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LOS ANGELES, CA- It’s that time of year again when high school seniors start narrowing down their college choices. On Saturday, February 11, the National College Resources will be hosting the 18^th Annual Black College Expo.

The Black College Expo is where students who are interested in attending a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) can receive more information on different campuses, as well as to apply and get accepted on the spot. The application fees will be waived. For those that can’t afford to go to a four year university, there will be scholarships on the spot for high school seniors.

There will also be internships and career opportunities for recent college graduates that are in need of employment. Other programs and workshops that will be held throughout the day include:  Students Think S.T.E.A.M.; The Movement Enrichment Program; Intervention, Mentoring, College & Career Planning; and Student Athlete Recruiting & Education Program.

The Expo will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Los Angeles Convention Center located at 1201 South Figueroa Street in Los Angeles. For tickets and more information, please visit thecollegeexpo.org.

LOS ANGELES, CA- For the past decade, Essence’s Black Women in Hollywood Awards have paid homage to modern image-makers—both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Since its inception in 2008, the awards have honored some of the most cherished figures in the industry, including Oprah Winfrey, Lupita Nyong’o, Ava DuVernay, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Taraji P. Henson and many more. This year’s event will shift from a daytime luncheon to an evening gala for the first time and will be held at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, CA, on Thursday, February 23, 2017.

The Power of Our Presence exhibit will be open at the Paley Center’s Beverly Hills location (465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210) from Wednesday, February 8 to Tuesday, February 28, 2017.

For more information about this exhibit, please visit Essence.com or paley.me/bwih, and follow Essence on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @essence, as well as the Paley Center on Facebook and Twitter @PaleyCenter for more updates.

The Essence Power of our Presence exhibit is presented by AT&T and the Minority Business Development Agency.

Chef Marcus Samuelsson will be joining the Macy’s Celebrates Black History Month later this month at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles.

(Black PR Wire) NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–This February, Macy’s celebrates Black History Month by welcoming a host of stars from a variety of fields including fine art, music, literature, the culinary arts, and spoken word. Black culture has electrified the pulse of American life for generations, from music and fashion to film, television and activism. It has created a wave of change that has helped propel the country to new heights. This year, our celebrity guests will share how creative self-expression and a strong connection to their heritage have shaped their careers. As part of Macy’s Black History Month celebrations, Grammy-nominated artist BJ The Chicago Kid, “Insecure” actor Jay Ellis, award-winning Macy’s Culinary Council Chef Marcus Samuelsson, and “The Read” podcast host Crissle West will join other emerging stars in conversations focused on the influence and impact of black culture on all facets of American life.

“Macy’s is once again thrilled to celebrate the contributions African Americans have made to our nation with special events in our stores. Macy’s values the diversity of all of its customers and inclusion and respect are at the heart of our core values. We are happy to join with our associates and customers nationwide in honoring the legacy of African American achievement during Black History Month and beyond,” said Kristyn Doar-Page, Macy’s vice president of Diversity & Inclusion Strategies.

In New York City and Washington, D.C., writer and pop culture commentator Crissle West will moderate thought-provoking conversations with local artists. In Philadelphia and Atlanta, Chef Marcus Samuelsson will share stories from his new book, “The Red Rooster Cookbook: The Story of Food and Hustle in Harlem!” In Chicago, BJ The Chicago Kid and Jay Ellis will participate in an engaging panel discussion and talk with the audience.

Rapper, spoken-word poet, actor and activist Saul Williams serves as the national ambassador for Macy’s Black History Month Celebration. Exclusive video performances and interviews from Williams, hailed as the “poet laureate of hip-hop” by “CNN,” will be featured at www.macys.com/celebrate.

“I am very glad Macy’s is furthering the discourse around artistic self-expression in black culture. As a performer who uses words to bring attention to social justice causes, I feel it is paramount to stimulate engagement and awareness through our words and our art,” said Williams.

BJ The Chicago Kid is an R&B recording artist who recently delivered a soulful rendition of the national anthem preceding President Obama’s farewell address. His debut album, “In My Mind,” has been nominated for three 2017 Grammy Awards. He recently released a mixtape, “The Lost Files: Cuffing Season” and a new video for his homage to Marvin Gaye, “Uncle Marvin.”

Jay Ellis is a talented actor best known for his roles on HBO’s “Insecure” and BET’s “The Game.” His other credits include guest-starring roles on “Hart of Dixie,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “NCIS,” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”

“I am grateful to be among those Macy’s has selected to discuss the powerful impact artistic black voices are having on today’s American culture,” said Jay Ellis. “There couldn’t be a better time to come together to talk about the strides we have made and the road ahead.”

Marcus Samuelsson is the acclaimed chef behind Red Rooster Harlem, Ginny’s Supper Club, and Streetbird Rotisserie. He is a committed philanthropist and the youngest person to ever receive a three-star review from “The New York Times.” Samuelsson has won multiple James Beard Foundation Awards, including Best Chef: New York City, and was tasked with planning and executing the Obama Administration’s first State dinner. Samuelsson was also crowned champion of television shows “Top Chef Masters” and “Chopped All Stars,” and served as a mentor on ABC’s “The Taste”. In October of 2016, he released his newest book, “The Red Rooster Cookbook: The Story of Food and Hustle in Harlem!”

“I am thrilled to be celebrating Black History Month with Macy’s,” said Marcus Samuelsson. “I look forward to paying homage to black culture’s impact on the culinary arts and sharing some of my favorite bites and stories with guests in Philadelphia and Atlanta.”

Crissle West is a writer and the female co-host of the hit comedy podcast, “The Read,” a weekly show covering the latest in entertainment news. Crissle’s written work has been published in “ESSENCE” magazine and she has appeared on panels covering race, gender, and sexuality.

“I am really looking forward to engaging with young people and sharing stories of how black culture has influenced my personal and professional journey,” Crissle said.

At each of the Black History Month events, Macy’s customers will have an opportunity to meet and greet with event talent. For additional information on Macy’s Black History Month festivities, please visit macys.com/celebrate.

Macy’s Black History Month events will be held at the following stores:

Macy’s Herald Square (New York City) – Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m.
Macy’s City Center (Philadelphia) – Thursday, Feb. 9 at 5:30 p.m.
Macy’s State Street (Chicago) – Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 5:30 p.m.
Macy’s Baldwin Hills (Los Angeles) – Thursday, Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Macy’s Lenox Square (Atlanta) – Thursday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.
Macy’s Lenox Square (Atlanta) – Friday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m.
Macy’s Aventura (Aventura, FL) – Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m.
Macy’s Union Square (San Francisco) – Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m.
Macy’s Metro Center (Washington, D.C.) – Thursday, Feb. 23 at 5:30 p.m.

About Macy’s

Macy’s, the largest retail brand of Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE:M), delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at approximately 670 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, as well as to customers in the U.S. and more than 100 international destinations through its leading online store at macys.com. Via its stores, e-commerce site, mobile and social platforms, Macy’s offers distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy’s is known for such epic events as Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Macy’s flagship stores — including Herald Square in New York City, Union Square in San Francisco, State Street in Chicago, and Dadeland in Miami and South Coast Plaza in southern California — are known internationally and are leading destinations for visitors. Building on a more than 150-year tradition, and with the collective support of customers and employees, Macy’s helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities giving more than $69 million each year to help make a difference in the lives of our customers.

For Macy’s media materials, including images and contacts, please visit our online pressroom at macys.com/pressroom.

The axiom, “Those who cannot do, teach,” missed the point, as far as Blake Nathan is concerned.
In fact, Nathan created the Educate Me Foundation on a wholly opposite premise: To mentor and encourage African-American students, high school and college, to pursue careers in education, especially as teachers—and to help existing black teachers find new opportunities.
All with one goal, Nathan said: “To increase the number of African-American teachers in classrooms where they would have a cultural connection. That dynamic makes a huge difference for black students.”
Nathan, 27, speaks from his own experience. Growing up outside of Atlanta, he said he had just three black teachers from kindergarten through 12th grade. An engineering major at historically black Tennessee State University, he said he had just five African-American professors.
Then, as a middle school teacher of engineering and technology, in Indianapolis, Nathan said he was the only black male teacher in his district.
“There are hundreds of thousands of (black) students who have the same story as me,” he told Urban News Service. “Having taught black students, I know how important it is for them to have someone who has been where they are, someone who can relate to them on a personal level and have that cultural competency with them. (To continue reading, please visit www.wssnews.com)

Gina Paige

(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON, DC (JANUARY, 30 2017) – African Ancestry, Inc. announces its partnership with MahoganyBooks, an award-winning online bookstore that specializes in books written for, by, or about people of the African Diaspora. The partnership underscores the power of Black businesses with aligned missions uniting to deliver products and services that educate, uplift and empower Black communities across the world.

Central to the alliance is AfricanAncestry.com/Partners/Mahogany-Books where consumers from both companies will have expanded resources from everything such as their African countries origin to educating Black kids in America about their culture and heritage. The AfricanAncestry.com Get Rooted Book List will debut to provide select titles that help people better understand who they are in the context of Africa, culture and consciousness.

“When this partnership was proposed, I knew instantly that this is something that African Ancestry should and would do,” said Gina Paige, co-founder and president of AfricanAncestry.com. “We both share a collective responsibility to educate and uplift Black people, and this alliance extends and strengthens the impact of that commitment.”

Created by husband and wife duo, MahoganyBooks uses literature to enlighten and inform by promoting reading, writing and cultural awareness. “Our relationship with AfricanAncestry.com is social entrepreneurship at its best,” said Derrick A. Young, co-founder and president of MahoganyBooks. “We’re two small businesses that have joined forces to address issues around identity and cultural awareness for people of color and to improve our communities.”

Consumers can visit AfricanAncestry.com/Partners/Mahogany-Books today to learn more about the partnership and begin experiencing the benefits. Media can contact Greer Johnson at gajohnson@taylorcommunicationsgroup.com.

ABOUT AFRICAN ANCESTRY

Founded in 2003, African Ancestry Inc. (AfricanAncestry.com) pioneered African lineage matching in the United States utilizing its proprietary DNA-database to more accurately assess present-day countries of origin for people of African descent. African Ancestry’s products include the MatriClan™ and PatriClan™ ancestry tests, myDNAmix Admixture tests; and customized memorabilia and informative resources. African Ancestry is African-American-owned and headquartered in Washington, DC. For general media inquiries, contact Nichole Taylor at taylor@taylorcommunicationsgroup.com.

ABOUT MAHOGANYBOOKS

Started in 2007 by an enterprising husband and wife duo, MahoganyBooks is an award-winning online bookstore that specializes in the sale of books written for, by, or about people of the African Diaspora. At its core, MahoganyBooks is a company that firmly believes in improving its community through social entrepreneurship by providing access and awareness to culturally relevant books to empower its community socially, politically, and economically. For general media inquiries, contact Derrick Young at derrick@mahoganybooks.com.

Dallas Fowler

LOS ANGELES, CA- Veteran Democrat Dallas Fowler landed the endorsement of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party on Tuesday at its general meeting. Fowler, a long time political activist, is running for the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees against a Republican incumbent.

“It is truly an honor to have the support of my own party-the Los Angeles County Democratic Party-where I have served for many years,” said Fowler.  “I know that my opponent has tried to make this race about black and brown, but this is about the fundamental differences between our two parties’ agendas with regards to education and fiscal management.”

Dallas is currently a candidate for Los Angeles Community College District, Seat No. 4. The Los Angeles Community College District is the largest community college district in the country, spanning 36 cities in Los Angeles County and serving nearly 250,000 students per year at its nine colleges. Drawing 80 percent of its enrollment from historically underserved populations, LACCD offers affordable and accredited higher education that empowers students to transfer to four-year institutions, earn associate’s degrees, and obtain training and job skills that open doors to lifelong opportunities.

A proud Los Angeles native, Dallas Fowler served in Mayor Eric Garcetti’s cabinet as a Commissioner on the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioner’s Police Permit Review Board. She is a graduate of Florida A & M University’s School of Business & Industry and Principal of Daltek Global Solutions, LLC, a boutique digital and print media firm specializing in outreach, political and business development consulting. She holds over tens years of experience in supplier diversity & community affairs and fifteen plus years in project management and event planning. A life-long Democrat, Dallas has been actively working on political campaigns for over twenty years. As a graduate and former alumnae association President for the Los Angeles African American Women’s Public Policy Institute, Dallas currently serves on their faculty providing training in campaign communications. She also currently serves on the boards of and the Museum of African American Art and the South L.A. youth outreach non-profit C.H.A.N.G.E.S.   Her service to Los Angeles was honored in 2015 by the National Action Network when she was awarded one of the Most Influential Persons Under 40 in Los Angeles. Fowler previously served on the Commission on the Status of Women in the City of Los Angeles as a delegate to the National Association of Commissions for Women.

The election will be held March 7, 2017.  For more information on Dallas, please visit dallasfowler.com and follow @YoDallas on Twitter, @DallasDFowler on Facebook and the hashtag #Dallas4LACCD.

Dr. Judy D. White

MORENO VALLEY-CA- After nearly six successful years leading Moreno Valley Unified School District to new levels of student and staff achievement, Superintendent Dr. Judy D. White has accepted an appointment as Riverside County Superintendent of Schools.

The position is an elected position, but White was appointed by the Riverside County Board of Education to finish the two remaining years of the term vacated by her predecessor, Kenneth Young.

White will begin her new assignment in February and the MVUSD School Board discussed the process for finding a new superintendent at its recent regular meeting on Tuesday January 17.

In a message to all MVUSD staff, School Board President C.J. Johnson praised both Dr. White’s accomplishments and commitment.

“It is also important to note that because of her success leading Moreno Valley Unified to new levels of achievement, Dr. White has become known statewide, and has regularly been approached with attractive offers to lead other school districts across our state, all of which she declined in favor of her commitment to the students of our community,” Johnson said.

“It is telling that the only position she finally was willing to consider is one through which she can continue to serve Moreno Valley students and staff.”

 Prior to her appointment in Moreno Valley, she served as Deputy Superintendent for San Bernardino City Unified School District. Dr. White has served as teacher, assistant principal, principal, Special Education director, assistant superintendent for Educational Services, and deputy superintendent for Program Improvement, Curriculum/Instruction and Accountability & Research. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Azusa Pacific University and Aenon Bible College.

 The Riverside County Office of Education provides a variety of support services for all 23 school districts in the county.

By Naomi K. Bonman

LOS ANGELES, CA- On Saturday, January 21 in Downtown Los Angeles, women from all over the Southern California region came together to march for one prime reason—unity and equality.

Women fought for their rights of equality in the past and felt the need to do it again after the inauguration of the 45^th President Donald Trump took place on Friday, January 21. Prior to Trump taking oath as the nation’s president, he had made countless racist and sexist remarks against minorities and women.

Prior to the march, President Trump altered the White House website with the removal of the LGBT rights. The Civil Rights page has also been replaced with a protecting our law enforcement page. The site is now only available in English and can no longer be accessed in Spanish. These are just a few events that prompted the Womens’ March across the Nation.

The mission of the Women’s March is for women to stand together in solidarity for the protection of women’s rights, safety, health, and their families by recognizing that their vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of the country.

As seen in marches from city to city, the Women’s March brought diversity within all ethnic backgrounds, as well as from the male gender. Everyone came together in the spirit of democracy and to honor the champions if human rights, dignity, and justice of past times.

The march was the first step towards unifying the community, forming new relationships, and creating change from the grassroots level up. Women’s March works peacefully while recognizing there is no true peace without justice and equity for all.

To keep up with Women’s March LA, follow them on Instagram @womensmarchla.

Edited and Re-written by Naomi K. Bonman

LOS ANGELES, CA- This year marked the 32^nd annual Kingdom Day Parade which was held on Monday, January 16 in South Los Angeles. Each year the parade brings our dignitaries to help honor the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr.

Groups that participated in the 2017 Kingdom Day Parade included a New Orleans-style brass band with dancers from the Los Angeles Korean Dance Academy. The 200,000 people crowd loved the band. The band also brought in more diversity to the celebration, something that King would be pleased to see and fought for.

One thing that was different and brought to light during this year’s parade was the impending inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, which had the focus of some officials’ attention on how they would push back against the new administration’s policies and decisions. Others referenced the parade’s theme: “Now more than ever, we all must work together.”

“We are confronting a dichotomy of democracy — something that is unique in our history,” state Senate leader Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) said at a breakfast before the parade. “More than ever, California must remain a beacon of hope and opportunity in an uncertain world.”

He continued, “California will never appease anyone who seeks to undermine our economic prosperity and fundamental human rights.”

Los Angeles County health workers, including nurses and technicians, marched in protest of a possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act, President Obama’s landmark healthcare legislation. And L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas marched with them, holding a sign that read, “Obamacare Works.” 

Other groups celebrating at the parade Monday included representatives from local labor unions and law enforcement agencies, as well as high school marching bands and the Omega Psi Phi fraternity — the first predominately black fraternity to be founded at a historically black university. Another float, sponsored by Denny’s and adorned in gold and green tinsel, displayed a large photo of the slain civil rights leader. 

“We stand with him, and with the community, in trying to support all the things that he stood for,” Ronald Smothers, who owns a Denny’s restaurant on Crenshaw Boulevard, said in an interview with ABC 7. 

By Naomi K. Bonman

Many of us watched, and probably got emotional, our 44^th President Barack Obama’s farewell address on Tuesday, January 10. Can you believe 8 years flew by!

The quote that struck out the most in Obama’s address was this one: “I am asking you to hold fast to that faith written into our founding documents; that idea whispered by slaves and abolitionists; that spirit sung by immigrants and homesteaders and those who marched for justice; that creed reaffirmed by those who planted flags from foreign battlefields to the surface of the moon; a creed at the core of every American whose story is not yet written: Yes, we can.” -President Barack Obama

Many of us watched, and probably got emotional, our 44th President Barack Obama’s farewell address on Tuesday, January 10. Can you believe 8 years flew by! The quote that struck out the most in Obama’s address was this one: “I am asking you to hold fast to that faith written into our founding documents; that idea whispered by slaves and abolitionists; that spirit sung by immigrants and homesteaders and those who marched for justice; that creed reaffirmed by those who planted flags from foreign battlefields to the surface of the moon; a creed at the core of every American whose story is not yet written: Yes, we can.” -President Barack Obama We have watched the girls, Malia and Sasha, grow up into beautiful and sophisticated young women. We have also watched in admiration of the chemistry and commitment that Michelle and Barack have towards one another. And as a country, although we still have a lot more to accomplish, we have seen countless accomplishments made by President Obama and his administration. More jobs gave been created that has brought the economy back to a much stable state, and millions of Americans now have affordable healthcare. I commend Barack for all his hard work and for staying strong and grounded with every racist and prejudice remark that was thrown against him. He proved the odds, that yes a Black man can become President or any other profession that others may try to deny him. Barack, Michelle, Sasha, and Malia…you all will be sincerely missed. have watched the girls, Malia and Sasha, grow up into beautiful and sophisticated young women. We have also watched in admiration of the chemistry and commitment that Michelle and Barack have towards one another. And as a country, although we still have a lot more to accomplish, we have seen countless accomplishments made by President Obama and his administration.

More jobs gave been created that has brought the economy back to a much stable state, and millions of Americans now have affordable healthcare.

I commend Barack for all his hard work and for staying strong and grounded with every racist and prejudice remark that was thrown against him. He proved the odds, that yes a Black man can become President or any other profession that others may try to deny him.

Barack, Michelle, Sasha, and Malia…you all will be sincerely missed.