Venice, Italy’s best hotel and attractions

Venice, Italy, has to be one of the most beautiful locations on the planet, offering elegant and quiet experiences. The blues that are found in the sky represent the passion and love of ornate ideas, structures and palaces. The gondolas

Blue Star Donuts in Portland, Ore., are the bomb

Blue Star donuts in Portland, Oregon are the bomb. When you walk in the door it is obvious that the entire establishment is a shrine for a delicious piece of love. Showcased behind a glass enclosure are delectable morsels that

Happy New Year! Make you a priority

Happy New Year! A happy new year is the focus for the African American community. Every year we choose a milestone, too frequently it has been the milestone of celebrity iconic celebration. It has been the celebration and the benchmarking

Mandela and the Obama conflict for their race’s success

Nelson Mandela, the committed South African warrior, has been buried. Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama parted ways in the spiritual journey to lead their nations through conflict. Both nations are still impacted by the economic misfortunes of black people. Mandela,

Get in the spirit with Bible publisher Mel Banks

Mel Banks II says his career path was determined for him. From his first part-time job, he has been traveling down a path that has led him to be a pre-eminent publisher of the first Bible for children of color,

Child musical genius Joshua Mhoon

We knew there was something special about our Top 25 Women of Chicago honoree Taj Mhoon. What we didn’t know was that her gift was also coursing through the veins of her 10-year-old son Joshua, a classically trained pianist. He’s

Aio Wireless’ Gary Mariner talks professional growth

Gary L. Mariner II Aio Wireless, retail sales manager Tell us a little bit about your professional background. I worked for four years in NYC as a car salesman, then two years as a customer service professional. I then took

Financial adviser Scott Spalding shares success strategies

Scott K. Spalding, LUTCF Financial Advisor, Financial Services Professional MassMutual Financial Group The Piedmont Group of Atlanta What inspires you to show up at work every day?  Knowing that the work I do will make an immediate difference in the

Best of 2013 ANA Multicultural Marketing and Diversity Conference

On Nove. 3-5, the Association of National Advertisers held its 2013 ANA Multicultural Marketing and Diversity Conference in Los Angeles. Influential leaders in the industry conferred to discuss the importance of appealing to a multicultural demographic. In marketing and advertising, they

Will the real Kanye West please shut up

Kanye West is criminal in his behavior toward the African American community and hip-hop fans. It’s more of an assault on African American progress. West’s insulting comment against the first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, and his attempt

Professor and film director Raphael Nash

Raphael Nash MFA/Film Director Founder, Endangered Peace Inc. Video Producer, University of Chicago Urban Education Institute Adjunct Professor, DePaul University CDM Do you most often actively seek inspiration or does it find you? Or is it a combination of the

Jay Z and Barneys: Celebrity examination

Jay Z and Barneys have managed to get into a pickle given their new partnership for the 2013 holiday collection: “BNY SCC Gallery” (standing for Barneys New York and Shawn Corey Carter). This probably would not be a point of

Beyoncé and Jesse have a few things in common

Beyoncé and Rev. Jesse Jackson have so much in common. The two motivate all of us to think about things. The songs that Beyoncé sings have us thinking she’s the queen, reigning supreme – musically and lyrically – sharing stories