"When I discover who I am, I'll be free." - Ralph Ellison

May 10, 2012

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President Obama Supports Gay Marriage, Stunning Opponents and Drawing Praise From Supporters

President Obama Supports Gay Marriage, Stunning Opponents and Drawing Praise From Supporters by Frederick H. Lowe

President Barack Obama on Wednesday stunned political opponents by saying that he supports gay marriage. The National Black Justice Coalition, the nation's leading black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LBGT) organization, praised President Obama's position, calling him a 'courageous leader.'

It’s Dr. Shaq

It’s Dr. Shaq It’s no longer just a Shaq Attack. It’s now a Dr. Shaq Attack.

Shaquille O'Neal, one of the greatest players in National Basketball Association history, has won four NBA championships. Now he has enhanced his standing as a scholar/athlete after  being awarded his doctorate.

O'Neal graduated with an Ed.D degree in organizational learning and leadership with a specialization in human resource development on Saturday, May 5, from Barry University, a Catholic liberal-arts college based in Miami Shores, Fla. School officials were clearly excited about the attention O'Neal brought to the university. His graduation was the lead headline on its website. "Shaquille O'Neal graduates with a doctoral degree from Barry University."

“This is for my mother who always stressed the importance of education,” said O'Neal, who walked down the aisle to “Pomp and Circumstance” with 1,100 other students at the James L. Knight Center in Miami. “I am proud to have achieved a doctoral degree, and I wish to thank my professors and Barry University for helping make this dream a reality. I'm smart enough to know that even at my tender age, my pursuit of education is never finished.”

O'Neal is 40. For the past four and a half years, he pursued his doctoral degree in education while juggling his NBA schedule. He retired last year from the Boston Celtics. He also is an entrepreneur and a broadcaster. And with moniker Shaq Diesel, he also released four rap albums.

O'Neal completed his 54 hours of course work via satellite classrooms, video conference, on-campus courses and Blackboard. Blackboard Inc. is a Washington, D.C.-based company that extends teaching and learning online.

His dissertation is titled, “How Leaders Utilize Humor or Seriousness in Leadership Styles.” O'Neal graduated with a 3.813 grade point average.  O'Neal is a perfect example of a scholar-athlete.

In addition to his doctorate, O'Neal earned a bachelor's degree in general studies from Louisiana State University, and in 2005, the University of Phoenix awarded him a master’s degree in business administration.

During his career, O'Neal, who is 7 feet one inch tall, won NBA championships in 2000, 2001 and 2002 with the Los Angeles Lakers. He won his fourth NBA championship in 2006 playing with the Miami Heat.

Poll: Voters Really Like Obama

If November's election was based on likeability, President Barack Obama would win in a landslide, according to a Gallup Daily Tracking Poll released on Tuesday.

“Registered voters are nearly twice as likely to say Barack Obama, rather than Mitt Romney, is the more likable  of the two presidential candidates,” Gallup reported in story

Jobless Rates Declines for Blacks in April and from a Year Ago

Jobless Rates Declines for Blacks in April and from a Year Ago 115,000 Jobs Created In April, but Mid-Winter Hiring Dampened Spring Job Increases

By Frederick H. Lowe
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for African-American men and women dropped in April, compared

 Video of the week

Muddy Waters with.... - I'm a Man

Employment-Population Ratio is Mixed in April for African Americans

Employment-Population Ratio is Mixed in April for African Americans Job cuts by the public sector, where blacks are overrepresented, are factors

The employment-population ratio, which is the best indicator the percentage of the population

Barry Bonds' Lawyers Appeal His Felony Conviction

Barry Bonds' Lawyers Appeal His Felony Conviction by Frederick H. Lowe

Lawyers for Major League Baseball's home-run king Barry Bonds have appealed his conviction for federal obstruction of justice, arguing that Bonds was found guilty of a felony based on conduct with which he was not charged

Art Institute Will Exhibit Its New Dawoud Bey Photos of Harlem

Art Institute Will Exhibit Its New Dawoud Bey Photos of Harlem The Art Institute of Chicago has purchased for its permanent collection Dawoud Bey's Harlem, U.S.A. photographs, and his work will be on exhibit until Sept. 9, 2012.

The purchase, announced April 24, includes 25 black-and-white

Third World Press Foundation Convening National Summit on Black Male Achievement

Third World Press Foundation Convening National Summit on Black Male Achievement Third World Press Foundation will host a national summit on black male achievement, the second such conference focusing on black men in Chicago to be held within the next month.

The conference, which is titled, “Toward a Definition of Black Manhood,”

Wells Fargo Could Face Federal Lawsuit Over Fair-Lending Issues

Wells Fargo Could Face Federal Lawsuit Over Fair-Lending Issues Wells Fargo & Co. disclosed on Tuesday in a United States Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) filing that it faces possible civil penalties and monetary damages for alleged violations of fair-lending laws.

“The Department of Justice has advised Wells Fargo that it believes it can bring claims against Wells Fargo for

NorthStar's Week in Black History

NorthStar's Week in Black History May 10 through May 16

1819 ----- Justin Holland, the first African-American man to make an important contribution to the classical guitar, was born on this day in Norfolk County, Va.

Holland's Method, which was published in 1876, stands as one the finest mixtures of guitar pedagogy to appear in America in the 19th century. 

At 15 years old, Holland moved to Boston, where he became acquainted with guitar after hearing Spanish guitarist Mariano Perez.  Holland began studying the guitar with composer William Schubert.  He later studied at Oberlin College before moving to Mexico to learn the language.

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