Quantcast
Channel: UPTOWN Magazine
Viewing all 6567 articles
Browse latest View live

Look To Karl Lagerfeld Paris For Summer ’17

0
0

UPTOWN_karl_lagefeld_paris_main

By Bageot Dia

We caught a glimpse into fashion genius Karl Lagerfeld’s imagination during a private preview of the Karl Lagerfeld Paris Summer 2017 collection. The wide variety of shoes, dresses, handbags, and casual apparel adorned with the Lagerfeld logo immediately caught the eye. Each article of clothing screamed for attention, and demanded recognition. Lagerfeld is a level of class that reaches the stars, after all.

The white studio contrasted with much of the dark clothing for a synonymous harmony. The clothing promoted not only the style and glamour one has come to recognize from Lagerfeld, but also the innovation easily recognized upon first glance.

UPTOWN_karl_lagerfeld_paris_shoes

High heels, on point and glimmering with ambition. Flats shimmered with tassels, gems, or complementary-colored ribbons on their upper. Tops stood out in shades of lipstick pink, black, grey, and white, all fitting nicely into a streamlined color palette. We also acquainted ourselves with the myriad of T-shirts presented with the iconic Lagerfeld look — the Karl silhouette, his signature sunnies, the Eiffel Tower, and of course the Karl Lagerfeld Paris logo.

UPTOWN_karl_lagerfeld_paris_tees

The Lagerfeld signature was sewn onto mini backpacks in sparkling gold thread, while other bags were given kitten noses and whiskers. The designer surely drives home his fascination with the feline with this collection.

UPTOWN_karl_lagerfeld_paris_bags

The plan is to release pieces of this summer collection throughout winter and spring, so brand fans won’t have to wait until the warmer months. With this collection, Karl Lagerfeld Paris has modernized some of its classics, presenting new flair and polish to fan-favorite garments. The collection undoubtedly changes the pace, which has resulted in a series of excellent, well-designed, and extremely attractive clothing. Be on the look-out for new releases.

Click the next arrow for more images from the Karl Lagerfeld Paris Summer ’17 preview …

[Images: Bageot Dia]

UPTOWN_karl_lagerfeld_paris_shoes2

UPTOWN_karl_lagerfeld_paris_shoes3

UPTOWN_karl_lagerfeld_paris_shoes4

Click the next arrow for more images from the Karl Lagerfeld Paris Summer ’17 preview …

[Images: Bageot Dia]

UPTOWN_karl_lagerfeld_paris_tees2

UPTOWN_karl_lagerfeld_paris_dresses

UPTOWN_karl_lagerfeld_paris_dresses2

UPTOWN_karl_lagerfeld_paris_garments

[Images: Bageot Dia]


Introducing Haven Spa’s Facialates, The Pilates Of Facials

0
0

UPTOWN_facial

One of our favorite spas, Haven Spa NYC (250 Mercer Street), is now offering a unique way to get clients in shape. Developed by master facialist Stalina Glot, Facialates ($245) aims to address firmness, texture, and clarity concerns by employing manual muscle manipulation and enzymatic exfoliation.

Glot, who has been with Haven for 20 years, spent the past six months perfecting her Facialates technique. She uses light pinching and lifting to manipulate the muscles of the face and neck that we use to blink, talk, and smile. Not only do these “exercises” promote collagen production, but they also increase circulation which can help to smooth fine lines. The second component of the facial is exfoliation. Glot uses two Rhonda Allison skincare peels containing cherry, papaya, tangerine, hibiscus, and apple. She finishes with a grape seed mask.

I had the pleasure, and I do mean pleasure, to experience a Facialates at the hands of Glot about a month ago and I’m still enjoying the benefits. It’s interesting how we never realize how tense our muscles are until the tension is alleviated through massage. Not only was the facial extremely relaxing, but it also remedied the tension headaches I often experience as a result of a tight jaw. My skin was so smooth and luminescent afterwards that I contemplated shunning my umbrella that rainy day in order to show it off. Even though the goal of Facialates is targeting the affects of aging, I also haven’t experienced an acne flare-up since Glot worked her magic on an extremely ugly pimple that took up residence on my cheek the week of the treatment.

After the Facialates, I spoke with Glot to learn more about her technique and how she developed the unique facial.

UPTOWN: Why did you develop Facialates? What skin needs did you set out to correct or address?
Stalina Glot: We wanted to create a massage technique that minimized the effects of aging without plastic surgery, Botox, or fillers.

U: What’s the connection between Pilates and your treatment?
SG: Pilates tones and strengthens muscles. With the help of these exercises we can make our body and face the perfect shape. Knowing the principles of Pilates, I was able to create a massage that would help stretch and strengthen muscles of the face which are inactive. The main thing is the quality of the massage, which guarantees an excellent result.

U: Which muscles do you target with your massage and why?
SG: Older clients need to be adjusted to improve the muscles of the face and skin quality. This massage is designed to really impact any problem areas. Manipulations can solve problems such as: loss of elasticity and firmness; deterioration of skin’s color and texture; swelling of the soft tissues, like bags under the eyes, by lymphatic drainage; accumulation of adipose tissue along the jaw line; and deep wrinkles and lines. Facialates works on the passive muscles and improves dermal layers — collagen and elastin.

U: Why do you choose to use Rhonda Allison products?
SG: Rhonda Allison products work well together with the massage technique to target mechanisms that affect skin degradation. It helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, crow’s feet, puffy eyes, crepe neck, and dry lifeless skin. Together with the products and massage, skin gets a magical youthful transformation.

U: How often should clients get a Facialates for maximum benefit?
SG: For maximum benefits, we recommend every 3-4 weeks.

U: What results have your clients experienced?
SG: Clients experience tighter, healthier skin that can make them look years younger.

#OscarsALittleBlacker

0
0

UPTOWN_oscar_nominations

For the past two years, #OscarsSoWhite has been the response to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences releasing its nominations for Hollywood’s most prestigious award, but this year is different. The Academy has nominated six Black actors for Oscars and recognized critically-acclaimed films Moonlight, Hidden Figures, and Fences.

Fences (with four nominations total), Hidden Figures (three), and Moonlight (eight) will compete against La La Land, Arrival, Hell or High Water, Lion, Manchester by the Sea, and Hacksaw Ridge for Best Picture.

Loving‘s Ruth Negga is nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role, along with Isabelle Huppert for Elle, Natalie Portman for Jackie, Emma Stone for La La Land, and Meryl Streep for Florence Foster Jenkins.

Denzel Washington‘s performance in Fences received a nod for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He’s up against Casey Affleck for Manchester by the Sea, Andrew Garfield for Hacksaw Ridge, Ryan Gosling for La La Land, and Viggo Mortensenfor Captain Fantastic.

Both Mahershala Ali and Naomie Harris received a nod for their supporting work in Moonlight.

Viola Davis (Fences) and Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures) were also nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

The Academy Awards will air live on Feb. 26th on ABC.

Hard Rock Hotel Brings The Party To The Riviera Maya

0
0

UPTOWN_HRH-Riviera-Maya-Heaven-Pool-Bar-Night

By Sheryl Nance-Nash

If you’re looking for a perfect getaway with friends, it’s hard to beat the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Mexico. The tone is set the minute you walk through the doors. It’s festive, all about music. There’s a vibe manager in charge of overseeing the feel and ambiance of every part of the hotel at different times throughout the day. And of course, the Hard Rock is about the stars and displays of their memorabilia — Madonna’s bustier, Carlos Santana’s guitar, Will.i.am’s white suit, Elvis Presley’s coat, and more. Somebody up there is likely to be one of your favorites. You automatically connect.

UPTOWN_HRH-Riviera-Maya-Hacienda-Beach-Kayaks

It won’t take you long to figure out why the adults-only side of the resort is called Heaven. It is paradise. Take your pick of pools — the central, the semi Olympic, or the cross current, which combines relaxing currents with classic rock and roll. Or skip them, and experience the thrill of swimming with fish in the private beach and natural sea cove. Snorkel, kayak, or stand around in the beach chatting and drinking a cocktail. You don’t have to worry about big waves. If you just want to chill, the daybeds in the cabanas are inviting, too. You won’t wait long before a server comes over to offer a drink. Just so you know, if you hear people talking about the Hacienda (it’s the other side of the resort for families, jokingly called “Hell” because there are so many kids).

All-inclusive resorts sometimes lose points on their food, but you won’t be disappointed at any of the five restaurants. Toro serves up steak, while Ciao and Le Petit Cochon offer Italian and French cuisine, respectively. Los Gallos is the Mexican restaurant, and Dive offers pool-side grub. Bon appetite.

UPTOWN_HRRM_7285

You’ll like your room too. The attention to detail and the music theme are cool. Take the white sheets with guitars on them, or the Do Not Disturb sign that says, “Not now, my ego needs a rest,” or the sign that tells the maid your room needs cleaning: “Get my stage ready.”

UPTOWN_HRH-Riviera-Maya-Heaven-Eden-Beach-Jacuzzi

If you want to flex your muscles to keep the beach body together, even during your vacation, you’re in luck. The hotel recently teamed up with fitness leaders Les Mills. Each week a Les Mills instructor offers guests three classes daily from a collection of 14 training programs, from 10 group fitness classes, including the world-renowned Bodypump total body strength-training program, to four 30-minute High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) programs. Hard Rock also offers Born to Move, a youth fitness program designed for toddlers to teens and in between. There are also a variety virtual programs that combine fitness and music with a Les Mills instructor via a big screen. It’s fast, it’s fun, and the music is so good you just want to dance. The phrase busting a sweat will have new meaning.

UPTOWN_HRH-Riviera-Maya-Club-Heaven

Don’t worry though, if you don’t take a class on the beach terrace. Step in Club Heaven and you’ll achieve the same goals. The party doesn’t even start until 11 p.m. and it’s only over when you decide you can’t dance any more. Props go to the DJ who will wear you out with the non-stop songs (reggae, R&B, rap, pop, and everything in between). You won’t be able to sit still. The booze is flowing and the mood is definitely happy. When folks have many cups of courage, some jump in the pool/dance floor, and don’t be surprised if someone goes too far and disrobes down to his drawers and has to be reined in. For sure there are some hookups. It’s mostly mad fun.

If you wake in the morning with a hangover, roll over, sleep in, and decide to take it easy with some TLC at the Rock Spa for, perhaps, a little time in the Yoga Temple or a massage. The signature Synchronicity, a 50- or 80-minute massage, takes you on a journey, with music from yesteryear to now. The treatment is synced with a performance of techniques, pressure, and rhythm. The table vibrates. Your mind, body, and soul melds with the music. It’s like tripping but with no drugs.

Rejuvenated, you might be ready to go beyond the lovely world of the Hard Rock Hotel. There are tours to Cozumel Island, to see the capital of the Mayan civilization, Chichen Itza, or to Tulum. You can also swim with dolphins, zip-line, or take a sunset sail along the coastline of the Riviera Maya.

When you’ve had your outside adventure, you’ll be surprised how ready you are to get back to the Hard Rock, to start the party all over again.

On the Move: MLK Weekend In The 2016 Toyota Prius Four Touring

0
0

UPTOWN_2016_toyota_prius_four_touring

By Ronda Racha Penrice

At times looking back does us some good. This year’s MLK Weekend in Atlanta was a good time for reflection. And, looking back, the 2016 Toyota Prius was definitely good as well.

UPTOWN_prius_four_touring_interior

I knew the Prius would be a smooth ride and, of course, amazing on mileage. But stylish? No. But yes! All white, excuse me blizzard pearl, with accents of subtle grey, um, s-cool granite, the 2016 Toyota Prius Four Touring took my breath away. And I am not exaggerating. The interior looked like a Stormtrooper. Like really it did. The seats were gently washed in grey, with snatches of black. Same with the center console and steering wheel. It’s truly the Star Wars edition and we know how that’s brought the world together.

UPTOWN_coretta_scott_king_memoir

My first stop in the Prius was a book signing for Coretta Scott King’s memoirs, My Life, My Love, My Legacy. I didn’t even know the book was in the works prior to MLK weekend, but Scott King is so deserving. Most people have no idea that she was doing her part for civil rights before she met her husband. In fact, we celebrate her slain husband largely because of her, since she was relentless in building the King Center and establishing the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday.

20170114_193818

Saturday was gala day. Every year the King Center throws the Salute to Greatness dinner, and Joseph Lowery, a King comrade who was also prominent at Obama’s first inauguration, was an honoree with Ambassador Andrew Young presenting him. The room at the Hyatt Regency was packed and it looked beautiful. Dr. King’s daughter Bernice A. King, who heads the King Center, was a steady force throughout the evening.

Although the night ended well, I started it a bit miffed. I whipped the Prius into the Hyatt Regency at the urging of an attendant only to have them tell me the garage was full and they couldn’t valet. But why didn’t they tell me this when they were waving me into the pit? And because the Falcons were playing the Seahawks and a convention was in town, parking was astronomical. So finding a temporary home for the Star Wars Prius wasn’t easy. And, when I did, I had to walk a few blocks to get back to the hotel, but the event, with other amazing honorees, including Edward James Olmos, lifted my spirit as it always does.

[Images: Ronda Racha Penrice]

UPTOWN_ebenezer_baptist_church

Now Sunday was light. I did take in the King Birth Home, which was re-opened just in time for the big weekend. It’s always a great tour. To stand in the house where Dr. King lived as a little boy is kind of surreal. Most of the day, however, was spent with a good friend at her annual brunch and watching the game to see who would face off against the Falcons. Afterwards another bruncher marveled at the Prius. Its flyness was as impressive to other people as it was to me.

Now Monday was the big day. I watched a lot of the early King program on television (this is an annual tradition in Atlanta) so I caught Bernie Sanders and Father Michael Pfleger, along with many, many others, including Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Tyrese, who revealed that he was originally set to play Dr. King in Selma and, because of that, brought the King siblings back together.

The Prius and I did make our way to the King Historic District. But I had to make a quick stop at CVS first and, when I came out, I found a young woman and her mother mesmerized by the Prius. They actually didn’t know what kind of car it was, so I let them look inside before I continued on. Saturday when I succumbed to a McDonald’s fry craving, the guy who took my money also marveled at it. He knew it as a Prius, but was super surprised by the stunning look.

 

Even though there were a lot of people out for the King holiday, I thought parking would be easy since the National Park Service has a dedicated parking lot, but that was good and packed too. I waited it out and got a lovely spot for the Prius. On foot, I headed toward Ebenezer Baptist Church and was able to catch a little of the parade. I also met up with a college classmate and her sister and we grabbed a quick bite at Mother on Edgewood. They shared their experience of touring the birth home and Ebenezer Baptist Church, King’s spiritual home.

20170116_191249

After leaving them, I headed to the King Center for a special dialogue moderated by ABC’s Byron Pitts. There was an interesting round of discussions with a variety of panelists. One particularly provocative discussion featured former high-ranking KKK member Scott Shepard, Bernice King, and Daryl Davis, who has befriended Klan members and persuaded them to leave. King admitted to feeling hate towards white men because of her father’s murder and working through that. Shepard discussed his feelings of disgust about once being a part of the KKK. On a previous panel, Davis talked about how he got into this work.

That certainly ended the weekend on an interesting note. The next day a Toyota representative retrieved the Prius but, like the weekend itself, it also left a lasting impression. The Prius Four Touring gets 52 mpg and hits just at $32,935, even with the JBL speakers.

A smooth ride with great pick-up, with amazing gas mileage? I call that winning. And so it is with the visionary wisdom of Dr. King.

[Images: Ronda Racha Penrice]

Mary J. Blige & Usher Are Headlining The 2017 Cincinnati Music Festival

0
0

UPTOWN_2017_cincinnati_music_festival

With Mary J. Blige and Usher headlining during the three nights of amazingness that is the Cincinnati Music Festival, this year’s concert series is set to be the BIGGEST the Queen City has seen.

The Cincinnati Music Festival Presented by Procter & Gamble will take place July 27-29 at Paul Brown Stadium. For 50 years, it’s been known as one of the premier R&B music festivals in the country. UPTOWN had a blast at last year’s festival in which Charlie Wilson, Fantasia, and New Edition were among the performers, and more than 55,000 people attended.

On Thursday, July 27th, Rob Bass, Kid Capri, and Doug E. Fresh will take the stage for VIBE’s Throwback Thursday, which is sponsored by the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau’s multicultural platform — Vibe Cincinnati. The night will include a fashion show by Shingo. General admission is $50, while VIP is $100 and includes two premium drink tickets, appetizers, swag bag, and official CMF credential and lanyard. A portion of every ticket sold will go to the CVB’s Institute for Hospitality Institute.

En Vogue, SWV, Bell Biv Devoe, and Kem will join MJB at the stadium on Friday, July 28th, for a night that will definitely flashback to the best of ’90s R&B.

Then on Saturday, July 29th, Confunkshun, Anthony Hamilton, Fantasia, and Usher will rock the stadium, closing out what promises to be another successful Cincinnati Music Festival.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster now.

And don’t forget to check out our suggestions on where to stay and what to do in Cincinnati during the day.

9 Questions With Keith Powers Of ‘The New Edition Story’

0
0

UPTOWN_keith_powers

By Chinwe Ugoezi

Every now and again you come across a talent who you know is going to to be the next big thing. Rising young star Keith Powers is just that. The Sacramento native first came on the scene in 2013, starring in House Party: Tonight’s the Night. Since then he’s been working his way up. You may remember him playing Dr. Dre’s little brother Tyree in the NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton, and Theo on MTV’s Faking It. Now, the budding actor is starring as Ronnie DeVoe of the legendary R&B group New Edition in The New Edition Story biopic. The three-part mini series airing on BET January 24-26, uncovers the struggles and triumphs the group faced on their journey to success. Powers shared with UPTOWN his experience making the movie, his respect for Beyoncé, and his upcoming TV and film projects.

UPTOWN: So let’s get into how you got into acting. I know you actually started off modeling first, correct?
Keith Powers: Yes, I started off modeling first. I never thought about acting. I went from modeling to being a commercial actor. Model to commercial actor was an easy transition, but the hardest part was commercial actor to theatrical. Luckily for me, my agent became theatrical as well so I just signed over to the theatrical department. I did it because it’s the industry and that’s what people do in the industry, they explore other sides. I start auditioning and I didn’t know what I was doing. “I’m like dude, what am I doing?” Anything you wanna do in life you gotta study, so I ended up reading books, and taking a bunch of classes. My agency got me a manager and on my third audition I booked my first film. After I shot that I fell in love with acting.

U: How did you get hooked up with The New Edition Story?
KP: Chris Robinson, our director, saw Straight Outta Compton and loved me in it. He recommended me for the New Edition project. At first I was skeptical because it’s a biopic. First thing you want to know is if everyone is behind it. “If everyone’s not behind it then … ehh, I don’t know about this.” I went on board as Ronnie, they called me back and wanted me to go as Ralph and I told them I don’t look like Ralph. They were like, “No, no, no, we want you as Ralph!” I kept it as Ralph and didn’t get it. When I didn’t get it, I noticed that everyone was behind it. The whole group was behind it and it made me sad like, “Wow, it was actually gonna be super authentic.” They ended up calling me back for Ronnie and when they did that, I booked it. Right when they booked me, I had to get right to it because I was booked a week late and I was playing the best dancer with only two and a half weeks left to learn all the dance moves. We only had three weeks to learn, and I had only two and a half weeks to learn. We would go from either 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. or some days 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. For me, I had to go 9 a.m. too 10 p.m. to play catch up.

U: I know you guys had to re-record some of the songs, did you have to take vocal lessons? How did that go?
KP: Honestly, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis taught me how to sing inside the studio. Good thing Ronnie wasn’t a big singer, so his notes weren’t hard to hit. It wasn’t too much of a stretch but it was like, “Woah, this is crazy.”

UPTOWN_keith_powers2

U: Did you end up with a newfound respect for entertainers?
KP: I had a newfound respect, especially for people like Beyoncé. You got to think about it, your vocals are a muscle. She’s singing and literally dancing up there for hours non-stop at 100 percent when she’s performing. When I think about that, it really makes me appreciate her. Greatest entertainer of our time, hands down. She and Michael Jackson. Just being in the studio I didn’t wanna sing no more because my voice was hurting. I’m thinking like put that together with boot camp and learning these dances, there’s no way. That’s crazy to me. That’s beyond sports. I’ve played sports my whole life. That’s harder than sports. I got a whole different respect, especially for dancers too.

U: Throughout the boot camp, I’m sure you got a few gems that really helped you to prepare for filming. What was one gem that you received?
KP: The original group would come to boot camp and I remember Ronnie Devoe was teaching me this little bop he does when he dances. I was focusing on that bop and I got it down. As soon as I got it down, I woke up and I was like, “I got these moves.”

U: I saw your freestyle on Sway in The Morning with the cast and that looked very natural to you. Have you ever thought about rapping before, or do you do that in your spare time?
KP: I never thought about being a rapper. When I was young I would always play around and freestyle, It was like a hobby. It’s part of the culture and fun. When I’m on the plane sometimes I just write verses. If I have stuff in my head I just write it down. When I got to Sway, I knew that anyone that goes on Sway gotta rap. I remember just me being a hip-hop head watching Sway and I remember telling myself that If I get on Sway I’m gonna rap. When I got there I started thinking, “I gotta rap … I have to rap … I cannot leave this place without rapping.”

U: You are 24 now, what piece of advice would you have given yourself at 19?
KP: At 19, I was so hungry to work. I wanted to get a lead in a show. I was stressed out, I had just did the House Party movie and I was like, “I gotta bring something else out … I got bring something else out.” All the stuff that I went out for that I didn’t get, I realized that I wasn’t ready. So my advice to my 19-year-old self is to be patient, work on your tools, and really just learn as much as you can. Don’t try to force anything. Let it come to you. I learned that acting is a longevity game. God’s timing is the best timing.

U: What can we expect to see in the rest of The New Edition biopic?
KP: Night one was all about the kids, but night two and three are all us and it’s crazy. You’re gonna learn some stuff that you never would have thought would happen between the group, and I think that’s what’s so amazing.

U: What can we expect next from Keith Powers?
KP: I got a TV show called Famous In Love that comes out April 18th on Freeform. I’m the lead on that with Bella Thorne. That’s supposed to be huge. I’m also working on a comedy called Reality High that’s coming out on Netflix.

Chinwe Ugoezi is a Los Angeles-based blogger and social media marketer. Check out her work here and follow her on IG at @miss_chinchin

[Images: Solmaz Saberi]

First Look: ‘Kong: Skull Island’ [VIDEOS]

0
0

UPTOWN_kong_skull_island

By Bageot Dia

When mythology and reality clash, the horrors of the human imagination come to light. This intensity persists with Warner Brothers’ highly-anticipated film, Kong: Skull Island, which brings to fruition the monster hunt of a lifetime. After 12 years and a fresh redesign, the legendary movie icon that shocked the world with his ferocity graces the big screen once again, this time accompanied by the familiar presence of an industry veteran.

Taking place in the 1970s, Skull Island returns Kong to his roots, pitting the protagonists against him on an isle filled with nightmarish creatures. Far from paradise, our heroes aspire to explore and conquer, all the while learning the mystery surrounding Kong and the island. This display of fear, scare tactics, and rousing visuals mesh together wonderfully, given the context of the trailers, inciting much excitement for the newest installment.

Kong: Skull Island hits theaters on March 10th.


Kids’ Encouragement Essentials

0
0

By June Archer

Turn your kids’ reading game on with these adventurous, enlightening, and inspiring reads.

UPTOWN_thin_line

Thin Line: A Child’s Eyes Never Lie by Anthony Whyte

A mother’s love and her duties as a police officer collide. It explodes when the police inappropriately interrogate her 12-year-old son, Shareef, without his mother’s consent. Rita Sanchez finds out that her husband is illegally exporting narcotics. His action jeopardizes, not only her career, but also places her and Shareef’s lives in a precarious position. Rita also discovers that she’s dealing with a set of rogue officers.

UPTOWN_rice_and_rocks

Rice & Rocks by Sandra L. Richardson

In Rice & Rocks, a beautifully illustrated 32-page picture book by Sandra L. Richards, kids learn the value of heritage through Giovanni, his favorite auntie, and a mystic
parrot. Giovanni finds out his grandmother is serving rice and beans. He’s embarrassed — Giovanni hates rice and beans. He’s worried that his friends will think the is dish weird. His favorite auntie comes to the rescue. She and pet parrot, Jasper, take Giovanni on a magical journey across the globe.

UPTOWN_yes_you_can

Yes! You Can by June Archer

Now, more than ever, kids need and want the inspiration and motivation that Yes! You Can provides. In this book, young readers will learn about professions that make a difference as well as some that are fun and rewarding. Teaching kids that dreams do come true and to believing in their dreams will help build the next generation of positive thinkers, leaders,
and entrepreneurs.

How To: Chef Sunny Anderson’s Super Bowl Snack Stadium

0
0

UPTOWN_sunny_anderson_snack_stadium

Wanna be the starring quarterback at your Super Bowl LI party this Sunday? Of course you do! This year, say goodbye to generic, party store serving dishes. And say hello to Chef Sunny Anderson‘s ultimate Snack Stadium, which is sure to score a touchdown with your guests. The Food Network star and celebrity chef teamed up with Heluva Good! dips to make sure your Super Bowl party is one to remember.

Heluva Good! dips are available in an assortment of flavors and are made with real sour cream and flavorful spices, including French Onion, Buttermilk Ranch, White Cheddar & Bacon and Bodacious Onion. This means you can sideline the traditional guac, salsa, and chips in plastic plates for an eye-catching snack stadium that is easy to make at home, especially since Heluva Good! dips are available in the dairy aisle of your favorite supermarket.

Here’s how to craft Chef Sunny Anderson’s Super Bowl Snack Stadium

UPTOWN_sunny_anderson_snack_stadium2

Supplies

  • 4 slanted vanity organizers (about 12” long each with separate compartments)
  • 1 vanity organizer tray (about 12”x7”)
  • 1 Plastic squeeze bottle (for the guacamole)
  • 2 plastic stadium football stadium cups
  • 2 small aluminum buckets
  • 2 pieces of Styrofoam to fit into each stadium cup
  • Yellow napkins
  • Small football cupcake flags
  • Large piece of cardboard or foam core
  • Piece of AstroTurf (optional)

Ingredients

  • 4 containers (12 oz.) of your favorite Heluva Good! Dip
  • 1 container ready-made guacamole
  • 2 10-inch flour or corn tortillas
  • oil to fry tortillas
  • 8 blocks of your favorite Heluva Good! cheese
  • 1 box of corndogs
  • 1 box of “pigs in a blanket”
  • mini-hoagie sandwiches
  • Your favorite dippables: ridged potato chips, corn chips, pretzels, celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, and sliced cucumbers.

Instructions

  1. Place the cardboard or foam core on the serving table and place a piece of AstroTurf on top create a “green field” on which to build the “stadium.” Place the slanted vanity organizers facing each other with the the vanity organizing tray in the middle. Leave enough room around the tray to place a row of cooked “pigs in the blanket.”
  2. To create the “field,” spread the Heluva Good! Dip into the vanity tray.
  3. Fill the squeeze bottle with guacamole draw lines in the dip to replicate a football field.
  4. Cut out two goalpost shapes from the tortillas, about 4-6” high. One at a time, place in a shallow pan of hot oil and fry until golden. Flip and continue until the other side is golden. Drain on a paper towel and carefully stick into dip at the end of the “field.”
  5. Now place your favorite dippables into each of the sections of the vanity organizers.
  6. Now place either additional dippables into the stadium cups or use the Styrofoam and place into each cup and stick the cooked corndogs into the Styrofoam and place at two of the corners of the “stadium.”
  7. Create a “penalty flag” sign and adhere to small aluminum buckets and place the folded yellow napkins inside and then place the buckets at the other corners of the stadium.
  8. Adhere the small flags all around the top of the “stadium.”
  9. Place the cheese blocks or cut into cubes and place along the ends of “stadium.”
  10. Build mini-hoagie sandwiches and stack at the other ends of the stadium. Your snacking needs for any game are now complete!

How To Live Like Your Ego Is Not Your Amigo

0
0

Certified life coach Deborah Downey explains how to circumnavigate your own worst enemy.

UPTOWN_smiling_woman

“Human beings are capable of a rich inner-life that, sadly, seems to elude so many,” says dating and life coach Deborah Downey. “I doubt that most of us fully realize just how much worry, doubt, and fear we experience on a daily basis. It seems to me that acknowledging this default setting and finding an alternative for well-being should be among our top priorities,” says Downey, author of What Are You Worried About?. “Too often, we are inclined to try to be something that, upon closer inspection, isn’t what we actually want. Much of this can be attributed to our egos, which persistently tug at our motivations.”

“Women who think they have to be married, and men who are afraid of revealing their true feelings are just two examples of ego-driven ideas that lead us away from personal fulfillment,” she says. Downey, who found romance and happiness later in life despite living with multiple sclerosis for 25 years, says we can have a more worry-free existence. She explains a few ideas
for overriding your ego’s default settings.

I STRIVE FOR IMPERFECTION AND I’M ALWAYS A WINNER.
“Most people laugh when I say this,” she says, because society is forever challenging us to compete and compare ourselves with others to assess our own value. Striving for imperfection is a reminder that we don’t have to drive ourselves crazy with unattainable goals. “I notice most of us have hidden rules that we carry from childhood that really don’t help us as adults,” she says. “There isn’t any way to be perfect for myself or for any other person who has ever lived. To strive for something unattainable is to strive for failure. Ultimately, allowing for you to be who you are is, I find, liberating and more conducive to overall success in life.”

A LESSON FROM SPANX FOUNDER AND SELF-MADE BILLIONAIRE SARA BLAKELY.
Once upon a time, Blakely was just another struggling entrepreneur. In addition to her drive and her blockbuster undergarment product line, she was armed with a profound idea inherited from her father, an advocate of acclaimed life coach Wayne Dyer. The idea: Don’t be afraid to fail big, because it means you put the effort forth on something that you care about, even though the effort was outside of your comfort zone. “Appreciating one’s daily and weekly failures is not a means of encouraging it; rather, it’s a way of learning from failure and developing thicker skin so that you aren’t paralyzed into future inactivity due to fear of failure or the unknown,” Downey says.

WE NO LONGER PURSUE THE TORMENTOR.
“When my mentor coach first said this to me over the phone, I asked her to repeat it three times,” Downey says. Tormentors are all-knowing, all-controlling, arrogant to the Nth degree, super-demanding, and impossible to please. Since her parents always demanded the best and praised Downey as a child, she sought love from sociopaths and narcissists as an adult. “The clarity of how I brought so much pain into my life by pursuing tormentors was mind-blowing,” she says. “Of course, one’s own ego can play the very same role.”

Google Kicks Off Black History Month With Edmonia Lewis Doodle

0
0

UPTOWN_google_doodle_edmonia_lewis

At 12:01 a.m. today, Google changed the standard Doodle on its homepage to one honoring Edmonia Lewis, in order to kick off Black History Month.

If you’re unfamiliar with Lewis, she was the first woman of Black and Native American heritage to garner worldwide acclaim as a sculptor.

The Doodle depicts Lewis sculpting her most celebrated work, “The Death of Cleopatra.” She debuted the work at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. Lewis’s realistic portrayal of the Cleopatra’s death shocked viewers, and critics praised it, calling the piece “the most remarkable piece of sculpture in the American section” of the expo. “The Death of Cleopatra” remains on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

UPTOWN_the_death_of_cleopatra_edmonia_lewis

“The Death of Cleopatra,” Edmonia Lewis 1876 [Image: Smithsonian American Art Museum]

Artist Sophie Diao created the Doodle of Edmonia Lewis. The California Institute of the Arts graduate has been designing Google Doodles for the past three and a half years. Even though Diao majored in character animation, she says journalism and American History inspire her work.

Diao explains how she developed the Doodle honoring Edmonia Lewis:

“I started by researching Edmonia Lewis’s life story — how she got interested in sculpting and what her legacy was. The fact that she intentionally chose to sculpt powerful female figures was exciting to me. I really wanted to show her in the process of sculpting, emphasizing her small stature (she was only four feet tall!) and one of her most famous pieces, ‘The Death of Cleopatra.’ I chose this piece to highlight in particular not only because it’s such a striking sculpture, but it depicts a female commander and Egyptian queen. I found her choice of subject matter extremely powerful.

[Lewis’s] Native American name was “Wildfire,” which I tried to incorporate by making the Google letters especially fiery.”

Today In Black History: Feb. 1st

0
0

UPTOWN_today_in_black_history_2117

Today, Feb. 1st, is the start of Black History Month. This year, we’re challenging ourselves to learn something new about our history every day of February, and we’re hoping to share our findings with you, the UPTOWN readers.

Today in Black History: Feb. 1st

  • 1865: Pres. Abraham Lincoln signed a Joint Resolution submitting the proposed 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, to the states.
  • 1865: John S. Rock became the first Black person to admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. On the same day, he also became the first Black person received by the U.S. House of Representatives.
  • 1870: Jonathan Jasper Wright was elected to the South Carolina Supreme Court, becoming the first Black person to serve on a state supreme court.
  • 1871: Jefferson Franklin Long of Georgia was the first Black person to make an official speech before the House of Representatives. He argued against leniency for former Confederates.
  • 1902: Poet Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri. He would later become one of the integral artists and scholars of the Harlem Renaissance.
  • 1937: Comedian and actor Garrett Morris was born in New Orleans. He would later make history as a member of the original cast of Saturday Night Live.
  • 1948: Rick James was born in Buffalo, NY.
  • 1960: Four North Carolina A&T students, Joseph McNeil; Franklin McCain; Ezell Blair Jr.; and David Richmond, sat down at the lunch counter at the Woolworth’s in downtown Greensboro, where the official policy was to refuse service to anyone but whites. Their actions initiated the sit-in movement that spread to other Southern cities and states.
  • 1965: Actress and activist Ruby Dee became the first Black woman to play a major role at the American Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, CT. She played Cordelia in King Lear and Kate in The Taming of the Shrew.
  • 1978: Harriet Tubman became the first person to be honored as part of the Black Heritage Stamp Series.
  • 1990: U.S. Postal Service issued a stamp honoring Ida B. Wells as part of the Black Heritage Stamp Series.

Did we leave a notable person or event off this list? Well, each one teach one. Let us know in the comments.

Quick Pic: Beyoncé Is Pregnant With Twins

0
0

Queen Bey took to Instagram to announce that she and husband Jay Z are expecting twins. That’s right, Beyoncé is pregnant.

“We would like to share our love and happiness,” Mr. and Mrs. Carter wrote for the caption of an Instagram pic showing off Bey’s baby bump. “We have been blessed two times over. We are incredibly grateful that our family will be growing by two, and we thank you for your well wishes.”

Blue Ivy is going to be a big sister to not one, but two new siblings.

Beyoncé will likely give birth in New York City, where Blue was born, or Los Angeles, where the Carters have made a home in recent years.

Instagram Photo

Today In Black History: Feb. 2nd

0
0
UPTOWN_today_in_black_history_2217

Opera singer Todd Duncan, The Coasters, and Nelson Mandela

As you know, this month we’re challenging ourselves to learn something new about our history every day of Black History Month, and we’re hoping to share our findings with you, the UPTOWN readers.

Today in Black History: Feb. 2nd

  • 1839: Edmond Berger invented an early spark plug, but failed to patent his invention.
  • 1897: Alfred L. Calle received a patent for the ice cream scoop, which was originally called “Ice Cream Mold and Disher.”
  • 1902: Opera singer Todd Duncan was born. He would later originate the role of Porgy in Porgy & Bess, and would become the first Black person to appear with the New York City Opera.
  • 1912: Herbert Mills, who would later go on to found the Mills Brothers vocal group, was born. In 1998, the Mills Brothers were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
  • Sculptor William Ellisworth Artis was born in Washington, NC.
  • Biologist and writer Ernest E. Just received the Spingarn medal for his pioneering in cell division and fertilization for pioneering research in fertilization and cell division.
  • 1924: Saxophonist, bandleader, and composer Sonny Stitt was born in Boston.
  • 1936: Actor Duane Jones was born in New York City. He would later make history as the first Black person to have a major role in a horror film, 1968’s Night of the Living Dead
  • 1937: Clarence Quick was born. He helped found The Del-Vikings, one of the first integrated vocal groups.
  • 1948: Earth, Wind, and Fire‘s Al McCay in New Orleans.
  • 1948: President Harry S. Truman sends Congress a message encouraging a civil rights program to promote fair employment and anti-lynching.
  • 1956: The Coasters signed with ATCO Records on this day and went on to have 19 hits in 15 years.
  • 1959: The Coasters released the song “Charlie Brown,” which was a big hit and stayed three weeks on the New Billboard Hot 100 Pop Chart at number 2.
  • 1965: The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is arrested in Selma, Alabama during a voting rights demonstration.
  • 1989: Bill White, a former MLB player and New York Yankees broadcaster, was elected to serve as the first Black president of the National League.
  • 1990: South African President F.W. de Klerk promised publicly to free political prisoner Nelson Mandela and and lift his country’s ban on Black membership in the African National Congress on this day.
  • 1995: Dr. Bernard Harris, Jr. became the first Black astronaut to walk in space.
  • Billy Henderson of The Spinners died in Daytona Beach.
  • 2007: Joe Hunter, Motown’s first bandleader and three-time Grammy winner with the Funk Brothers, passed away in Detroit.
  • 2010: Choreographer Rex Nettleford, a Jamaican Rhodes Scholar and co-founder of the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica, passed away in Washington, D.C.

Did we leave a notable person or event off this list? Well, each one teach one. Let us know in the comments.

RELATED: Today In Black History: Feb. 1st


On the Move: Hitting The Movies, The Trumpets & More In The 2017 Buick LaCrosse Premium FWD

0
0

UPTOWN_2017_buick_lacrosse1

By Ronda Racha Penrice

Those commercials where folks don’t recognize the Buick are so true. When the 2017 Buick LaCrosse Premium FWD arrived, I honestly had no idea that the LaCrosse had it like that. The silhouette was crazy and the dark forest green metallic was perfectly coordinated to the interior’s light neutral/dark brown accents.

Our first start was the St. Regis in Atlanta, where I interviewed Tony Gonzalez about his role as Paul Donovan, a GI Joe type, in xXx: Return of Xander Cage with Vin Diesel. As Gonzalez chatted about his role, I couldn’t resist asking about the NFL championship games. He predicted Falcons and Patriots, by the way, so the CBS sports analyst really knows his stuff. And he should have predicted a big box office because that’s what he got. And, yes, people, he looks good in person too!

I kept the movie momentum going and hit up a screening of The Founder the next night at the UA Tara Theater. Ray Kroc may not have founded the very first McDonald’s but there’s no denying he was the visionary behind what we know of as McDonald’s. Very conflicting film. How do you handle a situation where you get the bigger picture and others just don’t? Clearly, Kroc did some uncouth things no one should cosign, but frustration is also real.

UPTOWN_erica_ash_keith_robinson_trumpet_awards

Erica Ash stuns in red, and Keith Robinson shines in white on the Trumpet Awards red carpet.

Another thing that was frustrating was the downpour that prevented me and the LaCrosse from attending the BOSS Network #LaunchSummit Minority Women in Technology. Thankfully the storm had passed by the time I headed over to catch some of Trumpet Awards red carpet at the Cobb Energy Centre. Erica Ash from Survivor’s Remorse and The Real Husbands of Hollywood was stunning in red, while Keith Robinson looked dapper in a white jacket with splashes of black. I don’t think that was clear during the show, which Bounce broadcast for the first time, by the way, but I saw them with my own eyes!

[Images: Ronda Racha Penrice]

UPTOWN_callies_biscuits

Checking out Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit

Believe it or not, finding a good biscuit is challenging in Atlanta, and Callie’s Hot Little Biscuits out of Charleston has been buzzing as a remedy to that. So, that Sunday, I finally got around to hitting its only Atlanta location in Virginia Highland. Décor-wise, its cool factor was crazy. But the biscuits? I’m not sure. For $3 per biscuit, and we aren’t even talking a big juicy one either, I’ll have to pass. Now it’s not a bad biscuit. Just not a $3 one and I’m so not opposed to paying that for a great biscuit, but this one was just reasonably-priced good.

UPTOWN_keune_blend_party

Loving the great decor at Southern Exposure for the Keune Blend Party

Back at home, I watched the Falcons pull out some unexpected whip-ass on the Packers. When the later game with the Patriots and Steelers turned out to be a dud, I got ready for my adventurous outing to a Keune Blend party. Imagine some badass hairstylists in a funky sophisticated space with nibbles and drinks. They really truly had a bacon Twinkie! And there were Moscow mule slushies, but I so could not indulge that one! Had to think of myself and the LaCrosse.

Sadly, Buick picked up the LaCrosse early the next day, but I had some great takeaways. I already established that the LaCrosse is beautiful. Apparently it’s been redesigned for 2017, and I can attest that it is indeed wider, lower, and longer. It went on sale globally in 2009 and has sold over 900,000 vehicles since. But, realistically, others having it doesn’t mean much to other buyers. It’s all about how you relate to a vehicle and I truly think it’s very relatable. It’s stylish both inside and out at just the right size. Nothing is too big or too small.

All cars have safety features these days but I must say that the LaCrosse felt like the safest vehicle I’ve driven to date. Let a car pull up next to you, the LaCrosse alerts you. Let one stop in front of you, you’re alerted. Pulling out and something unexpected jumps out, the LaCrosse alerts you. And, yes, I am well aware that almost all of the cars do this these days, but I have truly never felt other cars were as invested in me not crashing as the LaCrosse.

UPTOWN_2017_buick_lacrosse

A side peak at the Buick LaCrosse

Now fuel economy didn’t feel as high as it’s touted. Twenty-one mpg in the city and 31 on the highway for a combined 25 mpg sounds great. I did, however, feel that it was slightly lower than that. It wasn’t bad at all, just not a superior feature.

Overall, I have to say the LaCrosse is a serious luxury contender. A price tag of roughly $48,395 for the version I drove, which included a power sunroof, is not bad, especially since the Premium FWD is the second highest trim level. Do know, however, that base pricing begins at $41,065 and includes everything but the Driver Confidence Package #2, which includes cruise control and parking assist, the Sun and Shade Package, as well as the Sights and Sounds Package with custom 20s.

All in all, the 2017 Buick LaCrosse Premium FWD definitely impressed me.

[Images: Ronda Racha Penrice]

Harlem Globetrotters Embark On New Tour On The Heels Of Setting Nine Guinness World Records™

0
0

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

As the Harlem Globetrotters continue their 2017 World Tour the iconic team took a timeout for Guinness World Records Day.  Only one year after setting seven official Guinness World Records titles, the Globetrotters broke a single-day total of nine records this year, including the longest basketball hook-shot.

The records were broken at the AT&T Center, home of the San Antonio Spurs, during the 12th annual Guinness World Records Day, a global celebration of record breaking launched to celebrate the day the Guinness World Records book sold its 100 millionth copy.  Since 2000, the Globetrotters now own 15 current Guinness World Records.

“We are the original trick shot artists, so it is great to reclaim our records and reestablish our dominance,” said Harlem Globetrotters star Big Easy Lofton.  “We have been training hard so to have a day where we push the limits and try some fun yet challenging shots, is pretty cool. I mean, how many people can say they’re a Guinness World Records title holder? We can’t wait to put smiles on people’s faces as we demonstrate our skills and talents on the upcoming world tour.”

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

Among the nine Guinness World Records titles which were set by the Globetrotters, four of them reclaimed records that were originally held by the team and then broken by Dude Perfect. The Globetrotters reclaimed the records of longest basketball hook shot, longest basketball shot blindfolded, most basketball 3-pointers made by a pair in one minute, and longest blindfolded basketball hook shot.

Here’s a full look at the records set by the Globetrotters:

  • Longest basketball hook shot – Big Easy Lofton (72 feet, 6.25 inches)
  • Longest basketball shot blindfolded – Ant Atkinson (73 feet, 10 inches)
  • Most basketball 3-pointers in one minute (single ball) – Ant Atkinson and Cheese Chisholm (10 each)
  • Farthest basketball shot made while sitting on the court – Thunder Law (58 feet, 9.25 inches)
  • Most bounced basketball 3-pointers in one minute – Zeus McClurkin (5)
  • Most basketball 3-pointers made by a pair in one minute – Ant Atkinson and Cheese Chisholm (22 each)
  • Farthest basketball shot under-one-leg – Thunder Law (52 feet, 5.5 inches)
  • Longest blindfolded basketball hook shot – Big Easy Lofton (58 feet, 2.5 inches)
  • Most basketball slam dunks in one minute (individual) – Zeus McClurkin (16)

The Globetrotters tipped off their 2017 World Tour on Dec. 26 and will play in over 250 North American markets as well as 30 countries worldwide. Tickets are now available at harlemglobetrotters.com.

The Harlem Globetrotters® are legendary worldwide, synonymous with one-of-a-kind family entertainment and great basketball skills for the past 90 years. Throughout their history, the Original Harlem Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 122 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans – among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents – over nine thrilling decades. Sponsored by Baden Sports, Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Herschend Enterprises, the largest family-owned themed entertainment company in the U.S. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters, visit the Globetrotters’ official Web site: www.harlemglobetrotters.com and follow them on Twitter @Globies.

Save

Save

Today In Black History: Feb. 3rd

0
0

UPTOWN_today_in_black_history_2317

As you know, this month we’re challenging ourselves to learn something new about our history every day of Black History Month, and we’re hoping to share our findings with you, the UPTOWN readers.

Today In Black History: Feb. 3rd

  • 1870: The 15th Amendment, which gave Black men the right to vote, was ratified. Congress passed it the year before on Feb. 26th, 1869.
  • 1874: Blanche Kelso Bruce, who was mixed race, became the first elected Black senator to serve a full term, 1875 to 1881. He he was a Republican and represented Mississippi in the U.S. Senate.
  • 1886: The Southern League of Colored Base Ballists, the first professional Black baseball league, was founded.
  • 1903: Boxing legend Jack Johnson won the Negro Heavyweight Title.
  • 1920: The Negro Baseball League was founded.
  • 1948: Artist and educator Laura Wheeler Waring passed away. She was known for painting portraits of prominent Black Americans during the Harlem Renaissance.
  • 1948: An all-white jury sentenced Rosa Ingram and her two teenage sons to death by electric chair, during a one-day trial, for the alleged murder of a white man in Georgia. In 1959, they were released on parole for being “model prisoners.”
  • 1956: Autherine Lucy became the first Black student to attend the University of Alabama.
  • Bayard Rustin and the Parents’ Workshop for Equality held a New York public school boycott, in which more than 450,000 Black and Puerto Rican students demonstrated their support for full integration of the city’s public schools and an end to de facto segregation.
  • 1965: Renowned sculptor and painter Geraldine McCollough won the George D. Widener Gold Medal for Sculpture.
  • 1981: U.S. Air Force dropped its policy that banned applicants with the sickle cell trait.
  • 1989: Bill White replaced Bart Giamatti as president of the National League. White became the first Black person to head a major sports league, as a result.

Did we leave a notable person or event off this list? Well, each one teach one. Let us know in the comments.

RELATED: Today In Black History: Feb. 2nd

Today In Black History: Feb. 4th

0
0
UPTOWN_today_in_black_history_2417

AME Church co-founder Bishop Richard Allen, civil rights activist Rosa Parks, and the Sojourner Truth stamp

As you know, this month we’re challenging ourselves to learn something new about our history every day of Black History Month, and we’re hoping to share our findings with you, the UPTOWN readers.

Today In Black History: Feb. 4th

  • 1794: The first African Methodist Church was founded in Philadelphia. It grew out of the Free African Society, a mutual aid society founded by Richard Allen, Absalom Jones, and others founded.
  • 1861: Representatives from South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana convened in Montgomery, Alabama to establish the Confederate States of America.
  • 1913: Rosa Parks was born in Tuskegee, Alabama.
  • 1959: Football legend Lawrence Julius Taylor was born in Williamsburg, Virginia. He is known as one of the best defensive players in NFL history.
  • 1971: The ordeal of the Wilmington Ten arose out of the racial unrest that occurred in Wilmington, North Carolina following the closing of prominent, all-Black high school, Williston Senior High School, in 1968.
  • 1986: U.S. Postal Service released the Sojourner Truth stamp as part of the Black Heritage Series.
  • 2006: Warren Moon became the first Black quarterback inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.

Did we leave a notable person or event off this list? Well, each one teach one. Let us know in the comments.

RELATED: Today In Black History: Feb. 3rd

Today In Black History: Feb. 5th

0
0

UPTOWN_today_in_black_history

As you know, this month we’re challenging ourselves to learn something new about our history every day of Black History Month, and we’re hoping to share our findings with you, the UPTOWN readers.

Today In Black History: Feb. 5th

  • 1866: Abolitionist and politician Thaddeus Stevens advocated to add an amendment to the Freedmen’s Bureau bill authorizing the distribution of 40 acres of public or confiscated land to freedmen.
  • 1866: Frederick Douglass led a Black delegation to encourage Pres. Andrew Johnson to change his position against Black suffrage. The meeting ended in disagreement and Black men weren’t afforded the right to vote until the 15th Amendment was ratified in 1870.
  • 1869: Minnie Cox was born. She would become the first Black woman to serve as postmistress in the U.S.
  • 1884: Willis Johnson invented the egg beater.
  • 1934: Baseball legend Hank Aaron was born.
  • 1958: Clifton Reginald Wharton, Sr. became ambassador to Romania. He was the first Black diplomat to rise through the ranks of the Foreign Service rather than be appointed, like Frederick Douglass.
  • 1962: A lawsuit seeking to bar Englewood, New Jersey from maintaining racially segregated elementary schools was filed in U.S. District Court.
  • 1990: Harvard Law Review named Columbia University graduate and Harvard Law student Barack Obama president.
  • 1994: White supremacist Byron De La Beckwith was convicted of murdering civil rights leader Medgar Evers, 30 years after he gunned down the activist, in his driveway, in front of his wife Myrlie and their three small children on June 12, 1963.
  • 1995: Trayvon Martin was born to parents Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin. He would’ve been 22 today if racist George Zimmerman had not fatally shot him on Feb. 26, 2012.

Did we leave a notable person or event off this list? Well, each one teach one. Let us know in the comments.

RELATED: Today In Black History: Feb. 4th

Viewing all 6567 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images