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Good Black News

Students with Down Syndrome Crowned Homecoming King, Queen

By goodblacknews on October 14, 2013
Semone Adkins (L) and Travjuan Hunter, who both suffer from Down syndrome, were crowned homecoming king and queen at their high school last week. (Photo courtesy of WKMG)
Great news was delivered to two students last week who made history as the first-ever seniors with Down syndrome to be crowned homecoming king and queen in Florida.  The night marked a momentous occasion for Travjuan Hunter and Semone Adkins, who celebrated with their families after they were announced winners during Friday night’s homecoming football game at West Orange High School in Orange County, Fl.

According to WKMG, Hunter and Adkins were among 12 other students up for the honor and the winning candidates were announced based on the number of votes submitted by the school’s student body.
The results were kept hidden until the coronation ceremony on the school’s football field where they were later revealed and dubbed Hunter and Adkins as homecoming royalty. The crowd cheered in support.  The two students have reportedly been friends for many years — and their parents were overwhelmed by the news and glad they were able to share the honor together.
Adkin’s mother, Karen McNeil told WKMG: “It was a dream come true, because I always knew that she was going to be something great in this world and this is just the beginning for us.”
article by Lilly Workneh via thegrio.com

Inspired by Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., Investor Makes Huge Gift for Black Studies

By goodblacknews on October 14, 2013

Henry Louis Gates Jr. of Harvard, left, and Glenn Hutchins of Silver Lake. The two became friends after meeting 10 years ago.
Henry Louis Gates Jr. of Harvard, left, and Glenn Hutchins of Silver Lake. The two became friends after meeting 10 years ago. (Robert Caplin/New York Times)

Just over 10 years ago, the private equity mogul Glenn Hutchins was on vacation in Martha’s Vineyard. With his 25th Harvard College reunion near, he was thinking about how to put some of his wealth to good use.  One afternoon, clad in a T-shirt and board shorts, he stopped at an old whaling chapel, where Henry Louis Gates Jr., the prominent professor of African and African-American studies at Harvard, was leading a symposium.  That encounter gave Mr. Hutchins his cause.
Since then, Mr. Hutchins has strengthened his connection to Mr. Gates and the Harvard program. Their bond will become stronger on Wednesday, when Mr. Hutchins is expected to announce a gift of more than $15 million to create the Hutchins Center for African and African-American Research, solidifying Harvard’s program as one of the top in its field.  “It creates an infrastructure for the department and a solid foundation on which they can thrive,” Mr. Hutchins said in an interview this month.
The gift — part of a previously announced $30 million donation to the university whose uses had not all been specified — also bespeaks a friendship between two men unlike each other in many respects. One is a wealthy white financier whose firm, Silver Lake, is on the verge of taking over the computer maker Dell with its founder, Michael S. Dell; the other is a celebrated black professor who helped popularize African-American studies as an academic field and social phenomenon.

"American Promise" Documentary Focuses on the Education of Black Boys

By goodblacknews on October 13, 2013


It wasn’t easy – but Idris Brewster and Seun Summers made it through. The two teenagers made it through a difficult, challenge-filled journey to graduate high school. And they made it through with cameras documenting their every move.  The two friends wScreen Shot 2013-10-13 at 3.42.16 PMere the main characters in the documentary American Promise, which explores their lives in Brooklyn from kindergarten to high school graduation day.
Idris’ parents Michèle Stephenson and Joe Brewster are the film’s producers and directors. Both Idris and Seun, who are African-American, are admitted into the Dalton School, a prestigious private school on New York’s Upper East Side.
Both of the boy’s parents decide it’s an opportunity they cannot pass up –  but also acknowledge there will be difficulties their sons face on issues of race and class.
How would Idris and Seun handle fitting into the culture of a mostly white prep school?
The answer is complex – which the film shows in situations varying from tragic to mundane. The documentary raises more questions than it provides answers:

  • Why do girls say no to Idris when he asks them to dance in middle school? (His black male classmates are convinced they would all “get girls” if they were white)
  • Why does the school perceive Seun as unprepared? (His mom swears he is organized and motivated at home)
  • What are Seun and Idris ‘missing out on’ by attending Dalton?

Seun – who struggled to connect with other kids socially and had his fair share of academic troubles at Dalton – decides to leave after eighth grade and go to a predominantly black high school in Brooklyn.
Idris stays and attends high school at Dalton but is not without struggle – he is later diagnosed with ADHD during his sophomore year after years of trouble focusing. He also struggles to keep up with the academic rigors of Dalton, but ultimately stays and finds the experience rewarding.
The film first opens in theaters on October 18th.
article by Todd Johnson via thegrio.com

Kenya Native Dennis Kimetto Sets Course Record With Chicago Marathon Win

By goodblacknews on October 13, 2013

 

Dennis Kimetto sets Course Record in 2013 Chicago Marathon
Dennis Kimetto sets Course Record in 2013 Chicago Marathon

Dennis Kimetto of Kenya set a course record Sunday as he took first in the 2013 Chicago Marathon, his second marathon win of the year.  Kimetto beat the previous record of 2:04:23 with 2:03:45, according to unofficial times.  Kimetto and Emmanuel Mutai were neck-and-neck until the last half-mile when Kimetto broke out front.  “I am happy because I broke the course record,” Kimetto said. “The [race] conditions were very good.”
Kimetto came to Chicago with a 2013 marathon win already under his belt. He took first in this year’s Tokyo Marathon with a time of 2:06:50, which set a course record for the race, just his second marathon to date.  During his first marathon, in Berlin last September, he crossed the finish just one second behind the winner.
Kimetto is known for long-distance road racing. The World Marathon Majors points out Kimetto would hold the world record for fastest marathon debut if the IAAF recognized that stat. He set his personal best in Berlin with a finish time of 2:04:16.
article by Lisa Balde via nbcchicago.com

Pharrell Williams, Helen Lasichanh Say 'I Do' In Star Studded Ceremony

By goodblacknews on October 13, 2013

Pharrell Williams Helen Lasichanh

Congratulations go out to Pharrell Williams and his model wife Helen Lasichanh, who tied the knot in Miami yesterday (Oct. 12).  The musician and his beautiful wife enjoyed music by pals Usher and Busta Rhymes, Us Weekly reports, and the Daily Mail adds that Justin Timberlake and Robin Thicke were also rumored to perform.

The couple’s wedding photographer was none other than Terry Richardson, photographer to the stars, adds Just Jared.  Never one to play by the rules, Williams, 40, ditched the conventional tux and instead opted for a red tartan suit. Lasichanh, looking gorgeous, skipped the white dress and instead wore a voluminous blue and green plaid gown.  The two have a son together, 4-year-old Rocket.
article via huffingtonpost.com

Jamie Foxx and Oliver Stone in Talks to Star and Direct Martin Luther King Film

By goodblacknews on October 11, 2013

Jamie Foxx Oliver Stone Martin Luther

After hitting a home run with Lincoln, DreamWorks looks ready to take on another prominent historical figure. DreamWorks and Warner Bros. are in early talks with Oliver Stone to direct and Jamie Foxx to star as Martin Luther King Jr. in an untitled biopic.  Both studios have been trying to get the picture up and running for some time, after putting the project into development in 2009 when it was supposed to team with Warner Bros. for a co-production.
The MLK drama is still far away from a greenlight but getting both Stone and Foxx to sign would speed up the process.  Pic would follow the famous civil rights activist from his rise all the way to his assassination in 1968.  Kario Salem wrote the original script with Steven Spielberg, Suzanne De Passe, Madison Jones and Samuel Nappi producing.
Both Foxx and Stone are no strangers to tackling projects dealing with historical events and iconic individuals — Stone with JFK, World Trade Center and W and Foxx with Ray Charles in Ray, for which he won an Academy Award.

article by Justin Kroll via Variety.com

Red Lobster Waitress Toni Christina Jenkins Gets $10,000 Tip After Racist Receipt

By goodblacknews on October 11, 2013

HT red lobster racist tip jtm 131010 16x9 608 Red Lobster Waitress Gets $10K Tip After Racist Receipt
(Image Credit: Toni Christina Jenkins)

A Red Lobster waitress, who said a customer left her a receipt with a racist slur, has received the tip of a lifetime, thanks to a fundraising from online supporters.
Toni Christina Jenkins of Franklin, Tenn., said she was shocked when she saw a receipt on the table with “none” on the “Tip” line and the N-word on the “Total” line.
“I was just stunned that it happened,” Jenkins, 19, said. “It’s not something that you think in our generation would actually take place, so I was just blown away by it.”
After posting a picture of the receipt to Facebook Sept. 10, her story sparked outrage online, prompting a California man to take action. Matthew Hanson, founder of AddictingInfo.org, heard Jenkins’ story and started an online fundraiser called “Tips for Toni” that collected $10,749 in place of Jenkins’ non-tip on the bill for $44.53.
“It was about sending a message to racists that Americans aren’t going to tolerate that,” Hanson said. “We raised $10,000 within seventy-two hours. It was really amazing.”  Hanson presented the check September 30th to Jenkins, who was unaware of the fundraiser.  “I literally screamed. I was so confused,” Jenkins said. “I was just so thankful. I felt so blessed and so honored that so many people came together on my behalf to give this to me.”

Angela Bassett Starrer "American Horror Story: Coven" Premieres to Record Audience

By goodblacknews on October 10, 2013

Angela BassettAccording to Variety.com, FX’s drama American Horror Story returned Wednesday night with the franchise’s largest-ever audience, surging about 40% above its opener a year ago.  American Horror Story: Coven averaged a 3.0 rating/9 share in adults 18-49 and 5.54 million viewers overall in the Nielsen Ratings, easily beating competing broadcast dramas CSI, Nashville and Ironside.
And among all broadcast programs on the night, only ABC’s Modern Family performed better.  Counting two quickie repeats of its premiere (at 11:12 p.m. and then 1:25 a.m.), Coven collected 7.78 million total viewers.  FX said Wednesday’s telecast could emerge as the most-watched program in network history when Live+7 DVR data becomes available.
AHS premiered in October 2011 with a 1.6 rating in adults 18-49 and 3.18 million viewers overall, and then returned a year ago to a series-best 2.2 demo rating and 3.85 million total viewers. American Horror Story: Asylum closed with a 1.3 and 2.29 million in January of this year.
Academy Award nominees and winners Angela Bassett, Jessica Lange and Kathy Bates and are among the cast for this season of American Horror Story.
article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson

Kevin Hart To Executive Produce ABC Sitcom Pilot

By goodblacknews on October 10, 2013

Uptown_KevinHartABC has greenlit a half-hour comedy pilot based on Kevin Hart‘s stand-up act. The sitcom will focus on a recently divorced couple who is trying to work on maintaining a friendship for the sake of their children.
Hart is not set to star in the show, but he will likely play a recurring role if it’s picked up. Neil Goldman and Garrett Donovan, of “Community” fame, will pen the script, and Hart will be one of the executive producers.
Hart’s star just continues to rise at a breakneck pace. It seems like the comedian can do no wrong. He already has “Real Husbands of Hollywood” on BET, countless films, successful stand-up tours, hosting credits, and endorsement deals.
article by Natali Rivers via uptownmagazine.com

Marquis Taylor Quits Wall Street Job to Help Impoverished Youth Through Basketball

By goodblacknews on October 10, 2013
Marquis Taylor (far left) with a group of young students participating in the mentorship program. (Photo courtesy of Coaching 4 Change website)
Marquis Taylor (far left) with a group of young students participating in the mentorship program. (Photo courtesy of Coaching 4 Change website)

Marquis Taylor, 29, is a man making a difference.  Once a working professional on Wall Street, Taylor left his job in real estate finance and dedicated his time to helping youth in low-income communities through his grassroots organization, Coaching4Change.

As the founder and executive director of the program, Taylor mentors the youth by teaching them the fundamental lessons provided through sports.  His mentoring guidelines are designed to stimulate the educational environment of kids in urban areas and they have proven to bring positive change to these impoverished communities.  Taylor’s mentorship program has directly affected one student in particular who grew up in a single home with eight siblings, according to a story reported by The Huffington Post.
The student was frequently in trouble and failing most of his classes but with Taylor’s guidance, he was able to raise his GPA almost two full points and he became inspired to launch an after-school program where he taught younger students the basics of basketball.  For Taylor, many of the lives of students he has helped reflect on some of the same hardships he faced as a child.