At the White House: Black History Month Celebrations Continue

President Obama and First Lady Michelle continue Black History Month celebrations at the White House. Earlier this month the first lady hosted a dance workshop with iconic dancers Judith Jamison and Debbie Allen, who at the age of 60 can still kick quite a high heel. Celebrating African American women in dance the East Room was transformed into a stage where 50 young school girls performed an array of dance routines later that evening.

On Monday the Black History recognitions continued when the cast, writers and executive producers of Underground descended upon the White House. Underground explores the extraordinary feats of heroism and genius of America's captive Africans as they fought daily for respect, human dignity, and above all - freedom - from American slave holders.

The cast of Underground poses for a group picture before attending the screening and discussion of the television series shown on the WGN network beginning March, 9. Photo/CD Brown.

The television series stars Aldis Hodge, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Alano Miller, Chris Meloni, Amirah Vann and Jessica de Gouw. It is executive produced by music icon John Legend along with Anthony Hemingway and Akiva Goldsman and written and created by Misha Green.

Underground airs March 9 on the WGN America network. For more information please visit http://wgnamerica.com/series/Underground.

White House honors Ray Charles

On Wednesday, the White House honored music legend Ray Charles, summing up the final In Performance series of the Obama Administration. The event included music heavy weights Yolanda Adams, Leon Bridges, Andra Day, Anthony Hamilton, Brittany Howard, Demi Lovato, Sam Moore, Jussie Smollett (brother of Jurnee Smollett-Bell), The Band Perry, Usher and music director Rickey Minor.

From the White House:

“Smithsonian Salutes Ray Charles: In Performance at the White House” will be the sixteenth such program during President Barack Obama’s administration. From February 2009 to the most recent broadcast in January 2016, these “In Performance at the White House” events have honored the musical genius of Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach, Hal David and Carole King; celebrated Hispanic musical heritage during Hispanic Heritage Month; marked Black History Month with events featuring the music of Motown, Memphis Soul, the Blues, and from the Civil Rights Movement; explored the rich roots of Gospel and Country music; spotlighted Broadway and the unique spirit of the American musical; and paid tribute to the cultural resonance of art and literature in unique American musical forms.

“Smithsonian Salutes Ray Charles: In Performance at the White House” will be broadcast Friday, February 26, 2016 at 9:00 PM ET on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings). The program will also be simulcast on cable channel TV One.

YouTube has it all over
Even though the tribute will air this Friday, you can see snippets leaked on You Tube. From the YT sight simply search 'Ray Charles tribute' to find gems like the one below.

Inventions of African Americans

In wake of the Zika virus, travel, spring break still O.K.

Representatives from the CDC and the NIH were on hand at the White House during Monday's press briefing to update the public and address concerns over the Zika virus that has caused some babies to be born with deformities. Dr. Anne Schuchat from the Centers for Disease Control and Dr. Tony Fauci from the National Institutes of Health told reporters that a vaccine is in the making. The pair also said they are particulary concerned about women who are pregnant, or plan to get pregnant, who have either traveled to or plan to travel to areas of South America and the Carribean known to have the Zika virus. Despite those bold statements, the doctors said there is no wide-spread concern and that Americans should continue to travel, including during upcoming college spring breaks -- when college students travel to warmer climate destinations to escape winter weather. "Travel to Zika-affected areas is very common among Americans, and we don’t think that needs to stop...

Congressional Black Caucus Week Tackles Tough Issues: Among Them Youth Unemployment and Education

Congressional members convene at today's Congressional Black Caucus Town Hall Meeting. Photo/CD Brown Mark your calendars to attend this year's Congressional Black Caucus events at the Washington Convention Center. This year's theme Vision, Journey, Mission will address many topics concerning Americans including jobs and education (especially for youth), and economic advancement. In today's Town Hall meeting titled 'Educating Our Way To Prosperity' members on the panel that included Congressman Elijah Cummings, Representative Dianne Watson (D-CA), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), and author of The Other Wes Moore talked about educating youth for green jobs, and to think entrepreneurial instead working for someone else. "We must develop entrepreneurial opportunities", said Fattah. "In many cultures it's a common discussion to educate youth to think about starting a business." Congressman Elijah Cummings who sits on the Joint Economic ...

President Obama Meets Muslim Leaders

from the White House press office. THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2015 Readout of the President’s Meeting with American Muslim Leaders The President this afternoon met with American Muslim leaders to discuss a range of domestic and foreign policy issues. The President thanked the participants for their work in a variety of fields and for coming together to offer views on issues of importance to their communities, noting that his regular interactions with different faith communities provided him with valuable insights and feedback. Among the topics of discussion were the community’s efforts and partnerships with the Administration on a range of domestic issues such as the Affordable Care Act, issues of anti-Muslim violence and discrimination, the 21 st Century Policing Task Force, and the upcoming White House Summit on Countering Violence Extremism. The President reiterated his Administr...

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