Here’s what we’re talking about over our hot black teas:
President Obama’s program, Young African Leaders Initiative, will be renamed after former South African President Nelson Mandela. The initiative focuses on giving young African leaders leadership training at some of the top U.S. universities. It will take Mandela’s namesake, as a tribute to the first democratically-elected leader of post-apartheid South Africa. The renaming will take place Monday night at an event in Washington, where Obama will meet with public-private partnerships to bring more programs to these young African leaders, across Africa. There will also be a U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, in which around 50 African leaders will attend. [TheGrio]
After 143 years, Jersey City, New Jersey has made history by swearing in the first Black female firefighter. Tara Walker, 31, a high school basketball vet, will now be one of six women in her department. [NJ.com]
Prince’s Purple Rain turned 30, Sunday. The iconic music-filled movie, which holds the title of one of his best known albums hit theaters on July 27, 1984. What can be called “an extended music video,” included songs like “Let’s Go Crazy” and “I Would Die 4 U.” [Today]
With a date set for the release of The Best Man Wedding, Morris Chestnut steps out with some details about the upcoming trilogy. Chestnut calls it a “complete departure from the last movie.” We’ll have to wait to see what he means. [VH1]
Chicago Bulls players Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose have taken a stand against violence in their city.The players have released a PSA titled “Chicago Stand Up” (along with Noah’s Noah Arc Foundation), which focuses on getting Chicagoans to put their guns down and stand up for peace. Watch it here: