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June 2009

Apollo celebrates the King of Pop

By theGrio via AP

6:08 PM on 06/30/2009

Thousands of Michael Jackson fans converged on Harlem's famed Apollo Theater Tuesday for a public tribute to the performer, clutching photographs, cheering and dancing to his music at the legendary venue that launched the one-time child star's career. A black fedora with a white glove draped across its brim sat on a lone...
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Apollo Theater to commemorate Michael Jackson

By Terry Wynn II

3:20 PM on 06/30/2009

Michael Jackson performed at the Apollo Theater several times in his career - first, in 1969 when he was just a young boy, and, most recently, in 2002 at the invitation of former President Bill Clinton at a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee. Starting Tuesday, The Apollo will hold...
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Cynthia McKinney on ship seized by Israel

By theGrio via AP

2:28 PM on 06/30/2009

The Israeli navy intercepted a ship carrying foreign peace activists trying to break a blockade of Gaza on Tuesday and forced it to sail to an Israeli port, the military said. A statement said the Greek-registered freighter Arion ignored a radio message from the Israeli military saying it would not be allowed to enter Gaza waters and ordering it to turn back.
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NBA star Daequan Cook supports family of young fan

By theGrio

2:07 PM on 06/30/2009

If you follow basketball, you know the Miami Heat's Daequan Cook. But there's another Daequan in Dayton. A 12 year old named Daquan Sales had an ambition to meet Daequan Cook at his annual basketball clinic in the hometown they shared. It was not meant to be. Little Daquan was...
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BET Music Awards and the end of black music

By Dr Pamela D. Reed

10:51 AM on 06/30/2009

"At each juncture, twist, and turn, as Black people were transformed, so was their characteristic music." --Amiri Baraka Baraka wrote this profound pronouncement in the introduction of the 1999 edition of his now classic 1963 text Blues People: Negro Music in White America, which has been hailed by NYU professor...
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Dog attacks child, neighbor comes to rescue

By theGrio

10:48 AM on 06/30/2009

ARI ODZER A Fort Lauderdale man is being called a hero today for prying open the jaws of a pit bull that mauled a 6-year-old girl. Nakaylah Smith was riding her bicycle in front on her home when the dog attacked. "And it just happened in a split second, the...
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Obama reiterates support for gay rights

By theGrio

10:18 AM on 06/30/2009

President Barack Obama reiterated his support for gay rights on Monday. He spoke at a White House reception for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights advocates. The event was held to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the beginning of the modern gay rights movement. Some activists have complained that the...
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Blacks reflect on Jackson's racial identity

By theGrio

9:59 AM on 06/30/2009

As the reaction to the death of Michael Jackson continues across the country, one dynamic is emerging: how people remember the so-called King of Pop depends on a lot of factors, including how people viewed him in life...
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40 years after Stonewall: black gays still targeted

By Kenyon Farrow

8:55 AM on 06/30/2009

In the 1960's New York mayor Robert Wagner launched a campaign to "clean up the city" to help...
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Teenage girl pilots plane cross country

By theGrio

8:00 PM on 06/29/2009

A California teen tries to make history by reaching for the skies. Fifteen-year-old pilot Kimberly Anyadike (on-ya-DEE-kay) left Compton, California for Newport News, Virginia today. Her 10 day trip will end with a return to Compton...
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Jackson's mother looks to maintain custody of kids

By theGrio

5:31 PM on 06/29/2009

Michael Jackson's mother asked a Superior Court judge on Monday to name her administrator of her late son's estate so she can ensure the King of Pop's three children are its beneficiaries. The court filing states that Jackson's parents believe he died without a valid will...
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White firefighters win Supreme Court discrimination case

By theGrio via AP

1:58 PM on 06/29/2009

The Supreme Court ruled Monday that white firefighters in New Haven, Conn., were unfairly denied promotions because of their race, reversing a decision that high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor endorsed as an appeals court judge.
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Janet Jackson honors Michael at BET Awards

By theGrio via AP

12:30 PM on 06/29/2009

"To you, Michael is an icon," a somber Janet Jackson told the crowd at the end of Sunday's show. "To us, Michael is family and he will forever live in all of our hearts." It was a stirring emotional climax for a telecast that was completely revamped...
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Courtroom brawl caught on tape

By theGrio

11:21 AM on 06/29/2009

A fight breaks out in a Michigan courtroom when the father of a murdered man attacks the alleged killer. Friday's scuffle began when the murder suspect began smiling and the enraged victim's father began throwing punches. That set off a melee throughout the entire courtroom as the judge tried to...
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Mobile mortgage bus used to teach people about buying homes

By theGrio

11:19 AM on 06/29/2009

The slumping housing market helped to trigger the collapse of the U.S. economy. Now, real estate agents say things could be turning around. The people buying those homes now are held to very different standards than the buyers of just a few years ago...
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Michael's $500m debt: lessons we can all learn

By Dr. Boyce Watkins

8:23 AM on 06/29/2009

Auction of Michael Jackson memorabilia during Julien's Auction in Las Vegas (AP Photo/Laura Rauch) Michael Jackson is not dead. No, he's not on a deserted island chilling with Tupac and Elvis (who some believe faked their deaths), but he is certainly alive in corporate and social spirit, impacting millions of...
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Chris Brown and Rihanna can help others avoid domestic violence

By Dr. Jeff Gardere

8:16 AM on 06/29/2009

(AP Photo/Lori Shepler, Pool) On Tuesday, singer Chris Brown was allowed to cop a plea deal for the brutal beating he inflicted on his ex-girlfriend Rhianna following a pre-Grammy party. He not only punched her about her body but also caused damage to her face, after she allegedly caught him...
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Stevie Wonder pays tribute to Jackson

By theGrio

8:00 AM on 06/29/2009

Musician Stevie Wonder paid tribute to Michael Jackson during a concert. Wonder was in Milwaukee Sunday night, performing with John Legend. Wonder played the song "I Can't Help It"...
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Vivica Fox addresses students at film festival

By theGrio

7:46 AM on 06/29/2009

The red carpet was rolled out in Miami Friday night for this year's American Black Film Festival and some very lucky local high school students got the VIP treatment at the event...
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Doctor talks to police about Jackson's final moments

By theGrio via AP

8:47 AM on 06/28/2009

The cardiologist who was with Michael Jackson during the pop star's final moments sat down with investigators for the first time to explain his actions -- and left three hours later as a witness, not a suspect. Dr. Conrad Murray "helped identify the circumstances around the death of the pop icon...
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