CHASM IN THE CLASSROOM
Inside The Battle To Close The Achievement Gap

Debra Ollivier, 06/23/12

Contributing editor and writer at large, Huff/Post50

Reiner has had a long, illustrious career starting as an actor in the TV role of "Meathead" in "All in the Family" and moving on to directing classics such as "When Harry Met Sally," "A Few Good Men," and "Sleepless in Seattle." Huff/Post50 recently spoke with Reiner about and his third act.

Nakia Hill, 06/24/12

Journalist, Educator

As I walked down the street, I noticed Trayvon Martin's parents standing outside of Morton's Steakhouse on Canal Street. I stopped, introduced myself, and extended my condolences to their family.

Akilah Bolden-Monifa, 06/22/12

Blogger/writer

People of color are still in the minority in the United States and a even smaller percentage in the workforce. Ergo, any time there is a journalism conference not specifically labeled as, for people of color, it will be attended predominately by white folks.

Jarrett L. Carter, 06/22/12

Founding Editor, HBCUDigest.com

It's time for black advocacy organizations with built-to-last influence in advancing the Black American agenda to include HBCUs at the top of their priorities, and to increase the call for an immediate end to unbalanced reporting on these institutions.

Dustin Fitzharris, 06/22/12

Journalist; contributor, ABCNews.com

I'm in a state of becoming. Even though I've had a full career and I've been around a long time, it's like dinosaurs are coming back. It's all new. I'm having to be on my own and seeing how exciting life can be now.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson, 06/20/12

Author and political analyst

Even in a worse case, if Romney doesn't get one extra Latino vote than the GOP norm, it will still be a significant percentage and number of Latino votes. If he does better with Latino voters in one or two of the swing states, this could pose more of a threat to Obama.

Wade Davis, Jr., 06/21/12

Former NFL player, Obama LGBT Surrogate, writer, public speaker, and activist

The pain of living a lie may seem like it will only last while you're playing, but the truth is my scars may never fully heal. Don't let the love for your sport overshadow the need to love yourself.

Rev. Al Sharpton, 06/20/12

President, National Action Network

Attempting to argue that AG Holder somehow withheld information with regards to the Fast and Furious case, Rep. Darrell Issa has engaged in a political witch hunt that proves only one thing: the hypocrisy of GOP members for personal and Party benefit.

Ben Arogundade, 06/20/12

Author

With Jackson gone, it now seems as if Beyoncé has been positioned in the crosshairs as pop's new bogeyman for pale-skinned blackness. Is she destined to be perpetually vilified over the issue, just as Jackson was?

Etan Thomas, 06/21/12

Author, poet, philanthropist, NBA veteran

Although having a single parent household may not be the most favorable situation, it is reality for a quarter of all kids in America today. Why shower them with negative statistics and lower their expectations and possibilities in life?

Kelly Smith Beaty, 06/20/12

Media Expert & Contestant, "The Apprentice" Season 10

How is it that a city which was once the crowning jewel in the story of black America has allowed itself to be positioned as the melting pot of black affliction? The Atlanta that I knew and grew up in was one of great pride and self-respect.

Steve Siebold, 06/20/12

Expert in the field of critical thinking and mental toughness training, author

Rodney King told me he wanted the 1991 incident to serve as an example so that people everywhere, regardless of creed, color or sexual orientation could all get along. He stared right into my eyes as he talked never looking away once.

Akilah Bolden-Monifa, 06/13/12

Blogger/writer

President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation took effect on Jan. 1, 1863, but the word did not spread instantly. It was read to slaves in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, more than two years after it officially went into effect.

Edwin Okong'o, 06/18/12

A storyteller by any medium necessary™

It's a shame that many Americans think that what makes America great is the fact that one needs not have a college degree -- that the dream is to sit back and demand that some government bureaucrat create a job for you.

Brandon Bowlin, 06/17/12

Actor/activist, animator, publisher-thedarkroome.com

He didn't speak from a written speech or from some political soapbox. He didn't employ a deep vocabulary. He just asked a question. Something that would never occur to someone carrying a smoldering TV.

Rashad Robinson, 06/18/12

Executive Director, ColorOfChange

It's time for New York to make sure that our police respect our rights and are held to a standard that does not include harassment, abuse and racially biased tactics.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson, 06/17/12

Author and political analyst

King was the near classic protean tragic figure of interest and curiosity precisely because there was so much tragedy, followed by triumph, and in the end, tragedy in the way his life ended.