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Posts tagged as “Lesa Lakin”

Jeffrey Osborne Headlines 26th Annual African Festival of the Arts in Chicago this Labor Day

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JeffreyOsbourne
Lesa Lakin GBN Lifestyle
Lesa Lakin
GBN Lifestyle

This Labor Day weekend Jeffrey Osborne headlines the 26th Annual African Festival of the Arts held in Chicago’s historic Washington Park (September 4 – 7, 2015). http://www.aihusa.org/african-festival
This extraordinary event transforms Washington Park into a simulated African village. Patrons experience African culture, spirituality, fine art, film, video, music and more! Over 300 vendors will present artifacts, textiles, music, food and many other interactive program spaces.
AFA is the largest event of its kind held in the U.S. with a focus on African arts and culture. Attendees are transported across the Diaspora with the AFA’s authentic pavilions, including the Drum & African Folk Village; Children and Family Pavilion; Wellness Village; Book & Author Pavilion; and Fine Art Pavilion.
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Each day of the Festival is themed: Opening day (Friday, Sept. 4th) will be the Chicago Steppin’ Party and Show, featuring R&B crooner K’Jon. K’Jon’s hit, “On the Ocean,” is fast becoming a classic and is a fan favorite among the Steppers’ crowd.
On Saturday, the focus will be on African Beats with Reggae, Afro-Columbian, Nigerian, and Caribbean music; Sunday is Chicago’s Best with Jazz vocalist Tammy McCann, percussionist Taylor Moore and vocal powerhouse Terisa Griffin, as well as Chicago-style Blues and comedy. Leading up to Osborne’s main-stage performance on Monday evening will be award-winning jazz/R&B vocalist Joan Collaso, along with soul artist, Sax Preacher, and the Big Band rhythms of Soundmine Merchants.

This festival is a virtual African marketplace brought to us by African International House. The mission of Africa International House (AIH) is to serve as a center that exposes and educates all people to the individual works and collective contributions of African cultures. This mission is addressed through their flagship program, the African Festival of the Arts, and through other activities that promote African-based culture. To find out more click here: http://www.aihusa.org

LIFESTYLE: GBN Picks for September 2015

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by Lesa Lakin GBN Lifestyle Editor
Lesa Lakin, GBN Lifestyle

I’ve always had this sort of love/hate relationship with the month of September. Part of me feels like September is just a pushy month with attitude. It represents the end of summer fun with a blaring nudge toward back to business, back to school… back to get up and get stuff done!
But if I’m going to keep it positive, September also represents the beginning of beautiful, new and exciting things… and hopefully if you’re in a hot state – some cooler weather. Here are few fun, interesting things happening this month.  Enjoy!

CINEMA

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THE PERFECT GUY
September 14; PG-13
Sanaa Lathan, Michael Ealy & Morris Chestnut star in “The Perfect Guy”
Picking the right partner is tough and when a budding relationship ends the “perfect guy” becomes enraged with the woman that ended it – setting his sights on the perfect revenge.
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CikoxQ4ytI4
Captive
THE CAPTIVE
September 18; PG-13
David Oyelowo and Kate Mara star in “The Captive” based on an inspiring true story.
A hostage (Kate Mara) uses Rick Warren’s “The Purpose Driven Life” to convince her desperate captor (David Oyelowo) to put his life on the path to redemption. Watch the trailer here: http://www.captivethemovie.com

MUSIC/PERFORMANCES/EVENTS

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AUDRA MCDONALD & AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE
September 1 & September 3
Hollywood Bowl
Los Angeles, CA
http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/tickets/american-classics-audra-mcdonald- american-ballet-theatre/2015-09-03
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KEVIN HART
September 17
Honda Center, Anaheim , CA
September 18
L.A. Forum, Inglewood, CA
Check here for more cities and dates available: http://www.ticketmaster.com/Kevin-Hart-tickets/artist/1057637
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LENNY KRAVITZ
September 11
Los Angeles, CA
Greek Theater
For more tour dates and cities check here: http://www.lennykravitz.com/tour/

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ICE CUBE & Friends
September 4
Queen Mary Events Park, Long Beach, CA
http://www.ticketmaster.com/ice-cube-friends-long-beach-california-09-12- 2015/event/09004F05C1A12C03

GBN Sports: Snoop Dogg Named Director of Football Recruiting for Adidas

Coach Snoop

Lesa Lakin GBN Lifestyle
Lesa Lakin
GBN Lifestyle

Here we go again… Adidas is marketing to the cool kids. I’ve got to give it up to the team behind naming Snoop Dogg (a.k.a Calvin Broadus) Director of Football Recruiting. It’s a clever idea. In addition to the already successful collaboration of designs inspired by Snoop and the position he holds as Director of Football Development for the company, Adidas has enlisted the rapper/football aficionado to handle an additional gig in a position that makes a lot of sense.
Everyone on the sports circuit knows that Snoop has served as a sports mentor who has lead his very own youth league for years http://snoopyfl.net. He has inspired many young athletes, including his own collegiate player son, Cordell Broadus. Although Cordell may have recently made the choice not to continue his football career… he did in fact become one of the highest-recruited players in the country.
Snoop has proven he can coach and has a vast knowledge of the sport. While this new corporate appointment may not be the most expected hire, it actually is sort of a no-brainer when you really think about it.  Snoop Dogg as Director of Football Recruiting fits right in line with the Adidas marketing philosophy.  Snoop has certainly got that football drive and his team mentality could pay off big for the brand.  It’s always nice when a passion pays off.  We wish Coach Snoop all the best in his new venture.
Check out his proud instagram post here: https://instagram.com/p/6fSVxmP9No/
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LIFESTYLE: GBN Picks for August 2015

by Lesa Lakin, GBN Lifestyle Editor
by Lesa Lakin, GBN Lifestyle Editor

It’s August, and summer is almost over, but I’m always on the hunt for fun entertaining things to do, read, watch and… enjoy! Here’s a few listed below:
IN ART
August 25th October 27th
Muse by artist Mickalene Thomas
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This gorgeous book is at the top of my list. It explores Mickalene’s inspiration of African American female beauty and identity through her photographs. We get lots of inspiring 70’s-themed shots. http://mickalenethomas.com
UPDATE: The release date of this book has been pushed to October 27.  To pre-order via Amazon, click here: http://www.amazon.com/Muse-Mickalene-Thomas-Photographs/dp/159711314X
IN SPORTS
August 31st
U.S. Open
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Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
Serena will compete in the U.S. Open and may just make make tennis history.
IN TELEVISION
August 5th
Mr. Robinson
NBC premieres Mr. Robinson starring Craig Robinson as a musician (lead singer and keyboardist of the funk band Nasty Delicious) who takes a job as a high school substitute teacher to pay the bills. Craig is moved to inspire the kids.  This sounds like a pretty cool premise promising lots of laughter. http://www.nbc.com/mr-robinson
July 30
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L.A. Hair star Kim Kimble

Thursdays, catch the new season L.A. Hair on WE tv with celebrity stylist Kim Kimble and her staff. Famed hair stylist Jonathan Antin reappears this season looking to break into the lucrative world of wigs and extensions. http://www.wetv.com/shows/la-hair http://kimblehairstudio.com
IN CINEMA
August 7th
Fantastic Four
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Michael B. Jordan joins Miles Teller, Kate Mara and Jamie Bell as four young outsiders who acquire superhuman abilities after a trip to an alternative universe. Check out the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAgnQdiZFsQ
August 14th
Straight Outta Compton
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I don’t know about you, but I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while. The F. Gary Gray-directed film about the revolutionary rap legends N.W.A. is steadily gaining rave reviews. Click here for the trailer: http://www.straightouttacompton.com/#/
IN MUSIC
August brings us Erykah Badu!
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Click for tour dates: http://www.livenation.com/artists/41646/erykah-badu
August 10th
Future
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Future at the Observatory, Santa Ana CA http://www.observatoryoc.com/event/future-aug-10
August 12th
Earl Sweatshirt
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Odd Future member and solo artist and all-around talented guy begins his second leg of the U.S. world tour this month and I can’t wait to see him! http://earlsweatshirt.com

He will also be appearing at the Low End Theory Festival with Flying Lotus on August 8: http://www.shrineauditorium.com/events/detail/275496

August 21st
Method ManThe Meth Lab
Method Man
It’s been a minute since Method Man has released a solo effort. He’s done tons of collaborations but this will be the first album he has put out in a decade. This 5th solo effort proves to be worth the wait.

August 22 -23rd
FYF Festival
FYF fest
Los Angeles-based annual festival featuring music performances from indie and alternative bands. Frank Ocean, Morrissey and Solange are among the many premiere acts.
August 28th
The Weeknd – Beauty Behind the Madness
Finally! The highly-anticipated album is coming out this month.
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August 30th – September 7th
Burning Man
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Explore the annual festival in the Nevada desert…features great d.j.’s, parties and communal harmony. http://burningman.org

Actor Jay Ellis and Artist Shantell Martin Team with AmfAR to Raise Awareness For “Countdown to a Cure for AIDS"

Jay Ellis and Visual Artist Shanell Martin with AmfAR Towel
Jay Ellis and Visual Artist Shanell Martin with “Be Epic, Cure AIDS,” Limited Edition AmfAR towel

My first memory of being directly affected by the death of someone who lost their life to AIDS was when tennis legend Arthur Ashe died. My father broke the news to me. It was one of those unshakeable things — nearly impossible to process and even harder to understand. In a lot of ways it hit my Dad pretty hard.  My parents had gone to college at UCLA with Arthur and growing up in our household, they made sure we knew he was way more than an incredible tennis player… he was an activist that paved the way for so many.  He was “a great kind guy,” their classmate and hero.
Arthur had certainly had his health challenges… but athletic superheroes weren’t supposed to succumb to an incurable disease at 49.  It was unfathomable.  The news of his death hit over twenty-two years ago… and sadly we still do not have a cure for a disease that affects the black community (Africans & African- Americans) the most.  Statistically, we make up more than forty percent of all new cases… and Jay Ellis (“The Game”) and famed British visual artist, Shantell Martin, know its time to do something about that. Their collaboration with amfAR (the Foundation for AIDS Research) and its “Countdown to A Cure for AIDS” initiative is something I can really get behind.
Out of this amfAR collaboration comes a limited edition beach towel. Designed exclusively for amfAR to help raise awareness and find a cure for HIV/AIDS, the towel’s design features Martin’s black & white illustrations and the inscription, “Be Epic, Cure AIDS,” a nod to amfAR’s “Countdown to a Cure for AIDS” initiative, aimed at developing the scientific basis of a cure by 2020.
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This summer, I can’t think of a better accessory. This towel is exclusively sold at Scoop NYC locations and on amfAR’s website: http://shop.amfar.org/shantell-martin-amfar-towel.html for $40 with 100% of the proceeds supporting research to find a cure for HIV/AIDS. Let’s all do what we can.

Did you know:

  • Nearly 37 million people are now living with HIV. 2.6 million are under the age of 15.
  • In 2014, an estimated 2 million people were newly infected with HIV.
  • 220,000 were under the age of 15.
  • Every day about 5,600 people contract HIV—more than 230 every hour.
  • In 2014, 1.2 million people died from AIDS.
  • Since the beginning of the pandemic, nearly 78 million people have contracted HIV and close to 39 million have died of AIDS- related causes.
  • As of March 2015, around 15 million people living with HIV (41% of the total) had access to antiretroviral therapy.

Learn more about amfAR here: http://www.amfar.org/about.html.  If you don’t know her work already, find out more about Shantell Martin and her amazing art: http://www.shantellmartin.com/about/.
And Jay Ellis and his fascinating transition into the acting world: http://www.jay-ellis.com

Lesa Lakin GBN Lifestyle Editor
article by Lesa Lakin
GBN Lifestyle Editor

FASHION: Wilhelmina Models Searching for a 2015 Summer Goddess; Chance to Win a Modeling Contract and Trip to Miami Beach

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We found another contest for you and this is a great one. The modeling agency that represents Keri Hilson, DJ Kiss, Sharaya J, Kilo Kish and Karrueche Tran is offering a genuine opportunity for a young woman of any color, hue or shade to become the 2015 Summer Goddess. And we can get behind that!
Wilhelmina Models, one of the most respected names in modeling, is partnering with European Wax Center, the leader in the beauty services industry, in this modeling venture. And Dave Coba, President and CEO of EWC could not be happier, “This model search with Wilhelmina Models is the culmination of our efforts to celebrate and reveal the beauty in all women. Through this partnership with Wilhelmina, we are making the dream of becoming a model a little more attainable.”
Screen Shot 2015-07-10 at 9.51.14 PMLadies, if you are at least 5 feet 8 inches tall and 18 to 30, this may just be the contest for you. This nationwide search to find a young woman who is confident, possesses a beautiful look, and an inner beauty even the camera can capture is certainly a great opportunity. The Grand Prize Winner will receive a contract with Wilhelmina Models and a pass entitling her to one year of complimentary waxing services at European Wax Center’s located nation wide. The five finalists will all receive six months of brow waxing.
You can certainly enter on-line http://www.wilhelminamodelsearch.com/wms.html but if you happen to be in Miami tomorrow or Los Angeles next weekend, enter in person.

GBN Contest of the Week: Win an American-Made Chilton Table from Room & Board

Proud to be American (Made) Sweepstakes
Chilton table (Photo courtesy Room & Board)

Lesa Lakin GBN Lifestyle
by Lesa Lakin
GBN Lifestyle

There is nothing like a great table to anchor any room… so don’t miss your chance to enter Room & Board’s Proud To Be American Made Sweepstakes for a chance to win a Chilton table. Enter now through July 19th.
Retailer Room & Board is giving you a chance to win one of its American-made pieces of furniture. Over 90% of Room & Board’s timeless-yet-modern designs are made right here in the U.S., allowing them to support the livelihoods of people who share their passion for design and American craftsmanship.

Enter to win this gorgeous Chilton table with a spalted sugarberry top. One lucky winner will be chosen!
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Giveaway details are available here:
http://www.roomandboard.com/enter‐to‐win
Chilton 72W Table in Spalted Sugarberry
http://www.roomandboard.com/catalog/dining/tables/chilton-72w-table-in-spalted-sugarberry
Check out the entire collection here:
http://www.roomandboard.com
Good Luck!

LIFESTYLE: GBN Picks for July 2015

GBN In JULY

by GBN Lifestyle Editor Lesa Lakin
by GBN Lifestyle Editor Lesa Lakin

It’s here!  Summer… and man, is there is a lot going on in the world.  So if you just want some time to pause and do something fun alone or with loved ones, check out a few things happening this month. Personally I am looking forward to the Sneaker Exhibit. Enjoy July!
IN CINEMA

ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL

Rated PG-13 –NOW PLAYING

Me, Earl and the Dying Girl

If you just want to catch a really great flick…. Me and Earl and The Dying Girl “lives” up to the hype. (Yes, I’ve seen it, and yes, I’ve got a lot to say… GBN review coming soon.) Oh, and Earl is the greatest character I’ve seen in a while. Highly Recommend.  Check out the trailer here: https://youtu.be/2qfmAllbYC8

DOPE

Rated R – NOW PLAYING

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Admittedly I’ve been benched for the last few months and not up on my reviews and screenings, but I  have been meaning to see the critically acclaimed DOPE.  

High-school senior Malcolm (Shameik Moore) and his friends Jib (Tony Revolori) and Diggy (Kiersey Clemons) bond over ’90s hip-hop culture, their studies and playing music in their own punk band. A chance encounter with a drug dealer named Dom lands Malcolm and company at the dealer’s nightclub birthday party; when the scene turns violent, they flee — with the Ecstasy that Dom secretly hid in Malcolm’s backpack. A wild adventure ensues as the youths try to evade armed thugs who want the stash.

 Now playing check out the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=strEm9amZuo

SOUTHPAW

(Currently unrated) – RELEASE DATE JULY 24th

“Southpaw” stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (Photo via usatoday.com)

I just saw the trailer for this and I’m hooked. Gotta say… I am loving Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson in the acting game. Antoine Fuqua (“Training Day”) directs. Check out the trailer here: https://youtu.be/Mh2ebPxhoLs

IN MUSIC

BROOKLYN, NY

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July 8 – July 11, 2015 Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival: A celebration of Hip-Hop Culture and the Borough of Brooklyn Artists include: Common, Mobb Deep, Lion Babe, Freeway, Charles Hamilton, Pitch Blak Brass Band, Skyzoo, John Robinson, DJ Rob Swift, Torae, and “Uncle Ralph” McDaniels, http://www.bkhiphopfestival.com

July 10- October 4, 2015 Brooklyn Museum – catch the exhibition: “The Rise of Sneaker Culture” https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/rise_of_sneaker_culture/

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Nike. Air Jordan I, 1985. Nike Archives. (Photo: Ron Wood. Courtesy American Federation of Arts/Bata Shoe Museum)
July 2 – July 4 – LOS ANGELES, CA
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Smokey Robinson at the Hollywood Bowl.  To get tickets, visit: http://www.smokeyrobinson.com

July 18 – IRVINE, CA; July 19, 2015 – MOUNTAINVIEW, CA

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Artists Include: The Game, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Ice T, Afrika Bambaataa and The Soulsonic Force, Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, Mack 10, Xzibit, Warren G, Rapper’s Delight, Kurtis Blow, Too Short, Doug E Fresh, DJ Quik, Kool Moe Dee, King T, Grand Master Melle Mel, Tha Alkaholiks, Biz Markie, Slick Rick, EPMD, Cold Crush Brothers, Ras Kass and other special guests. The event will be MC’d by Chief Rocker Busy Bee. https://www.facebook.com/artofrapfest
RELATED: Ice-T Breaks Down Why “Art of Rap” Festival in July is Important to Hip-Hop, Art & Music
July 30 – LOS ANGELES, CA

Moses Sumney
Moses Sumney

Thanks to my little sis, Ashley,  I’m also recommending checking out  the truly captivating musical artist-singer Moses Sumney.  Check him out on SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/mosessumney
He’s headlining the Echo in Los Angeles on July 30th.  http://www.theecho.com/event/861489-moses-sumney-los-angeles/venue/
IN ARTS
July 10-12 – DENVER, CO
(Photo via colbaf.org)
(Photo via colbaf.org)

The Colorado Black Arts Festival is excited to present the best of visual and performing arts to celebrate its 29th Annual Festival July 10-12, 2015 in historic Denver City Park West. This year’s Festival theme “Rock Steady” conveys the ability to excel in the arts with a rocking and soulful dimension.  It represents a soulful genre that captures artistic rhythms with origins in the African diaspora.   Rock Steady 2015!  To learn more, go to: http://www.colbaf.org

Obama Speaks Out on Racism in America on "WTF with Marc Maron" Podcast

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President Obama appears on “WTF With Marc Maron”

This morning I woke up to a barrage of news outlets with one similar statement: The President used the N -Word! Okay…what was this going to be? What’s with that blaring headline? I did my research and vetted the context. And in this case if there were ever a time for the President of the United States to use the word… this made sense.
Released today, President Barack Obama appears on “WTF with Marc Maron”, a popular podcast hosted by comedian Marc Maron.  During the interview they touched on Obama’s own struggles with identity, the racially-motivated shootings at Emanuel AME Church in South Carolina, guns and our seemingly unsolvable societal plights.  Obama was completely at ease with the humbly likeable Maron, so sitting in his garage/office, Obama chose to make a big point about racism. The President is often so careful and guarded with his use of words regarding the subject – who can blame him…I guess? He’s a politician and has to walk a fine line. But I think in that garage in those moments with Maron he was done being politically correct regarding blatant racism in America and I liked this Obama. Hopefully people will hear his explanation of endemic racism that has caused centuries of pain and wounds that may never close.  I’m not saying he’s come up with a solution, but it is certainly an interesting and refreshing way to hear him speak.  His use of the N-word attempts to challenge Americans to wake up and do better.  Here are the most notable quotes from the President on racism:

I always tell young people, in particular, do not say that nothing has changed when it comes to race in America, unless you’ve lived through being a black man in the 1950s or ’60s or ’70s. It is incontrovertible that race relations have improved significantly during my lifetime and yours.
The legacy of slavery, Jim Crow, and discrimination exists in institutions and casts “a long shadow and that’s still part of our DNA that’s passed on.”
Racism, we are not cured of it. And it’s not just a matter of it not being polite to say n—– in public… That’s not the measure of whether racism still exists or not. It’s not just a matter of overt discrimination. Societies don’t, overnight, completely erase everything that happened 200 to 300 years prior.

To hear the podcast in its entirety, click here: http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episodes/episode_613_-_president_barack_obama
If you want to see Marc Meets Obama photos, click here: http://marcmeetsobama.com

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article by Lesa Lakin

Five Years Ago Today: Good Black News was Founded

copy-gbnthumbnail.jpegGOOD BLACK NEWS proudly celebrates its fifth anniversary today, with 8,941 Facebook followers, 5,073 Twitter followers, 3,938 Tumblr followers, 1,043 via Pinterest, and thousands more via InstagramGoogle+YouTubeWordPress, our RSS feed, and LinkedIn.  Although initially launched on March 18, 2010 as a Facebook page (read the detailed story behind GBN’s creation here), in September 2012, GBN created this dedicated website, goodblacknews.org, which has allowed us to expand our presence on the internet and provide archives and search functions to you, our loyal readers.
In the past year, we were greatly honored to be featured on NewsOne’s list of the 15 Most Share-Worthy Black Blogs and Sites of 2014. GBN also successfully managed our first-ever giveaway contest, and will most definitely offer more in the coming months. The outpour of appreciation you’ve shown us via likes, comments, shares, reblogs and e-mails means the world to us, and only inspires GBN to keep getting bigger and better and create more original content.
Good Black News remains a labor of love for our Founder/Editor-In-Chief (Lori Lakin Hutcherson) and Lifestyle/Fashion Editor (Lesa Lakin), and we must gratefully acknowledge this year’s contributors (Susan Cartsonis, Julie Bibb DavisAshanti Hutcherson, Warren HutchersonBrenda Lakin, John LevinsonJeff MeierMinsun Park, Gabriel RyderTerry Samwick, power stringer Becky Schonbrun, Teddy TenenbaumArro Verse, Joshua A.S. Young, and venture capitalist/business advisor Darryl Wash), who are all unpaid volunteers, and deeply, greatly appreciated.
We’d also like to shout out a few of our power users across the web:  Thank you to Ms. Charmian Neary (@CharmianNeary) for being our top Twitter follower and contributor, Heidi Durrow (@mixedremixed) for the most Twitter mentions of @goodblacknewsMr. Militant Negro at theobamacrat.com for being our number-one reblogger, and to Mrs. Shawna B. (MrsShawnaB) for being our most prolific repinner on Pinterest.  Your active interest and sharing mean everything!
Please continue to help us spread GBN by sharing, liking, re-tweeting and commenting, and consider joining our e-mail list via our “Contact Us” tab on goodblacknews.org.  We will only use this list to keep you updated on GBN and send you our upcoming e-newsletter — nothing else. And, of course, you may opt out at any time.
GBN believes in bringing you positive news, reviews and stories of interest about black people all over the world, and greatly value your participation in continuing to build our shared vision.
Thank you again for your support, and we look forward to providing you with more Good Black News in the coming year, and beyond!
Warmly,
The Good Black News Team

Lori Lakin Hutcherson, GBN Founder/Editor-In-Chief
Lori Lakin Hutcherson, GBN Founder/Editor-In-Chief

by Lesa Lakin
Lesa Lakin, GBN Lifestyle/Fashion Editor