AFRICAN AMERICAN REPORTS

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Marine Corps selects 1st black woman to be a general officer

Secretary of Defense James Mattis announced a historic nomination Tuesday.

If confirmed, Marine Corps Col. Lorna M. Mahlock will be the first black female to serve as brigadier general, according to the Marine Corps office of public affairs.

Right now, Mahlock is the deputy director of operations, plans, policies and operations directorate at the Marine Corps' headquarters in Washington, D.C., according to a press release.

The Marine Corps is the smallest of the four military services, and the branch has the fewest female service members, according to the Marine Corps Community Services.

Women make up just 8 percent of the Marine Corps, but that percentage is likely to increase, according to Gen. Glenn Walters, the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps.

Last year, the Marine Corps made history by welcoming its first female infantry officer. The woman, who wished to be unnamed, was the first female to finish training for a military occupational specialty (MOS), which was opened up to women in April 2016.

And it was only three years ago when the Pentagon historically made all combat jobs available to women.

[SOURCE: ABCNEWS]

Black Caucus member tells Zuckerberg Facebook is 'not nearly' diverse enough

Congressional Black Caucus member G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., told Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Wednesday that his efforts to include more black people on his company's leadership team have so far fallen short of meeting the goal of diversity.

Zuckerberg said Facebook has increased its representation of black employees from 2 percent to 3 percent, and said the company has implemented several diversity initiatives, but Butterfield said that isn't good enough.

“While this is a small increase, it’s better than none,” Butterfield said. “And this does not nearly meet the definition of building a racially diverse community.”

Butterfield also said a glance at Facebook's leadership team online shows a lack of diversity. That page lists just a few people on the leadership team: Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Financial Officer Dave Wehner, Chief Technology Officer Mike Schroepfer, and Chief Product Officer Chris Cox.

“This is your leadership team, and this does not reflect America,” Butterfield said. “Can you improve the numbers on your leadership team to be more diverse?”

Zuckerberg told the Democratic congressman it was an “issue that we’re focused on,” but said the company has a “broader leadership than just five people.”

“It’s not on your website,” Butterfield responded. “We can do better than that. We certainly can. Do you plan to add an African-American to your leadership team in the foreseeable future and will you commit that you will continue to work with us, the Congressional Black Caucus, to increase diversity within your company that you’re so proud of?”

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Shaq literally building up his hometown of Newark NJ

Former NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal is making his mark on his hometown skyline with two new apartment complexes that he is building in Newark NJ.

And much like the 7-foot-1-inch sports legend, the 22-story apartment complex -- colloquially called "Shaq Towers" -- will hover over the city's downtown as its first high-rise in more than 50 years.

"I remember when I was growing up (the city) used to be beautiful like this so the older I get, I want it to be a little more beautiful," O'Neal told NJ Advance Media. "I invest in things that are going to make a difference."

On Tuesday, O'Neal, a Newark native, was joined by Gov. Phil Murphy, Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver and Mayor Ras Baraka to mark a milestone in the building's construction.

"Yet another piece of evidence that this city is on the rise, let there be no doubt about it," Murphy said. "This is a city that has got a trajectory that is undeniable ... as our big urban centers go, first and foremost as Newark goes, so goes the state of New Jersey."

The $79 million luxury apartments, developed by Boraei Development and O'Neal, are steps from the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and the renovated Hahne & Co. building that includes a Whole Foods and the newest restaurant by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson.

The 168 apartments at 1 Rector Street will open by the end of the year with residents able to apply for a lease as soon as September, Wasseem Boraie told NJ Advance Media. He said the company bought the property -- which used to house the old Science Park High School 10 years ago -- but construction didn't begin until last October.

"We were waiting for the right time," Boraie said, citing new businesses in the area. "We all then build up around the supply."

O'Neal also announced a new $150 million, 350-unit apartment complex with Boraie (whom he called "the Kobe Bryant of development"). The 35-story building on 777 McCarter Highway will be known as the "House that Shaq Built," O'Neal said.

[SOURCE: NJ.COM]

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

111-year-old black veteran gets African-American museum tour

The oldest US veteran of World War II, the 111-year-old grandson of a slave, has received an exclusive tour of the National Museum of African American History and Culture after being flown to Washington on a private jet by a wealthy benefactor.

Richard Overton, who turns 112 next month is believed to be the oldest man in the United States and the third-oldest in the world.

Overton grew up in Texas, where his grandfather, a former slave, settled after being granted his freedom in Tennessee.

He served in the Pacific during World War II in an all-black battalion and worked in a furniture store after the war.

On Sunday, Overton took a private tour of the African-American museum in Washington thanks to Robert Smith, a billionaire businessman and investor who is richest African-American in the country, according to Forbes magazine.

Volma Overton, a cousin, told AFP that Smith met with Richard Overton on Friday in Austin, Texas, where they both live.

Smith, who donated about $20 million to the museum, made the arrangements "for us to have a personal tour, a special tour," Volma Overton said.

"We never thought about going to the museum any time lately, but Mr. Smith came by his house to visit Richard for the first time," he said.

"He sat and talked to Richard about two hours on Richard's porch, and he said: 'Would you like to go to DC to see the museum? What about tomorrow?'

"It happened just like that."

The Washington Post said that during the tour, Richard Overton received a call from Colin Powell, the former US secretary of state and ex-general who was the first African-American to serve as chairman of the US military's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Richard Overton was married twice. He divorced his first wife and his second wife died in the 1980s. He has no children.

Volma Overton attributed his relative's longevity to his love of cigars and whiskey.

"He smokes 15 cigars everyday," he said. "In DC he was desperate for a smoke, but it was so cold!

"He doesn't like cold weather."

Howard University said Monday that six employees dismissed by the school had misappropriated $369,000 in financial aid.

The new revelation comes after Howard students ended a nine-day sit-in that was sparked by the allegations of financial aid mismanagement.

Howard released a report last year that showed a number of employees had received grants from Howard and tuition remission that added up to more than the total cost of attending the university.

A report released by the university on Monday alleged that six employees — whom Howard has refused to names in accordance with its policy — received $90,000 in employee tuition benefits and $279,000 in university grants.

The historically black university in Washington, D.C., said it will continue investigating its financial aid office, and is looking into federal student aid to see if there was noncompliance with policies and procedures.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

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