“Kids are suffering. If I can be a voice for that, then here I am,” said Anthony Hamilton, Grammy award winning R&B singer and new national spokesman for the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). He joined CASA to bring awareness to the neglected children in the community and the world.

Hamilton is looking for a few good African American men to be mentors to the more than 152, 000 African American children in the United States child welfare system. Currently, there are only 8,400 volunteers.

From 2001-2006, Bernie Mac, the late American comedian, was the “star” of a television show appropriately titled “The Bernie Mac Show.” This was a very funny sitcom that was based on his life with his wife after they instantly became the parents of his drug-addicted sister’s three children. Some of the show’s most memorable scenes were those with Bernie Mac speaking directly to the television audience. He always began this monologue with “America, …” and continued by detailing his inner thoughts about what he was dealing with in his unique (for him) parental situation at hand that made him scratch his head in a logical manner.

Rev. Dr. Terrance D. Grant-Malone, the dynamic pastor of the St. John Missionary Baptist Church on Dowling, said, “Without struggle, there is no progress.” Since its inception in August 1899, the church has endured its share of hardships, but because of the solid foundation on which it was built, it stands today as a testimony and symbol of the kingdom of God on earth. The church was established during an era when the accumulation of material possessions was not as it is today, but the faith of the small group of charter members was so unmovable that it official has been designated as a Texas Historical Marker. The dedication ceremony of the historical marker was held on Sunday, August 22, 2010, at 3:30 P.M.

There is help for those who find themselves financially strapped. There is help for those who are disabled and handicapped. There is help for those who need someone to interfere or come between the affairs of another for modification, an intervention.

Gray hair and beard, skullcap – which hot celebrity has gone retro in his style? OMG, it’s Ice Cube! He has gone old man on us, America! There is, however, no need to distress. He has assumed this look for a character he plays in his latest movie, “Lottery Ticket” of which he is also the executive producer.

It may not be a national holiday, but the first day of school might as well be. Some children await the arrival of this day with the same anticipation as they do Christmas. They are unable to sleep on Christmas Eve and the day before the first day of school as they await the arrival of Santa Clause and the new school year. New clothing is purchased (even though it will be uniforms more often than not) as it is done on Easter.

Apple iPod, True Religion jeans, Gucci handbags, Juicy Couture shades, Ed Hardy shoes – today’s teens are living in a material world, a concept pop singer Madonna made vogue in the mid-eighties with her controversial song “Material Girl” with lyrics that referenced how she wanted riches over romance.

Before summer ends and school starts, take a family vacation while there is still time. For some families their vacation may have been put on hold due economic constraints. Fear not! Funny money and strange change do not mean no vacation.

Two thousand ten just might be the year of Texas at the annual Miss Black USA and Miss Black USA Talented Teen Pageants. All hope lies in two Texas beauties – Miss Black Texas USA 2010 Zakiya Larry and Miss Black Texas Talented Teen USA 2010 Morgan Ned. For the past two years the reigning Miss Black Texas USA queens have made it as semifinalists at the national competition. This is the year for Larry and Ned to take it to the finals and bring the crown home to Texas.

African Americans are leading in the race to our graves. Although African Americans make up only about 12% of the population of the United States, they account for up to 32% of renal disease victims. Of all ethnicities, African Americans are the most likely to develop renal disease and they acquire the illness at an earlier age.

In the world of celebrities there is always something buzzing that makes great conversation around the water cooler at the office. Here is what’s hot now.

President Barack Obama on Wednesday challenged Senate Republicans to back a bill that would help small businesses, calling its provisions “things the Republican Party has said it supported for years.”

Speaking at a New Jersey sandwich shop, Obama said the bill would help people like the shop’s owners and other small-business operators by easing their tax burden and helping them get more credit.

“There are bites all over my legs! Room 603, king nonsmoking room. Cheap but costly in the end!”

Hotel guest “Megs” posted this bedbug complaint about a room in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Monday on bedbugregistry.com, a website that logs alleged encounters with the blood-feeding insects.

Rick Norsigian’s hobby of picking through piles of unwanted items at garage sales in search of antiques has paid off for the Fresno, California, painter.

Two small boxes he bought 10 years ago for $45 — negotiated down from $70 — is now estimated to be worth at least $200 million dollars, according to a Beverly Hills art appraiser.

The Board and staff of the NEW METRO want to express their appreciation to U.S. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn for their strong support and significant efforts to secure another $150 million for the North and Southeast Corridor light- rail lines, as the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the FY2011 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill Thursday.

With BP’s ruptured oil well in the Gulf of Mexico apparently securely capped, the sparseness of visible slicks is prompting the question, “Has the Gulf cleanup turned the corner?”

On the surface, the answer is “yes,” but if you dig deeper, the truth is murky.

As she approached the stage at the St. Louis Convention Center, the diminutive Carolyn House Stewart of Tampa, Florida was poised and ready to take the helm of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) on Thursday, July 16, 2010, at the sorority’s biannual weeklong conference as the 28th president of this historic international organization.

Carolyn House Stewart of Tampa, Florida was installed as the 28th International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The swearing-in ceremony was marked by a compelling mix of pageantry, pomp and ritual and was witnessed by an overflow crowd of members. It marked the climax of the Sorority’s weeklong conference that took place July 9-16 at St. Louis’ Convention Center.

A prospective car buyer walks onto a showroom floor and is approached by a salesman, “May I help you find a new car?” The car buyer answers, “Yes, if you have a vehicle that has style, an excellent performance record and safety features above the norm.” The car salesman explodes with excitement, “Look no farther; you want the 2010 Lexus GX 460.”

How is a seed like a child? With a little TLC, they both grow to be strong and sturdy. Plants a seed in fertile soil, provide an adequate supply of water, and watch it grow. After conception and birth, a child that is given proper nutrients, shelter, and abounding love from parents and the communal village will, just like a seed, grow to be powerful.