The 10th annual Tribute to African American Women Banquet Saturday night was a celebration of service, promoted by song, words of praise and thanksgiving for the seven honorees.

Sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, the event held at the Truman Arnold Center honored women who have in some way made a difference in the community.

"These seven prominent women of vision are being honored for fulfilling their purposes and releasing their potential back into the community," said Jerry Green, the keynote speaker and Gulf Coast Regional Director of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.  more >>

The New York Times, in its last Thursday editions, reported how, at a recent Howard University forum on the future of blacks in the Democratic Party, embattled conservative commentator Armstrong Williams “had to take a few licks at the start. The Rev. Al Sharpton cracked the first Armstrong Williams joke, reminding Mr. Williams to disclose that ‘you get paid for being here.’

“'I get paid for being here,’ Mr. Williams replied ruefully. ‘Thank you very much.’" 

Such barbs are now characteristic and unsurprising, considering the uproar sparked by the Jan. 7 revelation by USA Today that Williams, a one-time nationally syndicated columnist and staple on political affairs shows, had accepted $241,000 from the U.S. Department of Education to promote the No Child Left Behind Act and solicit interviews with former Secretary of Education Rod Paige among black punditry.     more >>