Median Wealth for Single Black Women is $5

by AroundHarlem.com on March 10, 2010

Women of all races bring home less income and own fewer assets, on average, than men of the same race, but for single black women the disparities are so overwhelmingly great that even in their prime working years their median wealth amounts to only $5.

In a groundbreaking report released Monday by a leading economic research group, social scientists turned a spotlight on the grave financial challenges facing an often overlooked group of women, many of whom could not take an unpaid sick day or repair a major appliance without going into debt.

Full Article —> Study finds median wealth for single black women at $5.

=====

I’m not surprised by this study at all. Even before the recession hit many single Black women that I know were barely making it paycheck to paycheck. Between rent, student loans, helping family members and other basic necessities, saying money was tight would be an understatement.

After the recession hit there have been reductions in hours and layoffs while prices seem to have gone up. People are getting evicted and some are even moving in with family members just to get by.

Also, the study say median. On paper, I know many who have a negative net worth. Sad but true.

Is this study also true for women in Harlem? Ladies, how do you stand financially?

{ 0 comments }

Ed Gordon Returns to BET News

by AroundHarlem.com on March 9, 2010

Award-winning broadcast journalist Ed Gordon will make his return to BET Networks’ news division. Gordon, a well seasoned anchor, reporter, interviewer, radio host and Emmy Award-winning broadcaster will join the network for a variety of news programs and specials. Gordon’s return bolsters the news division’s roaster which includes correspondents Jeff Johnson, Andre Showell and April Woodard.

Gordon first joined BET in 1988 and helped distinguish the channel’s place among top television news divisions. During his tenure with BET News, Gordon became a significant force in television news reporting and interviewed an impressive and diverse slate of people including important world figures such as Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, President Bill Clinton, Academy Award winners Jamie Foxx and Halle Berry, as well as Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan, the late Michael Jackson and R&B artist R. Kelly.

“As BET celebrates its 30th anniversary, it brings me great joy to welcome back one of America’s most prominent news personalities,” said chairman and CEO, Debra Lee. “Ed has always remained part of the BET family and I am sure viewers will share in our excitement to have him back.”

“I am excited about coming back to BET,” said Ed Gordon. “Since my departure (from BET) viewers have told me consistently that they wanted me to return to the network. Well here I am! I am elated about the plans we have to serve the viewers and cover our community and the world.”

Known for his stellar interaction with newsmakers from the worlds of politics, entertainment, and sports, his name is synonymous with the “big” interview. Ed Gordon’s knack for landing exclusives and his no-nonsense style makes him one of television’s most respected journalists. In addition to his work at BET Networks, Gordon has held impressive positions with major news organizations including contributing correspondent for the CBS news magazine 60 Minutes II and contributor for NBC’s Today Show and Dateline. He also hosted News and Notes with Ed Gordon on National Public Radio and Our World with Black Enterprise, a weekly news program. Gordon is also president of Ed Gordon Media, a multi-service production company. The Detroit native earned his bachelor’s degree in communications and political science from Western Michigan University.

{ 0 comments }

Film: 500 Year Resistance

March 7, 2010

Click image to enlarge.

Read the full article →

Charles Rangel Takes Leave of Absence from Chair of Ways and Means Committee

March 3, 2010

Last night, a little after 9 pm I received an email from Charlie Rangel’s campaign manager with his response, his side, to a decision made by the house ethics committee.
I googled the latest news and he said he wasn’t giving up the chairmanship.
I’m on Twitter this morning and I see he’s holding a [...]

Read the full article →

Congressman Charles Rangel Responds to the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct

March 2, 2010

The following is a response submitted by Congressman Charles Rangel to the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. The Congressman has requested that it become part of the official public record:
Like several of his colleagues, Congressman Rangel attended the 2007 and 2008 Caribbean Multi-National Business Conferences sponsored by the Carib News Foundation. Congressman [...]

Read the full article →

Suzan-Lori Parks’ The Book of Grace at The Public Theatre

March 2, 2010

Treasured for her groundbreaking poetic and inventive language, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog) has drawn a family portrait shattered by issues of rage, revenge, power and betrayal. When a young man returns home to South Texas to confront his father, everyday life erupts into a battle for personal survival. At once fiercely intimate and [...]

Read the full article →

Paterson Scandal Scars a Piece of Harlem History

March 1, 2010

David A. Paterson was the great hope of Harlem’s Gang of Four. He was the instrument by which an extraordinary political quartet nurtured since professional infancy by the legendary Democratic leader J. Raymond Jones would impart their legacy to a younger generation of New York politicians.
That hope died with a thud on Friday.
David Paterson’s fall [...]

Read the full article →

New Urban Events Around Harlem and Around NYC — March 1, 2010

March 1, 2010

[Mar 3] ALL THAT! Hip Hop, Poetry & Jazz
First Wednesday of Every Month
9:30pm> $8 w/ flyer, $12 w/out
ALL THAT! Hip Hop, Poetry & Jazz is an open jam session for hiphop, poetry and jazz. It brings together emcees, poets and musicians from diverse musical and racial backgrounds in a forum that is open creatively but [...]

Read the full article →

Film: Up With Me by Students from The East Harlem Tutorial Program in El Barrio

February 28, 2010

Doc Watchers will present a special non-documentary presentation of Up With Me directed by Greg Takoudes.
After winning a scholarship to a prestigious boarding school, Francisco must struggle to maintain his relationships with his girlfriend, Erika, who fears he will no longer be the boy from El Barrio she loves, and best friend Brandon, who acts [...]

Read the full article →

After 40 Years in Office, Harlem’s Charles Rangel Still Holding On — Seeks 21st Term in Congress

February 28, 2010

As I read an article about Charlie Rangel  seeking reelection amid calls to resign I’m reminded of a conversation I had after the New York primary a couple of months ago. I was speaking to someone who had run for office in Harlem and Rangel came up.
I asked the person why didn’t he just retire, [...]

Read the full article →