Thursday, March 26, 2009 |
On April 1 on PBS, viewers can tune-in to a new half-hours special, Coming Home: Military Families Cope With Change, featuring Queen Latifah, John Mayer and Elmo. This half-hour special, part of Sesame Workshop’s ongoing initiative, Talk, Listen, Connect, tells stories of service members who return home with injuries, visible and invisible, and explores the heroic struggles their families face in discovering a new way of finding a “new normal.”
On the episode Queen Latifah speaks on her father’s battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
“My father actually suffered from PTSD. He was a veteran of Vietnam and I know he’s helped a lot of his friends from Vietnam and from other wars to try to get treatment and get help… it was very challenging for us as a family, so I can kind of relate to what the kids have gone through because it can challenge your relationships… [My father] just really explained that he saw a lot very difficult things that were hard to deal with and it was hard for him to deal with them emotionally and psychologically. I started to understand it. Luckily he sought treatment…and it really made a big difference because it helped him to recognize what was going on.”
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Monday, March 23, 2009 |
In recognition of six outstanding high school students from Clayton County in Atlanta, recording artist Monica teamed up with Frank & Tanya Ski and their ‘Kids Foundation’ and handed out scholarships. She was also honored with the “Local Legend Award” along with President and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation Ms. Xernona Clayton.
The six chosen students from Clayton County, with an average GPA of 3.95, were:
Kayla Swain, Senior, Lovejoy High, Genetta Reeves, Senior, Jonesboro High, Morgan McGhee, Senior, Mundy’s Mill High, Mia Gipson, Senior, North Clayton High, Janeau’ Wright, Senior, Mundy’s Mill High, and Chidinma Anyiwo, Senior, Mundy’s Mill High.
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Saturday, March 21, 2009 |
LeToya Luckett visited McNair High School in Atlanta this week and spoke to the juniors and seniors about positive self-image and furthering their education after graduation.
The singer, who received a special invite by “Its Cool To Be Smart” to come out and speak, also gave the students a chance to ask her some questions.
In related news, LeToya’s new album, Lady Love will be in stores in May.
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Thursday, March 19, 2009 |
Alicia Keys speaks at Dunbar High School on Thursday, March 19th in Washington, DC. The singer was joined by her mother, Terri Joseph and Gen. Ann Dunwoody commanding General of U.S. Army Material Command in a roundtable discussion with students in celebration of Women’s History Month.
Alicia also met up with First Lady Michelle Obama (who also spoke at a local D.C. High School) in the Diplomatic Room of the White House prior to the speaking event. Read more about the First Lady’s Women’s History Month round tables here.
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Thursday, March 12, 2009 |
Actress and activist Jurnee Smollett just returned to the States from Swaziland, South Africa and Botswana where she emphasized the benefits of self-empowerment and civic involvement. In honor of Women’s Health Month, Jurnee also educated young girls about sex, body image and HIV/AIDS. Her visit was hosted by the U.S. Embassy in line with its ongoing foreign exchange programs.
Jurnee is the youngest board member of Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA), a non-profit organization working in the U.S. and South Africa to combat HIV/AIDS, advance human rights and equality, safeguard voting rights and assist, educate and empower children orphaned by AIDS as well as other at-risk youth.
MOREHOUSE SUMMER PROGRAM
Morehouse College’s Project Identity Summer Institute is a four week, on-campus program for rising male high school sophomores and juniors that replicates the college experience with a curriculum and activities to assist in developing their academic, social and leadership skills.
The curriculum consists of algebra II and pre-calculus, argumentation and debate, creative writing, leadership development and SAT preparation. Participants are taught by college faculty and paired with student tutors and mentors. Enrichment activities include roundtable discussions on various subjects relating to college life and daily life experiences.
Applicants should have an A or B average with some accelerated level coursework; have taken the PSAT or SAT; and present two letters of recommendation. The program fee is $1,400. For more info, visit morehouse.edu/projectidentity.
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Friday, March 6, 2009 |
First lady Michelle Obama served lunch at ‘Miriam’s Kitchen’ which provides meals, case management services and housing support to nearly 250 homeless men and women on Thursday in Washington, D.C. The visit was a part of the first lady’s effort to connect with the Washington, D.C. community and also highlight the city’s best practices.
ICE-T & CHRISETTE FOR VH1 ‘SAVE THE MUSIC’
Actor and rapper Ice-T and recording artist Chrisette Michele pose with students at the check presentation of VH1 Save the Music and LG Mobile Phones at City College Academy of Arts on Thursday in New York City.
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Thursday, February 26, 2009 |
Recording artist Usher Raymond IV attended a hearing on improving America’s commitment to service and volunteerism at the House Education and Labor Committee hearing room on February 25, 2009 in Washington, DC.
The singer joined New Look Foundation President Shawn Wilson and spoke with Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) and Rep George Miller (D-CA) before the hearing.
Last month, Usher led a group of 200 young volunteers in a makeover project at Simon Elementary School in Washington, DC.
( Photos: GETTY IMAGES )
