by Ray Henry
Associated Press Writer

ATLANTA (AP)—Republican Herman Cain said God convinced him to enter the race for president, comparing himself to Moses: “‘You’ve got the wrong man, Lord. Are you sure?’”

The Georgia business executive played up his faith Saturday after battling sexual harassment allegations for two weeks, trying to shift the conversation to religion, an issue vital to conservative Republicans, especially in the South.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP)—The former CEO of a Texas-based investment firm was sentenced to 17 years in prison Friday for a scheme that used former NFL players to bilk hundreds of investors out of more than $50 million.

Several of his victims watched as Kurt Branham Barton, the former head of Triton Financial, gave a tearful apology at the hearing in Austin.

by Greg Bluestein
Associated Press Writer

ATLANTA (AP)—With confidence and zeal, Ephren Taylor riveted audiences at mostly Black churches with a list of his impressive accomplishments and an uncanny business sense. He had the blessing of top clergy as he gave financial seminars from the pulpit on Sundays, promising rock-solid investments—only many of the churchgoers said they haven't seen a dime.

Two lawsuits filed this month claim the 29-year-old Taylor was a con artist who targeted worshippers throughout at least five states on the East Coast since 2004, swindling tens of millions of dollars in a Ponzi scheme.

LOST LIFE SAVINGS—Lillian Wells, 60, faces foreclosure as she sits in her home Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 in Covington, Ga. Wells lost $122,000 in her life savings that was given to Ephren Taylor's company after hearing him speak at an Atlanta church. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

(BlackNews.com)—Iman Kerigo, the first woman of African descent to be crowned Miss Norway, arrived in the U.S. last month as part of her goodwill tour. Kerigo, a refugee from Kenya who fled with her family to safety in the United Kingdom, continues her mission to raise awareness on poverty, war and domestic abuse. She visited Los Angeles, Las Vegas and surrounding areas as part of her 12-day visit.

IMAN KERIGO

As a child born into a life of extreme hardship forged by her family’s struggle in war torn Kenya, she and her mother struggled to survive day-to-day while living under the rule of an abusive father. Iman’s mother’s greatest dream was to simply see her children live. She never dreamed her second child could achieve something so amazing.

“My mother was just happy that we were alive but she didn’t want us to live a meager existence,” Kerigo said. “Being crowned Miss Norway gave me the opportunity to make sure that her dream came true.”