Roderick Carey

Educational researcher, writer and teacher educator

If you see a black man smiling wider or poking out his chest more than usual this week, you can probably assume that his excitement was caused, at least in part, by the rousing address given by President Barack Obama at the Morehouse College commencement.

D. R. Tucker

Freelance writer and co-host of "The Green Front" on Progressive Radio Network (thegreenfront.com)

I could not have imagined on Nov. 19, 1998, that within ten years, an African American would be elected president, and my ideological allies would respond with a rhetorical and political assault that made my own attacks on Judge Tauro look polite by comparison.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson

Author and political analyst

The GOP has transformed the stereotype of who is a government leech into the perennial political attack point that the government is too big, wasteful and intrusive. And that those who appear to benefit most from government should pay the most for it.

Jafari S. Allen

Associate Professor, African-American Studies and Anthropology, Yale University

For me, having taught "Genealogies of Black LGBTQ/SGL Culture and Politics," the first LGTBQ studies course at Morehouse and only the second at a historically black college, this semester, President Obama's small utterance in his commencement address is groundbreaking.

Tanisha L. Ramirez

Freelance Lifestyle & Pop Culture Journalist

Erykah Badu, in addition to being the reigning Queen of Soul, is a doula herself. And more than that, she's a strong role model for women who want to do it all, and then some.

Rep. Steny Hoyer and Rep. Barbara Lee

From infants to seniors, the sequester affects at-risk Americans in every age bracket, and its cuts will harm families trying to put food on the table. Simply put, the sequester will erect road blocks along the pathways out of poverty.

Eric Cooper

Founder, President of the National Urban Alliance for Effective Education

How can we as a nation go where his teacher would not, and rise up to address students when they ask what their schools are doing to help them?

Lawrence D. Elliott

Author and 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' contributor

It was the summer of 2006, when I stepped off the cool airplane into the heat and humidity at Monroe Regional Airport. I was back in the Louisiana of my ancestral roots. My body was filled with great anticipation.

Darron T. Smith, Ph.D.

Professor

Living in a society where citizens are conditioned to believe that being black and male is synonymous with crime is severely misguided, out of context to centuries of brutal oppression recorded in history.

Marc H. Morial

President and CEO, National Urban League

There is no doubt that the opportunity to re-elect America's first black president contributed to record black turnout last year. But, no matter who is on the ballot in 2014 and 2016, we must continue to exercise our voice. We must continue to exercise our vote.

Darrin Redus

Chief Economic Inclusion Advisor, JumpStart Inc.

Connecting more minorities to the nation's emerging tech-based economy (via these high-tech industries) is of vital importance for our collective economic future. This bridge-building isn't always easy, however.

Stephen R. Haynes

Professor, Rhodes College

Biblical passages to which conservative Christians appeal on these issues can be interpreted differently. But even those convinced that conservatives do not interpret the Bible correctly in these cases must concede that they do so consistently.

Kara Lawson

Guard, Connecticut Sun; Olympic gold medalist; ESPN analyst

I am proud to be part of organizations like the Connecticut Sun and the WNBA that put such emphasis on giving back to the communities and people that support them.

Ernest Owens

Communication & Public Service scholar, University of Pennsylvania

Unlike many rappers in hip-hop who are obvious industry pinheads just trying to cash into the bank, Kanye West knows more. Yet, that is perhaps the very problem: he knows more and yet does nothing to actually fix the problem.

Jason Hughes

Overnight Editor, HuffPost TV

I get that "Revolution" isn't trying to be groundbreaking drama, but it's been most compelling when it was unpredictable. This is an interesting premise that's been established. Keep us on our toes, and we'll be more invested.

Sylvia E. MelƩndez-Klinger

Registered dietitian, certified personal trainer, nutritional consultant and founder of Hispanic Food Communications

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) just released the latest data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) on Americans' sugar consumption, and the results are quite surprising.  Here are some of the findings that really grabbed my attention.

John Starks

Former NBA All-Star, New York Knicks Alumni Relations and Fan Development Advisor

Growing up in Tulsa, my dream was to play in the NBA. I am fortunate to have been able to achieve my dream, and now helping other kids follow their dreams has proven to be just as impactful on my life as every minute that I played in the NBA.