As the renewed efforts to center all discussions around African American culture continue to progress, there’s a fresh inspiration to discover new authors and delve into the diverse spectrum of literature. These stories traverse borders and generations, shedding light on a wide array of experiences.
When Amanda Gorman read her poem “The Hill We Climb” at President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ Inauguration ceremony in 2021, not only did it catapult her into greater literary stardom, the first National Youth Poet Laureate demonstrated the power of prose in a moment.
“What does it mean to have a seat at the table?” was the theme for The Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce’s virtual Women in the C – Suite conference on November 4. Décor Interior Design Chief Executive Officer Ronda Jackson moderated the hour-long discussion that centered on the topics of what it takes to maintain a successful career, open doors for other women and propel the next generation of women leaders. Panelists included Sydney Kamlager, Assemblywoman, 54th District; Kim Carter, partner, Kelley Drye, LLP; Christine Keith, resident, Elite Auto Network; Tameka Raymond, founder, Cult De Jour; and Halleemah Nash, founder, Rosecrans Ventures.
It’s no surprise that Black women have emerged among the nation’s strongest and most competent leaders. The formidable challenges that women, particularly women of color, must overcome to achieve positions of prominence, are like the fire that tempers steel.
The National Urban League has had a strong relationship with Senator Harris for many years. We honored her as one of the first recipients of our “Woman of Power” awards in 2004, just after she was elected District Attorney of San Francisco. In 2017, when she assumed office as California’s third female U.S. Senator, and the first of Jamaican or Indian ancestry, we honored her with the Hiram Revels Award for Achievement, named for the first African American to serve in the U.S. Congress.
The coronavirus has turned the world upside down. In fact, its global impact might have resulted in this being the first time that individuals can truly identify with what people residing in other parts of the world are feeling.
The great Maya Angelou said, “Hope is born again in the faces of children.” This sentiment should be a guiding theme throughout school districts nationwide, especially the Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD).
A FREE night of music, dance, poetry, and black culture to celebrate Black History Month:
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.
Hundreds gathered this month at Culpeper Baptist Church for a time of respectful reflection in remembrance of the lynching 100 years ago of Charles “Allie” Thompson.
“The Maya in Me” is the highly anticipated one-woman show written and performed by family therapy counselor, actress and writer Dr. Tameka Bob. As the show’s title indicates, “The Maya in Me” is an intimate visual piece that uses poetry written by the late literary icon Dr. Maya Angelou to parallel real life moments from Dr. Bob’s life and struggles with love.
Reverential Retrospective Offers Intimate Look at the Life of Late Icon
Ava Duvernay is a Golden Globe nominated director from Compton, California, who is knocking down barriers in the film industry. In 2012, Duvernay became the first African American woman to win a directing award at the Sundance Film Festival for her second feature film, “Middle of Nowhere.” She also was the first African American female director nominated for a Golden Globe for her movie “Selma.”