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TheGrio is the first video-centric news community site devoted to providing African Americans with stories and perspectives that appeal to them but are underrepresented in existing national news outlets. TheGrio features aggregated and original video packages, news articles, and blogs on topics from breaking news, politics, health, business, and entertainment. TheGrio is brought to you through the cooperation of NBC News and the production team that brought you the documentary film, Meeting David Wilson.

  1. Debate teams help black students find their voice

    21/12/2009 · VIDEO

    Debate teams help black students find their voice

    http://www.thegrio.com/2009/12/debate-teams-help-black-students-find-their-voice.php High school juniors Devonte Escoffery and Stephon Adams have made their school's debate team their number one priority. Both attend Metropolitan Corporate Academy in Brooklyn, N.Y. But their debates on issues such as poverty don't just consist of traditional exchanges of arguments at warp speed. The duo also perform original raps. "In debate, I talk about my social location, Canarsie [Brooklyn] and rap music influences my view of the world, " Devonte said. "[Stephon and I] believe that one, rap music shouldn't shape you in a bad way or a negative way. Our personal narratives should be heard." The pair's unique approach has thrown off many of their opponents, who expect Devonte and Stephon to simply speed-read points off their lap tops or index cards. "I get this confidence that I didn't have before I debated," Stephon said. "My grades are up and college is now a bigger part of the picture." A recent study shows African-American high school students who debate are 70 percent more likely to graduate than non-debate participants. Metro Corp. Academy's debate coach Alex Jones said the academic progress Devonte and Stephon have made is "remarkable." He also said success hasn't been limited to them. "We're dealing with a really educationally underserved population, kids who really struggle with English," Jones said of the majority of New York's urban debate league competitors. "But in debate, it's as heavy as it gets. [The students] learn vocabulary, have to be able to defend it in front of a judge and present clear arguments." Devonte and Stephon both call debate an outlet for their self-expression. "Not all, but [some of] these politicians don't know what [those living in poverty] go through on a daily basis," Devonte said. "But if they hear the voices of those going through it, then they're better able to do something about it."

    2 min
  2. Jesse Jackson grades Obama weighs in on Tiger Woods

    21/12/2009 · VIDEO

    Jesse Jackson grades Obama weighs in on Tiger Woods

    http://www.thegrio.com/2009/12/rev-jesse-jackson-gives-his-grades-for-president-obama.php Rev. Jesse Jackson continues to push President Barack Obama to make black unemployment more of a priority in his administration. Jackson, who founded the RainbowPUSH Coalition, talked with theGrio about President Obama's first year in office. President Obama recently told talk show host Oprah Winfrey he deserves a "solid B+" for his first 11 months in office. Jackson instead gave Obama several grades -- high praise for pushing health care reform and low marks for strategy in Afghanistan. He also discussed Obama's support among African-Americans and offered words of encouragement for Tiger Woods.

    2 min
  3. The Barbershop Buzz on Tiger Woods and infidelity

    21/12/2009 · VIDEO

    The Barbershop Buzz on Tiger Woods and infidelity

    http://www.thegrio.com/2009/12/tiger-woods-on-the-barbershop-buzz.php Tiger Woods continues to make headlines with his growing list of reported lovers. And bad timing for Golf Digest magazine as it offers ten tips President Obama can take from Woods. Today on the Barbershop Buzz: As his sponsors begin to pull the plug, is Tiger really living the dream?

    2 min
  4. Cornel West: Obama is for big business not the jobless

    21/12/2009 · VIDEO

    Cornel West: Obama is for big business not the jobless

    http://www.thegrio.com/2009/12/cornel-west-obama-is-for-big-business-not-the-jobless.php Educator Cornel West sat down with theGrio to discuss how unemployment is affecting African-Americans. TheGrio asked West about national unemployment trends for African-Americans. He called on President Barack Obama to implement a comprehensive jobs policy -- a program that would mirror former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal, and focus primarily on creating jobs for people without a college education. "[It's] the same way we had an investment banker policy when they were in trouble," West said of what he views as a double-standard in current economic policy. "All AIG needed was a push. So let's help push these poor people, these working people into jobs with a living wage." West, who has been outspoken in both his support and criticism of Obama, said the current administration has not made poor people a priority. "Obama has an economic team that's composed of persons who have no history whatsoever of being concerned about poor people," West said. "Obama's been doing a good job of reassuring the establishment. But there's many of us who believe the establishment is on our necks." The Princeton University professor is busy promoting his new book, Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud. The memoir is a departure from West's previous books, where he focused primarily on issues such as race and social justice.

    4 min
  5. Charles Rangel faces 'serious' challenge in former staffer

    21/12/2009 · VIDEO

    Charles Rangel faces 'serious' challenge in former staffer

    http://www.thegrio.com/2009/11/harlem-is-home-to-several.php Harlem is home to several legendary African-American political leaders: New York's first black congressman, Adam Clayton Powell, the city's first black mayor, David Dinkins, and the dean of Harlem politics, Congressman Charles Rangel. But suddenly, Rangel faces what his staff admits is a very serious challenge. "I've decided to run for Congress," 2010 congressional candidate Vince Morgan said. "I think the community is ready to look beyond the current congressperson, Charles Rangel, to a future and the question has always been what happens after Charles Rangel?"

    4 min
  6. Al Sharpton speaks with theGrio about Rush Limbaugh's NFL bid

    21/12/2009 · VIDEO

    Al Sharpton speaks with theGrio about Rush Limbaugh's NFL bid

    http://www.thegrio.com/2009/10/sharpton-jackson-attack-limbaughs-rams-bid.php Al Sharpton speaks with theGrio about Rush Limbaugh's NFL bid for St. Louis Rams

    4 min
  7. Personal ties bind filmmakers to movie Precious

    21/12/2009 · VIDEO

    Personal ties bind filmmakers to movie Precious

    http://www.thegrio.com/2009/11/personal-ties-bind-makers-to-movie-precious.php The film "Precious" stars newcomer Gabourey Sidebe, who plays an illiterate teenage girl from Harlem, New York, whose story of repeated sexual abuse at the hands of her father and mother will send viewers on an emotional journey. Based on the novel "Push," the story is one that captured readers and the film's creators more than a decade ago. "Both Lee and I read the book," executive producer Lisa Cortes told TheGrio. "We weren't making films at that time, but both of us loved it and talked about it incessantly." Cortes and director Lee Daniels convinced "Push" author Sapphire that only they could tell this story of abuse, survival and hope. "I'm still pinching myself when I think of the places around the world where this film has been received so warmly," Cortes said. "Sapphire was comfortable with Lee," screenplay writer Geoffrey Fletcher said. "Once he gained her trust and confidence, then it was off to the races." Precious' story comes alive with an all-star cast, including Lenny Kravitz and Paula Patton. They are stars that shine because of their ability to lose themselves in dark, disturbing roles. Grammy award-winning artist Mariah Carey is Precious' social worker. "With Mariah," Fletcher said. "I really think that when you see this performance here, I think it's a clear window into the reason why she has the following she does. It is her humanity that we see here. She's very sensitive, very alert and very humble." Most frightening is Mo'nique, as the mother. "What's surprising about Mo'nique in 'Precious,' is that you don't see Mo'nique," Cortes said. "You don't for a moment see 'The Parkers.' You don't see the comedian that we know and love. You see Mary, a woman who is as much a victim as she is a perpetrator." Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry partnered to executive produce the film with hopes of giving this tale the Hollywood success story it deserves. Recounting his own history of abuse, Perry said 'Precious' is a story that needs to be heard. "I realized how close the story was to my childhood and I had to get involved," executive producer Tyler Perry said. "Monique's character was my father. And I wanted people to understand, see and know that this is a movie that will change lives." "So for every voiceless person that we all do not recognize, this film gives them a voice," Cortes said. "It sheds light on their humanity and it sheds light on the tremendous possibility that the precious boys and girls have."

    3 min
  8. 60 Minutes' Byron Pitts talks about overcoming illiteracy

    21/12/2009 · VIDEO

    60 Minutes' Byron Pitts talks about overcoming illiteracy

    http://www.thegrio.com/2009/11/60-minutes-pitts-rises-above-his-past.php When Byron Pitts was 18 years old, his dream was to work for "60 Minutes" by the time he was 45. Raised by his mother in East Baltimore, Pitts was functionally illiterate until the age of 12. He spoke with a stutter until his early 20s. But that didn't stop him from dreaming big. He chronicles his journey from troubled child to an Emmy award-winning journalist in his new book "Step Out On Nothing: How Faith and Family Helped Me Conquer Life's Challenges." "People have been very receptive [to my story]," said Pitts, who was named a contributing correspondent for "60 Minutes" earlier this year. "There is joy on the other side of struggle, and I think that message is getting out there." Pitts came close to dropping out of Ohio Wesleyan University as a freshman. He was struggling academically and an English professor told him he wasn't college material. But another English professor, Ülle Lewes, befriended Pitts and "saved" his life. "I didn't know her, she didn't know me," Pitts said of Lewes, who helped Pitts with his school work all four years of college. "She helped me, she stepped out on nothing." Pitts said he hopes his story will inspire others to remain optimistic when their dreams seem out of reach. "It ain't easy sometimes being an optimist," Pitts said. "But it's a choice that people can make... I hope to encourage other people to make the same kind of choice."

    3 min
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TheGrio is the first video-centric news community site devoted to providing African Americans with stories and perspectives that appeal to them but are underrepresented in existing national news outlets. TheGrio features aggregated and original video packages, news articles, and blogs on topics from breaking news, politics, health, business, and entertainment. TheGrio is brought to you through the cooperation of NBC News and the production team that brought you the documentary film, Meeting David Wilson.

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