Forbes top 10 cities for African American Economic Success

Here are the top 10 cities for African American economic success according to Forbes Magazine. One thing that jumps out at you immediately is the majority of the cities are in the southern region of the United States. Cities like Atlanta being #1, and Washington DC being on the top 10 list are no surprise but some of the other cities may actually surprise you.

1. Atlanta

2. Raleigh

3. Washington, D.C.

4. Baltimore (tie)

4. Charlotte (tie)

6. Virginia Beach-Norfolk, Va.

7. Orlando, Fla.

8. Miami (tie)

8. Richmond, Va. (tie)

8. San Antonio (tie)

Reality TV Decreases Empathy, Increases Aggression Towards Black Women

Sil Lai Abrams, a domestic violence activist and founder of Truth in Reality joined Roland Martin on “NewsOne Now” to discuss the impact reality TV is having on how women of color are being treated and the movement to change how women of color are being represented in the media. Listen to their interview below:

LOVE, a new collection of poems.

Normally my blog reports on issues in the African American community. In this post I would like to publicize the re-release of my new book, LOVE. It's not about gangsta's, strippers, or drugs but features poems about love. I'm not dissing those that write urban-lit or the genre itself ( I have written one title myself), as there is room for all genres but I am saying that there is much diversity among the topics we as black authors write about. Many authors write poetry (although we know it doesn't sell well) and I would like to share mine with you. I hope you check it out and let me know what you think and feel. I have provided links to Amazon, Nook, and Smashwords so that you can red the book on your phone, kindle, Nook, or laptop. Please check it out, it's only 99 cents.

LOVE, a collection of romantic poems. Poems about love of a spouse, child, family, or even the love of your favorite sports team.

KINDLE

NOOK: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-george-l-cook-iii/1121086192?ean=2940150209794&itm=1&usri=2940150209794

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/511744

Missouri police beat innocent black man, but they do apologize

22-year-old Joseph Swink was on his way home when his car was side swiped by another car being chased by police. While running from his crashed car which was filing with smoke Swink was assaulted by three cops who arrived after he was side swiped. The cops believed that he was the suspect they were chasing. That would be because the suspect they were chasing was black and as soon as they saw a black man running they assumed he was guilty. But before you go all getting mad the local police chief did apologize. Watch the story below:

A Dead Man's Dream a poem we should all read on MLK Day

“Now That He Is Safely Dead” is the poignant poem that was written by black poet and musician Carl Wendell Hines soon after Malcolm X’s assassination in 1965. The poem has also been appropriately associated with the assassination of the anti-war activist Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy of leading the nonviolent struggle in America for black liberation, economic justice for the poor, and peace on earth.

“Now that he is safely dead,

Let us praise him.

Build monuments to his glory.

Sing Hosannas to his name.

Dead men make such convenient heroes.

For they cannot rise to challenge the images

That we might fashion from their lives.

It is easier to build monuments

Than to build a better world.

So now that he is safely dead,

We, with eased consciences will

Teach our children that he was a great man,

Knowing that the cause for which he

Lived is still a cause

And the dream for which he died is still a dream.

A dead man’s dream.”

— Carl Wendell Hines- A Dead Mans Dream