Denzel Washington discusses bringing "Fences" to the big screen

Denzel Washington sat down with 60 minutes correspondent Bill Whitaker and had a interesting discussion about bringing August Wilson's play Fences to the big screen. Watch that interview below.

To those who ask what has President Obama done for African Americans

As we near the end of President Obama's second term there are many compliments and accolades being given to the first black president. There are also those who criticize him for not doing enough for black people. Here is my response to those individuals.

Michelle Obama makes it quite clear that she will not run for office

During a CBS interview with Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama made it quite clear to those of us holding out hope that she would ever run for office that that's not going to happen. Watch her statement below.

President Obama Grants 153 Commutations and 78 Pardons to Individuals Deserving of a Second Chance

Today, President Obama granted clemency to 231 deserving individuals — the most individual acts of clemency granted in a single day by any president in this nation’s history. With today’s 153 commutations, the President has now commuted the sentences of 1,176 individuals, including 395 life sentences. The President also granted pardons to 78 individuals, bringing his total number of pardons to 148. Today’s acts of clemency — and the mercy the President has shown his 1,324 clemency recipients — exemplify his belief that America is a nation of second chances.

The 231 individuals granted clemency today have all demonstrated that they are ready to make use — or have already made use — of a second chance. While each clemency recipient’s story is unique, the common thread of rehabilitation underlies all of them. For the pardon recipient, it is the story of an individual who has led a productive and law-abiding post-conviction life, including by contributing to the community in a meaningful way. For the commutation recipient, it is the story of an individual who has made the most of his or her time in prison, by participating in educational courses, vocational training, and drug treatment. These are the stories that demonstrate the successes that can be achieved — by both individuals and society — in a nation of second chances.

Today’s grants signify the President’s continued commitment to exercising his clemency authority through the remainder of his time in office. In 2016 alone, the President has granted clemency to more than 1,000 deserving individuals. The President continues to review clemency applications on an individualized basis to determine whether a particular applicant has demonstrated a readiness to make use of his or her second chance, and I expect that the President will issue more grants of both commutations and pardons before he leaves office. The mercy that the President has shown his 1,324 clemency recipients is remarkable, but we must remember that clemency is a tool of last resort and that only Congress can achieve the broader reforms needed to ensure over the long run that our criminal justice system operates more fairly and effectively in the service of public safety.

[SOURCE: Whitehouse.gov]

From Banks to Beauty Products The #BuyBlack Movement Is Real

It’s a trend that many are hoping won’t just turn into a passing fad.

Late last month, Essence magazine noted that after years of slow-burning idealism, #BuyBlack has seen a community-wide takeoff.

And, as the holiday season moves into full swing, the #BuyBlack campaign has led many to imagine what would happen if African Americans — the largest consumer group of color in the United States with an estimated $1.2 trillion in spending power — routinely demonstrated allegiance to the 2.6 million Black-owned businesses that exist in America.

“I think the #BuyBlack initiative is a good move for the Black community and not just because of dollars and cents,” said Walt L. Jones III, principal of the SEQ Advisory Group, a Bethesda, Maryland-based management consulting and advisory firm dedicated to helping businesses achieve the highest level of performance and efficiency. “There’s the deeper perspective of reinvesting in our own community and building up the local businesses, some that are owned by our friends, neighbors, and relatives.”

Jones continued: “Similar to the #ECStrong initiative, a community can only heal, recover, and persevere if its residents are willing to make an investment in its infrastructure.”

Read more: From Banks to Beauty Products The #BuyBlack Movement Is Real