The First Ever Juneteenth Celebration Hosted by the Leader of the Free World on the South Lawn of the White House

President Barack Obama hosted a BBQ for young men on the South Lawn of the White House June 19, 2009. Officially they said the bar-b-que was to mentor young men about the importance of family and community activism. But a ‘que on June 19th? The day Black folks in the U.S. commemorate freeing the slaves in Texas!? Coincidence?! Maybe it was to celebrate Father’s Day Weekend…

You gotta love this President! Especially since y’all know some folks are going to be heated about BBQ’s going down on the White House lawn. He invited several celebrity fathers, influential men, and local teen boys over for some chit chat about the responsibility of men and fathers…and some BBQ! Dwyane Wade, Alonzo Mourning, Etan Thomas, the President of Motorola, the President of Morehouse College, and many other men were in attendance. Chef Bobby Flay was there to get steaks and burgers poppin’ for everybody while the Prez served them up. I'm luvin it!

2009 Black History Month Nike Air Force 1

It’s February and you know that means the shortest month of the year, Valentine’s Day, Lincoln’s birthday, Presidents Day, Washington’s birthday, my birthday and of course, Black History Month. And once again Nike presents an Air Force 1 for the occasion...

Nike is known for producing limited edition Nike Air Force 1’s to commemorate holidays and special events. This year they have come up with Air Force 1’s to celebrate Black History Month and the 100th year anniversary of the NAACP. This limited edition sneaker features a predominately black leather upper with red and green accents on the inner lining, tongue and heel. The latter area also features the centennial logo of Black American culture surrounded by 44 stars representing the American government (44th president). Obviously, this sneaker contains the same color way of the African-American flag. More red and green is seen in the form of contrast stitching seen throughout the upper. The Swoosh has a luxury material of metallic black leather and the outsoles are marbleized like the courtrooms of the US Supreme Court – the place where many civil rights battles were fought and won. I thought the 2008 Black History Month AF1s were well thought out and developed, but these top those by far. Unfortunately for collectors, Nike only made 350 pairs and they gave them away to people they thought deserved them for their support of the Black community.

Remember back in school when you had to turn in your Black History reports… Nike challenged seniors at Miami’s Booker T. Washington High School, to create their own artistic expression regarding Black History Month through the art of spoken word. The finalists composed an original spoken word piece to interpret this period drawing upon such pivotal moments including the Civil Rights Movement. A panel of celebrities including popular former Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning and Nike representatives announced the contest winners.

Jazmine Snyder, the first place winner received a $1000 scholarship, and both Staresha Charles and Walter Peterson, Second and Third place winners respectively received a $500 scholarship. All three will also receive a pair of the limited edition Black History Month Air Force 1 shoes.