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Good Black News

Nets Retire Jason Kidd’s No. 5 Jersey

By goodblacknews on October 18, 2013
Jason Kidd speaks during his jersey retirement ceremony before the preseason game agaisnt the Miami Heat at Barclays Center on October 17, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Jason Kidd speaks during his jersey retirement ceremony before the preseason game against the Miami Heat at Barclays Center on October 17, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

NEW YORK (AP) — The Nets have retired the No. 5 jersey of Jason Kidd, who led them to two NBA Finals as a player and is now their coach.  The ceremony took place Thursday night before the Nets hosted the Miami Heat.
Kidd arrived in New Jersey in 2001 and promptly led the Nets to consecutive NBA Finals. He played with them until he was traded midway through the 2007-08 season and is the franchise leader in numerous statistical categories.
Kidd retired last season after spending one season, his 19th, with the New York Knicks. LeBron James calls Kidd, his teammate on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, “one of the best point guards to ever play the game.”
The banner was the New Jersey Nets’ red, white and blue, not the Brooklyn black and white.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press via thegrio.com

Obama Taps Jeh Johnson as Homeland Security Secretary

By goodblacknews on October 18, 2013

Homeland Security Secretary Nominee Jeh Johnson
Homeland Security Secretary Nominee Jeh Johnson

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is calling back a trusted counterterrorism adviser from his first term by nominating former top Pentagon lawyer Jeh Johnson as Secretary of Homeland Security.  Obama plans to announce Johnson’s nomination Friday. He must be confirmed by the Senate before taking over the post most recently held by Janet Napolitano, who stepped down in August to become president of the University of California system.
As general counsel at the Defense Department during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Johnson oversaw the escalation of the use of unmanned drone strikes, the revamping of military commissions to try terrorism suspects rather than using civilian courts and the repeal of the military’s ban on openly gay service members.
A senior Obama administration official on Thursday confirmed Johnson’s selection, first reported by The Daily Beast. The official was not authorized to speak about the nomination on the record and spoke on condition of anonymity.  The official said Obama chose Johnson because of his experience as a national security leader. The official noted that Johnson oversaw the work of more than 10,000 lawyers and was responsible for reviewing every military operation approved by the president and defense secretary.

45 Years Ago Today: John Carlos and Tommie Smith Give Black Power Salute at 1968 Olympic Games

By goodblacknews on October 16, 2013
Tommie Smith (C) and John Carlos (R) at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City (AP Photo)
October 16th marks the 45th anniversary of an iconic moment in sports history, in African-American history and in civil rights history.  On this day in 1968, at the Olympics Games in Mexico City, two black U.S. medalists—Tommie Smith and John Carlos—took the victory stand with their heads bowed and eyes closed, their hands raised with black gloves, and fists clenched.  Their “black power salute” during the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner was a silent protest by these athletes against racial injustice, and their statement, viewed then as a controversial combination of Olympic sports and politics, sent shock waves throughout the games.

Although the now legendary photo of the two men standing with clenched fists is universally recognized, the story behind the story is seldom mentioned, much less taught in schools.
The actions of Smith—the gold medalist in the 200-meter race—and Carlos—the bronze winner—must be viewed within the context of the times in which the men lived.  And the times were turbulent and divisive.  After all, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Senator Robert F. Kennedy had been assassinated only months before the games at Mexico City.  The United States was engulfed in anti-Vietnam War protests and civil rights demonstrations.  Antiwar protestors had been beaten by police during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.  There were calls for black power in African-American communities throughout the nation, and the Black Panther Party had expanded to cities across America.
Enter Harry Edwards, author of The Revolt of the Black Athlete.  Edwards was the organizer of theOlympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR), an effort of black athletes to boycott the Olympics in protest of racial discrimination.  The project was part of a push to have black athletes speak not only to the interests of athletes, but to show a concern for their communities and connect to the larger civil rights movement as well.

Kerry Washington to Host "Saturday Night Live" on November 2nd

By goodblacknews on October 16, 2013

"Scandal" and "Django Unchained" Actress Kerry Washington
Kerry Washington

In the midst of ongoing debate about diversity (or the lack thereof) on the cast of Saturday Night Live, comes the news that Scandal star Kerry Washington will be hosting the show for the first time on November 2nd.
Although best known for her dramatic film roles in Django Unchained and Save The Last Dance, Washington has shown her comedic chops in movies like Peeples and I Think I Love My Wife.  SNL, which is currently in its 38th season, has been under fire for not featuring any people of color among its six new cast members.
Black comedian Kenan Thompson, a veteran of the show, has argued that producers have had trouble finding African-American women who are “ready” to perform on SNL.
Washington will be joined by musical guest Eminem, making his sixth appearance on the show.
article via thegrio.com

Cory Booker Wins Senate Race in New Jersey

By goodblacknews on October 16, 2013

121009_cory_booker_605_ap
Mayor Cory A. Booker of Newark easily won New Jersey’s special Senate election on Wednesday, finally rising to an office that measures up to his national profile.  He will arrive in Washington already one of the country’s most prominent Democrats, and its best-known black politician other than President Obama, who backed him aggressively. Mr. Booker’s fund-raising prowess puts him on course to lead his party’s campaign efforts in the Senate, and he has been mentioned as a possible vice-presidential pick for 2016.

With 55 percent of the precincts reporting, Mr. Booker had 55 percent of the vote to 44 percent for Steve Lonegan, a Republican former mayor of Bogota, N.J., and state director of the conservative group Americans for Prosperity, according to The Associated Press. Still, the campaign gave a wider audience to certain facets of Mr. Booker that long ago began to prompt eye-rolling among his constituents.

With a Twitter following six times as large as the city he has led, Mr. Booker was known outside Newark largely for his appearances on late-night television and his heroics: rescuing a neighbor from a burning building, shoveling out snowbound cars, living on a food stamp diet.

LL Cool J, NWA, Chic Among 2014 Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame Nominees

By goodblacknews on October 16, 2013

ll-cool-jAccording to Variety.com, Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced an eclectic lineup of nominees for 2014 induction today, including rap acts LLCoolJ and N.W.A., disco band Chic and New Orleans funk group the Meters.
Other newly-anointed candidates include Chicago’s blues-rocking Paul Butterfield Blues Band, British hard rock act Deep Purple, U.K. singer-songwriter Peter Gabriel, blue-eyed soul duo Hall & Oates, costumed Detroit metal act KISS, Seattle grunge icons Nirvana, Minneapolis’ shambolic punks the Replacements, vocalist Linda Ronstadt, singer-songwriter Cat Stevens, pathfinding guitarist Link Wray, Brit prog-rock kings Yes, and ‘60s British Invasion group the Zombies.
nwaStevens, LL Cool J, Butterfield Blues Band, Chic, Deep Purple, KISS, N.W.A. and the Meters are all repeat nominees; it is the first time in the running for the remainder of the field. Gabriel is already a member of the Rock Hall via his association with Genesis, inducted in 2010.  The induction ceremony is set for April in New York, and will be presented on HBO in May.
Inductees are select by a panel of 600 music biz authorities, including musicians, execs and writers. Beginning today through Dec. 10, fans can vote online at rockhall.com/vote; the top five vote recipients will constitute a “fan’s ballot” counting toward the final vote tally.
article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson

10 Must-Read Tips On How To Make All Your Beauty Products Last

By goodblacknews on October 15, 2013

 Beauty products can be so expensive. Especially when you are buying the latest beauty trends and celebrity makeup collaborations. But you know I’m here to save the day–and your wallet! There are a number of really easy ways to stretch those hard-earned dollars without sacrificing the beauty results.

1. Revive Your Nail Polish: If your polish brush no longer reaches the bottom of the bottle, add a few drops of nail polish remover, shake the bottle and voila, new nail polish. You should also invest in a long thin paintbrush to access those hard to reach last bits of polish before trashing the bottle for good.
2. Maximize Mascara: Is your favorite mascara all dried up? Use a hair dryer to heat it up, or soak the tube in hot water to re-liquify. But remember mascara should be thrown out after three to six months of use to avoid infections.
3. Make Lipstick Last:  Scrape the lipstick dregs out of bottom of the tube, place inside of a pill-box, contact lens case or a very small plastic paint palette and microwave for about 10 seconds. Then, put the melted lipstick in the fridge to harden in your new “container.” You might need to use a lipstick brush to apply, but that’s much cheaper than a whole new tube of Chanel.
4. Longer Life Lip Liner: To keep lip and eyeliners moist and firm, store them in the refrigerator between uses.
5. From Powder to Gloss: Take leftover powdered blush (when it’s cracked and you can hardly get it on the brush) and mix with Vaseline for a pink, sparkly nude lip gloss.

Patti LaBelle, Venus Williams and Queen Latifah are Among 2013 Honorees for Black Girls Rock!

By goodblacknews on October 15, 2013

Patti LaBelle accepts the lifetime achievement award at the BET Awards in Los Angeles. The R&B diva has agreed to pay $100,000 to a Manhattan woman who accused her of hurling curses and water at her and her 18-month-old daughter during a dust-up over parenting in an apartment building lobby. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)
ATLANTA (AP) — Patti Labelle and Queen Latifah both will be among those honored as part of the Black Girls Rock! awards show on BET in November.  Black Girls Rock! founder Beverly Bond announced the show’s honorees in a statement Monday. Other honorees include tennis champion Venus Williams, screenwriter-producer Mara Brock Akil, ballet dancer Misty Copeland, community organizer Ameena Matthews and children’s rights advocate Marian Wright Edelman.
Actresses Tracee Ellis Ross and Regina King return as hosts of the ceremony, which will air Nov. 3. It will be taped later this month at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, N.J.  Black Girls Rock! is a nonprofit organization that mentors young black girls and works to fight negative images of black women in the media.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press via thegrio.com

Lameka Weeks Designs Height Goddess Fashions for Tall Women

By goodblacknews on October 15, 2013

Lameka Weeks - HEIGHT GODDESSLameka Weeks founded Height Goddess because, simply put, she was sick of settling. For years—decades even—clothing brands and manufacturers have largely ignored the plight of the tall woman. Sure, petites and plus size have dedicated sections and even full stores aplenty, but tall women have had to settle for clothes that don’t fit and don’t flatter for far too long. Height Goddess is a contemporary line for women measuring 5’9” & taller. In 2007, with no formal fashion training,  
Weeks sought out to find experienced industry professionals to assist her  in developing premium denim for tall women. For over two years,  she continuously worked to ensure each style embodied the confidence and beauty of a tall, fashion- forward woman who is innovative and timeless. All of Height Goddess’ garments are designed in house and proportioned for women 5’9″ & taller. Week’s garments are also made in the USA. After a few seasons the collection has grown to include dresses for tall women, tall pants for women and tops for tall women.
Through fashion, Weeks hopes to inspire women to love their height, embrace their uniqueness and spread the same confidence to others.
How did you launch your career and get to where you are today?
I knew at an early age I wanted to do something related to fashion catering to tall women. Initially, I thought to open a boutique but after researching for vendors who produced clothing for tall women there were very few and those that did were very outdated.  I realized I would have to create my own brand. HEIGHT GODDESS is a contemporary clothing line designed specifically for the tall, fashion-forward woman.
What have you had to sacrifice along the way, if anything?
Because I’m building my business while working full-time my time is very limited and planning it a must. In the past I have been known to wake-up and decide I want to take a trip and within hours I’d be on a plane or in the car, not so much anymore.  It takes a lot to run this business and I’ve had to make a lot of sacrifices but it’s been a great journey thus far.

Georgia Residents Ralph and Tillie Lee Pullin Still Going Strong After 75 Years of Marriage

By goodblacknews on October 14, 2013
Ralph and Tillie Lee Pullin are one of the longest-living married couples in Georgia, and it's getting them plenty of unexpected attention.
Ralph and Tillie Lee Pullin are one of the longest-living married couples in Georgia, and it’s getting them plenty of unexpected attention.

GEORGIA – An African-American couple is celebrating an extraordinary milestone in their marriage.  Ralph and Tillie Lee Pullin have been husband and wife for an incredible 75 years.  They tied the knot in 1938 after two years of dating. Despite inevitable ups and downs, their union is still going strong.  Now the couple’s long-lasting devotion to each other is generating unexpected attention. They have received a proclamation from their mayor and a congratulatory letter from President Obama.

“I am so excited, I am telling you,” said Mrs. Pullin in an interview with local television station.  Mr. Ralph Pullin, Sr, of McDonough, Georgia, said in the same interview that it was a strong attraction at first sight.  “She had to sit on part of my knee!  And that got my attention like– a live wire,” he said.
Though, their courtship was not without challenges. For two years, the pair kept their relationship secret from Mrs. Pullin’s mother instead telling her that Mr. Pullin was dating his wife’s older sister.  The lovebirds finally wed on September 17, 1938. The pair – one of the longest-living married couples in Georgia — went on to to have 8 children. They have 6 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, with another on the way.