These days, 11-figure expenditures barely attract notice. While Congress was grappling with the 12-figure $700 bailout plan for the financial industry, the powerful Michigan delegation got House approval for $25 billion in loans for the troubled U.S. auto industry.

Lawmakers that pushed for the legislation hailed it as key to saving thousands of jobs in the state. Detroit Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, chair of the 43-member Congressional Black Caucus, played a major role in passage of the legislation. What many will call “corporate welfare” enables General Motors, Ford and Chrysler to get at least $5 billion each. This allows them to borrow money at interest rates as low as 4 percent. Over several years, the automakers could save hundreds of millions in financing costs. The car companies will have five years before they start repaying the loans.

Dr. Algernon Austin

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – (September 26, 2008) – Alabama State University’s doctoral program in Educational, Leadership, Policy and Law will begin its Doctoral Seminar Series on Sept. 29 at 5:30 p.m. in the John L. Buskey Heath Sciences building. 

Dr. Algernon Austin, director of the Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy Program at the Economic Policy Institute, will present the lecture titled, “The Good News about Black Students and the Challenges Ahead.”

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Sway’s Way Modeling

When local photographer Micheal Carson teamed up with Sways Model Management the collaboration proved to be a perfect combination.  Micheal took his connections with JET Magazine and  his friendship with Agency owner Kenyetta Smiley to another level.  Together they have been able to profile several models from this area, propelling them into the national spotlight as JET Magazine Jet Beauties.

The first was Ashley Roberts a student at Tuskegee University, Melanesia Hunter a recent graduate of Auburn University and two local beauties Anteidra Martin a Junior at Tuskegee University Majoring in Biology and Kenyetta Smiley the owner and CEO of Sway’s Way Model Management both ladies are from Montgomery, Alabama.  All of these ladies appeared in Jet Magazine as Jet Beauties between May 2008-September 2008.

Making Music &  all the right moves in Montgomery

M3, Montgomery hottest new music trio can be found around town at all of the hottest event. Memphis, Mobile, and Montgomery, they have pushed out some of the hottest upcoming talent this year and M3 is no exception.

The name stems from their personal love and devotion to there cities. Their music, and their sound comes from a deep mix of soulful gritty R&B like those before them (Jodeci and H-Town) with a touch of new school. They call it “Southern Swagger”.

Alabama Sate University’s Department of Biological Sciences has received a $5 million appropriation to spur ASU’s rapidly growing scientific research and training enterprise.

The contribution will significantly enhance ASU’s capacity to train and prepare world-class scientist who will advance the State of Alabama’s position towards a global scientific presence, said Karyn Scissum-Gunn, interim university provost and chair of biological sciences.

“We are witnessing history,” said Gunn. “With our new PhD program in microbiology, cutting edge nanobiotechnology initiative, new state-of-the-art Life Sciences building… a major scientific research hub is evolving in the capital city. We have just taken a leap forward with the support of U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL).”

What if the nation’s most powerful African American politician had to step down from his high government post simply because of slovenly behavior?

African American political icon, 76-year-old Charles Bernard Rangel is in hot water regarding his Chairmanship of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee of Ways and Means. Harlem’s Congressman heads the 110th Congress’ chief tax-writing committee. The U.S. Constitution requires that all bills regarding taxation originate in the House of Representatives, and House procedure is that all bills regarding taxation must go through Rangel’s committee. The 19-term Congressman is accused of slovenliness regarding his person financial and tax filings and real estate deals and under pressure to vacate his high position.

Former Colonial Power Pays Africans Reparations

Under Col. Muammar Gaddafi’s prolonged and persistent pressure for justice, Libya became the first African country to receive apologies and compensation from a former colonial power. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi recently apologized to the North African country for damage Italy inflicted during 40 years of colonial rule and signed an agreement to pay $5 billion as compensation to resolve colonial-era disputes.

Libya’s leader said the settlement opened the door to partnership between the two states. Long a pariah among Western powers, Gaddafi called the treaty “historic” and that it “marked the defeat of colonialism”. Gaddafi said “Tyranny has a price which must be borne by the perpetrators,” while Mr. Berlusconi said the deal ended “40 years of misunderstanding”.

Capitalism and commerce made America the world’s wealthiest country. For its entire economy history Black Americans’ roles have always been that of laborers – slave, salaried and union. In the present, as in the past, blacks’ sole role in mainstream enterprise is as employees.

Black Americans’ most successful period in business occurred during Reconstruction and the Jim Crow Era when segregation provided a market for transportation, goods via retail outlets and professional services for celebrations, construction, financial services, funerals and media to promote them all.

Are you among the 2.6 million contributors to Barack Obama’s or John McCain’s Presidential Campaigns? If not, be happy to sit on the sidelines while the real players pay the price for their place in the corridors of political power.

As they head into their conventions, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has raised $345 million and has $65 million currently on hand. Republican John McCain has raised almost $150 million. Obama reports over 2 million people have contributed to his campaign. When these contributors and party officials arrive at the Democratic and Republican conclaves in Denver and St. Paul, MN they will be treated to lavish festivities.