Black-Owned Health-Conscious Store Delivers Freshness To Atlanta

By goodblacknews on September 27, 2012
The Boxcar Grocer

The Boxcar Grocer is a new addition to the Castleberry Hill section of Atlanta. Photo credit: Candace Y.A. Montague

By Candace Y.A. Montague via thegrio.com

Nestled in the Castleberry Hill section of Atlanta is a quaint neighborhood divided between yesteryear and today. Among the new additions to the area is a bright, modern corner store that sells all-natural produce and products for residents who seek organic alternatives.  It’s called The Boxcar Grocer and on Peters Street SW, it is the only food store available.

Co-owners Alison and Alphonso Cross migrated from San Francisco to the Atlanta area to open this food store in a building owned by their father.  The brother and sister team felt that fresh food was important enough to bring to the neighborhood and sacrificed almost everything to make it happen. The question was whether or not there was enough of a demand for fresh food options to sustain their business in an area that is making slow progress towards revitalization. The Crosses believed so, and they found a way to use local farmers to keep the business afloat.

Students in Florida Get Financial Training, Job Skills at New School Credit Union

By goodblacknews on September 27, 2012
Student run credit union169

NBC Miami – The Dade County Federal Credit Union opened its doors at Booker T. Washington High School Tuesday and put the students in charge.  “These students are actually manning the credit union during lunch and after school,” said Principal William Aristide. “They have the opportunity to interact with their schoolmates, parents and people in the community.”

Austin’s Rich African-American History On Display

By goodblacknews on September 25, 2012

The Austin History Center has a story tell you — it’s tales of the African-American community during Travis County’s first 100 years.  It’s called “Building a Community: The First Century of African-American Life in Travis County.”  The exhibit begins in 1839 when the county was found, followed by the end of slavery in 1865, and follows all the way through 1940. Many freed slaves opened up businesses around town.

Lower 9th Ward Passes Test During Hurricane Isaac

By goodblacknews on September 25, 2012
Gloria Guy enjoys her new “Brad Pitt” house  after being rescued from her rooftop during Hurricane Katrina. “I’m glad I stayed,” she says. “I’m tired of running.”

NEW ORLEANS — Seven years ago, as floodwaters in the wake of Hurricane Katrina rushed into her living room and swallowed cars, homes and friends around her, Gloria Guy spent 9 1/2 hours on the roof of her Lower 9th Ward home until a neighbor with a boat took her to higher ground.

Gloria Guy enjoys her new “Brad Pitt” house and new neighborhood after being rescued from her rooftop during Hurricane Katrina. “I’m glad I stayed,” she says. “I’m tired of running.”  Last week, Guy mostly napped and chatted with family members inside her newly built home on the same lot where Katrina’s floods nearly took her life as Hurricane Isaac wailed and moaned outside but failed to deliver any damage.

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.

Harlem School of the Arts Gets $5 Million From Herb Alpert

By goodblacknews on September 25, 2012
A dance class at the school in 2011.A dance class at the school in 2011. (Béatrice de Géa for The New York Times)

The Harlem School of the Arts, a community arts school that has faced major financial hurdles in the last few years, has received a grant of more than $5 million from the Herb Alpert Foundation that will allow the school to retire its debt, restore its endowment and create a scholarship program for needy students.

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.

Baltimore Raven Torrey Smith’s Emotional Ride Ends With Win Over Patriots

By goodblacknews on September 24, 2012
Torrey Smith #82 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after he scored a 25-yard touchdown recpetion in the second quarter against the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)Torrey Smith #82 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after he scored a 25-yard touchdown recpetion in the second quarter against the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE (AP) — Torrey Smith showed up at the stadium tired and drained, unsure if he would suit up for the Baltimore Ravens.  No one would have blamed him if he didn’t. After all, his younger brother had died in a motorcycle accident less than 24 hours earlier.  Smith opted to play, and the second-year wide receiver caught touchdown passes of 25 and 5 yards to help the Ravens beat the New England Patriots 31-30 Sunday night in a rematch of the AFC title game.

Thirteen Year-Old Texan Madu Eneli Pens Middle School Success Guide

By goodblacknews on September 24, 2012
Madu Eneli

Madu Eneli, an eighth grader from Texas, wrote a guide to academic and personal success for other middle schoolers. (Source: Aya Eneli International)

Students can sometimes find the transition into middle school stressful and challenging, so one eighth grader used his experience to create a road map for success.  Madu Eneli, of Harker Heights, Texas, published a book titled, “Am I Ready for Middle School?” Its chapters are dedicated to topics like handling a heavier workload, reaching out for academic help, and navigating the social aspects of lunch and recess.
“I started thinking about writing the book last year after I started seventh grade,” Eneli told Harker Heights Herald. “I don’t think there’s another book like this that speaks to middle school kids.”

GBN Quote Of The Day

By goodblacknews on September 23, 2012

“If you are a parent, recognize that it is the most important calling and rewarding challenge you have. What you do every day, what you say and how you act, will do more to shape the future of America than any other factor.”
–Marian Wright Edelman, author, activist and Founder of The Children’s Defense Fund