While there are companies that offer maternity leave for women in the form of Family Medical Leave or short-term disability, there is still a large number of women who must take an unpaid leave after giving birth. There is a possibility this could change. The “Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act" or FAMILY Act, proposed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) earlier this month, … [Read more...]
Are People Happier With or Without Kids?
Until recently, most research has shown that those without children are more satisfied in life than those who have them. Several new studies have concluded, however, that data may not be completely accurate anymore. Princeton University and Stony Brook University published a report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science that found "very little difference" … [Read more...]
SNL Casts First Black Female In Six Years
Sasheer Zamata has been honing her comedic skills with the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York while producing and starring in her own sketch comedy routines floating around the Internet. Zamata will make her Saturday Night Live debut as their newest cast member when the new season starts on January 18. The University of Virginia graduate joins the cast following the … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Keeping Up With the Derrico Quintuplets
Last September, Evonne and Deon Derrico's family grew from four children to nine when Evonne gave birth to quintuplets. TODAY recently caught up with the family to see how they're doing. When the couple appeared on ABC's The View last October, two of the five children remained in the hospital. Currently, all five children are home with their four older siblings. "I won't … [Read more...]
Georgia Senior Suspended for Hugging Teacher
Duluth High School senior, Sam McNair, of Georgia has been suspended for a year for violating Gwinnett County Public Schools’ sexual harassment policy. McNair, a student athlete on the school's football and lacrosse teams, will be unable to finish his senior year after he hugged one of his teachers last month. A surveillance video shows McNair walking up behind a teacher and … [Read more...]
Sydney’s Book Club: Promoting Early Reading and Building Strong Communities
Tiffany Dickerson of Seven Springs, North Carolina, passed her love for reading on to her now 4-year-old daughter, Sydney. Creating a book club themed party for Sydney's second birthday sparked what would become Tiffany's non-profit organization, Sydney's Book Club (SBC), dedicated to creating opportunities to engage parents and children in reading. Established in 2009 and … [Read more...]
One School Reminds Girls that You’re Not a Princess
Many girls grow up around the imagery of a princess. From donning onesies that read "Daddy's Little Princess" to watching them in movies and adorning their rooms or wardrobe. One Kentucky high school recently released a new ad letting girls know that they can be much more than the princess images they see. Phrases like, "You're not a princess," and "Don't wait for a … [Read more...]
Young Couple Writes Book to Share the Keys to Success in College
Carrie and Emeka Anazia graduated Summa Cum Laude from North Carolina A&T State University in 2011 and 2012, respectively. They married last December and released their first book, Acing The Undergrad: Your Personal Mentor, this fall. Heavily involved in mentoring and leadership roles on campus while balancing part-time jobs and academics, Carrie and Emeka share the … [Read more...]
Good Idea or Not: ‘Roots’ To Be Recreated by The History Channel
An idea by Michael Stiller, Vice President of Program Development at History, spurred channel executives to begin meetings with writers and creators for a remake of the 1977 TV miniseries, Roots. The original series, based on Alex Haley's book, Roots: The Saga of an America Family, was an eight part drama that first aired on ABC 36 years ago. The film went on to earn 36 Emmy … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Award-Winning Producer Encourages Men to Man Up!
Shannon Sanders, award-winning music producer and songwriter, has a a message for men: man up. As the music director for India Arie, Sanders helped create videos for her hits "Brown Skin" and "Video" among others and is ready to debut a video of his own. The song carries the message "It takes a man, to teach a man, to be a man," asking men to "man up" and raise their … [Read more...]
Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha Expecting First Child
Social media is abuzz on Thursday nights in anticipation and discussion of ABC's show Scandal. Kerry Washington, the show's main star is creating even more excitement after her wedding to NFL player, Nnamdi Asomugha: she is pregnant with her first child. Us Weekly was among the first to confirm the news with a source stating that she's about four months along. This will be … [Read more...]
First-Time Mom is Building a Play Place for Autistic Children
Shell Jones of Michigan began noticing odd behavior from her son, Duane, at 10 months. By age 2, Duane had been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Unable to find a suitable place for him to enjoy himself, Jones came up with the Play Place for Autistic Children. Chuck E. Cheese is one of Duane's favorite places to play. There is even a Teletubbie toy in the … [Read more...]
Update: Las Vegas Family of Quintuplets Appear on The View
Last month, Las Vegas couple Evonne and Deon Derrico delivered quintuplets to add to their household of four children. On Monday, they made an appearance with two of the newest additions on ABC's The View to give an update on how they are doing since the birth. With Dariz and Deonee cuddled with mom--who hardly looks like she's recently had five children-- and dad on the … [Read more...]
Would You Purchase Breast Milk Online?
New moms often hear the phrase "breast is best" when it comes to feeding their newborns. However, when a mother adopts or is simply unable to breastfeed, what are her options? While some believe the next best thing is online breast milk banks, a recent study shows breast milk purchased online yields a high risk of contaminates. Researcher, Sarah A. Keim, of Nationwide … [Read more...]
NAACP Announces Female Lead for First Interim President
Since their establishment in 1909, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has never had an interim president, until now. On Saturday, national board of directors member, Lorraine C. Miller, was named interim president and CEO of the organization. Miller's background includes serving as the first African-American clerk and officer of the U.S. … [Read more...]