My name is Chiagoziem “Sylvester” Agu. I’m 20, a sophomore of Albany State University, majoring in biology, a member of the Alpha Phi fraternity, with aspirations of pursuing a medical degree in cardiology. A few months ago, I had an extraordinary experience studying abroad in South Africa as a Frederick Douglas Global Fellow. I spent four weeks in Cape Town on a full scholarship, studying political Blackness, Black consciousness, and the complexities of colored identity. Every day, I was exposed to something different. Although the knowledge I was acquiring was both intimidating and scary, I also found it empowering. This is my story. ... read more »

Windsor Hills and View Park have always been a shining Black light in Los Angeles. It’s where Black doctors and lawyers aspired to live when they weren’t welcomed in Bel-Air or Brentwood, where Ray Charles, Meghan Markle, and Ike and Tina Turner lived. It was the gold standard for Black people, a gleaming refuge lost to most in the sprawl of Los Angeles. ... read more »

In this wonderful time of the year when family and friends gather in good cheer to celebrate the holidays, nearly everyone has a number of lists. From greeting cards to shopping for gifts, decorations and more, lists are made and reviewed to keep pace with the barrage of seasonal activities.  ... read more »

As I sit to write this article, I am overlooking where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez intersect in Los Cabos, Mexico.  My heart is full because I've had the opportunity to travel around the world and I enjoy being a Global Citizen.  I embrace this term not just because of my ability to travel, but also because I truly have a heart and compassion for the people of the world. ... read more »

My grandmother talked about West Bank and Gaza Strip. Remembering rekindled my interest hearing there are 193 United Nations …(read on) “The US put forth a first time resolution condemning Hamas, theIslamic terror group, which controls Gaza, failed to win the required two-thirds majority in the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday. ... read more »

During this week, as we all join in the natural reflection of the character, conviction, and contributions of our 41stPresident, George Herbert Walker Bush, I was reminded of the time when I had the honor of meeting that great man. ... read more »

December 5, 2018 Via Federal Express Honorable Edmund G. Brown, Governor State of California, Office of Legal Affairs State Capitol 1303 10th Street Sacramento, CA 95814-4900   ... read more »

This weekend the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles co-hosted #BlackSunday, an opportunity for the community to intentionally spend their dollars with Black-owned businesses, who were provided with booth space at no charge. ... read more »

December 7 is official “National Letter Writing Day.”  I have loved writing handwritten notes since I was a little girl.  It is one of the gifts my paternal grandmother instilled in me as far back as I can remember.  Whenever anyone would do anything nice for us, she would tell us that it was our responsibility to sit down at the dining room table and write them a thank you note.  ... read more »

This year as we again observe the days set aside to mark and remind us of both the tragic passing and praiseworthy endurance of victims of HIV/AIDS among us, we, of necessity, continue to search for solutions, i.e., how to increase prevention, ensure treatment and care, expand education, reduce and end high risk and reckless behavior, and encourage everyone to engage in practices to save lives, promote health and secure well-being and flourishing for us all. ... read more »

2018 is quickly closing. 2019 rushes in. Perhaps, it’s intelligent to say we all want better results in 2019 from prior years. What is it that we want better? How would we grade our decision making before now? Do we mark ourselves “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, or “F.” ... read more »

Black Pride mural on Crenshaw and 50th defaced with Swastikas.  Developing story…..     ... read more / watch video »

For 40 long years, until North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue signed “Pardons of Innocence” documents for each member of the Wilmington Ten (including myself), the issues of unjust and disproportionate mass incarceration, bail reform, racism in the judiciary, prosecutorial misconduct, and reentry challenges were not matters of partisanship, but were matters of fundamental civil and human rights. ... read more »

The conception and development of  our philosophy, Kawaida, the work and struggle of our organization Us, and the people-focus, cultural groundedness and social consciousness of the leadership and people we seek to cultivate, teach and exemplify, all began with what our ancestors called in the Husia a “courageous questioning.” ... read more »

A charade going on at the Los Angeles Police Commission meeting every Tuesday.  It goes like this:  The public, mostly Black Lives Matter members, are chastised and even arrested for allegedly violating house rules and protocol.  ... read more »