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R&B singer and disability advocate, Teddy Pendergrass dies
Fri, 01/15/2010 - 20:57 — Patty
By Patty Edwards Shaver
MCV Career Development Facilitator
Teddy Pendergrass, legendary Rhythm and Blues (R&B) singer and advocate for the disabled, died Jan.13 of colon cancer. Pendergrass had been hospitalized for several months after undergoing colon cancer surgery in May 2009. He was 59.
Pendergrass’ music career started to take off in the 70s. He was lead singer with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes before embarking on a solo career in 1976. He quickly became an international superstar and sex symbol with popular hit records: Turn off the Lights, Close the Door and TKO. Pendergrass became the first black male singer in history to record five consecutive multi-platinum albums. He had several Grammy nominations, numerous awards, movie appearances, TV specials, sold out national and international concerts and endorsements.
Job Crunch Even Harder On People With Disabilities
Fri, 11/27/2009 - 09:07 — PattyBy Joseph Shapiro
National Public Radio (NPR)
As large numbers of Americans deal with losing jobs, the unemployment rates are even higher among certain groups, including men, minorities — and also people with disabilities.
Lenny Kepil knows. He was laid off from his job this spring as a software test engineer. He'd been the last hired, but his whole department took a hit. "It makes you nervous when you're laid off a long period of time. And right now, it's been seven months so far," he says. "So I have to get ready for the reality that things are stacking up against me."
Kepil, who lives in Naperville, Illinois, has an impressive resume with more than 26 years as a software engineer. He's also deaf.
Finding a Job in Hard Times
Mon, 06/15/2009 - 14:08 — PattyLisa Ramsey sees firsthand how the slumping economy impacts older workers in North Carolina. Her organization, the Capital Area Workforce Development Board, oversees JobLink Career Centers at eight sites in Wake and Johnston counties. Increasingly, jobless workers over 50 turn to her agency for help. Read more
