Rosa Parks archive fully digitized by Library of Congress, now available online.

Rosa Parks’ archive of letters, writings, personal notes and photographs has been fully digitized by the Library of Congress and is now available online.

The library announced Wednesday the collection of 10,000 items belonging to Parks is available to the public.

Her collection was kept from the public for years because of a legal battle between her heirs and friends. But in 2014, philanthropist Howard Buffett bought the collection and placed it on long-term loan at the national library.

The library now holds about 7,500 manuscript items and 2,500 photographs from Parks, including the Bible she kept in her pocket, letters from admirers and her Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Read Rosa Park's archive here: ROSA PARK PAPERS

Democrats create PAC to maximize black voter turnout

Black lives matter — and so do their votes.

But without a rock star candidate like Barack Obama to draw African-Americans to the polls, concerned Democrats carved a new path to give black voters a boost.

The group of political and civil rights operatives created a political action committee to maximize black voter turnout in the battleground states of Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Virginia.

President Obama has brought nearly 4 million new black voters out to vote since 2008, according to Democratic officials.

“In a crucial election like 2016, it takes a multipronged approach to make sure black voters not only turn out in numbers, but also see their issues represented in the White House,” said Marc Morial, president of the Urban League.

Morial is among the names behind Black Votes Matter PAC, designed to put the focus on issues important to black communities in those states and the rest of the country.

The Black Votes Matter PAC will be run by Charlie King, who ran the New York State Democratic Party for Gov. Andrew Cuomo and headed up the reelection effort of U.S. Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-Harlem).

Read more: Democrats create PAC to maximize black voter turnout

Spike Lee radio ad in support of Bernie Sanders

Director Spike Lee became the latest black celebrity enter the battle of presidential endorsements. This week the Bernie Sanders campaign released a radio ad called "Wake Up" featuring Lee. Listen to that ad below.

James Clyburn: Sanders' free college plan would hurt HBCUs'

South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn, who recently endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, told NewsOne Now in a phone interview that rival Bernie Sanders' free public college plan would hurt Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

"If you say that you're going to have college -- free two-year college -- among public institutions, why would a student go to an HBCU? And most of which are private institutions," said Clyburn. "What will happen is these HBCUs will all close down all across America because they would not be able to afford to stay open."

HBCUs account for less than 3% of all of the universities and colleges in the U.S., but produce 22% of bachelor's degrees earned by African-Americans, according to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, a national organization that supports HBCUs. HBCUs are already facing serious economic difficulties due to low enrollment and tighter PLUS loan requirements that were passed by the Department of Education in 2011, according to the fund.

PLUS loans declined substantially at HBCUs in 2012 and 2013, according to the Institute of Education Sciences. That same year, enrollment also declined dramatically.

"If you tell me you're going to provide the resources for people to get these educations, than I'm all for it," Clyburn said.

Clyburn's comments come as Sanders has been trying to boost his appeal among black voters and expand his voting base as the Democratic primary expands to more diverse states. He's currently completing a "Feel the Bern" HBCU tour, in hopes of appealing to younger African-American voters.

[SOURCE]

Ben Carson tells supporters he will continue his campaign after South Carolina disaster

Ben Carson came in 6th in the South Carolina Republican primary with just 7.2% of the vote. Despite this Carson promised his supporters during his post primary speech that he would not be dropping out of the race. He says he's staying in for the good of the United States, but my guess is he's angling for a shot at the Surgeon General spot or a short lived talk show on Fox News. Watch Carson's speech below.

Danny Glover Speech at Bernie Sanders Campaign Rally Greenville South Carolina

Watch Bernie Sanders supporter, Danny Glover's speech at a Sanders rally in Greenville South Carolina on 02/21/2016.

Why this Hillary Clinton supporter has much love for Killer Mike

Rapper Killer Mike (His Momma named him Micheal Render) has been a very vocal and active supporter of Bernie Sanders. As a guy who grew up listening to Rakim, Public Enemy, Poor Righteous Teachers, X Clan, and KRS-One, I'm no big fan of his music (I know I come off as a hating old man.). So why you ask would I, a Hillary Clinton supporter have so much respect for this young man?

Because he unlike many celebrity supporters has studied up on things and has a good idea of what is being discussed. When he appears on television, you don't have to worry about this intelligent, well-spoken man embarrassing black people. If you debate this man don't underestimate him and consider him just a rapper because he will destroy you with well thought out arguments.

Killer Mike can intelligently debate the issues and defend his stance on the issues. I can see this young man as a political contributor to a news network or working on or in campaigns one day. And yes, I can see him running for office.

So although I don't agree with him on this current Democratic primary (Go Hillary), I am very proud of these young black man.

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports. Email: georgelcookiii@gmail.com

Former Black Panther freed after 40 years in solitary confinement

Albert Woodfox, a man once linked to the Black Panther Party who spent 43 years in solitary confinement at a notorious prison in Louisiana has been released.

Channing Dungey: First African-American to head a broadcast TV network

The president of the ABC Entertainment Group is departing amid low ratings, to be replaced by the first African-American to head a broadcast TV network.

Paul Lee's successor is Channing Dungey, who has been ABC's executive vice-president for drama development, movies and miniseries, the Walt Disney Co.-owned network said Wednesday. Dungey shepherded ABC hits including "Scandal," ''How to Get Away with Murder" and "Quantico."

Dungey is both the first black network programming chief and a rare female executive. Change has come faster for women than minorities in the TV executive ranks, with Jennifer Salke serving as NBC's entertainment president and, at Fox Television Group, Dana Walden sharing chair and CEO duties with Gary Newman.

Dungey, a graduate of UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television, has been with ABC since 2004, starting with ABC Studios. Previously, she worked at production companies and as a production executive at Warner Bros., handling films including "Bridges of Madison County" and "The Matrix."

[SOURCE]

Why Black Lives Matter skipped meeting with President Obama

On February 18 President Obama meet with several African American civil rights leaders. The White House billed the meeting as as a first-of-its kind gathering of veteran leaders, young activists, and the leader of the free world. Black Lives Matter was also invited but declined to attend the meeting. The groups co-founder Aislinn Pulley wrote the following statement as to why they refused in an op-ed posted at http://www.truth-out.org/

I respectfully declined the invitation to the White House to discuss criminal legal reform and to celebrate Black History Month. I was under the impression that a meeting was being organized to facilitate a genuine exchange on the matters facing millions of Black and Brown people in the United States. Instead, what was arranged was basically a photo opportunity and a 90-second sound bite for the president. I could not, with any integrity, participate in such a sham that would only serve to legitimize the false narrative that the government is working to end police brutality and the institutional racism that fuels it. For the increasing number of families fighting for justice and dignity for their kin slain by police, I refuse to give its perpetrators and enablers political cover by making an appearance among them.

Read Aislinn Pulley's full op-ed here" Black Struggle Is Not a Sound Bite: Why I Refused to Meet With President Obama

WGPR: First Black Owned TV Station

WGPR-TV (Where God’s Presence Radiates) was the first television station in the United States owned and operated by African Americans. The station, located in Detroit, Michigan, was founded by William Venoid Banks. WGPR-TV marketed toward the urban audience in Detroit, Michigan, which in that market meant programming for the African American community.

WGPR-TV first aired on September 29, 1975 on channel 62 in Detroit, Michigan. Station founder William Venoid Banks was a Detroit attorney, minister and prominent member of the International Free and Accepted Modern Masons, an organization he founded in 1950. The Masons owned the majority of stock in WGPR-TV. The station initially broadcast religious shows, R&B music shows, off-network dramas, syndicated shows and older cartoons.

It was Banks’ vision that WGPR-TV provide African Americans with crucial training and experience in the television industry, allowing many local blacks the opportunity to work "behind the camera" in producing, directing and other roles which placed content on air. The station aired some locally-produced programming including Big City News, The Scene, and Arab Voice of Detroit.

Big City News was a Monday through Friday newscast that aimed to focus on community activities from the African American perspective, showcasing positive “success stories.” It was discontinued in 1992. The Scene, a nightly dance show that offered young Detroiters an opportunity to display their musical and dance talents, ran from 1975 to 1987. It still enjoys a cult following of viewers and former dancers. Arab Voice of Detroit was a public affairs show directed toward the significant Arab American population in Detroit and its suburbs.

Whatever its popularity among blacks in the television industry, WGPR-TV failed to attract a large audience outside the African American community. Even within that community, it competed with larger stations that after 1975 offered more programs directed toward African Americans. After 1980, the station faced its most powerful competition in the Black Entertainment Television (BET). Moreover with its 800,000 watt signal compared with 2 million watts for major Detroit TV stations, WGPR-TV never reached an audience beyond the city of Detroit. By the 1990s WGPR aired primarily reruns and infomercials.

On July 25, 1995, WGPR-TV was sold to CBS amid controversy from the black community, which felt that the station should remain under African American management. The Masons in particular were criticized for selling the station to a mainstream network. Two months later, CBS changed the television station name to WWJ-TV and targeted its programming for a general audience.

[SOURCE]

‘Roots’ Remake to Premiere on Memorial Day, First Trailer Released

The “Roots” remake from A+E Studios will premiere this Memorial Day. The first full trailer for the high-anticipated event series was released on Thursday. Watch that trailer below.

The eight-hour project will air over four consecutive nights at 9 p.m. beginning on Monday, May 30 on History, A&E and Lifetime.

The A-list cast includes Forest Whitaker, Anna Paquin, Laurence Fishburne, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anika Noni Rose, Tip “T.I.” Harris, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Matthew Goode, Mekhi Phifer, James Purefoy, Regé-Jean Page and Malachi Kirby.

Joseph Hayne Rainey: First African American to serve in the United States House of Representatives

Joseph Hayne Rainey (June 21, 1832 – August 1, 1887) was an American politician. He was the first African American to serve in the United States House of Representatives, the second black person to serve in the United States Congress (U.S. Senator Hiram Revels was the first), and the first black presiding officer of the House of Representatives. Born into slavery in South Carolina, he was freed in the 1840s by his father purchasing the freedom of his entire family and himself. Revels and Rainey were both members of the Republican Party.

In 1870, Rainey was elected to the State Senate of South Carolina and became chair of the Finance Committee. He served only a short time as that year he won a special election as a Republican to fill a vacancy in the Forty-first Congress of the United States. This vacancy had been created when the House refused to seat Benjamin F. Whittemore, the incumbent. He had been censured by the House for corruption but re-elected.

Rainey was seated December 12, 1870 and was re-elected to Congress, serving a total of four terms. Serving until March 3, 1879, he established a record of length of service for a black Congressman that was not surpassed until that of William L. Dawson of Chicago in the 1950s. He supported legislation that became known as the Enforcement Acts, to suppress the violent activities of the Ku Klux Klan.

Eric Garner's daughter releases ad for Bernie Sanders.

Erica Garner stars in a new four-minute campaign ad for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, in an effort to spread Sanders's millennial success across all races.

Don't miss the ESPN Black History Month Special : Rise UP 02/14/2016

The centerpiece of ESPN’s Black History Month programming, Rise Up: A SportsCenter Special, airs Sunday, Feb. 14, at 5 p.m.(EST) on ESPN. In the one-hour program, four segments will feature prominent African-Americans in a direct and intimate conversation sharing firsthand accounts of the events in the news cycle that impacted their lives. The topics include Taj Gibson of the Chicago Bulls on rising up against gun violence; Missouri football captain Ian Simon on rising up against authority; former pro tennis player James Blake on rising up against racial profiling; and ballet star Misty Copeland on rising up against prejudice. Following each segment, a brief discussion of the significance of the subject will be held among reporters, analysts and editors from ESPN and other media outlets. The panelists include Scoop Jackson, ESPN.com/ESPN the Magazine and LZ Grandersen, ESPN/ABC (Gibson); William Rhoden, New York Times and Maria Taylor, SEC Network (Missouri football); Howard Bryant, ESPN.com/ESPN the Magazine and Chris Haynes, Cleveland.com (Blake); and Alison Overholt, ESPN the Magazine/espnW and Kelley Carter, The Undefeated (Copeland).

2016 ESPN Black History Month Special: Rise Up: A SportsCenter Special from ESPNFrontRow on Vimeo.

Bernie Sanders challenged at Black America Forum

During a Black America Forum in Minneapolis Bernie Sanders was challenged by a woman who believes he has a reluctance to speak on specific black issues, and his habit of speaking in generalities when he does discuss those issues that do effect African Americans. Watch that exchange below.

George Edwin Taylor: First African American to run for President of the U.S.

Taylor and other independent-minded African Americans in 1904 jonied the first national political party created exclusively for and by blacks, the National Liberty Party (NLP). The Party met at its national convention in St. Louis, Missouri in 1904 with delegates from thirty-six states. When the Party's candidate for president ended up in an Illinois jail, the NLP Executive Committee approached Taylor, asking him to be the party's candidate.

While Taylor’s campaign attracted little attention, the Party's platform had a national agenda: universal suffrage regardless of race; Federal protection of the rights of all citizens; Federal anti-lynching laws; additional black regiments in the U.S. Army; Federal pensions for all former slaves; government ownership and control of all public carriers to ensure equal accommodations for all citizens; and home rule for the District of Columbia. Taylor’s presidential race was quixotic.

In an interview published in The Sun (New York, November 20, 1904), he observed that while he knew whites thought his candidacy was a “joke,” he believed that an independent political party that could mobilize the African American vote was the only practical way that blacks could exercise political influence. On election day, Taylor received a scattering of votes.

The 1904 campaign was Taylor's last foray into politics. He remained in Iowa until 1910 when he moved to Jacksonville. There he edited a succession of newspapers and was director of the African American branch of the local YMCA. He was married three times but had no children. George Edwin Taylor died in Jacksonville on December 23, 1925.

City of Cleveland: No Ambulance Charge to Tamir Rice's Family

Cleveland's mayor and other city officials apologized Thursday for asking for reimbursement from Tamir Rice's family for the medical services he received after he was fatally shot by a police officer. The claim has no been withdrawn.

Rep. Keith Ellison: The Congressional Black Caucus did not endorse Hillary Clinton

Yes Hillary Clinton received an endorsement from the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, but congressman Keith Ellison wants us to know the PAC is not the same thing as the Congressional Black Caucus. Bernie Sanders supporter, Rep. Keith Ellison made that point on Twitter.

Cong'l Black Caucus (CBC) has NOT endorsed in presidential. Separate CBCPAC endorsed withOUT input from CBC membership, including me.

— Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) February 11, 2016

Congressional Black Caucus PAC Endorses Clinton

Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton received an endorsement from the Congressional Black Caucus Political Action Committee Thursday ahead of primaries in the South.