DC Urban LifeStyle Magazine

 CELBRATES “40 YEARS OF BEING THE DIFFERENCE!”   Kicking Off The Performance Season With A Tribute Featuring Grammy-Nominated  Ledisi Being the Difference! For 40 years, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts has empowered young people through artistic and academic instruction and has an alumni community that is a rich tapestry of scholar artists who continue to transform the landscape of American arts. Join us as we kick off our anniversary celebration with a show of epic proportions that is a tribute to the school’s co-founders Peggy Cooper Cafritz and the late Mike Malone .    On Thursday October 10, 2013 at 7:30 pm, eight-time Grammy nominated songstress Ledisi , along with Ellington alumni and recording artists Yahzarah and Sylver Logan Sharp , tap dancer Dewitt Fleming, Jr . and our own award-winning Ellington students will star in a dazzling evening of music, dance and multi-media presentations in celebration of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Renowned ac

Dr. Sidney Ribeau , president of Howard University to leave esteem post, writes letter thanking esteemed educational institution. Dr. Ribeau is the 16th President of Howard University and the sixth African American to serve as its Chief Executive Officer. He was President of Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Bowling Green, Ohio, for 13 years before coming to Howard. Under his leadership, BGSU was recognized for its residential learning communities, values-based education and innovative graduate programs. The school has faced budget constraints for years. In his letter to the university community he writes: Dear Howard University Community: After careful deliberation, I have decided to announce my retirement immediately from our beloved institution and will officially leave the Presidency at the end of this year. I would like to express my profound gratitude to the entire community for supporting me and generating an atmosphere of positive collaboration over the pas

As the number of gun related crimes continue to rise across the country, the question, again, remains what do we need to do about it? More than 313 deaths this summer alone in Chicago's South Side, 13 injured recently during an all out assault on employees at Washington, DC's Navy Yard, movie theaters unsafe, people shot dead nightly on America's city streets, yet applications for gun permits reach all time highs. Gun violence, a lot like the issue of homelessness in major cities, is a pervasive social problem, seemingly with no solution.  Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu offer up recommendations during a visit last week to The National Press Club . "Said Landrieu, "We've bought into the evil notion that somehow the lives of Black men are somehow less valuable than the rest of us. We've all heard it before, "just thugs, killing thugs."" Mayor Nutter, who took to a church pool pit to rende

Phase 1 has ended. Phase two begins in 30 days. National Black Religious Broadcasters Joins Boycott Black Church: Stop doing business at BB&T     The National Black Church Initiative, a coalition of 34,000 churches representing 15.7 million African American churchgoers, located 32,587 complaints against BB&T Bank throughout the Southeast United States. The findings, both surprising and shocking, are part of the first phase of a seven year boycott against BB&T Bank. The complaints alleged unethical behavior, unnecessary fees, online banking trickery, bad loans, rude personnel, and overall uneasiness concerning white personnel towards black customers. We plan to aggregate these findings and file them online over the next two months so the public can appreciate the breadth and scope of why NBCI has taken this extraordinary effort. We also plan to speak with state regulators in Georgia, Virginia, Florida, and throughout the southeast to publicize the findings.   Re

' It Starts With You .' The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) Annual Legislative Conference (ALC)  will be held  Sept. 18-21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. First Lady Michelle Obama, Former President  Bill Clinton,  Shaquille O'Neal, Robert Townsend, Dr. Bernice King, Sherri Shepherd, Rev. Al Sharpton, andTrayvon Martin's family, Isiah Thomas are scheduled to participate during this year's conference which includes over 70 sessions on issues and policies facing the African American experience.  The conference also features a new author and book showcase, job and health fairs. President Barack Obama will be the keynote speaker during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's (CBCF) 43rd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) Phoenix Awards Dinner this Saturday evening. The Awards Dinner is the signature event of a four-day conference It is scheduled from 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 21 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (WCC). Th

    On   Wednesday, August 21, 2013, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will hold her annual Jobs Fair at the Washington Convention Center from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.     Norton will open the Job Fair with an hour of workshops, helpful to people looking for jobs or changing jobs   Says Norton, "DC and this region has more openings than anywhere else."   Speakers will offer tips on federal jobs available despite the sequester, on top job openings in the region, and on resume writing and interviewing in today’s job market.    After a brief dress for success fashion show, the job fair will take place between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and will feature more than 80 employers with federal, state, local and private-sector jobs, and jobs for recent graduates.    The job fair is free, but open to D.C. residents only.  Job-seekers must bring proof of D.C. residency (photo ID, voter registration card, pay stub, utility bill, or lease). 

Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter will join President Barack Obama to commemorate the 50 th anniversary of the historic March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ’s “I Have a Dream” speech in in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 2013. Obama, Clinton and Carter will deliver remarks at the Let Freedom Ring Commemoration and Call to Action event at the Lincoln Memorial.   Three of the five pictured presidents will attend the 50 th anniversary of the historic March on Washington, August 28th. Obama, Clinton, Carter and King family members, along with coalition members and dignitaries, will honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s call to “Let freedom ring” by ringing bells at 3:00 p.m. EST, a half-century to the very minute after Dr. King delivered his historic address.  Groups across the country will also pause to mark the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s speech by ringing bells at 3:00 p.m. EST in their home states.   “Martin Luther King’s unforgettable speech ins

In 2013, Still Two Worlds: One Black. One White. Monday's White House press briefing started out with press secretary Jay Carney telling reporters how he spent his weekend.   After telling reporters he hoped their weekend was good, he offered an unsolicited take on his own. "Since you asked", joked Carney who described his weekend as "great" and "unbelievable", "I had a great weekend". "I took my son to see Paul McCartney Friday night", Carney said, calling the experience "fantastic". "It’s just a fantastic experience because he’s amazing and his songs are amazing, but to be there with an 11-year-old who also knew all the words is pretty special." Good for you Mr. Carney. Good for all fathers who still have their sons in their lives and can take them to baseball parks, basketball games, the movies, and Paul McCartney concerts. The weekend for one father, and for one family, not as good. As

National Convention Expected to Generate More Than $73.7 Million in Economic Impact for the City   Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the single largest African American women’s organization in the country, will convene in the nation’s capital for their 51st National Convention, July 11 – 17. Attracting nearly 40,000 members, the week-long convention is expected to generate more than $73.7 million to the local economy. Founded on January 13, 1913, Delta Sigma Theta is also celebrating its 100th anniversary throughout the year, which commenced on New Year’s Day then continued in Washington, DC with a Founder’s Day Weekend event.   DC mayor, Vincent Gray, gives the Deltas a street of their own, renaming New Hampshire Avenue, Delta Sigma Theta Way.   “As Washingtonians, we couldn’t be more proud that this impressive organization was founded right here in our city – at Howard University - 100 years ago and has since grown to more than 200,000 members and 900 chapters worldwide

THE RECORDING ACADEMY ® WASHINGTON, D.C. CHAPTER PRESENTS BUSINESS, BEATS AND INSPIRATION ®    An Indie Guide to Making Money in a Digital World Keynote address by SoSo Def and Global 14 Founder Jermaine Dupri   The Recording Academy ® , Washington, D.C. Chapter, presents Business, Beats And Inspiration: An Indie Guide To Making Money In A Digital World — a one-day conference with keynote and workshop breakout sessions. In one day, members will participate in an event that will focus on how indie artists can get more people to find, listen to, and pay for their music while cutting through the clutter to engage their fans, improve their social reach and generate sales. The day will be filled with education, inspiration, and entertainment as members and industry professionals come together for a dynamic and interactive event.   This one-day event will take place at the Embassy Suites Washington Convention Center  at  900 10th Street NW and will begin at 9am.   Also

Alexis Herman,  Rep. Elijah Cummings, Jr. (MD), and Wes Moore Among Honorees The U.S.  Dream   Academy  is excited to announce the 2013 “Power of a  Dream ”  Gala, themed “Inspired To  Dream ” presented by Amway to be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 (Reception 5:45pm Dinner 7:00pm) at the J.W. Marriott in Washington, D.C., located at 1 331 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004 . This gala will benefit their nationally recognized after-school programs for children. Each year, the Power of a  Dream   Gala  attracts the support of Hollywood celebrities; political figures, corporate executives, community leaders, and VIPs to invest and raise awareness to further help U.S.  Dream   Academy  programs succeed in making a difference in the lives of at-risk youth and children of incarcerated parents.   Ms. Patti LaBelle with US Dream Academy founder Wintley Phipps in 2011.  Photo CD Brown.   The event will be hosted by the multi-talented improvisational guru and Host of Le

When you talk about "karma", items coming "full circle", or the saying "what goes around comes back around", you can appreciate the historic visit by Michelle Obama to the DC's Decatur House, just a short block from where the first African American First Lady of the United States resides.   First Lady Michelle made a stop to the historic home where former slaves built, worked, and lived to deliver an endowment to the preservation of the historic landmark.   First Lady Michelle Obama speaks with children during a Decatur House visit. The endowment was a gift from American Express, presented by the company's African American CEO, Kenneth Chenault.   The Decatur House is now a National Trust for Historic Preservation Site and home to the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History.  The restoration project was made possible by a contribution to the White House Historical Association by American Ex

April is Jazz Appreciation Month and to continue the celebration the WorkIt! Studio in N.W. DC is fusing together jazz and fitness for the occasion. Check out there latest offering and plan to visit the WorkIt! Studio for your fitness needs. Jazz Appreciation Month Celebration Sunday, April 21, 2013 Upcoming Event Live Jazz Concert Dear DC Urban Lifestyle, Join Work It Studio to celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month featuring Tiacoh Sadia, world class drummer, recording artist, producer, writer and arranger. Tiacoh lived in Paris,France for over 20 years and performed throughout Europe, Asia and Africa before relocating to the US. He was the drummer of the late great Mariam Makeba and Nina Simone. Tiacoh Sadia is also Co-Owner and Tai Chi Instructor at the Work It! Studio. Hope you can make our event Wanda Bamberg

Saxophonist J. Plunky Branch's latest single release is a neo-jazz adaptation of the John Legend hit song, "Tonight (Best You Ever Had)." Plunky spices the ballad with some smooth sax, sensual female vocals and well-placed funky go-go beats for a danceable adaptation that is reminiscent of the saxophone-led hit of yesteryear, "Mr. Magic." Throughout his career Plunky has pushed boundaries and redefined musical genres with his signature jazz, world beat, funk, hip-hop, gospel and African amalgamations. His experience and versatility keeps him at the top of booking agents' and presenters' lists for club engagements, balls and galas and concerts. The funky grooves and mellow tones of Plunky's new single, places it squarely within the smooth jazz category, just in time for the summer festival season. N.A.M.E Brand Records has announced that Plunky will release a series of singles over the next few months, showcasing the legendary artist'

FLO Brands Silver Spring, MD       > Official Site       > ReverbNation Profile     Media Leaders Share Career Tips at Bowie State Conference WJLA’s Maureen Bunyan to Deliver Keynote Address   (Bowie, Md.) – Marcus Johnson and other top media industry leaders will explore effective approaches to preparing for traditional and non-traditional communications jobs at Bowie State University’s annual media conference April 19-20, 2013. For his panel Marcus will speak on portions of his "Living Your Dream" Seminar which he has recently conducted in Elmira, NY and Washington D.C. The free conference runs from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday, April 19 and from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20 at the Center for Learning Technology. It will provide oppo