Lion Queen of Nigeria – Classical Soprano Abiodun “Abi” Koya
The great classical soprano Abiodun “Abi” Koya, known as the Lion Queen of Nigeria, has enriched America with her presence.
The great classical soprano Abiodun “Abi” Koya, known as the Lion Queen of Nigeria, has enriched America with her presence.
During the intimate video-taped interview inside the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the two visionaries also tackled topics that ranged from the Transatlantic Slave Trade, their shared North Carolina families’ histories, the writing legacy of author James Baldwin, and the contemporary vitality of the Black Press of America.
In 1951, Langston Hughes laid bare the anxious aspirations of millions of Black people in America with his poem, “A Dream Deferred.” In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded America of the promissory note written to its citizens guaranteeing life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, in his “I Have a Dream” speech.
It was an historic power grab. Not the Republicans taking back the White House after a controversial, razor-thin win by George W. Bush over Al Gore. It was the vice president-elect, Dick Cheney, out-maneuvering George Jr. and becoming the puppet master.
The Georgia Democrat, who came about 60,000 votes shy of becoming America’s first Black female governor, refused to follow the traditional script for defeated politicians who offer gracious congratulations to their victorious competitor and gently exit the stage. Instead, Abrams took an unapologetically indignant tone that established her as a leading voting rights advocate.
Racism is as real as ever and Black lives have always mattered. However, most people, including many Blacks, deny or minimize the devastating effect of racism and tend to act as though somehow, Black lives are less valuable, even less sacred than white lives. The Black Lives Matter movement has the potential for strengthening sustainable unified Black leadership which would distinguish it from the many failed attempts to build a Black united front since the civil rights era. Hopefully, it will succeed, but remaining unapologetically Black is a daunting challenge and time will tell.
For movies opening October 19, 2018.
Many Blacks, perhaps most, initially considered challenging Obama’s decisions sacrilegious, and more than a few continued to regard him as an icon to be neither properly critiqued nor criticized. Although increasingly concerned with his decisions, Blacks also needed to be concerned about ineffective Black leadership in general, especially in light of the daunting challenges in the 21st century.
Donald Trump has managed to get disinvited to two prominent funerals in his first term. First he was banned from former first lady Barabra Bush’s funeral and now a firm “no invite” at the request of John McCain’s wishes before he passed. McCain will have Bush and Obama eulogize him. Both former president’s defeated McCain in his pursuit to be president of the the United States. One of McCain’s last noble acts was to vote NO on the repeal of the Affordable Care Act also known as Obamacare. Among the black community mixed emotions are felt for the Senator who voted against
Trump said in an interview with “Fox & Friends” that he knew the rapper “a little bit” and always got along with him, and said that West has noticed the low unemployment rate for Black Americans.
In Africa, there are much longer waits for close air support and the expectations for medical evaluation are vastly different from a one hour wait to a 48 hour delay.
It highlights McClary’s rise from the concrete of societal imposed standards to musical genius.
Ken Blackwell prevailed in an intraparty feud in 2006 to become Ohio’s first black nominee for governor.
The opening of the National Museum of African American Culture and History was full of glitz and glamour as celebrities, elected officials, civil rights icons and three American presidents came together to celebrate the historic moment.