Donald Trump Black Voter Outreach Led By Omarosa Manigault?

In what is probably a token gesture at most Donald Trump's campaign is attempting to reach out to African Americans voters. The reason I believe it's a token gesture is because Trump has reached out to Omarosa Manigault to lead this effort. Yes, that Omarosa who has about as respect or credibility in the black community as Clarence Thomas. Listen to her explain how she will conduct that outreach with NPR's Elise Hu on NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday.

Michael Bennett: NFL stars must step up, promote social change

Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett is calling on NFL players to follow the lead of some of their NBA and WNBA counterparts in using their influence to promote social change. Listen to his statement below.

Judge strikes down Wisconsin voter ID, early voting laws

This past week has been a busy one on the voting rights front. North Carolina's voter ID law was struck down as discriminatory. We now we learn that parts of Wisconsin's voter and early voting laws were struck down as the presiding judge saw no evidence of supposed voter fraud which the laws were meant to stop. The judge also stated that the laws did hurt minority communities. Looks like republican attempts at voter suppression are running into this very annoying thing, the truth about voter fraud. George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.com.

Finding that Republican lawmakers had discriminated against minorities, a federal judge Friday struck down parts of Wisconsin's voter ID law, limits on early voting and prohibitions on allowing people to vote early at multiple sites.

With the presidential election less than four months away, GOP Attorney General Brad Schimel said he plans to appeal the sweeping decision by U.S. District Court Judge James Peterson.

Peterson also turned back other election laws Republicans have put in place in recent years.

"The Wisconsin experience demonstrates that a preoccupation with mostly phantom election fraud leads to real incidents of disenfranchisement, which undermine rather than enhance confidence in elections, particularly in minority communities," U.S. District Judge James Peterson wrote.

"To put it bluntly, Wisconsin's strict version of voter ID law is a cure worse than the disease."

Judge Peterson struck down the following provisions of the law:

■ Limits on early voting Republicans have put in place in recent years. GOP lawmakers restricted early voting to weekdays during the two full weeks before elections, thus eliminating weekend voting that was popular in Milwaukee and other urban areas.

■ A requirement that cities can have only one place for early voting. Critics have said large cities such as Milwaukee should be able to have multiple voting sites because not everyone can get downtown easily.

■ A requirement that people must live in their voting ward 28 days before an election. Previously, people had to live in a ward for 10 days before an election.

■ The system the state uses to determine if people with the most difficulty getting IDs should be provided identification for voting. He ruled anyone in that system must immediately be granted an ID for voting within 30 days.

■ Part of the voter ID law allows people to use certain student IDs to vote, but those IDs cannot be expired. Peterson found that aspect of the law is unconstitutional, ruling that expired student IDs can be used at the polls — just as expired driver's licenses can be used for voting.

■ A requirement that dorm lists provided to poll workers include citizen information. Universities provide the lists of those living in dorms to poll workers so they have an easy way to check whether students are voting in the right wards; lawmakers put in a requirement that those lists show whether the students are U.S. citizens.

■ A prohibition on providing voters with absentee ballots by email or fax

[SOURCE]

6 state employees criminally charged in Flint water crisis

Six state employees were criminally charged this morning in district court in connection with the Flint water crisis.

Charged are Michigan Department of Health and Human Services workers Nancy Peeler, Corinne Miller and Robert Scott, and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality employees Liane Shekter-Smith; Adam Rosenthal and Patrick Cook, according to testimony this morning in Flint’s district court.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette and Todd Flood, the Royal Oak attorney heading the AG's investigation, discussed the charges at a news conference at U-M Flint.

"Some people failed to act, others minimized harm done and arrogantly chose to ignore data, some intentionally altered figures ... and covered up significant health risks," he said.

Read more: 6 state employees criminally charged in Flint water crisis

North Carolina voter ID law struck down as discriminatory to black voters

A U.S. appeals court on Friday struck down a North Carolina law that required voters to show photo identification when casting ballots, ruling that it intentionally discriminated against African-American residents.

The ruling is likely to be seen as a boost for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton going into November's election. The state is politically important as it does not lean heavily toward either Democrats or Republicans, and Clinton is heavily favored among black Americans over Republican nominee Donald Trump.

The court's decision also canceled provisions of the law that scaled back early voting, prevented residents from registering and voting on the same day, and eliminated the ability of voters to vote outside their assigned precinct.

Critics argue that voting laws enacted by North Carolina and several other states are designed to drive down turnout by minorities and poor people who rely more on flexible voting methods and are less likely to possess state-issued photo IDs.

In its ruling, a three-judge panel at the U.S. Appeals Court for the Fourth Circuit said the state legislature targeted African-Americans "with almost surgical precision."

"We cannot ignore the recent evidence that, because of race, the legislature enacted one of the largest restrictions of the franchise in modern North Carolina history," Judge Diana Motz wrote.

Voting rights advocates heralded the decision as a major victory.

"This ruling is a stinging rebuke of the state's attempt to undermine African-American voter participation, which had surged over the last decade," Dale Ho, director of the Voting Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement. The ACLU was one of the groups that challenged the law in court.

[SOURCE]

Elijah Cummings: Protesters booing during DNC speech were 'disrespectful'

Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings says he thinks liberal supporters of Bernie Sanders who chanted an anti-trade slogan during his speech to the Democratic National Convention were "disrespectful."

But Cummings says he is not upset about it because he is a veteran of civil rights protests and understands the passions that drove the mostly young delegates to shout over him on Monday. More than 100 people have since apologized for the outbursts, Cummings said.

"The optics were not pretty," Cummings said of the impromptu protest, "but I couldn't be upset with them. Two or three years ago, they would have been outside politics" and likely protesting in the streets. "I am so glad these people are under our tent."

The sight of a 65-year-old black man — and veteran congressional leader — being shouted over by mostly young, white liberals was jarring to many.

Kweisi Mfume, a former Maryland congressman and head of the NAACP, said the treatment of Cummings was "a low point" of the four-day convention.

"It was downright disrespectful," said Mfume, a Clinton delegate. "I think it does not necessarily help the relations that Bernie's people may have with the larger African-American community."

[SOURCE]

Was there a cover-up in the Sandra Bland Case?

A police officer who witnessed Sandra Bland's traffic stop said the Waller County district attorney would not let him testify before a grand jury about facts favorable to Bland, a community activist and former Waller County justice of the peace said Tuesday.

The officer - whose comments over the telephone with activist DeWayne Charleston were recorded said an official with the district attorney's office then threatened to retaliate against him if he went public with his story.

"This is what happens when you try to cross the thin blue line," Charleston said.

"He says Brian Encinia made sure he was not in ear shot of the car. He turned off his own microphone so no one would hear. And then he called his supervisor. He said, 'I have no idea what I'm going to arrest her for, but we'll figure it out when we get to the county jail,'" Charleston said Monday.

Kelley says on the recording he tried to share what he'd heard with an official at the district attorney's office.

"I wanted to testify on Sandra Bland's behalf and they told me if I said anything they're going to come after me," he said in the recording.

"He [Kelly] told me a lot of stuff," Charleston explained, "but the most important is this bit about him being on the scene and making a request to testify and being denied."

In addition, Kelly apparently told Charleston in the audio that a written statement he submitted to the Prairie View police chief never made it into the official DPS report about Bland's traffic stop for changing lanes without signaling.

Charleston said Kelley said on the recording that he offered to testify but that the Waller County District Attorney did not return his call.

Read more: Prairie View officer says DA wouldn't let him testify about Sandra Bland traffic stop

President Obama's dynamic 2016 DNC convention Speech

Check out President Obama's dynamic speech at the 2016 DNC convention. A speech that reminds us why voters in America elected the man twice. A speech that reminds us that as a nation we have far to go but tells us how far we have come in the last 8 years. A speech that lets us know that although Hillary Clinton will be great president we will truly miss President Obama. Watch his speech below.

Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore State Attorney: Police helped to derail Freddie Gray case

After dropping the charges against the last three police officers in the Freddie Gray case a visibly frustrated Baltimore State Attorney, Marilyn Mosby held a press briefing where she discussed how some police officers helped to derail the case. Watch her press conference below.

Donna Brazile's Rousing DNC convention Speech

Interim DNC chair Donna Brazile gave a rousing speech about Hillary Clinton. A speech about who she knows Hillary Clinton to be and what Clinton has accomplished throughout her life at the DNC convention.

Full Speech: Mothers of the Movement Address Democratic National Convention

An emotional moment during the Democratic National Convention came when the mothers of African-Americans who were the victims of gun violence or police-involved deaths made a plea to voters to choose Hillary Clinton in November because she "isn't afraid to say black lives matter."

The Mothers of the Movement consist of Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner; Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin; Maria Hamilton, mother of Dontré Hamilton; Lucia McBath, mother of Jordan Davis; Lezley McSpadden, mother of Michael Brown; Cleopatra Pendleton-Cowley, mother of Hadiya Pendleton; and Geneva Reed-Veal, mother of Sandra Bland Watch their moving speeches below.

Racial Diversity On Display At DNC

People of color appear to be much more at home in the Democratic Party than the GOP. The Huffington Post counted 11 of 24 speakers of color on the first night of the Democratic National Convention, including First Lady Michelle Obama, and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker.

In contrast, the news site counted a total of 12 speakers of color during the Republican National Convention’s entire four-day gathering. They comprised seven African-Americans five of whom were femalre, four Latinos, and one Asian-American.

[SOURCE]

Video: Cory Booker's amazing DNC convention speech!

In a night filled with great speeches by Michelle Obama, Bernie Sanders, and Anastasia Somoza (my new hero) one speech stood out. A speech so good that it had Bill Clinton looking on in awe. A speech that may rival or be even better than Barack Obama's 2004 DNC Convention speech. A speech given by my senator, Cory Booker from the great state of New Jersey (Chris Christie not withstanding). I'll call it the "We Will Rise" speech. Watch Booker's speech below.

Micheal Jordan to donate 1 million to NAACP Legal Defense Fund

NBA legend Michael Jordan who has often been criticized for his lack of community engagement and unwillingness to speak out on issue that concern race in America has finally decided to step up. In light of recent shootings of unarmed black men and police officers he has decided to donate 1 million dollars to two organizations in an attempt to help stop the violence on both sides.

Michael Jordan wrote and released a statement on The Undefeated. Here is the excerpt in which he mentions his donations.

...I am making contributions of $1 million each to two organizations, the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s newly established Institute for Community-Police Relations and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. The Institute for Community-Police Relations’ policy and oversight work is focused on building trust and promoting best practices in community policing. My donation to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the nation’s oldest civil rights law organization, will support its ongoing work in support of reforms that will build trust and respect between communities and law enforcement. Although I know these contributions alone are not enough to solve the problem, I hope the resources will help both organizations make a positive difference.

DNC chair Donna Brazile apologizes for leaked DNC emails

Interim DNC chair Donna Brazile has released the following statement/apology on behalf of the DNC in regards to the negative Bernie Sanders emails that came to light this past weekend.

On behalf of everyone at the DNC, we want to offer a deep and sincere apology to Senator Sanders, his supporters, and the entire Democratic Party for the inexcusable remarks made over email. These comments do not reflect the values of the DNC or our steadfast commitment to neutrality during the nominating process. The DNC does not ― and will not ― tolerate disrespectful language exhibited toward our candidates. Individual staffers have also rightfully apologized for their comments, and the DNC is taking appropriate action to ensure it never happens again.

We are embarking on a convention today that ― thanks to the great efforts of Secretary Clinton, her team, Senator Sanders, his team, and the entire Democratic Party ― will show a forward-thinking and optimistic vision for America, as compared to the dark and pessimistic vision that the GOP presented last week in Cleveland. Our focus is on electing Hillary Clinton, Tim Kaine and Democrats across the country, thanks to Democratic Party that is strong, unified, and poised for victory in November.

Video: Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake gavels in the Democratic National Convention.

Baltimore mayor and DNC secretary Stephanie Rawlings-Blake officially gaveled in the start of the 2016 Democratic national Convention. Watch the video below.

Donna Brazile to be interim DNC chair

Ok all, I know this is getting confusing. But to clarify earlier today Debbie Wasserman Schultz steeped aside as the Democratic National Committee (DNC) convention chair and Congresswoman Marcia Fudge was named the DNC Convention chair. Later on Wasserman announced that she would resign as DNC chair after the convention. At that point Donna Brazile will serve as interim DNC chair

Now news has dropped that Wasserman Schultz will be stepping down as the DNC chair after the DNC Convention. DNC vice chair Donna Brasile, CNN political analyst, and political strategist will step into the role of interim chair.

Brazile has experience in the role of DNC chair. In 2011, she served as the DNC interim chair after Tim Kaine stepped down from the job to run for Senate in Virginia.

Congresswoman Marcia Fudge named DNC Convention Chair

Related story: Donna Brazile named interim DNC chair

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz will not speak at or preside over the party's convention this week, a decision reached by party officials Saturday after emails surfaced that raised questions about the committee's impartiality during the Democratic primary.

The DNC Rules Committee on Saturday rescinded Wasserman Schultz's position as convention chairwoman, instead naming Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, as permanent chair of the convention, according to a DNC source. She will gavel each session to order and will gavel each session closed, a role that had been expected to be held by Wasserman Schultz.

[SOURCE]

Pres. Obama statement in support of Tim Kaine

President Obama sent out a fundraising email praising Hillary Clinton's pick of Tim Kaine as her running mate. Check out his statement below:

I wanted to take a moment to tell you why I'm so proud that Hillary has chosen Senator Tim Kaine to join her on the Democratic ticket this fall.
Nothing can really prepare you for this job. You come to learn that it's about having a firm grasp of the issues, sound judgment, and the tenacity never to stop fighting to make people's lives better.

The thing about Hillary is, she already understands all that. She does her homework, she masters the issues, and she never gives up. She gets the job done. And more than almost anyone I've worked with in Washington, Hillary's the kind of person who sees a problem and says, "How can I fix this? What can I do to help?"

But this job is also about surrounding yourself with the best possible people. And there's no more important decision you'll make as a presidential candidate than choosing a vice president. There are basically two paths you can take. You can pick someone for purely political reasons -- or you can pick someone who will be your partner in government. Someone who shares your values. Someone who will make you a better president.

That's why I picked Joe Biden -- and it's a testament to Hillary's character and integrity that she chose a man like Tim Kaine.

Like Hillary, Tim is an optimist. But like Hillary, he is also a progressive fighter. He's the son of a teacher and an iron worker who's always got working families on his mind. He spent nearly two decades and specialized in representing people who had been denied fair access to housing just because of what they looked like, or because they had a disability. And when a gunman killed 32 people on the campus of Virginia Tech, Tim knew he had a responsibility as governor to offer more than thoughts and prayers to the community he mourned with -- and as a gun owner, he stood up to the gun lobby on their behalf.

There aren't a lot of elected officials in Washington whom people like even more when the cameras are off than when the cameras are on. But Tim is that kind of guy. He's a man who's risen to the highest levels of government but still lives in the same neighborhood he did as a city councilmember in Richmond. You just can't find anyone with a bad thing to say about him, from the staff who've worked for him to the Republicans who've served alongside him.
Simply put: Tim is a good man. He's a true progressive. And he will make a great vice president.

I could not be prouder to support our Democratic ticket -- please join me in welcoming Tim Kaine to this team.

Barbie® Unveils One-of-a-Kind Doll Honoring Gabby Douglas

(Black PR Wire) EL SEGUNDO, Calif., - Barbie® honors Gabby Douglas, U.S. Women’s Artistic and Olympic Gold Gymnast (2012 London), by unveiling a one-of-a-kind doll in her likeness to remind girls they can be anything.

The 20-year-old athlete is a force to be reckoned with as she heads to Rio to defend her title. At just 16, Douglas was the first woman of color to win the individual all-around competition for gymnastics. Her confidence, work ethic and belief in herself make her an extraordinary role model to girls.

Named the next Barbie “Shero” honoree, a female hero inspiring girls by breaking boundaries and expanding possibilities for women everywhere, Douglas joins an esteemed group of women including Misty Copeland, Ava DuVernay, Emmy Rossum, Eva Chen, Trisha Yearwood and Zendaya, all who have also received the highest honor from the Barbie brand – being immortalized in plastic.

“I love a challenge. I love to push limits and I love that my very own Barbie celebrates me for being a role model to girls,” said Douglas. “Being honored as a Barbie Shero further motivates me to inspire girls by being the best I can be.”

The fashions for the doll were inspired by Douglas’ own signature GK leotard line that she wears while training hard in the gym. Dressed in a red, white and blue Gabby GK Elite leotard, the doll comes complete with a Nike warm-up suit. The doll is fully articulated, allowing her to do almost all of the moves Gabby performs.

“Playing with Barbie allows girls to imagine everything they can become," said Lisa McKnight, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Barbie. "While imagining you can be anything is the first step, seeing that you can is what makes all the difference. Role models like Gabby Douglas show girls that with determination and perseverance their potential is limitless.”

Trailer for Marvel's "Luke Cage" Netflix series

Check out this new trailer for Marvel's Luke Cage series which features an African American superhero. Michael Colter stars as Luke Cage and the series will air on Netflix starting September 30,2016.

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SYNOPSIS: After a sabotaged experiment leaves him with super strength and unbreakable skin, Luke Cage (Mike Colter) becomes a fugitive who attempts to rebuild his life in modern day Harlem, New York City. But soon he is pulled out of the shadows and must fight a battle for the heart of his city – forcing him to confront a past he had tried to bury.

Shooting of unarmed black man in Florida to be investigated by state

An investigation into the shooting of an unarmed black man as he lay on the ground with his hands in the air is being undertaken by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, North Miami's police chief said on Thursday.

A cell phone video showed behavioral therapist Charles Kinsey with his hands extended above his chest moments before a bullet struck his leg. The shooting occurred in North Miami while Kinsey was trying to get an autistic man back to a nearby group home from which he had wandered.

Kinsey works at the home, which is operated by the Miami Achievement Center for the Developmentally Disabled.

Kinsey's lawyer Hilton Napoleon of the firm Rasco Klock Perez & Nieto in Coral Gables, Florida, sent the video to Reuters on Thursday. Napoleon did not provide information about who had taken the video. Requests for interviews with Kinsey and his attorney were not immediately answered.

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said on Thursday the Justice Department was gathering information about the incident, the latest in a series of controversial shootings of black men by police in the United States.

Read more: Shooting of unarmed black man in Florida to be investigated by state

Yale Rehires Worker Who Smashed Window Depicting Slavery

A black former Yale University dining services worker who smashed a stained-glass window depicting slaves and then resigned has gotten his job back.

Corey Menafee says he destroyed the window inside Calhoun College in New Haven, Connecticut, last month because he found it offensive. The name of the residential college has sparked protests because it honors former Vice President John C. Calhoun, an 1804 Yale graduate and an ardent defender of slavery.

Menafee apologized for breaking the window. Yale said it was willing to let him return to work next week.

Menafee’s attorney says he’s “delighted to accept Yale’s offer” and he’ll report for work Monday morning.

[SOURCE]

U.S. appeals court finds that Texas voter ID law is discriminatory

A Texas law requiring voters to show a government-issued form of photo identification before casting a ballot is discriminatory and violates the U.S. Voting Rights Act, a U.S. appeals court on Wednesday ruled.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in a close decision among a special 15-judge panel, also sent the case back to a district court to examine claims by the plaintiffs that the law had a discriminatory purpose.

The New Orleans-based Fifth Circuit, which has a reputation as one of the most conservative federal appeals courts, asked the district court for a short-term fix to be used in Texas in the November general election.

Critics of the law and others like it passed in recent years in Republican-governed states said similar statutes are intended to make it harder for minorities such as African-Americans and Hispanics who tend to back Democrats to vote. Backers of these laws say they are necessary to prevent voter fraud.

The court ruled 9-6 that the law had a discriminatory effect. The judges were divided differently on other parts of the ruling.

"We acknowledge the charged nature of accusations of racism, particularly against a legislative body, but we must also face the sad truth that racism continues to exist in our modern American society despite years of laws designed to eradicate it," the court said.

Challengers of the Texas law say that up to 600,000 people would be unable to vote if the law was fully in effect.

Read more: U.S. appeals court finds that Texas voter ID law is discriminatory

Read President Obama's Open Letter to America's Law Enforcement Community

In the wake of the tragedies in Dallas and Baton Rouge, President Obama penned a letter to the men and women of America's law enforcement community. The President's letter was shared with officers around the country.

Read it below:

To the brave members of our Nation’s law enforcement community:

Every day, you confront danger so it does not find our families, carry burdens so they do not fall to us, and courageously meet test after test to keep us safe.  Like Dallas officer Lorne Ahrens, who bought dinner for a homeless man the night before he died, you perform good deeds beyond the call of duty and out of the spotlight.  Time and again, you make the split-second decisions that could mean life or death for you and many others in harm’s way.  You endure the tense minutes and long hours over lifetimes of service.

Every day, you accept this responsibility and you see your colleagues do their difficult, dangerous jobs with equal valor.  I want you to know that the American people see it, too.  We recognize it, we respect it, we appreciate it, and we depend on you.  And just as your tight-knit law enforcement family feels the recent losses to your core, our Nation grieves alongside you.  Any attack on police is an unjustified attack on all of us.

I’ve spent a lot of time with law enforcement over the past couple of weeks.  I know that you take each of these tragedies personally, and that each is as devastating as a loss in the family.  Sunday’s shooting in Baton Rouge was no different.  Together, we mourn Montrell Jackson, Matthew Gerald, and Brad Garafola.  Each was a husband.  Each was a father.  Each was a proud member of his community.  And each fallen officer is one too many.  Last week, I met with the families of the Dallas officers who were killed, and I called the families of those who were killed in the line of duty yesterday in Baton Rouge.  I let them know how deeply we ache for the loss of their loved ones.

Some are trying to use this moment to divide police and the communities you serve.  I reject those efforts, for they do not reflect the reality of our Nation.  Officer Jackson knew this too, when just days ago he asked us to keep hatred from our hearts.  Instead, he offered—to protestors and fellow police officers alike—a hug to anyone who saw him on the street.  He offered himself as a fellow worshipper to anyone who sought to pray.  Today, we offer our comfort and our prayers to his family, to the Geralds and the Garafolas, and to the tight-knit Baton Rouge law enforcement community.

As you continue to serve us in this tumultuous hour, we again recognize that we can no longer ask you to solve issues we refuse to address as a society.  We should give you the resources you need to do your job, including our full-throated support.  We must give you the tools you need to build and strengthen the bonds of trust with those you serve, and our best efforts to address the underlying challenges that contribute to crime and unrest.

As you continue to defend us with quiet dignity, we proclaim loudly our appreciation for the acts of service you perform as part of your daily routine.  When you see civilians at risk, you don’t see them as strangers.  You see them as your own family, and you lay your life on the line for them.  You put others’ safety before your own, and you remind us that loving our country means loving one another.  Even when some protest you, you protect them.  What is more professional than that?  What is more patriotic?  What is a prouder example of our most basic freedoms—to speech, to assembly, to life, and to liberty?  And at the end of the day, you have a right to go home to your family, just like anybody else.

Robert Kennedy, once our Nation’s highest-ranking law enforcement official, lamented in the wake of unjust violence a country in which we look at our neighbors as people “with whom we share a city, but not a community.”  This is a time for us to reaffirm that what makes us special is that we are not only a country, but also a community.  That is true whether you are black or white, whether you are rich or poor, whether you are a police officer or someone they protect and serve.

With that understanding—an understanding of the goodness and decency I have seen of our Nation not only in the past few weeks, but throughout my life—we will get through this difficult time together.

We will do it with the love and empathy of public servants like those we have lost in recent days.  We will do it with the resilience of cities like Dallas that quickly came together to restore order and deepen unity and understanding.  We will do it with the grace of loved ones who even in their grief have spoken out against vengeance toward police.  We will do it with the good will of activists like those I have sat with in recent days, who have pledged to work together to reduce violence even as they voice their disappointments and fears.

As we bind up our wounds, we must come together to ensure that those who try to divide us do not succeed.  We are at our best when we recognize our common humanity, set an example for our children of trust and responsibility, and honor the sacrifices of our bravest by coming together to be better.

Thank you for your courageous service.  We have your backs.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

Pres. Obama endorses Kamala Harris for US Senate

In a major development in the California U.S. Senate race, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden endorsed Kamala Harris this morning, citing her record standing up to powerful interests and delivering victories for California families as a prosecutor.

President Obama statement:

I am proud to endorse Kamala Harris for United States Senate because I’ve seen her work. Kamala is a lifelong courtroom prosecutor with only one client: the people of the State of California. That’s the approach she’ll take to the United States Senate.

Kamala’s experience has taught her that if you’re going to give everybody a fair shot, you’ve got to take on the special interests that too often stand in the way of progress. As Attorney General, she fought the big banks that took advantage of homeowners across the country – and she won. She cracked down on transnational gangs exploiting women and children – and she won. She took on big for-profit colleges that were swindling students and leaving them with a lifetime of debt and a worthless degree – and she won. She took on big oil companies to defend California’s beautiful coast and its landmark law to fight climate change – and she won. Her leadership helped ensure the right of all Americans to marry the person they love. And throughout her lifetime as a prosecutor, Kamala Harris has been a leading voice for criminal justice reform, challenging old dogma and insisting we be “smart on crime” by ending mass incarceration.

Kamala Harris fights for us. That’s why I’m so proud to endorse her for United States Senator. And if you send her to the Senate, she’ll be a fearless fighter for the people of California – all the people of California – every single day.

[SOURCE]

Hillary Clinton speaks at the NAACP National Convention

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton spoke at the NAACP National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio on July 18, 2016. Clinton spoke on criminal justice reform, the tragic shootings of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and police in both Dallas and in Baton Rouge, and of course Donald Trump. Watch her speech below:

Montrell Jackson identified as one of Baton Rouge officers killed in attack

A Baton Rouge policeman who was once injured trying to save a toddler from a burning building and recently welcomed a son of his own was one of the three officers killed in a Sunday morning shooting.

A cousin and family friend said Sunday that Montrell Jackson, 32, a 10-year-veteran of the Police Department was one of the officers killed.

A Baton Rouge policeman who was once injured trying to save a toddler from a burning building and recently welcomed a son of his own was one of the three officers killed in a Sunday morning shooting.

A cousin and family friend said Sunday that Montrell Jackson, 32, a 10-year-veteran of the Police Department was one of the officers killed.

Marcus Brown, a cousin of Jackson's, described him as a "great police officer" who never complained about his job, even though he had been working extra hours of late. He said Jackson was the father of a little boy named Mason, who is about four months old.

"He was just a good person in general," said Brown, the boy's godfather.

[SOURCE]

Statement by Pres. Obama on Baton Rouge police shootings

President Obama has released the following statement in response to the shooting deaths of three police officers in Baton Rouge Louisiana:

I condemn, in the strongest sense of the word, the attack on law enforcement in Baton Rouge. For the second time in two weeks, police officers who put their lives on the line for ours every day were doing their job when they were killed in a cowardly and reprehensible assault. These are attacks on public servants, on the rule of law, and on civilized society, and they have to stop.

I’ve offered my full support, and the full support of the federal government, to Governor Edwards, Mayor Holden, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Baton Rouge Police Department. And make no mistake – justice will be done.

We may not yet know the motives for this attack, but I want to be clear: there is no justification for violence against law enforcement. None. These attacks are the work of cowards who speak for no one. They right no wrongs. They advance no causes. The officers in Baton Rouge; the officers in Dallas – they were our fellow Americans, part of our community, part of our country, with people who loved and needed them, and who need us now – all of us – to be at our best.

Today, on the Lord’s day, all of us stand united in prayer with the people of Baton Rouge, with the police officers who’ve been wounded, and with the grieving families of the fallen. May God bless them all.

[SOURCE]

3 Reasons Hillary Clinton Wont Pick Cory Booker For Her Running Mate

By George L. Cook III [EMAIL]

As an NJ guy and a black man it would make me proud to see Cory Booker as Hillary Clinton's pick for VP. But there are some good reasons why that probably won't happen.

From all appearances Cory Booker, the US Senator from NJ would make an excellent pick for Hillary Clinton's VP pick. He is super intelligent, engaging, energetic, GREAT with policy, a GREAT fundraiser, and willing to work with the other side of the aisle to get things done. But alas there are some very practical reasons why I believe Cory Booker will not be the VP pick. Here are three:

1: This reason is the most important reason and is no fault of Booker's but one that Hillary Clinton can't ignore. If she selects Booker and wins then everybody's "favorite" Fred Flinstone look alike, Chris Christie gets to pick the senator that replaces Booker. Christie will choose a Republican, and that would not be good for Hillary as she will need every vote she can get to get her agenda through Congress.

2: Booker doesn't bring anything that Elizabeth Warren can't. Warren may be even better at pulling in the progressive vote than Booker, and she would be better at attracting disgruntled Bernie Sanders supporters. Booker doesn't help much with the black vote as Clinton is well over 90% without him.

3: Booker doesn't help Clinton electorally. Clinton dominated NJ in the Democratic primary and will win NJ with or without Booker. In contrast, someone like Tom Kaine would bring the important battleground state of Virginia with him.

Booker has shown to be a more than capable senator, and I think Booker can best serve Clinton and the United States by remaining in the Senate and helping to write, sponsor, and pass progressive policies that help most Americans.

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com

Former Atlanta policeman charged in the death of unarmed black man

A white former Atlanta police officer was charged on Friday in the shooting death of an unarmed black man who he said was fleeing the scene of a crime and put his life in danger, claims that were refuted by investigators, a prosecutor said.

The charges come amid national unrest and Black Lives Matter protests over the deaths of two black men in Minneapolis and Baton Rouge at the hands of white officers and a national debate about race and the use of force by police.

James Burns, who was fired from the Atlanta Police Department on Tuesday, was charged in Fulton County with felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of violation of his police oath, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

District Attorney Paul Howard said he had requested an arrest warrant to be issued for Burns. It was unclear late on Friday if Burns had turned himself in to police.

Burns responded to a call about a suspected burglar breaking into cars on June 22. When he arrived at the scene, Devaris Caine Rogers, 22, jumped into a car and began to drive, an investigation report said.

Burns said Rogers drove toward him and that he fired into the vehicle because he thought he was in danger. Investigators said they found that Rogers made no attempt to strike Burns with the car he was driving and that Burns was never in danger.

Read more: White former Atlanta policeman charged in the death of unarmed black man

Threat made to African-American museum in Philadelphia

Authorities are investigating a threatening letter sent to the African American Museum in Philadelphia.

Police said the letter was sent anonymously and threatened violence to the museum during the Democratic National Convention, which begins July 25.

The museum is located in what's known as America's most historic square mile. The neighborhood is also home to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

Police declined to comment on the letter's details and whether any threat had been deemed credible. Officers met with museum personnel Thursday and are investigating.

On the eve of the convention, the museum is scheduled to host an event celebrating the four-day convention and the museum's 40th anniversary.

According to the museum's website, it's the first institution built by a major U.S. city to house the work of African-Americans.

[SOURCE]

Here are the two African Americans speaking at the RNC

*NOTE: This information could change because well it's Donald trump...LOL. But seriously this is the most update information on 07/16/2016 at 9:30 AM EST.

Two African Americans will be speaking at the Republican National Convention this week. They are Jamiel Shaw Sr. and Darryl Glenn. I know right about now some of you are sounding like owls asking "Who?", so here is some information on the two men.

Darryl Glen of Colorado Springs, is a little known county commissioner in Colorado (El Paso County) and the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. Glen won the Republican Primary in Colorado with 38% of the vote in a 5 way contest. According to his campaigns Facebook page he is a proud father, lawyer, retired Air Force officer, public servant and hard-working American. He has known to be a strong Trump supporter although he has made no official endorsement. At the time of this post it is unknown what day he will be speaking.

Jamiel Shaw, an anti illegal immigration advocate will be speaking on the first night of the RNC convention. Jamiel Shaw is the father of Jamiel Shaw Jr. an L. A. high school football star who was murdered by a gang member who was in the United States illegally. Shaw supports Donald Trumps views on immigration and is a Trump supporter.

Dr. Carla D. Hayden: First African-American Librarian Of Congress

Senate Confirms Carla Hayden as 14th Librarian of Congress

The United States Senate today by a vote of 74-18 confirmed Dr. Carla D. Hayden, longtime chief executive of the Enoch Pratt Free Library system in Baltimore and a former president of the American Library Association, as the 14th Librarian of Congress, for a renewable 10-year term.

Dr. Hayden was nominated by President Barack Obama in February.

"This is truly a great honor to be nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to lead the nation’s library, the Library of Congress," Dr. Hayden said. "It has been my privilege to serve the citizens of Baltimore for 23 years and help restore the Enoch Pratt Free Library as a world-renowned institution. I look forward to working with the dedicated staff of the Library of Congress. I will be honored to build on the legacy and accomplishments of my predecessors in this position, to be part of a continuing movement to open the treasure chest that is the Library of Congress even further and to make it a place that can be found and used by everyone."

Dr. Hayden is the first woman, and the first African American, to serve as chief executive of the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world, with 162 million items in its collections. It also oversees the U.S. Copyright Office and the Congressional Research Service. It serves Congress and makes its research collections accessible on site and online.

She takes the helm from Acting Librarian David S. Mao, who has served since the retirement of Dr. James H. Billington on September 30, 2015. She will be sworn in at a date to be determined and is expected to assume her duties soon.

Dr. Hayden has recently overseen the renovation of the central branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, a four-year, $112 million project, and has also led $40 million in renovations to other units within the 22-branch Pratt system. The system is named for the businessman and philanthropist who financed its founding in 1886.

She took the helm of the Baltimore system in 1993, winning strong praise for her work to ensure that the city’s library system offers a broad array of services to assist citizens from all walks of life, from access to books and other learning materials to computer access and job information. A program of outreach into neighborhoods served by the Pratt libraries included after-school centers for teens, offering homework assistance and college counseling; a program offering healthy-eating information for residents in areas with insufficient access to high-quality food; programming in Spanish; establishment of an electronic library, and digitization of the Library’s special collections.

Dr. Hayden won high praise, during recent civil unrest in some Baltimore neighborhoods, for keeping library branches open citywide to continue service and provide citizens with safe havens.

Dr. Hayden first served as a children’s librarian in the Chicago Public Library system, eventually rising to the post of deputy commissioner and chief librarian in that system. She also taught Library and Information Science at the University of Pittsburgh. She received Library Journal’s 1995 Librarian of the Year Award, and served as president of the American Library Association 2003-2004.

Dr. Hayden received a B.A. from Roosevelt University and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the Graduate Library School of the University of Chicago.

The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States – and extensive materials from around the world – both on site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov, access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov and register create works of authorship at copyright.gov.

Thousands of new accounts opened at black-owned Citizens Trust Bank

A historic Atlanta bank is busy after influencers in the black community called for people to move their money into black-owned banks. In just five days, 8,000 people submitted applications to join the bank.

Citizens Trust Bank, founded in 1921 on Auburn Ave., is owned and operated by African Americans. After a week of protests following new officer-involved shootings, celebrities and influences started sharing blogs listing various black-owned banks throughout the country. Citizens Trust Bank was on that list.

In the days following the police shooting deaths of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling and in the midst of protests and rallies, national celebrities like Solange Knowles and local influences like Tiwa Works shared pictures and articles convincing people to open accounts and #BankBlack.

[SOURCE]

Black actors nominated for Emmys

Here is a list of the 16 black actors/actresses nominated for 2016 Emmy Awards

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson as Andre Johnson: black-ish •  

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie

Courtney B. Vance as Johnnie Cochran: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story  

Cuba Gooding, Jr. as O.J. Simpson: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story •  

Idris Elba as DCI John Luther: Luther

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

Tracee Ellis Ross as Rainbow Johnson: black-ish   

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series

Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon: Empire  

Viola Davis as Annalise Keating: How To Get Away With Murder 

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie

 Kerry Washington as Anita Hill: Confirmation 

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

Andre Braugher as Captain Ray Holt: Brooklyn Nine-Nine   

Keegan-Michael Key as Various characters: Key & Peele  

 Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series

Tracy Morgan as Host: Saturday Night Live 

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie

Bokeem Woodbine as Mike Milligan: Fargo 

Sterling K. Brown as Christopher Darden: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie

Regina King as Terri Lacroix: American Crime 

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series

Mahershala Ali as Remy Danton: House Of Cards 

Reg E. Cathey as Freddy: House Of Cards