African-American veterans monument in Buffalo will be first in U.S.

Buffalo is expected to receive national attention soon, for the construction of a monument that will be the first of its kind in the country.

Karen Stanley Fleming, the board chair of the Michigan Street African American Corridor, says that this monument will be "an incredible addition to Buffalo's interpretation of African-American history."

State officials announced this morning at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park that the state will provide $800,000 toward the construction of the African-American veterans monument there. The monument will be the first and only in the U.S., to honor black soldiers that fought in every American war to date.

New York State Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes, D-Buffalo, who announced the grant along with state Sen. Chris Jacobs, R-Buffalo, said organizers hope to raise $1 million more by Veterans Day toward the construction of the 12-pillar structure.

"The purpose here is just to honor veterans," Peoples-Stokes said.

The monument will be an interactive, timeline walk of every American conflict in which black soldiers fought, between the Revolutionary War and the War in Afghanistan. Visitors will be able to observe the 12 10-foot tall and 3-feet wide pillars that represent each conflict, along with educational kiosks that will detail African-American involvement in each war.

Historian Madeline Scott said that the idea for creating the monument started when she and the Erie County Chapter of The Links Inc. began collecting names of deceased and living African-American veterans in 2016.

"The purpose [of the monument] is to recognize the hardships [black people] went through from the beginning," said Scott, "because history doesn't tell you about that until 1863."

The project has an anticipated budget of $1.4 million, which includes upkeep and management costs, according to monument committee chairman Warren Galloway. The committee hopes to implement technology within the monument that will work through a smartphone app, to allow visitors to explore the monument all while having the information at their fingertips. To raise additional money, the committee is selling commemorative bricks that will be laid on the ground surface of the monument.

"With these bricks," said Galloway, "you can walk and see the impact African-Americans have had in this whole area."

Galloway says that the Buffalo monument committee has been working with Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, and a host of U.S. senators to get the future monument nationally recognized. He says that although the monument is meant to honor veterans, it can be used as a teaching tool, which he believes will increase the chances of it becoming a national landmark.

"We're honoring our veterans but this is also educational," said Galloway, "so we want to attract educational money."

Organizers announced they expect to break ground on Veterans Day and have the ribbon-cutting some time around the Fourth of July in 2019.

The unveiling of the monument is expected to gain national attention and serve as what Fleming says is "a good starting place to learn about African-American history."

[SOURCE: THE BUFFALO NEWS]

Daniel Cormier is now UFC Heavyweight Champion!

By George L. Cook III African American Reports.

Although he could never beat Jon Jones, it looks like UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier will finally be getting some big boy respect. Cormier took the challenge and "stepped up in weight" to fight heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, he entered the cage as the challenger and left it as the new heavyweight champion!

Despite being the shorter guy, having a shorter reach, and Miocic's supposed superior punching power Cormier knocked the champ out in the first round of their heavyweight fight at UFC 226.

With the victory DC becomes just the second UFC fighter to simultaneously hold two belts (light heavyweight, heavyweight), with Conner McGregor being the first.

"I am 39 years old, and I've been second a lot of times, but today I finally accomplished everything from crying in this very same octagon last year -- almost a year to the day -- to becoming the UFC heavyweight champion. This is the most amazing thing I've ever experienced," Cormier said after the fight.

After the fight UFC President Dana White called Cormier one of the greatest of all time.

Some may want to debate Whit's statement but, one thing that you can't argue is that Daniel Cormier is the new UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Congrats to the champ, DANIEL CORMIER!

Chicago protesters call for end to city violence

Thousands of anti-violence protesters including Chicago police Supt. Eddie Johnson and the Rev. Jesse Jackson marched in a protest organized by Rev. Michael Pfleger. Protesters marched along a Chicago interstate on Saturday, shutting down traffic in an effort to draw attention to the gun violence that's claimed hundreds of lives in some of the city's poorest neighborhoods and pressure public officials to do more to stop it. Some stopped to write on the road with chalk: "Enough is enough" and "Peace."

Black World War II veteran finally promoted to second lieutenant after 76 years

Seventy-six years after being denied his officer status in the U.S. Army, a Philadelphia man was ceremoniously commissioned Friday as a second lieutenant.

John James of Southwest Philadelphia, now 98, completed officer training in 1942, but he was denied his rightfully earned bars because he is black.

In 1941, James was drafted into the Army. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he was preparing to ship out to the Pacific, but took a chance on applying for officer training in Fort Benning, Georgia.

“It was a long shot,” James recalled. “There were 21 of us in a class of 200. All the rest were white.”

He finished training in about three months, but, the day before he was to receive his commission, the camp’s contact officer pulled him aside.

“I go into his office and he said, ‘I’m not going to grant you your bars. You’re being transferred,’” recalled James.

During World War II it was not uncommon for African-American soldiers to be denied an officer commission if they were to be assigned to a predominately white unit. At the time, it was against Army regulation for white soldiers to be subordinate to blacks.

James spent the war as a corporal, serving as a typist with a quartermaster battalion supplying front-line combat units in North Africa and Italy for three years. He was part of several key moments of the war, including the Battle of Salerno and the Battle of Monte Cassino.

At the end of the war, he returned to Philadelphia and studied to be a mortician. With mortuary jobs scarce and a family to support, he jumped at an opening at the post office.

“Naturally, I was not going to leave that,” said James. “That was sure money.”

Life carried on. James spent 35 years at the post office. He had three kids. His wife passed away in 1969. He eventually remarried and took on three stepchildren. He retired. He spent a lot of time fishing.

All that time he never told his children anything about being an uncommissioned Army officer, until three years ago when his daughter discovered the class photo from Fort Benning.

“Throw it in the trash,” he told her.

Instead, Dr. Marion Teresa Lane framed it and hung it on the wall. The James family history has a long military streak: They have had an ancestor in every American war since the Revolutionary War (except the Spanish-American war, which the Jameses sat out).

Because of her lineage, Lane belongs to 13 heritage organizations, including the Daughters of the American Revolution. The former national president of the Society of Descendants of Washington’s Army at Valley Forge, she currently is on the board of the Museum of the American Revolution.

With all that under her belt, as well as a 38-year career in public education, Lane said she knows how to work through red tape. She was determined to get her father’s commission.

At the commissioning ceremony in the Museum of the American Revolution’s Liberty Hall, complete with color guard, Casey said he was “humbled” to finally present James with his officer’s certification.

“Although not awarded the commission owed to him, he bravely rose to face one of our most challenging times in history,” said Casey. “He was denied recognition of his service to his country simply because of his race, because of the color of his skin.”

Also lauding James was Gen. John Jumper, a former Vietnam fighter pilot, who is now the museum’s board chair and acting interim president. He said one of America’s greatest attributes is an ability to correct its mistakes, even if it’s long after the fact.

“This is not the first time soldiers of African descent struggled to fight and serve their nation,” he said. “Since the beginning of the U.S. Army in 1775, soldiers of African descent had to fight for their right to fight for their country.”

In many ways, James is the story of African-American patriotism – its noble honors and crushing disappointments. After two centuries of public service, the family is sending another generation into the field: James’ grand-nephew is now enlisted in the Army.

[SOURCE: YORK DAILY RECORD]

Colin Kaepernick receives civil rights award from National Education Association

Former San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick received the National Education Association’s highest honor, the NEA President’s Award, for his work to fight racial oppression through education and social justice activism with his Know Your Rights Camp.

The youth camp aims "to raise awareness on higher education, self empowerment, and instruction to properly interact with law enforcement in various scenarios," according to its website.

"The human and civil rights champions we honor tonight are the epitome of the fierce urgency of now that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke about in his 'I Have a Dream speech,'" NEA President Lily Eskelsen García said Sunday. "Through their deeds and actions, they have demonstrated remarkable courage and conviction to stand up for racial and social justice. They have shown an unrelenting resolve and ferocity to make a real difference for public education, students and our nation’s future. They are shining examples of social justice activism, fighting against injustices every day, and making sure that our great nation lives up to its promise."

200 Black female leaders criticize Pelosi, Schumer for 'failure to protect' Waters

In a letter black female leaders and allies expressed their “deep disappointment“ with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for their “recent failure to protect“ Rep. Maxine Waters “from unwarranted attacks from the Trump administration and others in the GOP.“ Read that letter below:

200 Black female leaders letter in support of Maxine Waters by Councilman George L. Cook III on Scribd

Black state rep has police called on her while she was campaigning

You can now add campaigning for elected office to the list of things that black people can't do without the police being called on them.

A black Oregon state representative says someone called the police on her while she was canvassing door-to-door in her district.

Rep. Janelle Bynum represents District 51, which includes the area of Clackamas County, where she was campaigning.

In a Facebook post Tuesday, the Democrat wrote that a woman notified police that Bynum was suspicious because she was "spending a lot of time typing on my cell phone after each house."

Bynum is running for reelection in the fall, and said she takes notes when she's visiting her constituents to keep an account of what her community cares about.

She praised the deputy who responded for being professional, and said she asked him if she could meet the woman who made the call, but she was not available.

"The officer called her, we talked and she did apologize," Bynum said, without specifying the race of the caller.

Bynum told local media that someone called 911 and reported that she was spending too much time at houses in the area.

[SOURCE: CNN]

Virginia State University named best HBCU of the year

On Friday, June 22, Virginia State University (VSU) was named the HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest. In addition, the University’s Board of Visitors received the Best Board of Trustees of the Year award and Trojan Brianna Bundick-Kelly was named the Female Student of the Year.

“Virginia State University demonstrated excellence across virtually all areas of the academic enterprise,” said Jarrett Carter Sr., founding editor of HBCU Digest. “The institution showcased stability in leadership, productivity in research and outreach in its programs of strength - agriculture, education, and business. Among all HBCUs, Virginia State was a top performer within the public higher education sector in attracting and retaining first-time college students, and it was among the most competitive institutions in excellence among its men’s and women’s athletic programs. Virginia State University was a model of success for all institutions, historically black or otherwise, during the last academic year and it was an honor to recognize the achievements of their executives, students, faculty and alumni at our annual ceremony.”

The HBCU Awards is the first and only awards ceremony honoring achievement at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) throughout the United States. The ceremony was hosted by HBCU Digest, an online blog site which reports on the news of HBCUs. Winners were selected by a panel of previous HBCU Award winners, presidents and chancellors, and members of the media, which cover HBCUs.

During his acceptance speech of the HBCU of the Year award, VSU President Makola M. Abdullah, Ph.D. shared with the audience what makes VSU the best.

“It’s because of the incredible hard work and commitment of our wonderful faculty and staff who give of their time to our students,” President Abdullah said. “It’s our alumni who set a high standard for our students to follow. It’s the dedication of our Board of Visitors for all that they do for the University. I am proud to be the 14th president of Virginia State University.”

VSU was named as a finalist in seven categories. The other five categories were as follows: Best Male Athlete of the Year, Alumna of the Year, Male Coach of the Year, Best Men’s Team of the Year and Male President of the Year. Last year, VSU’s Reginald F. Lewis College of Business earned the Best Business Program award and President Makola M. Abdullah, Ph.D. was named the Male President of the Year.

Rep. Cedric Richmond bashes Trump’s move to scrap affirmative action

The head of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) hammered the Trump administration on Tuesday for revoking federal guidelines that encourage colleges to consider race in their admissions determinations, calling the move an unveiled attack on minorities.

Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), who has long accused President Trump of pursuing policies that are overtly racist, said rescinding the Obama-era affirmative action guidelines will “turn back the clock” on efforts to encourage diversity on college campuses across the country.

“Yet again we see that this administration's goal and vision for ‘Making America Great Again’ is to reduce the role of the state in making sure our society prizes diversity and inclusion,” Richmond said in a statement. “While I am not surprised, I continue to be disappointed that the President of this great country demonstrably cares so little for its non-white residents and their interests."

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Jada Pinkett-Smith's Hair Loss Confession Shines a Light on Alopecia in Black Women

Jada Pinkett-Smith's testimony about losing her hair has brought attention to the fact that up to 47% of African American women experience hair loss. Experts from Headcovers Unlimited discuss how Pinkett-Smith's revelation will make a difference for other women.

In a May episode of “Red Table Talk,” Jada Pinkett Smith opened up about her recent hair loss, starting a conversation about an issue that is shockingly common, but rarely discussed: alopecia among African-American women.

“Well, I’ve been having issues with hair loss," said Pinkett Smith. "It was terrifying when it first started. I was in the shower one day and then… just handfuls of hair, just in my hands.”

Pinkett-Smith shared her fears, insecurities and treatment plan with her audience.

“It was one of those times in my life where I was literally shaking with fear,” said Pinkett-Smith. “That's why I cut my hair and continued to cut it.”

Despite multiple tests, it is yet unknown why Pinkett Smith's hair is falling out. There are many reasons for unexpected hair loss in women; hypothyroidism, changing hormones, vitamin B deficiency, protein deficiency, anemia, physical trauma, emotional stress, and autoimmune diseases such as lupus are all common culprits. According to some doctors, it is likely that Pinkett Smith has alopecia.

“The term alopecia by itself really just means hair loss, and there are different kinds of alopecia,” said Danielle Yates, president at Headcovers Unlimited, a company that has been designing headwear and wigs for women with hair loss for over 20 years. “Based on our clients, it does seem like alopecia is more common in black women, especially traction alopecia.”

Traction alopecia is caused by tight hairstyles that pull the hair and cause it to fall out. Because of the hair routines of African-American women, such as perming, weaves, and braids, they are much more susceptible to traction alopecia, Yates explained.

According to a 2016 study conducted by Boston University, alopecia is indeed very common among black women. After surveying almost 6,000 black women, the study found that over 47% had experienced hair loss. While traction alopecia was a large cause for hair loss among African-American women, the most common cause was central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA), a scarring alopecia in which inflammation of the scalp permanently destroys the hair follicles and replaces them with scar tissue. It usually causes hair loss on the crown, or the top of the head. This type of alopecia is overwhelmingly most common among black women. However, despite the large percentage of black women with hair loss, only 8% had sought treatment from a doctor.

“I think a lot of women feel embarrassed or ashamed by their hair loss, especially when its unexpected.” said Yates. “That, and a lack of knowledge about hair loss, are the big reasons why women don't seek treatment.”

Yates is hopeful that Jada Pinkett Smith's announcement will help change the way women think about alopecia.

“Jada is bringing awareness to this problem that affects so many women, but no one really talks about,” Yates said. “She's showing other women that its okay to feel afraid and insecure, but that hair loss is nothing to be ashamed of. She's telling them that they're not alone, and that losing their hair doesn't make them less than.”

It is significant that Pinkett Smith is seeking treatment, claimed Yates.

“Regardless of why Jada Pinkett Smith is losing her hair, the fact that she's seeing doctors and going through a treatment plan is letting women know that there are treatments for alopecia,” said Yates. “A lot of women don't know that this is an option. Seeking treatment is a good idea if their alopecia is causing scalp pain, as it often does with CCCA.”

Yates warned that women should be cautious about the treatment options they seek. “There are any number of snake oil treatments out there for hair loss. For whatever reason, hair loss seems to be a target for shady individuals who promise a miracle cure.” She recommends seeking treatment from a licensed dermatologist. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” she said.

In the past months, Pinkett Smith has been wearing scarves, turbans, and head wraps to cover up her hair loss.

“When my hair is wrapped I feel like a queen. I love having a wrapped head,” Pinkett Smith said of her latest fashion choice.

Yates believes that Pinkett Smith will become an inspiration and style icon to thousands of women with hair loss.

“[Pinkett Smith] is using her hair loss as an opportunity to up her style game. She's taking something negative and putting a positive and fun spin on it, and I think tons of women with hair loss will be mirroring her look soon,” said Yates. “She's also showing how fashionable scarves can be, which is great for women without hair loss, too. Wearing a headwrap in between stress-inducing hair styles can help prevent traction alopecia, and they look so elegant, as we can see on Jada!”

Sources:

https://www.headcovers.com/resources/hair-loss/

https://www.facebook.com/redtabletalk/videos/568229626909850/

https://www.aad.org/media/news-releases/hair-loss-in-african-american-women

Maxine Waters to those making death threats: You Better shoot straight

Auntie Maxine ain't scared!

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) has addressed a series of recent death threats she said she has received, telling would-be threateners to "shoot straight" during an immigration rally on Saturday.

“I know that there are those who are talking about censuring me, talking about kicking me out of Congress, talking about shooting me, talking about hanging me,” Waters told the crowd in Los Angeles.

“All I have to say is this, if you shoot me you better shoot straight, there’s nothing like a wounded animal,” she added to cheers.

Watch Auntie Maxine make these comments below:

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams named West Point's first black superintendent

Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams, a 1983 U.S. Military Academy graduate who has held high-ranking Army posts in Europe and Asia, will become the first black officer to command West Point in its 216-year history, academy officials announced Friday.M.O

Williams will assume command as the academy's 60th superintendent during a ceremony Monday morning in West Point's Jefferson Hall, school officials said.

The native of Alexandria, Virginia, has served as the deputy chief of staff for the U.S. Army in Europe and the deputy commanding general for support for the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea.

Most recently Williams was commander of NATO's Allied Land Command, based in Turkey.

The announcement of Williams' appointment comes less than a year after an African-American cadet and Rhodes Scholar was selected to take the top position in West Point's cadet chain of command. Simone Askew, of Fairfax, Virginia, was selected first captain of the Corps of Cadets last summer and graduated in May.

The academy recently announced that the more than 1,200-member incoming class of 2020 includes 186 African-Americans.

Williams takes over from Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen Jr., who's retiring after more than 40 years in the Army, including the last five years as West Point's superintendent.

[SOURCE: STARS AND STRIPES]

Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, Tim Scott Introduce Bill to Make Lynching a Federal Crime

U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), and Tim Scott (R-SC), the only African-American members of the United States Senate, have introduced legislation to make lynching - the willful act of murder by a collection of people assembled with the intention of committing an act of violence upon any person – a federal crime. The Justice for Victims of Lynching Act of 2018 will amend the United States Code to specify that lynching is a crime in itself that would warrant an enhanced sentence under existing federal hate crime statues. Leader Mitch McConnell was recently asked about anti-lynching legislation and responded, “I certainly would support it.”

“It’s a travesty that despite repeated attempts to do so, Congress still hasn’t put anti-lynching legislation on the books,” said Senator Booker. “This bill will right historical wrongs by acknowledging our country’s stained past and codifying into law our commitment to abolishing this shameful practice.

“Lynching is a dark, despicable part of our history, and we must acknowledge that, lest we repeat it,” said Senator Harris. “From 1882 to 1986 there have been 200 attempts that have failed to get Congress to pass federal anti-lynching legislation, it’s time for that to change.”

"This measure is certainly well past due and I am glad to be able to join in efforts that will underscore the severity of this crime,” said Senator Scott. “This piece of legislation sends a message that together, as a nation, we condemn the actions of those that try to divide us with violence and hate.”

"It is never too late for our nation to express our sorrow for the decades of racial terror that traumatized millions in this country, said Bryan Stevenson, Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative and the founder of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, a national memorial acknowledging the victims of racial terror lynchings. “Passing an anti-lynching law is not just about who we were decades ago, it's a statement about who we are now that is relevant, important and timely."

The efforts to pass anti-lynching legislation date back to 1918, when Congressman Leonidas C. Dyer (R-Mo.) became the first member of Congress to introduce a bill on the subject. His bill, intended to punish authorities that failed to prevent lynching, was designed to act as a deterrent that would end the practice. His bill ultimately died in the Senate after facing stiff opposition. After 200 failed attempts by Congress to pass anti-lynching legislation, however, Congress is now prepared to right this shameful failure to criminalize lynching as an instrument of terror and intimidation used against more than 4,000 African-African men, women, and children during the late 19th and 20th centuries, according to data from the Equal Justice Initiative.

As recently as 2005, ninety (90) members of the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan resolution apologizing to the victims of lynching for the repeated failure of the Senate to enact anti-lynching legislation. These senators expressed their deepest sympathies and most solemn regrets of the Senate to the descendants of victims of lynching, the ancestors of whom were deprived of life, human dignity, and the constitutional protections accorded all citizens of the United States.

This is the Senate companion to legislation introduced last week in the House of Representatives by Congressman Bobby L. Rush (H.R. 6086) and 36 members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

The Justice for Victims of Lynching Act is supported by the following organizations: NAACP, Anti-Defamation League, and Equal Justice Initiative.

Text of the bill can be found here.

In addition to Booker, Harris, and Scott, the legislation was introduced by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Doug Jones (D-AL), Angus King (I-ME), Jack Reed (D-RI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

Congressional Black Caucus issues statement in defense of Maxine Waters

Unlike the current Democratic "leaders," Charles Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, who have offered only criticism and no support to Maxine Waters after her comments asking supporters to confront those who work for Trump, The Congressional Black Caucus has stated their support of Waters:

“Congresswoman Waters has been a champion for justice her entire life so it should not be a surprise to anyone who knows her that she has chosen to stand up and speak out against something as unjust as separating young immigrant children from their parents and is encouraging others to do the same. This is who she is and this is who she will always be, and our country is better because of it. 

“In exercising her constitutional right to freedom of speech at a recent rally, Congresswoman Waters did not, as she has made clear, encourage violence, like President Trump has been doing since the election. She, instead, encouraged Americans to exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly by letting President Trump and members of his Administration know that separating young immigrant children from their parents is not who we are as a country. 

“We cannot forget that President Trump, as a candidate, encouraged his supporters to beat up his detractors at rallies, and, as president, morally equated white supremacists with anti-racist activists and encouraged police officers to beat up suspects. In fact, almost every day President Trump says something that makes this country more dangerous for people who look like Congresswoman Waters and other minorities. Where is the national conversation on civility in these moments? 

“Does the Administration have a plan to reunite the 2,300 immigrant children who have been separated from their parents? If so, where is it and when will it be implemented? These are the questions we should be asking. But, for some reason, too many folks find it easier to question the motives of the congresswoman who is protesting the unjust policy, instead of the president and administration officials who are implementing it.”

Marilyn Mosby wins re-election as Baltimore state's attorney

Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby won a contentious Democratic primary election Tuesday and became the city’s first top prosecutor to be re-elected in a dozen years after fending off weeks of attacks from her two challengers, defense attorney Ivan Bates and former prosecutor Thiru Vignarajah.

Mosby, 38, emerged on Maryland’s political scene four years ago with a stunning victory over the city’s previous state’s attorney. She rose to national prominence months later by filing charges against six Baltimore police officers involved in Freddie Gray’s arrest.

With 90 percent of precincts counted at 11 p.m., Mosby was leading with about half the nearly 71,000 votes cast. Bates, 49, was in second, and Vignarajah, 41, trailed both. Vignarajah conceded.

In heavily Democratic Baltimore, winning the party’s primary is tantamount to election. No one from another party filed to run in the general election, so Mosby will be the only candidate listed on the ballot in November.

[SOURCE: BALTIMORE SUN]

Ben Jealous wins Maryland Democratic primary race for governor

Former NAACP chief Ben Jealous won Maryland’s Democratic primary for governor Tuesday, promising to deliver a progressive agenda that makes college free, legalizes marijuana and raises the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour.

Bolstered by support in the Baltimore region, spending from outside groups and an aggressive union-backed turnout machine, Jealous emerged from the six-way primary as Democrats’ bet to take on popular Republican Gov. Larry Hogan in November.

His victory over fellow front-runner Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, who was backed by the state’s political establishment, demonstrated the growing influence of the progressive wing of the Maryland Democratic Party. His win was part of a wave of victories against establishment candidates in state government.

“Our goal is to not just win an election but to build a movement, which will allow us to lead into law the new agenda that this state so desperately needs,” Jealous told supporters at his Baltimore victory party.

“I know there is skepticism that Larry Hogan can be beaten. Well, we’ve got a message for those who think this race is already over. Larry Hogan will lose in November because he is not ready to run against someone who knows how to build a true people-powered grassroots campaign.”

Maryland has never elected an African-American governor, and Jealous’ victory is just the second time the state has nominated a black man for the job.

[SOURCE: THE BALTIMORE SUN]

Wesley Snipes new book: TALON OF GOD A Novel about the Battle to Prevent Hell on Earth

The acclaimed actor makes his fiction debut with this enthralling urban fantasy in which a holy warrior must convince a doctor with no faith to help stop a powerful demon and his minions from succeeding in creating hell on earth—a thrilling adventure of science and faith, good and evil, damnation and salvation.

Imagine that everyone you have ever known or loved was forced against their will into a state of demonic possession and spiritual slavery. Imagine an unholy cabal of the world’s richest and most powerful men directing this sinister plan in order to cement their unbridled control of the planet.

Imagine two heroes emerging from that darkness to do battle with the forces of evil.

Set in the mean streets of Chicago, Talon of God is the action-packed adventure centered around the Lauryn Jefferson, a beautiful young doctor who is dragged into a seemingly impossible battle against the invisible forces of Satan’s army and their human agents that are bent on enslaving humanity in a mission to establish the kingdom of hell on Earth.

But Lauryn is a skeptic, and it’s only as she sees a diabolical drug sweep her city and begins to train in the ways of a spirit warrior by the legendary man of God, Talon Hunter, that she discovers her true nature and inner strength. Facing dangerous trials and tests, it’s a true baptism by fire. And if they fail, millions could die. And rivers of blood would flow throughout the land.

Imagine such horror. Such pain. And imagine what it would take to fight against it. For only the strongest and most faithful will survive?

Get ready. Armageddon approaches quickly.

KINDLE---- PAPERBACK----- HARDCOVER

Maxine Waters calls on supporters to confront Trump officials

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) on Saturday called on her supporters at a rally to confront Trump Cabinet officials in public spaces like restaurants and department stores to protest the administration's policies.

"I have no sympathy for these people that are in this administration who know it is wrong what they're doing on so many fronts but they tend to not want to confront this president," Waters said at a Los Angeles rally on Saturday.

"For these members of his cabinet who remain and try to defend him they're not going to be able to go to a restaurant, they're not going to be able to stop at a gas station, they're not going to be able to shop at a department store, the people are going to turn on them, they're going to protest, they're going to absolutely harass them until they decide that they're going to tell the president 'no I can't hang with you, this is wrong this is unconscionable and we can't keep doing this to children,'" she continued.

Waters' call comes as the Trump administration faces major backlash over the handling of its "zero tolerance" immigration policy, which has resulted in the separation of immigrant families.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Two African Americans are leading candidates in Maryland's Democratic Primary for governor

Only two African Americans have won governorships in U.S. history. On Tuesday, Maryland voters will face an almost unprecedented showdown between two prominent African American candidates running for the state’s Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

The front-runners are Rushern Baker, the Prince George’s County executive, and Ben Jealous, the former head of the NAACP. A third leading contender, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, died suddenly last month.

Baker is seen as the more pragmatic candidate, while Jealous has raced to embrace a more progressive agenda. The results will hint at which direction voters in this deeply blue state want their party to take. Baker has support from local Democratic stalwarts like Sen. Chris Van Hollenand former Gov. Martin O’Malley, while Jealous has backing from Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).

Polls show a tight race, with Jealous on the rise. But Baker has a firm base in the vote-rich Washington suburbs; four years ago, when then-Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown (D) won the Democratic primary, he took 50,000 more votes out of Prince George’s County than his two leading rivals combined.

The winner faces a tough task in November, against popular Gov. Larry Hogan (R), whose approval rating even among Democrats is north of 50 percent. But in a blue wave, the Democratic nomination is worth having: Maryland’s last Republican governor, Bob Ehrlich, lost his re-election bid to O’Malley even though his approval rating was strong.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Ava DuVernay: First African American woman to direct a $100 million grossing film

Congratulations are in order for Ava DuVernay, the acclaimed film director of films like 'Selma' and '13th'. Her film, A Wrinkle in time has crossed the $100 million dollar mark making her the first African American female director to hit that milestone.

Per The Hollywood Reporter:

Due to Incredibles 2 playing in drive-in theaters, Ava DuVernay's A Wrinkle in Time has jumped the $100 million mark at the domestic box office, a first for a black female director. The two films are playing together at drive-ins, with revenues split between them. A Wrinkle in Time, which is otherwise done with its theatrical run, had earned around $98 million before Incredibles 2 debuted last weekend.