Newark N.J. will remain a sanctuary city

In light of the election of Donald Trump, Newark N.J. mayor Ras Baraka has made the following statement that Newark will stand by undocumented residents:

"Newark already has a policy of protecting undocumented immigrants from deportation by U.S. immigration authorities. Despite the election of Donald Trump, we see no reason to change that policy,"

"In Newark, we comply with federal immigration agencies, but insist that detainer requests be handled constitutionally. I hope that no president would violate those principles, the very foundation of our nation, by taking punitive action against cities that are simply protecting the well-being of residents,"

Charles Mainor to run for Jersey City mayor

Charles Mainor, a retired police detective and former NJ state assemblyman, told The Jersey Journal this week that he intends to challenge Mayor Steve Fulop's re-election bid next November.

Mainor, 49, who was elbowed out of a fourth term in the Assembly last year, said in an interview at Larsen's Restaurant on Bergen Avenue that he's running for mayor to make sure every resident enjoys the fruits of Jersey City's renaissance.

"Everybody should be a part of Jersey City moving forward and I don't see that right now," he said.

Mainor, who lives on Wade Street in the city's Greenville section, said his campaign will focus on decreasing crime, bringing jobs to city residents and improving education by strengthening ties between City Hall and the public-school district.

Mainor said he intends to be mayor "of the whole city, not just the Waterfront."

"There are parts of the city that do receive more attention than others," Mainor said.

[SOURCE]

Andre Ward defeats Sergey Kovalev to become light heavyweight champion

By George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com

Andre Ward showed the true heart of a champion by getting up off the canvas after a second round knockdown and going the full 12 rounds to defeat fellow champion Sergey Kovalev.

In what is sure to be a fight of the year candidate, Ward outscored 114-113 on all three judges cards in a unanimous decision to become the new light heavyweight champ. He now holds the WBA, WBO, and IBF belts. His professional boxing record is now 31-0 and he is now considered the best pound for pound boxer in the sport.

Ward joins champions such as Thomas Hearns, Roy Jones Jr. and Sugar Ray Leonard to win titles at both super middleweight and light heavyweight.

Ward has already stated that he is open to giving Kovalev a rematch. This being boxing we will see if that ever happens but congratulations to the undisputed champ, Andre Ward.

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LeBron James contributes $2.5 million to Smithsonian Muhammad Ali display

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture announced today that LeBron James will give $2.5 million to support the museum and its presentation titled “Muhammad Ali: A Force for Change.” On view since the museum’s September opening, it tells the story of how Ali’s contributions transcended the world of sport—his commitment to challenging racial barriers helped lay the groundwork for the successful careers of so many African Americans in athletics and beyond.

James’ business partner Maverick Carter will also be part of the $2.5 million contribution to the Ali exhibit. With this gift, the LeBron James Family Foundation and Carter will join the list of founding donors for NMAAHC.

“Every professional athlete, regardless of race and gender, owes a huge debt of gratitude to Muhammad Ali,” James said. “His legacy deserves to be studied and revered by every generation. I am honored to partner with the Smithsonian to celebrate one of the most influential figures in our nation’s history who, along with Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens, used the power of sports to advance our civil rights.”

“I am overwhelmed by the incredible generosity LeBron James has shown to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and to Muhammad’s legacy,” said Lonnie Ali, Ali’s widow. “This exhibit will enable children visiting the Smithsonian to learn more about Muhammad’s work outside of the ring, particularly his humanitarian work and stance on social justice for all people. Thank you to LeBron James and the Smithsonian for making this possible. I know that if Muhammad was alive today he would be honored.”

[SOURCE]

New Documentary: Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Historically Black Colleges and Universities is the first and only feature documentary and multi-platform project to research, gather, and share a rich mosaic of stories that relay the history of HBCUs.

Tell Them We Are Rising is being produced by Firelight Films and directed by master documentarian Stanley Nelson, producer of The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution and other award-winning films that illuminate the rich experiences of African-Americans. It is slated to air in 2017 on the PBS prime-time series Independent Lens. The project is funded with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Lumina Foundation.

The telling of this story is long overdue. HBCUs have been at the margins of the American collective conscience despite their role in shaping Black life, dismantling desegregation and birthing and growing the Black middle class. Tell Them We Are Rising’s compelling narrative and original footage will show Americans that, HBCUs have touched all Americans—regardless of race. HBCUs deserve respect, support and a prominent place in our historical and contemporary understanding of higher education.

This project comes at the right time. HBCUs are at a crossroads. Many are in financial stress and face possible closure. Many Americans question their relevance in a post-segregated nation. Tell Them We Are Rising will provide a national forum to explore and discuss a path forward for the nation’s 100-plus HBCUs.

Tell Them We Are Rising is a story for everyone. The film and supporting multimedia platform will expertly connect snapshots from a long and rich history to contemporary understandings of HBCUs. It will inspire debate, conversation, pride and memories that are necessary to understand the past and chart the future of HBCUs.

You can be part of Tell Them We Are Rising. Firelight Films needs your help to create the #HBCURising Yearbook, a crowd-sourced archive highlighting HBCU life from the first school’s founding to present day. Please share anything that connects you and your family to the unique HBCU experience including: photos, articles, grandparent and/or great grand-parent letters and journal entries, videos, transcripts, and/or short stories of personal encounters with HBCU students or at HBCUs.

Forget what you think you know. Tell Them We Are Rising will shed new light on the inspirational path HBCUs have traveled from their inception as schools to educate the families of formerly enslaved Americans to the challenges they face today for investment and understanding.