Google parent company Alphabet is adding finance chops and diversity to its board with the appointment of economist Roger Ferguson.
Ferguson is the first African American to serve on the board of Alphabet and Google, marking a major milestone in Google's effort to bring more diversity to the technology industry.
Ferguson will serve on Alphabet's audit committee. With his appointment, he receives a $1 million equity grant, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In an interview with Susan Page of USA Today Black Lives Matter activist, DeRay McKesson warned Hillary Clinton of convention protests – citing the congressional sit-in by House Democrats as a possible model -- amid qualms about her commitment to civil rights. Watch that interview below.
I believe that Mosby shouldn't be disbarred or that she should step down. I do believe that the 3 cases so far were not handled well. I also believe there is a case to be made against the six officers but Mosby's office did not/is not making it. George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.com
The prosecutor at the center of the Freddie Gray case has been slapped with a complaint seeking her disbarment. A law professor at George Washington University School of Law has filed the disciplinary complaint with the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland against Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby. LawNewz.com has learned that the complaint seeks the disbarment of Mosby for her conduct regarding the investigation and prosecution the six police officers for the death of Freddie Gray.
According to the complaint, filed by Prof. John F. Banzhaf, Mosby violated multiple provisions of the Maryland Lawyer’s Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) including withholding exculpatory evidence, making improper public statements and continuing to prosecute a case after there is insufficient evidence to support a conviction.
Read more: Freddie Gray Prosecutor Marilyn Mosby Slammed With Complaint Seeking Her Disbarment
Donald Trump is notorious for his attacks on Muslims, Hispanics and women — but he is by far faring worst with black voters, a new poll showed Wednesday.
The latest Quinnipiac University poll says the billionaire businessman has exactly 1% of black voter support. His presumptive Democratic challenger, Hillary Clinton, has 91% support from the black voting bloc.
Republican presidential candidates routinely lose the black vote in a landslide. Even so, Trump’s numbers position him to finish the general election with the lowest black support in recent history.
Even Arizona Sen. John McCain — when running against Barack Obama, who would become the first African-American president — won 4% of the black vote in the 2008 race.
President Obama has teamed up with Buzzfeed and TurboVote to launch "Turn Up the Vote," an initiative to encourage people to engage in the democratic process and register to vote.
Your vote is not only the most powerful tool we have to shape our collective future, it's easy for you to do. In fact, watch President Obama do a few things that are harder than registering to vote:
Tuesday is Primary Day in New York, and one of the biggest congressional races is for the 13th District. For the first time since 1971, Charles Rangel won't be on the ballot as he is finally retiring after more than four decades in Congress.
Now nine candidates are running for his seat in a district that goes from Harlem though Washington Heights and into the Bronx.
After 46 years in Congress, Rangel says the man to follow in his footsteps is New York Assemblyman Keith Wright.
By now you have all heard or seen the actor/activist, Jesse Williams phenomenal speech that he gave after winning a humanitarian award at the BET Awards. Watch his amazing speech on race in the United States in which he calls out everyone including black people and whites who steal black culture below.
President Obama’s approval rating is at its highest level in more than five years, an ABC News/Washington Post poll released on Sunday shows.
According to the results of the survey, conducted in the aftermath of the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., two weeks ago, 56 percent of Americans approve of Obama’s handling of his job as president, compared to 41 percent who disapprove.
The last time the president’s approval rating was this high was in May 2011 following the killing of Osama bin Laden in a nighttime raid led by U.S. Navy SEALS in Pakistan.
According to the Washington Post, Obama is more popular now than Presidents George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush were at this point in their presidencies, though not quite as popular as Bill Clinton in 2000.
Police are looking for a missing woman, Allison Young whose car was located on the I-55 bridge across the Mississippi River between Memphis and Arkansas.
Police described Young as a 43-year-old black woman who is 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 210 pounds. She has shoulder-length black hair, brown eyes and a medium complexion and was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and white shorts.
If you have any information, call Memphis Police at 545-2677.
In 2006, Tavis Smiley—along with a team of esteemed contributors—laid out a national plan of action to address the ten most crucial issues facing African Americans. The Covenant, which became a #1 New York Times bestseller, ran the gamut from health care to criminal justice, affordable housing to education, voting rights to racial divides. But a decade later, Black men still fall to police bullets and brutality, Black women still die from preventable diseases, Black children still struggle to get a high quality education, the digital divide and environmental inequality persist, and American cities from Ferguson to Baltimore burn with frustration. In short, the last decade has seen the evaporation of Black wealth, with Black fellow citizens having lost ground in nearly every leading economic category.
And so in these pages Smiley calls for a renewal of The Covenant, presenting the original action plan alongside new data from the Indiana University School of Public & Environmental Affairs (SPEA) to underscore missed opportunities and the work that remains to be done. While life for far too many African Americans remains a struggle, the great freedom fighter Frederick Douglass was right: “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”
Now is the time to finally convert the trials and tribulations of Black America into the progress that all of America yearns for.
In December 2015, Zaevion Dobson, a 15-year-old high school football star from Knoxville, Tennessee, was forced to make a split-second decision—run to safety or sacrifice himself to protect those around him. Instead of running, Dobson used his body to protect two girls from a barrage of bullets, ultimately giving his life to save theirs. To honor his incredible act of bravery, ESPN today announced that Dobson will be posthumously honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at The 2016 ESPYS Presented by Capital One. Presented annually to individuals whose contributions transcend sports, the award recognizes those individuals who embody the spirit of the trophy’s namesake, tennis legend Arthur Ashe, who dedicated his life to human rights advocacy.
Zaevion Dobson, a sophomore at Fulton High School in northern Knoxville, was considered one of the city’s great success stories as both a promising football player and mentor to his peers. Dobson’s selfless act of bravery made him a national hero. Zenobia Dobson, Zaevion’s mother, will accept the Arthur Ashe Courage Award on his behalf, accompanied by Zaevion’s brothers Zack Dobson and Markastin Taylor.
“The family of Zaevion William Dobson accepts with great appreciation the honorable Arthur Ashe Award on behalf of our beloved young man of valor, who sacrificed himself to save others,” Zenobia Dobson said on behalf of the Dobson family. “Arthur Ashe was a leading example of strength and courage for us as a family, and we feel truly blessed and honored that our Zaevion joins the ranks of honorees. Like Arthur Ashe, Zaevion faced obstacles, but he overcame them. With this award, we know that Zaevion’s name and example will never be forgotten.”
Zaevion was honored by the sports community in a special tribute before Super Bowl 50 and was recognized by President Obama during a speech in January. The President emphasized that Zaevion’s sacrifice should serve as inspiration for taking action, saying, “He gave his life to save theirs—an act of heroism a lot bigger than anything we should ever expect from a 15-year-old.”
Added ESPYS Executive Producer Maura Mandt, “Zaevion’s actions to risk his own life for others demonstrate the true meaning of the word courage, and his boundless bravery has inspired many. We are proud to honor him with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at this year’s ESPYS. By celebrating Zaevion’s legacy, we hope to bring more attention to this serious issue and continued focus on the tragic loss of lives to gun violence.”
The 2016 ESPYS, hosted by WWE Superstar John Cena, will air live on Wednesday, July 13, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Tickets are available for public purchase at AXS.com. For additional ESPYS news and information, please follow the official Twitter handle: @ESPYS.
The Arthur Ashe Courage Award
The Arthur Ashe Courage Award is presented each year to individuals whose contributions transcend sports. Past honorees include: Jim Valvano (1993); Steve Palermo (1994); Howard Cosell (1995); Loretta Claiborne (1996); Muhammad Ali (1997); Dean Smith (1998); Billie Jean King (1999); Dave Sanders (2000); Olympian Cathy Freeman (2001); Todd Beamer, Mark Bingham, Tom Burnett and Jeremy Glick, four passengers who lost their lives September 11 on United Flight 93 (2002); Pat and Kevin Tillman (2003); Liberian-born soccer legend George Weah (2004); disabled athletes Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah and Jim MacLaren (2005); Afghan female athletes (2006); and Trevor Ringland and Dave Cullen for their work with PeacePlayers (2007); U.S. Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos (2008); former president Nelson Mandela (2009); the Thomas family of Parkersburg, IA (2010); boxer Dewey Bozella (2011); women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt (2012); Robin Roberts (2013), Michael Sam (2014) and Caitlyn Jenner (2015).
The U.S. battle over bathrooms and wedding cakes is pushing many African-American leaders in the South to the forefront of the latest civil rights frontier, as the threat of discrimination overshadows long-held reservations on gay issues.
In Mississippi, black legislators have led calls to repeal their state's newly adopted law permitting those with religious objections to deny wedding services to same-sex couples and impose dress and bathroom limits on transgender residents.
The president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in Mississippi is a plaintiff in a lawsuit seeking to block the measure from taking effect on July 1. A federal judge was to hear testimony in the case on Thursday.
In North Carolina, dozens have been arrested at statehouse rallies organized by a diverse coalition led by the state NAACP conference to protest a new law barring transgender people from using the bathrooms of their choice.
"Here we are again, facing discrimination towards a group of people," said Sonya Williams Barnes, a Mississippi black lawmaker who opposed the measure and fears that her race could be the next target. "Who knows where that is going to lead to."
Just four years after President Barack Obama rocked the religious black community by supporting gay marriage, black leaders are becoming some of the most forceful allies in the fight against a recent wave of legislation seen as harmful to lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender (LGBT) people.
Here is a clear example of no matter how important you may be that Ma still gets the last word. Congressman Keith Ellison was in a meeting when the John Lewis led sit in started in congress. He received this note ( a note which I believe was edited by the staffer to get the phrase "your ass" out of it) from his mom through a staffer.
Minutes latter Congressman Ellison posted the following tweet:
Sitting in on House Floor against Gun violence & Majority's unwillingness to protect Americans from slaughter. pic.twitter.com/SvZ5cV45nn
The Baltimore Police van driver accused of giving a "rough ride" that killed Freddie Gray was acquitted of all charges Thursday by Circuit Judge Barry Williams.
Officer Caesar Goodson Jr., 46, had faced the most serious charges of any of the six officers indicted in Gray's arrest and death last April, including second-degree depraved heart murder. Goodson was also acquitted of three counts of manslaughter, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office.
His acquittal, which comes after Williams considered the charges for three days, throws the rest of the cases into jeopardy. The other officers charged face similar, but lesser accusations.
Rep. John Lewis took the floor of the US House of Representatives and lead his fellow democrats in a sit in to hold the floor until the Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, allows a vote the "no fly, no buy" bill legislation. Watch Lewis give his speech before the sit in below.
A Republican congressman is trying to block the Treasury from redesigning U.S. currency, a move that could prevent the government from replacing Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 bill with abolitionist Harriet Tubman.
Rep. Steve King of Iowa has offered an amendment to a spending bill barring the use of funds to redesign any Federal Reserve note or coin.
Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew announced the changes in April. Tubman would become the first African-American on U.S. paper currency and the first woman on paper currency in a century.
Alexander Hamilton's portrait will remain on the front of the $10 bill. The back is to be redesigned to feature Susan B. Anthony.
It wasn't immediately clear why King opposed the redesign. His office did not immediately respond to messages.
In a letter sent to both the Sanders and Hillary Clinton campaigns, the Congressional Black Caucus expressed e opposition to two key reforms demanded by Sanders. Those reforms being abolishing the party’s superdelegate system and especially opening Democratic primaries up to independents and Republicans. The CBC feels that would dilute minority voting strength. Read that letter below.
June 18, 2016 An Open Letter to our Democratic Colleagues and Party Leaders To: Secretary Hillary Clinton Senator Bernie Sanders Hon. Debbie Wasserman-Shultz, Chair, DNC
Hon. Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leader Senator Harry Reid, Senate Democratic Leader To Whom It May Concern:
The Democratic Members of the Congressional Black Caucus recently voted unanimously to oppose any
suggestion or idea to eliminate the category of Unpledged Delegate to the Democratic National
Convention (aka Super Delegates) and the creation of uniform open primaries in all states. The Democratic Party benefits from the current system of unpledged delegates to the National
Convention by virtue of rules that allow members of the House and Senate to be seated as a delegate
without the burdensome necessity of competing against constituents for the honor of representing the
state during the nominating process. The origin of the unpledged delegate selection process authored by Congressman James E. Clyburn, DSC
is attached to this letter. It accurately chronicles the use of the unpledged delegate system and sets
out with particularity the reasons why this system was enacted many years ago. The system of allowing
members of Congress to serve as unpledged delegates has worked quite well. There is no need to
succumb to the pressure of a few individuals to make this change. We oppose any change to the
current delegate selection process for members of Congress. The CBC is opposed to any state nominating system that would allow independent or Republican voters
to participate in a Democratic Primary. The Democratic Party primary is the process used by the party to
allow political aspirants to compete for their party’s nomination. Allowing independent or Republican
voters to participate in the Democratic primary would dilute minority voting strength in many districts
across the country. Finally, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus respectfully request that we be included in any
discussion that will change the system of unpledged delegates. In addition, we should be included in
any discussion that would seek to change the nominating rules to open primaries. These are significant
issues that directly affects our ability to effectively participate in the political process. Thank you. Sincerely,
G.K. Butterfield G. K. Butterfield, Chairman Democratic Caucus of the Congressional Black Caucus
Hillary Clinton's campaign is taking the reins of the Democratic National Committee, installing a new top official on Thursday to oversee the party's day-to-day operations through the general election.
Brandon Davis, national political director for the Service Employees International Union, will become the general election chief of staff for the Democratic Party. His selection formalizes the coordination of the Clinton campaign and the committee
Davis, 38, oversees the political efforts at one of the country's largest labor unions. He has also worked as political director to Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri.
Wasserman Schultz welcomed Davis to party headquarters on Thursday morning. While she will remain in her position as the party's chairwoman, at least through the convention next month in Philadelphia, her role diminishes with the Clinton campaign's takeover of the committee.
The appointment of Davis is intended to allay some of the concerns about party leadership. It is a standard transition, as Clinton becomes the presumptive Democratic nominee.
I was talking to my daughter while we were getting something to eat and the store owner had up a picture of Ibtihaj Muhammad, a local and successful fencer from Maplewood NJ who is on the US National Team headed to the Rio Olympics. I asked my daughter if she knew who it was and she guessed that it might be one of Muhammad Ali's children. My wife and I laughed and then explained to her who it was. My daughter wondered how was she supposed to know who she was if nobody told her. I thought about that and decided she's quite right, so everybody meet Ibtihaj Muhammad.
HOMETOWN: Maplewood, N.J.
BIRTH YEAR: 1985
A five-time Senior World team medalist and 2014 Senior World Team Champion, Muhammad will make history in Rio as the first U.S. woman compete in the Olympic Game in hijab. Ranked as high as No. 7 in the world during the 2015-16 season, Muhammad has won both individual and team medals on the World Cup circuit.
Common is set to star in a television adaptation of “Black Samurai,” Variety has learned exclusively.
The TV project, currently in development, is based on Marc Olden’s 1974 book series, which inspired the 1977 film of the same name. Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA is attached as an exec producer.
Producers are currently shopping the project. Once a network is attached, the search for a writer and director will begin. With Common attached to star, the hot project is already garnering much interest.
“Black Samurai” follows the story of Robert Sand (played by Common) who is rescued by a Japanese samurai master and trained for seven years. After suffering from vicious racism in the military, and seeing his teacher and fellow samurai killed before his eyes by terrorists, Robert Sand becomes a killing machine, out to destroy the corrupt powers who had taken the lives of his friends.
