King and Drama Queen on the Throne

Forget being “on one” the Super Dee Duper stars Jay –Z and Kanye West are on two. The New York Post is reporting that the BFF’s that share “The Throne” are in a money spat. Reportedly, Jay-Z and Kayne are “barely speaking” because West wants a competitive (and pricey) show while Jay wants a somewhat lower profile to keep the cost down.

The Post reported that, Jay-Z  is being “meticulous about the cost” because he is trying to pay back the advance money they have from Live Nation and the more than $400,000 per show would delay their ability to pay that debt.

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Christina Sanders

Bill Gates: Having a High School Diploma is Simply Not Enough

At the recent convening of the National Urban League’s Annual gathering in Boston, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates discussed education and the need for advancements to be made in the African-American and Latino communities.

One key moment in the discussion was the observation that Bill Gates offered about poverty and education. Gates suggested that poverty does not have to be eliminated in order to have an adequate education system. Rather, he insinuates that we must do more to have stronger education system and that will begin to address and eradicate poverty.

Gates further shares his thoughts on high school diplomas not being enough for young Americans to be successful. He suggested that more emphasis be placed on educating black and Latino students with concerted efforts to lift those communities.

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Christina Sanders

Is Dr. Boyce the new 50 Cent?

First, let me start this blog by saying that I have the utmost respect for Dr. Boyce Watkins and his work and regularly follow his blog, Your Black World, as it is very insightful. That said, I have been getting thrown off base by Dr. Boyce as he has been on a Lil’ Wayne hating spree for the past couple of weeks.

At first glance I thought that maybe he was pointing some legitimate, new-found concerns, but his recent article proclaiming that, BET has Become the New KKK leaves me with the “oh hell nall” face.

Hit the jump to find out what Dr. Boyce had to say…

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Christina Sanders

146 Years Freedmen, Celebrating Juneteenth 2011

As a native Texans and Houstonian, I have always been exposed to “Juneteenth” celebrations. Juneteenth events recognize the day, June 19, 1865 when enslaved African-Americans in Texas first got word that they had been freed. On September 22, 1862 President Abraham Lincoln signed the Proclamation which took over two years before generals landed on Galveston Bay to render the news. 146 years ago this year, marks the day that Union General Gordon Granger and about 2,000 federal troops (some black union soldiers from the north), to ensure that the freeing of the enslaved Africans on plantations in America’s South.

Many of the formerly enslaved persons migrated from the plantations on along the Brazos River to Houston. Once they reached Houston, they wasted little time coming together and getting organized. A historic neighborhood called, “Freedman’s Town” was erected and was where Blacks from Houston lived. Freedman’s Town, named to describe them being “Free Men,” was located in an areas of Houston designated as the “Fourth ward.”

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Christina Sanders

#NewMusicSunday: Lil’ Wayne x “How to Love”

Lil’ Wayne wants to teach us “how to love.”

He is singing and it is really good (maybe Diddy can get a page on how to make that singing stuff work). This song is very different as it has no guns, no purple stuff and no Martians – Just “How to Love” and I LOVE IT!

This will turn a table on him and his market – can’t wait to see how this takes the industry by storm — No ceilings!

[LISTEN] after the jump

Posted by:

Christina Sanders