St. Jude Receives $1Million Sickle Cell Grant

Dr. Glenda Newell-Harris, national president of The Links Foundation Inc. and The Links Inc. tours St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Thursday, May 3. The Links awarded a $1 million grant to St. Jude for sickle cell disease initiatives.

The Links Foundation, one of the nation’s oldest and largest African-American women’s volunteer service organizations, awarded a $1 million Legacy Grant to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Thursday with a goal of jumpstarting three critical sickle cell disease initiatives.

St. Jude has researched and treated children with sickle cell disease since opening in 1962, and today touts one of the largest programs taking care of sickle cell patients, with more than 900 children from across the region. The disease is the most commonly inherited blood disorder in the United States, affecting about 100,000 Americans. It more commonly manifests in people of African descent; Hispanics; and people of Middle Eastern, Asian, Indian and Mediterranean descent.

“We have made great progress,” said St. Jude president and CEO Dr. James R. Downing. “These children now are making it through childhood and into adulthood. Back when I was in medical school, most of them died before the age of 5. Their pain crises are less, and we’re able to prevent many of the major complications – much fewer strokes, much fewer renal failures, much fewer problems with their vision.”

The average life span today for children diagnosed with sickle cell disease is 45 years old.
In addition to eventually finding a cure, Downing hopes to see a future health care system that is more receptive to taking care of sickle cell patients once they leave St. Jude.

The executive board of The Links Foundation Inc., the philanthropic arm for The Links Inc., visited St. Jude ’s campus Thursday for the grant award.

“It’s wonderful to hear Dr. Downing say that he wants to be able to do more so that the average life expectancy can be just like everyone else,” said Dr. Glenda Newell-Harris, national president of The Links Foundation and The Links. “And it’s wonderful to be a part of an organization that wants to be a part of that revolutionary work that’s going to need to get done.”

The grant will support expansion of three St. Jude clinical efforts – studies designed to increase knowledge of cognitive deficits in children with sickle cell disease; development of a community health worker education program to counsel parents of infants with sickle cell disease in Nigeria; and an age-appropriate mobile app to help patients develop adequate self-care and disease literacy.

Read more: St. Jude Receives $1M Sickle Cell Grant.

Auntie Maxine on Kanye: 'Perhaps sometimes he needs some assistance'

Outspoken Trump critic Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) weighed in on Kanye West's latest string of hot takes this week at a meeting of the Congressional Black Caucus. Waters praised the rapper for his contributions to the African-American community while also saying he sometimes "talks out of turn."

"Kanye West is a very creative young man who has presented some of the most revolutionary material in the African-American community," said Waters, who is among Trump's most vocal critics in Congress and has repeatedly called for the president to be impeached.

"But we also think that sometimes Kanye West talks out of turn and perhaps sometimes he needs some assistance in helping him to formulate some of his thoughts," she continued.

"We don’t think that he actually means to do harm, but we’re not sure he really understands the impact of what he’s saying, at the time that he’s saying it and how that weighs on, particularly the African-American community — and for young people in general," she added. "And I think maybe he should think twice about politics, and maybe not have so much to say."

[SOURCE: SFGATE]

Oregon Supreme Court gets first African-American justice

Adrienne Nelson made history this year, becoming the first African-American to be appointed to the Oregon Supreme Court in its 158-year history.

Nelson relocated to Oregon after graduating from the University of Texas School of Law in 1993 to be closer to family. She practiced law in Portland for several years before becoming a Multnomah County circuit judge in 2006. Nelson was appointed to Oregon’s highest court by Gov. Kate Brown on Jan. 2.

As she transitions to her new role, Justice Nelson wants to continue to address issues that are important to all Oregonians. She says she believes the most important ones are those that people don’t feel entirely comfortable talking about.

“There are so many issues that are going on in our society right now, and I would say that the biggest issue isn’t a legal issue,” Nelson says. “Rather, I believe civility and the ability to have conversations around hard topics is most critical for our country.”

The access-to-justice gap is another critical issue for Justice Nelson. She has held “listening sessions” at various community locations, allowing residents to share their experiences and concerns about the justice system.

“The goal was twofold,” Nelson explains. “It was to acknowledge that there was a gap between the perception of justice for people who came before us and my colleagues, as well as to figure out—once we identify that—where do we go from there to educate each other.”

Nelson believes she owes her success in the legal field to the inspiration she finds in people from all walks of life. And she says she hopes to continue to uphold the law as an equalizer that gives voice to people and issues that otherwise may not have support.

“People won’t always remember what you said or what you did, but they’ll remember how you made them feel, and I think that’s very important and something I try to live by,” Nelson says.

[SOURCE: ABA JOURNAL]

Congressional Black Caucus pushes for diversity during Silicon Valley Trip

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus are visiting Silicon Valley to push the tech industry to improve diversity.

The visit is part of the group's Tech 2020 initiative, which calls on companies to boost the numbers of African-Americans they employ.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), whose Oakland district borders the country's tech hub, expressed frustration with the industry's efforts.

“Silicon Valley's economy is booming but we still don’t have the parity and equity in terms of racial inclusion,” Lee told The Hill on Monday. “The lack of understanding of why racial equity is important is mind-boggling to me.”

Lee declined to identify the companies she was referring to.

She has been joined by other Black Caucus members, including Reps. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), G.K Butterfield (D-N.C.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), on the trip.

The lawmakers have met with Apple and PayPal and on Tuesday will meet with representatives from other companies including Facebook, Twitter and Airbnb.

Lee said that lack of diversity is hurting companies.

“I think from a company perspective, it helps with their growth, it’s economically beneficial to have a diversity of perspectives,” she said.

“We have also moral obligation to make sure there is an equality of opportunity for everyone.”

Read more: Black lawmakers press companies on diversity during Silicon Valley trip

High School football coach: I'm being forced out for having too many black players on team

Camden Catholic High School (NJ) football coach Nick Strom says he thinks officials are trying to force him out of his job because he has too many black players on his team.

The stunning allegation comes after school President Mary Whipkey and Principal Heather Crisci told him Friday afternoon that his contract as a history teacher would not be renewed for next year. The officials also asked Strom to resign from his posts as head football and golf coach.

Camden Catholic officials deny the allegations.

“I think this is from me not conforming with their viewpoints on what they want the student body and the football team to look like,” Strom alleged. “I’ve tried to build this program into one that’s based on kids being of ability, high character and high grades.

“From day one, the administration told me they did not approve of the ratio of black to white students.”

Strom estimated the topic of race came up “10 to 20 times” with Whipkey since he was hired as football coach in 2013.

“When I’d have a list of potential freshmen, the first question I’d be asked is if they were white or black,” he said. “I was confused about why the question was, ‘How can we get more white players in the program or on the field?’”

About half of the team's players are minorities, Strom said.

The embattled coach and teacher said there also were occasions when he was asked whether a student came from a single- or double-parent household.

“I always felt like I could be above it,” said Strom, who’s lost only two games in South Jersey over four years. “I don’t think as coaches we get into that. You’re trying to improve your team and trying to help kids be a part of society to make a difference in their lives.”

Another teacher controversy: Students support ousted Cherry Hill East teacher.

On Monday morning, Strom told school officials he won't resign, and will remain in his coaching roles until told otherwise.

Since Strom became coach, Camden Catholic is 34-6, with a 34-2 record against South Jersey teams.

Read more: Camden Catholic football coach Nick Strom fired; racism alleged