HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
Giraffes Don't Talk to Ants [Poteat, Lauren Meredith] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Giraffes Don't Talk to Ants
Here's info on what the NAACP and others are doing to make sure your vote is counted. Mail-in voting can be especially confusing. Check on your fellow voters, Lauren Poteat of the NAACP's D.C. chapter told News4's Aaron Gilchrist.
NNPA Washington Correspondent Lauren Poteat, speaks to Senator Bernie Sanders about Voter Suppression during the 2019 "We The People Summit" (Watch at 4:56:13)
LOCAL NEWS
By Lauren Poteat, NNPA Washington Correspondent Morgan State University, a historically Black institution located in Baltimore, Maryland, recently celebrated the life of legendary award-winning basketball coach Nathaniel Frazier, who passed away Sept. 22 at Howard County General Hospital at the age of 84.
By Lauren Poteat, NNPA Washington Correspondent It's no secret that Black journalists are underrepresented within newsrooms across the nation - especially in terms of specialized investigative journalism.
In 1838, Georgetown University escaped financial ruin through the monetary gain of sold-slaves. Now, the descendants of those slaves are seeking reparations. During an intimate press conference at the National Press Club on Jan.
After an intense and contentious battle over development plans for the Westwood Shopping Center around the community of River Road in Bethesda, Maryland, the black-owned Macedonia Baptist Church has lost its claim to ancient slave burial grounds to New York-based developer Equity One. After an open hearing before the Montgomery County Council on Thursday, Feb.
Revolutionizing the look of breast cancer, two Black female entrepreneurs open the region’s first medical custom prosthetics and lingerie store of its kind.
Nov. 9 officially marks two months since President Trump rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and with the country's attention elsewhere, immigrant advocates are pressing Congress not to forget about the undocumented youth affected by the decision.
Standing on the pillars of strength, the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. along with the entire Rainbow Push Coalition (RPC), an organization started by the civil rights activist to help continue to progress the lives of Black people through policy, education and equality, recently held its 10th annual Media and Teleco Symposium.
I'm young and single in the city, but what the heck does that even mean? I've got friends. OK, I don't have an actual boyfriend or anything, but at my age using that term would be considered politically incorrect anyhow and a major generational faux pas.
Though the nation's capital has already seen a 40 percent increase in the number of black-owned businesses, D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton says that minority-owned businesses still have the opportunity to do "even better."
With Washington, D.C., standing as the only national capital in the world to not have voting representation, the city's first elected attorney general is putting the District's push for statehood at the forefront.
In 2014, then-D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray endured a failing contentious battle to build a new hospital east of the Anacostia River. Three years later, Gray, now the newly elected Council member in Ward 7, is once again prodding his fellow legislators to act.
United Way NCA, in partnership with the District of Columbia, recently held its third annual Project Homeless Connect, which aims to provide easy access to critical support systems and welfare benefits for citizens most in need. Held outside the Kennedy Recreation Center in Northwest, the Thursday, Oct.
As the highly publicized presidential election nears, D.C. residents may also have to think critically about a vote toward a push for statehood and a new constitution.
In the wake of recent mass shootings throughout the country, numerous humanitarian groups gathered Saturday in D.C. on the 53rd anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech in protest of the National Rifle Association.
New D.C. Chamber of Commerce CEO Vincent Orange, fresh off a contentious exit from the city council, recently detailed his agenda for his first 100 days in office.
The rise in homicides in Prince George's County has provoked Mayor Eugene Grant of Seat Pleasant, Maryland to initiate a "Stop the Violence" campaign. The campaign began with a march Jan. 18 to promote nonviolence. From 2014 to 2015, the county saw a 36 percent increase in homicides, enduring another homicide at the start of the New Year.
With an average household income of $73,000, Prince Georges County, Maryland holds $20,000 more in median household income than the national state average. However, more than 30,000 families still rely on social services for sustainability, according to the county's office of economic development.
Thrive DC, one of the city's only five organizations to offer complete crisis services for homeless citizens, celebrated an achievement of raising over $16,000 on the cusp of Giving Tuesday.
The Gamma Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, the first Black women's business organization in America, uses its platform and 85 years of service to mentor, inspire, and increase awareness among young girls.
Breast Care for Washington, a medical facility located in southwest D.C., is specifically targeting Wards 7 and 8. Liz Davey, the facility's vice president of development and communications, said that one of the nonprofit's main missions is to provide a community of hope and comfortability for those regionally and economically challenged.
In recognition of Veterans Day and Month, BMW of North America stopped by D.C. for the "Women Who Pay It 4ward" Honors Brunch Series, to celebrate outstanding female military veterans who often go unnoticed. The Nov.
A casual meeting meant to discuss design concepts for the new Gateway DC sports complex in southeast D.C. quickly turned into a heated discussion over gentrification and what the new arena could potentially mean for Ward 8 residents.
With Donald Trump winning the 2016 presidential election, many blacks are now seeking answers to the question: "Where do we go from here?"
With the number of opioid overdoses in the District nearly tripling over the past two years and showing greater impacts on Wards 5, 6, 7 and 8, legislative and health care professionals met for a symposium at Howard University on Nov. 2 to discuss how to stem the tide.
NATIONAL
By Lauren Poteat, NNPA Newswire Washington Correspondent The world of golf will never be the same now that the historic Black institution, Howard University, has officially launched its first ever NCAA Division I golf programs. Announced on Monday, Aug. 19, at the G C Langston & Driving Range in Northeast D.C.
Jeff Canady is a former DCPS teacher who was fired under the Michelle Rhee regime and is owed millions of dollars in back pay from DCPS.
By Lauren Poteat NNPA Washington Correspondent A new proposal carved out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), might be the jumpstart some companies looking for more energy independence may be looking for. During a recent press conference held at the Environmental Protection Agency, acting EPA Administrator, Andrew Wheeler, a former coal lobbyist, announced more rollback regulations on coal-fired power plants.
During its 110th National Convention, the NAACP voted unanimously for the impeachment of Trump.
For the first time, an African-American woman is elected mayor of the city of San Francisco. London Breed reached the milestone, when her opponent conceded during a tight mayoral race, as former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown lends support.
This week, the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. led hundreds of civil and economics rights enthusiasts to center of political action, Capitol Hill, where he and members of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition reiterated their message: to chart a new a future for African-American youth in the wake of the emergence of Donald Trump.
In an attempt to provide skilled insight and dialogue about the concerns of African-Americans, TV One and the National Urban League recently paired to hold a definitive town hall-style meeting titled "The State of Black America."
It was 1972 as Black Panther Party founder and chairman Bobby Seale sat in a courtroom, dressed in his best available suit, awaiting to hear the fate of his freedom, now resting in someone else's hand.
By Lauren Poteat, NNPA Staff Writer Despite major concerns with the 2016 voter turnouts, which played a significant role in the contentious election of President Donald Trump, primary elections in the heart of San Francisco, still proved to be a major flop in voter participation - even in the face of a very historic mayor's race.
"From the tone of the presidential campaign, to where the Klu Klux Klan makes their appearances regularly, to the deportation of hundreds of immigrants, to the ban on Muslims, to the children being separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border-that is where the CBC steps in."
Downtown D.C. was packed Friday evening with high energy and iconic civil rights figures for the Greater Washington Urban League's 46th annual Whitney M. Young Jr. Memorial Gala, which celebrated the historic organization's 80 years of service.
Just weeks away from the first anniversary of the mass killing at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, award winning journalist Tony Harris takes a look at events surrounding the events of June 17,2015 in "Hate in America: The Lone Wolf," the final part of a three-part investigative series that aired on Discovery Network.
A pivotal moment in history occurred Wednesday as Carla Hayden was sworn in as the head of the Library of Congress - the first African-American and woman to ever assume the role.
After a contentious inaugural address from President Donald Trump, he and Vice President Mike Pence began their first full day in office Saturday by attending an interfaith prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral in Northwest.
The HistoryMakers, the nation's largest black video oral history collection, recently celebrated the career and legacy of Eric Holder, the nation's first black attorney general.
Summer can be a crucial mass of time for young people searching for work and experiencing extensive days off between educational periods. With limited-to-no work experience, samplings of education, and limited connection to employers, finding employment can be very difficult for many youth.
by: Lauren Poteat Special to the AFRO President Barack Obama (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) President Barack H. Obama will act as keynote speaker at this year's Howard University commencement ceremony, the White House announced April 14. The event will be held May 7 on the Upper Quadrangle of Howard's main campus.
President Barack Obama poured his heart out Saturday to fellow constituents and black Americans at the annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation dinner, issuing a fervent call to action to hit the polls on Election Day in November.
The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) recently held its Biennial Affiliates Assembly, where it pushed an initiative of health disparity awareness and clinical trials for people of color. Eschewing the usual gala atmosphere of elaborate gowns and lively libations, the Nov.
by: Lauren Poteat Special to the AFRO (Courtesy Photo) Step Afrika!, an international dance company based in Washington, D. C., is commemorating 21 years of dance and educational youth empowerment with a fundraising event. The Step Afrika! VIP Gala will be held on June 9 at Dock 5 Union Market, 1309 5th St.
ARTS & CULTURE
By Lauren Poteat, NNPA Newswire Washington Correspondent Misty Copeland had the world of ballet standing still, when she made history as the first Black female principal dancer to the prestigious American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in 2015, just months after becoming the first Black woman to perform the lead role of "Odette" in ABT's coveted "Black Swan" in the winter of 2014.
NNPA NEWSWIRE - "To be on a list with Richard Pryor is unfathomable, like nobody would actually feel worthy enough," Chappelle reflected during an interview prior to the award ceremony. "And not just Richard, you've got George Carlin, Lorne Michaels-that really shaped my imagination, my life...
Grammy-winning operatic chanteuse Kathleen Battle captivated an audience at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts during her performance Sunday in Underground Railroad: A Spiritual Journey, giving generations old and new a glimmer of hope even while listening to the harrowing stories of their enslaved ancestors.
By Lauren Poteat (NNPA Newswire Contributor) During a star-studded showcase of social activism, creativity and courage, BET celebrated the achievements of Black women and girls at the "Black Girls Rock! 2017" awards show. Taraji P. Henson, the award-winning actress and star of the hit television show "Empire," hosted the event that was held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Famed comedian, actress, producer, author and humanitarian Caryn Elaine Johnson, better known as Whoopi Goldberg, made a rare appearance Saturday at the Strathmore Theatre in Maryland, giving fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience her comedic talents live.
Charlamagne Tha God's book tour for "Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It" - a New York Times best-seller fashioned as a self-help guide for millennials - rolled through D.C. last week, as young adults of varied shades flocked to the Capitale in Northwest for a chance to hear the popular radio personality elaborate on his eight principles for success.
Marvel's upcoming film "Black Panther" and its star-studded, all-Black cast is expected to be a smash hit, and in celebration of the new movie, the Smithsonian African Museum of Art welcomed veteran costume designer Ruth E. Carter over the weekend for an intimate discussion on her role in and vision for the film.
Bishop T.D. Jakes, New York Times bestselling author and pastor of The Potter's House, recently released a thought-filled book for everyday people looking to think and live as successful entrepreneurs. Focusing primarily on individuals of lower economic status and those not necessarily privy to thinking like an entrepreneur, Jakes' latest book "Soar!"
By Lauren Poteat (NNPA Newswire Contributing Writer) Jenifer Lewis, affectionately nicknamed "Auntie" in Black Hollywood, recently made a special appearance at the Duke Ellington School of Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. where she shared the trials, tribulations and triumphs of her journey to superstardom, while sending a strong message to millennials to stand up and find a purpose.
Leland Melvin, retired black astronaut and former NFL player, has penned an inspirational memoir dedicated primarily to underserved youth. Melvin's "Chasing Space: An Astronaut's Story of Grit, Grace, and Second Chances," released on May 23, takes readers on an in-depth journey through real-life experiences, triumphs and challenges from the NFL to outer space.
By Lauren Poteat (NNPA Newswire Contributor) In the battle to save the lives of our mothers, daughters and sisters, "WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease," is one of the greatest allies that families have against the deadly disease, the leading cause of death among women in the United States.
The historic National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) will convene in D.C. this weekend for its Biennial Affiliate Assembly and to pay special tribute to two legendary African-Americans. The Friday, Nov. 3 event, which takes place 6:30 p.m.
Comedy legends Dick Gregory and Paul Mooney performed Saturday before a capacity crowd at the historic Howard Theatre in D.C., with both of the notoriously outspoken comics' rapier wit, charm and undeniable knowledge on full display.
A tale of one tortured soul to another, "Nothing to Lose," a play written by Felonious Munk, chronicles the hardships of the comedian's life and transforms his journey into a hilarious work of art. Running at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre in northwest D.C., in partnership with the Second City, from Nov.
Driven by his love of dance and desire to help lower income children, three time Tony Award winner, and NAACP Image Award recipient, Hinton Battle is set to open dance workshops in D.C. Even though Battle had the option of choosing to hold his workshops in New York, he chose D.C.
Amid what many considered a "Black genocide" in America, coupled with a tension-filled presidential election season in its waning moments, award-winning writer, poet and activist Nikki Giovanni sheds light on a disrupted society.
A pair of Oscar-winning directors have revisited the 1992 Los Angeles riots in a new documentary, but not all are thrilled with what they say is the silencing of the black community.
In 1999, as Septim Webre took over as artistic director of the Washington Ballet, the first thing he created, even before assembling his first set of dance rehearsals, was DanceDC, an education and outreach program geared specifically towards underserved Black youth.
In tribute to prolific but unsung black fashion designers, New York City's prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology will host a new exhibition titled "Black Fashion Designers," which aims to shed light on contributions such as Lowe's.
Grammy Award winning, platinum selling, legendary hip hop group Naughty by Nature kicked off 2016 with a celebratory 25 th Anniversary Tour that began in Greensboro, North Carolina Jan. 27. The last show will take place on Feb. 28 in Philadelphia. The Hip Hop trio are performing 27 shows in 32 days.
The "Roots" mini-series is coming back to TV with a contemporary twist. This one is a new adaptation of the nine Emmy, two Golden Globe Award winning broadcast that chronicles the history of a young West African man (Kunta Kinte), who was sold into slavery and the legacy he passed on.
Barbados-born international superstar Rihanna recently launched a global scholarship program for international students enrolled in a U.S. college, courtesy of her Clara Lionel Foundation. On May 9, Rihanna took to Instagram to announce the launch of her scholarship program, which would award first-year students who are citizens or natives of Brazil, Barbados, Cuba, Haiti, Grenada, Guyana and Jamaica between $5,000 and $50,000 in funds.
Grammy Award winning rapper and social activist, David Banner is preparing for his long-awaited eighth album, "The God Box," with a national "The God Box: Lecture Series" tour and album preview. The hip-hop lecture series, which began in February, leads up to Banner's newest analytical album, "The God Box," which is scheduled to be released Aug.
A D.C. international dance company's latest creation, "The Migration," based on the iconic and vibrant paintings of renowned black American artist Jacob Lawrence, is a soul-churning must-see.
by: Lauren Poteat Special to the AFRO (Courtesy photo) In the spirit of Madame CJ Walker, creator of Black hair products, Sundial Brands, maker of "Nubian Heritage" and "SheaMoisture," revamped the 1906 hair line for a 21 st century approach, entitled "Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture."
Forty-five years after jazz legend Louis Armstrong finished one of his last performances at the Waldorf Astoria, the Mosaic Theatre Company of D.C. recreates a legend's final production with a riveting one-man show.
EDUCATION
By Lauren Poteat (NNPA/ESSA Contributor) According to a recent report by Education Week, states have largely ignored a critical mandate of the Every Student Succeeds Act that calls for schools to measure the social and emotional competencies of their students.
NNPA NEWSWIRE - "On behalf of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights... we write to share our significant concern regarding the Department's reported contemplation of the use of Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants provided to states under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) f
Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, in conjunction with the Walsh School of Foreign Service's African Studies Program, held its fourth annual Africa Business Conference over the weekend. Dozens of high-ranking African officials and specialized panelists - including Abubakar Bukola Saraki, president of the Nigerian Senate - converged on the Northwest campus Saturday for the daylong conference, which addressed numerous issues integral to the future development of Africa.
Sickle cell disease is one of the most commonly inherited blood disorders in the U.S. and one out of every 12 African-Americans carry the trait, yet research for the illness is largely underfunded. To combat this, the Howard University Center for Sickle Cell Disease and the Howard University Hospital are devoting a series of events aimed at awareness and action during September's National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
Bright Beginnings, a nationally accredited center providing childhood education and emotional and physical assistance to destitute families, will open a second development center for homeless children in D.C. in 2017. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. March 15, at 3418 Fourth Street SE. The event will include D.C.
Despite Prince George's County having one of the most affluent minority communities in the U.S., many residents still lack access to healthy food options. Now, the Prince George's County Food Equity Council aims to make the correlation between healthy foods options and wealth a thing of the past. On Oct.
Amid startling statistics showing that over 70 percent of black children in the U.S. cannot swim and are three times more likely to drown than white children, the USA Swimming Foundation is providing free and reduced swimming programs geared toward reducing the risk of childhood drownings.
The 100 Black Men of Greater Washington D.C. organization plans to raise funds to continue the STEM the 100 Way Program for underserved students at National Collegiate Preparatory School this summer. The initial STEM the 100 Way sessions ran from Feb.
The Washington Teachers' Union recently held a press conference in protest of Wal-Mart and the founding Walton family for their financial support of the privatization of D.C. charter schools and their monetary neglect of the city's public schools.
The Prince George's County, Md. Upsilon Tau Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is using its influence to increase awareness of Alzheimer's disease, one of the nation's leading diseases among Black Americans.
The Northern Virginia chapter of Jack and Jill of America will host a gala March 5 to celebrate 50 years of service to area Black children between the ages of two and 19. The event's proceeds will raise money for the Alternative House for Abused and Homeless Children and the Jack and Jill of America national organization.
by: Lauren Poteat Special to the AFRO (Courtesy Image/Logo) The Upsilon Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is set to repair a student playground area for mentally and physically disabled youth in Clinton, Maryland. The sorority will provide new amenities and safe equipment for disabled students at Tanglewood Regional Elementary School, 8333 Woodyard Rd., on June 4, from 9-11 a.m.
by: Lauren Poteat Special to the AFRO (Courtesy Photo) New York's St. John's University recently opened a year-long exhibition showcasing the history of America's oldest surviving free Black settlement, Sandy Ground, which is located in Staten Island's Rossville community. "Sandy Ground at St.
INTERNATIONAL
Just days after South African President Jacob Zuma was ousted, the country welcomed his successor, Cyril Ramaphosa. Assuming office on Feb. 15 following a vote by the National Assembly to remove Zuma, one of the first executive orders given by Ramaphosa was to reappointed his entire Cabinet.
NNPA NEWSWIRE - In remembrance of the dark history and the celebration of the Black American's triumph in the midst of grave adversity, the West African country of Ghana has officially declared 2019, the "Year of Return," for people of color, inviting the global African family to a birth-right journey back to their home country.
LagosPhoto, the first and only international arts festival of photography in Nigeria, is well underway with its eighth edition. Lasting an entire month, creator Azu Nwagbogu, currently stationed in Bamako, Mali, sheds light on his creative festival and relays the power and importance of beautiful African art: Washington Informer: Hello, Mr. Azu, I'm so excited to be interviewing you.
The University of Cape Town, Africa's premier educational institution, is looking to expand its African-based research domestically and internationally.
More than 50 Somali nationals were recently forced from the United States over immigration issues and deported back to Aden Adde, the international airport of Somalia.
by: Lauren Poteat Special to the AFRO (Courtesy Photo) A South African court recently dismissed a claim by Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, ex-wife of Nelson Mandela, for possession of the civil rights leader's rural home. The Eastern Cape High Court on April 7 dismissed Madikizela-Mandela's 2014 claim of rightful ownership to the Qunu village home, located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
by: Lauren Poteat Special to the AFRO (Stock Photo) Ghana's Minister of Education Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang recently announced plans to revoke English as the primary medium for instruction throughout the nation's entire education system.
In Accra, Ghana, students and academia demanded that the University of Ghana remove a statue of renowned Indian civil rights leader Mahatma Gandhi, charging the iconic leader with being historically racist toward black people.
With a long history of beekeeping dating back between 3500 and 3000 B.C. and a new growth in silk production, Ethiopia looks to expand both industries for increased economic opportunity for youth.
VIDEO
Welcome Giraffes Don’t Talk to Ants Author Lauren Poteat!! On the tall lush plains of South Africa, a tiny brown Ant patiently awaits the adventure of a lifetime when he decides to take a chance and do something different.
An award-winning journalist, social activist, and now a children's book author, Lauren Poteat, based out of the Washington, D.C. area, enjoys reading good books and creating memorable pieces that not only serve the community right in front of her but that also work to forge creative paths for generations to come.
Author/Journalist & Former CTV News Colleague Discusses Her Recent 2021 New York Book Festival Award For Her New Children's Book "Giraffes Don't Talk To Ants" (view-12:34 min mark)