Mr. Richard Overton: 108 Years Young
byRichard Overton recently celebrated his 108th birthday with family and friends at his home in East Austin. Overton was born in Bastrop County on May 11, 1906, and he is the oldest living WWII veteran.
People
Austin Native Jonathan Sprinkles to speak at Essence Music Fest
byThe annual Essence Music Festival is known as “the party with a purpose.” It’s an event primarily sponsored by Essence Magazine, a publication aimed toward African-American women. Celebrating the festival’s 20th anniversary in New Orleans on Jul. 3 to 6, the festival’s speaker line-up this year includes Austinite Jonathan Sprinkles.
Moustapha Bangoura
byGuinean Moustapha Bangoura trained for 22 years with Les Ballets Africains, the world’s first African dance company and the national dance ensemble of Guinea. He teaches more than 60 traditional dances and is an official cultural ambassador for his country.
Clear Channel Austin’s President Pam McKay
byIn honor of Black Music Month, a celebration of African American Music every year in the month of June, soulciti had the privilege of speaking with Clear Channel’s President of Media and Entertainment for Austin, Pam McKay.
Collaborative Disruption
byKhotso Khabele and Michael Strong are disrupting the nation’s existing educational model.
Navy Veteran Fred McGhee Runs for New City Council District
byA proud Navy veteran who achieved the rank of Special Operations Officer, Fred McGhee is one of the first Black diving officers in U.S. Navy history. McGhee is an archeologist, and he’s running for Austin City Council.
Flippin’ It: Courtney Sanchez
byCourtney Sanchez is a chameleon. She aligns her voice to the listener’s perception, all Ella Fitzgerald one minute, John Legend, Chaka Khan, or James Taylor the next.
Hawkins Bucklew Handcrafted Jewelry Designs
byFriends and supporters toasted Hawkins Bucklew Handcrafted Jewelry Designs’ new line of custom jewelry during Austin Fashion Week on Apr. 26 at Cru Wine Bar in the Domain.
Space and Time: Jackie Venson
byHer profile claims she once got in a back alley brawl with the (former) planet “Pluto,” punching it “straight out of planetary existence.”
Remembering Bill The Mailman Martin
byBill “The Mailman” Martin, gospel announcer and president of the Texas Chapter of the Gospel Announcers Guild, passed away on Apr. 7. He mentored Naomi Richard, who authored this remembrance of his life.
Riders Against the Storm
by“Mission Accomplished,” was how Chaka felt when Riders Against the Storm (RAS) won the prestigious Band of the Year award at this year’s SXSW Music Festival. To have Hip Hop appreciated and validated by a bona fide music-loving community was exactly the purpose of RAS’ move to Austin in 2009.
LaLove Robinson: Taking Control of Her Life
bySpoken word artists and slam poets take life’s trauma and the beauty, reorganize it, build it, break it down and do it again. They…