A new generation of warriors is working to ensure the battle for civil and racial justice continues.

Among young people working to level the playing field and standing up for themselves and others is Edward E. James III, newly elected president of the Sarasota County Branch NAACP Youth Chapter.

The 18-year-old scholar, the third generation in his family to lead the community's fight for justice, is a three-sport athlete and a senior at Pine View School. Known to many by his nickname, E, his résumé is already packed, but one of his most distinguished is the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People leadership role.

"Young Ed James was elected president from a group of strong candidates vying for the presidency as well as all of the offices in the Youth Chapter," said Trevor Harvey, Sarasota County Branch NAACP president. "Ed is an   more »

At the graduate chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity’s “Men Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence” conference on Nov. 15, Toby Strout, executive director of Middle Way House, explained what men can do to end domestic violence.

“Be good feminists,” she said succinctly.

The three-part conference was part of Achievement Week, a series of social outreach events commemorating the fraternity’s founding. The conference featured speakers from Middle Way House and encouraged audience participation to improve services for victims and increase men’s awareness of domestic violence.

Russell Hollis, president of the graduate chapter of Omega Psi Phi, explained why this year’s achievement week focused on violence against women.

“We had a meeting a few weeks after the Juanita Bynum/Bishop Weeks incident, where a husband assaulted his wife in public. They’re famous in the gospel community,” he explained. “And at the same time, we heard about incidents on campus and Indianapolis. We realized this was happening too much, and we weren’t doing enough about it.”   more »

The 2007 Ebony Fashion Fair promises to be a real trip - a "Glam Odyssey."

Celebrating its golden anniversary, the world's largest traveling fashion show makes a stop in Knoxville at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Civic Auditorium.

The 90-minute show, sponsored by the Iota Alpha chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., will feature nearly 200 pieces showcased on two male models and 10 female strutters, including a full-figured catwalker. Steering the extravaganza will be velvet-voiced commentator Jada Collins.

The show will open with a fashion retrospective, with models donning looks from the past five decades.

"The oldest outfits are from the 1950s," said assistant producer Kenneth Owen, who has been with the show 24 years. "It's a pair of vintage men's Brioni suits. You weren't fashionable if you didn't own a Brioni suit back then."

Owen noted that the suits had to be altered a bit to fit the modern male-model physique.

"The guys weren't as buff back then," he said.   more »