Filipino hate-mailer is sentenced to nearly four years

Twenty years worth of hate mail – directed at Black men who married or dated White women – got David Tuason almost four years in prison. Read more at BET.com/News.

HBCU Spelman gets $17 million gift.

Historically Black Spelman College in Atlanta got a surprise package in the form of a $17 million gift to fund an endowment for that will help acquaint its students to the rest of the world. “In the context of an increasingly global economy and a world made smaller by technology, it is more important than ever that students, faculty and staff are prepared for active engagement with the international community,” said Spelman President Beverly Daniel Tatum in a statement. She said that the anonymous gift will help the all-women’s college establish Gordon-Zeto Endowed Fund for International Initiatives, named after Nora Gordon (the first Spelman graduate to teach in the Congo) and Flora Zeto (the first Congolese student to graduate from Spelman). Also covered under the endowment is the Gordon-Zeto Dean for International Inititiatives, who will be the senior administrator of Spelman’s international programs; the Nora Gordon Scholars Program, which will support study abroad programs for Pell grant eligible students, giving first priority to those interested in studying in Africa; and a travel fund to support short-term study trips by students and faculty.

A March for Jobs and Freedom. When hundreds of thousands of people descended on the capital for the March on Washington 45 years ago this week, it was the largest political gathering the nation had ever seen. The event was later recognized as the tipping point in the fight for civil rights. See the pictures here. 

Deceased mom of rap star is object of foreclosure effort.

Northern Trust Bank is asking for $606,983.43 cents to prevent the foreclosure of rapper Kanye West’s late mother’s L.A. home. Donda West died last year of complications from cosmetic surgery. Her estate matters have been handled by the rapper, but he has not commented on the alleged bank debt. A former Chicago professor, Donda West also doubled as Kanye’s business associate.

King mag lists worst model-turned-actress gigs.

Oscar win aside, Halle Berry has a worst performance of all time, according to King magazine. Berry is named as the top offender on the publication’s list of most dreadful model-turned-actress film showings for her role in Gothika. Following Berry were Garcelle Beauvais for her part in Wild, Wild West and Tyra Banks for Coyote Ugly. Cameron Diaz (Any Given Sunday) and Cindy Crawford (Fair Game) also made the unfortunate top five.

.

Singer’s appearance blocked by show’s postponement. It may be a while before India.Arie fans see the singer on stage after a financial backer has reportedly pulled out of the production “For Colored Girls Who Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf.” Arie was slated to act in the popular Ntozake Shange “choreopoem.” But the production is on hold indefinitely.