African American news blog that features news that may get little or no coverage in the mainstream media
Sunday, December 24, 2017
Congressional Black Caucus to Speaker Ryan: Reauthorize, Fully Fund Children’s Health Insurance Program
Friday, December 22, 2017
Mary Norwood concedes: Keisha Lance Bottoms Officially Mayor Elect of Atlanta
Just two weeks after being narrowly defeated in the Atlanta mayoral runoff, Mary Norwood has officially conceded the race, making Keisha Lance Bottoms election night win official.
"For the future of this city, I believe it is the right thing to do to move on and hold a new administration accountable to serve this great city well," Norwood said in a video shared online.
The decision comes after a tumultuous several days following the election which was earlier in the month. Norwood first requested a recount and later challenged whether an entire recently-annexed neighborhood should be counted.
The admission, which follows the recount results showing an even bigger win for mayor-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms, further paves the way for the city's next mayor.
"I wish my opponent a term of governance that embodies all that my campaign did embracing every Atlantan and working hard for all Atlantans with grace and dignity," Norwood said in closing.
Thursday afternoon Bottoms released this statement:
“This was a long, hard fought campaign and I remain grateful for the support we received across this city. We truly are stronger together and we will move forward as one Atlanta. I appreciate the passion Ms. Norwood has shown towards our city and look forward to working with leaders across Atlanta to continue to improve our communities.”
[SOURCE]
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
John Kelly: I asked black Republicans to apply for Trump administration jobs
The meeting took place Monday, just days after the departure of White House aide Omarosa Manigault Newman, the former reality TV star.
"I met with them just for a few minutes and said we are looking for talented young men and women of any age that would be willing to come and serve the country for some period of time," Kelly said he told the group.
He added that he wasn't specifically calling for African-American or women applicants
Kelly also asked his guests to spread the word around, in case they knew people who were looking for "something that is very fulfilling."
"We're looking for good people," he said.Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Tahesha Way named New Jersey Secretary of State
Gov.-elect Phil Murphy on Monday introduced former Passaic County Freeholder (county commissioner) Tahesha Way as his choice for secretary of state, handing her a mandate to expand voter access and push back against President Donald Trump's administration.
The secretary of state is the chief election official, but also oversees the state's $44 billion tourism industry and is responsible for administering artistic, cultural and historical programs. Murphy said the position requires a "tested" leader who understands both business and law and "respects the vast cultures which make our state a melting pot." In Way, he said, he and Lt. Gov.-elect Sheila Oliver have found someone who fulfills those requirements and will "serve New Jersey with distinction."
Way was appointed to the Passaic County Freeholder Board in 2006 and served as its director in 2009. She spent five years as an administrative law judge and taught law at Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is currently the special counsel for the county's Board of Social Services.
"I look forward to working with the governor-elect to make democracy real for all residents of New Jersey through maintaining and strengthening voting rights and common-ground efforts to modernize the voting process, and I hope to ensure the integrity of the voting process," she said during a news conference in Trenton, where she was joined by three of her four daughters and her husband, Charles, a former running back for the New York Giants.
Monday, December 18, 2017
Sen. Cory Booker receives death threat

Police in Newark, New Jersey, are stepping up their protection of Sen. Cory Booker after he and his family received a death threat, Newark mayor Ras Baraka said in a statement Saturday.
"The Newark Police Division has been notified by the United States Capitol Police (USCP) regarding a threat on the life of New Jersey Senator Cory Booker and his family members," Baraka said. "As a result, members of the Police Division’s Executive Protection Unit have been assigned to provide security at the Senator’s residence in Newark."
He continued, "The USCP provides protection to Members of Congress and we are closely coordinating with the agency to ensure Senator Booker is able to carry out his duties of serving New Jersey's residents in Congress in a safe manner."
No further information about the death threat on the Democratic New Jersey lawmaker and his family was provided.