John Hope Franklin, a towering scholar and pioneer of African-American studies who wrote the seminal text on the black experience in the U.S. and worked on the landmark Supreme Court case that outlawed public school segregation, died Wednesday. He was 94. ... Born and raised in an all-black community in Oklahoma where he was often subjected to humiliating racism, Franklin was later instrumental in bringing down the legal and historical validations of such a world . . .

Local author and historian Ester Mumford will discuss the history of African-American writers and small presses in Washington state. Many writings by African-Americans have been published by small presses and self-publishing. Following Mumford's talk, local writers from the African-American Writers Alliance will read from their work. . . .

As he carries out a retooled strategy in Afghanistan, President Barack Obama says he will consult with Pakistan's leaders before pursuing terrorist hideouts in that country. Obama said U.S. ally Pakistan needs to be more accountable, but ruled out deploying U.S. troops there. "Our plan does not change the recognition of Pakistan as a sovereign government,'' the president told CBS television's "Face the Nation'' in an interview broadcast Sunday. . . .

Despite the election of the nation's first Black president and the growing clout of Black Capitol Hill lawmakers, the lot of African-Americans remains largely unchanged and even slightly worse, according to the National Urban League's "The State of Black America 2009" report released March 18. "For Black America, it's a tale of two cities," NUL President/CEO Marc Morial told members of the Black Press during a March 17 phone conference about the annual report that gauges Black progress. "It's an important time to celebrate successes in the political arena but that doesn't mean the dream is realized.". . .

A growing number of publications that serve immigrant and minority communities are laying off staff, closing print editions or shutting down altogether . . . a severe recession has led to a steep drop in advertising from small businesses, including many owned by immigrants, that have come to rely on the ethnic press to reach these communities. . . .

Dr. Norman Francis, President, Xavier University in New Orleans, says the cause of gender disparities in men's and women's achievement at HBCU's is unclear.
. . . fewer than one in four men who started in 2001 had completed a bachelor's degree by 2007 . . .

Franklin and now President Barack Obama. Photo by Duke University
When historian, author, and scholar John Hope Franklin mounted the stage at the Newsmaker of the Year Awards Gala . . .

President Barack Obama says General Motors Corp., Chrysler LLC and all those with a stake in their survival need to take more hard steps to help the struggling automakers restructure for the future. Obama, in an interview with CBS' "Face the Nation" broadcast Sunday, said the companies must do more to receive additional financial aid from the government. "They're not there yet," . . . .

At the end of the gala, immediately after Jackson had finished his remarks, Stuart Lockwood walked onto the stage, a terrified little boy no more. They hugged and Jackson fought back tears. "It's a great honor to be here with Rev. Jesse Jackson," . . .
Photo Credit: Sharrone Wallace

With recent reports that half of American families are carrying more than $25,000 in debt and the nation's unemployment rate at a staggering 8.1 percent and expected to climb, debt reduction is the top of everyone's list. Financial advisor and CNBC's retirement expert Bill Losey is revealing his "6 Steps To Get Out of Debt." . . .