by Lucas L Johnson II NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)—On just about any Sunday, as many as 10,000 people may fill the pews of The Potter’s House, Bishop T.D. Jakes’ Dallas-area megachurch. Believers say he has an uncanny way of connecting with his audience anyway. MEGA-PASTOR—In this Feb. 28, 2010 photo, Bishop T.D. Jakes shakes the hand of Texas Offenders Reentry Initiative graduates during service at The Potter’s House in Dallas. (AP Photo/Mike Fuentes, File) “It doesn’t matter about the size,” says Faith Johnson, a 13-year member. “It’s almost like nobody else is in that church, but me.” It takes some help for leaders of the largest megachurches and national ministries to make believers reject the idea that a smaller church is more intimate and personable. A big staff of associate pastors and elders is indispensable.
(NNPA)—Power exudes from the raised fists in the sculptures “Homage to My Young Black Sisters.” Endurance and dignity from the stark simplicity of the portrait, “Sharecropper.” In all her work, African-American sculptor and graphic artist Elizabeth Catlett celebrated the heroic strength and endurance of African-American and Mexican working-class women, elevating them in societies that often overlooked or ostracized them. FAMED SCULPTOR DIES—In this 2005 photo, sculptor Elizabeth Catlett arrives at the Legends Ball, an award ceremony hosted by Oprah Winfrey honoring Catlett and 18 other women who paved the way in arts, entertainment and civil rights, in Santa Barbara, Calif. (AP Photo/Michael A. Mariant, File) “You can really see life and history unfold in her work,” Isolde Brielmaier, who curated an exhibition of Catlett’s work last year at the Bronx Museum of the Arts, told National Public Radio.
by Justin JuozapaviciusAssociated Press Writer TULSA, Okla. (AP)—The two suspects arrested in a shooting rampage that terrorized Tulsa’s Black community and left three people dead have confessed, according to police documents given to The Associated Press. The documents given to the AP on Monday say Jake England, 19, confessed to shooting three people and Alvin Watts, who turned 33 on Monday, confessed to shooting two. INJURED—Deon Tucker, wears an arm sling while returning to his home in Tulsa, Okla., April 9. Tucker was injured in the shooting rampage April 6, that left three people dead and terrorized Tulsa's African-American community. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki).
(NNPA)—Los Angeles Angels outfielder Torii Hunter was shaken but unharmed after two police officers entered his Newport, Calif. home April 4 to investigate a security alarm and drew their weapons on him. According to the Associated Press, Hunter had just returned home from the Angels’ final exhibition game against the Dodgers when he mistakenly triggered a security alarm. SHAKEN BUT UNHARMED—Hunter hits a single to score two runs against the Los AngelesDodgers April 2, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis) A short time later, two Newport police officers entered his home and escorted the athlete upstairs so he could retrieve his identification.
NEW YORK (AP)—Burger King is apologizing to Mary J. Blige and her fans for releasing an ad that garnered the singer serious fan backlash. The clip featured Blige soulfully singing about the fast-food chain’s new chicken snack wraps. But as the video went viral April 2, some in the Black community criticized the ad as stereotypical. The Black women-oriented website Madame Noire likened it to “buffoonery.” BURGER KING APOLOGIZES TO BLIGE—In this Jan. 15 photo, singer Mary J. Blige arrives at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, file) Burger King pulled the ad April 3 over what the company said was a music licensing issue. The company explained last Wednesday the spot was unfinished.
by Pete Yost Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Eric Holder said Wednesday that the Justice Department will take appropriate action in the killing of Trayvon Martin if it finds evidence that a federal criminal civil rights crime has been committed. ACTION PROMISED— Attorney General Eric Holder said Wednesday that the Justice Department will take appropriate action in the killing of Trayvon Martin if it finds evidence that a federal criminal civil rights crime has been committed. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
Week of April 11 to 17April 11 1948—On this day Jackie Robinson signs the contract which would officially make him the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball. Robinson became a symbol of pride for Blacks as well as a star player. However, the admitting of Blacks into major league baseball helped bring about the demise of the old Negro Baseball League whose teams had become major economic institutions in cities throughout the nation. JACKIE ROBINSON
by Kyle Hightower and Mike Schneider Associated Press Writers SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — The man who shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is said to be losing weight and suffering from high levels of stress from the intense public scrutiny he is under, his former lawyers said. Meanwhile, a special prosecutor said she will soon make an announcement in the case and the nation's attorney general vowed separately to take action if evidence warrants it. GEORGE ZIMMERMAN
(NNPA)—The killing of Florida teen Trayvon Martin story has been a fixture on national newscasts and headlines for a month, but a majority of Republicans and Whites believe there has been too much coverage of the story, a new report found. TRAYVON MARTIN
DETROIT (AP)—A Michigan teacher says she was fired for encouraging her students to organize a fundraiser for the family of Trayvon Martin, a Florida teenager shot to death by a neighborhood watch volunteer. Brooke Harris said Tuesday she's confused by her dismissal last month from Pontiac Academy for Excellence Middle School.
