UNCF Sends Letter to White House Regarding 2017 National HBCU Conference Postponement

On August 23, UNCF (United Negro College Fund) issued a letter to the White House requesting that the 2017 National HBCU Conference be postponed, given that a new Executive Director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities) has not been appointed, and the lack of progress on HBCU initiatives. The letter was addressed to Andrew Bremberg, Director, Domestic Policy Council for the White House, and Betsy DeVos, Secretary, U.S. Department of Education. Read that letter below:

Dear Director Bremberg and Secretary DeVos:

On behalf of UNCF and our member historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), I am writing in regard to the 2017 National HBCU Week Conference sponsored by the White House Initiative on HBCUs and the U.S. Department of Education.

After thoughtful deliberation, UNCF joins with other HBCU advocacy organizations in requesting a postponement of the annual HBCU conference in September sponsored by the White House Initiative on HBCUs, and we ask you to reconsider yesterday’s announcement that the White House will move forward with the conference. At a critical time in our nation, and in the spirit of unity among our HBCUs, we believe this postponement would allow us to work together to develop a common agenda that will serve the best interests of our HBCUs, and especially our students.

UNCF recommends that the White House postpone the HBCU conference in order to focus on appointing an Executive Director of the White House Initiative who has the respect of the HBCU community and establishing this office as part of the Domestic Policy Council, as set forth in Executive Order 13779 signed in February; convening the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs; and developing a meaningful plan of action with concrete commitments to invest in and advance HBCUs. UNCF previously has provided the Administration with a roadmap for such investments, and we look forward to working with you to identify the highest short-and long-term priorities.

UNCF and our member institutions believe that these actions would best actualize the Administration's commitment to HBCUs in lieu of the convening planned for September. Further, UNCF will not release, as part of the conference, an important national HBCU economic impact study that we have commissioned if the conference occurs as planned.

We make this recommendation in the spirit of sincerely advancing our mutual goals of promoting excellence and innovation at the nation's HBCUs and enhancing their unique educational, economic and civic contributions to the country.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like additional information on UNCF's views.

Sincerely,

Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D.

President and CEO

Colin Kaepernick thanks fans for support

A day after a rally in support of him outside the NFL's offices in New York, Colin Kaepernick thanked the participants in a tweet on Thursday.

On Wednesday more than 1,000 people crowded the area around the league's midtown Manhattan offices. Many of those fans wore jerseys with his name and demanded Kaepernick be signed by the start of the regular season on Sept. 7.

On Twitter, Kaepernick wrote: Thank you to everyone who went to support yesterday. My faith always has been and always will be in the power of the people!

[SOURCE: UPI]

Federal judge strikes down Texas' voter ID law

A federal court in Texas on Wednesday struck down the state's controversial voter identification law, granting an injunction that bars state officials from enforcing the measure.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ruled that the law was enacted with the deliberate intent to discriminate against black and Hispanic voters. Ramos said that it violates the Voting Rights Act and the 14th and 15th Amendments of the Constitution.

The original 2011 law, Senate Bill 14, one of the most restrictive in the nation, requires registered voters to present one of seven forms of government-issued photo ID in order to cast a ballot.

Lawmakers responded to previous judicial pushback against that bill by passing Senate Bill 5, a revamped version of the voter ID law this summer. The judge on Wednesday issued an injunction barring enforcement of that measure as well.

That measure created options for voters who say they cannot "reasonably" obtain one of the seven forms of identification outlined by the state.

But in her ruling Wednesday, Ramos said that the revamped measure preserved the original bill's discriminatory features.

Read more: Federal judge strikes down Texas' voter ID law

The life story of Malcolm X to become a TV series

Manning Marable’s Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, Malcolm X: A Life Of Reinvention, is being adapted as a television series by Critical Content and writer David Matthews (Boardwalk Empire, Tyrant).

Matthews will pen the adaptation with Critical Content’s Tom Forman, Andrew Marcus, and Ray Ricord executive producing. Dr. Leith Mullings and Michael Tyner will serve as producers and consultants.

Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention is considered the definitive history of Malcolm X’s life, revealing previously unknown details of Malcolm X’s evolution into an internationally recognized black leader. The series dramatizes the singular life of a great international African-American hero, one whose story continues to inspire the world.

The creative team is currently in discussions with filmmakers to join the project. Also planned is a subsequent documentary on the ongoing legacy of Malcolm X.

Critical Content is represented by WME. Matthews is represented by WME and Anonymous Content. UTA represented the Marable Estate in the deal on behalf of The Cheney Agency. [SOURCE: DEADLINE]

Check out the book the TV series will be based on.

HARDCOVER----- PAPERBACK------- KINDLE

Congressional Black Caucus has had it with Trump, plans to discuss impeachment

The Congressional Black Caucus, a formidable bloc of lawmakers with a big say in the fate of President Donald Trump and his legislation, on Monday (Aug. 21) sent him a terse, clear message: We don't think you understand us at all. Its chairman, Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, urged cancellation of next month's highly anticipated meeting between White House officials and leaders of the nation's historically black colleges, and he said he plans to have the 49-member caucus discuss whether to back Democratic-led efforts to impeach Trump.

Richmond said the president's remarks after the deadly Aug. 12 protest in Charlottesville, Va., show he has no commitment to the schools or to African Americans. Richmond said the caucus was outraged by Trump's assertion of "blame on both sides" for the violent Charlottesville rally dominated by neo-Nazis and white supremacists.

"You can make an argument based on pure competency and fitness to serve, and that's the conversation the caucus will have," Richmond told reporters in a conference call. The caucus includes 46 House Democrats, Rep. Mia Love, R-Utah, and Democratic Sens. Kamala Harris of California and Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey.

"Am I concerned about high crimes and misdemeanors?" Richmond asked. "Absolutely. Am I concerned about this president's fitness to serve? Absolutely."

Read more: Congressional Black Caucus has had it with Trump, plans to discuss impeachment