Pope Francis a stranger to the U.S. in many ways
New York When Pope Francis sets foot on the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington on Sept. 22, it won’t just be his first time in the United States as pontiff. It will be his first time in the country — ever in his life.
Maya Angelou’s art collection up for auction
The art collection of celebrated writer and civil rights activist Maya Angelou is heading to auction this month. Among the highlights of the Sept. 15 Swann Galleries sale is a painted story quilt that hung in Dr. Angelou’s home. It’s a work by African-American artist Faith Ringgold titled “Maya’s Quilt of Life” that was commissioned by Oprah Winfrey for Dr. Angelou’s 69th birthday in 1989. It depicts Dr. Angelou surrounded by flowers, along with excerpts from some of her writings. It’s an acrylic on canvas with pieced fabric border that could bring $150,000 to $250,000.
LeBron James making college possible for city kids
LeBron James is giving kids from Akron — ones with challenging backgrounds like his — the chance to go to college for free.
Simone Biles rolls to third straight gymnastics title
Simone Biles’ friends are running out of words to describe her almost as quickly as Biles is running out of competition. At the moment, there is none.
Michael Sam makes Canadian football league debut
Michael Sam became the first openly gay player to appear in a Canadian Football League game Friday night, playing sparingly for the Montreal Alouettes in a 26-23 loss to the Ottawa Redblacks.
Bland family files lawsuit against Texas officials
The family of an African-American woman found dead in a Texas jail three days after a confrontation with a white state trooper filed a wrongful death lawsuit Tuesday against the officer and other officials, saying it was a last resort after being unable to get enough information about the case.
Gov. appoints Fairfax judge to state’s high court
The Northern Virginia judge who presided over one of the D.C. sniper trials was appointed Monday to the Virginia Supreme Court.
50 Cent out of dollars?
Rapper and actor 50 Cent filed for federal bankruptcy protection Monday, days after a jury ordered him to pay $5 million in an invasion-of-privacy lawsuit.
Eddie Murphy to receive top humor prize
Eddie Murphy, famous for his standup routines, films and his early breakout on television’s “Saturday Night Live,” will be awarded the top U.S. prize for humor this year by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, officials announced last week.
Half of Ferguson City Council now black
Two black candidates were among three people elected to the Ferguson City Council on April 7, tripling African-American representation in the St. Louis suburb where poor race relations have been a focal point since the August shooting death of an 18-year-old black youth by a white police officer. The election means that half of the six-member city council in Ferguson, a town where two-thirds of the 21,000 residents are black, now will be African-American. The lone black incumbent councilman was not up for re-election. The mayor, who would break any tie votes, is white.
General Assembly ends with stronger ethics law
Virginia’s 2015 legislative session is over. Lawmakers adjourned last Friday after passing legislation at the last minute aimed at tightening the state’s ethics rules for public officials and curbing sexual assaults on Virginia’s college campuses. The ethics reform proposal puts a $100 cap on gifts lawmakers can accept — including meals, entertainment and travel — from lobbyists and their clients, or others seeking to do business with the state. Lawmakers were spurred to reform the state’s ethics rules following the conviction last year of former Gov. Bob McDonnell on federal corruption charges.
Church headed by controversial pastor burns
Tampa firefighters battled a blaze at a church led by controversial pastor Dr. Henry J. Lyons, former head of the 7.5 million-member National Baptist Convention.
Wallace wins NASCAR truck race, honors No. 34
Professional racing driver Darrell Wallace Jr. paid tribute to the late Wendell Scott with a truck painted and numbered for the Hall of Fame inductee. Then he drove the truck to victory lane.
Extensive Cosby family art exhibit slated for D.C.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art announced Monday that 62 artworks from the Cosby collection will go on view in November in a unique exhibit juxtaposing African-American art with African art.
365 Black Awards salute motivators, activists
From inspirational motivators and community activists to a business owner and a former athlete, the 2014 recipients of the McDonald’s 365 Black Awards cover the spectrum of altruism.
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