Missing Black Woman Alert: Nia Nembhard Is Missing

NEW YORK - The NYPD is asking for the public’s help to locate a 35-year-old woman who was reported missing from Mariners Harbor.

Nia Nembhard was seen on Tuesday around 4 p.m. in the vicinity of her home at Lockman and Netherland avenues, according to a spokesman for the NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

Police described the missing woman as standing about 5′3″ tall and weighing about 250 pounds, with a large build. She has brown eyes, wears eye glasses and has short black hair. She was seen wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on Twitter @NYPDTips.

Buffalo Bills Foundation and NFL Foundation contributing $400,000 to support response to Buffalo massacre

The Buffalo Bills Foundation and NFL Foundation are taking initial steps to help the Buffalo's East Side community heal in the wake of Saturday's targeted attack against the Black community.

The foundations are combining to donate $400,000 to support the community in the wake of this horrific hate crime.

A combined $200,0000 will go to the Buffalo Together Community Response Fund. This new fund is a collaborative philanthropic effort across the region that will address the immediate and long-term needs in our community, including systemic issues that have marginalized communities of color.

"On behalf of the Buffalo Together Community Response Fund, we are most grateful for the generous contributions from the Buffalo Bills Foundation and the National Football League Foundation that will allow us to create real change and emerge from the darkness of this heinous act," said Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker, President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. "This Fund is a partnership to build upon the collective desire to take action and to work together as a community to address immediate needs, long-term rebuilding and systemic issues that continue to marginalize communities of color."

The other $200,000 will be donated directly from the Buffalo Bills Foundation to various nonprofits working on the emergency response efforts to address the immediate needs of Buffalo's East Side residents. As an example of one of these efforts, we have partnered with Buffalo Go Green, African Heritage Food Co-op, the Resource Council of WNY, and UB Food Lab to arrange home food deliveries to those unable to come to a food distribution site.

This is just the beginning of the efforts of the Buffalo Bills and we are committed to doing more for the community as the days and weeks go by.

To find more ways to get involved and provide support to those in need in our community, click here.

Black Churches Send Letter to the FDA Asking for a Ban on Menthol Cigarettes

The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a coalition of 150,000 African American and Latino churches sent a letter to the FDA asking for a ban on menthol cigarettes.

NBCI is pleased to express our strong support for the FDA and its efforts to ban menthol cigarettes in the African American and Latino communities. We know the dangers of menthol cigarettes within our community as they are killing us at dangerous and disparate rate. The Black Church’s stance with this banning effort is important and we wish to further those efforts in whatever ways we can.

Rev Evans, President of NBCI said, “NBCI wishes to do whatever it takes to protect our communities and children from flavored cigarettes as well as other gimmicks designed to lure Black and Brown communities in engaging in menthol cigarettes. We anticipate the opportunity to stand with you and your team against the tobacco industry to ban menthol cigarettes as we, as NBCI, seek to further advance the safety and well-being of African American and Latino communities served.”


About the NBCI

The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) is a coalition of 150,000 African American and Latino Churches and 27.7 million members nationwide working to eradicate racial disparities in healthcare, technology, education, housing, and the environment. The NBCI’s mission is to provide critical wellness information to all of its members and the public.

We offer faith-based, out-of-the-box, cutting-edge solutions to stubborn economic and social issues. Our solutions are backed by statistical analysis, science-based strategies and techniques, and methods that work.

The NBCI’s purpose is to partner with major organizations and officials whose mission is to reduce racial disparities in the areas cited above. Visit our website at https://www.naltblackchurch.com/.

Rep. Jahana Hayes Leads Bill to Improve Access to Infant Formula For Vulnerable Families Amid Shortage

Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), led the introduction of the Access to Baby Formula Act to help improve access to infant formula amid shortage for families who participate in the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program during a crisis. Since April, around 40% of formula products were out of stock in seven states, including Connecticut.

Regrettably, the baby formula shortage has taken an especially dangerous toll on women and children from underserved communities who use WIC benefits to purchase formula, including nearly 44,000 families in Connecticut. In response, the bipartisan bill, the Access to Baby Formula Act provides flexibility so that families can continue purchasing safe infant formula with WIC benefits during extenuating circumstances, such as a supply chain disruption.

“We are in the midst of a national emergency, where families are panicking as they work to prevent their babies from going hungry. I have heard directly from constituents who are searching for formula to no avail and we are actively seeing the consequences of an essential service throttled by a monopoly industry during a time of unprecedented supply chain challenges. Today, we are taking action to help our most vulnerable families feed their babies,” said Congresswoman Hayes. “As a young mom, I turned to the WIC program to help my family. As the Chairwoman of the Nutrition Subcommittee, I am now working with Chairman Bobby Scott to protect these vital services. My bill, the Access to Baby Formula Act, helps improve access to formula products for WIC participants, while also ensuring participants are better protected during future product recalls.  I am hopeful this effort will provide urgent relief for struggling families.”

“The shortage of infant formula has been distressing for families in Virginia and across the nation. This crisis is particularly alarming as it has disproportionately affected women and children who rely on WIC benefits to purchase formula. That is why Representative Hayes and I have taken action to provide additional WIC flexibilities, so vulnerable families can use their benefits on other safe and available formula products. This legislation will help ensure that babies receive the nutrition they need,” said Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott. “While I am encouraged that the Biden Administration and Abbott Nutrition have come to an agreement to restart production, I remain committed to working with my colleagues to ensure families can maintain access to the formula they need in the interim and in the future.”

Highlights of the Access to Baby Formula Act include:

• • The establishment of waiver authority to address emergencies, disasters and supply chain disruptions by ensuring states that contract with these companies for the WIC program can secure supplies from additional manufacturers.
• • The waiver of requirements that can slow down the process to get formula back on the shelves, without sacrificing safety standards.
• • The coordination and information sharing between the Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding any supply chain disruption, including supplemental food recalls. 

WIC recipients utilize formula at roughly double the rate of  non-participating families– making this crisis have a disproportionate impact on communities and families with the highest need. Further, for those able to find formula in local stores, prices have increased dramatically, in some cases rising 18% over the past year. This legislation provides a back up plan in the case of future recalls or supply chain disruptions so that we are not left agonizing over how we will feed our babies.

Abbott Nutrition’s recall is particularly alarming as its formula products serve 89 percent of all infants participating in WIC, according to the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service.

Congresswoman Michelle Steele (CA-48) is an original sponsor of the Access to Baby Formula Act.

To read the bill text for the Access to Baby Formula Act, click here.

To learn more about the Access to Baby Formula Act, click here.

NAACP and ADL to meet with AG Garland to discuss the spread of white supremacy

In the wake of the terrible tragedy in Buffalo, the NAACP and ADL are convening a meeting with AG Garland this Friday. The meeting will focus on the spread of white supremacy across social media platforms and hate crimes tearing through Black communities across America.

The NAACP and ADL have also invited representatives from the following organizations to attend Friday's meeting with AG Merrick Garland:

• Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

• National Council of Negro Women

• National Urban League

• Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights

• National Action Network

• Legal Defense Fund

• The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation

Former Minneapolis officer Thomas Lane pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of George Floyd

A former Minneapolis police officer has pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Wednesday. Thomas Lane will receive a three-year sentence, which will be served in a federal institution, according to his attorney.

Ellison released the following statement:

Today my thoughts are once again with the victims, George Floyd and his family. Nothing will bring Floyd back. He should still be with us today.

I am pleased Thomas Lane has accepted responsibility for his role in Floyd’s death. His acknowledgment he did something wrong is an important step toward healing the wounds of the Floyd family, our community, and the nation. While accountability is not justice, this is a significant moment in this case and a necessary resolution on our continued journey to justice.

Adam Silver says NBA is working with WNBA for Brittney Griner's release from Russia

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday that he is working "side by side" with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert to try to bring Brittney Griner home.

Silver, speaking to ESPN's Malika Andrews in a televised interview from Chicago prior to the NBA draft lottery, said his league was following the advice of experts when it did not take an aggressive approach during the early stages of Griner's detention in Russia.

"We've been in touch with the White House, the State Department, hostage negotiators, every level of government and also through the private sector as well," Silver said. "Our No. 1 priority is her health and safety and making sure that she gets out of Russia."

[SOURCE: ESPN]

State Sen. Don Davis wins Democratic North Carolina House primary

State Sen. Don Davis has won the Democratic nomination for North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District.

Davis, an Air Force veteran, emerged from a field with three other competitors and will face a competitive general election race in November.

He said he plans to spend his time in Congress focusing on rural infrastructure and economic support.

“Plainly, eastern North Carolina is in dire straits. Despite North Carolina as a whole gaining population and gaining an additional Congressional seat, District 1 was the only district that lost population,” Davis said. “Our communities are facing a crisis on many fronts and we need to address the economic, educational, and health care disparities head-on."

Davis will face Republican Sandy Smith in the November 8 general election.

Watch Davis discuss his victory below:

Cheri Beasley wins North Carolina Democratic Senate primary

Cheri Beasley, a former chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, won her state’s Democratic primary for the United States Senate, clearing out competitors in a 10-way race with an emphasis on her judicial credentials and her ability to work with law enforcement and apply the law fairly.

The win puts Ms. Beasley, 56, a former public defender who climbed the judicial ranks and made history as North Carolina’s first Black Supreme Court chief justice, closer to becoming its first Black senator.

“Were going to just keep doing what were doing today, and certainly we have been very thoughtful about the next phase. It’s been awesome to have been able to really plan for it and build the infrastructure for the next part of this election, so we’re excited about that,” Beasley said.

Beasley will the winner of the Republican Primary, Rep, Ted Budd in the general election on November 8.

Charles Booker wins Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Kentucky primary

Charles Booker has won the Democratic primary election for the U.S. Senate in his bid to stop a decadeslong winning streak by Kentucky Republicans.

Booker defeated three opponents in the Democratic primary. He will challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul in the November election.

Booker promotes social programs such as Medicare for All and a basic universal income. Booker says such proposals would uplift people across the Bluegrass State, including poor urban neighborhoods and struggling Appalachian towns.

My name is Charles Booker and I am the Democratic nominee for United States Senate in Kentucky.

— Charles Booker (@Booker4KY) May 17, 2022

Colin Kaepernick to receive honorary degree from Morgan State University

Morgan State University President David K. Wilson today announced that three exemplary vanguards of social justice and the African-American experience will be awarded honorary degrees during the 145th Spring Commencement ceremony taking place at Hughes Memorial Stadium on Saturday, May 21. At the ceremony.

Among those to receive honorary degrees will be Super Bowl quarterback and champion for social justice, Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree capping the trio of honorary degrees awarded at Morgan’s 145th Spring Commencement Exercises. The holder of the all-time National Football League (NFL) record for most rushing yards in a game by a quarterback, Kaepernick famously took a knee during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” in 2016 to bring attention to systemic oppression — specifically police violence — of Black and Brown people. For his stance, he has been denied the opportunity to regain his employment within the NFL to this day.

Since 2016, he has founded and helped to fund three organizations — Know Your Rights Camp, Ra Vision Media, and Kaepernick Publishing — that together advance the liberation of Black and Brown people through storytelling, systems change and political education.

Kaepernick sits on Medium’s board of directors and is the winner of numerous prestigious honors, including Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award, the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope honor, GQ magazine’s “Citizen of the Year,” the NFL’s Len Eshmont Award, the Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award, the ACLU’s Eason Monroe Courageous Advocate Award and the Puffin/Nation Institute’s Prize for Creative Citizenship. In 2019, Kaepernick helped Nike win an Emmy for its “Dream Crazy” commercial. In 2021, he released Colin in Black & White, a six-episode limited series on Netflix exploring his high school years. The show won two NAACP Image Awards. In 2022, he became a New York Times bestselling author for his acclaimed children’s picture book, “I Color Myself Different.”

Others receiving honoraary degress are Morgan alumnus and filmmaker David E. Talbert and Morgan alumnus David Burton, the chief proponent in the landmark Coalition for Excellence and Equity in Maryland Higher Education (HBCUs) vs. the State of Maryland lawsuit.

“Leadership, Integrity, Innovation, Diversity, Excellence and Respect are more than just words that appear on the flags that adorn our campus, or words that we utter casually when reciting our core values, they represent the embodiment of who we are and what a Morgan graduate stands for,” said President Wilson. “With this notion in mind, we intentionally sought a collection of individuals who truly embody these principles, and thankfully we have assembled a trio of diverse voices who have bravely stood—and kneeled—for the betterment and advancement of the voiceless, the marginalized and the disenfranchised.”

New memorial plaza at University of Maryland honors Lt. Richard Collins III

Family, friends and the communities of two universities dedicated a memorial to honor the life and legacy of Army Lt. Richard Collins III.

Almost five years have passed since Collins was killed while visiting the University of Maryland, College Park, campus. He was just days away from graduation at Bowie State University, when he was fatally stabbed while at a bus stop on the UMCP campus.

On Monday, both schools, Collins' parents and friends gathered to dedicate the Lt. Richard Collins III Plaza, while calling on the larger community to take action to prevent racism and violence.

University of Maryland President Darryll Pines said not only will Collins' life and legacy be remembered on campus, but it is now built into the landscape.

"The world must remember his name. Today, we've taken an important step forward toward ensuring the legacy of Lt. Collins will never be forgotten," Pines said.

We will always love you, son. Thank you," said Collins' father, Richard Collins.

"He was prepared to give his life for this country in the battlefield. What we didn't know was that battlefield wouldn't be overseas, it would be right here on U.S. soil," said Collins' mother, Dawn Collins.

"No, this is not the end. This is the continuation of a fight against racism and violence and injustice in our society," Bowie State University President Aminta Breaux said.The new plaza is near Montgomery and Annapolis halls, and it overlooks the bus stop where Lt. Richard Collins III was killed.

[SOURCE: WBAL]

Barack Obama statement on the Buffalo Massacre

Former President Barack Obama released the following statement on the Buffalo massacre in which 10 inncocent Black people were gunned down by an 18-year old white supremacist:

This weekend’s shootings in Buffalo offer a tragic reminder of the price we pay for refusing to curb the easy access to guns. It should also serve as a wakeup call for all Americans of goodwill, regardless of party.

We need to repudiate in the strongest terms the politicians and media figures who — whether for political gain or to boost ratings — have used their platforms to promote and normalize “replacement theory” and other starkly racist, anti-Semitic, and nativist conspiracy theories.

It’s despicable, it’s dangerous — and it needs to stop.

Thirteen Years After Entering NBA, Steph Curry Graduates with Davidson College Class of 2022

Steph Curry, the Davidson Wildcat legend and NBA superstar graduated as a member of the class of 2022 today. Preparations for the Western Conference Finals prevented him from attending the ceremony but his achievement electrified the College’s 185th Commencement.

Throughout his NBA career, the two-time MVP and three-time NBA champion has repeatedly emphasized the importance of education, how much he valued his Davidson College experience and that he is committed to earning his degree.

Curry needed to finish just one semester to graduate. With the help of a handful of professors—two from Davidson, one from Stanford and a UC Santa Cruz professor who had taught Curry while they were both at Davidson—Curry finished the coursework and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in Sociology.

Now that he’s graduated, Davidson College looks forward to an opportunity on campus in the future when it will present his diploma.

The Golden State Warriors acknowledged Curry's achievement.

13 years after entering the NBA, Stephen Curry is a college grad.

Stephen completed his final semester of coursework this spring and will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Sociology from Davidson College.

Congrats to the Class of 2022! pic.twitter.com/R3giuMtPDx

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 15, 2022

Aaron Salter, the retired Buffalo police officer killed in mass shooting is a hero

The mass shooting at Tops Markets on Buffalo’s East Side Saturday afternoon claimed the lives of ten people and injured three others.

Information on the victims of this tragedy is limited. However, it has been confirmed that Aaron Salter, a retired Buffalo Police officer working as a security guard, was killed trying to protect those inside the grocery store.

When the gunman, 18-year-old Payton S. Gendron of Conklin, New York, entered the store, Salter shot him multiple times, but the 18-year-old’s armored plating deflected the bullets. Gendron then shot and killed Aaron Salter.

Aaron Salter Jr. was identified by his son as the beloved Tops Friendly Markets security guard and former Buffalo cop who tried to stop the teenage suspect, according to the Daily Beast.

“Today is a shock,” his son Aaron Salter III told the news site.

“I’m pretty sure he saved some lives today. He’s a hero.”

Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia also hailed Salter as “a hero in our eyes.”

“I had the pleasure of knowing him, great guy, well respected, well-liked. This is just horrific. It’s tragic. I don’t know what other words to describe it,” Buffalo Police Benevolent Association President John Evans said.

NAACP statement on racially motivated mass shooting in Buffalo NY

A gunman wearing military gear opened fire with a rifle at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket in what authorities called “racially motived violent extremism,” killing 10 people and wounding three others Saturday before he was arrested.

NAACP President Derrick Johnson released the following statement on the racially motivated mass shooting in Buffalo New York:

This is absolutely devastating. Our hearts are with the community and all who have been impacted by this terrible tragedy. Hate and racism have no place in America. We are shattered, extremely angered and praying for the victims' families and loved ones, as well as the entire community."

‘Sugar Shack’ Painting Featured In ‘Good Times’ Sitcom Sells For $15.3 Million

Ernie Barnes’ 1976 painting The Sugar Shack, familiar to millions of TV viewers for its use during the closing credits of the ’70s sitcom Good Times as well as serving as the album cover of Marvin Gaye’s 1976 release I Want You, sold at auction in New York City last night for $15.3 million.

According to Christie’s auction house, the sale set an auction record for Barnes’ work by more than 27 times the artist’s previous record, and was 76 times the high estimate of $200,000. The 10-minute auction drew 22 bidders before Houston-based energy trader Bill Perkins.

“I would have paid a lot more,” Perkins told The New York Times following the auction. “For certain segments of America, it’s more famous than the Mona Lisa.”

During the fourth season (1976-77) of the smash Norman Lear-produced sitcom Good Times, The Sugar Shack was used during both the show’s opening and closing credits, and in subsequent seasons was featured in either opening or closing credits. During the show’s fifth and sixth seasons, the painting appeared in the family apartment of the Evans family, suggesting it was the work of eldest son and aspiring painter “J.J. Evans,” played by Jimmie Walker.

[SOURCE: DEADLINE]

First All-Black Expedition Reaches the Top of Mount Everest

Since the first person climbed Everest in 1953, there have been 6,000 successful summits. Of those summits. Only 8 Black climbers have reached the top.

A seven-member all Black Everest expedition team summited the world’s highest mountain on Thursday and made history in the process.

Known as “Full Circle Everest,” the team is the first-ever all-Black team to make it to the top of Mount Everest. And by successfully getting seven people up the mountain -- no small feat for any team -- Full Circle nearly doubled the number of Black climbers to summit Everest.

Among the summit party were Manoah Ainuu of Bozeman, Montana; Kenyan climber James Kagambi; Rosemary Saal of Seattle; Desmond “Dom” Mullins of New York City; Abby Dione of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Eddie Taylor of Boulder, Colorado; and Thomas Moore of Denver.

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WNBA star Brittney Griner's detention extended a month

The lawyer for WNBA star Brittney Griner said Friday her pre-trial detention in Russia has been extended by one month.

Griner's lawyer Alexander Boikov told The Associated Press he believed the relatively short extension of the detention indicated the case would come to trial soon.

Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was detained at the Moscow airport after vape cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis were allegedly found in her luggage, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

The Biden administration says Griner, 31, is being wrongfully detained. The WNBA and U.S. officials have worked toward her release, without visible progress.

[SOURCE: ESPN]

Judge Carlton Reeves Nominated To Become First Black Chair Of National Sentencing Commission

U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves of the Southern District of Mississippi has been nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Reeves will be the first African American to serve as chair of the group that was created in the 1980s to reduce sentencing disparities and promote transparency in criminal sentencing.

Reeves, who has presided over several monumental civil rights cases at the federal level, previously served as a Mississippi Supreme Court clerk, as chief of the civil division in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi and in private practice for multiple years.

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, Mississippi’s sole African American and Democratic member of Congress, praised the appointment this week on social media.

“I support the appointment of Judge Carlton Reeves on being named head of the United States Sentencing Commission,” Thompson said. “It is a pleasure to witness the first Black judge to be appointed chair of the commission.”

[SOUTCE: ENTERPRISE JOURNAL]