The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress is holding its 21st annual Letter Writing Contest for young readers grades 4 through 10  The submission deadline is Friday, January 11, 2013.

On Tuesdays, January 8, 2013 through Tuesday, March 26, 2013, from 2p to 3:30p, seniors, ages 60 and better, are invited to hit the gym at the John E. Howard Senior Activity Center for some basketball. 

Hoop-It-Up Basketball for seniors is a FREE activity.  Seniors will enjoy playing 3 on 3 half court scrimmages, timed shooting drills and free-throw shooting.  Call 301-735-2400 to register.

The John E. Howard Senior Activity Center in Capitol Heights, Maryland includes a fitness room, billiards room, creative arts room, classroom for a variety of learning opportunities, social room and gymnasium. The senior center also offers a variety of classes, special events, day trips, clubs and social activities.

Civil rights for Blacks, women, and the poor, the U.S. judicial system, police brutality, prison reform, gun control, political dissent and drug abuse were issues Shirley Chisholm consistently spoke out on when she ran for the presidency. George McGovern won the Democratic presidential nomination, but Chisholm captured ten percent of the delegates' votes.

Read More | Chisholm in Her Own Words

Kwanzaa Celebrations

Brunswick Branch
Gary Public Library
4030 W. 5th Avenue
Gary, IN,
Wed, Dec 26 – Sat, Dec 29 and Mon, Dec 31 noon, free

The DC Citywide Kwanzaa Planning Committee
Kwanzaa Calendar and Resource Guide

The 2012 Kwanzaa Extravaganza
The Dance Institute of Washington
Bell Multicultural High School
3101 16th Street
Washington, DC
Thu, Dec 27 and Fri, Dec 28, 6:30p, $15

Kwanzaa Celebration Potluck
Metropolitan Community Church
474 Ridge St NW
Washington DC
Sat, Dec 29, 5p, Admission:  A dish and/or a positive spirit

Other Events

Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and The March on Washington, 1963
National Museum of American History
NMAAHC Gallery
14th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W.
Now through - Sun, Sep 15, 2013

Up from 31% just two weeks ago, the Port Of Harlem Gambian Education Partnership (POHGEP) is now only 40% away from reaching its goal of raising $2,050. 

POHGEP is also seeking a used laptop for the Baobab Youth Development Association (BYDA). We can provide the funds to clean the laptop.

The POHGEP’s biggest preparation success has been a series of Facebook meetings with the BYDA.  “The meetings gave us a chance to better figure out what development works they want to focus on so they can better communicate to donors their purpose,” says POHGEP's Wayne Young. Historically, the BYDA's efforts have ranged from building community water taps to repairing the roof of the nursery school the young boys picture above attend.

 

Though not heavily reported in American News, Ghana, the Black Star Republic, just held a peaceful election.  President John Mahama won re-election with 50.7% of the vote, negating the need for a run-off election.  Mahama just completed a five month session as president having succeeded John Atta Mills who died suddenly in office in July. His main opposition, Nana Akufo-Addo, received 47.74%.

Akufo-Addo lost the 2008 presidential poll by one percentage point and accepted the result, but questioned this election’s results.  However, according to the BBC, the election was declared free and fair by the regional body, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and a local group, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO). Ghana, one of the world's fastest-growing economies, is regarded as one of Africa's most stable democracies.

• New Harriet Tubman Byway and Centennial Celebration
  
  
• NAACP Latest Hotel Ratings Are Not Good for Blacks
  
  
• Michelle Obama's White and Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies