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Posts tagged as “First Lady Michelle Obama”

Michelle Obama to Guest Edit "More", Becomes 1st First Lady to Take Over Entire Magazine Issue

By goodblacknews on June 12, 2015

First Lady Michelle Obama (photo via wikipedia.org)
First Lady Michelle Obama (photo via wikipedia.org)

According to cnn.com, first lady Michelle Obama will be guest editing the July/August edition of “More” magazine. Not only will this be the magazine’s first guest editor, but Obama will be the first First Lady to guest edit an entire magazine issue, according to a statement released by the publication.  “The First Lady is the ultimate MORE woman,” said More Editor-in-Chief Lesley Jane Seymour.

The magazine also revealed the issue will highlight women Obama said influenced her during her six years in the White House.  The First Lady has previously been featured on the cover of People, Time and Vogue just to name a few. But, the road to the White House wasn’t all glamorous.

It’s been a busy and public week for Obama. She made headlines Tuesday when she gave an emotional commencement speech to a group of students in Chicago, her hometown, speaking about the harsh realities of gun violence in the city and discussing her own experience growing up on the South Side.

“I know the struggles many of you face: how you walk the long way home to avoid the gangs; how you fight to concentrate on your schoolwork when there’s too much noise at home; how you keep it together when your family’s having a hard time making ends meet,” Obama said.

More magazine is a publication designed as a “stylish guide for women of influence.” Obama’s guest-edited edition will be available June 23.

article by Sophie Tatum via cnn.com

President Obama’s State of the Union: America is Turning the Page

By goodblacknews on January 20, 2015
President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address on January 20, 2015 in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. Obama was expected to lay out a broad agenda to address income inequality, making it easier for Americans to afford college education, and child care. (Photo by Mandel Ngan-Pool/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address on January 20, 2015 in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. Obama was expected to lay out a broad agenda to address income inequality, making it easier for Americans to afford college education, and child care. (Photo by Mandel Ngan-Pool/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Refusing to bow to the new Republican majority, President Barack Obama was urging Congress Tuesday night to raise taxes on the wealthy to pay for reductions for America’s middle class, part of a State of the Union package aimed at building on the nation’s recent economic growth.

Obama, in excerpts released ahead of his prime-time address, said it was time to “turn the page” on years of economic troubles, as well as an era of terrorism and war.
“It’s now up to us to choose who we want to be over the next 15 years, and for decades to come,” Obama said.
Obama was speaking to a Congress controlled by Republicans for the first time in his presidency. And the policies he was calling for suggested he had no plans to curtail his own agenda in favor of GOP priorities.
The president’s bread-and butter Democratic tax plan has drawn immediate scorn from Republicans. But Obama appeared content to instead set a tone for the 2016 presidential election and focus on a story of a U.S. economy now ready to move off austerity footing.

The verdict is clear. Middle class economics works. Expanding opportunity works. And these policies will continue to work, as long as politics don’t get in the way.

While the economy was expected to dominate the president’s address, he was also promoting his recent decision to normalize diplomatic relations with Cuba and to launch a military campaign against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. In two potential areas of compromise with Republicans, he was to call on Congress to pass cybersecurity legislation and a new authorization for military action in the Middle East.
“I call on this Congress to show the world that we are united in this mission by passing a resolution to authorize the use of force against ISIL,” Obama said, referring to the Islamic State group.
The centerpiece of the president’s address was to be a tax proposal that could increase the capital gains rate on couples making more than $500,000 annually to 28 percent, require estates to pay capital gains taxes on securities at the time they’re inherited and slap a fee on the roughly 100 U.S. financial firms with assets of more than $50 billion.

President Obama to Host "Selma" Screening at White House

By goodblacknews on January 16, 2015
Selma Trailer
 
The movie “Selma” may have scored only two Oscar nominations, but today it will attain  a special distinction as it is screened at the White House in an event hosted by President Obama.
“Selma” will become the latest in a line of Oscar contenders such as last year’s “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” and 2012’s “Lincoln” and “Beasts of the Southern Wild” to be shown in the White House.
Cast and crew from the movie “Selma” are expected to attend.
On Thursday, “Selma” was nominated for picture and for song, but the failure of the movie to draw nominations in other categories generated strong reactions on Twitter, where critics blasted the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for an all-white list of acting nominees.
A White House screening can add a certain prestige value to a movie, perhaps even elevating its attention in the eyes of Academy voters, but the decision rests with Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on whether to publicly reveal their film choices.
They have tended to do so when the projects have strong social or historical themes, as will be the case with the “Selma” screening just before the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday. In cases with movies like “Lincoln,” the White House has released photos from the event, and “Beasts of the Southern Wild” was screened to high school students at the White House, followed by a film workshop featuring cast and crew.
Many of the Obamas’ movie choices, however, are not disclosed, as the 40-seat White House Family Theater is considered part of their private family quarters.
Presidential movie choices through the years have been tinged with controversy and curiosity. The first movie screened at the White House was in 1915, when Woodrow Wilson hosted a showing of “Birth of a Nation.” Richard Nixon was so obsessed with “Patton” that he had to deny years later that the movie affected his decisionmaking. An X-rated movie has even screened there — “Midnight Cowboy,” screened by Jimmy Carter.
The Obamas also have screened “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Julie & Julia” and “He’s Just Not That Into You.”
article by Ted Johnson via Variety.com

Mo’ne Davis is Sports Illustrated‘s Sports Kid of the Year

By goodblacknews on December 1, 2014
Mo'ne Davis Sports Kid of the Year Cover Sports Illustrated

Another honor for the first girl in history to throw a shutout during a Little League World Series

Monday marks another big moment for superstar teen pitcher Mo’ne Davis.
Sports Illustrated announced the 13-year-old has been named this year’s Sports Illustrated Sports Kid of the Year — with a little help from First Lady Michelle Obama:

Davis caught the world’s attention this summer, when she became the first girl in history to throw a shutout during a Little League World Series. She has since graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, donated her jersey to the Baseball Hall of Fame, landed a commercial shot by famed director Spike Lee, and plans to release a memoir in 2015.
Read more at SIKids.com
article by Maya Rhodan via time.com

Storycatchers Theatre in Chicago Pays At-Risk Youth to Write, Produce and Perform Original Musicals

By goodblacknews on November 23, 2014
Screen Shot 2014-11-23 at 3.42.32 PM

GBN volunteer Becky Schonbrun recently informed us about an inspiring program out of Chicago for at-risk youth called Storycatchers Theatre, which, according to their website, has been “preparing young people to make thoughtful life choices through the process of writing, producing and performing original musical theatre inspired by personal stories” for over 30 years.

While participating in storytelling, scriptwriting, and performance-skills residencies with Storycatchers artists, the youth participants not only get a chance to write songs, poems, stories and scenes inspired by personal experiences, they get paid to do so. The process reinforces their recognition of choices and consequences, enhancing the ability and desire of participants to make choices that lead to positive outcomes.

NAHYPA photoIn November of 2013, Storycatchers received a NATIONAL ARTS & HUMANITIES YOUTH PROGRAM AWARD in recognition of its work with detained and incarcerated youth. Founder and Artistic Director Meade Palidofsky traveled to Washington DC to accept the award from First Lady Michelle Obama. The National Arts & Humanities Youth Program Awards are an initiative of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH). The President’s Committee partners with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to administer the program.

To see video of this inspiring program and to hear from the participants in their own words, click here.

“Flip For Your Fate?”, a staged reading of works in progress by Storycatchers Theatre at the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center, will be held on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. Admission is free. Reservations are required.

To learn about other upcoming Storycatchers performances, click here.

article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson (follow @lakinhutcherson)

President Obama and the First Lady Encourage Americans to Apply for 2015-2016 White House Fellows Program

By goodblacknews on November 14, 2014

the-obamas-racist-tweet-puerto-ricoPresident Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are encouraging Americans to apply to the White House Fellows Program. The 2015-2016 application was launched on Nov. 1 and became accessible online. The program has become the nation’s leading fellowship for public service and leadership, gearing in exposing individuals to first-hand experience and a better understanding of operations performed in the Federal government. The White House Fellows Program consists of one working full-time in the offices of the Cabinet Secretaries, Senior White House staff, and other high-power Administration officials in Washington D.C.  This opportunity will provide a very exciting and rewarding year to the chosen candidates, showcasing a behind-the-scenes insight into the inner workings of how our government functions.

President Obama and his wife are quoted saying, “In the 50 years since its founding, the White House Fellows Program has helped prove that those who love their country, can change it. Our Nation needs your drive and talent, and we hope you consider applying to the program.”
To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen, you cannot be a current Federal government employee (with the exception of career military personnel), and you must have received a Bachelor’s degree and be currently working in your chosen profession. The selection process will be based on professional achievement, evidence of leadership and management skills, commitment to public service, and skills to succeed and have potential for growth. The application is available here from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15, 2015.
article by Cristie Leondis via blackenterprise.com

First Lady Michelle Obama "Turns Up" the Conversation on Fitness & Healthy Eating With Viral Vine Video

By goodblacknews on October 15, 2014

First Lady Michelle ObamaAccording to cnn.com, first lady Michelle Obama, never one to miss an opportunity to champion healthy eating via making light of social trends (think “Dougie” or “Evolution of Mom Dancing”), has co-opted a popular tune — and, in six seconds, created a viral sensation.

Here’s how it happened.

In an #AskTheFirstLady segment, Barack Obama impersonator Imman Crosson, or @AlphaCat, asked Obama, “How many calories do you burn every time you ‘turn up’?!”

And she responded with:

https://vine.co/v/OqJKZVQami9

Yes, that’s the first lady grooving with a turnip to DJ Snake and Lil Jon’s “Turn Down for What.”

Obama is known for her commitment to health, especially among children and young people. Her “Let’s Move” campaign aims to “solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation.”

article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson (follow @lakinhutcherson)

Michelle Obama Hosts White House Fashion Education Workshop

By goodblacknews on October 12, 2014

On Wednesday, Oct. 8, first lady Michelle Obama hosted the White House’s first fashion education workshop to honor and recognize budding fashion designers, stylists, writers, and entrepreneurs.
Inviting students from 14 East Coast high schools and colleges, the FLOTUS spoke to the students about the importance of fashion education and the impact of the fashion industry.
“When it comes to the fashion industry, so often people think it’s all about catwalks and red carpets and ‘who wore it best,’ and whether some famous person wore the right belt with the right shoes,” said Mrs. Obama.
“Fashion is really about passion and creativity, just like music or dance or poetry,” added the first lady. “For so many people across the country, it is a calling; it is a career.”
Breaking the students into groups for workshop sessions on fashion inspiration, construction, journalism, entrepreneurship, and more, Mrs. Obama also invited leading influencers in the industry to mentor and educate the students on the ins and outs of the business. Some of the fashion notables included Tracy Reese, Jason Wu, Diane Von Furstenberg, Anna Wintour, and many more.
Wintour, who introduced the first lady at Wednesday’s event, credited her with changing the perception of fashion in the District of Columbia, while emphasizing the impact style has on society.
“Fashion can be a powerful instrument for social change… It allows us to think about who we are as individuals and as a society.”
To prove her support for student designers, Mrs. Obama donned a sleeveless navy dress at the event designed by New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology student Natalya Koval.
SOURCE: Washington Post
article by Courtney Connley via blackenterprise.com

First Lady Michelle Obama Initiates #ReachHigher Social Media Campaign

By goodblacknews on May 6, 2014

Michelle Obama Lets Move Project LargeFirst Lady Michelle Obama wants every American student to expand their education beyond just a high school degree and she’s using social media to encourage kids to do just that.

In an effort to move the country in the right direction toward reaching President Obama’s “North Star” goal, which outlines America as having the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020, FLOTUS is asking people to show support for her Reach Higher initiative by taking a picture of themselves in their college T-shirt and posting it on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter using the hashtag #ReachHigher. The new initiative encourages students to attend a professional training program, community college, or four-year university after high school and she’s hoping that through social media she can make the program a trending topic.

Already, a couple of major cities around the country are showing their support for the initiative and celebrating students commitment to higher education. On May 2nd, FLOTUS traveled to San Antonio to attend the city’s annual “College Signing Day.” At the event, First Lady Obama elaborated on the importance of high school students continuing their education saying, “While it’s good news that high school graduation rates have climbed to their highest levels ever in this country, we know that in today’s world, a high school degree simply isn’t enough.”

Watch the video below of FLOTUS talking about the new #ReachHigher social media campaign and be sure to show your support for the initiative.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgIdi9T3kTU&w=560&h=315]

article by Courtney Connley via blackenterprise.com

First Lady Michelle Obama Stresses Freedom of Speech During China Visit

By goodblacknews on March 22, 2014
Michelle Obama in China
Michelle Obama delivered remarks at Peking University in Beijing. (Credit: Wang Zhao/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images)

BEIJING — On a visit that was supposed to be nonpolitical, first lady Michelle Obama delivered an unmistakable message to the Chinese on Saturday, saying in a speech here that freedom of speech, particularly on the Internet and in the news media, provided the foundation for a vibrant society.

On the second day of a weeklong trip to China with her two daughters and her mother, Mrs. Obama spoke to an audience of Americans and Chinese at Peking University, and in the middle of an appeal for more American students to study abroad, she also talked of the value for people of hearing “all sides of every argument.”  “Time and again, we have seen that countries are stronger and more prosperous when the voices and opinions of all their citizens can be heard,” she said.
The United States, she said, respected the “uniqueness” of other cultures and societies. “But when it comes to expressing yourself freely,” she said, “and worshiping as you choose, and having open access to information — we believe those are universal rights that are the birthright of every person on this planet.”
The forthright exposition of the American belief in freedom of speech came against a backdrop of broad censorship of the Internet by the Chinese government. The government polices the Internet to prevent the nation’s 500 million users from seeing antigovernment sentiment, and blocks a variety of foreign websites, including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. The authorities compel domestic Internet sites to censor themselves.