There was a time in professional sports, especially in football, when an athlete who had just scored a touchdown or made a significant play would always look into the camera and say, “Hi Mom” or “Thanks Pop” The parental involvement in the development of athletes, particularly Black athletes has taken a definite turn and it is not too positive

As we approach another holiday season of gratitude, giving and being thankful, what lessons have we learned from the current economic conditions Many of us have been living beyond our means for a long time and people of color especially have stressed themselves into early graves in their quest to “keep up with the Joneses” and to “give their children the things they did not have

People of color are often accused of being hypersensitive when it comes to “perceived discriminations” and there is little recourse when there are issues that they feel they are being specifically singled out A case in point is credit checks that many Blacks feel are used against them because of their historically low scores in comparison to their White counterparts

With prolific careers and flamboyant lifestyles to their credit, our cast of stars in the favorites column of sports legends left indelible marks on our readers and in our history books In ranking the favorite sports legends, past and present, we asked our readers to look beyond their favorite sport as well as gender in making their choices

The famous expression, “behind every great man, there is a great woman” speaks volumes about the support and encouragement that women have provided to their men over the centuries This is not just a case of “standing by your man,” but also “standing up for what is right” and making a difference along the way

According to Entrepreneur, there are an estimated 600,000 businesses that are started annually in a wide range of industries and that number changes very little due to economic conditions at hand In other words, in good times, starting up your own business occurs because ideas as well as funding flows more freely and, in bad times, increased job layoffs and business closures provide incentives to starting up your own business or to buy other struggling operations and to re-launch them

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines arrogance as “an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions” This is one of the terms that were used to describe why Adrian Fenty was not re-elected as mayor of the nation’s capitol

While the news was briefly all abuzz with the $100 million donation from one of the Facebook founders Mark Zuckerberg to help bolster the New Jersey school system, the plight of the Black students, in many of the poorest performing schools districts continues to take a back seat in the discussion Whether to pay more in salaries to recruit more qualified teachers, increase funding for much needed supplies or to repair and upgrade outdated buildings are definitely important items to consider, Black students who are not meeting the requirements to graduate and thus are dropping out in record numbers continues to ride under the radar

Black men’s health issues come to the forefront when confronted by tragic deaths of celebrities, sport heroes or national figures Michael Jackson’s sudden death stirred much debate and finger pointing, but no real solutions

In a city where there are three professional sports teams – Browns (football), Indians (baseball) and Cavaliers (basketball), not to mention the one of a kind Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it seems that there should be life after the departure of basketball star LeBron James Many news stories have highlighted what the possible outcome would be with an estimated revenue loss ranging between 20 and 40 million dollars

This past collegiate season has been a heady one for NCAA sports to say the least With conference changes that have impacted recruitment and donations nationwide, NCAA sports is reaching a pinnacle in media entertainment

Much has already been written about the plight of Black entrepreneurs and the major issues that have kept them from achieving significant benchmarks These issues have included lack of diversity in contracting and financing opportunities

With a Black President, many discussions have been re-kindled regarding the treatment of Blacks in various facets of American society One area that still lacks in the depth required to first, identify problems and issues, and second, outline and implement solutions involves the care and support of Black veterans

For many of us watching documentaries about the Motown Sound and the musical giants in the spotlight and those behind the scenes brings back happy memories For others, it reflects the relationships that took place among those performers who, at the end of the day, were just people

With the musical “FELA” making a successful jump from off Broadway to the “Great White Way” with great reviews and repeat audiences; it is becoming more and more apparent that the quality of off Broadway plays has stepped up tremendously New York City is becoming the leading “staycation” spot for American tourists planning domestic travel and a night at the theater is high on their wish lists

With African Americans following the principles of the late, legendary coach Vince Lombardi who stated that “winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing” (with two African American coaches recently winning Super Bowls), diversity should be a top priority for the National Football League (NFL) However, two other professional sports leagues, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Baseball (MLB) are making strong cases for diversity and inclusion

Father’s Day is the annual celebration of the males who inspire and motivate their children Recently, African American males have been repeatedly (and one-sidedly) bashed by the media as “deadbeat,” “absentee” and “abusive

The quote “a picture is worth a thousand words” is especially true in African American films and their importance in the development of African Americans, males in particular The imagery portrayed in films today has significantly influenced how African Americans perceive themselves and how they are viewed by the world around them

Many have written about the lackluster performance of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ star player LeBron James during the NBA playoff series against the Boston Celtics With a team that included Shaquille O’Neal and James, a ring should have been on the horizon

With the current fashion trends focused on menswear inspired clothing for women ranging from double breasted suit jackets to re-vamped oxfords with heels, the fashion tips for men seem to be leaning more toward informal attire coupled with the basics in fabric and design Black men continue to set standards and they have made an art out of comfortable living through clothes and setting an example for others

African American media is more important than ever to address not only the many stereotypes about African Americans, but also to highlight many of the issues that impact the African American community and other communities of color With the decreasing numbers in media diversity, the voices disseminating the messages to the viewing and listening public are sadly causing a rise in many misperceptions that exist in society as it pertains to people of color

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are names that may not be well received these days in light of the mortgage crisis that has swept the country The government takeover of these giants in 2008, after their loss of billions of dollars amid the meltdown in the subprime mortgage business, impacted another community enterprise—Black charities

The ongoing discussions and protests surrounding health care reform have brought out many hidden agendas to the forefront of America’s societal framework Issues of race, gender, class, geography, physical limitations and age have been used towards proactive and destructive ends with buzz words including “nationalized healthcare” receiving rallying cries of support as well as tea party protests

Black art work has been making a comeback, but not in the traditional models that most people would identify with Paintings and sculptures by such noted Black artists as Henry Ossawa Tanner, Jacob Lawrence, Horace Pippin and Augusta Savage highlighted the beauty of the craft and their true genius, but not the degradation and disrespect they endured

Fighting to stay on their land with the gospel hymn “I Shall not be Moved” to motivate them, Black farmers may finally have a friend in government who understands their decades old struggles Recently, the United States government announced a $1

Have you tried to find out the statistics on single males who happen to be Black The majority of the information you will find when you search the internet for “single males” is a vast array of dating sites that assure you that they are the premiere location for finding the “man toy” of your choice, but there is nothing detailing why these single males are out there

Charles McIlwain, a noted math teacher and school administrator died recently after a valiant fight against cancer The lives that he touched in Roosevelt, N

Did you know that among the 3000 people lost in the collapse of the World Trade Towers on Sept 11, 2001, that there were 12 Black firefighters who lost their lives in the massive rescue effort

With all the discussion about the growth industries including health, IT, education, green technologies, etc that will lead the country out of its fiscal slump, you do not hear much about Black-owned businesses being a “growth area,” but it should be

With the full impact of the housing crisis still in the forefront for Blacks, who have been systematically discriminated against in the housing market, the historical connections of the illustrious Hansberry family illustrates just how long Blacks have struggled and identifies earlier problems that could have been avoided

Experts agree that doing something you love gives meaning to your life Many people may have passions they would like to pursue, but the need to be practical often supersedes the dreams

Valentine’s Day is the holiday that is safe to “bring on the heat” and “showcase the ice” It allows couples to look for Valentines Day gifts that either “fire” the thermometer up on romance or “cool” it down with the presents such as diamonds

As the country watched the extensive custody battle waged by David Goldman and his supporters to get his son Sean back in the United States from the Brazilian government and his deceased wife’s family, fathers of color continue to wage similar battles right here in the United States Many of these fathers can barely afford the gas to travel the miles even within the same state to attend the endless hearings, psychological assessments, attorney briefings and other legal wrangling that impedes their primary objective to maintain contact with their children

When business experts and the media projected the rise of employment consulting and focused on it as an emerging industry model, many began to set their sights on elaborate titles, freedom and ultimate time control As we approached the new millennium leading publications, including Business Week, projected double digit growth of the consulting profession in under five years

The current economic climate has generated an ill wind over the job market of the country and hampered decisions for African Americans, particularly African American males, to pursue the best career choices for themselves While many are facing the daily challenge of trying to find work when thousands are losing their jobs, others are just not happy where they are working

As the media industry joins the ranks of others that are facing tremendous declines and losing advertising revenue, African Americans in the media have also faced extreme challenges First, the underrepresentation of African Americans in the media on the covers and in the board rooms is significant

A recent holiday cartoon by acclaimed cartoonist Walt Handelsman featured a number of empty gift boxes that were labeled “jobs” and the character in the cartoon was looking inside one of them quite disappointed That view reflects the mindset of most regarding the state of American unemployment

Male and female relationships are usually classified in sexual terms or based on physical attributes What is so often lost is the dynamic of a genuinely platonic relationship between a man and a woman

Saving money is always high on the agenda during an economic crisis for all families struggling to make ends meet when there is less Unfortunately, with the increase in job losses and business closures, the concept of saving money and income investing to “build a nest egg for the future” has taken a back seat to more practical realities including keeping a roof overhead and food on the table for most families today

Employment options in the general market are coming under much scrutiny with businesses being shuttered by the economy and major corporations seeking government funding to stay afloat African American employment opportunities have historically been diverse due to cultural and social as well as economic considerations

With the amount of discussion on clean air initiatives, renewable energy and the whole “greening” of America, we are neglecting another emerging industry that is ripe with opportunities and vital for national security That industry is education and the opportunities are ripe for Black male teachers who lag behind in applications for positions at all levels

There is a saying that when White people are in a recession, that Black people are in a depression and that is quite true in this current economic recession People of color, especially Black people, and most particularly Black men are feeling the full brunt of the economic recession that has often resembled a depression that mirrors the “Great One” of the 1930s

Who ever heard of proactive sibling rivalry Well, until you have spoken to or heard classical pianists Nerva and Robenson Altino you would not believe it existed

Wouldn’t it be nice if President Obama spoke up for fathers’ child custody rights; those who are being beat down by the family court system instead of the minority who are deadbeats Where is the conversation and uproar on fathers’ child custody rights for them

New York State has a historic track record with the caliber of Black politicians it has launched onto the national platform With congressional dynamos including the late Adam Clayton Powell Jr

Although Father’s Day continues to lag behind Mother’s Day in the spirit of giving, it is no less important as an opportunity to celebrate parenthood and the role of fathers How the celebration has changed in terms of gifts for Father’s Day is a reflection of society’s view of fathers and the dynamics that comprise a family