This year’s Academy Awards nominees may just be the most diverse group ever: Here’s a look at the historic nominations.
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By BARRY WILNER AP Sports Writer
For months last year, Figure Skating in Harlem included no figure skating. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the members of the 24-year-old organization that serves young women of color in New York City didn’t see the ice from late winter until fall. Once they returned, with strict coronavirus-prevention protocols, it was a major step toward normality. The challenges for the girls extended far beyond the absence of ice time. The program’s objective for nearly a quarter-century has been helping girls of color transform their lives by growing in confidence, leadership and academic achievement.
Rapper Mark Curry and singer Mario Winans confirmed the news on social media.
Last week, in a video on Instagram, Black Rob said he was homeless and battling health issues, including kidney failure.
He said at the time, “Oh man, I’ve been dealing with this for five years. Four strokes … I don’t know what to tell you, man. I don’t got no house to live in — except maybe an apartment. Me and my man be trying to get together. I’m telling you man, this — is strange. It’s hard, you know what I’m saying.”
Black Rob was 51 years old.
What is your favorite Black Rob song?
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Attorneys in the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd will make their closing arguments Monday. Each side will be seeking to distill three weeks of testimony into a compelling argument that persuades jurors to deliver their view of the right verdict. For prosecutors, it’s that Derek Chauvin recklessly squeezed the life from Floyd as he pinned him to the pavement for more than 9 minutes in a clear misuse of force. For the defense, it’s that Floyd died of a bad heart and made himself more vulnerable by abusing drugs and resisting officers. The eventual verdict will come in a city and nation on edge over the outcome.
GJ Barnes, Senior Pastor of Empowerment Temple AME in Baltimore promotes faith-based, strategic thinking to help us navigate through these difficult times.

Supporting Local Black Businesses
The “Black On The Block” expo takes place April 23rd – April 25th
Black On the Block is April 23rd thru 25th. The event is sponsored by the Pearl Elegance Foundation along with the Community Action Awards. It is a weekend expo that focuses on educating the black community on entrepreneurship, supporting lock black businesses thru an in-person Black Market. For more information go here:
Tune in to Taking it to the Streets, weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:40 on the Steve Harvey Morning Show on 96.3 WHUR.
Follow me on facebook and twitter at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connected.
Listen to this mornings segment here:
THE JOURNEY: “Anita Jenkins – A Year of Dealing with COVID-19 at Howard University Hospital”
President Frederick talks with Anita Jenkins, CEO of Howard University Hospital, about the role that Howard University Hospital is playing in the community in regard to COVID-19.
ABOUT
Since the coronavirus pandemic began, Howard University Hospital has been at the forefront of treating and protecting Black men and women right here in Washington, D.C. from the effects of COVID-19. Now, with the initial rollout of vaccines, the hospital is playing a critical role in distributing vaccinations and moving our community closer to a return to normal. On today’s episode of “The Journey,” President Frederick talks with Anita Jenkins, CEO of Howard University Hospital.
Air Date: February 28, 2021
Free Community Shredding, Black on the Block Expo. Details in this week’s Community’s Choice
This week’s WHUR Community’s Choice is filled with free events across the DMV. Check-out a literary expo hosted by the Deltas or a free community shred with Youth Professional Development. Plus lots more.
Get rid of your unwanted documents. Youth Professional Development is hosting its 2nd Paper Shredding Event April 24th at Vista Market Place in Bowie. www.ypd-md.org .
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Black On the Block
Help Black businesses to survive and thrive. Join Joe’s Movement Emporium for its Black on the Block event April 23rd thru 25th. It’s a weekend of culture, commerce and connectivity. www.joesmovement.org
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Red Cross
The Red Cross is urging healthy individuals, especially those with type O Blood to give blood. Schedule a donation appointment today. www.redcrossblood.org
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Housing Webinars
Housing Counseling Services provides free monthly webinars to help tenants, homebuyers, and homeowners. Registration is required. www.whousingetc.org/webinar-registration.
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Delta Sigma Theta
The Fredericksburg Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is celebrating its 40th Anniversary April 25th with a virtual celebration. The event is open to the public. www.faacdst.org/events
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Colorectal Cancer Screening
Did you know with routine screening colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and it’s beatable if caught early? Learn the facts with Stand Up to Cancer. www.StandUpToCancer.org/ColonCancer
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Here’s how to get your PSAs on WHUR
To get your non-profit on the air and web, email Renee Nash at Rnash@whur.com three weeks prior to your event.
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Manhood Training Rites of Passage
Applications are now being accepted for the Manhood Training Rites of Passage program. It helps to prepare boys mentally, physically, and spiritually for the rigors of adulthood. www.manhoodtraininginc.com
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Delta Literary Expo
The Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is hosting a virtual Literary Expo to explore the themes of Love, Wellness and Sisterhood April 25th from 2pm to 4pm. www.thefcacdst.org
The world is slowing opening up again. That means we could soon get back to face-to-face networking and social gatherings. It could also mean you could encounter new people. People you have absolutely nothing in common with. How do you connect with them? How do you avoid awkward conversations?


DC Opens Senior Walk-Up COVID Clinics
DC is making it easier for elderly persons to get their COVID vaccine. Starting Monday, 10 walk-up clinics will be available for seniors around the city.
|
Site |
Address |
Ward |
Days/Hours |
|
Walter E. Washington Convention Center (GW MFA) |
801 Mt Vernon Pl NW, Washington, DC 20001 |
Ward 2 |
Mon-Fri 7:00a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
|
Lamond Recreation Center (Safeway) |
20 Tuckerman St NE, Washington, DC 20011 |
Ward 4 |
Wed-Sat 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
|
|
Langdon Park Community Center (Safeway) |
2901 20th St NE, Washington, DC 20018 |
Ward 5 |
Mon-Thurs 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
|
|
Turkey Thicket Recreation Center (Giant) |
1100 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017 |
Ward 5 |
Tues/Wed/Fri 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
|
|
Arena Stage (MedStar) |
1101 6th St SW, Washington, DC 20024 |
Ward 6 |
Thurs-Sun 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
|
Rosedale Recreation Center (Safeway) |
1701 Gales St NE, Washington, DC 20002 |
Ward 6 |
Mon/Thurs/Fri/Sat 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
|
|
Kenilworth Recreation Center (Giant) |
4321 Ord St NE, Washington, DC 20019 |
Ward 7 |
Tues/Wed/Fri 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
|
Bald Eagle Recreation Center (District Urgent Care) |
100 Joliet St, Washington, DC 20032 |
Ward 8 |
Wed/Thurs 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
|
Entertainment & Sports Arena (ESA) (One Medical) |
1100 Oak St SE, Washington, DC 20032 |
Ward 8 |
Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
|
|
Fort Stanton Recreation Center (Safeway) |
1812 Erie St SE, Washington, DC 20020 |
Ward 8 |
Mon-Thurs 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
On Monday, April 12, all DC residents 16 and older became eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Washington, DC. To ensure that DC is able to get the vaccine out as efficiently as possible, the Mayor is calling on all DC residents to pre-register for a vaccination appointment by going to vaccinate.dc.gov or calling 1-855-363-0333. Since the pre-registration system launched, approximately 92,120 individuals have already pre-registered, received an invitation, and booked an appointment. To date, approximately 119,791 individuals have pre-registered for and are awaiting an appointment.
Earlier this week, Mayor Bowser called on residents of DC, Maryland, and Virginia to pre-register for a vaccination appointment in the state in which they live:
- DC residents are encouraged to pre-register in DC at vaccinate.dc.gov or by calling 1-855-363-0333
- Maryland residents are encouraged to pre-register in Maryland at covidvax.maryland.gov or by calling 1-855-634-6829
- Virginia residents are encouraged to pre-register in Virginia at vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling 877-829-4682
Individuals who previously pre-registered for an appointment through the portal and who have already received their vaccination elsewhere can email vaccinatedc@dc.gov or call 1-855-363-0333 to have their information removed from the pre-registration list.
Eligible DC residents are also reminded of other ways to make an appointment, including:
- Directly through their health care provider
- Veterans and veteran spouses can get vaccinated through the VA Medical Center and can learn more by calling (202) 745-4342
- DC residents 65 and older, teachers and school staff, child care workers, and health care workers can book appointments through the CVS site (when appointments are available)
With the new pre-registration system, individuals can register online at any time on any day via vaccinate.dc.gov, or register by phone by calling the call center at 1-855-363-0333, Monday-Friday from 8 am to 7 pm or on Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 4 pm. Language translation services are available through the call center. Call center staff are also able to take calls from 711, a free video relay service from the FCC that allows individuals to sign with a hearing interpreter who is then talking on the phone with a call taker.
Each week, invitations are sent:
- Thursdays by 10 am
- Sundays by 10 am
- And, only if any appointments still need to be filled, Tuesdays by 10 am.
Anyone who registers by 11:59 p.m. tonight and who is currently eligible for the vaccine in DC will be part of the randomized selection process tomorrow morning. Once invitations go out, individuals have 48 hours to book their appointment. If an individual does not book their appointment, their name will go back in the pre-registration system (after three unanswered invitations an individual will need to register in the system again).
The current list of priority zip codes includes: 20010, 20011, 20017, 20018, 20002, 20003, 20019, 20020, 20032, 20422 and 20593. Priority zip codes are determined by identifying areas where residents have been disproportionately burdened by COVID-19 and areas that are lagging in COVID-19 vaccination coverage.
Mayor Bowser’s three operating principles for the pre-registration system are: 1) an equitable distribution of the vaccine; 2) a consistent scheduling cadence so residents know what to expect; and 3) a shared responsibility, across our community, to get people pre-registered.
DC still needs more vaccine, and we will continue to advocate for additional doses so that we can save lives and meet the demand of our community.
@FrankSkiInspirationalVitamin: “Give”
Luke 6:38 | ASV
38 give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again.
Giving you positive inspiration to start AND continue your day! Be sure to follow @FrankSki & @peninabrown for more inspiration and encouragement. And don’t forget to listen to the @frankskishow on @WHURFM every weekday from 3pm-7pm! #AMEN #beblessed #God #joy #faith #frankski #inspirationalvitamin ✝️🙏🏽✝️
Kanye hopes to be paired up “with an artist and a creative person,” said the source. Kanye thinks he and an artist, “can speak the same language.”
A source also spoke out on recent rumors that Kim was dating Van Jones saying the reality star is, “not dating anyone because, if she were, it would be a career move.”
If you think all this is strange, here’s another tidbit the source spilled on Kim, she “can’t date quietly” because “she doesn’t even understand what that would be like.”
Who do you think would be a good match for Kanye? Would you date someone to advance your career?
The $2 million settlement was announced this week, ending a lawsuit against festival organizers including Billy McFarland – who is currently serving a six-year prison sentence on fraud charges.

Attendees spent anywhere from $1,000 to $12,000 to attend the 2017 festival, which was cancelled before it even started, leaving guests stranded on an island that resembled a disaster camp.
Why did the Fyre Festival capture the world’s attention? Should someone try to organize another one?
Eight Killed In FedEx Shooting In Indianapolis
Police trying to identify gunman and motive.

Odom said he had been gambling and his debt got too high for him and he had no choice but to call Kobe Bryant for help.
Although Kobe wasn’t happy about Odom’s actions, he eventually gave him the money to settle his debt.
Odom says the last time he spoke with Bryant was a conversation about being “great.”
Do you think Lamar Odom will live up to Kobe’s expectations of “being great?”
Hiring Vaccinators and Health Professionals
The City of Alexandria is hiring to support it’s Covid-19 efforts
The City of Alexandria is hiring for vaccinators and other health professionals as well as general staff interested I joining its vaccination team on a full time temporary basis. For more information go here:
Tune in to Taking it to the Streets, weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:40 on the Steve Harvey Morning Show on 96.3 WHUR.
Follow me on facebook and twitter at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connected.
Listen to this mornings segment here:
Gwen Bunn: Overnight Success… Outchea Since 2011
The singing started for Gwen Bunn at Dr Martin Luther King’s Ebeneezer Church. Now, she’s singing, producing, and writing for celebrated artists in many different genres of music.
You’ve been groovin to Grammy nominated, Gwen Bunn’s collaboration with Faith Evans, Between The Lines. Now, it’s time for you to meet this dynamic singer, songwriter, producer.
She talks about how it was to work with Faith Evans, along with the countless other artists she works with. Including Ty Dolla $ign, and Childish Gambino.
Because of her life changing opportunity to work with Top Dawg Entertainment (home to Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and more), Gwen is now living the dream in Los Angeles. She had been going back and forth from her hometown Augusta, Georgia to Los Angeles for six years, and recently made the commitment to live there full time.
Gwen Bunn is a versatile artist who’s music is often described as slightly unconventional, highly relatable R&B. I’m here for all of it.
Can Solar Energy Work For Your Home?
How does it work? What are the benefits and costs for residential solar energy?
We continue our series about restoring and renovating your home. When driving around the DMV, you may notice dark panels on the roofs of private homes. Those are solar energy panels. But what’s it all about? How does it work? Could it work for your home and your community?
Resources:
Solar United Neighbors
Amendment Nine Consulting
BGE Community Use Solar
DC Solar for All Program
Maryland Community Solar Pilot Program


Pfizer CEO: 3rd COVID Vaccine Dose Likely
Researchers still don’t know how long you’re protected against the virus once you’ve been fully vaccinated.

Chicago Video Of Fatal Police Shooting of boy, 13
It’s not clear if the boy had a handgun during the incident.

@FrankSkiInspirationalVitamin: “Victory”
Psalm 118:14 | NLT
14 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.
Giving you positive inspiration to start AND continue your day! Be sure to follow @FrankSki & @peninabrown for more inspiration and encouragement. And don’t forget to listen to the @frankskishow on @WHURFM every weekday from 3pm-7pm! #AMEN #beblessed #God #joy #faith #frankski #inspirationalvitamin ✝️🙏🏽✝️
The former “Family Matters” star is launching “ItsPurpl” in California on April 20th in partnership with 710 labs.
White said “The thing that always stood out to me was there was no clear brand leader for fire purple weed. It made no sense to me, that no company of significance had claimed this lane, so why not me?”.
The two strains are: Purple Urkle and Stefan.
What other celebrities do you think will enter the cannabis business?
West’s Air Yeezy sneakers are valued at $1 Million. The shoes were not only designed by West himself, but were also worn during his performance at the 2008 Grammy awards where he ended up taking home four awards.
If money was no object, would you buy the sneakers? What would you do with them? Put them on display or hide them away in a safe place?
Billboard reports that his streams are up over 900 percent.
On April 9th and 10th, he got 75.7 on-demand streams. Two days before that, his numbers were at 7.36 million.
So far, “Ruff Ryder’s Anthem” is the most streamed.
Also getting a lot of plays is “Party Up (In Here),” “Slippin,” and “X Gon’ Give It To Ya.”
What DMX song have you streamed the most since he passed?
Ready Ron is denying that he laced a blunt DMX smoked when he was 14 with crack cocaine. DMX cried as he told the story of smoking the laced blunt to Talib Kweli in an interview that circulated the Internet last November.
Now Ready Ron says DMX wasn’t being honest and that he never laced the blunt with crack cocaine and that he’s been receiving hate mail since the story surfaced.
“How was I thirty years old in 1985 and he was 14,” said Ron. “And he and I are only three years apart. You gotta remember, just because somebody is world-famous doesn’t mean they’re always honest. And I’ve got nothing bad to say about him but you gotta stop lying on me.” Ready told “The Neighborhood Talk.”
Do you believe Ready Ron’s claims? Do you think Ready Ron should’ve cleared the air prior to DMX’s death?
Protecting Yourself From Scammers
AARP has information to keep you from becoming a victim of scammers
For more information go here: or call the helpline at 877-908-3360
Tune in to Taking it to the Streets, weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:40 on the Steve Harvey Morning Show on 96.3 WHUR.
Follow me on facebook and twitter at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connected.
Listen to this mornings segment here:
April COVID-19 Update
Dr. Reed Tuckson, Co-founder of The Black Coalition Against COVID-19 answers questions.
Nearly 200 million Americans are now vaccinated against COVID-19 according to the CDC. But the daily infection rate has been on the rise since last month. Yesterday, the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine was put on hold by the FDA and CDC after concerns about the death of a woman in Virginia and blood clots that have developed in five other women after receiving the J&J vaccine. We bring you this covid-19 update.
Resources:
Black Coalition Against COVID-19

@FrankSkiInspirationalVitamin: “Validation”
Romans 3:3 | ESV
3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?
Giving you positive inspiration to start AND continue your day! Be sure to follow @FrankSki & @peninabrown for more inspiration and encouragement. And don’t forget to listen to the @frankskishow on @WHURFM every weekday from 3pm-7pm! #AMEN #beblessed #God #joy #faith #frankski #inspirationalvitamin ✝️🙏🏽✝️
First off, the experts say the risk is very low – only six cases out of 7 million patients have been reported so far. If it’s been more than a month since your shot, you’re probably fine.
Symptoms to watch out for include a headache that won’t go away, severe abdominal or leg pain, or shortness of breath. If you experience any of these, contact your doctor immediately.
So far, all six cases have been reported in women between the ages of 18 and 48.
Which vaccine did you receive? Did you seek out a specific one, or just go with whatever was available?
In 2013, Nas’ investment firm, Queensbridge Venture Partners, invested in the cryptocurrency exchange platform when it was valued at only $143 million.
When Coinbase enters the trading floor it could reach a valuation of $100 billion, which in turn would net Nas $100 million.
Nas’ Queensbridge Venture Partners makes early-stage investments between $100,000 and $500,000.
What is one stock tip you can share that has helped your investments?
Initially, JAY-Z had reached out to McGuire about helping run a fund that would benefit minorities, however, when he was told of McGuire’s mayoral run, the billionaire decided to publicly support McGuire’s run.
JAY-Z, Nas, and Diddy appeared on a Zoom call along with McGuire, Steve Stout, and Angie Martinez to discuss McGuire’s “inclusive comeback” plan for the Big Apple.
Puffy’s support of McGuire will take an active role with the Hip-Hop mogul helping McGuire to reach out to voters and make the campaign “sexy,” a staffer for McGuire said.
Do celebrities influence your political views and those you support?
She told People magazine, it took me awhile. We women can forget about ourselves.
Now that she has found her routine she said she is planning for how she will maintain it, post pandemic.
She said she knows now she has to take a moment for herself.
In what ways have you taken care of yourself during the pandemic and how will you maintain it post-pandemic?
The new episode airs today, Wednesday, April 14th at 12noon EST.
The couple discuss the death of Bobby Brown, Jr and the impact the death has on the couple’s 11 year old son, Cassius.
Cassius was very close to Bobby Brown, Jr.
They don’t hide their tears from him and they don’t stifle his emotions or his ability to ask questions.
Have you had to explain death to a young child? How did you do it?
He was friends with Tina for over 20 years.
The hosts asked why he was not featured in her HBO documentary.
He said her current husband did not like him so he stopped working for Tina and being her friend.
He also wrote a tell all book about Tina.
He regrets writing the book even though she knew about it. He said he wrote the book to get her attention since they were no longer friends.
Has your significant other ever disliked your best friend? How did you handle it?
Terius Gray, otherwise known as Juvenile, has just been handed the key to New Orleans, literally.
In a special presentation by New Orleans Mayor, LaToya Cantrell, Juvenile received a plaque that contains a mounted key with the inscription “In recognition of his contributions to the music industry and being known as one of the pioneers of Hip Hop music in the South. Known as a creative genius and homegrown talent that has made him a hip-hop legend and known worldwide”.
The rapper is from New Orleans and has always shown pride in his home city.
What’s your favorite song by Juvenile?
Leela James: “Sometimes We Make Things Too COMPLICATED!”
My genuine musical influences are all the “musical masters! Just the masters!”
How lucky we all were for Ms. Leela James to jump out of her recording session to show us and her many listeners some love. The icing on the cake is … She broke out into singing “Complicated!” Whaaaat? Yes!!!
Looking very regal last night, as she walked us through her musical journey. Everything from her writing process, working with crooner, Anthony Hamilton, and producer Rex Rideout, to how she felt about her recent profile on TV One’s UNSUNG!
Oh.. She even told me her favorite Leela James song. It’s mine too… Can you guess? Watch the interview to find out for sure.
Daunte Wright’s Killer Facing Charges
Minnesota cop Kim Potter will be charged with second-degree manslaughter

Black On The Block Expo
A weekend expo that focuses on entrepreneurship education.
We’re talking about giving black businesses hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Next weekend there’s an effort underway to help pump some much needed dollars back into those businesses. It’s called Black On The Block, a weekend expo that focuses on entrepreneurship education.
Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith, Senior Minister Washington, DC’s Shiloh Baptist Church and recording artist Damien Sneed support the people of God through social justice ministries and inspiring music.
Lisa Raye Returns To Iyanla: Fix My Life For The 2nd Time
Actress LisaRaye McCoy returns to Iyanla to complete the work that she started on her last visit.
@thereallraye1 returns to @iyanlavanzant #FixMyLife for the FINAL season premiere. Will round 2 be enough? @peninabrown and Lisa Raye discuss the mother-daughter relationship dynamics so many of us struggle with generation to generation.
Follow us on IG: @FrankSkiShow featuring @FrankSki & @PeninaBrown
Melody Hurd “Grace Emory” on THEM
A Black family moves to an all-white Los Angeles neighborhood where malevolent forces, next door and otherworldly, threaten to taunt, ravage and destroy them.
#Repost: Talk about black girl magic in its finest form! Whew, she is everything! We loved her on the screen, and we love her off!!! Bravo and job well done, Miss @melodyhurd! You did beautifully well as Gracie Jean Emory and we are over the moon proud of you! Check out our very special interview with Melody and her mom @nishahurd! And we got to play an old school game with this old soul LOL. It’s soooo adorable! I’m still trying to figure out how her mom ever tells her no, but Nisha insists she does. 😂 We absolute love the entire family of superstars! ♥️ #THEMonPrime #TheHurdGirls
Follow us on IG: @FrankSkiShow featuring @FrankSki & @PeninaBrown
Getting Home Alive After Encounters With Police
We take a hard look at encounters with police for people of color.
Imagine this… you’re driving. You see the red and blue lights in your rear view mirror. You’re being pulled over by a police officer. As you slow your car down… your heart rate speeds up. You feel the light sheen of perspiration and you wonder… what have I done? You are uncertain, nervous, scared. You ask yourself what’s next and will you make it home alive? You don’t have to imagine that. We’re not being overly dramatic. There are too many high-profile examples in the news right now. We take a hard look at this scenario and the broader issues for people of color and their encounters with police.


Johnson & Johnson COVID Vaccine Stopped
US recommends ‘pause’ for J&J shots in blow to vaccine drive

Shake Up After Daunte Wright Killing
Cop, police chief resign 2 days after Black motorist’s death

@FrankSkiInspirationalVitamin: “Peace”
Psalm 119:165 | KJV
165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Giving you positive inspiration to start AND continue your day! Be sure to follow @FrankSki & @peninabrown for more inspiration and encouragement. And don’t forget to listen to the @frankskishow on @WHURFM every weekday from 3pm-7pm! #AMEN #beblessed #God #joy #faith #frankski #inspirationalvitamin ✝️🙏🏽✝️
The Oscars are aiming to be more like a movie than a television show and enlisting A-list stars like Halle Berry, Harrison Ford, Brad Pitt and Reese Witherspoon to help. They’ll be joined at the April 25 broadcast by the likes of Regina King, Angela Bassett, Joaquin Phoenix, Rita Moreno, Laura Dern, Zendaya, Marlee Matlin and last year’s best director winner Bong Joon Ho, the show’s producers said Monday. After delaying two months due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Oscars are forging ahead with an in-person show at Los Angeles’ Union Station. The 93rd Oscars will be broadcast live on ABC on April 25 at 8 p.m. Eastern.
ATLANTA (AP) — Four historically Black medical schools are getting $6 million to expand coronavirus vaccination efforts in minority communities. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s philanthropy announced the gifts Tuesday, to Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine in Los Angeles. Each of the schools will use the money to buy additional mobile vaccination units. Vaccination rates are lagging in many African American communities, but many leaders say fears Black people would refuse vaccination out of distrust have eased. Instead, people may be having trouble accessing the vaccine.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is recommending a “pause” in administration of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to investigate reports of potentially dangerous blood clots. In a joint statement Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said it was investigating clots in six women in the days after vaccination, in combination with reduced platelet counts. More than 6.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine have been administered in the U.S. U.S. federal distribution channels, including mass vaccination sites, will pause the use of the J&J shot, and states and other providers are expected to follow.












































