theGrio

On Mother's Day, black women hail Michelle Obama: America's 'first mom'

8:00 AM on 05/13/2012

TheGrio REPORT -- A few days ago at the White House, as military families enjoyed a Mother's Day celebration in the chandeliered East Room, Michelle Obama offered praise for their sacrifice and service to America...

3 alleged white supremacists convicted of federal hate crimes

By Donna M Owens

10:37 AM on 04/17/2012

theGRIO REPORT - Three alleged white supremacists who violently beat an African-American man while he waited at a Houston bus stop have been found guilty of a federal hate crime...

Kemba Smith's story takes a more positive turn

By Donna M Owens

3:22 PM on 04/06/2012

theGRIO Q&A - You may remember the saga of Kemba Smith, the onetime Hampton University student who in 1995 was sentenced to 24 years in federal prison for her role in a crack cocaine ring...

Rodell Mollineau leads major Obama Super PAC

By Donna M Owens

8:14 AM on 03/05/2012

theGRIO REPORT - Rodell Mollineau, a 35-year-old African-American political strategist, is the president of American Bridge, one of the two leading Super PACs trying to aid President Obama's re-election...

Michelle Obama hits the road for second anniversary of 'Let's Move'

By Donna M Owens

11:42 AM on 02/09/2012

theGRIO REPORT - The first lady with the famously buff biceps will be on the move, literally, over the next few days to mark the second anniversary of her 'Let's Move!' fitness initiative, aimed at reducing childhood obesity in America...

'Gleam' puts new spin on Zora Neale Hurston's 'Their Eyes Were Watching God'

By Donna M Owens

3:10 PM on 01/18/2012

theGRIO REPORT - Currently playing in Baltimore at CENTERSTAGE, a nationally respected artistic venue, 'Gleam' tells the epic story of one woman's journey through love and loss to a life of meaning and self-fulfillment...

'The Obamas': Jodi Kantor White House book paints personal portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama

By Donna M Owens

12:00 PM on 01/12/2012

REVIEW - The book has 360 pages of dialogue and intimate details, giving the impression of being inside the minds of the first couple and other players...

Summer Jobs+: Obama sets goal of 250,000 new jobs for youth

By Donna M Owens

10:39 AM on 01/06/2012

theGRIO REPORT - Obama administration officials are hoping that its plan, dubbed Summer Jobs +, will reach other young people across the country in need of both a paycheck and opportunity...

New federal labor rules aimed at home health workers

By Donna M Owens

12:00 PM on 12/16/2011

TheGrio REPORT - Newly proposed rules from the U.S. Department of Labor are aimed at the 1.8 million in-home care workers nationwide who assist the elderly, disabled and infirm, but don't qualify for the overtime most employees receive after clocking more than 40 hours...

White House decks its halls for the holidays

By Donna M Owens

9:15 AM on 12/01/2011

SLIDESHOW - The White House has decked its halls with boughs of holly and plenty of shiny, sparkly bling for Christmas 2011 -- including 37 trees, a 400-pound gingerbread house and other artsy, creative touche...

Obama pardon seeks to reflect fairer drug policy

By Donna M Owens

11:36 AM on 11/22/2011

theGRIO REPORT - President Obama also granted pardons to five other individuals, including three convicted of marijuana-related offenses, according to the White House...

Veterans seek work and community, find White House support

By Donna M Owens

10:00 AM on 11/11/2011

TheGrio REPORTS -- The Barack Obama administration earlier this year launched Joining Forces, a national initiative designed to enlist broad-based support for American service members and their families....

Celebs throw their weight behind Boys & Girls Clubs

By Donna M Owens

8:10 AM on 09/22/2011

theGRIO REPORT - As cameras clicked and flashed steadily during the star-studded event, one by one the celebs took the podium to talk about their passion for youth, and a desire to reach more of them through the Boys & Girls Clubs...

Members of Congress climb aboard Tubman tribute train

By Donna M Owens

9:23 AM on 09/16/2011

theGRIO REPORT - For decades, efforts to honor Tubman on a national level have stalled for one reason or another...

Renaissance man Hill Harper 'cures' your wealth woes

By Donna M Owens

3:00 PM on 09/04/2011

theGRIO Q&A - The 45-year-old Iowa native is also a best-selling author whose books aim to encourage young people, as well as men and women seeking to build better relationships...

Black racing legend Willy T. Ribbs revs up for Baltimore Grand Prix

By Donna M Owens

8:53 AM on 09/04/2011

TheGrio Q&A - Racing legend Willy T. Ribbs was fast and furious long before those blockbuster movies about drivers and their amped up cars...

Dedication of MLK Memorial postponed by Hurricane Irene

By Donna M Owens

9:20 AM on 08/26/2011

theGRIO REPORT - Organizers will need to consult with the National Park Service and obtain a new permit before they settle on a new date for the dedication...

Slideshow: How you can be part of MLK's history

By Donna M Owens

6:00 AM on 08/23/2011

SLIDESHOW - This Sunday, President Barack Obama is slated to give remarks and King relatives, civil rights leaders, dignitaries and celebrities are expected for the dedication ceremony on the National Mall...