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Rev. C.T. Vivian, Freedom Rides organizer and key adviser to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., dies at 95
The Rev. C.T. Vivian, an early and key adviser to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who organized pivotal civil rights campaigns and spent decades advocating for justice and equality, died Friday, July 17, 2020, the same day as fellow civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis of Georgia.
Rapper DMX dies at 50
DMX, the iconic hip-hop artist behind the songs “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” and “Party Up (Up in Here)” whose distinctively gruff voice and thoughtful messages in his rhymes made him one of rap’s biggest stars, has died, according to a family statement Friday, April 9, 2021. He was 50.
Williams sisters advance at Wimbledon
LONDON Superstar sisters Serena and Venus Williams are one win away from facing off against each other in the Wimbledon tennis tournament in London.
It’s a boy and a girl for Beyoncé, Jay Z
Leave it to a proud grandpa to spill the beans about the birth of his grandchildren. That’s what happened Sunday when Mathew Knowles turned to Twitter to say his celebrity superstar daughter Beyoncé now was the mother of twins.
Ramadan observed amid hardships
Muslims around the world began observing Ramadan on Monday, Islam’s holy month during which believers abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours.
Smithsonian African-American history museum to open Sept. 24
Free Press wire reports The Smithsonian Institution will open the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Sept. 24 in Washington.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder Joseph Shabalala dies
The founder of the South African multi-Grammy Award-winning music group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Joseph Shabalala, has died at age 78, the group and the government have announced.
Mary Wilson, the longest reigning original Supreme, dies at 76
Mary Wilson, an original member of The Supremes who is considered the force that kept the hugely popular trio together through the internal strife that mounted with their success, has died. She was 76.
Federal court blocks Trump’s travel ban
The fate of President Trump’s order to ban travelers from six predominantly Muslim nations, blocked by federal courts, soon may be in the hands of the conservative-majority U.S. Supreme Court, where the president’s appointee, Justice Neil Gorsuch, could help settle the matter.
James Meredith on mission from God
James Meredith is a civil rights legend who resists neatly defined narratives.
Ruth E. Carter poised for Oscar win Sunday
It’s a big week for Ruth E. Carter, who on Sunday could become the first African-American to win an Academy Award for costume design for her Afro-futuristic wardrobes in “Black Panther.”
Priest aids in Mugabe relinquishing power
Zimbabwe’s former President Robert Mugabe knew it was “the end of the road” days before he quit, and appeared relieved when he signed his resignation letter after 37 years in power, said a Catholic priest who mediated talks leading to his removal from office.
Henrietta Lacks’ family hires Ben Crump for legal battle
The family of the late Henrietta Lacks, who unwittingly spurred a research bonanza when her cancer cells were taken without her knowledge in 1951, has hired a prominent civil rights lawyer to seek compensation from pharmaceutical companies.
Monument to activist-journalist Ida B. Wells unveiled in Chicago
A monument to journalist and civil rights activist Ida B. Wells was unveiled June 30 in Chicago.
Pope Francis lauds NBA players
Pope Francis met with NBA players at the Vatican on Monday, lauding them as “champions” and saying he supported their work on social justice.
Everett Ward named president of St. Augustine’s
Everett B. Ward has been named the 11th president of St. Augustine’s University. “The lifeblood of St. Augustine’s runs through my every vein,” said Dr. Ward, 56, an alumnus of the historically black institution in Raleigh, N.C. “I have a long affiliation here, having been born on the campus. My father attended St. Aug’s. We have been part of this institution for generations.”
‘War Room,’ with black cast, sleeper Christian hit
The box office underwent a religious conversion last weekend as Christian crowds flocked to see “War Room,” lifting the low-budget salute to prayer above two other more highly publicized debut films — the Zac Efron drama “We’re Your Friends” and the Owen Wilson thriller “No Escape.”
Women swimmers make history
It was history pure and simple. Three African-American women swimmers swept the 100-yard freestyle event at the Women’s Division I NCAA Championship held March 19-21 in Greensboro, N.C. Freshman Simone Manuel of Stanford University set an NCAA, American, U.S. Open, Championship and Pool record when she clocked a time of 46.09 seconds, capturing the title.
First family celebrates Easter at historic black church
President Obama and the first family attended Easter service at a historic African-American church that traces its origins to the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. The Rev. Howard-John Wesley, pastor at the 198-year-old Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria’s Old Town, welcomed back the Obamas, whom he described as “the gorgeous family.” The Obamas also visited the church last Easter.
Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax launches campaign for governor
Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax formally kicked off his campaign for governor last Saturday, a year after facing two allegations of sexual assault.
