June 19th, 1865 marks the date that American slavery was effectively outlawed in U.S. territories. Two years after Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston Texas with news that all slaves were free, and with resources to enforce said freedom.
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Credit: HuffPost Black Voices
The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band. The band has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide throughout their career. The group was inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.
In February, designer Victoria Beckham showed her eponymous fall 2014 collection—full of sleek, feminine pieces—to a crowd of admiring fans. Shot by contemporary art photographer Todd Hido, the collection—comprised of colorblocked tunics, lady-like shifts, and youthful, bug-print dresses—is shown in a moody, dramatic light. With the emphasis on texture this season, from the intricate embroidery and sparkly lamé to the delicate glass beading and rich, velvet fabric, Beckham chose to debut her collection, not with a traditional look book, but with a video that would highlight the detailed garments and bring the clothes to life: “The idea of telling a story and using different characters enabled us to work together to create something different from the usual Look Book format both in photography and film,” Beckham said of the collaboration.
Credit: Elle Magazine
Serve this very rich chocolate-nut tart with softly whipped cream. If making up to 1 day ahead, cover and chill. To serve, let warm to room temperature, about 1 hour.
Makes 8 to 10 servings
Ingredients
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup (1/4 lb.) butter or margarine
9 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate
6 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon cognac or brandy
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Enjoy Creamy & Indulgent Carbonara Sauce
Preparation
1. In a food processor, whirl walnuts, pine nuts, and 1/2 cup sugar until nuts are coarsely ground. Pour into a 9-inch tart pan with removable rim. In a 2-cup glass measure, melt 1/4 cup butter in a microwave oven at full power (100%), 20 to 30 seconds. Add melted butter to nut mixture and rub in with your fingers to blend. Press mixture evenly over bottom and up sides of pan. Set pan on a foil-lined 12- by 15-inch baking sheet.
2. Bake in a 325° regular or convection oven until crust begins to brown around edges, 20 to 30 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, chop half the chocolate into 1/2-inch chunks and set aside. Finely chop remaining chocolate.
4. In the glass measure, combine remaining 1/4 cup butter, cut into small pieces, with finely chopped chocolate. Heat in a microwave oven at half power (50%) until chocolate is soft, 30 to 45 seconds. Stir until mixture is smooth.
5. In a bowl with a mixer on high speed, beat egg yolks, remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, cognac, and almond extract until mixture turns pale yellow, about 3 minutes. Add chocolate-butter mixture and beat to blend. Stir in coarsely chopped chocolate. Scrape into warm nut crust.
6. Bake in a 325° regular or convection oven until filling barely jiggles when pan is gently shaken, about 15 minutes. Set on a rack until warm or cool.
7. To serve, remove rim; dust tart lightly with cocoa and cut into wedges.
Tina Turner and Beyonce perform at the Grammys 2008. Could this be more divalicious? Beyonce and Tina Turner, yes! Beyonce and Tina Turner perform Proud Mary.
Celebrating the legacy of the incomparable Ruby Dee.
With NANBPWC, INC. spokesperson, Ruby Dee, in New York (circa 1991). Also pictured (Left to Right) Shelley Eaddy, Jacqui Gates, me and Ronnie Harris. To be the best that I can be… I am figuratively standing on her shoulders, and my hands are literally on her shoulders.
The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. (NANBPWC, Inc.) was founded by Emma Odessa Young, a realtor from New York City and a member of the New York Club of Business and Professional Women, who conceived the idea of a national organization of business and professional women in 1934.
During this time in our history, black people were called “Negroes”. Very few had businesses or professions. Many were still deep in the throes of the depression. The fact that these black women had the courage to found such an optimistic organization is astounding and a lasting testimony to their faith in themselves, our people, and the future.
If you love chocolate then I predict you will love these Double-Shot Mocha Chunk cookies. They are little bites of pure chocolate bliss. These cookies are like little baked truffles. #chocolateonsteroids. #chocolatefriendsofTenaciousM enjoy!!
Yield: 3 dozen cookies
Ingredients for Double-Shot Mocha Chunks
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon espresso powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2/3 cup Dutch-process cocoa
1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
1 cup chocolate chunks: semisweet, white, or espresso
Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or line with parchment two cookie sheets.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, baking powder, espresso powder, and salt.
3. Add the eggs and vanilla, beating until smooth.
4. Stir in the cocoa powder and flour; the dough will be stiff.
5. Mix in the chocolate chips and chunks.
6. Drop the cookies by tablespoonfuls (about 1 1/2″ balls) onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 1/2″ between them. A tablespoon cookie scoop works well here.
7. Bake the cookies for 10 minutes. Remove them from the oven, and allow them to cool on the pan.
Psalms 103:13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him. My dad, Cecil Williams. After this dude, the rest is a piece of cake. #daddysgirlforreal!! Happy Father’s Day.
Gone are the days of crumbled coffee cakes. Welcome to the land of triple-chocolate coffee cake goodness. Enjoy by serving with wine, milk, or simply another slice of coffee cake.
Ingredients
1 (18.25-ounce) package devil’s food cake mix
1 (3.9-ounce) package chocolate instant pudding mix
2 cups sour cream
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
5 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups semisweet chocolate morsels, divided
1 cup white chocolate morsels
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Preparation
1.Beat first 6 ingredients at low speed with an electric mixer 30 seconds or just until moistened; beat at medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in 2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels; pour batter evenly into 2 greased and floured 9-inch square cake pans.
2. Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pans on wire racks.
3. Microwave white chocolate morsels in a glass bowl at HIGH 30 to 60 seconds or until morsels melt; stirring at 30-second intervals until smooth. Drizzle evenly over cakes; repeat procedure with remaining cup of semisweet morsels. Sprinkle cakes evenly with pecans.
Egos & Buffaloes 