Islam and the roots of hip hop culture
by Tony Muhammad As the world continues to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip hop, the influence and imprint of Islam on the art form cannot be overlooked. Jay Electronica’s lyrics throughout his album, “A Written Testimony,” which include the song “Universal Soldier,” were and are still timely for the world of hip hop. The project was released in March...
Botswana wins greater share of diamond profits held by conglomerate De Beers
Diamonds may be forever but the question of who has the rights to the sparkly stones is anything but set in stone. This was made clear when the government of Botswana won a new “agreement in principle” with De Beers, the international diamond conglomerate, after a round of tough negotiations. Under the new agreement, Botswana, the world’s second-largest diamond producer,...
The Final Call among winners at 2023 Black Press Awards
NASHVILLE—The Final Call newspaper was among the awardees and was recognized once again for its work by the Black Press of America, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) during its 2023 annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee. The Sacramento Observer was recognized as the nation’s best Black newspaper and received the John B. Russwurm Award. The Final Call won first place...
Yusef Salaam wins NYC Democratic primary
Yusef Salaam, of “The Exonerated Five,” recently won the Democratic primary for New York City Council to represent Central Harlem. The general election will take place in November. According to media reports, Mr. Salaam is not expected to face a serious challenge for the seat. It is time, he said, for “a new Harlem Renaissance,” reported the Associated Press....
Affirmative Action decision goes beyond higher education, say analysts
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s 6-3 and 6-2 Affirmative Action ruling, striking down all references to race in college admissions, scholars, advocates, and activists, long fighting for diversity, equity, and inclusion, are now concerned with the fallout of the high court’s decision. These concerns include the impact on employment, the awarding of contracts, and equal access to...
Chastity: A matter of national security Sisters of iDENY host online event for women and girls
“To be a woman is not to be a lightweight creature. To be a woman is to be one of the greatest representatives of the nature of God Himself; that there is in creation.” The above quote from the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, from “How To Give Birth to A God, Part 1,” stresses the importance of a woman’s value...
‘At-risk’ no more: Baltimore Brothers mentorship program empowers Black boys
Baltimore Brothers has flipped the script and graduated nearly 50 at-risk young men from their manhood training program. Before a crowd of nearly 300 family, friends and supporters, the graduates stood tall and reflected on their 47-week commitment to change their lives. “This graduation was the best day for Baltimore Brothers,” Executive Director Andrew Muhammad told The Final Call. “We...
Pastors challenge community to help find missing Black children in Cleveland Research backs up concerns around lack of media coverage
by Charlene Muhammad National Correspondent @sischarlene A coalition of Black pastors are on a mission to help find more than 30 children reported missing during a span of two weeks in Cleveland, Ohio. A missing persons poster circulated in media has depicted photos of at least 13 of the children, who appeared to be Black. “Something needs to be done,” said Rev....
Supreme Court strikes down Affirmative Action policies in college admissions
Breaking with 45 years of legal precedent, the U.S. Supreme Court banned any consideration of race, regarding the pursuit of diversity, equity, and inclusion on American college campuses, June 29, after a Conservative-backed student group appealed a lower court’s decision to uphold Affirmative Action regarding admissions. In 6-2 and 6-3 decisions, the high court ruled that race-conscious remedies, at Harvard...