Reverend William E. Flippin, Jr., 2/12/12

Shepherd/Servant Leader and Advocate for the Poor

This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of Absalom Jones, the first African-American priest in what is presently, the Episcopal Church, U.S.A. This day of devotion is annually set aside in February, to commemorate this pioneer of religion, social action and transformation.

Morris W. O'Kelly, 2/13/12

Radio commentator; Syndicated columnist; Author, The Mo'Kelly Report

There has been no widespread public call within the African-American religious community demanding for Eddie Long to step down, be sat down or altogether shutdown.

David A. Love, 2/12/12

Executive Director, Witness to Innocence

The case of Reggie Clemons represents everything that is wrong with the death penalty and the U.S. criminal justice system. But unlike Troy Davis, here is still time to save him. We can fix this.

Martha Burk, 2/12/12

Director, Corporate Accountability Project, National Council of Women's Organizations

Before her death in 2006, in preparation for a new biography, Coretta King met many times with Dr. Barbara Reynolds, one of the founding editors of USA Today. I recently interviewed Dr. Reynolds on her time with Mrs. King.

Wendell Pierce, 2/10/12

Actor

I don't need Hollywood to remind me of African-Americans' achievements in WWII. I have my father. For his valor and bravery my father earned the World War II Victory Medal, among other commendations. But when he returned home he never received his medal or an official "thank you."

Rep. Marcia L. Fudge, 2/10/12

U.S. Representative from Ohio's 11th District

Why in 2012 are we returning to the days of limiting the vote rather than encouraging it? How can we forget how far we've come as a nation?

Edward Wyckoff Williams, 2/10/12

Columnist and Political Analyst

I believe in freedom of religion. I believe in being politically correct. What I do not believe in are double standards. To that end, Mitt Romney must answer for having been 32 years old, and the member of an organization that explicitly excluded African Americans.

Steve Stoute, 2/10/12

Founder and CEO; Translation

The very meaning of the Grammy, excellence in musical artistry, is a testament to the hard work, sacrifice, and genius that recording artists bring to their craft. While to the viewer it may seem as if it is just a show, to the artists it is significantly more profound.

Van Jones, 2/10/12

President, RebuildtheDream.com; Author of NY Times bestseller, 'The Green-Collar Economy'

We need a solution at the scale of the problem, so that families can get back on their feet, the economy can get working, and people can reach for their American dreams again instead of watching them drown.

Nathan Manske, 2/9/12

Founder and Executive Director, I'm From Driftwood

Rev. Al Sharpton, 2/9/12

President, National Action Network

This is about the notion that some religiously affiliated hospitals and schools receive federal money and therefore cannot deny a woman a federal guarantee. This is real 'class warfare' and this time the victims are the most vulnerable -- women from lower-income neighborhoods.

Keith Boykin, 2/9/12

CNBC contributor, MSNBC commentator and former White House aide

Martin is entitled to his opinion, and he shouldn't be fired from his job simply because of what he believes. But given those beliefs, why wouldn't gays and lesbians assume Martin's tweet about smacking a male fan of a shirtless David Beckham was meant to be an insult to gay men?

Corey Gaines, 2/9/12

Head coach, Phoenix Mercury

There are a lot of people that believe the path is already set for them or they don't have options, but none of that is true. If you want something changed, change it yourself. Don't wait for someone else to come along. Only rely on yourself to get you to where you want to be.

Sophia A. Nelson, 2/9/12

Award Winning Author; culture & style columnist for NBC's theGRIO.com, Essence Magazine, and USA TODAY Contributor, NPR

We, as Americans, should be concerned when advocacy groups (liberal, conservative, gay or straight) have so much power that they can take the words of an individual and turn them on their head to further their political agenda. That is exactly what GLAAD has done in this instance.

Kate Kelly, 2/8/12

Author, 'Election Day: An American Holiday, an American History'

Because James Derham lived in the late eighteenth century, the information about his is thin. But even with not too much information, his story is clear, James Derham was the first African American to practice medicine in the U.S.

Marc Mauer, 2/8/12

Executive director, The Sentencing Project

It's hardly a secret that the relationship between African American communities and law enforcement has been fraught with conflict. From the old days of station-house beatings to get a confession to today's "stop and frisk" practices, an awful lot of mistrust has been engendered.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson, 2/8/12

Author and political analyst

Obama's reversal on Super PACs is not a betrayal of principle. It is a reflection of the brutal reality that to run and keep the White House, it will cost a pretty penny.