In case you missed some of the biggest news in the Black community this month, the New York Amsterdam News’ month in review with help you get back up to date.
- New York City public schools loses $60 million because the Department of Education and United Federation of Teachers fail to reach an agreement on how to evaluate teacher performance.
- Gov. Andrew Cuomo gives his State of the State Address.
- A report by the Democracy Program at NYU’s Brennan Center for Justice reveals that Black and Latino voters were almost two times likely to have their votes discounted due to over voting than whites.
- After an aggressive recruitment process in 2011, Black FDNY firefighters visit the homes of new applicants.
- Rick Santorum wins the Republican Iowa Caucuses.
- Former CNN journalist T.J. Holmes begins his new position at BET
- Family members of Staten Island native and Black Marine Hamson McPherson have questions about their loved ones death. Hamson reportedly committed suicide in 2011 while being stationed in Okinawa, Japan by soaking himself in gasoline and setting himself on fire.
- The second anniversary of the 2010 Haiti earthquake is commemorated. The Caribbean nation is still struggling with the aftermath.
- Assemblyman William Boyland pleads not guilty in a corruption case. In late 2011 he is caught after being recorded while taking bribes.
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is celebrated for the first time at the new memorial for the famed civil rights leader in Washington, D.C.
- Public school parents begin to mobilize at several schools across the city that are slated for closure.
- In Newark, activist call for the firing of Police Officer Angel Pared who was seen on a March 2010 video punching 15-year-old Travis Rattray.
- Assemblyman Karim Camara introduces a bill that could end the use of specialized high school exams as the sole criteria for granted admittance into elite New York City public schools.
- Mayor Michael Bloomberg delivers his State of the City address in the Bronx focusing on education, unemployment and minimum wage.
- The George Lucus film “Red Tails” starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Terrence Howard hits theaters with blowout box office numbers and rave reviews. The highly-anticipated film highlights the Tuskegee Airman, Black pilots who flew fighter planes during World War II.
- Police shoot and kill 26-year-old Duane Brown in Brooklyn in a case of alleged misidentify. Police say that he was carrying a .38-Caliber revolver in Brooklyn and were responding to a robbery in progress. Witnesses said Brown, who is Black, was running to try and protect his brother.
- Microsoft release a new controversial application on phones that many believe is racists. Dubbed the “ghetto app” on Windows phones, the app informs travelers with GPS places to avoid based on crime stats. Critics say the app is racial insensitive toward Black neighborhoods.
- Preident Obama makes a visit to New York City visiting Spike Lee’s house and the Apollo Theater for fund raising. The president raises $3 million while in the city.
- The Rev. Jesse Jackson hosts his 15th Annual Rainbow PUSH Wall Street Project Economic Summit in the city.
- President Obama delivers his State of the Union address.
- The NYPD arrests and charge 43 gang members from two rival gangs in Brownsville, Brooklyn.
- The NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the America Civil Liberties Union file an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court for the constitutionality of the President Obama’s health care reform.
- Legendary singer Etta James dies at age 73 after losing her battle with leukemia.
- Black actresses Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer receive Oscar nominations for their roles in the 2011 film “The Help” about Black maids during the 1960s in the South. Davis earns the nomination for Best Actress and Spencer for Best Supporting Actress. The film also earns an nomination for Best Picture.
- Saxophonist and vocalist Jimmy Castor dies at age 71
- Choreographer and dancer Niles Ford dies at age 52.
- The New York Giants win a spot in the Super Bowl.
- Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords announces her resignation to focus on her recovery. She was a victim of an attempted assassination in 2011.