AFRICAN AMERICAN REPORTS

PEOPLE’S ORGANIZATION FOR PROGRESS VOTING RIGHTS FORUM IN JERSEY CITY WILL URGE PEOPLE TO VOTE DURING MIDTERM ELECTIONS

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 22:03:57 +0000

“The Attack On Voting Rights And The War On Black People,” will be the subject of a forum that will be held on Friday, October 23, 2026, 7:00pm at Metropolitan AME Zion Church, 140 Belmont Avenue in Jersey City, New Jersey.

The event is sponsored by the People’s Organization For Progress (POP) a grassroots group that fights for civil and human rights. It has been endorsed by the Martin Luther King People’s Convention for Justice and Resistance planning committee.

“One of the main reasons we are having this program is to discuss why it is important to vote during the midterm elections. These will be the most consequential midterms so far during this century,” Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress stated.

“During this election we are choosing the people who will represent us in both houses of Congress, the House of Representatives and the Senate. The lawmakers we send there will impact the future direction of this country,” Hamm said.

“This is why it is so important that we vote in this election which has already begun. Mail-in voting is already in progress. Early in-person voting will take place from October 24th to November 1st,” he said.

“And of course people should vote in massive numbers on Election Day, November 3rd,” he said.

Speakers scheduled for the forum will include Rev. Eli Smith, Senior Pastor, Metropolitan AME Zion Church, Pamela Johnson, winner of the Democratic primary for Hudson County Commissioner, Toni Irvin, community activist, and Lawrence Hamm. Jersey City Councilman Frank Gilmore has been invited to be on the panel.

Rev. Dr Allen Simmons will serve as program moderator.

“Another important reason for this forum is to discuss the diabolical efforts being made by the Trump administration to interfere with the midterm elections and prevent citizens from freely exercising their voting rights,” Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress stated.

“We will also examine the particular impact this is having on the Black community, and what can be done about it,” Hamm said.

The upcoming forum in Jersey City is the ninth of a series on this topic. Others were held in Montclair, Plainfield, Newark, Maplewood, Hackensack, East Orange, and Riverton. Future programs are scheduled for Paterson, Roselle, and Newark.

The program will have two parts. The first part will consist of a panel discussion. The panelists will include community leaders and activists. The second part will consist of audience participation.

Hamm said the country is imperiled and facing a political and possibly a constitutional crisis.

“The racist and fascist Trump administration, ultra-conservative super majority on the U.S. Supreme Court, and the right-wing MAGA Republican majority in Congress are engaged in a multi-pronged attack on voting rights,” he asserted.

“I believe that we are witnessing in real time an attempt right by Trump and his collaborators to steal the midterm elections,” he said.

“Trump has even said he is not ruling out sending ICE agents and National guard troops to polling places, invoking the Insurrection Act, declaring a national emergency during the midterm elections, and he has urged his supporters to cheat like hell,” he said.

“We oppose any attempts by Trump to steal the election, invoke the Insurrection Act, declare a national emergency, or declare martial law during the midterm elections, “ Hamm said.

However, the discussion will not end with the attack on voting rights but will include the attacks on black people in the economy, education, health, criminal justice and other important areas.

For more information on the forum or to reserve a seat on the bus to Trenton please call People’s Organization for Progress at 973 801-0001.

Historic milestone: America's next historically Black medical school earns preliminary accreditation

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 01:03:06 +0000

A pioneering chapter in medical education begins today for the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine, which has received preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the accrediting body for U.S. programs granting medical doctorate degrees. With this milestone, the College of Medicine will begin recruiting students in coming weeks for its inaugural class of 2027, advancing the vision for America's next historically Black college of medicine.

The only HBCU college of medicine in the Gulf South, the College of Medicine brings together two trusted New Orleans institutions: Xavier University of Louisiana and Ochsner Health. It builds on decades of collaboration in education, research, and healthcare, reflected in initiatives such as the Ochsner-Xavier Institute for Health Equity and Research, Xavier's Physician Assistant Program, and its Genetic Counseling Program. Xavier contributes a century-long legacy of excellence in STEM education, was named a top HBCU by Forbes and is a leading institution in sending African American students on to medical school. Ochsner is a leading academic health system that brings more than 80 years of experience in caring for the communities it serves, with more than 60 years of training residents and fellows and 17 years of excellence in medical student education. Ochsner was named no. 1 hospital in Louisiana by U.S. News and World Report for 15 consecutive years. Together, Xavier and Ochsner have created a model that connects rigorous academic preparation with real-world training and a shared commitment to improving health outcomes for all.

"This is a historic moment for Xavier University of Louisiana, for New Orleans and for the future of medicine in this nation," said Reynold Verret, Ph.D., president of Xavier University of Louisiana. "For a century, Xavier has demonstrated what is possible when academic excellence is joined with a profound commitment to human dignity and service. The Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine is a bold extension of that legacy. We are not simply opening the doors of a new medical school; we are expanding who will have the opportunity to become a physician, strengthening the communities those physicians will serve and helping to shape the future of healthcare for generations to come. Preliminary accreditation brings us to a moment envisioned through years of work, partnership and resolve, and it affirms Xavier's enduring belief that education can transform not only individual lives, but the health and well-being of our nation."

Addressing national physician workforce challenges

The opening of the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine brings an HBCU medical school to a region facing significant healthcare workforce challenges. The National Health Resources and Services Administration projects the United States could face a shortage of more than 141,000 physicians by 2038.

Louisiana is among the states most affected, with 60 of Louisiana's 64 parishes federally designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). Graduates from HBCU medical schools, which train nearly 70% of the nation's Black physicians, are more likely to serve communities with the greatest healthcare needs.

Preliminary accreditation follows years of planning and collaboration. The College of Medicine was formed through a partnership between Xavier and Ochsner in 2024, earned candidate status in October 2025 and hosted an LCME survey visit in June 2026. Following its review, the LCME determined the College of Medicine had met the requirements for preliminary accreditation, allowing it to start recruiting students for its inaugural class in summer 2027. Applications will be available through the American Medical College Application Service® (AMCAS®) in the coming weeks.

"Together, we have created a transformational college of medicine where future physician leaders will be prepared to pursue excellence with purpose, embrace innovation, and respond to the evolving needs of patients and our communities," said Leonardo Seoane, M.D., FACP, president and founding dean of the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine. "This milestone builds on Xavier University of Louisiana's incredible legacy of preparing leaders who serve and a history of academic and clinical excellence at Ochsner Health. By bringing together the strengths of two mission-driven institutions, we are creating opportunities for future physicians to make a lasting difference across Louisiana and beyond."

Investing in New Orleans and the Gulf South

Students will be taught the science and practice of medicine while gaining a deep understanding of health in the context of a person's life and community. Through interdisciplinary learning, compassionate patient care, and direct experience with experienced clinical teams, they will develop the practical skills, leadership abilities, and understanding needed to serve communities in New Orleans, the Gulf South, and beyond.

"Our partnership with Xavier University of Louisiana is grounded in a shared belief that education, opportunity, and service can transform lives and provide our communities stellar healthcare for generations to come," said Pete November, president and CEO of Ochsner Health. "Today, we celebrate far more than the opening of a college of medicine. Together, we are investing in our communities to drive economic development and create a model of excellence that translates world-class medical education into better health outcomes, greater opportunity, and a lasting legacy of impact for the people and communities we serve."

Located in New Orleans' growing BioDistrict, the College of Medicine is expected to generate significant economic impact locally and statewide. By 2040, its operations are projected to contribute $152.5 million in economic impact across Louisiana, including $122 million in New Orleans, while supporting more than 1,185 jobs statewide. Physicians trained by the College are projected to contribute an additional $2.9 billion to the U.S. economy by 2040.

About the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine

The Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine was formed in 2024 through a partnership between Xavier University of Louisiana, one of the nation's top HBCUs, and Ochsner Health, a leading academic medical center in the Gulf South. The College of Medicine combines Xavier's academic excellence and century-long legacy in STEM and health sciences with a demonstrated commitment by Ochsner to patient care, research and physician training. Located in the New Orleans BioDistrict, the College of Medicine will prepare physician leaders through rigorous education, real-world training and a commitment to improving health outcomes for all. Learn more at xula.edu/xocom.

PEOPLE’S ORGANIZATION FOR PROGRESS SUPPORTS THE BLACK AGENDA RALLY, URGES EVERYONE TO GET ON BUSES TO TRENTON

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 20:56:00 +0000

The People’s Organization For Progress (POP) will journey to the capital of the Garden State to attend a rally that will address concerns of African Americans. The group is taking people by bus to the event.

The Black Agenda Rally will take place on Thursday, October 15, 2026, 10:00am on the steps of the Statehouse, 125 West State Street in Trenton, New Jersey.

The rally is being called by a broad coalition of elected officials, religious leaders, community activists, labor representatives, civil rights advocates, and concerned residents.

People are mobilizing statewide for the rally. Buses sponsored by different organizations will converge on the state capital for this event.

The POP sponsored bus to the rally will depart Thursday morning 7:30am from 15 South Orange Avenue in Newark. People are advised to arrive at 6:30am. The bus is free. Seating is on a first come first seated basis.

“The purpose of the rally is to demand passage of legislation and formulation of policies that address issues of concern to the Black community,” Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress stated.

“The People’s Organization For Progress supports the Black Agenda Rally. We believe that this is an appropriate response to the plight of African Americans and the worsening conditions in our communities,” Hamm said.

“That is why we have participated in the organizing effort for the rally. That is why we are sponsoring a bus to bring people to the rally. We believe that it is important for as many people as possible to attend,” he said.

The rally is being organized around the Black Agenda platform. This document evolved out of a series of meetings held around the state last year by Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark and other Black organizations in the aftermath of his campaign for governor.

Hamm said that while POP supports the Black Agenda it has also been involved in efforts to create a “people’s agenda.” On April 26, 2025 it was the sponsor of the first Martin Luther King People’s Convention for Justice and Resistance.

The convention, which was endorsed by more than 300 organizations, issued an agenda containing the 27 resolutions it passed on a variety of social justice issues. Mayor Baraka spoke at that convention during the gubernatorial candidates forum that was held there.

The 2nd Martin Luther King People’s Convention for Justice and Resistance was held on September 26, 2026. That convention, which was endorsed by 245 organizations, passed more than 20 resolutions.

“At the second convention it also adopted the Black Agenda, in its entirety, around which the rally in Trenton is being organized. The Black Agenda will be included as part of the agenda of the second convention when it is issued,” he said.

“We are very excited about the Black Agenda Rally. We hope that everyone will come. And we hope that it will excite people and inspire them to vote in the upcoming midterm elections,” Hamm said.

For more information about the POP bus to the Black Agenda Rally in Trenton call People’s Organization For Progress at (973)801-0001.

For more information about buses leaving from other parts of the state people can go to the African American Chamber of Commerce registration site https://mms.aaccnj.com/members/evr/reg_main.php?orgcode=AANJ&evid=104978033.

BLACKDOCTOR LAUNCHES FIRST-EVER MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 01:48:52 +0000

BlackDoctor, the leading health and wellness platform for Black America, today announced its first Medical Advisory Board. The board brings together eight physicians from across the country. They will help inform the company's product and content development strategy for clinicians, advance its health education efforts, help shape new products and tools and facilitate strategic engagements across the healthcare ecosystem.

The board is a core part of BlackDoctor's strategic rebrand and reintroduction into the health services industry. It gives the company, which reaches 30 million people each year, a formal layer of clinical oversight from physicians who understand the challenges facing Black patients and clinicians with specialities spanning cardiovascular health, cancer, mental health, kidney disease, clinical trials, dermatology and vision care.

"Our Medical Advisory Board reflects who we are as a company — built by and for the community we serve, with real clinicians in the room," says Akinwole Garrett, CEO, BlackDoctor. "These eight physicians will help shape every part of BlackDoctor, from the products we build to the content our readers trust every day."

The board's role goes beyond an advisory title. Members will help inform new product development and conduct medical review of BlackDoctor's content. They will represent the brand at industry events and conferences, and contribute content and commentary for BlackDoctor.com and BlackDoctor.pro. They will also help build relationships with pharmaceutical companies, academic medical institutions, medical schools, medical societies, foundations and health nonprofits.

"When BlackDoctor first approached me about joining the board, it was an easy decision," says Dr. Craig Emmitt Cole, Oncology/Hematology, BlackDoctor Medical Advisory Board Member. "I thought about how many patients could be helped by the trusted resources BlackDoctor provides, and it just made sense. As part of the board, I've been able to help shape cutting-edge tools like WellBot and Health on Point from the ground up, drawing on what I've learned treating multiple myeloma in Black patients for years. We're not just adding another AI product to the market — we're building something that actually understands who it's talking to."

BlackDoctor already maintains the largest single database of Black and culturally sensitive healthcare professionals in the country, with more than 30,000 practitioners. The eight-member board becomes the clinical front door to that network for future partners, content and initiatives.

About the Board
Dr. Craig Emmit Cole – Oncology/Hematology, Detroit, MI
Dr. Chikelue Oragwu - Medical Affairs, Marietta, GA
Dr. Nicole Christian-Brathwaite - Psychiatry, Boston, MA
Dr. Yele Aluko - Cardiology/Physician Executive, Charlotte, NC
Dr. Kristen Harris Nwanyanwu - Ophthalmology, New Haven, CT
Dr. Adam Friedman - Dermatology, Washington, DC
Dr. Beatrice Williams - Orthodontics, Raleigh-Durham, NC
Dr. Keisha L. Gibson - Pediatric Nephrology, Chapel Hill, NC

About BlackDoctor

BlackDoctor is the leading digital health platform dedicated to the health and wellness of Black Americans, reaching more than 30 million users. The company has evolved from a health media site into a 360-degree digital health platform that combines editorial content, AI-powered tools, a provider network and live experiences. Its AI-powered tools include WellBot, which trains providers through simulated patient interactions, and Health On Point, which helps patients prepare for medical visits. Both tools are informed by more than 20 years of BlackDoctor's clinical content and a network of more than 30,000 Black and culturally sensitive healthcare practitioners. BlackDoctor's Medical Advisory Board, a group of eight physicians across eight specialties, helps inform the company's clinical strategy, content and product development.

The Executive Leadership Council Announces 2026 Scholars, Investing $1.5 Million in the Next Generation of Business Leaders

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 01:29:09 +0000

The Executive Leadership Council (ELC) today announced its Class of 2026 Scholars, awarding $1.5 million in scholarships to 100 students from colleges and universities across the country.

The 2026 class represents 46 institutions and a broad range of academic disciplines, from computer science, data and cybersecurity to finance, engineering, business and supply chain management. Nearly three-quarters of the scholars attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), continuing the important role these institutions play in preparing talent for leadership across business and industry.

"For nearly 40 years, The ELC has understood that strong leadership pipelines must be built intentionally," said Michael C. Hyter, President and CEO of The Executive Leadership Council. "These scholars are already demonstrating the academic excellence, leadership and drive that will prepare them to make meaningful contributions to the companies and institutions they will one day serve."

This year's scholars also represent a broad cross-section of colleges and universities across the country, bringing perspectives shaped by HBCUs, public research universities and private institutions, with academic interests spanning business, finance, engineering, technology, healthcare, public policy and the humanities.

Twenty-five are studying computer science, information technology, data or cybersecurity; 22 are pursuing finance, investment or banking; 17 are studying business, management or supply chain; and 10 are pursuing engineering. Others are studying accounting, economics, marketing, communications, public policy and related disciplines.

"For many students, especially those who are the first in their families to attend college, a scholarship can change what is possible long after graduation," said Leah N. Wade, Senior Director of Philanthropy at The Executive Leadership Council. "Every dollar a student does not have to borrow gives them a stronger financial starting point as they enter the workforce. It gives them greater freedom to make decisions about their careers, begin building assets and create the conditions for economic mobility. We want these scholars to begin their professional lives with momentum, and investing in them now gives them an important head start."

Beyond the classroom, 95 percent of this year's scholars have documented leadership experience on campus and 65 percent have completed internships, giving many of them meaningful professional experience well before graduation. Thirty percent are the first generation in their families to attend college.

The announcement comes as The ELC approaches its 40th anniversary and looks toward the next chapter of its work: ensuring that the leadership pipeline remains strong, prepared and capable of meeting the demands of an increasingly complex business environment.

As The ELC enters its fifth decade, the Class of 2026 reflects the continuity at the center of its mission. Strengthening leadership over time begins well before an executive title. It begins by identifying promising talent, investing in preparation and creating the relationships and experiences that allow leadership to develop.

For The ELC and its partners, it means the scholarship represents the beginning of a longer relationship with emerging leaders who are still building their experience, networks and understanding of what leadership requires.

Academic institutions represented this year include: Alabama A&M University, Bowie State University, Case Western Reserve University, Clark Atlanta University, Clark University, Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Dillard University, Duke University, Fayetteville State University, Fisk University, Florida A&M University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Grambling State University, Hampton University, Howard University, Indiana University, Johnson C. Smith University, Louisiana State University, Michigan State University, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University, Prairie View A&M University, Santa Clara University, Spelman College, Texas A&M University, Texas Southern University, Texas Tech University, The Ohio State University, Tuskegee University, University of Connecticut, University of Georgia, University of Houston, University of Maryland, College Park, University of Michigan, University of Missouri, University of North Texas, University of Pennsylvania, University of South Carolina, University of South Florida, University of Texas at Austin, University of Virginia and Xavier University of Louisiana.

The 2026 ELC Scholars are supported through the Alvaro L. Martins Legacy, Ann Fudge Signature, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Cencora, Ecolab, HSBC, Lowe's Marvin R. Ellison Emerging Leaders, O L Toliver Voices of Power Signature, Ronald C. Parker Legacy and Synchrony Scholarships, as well as The Coca-Cola Foundation's Award for Excellence in Business Commentary.

The ELC Marks 40 Years of Developing Leaders
Founded in 1986, The ELC is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026, marking four decades of developing leaders who perform at the highest levels of business and strengthening the leadership pipeline that sustains that excellence.

The 2026 ELC Recognition Gala will take place Friday, October 30, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning television journalist and Entertainment Tonight co-host Kevin Frazier, the black-tie celebration will feature a special musical performance by 10-time GRAMMY Award winner Chaka Khan. The Gala is the signature fundraising event of The ELC's 2026 Gala Week, October 28–31, which will bring together more than 3,000 members, students, senior executives and business leaders as The ELC celebrates its 40th anniversary.

Gala Week is designed to span the leadership journey. The Honors Symposium connects ELC Scholars with senior executives and hiring managers as they prepare to enter the workplace. The Mid-Level Managers' Symposium develops high-performing professionals preparing for greater leadership responsibility. Corporate Board Navigator helps ELC members prepare for corporate board service.

EBONY UNVEILS 2026 POWER 100 LIST

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 01:02:03 +0000

As EBONY marks more than 80 years as the definitive voice of the Black American experience, the iconic media company today unveiled its 2026 Power 100 list, recognizing the leaders, visionaries, and changemakers shaping culture across business, entertainment, sports, media, music, STEM and community leadership. This year's list underscores EBONY's continued commitment: honoring Black excellence not as legacy alone, but as present-day leadership with measurable influence.

See the full list: View all 2026 EBONY Power 100 honorees now at EBONY.com/Power100.

This year's honorees will be celebrated at the 2026 EBONY Power 100 Gala on Monday, Nov. 9, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, produced in partnership with Emmy-winning Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE), the production company behind the BET Awards, the Emmy Awards, and the Super Bowl Halftime Show. The private, invitation-only ceremony begins with a 5 p.m. red carpet and cocktail hour, followed by the 7:30 p.m. awards ceremony, and a 10:30 p.m. post-reception.

"The Power 100 has always documented the people moving our culture forward, and this year's class demonstrates the extraordinary breadth of that influence. 'The Stories We Shape' is about ensuring Black people remain at the center of telling our stories and defining our collective future," said Eden Bridgeman, CEO of EBONY.

The 2026 theme, "The Stories We Shape," centers narrative ownership, honoring the people shaping culture, driving economic impact, and expanding representation in real time. Among this year's categories is the Junior Bridgeman Business Vanguard, named in honor of the late Ulysses "Junior" Bridgeman, founder of EBONY's parent company and father of EBONY CEO Eden Bridgeman.

This year's class includes:

Artists in Residence: Visionaries reshaping the cultural landscape through groundbreaking artistic expression

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, Grammy-winning Artists, Producers, and Cultural Entrepreneurs
Debbie Allen, Actress, Choreographer and Director
Colson Whitehead, Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning Novelist
Charm La'Donna, Choreographer and Creative Director
Rashid Johnson, Contemporary Visual Artist

Junior Bridgeman Business Vanguard: Executives and entrepreneurs redefining what's possible in business

Latriece Watkins, President and CEO, Sam's Club U.S.
Byron Allen, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Allen Media Group
Stacy Brown-Philpot, Founder and Managing Partner, Cherryrock Capital
Tope Awotona, Founder and CEO, Calendly

Community Crusaders: Champions driving social change and community empowerment

Common, Rapper, Actor, and Activist
Brent Leggs, President and CEO, National Trust for Historic Preservation
Artis Stevens, President and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, President and CEO, National Council of Negro Women
Vic Mensa, Rapper and Activist

Entertainment Powerhouses: Cultural catalysts defining the future of media and entertainment

Channing Dungey, Chairman, Warner Bros. Television Group
Questlove, Musician, Filmmaker and Author
Keke Palmer, Actress, Producer and Media Personality
Gina Prince-Bythewood, Director and Screenwriter
Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman, Television Studios, NBC Entertainment & Peacock Scripted

Generation Next: Rising stars breaking barriers and setting new standards

Victor Wembanyama, NBA Player, San Antonio Spurs
Quenlin Blackwell, Digital Creator and Actress
Nia Sioux, Dancer, Actress and Author
Jazlyn Guerra ("Jazzy's World TV"), Journalist and Content Creator
Sean "The Science Kid" Atitogbe, STEM Content Creator

Influential Creators: Digital pioneers shaping conversations and building communities

iShowSpeed, Livestreamer and YouTuber
Marques Brownlee, Technology Reviewer and YouTuber
Wisdom Kaye, Model and Fashion Content Creator
Grace Wales Bonner, Fashion Designer
Michael Seibel, Partner Emeritus, Y Combinator

Leaders in Sports: Athletes and executives transforming the world of sports

Naomi Osaka, Professional Tennis Player
Nneka Ogwumike, WNBA Player and President, WNBA Players Association
Renee Montgomery, Broadcaster and Former WNBA Champion
Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks
Elana Meyers Taylor, Olympic Bobsledder

Media Mavens: Thought leaders revolutionizing how stories are told and shared

Sheinelle Jones, Co-anchor, TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle
Symone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels, Co-hosts, MS NOW's Clock It with Symone & Eugene
Rachel Lindsay and Van Lathan, Co-hosts, Higher Learning Podcast
Jason Lee, Founder and CEO, Hollywood Unlocked
Josh Johnson, Comedian and Writer

Music Innovators: Artists and executives pushing musical boundaries

Jay-Z, Entrepreneur and Founder, Roc Nation
Megan Thee Stallion, Grammy-winning Rapper
T.I., Rapper and Entrepreneur
Larry Jackson, CEO and Co-Founder, Gamma
Sherrese Clarke, Founder and CEO, HarbourView Equity Partners

STEM Trailblazers: Pioneers advancing technology and scientific innovation

Morgan DeBaun, Founder and CEO, Blavity Inc. and AfroTech
Dr. Nicol Turner Lee, Senior Fellow in Governance Studies and Director of the Center for Technology Innovation, Brookings Institution
Jasmine Crowe-Houston, Founder and CEO, Goodr
Dr. Ayanna Howard, President, Spelman College
Dr. James Manyika, Senior Vice President, Google and Alphabet

The complete list of 2026 EBONY Power 100 honorees is available at EBONY.com/Power100. Follow EBONY on social media for additional Power 100 updates: @EBONYMagazine on Instagram, @ebony_magazine on TikTok, and @EBONY on X and Facebook.

Historic Conference and Gala Will Honor the 60th Anniversary of the Black Panther Party

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 18:28:05 +0000

Sixty years after the Black Panther Party was founded in Oakland, California, the two foundations carrying the legacies of the Party's co-founders are joining forces for a landmark anniversary gathering.

The Black Panther Party 60th, a four-day conference and gala running October 15–18, 2026, in downtown Oakland, will bring together Party veterans from across the country alongside community members, scholars, activists, artists, and a new generation of leaders. The event marks six decades since Dr. Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale founded the Party in Oakland in October 1966, when a local organization challenging police brutality grew into an international movement advocating for political empowerment, economic justice, education, healthcare, housing, and human rights.

At the center of the anniversary is the coming together of the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation and the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation, each carrying forward the legacy of one of the Party's two co-founders. The foundations share a commitment to preserving the Party's history, ensuring its story is told accurately, and connecting its lessons to the challenges facing new generations.

"The Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation is proud to work with It's About Time BPP and other Panther veterans to bring this landmark event to Oakland on the 60th anniversary of the Party's founding," said Fredrika Newton, President and co-founder of the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation. "We see this conference as a kick off to a new generation of revolutionaries who will take the legacy and lessons of the Black Panther Party forward."

The Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation was founded 31 years ago by Fredrika Newton, and the Party's Chief of Staff, David Hilliard. Since then, the Foundation has worked to preserve and promote the Party's history and legacy, including placing the first permanent sculpture in Oakland and opening the Black Panther Party Museum.

The collaboration between the foundations representing Newton and Seale carries particular significance during this anniversary year, for all the discord that COINTELPRO sowed, it was not lasting. Together, years later, these legacies are joining forces to assure that the Panther history is remembered, told and shared accurately, and with accessibility to younger generations of organizers.

"For 60 years, people have interpreted, debated, and too often distorted the history of the Black Panther Party," said Courtney S. Parker and Marcus King, co-founders of the Bobby Seale Legacy Foundation. "There is tremendous power in the foundations of the Party's two founders coming together around a shared responsibility: preserving this history and making sure future generations have the opportunity to learn directly from it."

That history cannot be understood without the federal campaign designed to erase it. Through the FBI's counterintelligence program, known as COINTELPRO, the government surveilled, infiltrated, disrupted, and sought to discredit the Party and its leadership. FBI documents later revealed efforts to exploit internal divisions, spread disinformation, undermine community support, and prevent the emergence of what the Bureau described as a unifying Black leader. Members were imprisoned, organizations were destabilized, and lives were lost.

Images of armed Panthers became some of the most recognizable representations of the organization, yet the Party also built an extensive network of community-based Survival Programs designed to meet people's immediate needs. These efforts included the Free Breakfast for Children Program, community health clinics, education programs, food distribution, transportation assistance and other initiatives rooted in the belief that communities could organize to address their own needs while working toward broader systemic change.

Six decades later, the work that was done to mobilize and activate the community continue to resonate and the conference gives attendees as chance to explore it through a slate of events at sites around Oakland, a series of workshops run by former Panthers, community organizers and other allies, culminating in a gala and a community day with Panthers at Lil' Bobby Hutton Park. Tickets can be purchased by visiting bpp60.org.

"The 60th anniversary is a moment to look to the future," said Dr. Xavier Buck, executive director of the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation and founding director of the Black Panther Party Museum. "By bringing together Party veterans, scholars, organizers, and a new generation of revolutionaries, this conference will explore how the Party's legacy can continue to inspire action, strengthen communities, and shape the movements still to come. The history of the Black Panther Party is not simply something to preserve; it is a legacy to learn from, build upon, and carry forward into the next 60 years."

Black Panther Party 60th Anniversary
October 15-18, 2026, Downtown Oakland
Schedule – bpp60.org ** Instagram - @bpp60th

4TH ANNUAL HBCU FIRST LOOK FILM & TV FESTIVAL RETURNS TO HOWARD UNIVERSITY

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 18:12:15 +0000

The 4th Annual HBCU First LOOK Film & TV Festival (HBCUFLF) returns to Howard University November 5 -7, with STARZ as its inaugural presenting sponsor.

Under the theme "How to Be the Next," the three-day Festival will create an immersive experience connecting students and emerging creators with HBCU alumni actors, filmmakers, producers and industry leaders through screenings, master classes and interactive, hands-on sessions.

Actors and content creators Laya DeLeon Hayes (Doc McStuffins, Why Did I Get Married Again) and DaSan Frazier (Tough Love: Atlanta, Straw) will serve as the festival's 2026 I Aspire Ambassadors and host the Salute THEM Awards luncheon, where winners of the HBCU First LOOK Film Challenge, selected from more than 450 entries, will be announced and awarded $5,000 and internship opportunity.

The luncheon will also celebrate the 2026 I Aspire 25, recognizing HBCU alumni across five categories: Visionaries, Changemakers, Storytellers, Filmmakers and Entrepreneurs. This year's honorees include Michael Strahan, Eva Marcille, Jamila Mustafa, Colby Muhammad Nixon and Tone Bell, among others.

HBCU First LOOK's growing network of entertainment, media and brand partners is central to its professional development mission, helping build the pipeline of HBCU talent through industry insight, direct interaction and career-building opportunities.

STARZ, home to the critically acclaimed and award-winning drama "P-Valley" and the iconic "Power" franchise, continues to take the lead by creating opportunities for women and underrepresented audiences in front of and behind the camera. The network will participate in key programming during the festival, further underscoring its commitment to supporting diverse talent and emerging storytellers.

As one of the founding sponsors of the Festival, ANDSCAPE will celebrate its 10th anniversary, highlighting a decade of powerful storytelling at the intersection of sports and culture. The celebration will feature a special Clips & Conversations tribute with award-winning producers, Sheila Matthews and Jesse Washington, showcasing memorable stories and ANDSCAPE's cultural impact.

The 2026 lineup includes producer Autumn Bailey-Ford, who will examine the increasingly global nature of film production, and actress and filmmaker Nicky Micheaux, who will lead a master class on the rise of vertical storytelling. Grammy Award-winning producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis will explore the relationship between music and film.

Creator-focused sessions will feature Alexis Powell, creator of The Jennifer Hudson Show's viral "hit" Spirit Tunnel; Howard University alumnae and content creators Jade & Jadah; media personality Jamila Mustafa; and independent filmmakers and producers the Vanzant Brothers. Actress and I Aspire 25 honoree Kennedi Reece, who appears on CBS' Beyond the Gates and featured in Netflix's upcoming A Different World reboot, will participate on a leading lady panel.

New this year, aspireTV hosts a Clips & Conversation spotlighting its expansion into original scripted programming with New State of Mind, an HBCU-set comedy from producer Bentley Kyle Evans that follows first-year students navigating college life.

"HBCU First LOOK was created to build a pipeline that turns exposure into experience," said Sheila Eldridge, founder of the HBCU First LOOK Film & TV Festival. "This year, 12 Howard University students are helping produce the festival, lending a direct voice to programming and interactive elements presented. It's truly produced by students, for students—giving them a seat at the table and an active role in bringing the festival to life."

Black Girl Vitamins will host Fueling Your Future; a two-day wellness and career activation centered on how physical well-being supports the sustainability needed for creative careers. TV One returns with a 'red carpet' readiness experience supports Micheaux's master class on vertical storytelling.

Additional partners include HBCUgo.tv, Storytellers Lab, Café Mocha Network, the Howard University Radio Network and the D.C. Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME).

The HBCU First LOOK Film & TV Festival will take place at the Armour J. Blackburn University Center at Howard University, 2397 6th Street NW, Washington, D.C. For registration, programming updates, media coverage and additional information, visit www.hbcufirstlook.com and info@hbcufirstlook.com.

On all social platforms @HBCUfirstlook #hbcufirstlook #Elevatefilmmakers #TAKETHELEAD, #BeTheNext

Joe Ricks to Chair the ACBSP Board of Directors

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 08:41:17 +0000

Joe Ricks, the JP Morgan Chase Professor of Sales & Marketing and chair of the division of business at Xavier University of Louisiana, has been named chair-elect of the board of directors for the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), one of the world’s premier accrediting organizations for business education. As chair, Dr. Ricks will help shape the strategic direction of an organization that serves hundreds of institutions across more than 60 countries. He will serve one term as chair-elect and assume the chair’s role during the 2027–2028 academic year.

“Serving as chair-elect of ACBSP is both a tremendous honor and a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the future of business education,” said Dr. Ricks. “I am proud to represent ACBSP and Xavier on the international stage and to collaborate with outstanding educational leaders who are committed to preparing students for success in a rapidly evolving global economy.”

A veteran of the U.S. Army and the Louisiana National Guard, Dr. Ricks has been a XULA faculty member for more than two decades. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Southeastern Louisiana University, an MBA from the University of New Orleans, and a Ph.D. in marketing with a minor in cognitive psychology from Louisiana State University.

Montford Point Retired Marine Henry B. Edwards Receives Congressional Gold Medal Award

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 08:15:27 +0000

More than eight decades after stepping forward to earn the title of United States Marine, Montford Point Marine Henry B. Edwards received recognition for a legacy that helped shape the Marine Corps for generations to come. Edwards, 97, was presented the Congressional Gold Medal by Maj. Gen. Douglas K. Clark, deputy commander, Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces South, during a ceremony at Bethel Ame Church in New Orleans on Sept. 27, 2026.

Edwards was born March 28, 1929, in Chickasaw, Alabama. After graduating from Mobile County Training School in Plateau, Alabama, in 1946, Edwards enlisted in the Marine Corps that same year. His path took him to Montford Point at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he was among the approximately 20,000 African American men who trained between 1942 and 1949, becoming part of a generation whose service helped break racial barriers within the Marine Corps.

After completing training, Edwards served overseas in Saipan and San Juan, before being honorably discharged in 1947. Though his time in uniform was brief, his commitment to public service continued for decades. In 1948, Edwards enrolled at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he pledged to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, participated in the Honor Society Association and earned his degree in 1951.

Edwards later served as a supervisor at Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile, Alabama, an automotive repair instructor at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and as an automotive instructor at a vocational school back in Mobile. His career eventually led him to federal service with the U.S. Department of Labor, where his assignments took him to Dallas, New Orleans, Memphis, Tennessee, and Jackson, Mississippi, before retiring in 1987.

His dedication to selfless service also extended into his community and church. Edwards spent years serving in leadership roles at the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Orleans and within the Ninth Episcopal District, as well as at Pine Grove AME Church in Mobile. In 1953, Edwards married Irma Frye Edwards. Their family grew across generations, and the young Marine who once arrived at Montford Point became a father, grandfather and great-grandfather of five. Nearly seven decades later, Edwards stood before another generation of Marines as Clark presented him the Congressional Gold Medal.

“There will be no discrimination, prejudice or immoral conduct in my organization,” Clark said. “You are a legacy, and we all thank you for your selfless service and the path you paved for the Marines who followed.”

This recognition represents more than a single moment in Edward's lifetime. His story spans from Montford Point to federal employment, faith, family and decades of community service. Serving as a reminder of a legacy of service across a lifetime.

SAG-AFTRA AND SOUNDEXCHANGE HONOR COMMON WITH 2026 ARTIST IMPACT AWARD

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 13:13:10 +0000

SAG-AFTRA and SoundExchange presented Common with the 2026 Artist Impact Award at an intimate luncheon on September 24 at The Luckman Club at Soho House West Hollywood. Leaders from across music, film, television and media such as Anthony Anderson, NO I.D., DeRay Davis, and D-Nice gathered to honor the Grammy, Oscar and Emmy-winning musician, actor, producer and entrepreneur.

The Artist Impact Award honors an artist whose work crosses creative boundaries. It recognizes contributions across music, film, television and media that have shaped culture, expanded artistic possibility and inspired new forms of storytelling. Common's career in music, acting, production and entrepreneurship reflects the cross-disciplinary spirit the award was created to celebrate.

"Common is an artist in the fullest sense, bringing integrity and purpose to everything he creates while lifting up the community along the way," said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. "As AI reshapes our industry, honoring him is also a reminder that progress must move forward with artists, not at their expense. Protecting every performer's voice, likeness and creativity ensures the next generation can build careers as remarkable as his."

"Common's creative voice has shaped culture across disciplines and helped expand what is possible for artists who refuse to be defined by a single category. His career reflects the modern creative economy: artists are music makers, storytellers, actors, producers, entrepreneurs, and advocates, often all at once. That range deserves recognition and protection," said SoundExchange President & CEO Michael Huppe.

In accepting the award, Common shared a few words on the award and the industry today. "As artists, whether through comedy, acting, storytelling, music, songwriting, or playwriting, we bring light and joy into the world. I'm grateful to be here because SAG-AFTRA and SoundExchange have stood up for artists, and I've seen that firsthand. Paul Robeson called artists 'the gatekeepers of truth' and 'civilization's radical voice.' Thank you, SAG-AFTRA and SoundExchange, for advocating for our voices."

SAG-AFTRA and SoundExchange share a longstanding commitment to artists behind the music; making sure they are recognized, protected and fairly paid for their work. Together, they advocate for policies that strengthen artists' rights, from securing fair compensation when music is played on AM/FM radio to establishing federal protections against unauthorized AI-generated replicas of performers' voices and likenesses. Both are working to build a more sustainable music industry, one where creativity and technology can thrive together and every artist shares in the value their work creates.

'Black Cowboys: An American Story' Exhibition Opens at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 17:01:10 +0000

The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum announces a new special exhibition, Black Cowboys: An American Story, which will be on view from October 9, 2026 to April 18, 2027. This powerful exhibition explores the lives and work of enslaved and free Black men, women, and children who labored on Texas ranches and participated in cattle drives from before the Civil War through the turn of the twentieth century.

Black Cowboys: An American Story, created by the Witte Museum in San Antonio, Texas, illuminates the pivotal yet often overlooked role of Black cowboys in shaping the American frontier. Comprising one in four cowboys on the trail, these skilled horsemen, lawmen, and entrepreneurs were instrumental in driving Texas' economic growth. Visitors can explore a curated collection of personal artifacts, photographs, and more that bridges history with the present, honoring the grit and legacy of those who defined the West and continue to inspire American culture today.

"Black Cowboys: An American Story is a powerful exhibition that brings to life the remarkable men, women, and children who played a vital role in shaping the American West despite facing immense adversity," said Mary Pat Higgins, president and CEO of the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. "By bringing these too-often overlooked stories to North Texas, we hope visitors of all ages leave with a deeper appreciation of the American West's history, and an understanding of how expanding our view of our shared past can challenge assumptions and help us better understand one another today."

Museum visitors will discover how Black cowboys tamed and trained horses, tended livestock and rode on the trail with thousands of cattle across America. Over time, the role of Black cowboys evolved as they used the skills they learned on the ranch and trail to establish their own ranches, serve as lawmen, ride in rodeos, become singers, and perform in movies. Today, the lives and legacies of Black cowboys have inspired new generations to explore the past through music, film, fashion, and design.

Unique to the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum is a special section honoring the late Cleo Hearn, based in Lancaster, Texas, who passed away in 2025, celebrating his lifelong dedication to reclaiming the place of Black cowboys in the West. Hearn was the co-founder of the American Black Cowboy Association, the founder of the Cowboys of Color Rodeo, and known as "Mr. Black Rodeo." The exhibit showcases some of his personal artifacts including a prize saddle, boots, spurs, and photographs that bring his remarkable legacy to life.

"The individual stories of Black cowboys, illustrating courage in the face of discrimination, skill, despite great odds, and success through generations as ranchers and leaders in their field are powerful," said Michelle Everidge, Ph.D., CEO and President of the Witte Museum, which organized the exhibition. "The Witte Museum was privileged to work closely with an outstanding steering committee and advisors, including community leaders, scholars and Black cowboys and ranchers, to create this unparalleled exhibition, which reveals what life was like for Black cowboys during this time."

The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum extends its gratitude to the Jean Baptiste "Tad" Adoue III Fund of The Dallas Foundation, with additional support from American Airlines, Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District, H-E-B/Central Market, and NFI Industries for their generous contributions to this special exhibition.

Black Cowboys: An American Story was developed by the Witte Museum, San Antonio (WitteMuseum.org). The exhibition is presented by Bank of America and generously supported by the John L. Santikos Charitable Fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation, H-E-B and Ed Rachal Foundation.

Black Cowboys: An American Story will run October 9 through April 18 at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. Tickets can be reserved at dhhrm.org/black-cowboys-an-american-story

About the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum teaches the history of the Holocaust and advances human rights to combat prejudice, hatred, and indifference. Founded in 1984 by Holocaust survivors, the Museum serves as an educational center for the community. The Museum has three educational wings highlighting Holocaust history and human rights violations that shaped our world; a Dimensions in Testimony Theater featuring an opportunity to interact directly with a holographic image of a Holocaust survivor; a 250-seat theater with daily screenings and regular special events, and a rotating special exhibition gallery. Through powerful exhibitions, engaging programs, and grade-appropriate resources, the Museum inspires students and visitors to become Upstanders who make a positive difference. Visit DHHRM.org or call (214) 741-7500 for more information.

MORE THAN 200 ORGANIZATIONS ENDORSE MARTIN LUTHER KING PEOPLE’S CONVENTION FOR JUSTICE AND RESISTANCE

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 16:45:39 +0000

The 2ND Martin Luther King People’s Convention for Justice And Resistance that will take place Saturday, September 26, 2026, 8:30am to 4:00pm, at Essex County College, Smith Hall, 303 University Avenue in Newark, New Jersey.

The convention is sponsored by the People’s Organization For Progress (POP). It is co-sponsored by the Martin Luther King People’s Convention for Justice and Resistance Planning Committee.

The convention has been endorsed by more than 200 grassroots, civic, community, labor, student, religious, racial and social justice organizations.

“The purpose of this year’s convention is to develop a people’s agenda for social justice and resistance, and a broad coalition to oppose the racist, fascist, and right wing policies of the Trump controlled administration, Congress, and Supreme Court, Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress stated.

“Also, at this year’s convention special emphasis will be placed on the importance of voter registration, education and most importantly mobilization for the upcoming midterm elections,” Hamm said.

“We must beat back Trump’s racist and fascist MAGA movement that has a stranglehold on the federal government and is causing so much pain and suffering at home and abroad,” he asserted.

“We must work towards a massive record breaking voter turnout in this upcoming midterm election. And continue the work of organizing and mobilizing the people beyond the November elections,” he declared.

The convention is open to the general public. Those who wish to attend are encouraged to register in advance. Registration for the convention is still open. There is no registration fee.

To register for the convention sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/peoplesorganizationforprogress/event/1029296/. Those who are unable to register online can call the People’s Organization For Progress at (973)801-0001 or send an email to info@njpop.org. On-site registration will also take place at the convention.

Hamm said that this will be “a working convention” where the participants will deliberate throughout the day. The work of the convention will take place during morning and afternoon plenary sessions.

“This will be a convention of the whole body of participants. All resolutions, issues, and business will be conducted before all of the delegates. There are no workshops,” he said.

During the plenary sessions resolutions on a variety of domestic and international issues will be presented. There will be a closing session with presentations and a summary of the work of the convention.

“The resolutions adopted at the convention are non-binding and do not supersede the policies and positions of the individual endorsing organizations. Support of the endorsing organizations for resolutions passed at the convention is voluntary,” he added.

Hamm said endorsements of the convention are still being sought and will be received up to the day of the event. He said groups that wish to endorse should call, text, or email POP immediately.

For more information contact the People’s Organization For Progress at (973)801-0001.

NAACP Opposes the so-called "Protect College Sports Act"

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 10:49:51 +0000

Lawmakers are currently weighing a broad sweeping law that would reshape the future of college athletics, and the NAACP is sounding the alarm. In a letter to U.S. Senate leaders, we argue that lawmakers should not reward colleges and athletic conferences with new federal protections while many remain silent as Black voting rights come under attack in the states where they operate.

Black athletes have helped build some of the most profitable college athletic programs in America, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue, even as southern state governments are moving to limit, reduce, weaken, or erase Black voting representation by creating new, unconstitutional voting districts.

This is about more than sports. This is a matter of both economic and political power. We're challenging the institutions that profit from Black athletes to also stand up for the Black communities that make their success possible.

You can't have one without the other. Profiting off of Black athletes while suppressing their vote is out of bounds. Read the full letter to the Senate below.

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Dear Majority Leader Thune and Democratic Leader Schumer:

I write to express the NAACP's opposition to S. 4668, the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, and to urge the Senate not to advance this legislation.

The Protect College Sports Act is not simply an NIL bill. Public institutions cannot depend upon Black athletes to fill their stadiums, secure television contracts, attract donations, and build nationally recognized brands, then claim neutrality when the political rights of those athletes, their families, and their communities are under attack.

Over the past decade, schools in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Southeastern Conference, and Big 12 have generated approximately $16 billion in athletic revenue, excluding NIL activity.

Black men make up an average of approximately 66 percent of their football rosters. Yet the representation of Black athletes on the field bears little resemblance to the representation of Black students across many of these campuses. At a time when Black male college enrollment has fallen to levels not seen in decades, major universities continue to recruit Black men most aggressively when their physical talent can generate revenue.

That contradiction is at the center of the NAACP's "Out of Bounds" campaign. Our campaign asks families to make informed decisions about the institutions seeking to benefit from their talent. Those decisions should consider not only playing time, facilities, compensation, and professional opportunity,
but also whether the school, conference, and state respect the political rights, economic interests, and long-term well-being of the communities from which those athletes come.

Our message is straightforward: No Representation. No Recruitment. No Revenue.

The responsibility for correcting this system rests with institutions and policymakers. This is basic accountability. Any state that works to erase a Black congressional district cannot expect to celebrate a Black athlete's touchdown on Saturday without being held accountable for suppressing that athlete's community during the rest of the week.

Public universities and athletic conferences are not powerless bystanders. They are among the most influential economic and political institutions in their states. When their revenues, competitive positions, or legal exposure are at issue, these institutions have no difficulty finding their voices.

Yet, when Black communities ask those same institutions to oppose racially discriminatory maps and the dilution of
Black voting strength, too many retreat behind claims of institutional neutrality. Silence under those circumstances is not neutrality. It is a decision to devalue Black participation while profiting from Black talent.

That arrangement is a modern version of Jim Crow. It is an ultimate irony that many of the states attacking Black voting rights also receive more in federal outlays (and dollars from Black taxpayers) than they contribute to federal revenue. Black taxpayers are therefore subsidizing the states, institutions, and athletic systems that work to diminish their political power. That is unacceptable.

Congress should not grant new federal benefits, legal protections, or economic advantages to public institutions and athletic conferences that profit from the talent and labor of Black college athletes while remaining silent as their states dilute Black voting power.

Substantively, the amended legislation remains problematic because its framework confers consequential legal and economic benefits on institutions that already exercise enormous power.

We recognize that the bill contains provisions concerning scholarships, health care, athlete agents, safety standards, and student athlete representation. College athletes deserve those protections. They should not, however, be used as political cover for provisions that insulate institutions and conferences from legal and economic accountability. Congress can protect athletes directly without simultaneously rewarding the institutions that have profited from an inequitable system.

Institutions should not receive additional federal insulation through antitrust protection, federal preemption, expanded media bargaining authority, or limits on legal liability. States and institutions cannot invoke fiscal responsibility while relying upon federal taxpayers, institutional subsidies, and the revenue generated by Black athletes, then ask Congress to protect that arrangement from meaningful accountability.

Senators who have defended voting rights must not surrender their leverage merely to complete a college sports agreement before the November elections. Voting is a foundational right of citizenship.

Elected officials have responsibility for upholding this right.
The Senate should reject S. 4668. At a minimum, the Senate should not schedule the legislation for floor consideration, invoke cloture, or attempt to advance it by unanimous consent.

Necessary protections for college athletes should instead be considered separately and on their own merits, without granting
extraordinary federal privileges to institutions and conferences that refuse to defend the fundamental rights of the Black communities upon which their athletic success depends.

College sports cannot be separated from the economic, civic, and political conditions surrounding the athletes who make the enterprise possible. Public institutions should not profit from Black power on the field while accepting the destruction of Black power at the ballot box.

No Representation. No Recruitment. No Revenue. And no federal reward for institutions that profit from Black athletes while standing by as Black votes are erased.

Don Lemon is Launching the Don Lemon Channel

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 20:30:55 +0000

Former CNN anchor and Emmy award winning journalist Don Lemon announced that he will launch a free 24/7 network, The Don Lemon Channel. This will be the first channel for Lemon’s media company, Lemon Media Network.

Lemon has been working as an independent journalist since leaving CNN. He launched The Don Lemon Show in 2024, and streams live every weekday at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Substack, Facebook and Twitch. The show has has won Webby Awards for Best Video Podcast Host, including the People’s Voice Award, and four NAACP Image Awards, including Outstanding News and Information.

The Don Lemon Channel will launch with Swerve TV, a distributor of free, ad-supported channels.

“We built this network on the idea that people want the truth delivered straight without a corporate boss deciding what makes air,” Don Lemon said in a press release Friday. “Almost 11 million followers later, they are still asking for more. So, we are giving them more. More hours, more voices, and now a channel on their televisions. That is what America is demanding. We go where the audience is.”

The channel will feature twice-daily live programs, daily news drops, archival shows, and partner programming from other independent voices including The Monique Pressley Show, Josh the Progressive, Michael Fanone, and Dr. Frita.

“After more than a decade anchoring prime time on CNN, Don has built his own independent network for his more than 10 million followers across multiple platforms,” said Steve Shannon, CEO of Swerve TV. “The Don Lemon Channel brings even more reach to his award-winning reporting and commentary, as well as to a cadre of other high-frequency, independent news voices.”

Association of Black Cardiologists Names 2026 Spirit of the Heart Honorees

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 22:31:59 +0000

For 16 years, the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) has used its Spirit of the Heart celebration to answer a question that matters more than any statistic: who is actually changing outcomes for the patients who need it most? This year's five honorees answer it in five separate ways.

"The contributions of the honorees demonstrate that advancing heart health requires more than scientific discovery alone," said Icilma Fergus, MD, Awards Program Co-Chair and ABC Board Chair. "It requires leaders who teach and mentor, organizations that bring research closer to the communities it is meant to serve, and partners willing to invest in better health outcomes. These honorees reflect the many ways meaningful change happens in cardiovascular health. ABC is proud to recognize these remarkable individuals and organizations and the lasting impact of their work."

The 16th Annual Spirit of the Heart Awards Program & Fundraiser will take place Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. Additional event details and ticket information are available at abcardioevents.org.

Celebrating the 2026 Spirit of the Heart Honorees

Distinguished Leadership Award
Anekwe E. Onwuanyi, MD, and Tiffany M. Powell-Wiley, MD, MPH

ABC's Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes individuals whose careers reflect exceptional achievement in cardiology through teaching, mentorship, research, and administrative leadership.

Dr. Anekwe E. Onwuanyi, Chief of Cardiology at Morehouse School of Medicine, has distinguished himself through clinical leadership, program development, and mentorship, including establishing a comprehensive heart failure program within a public hospital setting and helping build the Morehouse School of Medicine Cardiology Fellowship Program. As ABC President from 2022 to 2024, he also helped expand the Association's reach through the creation of the Heart Failure and Global Health Committees.

Dr. Tiffany M. Powell-Wiley, an Earl Stadtman Investigator and Chief of the Social Determinants of Obesity and Cardiovascular Risk Laboratory at the National Institutes of Health, has built an influential body of work — more than 90 peer-reviewed publications and over 13,000 scholarly citations — examining the connections among social determinants of health, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Her mentorship of more than fifty research fellows has helped translate that discovery into public health impact in the communities most affected by it.

Dr. Walter M. Booker Sr. Health Promotion Award
Georgia Arrhythmia Consultants & Research Institute (GACRI)

Named in honor of Dr. Walter M. Booker Sr., one of ABC's 18 founding members and a pioneer in the field, the Dr. Walter M. Booker Sr. Health Promotion Award recognizes organizations whose leadership, innovation and commitment to health promotion have created meaningful, lasting change in the communities they serve.

Georgia Arrhythmia Consultants & Research Institute (GACRI) brings that same spirit directly to Middle Georgia. Through the Georgia Arrhythmia Foundation, founded by GACRI physicians Dr. Felix Sogade and Dr. Joseph Poku, the organization has built a sustained grassroots effort to reduce death and disability from sudden cardiac arrest, anchored by its annual SCARE (Sudden Cardiac Arrest Research and Education) 5K. For 16 years, GACRI has also supported public education, CPR and AED training, and AED placement in schools, youth sports organizations and public spaces — work that extends internationally through the Africa Heart Rhythm Association, which the founders also established to strengthen electrophysiology education and clinical capacity across Africa.

Health Equity Award
Flourish Research

The Health Equity Award recognizes individuals and organizations that develop meaningful solutions to improve health outcomes and expand access to healthcare resources for populations most affected by health disparities.

Flourish Research is honored for strengthening clinical research by expanding opportunities within the communities where patients already live and receive care — placing diverse investigators and research opportunities closer to trusted healthcare providers rather than recruiting patients into unfamiliar settings. Across more than two dozen sites nationwide, 52% of Flourish's patient database and 62% of its employees self-identify as belonging to underrepresented communities, and its Boca Raton site has achieved a 97% retention rate in complex, long-term cardiovascular outcomes trials. Flourish sites have also contributed to major research milestones, including enrolling the first patient globally in a landmark cardiovascular outcomes trial spanning 388 sites in forty-two countries.

Spirit of the Heart Award
Merck

One of ABC's highest honors, the Spirit of the Heart Award, recognizes organizations whose excellence in cardiovascular health, community engagement, leadership, advocacy, and innovation has made a lasting impact on patients and communities alike.

Merck's recognition reflects a partnership with ABC spanning more than four decades, built on a shared investment in scientific advancement, education, and community engagement. From its cardiovascular research legacy to its support for emerging investigators through the ACC/ABC/Merck Research Fellowship Award, Merck has backed both the science and the people advancing cardiovascular medicine. That partnership continues today through Merck for Mothers, which supports ABC's maternal cardiovascular health work in communities with significant unmet need.

More Than a Night of Recognition

The Spirit of the Heart Awards Program & Fundraiser is more than an evening of celebration — it directly funds ABC's ongoing work in cardiovascular education, research, advocacy, community outreach, and prevention. In the coming weeks, ABC will also announce this year's recipients of its medical student scholarships and EP Fellowship Support Awards, continuing its investment in the next generation of cardiovascular professionals. Together, this year's honorees and awardees embody the spirit of ABC's 2026 theme, "Honoring Our Legacy, Shaping the Future of Health."

"Spirit of the Heart reminds us that progress is built by people who are willing to lead, teach, innovate and serve," said Barbara A. Hutchinson, MD, PhD, Awards Program Co-Chair and Past ABC Board Chair. "We are honored to celebrate this year's recipients and grateful for the opportunity to bring our members, partners, supporters and friends together around the day-to-day work of making every heart count."

About the Association of Black Cardiologists

Founded on the belief that every heart counts, ABC is dedicated to promoting the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease and achieving health equity for all through the elimination of disparities. Membership is open to all, regardless of race, ethnicity, or vocation. Through education, advocacy, research, patient and community outreach, and leadership development, ABC works to improve cardiovascular health and expand access to exemplary care for all communities. For more information, visit www.abcardio.org.

BEYONCÉ MAKES A $2 MILLION GIFT TO THE STUDIO MUSEUM IN HARLEM

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 18:56:14 +0000

To mark her birthday today, global entertainer, entrepreneur and art collector, Beyoncé, makes a $2 million gift to the renowned Studio Museum in Harlem. Founded in 1968, the New York City cultural institution is the nexus for artists of African descent locally, nationally, and internationally and for work that has been inspired and influenced by Black culture. Beyoncé has long been an art collector and a true fan of the Museum's mission of promoting multiple generations of artists of the African diaspora.

"Art tells all our stories; the past and the present, but is not always accessible to everyone," says Beyoncé. "I have always been impressed with the Studio Museum in Harlem because of its intention to make the museum an integral part of the community. I have been introduced to several of my favorite young and upcoming Black artists through exhibits at the Museum. It is a place of inspiration where all audiences can discover new stories through the canvases of diverse storytellers that reflect our humanity."

Thelma Golden, Ford Foundation Director and Chief Curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem, said, "I am deeply grateful to Beyoncé, both for the generosity of this gift, especially on her birthday, and for recognizing the vital role that the Studio Museum plays in people's lives. Our institution was founded to shift the arts landscape and reimagine who that landscape serves. This gift will allow us to continue strengthening our work for Harlemites, New Yorkers, and audiences across the globe."

About the Studio Museum in Harlem
Founded in 1968 by a diverse group of artists, community activists, and philanthropists, the Studio Museum in Harlem is internationally known for its catalytic role in promoting the work of artists of African descent. The Studio Museum's new home, situated at its longtime location on West 125th Street, opened to the public on November 15, 2025. Designed by Adjaye Associates with Cooper Robertson serving as executive architect, the building—the first created expressly for the institution's program—enables the Studio Museum to better serve a growing and diverse audience, provide additional educational opportunities for people of all ages, expand its program of world-renowned exhibitions, effectively display its singular collection, and strengthen its trailblazing Artist-in-Residence program.

For more information, visit studiomuseum.org.

Visitor Information
The Studio Museum in Harlem is located at 144 West 125th Street, between Malcolm X Boulevard (Lenox Avenue) and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard (Seventh Avenue).

The Studio Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, with extended hours on Friday, from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.

The Museum is open to Members on Saturday mornings, from 10:00 to 11:00 am, before the galleries open to the public.

Admission rates are offered as a suggestion, with Sundays free for everyone. Suggested rates are $16 for adults and $9 for seniors (sixty-five years and over), students, and visitors with disabilities (care partners are free). Admission is free for children sixteen and under.

Tickets to the Studio Museum may be purchased online at studiomuseum.org/visit or at the Museum.

American Red Cross and NAACP announce new documentary honoring the father of blood banking, Dr. Charles R. Drew

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Sat, 05 Sep 2026 23:11:31 +0000

The American Red Cross and the NAACP will premiere Iconic Excellence: The Legacy of Dr. Charles R. Drew, a new documentary honoring the father of blood banking, Sept. 18 on the American Red Cross YouTube channel. The short film highlights Drew's revolutionary breakthroughs in blood plasma preservation, which saved hundreds of thousands of lives during World War II and pioneered modern methods for collecting, preserving and distributing blood.

A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE
Produced by the Red Cross in collaboration with Drew's family, the NAACP and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., the documentary offers an intimate portrait of Drew's drive and leadership, tracing his path from his childhood in Washington, D.C., to global prominence as a Black surgeon, educator and champion for inclusivity in medicine. Beyond the science, the film reveals a family man guided by his principles: a scientific stance against the U.S. military's blood segregation policy and a mantra on excellence he instilled in generations of Black surgeons.

"Dr. Drew is an unsung hero of World War II," said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. "His innovation made it possible for many American soldiers to come home to their families."

In 1944, while blood segregation was still official policy, the NAACP awarded Dr. Drew the Spingarn Medal for his work in blood plasma research and blood banking. "The Spingarn Medal still today is considered the highest honor that can be bestowed on an African American in this country," said Johnson.

Dr. Drew was 45 when he died in a car accident in 1950. His daughters and grandchildren have spent decades honoring and preserving his legacy ever since. In Iconic Excellence, together on camera for the first time, his family gives that account in full, including answers to questions that have surrounded his legacy: whether he received blood products himself in the hours after the accident, and why he left the Red Cross, long attributed to Drew protesting the blood segregation policy.

"My father's work in training other Black surgeons was uppermost in his mind at the time of his death because he trained a small legion of Black surgeons, who then trained another group of Black surgeons, who then trained another group...whose color wasn't the most important thing," said Dr. Charlene Drew Jarvis, Drew's middle daughter. "It was: are they trained? Do they know? Do they understand? Who are they going to serve?"

CARRYING THE LEGACY FORWARD
Drew's commitment to mobilizing communities to improve health care carries forward today through organizations that host blood drives in support of the Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative. Working with community partners, the Red Cross has nearly doubled the number of annual blood donors who are Black or African American, an increase of more than 89% since the Sickle Cell Initiative launched in 2021. To date, more than 445,770 donors who are Black or African American have given blood to support patients living with sickle cell disease, with more than 188,000 of them being first-time blood donors.

"Dr. Drew understood something we continue to see every day at the Red Cross: when you meet people where they are and invite them to be part of the mission, they respond," said Chris Hrouda, president of American Red Cross Biomedical Services. "Many first-time blood donors roll up a sleeve because someone helped them understand the impact a single donation can have on a patient in need. That was Dr. Drew's approach 85 years ago, and it remains a powerful way lives are saved today."

Iconic Excellence premieres during Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September. Organizations and community groups can register to host a screening, a blood drive, or both by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/IconicExcellence. To schedule a blood donation appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood, use the Blood Donor App or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

ABOUT THE FILM
Iconic Excellence tells Dr. Drew's story through his own family and the voices of the NAACP, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and the American Red Cross. On-camera voices include Bebe Drew Price, Dr. Charlene Drew Jarvis, Sylvia Drew Ivie, Dr. Kelly Price Noble, Ernie Drew Jarvis; Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP; Ricky Lewis, 42nd International President of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.; Chris Hrouda, president of American Red Cross Biomedical Services; and Dr. Yvette Miller, American Red Cross executive medical officer. Journalist DeMarco Morgan narrates. The film was written and executive produced by Tiffany Taylor and directed by Brad Zerivitz, with cover art by Melissa Koby.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: American Cancer Society Reports New Cases Are Up 3% but Earlier Diagnosis Improves Patient Outcomes

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:09:25 +0000

This September, the American Cancer Society encourages men to talk with their doctor about their personal risk for prostate cancer and whether screening is right for them. The number of new cases continued to increase by 3% per year from 2014 to 2022, according to the American Cancer Society's Cancer Statistics 2026 report, with the steepest rise occurring in advanced-stage diagnoses.

The report estimates that in 2026, 333,830 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. and 36,320 men will die from the disease.

The increase in prostate cancer diagnoses is largely due to more men being screened. This creates opportunities for early intervention and improved patient outcomes, although too many men are still not being screened early enough.

"We're seeing two things happen at once: more men are being diagnosed with prostate cancer, and a growing share of those cases are happening at a more advanced stage," said Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society. "That tells us screening conversations are happening too late for too many men, particularly those at high risk for the disease."

There are well-established risk factors for prostate cancer that can be assessed for free using the online tool ACS CancerRisk360™. The chance of having prostate cancer rises rapidly after age 50, and the disease occurs more often in Black and Caribbean men. When it does develop in Black men, they tend to be younger. In fact, compared with White men, Black men are nearly 70% more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and two times more likely to die from the disease.

When it comes to prostate cancer screening, one size does not fit all. The American Cancer Society recommends men at average risk for prostate cancer speak with their doctor at age 50 about whether screening is right for them. Men at high risk should have this discussion at age 45, including African American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer. Men at even higher risk should have the discussion at age 40, including those with multiple close relatives diagnosed at an early age.

"Knowing your personal risk is the start of a conversation that can change your outcome," said Dr. Dahut. "That first conversation with a doctor should happen before symptoms appear, not after. The important message here is that regular screening can save lives and detect cancer early when treatment can often be successful."

About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, but most men diagnosed do not die from the disease. In fact, more than 3.5 million men in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer are still alive today.

To find low-cost or free screening locations and support during treatment, call the American Cancer Society's 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

Additional ACS Resources:

The 2026 State of Black America report is now available

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 17:50:29 +0000

The 50th anniversary of the State of Black America report carries a question that this country has never fully answered:

Is the American Dream dead? They are not asking it to be provocative.

They are asking it because 250 years into this experiment, the question demands an honest answer.

Dive into the data, the analysis, and the voices of people who help answer this question here: State of Black America

Grambling State Hits the Road: 125 Years, One Historic Multiversary, One National Tour

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 13:51:26 +0000

Grambling State University announced today that it will take its 125th anniversary on the road, opening a national tour this fall that brings the Grambling story directly to alumni, friends, partners, and communities across the country. The University calls 2026 its Multiversary, a rare convergence of three milestones in one year: 125 years of academic excellence, 100 years of Tiger Athletics, and 100 years of the World Famed Band.

Each tour stop brings alumni and supporters together for a screening of MARCH ON, a Storyboard Studios Production, that explores Grambling State's multigenerational legacy, followed by a moderated conversation with prominent members of the GramFam and a reception centered on fellowship and connection.

"This tour allows us to share Grambling's story with alumni, friends, and communities nationwide," said Dr. Martin Lemelle Jr., President of Grambling State University. "As we honor the University's illustrious legacy, we are also reaffirming the enduring power of HBCUs to shape generations of future leaders and drive meaningful change."

MARCH ON follows three featured Gramblinites across generations: Denise Young '77, alumna and former C suite executive at Apple; Dalvin Adams '15, alumnus and Los Angeles based commercial photographer and entrepreneur; and Rylee Beaudion '28, a third generation Gramblinite majoring in Elementary Education and Visual and Performing Arts. Set against the backdrop of Grambling State's historic campus, the 35 minute film follows their stories from performing arts spaces and academic labs to the Square and the University's Digital Library and Learning Commons, revealing how Grambling State has changed, evolved, and continued to shape the lives of those who call it home.

The tour opens with four stops this fall:

Beginning in September and continuing through the conclusion of the Multiversary celebration, the tour will travel to additional cities across the country, reconnecting generations of the GramFam and extending the celebration of Grambling State University's legacy and impact well beyond campus.

Tickets and full details for each tour stop, including how to participate in the Multiversary celebration, are available at gram.edu/marchon.

California Legislature Passes Law to Make California the First State to Require Corporations to Disclose Slavery Profits

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 13:56:07 +0000

California is on the brink of becoming the first state in the nation to require corporations to declare under oath whether they or their predecessors profited from slavery.

With its passage in the full Senate, the California State Legislature adopted AB 2599, The Truth in Disclosure Act, authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan and a top priority for the California Legislative Black Caucus. The bill will now be sent to Governor Gavin Newsom for his signature.

The bill requires corporations doing business in California with annual revenue of $100 million in gross receipts or more to submit sworn affidavits — subject to perjury penalties — disclosing whether they or predecessor entities engaged in or profited from slavery-era transactions, with all filings posted to a publicly searchable state database.

The measure builds on California's existing disclosure framework. California has led the country on climate, supply chain, and pay transparency, and expands existing corporate disclosure laws requiring corporations doing business in California to engage in ethical business practices. No other state has yet required corporations to account for their historical role in the slave economy. The bill's public database would give journalists, researchers, and reparations advocates a tool to trace historical profits to present-day corporate wealth.

The Alliance for Reparations, Reconciliation, and Truth (ARRT) strongly urges Gov. Newsom to sign the bill.

California State Assemblymember Isaac Bryan:
"For too long, corporations have been allowed to benefit from the economic engine of slavery while avoiding any public accounting of that history," said. "AB 2599 is a moral imperative and changes that. Californians deserve to know which companies built their wealth on the backs of enslaved people — and they deserve that truth under oath."

Kaci Y. Patterson, Founder and Chief Architect of Social Good Solutions/Black Equity Collective: "Reparative justice is a key tenet of the Black Equity Collective's Policy & Advocacy work, and AB 2599 is essential to that commitment. Truth must precede repair. By confronting the historical record and strengthening transparency and accountability, California can understand the past, take responsibility in the present, and build a more equitable future. We thank Assemblymember Isaac Bryan for his leadership in authoring this important legislation. BEC proudly supports AB 2599 and urges Governor Gavin Newsom to sign the Truth in Disclosure Act into law. Truth is where repair begins, and accountability is how we move forward."

James Woodson, Chief Executive Officer of the California Black Power Network:
"Corporations have long profited from slavery while Black Californians have borne the public cost. AB 2599 ensures this history is officially recorded under oath and made accessible to all. The harm has been documented since 2023 in a report that's over 1,000 pages long. What corporations have profited from that harm has never been documented, and AB 2599 would change that. We urge Governor Newsom to sign this bill and reveal the truth openly."

Lisa Holder, President of the Equal Justice Society:
"The United Nation's formal acknowledgement this past March of the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity set a moral and reparative baseline for the world. AB 2599 grounds that international imperative into concrete state policy by compelling companies operating in California, the world's fourth-largest economy, to account for historical ties under oath. Moreover it supplies the necessary paper trail, documenting predecessor entities, collateralized human property, and institutional wealth accumulation, that scholars and policymakers need to translate broad reparative goals into actionable policy."

Pastor Michael McBride, Executive Director of Live Free USA:
"Since ARRT's inception, faith and congregational leaders across California have organized, prayed, and pushed for this day, because reparations work is moral work, and there is no neutral ground when it comes to truth. The prophet Amos declared, 'let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.' AB 2599 is part of that flow: it forces a reckoning with history that can no longer be dammed up by silence. Live Free USA has stood with ARRT from the beginning, and we will keep standing until repair is real and materialized to its fullest extent."

Teresa L. Gonzalez, State Director of Live Free California:
"As a detribalized Indigenous woman, I stand in solidarity with Black communities fighting for healing, justice, and liberation, because our histories, presents and futures are bound together. Live Free California centers systems-impacted Black leadership in this work, and we know that true repair cannot stop at disclosure. It must mean ending incarceration and every system of oppression built on the same profits AB 2599 exposes. This bill shines a light not only on who profited from slavery historically, but on who continues to profit from harm today, and that light is long overdue."

Dr. Cheryl Grills, former member of the California Reparations Task Force, and Professor Emerita (Psychology) at Loyola Marymount University and Founder of their Psychology Applied Research Center: "The harms from enslavement and their cross-generational legacies were multifaceted. No doubt, the repair must be equally multifaceted, layered, and capable of promoting systemic and institutional remedies. This is necessary if we are to strike a blow to structural racism, the offspring of African enslavement. The Truth in Disclosure Act, AB 2599, represents a significant step in that direction by compelling the transparency needed to address those foundational harms."

Donald K. Tamaki, former member of the California Reparations Task Force: "Two chapters of the California Reparations Task Force report document in painstaking detail how corporations built enormous fortunes extracted from the free labor of enslaved people and how that wealth compounded for generations while Black families were locked out. The Truth in Disclosure Act follows the recommendations of the task force report by compelling corporations to publicly declare under oath how their fortunes were extracted from the stolen labor of enslaved people. This public transparency is a critical first step toward full accountability and implementing the Task Force's broader recommendations."

Should Governor Newsom sign AB 2599, it would represent the 15th reparations bill passed since the 2023 issuance of the California Reparations Task Force report and yet another step forward in the continued momentum of implementing those recommendations.

In 2025, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law SB 437 (Weber-Pierson), requiring the California State University to explore options to determine how to confirm an individual's status as a descendant, and SB 518 (Weber‑Pierson), creating the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery, housed within the Civil Rights Department.

In 2024, Gov. Newsom signed several reparations bills, including AB 3089, a formal apology by the State of California for its role in perpetuating slavery and its ongoing legacy of systemic racism.

This historic journey started with Gov. Newsom's signing of AB 3121 into law on Sept. 30, 2020, to create the first-in-the-nation California Reparations Task Force. After two years of research and 30 public hearings, the task force in 2023 delivered a 1,100-page book of truth that documents past and continuing harm of anti-Black discrimination in every facet of American life and across every sector of California civil society, outlining 115 comprehensive policies for repairing the harm.

About the Alliance for Reparations, Reconciliation, and Truth (ARRT): The Alliance for Reparations, Reconciliation, and Truth (ARRT) is a multiracial, multisector coalition advancing truth-telling, accountability, and public education related to the enduring impacts of slavery and systemic harm in California. Learn more at alliancefor.org.

PEOPLE’S ORGANIZATION FOR PROGRESS WILL GO TO THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 13:27:55 +0000

The People’s Organization For Progress (POP) is sponsoring a bus trip to the protest that will take place in Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, on Friday, August 28, 2026.

The theme of the protest is “March On Washington: Defend The Vote.” It is being called by the Rev Al Sharpton and his National Action Network, Martin Luther King III, and other civil rights organizations.

“We endorse the march and we are sending a bus to the protest in Washington because we believe the right to vote is under attack and in grave peril today,” stated Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress.

“Democracy in the United States is in great danger because it is being undermined by the racist and fascist Trump administration, backed up by the right-wing dominated Congress, and supported by the ultra-conservative super majority on the Supreme Court,” Hamm said.

The POP sponsored bus is one of hundreds of busses from New Jersey, New York, and around the nation that will be journeying to Washington for the March. It will be leaving from Newark at 4:3Oam Friday morning.

The march is being held on the 63rd anniversary of the 1963 Great March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where the Dr Martin Luther King Jr gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech.

That march was held on August 28th, the date in 1955 on which 14 year-old Emmett Till was murdered by white racists in Money, Mississippi.

This was just three months before the arrest of Rosa Parks and the start of the Montgomery Bus boycott which gave rise to the Civil Rights Movement.

More than 250,000 people attended the March On Washington that year. The following year the 1964 Civil Rights Act was passed, and the next year the 1965 Voting Rights Act was passed.

“We must march because those rights, including the right to vote, which were fought for and paid for with lives, and blood, and sacrifices of many kinds in our lifetime are being taken away before our very eyes,” he said.

“Because of the Supreme Court decision in the Louisiana v Callais case we may end up losing as many as nineteen African American representatives due to racist gerrymandering.

“And now the Trump administration is attempting to restrict and stop mail-in voting in an attempt to steal the midterm congressional elections. The People’s Organization For Progress is absolutely opposed to any attempt by President Trump to interfere with, impede or stop mail-in voting,” he said.

While some POP members and supporters will be going to the march in Washington DC others will be rallying here at home for voting rights that same day.

A “Community Rally,” observing the 63rd anniversary of March On Washington will be held on Friday, August 28th, 5:30pm at the Somerset Municipal Complex, 475 Demott Lane, Somerset, New Jersey.

A key organizer of this event is author, activist, and educator Bill Davis, a member of the People’s Organization For Progress, and a leader of the group’s Central Jersey branch.

“We are having this rally to demand the abolition of ICE, economic justice, improved Black employment, an end to police brutality, end racist gerrymandering and redistricting, an end to the war with Iran, and reparations for African Americans whose ancestors were enslaved,” Davis stated.

The event is endorsed by Peoples Organization for Progress, March Forward, NAACP New Brunswick & Edison Branches, NJ Black Women, and MT Zion AME Church.

Finally, POP will continue the fight for voting rights after the events of August 28th.

The group will hold a forum entitled “The Attack On Voting Rights And The War On Black People,” Thursday, September 11, 2026, 7:00pm at New Hope Baptist Church of East Orange, 144 Norman Street in East Orange, New Jersey.

For more information on the POP bus trip to the March On Washington or the voting rights forum in East Orange call (973)801-0001. For additional information on the rally in Somerset contact Bill Davis at 732-647-8212.

NABJ Stands With Karen Attiah and Renews Call for Accountability at The Washington Post

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 16:53:19 +0000

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) welcomes the arbitrator's ruling in favor of Karen Attiah, finding that The Washington Post did not have "good and sufficient cause" to terminate her employment and ordering her reinstatement with back pay.

Attiah was dismissed last year after raising concerns about the treatment of Black journalists and the broader direction of the newsroom. NABJ raised serious concerns about her firing when it happened, including what her termination signaled about the treatment, retention and protection of Black journalists inside one of the nation's most influential news organizations. The arbitrator's ruling reinforces why those concerns warranted serious scrutiny.

It also comes one week after NABJ presented The Washington Post with a 2026 Thumbs Down Award, recognizing the organization for decisions and practices that have undermined Black journalists, diversity in the newsroom and public trust in journalism.

"When NABJ raises concerns about the treatment of Black journalists, we do so because the decisions news organizations make have real consequences for our members, our profession and the communities we serve," said NABJ President Errin Haines. "Karen Attiah deserved a fair process, and she showed tremendous courage in pushing back, standing up for herself and fighting for what she believed was right. This ruling affirms that the serious questions surrounding her termination were warranted. The Washington Post now has an opportunity to listen, learn and demonstrate through its actions what meaningful accountability looks like."

"The Washington Association of Black Journalists was proud to support Karen Attiah throughout this process. We hope this landmark decision sends a message to newsrooms everywhere: Black journalists deserve to work in environments where we are free from attempts to silence our voices," said WABJ President Phil Lewis. "Organizations like WABJ and NABJ will continue to advocate for our members."

The Thumbs Down Award is not about punishment. It is a call for institutions with tremendous influence over our profession to examine their decisions, listen to the journalists affected by them and make meaningful changes when they fall short.

NABJ will continue to advocate for Black journalists across the country. Today, we renew our call for The Washington Post to engage seriously with the concerns we have raised about Black representation, retention, newsroom culture and the treatment of Black journalists.

This moment presents an opportunity for The Post to demonstrate that accountability can lead to change. NABJ stands ready to have that conversation.

U.S. Postal Service Continues Its Tradition of Celebrating Kwanzaa

noreply@blogger.com ( George L. Cook III) — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 13:52:56 +0000

The USPS will issue its 11th stamp celebrating Kwanzaa, the pan-African holiday observed by millions of Americans each year from Dec 26 to Jan 1.

The pan-african holiday Kwanzaa, observed annually from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, brings together family, community and culture. Created in the United States in 1966 and drawing on a variety of African traditions, it was intended to help unify African Americans from a wide array of religious and cultural backgrounds. The name "Kwanzaa" is derived from the Swahili phrase meaning "first fruits."

The 2026 Kwanzaa stamp — the 11th since 1997 in an ongoing series — brings a fresh approach. While many of the stamps have portrayed family, this is the first one to feature a father and daughter. In addition, the color scheme — lime green, pink and yellow — is an updated take on the customary black, red and green.

n the traditional side, the stamp artwork incorporates two of the seven Kwanzaa symbols: the gift (zawadi), held by the daughter, and the unity cup (kikombe cha umoja), held by the father.

Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp with original artwork by Cannaday Chapman.

The Kwanzaa stamp will be issued as a Forever stamp and will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.