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South Carolina Democrat Posts $1.5M in Challenge to Graham
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South Carolina Democrat Posts $1.5M in Challenge to Graham

Associated Press - MEG KINNARDJuly 2, 2019

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A top Democratic National Committee official raised $1.5 million in the most recent fundraising period in his challenge to U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Campaign officials told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Jaime Harrison raised the money in the second quarter, which ended Sunday. Most of the amount, $1.3 million, came in the 33 days since Harrison officially launched his bid, with an average contribution of $26, according to the campaign. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is backing Harrison , an associate DNC chairman, in his effort to unseat Graham in 2020. Flipping

Essence Fest Marks 25 Years of Celebrating Black Culture
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Essence Fest Marks 25 Years of Celebrating Black Culture

Associated Press - CHEVEL JOHNSONJuly 1, 2019

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Essence Festival, which draws thousands to New Orleans during the fourth of July week, is celebrating 25 years of bringing African American women of all ages together for thought-proving conversation and performances from top musical acts. Launched to mark the 25th anniversary of black-owned Essence magazine, the festival has become a yearly celebration to highlight excellence in business, fashion, entertainment, and, of course, music. It is a destination vacation for African American women, which was showcased in the 2017 hit movie “Girls Trip.” The movie —which starred Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and

Set in the West The Genesis of L.A. Hip Hop
Entertainment

Set in the West The Genesis of L.A. Hip Hop

Sentinel News WireJune 27, 2019

Hollywood, CA – As a young man growing up in Compton in the late1970s, Wolfgang Amadeuz witnessed the rise of West Coast Hip Hop in the city that would become synonymous with this iconic sound. Amadeuz quickly became a fan for the same reason Hip Hop grew so rapidly in urban communities. He could identify with it. “Hip Hop has been around from as far back as I can remember,” said Amadeuz. “I was born in the late 1970s. When I heard DJ Battlecat’s little brother Shawn come on my block with his big boombox playing De La Souls “Plug

George Mason Names Building for ‘Hidden Figures’ Scientist
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George Mason Names Building for ‘Hidden Figures’ Scientist

Sentinel News WireJune 26, 2019

MANASSAS, Va. (AP) — George Mason University is naming a science and technology building in honor of the one of the NASA mathematicians whose story was told in the motion picture “Hidden Figures.” The school announced Tuesday that the building on its Manassas campus will now be known as Katherine G. Johnson Hall. Johnson, who is now 100, worked at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton. She was portrayed by Taraji P. Henson in “Hidden Figures,” which documented the contributions of her and two other African-American women while overcoming racism and sexism. Johnson and others performed the complex mathematical equations

Cuba Gooding Jr.’s Request to Toss Groping Case is Denied
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Cuba Gooding Jr.’s Request to Toss Groping Case is Denied

Associated Press -MICHAEL R. SISAKJune 26, 2019

NEW YORK (AP) — A judge rejected Cuba Gooding Jr.’s bid to throw out his New York City groping case so he can continue working, saying Wednesday that she needed time to review written arguments and didn’t want to make a rash decision. Judge Keisha Espinal said she wouldn’t rule on the actor’s request to dismiss the misdemeanor case until Aug. 14, dashing his and his lawyers’ hopes of swiftly scotching 2-week-old charges that he grabbed a woman’s breast at a Manhattan bar, which he denies. The Oscar-winning “Jerry Maguire” star’s upcoming film projects could be in jeopardy if the

Danny Glover to Testify at House Slavery Reparations Hearing on Juneteenth
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Danny Glover to Testify at House Slavery Reparations Hearing on Juneteenth

Associated Press - ERRIN HAINES WHACKJune 18, 2019

WASHINGTON (AP) — The topic of reparations for slavery is headed to Capitol Hill for its first hearing in more than a decade with writer Ta-Nehisi Coates and actor Danny Glover set to testify before a House panel. The House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties is scheduled to hold the hearing next Wednesday, its stated purpose “to examine, through open and constructive discourse, the legacy of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, its continuing impact on the community and the path to restorative justice.” The date of the hearing, June 19, coincides with Juneteenth, a cultural holiday

Another “Empire” Actor Arrested, but on Traffic Offense
Entertainment

Another “Empire” Actor Arrested, but on Traffic Offense

Sentinel News WireJune 17, 2019

Bryshere Gray courtesy photo CHICAGO (AP) — Another “Empire” actor has been arrested in Chicago, but this time on a traffic-related offense. Police spokeswoman Karie James said Monday that Bryshere Gray, who plays a younger brother of Jussie Smollett’s character on the Chicago-based Fox TV show, was pulled over Thursday because a temporary license plate didn’t match the 2014 Rolls Royce he was driving. She says he was arrested on a misdemeanor registration charge and ticketed for driving an uninsured vehicle and failure to carry a driver’s license. James says the 25-year-old Gray isn’t in custody, but it wasn’t immediately

WATCH: ‘Emanuel’ Explores Life after Tragic Church Shooting
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WATCH: ‘Emanuel’ Explores Life after Tragic Church Shooting

Associated Press - MESFIN FEKADUJune 17, 2019

NEW YORK (AP) — Jennifer Pinckney was hiding under a desk holding the mouth of her then-6-year-old daughter when Dylann Roof fired more than 70 shots in Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, killing nine black worshippers. The new documentary, “Emanuel,” explores life after the tragic shooting on June 17, 2015, as family members, friends and the community try to heal through faith and forgiveness. Pinckney’s husband, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, was one of the nine killed by Roof, who sat through 45 minutes of Bible study at the church before firing shots. Pinckney and her daughter, Malana,

Councilman Faces Call for Resignation for Juneteenth Message
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Councilman Faces Call for Resignation for Juneteenth Message

Sentinel News WireJune 17, 2019

LEESBURG, Va. (AP) — The president of a northern Virginia NAACP branch is calling for a town councilman’s resignation after he wrote a negative message on a Juneteenth proclamation rather than sign it. The Leesburg Town Council passed a resolution proclaiming June 19-20 as Juneteenth and urging residents to recognize “this celebration in African-American history.” Juneteenth celebrates slavery’s end in the U.S. The resolution also recognizes lynchings that occurred in Virginia, including one in Leesburg. Councilman Thomas Dunn didn’t sign the proclamation, instead writing “This is a celebration lynchings are not” in his signature line. Loudoun County NAACP President Michelle