A Black History Salute to Multiple Oscar Winner Russell Williams II

A Black History Salute to Multiple Oscar Winner Russell Williams II

DC is the seat of political star power but it lacks Hollywood-style luster. (Not a complaint.) As far as I know, none of this year’s Oscar nominees calls the DC Metro Area home. But at least one previous Academy Award winner is in our midst.  I took delight in learning this morning that American University film professor and DC native son Russell Williams II has won two Oscars. Yes, a history making two. The DC Examiner reports that Williams took home the prized gold statue in back-to-back years for his sound work in Glory (1990) and Dances With Wolves’ (1991). Williams’ achievement made him the first African American to win multiple Academy Awards.

Twenty years later, the club of black multiple Oscar winners is still small despite major racial breakthroughs in other areas of American life. Hollywood needs to catch up.

Highlighted Clip for Wednesday, February 23, 2011:

"Academy Award-winning AU prof heads back to the Oscars"
By: Nikki Schwab and Katy Adams

As the red carpet is rolled out for Hollywood's biggest names at Sunday's 83rd Academy Awards, one Washingtonian will be walking it as a trip down memory lane. American University Professor Russell Williams II is planning a trip to the Oscars to highlight a significant achievement. Twenty years ago he became America's first black to win two Academy Awards.

Celebrate Black History Month by Cutting Down on Salt

Celebrate Black History Month by Cutting Down on Salt

Black History Month begins today.  Let’s honor the hard-won achievements of African Americans by taking steps to improve our health.  We gotta be in shape to run the race to the top. One easy step is to cut back on our salt intake.  New federal dietary guidelines urge African Americans to reduce sodium consumption to roughly a teaspoon a day. The decrease will help fight and prevent high blood pressure, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease – all conditions that are common among African Americans.

Highlighted Clip for Tuesday, February 1, 2011:

MARY CLARE JALONICK

The new dietary guidelines, issued every five years by the Agriculture and Health and Human Services departments, are telling people who are 51 and older, African-American or suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease to cut the amount of sodium they eat daily to little more than half a teaspoon.

Cut down on salt, government says _ and calories