Category: Afro Briefs

According to The Associated Press, three Seattle police officers have been cleared in a 2004 incident involving use of a stun gun on a pregnant African-American woman. A federal appeals court ruled April 9 that the officers, Steven Daman, Juan Ornelas and Donald Jones, had the right to use the stun gun on Malaika Brooks […]

College enrollment among African-American males lags behind that of Black women, and graduation rates for Black men are the lowest of any ethnic group, according to the “Annual Status Report on Minorities in Higher Education,” a study released by the American Council on Education.? Similar studies released last year suggest that as Black males drop […]

Many Blacks still see owning a home as a primary way to achieve the American dream. But a majority of Blacks believe that this dream is currently unattainable and will only be harder to achieve in the future, according to a Fannie Mae survey. According to BlackAmericaweb.com, nearly 62 percent of African-Americans surveyed said they […]

While the number of U.S. births fell in 2008, the birth rate among women in their 40s continued to rise. According to the Associated Press, the birth rate for women in their early 40s rose a surprising 4 percent over the previous year, reaching the highest mark since 1967. The rate for women in their […]

The European Union (EU) on April 7 pulled its election observers from Darfur amid security concerns. Sudan is on the cusp of its first multi-party elections in 24 years, but the election is being marred by boycotts from opposition forces who say it will be nothing more than a farce and that conflict will continue […]

Louisiana state legislators are considering a special driver’s license for drug offenders. The bill would apply to drivers who have multiple felony drug convictions and would display “DRUG OFFENDER” in bright orange letters on the bottom of the card. Rep. Rickey Hardy (D) introduced the bill in the state House of Representatives, where it was […]

The suit that former NFL star O.J. Simpson wore when he was acquitted of the murder of his ex-wife was rejected by the Smithsonian Institution, but has found a home just a few blocks away at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. “It makes perfect sense for us,” Carrie Christofferson, the Newseum’s collections curator told The […]

J. Bruce Llewellyn, a Black businessman who made a name for himself in banking, broadcasting, bottling and groceries, died April 7 at the age of 82. In addition to his many business ventures, Llewellyn in 1963 joined with David Dinkins, future first African American mayor of New York City, and others to form the 100 […]

It was a declaration that sent shockwaves throughout Virginia and unearthed centuries-old enmity among African Americans. On April 6, Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonell declared April Confederate History Month in the commonwealth and initially omitted mention of slavery, the institution that provoked the conflict between North and South. But after facing a windstorm of nationwide […]

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s latest employment report, America’s unemployment rate did not fluctuate in March, remaining steadfast at 9.7 percent. However, the country’s long-term unemployment numbers grew and more Latinos and African Americans faced joblessness. According to the report’s finding, long-term unemployment—defined as being out of work for six months or more—was […]

Throughout the month, Tuskegee University will host several events to honor the legacy of Dr. Benjamin F. Payton, the school’s fifth president, who announced his retirement last year. During his time at the university, Payton has instituted numerous programs and initiatives that have broadened the school’s academic advancement. His achievements include establishing the Gen. Daniel […]

A New York lawmaker has created his own campaign against the low-slung pants popular with many teenagers and young adults, according to The Associated Press. Last week, two billboards were erected in Brooklyn showing two mean sporting jeans so low, their underwear were visible. The billboards, funded by state Sen. Eric Adams, urged the community […]