From the Los Angeles Times:

An individual’s responses to census questions are confidential, but one of President Obama’s answers on the 10-question form adds more fodder to the ongoing conversation about how America sees itself.

After media inquiries, the White House confirmed that Obama checked only the racial box that says: “Black, African Am., or Negro.”

Obama could have checked more than one racial box, given that his father was an African from Kenya and his mother was a white woman from Kansas. He could have checked “white” as well, or even “some other race” and written in “multiracial.”

Obama’s internal struggle over his racial identity was a theme in his memoir, “Dreams from My Father.” But it is a struggle faced by other Americans, and it is an element in the country’s efforts to come to terms with race relations.

The news quickly made the rounds among not only political commentators but citizens with mixed racial ancestry. Some second-guessed Obama’s choice while others said there are no right or wrong answers to that question.

Michelle Hughes, president of the Chicago Biracial Family Network, said she received several e-mails from surprised friends within moments of Obama’s decision being made public.

“I think everybody is entitled to self-identify. If he chooses to self-identify as African American, that’s his right,” she said. “That being said, I think that the multiracial community feels a sense of disappointment that he refuses to identify with us.

“I think his choice will have political, social and cultural ramifications.”

From CNN:

President Barack Obama and his family chose a historically African-American church in southeast Washington, D.C., for Easter observances Sunday, entering a few minutes late to the sounds of “Alleluia,” which opened the 11 a.m. service.

Congregants at the Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church broke into cheers and applause, snapping cell phone pictures when Obama, wife Michelle, daughters Malia and Sasha, and mother-in-law Marian Robinson arrived via a side door.

Several speakers during the service acknowledged the first family’s attendance at the church, which calls itself “The Cathedral of Southeast.”

The church’s pastor, the Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell Sr., referred to the president as the “most intelligent, most anointed, most charismatic president,” while complimenting Michelle Obama, who wore a cream-colored dress with elbow-length sleeves.

Bell also acknowledged the timing of Obama’s visit to the church, five days after a March 30 shooting spree in the region killed four people and wounded five others.

He said it “was no accident that (Obama) is here in light of what happened here last Tuesday,” adding that the president’s presence was “helping our community heal.”

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the shootings.

Other attendees at the church service included D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and Councilman Marion Barry, according to Bell.

A 50-person choir sang several gospel songs throughout the service, clapping and waving to the beat of a keyboard ensemble. Obama could be seen in his family’s pew swaying gently to the music.

The first family departed the church after receiving communion.

Ron Phillips is the Senior Vice President of Employee Engagement for Comcast Cable.

In this newly created role that reports directly to Ken Carrig, Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Comcast Cable, Phillips will be responsible for overseeing employee relations, labor relations, compliance, and employee loyalty and retention.  Phillips previously served as Vice President of Human Resources for Comcast’s West Division in Englewood, Colorado, and Vice President of Human Resources in Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region.

As Vice President of Human Resources in Comcast’s West Division, Phillips was responsible for leading the development and implementation of human resources policies, programs, and practices for the division, including employment, labor relations, compensation, training, and employee services.

Prior to joining Comcast, Phillips was the Senior Manager of Human Resources for Ryder Transportation, where he led the human resources function for two regions, including 21 customer business units across 18 states.  He also held human resources leadership roles with McDonald’s Corporation and the Auto Warehousing Company.

Phillips holds a B.A. degree in Criminal Justice from Virginia State University and earned his J.D. degree from the University of Richmond, T.C. Williams School of Law.  He also holds a Certificate of Organizational Development from DePaul University and is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), the National Sales Network (NSN), the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR), the Organizational Development Network (ODNetwork) and the National Black MBA Association.  Phillips will be relocating with his wife, Lynette, and two children from his home in Aurora, Colorado, to the Philadelphia region.

VIA:  NewsOne.Com

By a vote of 219 to 212, the House passed the bill after a day of tumultuous debate that echoed the epic struggle of the last year. The action sent the bill to President Obama, whose crusade for such legislation has been a hallmark of his presidency.

Democrats hailed the vote as historic, comparable to the establishment of Medicare and Social Security and a long overdue step forward in social justice. “This is the civil rights act of the 21st century,” said Representative James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, the No. 3 Democrat in the House.

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Marge Jackson is vice president of marketing for Comcast Cable’s Eastern Division. In this role, Jackson is responsible for developing and leading the competitive strategy for the full Division. In addition, she oversees and manages the Product Marketing campaigns and leads the Division TV/direct marketing Marcomm strategy.

Jackson joined Comcast in 1998 and has held a host of positions with increasing responsibility. She began as a direct sales representative for Comcast Online and went on to lead her team as a direct sales manager. Shortly thereafter she was promoted to basic product manager for Prince George’s County, MD and later became director of marketing for the newly acquired AT&T system in Washington D.C. She then served as senior director of marketing for Northern New Jersey. Under Jackson’s leadership the Northern New Jersey team was nominated for Comcast’s “Circle of Success” award, recognizing the efforts of those who go above and beyond to bring the company’s core values to life.

Most recently and prior to joining the Division team in June 2008, Jackson served for three years as the vice president of marketing & sales for Comcast Cable’s New Jersey Region. In this role, Jackson led a team of 300+ employees and supported all sales and marketing activity for one of the nation’s most competitive markets, focusing on subscriber penetration and retention across all product lines.

Jackson continues to be recognized by peers and colleagues as an industry leader and top woman/minority in business. Last year she was named to Multichannel News’ “40 Under 40” list and in 2008 was honored by NJ Biz as one of its “50 Best Women in Business.”
Jackson was one of only 30 candidates selected for the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communication’s (NAMIC) Executive Leadership Development Program, recipient of NAMIC’s “Next Generation Leaders” award and was recently selected as one of Cable Fax’s 2008 Most Powerful Woman in cable. Jackson is also a graduate of the Comcast Executive Leadership Form (ELF), an active member of CTAM and WICT and is currently enrolled in WICT’s prestigious Betsy Magness Leadership Institute as a Class of XVII fellow.

Jackson earned her B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing from Pierce College in Philadelphia, PA. She resides in New Jersey with her husband, Christopher and her two daughters, Margie and Christina.

Payne Brown is Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at cable giant Comcast Corporation. Comcast is the nation’s largest cable television and broadband provider. The Company also owns several cable channels including, the Golf Channel, E!, Style, G4 and a substantial stake in TV One, a network targeting adult African Americans.  He serves on the cable division’s executive committee and also attends the Chairman’s staff meetings. Payne established the company’s diversity council which he now serves on,  developed the company’s overall diversity philosophy and is a frequent lecturer on diversity related issues.

In his current role Payne manages strategic relationships with various industry, government and special interest groups. He works with third party organizations on issues ranging from content to regulation. In addition, he is a member of TV One’s executive management team heading up their business development and strategy area.

Early in his Comcast career, Payne worked in labor relations and often served as lead negotiator in numerous labor contract negotiations as well as assisted field operations with a variety of employment issues.

Prior to joining Comcast in 1999, Payne spent three years practicing law at the law firm of Helmke, Beams, and Boyer. He also served as an assistant prosecutor for the State of Indiana, and as the Director of Public Safety for the city of Fort Wayne. In this capacity he was responsible for the operations of the Police, Fire and Communications departments. Brown was also the co-founder of the SBA Academy, an afro-centric Saturday school enrichment program that continues to serve nearly 120 kids each week.

Payne serves as Chairman of the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board and is a member of the Greater Philadelphia YMCA executive board. He was an at-large member of the Fort Wayne Community School board (1992-1999), and became the first African American in the city’s history elected to a city wide office. He served as the board’s President for two years. Most recently he was the executive producer of the award winning HBO documentary “The Black List”. The movie reveals the diverse experience of being black in America through interviews and portrait sessions with leading African American figures.

Payne graduated in 1984 with a B.S. in management from Purdue University. He received his J. D. from George Washington University, National Law Center in 1987. He has received numerous honors and awards for his community involvement.

Payne’s most prized accomplishment is being the proud father of his two children, Cole (13) and Faith (9).

Charisse R. Lillie is Vice President of Community Investment and Executive Vice President of the Comcast Foundation. She joined Comcast in 2005 as Vice President, Human Resources-Comcast Corporation, and Senior Vice-President, Human Resources-Comcast Cable. She was a partner in the law firm of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP, in Philadelphia from January, 1992 to February, 2005. She was Chair of the Litigation Department from 2002 to 2005, and was a member of the Employment and Labor Law Group of the firm. Ms. Lillie’s law practice included the representation of employers and management in a wide variety of labor and employment matters, primarily in federal court. She served as an advisor to clients on diversity and anti‑discrimination issues. She is a frequent lecturer and panelist regarding talent management, recruitment and retention strategies, diversity and corporate board membership.

Lillie previously served as vice president of Human Resources for Comcast Corporation and senior vice president of Human Resources for Comcast Cable. She was a partner in the law firm of Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP from January 1992 to February 2005. During this time she served as chair of the litigation Department and also was a member of the Employment and Labor Law Group.

Her previous legal experience included positions as trial attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division; deputy director, Community Legal Services, Inc.; Villanova Law School professor; assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; general counsel to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia; and city solicitor for the City of Philadelphia.

Lillie serves on the boards of Howard University, The Franklin Institute Science Museum, the American Arbitration Association, the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, and the Pyramid Club. She also is a member of the advisory board of PNC Financial Services Group of Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey. She served as a trustee of Friends Select School from 1994 to 2002, and 2003 to 2006 – serving as president of the board of trustees for two years and elected to membership in their executive leadership council in 2008.

She has been a member of many civic commissions including the Independent Charter Commission, the Philadelphia Criminal Justice Task Force, the MOVE Commission, and the Philadelphia Election Reform Task Force. She previously served as chairman of the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and vice chairman of the executive committee of the conference of chairmen of the Federal Reserve System.

A native of Houston, Texas, Lillie received a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University, a law degree from Temple University and a masters from Yale Law School. She was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree from Seton Hill University in 2005.

Two days before Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2008, our President Barack Obama had the privilege to speak at Dr. Kings church in Atlanta, Georgia.  See his inspiring speech below:

Check out the 411 on Radio One Chairwoman and Founder Cathy Hughes:

There are several African Americans that have made strides for us in media, check out this gallery that pays tribute to a few of those people: