Teens Giving Birth Significantly Reduced Despite Hollywood's Best Efforts

A National Center for Health Statistics report documents reduced teen pregnancies across all ethnic groups. However, experts can not cite the specific reasons fewer teens are having children of their own.

The National Center for Health Statistics report released this Tuesday says that the teen birth-rate fell to 39.1 births per 1,000 teenagers ages 15 to 19 in 2009. This is a 6% drop from 2008 and the lowest rate since 1940. Rates in 1990 were 61.8 per 1,000. Hispanics were the group that saw the greatest fall – by 10% but still stands at 70.1 births per 1,000.

There was more good news in the report about the birth weight of newborns and less of them being born premature. Does this mean pregnant women are getting better access to prenatal healthcare or just doing a better job of taking care of themselves?



While no one has yet made the argument that the Bush Administration's abstinence only education initiative contributed to less teens getting pregnant, it is only a matter of time if Fox News hasn't already. Sarah Palin, an abstinence only proponent, surprisingly has not been pushing this argument on Facebook or Twitter yet. Perhaps no one has thought of it for her or perhaps she is too preoccupied with attacking First Lady Michelle Obama over her imitative to push healthier food consumption on America's youth.

In related news, the Parents Television Council has released a new report accusing Hollywood producers of attempting to corrupt youth through television programs. In it's report "Sexualized Teen Girls Are Tinseltown's New Target", the PTC says......



When underage female characters appear on screen: more sexual content is depicted; the teen girls show next to no negative response to being sexualized; more sexual incidents occur outside of any form of a committed relationship; and there is less accuracy in the TV content rating.



The results from this report show Tinseltown’s eagerness to not only objectify and fetishize young girls, but to sexualize them in such a way that real teens are led to believe their sole value comes from their sexuality.

Join hosts R Lee Gordon and Scotty Reid as they discuss and analyze these two reports and what they means for today's teens. Parents and Teens are encouraged to call in and share their thoughts on these issues.

Finding Ways To Engage Our Youth

Parents and community leaders must do a better job to engage the youth and provide them with guidance and pathways to brighter futures.



Join us as R Lee and Scotty discuss some of the organizations and programs they are involved with that seek to engage youth and provide them with positive activities in which they can participate.

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365 Girl's Rock w/ Tracey Hawkins-Sydnor and Teen Actor Ms. Brielle Cunningham

Ms. Sydnor is on a mission to empower our youth through her book and website 365 Girls Rock! Her down to earth approach and contagious energy make her extremely effective in working with and empowering young ladies.

"This is a place where girls grow into amazing women who truly rock. I am working on bringing back the "good girl" look! 365 Girl is an immediate call to action on raising the self esteem of our young ladies between the ages of 10-17, so they make positive life decisions! The book is broken up into seven sections the physical, educational, social-motivational, relationships, spiritual, sexual, and pain-forgiveness. I believe that every young lady has the power to speak over her own life and demand excellence and greatness! It is time to take the limits off and this is the place to do it! The target age stops at 17, but there is something in book for women at every age. I am so excited about the project and can't wait to start seeing results!" Visit the website now!



We will also be joined on the program by teen actor Ms. Brielle Cunningham who will discuss her debut role in the CENTERSTAGE play "Re-Entry" showing through Dec. 16th in Baltimore, MD! This surprising and acclaimed new play, based on interviews with veterans and their families, puts aside politics and Hollywood alike to probe the unvarnished, and powerfully personal, truths of those who serve and sacrifice. Read more..

Kamal Imani: You Got Next! Real Talk For the Hip Hop Generation

Author Kamal Imani joins Black Teen Empowerment Radio to discuss the subject matter of his book "You Got Next" which tackles the tough issues today's teens have to deal with from a hip hop perspective.

The Education Superhighway and Jail Time for Parents of Failing Students?

The Education Superhighway is a newly created weekly television show that focuses on education and which is hosted by Rev. Al Sharpton with Jane Nolar. The debut of the program was Oct 10, 2010 in more than 160 U.S. markets.

Today we will discuss the first broadcast and discuss education as a civil right as suggested by Rev. Sharpton and others.



We will also discuss the proposal by a Wayne County, Michigan prosecutor to jail the parents of failing students. If parents of students performing poorly in school do not attend at least one Parent/Teachers conference, should they face three days jail time as proposed by Wayne County (Detroit) Prosecutor Kym Worthy unless the parent/parents have health issues?

The True Costs of Educating Our Children

There is a education debate going on across the country and none is more contentious than in a couple of counties in North Carolina where the NAACP has gotten involved.

With the economic downturn and so many people out of work, there has been a decrease in the amount of tax revenue municipalities take in and there many school systems have had a hard time meeting their budgets and have had to make cuts.



The much publicized education documentary "Waiting for Superman" cites that some of the most successful charter schools like SEED charter school spend about $35,000 per student to get its great academic results.

Yet some successful schools like Harding University High school in Charlotte, NC do not spend nearly that much per student and yet has comparable success.

What is the true cost of education our children and is spending more money always the answer? What time in the time that parents spend in participating in their child's development.

Money should never be a hindrance to learning so lets look at this problem and discuss some solutions.

Black Disposable Income Up, Black Male Student Scores Down

Studies show a dramatic increase in spending power. "African-Americans Revealed" study, based on a BET survey of 80,000 black consumers over 18 months, showed a 10 percent increase in America’s black population between 2000 and 2008 and 55 percent increase in black buying power over the same period. Black buying power is estimated now at about $913 billion and is projected to increase to $1.2 trillion by 2013.

A similar study released in November by the Selig Center at the University of Georgia estimated that black buying power would be about $1.1 trillion by 2014, with current spending power for blacks at about $910 billion.” Poor academic performance among Black children has traditionally been linked to poverty, but a new study showing that poor white males do better than poor Black males. An achievement gap separating black from white students has long been documented — a social divide extremely vexing to policy makers and the target of one blast of school reform after another. But a new report focusing on black males suggests that the picture is even bleaker than generally known.

Only 12 percent of black fourth-grade boys are proficient in reading, compared with 38 percent of white boys, and only 12 percent of black eighth-grade boys are proficient in math, compared with 44 percent of white boys. Poverty alone does not seem to explain the differences: poor white boys do just as well as African-American boys who do not live in poverty, measured by whether they qualify for subsidized school lunches. Black America needs to have an honest discussion about how is it that we can spend so much money on good and services but yet it seems we are not investing in our own children’s future.

Do Black People Really Care About Education?

With Black voter turnout being very poor across the nation for the mid-term elections and with the apparent problems in our communities especially in education, who are Black people going to blame?

When we think elections, most of think about the Congressional races, but what about the election of local school boards? What about the superintendent or those who appoint them?

It seems to us that the biggest problem in the Black community is the Black community. When a crisis hits like school closings in our neighborhoods, Black people will express outrage and scream racism but where is the outrage for those who do not show up to the polls where your opinions matter most?

365 Days of Black History - Educating Our Black Youth

This Sunday we welcome Mr. Jamaal Brown who says "I created the Black365 Calendar to let the world know that we are more than just athletes, drug-dealers, gang members and entertainers. This Calendar showcases the fact that we have contributed not only to Black History, but to World History, everyday!"



Tune in and participate by calling in and sharing your Black History Fact with our listeners. Be sure to pick up your calendar and start sharing history with your children, teens and anyone else in your home! Visit www.black365.us.

When Do Teens Get To Be Teens? Constitutional Argument

Today we will discuss whether or not a teen should be free to express his/her individuality. There are many stories reported through out the nation, where teens are sent home because of a haircut, hair style or some alleged clothing infraction. Many times the school’s policy is vague. Black teens are being targeted for being too “outside” of the cultural norms. Similarly, Muslim teens are discriminated against by what has become law in countries like France which bans head scarves and going after those who wear other cultural dress.



Recently a North Carolina student was told by a teacher that she had to put a pair of shorts on over her pants with no explanation but that her pants were inappropriate. The student handbook contained no section identifying “banned pants”. Are female students being punished for their body shape and made to feel like something is wrong with their bodies?

What do you do as a parent in these cases?

"The Education Superhighway" hosted by Reverend Al Sharpton

Today we are joined by Ruth Adkins Robinson who is the Creator and Executive Producer of "The Education Superhighway" hosted by Reverend Al Sharpton.

Robinson said she felt compelled to create the "The Education Superhighway" show because of a trip down another road - to Pennsylvania Avenue. "I had the honor of being the sole writer for the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball for President Obama. It was emotional magic for me. A lifetime in Hollywood had not fully prepared me for that galvanizing experience of watching this young Black man assuming the awesome responsibility of world power and leadership".

Robinson first met Rev. Al Sharpton when she was called in to help write for an live awards show being hosted by the Godfather of Soul, James Brown in 1976. Brown was accompanied by Al Sharpton when he was a 19 year old minister and now the two are working together.

Today we will learn what to expect from "The Education Superhighway" when it hits the airwaves.

The Chronicles of a Hip Hop Legend - Author Derrick Turner

Today we are joined by author Derrick Turner and he is going to discuss hip hop and his book The Chronicles of a Hip Hop Legend "Paths of Grand Wizardry".

Born and raised in the East New York section of Brooklyn, New York, Derrick Turner became akin to the cultural explosion of Hip Hop at an early age.

The first installment of the Chronicles of a Hip Hop Legend story, entitled “Paths of Grand Wizardry,” is sure to vividly detail a magical, action-packed, offering from the perspective of a young, B-Boy. Visit website, Click Here.

Generation Black, Educated, Focused & Yielded Seeks Award Nominees

S. Denice Newton joins the hosts of Black Teen Empowerment Radio to discuss the mission of Generation BEFY which is seeking youth nominees to award based on their academic achievement, community involvement, positive attitude, dedication, ministry work, etc.


Generation BEFY conducts workshops, seminars, summits, symposiums, meetings and conferences to brainstorm and reach out to the community. Additionally, we organize field trips, rallies, and marches to learn, network, and unify for the cause of peace and change. Learn more!

Moms Raising Sons w/ Drema Hymon

Mothers Raising Sons1 is a faith-based Education and Support Program of The Virginia Male Adolescent Network. It originally began over nineteen years ago to address the alarming grim statistical outlook for African American males to the point of "extinction". Children of all races and economic levels face dire challenges in today's society.

Many of our young boys/men have gained tremendous strides academically and professionally, yet the rates of incarceration, substance abuse, homicide, under or unemployment and teenage parenting are yet staggering.

Hope must become an absolute in raising sons. By faith, we redefine the way young men see themselves, each other and the world around them.

Drema Hymon, the founder and president of Mothers Raising Sons1 joins the hosts of Black Teen Empowerment Radio to discuss parenting and providing hope for our young Black males. Visit the website, Click Here!

Black Community and Education, Past, Present & Future

We will continue examining the recent study and the issue of Black males dropping out of high school. Has America abandoned its commitment to a equal education for all Americans? Has Brown vs The Board of Education helped or hurt the education of African Americans? Why are so many predominately African-American schools under-funded and lacking appropriate resources for this at-risk demographic?

Education and Youth Empowerment on the Move

Today we have open lines to discuss education as a civil rights issue of the 21st Century. Yesterday President Obama's Education Secretary Arne Duncan spoke at the MLK Reclaim the Dream March and Rally and stated, "We've been too satisfied with second-class schools."

R Lee Gordon will update us on some of the great things pertaining to youth empowerment movements across the country.



The National Black TEEN Empowerment Expo (NBTEE) is building a national youth movement, community by community. New youth movements are now underway in Brooklyn, NY, New Jersey and Baltimore. In 2011, we will form youth movements in other NYC boroughs, and in Atlanta, Texas and California.

National Black Male Drop Out Rate Just Under 50%

Our guest today will be Dr. Stephen Jones and we will be discussing the staggering Black male drop out rate in the United States.

We will examine the causes and what we can do to help our Black teens succeed academically.

Dr. Stephen Jones is an outstanding educator who has spent his career helping economically disadvantaged students to succeed in college. Dr. Jones has earned a Bachelors Degree in Community Psychology from Widener University, Masters in Education from Howard University, Masters in Business from Philadelphia University, and a Doctorate in Education from Widener University. He has been instrumental in helping 1000’s of students to realize their dream to earn a degree.



Click Here To Purchase Parent's Ultimate Education Guide: Seven Secrets of How to Study!

InsideOut with Stephanie Humphrey

Stephanie Humphrey will join us on Black Teen Empowerment Radio. Stephanie has a long resume as it pertains to the media industry both entertainment and non entertainment.

She also has appeared in several movies like “The Dark Fields” starring Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro, where she played a reporter as she did in the the film “Law Abiding Citizen” starring Jamie Foxx.



Stephanie has a desire to work with youth through her workshop/seminar InsideOut which seeks to help women between the ages of 12 and 16 yrs old. She seeks to present InsideOut to a national and international audience of youth. According to her website, InsideOut seeks to help young women ages 12-16 develop and grow in two ways: Inside - focuses primarily on fitness and nutrition (another one of her passions), but will also encompass mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being; and Outside - focuses on appearance, grooming, hygiene, and the optimal way in which a young lady may present herself. All of these issues directly affect a young woman’s self-esteem, but in this image-obsessed society, are not being properly addressed. This workshop will be presented in schools, youth centers, churches, and at conferences across the country.

You can learn more about Stephanie Humphrey by visiting her website at http://www.stephaniehumphrey.com

Encourage Me I'm Young! Calvin Mann Discusses Good Fathers Only

Calvin Mann of EMIY Inc and Good Fathers Only joins us today to discuss his efforts to empower youth and fathers to be the best that they can be.



About: "Encourage Me I'm Young, Inc., (EMIY), is a non-profit, for-youth enrichment organization that equips and enhances today's youth with guidance, encouragement, and relative and achievable goals. Character development, empowerment, and literacy proficiency is emphasized through mentorship. The intention of EMIY is to embrace and uplift one another by enlisting society to focus on potential instead of aptitude." Visit EMIY INC.

Financial Literacy for A New Generation

Today we will be joined by Mr. Garry Lawrence who is the Kidz 4 Money course director.

About Kidz 4 Money: Kidz 4 Money's MindSet of Wealth® is an innovative financial literacy and wealth building program for today’s youth that takes them far beyond money management skills. Our programs and books are specifically designed to equip today’s youth with the necessary critical-wealth thinking tools needed for tomorrow's economy. We teach teens how to build true wealth and start legacies.

Black Teen Empowerment Radio will be also saying farewell to one of its hosts. Mr. Keith J. Davis Jr. will be leaving the program as he cuts down on some of his activities to re-focus on some his goals. We certainly appreciate the time he spent with us. Now the search is on for a new teen host to fill void a be the voice of youth on Black Teen Empowerment Radio.

Channeling 2pac - Amiri Starr, Launches Online Campaign in Bid for Role as Tupac Shakur

Amiri Starr is making a personal online appeal to become the next actor to play legendary hip hop artist Tupac Shakur on the big screen. Director Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day," "Tears of the Sun," "Brooklyn's Finest" ) will be directing a film about the late rapper. In a recent interview, Fuqua stated he is looking to find a new face to fill the role. "I want to discover someone new. I want to go to the streets and find him anywhere he might be in the world," stated Fuqua.

When Starr heard about the quest for an unknown actor to portray Tupac, he launched an aggressive grassroots campaign to convince Fuqua to give him an opportunity to show he is that actor.

Amiri Starr will join us today to discuss his efforts, his love for acting and how he is using new media tools to assist him in making his dream to play Tupac a reality. View his self made audition online at Youtube. Rated mature for language, Click Here!

Helping Africa By Establishing Schools at Home and Abroad - HABESHA

HABESHA, Inc. is an environmentally-conscious organization that cultivates leadership in youth through practical experiences in Pan-African cultural education, sustainable agriculture, entrepreneurship, holistic health, and technology.



Our Guest today will be Tre Subira who is the director of the HABESHA program operating in Baltimore, Maryland. He will discuss various topics related to the impact of the media upon our youth, building positive relationships between men & women, elders & youth and the the status of African-centered education. Visit HABESHA, Inc.

*The Black Talk Media Project needs your help to continue its work, become a supporter by becoming a "Friends of Black Talk Radio" subscriber for just $1 a month. Click Here!

Youth and Credit Cards - Can Credit Cards Help You Achieve the American Dream?

Are there any benefits to prepaid debit card or is it another financial instrument being used to steal wealth from the Black Community. Working teens and their parents should make educated decisions before using these types of financial products. Being in debt is a crippling condition to find yourself in and is Russel Simmons the hip-hop and fashion mogul looking to profit from exploiting people who may not be financially literate.



Is Russell Simmons misleading consumers in telling them that plastic is the key to the American Dream?

Ash Cash will be our guest on Black Teen Empowerment Radio on Sunday. Ash’Cash is a Business Consultant, Motivational Speaker, Financial Expert and the author of Mind Right, Money Right: 10 Laws of Financial Freedom. Visit I Am Ash Cash!

*The Black Talk Media Project needs your help to continue its work, become a supporter by becoming a "Friends of Black Talk Radio" subscriber for just $1 a month. Click Here!

Grammy Nominated Producer Kashif Sponsors Music Camp for Foster Kids

Grammy Nominated Producer Kashif experienced living in eight different foster homes before turning 15 years old. Due to budget shortfalls, the State of California may have to cut many services that benefit children including those living in foster homes with their guardians.

Kashif University which was founded by the famed music producer, can be best described as a university without walls with a focus on the inner workings of the music industry and is is hosted by the six-time/ Grammy nominated, Multi-Platinum, producer, singer, songwriter and author turned educator.

Kashif University is teaming with the California Department of Children & Family Services to give foster children an opportunity to attend a music recording workshop.

From July 12-23, 2010 they will work together to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of children in foster care through music.

LaShandra Dupree Talks Overcoming Abandonment Issues

LaShandra Dupree is an awesome author and motivational speaker. She speaks and writes about many issues including Abandonment, Abuse, Assault, Promiscuity, Betrayal, Self Discovery, Authentic Living, Finding Your Passion, and Living Your Purpose. Her most recent book is "Overcoming our Abandonement Issues". She talks about coping without a father while seeing him raise another family and the ordeals that she faced that she believes would have been different with a strong male figure in the household. Check Out LaShandra's website!

*The Black Talk Media Project needs your help to continue its work, become a supporter by becoming a "Friends of Black Talk Radio" subscriber for just $1 a month. Click Here!

Detroit Is Marching For Aiyana Jones w/ Rev Omar Wilks

You have probably heard the tragic news about the death of 7yr-old Aiyana Jones who was killed by a Detroit Police Officer's bullet on May 14th, 2010 while she slept on the couch with her grandmother.



Aiyana's death has touched many people across the country and on Saturday, June 26, 2010 a march will be held in Detroit starting at Grand Circus Park and ending outside City Hall. The "REDEEM AIYANA’S DREAM; MARCH FOR JUSTICE" is sponsored in part by Unison Pentecostal Church and its pastor, Rev. Omar Wilks will join us today to discuss the march, no-knock warrants and violence against children by those who are charged with protecting them.

*The Black Talk Media Project needs your help to continue its work, become a supporter by becoming a "Friends of Black Talk Radio" subscriber for just $1 a month. Click Here!

The Roof Is On Fire: 101 Greatest Moments In Hip Hop w/ Sean XLG Mitchell

The Roof is on Fire: 101 Greatest Moments in Hip Hop” celebrates and highlights outstanding events and achievements in rap music over the last 30 years. Read More!

Sean XLG Mitchell is the ultimate hip-hop griot. He began his career promoting hit makers from Rockmaster Scott and the Dynamic Three to M.C. Hammer.



As an artist, XLG recorded several underground hits as a member of Unlimited Skills and is the first rapper to win a national music competition. He currently works as a freelance writer and is the creator of the hip-hop category Adult Contemporary Rap. Join us today as we talk to Sean XLG Mitchell about the greatest moments in Hip Hop!

*The Black Talk Media Project needs your help to continue its work, become a supporter by becoming a "Friends of Black Talk Radio" subscriber for just $1 a month. Click Here!

Is Hip Hop Evil? Can it be used to win souls for Jesus?

Fro will be on to discuss his music and we will ask him about the critics of his brand of music made for Christians. G. Craige Lewis has a DVD out blasting not only Hip-Hop music but says that the Church has to guard itself against the so-called "Holy Hip-Hop" and its negative impact on youth. He does seem think there is a place for Christian rap. We look at some of his arguments today with special guest music artist FRO.

Will also listen to a couple of new tracks from his new album "Fro is the Cornerstone". Fro on iTunes.

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*The Black Talk Media Project needs your help to continue its work, become a supporter by becoming a "Friends of Black Talk Radio" subscriber for just $1 a month. Click Here!

Dr. Paula Fomby - Race/Ethnic Differences in Effects of Family Instability on Adolescents

Dr. Fomby will be joining us today to discuss a recently completed study she authored titled "Race/Ethnic Differences in Effects of Family Instability on Adolescents' Risk Behavior".

According to a University of Clorado Denver press release, Paula Fomby says, "We were interested in what distinguished white teenagers from black teenagers, and entertained various explanations offered by other research and theories. Our study reveals two findings. One, the sheer number of adults that are around to give teenagers or their parents support varies by ethnic or racial group. Additionally, adjustment to economic hardship trumps the growing pains introduced by other family changes such as divorce or remarriage."

The researchers followed the lives of approximately 8,000 American teenagers from their adolescence in the mid-90s to young adulthood (over the course of seven years). The teenagers answered questions about their school activities, illegal behaviour, and romantic lives. Their parents provided information about their own relationship histories." Read More!

What can the Black community learn from this study ? Can lessons be learn to assist youth who are having problems and acting out?

Paula Fomby is an Assistant Professor in the Sociology Department at University of Colorado Denver. Her specialty areas include "Family, immigrants and immigration, poverty, public policy, data analysis".

Dr. Barbarin, Author Of Study Focusing On African American Males Pre-K to Prison

Oscar A. Barbarin, Ph.D. is a professor in the Psychology Department at Tulane University. He is a published author of several books including "Institutional Racism and Community Competence", "Mandela's Children: Growing Up in Post-Apartheid South Africa", and others. His research interests are examining educational interventions for achievement and social well-being, and the role of community and family in health risks and health threat.

He earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Rutgers University in 1975 and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in social psychology at Stanford University in 1983. He is President of the American Orthopsychiatric Association and a Fellow in American Psychological Association's Division 27 Society for Community Research and Action.



Dr. Oscar A. Barbarin, III, Ph.D projected that by 2029, prisons will house almost 30,000 of the 600,000 four-year olds now living in America. Read More

All is not lost if we act now, Dr. Barbarian says the solution to this problem lies within families, schools and communities.

Black Teens More Optimistic and Cope Better With Family Adversity Than Peers

A couple of new reports are out on studies pertaining to youth that are positive signs for Black teens. Black youth are better able to cope with family breakups or big changes than their white counterparts and Black youth are more optimistic for the future than their counterparts.

What is the catalyst for this positive outlook by Black teens and why are they better able to cope with major family changes than other groups?

Have a thought or answer to share? Call in and make your opinion heard. Black Teen Empowerment Radio bringing you the topics that focus specifically on Black Youth and their empowerment!

Troubling Trend: African American Males Pre-K to Prison

Oscar A. Barbarin, III, Ph.D. is the Hertz Endowed Chair of the Department of Psychology Center for Children, Families, and Schools at Tulane University, New Orleans. He has worked in the fields of family development, early childhood education, and minority youth crime prevention for over thirty years, and is Past-President of the American Orthopsychiatric Association.



Dr. Barbarin is the author of a new study that shows a thirty year trend that shows a disproportionate number of African American male youth ending up in prison.
It's projected that by 2029, prisons will house almost 30,000 of the 600,000 four-year olds now living in America. The solution to this problem lies within families, schools and communities according to Dr. Barbarin.

A$H CA$H: Money Right, Mind Right “The 10 Laws of Financial Freedom”

Ash’Cash is an Author, Business Consultant, Motivational Speaker, Financial Adviser and Financial Literacy Advocate with more than 10 years of banking experience. Through his hard work and eagerness to learn, Ash worked his way through the ranks in banking from teller to customer service then to personal banker, private banker & branch manager. His last position in traditional corporate America before transitioning to entrepreneurship and doing what he loves was as Vice President at one of the largest financial institution in the world, managing a book of 400 mass affluent clients with assets ranging from $100K-$22MM. In his career he has coached and trained over 100 sales professionals, took over and made underperforming branches profitable, and opened and managed four branches; bringing in almost $90MM in deposits over his tenure. Ash attributes his career success to knowledge and knowing what to do with it once it’s obtained.While developing his career, he attended the Borough of Manhattan Community College and Bernard M. Baruch College obtaining a degree in finance and investments.

Today Ash is President and CEO of Ash Cash Enterprises a company that he created that houses many of his ventures including; Ash Cash Entertainment Group, which is the arm that produces and distributes all of his media ventures, Ash Cash Management Group, a Management /Business consultant company and Ash Cash Holding Co. which houses all of his investments and real estate. Ash is currently in the process of pursuing his masters’ degree in psychology, as a way to learn more about how the human mind works so he can be more effective in his mission to get the world focused!!!

Special Guest Zekita Tucker of the ‘The African Diaspora Hour’

Zekita Tucker is a woman of many talents. Zekita (aka Zekita Tucker) is the Founder &CEO of Zeniam Publications. She is also a three time author, a freelance journalist, a student of sociology, a defeater of breast cancer, a cultivator of young African/Black minds, and most importantly, a mother. Prior to her groundbreaking series YourStory, which premiered with the title YourStory Book One, Zekita authored and published Don’t Call Me N-gga, Purple Revised Edition and Reggie Wakes Up (both under Zeniam Publications). As the creator, publisher, and author of the YourStory series, her company has made it a life long goal to provide youth, parents, libraries, organizations, and schools with learning resources that promote the inclusion of Global African history and analysis within the general curriculum of all elementary, middle, and high school.

Her first two books discouraged young African/Blacks from using the so called ‘n’ word and encouraged entrepreneurship and academic excellence- respectively. As a freelance writer, she has been published by countless African/Black newspapers and online publications across the U.S. and abroad. Her work as an independent journalist and author and proclaimed Africana Womanist, has awarded her features by the likes of ABC World News and Black Star News(NY) as well as guest spots on popular radio shows such as CNN’s Roland S. Martin Show and XM Radio’s Urban Journal w/ Keith Murphy. Appearing as a guest speaker and presenter at schools and other public events, Zekita has been called the ‘motivational mama’ by parents, teachers, and youth who have benefited from her presentations and written work.

Erykah Badu: From Bag Lady To Video Skank

So the media world is all abuzz about Erykah Badu’s video “Window Seat” in which she walks down a heavily populated Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, the site where late President John F. Kennedy was assassinated and sheds her clothing in full view of the tourist which included children.

She claims she had some concern about the children present but that did not deter her from showing her butt to the world. Some are calling it art, some are calling it a publicity stunt, we call it another example of the corrupting influence of corporate media on society and how people put their selfish needs before others. With that said, the video more than likely will be celebrated and receive all kind of awards from the degenerate corporate media establishment.

Youth and Music Production w/ SPUD TOO TIGHT! - Student Loans - Wachovia and Drug Money

Music Producer/Composer Spud Too Tight (aka Spud) created, produced and hosts of the hottest and most unique celebrity driven Podcast to hear a diverse range of Billboard's chart topping and Grammy Award winning music producers, composers, arrangers, vocalists and engineers discuss their production techniques and preferences, influences, song structure, music instruments, microphone preferences, genre, style and their craft, state of the art recording equipment, background and upcoming projects. The show is called The Producer's Corner with Spud Too Tight on ITunes Podcast and it is also published on his interactive website: www.spudtootightmusic.ning.com

Spud has been a volunteer music director at his church in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota for 20 years and has mentored numerous young aspiring musicians on learning the art of playing keyboards, song creation, guitar, basic hands on studio engineering, playing live sounds, working with large choirs and still serves as their mentor.

President Obama announces Student Loan reforms and the DEA busts the banking giant Wachovia for its role in laundering drug money.