Half concert flick, half historical documentary, Rejoice and Shout is an unabashed celebration of glorious gospel music. The picture traces the genre’s roots all the way back to when slaves first began mixing Christianity with African culture and their desire for salvation from their plight. The film was directed by Don McGlynn (Dexter Gordon: More […]
Author Archives: AFRO Staff
Posted inPrince George's County News
County May Become Home to Washington Redskins Headquarters
Prince George’s County officials are spearheading a study to examine the feasibility of moving Redskins Park to Prince George’s County. “We are now expressing an interest in becoming the permanent headquarters of this much beloved and storied franchise,” Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker said in a statement. “With our central location in the region […]
Posted inNational News
Modeling Agent: Milan and Paris Don’t Want Black Girls
The founder of a London-based model management company says it’s hard to find commercial modeling work for dark-skinned women because designers in fashion capitals Milan and Paris “absolutely don’t want Black girls.” Carole White, founder of Premier Model Management and former agent of Naomi Campbell, made the remarks during an interview with the UK news […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Nephew of Congressman Cummings Killed in Virginia
Christopher Cummings, nephew of Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings (D), was shot and killed on June 10 in his apartment near the campus of Old Dominion University. “My family and I remain in shock over the news of the random shooting that took the life of my nephew, Christopher,” Rep. Cummings said in a statement. According […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Students from Across the U.S. Compete at 2011 Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest
College Park, MD – More than 2,700 top middle and high school students from the across the country will showcase their original research and deliver their award-winning presentations at the 2011 Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest, June 13-16 at the University of Maryland. Students will compete in five different project categories, including performance, […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
OPEC Deadlock Triggers Spike in Global Oil Prices
An Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) deadlock June 8 over whether to increase oil production caused global oil prices to jump immediately, and then ease off, late last week. The oil cartel’s action after a meeting in Vienna June 8 ended in disarray and triggered speculation that the oil consortium’s end may be near. […]
Posted inSports
Former Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor Rejects Canadian Football League
After announcing that he would bypass his senior year at Ohio State, former Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor ended speculation June 9 about his Canadian Football League (CFL) prospects when he refused an offer from the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders. Pryor, the center of an internal investigation at Ohio State, expects to enter his name in the […]
Posted inNational News
Shrinking Government Means Fewer Jobs for Blacks, Labor Dept. Figures Show
Black workers may be hit hardest as the lingering recession and the political drive to shrink federal and state spending are resulting in a dwindling number of government jobs, according to recently released Labor Department estimates. Data released in a June 6 Labor Department analysis convey a startling picture for Black participation in the public […]
Posted inNational News
CBC Chairman Presses for Jobs
Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Emmanuel Cleaver II (D-Mo.) has vowed to fight for a jobs bill given the high unemployment rate among African Americans. Cleaver lays at least part of the blame for slow job growth for African Americans on Republican Party insistence on cutting programs that help inner city and minority communities. “After four […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Prayer Ban Overturned by Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
A federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a judge’s ruling this week to ban prayer at a Texas high school, the PRNewswire reports. In May, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery ruled that invocations and benedictions were banned at all Medina Valley High school graduation ceremonies. Also prohibited by the ruling were efforts to call […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Rapper Ja Rule Enters Prison
Platinum selling rap star Ja Rule, a Grammy-nominated recording artist, turned himself in on June 8 to begin serving a two-year prison sentence on gun charges stemming from a 2007 arrest. Ja Rule, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, pleaded guilty to the charges in December. He says he plans on using his time in […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
CDC Finds Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Students at Greater Risk for Unhealthy Behaviors
High school students who say they are gay, lesbian or bisexual are at greater risk for engaging in unhealthy practices and risky behaviors, the Cennters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said June 6. Compared to their heterosexual counterparts, gay and bisexual students are more likely to abuse tobacco and alcohol, engage in violence, attempt […]