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.”

President Barack Obama

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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.

President Barack Obama

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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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Barbara Gee is Vice President of Strategic Sales Alliances for Comcast Cable Communications. In this role, she is responsible for the company’s e-commerce sales strategy, third party sales alliances, and increasing acquisition and retention of moving customers.

Barbara began her career with Comcast in 2001 as National Director of Alternative Sales Channels, where she developed the company’s third party sales strategy, defined success criteria, implemented the necessary models and operational processes and established sound business relationships with key companies that extend Comcast’s sales reach.

Prior to joining Comcast, Barbara served as Director of Network Sales for Exelon. There she created a new telecommunications business sales unit that produced revenue in its first full year. She also managed the sales force integration of five newly-acquired companies.

Barbara began her career with Verizon, where she held various progressively senior positions in sales, marketing, product and brand management and advertising.  She received both a Bachelors degree in Communications, and a Master of Public Administration degree from Pennsylvania State University. Barbara completed Comcast’s premier leadership development program, “Executive Leadership Forum,” and has served multiple times as a coach for the program.  Barbara also completed Cornell University’s Women’s Leadership Program in 2005, and in 2006, she completed the National Association of Multiculturalism in Communications (NAMIC) Executive Leadership Development Program at UCLA. She is a current fellow in the industry’s flagship women’s leadership program, Betsy Magness Leadership Institute, Class XX.

In 2007, Barbara was recognized as a Next Generation Leader by NAMIC, and that same year, was featured in CableWorld magazine as one of four industry “Cable Marketing Heroes.” She has been named to MultiChannel News and CableFax’s 100 Most Influential Minorities in Cable in 2007, 2008, and 2009, and was awarded the NAMIC-Philadelphia Paragon Award in May, 2008.

Barbara served as 2009 President of NAMIC, Philadelphia Chapter; sits on the Board of Directors for the Emma Bowen Foundation, and on the advisory board of the Philadelphia Writing Project at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. She is committed to giving back, and is passionate about mentoring.

Steven C. Gillenwater, divisional vice president of human resources, is responsible for all people-related functions including compensation and benefits, diversity, employee relations, labor relations, HR communication, HR policy, performance management, talent acquisition, and talent management.

Steven has been a part of the Southern Division since August, 2005, when he joined us as regional vice president of human resources for the Mid-South Region. He has been an HR Professional for over 18 years. Prior to joining Comcast in 2000, he was the director of human resources for Wesley Industries, Inc. in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, a tier one automotive supplier and Warren/Conner Development Coalition in Detroit, Michigan, where he led the human resources and administration functions for a large community based non-profit located in a former Enterprise Zone.

Steven has held several senior leadership positions in three different divisions of Comcast. In his most recent role for the Southern Division, he was responsible for field operations, employee relations and labor relations, including negotiating collective bargaining agreements. He has held similar positions in the former Midwest and Atlantic Divisions, as well as Regional HR Lead positions.

Steven holds a Master’s Degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix in Southfield, Michigan, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in communications from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he was a scholarship athlete. He is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).

VIA:  NewsOne.Com

On Friday, President Obama signed a renewal of the executive order that assists historically black colleges.  While the executive order itself follows the form of orders in previous administrations, the head of the Obama administration’s effort for the colleges said that the executive order would set off a change in philosophy on how the government could work with the institutions.

In his remarks, Obama noted the financial challenges facing black colleges (and just about all of higher education) these days, and also their role. “It was because of these schools that America’s middle class was filled with black doctors and educators and judges and lawyers and engineers and entrepreneurs,” he said. “And today, it’s because of these schools that one out of every two wide-eyed freshmen who arrives on their campuses with big backpacks and bigger dreams is the first in his or her family to go to college.”

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Our First Lady got a sexy makeover this past weekend. Michelle Obama glammed it up when she gave music students a preview of the upcoming Governor’s Ball performances.She changed it up with a sexier Jason Wu dress with a crisscross top and sleeker, sassier bob.

Take a look:

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RELATED:

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The Obamas covers Essence magazine

VIA:  NewsOne.Com

Madame Tussauds’ in New York has unveiled a wax figure of Michelle Obama in a one-shouldered white gown inspired by the one she wore to the inaugural ball.

The first lady’s likeness joined a wax tuxedo-clad President Barack Obama on Tuesday. His figure was unveiled at the museum last year.

In about two weeks, the Obama wax figures will exchange their formal wear for everyday wear.

The museum says Michelle Obama will be clad in a mint green J. Crew skirt and an embellished cream cardigan. The president will get a business suit.

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Tina serves as Senior Vice President of Customer Service Operations for Comcast Cable Communications, Inc.   She is responsible for customer experience strategy and tactical implementation, eCare operations, agent desktop tools deployment and enhancements.   Care employee development programs for Comcast’s call centers are a key responsibility.  Tina develops outsource partner strategy, has responsibility for managing outsource call center partnerships, and workforce capacity management.  Additionally, Tina has responsibility for consumer care inquiries, Digital Care, and customer outreach for the Office of the President.

Tina began her career with Bell Atlantic (Verizon) as Manager of Call Centers for Small Businesses in Pennsylvania and Delaware.  She then transitioned to PECO Energy as Call Center Manager for call centers serving 1.5 million customers.   Tina was able to use her operations experience to identify and share customer care best practices in her role as Practice Manager for GartnerGroup’s Contact Center Assessment service.  She also built the Customer Care practice at Software Consulting Group.

A College of Commerce & Finance graduate of Villanova University, Waters received a Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania. Tina graduated from Comcast’s premiere leadership development program – Executive Leadership Forum.  Tina completed the Harvard Business School & CTAM (Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing) Executive Management program.  She is a member of CTAM and the co-chair for the Cable Center Customer Care Committee.  Tina is also a member and mentor for Women in Cable and Telecommunications (WICT) and the National Association of Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC). Tina serves as a Chapter Advisor for the NAMIC Board.  Tina holds Comcast’s board seat with Urban League of Philadelphia. She is also a board member of Montgomery County Headstart.  Tina is a member of the Phi Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Tina has received the YMCA of Delaware Achiever award and Villanova University’s Eby Award for Outstanding Post Graduate Achievement.  In 2009, Tina was included among the Top 50 Most Influential Minorities in Cable by CableFAX magazine, and she has frequently been recognized as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Minorities in Cable and Most Powerful Women in Cable by Cableworld magazine.  Additionally, Tina received the “Movers and Shakers” award from the American Women’s Heritage Society, Inc. and was recognized by the Philadelphia City Council for this honor.  Tina is the 2005 winner of NAMIC’s Paragon Award.  Tina received WICT’s Liberty Award in 2006.  In 2007, Waters became a Class XIV Fellow of the WICT Betsy Magness Leadership Institute.  Tina was recently named as a “Woman to Watch” by Multichannel News and a “Woman of Distinction” by the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Tina resides in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania with her family.