Recent attacks on President Obama from well-known black leaders like historian Cornel West and former congresswoman Cynthia McKinney call into question not only his strengths as president, but also his role as an international leader for African-Americans. more>

This is a critical juncture for New York City rent laws. In less than 10 weeks rent control and rent stabilization laws will expire unless the state legislature votes to extend their existence for millions of New Yorkers who are already challenged by rising rents and the lack of affordable housing. more>

The number of radical right groups in America – including hate groups, "Patriot" groups and nativist groups – increased in 2010 for the second year in a row, according to a report by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).   more>

Many are excited that in a two-month period the unemployment rate has dropped from 9.8 percent in November to 9.0 percent in January. Good news? Not really. While the overall unemployment rate is down, the Black unemployment rate has held constant at 15.7 percent. more>

While many advances have been made globally in defining, researching, and confronting the realities of environmental racism, here inside the United States there are still far too many African Americans, Latino Americans, Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans, Native Americans and others who remain disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards, toxins, cancer-causing pollutions, and other life-threatening environments. more>

It's hard to believe that almost two years ago pundits were heralding Barack Obama's election as the start of America's post-racial era. So far, that's not happening. The author points to a recent smear piece by Dinesh D'Souzain in Forbes that highlights this not-so-subtle trend.   more>

Millions of Americans want to know – if we can bail out big banks and investment firms on Wall Street, why can't we bring good jobs to Main Street?  If education is the gateway to prosperity and a life of meaning, why are so many of our schools failing so many of our children? more>

VIDEO :: Mayor Expands City Translation Services more>

As a joint conference committee of Congress works to reconcile two versions of the largest Wall Street financial reform since the 1930s New Deal, a new report from the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) details how widespread foreclosures have drained an estimated $350 billion from communities of color.

VIDEO :: Martin Eakes, CEO of the Center for Responsible Lending, discusses how the organization was formed. more>

"Annual awareness days are very important, but everyday is HIV testing day at the Black AIDS Institute.  A single strategy or silver bullet is not going to end the AIDS epidemic in our communities," says the Institute President Phill Wilson.

VIDEO :: Black AIDS Institute President and CEO Phill Wilson reflects on the state of AIDS in the U.S. and shares his personal experience being positive for nearly 30 years. more>

"If you are really angry about immigration then you should be asking questions about U.S. foreign policy. In the aftermath of the extremely racist Arizona anti-immigrant legislation – SB 1070 – and the fact that opinion polls seem to indicate that a majority of the public supports this obliteration of basic human rights, it is worth asking a few tough questions." more>

The 32 Black Republicans who will run for House seats in the fall mid-term elections comprise a historic high. That's admirable. But the Black GOPs have some of the weightiest millstones around their political necks that any candidates could have. more>

According to a Sally Mae survey, 73 percent of African Americans believe that it would be more difficult for Black buyers to get a loan than the general population. more>

More than any group, Black males suffer from poverty and unemployment, disease, violence, addiction and incarceration. Apart from a few high profile examples of success, the average Invisible Black Male is victimized by racism, few opportunities and his own low self-esteem. more>

New Yorkers are giving Paterson the benefit of the doubt, according to the Marist College poll showing 68 percent want him to stay, 28 percent say quit and 6 percent are unsure. more>

The Supreme Court, in its recent decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, may have complicated the growth of Black elected officials by their 5-4 conservative majority giving corporations carte blanche authority to directly spend money in elections. more>

Most African Americans are very reluctant to admit that there are basically two groups of Black people in this country. As we enter into a new year, it is time to confront this obvious reality so as to better plan a more productive present and future for our people. more>

Some say that Obama, who enjoys studying past presidents for their wisdom and leadership styles, especially Abraham Lincoln, should learn lessons from some – especially Lyndon B. Johnson.

VIDEO :: Reverend Al Sharpton, Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, and Jeff Johnson appear on Larry King Live to discuss President Obama's policies and their effect on the African American community. more>

Last week, when President Barack Obama invited Dr. Goldie S. Byrd to the White House, he inadvertently drew attention to a surging disease among African Americans – Alzheimer's. more>

Research has found that Latinos and African-Americans are much more likely to fall victim to predatory lending practices.

VIDEO :: Research from University of Minnesota Law School professor Myron Orfield shows that minorities face greater challenges from the mortgage scandals that have been so prevalent in the last six years. more>

The author advocates for regulation of convenience stores, the main source of food products in low-income communities, which sell pricey and unhealthy products that undermine health and take an oversized chunk of the family budget. more>

AUDIO :: The House passed the sweeping health care bill by a narrow 220-215 vote on November 7. more>

VIDEO :: Black patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest are significantly less likely to survive to discharge than white patients. Much of the racial difference was associated with the hospital center in which black patients received care.

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Fifteen-year old Carlos was enrolled in Medicaid but lost it when his fam­ily, who could no longer afford the cost of housing in D.C., moved just across the state boundary line into Maryland. more>

"If something doesn't happen for Black businesses – if things don't change and they don't create a fair marketplace where we can compete for business, Black businesses will go under," said Jacqueline Williams, co-owner in a construction company. more>

Most survey respondents indicated that they worry about their personal safety. Among those who feel unsafe at home, most attribute their uneasiness to drug activity in their community as well as the prevalence of violent crime, fights, and gang activity. more>

More than 2,000 religious leaders gathered in Harlem as part of national campaign to draw attention to the pain that the nation’s immigration system is causing countless U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. more>

The senior leadership of the CBTU (Coalition of Black Trade Unionists), the senior leadership of St. Louis Labor and executive leaders from the AFL-CIO and many other powerful international unions all spoke as one, vowing to register voters, mobilize voters and educate constituents to defeat the Republican Party on November 4. more>

"Quality nursing home care is dependent on the availability of resources, but nursing homes that are largely Medicaid-reliant are often disadvantaged because Medicaid rates are generally below private pay rates and sometimes below actual costs of care," the study said. more>

A survey conducted by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies finds that Black voters want change – and they believe Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are the most likely to deliver it. more>

Millions of Black and Latino children from poor families with no or few stimulating pre-kindergarten opportunities never make it onto the college track. With multiple strikes against them – low birth weight, poor single parents, absent fathers, perhaps substance abuse – many begin life already on the prison track. more>

According to the author, the rapid increase in the number of HIV/AIDS cases in the African-American community has become a massive epidemic and a national crisis. more>

“The country risks becoming a nation where most of the new non-white majority of young people will be attending separate and inferior schools, and educators will be forbidden to take any direct action likely to bring down the color line,” said the report by the Civil Rights Project of the University of California. more>

“Why is nationalistic action bad only when it is promoted by Black people?” asks James Clingman as he explains why Black people should embrace their Blackness over their “diversity.” more>

Polls ranging from whether race played a part in the slow federal response to Hurricane Katrina to, more recently, was radio shock jock Don Imus’ firing fair and whether baseball slugger Barry Bonds should break Hank Aaron’s major league record of 755 home runs, expose a racial gulf wider than the Atlantic Ocean. more>