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...

ACA Health Care Operator Fired For Doing Her Job?

More woes for the Obama administration's roll out of HealthCare.gov . During the president's weekly address he urged Americans to call a toll-free number to get help enrolling in a health care plan as the website continues to be 'improved'. Said the president, "But even as we improve the website, remember that the website isn’t the only way to apply for coverage under these new plans. We’ve updated HealthCare.gov to offer more information about enrolling over the phone, by mail, or in person with a specially-trained navigator who can help answer your questions. Just call 1-800-318-2596 or visit LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov . No sooner than the president gives out the 800 number for Americans to speak to one of the 'specially-trained navigators', one of them gets fired, perhaps loosing her own healthcare benefits. Her malfeasance? Talking to talk show host Sean Hannity. Hannity called the 800 number with his...

Saying goodbye to Mrs. Robinson, mother of First Lady Michelle Obama.

The woman who made her mark as grandma-in-chief when President Barack Obama was elected 44th president of the United States, passed Friday. The woman who was considered the backbone of the Obama household will be remembered as a family-oriented, kind person, who remained poised as she assumed the responsibility of helping raise her two beautiful granddaughters in an environment, and in a world, far from what she ever imagined. Mrs. Marian Robinson, mother of First Lady Michelle Obama, waves to reporters during Easter egg hunt at the White House. (photo CD Brown) I recall seeing her that day in March during Women's History Month at the Smithsonian when her daughter's Inaugural gown, like all the other first lady inaugural gowns, was being cemented in Smithsonian history . She was smiling as she walked alone prompting me to ask, "is there no security, no secret service, for the first grandmother?" ADVERTISEMENT CMB BUSINESS SOLUTIONS I am also reminded of the time w...

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