African-Americans

"Skip" Alston Retires as Guilford Co. Comissioner

Jeff Tiberii — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Tonight marks the end of a political era in Greensboro. Melvin "Skip" Alston is stepping down after 20 years as a Guilford County Commissioner. Alston has been a polarizing figure during his time on the board, clashing with conservative commissioners while rarely holding back an opinion. Alston says he's not done with politics, although where he will emerge next isn't yet clear.

Durham Coalition Forms To Fight Diabetes

Gurnal Scott — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Several Durham County groups are partnering to fight a high rate of diabetes in adults. The Durham Diabetes Coalition brings together health groups, churches and government to teach people about the dangers of the disease. County statistics show that 12 percent of Durham County adults live with diabetes. The statewide average is nine percent. Health educator Chasity Newkirk says the challenge is getting people screened, especially African Americans.

The Life & Legacy of LeRoy T. Walker

Frank Stasio and Lindsay Foster Thomas — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Coach, educator and activist LeRoy T. Walker spent his career breaking the color barrier. He was the first African-American coach of a U.S. Olympic Track Team, the first black president of the United States Olympic Committee and the man who, along with Duke University coach Al Buehler, united the races around the sport of track and field in Durham, NC.

The Life of Huey P. Newton

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 14:04:00 +0000

The origins of the Black Panther Party were as a group that wanted to provide self-defense and support to communities overlooked and abused by the authorities. American government and media portrayals dismissed the Panthers as thugs, but filmmaker Dante James wants to tell the true story of the revolutionary members of the radical organization.

Honoring Robert Lee Vann

Frank Stasio and Sarah Edwards — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 12:31:00 +0000

North Carolina native Robert Lee Vann was a pioneer of journalism during his lifetime. He served as editor of "The Pittsburgh Courier" which was the largest black newspaper in circulation until Vann’s death in 1940. He was recently commemorated in his hometown of Ahoskie, NC with a long-earned historical marker. Marvin Jones of the Chowan Discovery Group and Cash Michaels, editor of The Carolinian, join host Frank Stasio to talk about both Vann's legacy and the legacy of the black press.

HBCUs Topic Of Discussion In Greensboro

Leoneda Inge — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 11:05:00 +0000

Experts and educators are coming together today to discuss an economic transformation for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Leoneda Inge: The down economy has not been kind to higher education and Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs have suffered even more. Andrea Harris is president of the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development. She has invited black college leaders and the head of the White House Initiative on HBCUs to debate the financial survival of these institutions.

Bill Rewriting Racial Justice Act Passes House

Jessica Jones — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 10:10:00 +0000

House lawmakers have passed a bill that would rewrite the state's Racial Justice Act.

Jessica Jones: House lawmakers passed the controversial measure by a veto-proof 72 to 47 after a long debate yesterday afternoon. The bill would narrow the use of statistics that death row inmates could use to show that racial bias was a factor in their cases. It would also narrow the time frame inmates could use to prove bias. House Majority Leader Paul Stam is a sponsor of the bill.

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf

Frank Stasio and Lindsay Foster Thomas — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:40:00 +0000

Ntozake Shange’s 1977 choreopoem, “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf” rocked audiences when it was initially staged in California and later on Broadway. It has since been performed on stage countless times around the world and was recently adapted into a film directed by Tyler Perry.

Differing Views Of Amendment In Hickory Church

John Biewen — Wed, 02 May 2012 21:40:00 +0000

North Carolina voters will decide on Tuesday whether to join thirty other states that have amended their constitutions to ban same-sex marriage. North Carolina law already defines marriage as between a man and a woman; the amendment would enshrine heterosexual marriage in the constitution, and ban civil unions. Those for and against the measure have focused their efforts on mobilizing people of faith. Reporter John Biewen followed the debate over gay marriage in an African American church in Hickory.

NC A&T to Look at African American Psyche

Jeff Tiberii — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 01:45:00 +0000

A two-day conference getting underway at North Carolina A&T State University will weigh how certain events affect the African-American psyche.

Jeff Tiberii: The Dialogue On Progressive Enlightenment Conference, or DOPE, will focus on higher education. The conference began three years ago as an outlet for social concerns within the African-American community. Brian Sims is an Assistant professor of Psychology at North Carolina A&T. He described the conference on the State of Things.