10 Years in Jail and Still No Trial for Murder Suspect

Kharon Davis has spent nearly 10 years in jail. He’s had four sets of attorneys, with two judges on the bench. His co-defendants’ cases have wrapped up. Davis has appeared in court for several hearings, and a new prosecutor is assigned.

But Davis has had no trial. There’s been no jury, no verdict, no conviction. Police say he killed a man in a drug deal gone wrong, but he hasn’t had his day in court. He’s charged with capital murder and could face the death penalty. Trial dates have come and gone, and it’s now scheduled for September. By then, 10 years and three months will have passed since the crime.

The Constitution guarantees suspects “the right to a speedy trial.” Capital cases often take a year or longer to get to trial, but 10 years is rare — experts call it shocking and say it could be unconstitutional. Prisoner advocates and court-watchers say such delays take an exhaustive toll on suspects stuck behind bars and on victims’ families, who are robbed of closure that can come from trials.

Davis’ mother says her son is innocent but hasn’t had the chance to prove it in court, and his health is suffering because of the long stretch in jail.

“It’s like they snatched up my child, put him in a cage and threw away the key,” Chrycynthia Ward Davis said.

Read more: 10 Years in Jail and Still No Trial for Murder Suspect

Black History Month: Clarence Sumner Greene, first black neurosurgeon

Before there was Ben Carson, there was Clarence Sumner Greene.

In 1936, Greene received his medical degree from the Howard University College of Medicine. He spent seven years training in general surgery and received certification from the American Board of Surgery. After serving for four years as a professor of surgery at Howard University, Dr. Greene trained in neurosurgery at the Montreal Neurological Institute. Dr. Greene became the first black neurologist on October 22, 1953, when he was certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. He returned to Howard University, where he served as chair of neurosurgery until his sudden death in 1957.

Flint water crisis: Report says 'systemic racism' played role

A government-appointed civil rights commission in Michigan says systemic racism helped to cause the Flint water crisis, according to a report released Friday.

The 129-page report does not claim there were any specific violations of state civil rights laws, but says "historical, structural and systemic racism combined with implicit bias" played a role in the problems, which still linger in the city's drinking water almost three years later.

"The presence of racial bias in the Flint water crisis isn't much of a surprise to those of us who live here, but the Michigan Civil Rights Commission's affirmation that the emergency manager law disproportionately hurts communities of color is an important reminder of just how bad the policy is," state Sen. Jim Ananich, a Democrat from Flint, said.

It was an emergency manager, appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder, who had the cash-strapped city's water supply changed from Lake Huron to the Flint River in 2014 -- a decision reversed more than a year later amid reports of corroded pipes and elevated blood lead levels.

The report, which was released after a year-long investigation that followed three public hearings and took testimony from more than 150 residents and officials, says: "The people of Flint have been subjected to unprecedented harm and hardship, much of it caused by structural and systemic discrimination and racism that have corroded your city, your institutions, and your water pipes, for generations."

Read more: Flint water crisis: Report says 'systemic racism' played role

Read the Congressional Black Caucus letter to Donald Trump

Donald Trump lied about the Congressional Black Caucus not reaching out to him during his epic rant/meltdown at a press conference on February 16, 2017. He asked American Urban Reports reporter April Ryan if she could set up a meeting with the CBC since they had not reached out to him. Problem is that the CBC sent him a letter on 01/19/2017. Read that letter below.

Congressional Black Caucus Letter to POTUS on New Deal by George L. Cook III on Scribd

New Book, Obama's Legacy: What He Accomplished

Many of President Obama's critics have pushed a false narrative that President Obama didn't accomplish much in his eight years in office completely ignoring what the man had done and the obstruction he faced. Well Michael I. Days has written a book, Obama's Legacy: What He Accomplished as President based on FACTS that looks at President Obama's legacy.

Book Synopsis:

Evidence indicates President Barack Obama has been tremendously successful and effective by objective measures. On economic indicators alone, he is credited with the longest streak of job growth in U.S. history, a two-thirds reduction in the federal budget deficit, and the rebounding of the stock market to record highs following the record lows of the recession under his predecessor. His victories have come against a backdrop of criticism and sometimes open defiance from conservatives, lack of cooperation in Congress, and racially tinged commentary in traditional and social media. Through it all, the President who campaigned on a slogan of 'Yes, We Can!' has persevered in his determination to make a difference and left an indelible mark on American politics and the world. LEGACY is a commemoration of his eight years in the White House.

HARDCOVER------ KINDLE BOOK

Trump lied about planned meeting with Elijah Cummings

During a rambling and wide ranging press conference, Trump accused prominent African-American Rep. Elijah Cummings of cancelling a planned sit down for political reasons.

"I actually thought I had a meeting with Congressman Cummings and he was all excited and then he said, 'Oh I can't move it might be bad for me politically. I can't have that meeting,'" Trump said.

The president then said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer or "some other lightweight" likely pressured Cummings to cancel the sit down.

Cummings, a former chair of the CBC, denied ever having cancelled a meeting with Trump and said the leader of a different chamber of Congress never spoke to him about it.

"I have no idea why President Trump would make up a story about me like he did today. Of course, Senator Schumer never told me to skip a meeting with the President," Cummings said in a statement. The Democratic congressman said he was looking forward to speaking to the president about the price of prescription drugs.

[SOURCE]

Trump ask black reporter to set up meeting with Congressional Black Caucus

This has been a strange week for American Urban Radio Network reporter April Ryan. Earlier this week Omarosa Manigault tried to physically intimidate her and threaten her with a dossier the Trump administration supposedly has on her. If that wasn't strange enough then Donald Trump while responding to a question from Ryan about the Congressional Black Caucus ask her is she knew them and if she could set up a meeting with the CBC. Watch that strange exchange below.

Keith Ellison: Why I want to be DNC Chair

Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison, a nominee for DNC Chair sent out an email explaining why he wants to be DNC Chair. Read that email below.

People have asked me why I want to be DNC Chair and spend my days warring with the Trump administration.

The answer is simple. I want to do it for every mom out there who can’t get paid time off to take care of a sick child.

For every dad looking at his bills, worried that if the ACA is repealed, his family won’t be able to pay for health insurance.

For every high school kid who dreams of going to college, and his parents who stay up nights trying to figure out how to pay for it.

For every worker with two or three minimum wage jobs who still can’t make ends meet.

For every immigrant worried about being torn from their family and forced back to a country where they are oppressed and in danger.

For every American who makes something, teaches something, takes care of someone else, works full-time and still lives paycheck-to-paycheck.

These are the people the Trump administration ignores. These are the people that the Democratic Party stands for. And these are the people that I want to fight for every single day as Chair of the Democratic National Committee.

The election is happening one week from this Saturday, and as we roll down the home stretch we want to make a statement about our grassroots support.

I want to unite the Democratic Party, set forth a platform that proves to hard-working Americans of all backgrounds that we have their back, and stop the Trump administration from destroying the America we love.

I need you with me.

Thank you.

Keith

Authorized and Paid for by Ellison for Congress

Ellison for Congress
P.O. Box 6072
Minneapolis, MN 55406 

Lowe’s donates $500,000 in emergency financial aid to help HBCU students

Financial assistance helps HBCU students stay on track to graduate

Lowe’s donated $500,000 to UNCF’s 37 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to award emergency student aid to financially needy graduating seniors. UNCF’s Emergency Student Aid (ESA) is a lifeline for UNCF-supported HBCU students with unanticipated needs or special circumstances such as the loss of a parent’s job. More than 200 seniors received aid during the 2016-17 academic year, allowing them to stay in school and on track to graduate. 

“College is quite expensive, but it is an investment that is certainly worthwhile,” said Quentin Perkins, a senior majoring in computer science at Florida Memorial University. “My parents are not able to pay for tuition out of pocket, so receiving this scholarship will enable me to continue to make progress toward my degree and to prepare for a career as an information technologist.” 

Since 2009, Lowe’s has partnered with UNCF’s emergency student aid program to provide $4.2 million in just-in-time aid. Thanks to Lowe’s long-term commitment to increasing post-secondary success for students at UNCF member schools, more than 1,700 students have been able to graduate on time. A UNCF partner since 1985, Lowe’s has donated more than $4.5 million to UNCF over the past three decades. 

“For more than 30 years, Lowe’s has been a vital partner in UNCF’s continuing mission to increase post-secondary access and success for students attending its member schools who need critical funding to earn their degrees,” said Dr. Michael Lomax, UNCF president and CEO. “We commend Lowe’s for their investment in better futures for students across the country.” 

“More than ever, a college education is foundational to building bright futures, inspiring leaders and stronger communities,” said James Frison, Lowe’s community relations director. “Scholarships and financial aid often provide the assistance needed for students having trouble paying for a degree so they continue and stay on the course. Lowe’s is proud to help make a college education a reality for many of our future leaders.” 

UNCF, the nation’s largest and most effective minority education assistance organization, launched ESA in 2009 to help recession-impacted students at risk of having to interrupt their studies and delay their degrees due to unpaid tuition balances, textbooks and room and board fees. In supporting UNCF’s ESA, Lowe’s offered support in a major way again this academic year to help students walk across the finish line. This current round of support from Lowe’s includes a total award of nearly $64,000 to the five UNCF-supported HBCUs in North Carolina: Bennett College, Johnson C. Smith University, Livingstone College, St. Augustine’s University, and Shaw University. 

"Lowe’s is a visionary leader in its class,” said Shaw University President Dr. Tashni-Ann Dubroy. “The reverberating ramifications of their investment go well beyond a student's graduation. It provides financial strength by eliminating the need for a family to secure a loan or credit card payment toward the final year of college. It gives students confidence and peace of mind heading into the critical senior year, allowing them to focus on internships, jobs and graduate school applications instead of finding part-time employment." 

To donate to UNCF’s Emergency Student Aid, visit www.UNCF.org/CESA. 

White House reporter accuses Omarosa Manigault of bullying her

Conflict and controversy seem to follow Omarosa Manigault, who stirred up plenty of both as a reality-TV star and a longtime associate of President Trump.

Manigault, who is now a communications official in the Trump administration, got into a heated argument with a White House reporter just steps from the Oval Office last week, according to witnesses. The reporter, April Ryan, said Manigault “physically intimidated” her in a manner that could have warranted intervention by the Secret Service.

Ryan also said Manigault made verbal threats, including the assertion that Ryan was among several journalists on whom Trump officials had collected “dossiers” of negative information.

The encounter between Manigault and Ryan took place outside White House press secretary Sean Spicer’s West Wing office late Wednesday. Among the witnesses were White House press office staffers and a Washington Post reporter, Abby Phillip.

Phillip said she didn’t hear every word of the women’s exchange but said Ryan told her afterward that she felt Manigault’s behavior was so threatening that it was “Secret Serviceable,” meaning that it rose to the level of law enforcement intervention.

Ryan, a veteran White House correspondent for the American Urban Radio Networks, used the same phrase repeatedly in an interview. “She stood right in my face like she was going to hit me,” Ryan said. “I said, ‘You better back up.’ . . . She thought I would be bullied. I won’t be.”

Read more: Journalist says Omarosa Manigault bullied her and mentioned a ‘dossier’ on her

Octavia Spencer to play millionaire Madam C.J. Walker in new biopic

Octavia Spencer has signed on to play America’s first black millionaire in a new movie.

The “Hidden Figures” star, who is up for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar later this month, is heading back to the early 1900s to play Madam C. J. Walker.

“That’s another story that’s yet to be told and she’s an icon for the African-American community as well, definitely for women in the African-American community,” Octavia tells WENN. “I think it’s time that her story gets told in a manner that I think people will enjoy.

“She was the first African-American millionaire and she was self-made, and it was all through beauty products. She was also a philanthropist and an activist in the reconstruction era.”

The bio-pic will be a limited series and as of now has no network attached. The series will be directed by Kasi Lemmons (Black Nativity, Eve's Bayou) from a script penned by Nicole Asher.

Spencer is also producing along with Zero Gravity Management (“The Accountant”).

[SOURCE]

Al Jarreau has passed away

Six time Grammy winner Al Jarreau passed away today at the age of 76. The following message was posted on his official website:

Al Jarreau passed away this morning, February 12, 2017. He was in the hospital, kept comfortable by his wife, son, and a few family and close friends. He will be missed. The family asks that no flowers or gifts are sent. Instead, please consider a contribution to the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music, a wonderful organization which supports music opportunities, teachers, and scholarships for students in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin. Link to the donation Page: http://foundation4schoolmusic.org/lifetime-achievement-award/al-jarreau/. Even if you do not plan to contribute, please visit that page and give yourself a minute to watch a beautiful tribute video which was produced by Wisconsin Public Television. A few days ago, I was asked to describe Al to someone who knew of his success, but did not know him as a person. I responded with this: His 2nd priority in life was music. There was no 3rd. His 1st priority, far ahead of the other, was healing or comforting anyone in need. Whether it was emotional pain, or physical discomfort, or any other cause of suffering, he needed to put our minds at ease and our hearts at rest. He needed to see a warm, affirming smile where there had not been one before. Song was just his tool for making that happen. A few things I think Al would want mentioned right now: To Al's wife, son, sister, brothers and family: You allowed Al to share himself with the world. He was grateful that you gave him that gift. He knew it was difficult, and regretted that more than he could explain. Please know that your gift was to us, too, and that we are also grateful. To everyone who attended his concerts and listened to his albums: He needed you, and you were always there for him, for more than 50 years. He was thankful for you every day and tried to show that to each of you. To his band, and to the many, many talented musicians, writers, composers, and arrangers who played and collaborated with him over the years: You enabled, supported and thrilled him. He treasured you, and considered you brilliant. He loved sharing the stage with you, and was honored that you shared it with him. To each promoter, presenter and producer: Thank you for your faith in him. Your commitment to Al was both essential and endless, and he never took you for granted. To his agents, managers, crew, counselors, publicists, and journalists who supported his work, and also to all of the airline, hotel, venue and other people who hosted him like royalty: He noticed every bit of the dedication and effort that you unselfishly provided without limits. And, he appreciated you completely. To young people everywhere, especially the musicians he was grateful to meet at school workshops, musical competitions, residencies, and at concerts: From you, Al asks a favor. Please find any artistic thing that you can do with passion, and do it. With art in your life, you will be a better family member, neighbor, friend, and citizen. Finally, to Al Jarreau, from all of us: Thank you. You completed your ministry in a gracious way. Godspeed... you've earned it.

Rep. Cummings Says Conway Endorsement 'A Textbook Case of A Violation of The Law'

During an appearance on ABC's 'This Week' Rep. Elijah Cummings Kelley, the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee said that Kellyanne Conway's endorsement of Ivanka Trump's clothing line was 'A Textbook Case of A Violation of The Law'. He also chimed in on the Gen. Micheal Flynn controversy and Trump's accusations of voter fraud. Watch that interview below.

ABC Breaking News | Latest News Videos

Jesse Jackson: It will be very hard to work with Donald Trump

The Rev. Jesse Jackson blasted President Trump’s Cabinet appointees on Sunday, saying picks such as Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos make it "very difficult” to work with the new administration.

“It’s going to be very difficult, because Trump’s appointees are hostile to our interests,” Jackson told radio host John Catsimatidis on AM 970 in New York.

The civil rights activist painted Sessions as an opponent of social and racial justice, arguing he has stood at odds with the Voting Rights Act and desegregation rulings and calling his appointment “a stab in the heart of our struggle.”

Jackson also slammed DeVos, accusing her of having “bought her position in government.” Jackson argued the GOP mega-donor was unqualified to hold her position because of her lack of experience in a public school environment.

“Ms. DeVos has never ever been in the public schools,” he said. “Doesn’t have a teaching certificate, never been a principal, never been a superintendent. She just bought her position in government. Hard to discuss education with somebody with those kind of credentials.”

“It seems to me that meeting with Trump is going to be a very difficult thing to do,” he added.

[SOURCE: THEHILL.COM]

Full list 2017 NAACP Image Award Winners

The NAACP held it's 48th Annual NAACP Image Awards on Saturday Night. Here is a full list of the winners. Some expected, some not so expected.

Entertainer of the Year: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

Outstanding Motion Picture: Hidden Figures

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: Taraji P. Henson, Hidden Figures

Outstanding Drama Series: Queen Sugar

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: Anthony Anderson, Black-ish

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series: Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us

Outstanding Comedy Series: Black-ish

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: Taraji P. Henson, Empire

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: Denzel Washington, Fences

Outstanding New Artist: Chance the Rapper

Outstanding Male Artist: Maxwell 

Outstanding Female Artist: Beyoncé

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration: "Freedom," Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar 

Outstanding Jazz Album: Latin American Songbook, Edward Simon

Outstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary): One Way, Tamela Mann 

Outstanding Music Video: "Formation,"  Beyoncé 

Outstanding Song (Traditional): "I See A Victory," Kim Burrell and Pharrell Williams

Outstanding Album: Lemonade, Beyoncé 

Outstanding Song (Contemporary): "Freedom," Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Laurence Fishburne, Black-ish

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Tichina Arnold, Survivor's Remorse 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Jussie Smollett, Empire 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Naturi Naughton, Power 

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series, or Dramatic Special: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series, or Dramatic Special: Courtney B. Vance, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series, or Dramatic Special: Regina King, American Crime

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special): BET Love and Happiness White House Special 

Outstanding Talk Series: Steve Harvey

Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series: Iyanla: Fix My Life

Outstanding Variety (Series or Special): 2016 Black Girls Rock

Outstanding Children's Program: An American Girl Story – Melody 1963: Love Has to Win 

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-Series): Marsai Martin, Black-ish

Outstanding Host in a News, Talk, Reality, or Variety Program (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble: Roland S. Martin – NewsOne Now with Roland S. Martin 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Mahershala Ali, Moonlight 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Viola Davis, Fences 

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture: Moonlight 

Outstanding Documentary (Film): 13TH

Outstanding Documentary (Television): Roots: A New Vision 

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series: Kenya Barris, Black-ish

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series: Ava DuVernay, Queen Sugar 

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Television): Charles Murray, Roots–Night 3 

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Film): Barry Jenkins, Moonlight 

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series: Donald Glover, Atlanta–Value 

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series: John Singleton, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story–The Race Card 

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Television): Rick Famuyiwa, Confirmation 

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Film): Barry Jenkins, Moonlight 

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television or Film): Idris Elba, The Jungle Book 

Outstanding Literary Work (Fiction): The Book of Harlan, Bernice L. McFadden

Outstanding Literary Work (Nonfiction): Hidden Figures, Margot Lee Shetterly 

Outstanding Literary Work, (Debut Author): Born A Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, Trevor Noah

Outstanding Literary Work (Biography/Autobiography): Born A Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, Trevor Noah 

Outstanding Literary Work (Instructional): The Power of Broke: How Empty Pockets, a Tight Budget, and a Hunger for Success Can Become Your Greatest Competitive Advantage, Daymond John, Daniel Paisner 

Outstanding Literary Work (Poetry): Collected Poems: 1974-2004, Rita Dove 

Outstanding Literary Work (Children): Tiny Stitches: The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien Thomas, Gwendolyn Hooks, Colin Bootman 

Outstanding Literary Work (Youth/Teens): As Brave As You, Jason Reynolds

The Jackie Robinson Sports Award: LeBron James

The Chairman's Award: Charles J. Ogletree Jr. 

[SOURCE: EONLINE.COM]

Senator Tim Scott surprised about being called an 'Uncle Tom'

By George L. Cook III

Senator Tim Scott was surprised that some called him an Uncle Tom after he voted to confirm Jeff Sessions. While I don't condone the use of that term, Scott shouldn't have been surprised considering that his vote will hurt African Americans. Watch the video below for more on this story.

Army lifts ban on dreadlocks for female soldiers

The Army released a sweeping update to grooming and appearance regulations on Tuesday that, in addition to authorizing religious beards and head coverings, also opened the door for female soldiers to wear their hair in dreadlocks.

The services have grappled with the issue of black women's hair in recent years, as some argued that the hair regulations put an undue burden on those with thick, coarse hair, forcing many women to spend time, money and discomfort on straightening or wigs if they didn't choose to chop it all off.

The Army's compromise is now to let women wear dreadlocks along the same guidelines already allowed for braids, cornrows and twists. That is, they must be of uniform size and shape, evenly spaced, and up to 1/2 inch in width.

Read more: New Army regulations OK dreadlocks for female soldiers

Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad says she was detained by U.S. Customs

Olympic bronze medalist and New Jersey native Ibtihaj Muhammad, who made headlines during the summer games in Rio for being the first Olympian to compete for the U.S. while wearing a hijab, says she was recently detained by U.S. Customs officials, according to a report.

In an interview at the MAKERS Conference in California, Muhammad told PopSugar.com she was held for about two hours without an explanation. Muhammad told the blog she was "disheartened" by the experience.

"I can't tell you why it happened to me, but I know that I'm Muslim. I have an Arabic name. And even though I represent Team USA and I have that Olympic hardware, it doesn't change how you look and how people perceive you," she told PopSugar.com.

She did not elaborate on exactly where or when she was detained.

Read more: Olympian from N.J. says she was detained by U.S. Customs

Republicans are being dishonest about Pres. Obama not helping HBCUs

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com

GOP lawmakers are planning to meet with the presidents of several HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) to discuss what these schools need and how they can help them survive. Now instead of just touting how they plan to help black students, Conservatives/Republicans have used this as an opportunity to attack President Obama in the eyes of African Americans.

They are spreading the lie that President Obama did little for HBCU's or cut funding to those schools and what's worse is that many of those spreading that lie are African Americans conservatives/pundits. Of course, they are saying/writing this to expound upon their false narrative that Obama did little to help African Americans. The sad part is that saying that Obama did little for HBCU's is a flat out lie.

Here are the FACTS

Over the course of 7 years, the Obama Administration has invested more than $4 billion in HBCUs, because these institutions are vital engines of economic growth and proven ladders of advancement for generations of African Americans.

Under the Obama Administration, 1 million more African-American and Latino students have enrolled in college. What’s more, black and Hispanic students earned more than 270,000 more undergraduate degrees in 2013-2014 than in 2008-2009. This Administration remains focused on continuing to increase the number of students who successfully complete college. To that end, the Department has worked to make new opportunities available to HBCUs.

Federal funding to HBCUs has grown each year since 2009. Through the Higher Education Act, HBCUs received a $17 million funding increase this year—the largest increase for the federal Strengthening HBCUs program in six years. And President Obama’s FY 2017 budget seeks to maintain and strengthen these opportunities for HBCUs to build their capacity. The FY 2017 budget proposes $85 million in mandatory funding to HBCUs, an increase of $5 million from FY 2016, plus an additional $244.7 million in discretionary funds for Title III.

The Administration has also fought for and won a historic commitment to fully fund Pell Grants and expand student aid for millions of low-income students. Pell Grant funding for HBCU students increased significantly between 2007 and 2014, growing from $523 million to $824 million. This year, President Obama announced a plan to make sure that Pell Grants are fully funded, including inflationary adjustments, and used strategically by students to reduce time and cost for receiving a terminal degree. The President’s 2017 budget also proposes a $30 million HBCU and Minority Serving Institution Innovation for Completion Fund, to help students from low-income backgrounds overcome challenges and persist through graduation day.

[SOURCE: US Dept. of Education]

What's also left out of the conversation is that most HBCUs are in states with Republican governors and state legislators. THEY are the ones that produce a budget and allocate where funds go not the President of the United States. So any funding cuts were done by the States, not President Obama.

So in closing, I would like to say to my conservative 'friends,' in the words of Daniel Patrick Moynihan "You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts."

When did Republicans start caring about black colleges?

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com

Black Caucus Dems take to Senate to protest Sessions

Congressional Black Caucus members led a group of House Democrats to the Senate floor Wednesday in protest of Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) for attorney general, the Washington Examiner reported.

“Sen. Sessions may be one of the most incompatible nominees to the Department of Justice that we’ve seen in decades — that department is a department of the vulnerable,” Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) said after exiting the Senate floor.

"It is a department that deals with the issues of civil rights mostly; it deals with the issue of voting rights and the empowerment of women,” the CBC member continued.

“It deals with the issues of protecting those on the question of marriage equality, gender discrimination — and no record has been more potent against all of those issues.”

Democratic Reps. Lacy Clay (Mo.), Hank Johnson (Ga.) and John Conyers Jr. (Mich.), Rosa DeLauro.

Read more:Black Caucus Dems take to Senate to protest Sessions

(