End of 'State of the Black Union' ConferenceTavis Smiley announced that he will no longer hold his annual 'State of the Black Union Conference,' which at one point had 20,000 participants. Smiley originally developed the conference after what he called a void in coverage of African American issues and policies. With the onslaught of bloggers, political commentators and news shows that now address African American issues, though, Smiley feels that the initial relevancy of the conference has diminished and looks forward to devoting his time to other projects, such as his nightly show on PBS and his publishing company, which will release R. Kelly's memoir. [Washington Post]
Obama Pressures Senate, House for Final Health Care Bill
In a meeting last night in the Oval Office, President Barack Obama pressured House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to get him a final health care bill as soon as possible. [AP]
New Technology Created in Fight Against Fat
Scientists are creating wireless devices that monitor overweight and obese people in their everyday lives in the fight against fat. [New York Times]
Fla. Lottery Winner Feared Dead
From the time Shakespeare Abraham, 43, a truck driver's assistant, won $30 million in the Florida lottery, he allegedly had no peace. Hangers-on overwhelmed his life, and the money he put out for them was never enough. Abraham's mother has not heard from her son for at least six months, including on Christmas, and investigators are now treating his case like a homicide. [Miami Herald]
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By: kcn9971 on 1/06/2010 12:41PM
I theorize that Tavis is ending the confrence because.....The state of Black people in America is soo bad and perpetual, thats it's no longer worth talking about.... or...Despite having the most brilliant Black minds gathered together they produced very little(if any)positive or tangible results...or...Perhaps ending the confrence will spare the Obama administration from any embarrassment and releave them from having any accountability or responsability; because when all is said, We can't have the state of Black America in chaos when you have a Black president in the White House....can we???
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By: James Williams on 1/06/2010 1:36PM
I understand what's happening with Mr. Smiley. Well, it's like this; I would get tired to, if, I sat with people who suppose to have all the degrees and sense in our race and after 10 years they can't figure out how to solve 1% of the Black's problems. I'd quit too. Just think of it, a room full of people with no vision, whats so ever. These are suppose to be the best and brightest minds in our race. I'd quit too. These people are faking the game. Thats a great idea Mr. Smiley. Good luck to you and yours. At least you have enough sense to get back out of the way and admit that you don't have it. To bad the rest of these 'CHILDREN' don't see it.
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By: LadyJNewYork on 1/06/2010 1:23PM
The "state of black america" was in trouble before Obama was elected President.
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By: grapeseed on 1/06/2010 3:29PM
I don't believe in coincidences. Why now Tavis are you ending the confrence?? At the moment of high unemployment, and foeclosures in the Black community; we need the confrence more than ever. Are you affraid that all roads will lead to Obama and his failure to address these issues? Ignoring or dismissing it won't make the problems go away...it will only make them worse!!!
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By: sammy on 1/06/2010 6:40PM
"Why now Tavis are you ending the confrence??"
Because these conferences were a big waste of time anyway.
They accomplished nothing but gave a bunch of blovaters a chance to get together on the WHITE corporate dime. No one who attended these conferences has any solutions or answers. They were not involved in the black communities they were claiming to represent.
P.S. to kcn9971: Black America was in chaos before President Obama. These so called brains who attendend these State of ______ fill in the blank are not qualified to hold anyone accountable for anything, yet along President Obama.
And they certainly didn't / don't represent me. But then again, I have never sat around with my hand out waiting for someone else to grease my palm with a welfare check.
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By: calvin robinson on 1/11/2010 5:45PM
State of The Black Union should have been a church initiative anyway. Our people are in need of hope, not more capitalistic skills and political training sessions.
Trying to force this systme to change atthis point is a waste of energy and effort. Changing the way the game is played is what is needed and it is what Barack is doing. I'm loving it!
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