Next month, Bob Dylan, who is still cranking out great songs, performs at the White House as part of a music series sponsored by first lady Michelle Obama.

The theme of the Feb. 10 concert is very personal for both Obamas: “A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement.”

In addition to Dylan, scheduled performers include Natalie Cole, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, John Mellencamp, Smokey Robinson, Seal, the Blind Boys of Alabama and the Howard University Choir.

Morgan Freeman and Queen Latifah will emcee the event, which will feature readings from celebrated speeches and other writings of the civil rights era.

JACKSON MISSISSIPPI – Monday will feature several events in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Jackson State University hosts a banquet at the Walter Payton Recreation and Wellness Center.

Take a stand in support of Mississippi historically black colleges and university and attend the HBCU rally starting at 11 a.m. Monday. Supporters will march from the state fairgrounds and move swiftly to the State Capitol by noon. Organizers are also asking for contributions to aid the people of Haiti; bring canned food, clothes (men, women, boys, girls, and infants) and other supplies such as bottled water, first aid kits, etc.

Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Drack Muse and his team at Extra Mild Sauce are putting together one of their famed events in Los Angeles this month. This time as a fund-raiser for the MLK memorial in DC. This from their website:

To some, this is just another day off from work or school. To us, this is another opportunity to do what is right. Come join us for a night of postive music and reflection in an effort to help raise money for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C. Giving our time and 100% of the proceeds to this cause is the least we could do.

Greensboro, NC– The International Civil Rights Center & Museum announced singer Yolanda Adams will headline its Celebration of Unity Service on Sunday, January 31, 2010, and journalist Ed Gordon will lead the Town Hall Forum on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010. These two events are part of the grand opening activities for the Museum, which will open in Greensboro, N.C., on Feb. 1, 2010, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the famed lunch counter sit-ins.



“The participation of Adams and Gordon underscores the national significance of the museum,” said Earl Jones, N.C. Representative and co-founder of the Museum. “It’s wonderful to see so many people joining us in celebrating such a historic event.” Ed Gordon to Host Town Hall Forum at N.C. A&T State University

The Forum will include an intergenerational dialogue examining the history of the civil rights movement, and its impact on social, economic, justice and equality issues. The first hour will provide a retrospective on civil rights while the second hour will focus on contemporary issues. Several emerging leaders are set to lead the latter discussion including award-winning journalist and former ESPN sports analyst Stephen A. Smith; attorney and radio host Warren Ballentine; Kim Saunders, president & CEO of Mechanics and Farmers Bank; Syene Jasmin, N.C. A&T State University student government association president; and Derrick K. Smith, N.C. A&T State University adjunct political science professor.

Both events are free and open to the public.

The International Civil Rights Center & Museum will open Feb. 1, 2010, and function as an archival center, collecting museum and teaching facility devoted to the international struggle for civil and human rights. For more information visit www.sitinmovement.org/savethedate.

Click for Tickets

Click for Tickets

ATLANTA (Reuters) – Acclaimed trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, arguably the world’s most prominent jazz musician, is set to premiere a major new project — composing a Blues Symphony for orchestra.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at Morehouse College in Atlanta will perform the symphony in January at Morehouse College in Atlanta as part of annual events for Martin Luther King day. They performed two of its movements in November.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will perform the 18th annual musical tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, “A King Celebration” on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.

The Big Apple Classic was much improved in terms of talent this year showcasing two games much more competitive than those of previous years. VUU vs VSU went into overtime, and the Howard vs Hampton game was a buzzer beater! Well done. Read the rest of this entry »

Read the rest of this entry »

Read the rest of this entry »

The Alumni Roundup road crew recently visited Tuskegee University to celebrate their Homecoming and take in some of their unique HBCU flavor. We were rolling with the Ford Drive for HBCUs program which gives supporters the chance to have up to $250,000 donated to HBCUs for scholarships. Read the rest of this entry »