President Jerry Rawlings played a critical role in the history of Ghana, leading the country for twenty years and overseeing its transition to a stable, multiparty democracy. (Photo: His Excellency Former President Jerry Rawlings (pictured at right) made a visit to Somalia. He was greeted by the Force Commander and Deputy UN Mission and he […]
Author Archives: Stacy M. Brown
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Tina Turner reflects on her life in new picture book
In “That’s My Life,” the Queen of Rock n’ Roll reflects on growing up in Nutbush, Tennessee, and how her hometown became an escape from the harsh realities of her life. (Photo: Tina Turner, St David’s Hall, Cardiff, 1984. Pre-Private Dancer tour. / Tim Duncan / Wikimedia Commons) NNPA NEWSWIRE — “I was the child […]
Posted inPOLITICS
Biden-Harris administration commits to ensure government spending with Black and Minority-owned media businesses
In 2019, after reviewing a General Accounting Office audit that revealed federal agencies only spend a pittance of its allotted $5 billion advertising budget with Black and minority-owned entities, Norton introduced H.R. 2576. NNPA NEWSWIRE — “This is good news for the Black Press of America in 2021,” declared Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., President […]
Posted inSports
IN MEMORIAM: Olympic champion, humanitarian Rafer Johnson dies at 86
Humanitarian Rafer Johnson, viewed as the best athlete in the world after winning the silver decathlon at the 1956 Olympics followed by the gold in 1960, has died at 86. (Image courtesy NNPA) By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia Rafer Johnson, the first Black captain of a United States Olympic team, […]
Posted inNEWS
President-Elect Joe Biden makes Cabinet appointments
(Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA) By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia President-Elect Joe Biden has continued to fill out his staff and cabinet, naming several more officials to various posts ahead of his January 20 inauguration. Biden tapped Anthony Blinken, a former Deputy Secretary of State, to serve as Secretary of State […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Pennsylvania Supreme Court to hear Bill Cosby Case
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia For comedian Bill Cosby, freedom and possible exoneration comes down to his attorneys’ oral arguments before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Tuesday, December 1. Cosby has served more than two years of a 3-to-10-year prison sentence after a jury convicted him of aggravated indecent assault. […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Continues to Reach New Milestones
Singer Michael Jackson live in Lisbon, Portugal on September 26, 1992 as part of his international tour. (Photo: Constru-centro/Wikimedia Commons) NNPA NEWSWIRE — The album, which featured such iconic hits as “Beat It,” “Billie Jean,” and a duet with Paul McCartney on, “The Girl is Mine,” has sold an estimated 66 million copies worldwide and […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
California Judge Tosses Sexual Assault Suit against Russell Simmons
Simmons, who faced several allegations of sexual assault dating back to the 1980s, has always maintained his innocence, and his representatives routinely have held up the Def Jam Records founder’s lifelong contributions and advocacy for women’s rights. By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia A California judge has tossed out a $10 […]
Posted inNEWS
African American Woman, Midshipman 1st Class Sydney Barber, Makes US Naval Academy History
Midshipman 1st Class Sydney Barber (Image courtesy NNPA) By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia Midshipman 1st Class Sydney Barber, a mechanical engineering major from Illinois, has been named brigade commander for the spring semester at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Barber, a track star with a stated desire to […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Google News Initiative Ad Transformation Lab Provides Needed Support for Black, Latino Media
In the Google News Initiative Labs, news organizations’ cohorts come together over several months to tackle specific business problems, with support from Google and industry experts. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA) By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia Google has announced a partnership for its Google News Initiative (GNI) Ad Transformation Lab, a […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Student Loan Debt Widens Racial Wealth Gap
(Image courtesy NNPA) By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia President-elect Joe Biden wants to immediately erase student loan debt, a move that could prove more meaningful for African American students who, on average, owe much more than anyone. With the freeze placed on student loan repayments set to end December 31, […]
Posted inSports
For the First Time in NFL History, an All-Black Crew Will Officiate an NFL Game
Five of the officials work together regularly, with Anderson, Mapp, Shaw, and Jeffries part of Boger’s crew. Johnson and Steed will join the group for Monday’s game. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA) By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia In 1965, after beginning his officiating career working college games in the San Francisco […]