Yale honors first black student James Pennington

Yale University is honoring its first black student by naming a classroom for him.

The New Haven Register reports that the school will hold a ceremony Thursday to name a divinity school classroom after James W.C. Pennington and hang his portrait in the room.

Divinity school graduate Lecia Allman led the effort to honor Pennington, who escaped slavery in Maryland in 1837. Allman says it was illegal in Connecticut then to educate African-Americans from other states, but Pennington was allowed to attend classes. He just wasn't allowed to speak, use the library or earn a degree.

Pennington later became an abolitionist and formed an organization to provide former Amistad captives an education.

Divinity School Dean Gregory Sterling says honoring Pennington "recovers part of our past that has been neglected.''

New Documentary: "Invisible Women: Being a Black Woman in Corporate America"

Head Not The Tail Productions (HNTT Productions) is excited to announce the forthcoming screening of its important and timely documentary titled Invisible Women: Being a Black Woman in Corporate America. The film, directed by Melody Shere'a and executive produced by Monica Simmons, is a powerful and inspiring documentary that is the result of a year-long research study interviewing black professional women in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City. Invisible Women uncovers and addresses issues around racism that profoundly affect black women in the corporate workplace. The women share respective experiences of disappointment and rejection when simply trying to earn a living and/or compete against white, Asian and women of other races for a higher step on the corporate ladder. Invisible Women will screen Wednesday, October 12, 2016 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Valley Center for the Performing Arts, a unique performance facility that exists in the Oakland Hills on the scenic campus of Holy Names University (3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland, CA). The evening will encompass the film viewing, reception and panel discussion. Tickets are $20 through Oct. 2; $30 thereafter.

"For the production of Invisible Women, we interviewed black women of varied professional levels who generously shared their previously untold stories and feelings around race-related issues on the job," said Shere'a, HNTT Productions founder and CEO. "In conducting the research, we found the corporate practice of discrimination to be a common harsh reality faced by countless women of color. We also interviewed experts who provide employment reports and statistical data on this topic."

Shere'a, the film's director and executive producer Simmons are talented sisters. They have each personally experienced workplace race and gender discrimination throughout their corporate careers, which is how they conceived the idea to develop this documentary.

HNTT Productions partnered with non-profit organizations BlackFemaleProject.Org and Center for Talent Innovation to dig into the issues, look at the facts, explore the reality of working in corporate America as a black woman and delve into ways to improve the environment for tomorrow's young black corporate professionals.

While there is certainly lobbying at local, state and federal levels for gender equality and diversity in the workplace, women's discrimination remains a troubling issue that as yet has not been adequately addressed. Though numerous entities address the issue by hiring and promoting more women into management positions and corporate executive roles, a considerable recognition/advancement gap still exists for black women.

The playing field isn’t level and well-qualified black women are too frequently denied the opportunity to explore similar career growth opportunities as their white and other female counterparts. The facts and details you will learn from this documentary will surprise you.

About News noted in a May 2016 report that although black women only make up 12.7 percent of the female population in the country, they consistently make up over 50 percent—and sometimes much more—of the number of blacks who receive postsecondary degrees. Percentage-wise, Black women outpace white women, Latinas, Asian/Pacific Islanders and Native Americans in the education arena. However, a recent study found black women make up just 8% of private sector jobs and 1.5% of leadership roles.

Shere'a has a passion for empowering and mentoring young girls, and is a "Woman of Impact" member for Girls Inc. Alameda County. A portion of the event proceeds will be donated to the following organizations: Black Female Project, Girls Inc Alameda County, Girls Who Code and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. To contribute directly to the fund, visit IndieGoGo crowdfunding page.

ABOUT HEAD NOT THE TAIL PRODUCTIONS (HNTTP): 
HNTT Productions, founded in 2016 by Melody Shere’a, is located in the heart of Oakland, California. The company creates, develops, produces and invests in film, television and documentary projects. The entertainment industry veteran possesses more than 10 years acting, print modeling and voice-over experience. She is a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). Shere’a graduated from Cal State Hayward, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree, and later pursued an MBA in Finance at Holy Names University in Oakland.

Monica Simmons is the Executive Producer of the documentary and head of production and film development for HNTT Productions.

Shere'a, HNTT Productions CEO states, "For too long our stories have been left behind. It is HNTTP's goal is to bring forth the change needed in the entertainment industry by becoming the 'Head and Not The Tail' in this business".    HNTTProductions.com

Hillary Clinton: Speech On Implicit Bias and Systematic Racism

Here's a speech you wont hear Donald Trump give. This past Sunday Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton visited Little Rock AME Zion Church, a historic black church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Clinton discussed implicit bias and systemic racism that still exists in America. She spoke about the deaths of Terence Crutcher and Keith Scott at the hands of police and how we as a country can begin to address the issue of implicit bias. Watch her speech below.

Lebron James endorses Hillary Clinton

I know many sports fans out there believe that black athletes should just play ball, enjoy the millions they make, and never speak about social or political issues. Fortunately, there is a new wave of athletes like Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwyane Wade who have decided that they can no longer be quiet about issues that affect them, their families, their friends, and their communities. George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com.

In an op-ed posted at BusinessInsider.Com NBA star Lebron James endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. In the op-ed James wrote:

When I look at this year’s presidential race, it’s clear which candidate believes the same thing. Only one person running truly understands the struggles of an Akron child born into poverty. And when I think about the kinds of policies and ideas the kids in my foundation need from our government, the choice is clear.

That candidate is Hillary Clinton.

I support Hillary because she will build on the legacy of my good friend, President Barack Obama. I believe in what President Obama has done for our country and support her commitment to continuing that legacy.

Like my foundation, Hillary has always been a champion for children and their futures. For over 40 years, she’s been working to improve public schools, expand access to health care, support children’s hospitals, and so much more.

She wants to make sure kids have access to a good education, no matter what zip code they live in. She’ll rebuild schools that are falling apart and put more money into computer science. She’ll make sure teachers are paid what they deserve so they can give everything to their students.

She also has plans to make college a reality for more people in America, especially for those who can’t afford it. My kids in Akron are proof of the hope and motivation that come from knowing college can be in their future, no matter what obstacles they might be facing.

Finally, we must address the violence, of every kind, the African-American community is experiencing in our streets and seeing on our TVs. I believe rebuilding our communities by focusing on at-risk children is a significant part of the solution. However, I am not a politician, I don’t know everything it will take finally to end the violence. But I do know we need a president who brings us together and keeps us unified. Policies and ideas that divide us more are not the solution. We must all stand together — no matter where we are from or the color of our skin. And Hillary is running on the message of hope and unity that we need.

Why are some black millennials supporting Gary Johnson?

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com

If you have no life and have been watching the poll numbers about this upcoming general election as I do you will notice that Hillary Clinton's biggest threat when it comes to the black vote is Gary Johnson, not Donald Trump. Johnson is especially catching on with black millennials, and that got me to wondering what Johnson was discussing when it comes to the issues that concern that group of voters, police shootings/Black Lives Matter, jobs, education, and criminal justice reform. And because I have no life I decided to check out Johnson's website to see his stand on those four issues that effect black millennials and African American voters in general. From what I can gather I don't understand why any black millennial or any African American for that matter would vote for Johnson.

POLICE SHOOTINGS #BlackLivesMatter

If the shooting of unarmed black men is an issue for you you want find anything on Johnson's web site articulating his views on this issue. While he has made comments while campaigning about Black Lives Matter he has no fleshed out take on the issue or what he intends to do about it on his webpage.

JOBS

On his page about jobs it's apparent that Johnson favors deregulation:

Governors Johnson and Weld believe that we must allow a regulatory and tax environment that incentivizes fairness. Not one that picks winners and losers. The purpose of government regulation is to protect citizens from bad actors and the harm they might do to health, safety, and property. But regulation should not be used to manipulate the economy, to manage private lives and businesses, or to place unnecessary burdens on those who make our economy work.

My take on that stance.

Just ask the people in Flint Michigan how well deregulation works. Also, you can forget about that $15 an hour minimum wage as the page clearly states regulation should not be used to manipulate the economy or to place unnecessary burdens on those who make our economy work.

EDUCATION

If you are a Millennial and college affordability is an issue for you the first thing you will notice is that there is nothing on his page about that topic. Why would there be as Libertarians believe in the free market system which has worked to drive up college cost.

He also wants to eliminate the DOE (Department of Education) and allow states to run their schools as they see fit. This is great if you live in a state that values education but horrible if you reside in a state with failing schools and a state government more worried about slashing cost than educating children.

On education Johnson's web page does point out his view on school choice:

Knowing full well that the establishment would resist calls for change, he nevertheless advocated a universally available program for school choice. Competition, he believes, will make our public and private educational institutions better.

My take on that stand:

As a board of education member in my community I understand the desire of parents to get their children into better schools. The problem I have with Johnson's stance and others like it is that it still doesn't address fixing failing schools or what will happen to this student left behind. In my opinion, this is just a feel good band aid approach.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

On this topic Johnson's page tend to has more meat on the bone and it states some truths:

How is it that the United States, the land of the free, has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world? The answer is simple: Over time, the politicians have “criminalized” far too many aspects of people’s personal lives.

The failed War on Drugs is, of course, the greatest example. Well over 100 million Americans have, at one time or another, used marijuana. Yet, today, simple possession and use of marijuana remains a crime — despite the fact that a majority of Americans now favor its legalization.

And who is most harmed by the War on Drugs? Minorities, the poor, and anyone else without access to high-priced attorneys.

More generally, mandatory minimum sentences for a wide range of offenses and other efforts by politicians to be “tough” have removed far too much common-sense discretion from judges and prosecutors.

These factors, combined with the simple fact that we have too many unnecessary laws, have produced a society with too many people in our prisons and jails, too many undeserving individuals saddled with criminal records, and a seriously frayed relationship between law enforcement and those they serve.

Fortunately, a growing number of state and local governments are taking steps toward meaningful criminal justice reform. The federal government must do the same, and Gary Johnson is committed to bringing real leadership to this long-overdue effort.

Gary Johnson and Bill Weld are committed to meaningful criminal justice reform.

End the War on Drugs. Reduce Recidivism. Support Law Enforcement.

My take on this stance:

I'm happy that Johnson wants to end the war on drugs, reduce recidivism and support law enforcement but he doesn't tell us how he will do any of those things which in my opinion simply makes them campaign rhetoric. This is too serious of an issue not to give details.

Now I'm not saying that Gary Johnson is a bad candidate or that any rational black voter should not take a look at his platform. What I am saying is that Johnson's Liberation beliefs may put him at odds with things that can help African Americans. That is something to consider.

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com

In the interest of full disclosure Mr. Cook supports Hillary Clinton.