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Posts published in “Teens”

Cedric the Entertainer, Mary Mary, Niecy Nash & More Set To Headline T.D. Jakes' MegaFest

By goodblacknews on July 16, 2013

8th Annual Jazz in the Gardens Day 2 - Show
Mary Mary

The “Just Churchin’” Comedy Show, Woman of Purpose Concert and the Ball Up Streetball Classic Tour Championship game are just a few of the electrifying entertainment events that will captivate audiences during the upcoming Labor Day weekend.
“MegaFest is about coming together to strengthen each other and our families, and leaving refreshed and ready to help our communities,” said Jakes. “There’s no better way to get inspired than by having fun, creating memories and laughing together.”
Making its triumphant return to the United States for the first time since 2006, MegaFest will be held at the Dallas Convention Center, American Airlines Center and other venues throughout the city. This supersized event marries four of Jakes’ most popular conferences: ManPower, Woman Thou Art Loosed, MegaYouth and MegaKidz with a plethora of entertainment, business and other empowering features for the entire family.
Hosted by Cedric the Entertainer and Niecy Nash, stars of the TV Land hit sitcom The Soul Man, the “Just Churchin’” comedy show is a MegaFest favorite. Slated for Friday, August 30 at 8 p.m. at the Dallas Convention Center Arena, “Just Churchin’” guarantees a flavorful mix of comedic talent, with hilarious, family-friendly stand up routines from seasoned veteran comedians to the hottest up and coming talent. Tickets went on sale June 28.

Tom Joyner Offers Rachel Jeantel Full Ride To Any HBCU Of Her Choice

By goodblacknews on July 16, 2013

Rachel JeantelThroughout the Trayvon Martin case, Rachel Jeantel‘s testimony was riveting and difficult to watch for many reasons, including defense attorney Don West’s obvious frustration with her and condescension toward her. Jeantel was the last person to speak to Trayvon Martin before being killed by George Zimmerman who was found not guilty on July 13.  Jeantel was deemed by the defense and the media as an implausible source due to her ‘lack of education.’ The 19-year-old was berated by many due to her speech, appearance and mannerisms. Fortunately her testimony and recent appearance on CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight,” influenced Tom Joyner to lend a helping hand.
Joyner reached out to Jeantel and offered her a full scholarship to any HBCU of her choice. In addition to assisting the young teen with college, he also wants to help her complete high school with the best tutors and SAT courses. Jeantel hopes to pursue a career in law enforcement.
Related Stories:

article by Bria Feliu via theurbandaily.com with additions by Lori Lakin Hutcherson

Jordan Davis’ Parents Speak: Our Son Will Not Die In Vain

By goodblacknews on July 16, 2013

Jordan Davis

As killer Michael Dunn, 45, prepares to face 1st-degree murder charges in September for the November 23, 2012 slaying of 17-year-old Jordan Davis, in an exclusive interview with Jet Magazine, the teen’s parents, Ron Davis and Lucia McBath, share the difficulties in keeping their son’s story alive and how they’ve bonded with Trayvon Martin‘s parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin.
RELATED: Jordan Davis Killer’s Charges Upgraded To First-Degree Murder, Faces Life Without Parole
As previously reported by NewsOne, Davis was gunned down by Dunn at a gas station in Jacksonville, Florida.  As previously reported by NewsOne, Dunn claims that he felt threatened by the teen — who was sitting inside of an SUV with friends — and loud music coming from the vehicle, so he shot inside of it 8 or 9 times before driving away leaving Davis to die in a friend’s arms.
None of the teens had weapons.
The fact that Dunn was carrying a legal concealed weapon, and is counting on Florida’s controversial ‘Stand Your Ground’ law to justify his actions, has drawn attention to the racial implications of the law in a state where Black manhood is consistently criminalized.

Temar Boggs: Teen Boys Help Find Abducted Girl Jocelyn Rojas

By goodblacknews on July 15, 2013

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_W7Bjd1ADg&w=560&h=315]
LANCASTER, Pa. — Police in Pennsylvania say a 5-year-old girl was abducted while playing in her yard, but found safe two hours later after two boys spotted her in a car. Investigators are seeking the suspect, who drove off.  It happened around 4:30 p.m. Thursday in Lancaster Township just outside the city of Lancaster. Police say that’s when Jocelyn Rojas was reported missing.

Teen Hero Temar Boggs
Teen Hero Temar Boggs

Two hours later, as police and fire crews scoured the area, police in nearby Manheim Township say two teenage boys, Temar Boggs (pictured) and his friend, Chris, spotted a girl matching Rojas’ description inside a car. They began following the vehicle on their bicycles and police say the male driver eventually stopped and let the girl out before driving off.
“As soon as the guy realized we were chasing him, he stopped at the light and he let her out,” said Boggs. “And she ran to me and said she needed her mom.”  The girl’s mother told ABC affiliate WPVI-TV that she’s happy her daughter was found safe. “I’m definitely grateful God was watching over her and brought her home,” said Jaimee Smeal.
Police said an assault occurred while the girl was with her abductor, but would not release information on the type of assault. They also said the suspect did take the victim to get ice cream. It may take some time for the girl to help law enforcement officials figure out what happened during her two hours of abduction because of her age. She was briefly hospitalized after being rescued and is now home with her family.
The small community where the abduction took place is praising the boys’ bravery for tracking down the vehicle. “I believe it took courage for them to follow the car,” said Manheim-Lancaster Township Police Chief Neil Harkins, referring to the teenage boys. “The girl is here with us today.”  The cops are speaking to a person of interest in connection to the abduction, but have not named a suspect or filed any charges.
article via newsone.com

Marches, Rallies Follow Zimmerman Acquittal

By goodblacknews on July 14, 2013

In New York City on Sunday afternoon, hundreds of demonstrators faced temperatures that nearly hit 90 degrees to gather in Union Square for a “Justice 4 Trayvon” rally.  “This is a show of strength, but it’s also a show of solidarity with the family because last night, what happened, was complete disrespect to them,” said Imani Henry, an activist with the People’s Power Assembly. “We want to show love and respect to them.”
Some in the crowd said they were still in shock over the verdict.  “I’ve been speechless all night, I couldn’t sleep,” said Kelly Knight, a Brooklyn resident who came for the protest.  “I have a young daughter, and I thought, if it happened to him, it could happen to her,” she said.
Local churches across the country were also organizing rallies and urging supporters to wear hoodies in honor of Martin, who was wearing a black hoodie when Zimmerman shot him in the chest on Feb. 26, 2012. Zimmerman said he shot Martin in self-defense after the teen attacked him.
In Sanford, Fla., where the shooting took place, demonstrators continued to hold rallies well into Sunday evening. Along with expressing solidarity with Martin, many held signs calling for an end to Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, which allows people fearing for their lives to use deadly force if they believe their lives are at risk.
In the Florida state capital of Tallahassee on Sunday, roughly 200 protesters, some wearing hoodies, sang songs of justice and carried signs that said “Racism is Not Dead.”
Read More: Marches, rallies follow Zimmerman acquittal.

Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team Wows on "America's Got Talent"

By goodblacknews on July 11, 2013

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5bI7TwZnM8&w=560&h=315]
Chicago_Boyz_Acrobatic_Team_Creative_Jum_105433971_thumbnailIn case you missed it, check out the amazing acrobatic team, Chicago Boyz, performing on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” last week.  Their amazing talent and inspiring story made for great television — they made it to the next round in Las Vegas, and hopefully will go all the way to the finals to compete for the $1 million prize.
article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson

Rihanna Sends $5,000 Check to Illinois High School

By goodblacknews on July 11, 2013
Rihanna plays at the Roskilde Festival in Roskilde, Denmark, Friday night, July 5, 2013. Roskilde Festival is the largest North European culture and music festival and has existed since 1971. (AP Photo/Simon Fals, Polfoto )
Rihanna plays at the Roskilde Festival in Roskilde, Denmark, Friday night, July 5, 2013. Roskilde Festival is the largest North European culture and music festival and has existed since 1971. (AP Photo/Simon Fals, Polfoto )
BARRINGTON, Ill. (AP) — Pop star Rihanna is donating $5,000 to a suburban Chicago high school to cover the costs of her brief but tardy visit earlier this year.  Barrington Unit District 220 tells The Daily Herald that the money was sent to offset expenses for security and signs for the musician’s March trip to Barrington High School. The rest of the cash will be allocated for students.
The singer traveled to Chicago’s northwestern suburbs after the school won her “Shine Bright Like a Diamond” video contest. Their five-minute, student-produced film highlighted the school’s volunteer and community service programs.  But fans waited for more than four hours on the first day of the school’s spring break after Rihanna showed up late. While they waited, students got free tickets, CDs and signed merchandise.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press via thegrio.com

Ohio High School Apologizes For Banning Afro-Puffs In Dress Code

By goodblacknews on July 1, 2013

afro puffs
An Ohio high school has agreed to remove part of its dress code after parents complained it was discriminatory. In the dress code sent out to parents June 14, Horizon Science Academy (HSA) noted that “Afro-puffs and small twisted braids–with or without rubberbands–are NOT permitted.”
After receiving a number of complaints, the school sent out an updated dress code Saturday, removing the Afro-puffs ban. The school’s dean of students Jayson Bendik issued an apology for anyone offended by the dress code, noting the inclusion as an error. “We had no intention of creating any bias,” Bendik said. “We made a mistake and we fixed that mistake immediately.”
Bendik noted that other concept schools have been informed of the change. According to him, a committee oversees the dress code for the school, but overlooked the ban. “As soon as we found out, we took the necessary action and made a correction,” he said. According to its 2011-2012 annual report, 26 percent of the school’s K-7 students are African-American.
James Knight, an advisory-board member for the school, said the ban was targeted at the school’s Black male students in an effort to improve their appearance. “It had nothing to do with young ladies, young African-American ladies. It was really more so addressing young African-American men here at this school,” he told the Huffington Post. “We want to maintain a certain type of college prep culture here, and we just want the young men to be well-groomed.”
“This information has offended many people and by no means did we have any intention of creating bias toward any of our students,” a member of the HSA administration told The Morning Journal. “Furthermore, we are taking the matter seriously and again apologize for any offense it may have caused.”
article by Hannington Dia via newsone.com

Jay-Z to Hold Free NY Concert on July 8

By goodblacknews on July 1, 2013

jay-z-holy-grail-gif
What a giving man Shawn Carter is. Let’s bypass the fact that he is putting out his latest studio album, “Magna Carta Holy Grail,” on July 4. Jay-Z is about to shut down New York City with a free concert.
Jay-Z has been pushing to have a free concert on the marquee of the “Late Show With David Letterman” since 2010. City officials turned the idea down when taking traffic and public safety into account. This time around, Mayor Bloomberg approved the request and granted the music mogul permission.
The free concert will take place on July 8 on the marquee of the “Late Show With David Letterman” and will also appear on the show. City officials are expected to shut the area down surrounding the theater, which is near West 53rd and 54th Streets and north of Times Square.
Jay-Z has been pushing all marketing limitations with the promotion of his forthcoming album. Are you ready for “Magna Carta Holy Grail?” Check out one of Jay-Z’s commercials for “Magna Carta Holy Grail.”
article by Bria Feliu via urbandaily.com

Sesame Street Creates Kit To Teach Kids How To Cope With Parents In Jail

By goodblacknews on June 29, 2013
sesamejailThe incarceration of a loved one can be very overwhelming for both children and caregivers. Sesame Street has jumped in to help. Called “Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration,” the program is distributing “tool kits’’ to schools, community centers and even jails in 10 states — including New York — starting today to help kids ages 3 to 8, organizers said.
Here are some of the kit’s tips for parents and/or caretakers who are not in prison:

  • Let your child know what to expect during everyday activities. Tell her who will take her to school and who will pick her up.
  • Provide your child with a comfort item to keep during the day, such as a paper heart or family photo.
  • Ask your child questions to help her open up. You might notice a negative behavior and say, “Did something happen today that made you feel sad?”

More tips: “Let your child know that the incarceration is not his fault….Let him know he’s not alone.” And here are tips for preserving a relationship between an incarcerated parent and child:

  • Phone calls are a great way to keep in touch. Help your child think of things to tell her parent. Give her a picture of the parent to hold during the call.
  • Use pen and paper to write letters. If your child can’t yet write, ask her to tell you what to write; she can draw pictures to go with the words.
  • Televisiting can be helpful for some children. Sharing an everyday routine such as storytime during your televisit is a great way to be together.

The kit also includes a video episode about a young muppet named Alex whose dad is in jail. Check out the entire kit here.
article by Oretha Winston via elev8.com