Of all the electronic resources available for anyone interested in Black history, www.BlackPast.org is the richest gold mine on the planet.
Developed by University of Washington history professor Dr. Quintard Taylor – the foremost historian of African Americans and African descendents in the West – BlackPast.org has attracted millions of visitors to its hundreds of free and easily-searched features since its launch in 2005. . . .

Even as technology seems to propel our society faster into the future every day, the same tools that bind us to satellites, circuit boards and handheld screens are making it easier to reach into the past.
This year, The Skanner's Black History Month Special Edition is devoted to online resources for exploring the rich histories that have too often been hidden from us. . . .

What's happening for you in your city this week? Read here a day-by-day diary of free community events to fill your spare time. For a full calendar please click on "Read the complete article" below . . . .

What's happening for you in your city this week? Read here a day-by-day diary of free community events to fill your spare time. For a full calendar please click on "Read the complete article" below . . . .

In the history of Oregon sports, the Knott Street Boxing Club is legendary.
Once the most celebrated team of its kind in the nation, Knott Street boxers have been contenders on the national scene for almost 50 years.
This spring, the club has shot back into the limelight with Golden Gloves and Junior Golden Gloves titles brought home from Tacoma last month by 16-year-old Corey Hill, his brother Darius, 14, and Lorenzo Caldera, 13.
Now, with a big tournament coming up this weekend in Beaverton and the Oregon Golden Gloves next month, parent and assistant coach Larry Dunn – father of the Hill brothers — says the team needs more fans to come out and support the boxers and a venue in Northeast Portland big enough for the team . . .

The Portland Police Bureau and the Independent Police Review each released reports last week that address racial profiling in Portland.  The two reports analyzed how bias complaints are handled and how the police department plans to reduce bias-based policing. The Independent Police Review's Bias-based Policing Workgroup contains a review of bias allegations in "Disparate Treatment Complaints," and the Portland Police Bureau released its"Plan to Address Racial Profiling.". . .

On any given Saturday morning in New Columbia, Vernetta Ollison is doing what she does best – helping people.
"We give out food to the community, any one, any where, any race, doesn't matter," Ollison told The Skanner.
Last year, Ollison and her family gave away food to 1,444 families. She says it all started with a call from God.
"I had such a passion to feed the hungry anyway," she said. "He was telling me I could do more. … I was already supplying food boxes here at Providence to our cancer center."
So nearly two years ago, with the help of a $1,000 grant from Full Gospel Pentecostal, the 60-year-old minister bought a $600 van, loaded it up with food and began handing it out on Fridays at Trenton Terrace in New Columbia. . . .

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Larry Phillips recently joined representatives of Climate Communities in pressing the case to President Obama and Congress for local climate funds to be included in the federal stimulus package.
The result of that effort is $3.2 billion in energy grants nationwide that will make it possible for King County and other cities and counties to invest in local actions that create immediate jobs, improve energy efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas . . .

Kontagious Movement, composed of Greg Baja, Angelo Buelva, Eric Dy, Andrew Faulkner, VJ Frijas, Brad Jackson, John Roque, Will Tieu, Yoshi Wright and Megan Xaybhana, won the first place title and a $1,000 prize in "Seattle Show Stoppers 2009" dance competition. . . .

As part of America Saves Week efforts, the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Department of Community, Trade & Economic Development (CTED) and Washington Asset Building Coalitions (WABC) are working together to promote Washington Saves Week Feb. 22-March 1.
During these tough economic times — resulting in thousands of layoffs in Washington alone — it is more important than ever for residents to have a personal emergency fund. . . .