Lebron James with Hillary Clinton in Cleveland

Check out Lebron James introducing our next president, Hillary Clinton and discussing why our votes matter in Cleveland, Ohio on November 6, 2016.

Cory Booker goes to Philadelphia to get the black vote out

Seeking to close off any route for Donald Trump to get the 270 electoral votes he needs to be elected president, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker visited the city of Brotherly Love Saturday to ensure African-Americans went to the polls on Tuesday.

A strong black turnout in Pennsylvania's largest city could cancel Trump votes elsewhere and keep the Keystone State in the Democratic camp, improving Hillary Clinton's chances of becoming the first woman U.S. president.

"This state is going to determine which way our country goes," Booker said.

Booker (D-N.J.) was one of several surrogates of both parties who, like the candidates themselves, are fanning out to battleground states this weekend in advance of Election Day. Gov. Chris Christie originally was scheduled to visit Pennsylvania as well on Saturday, though his appearance was cancelled after two former aides were convicted in the Bridgegate trial.

He visited a black-owned barbershop, where pro-Clinton campaign signs such as "Love trumps hate" and "Stronger together" shared space with posters of the Negro League, Muhammad Ali standing over a fallen Sonny Liston, and Obama. He spoke before a group of blacks who were organizing get-out-the-vote efforts. And he addressed dozens of Clinton supporters at a storefront headquarters.

Booker delivered pep talks, posed for selfies, posted videos on Instagram, and asked those in attendance to give one hour, 48 minutes or even 32 minutes to make calls on Tuesday to ensure that Clinton backers go to the polls.

"This is one of those elections where it's forward or backward," he said at the barbershop. "We need to get our friends and our families out to vote."

Read more: Booker goes to Philadelphia to get the black vote out

Sevyn Streeter to sing anthem at 76ers game on Dec. 16

After not allowing Sevyn Streeter to perform the national anthem because she wore a shirt that read "We Matter" the Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to let her sing the national anthem on December 16. Both the 76ers and Streeter released statements on this agreement. Read those statements below.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS STATEMENT

"After thoughtful conversation, the 76ers and Sevyn Streeter have worked together to develop a plan we hope will bring meaningful action to the Philadelphia community. Sevyn has accepted our offer to return to perform the national anthem on Friday, December 16th vs. the Los Angeles Lakers. She will also be joining the organization in our ongoing efforts in the community by partnering with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia. Additionally, the Sixers will make a donation to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia."

SEVYN STREETER STATEMENT:

"After a meaningful dialogue with the 76ers organization, I have accepted their apology. In order to move forward, it was important to me that we take action and use this as an opportunity to create positive change and dialogue throughout the community. The Sixers and I plan to work together through multiple community outreach programs to promote inclusion and acceptance. Our first initiative will be with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia, to whom they are graciously making a donation. I am also looking forward to returning to Philadelphia in December to perform the national anthem wearing my 'We Matter' jersey at the 76ers game vs. the Los Angeles Lakers."

Hey Democrats, don't panic over lower African American early voting turnout

By George L. Cook III African American Reports

Democratic strategist, talking heads, and many Hillary Clinton supporters are in a slight panic over the lower early voting totals for African Americans. Calm down people; there is no reason to start popping Valiums or downing bottles of whiskey here. There are two factors that when taken into account give a better picture of the cause of the lower totals and should give all Hillary Clinton supporters a rosier outlook.

Factor #1: Hillary was never going to get the same early voting totals as Barack Obama among African-American voters, but then again she doesn't have to. All she has to do is get the 88-90% of the total black vote that Michael Dukakis (89%), Al Gore (90%), and John Kerry (88%)Kerry got. If she does that and continues to expand her base among Hispanic voters, Asian voters, and college educated women, she will be okay. *Sidebar: Yes, smart asses I know that Dukakis, Gore, and Kerry all lost but 88-90% of the black vote back then does not equate to what 80-90% would be now as many more African Americans are voting.

Factor #2: Many of those panicking are ignoring or minimizing the effect of Republican voter suppression tactics. In many states like North Carolina and Alabama, the number of early polling sites was reduced, and those that did open up had their hours cut. Many black voters preferred to use the early voting option so of course, their turnout numbers would be lower if those options are taken away. But just because they couldn't vote early doesn't mean that black voters won't vote. Many will take the time to turn out on election day and cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton. In my humble opinion all Republicans have succeeded in doing with their voter suppression tactics is moving the day when African Americans vote.

So everyone just relax. The black vote will be there for Hillary and help make her the next President of the United States.

By George L. Cook III African American Reports

Three North Carolina counties ordered to restore voter lists

A federal judge on Friday ordered elections boards in three North Carolina counties to restore voter registrations canceled too close to Election Day after the NAACP sued over thousands of the challenges.

U.S. District Judge Loretta Biggs issued the ruling after an emergency hearing earlier in the week on NAACP allegations that at least three counties purged voter rolls through a process disproportionately targeting blacks.

Biggs said the local elections boards must "take all steps necessary" to restore voter registrations canceled during the 90 days preceding Election Day on Tuesday.

Read more: Three North Carolina counties ordered to restore voter lists

Black clergy making last second push to get out the vote

Black clergy are taking to the pulpits and the streets nationwide this weekend in hopes of energizing black voters ahead of Election Day, aiming to make a difference in the presidential contest between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

Many expect a drop in black voter participation this year, primarily because Barack Obama, the nation’s first African-American president, is not on the ballot. His historic candidacy in 2008 and re-election in 2012 helped to fuel record black turnout.

“Voting, for us, is both a spiritual and a political issue,” said Rev. William Barber, president of the North Carolina NAACP and architect of the Moral Monday Movement in North Carolina. Barber will be one of several clergy at the historic Riverside Church in New York City Sunday evening for a revival service to encourage voting on Tuesday.

Read more: Black clergy making last second push to get out the vote

N.J. Democrats denounce racist Republican campaign flyer

A group of elected New Jersey officials released the following statement in response to a Republican campaign flyer that is overtly racist. Don't take my word for it you can look at the flier and read that response below.

This statement comes from the following elected officials. Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, NJ State Democratic Party Chairman John Currie, Essex County Democratic Party Chairman Leroy Jones, Senator Teresa Ruiz, Senator Ron Rice, Governor Dick Codey, Assemblyman Ralph Caputo, Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker, Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson, Assemblyman Tom Giblin Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor-Marin and Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver.

The Republican Party of Burlington County has mailed local residents an appeal for votes based on undisguised racism that relies on racial and economic stereotypes. The flyer states, “If you don’t want Burlington County to turn into this part of New Jersey, then vote for the people who make our county a special place to live. The mailer features a large map of northern New Jersey with Newark in large bold lettering and a large red push pin stuck into Newark.

The not so subtle message is that Newark and its suburbs are all that white voters fear in a community: Black, Latino, Poor, Dangerous, and Blighted. The characterization is slanderous and false. It exploits the worst racial stereotyping. The message is that if you elect Democrats, minorities will take over your community and destroy it. You will be driven out.

The theme of the Burlington Republicans is the same divisive rhetoric as the Trump campaign and its cheerleader-in-chief, Chris Christie. The Trump campaign is toxic and contagious. It’s blatant racism has emboldened local Republican candidates and given them permission to campaign on a message that has heretofore been confined to white supremacists. We urge the voters of Burlington County to come out and vote in record numbers this year. Every vote against the Burlington Republican candidates and against Donald Trump will send a message that our communities reject those who seek to divide us for political gain. And we call on our legislative colleagues of both parties to stand with us and denounce the hateful Burlington Republican campaign.

Georgia governor refers to African Americans as "colored people"

During a speech about an education proposal Georgia Governor and Trump supporter, Nathan Deal refereed to African Americans as colored people. Deal later tried to say that he was clumsily talking about the NAACP and apologized. Even with that apology the fact that he used the term "colored people" says a lot about the man's mindset. Watch more on this story below:

Black church set on fire & vandalized with "Vote Trump" graffiti

Hopewell Baptist Church, a black church in Greenville Mississippi was set on fire and vandalized with graffiti that read "Vote Trump". Most of the damage to the 111-year-old church was to the sanctuary and there have been no reports of injury.

During a press conference officials that the incident is now being investigated as a hate crime. Greenville Police Chief Freddie Cannon called the incident "a form of voting intimidation".

The FBI released a statement on the burning:

“The FBI Jackson Division is aware of the situation in Greenville, and we are working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to determine if any civil rights crimes were committed.”

Jim Johnson entering N.J. governor's race

Jim Johnson, a former U.S. Treasury official and federal prosecutor has announced he's running for governor of N.J., wading into a Democratic primary that many considered over before it officially began.

Johnson, of Montclair, has opened a campaign office in his hometown, looking to mount a challenge against banking executive and former U.S ambassador Phil Murphy, who kick-started his campaign with $10 million of his own money and is considered the odds-on favorite for the governorship.

Johnson told NJ Advance Media on Monday that he's running on a platform of rebuilding the state's economy, restoring bonds in the community and renewing trust in government.

"I believe that elections, at the end of the day, are about the people who go to the voting booth," he said.

Johnson is a former undersecretary for enforcement at the Treasury Department, where he oversaw the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Secret Service, U.S. Customs and other agencies during President Bill Clinton's administration.

He also headed up New Jersey's Advisory Committee on Police Standards, which was formed during the late 1990s when the State Police was under federal monitoring for racial profiling, and has helped shape recent reforms including the Attorney General's Office's policy on the use of body-worn cameras.

[SOURCE: NJ.COM]

NAACP office sues North Carolina, alleging voter suppression

The North Carolina NAACP has filed a federal lawsuit against the state for what it alleges is a Republican effort to suppress African-American voters.

The lawsuit, filed Monday, seeks to stop county election boards in North Carolina from canceling voter registrations. Three counties have canceled thousands of voter registrations based off what the NAACP alleges is “a single item of returned mail, sent via a coordinated campaign, led by individuals with GOP ties.”

The NAACP also aims to restore the already canceled registrations before the election.

In at least one county, African Americans were disproportionately affected, accounting for 65% of the voters whose registrations were nixed, despite making up just one fourth of the population.

Read more: NAACP office sues North Carolina, alleging voter suppression

Antron Brown is now a 3 time NHRA Drag Racing Series World Champion

Antron Brown is officially a three-time NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world champion, locking up his third overall and second straight Top Fuel title when Doug Kalitta lost to Steve Torrence in the second round at the NHRA Toyota Nationals.

Brown has been the dominant Top Fuel racer this season, winning seven times in 11 final-round appearances and tallying an amazing 51 round-wins through the first 22 events. Though he has done well all season, Brown has been particularly strong during the Countdown to the Championship. Brown entered the playoffs ranked No. 1 and never surrendered that position, thanks to an effort that included wins in Charlotte, Reading, and Dallas. He also qualified No. 1 in Dallas, an event that he dominated to all but shut out the rest of the competition in the championship chase, leaving Texas with a 150-point advantage.

Brown made history in 2012 when he won his first Mello Yello world championship to become the first African-American NHRA world champ and first black driver to win a major U.S. auto racing championship title.

[SOURCE: nhra.com]

Book Of The Month: Writing My Wrongs: Life, Death, and Redemption in an American Prison by Shaka Sengho

If Ava Duvernay's documentary "13th" resonated with you then Writing My Wrongs: Life, Death, and Redemption in an American Prison by Shaka Senghois a book that you need to check out.

A memoir of redemption, reform, and second chances amidst America's mass incarceration epidemic.

Shaka Senghor was raised in a middle class neighborhood on Detroit’s east side during the height of the 1980s crack epidemic. An honor roll student and a natural leader, he dreamed of becoming a doctor—but at age 11, his parents' marriage began to unravel, and the beatings from his mother worsened, sending him on a downward spiral that saw him run away from home, turn to drug dealing to survive, and end up in prison for murder at the age of 19, fuming with anger and despair.

Writing My Wrongs is the story of what came next. During his nineteen-year incarceration, seven of which were spent in solitary confinement, Senghor discovered literature, meditation, self-examination, and the kindness of others—tools he used to confront the demons of his past, forgive the people who hurt him, and begin atoning for the wrongs he had committed. Upon his release at age thirty-eight, Senghor became an activist and mentor to young men and women facing circumstances like his. His work in the community and the courage to share his story led him to fellowships at the MIT Media Lab and the Kellogg Foundation and invitations to speak at events like TED and the Aspen Ideas Festival.

In equal turns, Writing My Wrongs is a page-turning portrait of life in the shadow of poverty, violence, and fear; an unforgettable story of redemption, reminding us that our worst deeds don’t define us; and a compelling witness to our country’s need for rethinking its approach to crime, prison, and the men and women sent there.

BUY THE BOOK

Kindle ____Paperback

A Conversation with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul Jabbar visited the Harvard Institute of Politics where he sat down for a Q&A with Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. The two discussed a variety of topics including President Obama, politics, social change, education, the black middle class, Black Lives Matter, Colin Kaepernick, and of course a little basketball. Watch their discussion below.

Loretta Lynch not happy with FBI Director James Comey letter to Congress

On Friday, James Comey, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, acting independently of Attorney General Loretta Lynch, sent a letter to Congress saying that the F.B.I. had discovered e-mails that were potentially relevant to the investigation of Hillary Clinton’s private server. Coming less than two weeks before the Presidential election, Comey’s decision to make public new evidence that may raise additional legal questions about Clinton was contrary to the views of the Attorney General, according to a well-informed Administration official. Lynch expressed her preference that Comey follow the department’s longstanding practice of not commenting on ongoing investigations, and not taking any action that could influence the outcome of an election, but he said that he felt compelled to do otherwise.

Comey’s decision is a striking break with the policies of the Department of Justice, according to current and former federal legal officials. Comey, who is a Republican appointee of President Obama, has a reputation for integrity and independence, but his latest action is stirring an extraordinary level of concern among legal authorities, who see it as potentially affecting the outcome of the Presidential and congressional elections.

“You don’t do this,” one former senior Justice Department official exclaimed. “It’s aberrational. It violates decades of practice.” The reason, according to the former official, who asked not to be identified because of ongoing cases involving the department, “is because it impugns the integrity and reputation of the candidate, even though there’s no finding by a court, or in this instance even an indictment.”

Traditionally, the Justice Department has advised prosecutors and law enforcement to avoid any appearance of meddling in the outcome of elections, even if it means holding off on pressing cases. One former senior official recalled that Janet Reno, the Attorney General under Bill Clinton, “completely shut down” the prosecution of a politically sensitive criminal target prior to an election. “She was adamant—anything that could influence the election had to go dark,” the former official said.

[SOURCE: THE NEW YORKER]

Sixers apologize to Sevyn Streeter

After taking a public beating on social media and a not so public beating from some of the team's players, the Philadelphia 76ers have issued an apology to Sevyn Streeter for not allowing her to sing the national anthem while wearing a shirt that read "We Matter."

The statement reads:

"We are sorry that this happened. After receiving feedback from our players, basketball operations staff and ownership group, we believe that the wrong decision was made, and Sevyn should have been welcomed to sing. We apologize to her, and in an effort to move the conversation forward, we have reached out to offer her an opportunity to return and perform at a game of her choice. We are waiting to hear back.”

Color Of Change PAC launches #VotingWhileBlack

–Color Of Change PAC—the PAC arm of the nation’s largest online racial justice group—is launching #VotingWhileBlack, a first-of-its-kind program that uses cutting edge digital communications tools to engage Black voters in a massive modern-day volunteer effort aimed at getting out the vote in races up and down the ballot in swing states and holding politicians accountable to Black communities after Election Day.

Created and run by Black leadership, #VotingWhileBlack focuses on the issues affecting Black communities that are central to this country’s success—from police violence and an unfair criminal justice system to a changing economy and the lack of investment in our schools and communities—in a way that other groups linked with specific political parties or candidates cannot be. While there are other campaigns focused on bringing Black voters out to the polls, #VotingWhileBlack puts voter persuasion at the center, getting out the vote for specific candidates whose positions matter for Black communities—and collectively impacting races from the presidential race to down ballot races like those for Senate and district attorneys, where the winners will have the power to make important decisions that will significantly impact Black communities.

“This is a truly unprecedented program that’s laser-focused on mobilizing Black voters around the issues that matter most to our community,” said Color Of Change PAC spokesperson, Rashad Robinson. “Down ballot races, like those for district attorneys, often don’t get much attention. But, we know all too well how much the perspective and practices of these local prosecutors impact Black communities. Rather than shoving these races to the sidelines, #VotingWhileBlack puts them front and center in our voter outreach—and we’re doing so by engaging our communities not on the basis of political parties, but based on building independent political power that will be around after the election to hold those we support accountable. We’re translating the presence and visibility of our issues into the power to change the rules.”

#VotingWhileBlack engages voters and communities with text-a-thons, online voter guides, social media activations, digital chase ads, and email engagement, and provides a full suite of digital tools and graphic content to help Black voters and allies reach out to other Black voters. Using cell phones to directly communicate with Black voters, #VotingWhileBlack is driving engagement in down ballot races that are often neglected by other voter outreach programs, including district attorney races in Franklin County, Ohio (Columbus); Orange County, Florida (Orlando); Hillsborough County, Florida (Tampa); and Harris County, Texas (Houston). The program is also targeting key Senate races in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida, where wins could prevent the Senate from coming under the control of far-right politicians.

“A key part of our program is holding politicians accountable after Election Day,” said Arisha Hatch, Director of Color Of Change PAC. “For far too long, elected officials have pursued Black folks’ votes, but then failed to champion our issues once they’re in power. We’re mobilizing Black communities to vote strategically, shape political agendas, move the needle on key issues, and ultimately hold elected officials accountable for the promises they make at election time.”

Already, #VotingWhileBlack has held text-a-thons—virtual or in-person gatherings where highly motivated Black voters come together in a lively atmosphere to text other Black voters about key races—in major cities including New York, Washington, Miami, Oakland, Houston, and Philadelphia, with plans to hold more in states including Illinois, California, and New Jersey. The goal of these text-a-thons is to ensure that 2 million contacted voters go to the polls and that they’re equipped with all the information they need—including local down ballot voter guides and turnout reminders—to make informed choices in races across the ballot. So far, over 1,000 volunteers have sent over 800,000 initial texts to eligible Black voters.

Color Of Change PAC is engaging partners including: John Legend, who’s hosting virtual text-a-thons; and National Nurses United, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., which  hosted or participated in in-person and virtual text-a-thons with their members.

The #VotingWhileBlack campaign follows Color Of Change PAC’s high-profile campaign pressuring corporations to divest from the RNC in protest of Donald Trump’s bigotry, which resulted in companies like Coca-Cola, Apple and HP withdrawing or reducing their financial support of the convention, and cost the Republican Party millions of dollars.

For more on #VotingWhileBlack, visit http://votingwhileblack.com.

Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson endorses Hillary Clinton

Following in the footsteps of Brittany Packnett, another prominent leader of the Black Lives Matter movement, DeRay Mckesson is supporting Hillary Clinton

“I am voting for Hillary Clinton,” Mckesson wrote in a Washington Post op-ed. “Clinton’s platform on racial justice is strong.”

McKesson went on to write:

I agree with Clinton more than I disagree with her... The [racial] unrest and activism over the last two years has undoubtedly pushed Clinton, specifically on key issues that she and other Democrats otherwise would not have addressed as forcefully as the party’s platform does: private prisons, an increased minimum wage, the role of institutional and implicit bias in sustaining unjust systems and acknowledging the need to address racism directly, to name a few.

Clarence Thomas was not snubbed by the National Museum of African American History & Culture

By George L. Cook III African American Reports.

Many conservative websites have locked onto this narrative that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has somehow been snubbed by not being included at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Now according to these sites we should all be outraged by this and demand that Thomas be included in the museum. They would have everyone believe that Thomas was not included because of his conservative beliefs and that most black people simply don't like the man (Okay that last part is true, but not why he wasn't included). But there are a few things they fail to mention.

Clarence Thomas is not the first black Supreme Court Justice, that would be the legend, Thurgood Marshall. So other than making it to the bench what has Thomas done to deserve an exhibit at the museum? He is considered a mediocre jurist at best and it's big news when the man ask a question during a hearing. You don't get an exhibit for being a bump on a log.

What's also not mentioned is that Thurgood Marshall is in the museum but not as a Supreme Court justice but for his work in civil rights. The museum does not currently have an exhibit on the Supreme Court.

Linda St. Thomas, chief spokesperson for the Smithsonian Institution, made this statement about Thomas’ exclusion:

“There are many compelling personal stories about African-Americans who have become successful in various fields, and obviously, Associate Justice Thomas is one of them,” said spokeswoman Linda St.Thomas. “However, we cannot tell every story in our inaugural exhibitions.” There is no exhibit on the Supreme Court or the justice system, the museum notes.

The late Justice Thurgood Marshall was featured in the museum because of his work on landmark civil-rights cases such as Brown v. Board of Education, according to the museum.

So you see Thomas couldn't have been excluded from the museum as there is no exhibit for him to have been excluded from.

By George L. Cook III African American Reports.

Colin Powell is supporting Hillary Clinton

You knew this was going to happen, right? Former Secretary of State Colin Powell announced that he will vote for Hillary Clinton at a luncheon on Tuesday.

Powell made his announcement at a Tuesday event hosted by the Long Island Association, a business group focused on development in Long Island, New York.

The announcement was confirmed by Powell's chief of staff, Peggy Cifrino.