• This is Webbie. When did rap names get so weak? [C+D]

• Is "white Oprah" well on her way to being just that? [DListed]

• "…we’re seeing an increase in areas where you saw low black voter turnout earlier and this is actually, I believe, would be a plus for the Democratic party in the future. One of the things we see about voting is that it’s habitual so just like brushing your teeth, going to church, once you get into a habit you keep doing it over and over again and so if you can kind of start this routine, people will turn out to vote.." [News8]

• Morris Day and The Time are playing the Essence fest! Hey, somebody's gotta work while Prince's hip recovers. [Fox]

• "…11 of the 15 states with the highest poverty levels are in the South." [FS]

• The St Mary's County Sherrif's Office in Maryland has signed a pact with the local chaptr of the NAACP chapter saying that they agree that they employ too few minority officers. Headway! [WP]