“Black literature is taught as sociology, as tolerance, not as a serious, rigorous art form.” 

― Toni Morrison

“My idea is to give hope, because where there is no hope, there is no vision, and where there is no vision, people will perish.” 

-Oprah Winfrey

Darrell Wallace Jr. became the second black driver to win on NASCAR's national level on Saturday.

"This means everything," Wallace said. "This is an emotional win for me, especially doing it in Wendell Scott's backyard. I love coming home to Martinsville, it' always good to me. It finally paid off. I think it's my third trip here. The fans are great here."

Brian France, NASCAR chairman and CEO, released a statement on the historic win (below):

"We congratulate Darrell Wallace Jr. on his first National Series victory, one that will be remembered as a remarkable moment in our sports history." France said. "Darrell's success, following fellow NASCAR Drive for Diversity graduate Kyle Larson's win earlier this season, is indicative of a youth and multicultural movement that bodes well for NASCAR's future growth."

Wendell Scott, the first black NASCAR champion, won the Sprint Cup series in 1963.

Legendary Physician Dr. Walter Lomax Jr. died on October 10 after a sudden stroke.

Lomax practiced medicine in South Philadelphia for over 30 years and was a leading figure in the African American community.

"He recognized that in the Black community in particular there was not a lot of high quality care. He able to create a model where he brought all these qualified physicians to low income communities and provided access to quality healthcare, "  his daughter Sara Lomax- Reese said.

"He was a phenomenal physician and a gifted healer [and] his legacy was his ability to translate all of his gifts as a healer into the business would." Lomax-Reese added. "He had the vision to see the healing side of medicine but also the business side and to balance them both."

Lomax was 81.

La June Montgomery Tabron will become President and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation next year.

Tabron will be the first African American to serve as president in this 83 year old foundation.

"After an extensive search that included outstanding candidates from both the United States and abroad, La June emerged as our new leader because of their strengths in so many areas of the foundation, and her deep and unwavering commitment to the foundation's mission, vision, and values," said WKKF board chair Rod Gillum. "As our executive vice president , La June has collaborated with the leadership team to develop and implement WKKF's programming based on a deep understanding of grantees' local knowledge and needs of their community. She has shown that she knows how to strike a balance between the board, staff, and grantees, all while holding our high standard for impact."

Tabron has worked for Kellogg since she was 24 years old and currently serves as the company's executive vice president and treasurer.

Both tears and sweat are salty, but they render a different result. Tears will get you sympathy; sweat will get you change. 

 -Jesse Jackson

Maya Angelou accepted a lifetime achievement award from the Norman Mailer Center on Thursday night.

The legendary poet was honored at a benefit dinner organized by the Mailer Center and writers colony.

Angelou was introduced by her former Random House editor, Robert Coomis, who encouraged her to write her best-selling book, "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings."

She reminisced on her transition from segregated Arkansas to literary stardom.

"Imagine it," she said. "a town so prejudiced black people couldn't even eat vanilla ice cream."

Pulitzer Prize Winner Junot Diaz and Journalist Michael Hastings also recieved awards from the Mailer Center.

"The american dream wasn't meant for me,

cause lady liberty's a hypocrite she lied to me. 

promised me freedom, education, and equality

never gave me nothing but slavery

but now look at how dangerous you made me 

callin' me a mad man  

because I'm strong and bold"

-Tupac Shakur

 "We are not makers of history. We are made  by history."

-Martin Luther King Jr

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

-Arthur Ashe

Excellence is the best deterrent to racism or sexism.

-Oprah Winfrey

“We are prone to judge success by the index of our salaries or the size of our automobiles, rather than by the quality of our service and relationship to humanity. ” - Martin Luther King Jr. 

The first trailer for the Nelson Mandela biopic, 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom,' has been released.

The video features a voice-over from Idris Elba, who plays Mandela in the film, saying:

"I have walked a long way to freedom. It have been a long road, and it's not over yet. No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin. People learn to hate. They can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart."

The movie will present the journey of Nelson Mandela from childhood to South Africa's First Black President.

It will open in U.S. theaters on November 29.

Watch the trailer (below):

A statue honoring Frederick Douglass was unveiled in the U.S capital on Wednesday.

Douglass was a former slave who became a leading abolitionist, author, and statesman.

"It's right and fitting that Frederick Douglass, this extraordinary man, this unflinching voice for freedom, this unyielding advocate for justice should be honored with an enduring movement," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

The dedication ceremony, organized by House Speaker John Boehner, was attended by descendants of Frederick Douglass, members of Congress, and Vice President Joe Biden.

Watch a preview of the dedication ceremony (below):

Tracee Ellis Ross launched a 'Hair Love' campaign last week.

The actress was inspired to create the campaign after seeing an Instagram meme with a caption saying, "The moment you realize you don't have Trace Ellis Ross's hair."

Despite being flattered by the gesture, Ross created a video encouraging fans to be proud of what they've got.

"I don't want you to want my hair. The reason I don't want you to want my hair is I'm the school of love what you got. For me, the reason my hair was such a battle was because I was trying to make it something it wasn't. I wanted the hair that somebody else had," she said. 

She added, "I love that you love my hair but I only love that you love my hair if it's an inspiration for you to love your hair."

Watch the inspiring video (below):

(Source)

President Obama celebrated Father's Day with a salute to fathers in his weekly address.

"I want to take a moment to talk about the most important job many of us will ever have, and that's being a dad," he said.

Obama spoke candidly about his relationship with his own father, Barack Obama Sr., who divorced his mother when he was three years old.

"I still wish I had a dad who not only around, but involved -- another role model to teach me what mom my did her best to instill," he said. "Values like hard work and integrity, responsibility, delayed gratification -- all the things that give a child the foundation to envision a bright future for themselves. That's why I try everyday to be for Michelle and my girls what my father was not for mother for me."

Watch the full address (below) :

Oprah Winfrey will donate $12 million to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The museum will showcase the history of African Americans from slavery to the 21st century.

Oprah has been involved with the project since joining its' advisory council in 2004.

"I am deeply appreciative of those who paved the path for me and all who follow in those footsteps. By investing in this museum, I want to help ensure that we both honor and preserve out culture and history, so that the stories of who we are will live on for generations to come," Winfrey said.

A 350 seat theater will be named after the legendary talk show host in honor of her generous donation.

The museum is scheduled to open in 2015.

Oprah Winfrey gave an inspiring commencement at Harvard University on Friday. 

"Oh my goodness. I'm at HAAAVARD," she said. "Not too many girls from Rural Mississippi have made it all the way here to Cambridge... I consider today to be a defining milestone..."

The legendary talk show host, who received an honorary degree from the prestigious university, spoke about her first year at OWN and encouraged graduates to keep going. 

"It doesn't matter how far you might rise because at some point you might stumble... And when you (fall), there is no such thing as failure. Failure is just life trying to move us in another direction. When you're down in the hole, it might look like failure...Give yourself time to mourn what you think you might have lost. Then, here's the key: Learn from every mistake. Each mistake will force you to learn who you really are... And then figure out you're next move. "

Watch the commencement speech (below):

President Obama delivered a moving commencement speech to Morehouse College graduates on Sunday.

Obama encouraged the 'Morehouse Men' to to use their knowledge to help others in the African American  community.

"So yes, go get that law degree. But if you do, ask yourself if the only option is to defend the rich & powerful, or if you can also find time to defend the powerless," he said. "Sure, go get your MBA, or start that business, we need Black businesses out there. But ask yourself what broader purpose your business might serve, in putting people to work, or transforming a neighborhood."

Over 500 students received their undergraduate degrees from the historically black college.

Watch Obama's speech (below) :

As you all know, It's National Poetry Month. We will celebrate by posting an inpirational poem each day to enlighten and encourage our Respectedd readers. Today's poem is called 'Respect.' If you are in touch with the news, I'm sure you have noticed the lack of Respect certain media have when it comes to the cultural and personal differences of others. I hope this poem, written by David Harris, encourages you to respect one another despite your different truths. Enjoy :)

Respect

If we can not respect another

How can we expect them to respect us

If we can not respect someone’s beliefs

How can we expect them to respect ours

If we can not respect another’s race

How can we expect that race to respect us

If we can not respect others

How can we expect respect in return

Everyone expects respect

No matter who they are

The only way to gain it 

Is to start treating everyone

As a friend, a brother, a sister

As part of our extended family

No matter what colour or creed they are

Only then you will start to get

The respect you so dearly crave 

(Source)