Very few people truly say how they feel, and even less say it as unabashedly as comedienne Sheryl Underwood.

Known for her no-holds-barred stand-up routine, Sheryl covers everything from sex, to current events, to politics. And make no mistake, she's earned stripes with a number of high profile comedy competitions including: the Johnny Walker Red Comedy Contest, the Funniest Woman at the Improv, the Old English Comedy Crunch and BET Comic View's Funniest Female Comedian.

And she also holds a Bachelor's and two Masters Degrees.   more »

During the Mr. Black Penn State Pageant on Saturday, the coveted title came down to one question.

"What organization or group would you choose to support and why?" one of the emcees asked the final two contestants, Michael Fontain (junior-telecommunications) and Eric Charity (sophomore-international politics). Fontain and Charity were tied for first place.

Fontain said he would want to create unification in the black community, and Charity replied that he would choose AIDS and poverty prevention programs.

Charity eventually claimed the title of Mr. Black Penn State 2008, with Fontain coming in second and Mark Anthony Fraser (senior-biobehavioral health) placing third.

The pageant was hosted by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., with the theme of "Living The Legacy."   more »

Five women were recognized as “Prominent Women with Vision” during the 13th annual “Tribute to African-American Women Awards Banquet” Saturday night at Truman Arnold Center at Texarkana College.

The tribute was hosted by the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.

“This event was recognized at the state meeting and received the Best Special Event Award for graduate chapters,” said Brannon Sledge, who attended the Phi Beta Sigma state conference.

Since 1996, the event has saluted 65 women for their positive works and accomplishments.

This year’s winners included Mattye Gouldsby Jones, a DeSoto, Texas, attorney, who was awarded the “Barbara Jordan Distingished Service Award.” Barbara Pitts, director of community development and grants administrator for the City of Texarkana, Ark., was presented the “Sojourner Truth Award.”   more »

Myrtle McDaniel, a retired Orangeburg educator, was recently honored by the Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina as one of its 2008 Women of Distinction. She was recognized for her contributions to education.

According to a press release announcing the honor, each year, GSESC honors women who make a difference in their local communities at its annual Women of Distinction event. The awards are presented in recognition of those women who have demonstrated significant achievement in their careers, made contributions affecting their communities and acted as positive role models for today's young women.

McDaniel retired from Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five as assistant superintendent of instruction and curriculum, where she spearheaded the planning and development of the board-adopted Strategic Plan for the Arts.

She earned her bachelor's degree in   more »

A football field is one place where there usually is a level playing field for all races, and much can be learned from that, a guest speaker told more than 700 people attending a luncheon Saturday in Bloomington.

The 32nd annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon paid tribute to the historic civil rights leader and to four local leaders who exemplify his goals.

“We want to stimulate, motivate and encourage you to be part of our dream and   more »

A group of sorority sisters hope their annual event will become a local tradition that builds on the 41-year history of Kwanzaa -- a seven-day holiday created to help reunite Africans and their descendents scattered around the world.

The local chapter of Zeta Phi Beta invites the public to come Saturday afternoon to learn, celebrate and socialize during its third annual community Kwanzaa celebration.

“It started back in the civil rights era -- it really was created to help African-Americans get reacquainted with the African culture,” said Monica Taylor, president of the local Beta Iota Zeta chapter of the sorority. She and about 15 other area women make up the local chapter.

Whoever attends Saturday’s event at the Normal Public Library can expect an overview of Kwanzaa’s history, a lesson in who generally celebrates it and the meaning behind Kwanzaa’s seven principles. Refreshments also will be provided.

The Martin Luther King Club Inc. (MLK Club), in partnership with the American Legion Riders of Post 148 Chapter and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, hosted Santa on Tour and Trolley ride at the Old Fort YMCA, 2221 Reed St., on Dec. 8. The three organizations came together and decorated the party room at the Old Fort Y, resulting in a Christmas theme for all the kids to enjoy. The groups provided snacks, and purchased and wrapped toys so that all the kids in attendance could enjoy the Christmas spirit.   more »

The Black Student Union hosted its first event titled "Spoken Word: Express Yourself" on Thursday, Nov. 8. Onstage from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., students showcased their creative talents to their peers.

It was an hour before the show actually started. At the peak of the evening, about 130 people were present. According to Nindja Bazile, former president of African Students Association, BSU's predecessor, less than half of that amount attended previous spoken word events. She says, "I am really happy about the outcome."   more »

Kwanzaa, the African-American cultural holiday that aims to apply traditional African values to modern-day challenges, doesn't begin until the end of December.

So you might say that yesterday's Kwanzaa celebration, held at the Kiley Youth Center on Main Street in Peekskill, ushered in the "Kwanzaa season."

The holiday season, after all, is well under way, judging from the lights and decorations already strung across every downtown.

"The main thing we want the kids to take away is that we need to unite and   more »

Southern Unviversity's Human Jukebox and Grambling State University's Marching Tigers stormed the field inside the Superdome on Friday night just before 9 p.m., ready to face-off with the Grambling State University's Marching Tigers in the annual Battle of the Bands and Greek Step Show.

The musical blow-out is the prelude to Saturday's 34th annual State Farm Bayou Classic, the legendary gridiron contest between Southern and Grambling. Game time is 1 p.m.

But Friday night belonged to the bands, who took the field following the Greek Step contests, in which four fraternities and four sororities competed for prizes. The winners were as follows:   more »