Veteran Congressman, John Conyers Re-Introduces Legislation for Reparations

In January, 87-year-old lawmaker John Conyers re-introduced updated legislation for the 115th Congress. Now titled The Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act, it's similar to the earlier measure but has been amended to reflect expanded legal and societal discourse about the Transatlantic Slave Trade and reparations.

Read that proposed legislation below:

115th CONGRESS 1st Session

H. R. 40

To address the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery in the United States and the 13 American colonies between 1619 and 1865 and to establish a commission to study and consider a national apology and proposal for reparations for the institution of slavery, its subsequent de jure and de facto racial and economic discrimination against African-Americans, and the impact of these forces on living African-Americans, to make recommendations to the Congress on appropriate remedies, and for other purposes.

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 3, 2017

Mr. Conyers (for himself, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Al Green of Texas, Ms. Norton, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Ellison, Mrs. Beatty, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Clay, Mr. Gutiérrez, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Meeks, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Jackson Lee, and Ms. Lee) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

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A BILL

To address the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery in the United States and the 13 American colonies between 1619 and 1865 and to establish a commission to study and consider a national apology and proposal for reparations for the institution of slavery, its subsequent de jure and de facto racial and economic discrimination against African-Americans, and the impact of these forces on living African-Americans, to make recommendations to the Congress on appropriate remedies, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act”.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

(a) Findings.—The Congress finds that—

(1) approximately 4,000,000 Africans and their descendants were enslaved in the United States and colonies that became the United States from 1619 to 1865;

(2) the institution of slavery was constitutionally and statutorily sanctioned by the Government of the United States from 1789 through 1865;

(3) the slavery that flourished in the United States constituted an immoral and inhumane deprivation of Africans’ life, liberty, African citizenship rights, and cultural heritage, and denied them the fruits of their own labor;

(4) a preponderance of scholarly, legal, community evidentiary documentation and popular culture markers constitute the basis for inquiry into the on-going effects of the institution of slavery and its legacy of persistent systemic structures of discrimination on living African-Americans and society in the United States; and

(5) following the abolition of slavery the United States Government, at the Federal, State, and local level, continued to perpetuate, condone and often profit from practices that continued to brutalize and disadvantage African-Americans, including share cropping, convict leasing, Jim Crow, redlining, unequal education, and disproportionate treatment at the hands of the criminal justice system; and

(6) as a result of the historic and continued discrimination, African-Americans continue to suffer debilitating economic, educational, and health hardships including but not limited to; having nearly 1,000,000 Black people incarcerated; an unemployment rate more than twice the current White unemployment rate; and an average of less than 1⁄16 of the wealth of White families, a disparity which has worsened, not improved over time.

(b) Purpose.—The purpose of this Act is to establish a commission to study and develop Reparation proposals for African-Americans as a result of—

(1) the institution of slavery, including both the Trans-Atlantic and the domestic “trade” which existed from 1565 in colonial Florida and from 1619 through 1865 within the other colonies that became the United States, and which included the Federal and State governments which constitutionally and statutorily supported the institution of slavery;

(2) the de jure and de facto discrimination against freed slaves and their descendants from the end of the Civil War to the present, including economic, political, educational, and social discrimination;

(3) the lingering negative effects of the institution of slavery and the discrimination described in paragraphs (1) and (2) on living African-Americans and on society in the United States;

(4) the manner in which textual and digital instructional resources and technologies are being used to deny the inhumanity of slavery and the crime against humanity of people of African descent in the United States;

(5) the role of Northern complicity in the Southern based institution of slavery;

(6) the direct benefits to societal institutions, public and private, including higher education, corporations, religious and associational;

(7) and thus, recommend appropriate ways to educate the American public of the Commission’s findings;

(8) and thus, recommend appropriate remedies in consideration of the Commission’s findings on the matters described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6); and

(9) submit to the Congress the results of such examination, together with such recommendations.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT AND DUTIES.

(a) Establishment.—There is established the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the “Commission”).

(b) Duties.—The Commission shall perform the following duties:

(1) Identify, compile and synthesize the relevant corpus of evidentiary documentation of the institution of slavery which existed within the United States and the colonies that became the United States from 1619 through 1865. The Commission’s documentation and examination shall include but not be limited to the facts related to—

(A) the capture and procurement of Africans;

(B) the transport of Africans to the United States and the colonies that became the United States for the purpose of enslavement, including their treatment during transport;

(C) the sale and acquisition of Africans as chattel property in interstate and intrastate commerce;

(D) the treatment of African slaves in the colonies and the United States, including the deprivation of their freedom, exploitation of their labor, and destruction of their culture, language, religion, and families; and

(E) the extensive denial of humanity, sexual abuse and the chatellization of persons.

(2) The role which the Federal and State governments of the United States supported the institution of slavery in constitutional and statutory provisions, including the extent to which such governments prevented, opposed, or restricted efforts of formerly enslaved Africans and their descendents to repatriate to their homeland.

(3) The Federal and State laws that discriminated against formerly enslaved Africans and their descendents who were deemed United States citizens from 1868 to the present.

(4) The other forms of discrimination in the public and private sectors against freed African slaves and their descendents who were deemed United States citizens from 1868 to the present, including redlining, educational funding discrepancies, and predatory financial practices.

(5) The lingering negative effects of the institution of slavery and the matters described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6) on living African-Americans and on society in the United States.

(6) Recommend appropriate ways to educate the American public of the Commission’s findings.

(7) Recommend appropriate remedies in consideration of the Commission’s findings on the matters described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6). In making such recommendations, the Commission shall address among other issues, the following questions:

(A) How such recommendations comport with international standards of remedy for wrongs and injuries caused by the State, that include full reparations and special measures, as understood by various relevant international protocols, laws, and findings.

(B) How the Government of the United States will offer a formal apology on behalf of the people of the United States for the perpetration of gross human rights violations and crimes against humanity on African slaves and their descendants.

(C) How Federal laws and policies that continue to disproportionately and negatively affect African-Americans as a group, and those that purpetuate the lingering effects, materially and psycho-social, can be eliminated.

(D) How the injuries resulting from matters described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6) can be reversed and provide appropriate policies, programs, projects and recommendations for the purpose of reversing the injuries.

(E) How, in consideration of the Commission’s findings, any form of compensation to the descendants of enslaved African is calculated.

(F) What form of compensation should be awarded, through what instrumentalities and who should be eligible for such compensation.

(G) How, in consideration of the Commission’s findings, any other forms of rehabilitation or restitution to African descendants is warranted and what the form and scope of those measures should take.

(c) Report To Congress.—The Commission shall submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Congress not later than the date which is one year after the date of the first meeting of the Commission held pursuant to section 4(c).

SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.

(a) Number And Appointment.—(1) The Commission shall be composed of 13 members, who shall be appointed, within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, as follows:

(A) Three members shall be appointed by the President.

(B) Three members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(C) One member shall be appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate.

(D) Six members shall be selected from the major civil society and reparations organizations that have historically championed the cause of reparatory justice.

(2) All members of the Commission shall be persons who are especially qualified to serve on the Commission by virtue of their education, training, activism or experience, particularly in the field of African-American studies and reparatory justice.

(b) Terms.—The term of office for members shall be for the life of the Commission. A vacancy in the Commission shall not affect the powers of the Commission and shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.

(c) First Meeting.—The President shall call the first meeting of the Commission within 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act or within 30 days after the date on which legislation is enacted making appropriations to carry out this Act, whichever date is later.

(d) Quorum.—Seven members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.

(e) Chair And Vice Chair.—The Commission shall elect a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members. The term of office of each shall be for the life of the Commission.

(f) Compensation.—(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), each member of the Commission shall receive compensation at the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay payable for GS–18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code, for each day, including travel time, during which he or she is engaged in the actual performance of duties vested in the Commission.

(2) A member of the Commission who is a full-time officer or employee of the United States or a Member of Congress shall receive no additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of his or her service to the Commission.

(3) All members of the Commission shall be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties to the extent authorized by chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 5. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.

(a) Hearings And Sessions.—The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act, hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and at such places in the United States, and request the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, and documents, as the Commission considers appropriate. The Commission may invoke the aid of an appropriate United States district court to require, by subpoena or otherwise, such attendance, testimony, or production.

(b) Powers Of Subcommittees And Members.—Any subcommittee or member of the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action which the Commission is authorized to take by this section.

(c) Obtaining Official Data.—The Commission may acquire directly from the head of any department, agency, or instrumentality of the executive branch of the Government, available information which the Commission considers useful in the discharge of its duties. All departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the executive branch of the Government shall cooperate with the Commission with respect to such information and shall furnish all information requested by the Commission to the extent permitted by law.

SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

(a) Staff.—The Commission may, without regard to section 5311(b) of title 5, United States Code, appoint and fix the compensation of such personnel as the Commission considers appropriate.

(b) Applicability Of Certain Civil Service Laws.—The staff of the Commission may be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that the compensation of any employee of the Commission may not exceed a rate equal to the annual rate of basic pay payable for GS–18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code.

(c) Experts And Consultants.—The Commission may procure the services of experts and consultants in accordance with the provisions of section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the highest rate payable under section 5332 of such title.

(d) Administrative Support Services.—The Commission may enter into agreements with the Administrator of General Services for procurement of financial and administrative services necessary for the discharge of the duties of the Commission. Payment for such services shall be made by reimbursement from funds of the Commission in such amounts as may be agreed upon by the Chairman of the Commission and the Administrator.

(e) Contracts.—The Commission may—

(1) procure supplies, services, and property by contract in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and to the extent or in such amounts as are provided in appropriations Acts; and

(2) enter into contracts with departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Federal Government, State agencies, and private firms, institutions, and agencies, for the conduct of research or surveys, the preparation of reports, and other activities necessary for the discharge of the duties of the Commission, to the extent or in such amounts as are provided in appropriations Acts.

SEC. 7. TERMINATION.

The Commission shall terminate 90 days after the date on which the Commission submits its report to the Congress under section 3(c).

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

To carry out the provisions of this Act, there are authorized to be appropriated $12,000,000.

The controversial man behind blacksfortrump2020.com

If you saw video of Trump's 02/18/2017 "love me please" rally then you have seen strategically placed black people holding signs that read Black for Trump 2020. In his desperation to show that African Americans like and support him, Donald Trump has associated himself with a man who was a cult member, small time criminal, and may have been involved in a murder.

The mastermind behind those signs is "Michael the Black Man, " and he is no role model.

From the Miami News Times:

Michael the Black Man, also known as Maurice Woodside or Michael Symonette, who has made waves in Miami in recent years with protests against the Democratic Party and rallies for the GOP.

He's also a former member of the murderous Yahweh ben Yahweh cult, which was led by the charismatic preacher Hulon Mitchell Jr., who was charged by the feds in 1990 with conspiracy in killings that included a gruesome beheading in the Everglades.

Michael, along with 15 other Yahweh followers, was charged for allegedly conspiring in two murders; his brother, who was also in the cult, told jurors that Michael had helped beat one man who was later killed and stuck a sharpened stick into another man's eyeball. But jurors found Michael (and six other Yahweh followers) innocent. They sent Mitchell away for 20 years in the federal pen.

In the years that followed, he changed his last name to Symonette, made a career as a musician, started a radio station in Miami and then re-invented himself as Michael the Black Man, an anti-gay, anti-liberal preacher with a golden instinct for getting on TV at GOP events. He's planned events with Rick Santorum and gotten cable news play for bashing Obama.

Since 1997, he's been charged with grand theft auto, carrying a weapon onto an airplane and threatening a police officer, but never convicted in any of those cases.

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.

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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