NAACP MONITORING POSSIBLE VOTER SUPPRESSION TACTICS IN GEORGIA GOVERNOR RACE

Over 53,000 Voter Registration Applications on Hold in Secretary of State Kemp’s Office

BALTIMORE—The nation’s foremost civil rights organization is closely monitoring possible voter suppression in the state of Georgia stemming from Secretary of State Brian Kemp’s ongoing failure to process over 53,000 voter registration applications.

“It’s a stain on our system of democracy when less than a month before an election which could produce the first African-American female governor in our nation’s history, we are seeing this type of voter suppression scheme attempted by a state official whose candidacy for the governorship produces an irremediable conflict of interest,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson.

“We are closely monitoring this situation with our Georgia State Conference President Phyllis Blake and demanding a complete investigation and full transparency prior to the election,” added Johnson.

The NAACP is asking for all voters to verify their status by visiting https://www.naacp.org/vote/

According to a report from the Associated Press Sec. Kemp, who is also a candidate for governor has “cancelled over 1.4 million voter registrations since 2012. Nearly 670,000 registrations were cancelled in 2017 alone.”

In August the NAACP Georgia State Conference successfully fought against the closing of 7 of 9 polls in the nearly all Black area of Randolph County.

The NAACP Georgia State Conference earlier that month called for Sec. Kemp to step down from office due to possible unethical and conflict of interest issues. The group pointed to a report from the FOX 5 I-Team—Kemp, a Trump-endorsed candidate utilized taxpayer paid for app to promote his gubernatorial campaign.

Media can reach the NAACP National Office at mrussell@naacpnet.org

Contact the NAACP Georgia State Conference /404-577-8977 / NAACPGA.org

Black women candidates poised for major victories in November

Some of the most notable gains for women in this year’s election will come from black women. All three non-incumbent black women candidates favored to win on Election Day—Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.)—will be not only the first black women, but the first women of color, to represent their states in Congress. Omar will break another barrier in joining Rashida Tlaib as the first Muslim congresswomen, and Pressley’s win against a 10-term incumbent reflects how political success is not constrained to those who wait their turn.

Pressley’s victory, and the anticipated wins of Hayes and Omar, demonstrate another thing: the electoral viability of black women in political contexts where they are too often counted out. For Pressley, the doubts among political and party insiders have been great, meaning the investment in her primary candidacy was minimal to zero among those typically perceived as key influencers in U.S. elections. Jahana Hayes won the Democratic primary in Connecticut despite running without her party’s endorsement. Hayes and Omar also won nominations in majority-white districts, an important counter to those who have doubted the ability of black women to be successful outside of majority-minority districts or states.

But Black women’s political success did not just begin this year. Six of the seven Black women currently serving as mayors of the top 100 most populous cities in the United States have been sworn in since Election Day 2016. And while women’s and black men’s state legislative representation has plateaued in recent decades, black women have seen a steady—albeit slow—increase in representation in state legislatures nationwide. In Congress, while gains for women have been slow and incremental, the racial and ethnic diversity among women, particularly Democratic women, has grown in the past decade. In fact, nine of the 14 new women elected to the 115th Congress (2017-2019) were women of color.

Political scientist Wendy Smooth puts these successes for black women into context, writing, “African-American women appear to be overrepresented in elective office while simultaneously holding the characteristics that would make them least likely to be politically engaged,” such as lower levels of income and educational access. This “paradox of participation,” as she terms it, is also notable when the under-investment in black women as candidates is taken into account. What’s more, research from the Center for American Women and Politics survey of state legislators found that black women officeholders were more likely than their white counterparts to report being discouraged from running for office in the first place.

Read more: SOURCE: THE HILL

Colin Kaepernick receives Harvard black history award

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick on Thursday received Harvard University's most prestigious black history award.

Kaepernick, who was the first NFL player to demonstrate against racial inequality by kneeling during the national anthem, received the W.E.B. DuBois award alongside seven other African-American public figures at a Harvard ceremony.

He urged others to further protest racial inequality and police brutality to help improve the lives of African Americans across the country.

"I feel like it's not only my responsibility, but all of our responsibilities as people that are in positions of privilege, in positions of power, to continue to fight for them and uplift them, empower them. Because if we don't, we become complicit in the problem," he said. "It is our duty to fight for them and we are going to continue to fight for them."

Activist Cornel West introduced Kaepernick and compared his protest to those of famous boxer Muhammad Ali.

“We don’t have anybody who comes close to the Muhammad Ali of athletics, to give up millions and millions and millions and millions of dollars…It’s not the number, it’s the integrity, rather than the popularity," he said.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Ryan Coogler Signs on to Write and Direct 'Black Panther' Sequel

Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that the filmmaker behind Marvel’s landmark Black Panther has quietly closed a deal to write and direct the sequel.

Eric Holder: ‘When They Go Low, We Kick ‘Em’

While speaking at an event for Georgia state House candidate Regina Lewis-Ward, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder spoke about his love and respect for former First Lady Michelle Obama. But after that he suggested that Democrats are playing too nice and being soft going into the upcoming mid-terms and flipped Michelle Obama's famous "When they go low, we go high" slogan around and said that "When they go low, we kick em".

Watch that video below:

Democrat Lucia McBath is running for Congress

Lucia  McBath,  the mother of Jordan Davis is running for Congress from the state of Georgia. She faces an uphill battle as a gun control activist in a state that loves their guns. McBath is facing off against Rep. Karen Handel who is supported by the NRA.  Learn more about Lucia McBath here:  https://lucyforcongress.com/

Lucia “Lucy” McBath is a mother, wife, businesswoman and activist for social justice. After a 30-year career with Delta Air Lines, her second career has focused on reform that will make our communities safer and better for every American of every background.

Lucy’s passion for public service was awakened by her family’s tragedy in 2012. She is the mother of Jordan Davis, who was shot and killed at a gas station in Jacksonville, Fla. that year by a man objecting to the music he was playing in his car. The shooter used Florida’s stand-your-ground law as his defense. He was not found guilty of murder in his first trial. In an October 2014 retrial, the shooter was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Losing her son in such a senseless way has fueled her lifelong commitment to community activism and the importance of political engagement. Early on, McBath’s sense of public service came from an extensive family background involving civil rights. Her father was the Illinois Branch president of the NAACP for over twenty years and served on its national board as well. As a child, she traveled with her family attending marches and rallies supporting the civil rights movement and the coalitions of organizations fighting alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Her mother was a registered nurse, often helping students completing coursework with tutoring and other support to further their healthcare careers.

Before running for Congress, Lucy held dual roles as the national spokesperson for Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, as well as Faith and Outreach Leader for both. Her work included testifying in state capitols and speaking with lawmakers, activists, universities and community organizers across the county. In Washington, D.C. she has testified before the US Senate Judiciary Committee, lobbied members of Congress, and spoke at the White House Summit on Educational Excellence for African Americans. She served as a surrogate for the Hillary Clinton for President campaign in 2016 as one of the “Mothers of The Movement”. Here at home, McBath lobbies Georgia’s Congressional, State House and State Senate delegations to enact common sense gun violence prevention laws that save lives.

Lucy’s work in her home community in Cobb County includes creating the “Champion in The Making Legacy Foundation” which provides charitable and educational assistance to graduating high school students attending traditional as well as technical and training colleges and universities – with two recipients attending Kennesaw State University. The foundation has expanded its program with its mentorship program which provides support and guidance in building life skills for the young men and women striving for academic success, with an incubator headquartered in Powder Springs. She serves as Lead Usher at Trinity Chapel (Seven Springs Church) and is an active member with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Marietta / Roswell alumni chapter.

McBath’s work has been recognized widely. She is honored to have been the recipient of the Chairman’s Award of the Georgia Democratic Party in 2017, “Mother of the Year 2016” by VH1 Television, voted as one of Refinery29’s 26 National Treasures, and an EMILY’s List Honoree. Her media appearances include Georgia Public Television, CNN, MSNBC, HLN, TV One and her son’s story has been featured in Jet, Rolling Stone, and Ebony and Essence magazines and in the documentaries “The Armor of Light” and “3 ½ Minutes: 10 Bullets.”

Lucy was employed by Delta Airlines In-Flight Service for 30 years. She received her B.A. degree in political science from Virginia State University in 1982. Lucy is married, and these days, doesn’t have a lot of free time, but when she does she enjoys motorcycling, serving her church, and walking her beloved dogs.

Police Officer that killed Tamir Rice hired by another police department

Timothy Loehmann, the former Cleveland police officer who fatally shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice has been hired by a police department in a small Ohio village.

Could Susan Rice be planning to run against Sen. Susan Collins in 2020?

Could former Obama administration official Susan Rice be planning to run against Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine in 2020?

Susan Rice, who was President Barack Obama's national security adviser tweeted "Me" when another former Obama official asked who could challenge Sen. Susan Collins in 2020. The short tweet which came after Collins, a Maine Republican, announced she would vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court caught national and state Democrats by surprise.

Me https://t.co/93qNxN7Ky9

— Susan Rice (@AmbassadorRice) October 5, 2018

Rice stated in another tweet that she is not announcing anything but just voicing her frustration at Collins support of Kavanaugh. Let's hope that she does announce and challenge Collins in 2020.

Many thanks for the encourgement. I’m not making any announcements. Like so many Americans, I am deeply disappointed in Senator Collins’ vote for Kavanaugh. Maine and America deserve better. https://t.co/6oGFTFuO1Q

— Susan Rice (@AmbassadorRice) October 5, 2018

BLACK VOTERS WANTED! NAACP TO TURN OUT THE BLACK VOTE LIKE OUR LIVES DEPEND ON IT

The morning of November 7, 2016 was a rude awakening for millions of Americans – 231, 556,622 Americans to be exact. This was the approximate number of eligible voters who did not vote in the presidential election. In fact, if each of these 230 million plus people collectively wrote in a hypothetical candidate’s name on a ballot, that candidate would have won the election by a landslide.

More alarming is the fact that Black voter turnout declined for the first time in 20 years in a presidential election after it had just peaked at 66% in 2012. Political pundits may have used the two years since the elections to argue and dissect what happened, but organizers knew what we needed to focus on was how to ensure it never happened again.

This go around, we’re doing things differently. NAACP has launched a civic engagement campaign to increase Black voter turnout, not just in the 2018 midterms, but in the years to come. The message behind this campaign is simple: Vote! Our lives depend on it.

At the genesis of this campaign is research. We talked to real people about real issues, and their very real concerns heading into the ballot box. Much of what’s happened over the last two years, both in federal policy and in day-to-day life, has resulted in the undervaluing of Black lives. The numerous #LivingWhileBlack incidents, the uptick in hate rallies, the attempted rescinding of DACA, the racist remarks spewing out of the White House, and even the Facebook hacks that pitted people of color against the rest of the country, have shown that this campaign is necessary to mobilize Black Americans.

In addition to investing funds into this campaign, as the leader and coalescing advocate for the Black community, NAACP is bringing together other social justice organizations to partner on this mission to register and turnout a record number of Black voters. NAACP has also expanded its civic engagement department to be one of the largest in the organization, and for the 2018 midterm elections, has identified six key states where the Black vote will make a particularly impactful difference: Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania, each with a corresponding State Director or advisor for civic engagement.

Why did we pick these six states? Research. We looked at the political climate in the country, and we partnered with GSSA, LLC, a Colorado data analytics group, to pinpoint where we can make the most difference.

As it stands on November 6, Floridians will have a remarkable 12 initiatives to vote on, including one on the restoration of voting rights for felons. Georgia may or may not make history as the first state to elect the nation’s first Black female governor. In Michigan, a ballot initiative proposes automatic voter registration for all eligible voters in the state. North Carolinians will have the opportunity to vote on whether identification must be presented in order to vote – an initiative NAACP is adamantly against. Ohio and Pennsylvania, two states which played a critical role in electing President Trump, will have to reckon with their 2016 decision, and either vote along party lines or cause a seismic shift.

Over the next couple of weeks, our State Directors will be reporting back about their progress in these states. Stay tuned to our blog section to see how we’re turning out the Black vote.

Chicago police Officer found guilty of second-degree murder in Laquan McDonald killing

Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke was convicted Friday of second-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, marking a stunning end to a racially tinged case that roiled the city when now-infamous police dashboard camera video of the shooting was released three years ago by court order.

Van Dyke is the first Chicago police officer in half a century to be found guilty of murder for an on-duty shooting. He faces a minimum of six years in prison when he is sentenced by Judge Vincent Gaughan.

The jury deliberated for about 7½ hours before finding Van Dyke guilty of second-degree murder instead of the first-degree charge on which he was indicted.

The veteran officer also was convicted of all 16 counts of aggravated battery for each shot he fired at McDonald. The jury acquitted him, however, of a single count of official misconduct.

Second-degree murder does not carry mandatory prison time — offenders can be sentenced to four to 20 years in prison or even receive probation.

In Illinois, those convicted of second-degree murder typically serve about half their sentence.

Second-degree murder does not carry mandatory prison time — offenders can be sentenced to four to 20 years in prison or even receive probation.

In Illinois, those convicted of second-degree murder typically serve about half their sentence.

[SOURCE: CHICAGO TRIBUNE]

Congressional Black Caucus to Trump: We Have Lost A Lot

During his election campaign Trump asked African Americans What do they have to lose. Weeks before the November midterm elections, the Congressional Black Caucus has released a video that answers that question. The nearly four-minute documentary is titled “We Have Lost a Lot.” and sharply criticizes the policies of Donald Trump’s Administration,discusses how his policies have hurt African Americans, and urges African Americans to vote in response.

The video features African American lawmakers and CBC members Reps. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Karen Bass (D-Calif.) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ).

Watch the video below:

Passes once again required for admission to National Museum of African American History and Culture

The National Museum of African-American History and Culture is going back to its traditional admission system for the rest of the year.

Last month, the hugely popular museum held what it called Walk-Up Weekdays, but with the passing of September it returned to requiring passes that are only good at a particular date and time, and obtained in advance, to get in.

The museum will do Walk-Up Weekdays again in January. The timed passes for January — which apply to the weekends — will be made available Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 9 a.m.

The museum also makes some same-day passes available at 6:30 a.m. each day until they run out, and a limited number of walk-up tickets are available at 1 p.m. each weekday.

All tickets are free. You can check availability on the museum’s website.

[SOURCE: WTOP]

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson pushing Coast Guard Academy to use congressional nominations to increase diversity

A proposal in Congress would require 50 percent of each incoming class at the Coast Guard Academy to come from a pool of congressionally nominated candidates.

The proposal is part of The Coast Guard Academy Improvement Act introduced by U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Democrat representing Mississippi's 2nd congressional district, on Sept. 26.

Thompson, ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, which has oversight of the Department of Homeland Security, including the Coast Guard, has for many years pushed for congressional appointments to the academy as a way to increase diversity. Unlike the other military service academies, the Coast Guard Academy has never had congressional nominations or appointments.

"When you chart out where cadets are from, it's primarily the East Coast and the West Coast. They're sparsely represented in the other parts of the country," Thompson said by phone Tuesday.

The academy's Superintendent Rear Adm. James E. Rendón responded with a written statement saying, "One of the main goals in our strategic plan is to further the important work we have been doing to cultivate a supportive and inclusive environment at the Academy. So we look forward to working with members of Congress to continue to diversify our Corps of Cadets who will soon be the future leaders of our service."

Women make up 40 percent of the incoming Class of 2022, and minorities make up a record 36 percent. The academy offered 392 appointments for the Class of 2022. That was out of 2,045 prospective students who completed an application. Of the appointments offered, 281 were accepted.

Thompson's bill would allow each member of Congress to nominate up to three candidates to attend the academy. The academy would chose half of its incoming classes from that pool of candidates, and the other half under its current admissions process.

The proposal also calls for a plan to improve retention and recruitment of cadets, faculty and staff of diverse backgrounds. It would formally authorize an existing program the academy uses to help recruit and retain minority cadets. Those efforts led to the largest number of black cadets — 18 — to graduate from the academy this past spring. Formalizing the program, known as the Academy Minority Outreach Team, would "ensure permanent leadership and that leadership has authority in law to get things done," Thompson said. Right now, the work is being done largely on a volunteer basis.

[SOURCE: STARS AND STRIPES]

UNCF Launches the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship Program for Students Attending HBCUs

$200,000 in awards eligible to scholars enrolled in public and private four-year HBCUs

In commemoration of the bicentennial of the birth of Frederick Douglass, a scholarship program was launched today in support of students attending accredited historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) nationwide. The program, which recognizes and celebrates one of the most transformative figures in our nation’s history, will be administered and managed by UNCF (United Negro College Fund) for a period of 20 years, through 2039.

The Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship Program was established by New York City native Tony Signore, whose knowledge, respect and deep admiration for Douglass was instilled in him more than 35 years ago by the Jesuits at Fordham University. To honor one of the most important African American figures in our country’s history, the Signore Family designed and funded the program to recognize this historic leader, providing scholarship support to outstanding young women and men. It is the first ever Frederick Douglass scholarship aligned exclusively with accredited, four-year public and private HBCUs across the country.

The program will award a $10,000 scholarship to one exceptional HBCU senior per year who has demonstrated high academic achievement, strong leadership skills, commitment to community service and unmet financial need.

“It’s an incredible honor and privilege for our family to celebrate the life of a true American hero,” said Tony Signore, founder and chairman of The Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship. “On the 200th anniversary of his birth, it is with great reverence that we reflect upon the legacy of a great man and leader who had such a profound impact on our nation’s history. We also understand the importance and responsibility of supporting HBCU scholars who demonstrate their passion for education.”

Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, who was born into slavery in Talbot County, Maryland in 1818, became one of the most famous intellectuals of his time. His journey from an enslaved child, separated at birth from his mother, to one of the most articulate orators of the 19th century, was nothing short of extraordinary. At the age of 20, after several failed attempts, he escaped from slavery and arrived in New York City on September 4, 1838, before settling in New Bedford, Massachusetts with his wife, Anna.

The man who became known to the world as “Frederick Douglass” dedicated his life to the abolitionist movement and the equality of all people. In doing so, Douglass went on to become a great writer, orator, publisher, civil rights leader and government official. Douglass wrote three autobiographies, with his first and best-known, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, published in 1845. It became an immediate best-seller and was circulated throughout the United States and Europe. The Library of Congress named the Narrative one of the “88 Books that Shaped America.”

The father of the abolitionist movement, who advised presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson on the Civil War and black suffrage, respectively, has provided our country with lessons that remain relevant and impactful to this day. Throughout his life, Douglass was steadfast in his commitment to breaking down barriers between the races. His courage, passion, intellect and magnificent written and oratory skills inspired hundreds of the world’s most prominent civil rights activists of the 20th century, as well as pioneers of the women’s rights movement.

“The narrative of Douglass’s life is the foundation upon which many of us owe our path to a quality education,” said Michael L. Lomax, President and CEO, UNCF. “Paying homage to this great pioneer through The Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship Program is not only admirable but speaks on the responsibility we all have in paving a road for the next generation of leaders.”

Selection Criteria

The inaugural application will open during the 2018-19 academic year, with annual applications thereafter through the 2038-39 academic year. Applicants for the program must meet the following criteria:

1. Be enrolled full-time as a senior at any accredited public or private four-year historically black college or university (HBCU). 
2. Possess a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale as verified through submission of a current transcript. 
3. Demonstrate a commitment to community service. 
4. Have a demonstrated, unmet financial need as verified by their college or university.

Application Process

Applications are to be submitted online and include:

1. Two letters of recommendation from faculty members on how the applicant reflects the values espoused by Frederick Douglass. 
2. Responses to two essay questions. The first requires the applicant to assess self-awareness, leadership and community involvement. The second will address the impact Frederick Douglass had on society in the 19th century and its relevance today as our nation continues to fight for equality.

The application will be available via UNCF’s website at UNCF.org/FrederickDouglass. All application materials must be received by the applicable deadline.

Program Administration and Selection Process

1. UNCF will administer and manage the program, which includes online applications, applicant relations, awarding and reporting. 
2. UNCF will screen all applications to ensure they are in compliance with the program, then thoroughly review and rank the applicant pool. 
3. UNCF will provide a list of its top 10 finalists to an esteemed panel of judges selected by Signore. The judges include the direct descendants of Frederick Douglass—Nettie Washington Douglass and Kenneth B. Morris, Jr.; senior academic leaders and scholars—Dr. Rochelle Ford and Dr. Benjamin Robinson; and Leon H. Carter, Vice President of ESPN and Founder of the Sports Journalism Institute. 
4. Following a thorough evaluation of the 10 finalists, the five judges will rank their top three finalists and submit their feedback to UNCF. 
5. UNCF will select one program award winner, annually, from the three finalists. Award winners will be provided a $10,000 scholarship during their senior year.

About UNCF 
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org, or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.

About Tony Signore 
Tony Signore is the CEO and managing partner at Taylor, a brand counselor and public relations partner to a select portfolio of the world’s leading consumer brands. The measurable results of his innovative approach, bold vision and unique business model were validated through the publication of a Harvard case study titled, “Transformation at Taylor.” His career accomplishments and influence on C-suite executives nationwide earned Signore a SABRE Award, the industry’s highest honor for outstanding individual achievement.

Signore, a graduate of Fordham University, resides in New York City with his wife, Elizabeth. They have three children: Rocco (23), Yvette (22) and Ashley (21).

Maxine Waters, Jim Clyburn, and Al Green honored by National Newspaper Publishers Association

The National Newspaper Publishers Association’s (NNPA) 2018 National Leadership Awards reception provided what one might expect when California Democratic Representative Maxine Waters, Texas Democratic Representative Al Green, and South Carolina’s Representative Jim Clyburn make up one-third of the recipients.

“We are here to recognize our brothers and sisters who are truly national leaders and who stand for freedom, justice and equality not when its popular, but when it’s not so popular to be freedom fighters,” said NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.

In her typical fiery yet still eloquent way, Waters spoke passionately about her and other Democrats’ mission to impeach President Donald Trump – though, like all of the recipients, she never mentioned the president by name only referring to him as “Number 45.”

“My friend Jesse Jackson said if you fight, you can win. If you don’t fight, you will never know if you can win,” said Waters, who also took time to heap praise upon NNPA National Chairman Dorothy R. Leavell, the publisher of the Crusader newspapers in Gary, Indiana and Chicago.

For those who insist that Vice President Mike Pence might turn out as a worse Commander in Chief than Trump, Waters scoffed, “…I say knock off the first, and go after the second,” she said, as the sold-out crowd inside the grand ballroom of the Marriot Marquis roared its approval of her fiery award acceptance speech.

For those who insist that Vice President Mike Pence might turn out as a worse Commander in Chief than Trump, Waters scoffed, “…I say knock off the first, and go after the second,” she said, as the sold-out crowd inside the grand ballroom of the Marriot Marquis roared its approval of her fiery award acceptance speech.

Green, the veteran civil rights advocate who’s serving his seventh term in Congress, picked up where Waters left off. “I promise that I have not given up on impeachment,” Green said. “We have a president who is not only unfit for the presidency, but a man who is unfit for any office in the United States of America.”

Clyburn, who arrived in Congress in 1993 and is the third-ranking Democrat, followed his colleagues and helped to drive home their impeachment argument. “I learned early what it means to challenge the system. I learned from my dad what it means to have the power of the almighty vote,” Clyburn said. “If the [midterm] election goes the way it seems like it is, you will have the best years of your lives going forward.”

Waters, Green and Clyburn were among the nine national leaders and activists honored by the NNPA on Friday, Sept. 14. A trade organization representing America’s more than 220 African American-owned newspapers—with more than 22 million weekly subscribers, the NNPA began the Leadership Awards in 2014. The awards honor individuals who are national leaders in their specific fields and whose actions have helped to improve the quality of life for African Americans and others.

The producers of the NNPA Leadership Awards Reception decided that the best time to host such an awards reception would be during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference, a weeklong event that’s held each September.

The CBC ALC week is the largest annual gathering of its kind in the United States, featuring 15,000 to 20,000 African American leaders and influencers.

The underlying combined objective of the CBC ALC and the NNPA National Leadership Awards Reception is to network, collaborate and strategize collectively for the advancement and empowerment of Black America.

Counted among the sponsors and supporters of the NNPA Leadership Awards Reception were General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Pfizer Rare Disease, RAI Reynolds, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, AT&T, Southwest Airlines, Northrop Grumman, Volkswagen, Wells Fargo, AARP, Aetna, Koch Industries, Comcast, Ascension Health, Comcast, and Compassion & Choices.

Awardees included National Teacher of the Year Jahana Hayes, Capstone Development Founder Norman K. Jenkins, E-Commerce Leader Arsha Jones, Dr. Wally Smith, Television Personality Kellee Edwards and legendary poll worker Laura Wooten.

At 97, Wooten is the longest continuously serving poll worker in America. Immediately upon graduating from Princeton High School in 1939, Wooten was recruited to work the polls by her great uncle, Anderson Mitnaul, who was running for Justice of the Peace. More than seven decades later, Wooten is still working the polls and her 79-year streak remains intact.

“Voting is important,” Wooten told the audience who saluted her with a prolonged standing ovation. “We need to engage young people to get out to vote. I hope we can do better this year. On November 6, get out and vote,” she said.

Barack Obama endorses for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Former President Obama announced Monday he's endorsing progressive House candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D).

Obama issued his support for the former organizer for Sen. Bernie Sanders' (I-Vt.) presidential campaign in his second wave of endorsements related to the upcoming midterm elections.

Ocasio-Cortez has received widespread attention from lawmakers since her upset victory over longtime Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) in a June primary election.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Former President Barack Obama endorses Andrew Gillum for Florida governor

Former President Barack Obama has endorsed Andrew Gillum to be the next governor of Florida. Gillum has made health care a central plank in his platform and Obama made note of it when he threw his support behind the Democratic nominee Monday morning.

“Andrew believes that health care is a right, not a privilege and he will make expanding Medicaid a priority on day one as governor,” said Obama, whose signature achievement as president was the Affordable Care Act.

“Andrew will expand access to affordable health care, protect Floridians with pre-existing conditions, invest in education, protect the environment and build an economy that works for all,” continued Obama, in a prepared statement.

The endorsement puts the national Democrats' three biggest hitters in the Tallahassee mayor's corner. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders campaigned with Gillum during the primary. And former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will hit the campaign trail with the mayor later this month as he tries to be the first Democrat in 20 years to win a Florida governor's race.

[SOURCE: Tallahahassee.com]

National Institutes of Health launches initiative to accelerate therapies to cure sickle cell disease

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) today announced the launch of a new initiative to help speed the development of a cure for sickle cell disease, a group of inherited blood disorders affecting at least 100,000 people in the United States and 20 million worldwide. The Cure Sickle Cell Initiative will take advantage of the latest genetic discoveries and technological advances to move the most promising genetic-based curative therapies safely into clinical trials within five to 10 years.

“Our scientific investments have brought us to a point where we have many tools available to correct or compensate for the defective gene that causes sickle cell disease. We are now ready to use these tools to speed up our quest for a cure,” said Gary H. Gibbons, M.D., director of NIH’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), which is leading the effort.

Sickle cell disease results from a single genetic mutation that causes a person’s red blood cells to form an abnormal, sickle shape. These sickled cells can clog the blood vessels and deprive cells of oxygen. In turn, this lack of oxygen wreaks havoc on the body, damaging organs, causing severe pain, and potentially leading to premature death.

Decades of basic research on sickle cell disease have laid the groundwork for novel genetic approaches to cures, such as the genetic editing of bone marrow cells, which have shown great promise in animal models and in some small-scale human studies. In addition, the NHLBI Production Assistance for Cellular Therapies (PACT) program has been working with researchers to manufacture cellular therapeutic products, including genetically modified cells, that can be used safely in clinical trials with patients.

NIH spends approximately $100 million on sickle cell disease research each year. Through this initiative, NHLBI seeks to support the development of cell and genetic therapies resources, clinical trials, comparator analyses of different management strategies, data repositories and resources, and patient and advocate engagement activities related to curative therapies for this condition. Already in 2018, NHLBI committed an additional $7 million to jumpstart the initiative’s research and engagement infrastructure.

NHLBI has named hematologist Edward J. Benz Jr., M.D., President and CEO Emeritus of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, as the Initiative’s executive director, and the Emmes Corporation, a contract research organization with specialized expertise in clinical trials, gene, and cell therapy development in preclinical studies, as its coordinating center.

The initiative and other research partners will establish a national data warehouse of genetic therapies for sickle cell disease and conduct comparative analyses of therapeutic approaches to assess both clinical and cost-effectiveness. They will also establish national networks to make it easier for patients and providers to learn and engage with the research, clinical trials, and other activities happening across the country.

“The engagement of patients will be a cornerstone of this effort,” said Benz. “Patients will work alongside researchers in developing and recruiting for clinical trials.”

Currently, the only cure for sickle cell disease is a bone marrow transplant, a procedure in which a sick patient receives bone marrow from a healthy, genetically-compatible sibling donor. However, transplants are too risky for many adults, and only about 18 percent of children with the sickle cell disease have a healthy, matched sibling donor.

The Cure Sickle Cell Initiative seeks to develop cures for a far broader group of individuals with the disease, and it is initially focusing on gene therapies that modify the patient’s own hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which make red and other blood cells. These modified HSCs can then be given back to the patient via a bone marrow transplant, making a cure available to more patients who lack a matched donor.

“This initiative is giving patients, families, and communities a reason for hope. I’m particularly pleased that we are able to make this announcement during Sickle Cell Awareness month when we are shining a spotlight on the toll of this devastating disease,” said ADM Brett Giroir, M.D. Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

This patient-focused Initiative builds on the legacy of NHLBI-supported research that has contributed to improving clinical care for patients who have sickle cell disease. It also complements the Institute’s broader sickle cell disease research investment, which includes basic, clinical, translational, and implementation science research.

Part of the National Institutes of Health, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) plans, conducts, and supports research related to the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart, blood vessel, lung, and blood diseases; and sleep disorders. The Institute also administers national health education campaigns on women and heart disease, healthy weight for children, and other topics. NHLBI press releases and other materials are available online at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

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Sen. Cory Booker statement on FBI investigating Kavanaugh allegations

US Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) has released the following statement on the FBI investigating the Kavanaugh allegations:

I was encouraged by the good faith discussion with my judiciary colleagues earlier this afternoon, and Senator Jeff Flake in particular. It's my hope that the FBI will conduct a full, fair, and thorough investigation into the allegations against Judge Kavanaugh.

At a minimum, the FBI investigation should include investigating Dr. Ford’s credible allegations in the following ways:

1. Interviewing each witness Ford identified as being present on the night of the assault – Dr. Ford, Judge Kavanaugh, Mark Judge, PJ Smyth, and Leland Keyser.

2. Investigating where and when this assault could’ve taken place and any other potential witnesses.

3. Interviewing Dr. Ford’s polygrapher and the witnesses she spoke to about the assault.

4. Investigating Kavanaugh’s claims regarding these allegations, including following up on the entries in his calendar and interviewing witnesses who have contradicted his statements about his drinking habits around the time of the assault.

This FBI investigation should also include investigating the other allegations that Ms. Ramirez and Ms. Swetnick have made.

Maxine Waters responds to accusations her office leaked GOP senators' information

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) has released a statement denied allegations claiming that a member of her staff was responsible for the release of personal information regarding U.S. senators. Read her statement below:

Rep. Waters Statement on False Allegations Regarding the Leak of the Personal Information of U.S. Senators

“Lies, lies, and more despicable lies. I am utterly disgusted by the spread of the completely false, absurd, and dangerous lies and conspiracy theories that are being peddled by ultra-right wing pundits, outlets, and websites who are promoting a fraudulent claim that a member of my staff was responsible for the release of the personal information of Members of the United States Senate on Wikipedia. This unfounded allegation is completely false and an absolute lie.

“The United States Capitol Police and our internal IT specialist have determined that the IP address in question does not belong to my office or anyone on my staff. The member of my staff – whose identity, personal information, and safety have been compromised as a result of these fraudulent and false allegations – was in no way responsible for the leak of this information. My office has alerted the appropriate authorities and law enforcement entities of these fraudulent claims. We will ensure that the perpetrators will be revealed, and that they will be held legally liable for all of their actions that are destructive and dangerous to any and all members of my staff.”