Entertainment & Culture

  • Black athletes defend their right to bear arms

    Black athletes defend their right to bear arms

    By Tony Anderson

    12:46 PM on 08/03/2009

    Is it smart for an athlete to carry a gun for protection? Consider two scenarios: Scenario 1: Professional boxer Vernon Forrest is driving in Atlanta, with his girlfriend's 11-year-old son. He stops to put air in a tire and is then robbed at gunpoint. He complies with the...

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  • Reverend Ike dies at 74

    Reverend Ike dies at 74

    By theGrio via AP

    12:46 PM on 07/31/2009

    LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Rev. Frederick J. Eikerenkoetter II, who preached the gospel of material prosperity to millions nationwide as Reverend Ike, died Tuesday. He was 74.

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  • Michelle's style puts Chicago on fashion forefront

    Michelle's style puts Chicago on fashion forefront

    By theGrio via AP

    11:18 AM on 07/28/2009

    CHICAGO (AP) -- In Michelle Obama's hometown, working women hustle back and forth from home to the office in stylish shoes they can walk fast and far in. They wear chic but commonsense coats that keep them warm in the winters -- and those famous sleeveless tops favored by the first lady in the summer.

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  • Tyler Perry beat the odds as black studio owner

    By UrbanAmerica.com

    3:42 PM on 07/27/2009

    From urbanmecca.com. Tyler Perry is known today as the first African-American to own a major film and TV studio. He's a pioneer whose own life story is a rags-to-riches tale that reads like a screenplay. Now a writer, actor, director and producer -- Perry's success grew out of a troubled...

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  • Author E. Lynn Harris dies at age 54

    Author E. Lynn Harris dies at age 54

    By theGrio via AP

    4:09 PM on 07/24/2009

    E. Lynn Harris, a pioneer of gay black fiction and a literary entrepreneur who rose from self-publishing to best-selling status, has died, his publicist said Friday. He was 54. Publicist Laura Gilmore said Harris died Thursday night after being stricken at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills...

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  • The Afro Punk movement; an outspoken subculture grows

    The Afro Punk movement; an outspoken subculture grows

    By Julia Mayes

    12:12 PM on 07/24/2009

    Though often overlooked or seen as contradictions to the norm, members of the Afro Punk community could soon be headed the direction they never expected -- mainstream. Growing numbers of African American youth are following the leads of pop artists and celebrities and adopting Afro Punk fashions. Meanwhile, long-time practitioners...

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  • Attorney for Jackson doctor says police are seeking evidence of manslaughter

    Attorney for Jackson doctor says police are seeking evidence of manslaughter

    By theGrio via AP

    3:19 PM on 07/22/2009

    HOUSTON (AP) -- Authorities searched the Houston clinic of Michael Jackson's doctor Wednesday, and his attorney said they were seeking evidence of manslaughter.

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  • Teens express themselves through poetry slam

    Teens express themselves through poetry slam

    By theGrio

    9:15 AM on 07/21/2009

    Hundreds of young people from around the country recently gathered in Chicago to step up to the mic and express themselves through words. They are all participants in a program called 'Brave New Voices' which presents poetry. They are young writers, free thinkers and spoken word artists who have a...

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  • Chris Brown makes public apology

    Chris Brown makes public apology

    By theGrio

    8:52 AM on 07/21/2009

    Watch an excerpt of Chris Brown's apology Singer Chris Brown is publicly apologizing for beating his former girlfriend, Rihanna. Brown released a two-minute video on his web site, telling his fans that he's sorry for his behavior. "I wish I had the chance to live those moments again but, unfortunately,...

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  • NBA star accused of writing bad checks appears in court

    NBA star accused of writing bad checks appears in court

    By theGrio via AP

    4:17 PM on 07/20/2009

    Former NBA all-star Antoine Walker appeared briefly in a Las Vegas court to face criminal charges in a case involving an $822,500 casino gambling debt. The 6-foot-9 Walker said nothing inside or outside the courtroom...

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