In case you missed it, here is the latest Roundup of news about President Barack Obama.

Energizing Black Voters: President  Barack Obama on Wednesday announced an initiative he said will give  African-American students greater access "to a complete and competitive  education from the time they're born all through the time they get a  career."

Speaking Wednesday  night at a National Urban League gathering in New Orleans, Obama said he  has issued an executive order establishing the White House Initiative  on Educational Excellence for African Americans, saying, "A higher  education in a 21st century cannot be a luxury. It is a vital necessity  that every American should be able to afford," he said.

"We  also believe that every entrepreneur should have a chance to start a  business, no matter who you are, no matter what you look like," he said.  "That's why we've helped African-American businesses and minority-owned  businesses and women-owned businesses gain access to more than $7  billion in contracts and financing that allow them to grow and create  jobs."

http://cnn.com/2012/07/25/politics/obama-african-american-voters/index.html

The Issue Of Guns: While  the president said he stands by the Second Amendment and recognizes the  traditions of hunting and gun ownership in the country, he told a crowd  at a gathering for the National Urban League in New Orleans that there  is work left to be done in tackling the problem.

"I  also believe that a lot of gun owners would agree that AK-47s belong in  the hands of soldiers, not in the hands of criminals," Obama said.  "That they belong on the battlefield of war, not on the streets of our  cities."

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/25/obama-takes-on-gun-violence-in-new-orleans-speech/

President  Obama pledged to work with Congress and others "to arrive at a  consensus" on "common sense" ways to reduce gun violence in the wake of  the nation's latest mass shooting.

"I believe the majority of gun  owners would agree that we should do everything possible to prevent  criminals and fugitives from purchasing weapons," Obama said less than a  week after the shooting at a theater in Aurora, Colo. "That we should  check someone's criminal record before they can check out a gun seller;  that a mentally unbalanced individual should not be able to get his  hands on a gun so easily.

"These steps shouldn't be  controversial," Obama said at the Urban League convention in New  Orleans. "They should be common sense."

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2012/07/obama-looking-for-consensus-on-gun-issue/1#.UBHVJaBuL7d

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/obama-urges-tighter-background-checks-gun-buyers-aurora-033815400.html

Government Role In Healthcare: "Government  does have a role to play in making it easier for people to do the  healthy thing," Obama writes in an essay for the forthcoming issue of  Prevention magazine.

Obama  cites programs designed to educate Americans on the dangers of tobacco  and the value of healthy eating, as well as preventive programs in his  health care plan.

"Starting  in 2014, the new health care law will help 32 million Americans access  affordable health insurance that includes coverage for regular checkups  and preventive services, so treatable illnesses don't become long-term  health problems," Obama writes.

The  Obama essay -- entitled "What Prevention Means to Me: A Bright, Healthy  Future" -- appears in the Prevention edition that hits newsstands on  Tuesday.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2012/07/obama-government-has-role-in-promoting-healthy-living/1#.UBHVOaBuL7d

Last Birthday In White House?: It sounds as if President Obama is playing the sympathy card in his latest campaign solicitation.

"My  upcoming birthday next week could be the last one I celebrate as  President of the United States, but that's not up to me -- it's up to  you," Obama said in an e-mail to supporters.

The president  encourages backers to give money and thereby enter a raffle for a ticket  to a birthday celebration at his home in Chicago.

The president turns 51 on Aug. 4; the house party is scheduled for Aug. 12.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2012/07/obama-this-could-be-my-last-birthday-in-office/1#.UBHX76BuL7d

From  the Cornfield, in case you missed it on your favorite news channel,  news site or newspaper, this is the latest Obama Roundup.