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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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