An opening reception to celebrate the 110th birthday of poet Langston Hughes at the Newark Library on Feb. 1, from 6-8 p.m. , will feature historian Dr. Wendell Holbrook, Associate Prof. of African American Studies at Rutgers. There will also be a dramatic interpretation of Hughes literature by David Mills, a Langston Hughes Scholar. The event will be held in Centennial Hall at the library 5 Washington St., Newark.

It is unfortunate to hear the untimely death of legend, Don Cornelius. Ironically, in our black history month series, our first document was mogul Don Cornelius.

Born in Chicago, Don Cornelius was an American TV host and producer who is best known for creating the hit television show ‘Soul Train’. Originally a journalist inspired by the civil rights movement, Cornelius created Soul Train which served as a platform for African American singers to get their voice heard. Don Cornelius was instrumental in offering exposure to black musicians like The O’Jay’s, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, James Brown, as well as creating opportunities for talented dancers.

Besides his smooth and deep voice, Cornelius is best known for the catchphrase that he used to close the show: “… and you can bet your last money, it’s all gonna be a stone gas, honey! I’m Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!”

Let us not dwell on the unfortunate tragedy, but celebrate the contributions Don Cornelius made.

RIP

Etta James

Singing legend Etta James, best known for her hits like “WallFlower”, “Something’s Got a Hold On Me”, and wedding favorite “At Last” has died. She was 73.

She was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010, and also suffered from dementia and hepatitis C. James died at a hospital in Riverside, California. She would have turned 74 Wednesday.

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Jimmy Castor – Getty Images

The leading front man of the band Jimmy Castor Bunch died Monday Jan. 16th in Las Vegas. The cause of death of Jimmy Castor is unknown, according to Prefix Magazine.

Castor began his career as a doo-woop singer before moving to a disco funk saxophonist in the early 60s. In the early 70s, Jimmy Castor formed the Jimmy Castor Brunch, consisting of keyboardist/trumpeter Gerry Thomas, bassist Doug Gibson, guitarist Harry Jensen, conga player Lenny Fridle Jr., and drummer Bobby Manigault.

Soon after signing to RCA, the Jimmy Castor Bunch delivered several consecutive hits, one being “Troglodyte (Cave Man).” “Troglodyte (Cave Man)” was Castor’s biggest Hot 100 hit, reaching No. 6 in 1972. A slew of artists have sampled Castor’s top ten hit: Christina Aguilera (“Back in the Day”), N.W.A. (“Gangsta Gangsta,” “The Dawyz of Wayback”), Blackstreet (“Don’t Leave Me”), Wu-Tang Clan (“Wu Banga” (Remix), Madonna (“Into the Groove 2008″) and more.

More recently, Kanye West sampled Castor’s “I Just Wanna Stop” on “We Don’t Care,” off his freshman album, “The College Dropout.”

Editor-in-Chief of Unheard Voices Magazine discusses why it is important Dr. King’s agenda must be continued.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a man of character and dignity who had a dream that one day we would all be equal. He is known as one of the most influential figures in American history and a pillar in initiating change during the Civil Rights Movement. Today, we celebrate the life and legacy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. left. Dr. King’s legacy is celebrated nationwide as streets, schools, and many other accolades are celebrated in his honor. More recently his legacy was celebrated as a monument was revealed in the National Mall in Washington, DC. The new monument which was revealed in August, celebrates the ideals King imposed. Quotations from his speech display the memory of his message and a 30-foot sculpture called the “stone of hope” designed by Martin’s famous line “I have a dream”. King is also the subject of a great powerful play entitled “On The Mountaintop” featuring Samuel L. Jackson, who plays King, and Angela Bassett. Moreover, The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn., at the Lorriane Motel where Dr. King was assassinated, has made over its campaign.

It is evident we proudly celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King and have definitely come a long way since the civil rights era. However, one of the most important things I believe King would never want to happen is the dream becoming deferred. The untimely death of Dr. King made it clear that the agenda must be continued. The fight for justice and freedom still continues today.

We must teach the younger generation about Dr. King legacy’s and the civil rights era beyond what is taught in the schools. Besides growing up in a socially conscious household, it was because of Dr. King and other African-Americans leaders, that I knew what it meant to be black and the importance of not letting King’s dream being deferred. For one, that meant getting an education. Unfortunately, economic and educational disparity still exists within the African-American community. I knew in order for me to even compete, I needed an education. Because I was well-versed and educated in my history, I knew the importance of continuing the dream. Our kids should understand the importance of Dr. King’s legacy and not thinking its another day off from school. If our younger brothas and sistas really knew their history, would there be less African-American sitting in jail, and more African-American ivy league graduates? The agenda must be continued.

Secondly, service to my community. Nothing brings me greater joy than lending a helping hand in my community. One of my favorite quotes by Dr. King is “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?” Around this time last year, Unheard Voices won the NAACP Unsung Hero Award for community service. After that day, the message became even clearer to me that the agenda must continue. We must do better for ourselves and better for those around us. What does it mean to be economically empowered but not helping others? Many may think the fight is now over because we have overcome many disparities and even have a black president. However the fight stills continues, and it starts within us.

As we celebrate the legacy and life of Dr. King today, reflect on Dr. King’s dream. Are you living up to it or letting it become deferred?

Gilda Rodgers

The Red Bank Public Library and Two River Theater present: A Celebration of August Wilson, on Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. Two River Theater will bring a stellar company of stage and film actors to the Red Bank Library, who will share stories and memories of working with August Wilson and celebrate his singular talent. Wilson celebrated the history and culture of Black America in a monumental series of 10 plays, for which he won two Pulitzer Prizes. Wilson’s play
Jitney is being directed by the Tony Award-winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson at TRTC. On Feb 18 from 2-5 p.m. Frank Talk Multi Media
Network and the Red Bank Library will present: Out of Africa. The exhibit focuses on the artistic culture of Africa in America and will be on display until Feb. 25. African masks to textiles will be showcased. An accompanying video produced by Frank Talk Multi- Media Network that was filmed at the historic Newark Museum, features its African Narratives permanent collection and gives in-depth insight on African symbolism and art. Foods that Americans enjoy that originated in Africa will be available for tasting. In addition, Dr. Gretna Wilkinson, the Creative Writing teacher at Red Bank Regional High School will read selected pieces from her recently published book of poetry entitled: Opening the Drawer (Cool Women Press)

Etta James

Blues singer Etta James, who is terminally ill battling leukemia, has been released from the hospital, sources say.

The 73-year-old had been hospitalized since late December having difficulty breathing. James is battling the final stages of leukemia, and also suffers from kidney disease and dementia.

She was on a respirator for two weeks until she was strong enough to breathe on her own, her manager Lupe De Leon told the Associated Press.

James was in stable condition but reportedly communicating only with nods and simple words.

In recent years, James’ health has been on the decline. She has been hospitalized multiples times.

James is best known for her 1961 hit “At Last.” She has won three Grammy awards and is a prominent figure in R&B music.

Stewart Fulbright, a trailblazing black educator who piloted a bomber during World War II as one of the Tuskegee Airmen and later served as the first dean of the North Carolina Central University School of Business, has died, He was 92.

His son, Edward, says Fulbright died in Durham, N.C., on New Year’s Day after a short illness. A funeral is planned for Saturday at Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Born in Springfield, Mo., in 1919, Fulbright enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943. He was one of about 1,000 men trained in Tuskegee, Ala., as the first black pilots, navigators and bombardiers in the U.S. military.

Fulbright worked at NCCU from 1947 until his retirement in 1982, becoming the first dean of the business school in 1972.

Source

2011 marked the year of the deaths of many influential individuals. From the untimely death of Heavy D, to Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win a noble peace prize. Check out our list of unforgettable people who died in year 2011. Hover over the “i” to read the description.

Mumia Abu Jamal

Prosecutors dropped their 30 year pursuit of the execution of convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal, a former Black Panther member who claims he was a victim of a racist legal system.

Flanked by the police Officer Daniel Faulkner’s widow, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams announced his decision Wednesday.

“There’s never been any doubt in my mind that Mumia Abu-Jamal shot and killed Officer Faulkner. I believe that the appropriate sentence was handed down by a jury of his peers in 1982,” said Williams, who is black. “While Abu-Jamal will no longer be facing the death penalty, he will remain behind bars for the rest of his life, and that is where he belongs.”

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(CNN) — The Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, who helped lead the civil rights movement, has died, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute said Wednesday.

Shuttlesworth is among the iconic figures honored in the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta. King once called Shuttlesworth “the most courageous civil rights fighter in the South.”

When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against segregated busing in Montgomery, Alabama, Shuttlesworth rallied the membership of a group he established in May 1956 — the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights — and they challenged the practice of segregated busing in Birmingham.

Shuttlesworth also helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, with King and other civil rights leaders.

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AP/G. Paul Burnet

Clarice Taylor, who played Dr. Cliff Huxatable’s mother, passed away Monday at the age of 93.

She succumbed to heart failure and was surrounded by family when she passed.

Taylor earned an Emmy Award for her role as Anna Huxtable on the Cosby Show in 1986.
A performer on stage, radio, TV and film for over five decades, the actress was a member of the New York stage group, the Negro Ensemble Company, and helped to pave the way for African-American actors in the early 1960s.

Her own big break came that decade when she landed the role of Harriet, David’s grandmother, on Sesame Street. She also starred alongside Liza Minelli in 1970′s Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon and played Grady’s Cousin Emma on Sanford and Son.

Taylor is survived by her two sons, William and James, and her five grandchildren.

Source

Rodney King

20 years ago, on March 3, 1991, Rodney King was the victim of a beating at the hands of four Los Angeles Police Department officers. At the end of a high speed chase, an intoxicated King and his two passengers were pulled over on the freeway by the California Highway patrol, joined by several police cars and a helicopter. The officers alleged that King’s behavior led them to believe he was under the influence of the drug PCP – King later tested negative for the drug, and therefore force was required in order to subdue King and get him to comply with their orders. King was tasered and struck repeatedly with batons, suffering a fractured facial bone, broken ankle, and numerous other bruises and lacerations.

LAPD officers Stacey Koon, Laurence Powell, Timothy Wind, and Theodore Briseno were charged with use of excessive force. Their April 1992 acquittal led to widespread rioting in the city of Los Angeles, as African-Americans felt justice had not been served.

His name still resonates, as 20 years ago the Rodney King beating bought the issue of police brutality and racially profiling to the forefront. The horrific event, caused a lot of anger and shone a light on what was going on and often goes unnoticed.

There are many victims of police brutality and racial profiling. Rodney King wasn’t the first, and unfortunately probably won’t be the last. At least every minority will say in their lifetime they have been racial profiled by law enforcement. Last year, over 600,000 people were stopped and frisked in New York – where a large percentage were minorities, and a small percentage out of 600,00 were actually arrested.

It wasn’t too long ago we were talking about Sean Bell, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Amadu Dialo, and Oscar Grant – just to name a few who made public notice shining light to the police brutality and racial profiling that still continues.

As these situations continue, fear and distrust in police officials become normal emotions amongst minorities. One begins to fear those who are supposed to “protect and serve”. Now, not every police officer is bad. There are plenty who uphold their duty and right to “protect and serve”. However, sometimes people do not forget, and in turn can result in a negative attitude towards authority. These images definitely puts a lack of trust, and as I say “we still have a long way to go”.

Check out Rodney King speaking to Don Leman on CNN about his initial reaction following the verdict. CNN anchor Don Lemon retraces the events of that morning, and the riots that divided Los Angeles and the nation in Race and Rage – The Beating of Rodney King, debuts Friday, March 4 at 8:00p.m. ET and PT on CNN/U.S. It replays on Saturday, March 5 at 8:00p.m. ET and PT.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg, actress and one of the host of The View, said Wednesday that the lack of black nominees in major categories of this year’s Academy Awards doesn’t reflect a trend in the film industry.

After hosting at an exhibit, Goldberg stated that five black actors/actresses have won an Academy Award since 2002.

“I don’t know how it gets better,” she said after posing for pictures. “I think we’re all right.” – News One

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