Author Sapphire was a guest speaker during UW-Milwaukee’s Black History Month Series. She signed autographs for attendees and copies of her 1996 novel ‘Push’ were available. The Academy Award winning film ‘Precious’, is based on Sapphire’s novel, ‘Push’, that starred new comer Gabourey Sidibe. Comedian and actress Mo’Nique brought even more attention to the project as she won her first Academy Award, Golden Globe, and SAG awards, three of motion pictures highest honors given. Geoffrey Fletcher won an Oscar for “Best Adapted Screenplay”. Sapphire has stated that she loved the …

On February 18, 2010 – in honor of Black History Month – the Alliance of Concerned Men (ACM) hosted a roundtable and town hall meeting at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) titled “Fatherhood and Solutions to Youth Violence”. The event was deemed an historical occasion with the first African American U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder, Jr. and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) in attendance for the town hall meeting.
The purpose of the roundtable and town hall meeting were to open dialogue about these specific issues – which …

In 1853, Anthony Bowen, a former slave, minister and fi rst person of color to work in the United States Patent Office, founded the nation’s first YMCA dedicated to serving African Americans. The YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee began honoring diversity and serving the needs of African- Americans in the 1930s. In Milwaukee, as in more than 10,000 communities across the country, the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee celebrates the richness of that diversity. Becoming part of a movement that sought personal and community growth through healthy spirit, mind and body, Bowen …

Black History Month should be a time of celebrating African American achievements, but there’s something alarming we should also be aware of. Black babies are dying at a rate of almost four times the rate of White babies. A big reason is the higher amounts of stress that African American women have to deal with.
Last fall, I participated in a campaign called Journey of a Lifetime. I volunteered on the campaign because late in my pregnancy, I was told stress was having a negative impact on my unborn baby. As …

Joel McNally and Cassandra Cassandra of the now cancelled ‘Morning Magazine’ radio talk show were joined by fans and friends for a Black History Month Buffet Breakfast Celebration last weekend at Stella’s located at 2730 N. MLK Drive. (Photo by Harry Kemp)

Larry Reed, local businessman is pictured with author Dr. Joy DeGruy who was a featured speaker at a Black History Month program held at UW-Milwaukee on Friday, Feb. 12 at the Union Ballroom West. Dr. DeGruy’s subject was “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Enduring Legacy of Injury and Healing”. The program also included Olivia El-Amin, director of corporate affairs, New Horizon Center, Inc., the Nefatari Dancers, Ald. Joe Davis, and Dr. Anika Wilson, associate professor, Africology Department, UWM. (Photo by Harry Kemp).

Join the Milwaukee County Board’s African-American Caucus for a special Black History Month Celebration Wednesday, February 24th from noon until 2 p.m. at the Milwaukee County Courthouse Rotunda. The celebration includes honoree recognition, soul food, refreshments, entertainment and fellowship.
“Keep on Pushing… Toward Black Economic Empowerment,” is the theme for this year’s celebration, which includes a libation performed by Clayborn Benson, musical entertainment, and spoken word from Nigel Ward. Kelli Watson from CBS 58 News will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies.
Board Chairman Lee Holloway is enthusiastic about this year’s celebration. “This …

By Lynda L. Jones,
Editor

Dr. Arnold L. Mitchem, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education in Washington, D.C. and founder of Marquette University’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), came to Milwaukee this week to serve as the master of ceremonies for a historic occasion, the presentation of the Pere Marquette Discovery Award to the Little Rock Nine.
Mitchem sat down with The Milwaukee Courier during his visit and shared his reflections on the Little Rock Nine receiving Marquette’s highest honor, and the influence that these nine courageous teenagers had and still have …

New initiative launches with recognition of African American vendor partners throughout the month of February
Walgreens (NYSE: WAG)(NASDAQ:WAG), the nation’s largest drugstore chain, recently introduced its new Community Corner program designed to highlight the successes of minority owned businesses. This first-of-its-kind supplier diversity initiative is designed to allow consumers to easily identify and purchase products produced by diverse companies. Walgreens will recognize these vendor partners through print advertisements, in-store announcements, coupon booklets, shelf tags, in-store product demonstrations and Walgreens.com. The company will launch the program featuring products made by African American …