Finally, a trial

Nine years after the police investigation and six years after he was indicted for engaging in criminal sexual behavior with an underage girl, R&B singer R. Kelly goes on trial today...we think. Jury selection begins in the Chicago trial this morning just as news emerges that the singer may have tried to bribe a key witness in the trial.

Why We Still Need Black Colleges

Kevin McGhee

According to data from the last census 30 percent of blacks who hold doctorates degrees, 35 percent of black lawyers, 50 percent of black engineers, and 65 percent of black physicians currently in the field all received their educations from HBCUs.

Kevin McGhee is a student at Lincoln University in Missouri.

Take It To The Finish Line

Carl Lewis

Neither Obama nor Clinton has yet to cross that finish line. That finish line is June 3rd. So, Barack keep your eye on the finish line, and Hillary keep going!

Carl Lewis is a nine-time Olympic gold medalist in track and field.

The challenge of unifying Democrats

Basil Smikle

Democrats need to be concerned. The Party was never really prepared for the phenomenon that would become the Obama campaign. Now Democratic leaders must find a way to bridge the gap in a potentially deep chasm within the party.

Basil A. Smikle Jr. is a political strategist and an adjunct professor at Columbia University and City University of New York.

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The Unofficial Funeral Program For The Hillary Clinton Campaign

Jasmyne Cannick

The service takes place at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, and guess who's delivering the benediction?

Jasmyne Cannick is a critic and commentator based in Los Angeles who can be reached at www.jasmynecannick.com.

Hillary Clinton's Next Step?

Rod McCullom

"The math" is not in Clinton's favor. So be it. But Hillary should do whatever she wants. She has earned it.

Writer and television news producer Rod McCullom is a frequent contributor to The Advocate and The Huffington Post. His blog is Rod 2.0.

Usher Goes Viral

Lynne D. Johnson

Usher is now using "social media" to market his music. But what I find interesting is not that Usher has a Myspace profile or even a Bebo profile. It's that he plans on utilizing Bebo for his first-ever live, streamed, interactive interview tonight.

Lynne d Johnson is a published writer and editor who has written for VIBE, VIBE Vixen, SPIN and The Source. She writes on her blog at lynnedjohnson.com.

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R. Kelly trial gets underway

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Black superdelegate switches to Obama

Four months after he endorsed Senator Hillary Clinton for president, a prominent black congressman has switched sides and endorsed Barack Obama. Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ) , a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, told his hometown newspaper that he will be supporting Obama.

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