Smiley organizes panel this month to discuss "black agenda"

PBS talk host and activist Tavis Smiley may have recently ended his annual State of the Black Union events, but this month he's once again bringing together African Americans to press the case for a "black agenda," reports the Associated Press. Smiley told the AP he felt compelled to organize the discussion after statements from some black leaders downplaying the need for President Barack Obama to specifically help the African-Americans community. Scheduled to speak during the March 20 panel discussion at Chicago State University are advertising pioneer Tom Burrell, professors Michael Eric Dyson and Cornel West, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and Bennett College President Julianne Malveaux. The gathering may be broadcast.

A new twist on local history from WOSU

Columbus Neighborhoods, an engagement-focused website just launched by WOSU Public Media and the Columbus Metropolitan Library, invites visitors to explore and share stories, photos and videos of life in central Ohio. Inspired by WOSU-TV's documentary series on local history, the site mainly features archival photographs of thirty different neighborhoods and suburbs. Next week, WOSU debuts "Short North," the next installment of its TV documentary series, previewed here.