Evonne and Deon Derrico of Las Vegas, NV have a 7-year-old daughter, a 3-year-old son and 1-year-old twin boys. On September 6 their family grew by five when Evonne gave birth to a healthy set of quintuplets without the use of any fertility drugs. They always wanted a big family, but didn't expect for it to grow so much so soon. The couple initially thought they were having … [Read more...]
Mom Gives Dolls Natural Hair Makeovers
As she shopped with her two daughters, Karen Byrd noted that while there are more black dolls out on the market, they still lacked the diversity she was missing from her childhood toys. The California mom set out on a mission to create dolls that young girls can relate to. Through her company, Natural Girls United, Byrd customizes dolls with handmade hairstyles. Each style … [Read more...]
Collection of Essays Looks to Change Views On Black Fatherhood
Twenty writers came together to share their experiences and stories on fatherhood in an anthology titled, Bet on Black; African-American Woman Celebrate Fatherhood in the Age of Barack Obama to help break the image of absent black fathers. The independently published book, featuring authors such as Karen Good Marable and Yannick Rice Lamb, is set to release on Amazon on … [Read more...]
Couple Transforms Canceled Wedding Into Event for Homeless
Willie and Carol Fowler were set to have an elaborate wedding for their daughter. Just forty days before the ceremony, the event was canceled. Instead of losing the space and their deposits, the Atlanta couple recreated the guest list to include 200 homeless people. Carol recounts how her husband stopped her from canceling out the venue after praying about it the night … [Read more...]
New Judge Rules Baby’s Name Change Unconstitutional
This past August, Tennessee mother, Jaleesa Martin, was ordered by Judge Lu Ann Ballew to change the name of her son, "Messiah," as it was labeled a title earned by Jesus Christ only. On Wednesday, Chancellor Telford E. Forgety, Jr. overturned Ballew's decision ruling that the original order was unconstitutional. A dispute between Jaleesa and the baby's father, Jawaan … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Arizona Teen Donates Bone Marrow to Save Brothers’ Lives
Kristine Buchanan has five sons. When she was pregnant with her youngest, Jonathan, they found a cyst on his heart and predicted he wouldn't live. Fifteen years later, not only is Jonathan healthy, he is a perfect match to donate bone marrow to his older twin brothers who have sickle cell anemia. In and out of the hospital and on pain medication for most of their lives, Josh … [Read more...]
Several University of Alabama Sororities Deny Black Girls for Induction
She graduated high school as salutatorian with a 4.3 G.P.A., is a member of a well-respected family with ties to the university and is active in public service. However, according to an article in The University of Alabama student newspaper, The Crimson White, the girl is one of two who were not considered for membership this year in at least four of the campus' sororities … [Read more...]
Couple Works to Bring Awareness and Diversity to National Parks
A man in a Belize bar asked Frank Peterman if the old Western movies accurately depicted the Badlands and Grand Canyon. When Frank, who grew up in the United States, couldn't tell him, he suggested to his wife, Audrey, that they take a two-month-long road trip across the country to see those places and others. That was in 1995. Decades later, the Petermans have become national … [Read more...]
VIDEO: 48 Years Later Black Football Champs Get Their Rings
The 1965 Trinity High School football team of Georgia finally received their due prize 48 years after enduring threats and winning the title of state champs. An undefeated season is what lead all-black Trinity High School to face a championship game against the also all-black powerhouse team, Wilson High School of Tifton, GA. According to Trinity player, Willie "Clank" … [Read more...]
Family Remembers Man Who Fathered 54 Children
Samuel Delbert Whitney was well-known in south Phoenix for operating a wrecking yard, running several social clubs and fathering many children. When he passed away last month at the age of 87, he left behind an estimated 54 kids. Ranging from ages 69 to 13, initially no one was sure just how many children Whitney had. His oldest step-daughter was told by her late father that … [Read more...]
Students Let Off at Wrong Stop Leave Parents Questioning
Both parents and students are troubled by the events that took place on a Broward County School bus in Florida on Monday. Minutes away from Forest Glen Middle School in Coral Springs, seven students were let off the bus in the wrong city. Original reports state that the female students, aged 10 to 13, were supposed to be let off in Coral Springs, but where dropped off 8 … [Read more...]
Homeless Teen Raises Funds to Attend Howard University
Since 14, James Ward, his mom and two younger siblings have lived between shelters, relative's homes and a car until they reached the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angles in 2012. Within the last week, Ward, 19, has raised $12,000 through his online campaign, "Homeless To Howard," to pay for his first year of college at Howard University. With donations through Paypal, the … [Read more...]
QUESTION: Should Your Pastor Be at a Rap Concert?
What may seem like a harmless guilty pleasure to some cost Pastor Rodney Wills his job. After attending a Rick Ross concert on Saturday night, Pastor Wills arrived to church on Sunday morning to find his parking sign removed and his name missing from the office door. Upon learning of Wills' attendance to the concert, the deacons met at 11 p.m. Saturday night; with an 11 to 3 … [Read more...]
Actress Garcelle Beauvais Explores Diversity in New Children’s Book
Haitian-born actress, Garcelle Beauvais, was the only black girl in her class when she arrived in Massachusetts as a child. Today, she raises three children of her own, including bi-racial twin boys. Her experiences then and now encouraged her to began a children's book series entitled "I Am." The first book of the series, "I Am Mixed" focuses on brother and sister, Jay and … [Read more...]
Why Being Happily Married Makes You a Better Businesswoman
Leading a business and being married have a lot in common. Both require building partnerships and maintaining commitment. A recent article by Forbes suggests that a happy marriage can lead to being a better CEO. As the saying goes, "a happy wife is a happy life" and through his research, Steve Cooper has found that being happily married--not just being married-- is … [Read more...]