On Tuesday, July 10, 2012, The Leaders Network, a clergy-based disaster relief and social justice advocacy organization, held an emergency coalition meeting with 60 ministers and pastors from different communities and cultures to strategize how the faith  community can respond to the escalating violence in Chicago neighborhoods. The meeting was held at the Greater St. John Bible Church located on 1256 N. Wa ...

The women’s Council of Community Intercession established by 5th Senate District Democratic candidate Dr. Patricia Van Pelt-Watkins, held its first meeting Monday, July 10, 2012 at Wallace Catfish Corner. The citywide group of women rallying around the need for bold and immediate action regarding the issue of public safety, human rights and self-determination. Dr. Watkins declared that we need a Movement. T ...

Providence St. Mel has a track record that speaks for itself. For the last thirty four-years 100% of all Providence St. Mel graduating seniors have been accepted into four year universities. It takes extreme planning and coordination to gather such a bunch of alumni for fun. On Saturday July 14, 2012 Providence St. Mel Alumni Association hosted the First Annual Providence St. Mel All Classic Picnic. Hundred ...

Key Verse: “And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” (1 Samuel 7:3)   FIRST WORDS… This week’s lesson comes on the heels of our Independence Day celebration, ...

By Wilmer J. Leon III NNPA Columnist Some of the most sweeping decisions pertaining to civil liberties for Americans came during the Warren Court (1953-1969). The Warren Court ended school segregation with the Brown v. Board of Education (1954) decision.  In Mapp v. Ohio (1961) the Warren Court established the exclusionary rule which banned courts from using evidence obtained in violation of the Fourteenth ...

By Gary L. Flowers NNPA Columnist Last week, in the latest example of political posturing, the House of Representatives’ Oversight and Government Reform Committee voted to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt for not producing certain documents relating to the “Fast and Furious” program of providing guns to drug gangs and tracking their use in Mexico. The White House, meanwhile, cited executive pri ...

By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist Ai-Jen Poo, a powerful and passionate advocate for the rights of domestic workers, leads the National Domestic Workers Alliance.  Who are these folks?  They are the private household workers (maids) who propped up inept women in the movie, The Help. They are the home health aides who take care of our elders when they are ill or disabled, bringing them meals, bathing them, ...

By Charlene Crowell NNPA Columnist Despite some signs of housing recovery America remains a nation burdened by high housing costs, according to a new report from Harvard University. The report, State of the Nation’s Housing 2012, finds some signs of recovery in the housing market in spite of continuing concerns about foreclosures and the border economy. Whether renting or buying a home, the number of househ ...

The Community Outreach and Evangelism Ministries of Friendship Baptist Church, located at 5200 West Jackson Blvd., are hosting a Body and Soul Wellness Check Health Fair on July 14th from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. There will be Prayer Warriors and Health Practitioners on site to address your spiritual and health needs.  Representatives from Loretto Hospital, Saint Anthony Hospital, Westside Health Authority, Smil ...

ARIES Here’s a chance to get to the bottom of an issue that’s been bothering you for quite some time. This week you’ll feel objective enough to focus on the situation, and not the person who may unwittingly have caused the situation. TAURUS Information flows smoothly to and from you this week. You are in your element as communications come and go. You’ll learn much as you listen and observe others. Be easy ...