Oldest living vet in U.S. still smokes cigars, drives, drinks whiskey. At 108.
MSN News – Richard Overton, 108, is thought to be the oldest living veteran in the United States. But he’s as active as ever. Read more
Lupita Nyong’o seeks preservation of Richmond slave-trade history
Richmond Times-Dispatch – “Twelve Years a Slave” actress Lupita Nyong’o is lending her star power to the opposition to a minor league baseball stadium in what was once the center of Richmond’s thriving slave-trading center. Read more
California enacts ban on Confederate flag
Al Jazeera America – California Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation on Thursday prohibiting state agencies from selling or displaying items bearing the Confederate flag. Read more
Newspaper sorry for cartoon comparing air travel to slave ships
The Guardian – A Pennsylvania newspaper on Friday apologised for publishing an editorial cartoon that compared aeroplane seating conditions to those on slave ships. In-flight arguments over crowded conditions and reclinable seats, some forcing flights to divert …
Preserving Black history, Americans care for national treasures at home
NPR – The relics and heirlooms of African-American families, the Smithsonian says, can help tell the story of America — and should be preserved. To that end, the museum is educating people about how to take care …
Preservationists look to Harlem to safeguard Madam C.J. Walker estate
NY Daily News – The sprawling mansion, which served as a gathering place for notable leaders of the Harlem Renaissance, may soon be on the market — but it is not legally protected from demolition. Preservationists want …
10 essential African-American photographers
Flavor Wire – Thomas Allen Harris’ documentary Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People will be playing at New York’s Film Forum through September 9. Read more
Thousands attend African-American festival in Richmond
Times Dispatch – The free event at Abner Clay Park in Historic Jackson Ward attracted thousands of people, some of whom danced and watched performances from black musicians and learned about African and African-American culture. Read more
‘Aunt Jemima’ heirs file $2 billion lawsuit against Pepsi and Quaker Oats
Chicago Tribune – D.W. Hunter, the great grandson of Anna Short Harrington, the woman who became “Aunt Jemima,” has filed a class action lawsuit against PepsiCo, The Quaker Oats Company, Pinnacle Foods Group and The Hillshire Brands …
‘Exodus: Gods and Kings’ sparks online boycott after whitewashing ancient Egyptians
Atlanta Black Star – With the film boasting actors such as Christian Bale and Sigourney Weaver, one can’t help notice a surprising lack of Black and brown actors in a film that is supposed to be set …
Harvard diploma of first African-American grad to be auctioned
Chicago Tribune – Richard T. Greener was the first African-American to graduate from Harvard in 1870. He was also dean of Howard University’s law school, a U.S. diplomat and an advocate for racial equality. He later lived …
Historic African-American church to sell for $6.5M
ABC News – A historic African-American church in Georgetown that has welcomed worshippers for more than a century is being sold to a developer. While the pastor blames the sale on a dwindling congregation, some church members …
Museum to be built in SC where slaves entered US
Hattiesburg American – A $75 million International African American Museum will be built in South Carolina on Charleston Harbor where tens of thousands of slaves first set foot in the United States. Read more