Donald Trump meets with David Clarke to discuss cabinet position

By George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com

Donald Trump is determined to find self hating African Americans to serve in his cabinet. The President-Elect met with the most miserable man in law enforcement, Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke to discuss the possibility of Clarke running the Department of Homeland Security.

Clarke is not totally unqualified as he obviously has a law enforcement background, currently commands 250 officers, and is sheriff of an entire county. By comparison The Department of Homeland Security has 240,000 employees, who span immigration enforcement, the U.S. Secret Service, the TSA and other functions. In Trump world adding over 239,750 more employees and responsibility for the entire USA shouldn't be much of a big jump.

Clarke would fit in with Trump's law and order mantra and he definitely would be no friend to the Black Lives Matter movement or to black people in general. So why wouldn't Trump consider him for the DHS top spot?

Newark Pop Warner team raising money to go play in championship game

The Newark Brick City Lions Football Team put has won the District and Eastern Region Championship titles. Those victories earned them a spot at the Pop Warner National Championship Super Bowl in Orlando, Florida.

But money does not come with that invitation and it will cost the team $35,000 to get to Florida and these kids need our help.

The team is fundraising, working concession stands and selling donuts to raise the $35,000 but they could still us some help. as of this post the team is just $10,000 short og f their goal

You can give at the teams gofundme page here: Brick City Lions

58 Shot, 8 Fatally, over Thanksgiving Weekend In Chicago

This has got to stop, we are at a point where people are actually saying "only" 8 died as if that's a good thing. There are enough threats out there to young black men without us adding to them. There is no amount of police, no amount of laws that can be passed to stop this violence, no amount of marching, and no amount of pastors preaching that can stop this violence. The way to end this violence It lies with us, the black community as a whole. When we truly decide that enough is enough, the shootings will stop. George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com.

At least 58 people have been shot, 8 fatally, in attacks across the city over Thanksgiving weekend, according to Chicago police.

Last year, 8 people were killed and 20 were wounded in shootings during the same holiday weekend.

Read more: 58 Shot, 8 Fatally, in Thanksgiving Weekend Violence Across Chicago

Pelosi nominates Rep. Hakeem Jefferies for vice chair post

By George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com

House minority leader Nancy Pelosi is attempting to spread around responsibilities and opportunities within democratic leadership positions in the House of Representatives. She is doing so to address the concerns of younger less tenured members in the House.

In doing so she has nominated several newer members to leadership positions. Among them is Rep. Hakeem Jefferies (NY) who she has nominated as a vice chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. Jefferies has served four years and has just been elected to a third term.

The House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) is tasked with developing a Caucus-wide message that forcefully communicates where House Democrats stand, that resonates with hardworking Americans, and that presents a sharp contrast to House Republicans’ special interest first agenda.

Bayou Classic 2016: Grambling beats Southern 52-30

Grambling left no room for doubt about who was the best team on the Mercedes-Benz Superdome turf for Saturday's 43rd Bayou Classic.

Grambling gashed Southern and its previously stingy defense for 571 yards. It forced a pair of critical early turnovers against a Jaguars unit that had taken great care of the ball all season and kept an explosive Southern offense largely at bay.

Most importantly, Grambling snapped Southern’s eight-game winning streak and extended its own to nine, punching its ticket to the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game and ending Southern’s season with a 52-30 win.

Read more: Grambling surges past Southern in the second half to win Bayou Classic 52-30

Thurgood Marshall College Fund & Complete College America Announce Partnership to Boost HBCU Graduation Rates

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and Complete College America (CCA) announced today the formation of a new partnership that will focus efforts on boosting graduation rates throughout the nation's black colleges, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominately Black Institutions (PBIs). The announcement was made as part of CCA's 2016 Annual Convening of the Alliance in San Francisco, an event that brought together close to 600 higher education leaders and advocates from around the country. TMCF President & CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. served as the closing keynote speaker for the event.

TMCF will join CCA as the 41st member of the organization's Alliance – a network of states and institutional consortia that have committed to completion goals and implementation at scale of the organization's Game Changers strategies. TMCF's membership, which greatly enhances CCA's ongoing efforts to close achievement gaps, is the first of its kind - representing a national consortium of nearly 50 publicly-supported black colleges that will now have access to the full breadth of CCA's resources and technical assistance efforts.

"HBCUs have long been our nation's greatest champions for ensuring access to college, especially for African American students," said Complete College America President Stan Jones. "Today's announcement demonstrates the seriousness of their commitment not only to access, but to student success and completion. We applaud the Thurgood Marshall College Fund – and the colleges they represent – and look forward to working together to dramatically boost college completion rates and close achievement gaps."

"I am extremely proud of this partnership and TMCF's inclusion because it is solution driven.  It's no secret that black college graduation rates could be higher. TMCF is committed to be apart of the solution to educate, empower and encourage students on our campuses to stay the course, finish the race and graduate," said Johnny C. Taylor Jr. "The strategic alliance with CCA is timely and I have no doubt will lead to positive outcomes for our students and member-schools. This is a new day for black colleges."

The first joint project for TMCF and CCA will be the collection of completion data using CCA's Common College Completion Metrics. The initial collection – which will explore graduation rates, credit accumulation, time to degree, and remediation rates, among other data – will provide baseline information to advance the organizations' shared mission to close achievement gaps.

In addition, TMCF will also be launching a national 15 to Finish campaign with member institutions to encourage more students to take at least 15 credits per semester (30 credits per year)—the only enrollment level that puts students on track for on-time completion. The 15 to Finish initiative, which began at the University of Hawai'i, is one of Complete College America's five Game Changing strategies.

The two organizations will invite philanthropic partners to help fund broad-based implementation of CCA's strategies at HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions.

About Thurgood Marshall College FundThe Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), established in 1987 is named for the U.S. Supreme Court's first African-American Justice. TMCF represents all Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and its member-schools include the 47 publicly-supported HBCUs. With TMCF member-schools educating 80% of all students attending HBCUs, TMCF helps students with a clear intention to succeed acquire a high-quality college education at an affordable cost. TMCF also efficiently connects high performing, world-ready students with top tier employment opportunities—access that students or employers might not have on their own. Through its scholarships and programs, TMCF plays a key role in preparing the leaders of tomorrow.

TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF and its initiatives, visit: www.tmcf.org.

About Complete College AmericaEstablished in 2009, Complete College America is a national nonprofit with a single mission: to work with states to significantly increase the number of Americans with quality career certificates or college degrees and to close attainment gaps for traditionally underrepresented populations. For more information, visit our website (http://www.completecollege.org/).

SOURCE Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Related Links

http://tmcf.org

21st Annual American Black Film Festival Announces 2017 Dates

(Black PR Wire) NEW YORK,  – The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) recently announced that the 21st annual event will be held in Miami, June 14-18, 2017. In addition to the best of Black film and TV, the five-day festival will offer an innovative program with new experiences, including The Byron Lewis Careers in Entertainment Center, a multi day educational forum with lectures led by industry experts to provide insight into job opportunities in front of and behind the camera at studios and networks; and ABFF Immersive, where festival goers are introduced to virtual reality, 360° video and immersive storytelling through panel discussions, hands-on demos and immersive experiences that demonstrate how technology can impact storytelling. HBO, the ABFF’s founding and presenting sponsor, will be marking the 20th anniversary of the widely acclaimed HBO Short Film Competition at the festival.

Festival passes go on sale November 1 at www.abff.com, providing three different levels of access to festival screenings, official and premium events. Questions regarding registration may be directed to info@abffventures.com.

Submission rules and complete eligibility criteria for feature-length films, documentaries, shorts and web originals will be available at www.abff.com November 1.

Speaking of football rivalries, don't forget Grambling vs Southern (Bayou Classic)

Sure, Michigan vs Ohio State is a great rivalry right up there with Alabama vs Auburn , and Army vs Navy, but let's not forget about today's matchup of Grambling University (8-1) vs Southern University(8-2) in the Bayou Classic.

The two HBCU teams head into the 43rd edition of the Bayou Classic with a lot on the line. Both teams are undefeated in the Western Division so the winner of the game will head to the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) championship game to face Eastern Division champ, Alcorn State. The winner of that game heads to the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl to play MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Champion North Carolina Central see who is the best HBCU football team in the country.

How to watch, stream and listen:

TV: 5 p.m. ET, NBCSN

Radio: Grambling State | Southern

Online streaming: NBC Sports Live Extra

Two black women embrace their chance to be hockey role models for black girls

Kelsey Koelzer

Three years ago, girls from the Hockey in Newark youth program were invited to meet the Princeton women’s hockey team.

During the visit, the girls, many of whom are members of minorities, were drawn to defender Kelsey Koelzer. Like them, Koelzer, who is African-American, played much of her youth in secondhand equipment and was raised by a single parent who struggled to accommodate the costly expenses of hockey.

The girls peppered Koelzer with questions. Koelzer was struck by the encounter, too; her mother, Kristine, still remembers her daughter talking about the effect the visit had.

---------------

Sarah Nurse

Koelzer’s influence is expanding in her senior season at Princeton. In June, she was selected first overall by the New York Riveters in the National Women’s Hockey League draft. Koelzer is believed to be the first African-American player taken No. 1 by a top-tier American professional hockey league. Shortly after the historic pick, Sarah Nurse of Canada, who is also black, was selected in the second round by the Boston Pride.

Koelzer and Nurse, a forward at Wisconsin, are two of college hockey’s top players and rising stars in their national-team programs. With increased visibility, they recognize their capacity to motivate a generation of young girls from similar backgrounds.

Read more: Two black women embrace their chance to be hockey role models

Judge: Dylann Roof competent to stand trial for South Carolina church shooting

Dylann Roof is competent to stand trial starting next week in the killing of nine black worshipers at a South Carolina church last year, a federal judge ruled Friday.

U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel's ruling clears the way for jury selection to restart Monday.

The judge delayed the process to begin narrowing the final jury pool on Nov. 7 when Roof's lawyers suggested he either didn't understand the charges against him or couldn't properly help them with his defense.

Roof, 22, is charged in federal court with hate crime, obstruction of religion and other counts for the June 2015 attack at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston.

The decision came three days after Gergel wrapped up a hastily called two-day hearing that was held behind closed doors.

But the exact reasons and any testimony and facts backing Gergel's findings are not known.

Defense lawyers have not said what led them to question Roof's competency and the judge sealed his findings for the same reason he took the rare step of only allowing Roof, his lawyers, prosecutors, court officials and witnesses in the hearing — Roof made statements to a psychologist that might not be legal to use at his trial and could taint potential jurors.

Gergel had promised to release a redacted version of his order last week, but instead filed it under seal.

At his competency hearing, Gergel heard testimony from psychologist James Ballenger and four other unnamed witnesses and reviewed sworn statements from three others, the judge wrote in his order.

Ballenger completed his psychological review of Roof in just days.

According to police, Roof sat through nearly an hour of prayer and Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church with its pastor and 11 others before pulling a gun from his fanny pack near the end of the class and firing dozens of shots.

[SOURCE]

More minorities buying guns following Donald Trump’s election

More minorities have armed themselves in the weeks following the election, shopping for guns and attending weapons classes in record numbers, gun sellers and advocates said.

Some firearm stores have reported a four-fold increase in the number of minority customers since Donald Trump was elected president on Nov. 8, NBC News reported.

"Most folks are pretty nervous about what kind of America we're going to see over the next five to 10 years," Philip Smith, founder of the National African American Gun Association, said. He hosts the Georgia chapter’s meetings — and twice as many people as usual have RSVP’d for the next one.

The uptick in interest in guns among black citizens and other minorities is fueled by fear that already heightened racial tensions could grow violent as Trump takes office.

Read more: More minorities buying guns following Donald Trump’s election

Unarmed 15 year old black teen killed by white man who claims he felt threatened

On this past Monday evening, outside of a Dollar General Store in Charleston, West Virginia, 15-year-old James Means, was shot and killed by William Ronald Pulliam, 62, police said.

Witnesses claim that what set Pulliam off was that Means accidentally bumped into him while entering the store.

After Pulliam left the store, the two exchanged words a second time, and Pulliam shot the teen twice in the abdomen, leaving him to die, then proceeded to go home, eat dinner, then go hang out at a friend's house, according to a criminal complaint.

After Pulliam's arrest on Tuesday morning, police said that he expressed no remorse whatsoever for killing the teen, but simply said, "The way I look at it, that's another piece of trash off the street." [SOURCE]

Pulliam was arraigned on the murder charge Tuesday morning via video from South Central Regional Jail before Kanawha County Magistrate Ward Harshbarger.

The 62-year-old man accused of shooting and killing an unarmed teenager on Charleston’s East End Monday night was not allowed to have a gun, because of a previous domestic violence conviction. Charleston police asked federal authorities to determine if the killing meets the definition of a hate crime. Pulliam is white and Means was black. [SOURCE]

So, Ben Carson may serve in a Trump administration after all?

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com

What is up with Dr. Ben Carson? Just a week after leading many of us to believe that he may have a little common sense to go along with his book sense by saying that he wouldn't serve in a Trump administration because he didn't have the experience of leading a federal agency he seems to have put himself back in the running again for a spot in a Trump administration.

What's odd is that when a position as leader of Health and Human Services was discussed (you know something right in Carson's wheelhouse) was when Carson fretted about his lack of experience. But now when Trump offers him a position leading HUD (Housing and Urban Development) he seems to be willing to consider that.

Now if you are like me you are wondering what qualifications Dr. Carson has to be head of HUD. Well thankfully for us Carson has an answer. When being interviewed by Fox New's Cavuto Carson made the following statement:

"I know that I grew up in the inner city," Carson said. "And have spent a lot of time there. And have dealt with a lot of patients from that area. And recognize that we cannot have a strong nation if we have weak inner cities. And we have to get beyond the promises and start really doing something."

So if having lived in the inner city is a top qualification that would mean that there are millions of eligible candidates for the top spot at HUD. Yes I'm being sarcastic, but I would hope any leader of any government agency would have some experience doing what that agency does, particularly at federal level.

Carson says that he will have an answer for Trump after the Thanksgiving holiday. I wonder what would make Carson change his mind on serving. It could be that he is a true patriot and has decided that if the president asks you to serve that you have to do your civic duty and serve. More likely the reason has to do with BET founder Robert Johnson's visit with Donald Trump over the weekend. Carson realized that there was a chance that he would no longer be Trump's "African American" especially with Johnson possibly in a Trump administration and himself on the sidelines.

Obviously to Carson the appeal of being a magical negro outweighs any and all common sense.

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com

Oldest remaining Tuskegee Airman, Willie N. Rogers , dies at 101

We have lost another one, another hero, another example of excellence, we have lost another Tuskegee Airmen. God bless his soul.

Willie N. Rogers was an American hero, and at age 101, he was a living example of the nation's history.

He was a member of the "Greatest Generation," which defeated the Axis powers in World War II, doing his part as a master sergeant in the all-black Tuskegee Airmen during the era of racial segregation in the U.S. military.

The longtime St. Petersburg resident died Friday, 11/18/2016 from complications of a stroke.

He was the oldest surviving member of that original legendary 100th Fighter Squadron, The Tuskegee Airmen.

Mr. Rogers received his Congressional Gold Medal in November 2013.

Also in recent years, he was presented with the keys to the cities of Lakeland and St. Petersburg. His portrait hangs in the St. Petersburg Museum of History.

[SOURCE]

BET founder Robert Johnson meets with President-Elect Donald Trump

President-Elect Donald Trump reportedly met with BET founder Robert Johnson on Sunday at his golf course in Bedminster, N.J. It is unknown at this time what was discussed and if Johnson was offered a position in Donald Trump's administration. It is also unknown that if he was offered a position what that job would be at this time. There is also the possibility that this is all a dog and pony show and that Trump has no intention of hiring Johnson at all, but wants to be able to say that he reached out to African Americans to serve in his administration. We shall see.

Newark N.J. will remain a sanctuary city

In light of the election of Donald Trump, Newark N.J. mayor Ras Baraka has made the following statement that Newark will stand by undocumented residents:

"Newark already has a policy of protecting undocumented immigrants from deportation by U.S. immigration authorities. Despite the election of Donald Trump, we see no reason to change that policy,"

"In Newark, we comply with federal immigration agencies, but insist that detainer requests be handled constitutionally. I hope that no president would violate those principles, the very foundation of our nation, by taking punitive action against cities that are simply protecting the well-being of residents,"

Charles Mainor to run for Jersey City mayor

Charles Mainor, a retired police detective and former NJ state assemblyman, told The Jersey Journal this week that he intends to challenge Mayor Steve Fulop's re-election bid next November.

Mainor, 49, who was elbowed out of a fourth term in the Assembly last year, said in an interview at Larsen's Restaurant on Bergen Avenue that he's running for mayor to make sure every resident enjoys the fruits of Jersey City's renaissance.

"Everybody should be a part of Jersey City moving forward and I don't see that right now," he said.

Mainor, who lives on Wade Street in the city's Greenville section, said his campaign will focus on decreasing crime, bringing jobs to city residents and improving education by strengthening ties between City Hall and the public-school district.

Mainor said he intends to be mayor "of the whole city, not just the Waterfront."

"There are parts of the city that do receive more attention than others," Mainor said.

[SOURCE]

Andre Ward defeats Sergey Kovalev to become light heavyweight champion

By George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com

Andre Ward showed the true heart of a champion by getting up off the canvas after a second round knockdown and going the full 12 rounds to defeat fellow champion Sergey Kovalev.

In what is sure to be a fight of the year candidate, Ward outscored 114-113 on all three judges cards in a unanimous decision to become the new light heavyweight champ. He now holds the WBA, WBO, and IBF belts. His professional boxing record is now 31-0 and he is now considered the best pound for pound boxer in the sport.

Ward joins champions such as Thomas Hearns, Roy Jones Jr. and Sugar Ray Leonard to win titles at both super middleweight and light heavyweight.

Ward has already stated that he is open to giving Kovalev a rematch. This being boxing we will see if that ever happens but congratulations to the undisputed champ, Andre Ward.

.

LeBron James contributes $2.5 million to Smithsonian Muhammad Ali display

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture announced today that LeBron James will give $2.5 million to support the museum and its presentation titled “Muhammad Ali: A Force for Change.” On view since the museum’s September opening, it tells the story of how Ali’s contributions transcended the world of sport—his commitment to challenging racial barriers helped lay the groundwork for the successful careers of so many African Americans in athletics and beyond.

James’ business partner Maverick Carter will also be part of the $2.5 million contribution to the Ali exhibit. With this gift, the LeBron James Family Foundation and Carter will join the list of founding donors for NMAAHC.

“Every professional athlete, regardless of race and gender, owes a huge debt of gratitude to Muhammad Ali,” James said. “His legacy deserves to be studied and revered by every generation. I am honored to partner with the Smithsonian to celebrate one of the most influential figures in our nation’s history who, along with Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens, used the power of sports to advance our civil rights.”

“I am overwhelmed by the incredible generosity LeBron James has shown to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and to Muhammad’s legacy,” said Lonnie Ali, Ali’s widow. “This exhibit will enable children visiting the Smithsonian to learn more about Muhammad’s work outside of the ring, particularly his humanitarian work and stance on social justice for all people. Thank you to LeBron James and the Smithsonian for making this possible. I know that if Muhammad was alive today he would be honored.”

[SOURCE]

New Documentary: Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Historically Black Colleges and Universities is the first and only feature documentary and multi-platform project to research, gather, and share a rich mosaic of stories that relay the history of HBCUs.

Tell Them We Are Rising is being produced by Firelight Films and directed by master documentarian Stanley Nelson, producer of The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution and other award-winning films that illuminate the rich experiences of African-Americans. It is slated to air in 2017 on the PBS prime-time series Independent Lens. The project is funded with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Lumina Foundation.

The telling of this story is long overdue. HBCUs have been at the margins of the American collective conscience despite their role in shaping Black life, dismantling desegregation and birthing and growing the Black middle class. Tell Them We Are Rising’s compelling narrative and original footage will show Americans that, HBCUs have touched all Americans—regardless of race. HBCUs deserve respect, support and a prominent place in our historical and contemporary understanding of higher education.

This project comes at the right time. HBCUs are at a crossroads. Many are in financial stress and face possible closure. Many Americans question their relevance in a post-segregated nation. Tell Them We Are Rising will provide a national forum to explore and discuss a path forward for the nation’s 100-plus HBCUs.

Tell Them We Are Rising is a story for everyone. The film and supporting multimedia platform will expertly connect snapshots from a long and rich history to contemporary understandings of HBCUs. It will inspire debate, conversation, pride and memories that are necessary to understand the past and chart the future of HBCUs.

You can be part of Tell Them We Are Rising. Firelight Films needs your help to create the #HBCURising Yearbook, a crowd-sourced archive highlighting HBCU life from the first school’s founding to present day. Please share anything that connects you and your family to the unique HBCU experience including: photos, articles, grandparent and/or great grand-parent letters and journal entries, videos, transcripts, and/or short stories of personal encounters with HBCU students or at HBCUs.

Forget what you think you know. Tell Them We Are Rising will shed new light on the inspirational path HBCUs have traveled from their inception as schools to educate the families of formerly enslaved Americans to the challenges they face today for investment and understanding.