E-mail a friendJune 25, 2007
Mayors Douglas Palmer and Manny Diaz, president and VP, respectively, of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, say that mayors are on their own trying to help the people. Singer-songwriter Musiq Soulchild says experience isn't always the best teacher.
Mayor Douglas Palmer
Mayor Douglas Palmer
In '90, Douglas Palmer was elected as the first African American mayor of Trenton, NJ, the city in which he was born and raised, and has been re-elected four times since. He's been credited with helping the city become home to the country's first federally-funded Weed and Seed anti-drug program, which helps rebuild inner-city communities. The Hampton University grad is also president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and a member of the bipartisan group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition.
Musiq Soulchild
Musiq Soulchild
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Talib Johnson—a.k.a. Musiq Soulchild—makes music that many describe as a mix of '70's soul, classic funk and hip-hop. Since his '00 debut album, his star has risen. His second CD debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard R&B/hip-hop charts and his most recent, 'LUVANMUSIQ,' at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The Philadelphia native began making plans for a music career as a teen and was influenced by artists like James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone and Billie Holiday.