NJ State Senator Gill announces run for Senate President

State Senator Nia Gill (D-34) of Essex County issued the following statement announcing her run for Senate President:

“I’m Running for Senate President.

“Today, I announce my candidacy for the office of President of the New Jersey Senate. On Tuesday, the voters spoke, and with their voices, resoundingly rejected the business of politics as usual. This past election resulted in a mandate for change from the voters.

“We must meet that mandate and reestablish transparency and accountability within the Statehouse. This includes ensuring the ability for all Senators to be equally serviced by the staff and resources of the Statehouse. This includes guaranteeing the public has access to all proceedings. This includes giving legislators and the people ample time to review and provide input on proposed legislation before it proceeds for a vote.

“We are at a pivotal moment for the future of the State of New Jersey. This pivotal moment includes choosing who will be the next Senate President after Senator Sweeney’s departure. As Senate President, I look to lead our chamber in a way that reflects and is responsive to meet our State’s rich diversity of needs.

“As we continue to rebuild our communities and deal with the impacts of COVID-19, we must choose a leader who will heed the voters’ call and meet this moment for change. We must not be tempted by the path of least resistance and perpetuate the same dynamics the voters so clearly rebuked. I understand and have seen what makes the institution of the Senate critical for our future. We must choose a leader with a background and experience that can help meet the needs of our diverse State.

“I am committed to working with each member of the legislature in all forty districts to address the issues raised by the voters and ensure the continued prosperity of our State. We must heal the divisive nature of our politics and move forward, together, for a stronger New Jersey. I am ready to meet this moment with the gravity it demands; I ask for your support.”

2018 Mr. Olympia Shawn Rhoden has died

2018 Mr. Olympia champion Shawn Rhoden has reportedly died at the age of 46.

The pro bodybuilder is said to have suffered a fatal heart attack, according to sources close to Generation Iron.

The publication said Rhoden’s trainer, Chris Aceto, also confirmed the bodybuilder's death to close friends.

14-year-old Jashyah Moore of East Orange NJ is Missing

Authorities in New Jersey are offering a $10,000 reward and have enlisted the help of the FBI in the search for 14-year-old Jashyah Moore.

Police said Jashyah went missing 20 days ago in East Orange. She was last seen entering Poppies Deli at 520 Central Ave.

Jashyah is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall and 135 pounds, last seen wearing khaki pants, a black jacket and black boots.

The FBI, New Jersey State Police and East Orange Police Department are working together to find the teen. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 877-847-7432 or 973-266-5041. Tips can be made anonymously.

Howard Community College selects Daria Willis as first African American president in its 51-year history

The Howard Community College Board of Trustees today appointed Dr. Daria Willis as the fifth president of the college. The board voted unanimously in support of Dr. Willis during a public meeting. Dr. Willis, who currently serves as president of Everett Community College in Washington, will become the first African American to lead the college in its 51-year history.

“The board of trustees is excited to welcome Dr. Willis as the fifth president of Howard Community College,” said Christopher G. Marasco, chair of the board of trustees. “The trustees were impressed with Dr. Willis’s energy and accomplishments, her commitment to students and their education, and her steadfast focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in her work. We look forward to working alongside her as she leads Howard Community College into the future.”

Dr. Willis will start her presidency on January 10, 2022. She is succeeding Dr. Kate Hetherington, who retired October 1, 2021, after 14 years as president. Lynn Coleman, vice president of administration and finance, will continue to serve as interim president until Dr. Willis’ arrival.

“My educational philosophy has always been to focus on students and put them at the heart of everything you do, so I am incredibly honored to lead a college whose mission is providing pathways to success,” said Dr. Daria J. Willis, incoming president of Howard Community College. “Community colleges are in the business of transforming lives of students and their families. As the next president, I commit to empowering the college and the Howard County community, inspiring innovation, closing the achievement gap among students, and advocating for social justice, equity, and education for all.”

At Everett Community College, Dr. Willis reports to a five-member board of trustees, manages a $73 million budget, and oversees an institution with 840 employees. Committed to shared and participatory governance, Dr. Willis practices collaborative leadership and works directly with three collective bargaining units at her college.

Among her presidential accomplishments are the adoption of the Guided Pathways framework across the college to help close achievement gaps and promote student success and achievement, collaborative leadership of a new advising model to assist students with course selection and degree completion, and completion of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities mid-cycle review process for accreditation. She also secured $43.5 million from the Washington Legislature to fund the new Learning Resource Center that broke ground in September 2021.

Under her leadership, Everett Community College received $2.5 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Education to support TRIO and STEM programs for students of color and students who are low-income and with disabilities. A $50,000 Rise Prize grant and part of a $100,000 Washington Department of Labor grant went to the development and launch of a Weekend College for adult students and student parents.

Dr. Willis is active in the Everett community and the state of Washington. She is on the Community Mission Board for the Providence Regional Medical Center, Snohomish Aerospace Task Force, Girl Scouts of Western Washington Board, Seattle Chapter of the International Women’s Forum, Economic Alliance of Snohomish County Board, and the board of the United Way of Snohomish County. Dr. Willis serves on the Washington Lottery Commission through a gubernatorial appointment. 

She currently sits on the advisory board for the Phi Theta Kappa international college honor society. She also serves on the American Association of Community Colleges’ Commission on Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity. She was recently named a 2021 Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow, dedicated to empowering children and families across the country.

Prior to her presidency, Dr. Willis was the provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at Onondaga Community College, which is one of the community colleges of the State University of New York. Other previous leadership positions include the dean of academic studies at Lee College in Baytown, Texas; executive dean of centers/dean of instruction at the Lone Star College-North Harris Greenspoint Center and Victory Center; and department chair of social and behavioral sciences and kinesiology at Lone Star College-University Park Campus in Texas and the Faculty Senate president.

Dr. Willis began her career in academia as an adjunct faculty member in history at Tallahassee Community College (Florida) and later as an adjunct faculty member in history at Florida A&M University. As an assistant professor of history at Lone Star College-Tomball, she taught United States history and developed a course entitled Hip Hop in United States History.

Dr. Willis earned her Ph.D. in history from Florida State University. She holds a master’s degree in history and a bachelor’s degree in history education from Florida A&M University, a historically Black college in Florida.

Dr. Willis and her husband, Dr. Isiah David Brown, look forward to relocating to Maryland. They are proud parents to daughter Lyric, who has plans to attend the college in the spring, nine-year-old son Isiah, and three-year-old daughter Imani.

The board of trustees conducted a national search to find the college’s fifth president, working in collaboration with AGB Search, an executive search firm. Led by Trustee Feli Solá-Carter, a 17-member president search committee oversaw the process to identify four presidential finalists. The search committee members included three trustees; representatives from each employee constituency group; a student; a representative from the college’s diversity, equity, and inclusion committee; the chair of the Howard Community College Educational Foundation board of directors; and the president and CEO of the Howard County Chamber of Commerce.

Felicia Moore, Andre Dickens advance to runoff election in Atlanta mayoral contest

Atlanta City Council President Felicia Moore and Councilmember Andre Dickens will advance to the November 30 runoff to replace outgoing Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

The ballot included 14 names. Under state law, the top two candidates proceed to a runoff election on Nov. 30 unless a candidate exceeds 50% in the general election.

The winner will succeed outgoing Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who in a surprise move decided not to seek another term.

Alvin Bragg elected as Manhattan’s first Black district attorney

Democrat Alvin Bragg made history when he won the Manhattan District Attorney’s race Tuesday to become the first Black man elected to that office.

He defeated Republican opponent Thomas Kenniff with over 83% of the vote.

He will replace retiring District Attorney Cy Vance in January, and inherit high-profile investigations involving former President Donald Trump.

Bruce Harrell Elected Mayor Of Seattle

Former Seattle City Council President Bruce Harrell has won the race for Seattle mayor over current council President Lorena González.

Harrell maintained his lead with 64% of the vote following a second ballot count on Nov. 3.

Harrell will replace Mayor Jenny Durkan, who chose not to seek re-election, and serve a four-year term. The mayor of Seattle is responsible for ensuring the laws of the city are enforced while directing and controlling city government.

Senate Republicans block John Lewis voting rights bill

Senate Democrats failed to advance a revised version of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act on Wednesday after Republicans blocked the vote from advancing to debate.

The legislation would replace part of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down in 2013 and would aim to restore Justice Department review of changes in election law in states with a history of discrimination.

The bill did not receive the 60 votes needed to overcome a legislative hurdle called a filibuster, preventing the start of debate on the legislation.

In a vote of 50 to 49, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska was the only Republican who supported proceeding to debate. Speaking from the Senate floor prior to the vote, she said while she had "reservations" on the legislation, she believed it was the best starting point to begin debating voting rights legislation.

The revised bill that Republicans blocked on Wednesday includes changes such as what factors courts can consider when determining if Section 2 of the VRA has been violated. The bill also drops a requirement for localities with growing minority populations to get preclearance for changes on offering food or drinks to people waiting in line to vote. The change has been included under the earlier version of the bill's new requirement for "practice-based" preclearance.

Elaine O'Neal Elected First Black Female Mayor of Durham N.C.

Elaine O’Neal became the first Black female mayor of Durham Tuesday evening.

O’Neal defeated mayoral candidate Javiera Caballero—who suspended her campaign following the primary election in October—receiving 84.69% of the vote.

She ran for mayor on a platform centered around neighborhood safety and well-being, housing & transit, youth engagement & education and economic relief & recovery.

O’Neal the first Black female Mayor to serve the city of Durham. During her term, she hopes to “get [Durham] to a point where we can reunite as one.”

Ken Welch wins election to become the first Black mayor in St. Petersburg, Florida

Democrat Ken Welch will serve as St. Petersburg’s next Mayor.Welch will also be the city’s first Black Mayor.

The former Pinellas County Commissioner defeated City Council member Robert Blackmon with 60% of the vote to Blackmon’s 40%, with all precincts reporting, according to unofficial results from the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections office.

Welch will replace incumbent Mayor Rick Kriseman, who is leaving office because of term limits.

Tyrone Garner elected first Black mayor of Kansas City

First-time candidate Tyrone Garner defeated one-term incumbent David Alvey to win election as mayor of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas.

Garner received 51% of the vote to Alvey’s 49%, in final unofficial results Tuesday night. It was a relatively low-turnout local election, with 18.5% percent of registered voters submitting ballots.

Garner becomes the first Black mayor of Kansas City, Kansas, according to records going back to 1886. The city and Wyandotte County consolidated governments in 1997.

Eric Adams elected mayor of New York

Eric Adams was elected the 110th mayor of New York City Tuesday. He will be the city’s second Black mayor.

Adams, a Democrat, beat Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, who founded the Guardian Angels.

The Associated Press declared the 61-year-old Democratic Brooklyn borough president the winner over Republican anti-crime activist Curtis Sliwa. Adams had 67% of the vote with 65% of precincts reporting, according to the AP, which called the race 11 minutes after polls closed.

The 61-year-old Adams takes over in January from Democrat Bill de Blasio, who was term-limited after eight years in office.

Winsome Sears wins Virginia's lieutenant governor race

Winsome Sears is projected to become Virginia’s next lieutenant governor, according to NBC.

Sears is expected to defeat her Democratic opponent, Del. Hala Ayala.

Sears will be the Commonwealth’s first female lieutenant governor.

PROJECTED ELECTION RESULTS

Winsome Sears(R) 1,659,919 51%

Hala Ayala(D) 1,602,975 49%

95.4% of Precincts Reporting (2,723 / 2,855)

Shontel Brown wins US House seat in Ohio

OHIO-Shontel Brown, 46, a Cuyahoga County Council member who also chairs the county Democratic Party, won the Cleveland-area House seat formerly held by Marcia Fudge, who stepped down to become housing and urban development secretary in the Biden administration.

Brown defeated Republican Laverne Gore, a business owner and activist, in the heavily Democratic district that stretches from Cleveland to Akron. She said she is ready to get to work.

“I am committed to going to Washington as a unifier, and will work with President Biden and Democratic leaders in Congress to lead a swift health and economic recovery from the pandemic for Ohioans,” Brown said in a statement.

Brown will fill the remainder of her predecessors’ term, which runs until January 2023. She must face reelection again next year under a congressional map that’s being redrawn to hold onto the seat.

Pittsburgh elects Ed Gainey as its first Black mayor

Pittsburgh voters on Tuesday elected state Rep. Ed Gainey (D) as the city’s 61st mayor — and the first Black man to lead a city that has grown more diverse in recent decades as the economy has diversified.

Gainey, 51, will succeed Mayor Bill Peduto, a fellow Democrat he defeated in the May primary.

The Associated Press projected Gainey would defeat Republican Tony Moreno, a retired police officer. Gainey led Moreno 71 percent to 29 percent.

Rep. Cori Bush slams Sen. Joe Manchin on spending bill opposition

Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) released the following statement criticizing Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) on Monday hours after he publicly refused to sign off on the latest iteration of a $1.75 social spending package that House Democrats hoped to vote on this week.

"Joe Manchin does not get to dictate the future of our country.

I do not trust his assessment of what our communities need the most. I trust the parents in my district who can’t get to their shift without childcare. "I trust the scientists who have shown us what our future will look like if we fail to meaningfully address the climate crisis. I trust the patients and doctors crying out for comprehensive health coverage for every person in America.

"When I promised St. Louis a historic investment in children, in our seniors, in housing, and in our schools, I said that I would do everything I can to actually deliver change that our community can feel. "We cannot spend the next year saying, ‘the House did its part, and now it’s the Senate’s turn.’ We need the Senate to actually get this done.

"Joe Manchin’s opposition to the Build Back Better Act is anti-Black, anti-child, anti-woman, and anti-immigrant. When we talk about transformative change, we are talking about a bill that will benefit Black, brown and Indigenous communities.

"Those same communities are overwhelmingly excluded from the bipartisan infrastructure bill. We cannot leave anyone behind.

Senator Manchin must support the Build Back Better Act."

FBI investigating racial slur, fire at Black council member's home

The FBI is conducting a hate crime investigation in Connersville Indiana after the city's only Black council member's home caught fire Oct. 29. Investigators said they found a racial slur spray painted in black letters on the back porch of the home.

Schumer to force vote on John Lewis voting rights bill

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on Monday that he will force a vote this week on a voting rights bill named after the late Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.)

Schumer will force a vote on Wednesday on whether to debate the bill. It is expected to fail to get the 60 votes needed to advance.

"I will file cloture on the motion to proceed to the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, setting up a vote to take place on Wednesday," Schumer said from the Senate floor.

"If there's anything that merits debate here in the Senate, it's protecting the precious right of Americans to participate in our elections," Schumer added.

The voting rights bill named after Lewis would update the Voting Rights Act (VRA) to strengthen sections of the 1965 law that were gutted by the Supreme Court's 2013 Shelby County v. Holder decision, which focused on Section 5 of the VRA that required Justice Department preclearance before some states could change voting laws, and the 2021 Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee decision, which advocates believe weakened Section 2 of the 1965 law focused on racially targeted voting policies.

Schumer pledged that if Republicans help start debate on the bill, which is unlikely, that they would have a chance to offer amendments. Even if Republicans allowed a debate on the bill, they could still block it from passing because it will need to overcome a second 60-vote hurdle.

"I am prepared to offer a full-fledged debate befitting this great chamber. Republicans will be given the chance to raise their objections, to offer amendments and make changes to the bill," Schumer said.

"I know that both parties have serious disagreements on this important issue, so we want to hear from the other side what they propose. But for that to happen, we need to start debate first. We need to vote to allow the Senate to work through its process," Schumer added.

[MSN]

Congressional Black Caucus Chair: CBC Very Satisfied with Biden's Spending Plan

The $1.75 trillion framework agreement for President Biden's "Build Back Better" plan represents a significant victory for the Congressional Black Caucus, who have been adamant that promises made to Black communities be kept by the White House.

In an CNN interview CBC Chairwoman Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) discussed how the Congressional Black Caucus was very satisfied with Biden's spending plan.

"We're very satisfied. This is transformational," Rep. Joyce Beatty, chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, says about what is in Biden's spending bill.https://t.co/C6AoULezPx pic.twitter.com/LBip3L4fm1

— New Day (@NewDay) October 29, 2021

What President Biden's Revamped Build Back Better Act Includes For HBCUs

When it comes to President Biden's Build Back Better Act you may have heard about Biden's plans for subsidized child care, universal pre-kindergarten and extended child tax credits.

But tucked inside the president's new scaled-back $1.85 trillion framework is significant funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Here is a brief overview of what Biden is proposing fr HBCUs:

* Biden's revamped framework includes $10 billion for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities and other minority-serving institutions – one of the few funding increases over what was proposed in the president's original $3.5 trillion reconciliation package.

* The bill sets aside $3 billion for grants to support research and development infrastructure at such institutions. There's also $6 billion in Title III and Title V federal aid for HBCUs, TCUs and minority-serving institutions over the next five years, which would be five times the amount these schools currently receive from these funding streams, according to the White House.

* Other HBCU funding includes $1 billion proposed for improvements of agricultural facilities at HBCUs that were established by 1890 land grants and $100 million for scholarships for students pursuing agricultural careers at these schools.

The significant boost for HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions comes as Biden faces sharp criticism from leaders of Black colleges and universities after proposing about $2 billion for HBCUs in his initial plan.