House passes anti-lynching bill

The House passed legislation on Monday that would classify lynching as a federal hate crime.

Lawmakers easily passed the bill, which is named after Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American boy who was lynched in 1955, on a 422-3 vote.

The legislation's passage comes more than 120 years after the first federal anti-lynching legislation was introduced by then-Rep. George Henry White, who was the only Black member of Congress at that time.

The bill, authored by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), would designate lynching as a hate crime punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Art Briles resigns as Grambling State offensive coordinator

Four days after Art Briles controversial hire as Grambling State's new offensive coordinator, the embattled former football coach at Baylor resigned.

A Grambling State spokesperson confirmed that Briles had resigned but offered no details.

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of your coaching staff at Grambling State University," Briles said in a statement. "Unfortunately, I feel that my continued presence will be a distraction to you and your team, which is the last thing that I want. I have the utmost respect the university, and the players."

Briles was confirmed as the offensive coordinator on Thursday by Grambling officials.

Although he had the support of Head Coach Hue Jackson, several prominent Grambling alumni such as Doug Williams did not want Briles at Grambling after he was fired from Baylor for his handling of sexual assault accusations against his players.

DR. LATONIA COLLINS SMITH APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF HARRIS-STOWE STATE UNIVERSITY

Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) announces that Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith is the 21st President of the University. Dr. Collins Smith is the first African American woman President of HSSU, following the legacy of Ruth Harris, the first African American woman President of Stowe Teachers College in 1940.

Chair of the Board of Regents, Michael McMillan commented that “Dr. Collins Smith exemplifies Harris-Stowe’s core values of Personal Growth, Respect, Innovation, Diversity, and Excellence. She has demonstrated her extraordinary ability to connect with all of our stakeholders and to catapult Harris-Stowe forward in these critical times.”

Dr. Collins Smith, appointed as Interim President June 1, 2021, will assume the Presidency March 1, 2022. Dr. Collins Smith has more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience with an extensive background in administration and program development. She began her career in higher education at HSSU in 2010. She served as the co-principal investigator of a $5 million National Science Foundation grant to strengthen STEM in the state of Missouri and serves as chair of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statewide Celebration Commission of Missouri.

During Collins Smith’s time as Interim President, HSSU made significant strides. The University raised more than $3.5M in scholarships, donations, including those designated to endowments, as well as grants. HSSU kicked-off renovations for the former Vashon Community Center Building, which will become home to the Don and Heide Wolff Jazz Institute and National Black Radio Hall of Fame. The University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is in its early development phase. In 2020-2021, HSSU graduated its largest class in the University’s history (201 students) and increased its 6 year graduation rate by 6.3%.

Collins Smith has received numerous awards, most recently receiving the Frankie Muse Freeman/Norman R. Seay Commitment to St. Louis Award with Michael McMillan at the St. Louis City NAACP 110th Anniversary Celebration and Freedom Fund Dinner. Other awards include the Equal Education Opportunity Group Pioneer Award, the NAACP Ben Hooks Community Leader award and the AKA, Inc. Central Region’s Outstanding Educational Advancement Captain award. She is a 2019 Millennium Leadership Initiative Protégé and a St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative Fellow and a Higher Education Leadership Foundation Fellow.

A native of the Historic Ville Neighborhood in St. Louis, Dr. Collins Smith is a proud graduate of St. Louis Public Schools. She earned an educational Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Maryville University. She holds a Master of Social Work degree and a Master of Public Health degree from Saint Louis University. She is a graduate of the University of Central Missouri, where she majored in social work.

NJ cheerleading team needs help raising money to compete at Disney World.

A Paterson, new Jersey cheerleading team has made history and now it needs help from the community.

Flamez Elite is the first Paterson cheer team to be invited to compete at the International Cheerleading Competition in Disney World.

The team’s coaches have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the trip. The team has funds but needs $35,000 needed to go to Disney World.

Please donate here to help these young ladies out: Help Flamez Elite Compete at Disney

Clyburn urges "strong bipartisan support" for Ketanji Brown Jackson

During appearance on CBS's Face the Nation, Democratic Congressman James Clyburn urged GOP senators to support the nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court.

Black Press Archives at Howard University Gets Preserved, Digitized Thanks to $2M Grant

The Howard University Moorland-Spingarn Research Center (MSRC) received a $2 million grant from the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation to support the preservation and digitization of the Black Press Archives, a newspaper collection of titles by Black journalists, editors and publishers. MSRC worked in partnership with the Center for Journalism and Democracy to secure this critical gift, and the center will be committing additional funds to the project to ensure a significant number of publications in the Black Press Archives are available in an online repository for worldwide research.

“Documenting and telling our stories has always served as a source of truth and power for the Black community in the United States and across the African diaspora,” said Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick. “The Black Press Archives is a unique and deeply important resource for Howard University faculty and students as well as the broader research community. We are very pleased to receive the support of the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation to digitize the archives – an important milestone that advances Howard’s mission to share the story of the Black experience with the world.”

The Black Press Archives represents more than 2,000 newspaper titles from the United States, Africa and the African diaspora. It has 2,847 microfilm reels of newspapers, totaling over 100,000 individual issues of newspapers. The collection includes complete files of Black papers as well as the records of Black editors, publishers and journalists.

“I am excited for MSRC’s partnership with the Center for Journalism and Democracy and grateful for the generous support of the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation,” said Moorland-Spingarn Research Center Director Benjamin Talton, Ph.D. “Black newspapers and journalists are essential pieces in the history of African-Americans and Black people globally. One cannot fully tell the story of the Black experience without the Black press. I am proud to have MSRC at the center of sharing that legacy. Our digitization project will bring greater equity in access to this important resource. For the first time ever, those who lack the financial means and time to travel to the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center will be able bring this history into their classrooms and homes through our online database.”

The Jonathan Logan Family Foundation supports organizations that advance social justice by empowering world-changing work in investigative journalism, documentary film, arts and culture, and democracy. The foundation has supported numerous other social justice archive projects, including digitization of photographer Ernest C. Withers civil rights photo collection and production of a full-length documentary on Withers; a production of “And Then They Came for Us,” a full-length documentary about the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II; and production of the “Making Gay History” podcast, which draws on a decades-old archive of rare interviews that bring LGBTQ voices to life.

“We were immediately intrigued when Ms. Hannah-Jones and the archives scholars at Howard described the treasure trove of Black press materials in its collection – from the legendary Chicago Defender and Amsterdam News, Los Angeles Sentinel and Washington Afro-American, to global publications as well as the records of Black publishers, editors and journalists,” said President and CEO of the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation Jonathan C. Logan. “Nikole herself has relied on this archive in her own work. The cataloguing and digitizing of this amazing collection will make it possible to share this indispensable resource with the world – students, journalists, scholars – everyone, anywhere. JLFF is so proud to partner with Howard to help bring to life the reporting and stories that, in many cases, would be lost to history but for the Black press.”

The grant will also be used to hire staff, purchase equipment and supplies, and fund scholarships for students and scholars at HBCUs to visit the on-site collection. The Jonathan Logan Family Foundation’s generous support will provide more than half of the overall budget needed to complete the archival project.

The Center for Journalism and Democracy is seeking additional support for this pivotal project. The center’s founder, Nikole Hannah-Jones, also serves as the inaugural Knight Chair in Race and Journalism at the Cathy Hughes School of Communications at Howard University. The center will officially launch in Fall 2022.

“For generations, the stories of Black people in America were not deemed worthy of telling by the newspapers delivered to the homes of white people. Those journals documented only one version of the lived American experience,” said Hannah-Jones. “The Black press served – and continues to serve – to celebrate, commemorate and honor Black lives in this country and to push this nation to live up to its highest ideals. Howard University has always understood the value and necessity of uplifting, documenting and fighting for Black lives, and the students we will support through the center will utilize and learn from this impressive archive. I am deeply grateful that the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation has chosen to fund the processing and digitization of the Black Press Archives, which are a tremendous gift not just to Howard but to the nation and the world.”

MSRC is currently housed in Howard’s storied Founder’s Library. In 2015, MSRC began its Digital Production Center to manage the digitization and digital preservation of its extensive archive of African-American history. Through digital preservation, MSRC hopes to better support the preservation of the global Black experience in perpetuity. The grant also will be used to support scholars and cover the costs of research.

Baltimore Train Station Recognized as Part of the Underground Railroad

The National Park Service recently made quite the discovery that was actually hidden in plain sight. The Mount Clare train station in Baltimore, Maryland, is getting recognition for playing a major role in the Underground Railroad. Kris Hoellen, the executive director of the B&O Railroad Museum, and her team have discovered that the Mount Clare station was used by at least 20 confirmed freedom-seekers heading north to escape slavery.

Sen. Cory Booker Statement on the Nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court

U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement:

“I’m deeply grateful to President Biden for conducting a rigorous and thorough process to determine his first Supreme Court nominee. He clearly found the best person for the job.

“I’m so impressed with Judge Jackson’s exemplary career, particularly her experience as a public defender -- a deeply important role in our justice system that no one who’s ever served on the Supreme Court has experience doing. This kind of occupational diversity is badly needed on our nation’s highest court, and helps root Judge Jackson in the reality that the Court’s decisions have on people’s lives -- especially those without great wealth and privilege.

“This is a Jackie Robinson moment for our nation. For generations America has been blessed with extraordinary legal talent in people of all backgrounds, but for the first time in our history an extraordinarily talented Black woman will serve on the Supreme Court. I’m profoundly moved by this; my heart aches with joy. I’m committed to doing everything possible to make sure that Judge Jackson becomes the next justice on the Supreme Court.”

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson remarks on her nomination to the Supreme Court

Watch Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson comment on her nomination from the White House.

President Obama Statement on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson nomination to the Supreme Court

Former President Obama released the following statement on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's nomination to the Supreme Court:

I want to congratulate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on her nomination to the Supreme Court. Judge Jackson has already inspired young Black women like my daughters to set their sights higher, and her confirmation will help them believe they can be anything they want to be.

As a protégé of Justice Breyer, Judge Jackson earned a reputation for pragmatism and consensus building. It’s part of why I nominated her twice – first as a district judge, and then to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, where she earned praise from both Democrats and Republicans.

Like Justice Breyer, Judge Jackson understands that the law isn’t just about abstract theory. It’s about people’s lives. @POTUS Biden has made an excellent choice, and I look forward to seeing Judge Jackson confirmed.

NAACP Statement On Historic Nomination of First Black Woman to Supreme Court

The NAACP issued the following statement on President Biden's nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court of the United States:

"The NAACP applauds President Biden's nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. This is a historic moment for our nation and our community in particular. President Biden has met this moment with an extraordinarily qualified nominee, who has stellar credentials and an impeccable background," said Derrick Johnson, NAACP president and CEO.

"This is tremendously exciting news. We have been calling for this at the NAACP. We need Black women at every level of the judiciary, and especially on the highest court of the land," said NAACP general counsel Janette McCarthy Wallace. "Beginning with Judge Jane Bolin and Judge Constance Baker Motley, Black women have been highly qualified and exceptional judges — and as such, they have been valuable members of the judicial system and they made incredibly unique contributions."

Since 1789, 115 justices have served on the Supreme Court of the United States, and not one has been a Black woman. The Court decides critical cases impacting the lives of all Americans, ranging from voting rights, economic justice, equal educational opportunity, reproductive rights, environmental justice, consumer rights, and criminal justice. Representation of a Black woman on the highest court of the land is long overdue. Her presence and voice on the Court will undoubtedly enrich its perspective and improve its decision-making.

A Washington DC native who was raised in Miami, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is a graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Law School. Judge Jackson clerked for three federal judges, including Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, whose seat she would fill. In 2013, President Barack Obama appointed her to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. In 2021, President Biden elevated her to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

Importantly, Judge Jackson would bring a unique background to the Supreme Court, having spent a significant portion of her career working to ensure fairness in the criminal legal system. She served as a federal public defender in Washington DC, which would make her the first justice since Thurgood Marshall to bring criminal defense expertise to the Court. Judge Jackson also served as a staff attorney and later as a commissioner on the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

In keeping with the NAACP's long-standing practice of reviewing the records of all nominees to the Supreme Court, we look forward to reviewing Judge Jackson's entire record and sharing our views with the U.S. Senate.

As the Senate exercises its "advice and consent" responsibility under the Constitution with respect to this historic nomination, we urge each and every senator to treat Judge Jackson with the respect, dignity, and courtesy she deserves. We note that certain members of the Senate have shown significant hostility toward President Biden's woman nominees of color — both to executive and judicial positions. We caution those senators that the eyes of the nation are watching. Reviewing a Supreme Court nomination is one of the Senate's most august responsibilities, and it must do so fairly and respectfully, especially given the historic nature of this appointment.

Statement from Congressional Black Caucus on the historic nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the US Supreme Court

The Congressional Black Caucus released the following statement on the historic nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the US Supreme Court.

Black women have always been at the forefront of fighting for a more just democracy. After today, that forefront will expand to the #SCOTUS. We proudly support Judge #KetanjiBrownJackon's nomination to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court!

Senator Reverend Warnock Introduces New Bill to Cap Costs of Insulin

U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) has introduced new legislation to cap the out-of-pocket cost of insulin for Americans. The Affordable Insulin Now Act will require Medicare plans and private group or individual plans to cap patients’ out-of-pocket costs for insulin at $35 per month. This will lower costs for insulin users and save money for hardworking Georgians and Americans—many who are paying exorbitantly from their own pockets for insulin and other diabetic treatments. According to one estimate, diabetics spend close to $6,000 annually on insulin alone. This is all while costs for insulin are going up and manufacturers of the drug are pocketing more revenue from insulin sales than in prior decades.

“Too many Georgians have or know someone who has diabetes, and too many live with the burden of treating this chronic condition with critical insulin that’s costing them more and more,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “At the same time, special corporate interests are seeing record profits, while everyday people are seeing record prices for drugs like insulin they need to live. I’ve long been focused on strengthening access to affordable health care and lowering costs for Georgians, and that’s why I am proud to lead the effort in the Senate to cap patients’ out-of-pocket costs for insulin. Georgians should never have to choose between paying for life’s basic essentials or life-preserving medicines.”

Under the Affordable Insulin Now Act, private group or individual plans would be required to cover one of each insulin dosage form (vial, pen) and insulin type (rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting) for no more than $35 per month. Medicare Part D plans, both stand-alone drug plans and Medicare Advantage drug plans, would be required to charge no more than $35 for whichever insulin products they cover in 2023 and 2024, and for all insulin products beginning in 2025.

Senator Warnock has heard concerns from close to 3,000 Georgians about the burdens of rising prescription drugs prices, including from hundreds of constituents concerned about the rising costs of insulin. Costs to treat diabetes have continued to rise for many Georgians and Americans: according to the Health Care Costs Institute, insulin prices nearly doubled from 2012 to 2016, with the average price for a 40-day supply of insulin increasing from $344 to $666 during that span. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, medical costs and lost work and wages for people with diagnosed diabetes total $327 billion yearly, and the American Diabetes Association has asserted that diabetics account for $1 of every $4 spent on health care in the U.S. At the same time, a 2021 bipartisan staffreport from the Senate Finance Committee found that “[insulin] manufacturers are retaining more revenue from insulin than in the 2000s,” and that “the amount of revenue pharmaceutical manufacturers are retaining from insulin has risen.”

“For decades, millions of diabetics in this country have had to pay outrageous prices for the medications they need to survive. Even when insulin vials only cost a few dollars to produce, drug companies have hiked the price to hundreds of dollars per month, forcing patients to ration insulin and skip doses altogether — which can have devastating consequences,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “Senator Warnock’s bill capping insulin out-of-pocket costs to $35 a month for Americans with insurance will put more money in families’ pockets and give them peace of mind knowing they won’t have to choose between purchasing this life saving medication and putting food on the table. We commend Senator Warnock for his unwavering commitment to fighting for a future where quality, affordable health care is a reality for every American.” 

Lowering rising costs and providing access to affordable health care have been top priorities for Senator Warnock. As the sponsor of the Medicaid Saves Lives Act, Senator Warnock has fought in the Senate for a federal fix to close the Medicaid coverage gap in Georgia and the other 11 non-expansion states. In December 2021, the Senator also introduced the Capping Prescription Costs Act aimed at saving families and individuals money on their medications by requiring insurers to cap out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs.

Senator Warnock’s Affordable Insulin Now Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The legislation is also endorsed by: Protect Our Care; American Diabetes Association, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); American Federation of Teachers, Community Catalyst, Public Citizen, and Social Security Works.

Watch video of Senator Reverend Warnock discussing his new bill to lower insulin costs HERE. For more information on the Affordable Insulin Now Act, visit HERE.

Read the full bill text HERE.

Ben Crump endorses Ketanji Brown Jackson for the Supreme Court

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump publicly urged President Joe Biden to tap Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for the Supreme Court on Wednesday, as the president closes in on a decision for his first nomination to the high court.

"In my view, that of a civil rights lawyer and advocate who is committed to bringing justice, respect, and fairness to this nation, and particularly to my community, that woman is Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson," Crump said in a statement, provided first to ABC News.

The endorsement -- the first from a high-profile Black civil rights advocate -- is a significant boost for Jackson after African American community leaders have spent weeks largely remaining neutral on the pick.

"My standards for this nominee go beyond integrity, brilliance and fairness," Crump said in the statement. "I carry the additional purchase that this justice must represent African Americans in a way that has cultural competency, forcefulness and instills deep pride."

[SOURCE: YAHOO]

Al Roker Entertainment Produces Docudrama Celebrating The Contributions Of African American Cowboys

Freedom on the Range is an original INSP docudrama produced by Al Roker Entertainment that features the contributions of African American Cowboys to the American West.

The docudrama is set to premiere on INSP on Saturday, February 26th at 7PM ET. The announcement was made by Craig Miller, VP of Original Programming & Development for INSP.

“The significant contributions of African American cowboys in the shaping of America have largely gone unnoticed,” said Miller. “In Freedom on the Range, we pay tribute to these unsung groundbreakers by telling the true stories of some of the most courageous trailblazers that helped tame the American West. While these are not household names to most of us, their stories are fascinating and need to be told as part of our nation’s history. This is a show that audiences don’t want to miss.”

A celebration of the frontier spirit, Freedom on the Range is a one-hour special that highlights five legendary Black cowboys who helped tame the Old West: Nat Love, Bose Ikard, Bass Reeves, Bill Pickett, and George McJunkin. These men made their way to the Western Frontier and discovered a new sense of freedom that allowed them to rise above the legacy of slavery and transcend the color barriers of their time. Nat Love penned a best-selling autobiography, and Bose Ikard became the inspiration for a beloved character in a famous Western novel. Bass Reeves transformed himself into one of the West’s greatest lawmen, Bill Pickett became an iconic rodeo star, and George McJunkin made what turned out to be one of the country’s most significant archeological discoveries. These heroes continue to inspire a new generation of Black cowboys who are keeping that frontier spirit alive and well.

Miller continued: “It’s been a pleasure working with Al Roker’s team on this project. They really dug into the material, researched this little-known part or our nation’s history, and made sure the stories were told with accuracy, authenticity, and impact.”“I grew up in an era when westerns ruled TV; Bonanza and Gunsmoke were must-watch TV, and then later, films like Buck and the Preacher, with the late Sidney Poitier,” noted Roker. “Since then, I’ve been captivated by the role African Americans played in shaping this country, post-Civil War. When I was approached to have my team at Al Roker Entertainment tell the true stories of America’s black cowboys, I jumped at the opportunity to set the record straight and give accurate historical context to these courageous pioneers.”

Freedom on the Range premieres Saturday, February 26th at 7PM ET on INSP.

INSP is a general-entertainment television network that is available nationwide to more than 62.3M households via MVPDs including DISH (channel 259), DIRECTV (channel 364), Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, National Cable Television COOP (NCTC), Verizon Fios (channel 286), AT&T U-verse (channel 564); on vMVPDs including SLING TV, Fubo TV, Philo TV, FRNDLY TV, Vidco, Select TV, Evoca TV and more than 2,800 cable systems.

New Book Release: The Black Agenda: Bold Solutions for a Broken System

"The Black Agenda mobilizes top Black experts from across the country to share transformative perspectives on how to deploy anti-racist ideas and policies into everything from climate policy to criminal justice to healthcare. This book will challenge what you think is possible by igniting long overdue conversations around how to enact lasting and meaningful change rooted in racial justice." —Ibram X. Kendi, #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Be an Antiracist and Stamped From the Beginning.

From ongoing reports of police brutality to the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has had on Black Americans, 2020 brought a renewed awareness to the deep-rootedness of racism and white supremacy in every facet of American life.

Edited by Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, The Black Agenda is the first book of its kind—a bold and urgent move towards social justice through a profound collection of essays featuring Black scholars and experts across economics, education, health, climate, and technology. It speaks to the question "What's next for America?" on the subjects of policy-making, mental health, artificial intelligence, climate movement, the future of work, the LGBTQ community, the criminal legal system, and much more.

Essayists including Dr. Sandy Darity, Dr. Hedwig Lee, Mary Heglar, and Janelle Jones present groundbreaking ideas ranging from Black maternal and infant health to reparations to AI bias to inclusive economic policy, with the potential to uplift and heal not only Black America, but the entire country.

BUY THE BOOK

HBCU, Tougaloo College receives substantial donation from Netflix CEO, wife

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and his wife, Patty Quillin, a notable documentary and film producer, donated $10 million to Tougaloo College.

The donation will fund much-needed financial aid for Tougaloo students working toward careers in medicine, public health, the sciences, education, business, and other fields and aspiring to make a positive impact on their communities after graduation.

The funds will also support Tougaloo students participating in a unique and enduring 58-year-old partnership between Brown University and Tougaloo, which has connected generations of students, faculty, and staff from both institutions through academic exchanges, fellowships, research projects and other initiatives.

Commemorative Coin Debuts to Celebrate Juneteenth

Unlimited, LLC is excited to introduce the release of a commemorative coin to celebrate a new Federal holiday – Juneteenth – inspired by the African Diaspora, Black American history and the fight for freedom. Made of one troy ounce of .999 fine silver, this inspirational coin is for anyone who wants a valuable keepsake to memorialize this significant new holiday.

June 19, 1865, marks the date that the last known African-American slaves were freed. As a result, it’s become one of the most important days in African-American history. This commemorative coin will honor and remember the African-American forefathers and mothers who suffered throughout the history of the trans-Atlantic slavery system.

What makes it a fascinating coin is the use of a Swahili word – Nahuona: “I see you.” Careful thought and consideration were put into the use of this word. The concept may present one of the best ways to acknowledge empathy and compassion for our ancestors and for all humanity. Juneteenth Unlimited is also delighted to use a West African Kente textile art design. The reverse side has an image of Frederick Douglass, a former slave who became a famed abolitionist.

In addition to the holiday marking the last known day slaves were freed, Juneteenth serves to remind people that humans have an incredible capacity to heal and emerge from their darkest moments with hope and purpose. This coin represents how people had to rise from the ashes and acquire freedom.

Beverly David Robinson, owner, Juneteenth Unlimited, is also the coin’s designer and is committed to honoring the past while creating a brighter future. She hopes that all Americans will acknowledge the significance and power that Juneteenth holds.

“Precious metals have proven to have financial stability throughout history,” she says. “This coin will hold its value for present and future generations. It’s time to rejoice and celebrate history with one of these cherished coins.”

For more information: https://nahuona.com/

About Juneteenth Unlimited

Juneteenth Unlimited works to raise awareness in the black community about the importance of owning precious metals as long-term investments.

Four-year-old Hampton Codi Bigsby is missing

Hampton, VA-Four-year-old Hampton boy Codi Bigsby was reported missing by his father on January 31, 2022. For over two weeks, people from all over the state have come to Hampton to help in the search, looking for any clues as to where Codi might be.

Codi is four feet tall and weighs about 80 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black bomber jacket, black sweatpants and Spider-Man flip-flops.

If you have any information on Codi's whereabouts, call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP (1-888-562-5887).

An Interview with Broadcasting mogul Byron Allen

Four years ago, comedian and media mogul Byron Allen became the first Black American to own a 24-hour mainstream cable news network when he purchased The Weather Channel for $310 million – in cash. Now, Allen is preparing a bid to buy the Denver Broncos, which – if successful – would make him the NFL's first Black majority owner. CBS correspondent Lee Cowan talks with Allen about his entrepreneurial spirit, and his success at increasing minority ownership in broadcasting.