Gladys (Bay) Eastern was born on September 1, 1935 to the union of Horace Eastern and Adell (Hooper) Eastern in Parrish, Alabama. She received her early education in the Walker County School System of Jasper, Alabama. Gladys accepted Christ at an early age and united with Peace Baptist Church in Parrish, Alabama. … [Read more...] about Gladys Eastern
Obituaries
Blues legend B.B. King dies at age 89
Riley B. King, the legendary guitarist known as B.B. King, whose velvety voice and economical, expressive style brought blues from the margins to the mainstream, died Thursday, May 14, 2015. He was 89. His daughter, Patty King, said he died in Las Vegas, where he announced two weeks ago that he was in home hospice care after suffering from dehydration and a series of diabetes … [Read more...] about Blues legend B.B. King dies at age 89
Singing legend Bobby Womack passes at 70
Bobby Womack, a colorful and highly influential R&B singer-songwriter who influenced artists from the Rolling Stones to Damon Albarn, died on Friday, June 27 2014. He was 70. Womack's publicist Sonya Kolowrat said Friday that the singer had died, but she could provide no other details. With an incomparable voice few could match, Womack was a stirring singer and guitarist … [Read more...] about Singing legend Bobby Womack passes at 70
‘Designing Women’ star Meshach Taylor dies at 67
Meshach Taylor, who played a lovable ex-convict surrounded by boisterous Southern belles on the sitcom Designing Women and appeared in numerous other TV and film roles, died of cancer at age 67, his agent said Sunday. Taylor died Saturday, June 28, 2014 at his home near Los Angeles, according to agent Dede Binder. Taylor got an Emmy nod for his portrayal of Anthony Bouvier on … [Read more...] about ‘Designing Women’ star Meshach Taylor dies at 67
Still I Rise
Those were the words spoken by Maya Angelou in the poem, “Still I Rise,” and are included in her book of poetry entitled, “And Still I Rise.” Over the decades, her gifts as an author, teacher, poet, actor, dancer and singer continue to make a profound impression upon many generations as well as internationally. During her life time, she wrote seven autobiographies, three books … [Read more...] about Still I Rise
REV. MURPHY PLEASANT, SR. June 7,1922 -March 10, 1987
REV. MURPHY PLEASANT, SR. June 7,1922 -March 10, 1987 I often think of my Daddy with his wonderful ways, interestingly quirky manners and that serious deep-tone voice, which said "quit playing . " He was the definite life of any party and there were many milestones and surprise celebrations along the way. When Murphy Jr. and I attended Lloyd Street Elementary School, Fridays … [Read more...] about REV. MURPHY PLEASANT, SR. June 7,1922 -March 10, 1987
Glendale Realtor made racial inroads, one house at a time
Edward Wycliff Smyth, the first black president of the Milwaukee Board of Realtors and a former president of the Milwaukee chapter of the NAACP, died April 9 of congestive heart failure at his Glendale home. He was 88. Edward Smyth grew up in Waynesboro, GA. He changed his name to Smyth in college, his daughter said, "because he wanted to be unique." Smyth's father was a … [Read more...] about Glendale Realtor made racial inroads, one house at a time
Nelson Mandela passes: World mourns South Africa’s first black president
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela 1918 – 2013 South Africans are mourning the death of the man who led the fight to end the system of apartheid and then went on to lead the country itself. "We will always love Madiba for teaching us that it is possible to overcome hatred and anger in order to build a new nation and a new society," President Jacob Zuma told reporters Friday, December … [Read more...] about Nelson Mandela passes: World mourns South Africa’s first black president
Milwaukee community says farewell to “Great Mother” Ruthia M. Brookens
Services were held November 2, 2013 for Ruthia M. Turner-Brookens, known as "The Great Mother," at St. Mark A.M.E. Church, 1616 W. Atkinson Avenue, Milwaukee, where she had been a member since 1950. She was also a member of its gospel chorus for almost 50 years. Proclamations were issued by Governor Scott Walker, Mayor Tom Barrett, Russell Stamper Jr., of the County Board, and … [Read more...] about Milwaukee community says farewell to “Great Mother” Ruthia M. Brookens
Black activist, poet-playwright Amiri Baraka dies at 79
Amiri Baraka died Thursday, January 9, 2014, at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, NJ at age 79. He was noted for being a militant individual and tireless agitator whose blues-based, fist-shaking poems, plays and criticism made him a provocative and groundbreaking force in American culture. Perhaps no writer of the 1960s and '70s was more radical or polarizing than … [Read more...] about Black activist, poet-playwright Amiri Baraka dies at 79