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Good Black News

Heritage Tourism Publishes Black Churches Guide For D.C.

By goodblacknews on October 27, 2012

Heritage Tourism Alliance of Montgomery County has committed to preserving the legacy of the church with a guide of African- American churches in the Washington D.C. area.  Entitled “Community Cornerstones: A Selection of Historic African American Churches in Montgomery County, Maryland,” details the history of 21 historically African-American Montgomery churches. These churches, founded by free slaves, reflect the desire to create a new life after years of being in captivity and repeated violence. While most of the churches are still in use, three churches that are included in the guide are no longer standing.

Peggy Erickson, executive director of Heritage Montgomery, was inspired to create the guide after the tourism alliance filmed an Emmy Award-winning video on the Civil War last year.  “This story needs to be told rather quickly because the congregations are vanishing and the people are growing old,” Ericksen told the Washington Post.

article by Brittney M. Walker via eurweb.com

Olympic Hurdler Lolo Jones Joins US Bobsled Team

By goodblacknews on October 26, 2012
Lolo Jones waiting for her run at the U.S. women's bobsled push championships in Lake Placid, N.Y. Jones says she's still planning to compete in hurdles at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Only now, a trip to the 2014 Sochi Games may come first. Jones was one of 24 athletes selected to the U.S. bobsled team Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Lynch, File)

Lolo Jones waiting for her run at the U.S. women’s bobsled push championships in Lake Placid, N.Y. Jones says she’s still planning to compete in hurdles at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Only now, a trip to the 2014 Sochi Games may come first. Jones was one of 24 athletes selected to the U.S. bobsled team Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Lynch, File)

President Barack Obama Backs Gay Marriage Initiatives in Three States

By goodblacknews on October 26, 2012
U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign rally at Doolittle Park on October 24, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Obama is on a 48-hour campaign tour of battleground states, including Colorado, Florida and Iowa. (Photo by John Gurzinski/Getty Images)

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign rally at Doolittle Park on October 24, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Obama is on a 48-hour campaign tour of battleground states, including Colorado, Florida and Iowa. (Photo by John Gurzinski/Getty Images)

(AP) – President Barack Obama on Thursday threw his support behind ballot measures in Maine, Maryland and Washington state that would legalize same-sex marriage.  Though the president first voiced his general approval for gay marriage in May, he had not previously offered specific endorsements of the three measures.  In each case, the endorsements were issued through the state branches of Obama’s re-election campaign.

Born On This Day in 1911: Gospel Powerhouse Mahalia Jackson

By goodblacknews on October 26, 2012
“You going to be famous in this world and walk with kings and queens,” an aunt told  twelve year-old Mahalia Jackson. Born on October 26, 1911, in New Orleans, where she shared a shotgun house with thirteen people, the future could only get better. 

But before it did, Jackson’s mother died when she was just four and she had to leave school in the fourth grade to help out at home. She had music though — the jazz bands that entertained the city and the gospel that healed souls, with some Bessie Smith in between. On Every Wednesday, Friday and four times on Sunday, when Jackson sang at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, the sound wafted out into the street so that, one imagines, sinners also could enjoy her energetic contralto voice.

108-Year-Old Woman to Vote for the First Time

By goodblacknews on October 26, 2012
Joanna Jenkins: 108-Year-Old Woman to Vote for the First Time
Joanna Jenkins, a 108-year-old woman from Beaufort, South Carolina, is about to vote for the first time in her life.  After passing up her right for decades, she was finally compelled to cast her ballot after following this year’s presidential election and debates. Not only does she suddenly want to vote, but Jenkins’ cousin Shirley Lee says she’s excited about doing so and sharing the good news with everyone who visits.

Mellody Hobson Appointed Chairman Of DreamWorks Animation

By goodblacknews on October 25, 2012

Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel Investments, LLC, a Chicago-based investment firm managing over $3 billion in assets, and one of the largest African American-owned money management and mutual fund companies in the United States, has been named DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. Chairman of the Board.  Roger Enrico, who served as Chairman since 2004, has resigned, effective immediately. 

DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series and live entertainment properties, meant for audiences around the world.  DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE® Magazine for four consecutive years. In 2012, DreamWorks Animation ranks #14 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation’s feature films are now being produced in 3D.

The Company has theatrically released a total of 24 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of “Shrek,” “Madagascar,” “Kung Fu Panda” and “How to Train Your Dragon.”  The Company’s theatrical releases for the current year are “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” on June 8, 2012 and “Rise of the Guardians” on November 21, 2012.

article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson

Colin Powell Endorses Obama A Second Time

By goodblacknews on October 25, 2012

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell on CBS This Morning earlier today.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell on CBS This Morning earlier today.

Saying that “I think we ought to keep on the track that we are on” and that fellow Republican Mitt Romney has not “thought through these issues as thoroughly as he should have,” former secretary of state and retired Gen. Colin Powell this morning endorsed President Obama’s re-election bid.  Powell made the announcement on CBS This Morning. The show has been tweeting his comments and has posted video here.  Then-Sen. Barack Obama also got Powell’s endorsement in 2008.  Powell also told CBS that “I’m a Republican of a more moderate mold … dying breed.”

article by Mark Memmott via npr.org

“Walking Dead” Actress Danai Gurira Wins Whiting Writing Award

By goodblacknews on October 24, 2012
Danai Gurira, best known for her role of Michonne on AMC’s The Walking Dead, has been awarded the Whiting Writers Award.

For those who may not be familiar, Danai Gurira, who made her Broadway debut in 2010 in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone by August Wilson, is an accomplished playwright in her own right.  She co-wrote In the Continuum with Nikkole Salter which received the Obie Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for writing.  Gurira also received a Helen Hayes Award for her performance in In The Contiuum.  Other work written by Gurira includes Eclipsed and The Convert.

Another woman of color honored was Sharifa Rhodes-Pitt a non-fiction writer.  She graduated from Harvard and was a Fulbright Scholar. 

GBN Quote Of The Day

By goodblacknews on October 24, 2012

“The act of registering to vote… gives one a sense of being.  The black man who goes to register is saying to the white man, ‘No.'”

–Stokely Carmichael aka Kwame Ture, former leader of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and honorary prime minister of the Black Panther Party

Tiger Woods Breaks Ground on His First Golf Course

By goodblacknews on October 24, 2012

Tiger Woods has broken ground on his first-ever designed golf course in Mexico. The news was first reported by GOLF.com.

The course, named El Cardonal after the former ranch where it will rest, is a $12 million layout in an exclusive resort community in posh Cabo San Lucas, the report said.

“I want to make it an enjoyable and memorable experience for all players, regardless of skill level,” Woods said in an email to GOLF.com. “I’ve played in enough pro-ams to know that not every golfer is a scratch player. Creating wide landing areas and avoiding forced carries whenever possible allow all golfers, even beginners, to keep the ball in play and have more fun.”

Tiger Woods Design had failed projects in Dubai, North Carolina and another in Mexico. The global economic crisis is commonly cited as the root cause of the scrapped plans in each locale.

Woods is playing in Malaysia this week.  View a map of Woods’ course design projects here. Also read GOLF.com’s exclusive story.

article by Darren Sands via blackenterprise.com