He's Not A Polygamist; He's A Polyglot!

Just in case you thought you were the most talented person in your family...

Matthew from the online translation hub, Babbel,  demonstrates in the following video that he speaks NINE different languages.

He listed in the video's description as a polyglot or someone who is "multilingual."  

For another example of a "polyglot," check out The Polyglot Dream.  

In this 2012 BBC News article, self-taught polyglots like Ray Gillon share what inspired them to learn multiple languages.

If this trend continues, polyglots could become the new athletes of academia.

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All Churched Out? (Don't Blame Tamela)

30 years ago, the church was an exclusive meeting place on Sundays.

Today, it is a place where people only attend for weddings and funerals.

In fact, a recent Gallup poll shows that only 4 in 10 attend regularly.  

What has caused such a decline in church attendance?

Veteran media personality Garrard McClendon discusses this topic with author Jeffrey Jones on a special edition of "The McClendon Report."

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This Weekend, Observe Memorial Day The Right Way

There's one thing that many Memorial Day observers forget about each year: the true meaning of the holiday.

According to information from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Memorial Day began as "Decoration Day" -- a commemoration of fallen soldiers marked with graves of soldiers being decorated with flowers. 

That was back in the 1860s.

Fast forward to 2014 and it appears that the holiday has outgrown its own purpose--at least in the eyes of those who lack a knowledge of what the day means.

Before you light the grill, take time to honor those who have given their lives to protect our freedom.

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Former Big Zack TV Intern Comes Full Circle (EDITORIAL)

Tanue David was the greatest "gamble" of my former team of interns back in 2012; He was the one about whom I knew the least. In just 3 months, he taught me more about himself than I could teach him about being a journalist. 

Two years later, Mr. David, 26, has expanded his journalism aspirations to a career which allows him to groom the next generation of leaders. As a youth-oriented advocate and organizer for ActionNow, he works tirelessly to improve student misconduct policies--the same policies which led to his own suspensions as a youth. 

Chicago Tribune columnist Dawn Turner Trice featured Mr. David in a recent story about activists seeking a change in student misconduct policies. For him, the current disciplinary structure puts at-risk students through a "school to prison pipeline" which he feels will only make matters worse. As a former truant officer, Mr. David knows that tough disciplinary policies deter troubled students from attending school. 

Mr. David knows all about obstacles and how to overcome them. As the son of a Liberian immigrant, he was taught at a young age to work hard and be smart. When he interned for Go Zack, Mr. David showed me just how strong he could be. At that time, there were many personal challenges facing him but he persevered and created great stories.

Now, he has people who want to tell his story.

And nothing makes me prouder. 

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#BringBackOurGirls : What Is 'The Big Picture?'

As a skilled web designer and graphic artist, Kamilah S.  Autmon has an eye for detail. She is social media enthusiast and entrepreneur who uses her technical expertise to help solve problems for clients. Outside of her professional work, Autmon uses social media to bring awareness to global issues which affect her personally. From her perspective, the latest #BringBackOurGirls social media campaign is only the beginning of movement. Yet, it appears as if the majority only sees it as a political trend. 

Autmon believes that the crisis in Nigeria opens up the door for a discussion on female empowerment. "If women had more of the upper hand over there, they would actually get somewhere instead of having an antiquated existence," she said. "Ironically, those places have all the resources for riches and are more behind the times than other nations." 

For mothers of the kidnapped girls, the media appears to be their only resource. Through protests and social media, the mothers' efforts have led to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry becoming involved in the rescue efforts. 

On Tuesday, Secretary Kerry offered assistance to Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan. 

And celebrities continue to show their support for the movement via social media.

In Autmon's eyes, it is important for media consumers to stay abreast of global affairs--not just pop culture. 

"From tech to world news to finance, it's my duty as a person to know everything that's out there."

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Kwesi Ronald Harris, Chicago's Black Male Graduate "Maker"

Don't believe all of the statistics you see and hear; There is hope for African-American men on the South Side of Chicago. At Chicago State University, African-American male graduates have one man to thank: Mr. Kwesi Ronald Harris.

Mr. Harris is the director of the university's African-American Male Resource Center, where he pursues the goals of recruitment, retention, and graduation. In the video seen below, he speaks to Marc Sims about his work with young men and programs the university supports like T.E.M.B.O (Teaching and Educating Men of Black Origin) to improve graduation rates and prepare future leaders. 

"You can't be what you can't see," Harris shared with Marc Sims.  He continued by saying that key signs of manhood are found among those who provide, produce, and protect. 

Mr. Harris realizes the magnitude of efforts, given that Chicago State is home to one of the highest number of African-American men enrolled in college statewide. 

Zack's TV salutes this Chicago (and national) hero. 

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