HBCU marching band agrees to participate in Trump's inauguration, sparks controversy

The marching band of Alabama's oldest private, historically black liberal arts college has accepted an invitation to perform at President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural parade, organizers said.

Talladega College's band will march at Trump's inauguration as other historically black schools such as Howard University, which performed at President Barack Obama's first inaugural parade, said they won't be marching in the Jan. 20 event.

"We were a bit horrified to hear of the invitation," said Shirley Ferrill of Fairfield, Alabama, a member of Talladega's Class of 1974.

"I don't want my alma mater to give the appearance of supporting him," Ferrill said of Trump on Monday. "Ignore, decline or whatever, but please don't send our band out in our name to do that."

The move has lit up Talladega College's social media sites with a sharp debate about the band's decision to participate in the parade. Some people voiced strong opposition, while others support the band's participation.

"After how black people were treated at Trump's rallies, you're going to go and shuck and jive down Pennsylvania Avenue? For what?" Seinya SamForay said in an interview. "What they did is a slap in the face to other black universities."

SamForay, of Chicago, was among dozens of people commenting on the school's social media sites.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced Friday that the Talladega College Marching Tornadoes was among 40 groups, including high school bands and military organizations, scheduled to perform in the parade. Some members of the Marist College band in upstate New York, also scheduled to perform at the inauguration, say they won't participate, a school spokesman said Monday.

[SOURCE]

President Obama to write another book after leaving office

During a recent sit-down on CNN with his former campaign manager David Axelrod, POTUS confirmed he'll release a book following the official end of his second presidential term.

"I'm gonna start thinking about the first book I want to write," he told Axelrod while speaking on his plans once he's no longer president. Although the current Commander-In-Chief will for sure be looking to get a head-start on his upcoming literary venture, he has something else in mind to focus on for the immediate future.

President Obama's upcoming book will be the latest of several he's penned in recent years, including 2004's Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance and The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream, which was released in 2006.

[SOURCE: ESSENCE.COM]

Three political stories for Democrats to watch in 2017

By George L. Cook III African American Reports.

In 2017 the biggest political story will, of course, be the first year of Donald Trump's presidency. While that is important, there are other political stories that could impact Democrats going forward. Stories about the Obamas, California Senator-Elect Kamala Harris, and Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison. Read my thought on the three stories I feel will be important below.

Story #1: What will the Barack and Michelle Obama do?

One big question we should all have is what will the Obamas do once President Obama steps down. Will they take some time to just relax or will they get back involved in politics immediaetly? If they do get involved will they use their immense popularity to help Democrats on the national level or more on the local level in an attempt to win back state legislatures. Will they spend more time trying to build up a relatively weak Democratic bench or primarily fund raise. Maybe they will do all of those things or maybe none. It will be very interesting to see how involved these two remain.

Story #2: Will Kamala Harris live up to the hype?

There is no doubting that California Senator-Elect Kamala Harris is a great politician...on the state level. The question has to be will she live up to the hype and praise that several Democratic leaders such as President Obama have heaped upon her? She obviously has all the tools but does she know how to use them on a bigger stage. Another question would be is she ready as a first year US Senatorto accept the role of party savior that some have cast her in. We shall see, although I feel she will do just fine in her first year.

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Story #3: Will Keith Ellison become DNC chair?

This story could have big implications for Democrats for years to come. Will the ultra progressive Keith Ellison win in his bid to become Democratic National Committee Chairmen? If he does win will he and be able to build up the party to include those progressives who feel that their voices are not being heard by the more traditional Democrats and keep traditional Dems on board? Will he be able to map out a plan help win back seats at all levels from school board, municipal, county, state, and national.

we can't ignore the elephant in the room which is his past ties to the Nation of Islam. While Democrats may accept Ellison's statements on that time in his life over 20 years ago, and the fact that he stepped away from the NOI Republicans are not going to let it go that easy. They will make sure Ellison wears that albatross around his neck.

I believe that Ellison will do a good job if elected but the question is will he be elected?

Those are three stories that will in many ways shape the year that Democrats will have in 2017 and hopefully shape things for the best.

Happy New Year!

By George L. Cook III African American Reports.

Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools by Monique W. Morris

Fifteen-year-old Diamond stopped going to school the day she was expelled for lashing out at peers who constantly harassed and teased her for something everyone on the staff had missed: she was being trafficked for sex. After months on the run, she was arrested and sent to a detention center for violating a court order to attend school.

Just 16 percent of female students, Black girls make up more than one-third of all girls with a school-related arrest. The first trade book to tell these untold stories, Pushout exposes a world of confined potential and supports the growing movement to address the policies, practices, and cultural illiteracy that push countless students out of school and into unhealthy, unstable, and often unsafe futures.

For four years Monique W. Morris, author of Black Stats, chronicled the experiences of black girls across the country whose intricate lives are misunderstood, highly judged—by teachers, administrators, and the justice system—and degraded by the very institutions charged with helping them flourish. Morris shows how, despite obstacles, stigmas, stereotypes, and despair, black girls still find ways to breathe remarkable dignity into their lives in classrooms, juvenile facilities, and beyond.

Monique W. Morris is the co-founder of the National Black Women’s Justice Institute and writes a monthly column on black women and girls for Ebony.com. She is the author of Black Stats (The New Press) and lives in Oakland, CA with her husband and two daughters.

CHECK OUT THE BOOK

NAACP TO PROTEST PAT SESSIONS ATTORNEY GENERAL NOMINATION ACROSS ALABAMA

NAACP President Cornell William Brooks to Join Protests at Sessions’ Mobile, AL Office Jan 3

Protests at Five Offices in Alabama Scheduled

MOBILE, AL—NAACP President and CEO Cornell William Brooks will join with local Alabama chapters of the NAACP for a statewide protest against the nomination of Senator Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III for U.S. Attorney General.

Alabamians Against Sessions for Attorney General will include five protests at the five Alabama offices of Sessions, located in Mobile, Huntsville, Dothan, Birmingham and Montgomery.

“As a matter of conscience and conviction, we can neither be mute nor mumble our opposition to Senator Jefferson Beauregard Sessions becoming Attorney General of the United States.  Senator Sessions has callously ignored the reality of voter suppression but zealously prosecuted innocent civil rights leaders on trumped-up charges of voter fraud. As an opponent of the vote, he can’t be trusted to be the chief law enforcement officer for voting rights,” said NAACP President/CEO Cornell William Brooks.

President Brooks will be joined at a January 3 press conference and protest at Sessions’ office in Mobile by Alabama State Conference President Benard Simelton and Mobile Branch President Lizetta McConnell.

“Despite 30 years of our nation moving forward on inclusion and against hate, Jeff Sessions has failed to change his ways,” said Alabama State Conference President Benard Simelton. “He’s been a threat to desegregation and the Voting Rights Act and remains a threat to all of our civil rights, including the right to live without the fear of police brutality.”

The press conference featuring NAACP President Cornell William Brooks, Alabama State Conference President Benard Simelton and Mobile (AL) Branch President Lizetta McConnell will take place in Mobile, AL on January 3, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Office of Senator Jefferson Sessions, 41 West Interstate 65 Service North, Mobile, Al 36608

“Some of us in Alabama recall, Senator Sessions saying he liked the Klan,” said Mobile Branch President Lizetta McConnell. “He said it was a joke, but saying something like that while discussing a case where the Klan murdered a young black man says a lot about a person. We need someone who realizes that attorney general has got to actually care about the people’s rights he’s protecting and not just doing it because it’s his job.”

Local members of the NAACP will hold multiple Press Conferences around the state on January 3, 2017 at four of Sessions’ other district offices:

• 200 Clinton Avenue West #802, Huntsville, Al 35801

• Vance Federal Building, 1800 5th Avenue North, Birmingham, Al 35203

• 100 West Troy Street #302, Dothan, Al 36303

• 7550 Halcyon Summit Drive #150, Montgomery, Al 36117

Quincy Jones Not Attending Trump’s New Year’s Eve Party

Contrary to what Trump spokesman Sean Spicer music great Quincy Jones will not be attending President-Elect Donald Trump's New Years Eve party.

A spokesman for Quincy Jones says that he will be spending New Year’s Eve with his family in Los Angeles and will not be attending a party hosted by President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Earlier on Friday, in a transition team call with reporters, Trump spokesman Sean Spicer said that Jones and actor Sylvester Stallone were among those on the guest list for the party, with about 800 guests attending.

Jones’s spokesman, Arnold Robinson, said that he wouldn’t be attending, and didn’t know where Trump’s team got the information.

Jones, the legendary music producer, has been a longtime supporter of Democrats, and donated to Hillary Clinton in the recent presidential campaign. He has promoted the idea of creating a White House position devoted to the arts, perhaps a “secretary of the arts.”

[SOURCE: VARIETY]

N.J. congresswoman, Bonnie Watson Coleman vows to defy proposed GOP broadcast ban

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman has no plans to let a $500 fine get in the way of a protest.

Coleman called on House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and other GOP lawmakers to "bring your fines" because she'll "keep on fighting" after news of a plan to pass a rule that would fine lawmakers for using electronic devices to transmit from the House chambers surfaced this week.

Coleman (D-12th Dist.) tweeted the rebuff of the proposed rule change, which was spurred by a July protest in the House chamber on gun safety that Coleman helped organize.

I will not let @HouseGOP & @SpeakerRyan keep Americans in the dark. Bring your fines; I'll keep on fighting. https://t.co/3eUj3V905D

— Bonnie WatsonColeman (@RepBonnie) December 28, 2016

The tweet was a reaction to news that House Republicans next week plan to take steps to prevent Democrats from again taking over the chamber and broadcasting their protests.

The fine would be $500 for the first offense and $2,500 for each subsequent violation. House Republicans could vote on it next week.

[SOURCE: NJ.COM]

Statement by the President Obama on Kwanzaa

President Obama has released the following statement on the celebration of Kwanzaa:

In this holiday season, Michelle and I send our best wishes to those celebrating Kwanzaa. For families across the country, today marks the beginning of a joyous time to reflect on the rich African-American culture and to remember the principles of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith - principles that reflect our most cherished values as Americans.

As we reflect upon this year, we look forward to the blessings and aspirations that await us in the year to come and we wish those families that will gather together and light the Kinara blessings for a happy and healthy new year.

How Women of Color Are Taking the Hair Business Into Their Own Hands

Marrying tech and beauty isn’t a new concept, but most of the existing hair service apps don’t include a diverse enough range of options, nor provide the right information to help a woman with a relaxer or an afro decide if a stylist is right for her. Swivel allows salon and home styling seekers to search its directory by specific hair texture and the type of look desired. A user can read reviews and see ratings of not only the stylist’s skills, but also the overall vibe of the salon, so she knows what to expect before she books. The app is a must-download for women who are new in town, need a stylist, and want to avoid a disappointing trial and error process. It’s also appealing to those who don’t want to rely on just one stylist to meet all of their needs.

While Swivel is on a quest to make the search for a stylist less painful, Lux Beauty Club, is tackling another common hair complaint—the cost. Co-founder Victoria Flores, a former Wall Street executive affectionately describes the company as a cross between “Warby Parker and Dollar Shave Club.” Created with her long-time friend, Leslie Wilson-Namad, the goal of the service is to make high-quality human hair extensions accessible and affordable for a multi-cultural range of women. “My business partner and I have been wearing hair extensions since birth,” jokes Flores, who grew up in El Paso, Texas and now resides in New York City. After years of spending an obscene amount of money to get our hair done, we said enough is enough. There has to be a better way.”

Read more: How Women of Color Are Taking the Hair Business Into Their Own Hands

Lebron James names "Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year"

James, who ended 52 years of sports heartache by bringing Cleveland a championship and used his superstar platform to address social causes, was chosen as The Associated Press 2016 Male Athlete of the Year, an award he won previously in 2013.

Results of the vote by 59 editors from AP member newspapers and customers were announced Tuesday.

James collected 24 first-place votes, beating out a pair of Olympic legends: Michael Phelps (16) and Usain Bolt (9), the fastest men in water and on land who are not accustomed to finishing behind anyone.

"I felt fulfilled," James told the Associated Press. "To know the history of our sports here and how heartbreaking at times it was for all those years that our fans had to go through, and the circumstances that we came back from, it was so fulfilling."

[SOURCE: Cleveland.com]

Would you have voted for President Obama a 3rd time?

With just a few weeks left in his second term President Obama spoke with his former senior advisor, David Axelrod, on Axelrod’s podcast, “The Axe Files.” During the conversation President Obama floated the idea that if he had been able to that he could have won a third term.

"I am confident in this vision because I'm confident that if I had run again and articulated it, I think I could've mobilized a majority of the American people to rally behind it," Obama told Axelrod.

I know I would have voted for him a third time but would you? Take the poll below.

50th Anniversary Founder’s Kwanzaa Statement

Kwanzaa founder, Dr. Maulana Karenga has released the following statement celebrating the 50th anniversary of Kwanzaa.

The 50th anniversary of the pan-African holiday, Kwanzaa, of necessity brings added focus and emphasis on its customary call for remembrance, reflection and recommitment. We remember our history and the legacies left and the people who made and left them for us and the world. We reflect on the expansive meaning of being African in the world, on the context and issues of our times, and on our way forward in struggle to forge a future responsive to our needs and interests as well as those of the world. And we recommit ourselves to our highest values, to our most anchoring, elevating and liberating practices, and as ever to the good of our people and the well-being of the world.

At this historical milestone and marker, it is good to remember and reflect on the origins of Kwanzaa, not only in the ancient African festivals of harvest and shared good, but also its origins in the relentless and righteous struggles of the Sixties, i.e., the Black Freedom Movement for freedom, justice, equality, and power of our people over their destiny and daily lives. For deeply embedded and ever-present in the celebration of Kwanzaa and the practice of its founding principles, the Nguzo Saba, is the constant call for and commitment to striving and struggling. Here, I use striving and struggling interchangeably, with the meaning being exerting great and focused effort to achieve, excel and advance. For the struggle, as we imagined and waged it and continue to do so, is not only to defy and defeat the oppressor, but also to overturn ourselves, removing from ourselves the legacy of oppression, clearing social space in which we can live, love, work, build and relate freely, and striving diligently then to come into the fullness of ourselves.

On this 50th anniversary celebration of Kwanzaa, it is only right and appropriate that we pay rightful homage to those who brought us to this good and beautiful point. First, we offer sacred water and words first to our ancestors, ancient and modern, for the culture they created, the battles they fought, the lessons they taught, the legacies they left and the ways they opened for us.

Read more: 50th Anniversary Founder’s Kwanzaa Statement

President Obama Signs 'Emmett Till Bill'

With only weeks left in office President Barack Obama signed the “Emmett Till Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act of 2016,” expanding the responsibilities of the Department of Justice and the FBI to investigate and prosecute criminal civil rights violations that occurred before 1980 and resulted in a death. Read a summary of the bill from the Congressional Research Service below.

Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill reauthorizes the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007 (Emmett Till Act) and expands the responsibilities of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to include the investigation and prosecution of criminal civil rights statutes violations that occurred before 1980 and resulted in a death. (Currently, Emmett Till Act investigations are limited to violations that occurred before 1970.)

The bill expresses the sense of Congress that all authorities with jurisdiction should: (1) meet regularly with civil rights organizations, institutions of higher education, and DOJ-designated entities to coordinate information sharing and discuss the status of DOJ's Emmett Till Act work; (2) support the full accounting of all victims whose deaths or disappearances were the result of racially motivated crimes; (3) hold accountable under federal and state law individuals who were perpetrators of, or accomplices in, unsolved civil rights murders and disappearances; (4) keep families regularly informed about the status of the investigations; and (5) expeditiously comply with Freedom of Information Act requests and develop a singular, publicly accessible repository of these disclosed documents.

In investigating a complaint, DOJ may coordinate activities with entities that DOJ determines to be appropriate.

DOJ may reopen and review cases closed without an in-person investigation conducted by DOJ or the FBI.

DOJ must hold meetings with the Civil Rights Division, the FBI, the Community Relations Service, civil rights organizations, institutions of higher education, DOJ-designated entities, and state and local law enforcement to discuss the status of its Emmett Till Act work.

In an annual report to Congress, DOJ must indicate:

• the number of cases referred by a civil rights organization, an institution of higher education, or a state or local law enforcement agency;
• the number of such cases that resulted in federal charges;
• the date any such charges were filed;
• whether DOJ has declined to prosecute or participate in an investigation of a referred case;
• the outreach, collaboration, and support for investigations and prosecutions of violations of criminal civil rights statutes, including murders and disappearances; and
• any activity on reopened cases.

The Community Relations Service must provide technical assistance by bringing together law enforcement agencies and communities to address tensions raised by civil rights era crimes.

President and First Lady Obama's last Christmas address

In this week’s address, the President and the First Lady wished all Americans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. They reflected on the honor of serving the American people as President and First Lady over the past eight years and the progress that has been made. Watch their statement below.

Doll diversity showing up in toy aisles

One of the few items on the Christmas list of Emily Noreen's 4-year-old daughter is a doll she can call her own.

"I want her to have something preferably that looks like her, which is hard because their father is African-American, and I'm white," Noreen said.

So she was heartened to find more than one option in the Our Generation line, a less-expensive alternative to American Girl, while perusing the toy aisles of Target. After some deliberation, she picked out a doll named Nahla, whose skin is a bit darker than her daughter's but whose curly hair was pretty close to her daughter's.

Richard Barry, chief merchandising officer for Toys R Us, said the changes in the toy aisles are happening as toymakers and retailers finally listen to customers' demands for more diversity.

"We hear from customers," he said. "We get applauded on the things we have, but they are also very keen to tell us the things we don't or the things they would like us to have. We feed that back to our manufacturing partners."

The need for more multicultural options was one of the insights Toys R Us took to heart when developing its private-label line of dolls called Journey Girls. Launched in 2010 with four dolls, it has expanded to seven dolls of all shades.

Read more: Doll diversity showing up in toy aisles

Spared from demolition, 1920s Savannah black schoolhouse being saved

SAVANNAH, Ga. | A one-room schoolhouse built in the 1920s to teach black children on St. Simons Island is making a comeback from years of rot and neglect.

Preservationists saved the Harrington School from scheduled demolition in 2010 and since then have spent about $300,000 to stabilize its deteriorating frame and leaky roof. Recently, the group Friends of the Harrington School announced a grant award that it hopes will bring in $50,000 needed to finish restoring the schoolhouse’s interior.

Read more: Spared from demolition, 1920s Savannah black schoolhouse being saved

Mississippi church member charged in 'Vote Trump' arson

I was always suspicious about a Trump supporter being behind the arson case involving Hopewell Baptist Church in Greenville Mississippi. The immediate red flag that went up was not that the suspect painted Vote Trump on the side of the church, it was that they spelled it right. George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com Watch more on this story below.

Andrew McClinton, a parishioner of at Hopewell Baptist Church in Greenville Mississippi was arrested Wednesday and charged with intentionally setting fire last month to a Mississippi church, which was also vandalized with the words "Vote Trump."

Read more: Parishioner charged with setting fire to Mississippi church

Denzel Washington discusses bringing "Fences" to the big screen

Denzel Washington sat down with 60 minutes correspondent Bill Whitaker and had a interesting discussion about bringing August Wilson's play Fences to the big screen. Watch that interview below.

To those who ask what has President Obama done for African Americans

As we near the end of President Obama's second term there are many compliments and accolades being given to the first black president. There are also those who criticize him for not doing enough for black people. Here is my response to those individuals.

Michelle Obama makes it quite clear that she will not run for office

During a CBS interview with Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama made it quite clear to those of us holding out hope that she would ever run for office that that's not going to happen. Watch her statement below.