The Root DC Live - A forum for local news about African Americans.

Posted at 02:54 PM ET, 03/29/2013

Sorority members help young mentees fight teen dating violence

By Lauren McEwen

A local graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority holds teen dating violence awarness walk with mentees.

By Lauren McEwen | 02:54 PM ET, 03/29/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 03/29/2013

Bigger than Rick Ross: an industry that glorifies rape and drug culture

By Rahiel Tesfamariam

The problems hip-hop faces go beyond what artists say and what we are or aren't silent about. Record label executives are complicit as well.

By Rahiel Tesfamariam | 12:00 PM ET, 03/29/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:55 AM ET, 03/29/2013

The state of equality and justice in America: Masters of our own fate

By Marc Morial

If we are to honor Whitney M. Young, one of the unsung visionaries of the Great March and the Urban League's leader from 1961-1971, we must not only be prepared to seize opportunity when it comes, we must be committed to creating opportunity when it does not.

By Marc Morial | 10:55 AM ET, 03/29/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:37 PM ET, 03/28/2013

Things to do in the District, Maryland and Virginia March 28-April 3, 2013

By Jillian S. Sowah

Reggae legend Bob Marley lives with “Three Little Birds” at Adventure Theatre and a tribute concert by Junior Marvin at The Hamilton .

By Jillian S. Sowah | 03:37 PM ET, 03/28/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:50 PM ET, 03/27/2013

Addressing DC's truancy epidemic

By Michael Shank and Allyson Mitchell

With truancy rates soaring in the District’s public schools, some believe that addressing it, with the help of organizations like ACCESS Youth, will help close the educational equity gap in the area.

By Michael Shank and Allyson Mitchell | 12:50 PM ET, 03/27/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:31 AM ET, 03/26/2013

Robert Zimmerman’s ugly, dangerous tweets

By Clinton Yates

In a series of tweets over the past few days the brother of George Zimmerman has expressed a number of racially-charged ideals. Is his way of thinking stuck in the past?

By Clinton Yates | 11:31 AM ET, 03/26/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:41 AM ET, 03/25/2013

Equal access to education: the federal government must step up

By Wade Henderson

For the last forty years, state-based solutions have failed our kids. Without an established national right to education, we risk seeing more of the same over the next 40 years.

By Wade Henderson | 11:41 AM ET, 03/25/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 03/22/2013

‘180 Days’ and ‘American Promise’: Two films that show racial and financial disparities in America’s school systems

By Eisa Nefertari Ulen

Two films scheduled to air on PBS examine schooling in America and feature two vastly different populations. But they both tell a story of how is lived.

By Eisa Nefertari Ulen | 08:00 AM ET, 03/22/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:20 AM ET, 03/22/2013

Prince George’s school take over plan: beyond the silver bullet

By Michelle Renée

OP-ED| School take overs are not silver bullets that will radically fix every school district in the nation. Real reform takes real work.

By Michelle Renée | 07:20 AM ET, 03/22/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:28 AM ET, 03/21/2013

Things to do in the District, Maryland and Virginia March 21-27, 2013

By Jillian S. Sowah

Battle of the Beltway: Lady Terp softball team takes on the Howard University Bison.

By Jillian S. Sowah | 10:28 AM ET, 03/21/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:25 PM ET, 03/20/2013

Rushern Baker’s school take-over plan: Let’s give it a chance

By Keith Harriston

OPINION| Even thought the plan isn’t perfect, trying something bold is a better idea than maintaining the status quo. The current setup is unacceptable.

By Keith Harriston | 05:25 PM ET, 03/20/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:14 PM ET, 03/20/2013

Pastor Joel Osteen, Dwyane Wade, Allan Houston, Michael Redd, Soledad O’Brien and Etan Thomas participate in a fatherhood panel to inspire young people to reach for their dreams

By Etan Thomas

ESSAY| As a former professional basketball player, it always amazes me how much hearing that message from an athlete or rapper or actor they recognize resonates with them.

By Etan Thomas | 04:14 PM ET, 03/20/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:28 PM ET, 03/19/2013

Reince Priebus and the RNC: Will a $10 million investment really help recruit minorities?

By Joseph Williams

OPINION| If the first step to rehabilitation is admitting that you have a problem, Priebus and the Republicans are still living in denial.

By Joseph Williams | 01:28 PM ET, 03/19/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:10 AM ET, 03/19/2013

Lil Wayne leaves the hospital: time for rappers to take their health more seriously

By Clinton Yates

OPINION| I really hope that recent health scares among rappers aren't becoming some badge of honor in the name of hard work.

By Clinton Yates | 11:10 AM ET, 03/19/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Prince William County, Police

Posted at 10:20 AM ET, 03/19/2013

Beyonce sabotages her female empowerment efforts with ‘Bow Down’

By Rahiel Tesfamariam

OPINION| The singer’s latest anthem cannot go without criticism as it sabotages many of her past female empowerment efforts.

By Rahiel Tesfamariam | 10:20 AM ET, 03/19/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:59 PM ET, 03/18/2013

Monday nights at Bohemian Caverns: Young, black and jazzy

By John Murph

REVIEW| One of the most persistent criticisms of jazz is that it doesn’t attract a young black audience. But if you check out Bohemian Caverns on Monday nights, you’ll find a scene that bucks that tired trope.

By John Murph | 05:59 PM ET, 03/18/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:50 PM ET, 03/18/2013

The value of education: What is the true cost of a quality education?

By Curtis Valentine

OP-ED| The stagnant expansion of school choice has pushed Prince George’s parents into private schools or new school districts for what they perceive to be a more quality education.

By Curtis Valentine | 01:50 PM ET, 03/18/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:35 PM ET, 03/18/2013

Rushern Baker and political school takeovers: deja vu all over again

By Alfonzo Porter

OPINION| Turning the schools over to folks who have never taught in a classroom and somehow expecting the schools will improve seems terribly counterintuitive.

By Alfonzo Porter | 01:35 PM ET, 03/18/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:20 PM ET, 03/18/2013

Andre Perry: Confessions of a black education reformer

By Natalie Hopkinson

REVIEW| Loyola University’s Andre Perry uses fiction to peel back the curtain on what happens behind the scenes in urban education reform.

By Natalie Hopkinson | 12:20 PM ET, 03/18/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:53 PM ET, 03/15/2013

Superman isn’t coming: Grassroots efforts to end urban violence

By Rahiel Tesfamariam

Instead of "waiting for Superman," we need community-based solutions to gun violence.

By Rahiel Tesfamariam | 02:53 PM ET, 03/15/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:29 PM ET, 03/15/2013

How to keep black students out of prison

By Allison Brown

Somehow, we have allowed and enabled a level of criminality to creep into public education, like a serpent hungry only for a select few.

By Allison Brown | 02:29 PM ET, 03/15/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:58 AM ET, 03/15/2013

Overcoming the ‘Maternal Wall’

By Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner

Despite comprising half of the paid labor force, only 5 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs are women. The glass ceiling remains solid and a Maternal Wall is blocking the way for many women to even get anywhere near that glass barrier.

By Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner | 11:58 AM ET, 03/15/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:35 PM ET, 03/14/2013

When students are not protected, their potential is wasted

By Natalie Hopkinson

OPINION| Dumping problem kids from your books like a subprime loan may be effective business management, but it’s also a deeply unethical way to operate a system of public education.

By Natalie Hopkinson | 06:35 PM ET, 03/14/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:09 PM ET, 03/14/2013

Uzoamaka Maduka’s ‘American Reader’: A literary journal catered to millennials

By Erin Williams

Q&A| Maduka talked with The RootDC about why it’s so important for younger generations to go beyond their Web browsers and keep craving good literature.

By Erin Williams | 06:09 PM ET, 03/14/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:34 AM ET, 03/14/2013

Things to do in the District, Maryland and Virginia March 14-20, 2013

By Jillian S. Sowah

Bone Thugs at Fillmore, Slick Rick and Rakim at Howard Theater, Bilal at Black Cat and Pink at Verizon Center.

By Jillian S. Sowah | 10:34 AM ET, 03/14/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:11 PM ET, 03/13/2013

Dennis Rodman: What gives?

By Clinton Yates

Going to North Korea is one thing, but The Worm’s appearance in Pope Town takes the cake

By Clinton Yates | 03:11 PM ET, 03/13/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:59 PM ET, 03/13/2013

Sequester set to sock it to D.C.’s poorest

By Michael Shank

The federal budget crisis will wreak havoc for the city’s poor. Mayor Gray should step in and fill the gap.

By Michael Shank | 12:59 PM ET, 03/13/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:51 AM ET, 03/12/2013

Diverse Leadership: The White House is doing it. Can the private sector?

By Chloe Drew

OP-ED| While we have made significant strides towards gender and racial equality in hiring, we must remember that corporate America is not close to fully reflecting the country’s diversity.

By Chloe Drew | 10:51 AM ET, 03/12/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Winter Storms, Latest, Capital Weather Gang, Humor

Posted at 11:29 AM ET, 03/11/2013

Robert Champion: A drum major for healing?

By Alfonzo Porter

ESSAY| The accused in the Florida A&M hazing case now face manslughter charges. It’s yet another dimension to this tragedy.

By Alfonzo Porter | 11:29 AM ET, 03/11/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:00 AM ET, 03/11/2013

A parent’s battle to “balance” work and life

By Allison Brown

OPINION| As a mom, I have become adept at ignoring those instincts of mine that work an inconvenience in my life.

By Allison Brown | 10:00 AM ET, 03/11/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:08 PM ET, 03/08/2013

African American icons talk about the past and future at local college

By Hamil R. Harris

Camille Cosby hosts visionary leaders at Prince Georges Community College

By Hamil R. Harris | 04:08 PM ET, 03/08/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Bill Cosby, Camille Cosby, National Visionary Leadership Project, Prince Georges Community College

Posted at 10:37 AM ET, 03/08/2013

No easy answers to recent Prince George’s violence

By Keith Harriston

A litany of social ills and economic and class differences in the county mean that it’s not easy to curb recent gun violence.

By Keith Harriston | 10:37 AM ET, 03/08/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Latest, Photography, Winter Storms

Posted at 09:20 PM ET, 03/07/2013

Busboys , Poets and change

By Clinton Yates

Busboys and Poets, set to open in DC’s Takoma neighborhood, will likely unify its diverse environs.

By Clinton Yates | 09:20 PM ET, 03/07/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:49 PM ET, 03/07/2013

Things to do in the District, Maryland and Virginia March 7-13, 2013

By Jillian S. Sowah

D.C. United opens its season against Real Salt Lake March 9 at 7 p.m.

By Jillian S. Sowah | 02:49 PM ET, 03/07/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:42 AM ET, 03/07/2013

Bloody Sunday’s 48th anniversary: What bridges need to be crossed today?

By Marita Golden

ESSAY| While commemorating the historic march from Selma to Montgomery last weekend, I thought a lot about bridges.

By Marita Golden | 10:42 AM ET, 03/07/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:12 PM ET, 03/06/2013

Is the sequester a question of race or politics? Or both?

By Barbara Reynolds

OPINION| When you talk to congressional leaders, civil rights activists and others whose constituents are communities of color, the sequestor is about nasty political scenarios and much more.

By Barbara Reynolds | 02:12 PM ET, 03/06/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:05 PM ET, 03/06/2013

Oprah Winfrey’s shameful “Blackboard Wars”: Where “Cops” meets “Dangerous Minds”

By Natalie Hopkinson

It is appalling to witness grown-ups exploit some of our nation’s most vulnerable young people for ratings and national school reform cred.

By Natalie Hopkinson | 12:05 PM ET, 03/06/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:40 PM ET, 03/05/2013

Unexpected Lessons from Selma

By Nicole Austin-Hillery

Those of us who joined Rep. John Lewis this past weekend in Selma witnessed history and the power of redemption.

By Nicole Austin-Hillery | 02:40 PM ET, 03/05/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:09 PM ET, 03/04/2013

The state of equality and justice in America: The pendulum swings between joy and despair

By Laura W. Murphy

As the Supreme Court was set to hear oral arguments in a voting rights case, my emotions wavered between excitement and sadness.

By Laura W. Murphy | 02:09 PM ET, 03/04/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:31 PM ET, 03/04/2013

Some inconvenient truths about Prince George’s County

By Mel Franklin

OP-ED | How can we stop the violence in the county? Build stronger family units and provide stricter punishments for offenders.

By Mel Franklin | 12:31 PM ET, 03/04/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:03 PM ET, 03/01/2013

School superintendents offer wisdom on school “reform”

By Allison Brown

Our guest superintendents said that it’s less about school reform and more about school “transition”

By Allison Brown | 02:03 PM ET, 03/01/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:34 AM ET, 03/01/2013

DC boxer seeks his own path to glory

By Gautham Nagesh

David Grayton is climbing the DC boxing ranks. Will he have the support he needs to make a serious run?

By Gautham Nagesh | 10:34 AM ET, 03/01/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

UniverSoul Circus| Security Square Mall, MD

Big Nate| Adventure Theatre MTC, MD

The Submission| Olney Theatre Center, MD

The Root DC Live: March, 2013