• The NAACP of Bangor, Maine, had to cancel its Kwanzaa celebration because of threats. Excuse me for missing the point, but Bangor, Maine has an NAACP? [BN]

• The highly-celebrated NY Fire Department might finally improve its dismal diversity reputation. A record number of women, Hispanics, and blacks passed the exam this year. [NYT]

• Grady Memorial Hospital, the only public hospital in Atlanta, might be forced to close it's doors, leaving patients, who are overwhelming black and poor, in the lurch. [AP]

• Most people who have underestimated Oprah Winfrey over the years have ended up having to eat their words. I'm just saying. [CT]