Features

In 1997, on the eve of the new millennium, The Network Journal undertook to re-image Black youth by publicly honoring 40 men and women under the age of 40 who were exceptional performers in their respective industries while being committed to the development of their community.

While discussing The Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation survey of Black women (See Headliner, Page 8) with a friend of mine, she repeated a comment on the subject from a friend of hers: “We’re the most studied group of women.” That gave me pause. When our conversation ended, I reflected on portrayals of Black women, individually or as a group, in the last year.

It’s one thing to enjoy the music of Louis Armstrong on YouTube; experiencing the jazz icon through the museum that bears his name is special.

Known as Dre the Trainer, fitness expert Andre Farnell, owner of Better Body Expert L.L.C., recommends exercise equipment for his in-home clients. His suggestions for purchasing secondhand exercise equipment include doing your homework, especially if you’re looking at a specific piece, to become aware of any recalls.

Fifty years ago this year, as nation after nation in Africa proclaimed an end to colonial rule, a contingent of African-American scholars, writers and performing artists landed in Lagos, Nigeria, for a celebration and dialogue with their African counterparts on the gamut of art emanating from people of African descent

Jean-Bernard Poulard, M.D., likely will spend the rest of his medical career serving minority communities. “I always had it in my heart to work in Queens,” he says of New York City’s largest and most ethnically diverse borough.

Idjwi Island, the second-largest inland island in Africa and the 10th in the world, sits in the middle of Lake Kivu, a lush and hilly terrain located between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. The home of an estimated 250,000 Congolese refugees, it is where Jacques L. Sebisaho, M.D., spends much of his time and energy.