Friday, September 08, 2017

Obama to hold first DNC fundraiser since leaving office

It's no secret that Democrats have been slacking in the fundraising department since President Obama left office. Well, now there's hope that fundraising will pick up with Obama holding his first of what will hopefully be multiple fundraisers since leaving office.

Former President Obama is reportedly set to hold his first fundraising event for the Democratic National Committee (DNC) since leaving the White House.

The event, which will take place in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 27, will help fund state parties and upcoming Virginia races, CNN reported on Friday.

The fundraiser marks Obama's second political event since leaving office, the first being in July for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

UNCF Launches the Hurricane Harvey HBCU Students Relief Fund



Help UNCF provide financial support to the thousands of HBCU (historically black colleges & universities) students in Texas and Louisiana impacted by the effects of Hurricane Harvey. Businesses are closed, perhaps for weeks or months, depriving employees of the paychecks they count on to pay family expenses, including their children’s college tuition. As the community comes together to rebuild, our HBCU students will need help with transportation, replenishing books, clothing and other educational necessities.
“We have all seen the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey in an area that is home to thousands of HBCU students,” said Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of UNCF. “As the floodwaters recede, we know all too well what we will find, the burden falling hardest on those least able to afford it: homes ruined and families forced into temporary shelters. Now more than ever, UNCF needs the community’s help to fill the gap and ensure that these students, our family, remain in school and not lose sight of their future endeavors. Stand with UNCF and ACT NOW.”
How Can You Help?
1.    Visit uncf.org/HarveyRelief or text UNCFNA to 50555 to donate.
2.    Encourage your friends, family and colleagues to pledge their commitment.
3.    Share this message on your social networks to spread the urgency to help our HBCU students. “Restoring the damage done by #HurricaneHarvey will be a long process, but our students need your help right away! Donate now: uncf.org/HarveyRelief.”                                            
Your donation will aid HBCU students through this natural disaster. Restoring the damage done by Harvey will be a long process, but even the smallest contribution can make a larger impact.
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About UNCF 
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF awards more than $100 million in scholarships annually and administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in.”® Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities. Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous news and updates, follow UNCF on Twitter @UNCF.

Thursday, September 07, 2017

Spelman College, Rosalind Brewer graduate named COO of Starbucks

A Spelman College graduate and the former CEO of Sam's Club has been appointed as Group President and Chief Operating Officer of Starbucks Corporation.

Rosalind Brewer is a current Starbucks board member and has more than 30 years of management experience.

“Starbucks is a culture-first company focused on performance and Roz is a world class operator and executive who embodies the values of Starbucks. She has been a trusted strategic counselor to me ever since she joined our board of directors, and I deeply value her insight, business acumen, and leadership expertise. Roz is the right leader to help us realize our greatest of ambitions in this next chapter of our journey,” said Kevin Johnson, Starbucks president and ceo. “I am honored that Roz is joining Starbucks in this capacity and playing an important role with an accomplished team of senior leaders that reflects the strength and diversity of our organization.”

Brewer left Wal-Mart February 1, 2017 after being the longest serving CEO of Sam's Club. She was also the first African-American to hold the CEO position at the company.

Brewer will be based at the Starbucks Support Center in Seattle beginning Oct. 2.

[SOURCE: WTVM]

Wednesday, September 06, 2017

Michael Bennett Discusses Violent Police Incident In Las Vegas Police

Seattle Seahawks star Michael Bennet has accused Las Vegas Police of throwing him to to the ground and threatening to blow his head off after he and others fled what many believed were gun shots. He like the others fleeing was seeking safety but believes that police singled him out for being black. Bennet discusses his altercation with Las Vegas police at a news conference. Bennet is obviously distraught and explained how he feels lucky to be alive.




Steve Harvey's wife advised him not to meet with Trump

By George L. Cook III African American Reports

It seems that everyone's favorite TV/radio/game show host has the same problem many married men do, he doesn't listen to his wife, although in Steve's defense he may have lost track of who his current wife is. She advised him not to go to the ill fated meeting with Trump at Trump Towers, but instead of listening to her, Harvey decided to listen to his inner Uncle Ruckus. We all know how badly things went for Harvey after that meeting and in an article in the Hollywood Reporter Harvey discusses the aftermath. He discusses ignoring his wife's advice, meetings with Ben Carson, and the fact that he is STILL surprised by the backlash from the black community that he received.

On ignoring his wife's advice:

Now, here's the crazy thing: I'm supposed to be on a boat for my 60th birthday, so my wife says, "Steve, just take off [and skip the meeting]. You'll meet with him some other time." God, I should've listened.

On the backlash:

The backlash. It was so vicious that it really threw me. I was being called names that I've never been called: Uncle Tom. A coon. A sellout. Because I went to see this man?! Which only happened because my business partner got a call from the Obama transition team, who said that the Trump transition team would like to set up a meeting. The Obama team said they thought it would be a good idea because the president is encouraging dialogue.

On meetings with Ben Carson:

I've been to HUD twice. I've met with Dr. Carson and we're actually trying to get it started. We've had meetings, and now we're just waiting on the final notes. We have several teams in place. Hopefully before the year goes out, we'll be making the announcement about the first vision center.

Read the full article here: HOLLYWOOD REPORTER